Jetsettersblog

SmartPac for Airport liquids

mysmartpac (www.mysmartpac.com)

Priced at just $9.95 per pack, this is a traveler’s best friend. It is a wallet-friendly, convenient, carry-on approved, disposable, earth-friendly, travel size pack of personal care products makes traveling with just a carry-on a breeze.

Each pack, which comes in HIS and HERS, takes the guess work out of packing personal hygiene products (figuring out container sizes and worrying about bottles opening en-route) when traveling. HIS contains face cleanser, shave gel, after shave cream, body lotion, hair gel, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush and a triple blade razor in a one quart zip top bag. HERS includes face cleanser, anti-aging face cream, body lotion, hair gel, toothpaste, toothbrush and a triple blade razor in a one quart zip top bag.

All products are made in the U.S.A.

mysmartpac for HIMMysmartpac is essential personal care products for people on-the-go, packaged in a convenient travel size pack. Mysmartpac products simplify travel by providing beautifully designed and conveniently packaged high quality personal care products for the discerning traveler. Available for HIS or HERS that can go virtually anywhere. Carry-on approved, TSA compliant. No mess, no fuss, very smart.

mysmartpac for HERMysmartpac is essential personal care products for people on-the-go, packaged in a convenient travel size pack. Mysmartpac products simplify travel by providing beautifully designed and conveniently packaged high quality personal care products for the discerning traveler. Available for HIS or HERS that can go virtually anywhere. Carry-on approved, TSA compliant. No mess, no fuss, very smart.

Couples Resorts New Heights of Relaxation

“Reggaesage” Tops Menu of Offerings at Couples Swept Away’s Revived Oasis Spa

NEGRIL, JAMAICA – Couples Resorts continues to redefine the Caribbean all-inclusive experience with its most recent addition to Couples Swept Away in Negril - the newly rejuvenated Oasis Spa. Established in January of 2008, the refreshed facility offers guests an incomparable aura of romance with everything from one-of-a-kind hydrotherapy baths to the signature “Reggaesage” treatment.

As the perfect companion to Couples Swept Away’s modern 10-acre fitness complex, the Oasis Spa offers the Reggaesage treatment which blends the rhythms of Jamaican reggae music with an invigorating massage designed to rock and glide the body in a symphony of relaxation.

In addition to Reggaesage, guests can also enjoy the indoor, warm-water-relaxation pool and massage therapies such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, 4-Hands, Reflexology and Manual Lymphatic Drainage, which unwind couples while bringing them closer together through a serene experience. Nine exclusive treatment rooms are also available at Oasis Spa, including three luxury couples massage rooms, one hydrotherapy room and one Vichy Room with a nine-head shower to release toxins and revitalize the skin, while calming the senses.

“We are thrilled about the addition of the Oasis Spa and feel that it’s another element that will beautifully complement the existing services that make Couples Swept Away our most private and peaceful resort,” commented Randy Russell, Senior Vice President and Chief Romance Officer of Couples Resorts.

“We are confident that our spa, which combines world-class technicians and meticulous service with a sentiment of romance and our own personalized touch, will help guests achieve total relaxation and focus on one another, without distraction.”

A day at the Oasis Spa is the ideal revitalization remedy following an invigorating workout at Couples Swept Away’s state-of-the-art 10-acre sports and fitness complex. With a fully equipped gym and aerobics room, 25-meter lap pool, outdoor jogging track and a full list of fitness classes like body sculpting and yoga, guests are guaranteed to find something that fits their style.

And, visitors can conclude their time at the facility with a trip to the steam room or sauna; perfect for detoxifying prior to a retreat at the Oasis Spa.

Couples Resorts, headquartered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, owns and operates four properties in Jamaica – Couples Tower Isle, formally Couples Ocho Rios, the first-ever couples only all-inclusive resort; Couples Sans Souci; Couples Swept Away; and Couples Negril.

Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa, “father of Jamaican tourism,” each Couples Resort is an unsurpassed model of the all-inclusive concept, boldly designed with local inspiration to create a harmonic sense of nature and authentic Caribbean spirit.

For over 30 years, Couples has delighted guests and refined the Caribbean all-inclusive resort experience by providing unparalleled service, exceptional dining experiences and exclusive added value inclusions.

For further information, call 1-800-COUPLES or visit www.couples.com

How to Hunt Elk in Colorado - 2008

The popular hunting magazines display colorful photographs of huge bull elk standing in open meadows and presenting easy targets.

The reality in the mountains of Colorado, however, is far different.

Hunting elk is one of the most exciting big-game pursuits in North America. But stalking these animals is challenging, and most hunters won’t get easy shots.

“What the hunting magazines show is usually not the case,” says Patt Dorsey, with a slight laugh. An avid big game hunter, Dorsey is also an area wildlife manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

“You’re a lot more likely to find elk on a steep hillside in thick timber than out in the open,” Dorsey said.

The success rate for hunting elk in Colorado during 2007 was about 22 percent. That was a little below normal mainly because of the warm weather throughout the seasons. Hunters purchased a total of 227,262 elk licenses. Total harvest was 49,102 elk. The breakdown: 24,137 bulls, 22,529 cows and 2,346 calves.

If weather is warm, elk stay at high elevations and in the timber to help them stay cool. Consequently, hunters need to work harder to get shots. When snow falls, they move to lower elevations and bunch up.

Elk are very smart animals, Dorsey explains. They quickly sense movement in the woods and at any hint of danger move quickly and hide in rugged, difficult terrain. Compounding the challenge for hunters is the fact that elk typically gather in groups of 10 or more.

“That means they have a lot of eyes looking out for each other,” Dorsey says. “They are very communicative and will talk back and forth with barks. If one gets spooked, they’re all spooked and then they’re gone.”

Unlike deer, elk are not curious animals - they won’t stop to look at what’s near them.

“Once elk start running they usually won’t stop until they believe they’re safe. They can easily run for a mile or more,” Dorsey says.

To hunt elk, the first thing Dorsey advises is to get off the ATV and walk. It’s rare that a hunter will see an elk from a road during the season - let alone get a shot. When elk start hearing the noise of vehicles they move far away from roads.

Elk are most active during the night and are likely to be grazing in transition areas -meadows next to heavy timber, where different types of vegetation meet, just above or below ridgelines. The transition areas provide not only good food sources, but also good escape routes. Hunters should watch those areas at first light and at dusk.

During the day, hunters need to move into the dark timber and not be hesitant to hunt in difficult areas. Hunters should move as quietly as possible for short distances, and then scan the woods for 10 minutes or more before moving again. Even in dense forest it’s a good idea to use binoculars so you can discern subtle movement or colors in the trees.

“With binoculars it’s a lot easer to see the tip of an antler, or an unusual horizontal feature in all that vertical,” Dorsey says.

If you find the areas where animals graze at night, it’s likely that you’ll find them in adjacent areas during the day.

Elk like to remain in one area for most of the day. So a stealthy stalk is the key. Hunters also must be willing to venture into difficult terrain and thick forested areas.

When hunting in areas with roads, move far above or far below the roads to find elk. In areas where there are two roads, locate the most difficult terrain in between.

Elk will move to lower elevations as the weather cools - but it must be a substantial change. Snow that allows tracking always provides hunters an advantage. Elk usually won’t make a big move to lower elevations until the snow depths are a foot or more.

Elk can be found in the mountains throughout Colorado, but the most renowned area is in the northwest region of the state. The largest herd in the area, 40,000 animals, summers on the pristine high plateau known as the Flattops and migrates 50 miles and more into the vast undeveloped and lower altitude areas of Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. The areas hold abundant habitat where elk can thrive during the winter when temperatures are relatively mild compared with other areas in western Colorado.

“There is a lot of transition mountain brush which they like and plenty of room for them to spread out in the winter range,” says Darby Finley, a terrestrial biologist for the DOW. “They follow the food and there is a lot of it throughout the year.”

Wherever you choose to hunt, be sure to line up your shot carefully before you pull the trigger. Because of their size and endurance it can be difficult to knock an elk down. It’s important to hit them in the critical area of the lungs and the heart. Aim just behind and below the front quarters.

Colorado is the only state where an elk license can be purchased over-the-counter. That fact draws a lot of hunters to Colorado; but there are enough elk to provide good hunting opportunities for anyone who buys a license.

Pronghorn Provide Unique Challenge for Hunters

Serious pronghorn hunters are willing to wait years for the opportunity to hunt trophy bucks in the best pronghorn units in Colorado. All Colorado pronghorn hunting tags are issued by draw.

The average buck tag requires two to three preference points, but tags for premium units can require five or more points. Doe tags are easier to draw, but most hunters still need at least one point.

The majority of pronghorns are in northwest Colorado and on the eastern plains. Small populations of Pronghorn also are found in North Park, Middle Park, South Park and the San Luis Valley.

Demand for tags in the northwest region is usually highest, so more points are required. There are two reasons more hunters apply in the northwest: there are big herds with big bucks; hunters have the opportunity to hunt on both public and private land.

In eastern Colorado there are also large herds and trophy bucks. Most of the land, however, is private with the exception of some isolated pockets of public land including the Pawnee National Grasslands in the northeast and the Comanche National Grasslands in the southeast. The good news is that many ranchers and farmers in eastern Colorado are willing to grant permission to those who want to hunt pronghorn.

The best advice for a hunter to gain access to private land is to ask permission well in advance of the season. Never wait until opening day. If properly asked in advance, many landowners are willing to allow pronghorn hunting. Some will even offer directions to the best pronghorn locations, and information about watering holes and road access.

In 2007, the DOW issued 12,647 pronghorn licenses and hunter success was 67 percent.

How to Hunt Pronghorns

Hunters lucky enough to draw a pronghorn tag in Colorado face a unique adventure that requires a different set of strategies than those used for hunting deer or elk.

Compared to deer or elk, pronghorn are easier to locate. They roam wide-open rangeland rather than woodlands or steep mountains; they travel in large visible herds; and they do not hide in thick vegetation.

But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to hunt.

Pronghorn evolved with keen eyesight and the ability to outrun their predators. The vision of a pronghorn compares to a human looking through 8X binoculars. Pronghorns’ ability to quickly burst into a sprint of over 60 miles per hour helps them to stay out of range of even expert marksmen.

So what can a hunter do to increase the odds of bagging one of these magnificent unique game animals? The three major strategies are stalking, ambush, and flagging.

Stalking an animal with the vision of a pronghorn on the open range can be an exercise in frustration.

If it is said that deer and elk hunters must be patient, pronghorn hunters must learn to be REALLY patient. A stalk may include crawling on your belly for an hour only to have the animals spook and quickly move a half-mile away. Experts estimate that only one out of five stalks gets the hunter close enough for a shot.

A hunter who sees the animals before being seen gains a huge advantage. That means avoiding ridge tops and hills. Pronghorn can spot objects on a ridgeline at great distances.

It is also important to consider wind direction to avoid sending a foreign odor in the direction of a pronghorn. Winds tend to change direction less frequently on the wide-open prairie.

But for hunters, avoiding being seen by a pronghorn is most important. Sometimes it takes hours of hard work to get within range. The initial part of a stalk requires a hunter to move through draws and along the back sides of ridges to avoid detection. Then you should be ready to crawl the final few hundred yards to get close enough for a shot.

Be prepared to crawl through yucca, sagebrush, cactus and cow pies. Some hunters sew leather patches on their knees and elbows for added protection against rocks and sharp objects.

Crawling through an open field can be exhausting. If you are lucky enough to get close without being spotted, take the time to catch your breath and steady yourself before the shot.

Some hunters prefer to wait for pronghorns to come to them. Waterholes and fence lines are the best places to wait in ambush. But waiting also requires great patience. Pronghorns alternate between feeding grounds and watering holes at varying times of the day. But it’s unpredictable how and when pronghorns move.

Fence lines are good places to wait because although pronghorns have the ability to leap fences, they generally do not jump over unless they are really pushed. They prefer to crawl under or find a way around fences. One reason biologists believe pronghorns don’t like to jump is because their powerful back legs have the capacity to leap, but their front knees are not suited for the impact of landing.

Searching for a place where pronghorn go under a fence can put a hunter in a great position to wait in ambush. This requires advance scouting to find crossing locations with good hiding places.

Some pronghorns can also react with curiosity to shiny things and moving objects that draw attention. “Flagging” is the technique of trying to pique a pronghorn’s curiosity and getting it to come to you. The concept behind flagging apparently originated when early settlers were crossing the plains and noticed that antelope readily approached covered wagons.

After you spot an animal, walk back and forth in an adjacent downwind draw while hoisting a white handkerchief on a stick. Curious animals will approach right away. If they don’t, they probably won’t come in at all.

Some people have tried sitting still with a flag flapping in the wind above them. But stationary objects tend to go unnoticed.

Shot selection is extremely important. Pronghorn present a small target. At a weight of just over 100 pounds, the vital target area is about the size of a small plate.

Shots tend to be longer for pronghorn than other big game animals, especially on windy days when the animals are more alert. The average pronghorn hunter should carry a flat-shooting rifle equipped with a scope and a sling.

The ideal situation for any hunter is to get a shot when the animal is standing still. Don’t try to shoot a pronghorn that is running.

Archers and muzzleloaders face even greater challenges. Most successful archers use blinds or decoys or both.

Blinds are best used around water holes or known crossings along fence lines. A blind should be set up at least one week before planning to hunt to give the animals a chance to become accustomed to it.

Decoys cut in the shape of a pronghorn outline have been known to attract aggressive bucks that want to chase challengers out of their territories. Some bow hunters use decoys large enough to hide behind. But decoys also attract other hunters and are not recommended for use during rifle seasons for safety reasons.

Since the time of Lewis and Clark, early settlers called pronghorns “antelope.” Pronghorns, however, are a unique species found only in North America. Their historic range is west of the Mississippi River from southern Canada to central Mexico.

Biologists estimate there were 30-40 million pronghorn in North America prior to European settlement. By the 1920’s, there were fewer than 40,000. Hunting laws and sound wildlife management practices helped pronghorn rebound.

In the early 60’s there were only about 15,000 pronghorn left in Colorado. That number climbed to 30,000 in the 70’s and stands at about 60,000 today.

Mumbai’s first branded economy hotel

MUMBAI - Sarovar Hotels & Resorts today launched Grand Hometel, its economy segment hotel in Malad, Mumbai. This is Mumbai’s first branded budget hotel and Sarovar’s third Hometel in the country. With this, Sarovar now has three wonderfully-located properties in Mumbai.

Hometel offers distinct yet exquisite hospitality experience to the budget-conscious traveler with its well-appointed, comfortable rooms priced economically. Sarovar’s first Hometel brand hotel, Radha Hometel was launched in Bengaluru in 2006 and ‘Aditya Hometel’ in Hyderabad in February this year. On the anvil are other Hometels in Chandigarh, Chinchwad (Pune), Chennai OMR, Sri Perambadur (Chennai), and Baddi (HP).

Mr. Anil Madhok, managing director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts said, “Grand Hometel provides fine hospitality at a very competitive price and, at the same time, will meet the escalating demand for quality accommodation lacking in the financial capital of the country. The Hometel brand is a unique proposition from Sarovar Hotels which offers everything a guest aspires for at a price that comes as a pleasant surprise.”

Grand Hometel is located in Malad, the centre of the IT and Business district and is in close proximity to the InOrbit Mall. The hotel is just 8km from the domestic airport and 12kms from the International airport.

Blending contemporary design with warm, bright hues and elegant interiors, the 92 rooms ‘Grand Hometel’ is cheerful and lively ,offering the traveler a refreshing stay. The rooms offer a variety of amenities that include tea and coffee maker, mini bar, electronic safe, writing desk, LCD television and WiFi connectivity.

Mr. Jagmohan Arora, MD, Anmol Fluid Control Products Pvt. Ltd. (Holding Company) said, “We believe Sarovar Hotels is distinctly positioned to optimally manage and operate hotels of different scale, location and segment through its different brands. Grand Hometel will exceed expectations of the ever-discerning traveler looking for comfort and value for money.”

Hometel houses ‘Flavors’, the multi-cuisine restaurant and ‘Stardust’, the pub with the bollywood theme, ideal for a guest to unwind over a drink. It also has a swimming pool and a fully-equipped gym for the fitness-conscious traveler.

The hotel also offers a business center along with conference and meeting facilities, which the in-house guest can avail of. An in-house laundry service is another key facility offered to its guests.

Rwandair restores Johannesburg flight

Rwanda builds more rooms

When the Rwandan national airline, Rwandair, returned its ACMI-leased B737-500 to Air Malawi a few months ago, its regular flights between Kigali and Johannesburg had to be suspended due to lack of suitable aircraft. Last week, however, the airline concluded a fresh lease arrangement for a B737-300, which once commencing operations, will allow the resumption of the South Africa flights.

To cover the gap that the returned B737 left in the fleet, Rwandair then leased a CRJ100ER from Kenyan airline Jetlink and another Bombardier Dash 8 to maintain at least their regional schedule. The newly-leased B737-300 is due in mid to late September according to sources. Other contacts within the airline also confirmed that they were planning to acquire additional aircraft in coming years to widen their network.

CLOUDS LODGE Uganda

The latest addition to the stable of Wild Places Africa / Uganda commenced operations last weekend, when Clouds opened the doors for the public.

The first weekend was graced by the presence of two magicians and their parties, when guests named Merlin and Prospero checked in to the delight of management and the reception staff.

The guests, however, did not need to wave their magic wands to have their every need attended to, as all the staff were at their Sunday best, according to reports from another visitor, and treated their first guests to excellent meals and perfect service. The lodge is providing access to both the Nkuringo gorillas as well as to a nearby group of chimpanzees in a rare combination of tracking both primates from one place. Clouds joins the sister operations Semliki Safari Lodge, Apoka Safari Lodge and of course the 5 star boutique hotel Emin Pasha in Kampala’s fashionable Nakasero suburb.

The new up-market ecolodge is located high up in the hills, surrounded by rainforest on land provided by the Nkuringo community, who are the major stakeholder in the venture. The venture was supported by USAID’s ‘Prime West’ project in a deal put together between the African Wildlife Foundation, USAID, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Nkuringo Community Development Trust Fund in a ground breaking agreement aimed to empower communities living near protected areas in exchange for good will, conservation participation and a sustainable income plus employment opportunities.

Visit the ‘Clouds’ website at www.wildplacesafrica.com  or write to zara@safariuganda.com  for more information and bookings

New search engine for Hawaii vacation rentals

Pretorius & McGrath, Ltd. today announced the opening of HawaiiGaga.com, the world’s first search engine designed specifically for Hawaii vacation rentals. By making it easy for vacationers to discover all of Hawaii’s vacation properties, the company believes it can stimulate the rental industry and Hawaii tourism in general.

Hawaii’s vacation rentals are scattered across thousands of web sites. Most properties are listed in multiple locations but often don’t include a name or unit number, making them difficult to identify. Rentals can be listed by both agents and owners but not always at the same price. For vacationers, searching and sifting through all the choices is a daunting and time-consuming task. HawaiiGaga.com finds, organizes, and catalogs Hawaii’s vacation rentals, indexing only the single most relevant source for each property.

To assist with vacation planning, the web site showcases Hawaii’s natural attractions with hundreds of panoramic photos. Interactive maps show the location of rentals relative to Hawaii’s best attractions. Guides and articles, including a guide to Hawaii’s Top Beaches, further aids tourists in discovering Hawaii.

www.HawaiiGaga.com also hosts discussion forums and allows users to write rental reviews. For the first time, an independent web site will collect reviews of Hawaii’s individual condo units as well as vacation homes.

CEO James Pretorius believes HawaiiGaga.com represents the future of search engines, “A search engine that services a small niche can be customized to suit the information it deals with - from the way it organizes data, to the way people interact with it. The end result is a better user experience, where search results are always relevant and people can easily find the information they are looking for.” HawaiiGaga.com features many search tools to help people find rentals that match their preference.

Search results are presented in a unique style that includes property photos, allowing vacationers to quickly shortlist rentals of interest.

NEW RWENZORI TRAILS in Uguanda

As recently reported in this column, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has made good of promises to add more trails up the famous Mountains of the Moon, to cater for a growing influx of visitors to the park. New facilities were added to several huts and new meteorological stations commissioned recently, while rangers and support staff like porters were receiving additional training. UWA has now released information that three new hiking trains are being opened up at present while expressing satisfaction with demand for mountain climbing and hiking by overseas tourists.

RWANDAIR DOUBLES FLIGHTS BETWEEN ENTEBBE & KIGALI

After years of serving the Rwanda – Uganda route once a day in the evening with a 30-seater turboprop Dash 8 aircraft, the airline has just announced the introduction of a second daily flight. The new connection will operate every morning, making one-day trips between the two capital cities now a reality. The tourism and business associations in both countries have welcomed the extra flight and was “long overdue” to quote one leading Rwandese businessman with extensive business interests in both countries.