Holidays In Luxor - Discover Egyptian Culture

By Bryan Daley

A visit to Egypt suggests ancient civilisations and history aplenty. And indeed this is what holidays in Luxor provide. Situated on the site of the renowned city of Thebes, Luxor has history wherever you look and therefore makes a good base for exploring the area. Choices of holiday can be from ultimate pampering to more budget orientated choices. There is any number of places to visit but some of the highlights include:

The Amun Temple precinct (which is also known as the Karnak temple as it is located in the Karnak area) is the location of the Temple of Amun Ra, one of the principle Egyptian gods, was the most significant place of worship but there are a number of massive temples here which were constructed over a long period of time.

Across the Nile from Luxor lies the famous Valley of the Kings, one of Egypt's biggest tourist attractions. It was here at least 63 tombs of the Kings were built. There are around 18 tombs that are open to tourists, but these are not all open at the same time. The most well known tomb is that of Tutankhamen. The nearby Valley of the Queens was where the Queens and royal children were buried.

The Open Air museum which sits beside the Amun Ra Precinct is often missed by visitors. But its collections including the White Chapel and the statutory collection are considered to be well worth visiting.

The small museum of Mummification has exhibits of both human and animal mummies. There are displays of the mummification process and the tools used.

The Luxor temple dates from the 14th century BC and has an avenue of Sphinxes. These originally stretched 3km down to the Amun Temple. This is one spot that is particularly attractive at dusk and after dark as the light plays off the large colonnades and carved reliefs.

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Choosing A Location For A Backcountry Camp

By Steve Thibeault

If you always dreamed about the great outdoors and really want to get away from it all one weekend by planning a trip into the wilderness, you're probably doing some research to pick up some best practices, tips and tricks to make sure that your get away is safe and enjoyable. At the back of your mind you may be thinking about your comfortable bed at the end of each day and really focusing on the best place to set up your backcountry camp.

Don't forget that when you select a location for your backcountry camp you are going to be spending a lot of time there in comparison to your overall trip. If you think about it this way, you'll spend additional efforts to make sure that you have chosen the appropriate location. You will invariably be tired as dusk sets in and will not want to be racking your brain at that point, so make sure you have a clear picture before you set out.

Above all else you will need to pick a safe location for your backcountry camp. There are several things to look out for when making your decision. Make sure that you plan your day so that you are not fumbling around in the dark trying to find a place to set up. Depart early enough in the morning to enable you to enjoy your time and plan for your evening.

Don't just choose the first area of flat ground that you find for your backcountry camp. You must make sure that this location is safe, first and foremost from any falling objects. Look up and around you to see if there are any loose branches or danger from other falling objects which may become dislodged when you are sleeping.

Water is always your friend when in the great outdoors and many people choose to erect a backcountry camp near to running water as it can be very soothing when they are trying to sleep. In addition, you can use it for washing and for boiling. Don't forget that you should not set up a camp in a floodplain at any time, as even though it may not be raining where you are, sudden torrential storms far upstream can cause flash flooding at your location and many campers have found this to their cost in the past.

Before you set out you should have a good overall awareness about the inhabitants of the area. What kind of wild animals live there and could they be a threat to you, in particular mountain lions or bears? If you see evidence of large animals, footprints and so on then you should move on until you come to a more appropriate location for your backcountry camp.

Use some common sense when you are setting a fire to help you enjoy your overnight camp. Firstly you should be sure that there is a lot of loose wood so that you can build one efficiently, but do make sure that you do not set it near to any dense undergrowth which could catch fire and cause a big problem.

You will need a certain amount of gear and equipment to sustain you as you head out on a camping or hiking expedition. Most of the stuff inside your backpack you will need for your backcountry camp, so make sure that you plan correctly and include everything that you will need.

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Shade Sails Provide Heat Relief for Children at Play

By Lisa Shade

Small children are constantly playing outside, and it can be difficult to try and keep them safe from all dangers. Parents make sure that they have perimeter fences and gates set up, and will even place barriers around areas that are dangerous, such as pools and wells. They even buy swing-sets and play equipment that receives high ratings for safety. Still there is something crucial that is being overlooked. The sun and heat that children are exposed to can be very dangerous and this is why products like shade sails and outdoor umbrellas are necessary.

Some people do not realize that the overhead sun can elevate the surface temperature on playground equipment to levels that can burn a childs skin. Metal surfaces are particularly vulnerable to the suns power. When a sliding board reaches a temperature that exceeds 100 degrees F it will feel uncomfortable to the touch alone. However, if a child tries to slide on this surface the combination of friction and high surface temperature can create a painful burn.

The best way to prevent such problems is by making sure the outdoor play equipment your child uses can stay cool, even on the hottest days. Take a few moments to browse through the variety of shade sails and outdoor umbrellas that are available. You do not have to get the largest or most expensive models. A modest shade covering can keep both your child and outdoor play equipment cool and comfortable.

It is not only young kids, but everyone in the family, who will enjoy the benefits of this cooling shade. Now you will not have to worry about hot metal surfaces inflicting injury on your child once you install a shade sail as a canopy. In fact outdoor umbrellas or shade sails provide you with a way to produce cooling cover in any part of your yard.

You may wonder how many ways a shade sail can be used. These devices are portable and can be placed where they are the most needed. They can become canopy covers for playgrounds, swimming pools, decks or outdoor eating areas. If you have a section of the yard where people like to sit and congregate you can make it more comfortable by adding one of these shade sails. The suns rays can burn your childrens skins even underwater so think of the difference that it would make if the pool had an area that was sheltered by a shade sail.

You will also find that shade sails come in every color of the rainbow. Not only are you going to be able to protect your children from the harsh rays of the sun, you will also be able to add some visual interest to your yard.

You should measure some of the areas in your outdoor living space to give you an idea of what you will need. This way you will be able to decide what size umbrellas and shade sails are needed. With a little thought and planning you will be able to determine where and how to use these products for the maximum healthy benefits.

Why not give some thought to the benefits and comfort shade sails can bring to your own back yard?

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