Archive for March 17th, 2010
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
St. Patrick’s Day honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Americans march in parades, dance the Irish jig and gather to sing Irish songs. People wear green in memory of Ireland, the Emerald Isle and wear shamrocks, clover with three leaves.
March 17 was not the day St. Patrick was born but the day he died. Even though we don’t know the date of his birth, most scholars believe the year was 385 AD and the year of his death was 461 AD.
St. Patrick was born in Wales, studied religion to become a priest and then went to Ireland to teach the people about God. There are many wonderful stories about St. Patrick, some true and some not true. The most famous legend is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland. This did not happen but the Irish will tell you that you cannot find a snake throughout the whole country of Ireland.
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Everyone knows that Costa Rica is a great place to go if you are an avid bird watcher. But you might not have realized that it also has some really amazing opportunities for golfers. What could possibly be better for your golf game than playing in the middle of a tropical paradise?
The Courses
Not only are Costa Rica’s golf courses challenging, they are also sunning. The country was able to get some of the best course designers in the country to design the courses, and each one tried to incorporate the natural beauty of the country into the design. When you golf in Costa Rica, you will be able to see the ocean waters, the sandy beaches, the jungle, and the volcanoes.
Course designer Tracy May designed a fantastic 18 hole course that spans 6782 yards and is a par 72. Tracy’s course is the Parque Valle del Sol.
Additional Perks
One of the really great things about golfing in Costa Rica is that the country is very accessible to golfers that are natives to the United States and to Canada. Since the world class golfing is easy to incorporate into a family vacation, everyone, even the non-golfers will have a great time. When your not on the golf course you can eat some amazing meals, enjoy the night life, and hang out on Costa Rica’s beaches.
Traveling to Costa Rica
When you are purchasing you airline tickets to travel to Costa Rica, make sure you know how much you are going to be charged for extra baggage. Additionally, ensure that the airline knows your extra baggage is golf clubs. Double check to make sure that the price hasn’t gone up a few days before you flight. Since you are going to be hauling your golf clubs all over Costa Rica, you will want to rent a car once you get there.
Because it can rain in the afternoon and evening, you should try to plan so that you golf first thing in the morning and than you do family activities in the afternoon.
Before leaving for the golf course, make sure that you are aware of the courses dress code. Very few of them will allow you to golf in bathing suits and cut offs. Men usually have to wear a collared shirt.
On the northern coast you will find the Hacienda Pinilla, another par 72 course, which spans 7274 yards and was designed by Mike Young.
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
President-elect Laura Chinchilla says fighting drug trafficking will be one of her government’s priorities.
Chinchilla said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday that she wants to cooperate in anti-drug investigations with Mexico and Colombia.
Due to take office May 8, she recently named an anti-drug commissioner to focus on improving police intelligence and coordination among government agencies to identify Mexican drug traffickers entering this Central American nation.
“Costa Rica can help countries like Colombia and Mexico with the exchange of information that can allow them to be more efficient in this war they are fighting,” Chinchilla said. “What’s important is to close all roads to drug traffickers.”
She provided no other details on her plan.
Costa Rican officials say powerful Mexican drug cartels are increasingly using Costa Rica as a transshipment point for cocaine heading north from Colombia.
Last month, Costa Rican police seized more than a ton of cocaine at a house in a rural area outside the capital and detained two Mexican men allegedly working for the Juarez cartel.
“Those people have to know that (fighting them) is one of our priorities and that we’re putting honest and courageous people at the front of that fight,” Chinchilla said. “Sooner or later they will have to look for other places because here we will permanently harass them.”
Chinchilla met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier this month and asked for more financial support to fight drug trafficking.
She said Costa Rica got $4.3 million last year as part of the Merida Initiative. The initiative provides resources to Mexico, Central America countries and the Dominican Republic and Haiti in the Caribbean to fight the drug war.
“What we want is to open a dialogue to review the areas that need to be strengthened in the fight against drug trafficking in Costa Rica,” she said.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/world/costa-ricas-president-elect-says-she-will-launch-crackdown-on-drug-trafficking-gangs-87870917.html#ixzz0iR5G0mm7
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
For thousands of years, risks have been shared during times of tragedy. The first formal insurance company, Lloyd’s of London, was formed in 1769 and their principal concept remains today – to gather the premiums of clients as a pool of resources to return to clients who experience unexpected but covered events. So, that is the secret really, plan for the unexpected and make sure you’re covered, especially when you’re traveling. Whether your trip is a quick one or a round the world cruise, there are many good reasons for travel insurance. Here are just 7:
Medical Emergencies
If you fall sick or are injured during your travel, your travel insurance will give you financial coverage.
Flight Cancellations
If your flight is canceled or delayed then your travel insurance should help. Depending on the cover available, a room for the night and even alternative travel home can be included.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Even if you have a pre-existing medical condition and it flares up while you’re on vacation, as long as you’ve advised your travel insurance company prior, you should be covered.
Damage or Loss Of Personal property
What are you going to do when your luggage gets stolen? Yes, it happens, all the time. There are organized gangs that work in airports doing just that. Guess what? You need travel insurance.
Loss of Cash or Traveller’s Cheques
You’re in a foreign country far from home. You either lose, or have stolen, your entire holiday fund. You’re going to need help and quick. Again, travel insurance is a must.
Emergency Evacuations
What with global warming and economic pressure more and more holiday destinations are being built in potentially dangerous territory. Who would have wanted to be in Thailand on that Boxing Day? Travel insurance will help if you have to get out quick.
Car Crash
It can be very difficult driving on the wrong side of the road in a strange country. Accidents happen.
Okay, there you have it. 7 good and solid reasons why you need travel insurance the next trip you make. The other alternative of course is to not take out travel insurance, or to stay at home. Now, there’s an idea. But seriously, as always when taking out insurance, especially travel insurance, read the fine print. Importantly, find out before you go what is excluded, not just included. So, always read the fine print. For example, accidental coverage is not provided in case of drunken driving, driving under the influence of narcotic substances etc. Exclusions are also provided for accidents during risky sports like bungee jumping, car racing, scuba diving, white water rafting, flying (except as passenger in regular airliners), gliding, skiing, bike racing, diving, mountaineering, windsurfing etc. The list goes on (insert for your favorite potentially dangerous sport here). That means in case of accidents in these situations the insurance company is not liable to pay any amount to the insured.
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Get your umbrella ready as the rainy season approaches. The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) - national weather service - is predicting that the start of the season will be one week ahead of normal.
The IMN also says that the rains will be heavier than normal this year in the North Pacific (Guanacaste) and Central Pacific (Jacó, Quepos) and the Central Valley (San José).
The South Pacific, Caribbean and Northern zone will get normal rain conditions.
The prediction is that the rainy season will begin in the South Pacific the week of March 27 to 31, three weeks later (April 21 to 25) it will begin in the Central Pacific and the Central Valley by the week of May 6 to 10. The Pacific North will get the rain commencing the week of May 11 to 15.
The prediction is that the North Pacific could see an increase of 20% more rain than usual, while there is an expected reduction of 5% in the Caribbean coast.
Weather experts are also predicting 16 cyclones during this season, of which 6 to 8 could become hurricanes.
The weather during the past week has hit records.
In San José, this past Saturday recorded the highest temperature in the last 12 years, reaching 32.6 Celsius (90.68 Fahrenheit).
This week the mercury is expected to soar to 38.5 Celsius in Liberia, 37 in Upala, 33 in Limón and 33.5 in San José.
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