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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Two Oceans Aquarium and Responsible Tourism

The Two Oceans Aquarium is one of Cape Town's prime tourist attractions and a portal into the diverse marine life that the Indian and Atlantic oceans are home to. This aquatic sanctuary at the V&A Waterfront boasts over 3000 live animals, among which are sharks, fish, turtles and penguins.
In the name of the preservation of our two ocean's diversity of species, the aquarium urges South Africans to join in the world's third annual Responsible Tourism Week by spreading awareness about what they are doing to conserve our planet.
As an organisation, they believe that Responsible Tourism Week has and should continue to be about lending some support to the smaller players in the industry, "bringing to light the great strides that have been taken in unexpected ways by unlikely players". Their call to action is simple: start spreading the word to your peers about an issue that will eventually contribute to our well-being as a species.
Cape Town residents and visitors of all ages flock to The Two Oceans Aquarium throughout the year, so it is essential that, as a travelling society, we support them by raising awareness of environmental issues for their many noble initiatives. The Aquarium's conservation efforts around the Cape Peninsula includes a mission to improve their Heritage Environmental Rating score and the selling of water bottles that are 100% renewable at Shoreline Cafe (the first African restaurant to pursue Marine Stewardship Council certification), which is closely linked to their promotion of sustainable seafood choices.
Their compassion is not lost on the public as The Aquarium recently received calls from concerned citizens regarding sunfish washing ashore on Cape Town beaches. It is not surprising, then, that in January this year, the One&Only Cape Town and other V&A Waterfront tenants treated the Two Oceans Aquarium team as an authority and notified them of a large fish trapped in the marina canals. The team carried out a rescue mission on what turned out to be an ocean sunfish that had become stuck in the canals over the weekend.
It is safe to say that a The Two Oceans Aquarium is a team of educated, determined and considerate environmental heroes, based at the tip of the African continent where two mighty oceans meet.
http://www.searchforhotels.co.za/ Written by Narique Sangster on behalf of Integrated Search Media and Search For Hotels.

Are Picnic Totes a Good Solution for You?

Picnics can be romantic, they can be excuses for family fun and they can be relaxing sojourns away from the rigors of the modern world. However, enjoying these outings as you should means that you need to have the right equipment and supplies. While most people will automatically assume that a basket is required here, picnic totes are an increasingly popular option. Why is this? What benefits to you gain from a tote, as opposed to a standard basket?
Easily Handled
Anyone who has ever carried a heavily laden basket for any length of time knows that they can be quite unwieldy if overloaded. In addition, some people prefer something a bit more comfortable than hard wicker handles. Therefore, picnic totes can be a bit more easily handled. You'll find traditional tote bag designs, somewhat similar to beach bags and the like.
However, you'll also find specialty bags that are designed to be used in conjunction with baskets. For instance, you will find bottle bags designed to hold several bottles of your favorite vintage. You will also find coffee and blanket bags, as well as wine and cheese options.
Colors and Styles
While wicker baskets are available in different shades, colors and accent patterns, you will find that picnic totes are a bit more vibrant. You'll find bight solid colors, bold patterns, elegant fabrics and more. This gives you a great way to accessorize even with your supplies and picnicking equipment. Of course, the number of different styles is also of benefit here. You'll find baby tote bags, as well as basket bags and bamboo bags, all of which offer a different look and feel.
Convenience
Often, the choice to use a tote boils down to simple convenience. Is it easier to carry a bag or a basket? Is it simpler to store a bag or a basket in your home? Picnic totes can usually be folded up and stored away in a smaller area than a basket can, so even if you prefer the look and feel of a traditional basket, a tote might be a better idea if you have limited storage space at home.
As a final note, you should also consider the accessories that come with any tote you consider. While some are sold empty, others are available with plates, cups, silverware and other accessories that can make your life easier.
Polly Godwin writes the blogs for "picnic totes", a North Carolina-based company that aims to share their love of people, nature and life through outdoor living products. Visit PicnicFun.com today for more picnic supplies.

Which Type of Picnic Baskets Are Best for You?

When going on a picnic, one of the first items that every family needs to choose is the correct container to use for transporting every item you need to the picnic site. Out of the myriad picnic baskets available, how do you choose which one is perfect for the needs of your family?
The first part of the decision is how many people are going to be going on the picnic. This will help you decide on the size of the basket you need, as well as how many, and what type, of compartments fit your family. You have to consider whether you're taking plates and silverware or are you using disposable items that are usually transported in their original packaging?
Many of the newer picnic baskets come with areas on the lid to transport your dishes and dining utensils. They also come in a variety of sizes, from the small basket that is great for one person carrying their lunch, to larger sizes that can easily transport enough food and dinnerware for a family of up to six people.
If you are taking full size dinner plates as well as enough food for the entire family, then one of the best options to choose is a sturdy basket make out of wicker or woven wood. These types of picnic baskets are easy to maintain, have some weatherproofing and are light weight, which is great when stocking them with all of the supplies for a family outing. Many of these baskets also come with side compartments or dividers, which help you separate food that should be kept warm from food that needs to be cold.
Try to find a basket that allows for storage of a number of other items and make sure the dishes are secured to the basket. Some picnic baskets include leather or vinyl straps that secure the dishes to the lid of the basket. This is very important because when carrying the basket or even driving with it in the car, the dishes can shift or move and harm the food. Imagine getting to the picnic site and having the beautiful dessert ruined because it was squashed by the dinner plates.
There should also be areas in the basket itself that allow for the transportation of glasses or cups. There is nothing worse than arriving at the picnic site and having no way to serve the drinks that you have chosen to compliment your meal.
Polly Godwin writes the blogs for "picnic baskets", a North Carolina-based company that aims to share their love of people, nature and life through outdoor living products. Visit PicnicFun.com today for more picnic supplies.