Making iced mocha

Making iced mocha

Having a hot coffee on a sunny hot day is actually not so tempting, but that is certainly no need to dismiss the pleasure of enjoying a taste of coffee. The solution is, of course, the iced coffee. Maybe you have tasted it in a coffee shop, but how about preparing it in your own home comfort. Below, I will highlight some great tips to prepare a refreshing iced mocha, which happens to be also my favorite drink.

The beauty of iced mocha is the fact that there are various ways to make it, every way revealing a different taste. Just by including whipped cream and chocolate garnish will certainly add an extra touch on your iced mocha.

For the specific recipe (which should be enough for 4 drinks) you will need some ice cubes, but these will be included at the end. First, you will have to make 4 double espressos and mix them with brown sugar until it melts. Then, take the espresso, add 3 spoons of chocolate sauce and mix it accurately. Put it away for a while and let it cool down, then put it in the refrigerator to make it ice cold.

Right after it became cold, add half a spoon of vanilla and two cups of cold milk. Add everything in a blender and mix it. Put the coffee into 4 tall glasses, then add half cup of crushed ice to each glass. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle a little bit of chocolate garnish. Add a straw and you're simply ready to enjoy it!

Sydney: something for each visitor

Sydney: something for each visitor

Continuously ranked as one of the most popular and desirable tourist destinations, Sydney is known for its ocean beaches, famous landmarks and beautiful harbors. There are a lot of staying options in Sydney: from cheap and affordable to luxury and highly comfortable, your choice depending only on the budget. Sydney, an important hub for entertainment, celebrations and businesses offer everything to makes your trip a memorable one. From special tourist attractions of the city to the beaches like Bondi and Manly and the beautiful harbor front located in the North Shore and Eastern Suburbs, Sydney has something for each visitor.

The hotels can be found in different parts of the city, making its exploring very easy. Tourist guides and car rental services are offered, thus making your visit a relaxing one. In addition, hotels offer spa and massage services as per your budget and requirements.

Popular tourist destinations located in and near Sydney include: Sydney Harbor Bridge, Darling Harbor, Sydney Aquarium, Opera House, Circular Quay and Sydney Wildlife World. The Museum of Contemporary Art, State Theatre, Art Gallery of New South Wales and Sydney Theatre are located right in the heart of this cultural city. The exquisite park lands of the Hyde Park, Centennial Park and Royal Botanic Gardens represents also a must visit and the harbor-side tourist attractions of Watsons Bay, Nielsen Park and Balmoral Beach are the perfect picnic spots.

Becoming a Star

Becoming a Star

So you want to be a star? You have the charisma, the looks and the talent, all combined? Maybe people respond to you, because you simply have that special something needed to make it in the entertainment biz. So how do you get there from where you are?

Even though you will not actually living the life of a celebrity, HP will help you feel like a star. How is it possible? By experiencing the instant fame of a star in your own paparazzi video. They came up with this new interactive video that allows you to embed photos from your computer or your Facebook account in order to see what it would be like to live the highs and lows of the celebrity lifestyle. With all that this implies: giant limousine, crowded parties, picture and name on the cover of the magazines, and everything else that make you feel very popular.

Below, of course, you will see my HP- Be A Star video. And therefore, for a few moments, I’ve lived the celebrity lifestyle in its entire glory. I’ve shined in my own light, followed my own path, and didn’t worried about the gossips, or paparazzi.

 

So, in order to have some harmless fun wasting just a few minutes all you have to do is to make your own video and then share it. You can start by leaving a comment to this post with your direct link of the video in order to let me know how your instant fame experience was. Visit also the HP Facebook fanpage in order to socialize and win VIP products. You will definitely ‘Like’ it!



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Discover Tunisia

Discover Tunisia

Tunisia is ranked by each tourist in accordance with their priorities: some will come for the sea, others for Sahara, and others to discover the secrets of ancient Carthage. But, anyway, more and more people choose to vacation in this country. The main resort area of Tunisia is located along the Mediterranean coast of Hammamet to the island of Djerba. These tourists are attracted by the beaches covered with soft sand, opposite from the capital Tunis side coast until Tabarka, which is practically on the border with Algeria, which is not so popular, due to the beaches driven by rocks.

The options for excursions are not so many, having the opportunity to choose from a set of tours which will be available no matter where you stay: the ruins of Carthage, the largest Roman Coliseum in North Africa at El Jem, Kairouan holy city of Islam, with the oldest mosque and mausoleum on the continent. Besides this, directly in the sand, there are some other entertainment options waiting for you: air balloon, camel racing, horse riding, jeep safari. You can even leave the high dune on a snowboard.

Hammamet is one of the most popular resorts among foreign tourists. Last but not least is the fact that here is the fourth largest thalasso therapy center in the world. Besides this, Hammamet or the garden city of the country of sand, as it is called, has another special value: here it can be found hotels for every taste and price.

If you take the road from El Kantavi to Sousa, at only only 5 km, you will find the town of Sousse. This is not only a major resort, but also the third largest city of Tunisia, older than Carthage. Here should not be missed the museum of mosaic art, the Christian catacombs, or the old fortress. As for shopping, even if in Tunisia you will find mostly small shops with souvenirs and beach items, in Sousse there are a lot of shops, including fashion boutiques.

Fishing for Fun

Fishing for Fun

Fishing is a lot of fun. Actually, fishing with my kids is the best family time we spent. Just getting outside and hanging around by the lake are the best moments we spend together. In the beginning, my kids used fishing as a way to get them to the lake on a nice day. Which is ok, since it gets me outdoors where I bond with nature. There's nothing more relaxing than sitting on the lake in my boat and leaving the stress of everyday life far behind. It soothes the soul, and in this fast world, it's a lot cheaper than a therapist. Also my kids discovered that they love to fish, once we've been out a few times.

When we had first in mind to start go fishing, I had to select the boat wisely. A boat that meets the requirements and objectives on what I want to do with the fish caught are the things to look at when selecting it. Then it comes the selection of the appropriate place that meets the desired duration of the trip. And don’t forget about the tackle, bait, ice and fresh water. The tackle is really a set of pulleys and ropes assembled to facilitate the mechanisms for hoisting and pulling. Bait is for luring the fish. Ice is for keeping fresh the fish caught during the journey. Lastly, the fresh water is for thirst quencher during the fishing trip. Wear comfortable clothes that are suited for a hot summer day. T-shirts and shorts are the greatest clothes to have in mind when you go fishing. Keep in mind that an additional t-shirt will also be helpful. Also, I don’t have to forget about the baseball caps for my kids. This is efficient in shielding the hot rays in the sun during the journey. Bring with you polarized sunglasses to see the fish inside water. After all that preparation, we are ready to go fishing. When we see the variety of fish that can be caught on the lake we go, it feels very good.

And after a couple of hours, when we are all hungry, we get back to the town in order to enjoy a pizza. Since the best place to do that is Pizza Hut, we are always anxious to get there. And they have also this offer of letting kids under 12 years eat free which was available all summer, and which have been extended until January 9, 2011. More specifically, it means that for every adult main course purchased, an accompanying child can choose from either a free 2 course kids meal or a free kids lunchtime buffet which includes pizza, pasta and salad. More details about this offer can be found at http://bit.ly/a1DhgJ.

Besides the Kids Eat Free offer, on the bottom of the receipt you will find also a code, which if it is entered at their website can get you great deals on a wide range of family activities and adventures including holidays, theme parks, zoos and more. In conclusion, it is a pizza to be enjoyed!

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Shopping in London

Shopping in London

London it is definitely a place where you can never run out of spots to go to when you want to buy things. One of the best shopping places in town especially if you want to spend on luxurious items is Harrods, located in Knightsbridge. Browsing products in Harrods will take you at least two hours because of the wide range of things to choose from. The store started out in 1849, and has since then built its reputation as a premiere shopping place. Now, more and more famous people are entering its doors and the range of up market products just gets wider.

If you are a tourist who wants to avail affordable items and quality second hand goods, then going to London markets is a must. The Greenwich market is a popular getaway for shoppers who want to save and gain more as well. Unique crafts and art products, rare collectibles, and antiques can be found all around the market place which will become memorable souvenirs for loved ones. The one hundred and fifty stalls of Greenwich market during week end will surely make your day. In addition, the marketplace will take you to an international food trip because of the variety of the restaurants you can go to with Caribbean, Korean, French, or Italian cuisines.

For those who are fond of signature perfumes, the place to be is Penhaligon’s perfumery, nestled in Wellington Street in Covent Garden. There are various scented products you could take home to including sweet-smelling clothes, body products, body sprays, and a range of perfumes.

Another market where you can experience the identity of London is Brick Lane. The place is buzzling with market-goers finding second-hand items spread on stalls and Oriental restaurants serving different dishes from Indian to Bangladeshi dining places. It is only open for Sundays though.

In conclusion, visit London and enjoy the shopping places there and, who knows, maybe you will find what you are looking for!

Ideal Vacation: Hotel or House Rental?

Ideal Vacation: Hotel or House Rental?

Every year, for the holidays you have to find an affordable hotel at a warm beachfront destination. But if you decide to do a family trip to Maui, where the hotels are really expensive you will start looking for alternatives. For example, various websites are offering vacation rental homes that allow you to find a place in your budget with more space than you ever imagined.

There are pros and cons to choosing a vacation rental home over a traditional hotel or resort and it's definitely not for everyone. But in most cases a vacation home will give you more space, having also kitchens with beautiful furniture and laundry facilities, and it is more economical than a high-end resort hotel. If the unit is part of a resort or condo complex, you may have the use of additional recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, hot tub or tennis courts. Depending on the rental, many include amenities such as beach towels, coolers, lawn chairs and boogie boards.

The longer you stay at the rental the cheaper the rate, and often times the renter may throw in a free night or some other incentive. The other obvious perk is the money you save on meals by doing some of the cooking yourself. House rentals can be booked directly over the internet through one of the many sites specializing in vacation rentals. They also provide pictures and details of the property and most are very quick to respond to any questions. Some sites provide the phone numbers of the owners, and it may be worth contacting them directly to try and negotiate a better rate.

There is a different feeling about staying in a rental home over a hotel. It allows you to imagine actually owning a villa on the beach in Barbados or some other luxury destination. You become intermingled with the local culture as you shop for groceries, visit neighborhood markets, or hang out at nearby cafes. If you've ever wanted to live like a millionaire, you can split the rent with a few friends and secure a luxury beach front villa that may otherwise run you millions of dollars to buy. Spend some time soaking up the sun and then go home to reality.

Azores Islands

Azores Islands

The Azores is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km west from Lisbon and about 3,900 east from the east coast of North America. The archipelago, and economic exclusion zone, forms the Autonomous Region of the Azores, one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal. Its main industries are: agriculture, dairy farming, minor livestock ranching, fishing and tourism, which is becoming the major service activity in the region. In addition, the government of the Azores is responsible for employing a large percentage of population directly or indirectly in many aspects of the service and tertiary sectors.

The Azores islands are not just a destination but a magical journey. With breathtaking views, at the core of nine islands you will find a harmonious convergence of majestic scenery with the human warmth and way of life that is both timeless and contemporary. Over the years the Azores Islands have gained the trust of visitors looking for an exciting holiday.

Still a sleeping beauty, the nine islands of this fascinating archipelago, which marks the westernmost end of Europe, have everything to please every traveler. If you are in search of spectacular landscapes with never-ending panoramic views, savagely beautiful untouched nature, wide open spaces where the green color prevails, exuberant flora exhibiting all colors of the rainbow, solitary hiking routes, small and peaceful villages, picturesque and deserted roads, then the Azores are the ideal holiday destination.

Shopping in Qingdao

Shopping in Qingdao

Qingdao is not what you would expect form a typical city in China. Although the friendly locals will remind you that you are in China, the German architecture of some of the old buildings here gives Qingdao an unmistakable European feel. Visitors to the city should not miss the opportunity to pay a visit to the Tsingtao Brewery which was founded in 1903. If you want to get a taste of the real Qingdao, try out a serving of noodles at Ajisen Ramen with a side dish of deep fried shrimp or a slice of sensational roast duck from the Xiao Wangfu Roast Duck Restaurant. SOS Entertainment and the Corner Jazz Club are some of the best places in town to party.

Travelers looking for great shopping options in the city of Qingdao should go to Dontai Jusco Shopping Centre. This store is home to a range of shops from clothing outlets to electronic gadget shops. The Haixin Plaza was opened in 1997 and is a five storied complex where a variety of goods are offered along with a great restaurant. Longshan Underground Commercial Street is famous for its clothing boutiques and liquor stores which offer a great selection of beer. Jimo Moad Market is one of the best places in the city to buy seafood and collectibles such as seashell carvings. The Fada Department Store and the Qingdao Laoshan Department Store are some of the other shopping facilities in the area from which visitors can fulfill all their shopping needs.

Discover the Freedom Trail in Boston

Discover the Freedom Trail in Boston

The Freedom Trail is a red path through downtown Boston, Massachusetts that leads to 16 significant historic sites. Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston is literally like stepping back into history. Dating back to a century before America's War for Independence a strong heritage and culture of freedom was entwined amongst Bostonian colonial settlements. So, along the trail, tourists can see individual collections of museums, meeting houses, churches, graveyards, parks, a ship and historical signs that tell a true tale about the American Revolution and beyond.

The Boston Freedom Trail begins at Boston Common and moves on to the New State House where, when completed in 1795 became the political center of Boston. Here there is an option for a free one hour tour. The next point of interest is the Park Street Church where William Lloyd Garrison gave the first inspiring anti-slavery speech. The Boston Freedom Trail moves on to where Samuel Adams and Paul Revere are buried at the Granary Burying Ground, and further on to the King's Chapel Burying Ground and the Ben Franklin statue which is also the site of the first public school in the area. From here the Boston Freedom Trail takes visitors to the Old Corner Bookstore where legends like Thoreau and Emerson gathered, and then on to the Old South Meeting House.

The Freedom Trail Boston also includes such sites as Faneuil Hall, the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre where a simple cobblestone circle marks the area where 5 colonists were murdered by British soldiers in 1770. Paul Revere House owned by Revere from 1770-1800, can also be found along the Freedom Trail Boston and is one of the favorites among visitors. Tours of the inside are available. When walking along the Freedom Trail Boston history seems to come alive again and visitors draw a unique perspective from seeing all the monuments and historical houses with their own eyes.

Café Atlantico by Cesaria Evora

Café Atlantico by Cesaria Evora

Cesaria Evora, the native of the island of Cape Verde, is known worldwide as the countries’ foremost practitioner of the morna style. Café Atlantico, released in 1999, is a tribute to Evora’s hometown of Mindelo, which is a port on the Cape Verdean Island where sailors from Portugal, Argentina, Brazil and the Caribbean cross-pollinated the music of the island. In other words, this album is an ambitious musical experience where traditional cape-verdean and afro-cuban rhythms are successfully blended.

Evora's singing is a true gift, luckily very appreciated around the globe. Starting with the very first sounds, this album is all soul, all Cesaria. There are moments for dancing as well as moments for contemplating, moments done with a perfect taste. The musicians surrounding Cesaria on this CD are completely in tune with her and represent a great add to the overall success of the music. Atlantic Paradise is one of the best tracks, revealing the most her tone, mood and style.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is one of the highest commercially navigable lakes in the world and, taking into consideration the volume of water, it is also the largest lake in South America. The western part of the lake lies within the Puno Region of Peru, and the eastern side is located in the Bolivian La Paz Department.

Lake Titicaca is fed by rainfall and melt water from glaciers on the sierras that abut the Altiplano. Five major river systems feed into Lake Titicaca: Ramis, Coata, Ilave, Huancané, and Suchez. More than 20 other smaller streams empty into Titicaca, and the lake has 41 islands, some of which are densely populated.

The origin of the name Titicaca is unknown. It has been translated as "Rock Puma", allegedly because of its resemblance to the shape of a puma hunting a rabbit, combining words from the local languages Quechua and Aymara, and as well as translated as "Crag of Lead." Locally, the lake goes by several names. Because the southeast quarter of the lake is separate from the main body (connected only by the Strait of Tiquina), the Bolivians call it Lago Huiñaymarca and the larger part Lago Chucuito. In Peru, these smaller and larger parts are referred to as Lago Pequeño and Lago Grande, respectively.

Shopping in Singapore

Shopping in Singapore

A flea market is a place where you can buy cheap goods as well as second hand items. They can be either bought or exchanged for other items. The reason why they are much more popular than regular markets is due to the extreme variety of items you can discover there: small treasures of antiques, curios and knickknacks of all sizes, shapes, times and colors are arranged into little stacks and sold. They may have lost their original luster but these items have never lost their appeal exuding from their quaint designs, silently urging you to keep them as souvenirs.

If you go for shopping in Singapore but have never been to the Thieves Market, you are definitely missing a whole adventure. Located along the Sungei Road, the Thieves Market is the oldest and biggest flea market in Singapore. The name sounds a bit intimidating but there is a story behind it: in the past the flea market on Sungei Road used to sell stolen goods along with used goods and so it soon became infamous as the Thieves Market. There used to be a perennial saying that goes like if you lose something valuable at home then come to the Thieves Market to find it.

After going through ups and downs that brought a negative reputation to this road, the authorities have stepped forward and taken measures to cleanse the flea market. Today it has become a thriving market teeming with street peddlers. You may not hear the mechanical greetings or see forced smiles on their weather beaten faces as they will not mind whether you buy their items or not. The peddlers here represent the very life and blood of a flea market, being worlds apart from the sophisticated ambience you experience at the malls all the time.

The kind of items you find here are overwhelming and not all may appeal to your taste but have patience and indulge in every moment you spend here. You might discover something quite valuable and timeless hidden among those countless items. For example, you can shop for mobile phones, bikes, electric goods, look-alike watches, household items, sports goods, toys and even clothes.

Enjoying the Foods and Drinks of Singapore

Enjoying the Foods and Drinks of Singapore

Singapore is commonly known as a shopping haven, a safe and secure traveling destination, a beach and city holiday rolled into one and a meeting point of many cultures and religions. Singapore is also the melting pot of many foods and drinks from all over the world.

You can satisfy your gastronomic desire for sumptuous cuisines at any time of the day and anywhere in the island. Singapore's unique blend of food and drink is considered very special. Below, I will present a list of six must-try foods and drinks when you visit Singapore.

Singapore Sling. A cocktail originally invented for the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel in the early 20th century. The original recipe uses gin, cherry brandy and Benedictine; the concoctions though differ in other parts of the country and the world. The drink is shaken and strained into a glass before adding in club soda. You can find the drink in most bars in Singapore.

Chicken Rice. A local favorite, this dish has been considered as being a national dish by several food critics. You can choose a serving of roasted, steamed or barbequed chicken with rice cooked in chicken stock and garlic. Add a dash of chili sauce and dark soy sauce, a plate of chicken rice is both a tasty and filling meal.

Laksa. While there are many versions of this dish in Malaysia, a Singapore version has its roots in the Peranakan community. Rice noodles are cooked in coconut spicy gravy and sprinkled with prawns, bean curd and chicken. It is a very rich and indulgent dish that will leave you craving for more.

Fried Carrot Cake. Certainly a comfort food for many Singaporeans, fried carrot cake is a mix of diced radish and egg tossed in soy sauce. A common hawker food, this dish is oily and spicy but promises a truly satisfying gastronomic experience.

Satay. If you are familiar with kebabs on skewers in Mediterranean dishes, Satay is the local version of meat on skewers. You can get chicken, beef and lamb Satays served with peanut sauce. Hotels usually add Satays as a side dish to its fried rice or fried noodles.

Ice kacang. An all-time favorite, Ice Kacang is a delightful dessert to end a meal. With a base of jelly, red beans, corn and Attap seeds, ice is grated on top of them and topped with various colored sugar syrup and condensed milk. It is truly a purely indulgent treat to satisfy your sweet tooth and a great way to quench your thirst in sunny Singapore.

Find the Best Online Casinos

Find the Best Online Casinos

Since there are a lot of casinos on the internet currently, the knowledge of which online casinos are the most safe and trusted establishments to play at can be more important than knowing how to play and navigate the different games available. Selecting an all-around excellent online casino with the best in fairness and safety features can be a complicated task, but it does not have to be: you need to exercise certain caution and to analyze your expectations. Casinos are of two types: web-based and download casinos, the last of them being more popular. In order to use them, you first have to download specific software and then start playing games.

Before choosing any particular online casino, it is essential to ensure the specific casino has the requisite license for operation. Also, the top casinos should assure you of the utmost security of your financial transactions. An online casino should offer customer support on all seven days of the week and twenty-four hours of the day. You should be able to contact support personnel of the casinos through telephone, e-mail, live chat, or even fax. Another prerequisite of best online casinos is their loyalty points, bonuses, and other incentives.

In conclusion, the best casinos can be found also on specialized gambling portals listing the trustworthy casinos. Even so, it has to be mentioned that you need to remember to research the prospective internet casino before opening a new member account. After you have done so, do yourself a favor and gamble at a casino only as a way to have fun. After all, that should be its purpose: the gambler who does not become attached to winnings or losses will ultimately have a pleasant experience.