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Blackpool Stag Do
Having been put in charge of your best mate`s stag do there`s only one resort that you want to try. Blackpool is a haven for hen nights and tons of stag parties hit the town each and every year. The bright lights, kiss-me-quick hats, mile long stretch of beach and countless bars draw in eager party people that are looking for a good time. In fact, stag weekends and Blackpool prove to be a match made in heaven as you`ll find out for yourself when you book into a guest house at this prime resort. A plan of action is being formulated and the Blackpool Stag Dowill start on Friday afternoon as you all pile into a minibus. You`ll rent it for the weekend but once you arrive in the resort it will be parked up until Sunday afternoon. During the day you can go-kart, paintball and try out the rides on the Pleasure Beach, whilst come the night you can hit the bars. Nighttlife is something that Blackpool is famous for and you`ll get to witness all of the hot night spots on the blackpool stag do. A bevy of beverages can be consumed on Friday and Saturday evening as the Blackpool Stag Domoves through the gears. A hearty English brekkie will soak up the booze on each morning served by the cheery hosts at your guest house. You`re the man in charge of your mate`s Blackpool Stag Doand you are determined that he`s gong to have a fabulous time.

Uk Rv Hire
With people, left stranded in locations all around the world thanks to the recent ash cloud its little wonder they might be wary about jetting off abroad again in the future. Perhaps a holiday closer to home would be more appealing and a Uk Rv Hire might be the ideal type of transport. With a <Uk Rv Hire you get the both of both worlds; transport to wherever you want to go in Great Britain and your own accommodation once you arrive. Families will find the modern recreational vehicles are fitted out with all of the creature comforts that they will require. A fixed double bed is often found inside the motor homes and another double bed can be located above the driver`s cab. Meals can be cooked in the comprehensive kitchen area and the bathroom has a toilet, washbasin and shower for the comfort of the rv hirers. Consider a Uk Rv Hire this year instead of jetting off abroad and you can discover the many delights that Great Britain has to offer from the comfort of your own motor home. Think about the many people that have been stranded in airports recently and holiday a little closer to home might seem far more appealing.

Scuba Diving In Greece
A brand new Padi %&KEYWORD%% centre based in Paros, catering for all inexperienced and certified divers of all disciplines. With several Birthish Instructors and Dive Masters at hand we will ensure a perfect Diving In Greece experience. We have the ability to cater for over twenty divers per day, Diving In Greece in crystal clear blue water, from our state of the art rib boat that is licenced to carry 16 scuba divers. With many highly interesting diving sites taking in sea life, wrecks and some amazing historical artifacts, you can be sure to enjoy each and every moment of your Diving In Greece underwater adventure.

Yesterday I had to sign up for my Spanish course at the University of Havana. The Campus of the University is an astoundingly beautiful collection of classical buildings and a Cuban tank graces the entrance to the library.

At 9 am all the foreign students, about 40 of them, met in the Edificio Varona and we were shepherded by various professors into a very antiquated lecture hall. (By the way, of the 5 or 6 washroom stalls in the women�s bathroom, only 1 or 2 have toilets in them, no toilet seats, and no running water in the sinks. Again a sign of rather run-down infrastructure...)

There they told us about the program, but only in Spanish, which was okay for me, since I speak Spanish, but about half the group was completely lost. We then had to do a quick written placement test to assess our existing Spanish skills and then the bureaucracy began.

We found out that we needed the following documents:

- a copy of our passports

- an official copy of the hotel guest card and/or a copy of the licence of the private Casa Particular

- 200 CUC (Convertible Cuban Pesos) in cash for a 2-week course or more for other courses

- 40 CUC for changing our tourist visa to an academic visa (in fiscal stamps which we had to obtain abuot 5 km away)

- 2 passport photos

- 25 CUC in cash to expedite our academic visa if we are in town for only 2 weeks.

I linked up with a bunch of foreign students and we headed off together on our quest to fulfill the Cuban desire for Burocratismo. We first obtained cash at bank at the Hotel Havana Libre, then got the passport pictures done (to be ready for pickup 3 hours later), then searched for the other bank on Calle 23 that would provide us with the 40CUC stamps for the academic visa. With extremely long lineups everywhere, this took us about 2 or 3 hours.

Then we got really hungry and we were approached by a local "Jinetero" (restaurant tout) who promised us a complete meal with main dish, salad and side dish for 6 or 7 CUC. We walked with him, only to find out that the wait at the Paladar (private restaurant) would be about 45 minutes to even sit down, not including food preparation time.

So we walked up Calle 21 and a private restaurant owner approached us for a meal and we gave in and came inside. It was a beautiful colonial villa, except that the guest room with is obligatory 3 tables and 12 seats was in a dark small dingy room completely without windows.

However, we had a delicious home-cooked meal, I had roasted chicken with rice & beans, salad and a lemon soft drink, all for 8 CUC (about 8 US$). 2 of my student colleagues were from Germany and the other fellow is from Toronto as well, but originally from Poland. We had some great conversations and it was interesting linking up with a bunch of Europeans in Havana.

After a brief rest in the hotel, my friend Pedro again picked me up in the evening and I couldn�t help but tell him about my experience with the Cocotaxi driver yesterday, who had tried to pick me up, despite my clarifications and statements that I was married and not interested in any amorous activities.

Pedro explained that sexual relations in Cuba are a relatively common, easy-going thing and that it is very common for people to link up for quick "meaningful overnight relationships". He referred to the Cuban people as very "passionate and hot-blooded", I guess that explains a couple of the advances that I have been receiving so far, particularly since there is also quite a lot of sex tourism where men (and even women) come to Cuba to engage in easily available erotic experiences.

Pedro and I walked through the old town and of course along the Malecon (the seafront boulevard) and saw the beautiful Plaza Vieja and the Plaza de la Catedral where a mass was being held for the passing of Pope John Paul II.

This was very interesting, since Cuba is a Communist / official atheist country and there are much fewer Catholics today than before the Revolution. Actually much of Cuba�s religion is a mixture of Catholicism and Santeria (religious practices of the African slaves). Regardless of religiousness, Cuba has declared a 3-day "duelo nacional" (a national mourning period for the Pope) and the mass was attended by hundreds of people.

Pedro and I then had a nice meal in the "Barrio Chino" (Havana`s Chinatown) for 5.60 CUC (less than US$6) for 2 people and 2 vegetarian meals and soft drinks. After a nice dinner he again flagged down a local private car driver and gave him about 1 CUC for picking us up and dropping us off at my Hotel.

At midnight I dropped into bed, exhausted.

However, at 4 am this morning I awoke with major intestinal problems. Apparently my Chinese meal had not become me so well and I had serious digestive issues emanating from both sides of my body. This morning I realy felt rotten and I ended up using my own medical kit for the first time and took some Immodium.

I was unable to eat breakfast, but I made my way to the university where at 9 am our classes started. Surprisingly the placement test had put me into the level of "perfeccionamiento", the highest level and the level of Spanish in my class was indeed very high. The class consists of 7 students, a young woman from England, a young female medical student from Denmark, a middle-aged female doctor from Finland, a young male law student from Sweden, a young woman and man from Norway and myself from Austria/Canada.

Obviuosly there is a very heavy Scandinavian slant in my class and it seems everyone in the class is a hobby sociologist, political scientist, environmentalist and historian. We asked some rather tough questions about Cuban life, the political system, the economic hardships, the double economy, the situation of women and blacks in Cuba, machismo and the situation of the environment.

Some of these questions made our female professor feel extremely uncomfortable and it seemed like she was squirming under the barrage of probing political and sociological questions. She got very defensive a few times about the Cuban system and only after we discussed the good and bad aspects of European and Canadian societies did she loosen up a bit and become a bit more open and frank about the real Cuban life. It seems that to this day Cubans have to be very careful about what they say in public.

For example, she frankly admitted that racism still exists in Cuba and to this day it is still a country with a lot of machismo. However, she did not admit that Internet access and access to non-Communist media is forbidden for Cubans, she simply explained it as an economic issue. (Several of my colleagues had heard otherwise in their travels in Cuba, simply that a Cuban is not allowed to have access to the Internet). She also admitted that it is not allowed for Cubans to visit the tourist areas of the Cayos (e.g. Cayo Coco) which is exclusively reserved for tourists and Cubans have no access to that area whatsoever, a definite point of contention among the locals.

Class ended about 1:20 and my upset stomach did not allow me to intake any food. I headed back to my hotel, slept a little and have been on the Internet for the past 2 or so hours (racking up a bill of about $US 20.00 or s0), documenting my trip.

It�`ll be a quiet evening tonight since I am trying to settle down my stomach. But I am sure the adventures and the learning will continue tomorrow.

Ski Holidays Scotland - Ski Holidays Scotland
...r sports? You could be whizzing around on a Jet Ski on one day and try water skiing the next. Think about ski holidays Scotlandfor this year`s vacation and you`ll be in for a whale of a time. As pa...
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Stag Party In Blackpool - Stag Party In Blackpool
...g married and we are in the middle of sorting out his stag party. Blackpool has been suggested because it`s easy for everyone to get to and it has a host of bars, night clubs and fun activities that ...
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Greek Island Holidays - Greek Island Holidays
...e southern end of the Balkan peninsula. Greece is bordered by Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania, to the north, and by Turkey to the east. The Aegean Sea lies to the east ...
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Business Accomodation - Business Accomodation
...ness Accomodation can be found. Locate a stunning setting in the heart of the countryside and business won`t feel like business whatsoever. Meetings will be productive yet they will feel more relaxe...
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Airport Taxis Norfolk - Airport Taxis Norfolk
...ry one of us is making sure we get to the air port on time. If you are going on holiday but are sick of paying the extortionate parking fees at air ports then why not let some one else take the strain...
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Cottage With Pool Wales - Cottage With Pool Wales
...a jacuzzi, game rooms and more. These extremely cozy and comfortable cottages are bound to catch the attention of all onlookers. Cottage with pool Wales allows guests to sit back and relax or take a c...
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Holidays Afloat - Holidays Afloat
...like doing some thing completely different, where you are in charge of your holiday, not a rep barking orders at you? Why not take a look at the range of holidays afloatthat are currently available fr...
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Cairngorms Accommodation - Cairngorms Accommodation
...se just by looking at a website. I`ve stayed in countless bed and breakfast establishments over the years and I`ve yet to come across a bad one. The thing to do is take your time when you research a...
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Lake District Hotel - Lake District Hotel
...tayed in a number or large chain hotels over the years and whilst they offer everything you could want in way of creature comforts, they tend to lack a sense of charm. I`d much rather find a cosy gues...
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Golf Holiday Turkey - Golf Holiday Turkey
...y is the perfect destination for a golf holiday, it has everything you can think of. Turkey has the most amazing climate and a whole load of intriguing history to delve into too. The Mediterranean sid...
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Cruise Ireland - Cruise Ireland
...s in your very own boat that offers you all the creature comforts that you`re familiar with at home? Imagine the tranquillity that Cruise Ireland holidays will give you as take in the magnificent sce...
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Luxury French Villa - Luxury French Villa
... few things into a small suitcase and book a flight over to France knowing that your luxury french villawas awaiting you? If you had more time you could throw a bag into the boot of the Aston and the...
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Greece Diving - Greece Diving Gets Better
...ew dive trips we have seen many octopus, lobster and new varieties of fish arriving from the red sea. Whilst greece diving recently we have even seen dolphins and several species of nudibranch. These ...
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Sotogrande - Sotogrande
...ovides an oasis of scintillating suntraps and beautiful beaches. Located near Gibraltar, sotogrande is the type of place that you`ll never want to leave, as it is an imposing country estate that hous...
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Hotels Stansted - Hotels Stansted
...ng a hen party in the near future and she has decided on Stansted as the place to have it as many people will be flying into the country from abroad. She thought that this would be the ideal meeting ...
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Static Caravans - Static Caravans
...ans are those caravans, which are permanently fixed and cannot be moved from their positions. The reason why these caravans are called Static caravans is that these caravans are used as permanent acco...
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Lefkas Holidays - Lefkas Holidays
...why not try the collection of islands near Greece known as the Ionian islands. These islands have for many years been a favourite destination for summer vacations, and there are currently some fantast...
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B&b Stansted - B&b Stansted
...sband and I are going on holiday from Stansted airport. As we live in Manchester this is a very long way to go to catch a plane but the holiday was really cheap because of it. We have decided that w...
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Butlins Skegness - Butlins Skegness
...a cracking time in the process. You won`t have to forsake a sandy beach or a fun-filled entertainment package either in your search for a suitable location. Families have been flocking to Butlins Sk...
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Motorhome Hire Scotland - Motorhome Hire Scotland
... is going to be a cracker i can feel it in my water. Thankfully my summer holidays are already booked and ready for me my wife and two children. This year we have opted for the services of a motorhome...
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Golf Holidays Spain - Golf Holidays Spain
...liday so how do golf holidays spain sound, where you can soak up the sun and put a few balls in the process? If you think this might sound like a good idea (and many golfers will) you can pack your p...
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Kitesurfing Kite - Greece Kitesurfing Kite Schools
...fing kite by investing anywhere from $1000 to $3000 (USD), depending on the quality and age of gear you choose. A kite, board, harness, bar and lines are all that`s truly needed (and wind), but you ma...
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Travel In Russia - Travel In Russia Is Easy Peasy.
...eryday is it? Its odd because; Russia is such a beautiful place, and despite this there are only a few people that travel in Russia each year. There isn`t really a logical step to this because the fli...
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Lake District Accommodation - Lake District Accommodation
...e Lake District. Over the years I`ve lost count of the amount of times that I have stayed in wonderful Lake District Accommodation. The last time that I stayed up in the lakes I was lucky because I ...
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Blackpool Hotels - Blackpool Hotels
...nces in Blackpool over the years and when I was a young buck it would be a favourite party venue where I, along with a group of my mates, would enjoy the non-stop action. When you arrive in Blackpool...
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Catered Ski Chalets Three Valleys - Catered Ski Chalets Three Valleys
...laces to spend your holidays along with your family and loved ones. We at Silver Lining Chalets offer our customers high quality accommodation and services in an informal way. Customers who have been ...
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Caravan For Sale - Caravan For Sale
...panies are offering the facility to buy a Caravan for sale. A Caravan for sale has many advantages. Firstly, as the caravan is for sale, it is usually renovated and does not require extra cleanup or o...
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French Property - French Property
...s it`s a firm reality. If you have the capital to invest in a holiday home in France then there`s plenty of french property that`s awaiting your perusal. Contact property services that specialise in ...
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Spa Weekend - Spa Weekend
... Spa Weekend implements wonderful massages and other methods to relax your body. These will help you to escape all your work worries and they will get you all refreshed and energized for the week ahea...
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Specialise In Wedding Venue - Specialise In Wedding Venue
...popped the big question to my girlfriend recently and I`m very happy to report that she said yes. We are now in the middle of trying to find a suitable wedding venue that can cater for our special da...
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Butlins Skegness Caravan Holidays - Butlins Skegness Caravan Holidays
...opular today as it was when the first holiday park was opened in Skegness back in 1936 by Billy Butlin. During its peak this brand operated nine holiday parks in total but today only three of the si...
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Villa Rental Sotogrande - Villa Rental Sotogrande
...ow? If you have you know that plenty of research is required as you try to find the best property within your budget. Brits have been relocating to regions like the Costa del Sol in Spain for many ye...
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Kiteboarding Greece - Kiteboaring And Windsurfing In Greece
...H CENTER, a shallow-watered shoreline with a sandy bottom, ideal side shore wind conditions, and a long sandy beach offer the beginner, intermediate, or advanced kiteboarding greece or windsurfer the ...
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Ski Chalet Holidays - Ski Chalet Holidays
...he biggest turkey in the world wondering how on earth you are getting to fit it in the oven? Possibly you are looking further afield this year and fancy taking the family away for the yuletide period...
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Visa To Russia - Visa To Russia Ideas For Everyone
...mited number of places each year. How many times have you heard that your friends are off to spain, or nice. Its always the same. So how about going crazy this year and visiting Russia? It`s a lovely...
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Hotels Newtonmore - Hotels Newtonmore
...ry I got married in and I love the spectacular scenery and warm welcome that greets us whenever we return to this beautiful country. A fine selection of accommodation is available for visitors to the...
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Stanstead Airport Transfers - Stanstead Airport Transfers
...business flyer you have to jet in and out of a number of London airports on a regular basis. Stanstead is just one of the airports that you seem to spend plenty of time visiting. Getting too and from...
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Diving In Greece - Scuba Diving In Greece
...%% centre based in Paros, catering for all inexperienced and certified divers of all disciplines. With several Birthish Instructors and Dive Masters at hand we will ensure a perfect diving in greece e...
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