Magazine Bases

Safari in Northern Tanzania – Back to The Sixth Day of the Creation

Tanzania’s natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled. Wild animals roam in vast areas as God intended on that sixth day of the creation. These areas are designated as national parks and game reserves and have a high reputation for being uncrowded and unspoilt. The magnificent collection of game sanctuaries to the north of the country, near the border with Kenya, is referred to as The Northern Circuit. This is the most popular and accessible wildlife safari route in Tanzania. I can positively say that this is one of the finest game viewing areas anywhere in the world. The game aside, the spectacularly diverse cluster of eco-systems and habitats is a dazzling experience for many a visitor.

The stars of the Northern Circuit are the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, very dear to the hearts of nature lovers. But no less sparkling and indeed complementing the two are the other members of the circuit: Arusha, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. In terms of wildlife, the abundance and diversity of the wildlife here is difficult to imagine. On top of the heap are the highly regarded “big five”: elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and lion. And then a wild array of plain animals: wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, oryx, reedbuck, giraffe, Thompson gazelle, and many more of the same genre. But do not forget the merciless predators: cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Northern Circuit is an ornithologist’s paradise too, and over 500 species of birds are on record. On safari, you will be a witness of the shocking and fascinating dance of life and death on daily play by this combination of animals.

The starting point for northern safaris is usually Arusha town. The town sits near the base of Mount Meru and is in sight of mighty Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. From Arusha, the nearest protected area to see wildlife is Arusha National Park, just 32 km away. In this park of 137 sq km area, you will see baboon, colobus and vervet monkeys, duikers, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, leopard, hyena, zebra and a wide range of antelopes. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded, including Eurasian migrants, who visit between October and April. One of the unique attractions of the park is that walking safaris are allowed and you can get off your vehicle for a nature walk. Due to its proximity to Arusha, the park is very popular for day trips.

Wildlife aside, Arusha National Park is a treasure with a rich tapestry of habitats including grassland, montane forest, heath and alpine desert and soda and fresh water lakes. Three spectacular features stand out: the Momela Lakes, Mount Meru, and Ngurdoto Crater. Mount Meru stands at 4,575 m and is Africa’s fourth highest mountain. It is however overshadowed by nearby Kilimanjaro, which rises above it by over 1300 m. It is regrettable that the snobbish instinct of many climbers makes them to overlook Mt Meru. The mountain can be scaled in three to four days with overnight accommodation in alpine huts.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, is located in the Great Rift Valley, a monumental fracture of the earths crust. The area is filled with volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes and forests. Covering 8288 sq km, its main features are the Ngorongoro Crater, the Empakai crater, the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain and the archeological site of Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge is the prehistoric site where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis (“Handy man”) regarded by scientists as mankind’s first step on the path of human evolution. Be sure to have a look at the remains of our worthy predecessor, whose valiant industry spurred by necessity, got him making simple stone tools.

Unlike in the national parks, the colorful Maasai people, their livestock and wildlife coexist within the conservation area. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest Caldera in the world that has its walls intact. The crater floor is a drop of 600 m and covers an area of 260 sq km with a diameter of 19 km. This magnificent natural amphitheatre is a stunning attraction in its own right and is one of the wonders of the natural world. The crater supports a year round resident population of a variety of wildlife. You will have no trouble spotting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many species of plain animals- wildebeest, zebra, reedbuck, Thompson gazelle and many more. The crater floor is dotted with watering holes and holds almost 30,000 wild animals. Ngorongoro is four hours by road from Arusha or one hour by air. And from either Lake Manyara or Tarangire you will be on the road for two hours.

Lake Manyara National Park spreads between the cliff of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara, a shallow soda lake. The park covers 330 sq. km, 70% of which is occupied by the lake. The varied ecosystem consists of ground water forests, acacia woodland and open grassland along the lakeshore and sustains a wealth of wildlife, including the Big Five -lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Other animals to be seen in the park include baboons, impala, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and hippo.

Lake Manyara is famous for the elusive tree-climbing lions, which can occasionally be seen along the branches of the acacia trees. It is also an ornithologists’ paradise and is host to over 400 species of birds. The water birds hovering around the lake include pelicans, spoonbills, Egyptian geese and hammerkops. In addition, migratory flamingoes arrive in hundreds of thousands creating a spectacular sight over the soda lake. You will arrive at Lake Manyara after driving from Arusha for two hours or flying for just half an hour.

Tarangire National Park is a one and half hour drive from Arusha making it very popular for day trips. Tarangire is a park of giant baobab trees, rolling savannah and acacia parkland. It is famous for its dense wildlife population, which is most spectacular in the dry season between June and September. It is during this period that thousands of animals- wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, waterbuck, giraffe, impala, gerenuk, buffalo and oryx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River in search of water. The predators -lion, leopard and others- as is the custom in the savanna follow closely by. If lucky, you will spot the peculiar tree-climbing python, kudu and roan antelope, a rare experience in the northern safari circuit. Birds are also abundant here and over 550 species have been recorded.

Serengeti National Park is Africa’s most famous wildlife sanctuary and Tanzania’s largest national park. The park is located 6 hours by road from Arusha or one hour by air. It lies in a high plateau between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya/Tanzania border and almost touches Lake Victoria in the west. Appropriately named “endless plains” by the Maasai people, it features short and long grass plains, acacia savanna and woodland in parts of the north and east.

Within its 15,000 sq km area, Serengeti hosts 3 million large mammals. More than 35 species of plain animals- zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe, and others are found here. And so for the big five: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino. The park is the staging-zone for one the most spectacular events in the natural world- the annual migration of wildebeest. This commences around June when over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle head for the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures.

If you can spare the money, viewing the migration afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience. The best time to view game is from December to May when the grass is short. Avoid late June-October, when most of the animals will have evacuated with the migration and are best seen in the adjacent Maasai Mara in Kenya. The keen ornithologist will have a good time trying to sight the 500 species of birds on record.

Camping sites can be found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and all the national parks of the northern circuit. Facilities are pretty basic and this is where budget travelers prefer to spend their safari nights. If you can afford it, overnight at the luxury safari lodges and tented camps. In this class of accommodation expect to find all the creature comforts associated with rated accommodation. See our Tanzania Hotels & Lodges page for info and book accommodation for your safari.

It is generally recommended to take an escorted tour package that includes transport, guide, park fees and accommodation. Tour guides have valuable useful local knowledge about the animals, where to find them and how to get where you are going. Check out our very good value escorted Tanzania Safari offers of various durations and budgets. But if you know the country well and have good knowledge of animals, then hiring a self-vehicle is an option. See our Tanzania Car Rental page to do your reservation for a self-drive or chauffer driven vehicle.

The relatively high elevation in northern Tanzania means that it never gets too hot. Indeed the nights and early mornings can be quite chilly. You are well advised to take along a heavy sweater and a windbreaker or jacket. Expect temperatures to average from 15C in May to August and 22C over December to March. The weather is best between June and September, but do not bet on seeing any animals in the Serengeti. For a safari covering all the parks of northern Tanzania, September to March is a good time. But remember that some of the other parks in the region offer nearly year round game viewing opportunities. April and May can be a challenging period for dong a safari for as this is when the weather is at its rainiest.

On safari, bright coloured clothing may get you in trouble with wild animals. If you are wise you will pack brown, beige and khaki clothing. Short sleeve shirts, shorts and trouser for men are adequate. For ladies, short sleeve blouses, slacks and skirts are ideal. Though the northern
region is well outside the predominantly Muslim coast areas and ladies do not have to dress too conservatively, modest attire is still a good idea. Remember to bring along a pair of sunglasses to shield you from the sometimes harsh tropical glare. Binoculars will come in very handy for spotting animals.

About the Author: Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of Africapoint.com – the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Tanzania safaris at the website. www.africapoint.com/tours1/tanztour.htm

Ontario, Your Next Vacation Spot

Ontario is the second-largest in area of Canada’s ten provinces and is found in east-central Canada. Its capital is Toronto. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is also located in Ontario. Ontario has a population of 12,449,502, representing approximately 37.9% of the total Canadian population.

It’s excellent transportation links to the American heartland has contributed to making manufacturing the principal industry, found mainly in the Golden Horseshoe region, the most industrialized area in Canada. Important products include motor vehicles, iron, food, electrical appliances, machinery, chemicals, and paper.

Culture wise, you can enjoy Broadway blockbuster shows or innovative local theater on Toronto’s diverse stages. Be dazzled by Ontario’s myriad museums and their signature collections including rare ceramics, classic canoes, fantastic footwear and more. Whether you are moved by old masters or inspired by avant-garde installations, you’ll delight in wide ranging art galleries.

Ottawa is the federal capital and is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River facing the French-speaking city of Hull in Qu©bec. The imposing Gothic-style Parliament Buildings overlook the confluence of the rivers Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau. The colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place here daily in July and August.

The National Arts Center, a hexagonal complex on the banks of the Rideau Canal, houses an opera company, theaters, studios and restaurants. The Rideau Canal and the Rideau-Trent-Severn Waterway are part of a complex of recreational lakes and canals linking Ottawa to Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay.

Outstanding among the city’s many museums and galleries are the National Gallery of Canada, the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum and the Museum of Civilization (over the bridge in nearby Hull).

Toronto is the provincial capital and is Canada’s largest city. Its accelerated growth in recent years, with a huge influx of immigrants, has resulted in one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities on the continent. The city is laid out on a rectangular grid broken only by the Don River and Humber River, the banks of which provide a host of recreational amenities.

“Must See” tourist attractions in Toronto include The CN Tower, the world’s tallest free-standing structure with its glass-fronted elevators rising 553m (1815ft) to indoor and outdoor observation decks that afford a 120km- (75 mile-) panoramic view on a clear day.

Also in Toronto is Niagara Falls. The Falls provides a vast array of year-round activities for the entire family. Beautifully-maintained biking and walking trails line the world-famous Niagara gorge while numerous golf courses, ball diamonds, playing fields, swimming pools and rinks are also here. The Falls has excellent accommodation options with over twenty Bed and Breakfasts’s listed with prices to suit all needs.

Shawn is the owner of The Bed and Breakfast Connector (www.bbconnector.com/). We provide a full service online directory to visitors and guests alike.

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Why You Need to Know Algebra?

Algebra – what is it?

Algebra is a wide category of mathematics that uses abstraction by replacing letters for numbers. It is this abstraction that often frightens many and shudders some. Algebra topics range from working with equations to factoring binomials all the way to finding the y-intercept. Most people start to learn Algebra by adding, subtracting, reducing and simplifying fractions . later on, they would move on to more advanced stages of solving algebraic equations using the greatest common factors and converting fractions in to decimals.

Help!!! Exponents, Radicals and Graphing on the Way…

There are numerous higher level subjects. To start off with there are exponents. A power is the small number placed as superscript to a number or algebraic expression. An example is (x + y)³ where the 3 is the exponent and denotes the power to which that number is exponentiated. The above algebraic expression is read, x plus y to the third power. In working with exponents you can add, subtract, multiple or divide them. You can work with fractional and negative exponents. If that isn’t enough to make your head spin, then you can move on to radicals. A radical, simply put, is the undoing of an exponent. Radical expressions are referred by the symbol “V” and when placed beside number 4, it is read as square root of 4, which is equal to 2. The inverse of “V” symbol is “^” which denotes that the number it refers to is a multiple of the principle number. Therefore, 2^2 which is read as 2 to the 2nd power, equals 4. As with exponents, radical expressions can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided. Radicals can be switched into powers and exponents back into roots. If exponents and roots aren’t enough, there is always graphing. The best way to start with graphing is to draw lines and try to figure out if they are horizontal, vertical or neither. Another question to ask is whether the line has an x-intercept or a y-intercept Furthermore, try and see if you can find the slope of a line. you master the mathematical art of graphing, you will chance on a whole new world full of parabolas and hyperbolas.

Need Help?

While you are learning algebra if the terms and concepts seem too much to handle, relax and take a break. There are many resources out there that can help you master complex inequalities, quadratic formulas and polynomials. The custom is to decide on a math tutor, but the up-to-date algebraic software are no different. In fact, they are better than math tutors. You can also use algebra calculators or algebra solvers. any of these instruments can assist you become an algebra expert in very little time.

Chita, Siberia – A Little History

In 1999, I decided to live a year in the city of Chita, Russia. For those not in the know, Chita is a city in Siberia.

History

The City of Chita is a the administrative center of the Chita Oblast, which is similar to a state. It is located smack dab in the middle of Siberia and is about 500 miles east of Lake Baikal.

From the 1930’s through the end of communism, Chita was a closed city. During this period, foreigners were prohibited from traveling to Chita as were many Russians. The basis for the closing of the city was apparently its proximity to China and military installations.

In some circles, Chita is known as the City of Exiles because prominent intellectuals starting with the “Decembrist” were exiled to the city after failed uprisings in 1825. Despite this informal name, the arrival of the Decembrists was a boon for the city. The well-educated exiles made an effort to educate the citizens of Chita and pursue trade. Through these efforts, the City became a major trading portal in Siberia, particularly since the natural resources of the area included timber, gold and uranium.

Architecturally, Chita is a clash of styles. Foremost, Chita is populated with communist concrete buildings. The apartment buildings are almost universally five stories tall and, frankly, not the most appealing things you’ve every scene. In contrast to these soviet signatures, Chita is also populated with individual homes made primarily out of wood. The homes are the equivalent of those you would see in any mountainous area and are very comfortable. Clashing with these two styles are a number of buildings in the center of Chita.

During World War II, a significant number of Japanese soldiers were taken by the Russians as prisoners of war. Through whatever machinations present at that time, they were put to work in the construction industry. Yep, you guessed it. In the center of Chita you will find buildings with a definite hint of Japanese style. The buildings are not overtly Japanese, but they definitely differ from the other styles present.

Having lived in the city for a year, I can definitely say it is worth a visit. The Trans-Siberian Railway passes through the city, so access is very easy.

Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com – makers of travel journals. Writing journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for him or her. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.

Eden Rocks Shore Dives in Grand Cayman

When we took a cruise of the Western Caribbean, it included Grand Cayman as a port. We were able to scuba dive one of the shore dives there. There are actually two shore dives off the downtown area of Georgetown which were recommended to us. For cruiseship passengers, it is fairly easy to locate. As soon as the tender boats arrive at the pier, we walked to the right and less than 5 minutes, we arrived at Eden Rocks Dive Centre. Don’t be fooled by a new competitor they have just before it. Eden Rocks Dive Centre is closer to the dive sites than their new competitor.

Cayman Islands are relatively expensive for diving with an average of $85 US for a two tank boat dive trip. However, with limited time as with cruiseship passengers, we were able to do decent diving for much less. If you are bringing all your gear except for tanks and weights, you can rent them for about $10 US. Even renting complete gear will run much less than a boat trip. Eden Rocks has a patio with lockers in the back and an area with a ladder where the entry to the water is. The two dive sites are called Eden Rocks and Devil’s Grotto. They are reached with a short swim out towards some various buoys that mark the sites.

We ended up doing Devil’s Grotto which had some nice coral formations. The maximum depth was about 46 feet with a water temperature of about 80 degrees. The visibility was even better than what we experienced in Key Largo just a few days prior. There was a very nice large swim through tunnel and several smaller ones throughout the site. Inside the large tunnel, we saw a large resident tarpon. The fish life including parrotfish, groupers and tangs was healthy at this shore dive and it is interesting to note that it even exists so close to the cruiseships. Other divers said they saw some turtles too.

We would like to do the other shore dive site, Eden Rocks which is to the right of Devil’s Grotto during the next time we are in Grand Cayman. These sites are ideal for beginner level divers. My partner was a newly certified diver and had no problems with this shore dive.

Clint Leung is a NAUI certified Master and Rescue Scuba Diver. He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com , an online retailer and designer specializing in premium quality activewear with specialty sports themes including scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding and martial arts. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on scuba diving and other selected specialty sports as well as free eCards.

A Top Five List of Mountains to Vacation at in the European Alps

Although this top 5 can’t be seen to be unequivocal, it contains my top skiing resorts for skiing holidays in the Alps. Others may list Chamonix, Les Trois Vallees and Tignes however this list are my best skiing areas.

1. Les Deux Alpes, France ” Brilliant for all standards and infamous for its combination of summer and winter skiing with an excellent snow record. It is one enormous skiing resort where you’ll feel at ease.

2. Cortina d`Ampezzo, Italy ” Picture perfect, the most beautiful winter wonderland resort in the world, its fantastic slopes are idyllic for beginners and intermediates. The scenery is jaw dropping even if the skiing isnt.

3. Chamonix, France – Situated at the foot of Mont-Blanc this town boasts fantastic skiing such as Les Grand Montets (1235 m ” 3000 m) and the linked areas of Br©vent / Fl©gre (1030 m – 2525 m) whilst providing a sense of adventure that won’t disappoint.

4. Wengen, Switzerland ” This beautiful ski resort exudes charm from the moment you arrive. It’s an easy going place; with many of the ski pistes having gentle runs leading up to Grindelwald.

5.Kitzbhel, Austria ” the 5 main skiing areas around the resort have plenty of slopes catering to the needs of everyone – this ski resort is one to try out. Contrary to the easy going nature of most of the courses Kitzbhel contains one of the most challenging world cup circuit courses in the world,the Hahnenkamm.

England – Alnwick Castle

William Shakespeare chronicled the history on one of England’s most powerful medieval families, the Percys, in his plays Richard II and Henry IV. The Percy legacy, Alnwick Castle, remains a remarkable tribute to the impact of the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland on British history. It also stands as a tribute to the skills of the architects who designed the fortress.

The original fortifications were began by a Norman in the 1080s, after the surrounding land was granted to one of William the Conqueror’s standard bearers. Yvo de Vescy began the castle in 1096 and it stood unmolested until King John ordered its demolition in 1213. The 1st Lord Percy of Northumberland bought the property in 1309 and began a major reconstruction project.

The Northumberlands have continuously occupied the grand residence near the Scottish border for well over 700 years. Henry, the 4th Lord Percy and 1st Earl of Northumberland is undoubtedly the best known and the most controversial of all the lords of Northumberland. Living from 1342 to 1409, he actively participated in England’s wars against the Scots and also fought with his king in France. Accused of treason by Richard II in 1399, the Percys provoked a rebellion and placed their favorite, Henry IV on the English throne.

Four years later, the Percys led another rebellion, this time against their own man, Henry IV, who they thought had not shown sufficient gratitude. Within a few months, the Royalists had seized Lord Percy and killed his son, Henry “Hotspur” Percy at the battle of Shrewsbury. Freed after one year, Lord Percy joined in another rebellion against Henry IV led by an archbishop, but with no better results. This time he fled to Scotland. In three years time, in 1408, he tried one last time to overthrow the king, but was killed by the Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1409.

When he was not occupied fighting the Scots, the French, the English, or with overthrowing his king, the 1st Earl of Northumberland undertook the transformation of Alnwick Castle into the splendid ducal residence that has been lived in by his descendants to this day. Highlighted by lush green grasses and enclosed by a sturdy towered curtain wall, Percy’s work encloses the middle bailey. This includes the Middle Gateway, the well-preserved Constable’s Tower and a watchtower named Hotspur’s Seat. All this work was started in 1350 and continued for many years. Perhaps the first earl’s most impressive addition was the Great Keep which dominates the site.

Fronted by Percy’s octagonal towers and encompassed by a seven-towered wall, the four storey polygonal keep commands a place of pride on top of the grass covered medieval mound. Patrolling the battlements, life-sized stone soldiers stalwartly guard the grounds below. Visible from quite a distance, the skillfully carved sentinels would have presented a roaming enemy with the impression that a formidable garrison of soldiers awaited their approach. Attackers would know that their best decision would be to retreat with their lives intact. Even today, the stone men exude a quiet but steadfast presence and rank high among Alnwick’s most prized possessions.

In recent years, the fictional wizard Harry Potter practised his powers at Alnwick Castle as it stood in for Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Ralph George Algernon Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland, continues the proud tradition established by his ancestors so long ago. No longer fearing attack, Alnwick Castle has successfully made the transition from a rudimentary fortress to a palatial residence, undergoing major reconstruction and renovation in both the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today it is still regarded as one of England’s finest stately homes. The castle is open daily to visitors for an entrance fee from April to October.

Eating (way too well) in Paris: Third stop at Le Gourmet

Yet another interesting stop in our culinary adventures in Paris, the Le Gourmet restaurant offers great French cuisine for prices I hadn’t seen in Paris in 15 years.

Lunch time, where to go?

This is the third installment of the series of articles which I set about to write a couple of weeks ago on eating out well in Paris. I love food, I love good cuisine, and I want fellow travelers to enjoy Paris to the hilt. That’s enough reasons to guide them to those places I am certain they will enjoy.

Lunch time in Paris is restaurant time. People who work in the city do not carry their lunch bags with them. They rarely enjoy the benefit of a corporate catering service, but even if they do, such catering is hardly a feat for anyone’s eyes and taste buds.

Small restaurants perform a vital service: they feed the locals rather satisfactorily, inexpensively, and in record time.

What applies to locals applies to travelers, and your next culinary stop happens in just such circumstances. After a long morning walk in the quaint streets on the slopes of the Montmartre hill, you feel nicely hungry. Your steps lead you to Place de Clichy, a busy crossroads between the 17th, the 9th and the 18th districts (metro station: ‘Place de Clichy’).

Time for a gourmet experience!

Le Gourmet

You may be hungry, but you are no fool. You want to eat well, and spend your heard-earned cash on food worth this name.

In my considerate opinion none of the eateries positioned around Place de Clichy are worth the money they ask for. I find their cuisine either overpriced, or downright vulgar. I never had a satisfactory lunch at any of these places.

So where to go? Not far away.

When you are on Place de Clichy, turn yourself so as to face the downward slope, with the metro station in your back. Aim at Rue de Clichy, left of Rue d’Amsterdam. Walk down the street for about 200 yards, and turn left in Rue de Bruxelles. Walk another 200 yards. There you are on the right sidewalk.

Your next favorite food stop is located at No. 19 rue de Bruxelles.
Name: Le Gourmet.
Identifiable sign: its French bistro-style facade. And a crowd.

Entering the bistro

If you happen to walk in at around noon thirty, you may have to wait just a tad. The place is packed. I have been to this restaurant numerous times, and I still have to be there the day it is not packed at lunch time.

My advice: come at around 12:00 am, and grab a spot before everybody else does.

The place exudes old charm, with dark wood panels, old posters, menu slates marked with chalk on the walls, a traditional bar, a mosaic floor, bistro-style chairs and tables. It smells good, though cigarette smoke can become an issue at times when the facade door isn’t left open.

The owner and chef bought the restaurant about 2 years ago from its first and long-time owners, an elderly couple who retired after having steered the ship for longer than any local can remember. The new owner liked the decor, and decided to preserve it as-is, except for the facade which was changed early in 2006.

In this very Parisian setting, patrons feel immediately welcomed and are quickly seated either by the boss or a smiling waitress. This is lunch time, and they know patrons are in a hurry. No unnecessary delay.

Seated, and menu in hands

The menu is in fact chalked on the slates that hang on the front and back walls. A remarkable feat for such small a restaurant, the menu changes every day.

Anyone who lived in Paris for some time knows that restaurant menus do not change beyond the ‘plat du jour’ – the main fare for the day. Even the ‘plat du jour’ does not change that much: from one week to another, the same courses tend to get back on the menu.

Not so at ‘Le Gourmet’: the menu changes everyday and no two weeks are alike. True diversity. Even if you were to eat there every day for 20 days, you could try 20 different courses.

Gourmet cuisine is a mission

The boss comes from the province of Touraine, in Western France. He likes to work on French traditional dishes, and his cuisine draws its main inspiration from the famous Burgundy and Lyons regions.

Among the ‘terroir’ dishes served at Le Gourmet, you can taste veal knuckle (souris de veau), prime cuts of veal (onglet de veau), roasted gilthead bream (daurade royale rtie), stewed duck (pot-au-feu de canard), pike dumpling (quenelle de brochet). And the list goes on.

To get fresh products from his favorite suppliers, he wakes up at 3:30 am every day to go to the wholesale market (the Rungis market, situated south of Paris). He buys only what he needs for the day, loads up his truck, and heads back to his restaurant where he’s spend the rest of the morning to cook for lunch.

The chef’s motto is “fresh products, traditional preparation”. He uses butter, not margarine. He doesn’t buy frozen products, and no off-the-shelf sauces as he prepares his sauces himself. He is light-handed on spices which he thinks ‘are all too often used to hide something’.

Appetizer, main course, dessert, wines

Le Gourmet’s menu typically offers a choice of 4 appetizers (such as a warmed up goat cheese served on a loaf of country bread), 3 or 4 main courses (meat, fish, poultry), and 4 desserts.

The choice of desserts is also ‘old-school’: depending on the day, your selection may include chocolate whipped cream, baba au rhum (a spongy cake saturated with dealcoholized rum), biscuits with ganache (a mix of chocolate, cream and butter), orange cake, fondant cake, floating island (beaten egg whites floating on a French custard), red fruit pies, and so forth.

Light wines get the lion’s share of the wine list. The chef’s hometown is Valencay (in the heart of the Touraine region), and he purchases his bottles directly from local producers. The list comprises a variety of well-thought-of vines: Gamay, Cabernet, Valenay, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny.

All this for how much?

Beyond the quality of the food you are served at Le Gourmet, the check is another pleasant surprise. For a meager 13 (about $16), you have a full meal served in record time in a most pleasant atmosphere. For just a few more bucks, you have the wine to complete your experience.

To be honest, there are very few Parisian restaurants which will give you that much for such a low price. Le Gourmet wins my vote any time, any day. I recommend it to you wholeheartedly.

Where?
Le Gourmet
19 rue de Bruxelles
75009 Paris
Tel: 33 (0)1 48 74 53 42
Subway station: Place de Clichy
Lunch and dinner

So You’re Traveling With Children – I’m Sorry

If you have kids, car trips can cause you to inwardly moan and groan in agony, especially when making a long trip. It’s hard for children to quietly sit and do nothing for long stretches of time. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead to keep your kiddos entertained during the family car trip.

“Are we there yet?” is the travel battle cry of the modern child. Although it seems like they’re plotting against you, they aren’t trying to drive you mad, they’re just trying to find out how much longer the ride will be. Save your sanity and just tell them the truth. Tell them how long the trip is going to take and break it up into bits so that they can see that you are actually getting somewhere. They’ll be able to better grasp the time factor and will help your nerves too.

Do some planning and pack up a fun bag of games and entertainment for your kids. A nice idea is to reward them for good behavior by giving them a small gift, like a travel game or book, every hour of the trip. Keep it simple and inexpensive, and these budget-friendly little presents can make your child happier and the car ride peaceful.

Taking regular breaks is very important when you are traveling with your children. Even if all seems be going well, you should stop about every two hours to give your children a chance to stretch their legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy being out of the car. Even though it lengthens your trip, it will also make your children easier to travel with.

It is important to vary your child’s activities to keep them from becoming bored. Every half hour you can change the activity such as talking for half an hour, playing music for the next half hour, and then taking a break. Eat a little snack and then back to the car. Then they can watch a DVD or listen to music or a book on tape.

Games are a great way to pass the time. There are many different travel games available or you can play the license plate game to see how many states you can find. Electronic games are another fun way to pass the time.

Kids love to sing. Choose a CD that your entire family will enjoy. There are many different CD’s available that are fun to sing and will allow you to have fun and be silly.

A DVD player in your car or a portable DVD player will give your entire family a few hours of fun. You can even throw in a new DVD to help keep your family entertained while you drive in the peace and quiet.

A long car trip with children doesn’t have to be a burdensome event. Plan ahead and provide stuff for your kids to do and you and your sanity will get there in no time.

About the Author: Sherry Frewerd publishes various websites and blogs for affiliate promotion and network marketing. You can publish your own professional quality website without pulling your hair out or spending a fortune. Get your free website tips ebook ‘Success Tips for Building an Effective Website’ today at ‘Website Building Mom.’ http://websitebuildingmom.com