Flashpacker Guy

Backpackers with a bigger budget

5 Amazing Things Happening In Africa

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Africa has been given a bad reputation over the past few decades. Everything from war, to famine, and to poverty has stricken this continent, and the image of Africa has since been seen in a negative light.

However, this is a new century and with this new century comes a new outlook on Africa from not only the world but from the people on this continent.

So if you are unaware of what is going on in Africa and why this century will be the century that this continent sees a huge overturn on its image continue to read on.

5 Amazing Things Happening In Africa

# 1 – The Tourist Industry Is Booming

Right now the Serengeti Safari traveling packet is one of the most highly desired places for people who visit the continent to visit. The wildlife, the landscape, and the environment have been received very well by tourist. Going on safari holidays is something that’s only going to become more and more popular.

# 2 – Nigeria Will Become A Major Economic Power In The Near Future

Nigeria, Africa’s Richest Country, is looking to become a major global economic player in the near future. This is a result of many young people looking to become entrepreneurs as well as the Information Technology sector that has become very popular across the continent.

# 3 – Civil Wars Are Declining

To add more warm good news to this fantastic fire of positivity, the amount of civil wars this continent has been so heavily plagued with for decades are finally coming to a halt and may civil wars that were once a prominent part of the continent are no longer having a stay.

# 4 – Growing Middle Class

Africa’s middle class is growing, and this is due in part to the many jobs and opportunities that have come as a result of China and Africa’s relationship. Although there is still extreme poverty in a particular section so the continent overall there seems to be a steady increase in the economy.

# 5 – Promising Demographic

Unlike many countries in Europe which are seeing a decline in their population as well as specific places in Asia – Africa is looking to hold half of the human population sometime in 2050.

The Future Looks Bright

This is a new center that we are in and this century is looking to be a monumentally different century and for many reasons. Aside from many countries that were once poor, this may also be the century that we land the first man on Mars. What a time it is to be alive.

4 Authentic Indian Restaurants in Queens, New York

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Are you planning a trip to New York City? Untapped Cities ranks Queens as one of New York City’s most diverse communities. For anyone who wants to experience the city’s Indian culture and cuisine, a visit to Little India in Jackson Heights, Queens, is a must. Strolling down Roosevelt Boulevard, you could be in Mumbai with all the colorful saris while pungent aromas of chaats transport you to New Delhi. Explore the following four authentic Indian restaurants you can find in Queens.

Jackson Diner

If you’re in Jackson Heights and you’re hungry for Indian cuisine, try the neighborhood icon Jackson Diner. Nibble on tandoori wings or sample a samosa before trying the Chicken Lajwab, a curry dish full of succulent dark-meat chicken seasoned with tomato and ginger with a brightened accent of cilantro. Don’t forget the naan.

Samudra Restaurant

If you are a vegetarian and looking for an authentic Indian restaurant, look no farther than Samudra Restaurant. The Paneer Pakora — an Indian-style cheese marinated in Indian spices, dusted in chickpea flour, and deep fried — is amazing.

With seven authentic chaats, any one will whisk you away to Jaipur as you close your eyes and indulge. Looking for the perfect dosa? The restaurant offers more than 15 types of dosa, with a flavor for everyone. Spinach, however, is the most popular flavor. To enjoy more of this hearty cuisine, you’ll want to book a room at a nearby Queens hotel.

Seva Indian Cuisine

Located in nearby Astoria, Queens, Seva Indian Cuisine will take you on a flavorful journey through India. Start with the Masala Crabcake, made from lump crab seasoned with garam masala, mint, and a lemon cilantro sauce. Try the Chicken Tikka Masala slow cooked in the clay oven and served in a light tomato-cream sauce.

Spice things up with the Chicken Vindaloo prepared with sun-dried Kashmiri red chili, potato, and tamarind, and finished with a fiery sauce. Wash it all down with a creamy lassi, and you’ll feel like you traveled to New Delhi yourself.

Yaar Indian Restaurant

Also in Astoria, Queens, Yaar Indian Restaurant is ranked at the top of Foursquare’s Best Indian Restaurants in Queens, scoring a 9.2. Start with the trio of samosas and you’ll be on your way. Lamb, chicken, and vegetable stuffing offers a wonderful variety to this Indian staple. This restaurant is also known for its Lasuni Gobi, a tasty dish of roasted cauliflower with garlic and scallions. If you have trouble deciding which entree to choose, try the Tandoori Mixed Grill, a savory selection of Seekh Kabab, Malai Kabab, tandoori chicken, and shrimp with basmati rice.

Whether it’s Northern Indian or Southern, Mumbai, New Delhi, or Bangladesh, Queens can transport you to these places with an authentic culinary experience. Whether you are from India and looking for that homestyle meal, or you’re traveling to New York City and have a passion for Indian cuisine, Queens delivers.

A Walker’s Guide to Syracuse, New York

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So, you’re heading to Syracuse, New York. You might be visiting the city’s famed university or you might be there for different reasons. Either way, whether you’re looking to keep a smaller budget, you don’t want to deal with the hassle of traffic or other issues, or you don’t want to have to rent a car, you can still get around easily.

With the right choices, a stop in Syracuse without a vehicle is not only able to be done, but you might even find it to be quite enjoyable. Here are some great ways to get around Syracuse on foot.

Taking Public Transport

Syracuse has public bus transportation services that include a wide variety of routes to help you navigate the city. There are also special options available for people with disabilities.

In addition, there are numerous taxi and cab companies that do business in Syracuse. If you intend to use one, it is best to study up on which one would suit your needs best before you start your travels.

Where You Should Stay

There are several hotels near Syracuse Hancock International Airport, the region’s main airport, a number of which provide shuttle services. In addition, booking a room in one of these hotels keeps you close to Downtown Syracuse, and, as such, you’ll stay within walking distance of several attractions and an array of options for dining out.

If you’re there specifically for Syracuse University, you might be inclined to stay near the Skytop, University Hill, or Westcott neighborhoods. The Westcott neighborhood also features the scenic Thornden Park and hosts an annual cultural fair. Should your business or pleasure in Syracuse take you to the New York State Fairgrounds, you might want to look into lodging arrangements in the Lakefront neighborhood.

What Attractions Are Available

If you happen to be staying in the Lakefront neighborhood, you won’t be far from Destiny USA. The largest shopping mall in the State of New York, Destiny USA also features numerous restaurants and several other amenities, such as an IMAX movie theater, a mirror maze, and a rope-climbing course.

A short journey south and you can reach the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. There are also a variety of museums to visit in the city. Among these are the Everson Museum of Art, the Erie Canal Museum, and the Saint Marianne Cope Shrine & Museum.

Sports fans have a number of entertainment options. Along with numerous college and other sporting events, depending on the time of year, one can also take in a Syracuse Chiefs baseball game or a Syracuse Crunch hockey game.

If you’d like to just enjoy a number of the sights and sounds of other attractions the city has to offer, groups of up to 13 people at a time can take a pedal tour around the city. With a little innovation and research, getting around Syracuse, New York can be an enriching and unique experience. Skipping the rental can save you a little bit of your hard-earned money as well.

5 Civil War Sites to Visit Near Norcross, Georgia

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Do you need a reason to come to Georgia? Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Wisconsin Monument, Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum, and the Andersonville National Historic Site are among the many Civil War sites you can visit. By staying close to Civil War sites, you will be in a position to save on cost and time spent traveling to Georgia’s most amazing historical sites. You will worry less about distance and cost while focusing more on the experience.

Andersonville National Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site is one of the places you should explore. The site was built 18 months before the Civil War ended. It started as a stockade but was later converted to a prison. The Civil War prison site had a capacity of 10,000 prisoners. You will get to explore the cemetery site that serves Camp Sumter. Established in 1865, the cemetery is estimated to have held more than 13,000 Union soldiers.

Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum

Forty-eight minutes’ drive from Norcross is the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum. The Atlanta Cyclorama is the most noted attraction here. You wouldn’t want to miss this panoramic image inside a cylindrical platform. Standing in the middle, the cylinder rotates slowly, giving viewers a 360-degree view of the Civil War. The amazing cyclorama was developed from narrations offered by Civil War veterans or their widows.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

In a 54-minute drive from Norcross, you can explore the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. It’s in the park that the Confederate Army defeated the Union Army during the Kennesaw Mountain Battle that took place in early 1864. You will get to experience fifteen miles of Kennesaw Mountain trails as you explore stunning summit views, Civil War history, and the ferny-green forest. You’ll be surprised to learn that this beautiful landscape once hosted a muddy and bloody Civil War battle.

National Military Cemetery in Marietta

Initially referred to as the Marietta and Atlanta National Cemetery, the National Military Cemetery in Marietta was set aside in 1866 as a place to bury the approximately 10,000 Confederate and Union soldiers that died as a result of Sherman’s Atlanta campaign. The land for this great historical site was offered by a Union-loyal resident, Henry Cole. The local merchant hoped that by offering the burial ground, his honor would conjure others to live in peace. Additional land was offered, bringing the cemetery to a size of 23 acres.

Wisconsin Monument

Marietta National Cemetery is home to the Wisconsin Monument that was dedicated to the 400 men who lost their lives as a result of the Civil War. The monument is made of Georgia’s granite, and its top has a large eagle shaped from bronze. There’s no better place to take a photo.

Georgia is blessed with numerous sites that carry the rich history of the Civil War. If you’re into international traveling, Norcross, Georgia, should top your list of places to go as you assess your holiday destination options.

Protect Your Creativity

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We all, for the most part, understand what plagiarism is. It is taking someone else written work for your own and trying to pass off what someone else has done and claim it for yourself. This has been around for a long time, and it is not only restricted to the written area of artistry, but it can also be attributed to other artist and designer who create online masterpieces, i.e., imageries.

It can be very annoying and disturbing to know that your work has been used and given credit to by someone else. The amount of hours that you put into giving something great only to have someone come along and take it – is justifiably frustrating.

So, to protect your online art and images, there are certain software that can be purchased to protect your pictures and let you know any time someone has used your pictures for their own purpose.

In a day and age where information online is so plentiful it can be quite the challenge to search through literally MILLIONS of pages to see if someone is using your images for their own uses.

So to help those designers and artist who would love to show their work online but don’t want to have their works used or stolen – watermarking is one of the best ways to protect against this.

Not only does it brand your images but with this software, you will be better able also to TRACK when someone is using your image. This is the best of many other pieces of software that all do essentially the same thing.

Another type of weapons in your arsenal are things like reverse image search engines. These show where your images are used over the internet.

Stay ahead of your plagiarizers and those stealers who would choose to take your hard work and pass it off for your own.

This bodes true for all those who call themselves freelancers, writers, artists, designers – whatever you are. So why not protect your creation? Why not take steps to make sure that when your work is put out there that it will be protected and the credit will go to you for your hard work.

There are numerous services online to which you can sign up to and start protecting your images and artistry.

Who knows – someday that picture you took could cost millions of dollars, and although it isn’t for the money what you do, it could really be hurtful to have someone else come along and just take that work for their own.

Starving artists we all are, freelancers, so why not protect the little bit that you have? You won’t regret it.

Make Memories With Your Family That Last Forever by Taking an Amazing Trip to Canada

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If you are looking for a country that delivers amazing natural scenery and a warm welcome wherever you go Canada has to be right up there amongst the top contenders.

There are so many incredible things you can do and plenty of memories to make when you take a family trip to Canada, so here are some of the places you might want to visit.

Outstanding natural beauty

The country is clearly blessed with lots of places that simply take your breath away with their natural beauty and many visitors to Canada would probably nominate Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve once they have been there for themselves.

It is not an easy place to get to and access to the park is by boat or plane only, but your reward for making it across to this massive Unesco World Heritage site is a land that appears to have been frozen in time and leaves a lasting impression on you.

It starts with the falls

Visiting Canada almost necessitates a trip to see one of the most iconic landmarks in the country, Niagara Falls.

The falls are undeniably spectacular and the sight and sound of all that water falling at such a rate will be something that you will always remember. However, it is worth noting that the whole Niagara Falls State Park area is a joy to explore and there are plenty of other activities and sights to enjoy.

Kids will love going to the discovery center there or taking one of the hiking trails, so maybe consider staying close by at the Courtyard Niagara Falls, for instance, and make the family adventure last a bit longer.

Go wild in Jasper

Canada can boast having a number of world-class national parks to enjoy and one of those is Jasper, which is the largest of the country’s Rocky Mountain parks.

Jasper National Park is still a place where bears, caribou, and even mountain lions, are able to roam free, but considering the park spans a massive 10,878sq km, you should be able to enjoy the glaciers, and other natural wonders like the Miette Hot Springs and Maligne Canyon, without any worries.

The park is popular with hikers and mountain bikers but there is plenty of room for everyone and you can still easily find a remote spot where you can feel like you are at one with nature.

A guaranteed hit with the kids

We are free to roam the earth as a species but it hasn’t always been that way and if your kids are into dinosaurs you should not pass up the opportunity to visit one of the best dinosaur museums on the planet when you come to Canada.

A major highlight of your visit to Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology will be the chance to see the “Hellboy” dinosaur skeleton which was discovered in 2005, and “Black Beauty”, which is a 67-million-year-old T-rex that has been wowing visitors for years.

If you take in some of the sights and attractions during your time in Canada you will be certain of making some everlasting memories of your time there.

A trip to Bangkok is always worthwhile

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Who decides to spend a holiday in Thailand will naturally want to get to know the luxury. For this purpose, various holiday destinations and, of course, luxury hotels are available. These convince with a special equipment and an exclusive service.

Also very worth seeing is the sight Wat Arum. This is a monumental Buddhist temple on the river bank, defined by a famous central tower. Temples Bangkok has a lot to offer. These are of course correspondingly luxurious and impressively designed. But also a lot of nature can be found in the city. The Lumphini Park is a central city park with manicured lawns and large playgrounds. With an artificial lake landscape, the park is ideal to find relaxation and tranquillity. The impressive thing is that from this park you can directly look at the Bangkok skyline. This convinced with huge skyscrapers. These are just a few descriptions of the sights that tourists should look at.

The best travel times for a holiday in Thailand

Thailand is known for its high temperatures and its summery climate. The best time to travel to Northern Thailand is between November and February. During this time temperatures in northern Thailand of a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius, a perfect temperature to enjoy with the Escorts Dusseldorf. A holiday between the months of March and May should be avoided. For Europeans, the heat of up to 40 degrees at this time is very unpleasant. In the months of June to October, the rainy season in Thailand has begun. Holidays should be avoided as much as possible during this time.

 

3 Amazing Motorcycle Helmets

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There is nothing like hitting the open road on your motorcycle. The feel of being a rebel can be an intoxicating experience. Riding a bike can make you feel like a … well, you know. It is refreshing to own and ride a bike. But it is quite foolish to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.

Yeah, we know you just want to impress that chick. Didn’t we all? But playing it smart and playing it cool – you will be able to pull off a hell of a ride, in more than one way.

So to better gear you up and amp you for your motorcycle riding extravaganza we have taken the liberty to outline a few helmet style you may fall head over heels for.

Furthermore to add more icing on the cake we are offering a discount on helmets for motorcycles.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any sweeter!!

#1 AVG Pista GP R GP Carbon Motorcycle Helmet

First off – to all our “Speed Racers” out there. This helmet is specially designed for those who have the itch for speed. The helmet offers a broad array features and benefits that will surely protect the riders head from any damages they could have incurred if they had not used this helmet.

The interior design is reinforced with a carbon fiber construction that can take a significant deal fo impact from any spills you may experience.

Hopefully though, you never will – but if you do you can rest assured that your head will be safe and secure.

# 2 AVG Veloce S Motorcycle Helmet

Much like the previous helmet. The AVG Veloce S Motorcycle Helmet provides excellent protection but has the added benefit of having a visor that allows for greater visibility for the rider.

Offering riders a sleek design as well as a strong safety this is the helmet for those who like to ride fast and take in all the beauty they see.

# 3 HJC IS-Cruiser Helmet

If you are more of a moped kind of person, then this may very well be the helmet for you. It may very well not have the safety requirements of a motorcycle helmet but you aren’t riding a motorcycle cycle and hence won’t need it.

However, this helmet still offers the amount of protection you will need for your riding experience. Affordable, very protective and lightweight.

Safety First

We implore you to buy a helmet that will not only compliment your attire but will also protect you as well. The helmets we offer are all affordable and of the highest quality.

The Best Motorcycle Equipment For Your Riding

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The open road is calling out for you. Yelling. Screaming. Beseeching out you. You hear it; don’t you? You too want to get on the road and feel the wind on your face. You want to see and feel the earth’s atmosphere push against your body as you rip through its air current.

Well, if this is you, if this is what excites you – then have we have a surprise for you; all that you will ever need as a motorcyclist. Searching for the best motorcycle riding equipment has never been more accessible or more enjoyable than now.

Search through a wide array of helmets, jackets, riding boots, gloves, jersey, pants, protective gear (for all of our Evil Knievel’s out there), communication and cameras, riding bags and luggage, and lastly security.

Our Motorcycle Riding Equipment

The vast array of motorcycle riding equipment that we offer will be sure to make you riding experience most enjoyable and even better – memorable. Our communication and camera equipment will be sure to record all your riding experience for future viewings.

Never again have to worry about your possessions being stolen or being hocked. With our state of the line security items, you will most definitely be able to rest your mind at ease knowing that your bike and all that is in it will be okay.

However, perhaps one of our most highly sought after and extremely beneficial equipment comes in our protective gear.

Riding can be extremely enjoyable and, as already mentioned, it indeed offers a surreal feeling and experience, but it also can be a hazardous experience.

For all of our new riders and, especially our, “daring” riders who want to take their whole riding experience to the next level – we highly recommend that you give a long and hard look at our protective gear.

It may awesome to pull off a sick trick, but it will never be the payoff that you wanted if you can never ride again.

Come and Visit our shop

We love riding motorcycles as much as you do and because of this, we offer everything you will ever need to ride safe, as well as, fun.

Visit our shop today, or view our catalog, and see what we can provide you with. We are sure that you will be quite elated at the many offers and sales we also offer. Furthermore, we are confident that the gear we offer will accentuate your attires.

Whatever your motorcycles needs may be we have you covered.

Things To Do If You Win The Lotto

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It’s one of those life-changing events we all dream of – all the things we could do if we won the lottery and struck it rich overnight! Traveling the world, buying those luxury items and status symbols, and of course, transforming the lives of our loved ones and family too. But what if it really does happen to you?

You’ve probably heard of people who’ve won big in a state or national lottery, or even the megamillions lotto draw – and somehow managed to let all their winnings disappear within just a few years, or even months. How could you really enjoy your winnings, but also make them work for you for the rest of your life? Here are a few of the do’s and don’ts if you ever come into a large sum of money!

Do – speak to a financial advisor and lawyer

Before you book that round the world cruise, one of the things you really must do is speak to an advisor and lawyer to make sure you’re covered for retirement and know how much you can actually afford to splurge before the fun begins. Remember that if you really want your money to work for you in the long run, having it invested wisely is a great way to ensure you and your loved ones are comfortable for the rest of your lives – and doesn’t that sound amazing?

Don’t – splurge on depreciating assets

While that gorgeous sports car or luxury speedboat certainly oozes appeal, they aren’t exactly great investments. If you want to spend money on some real status symbols, then rather invest in some stunning upmarket property that will actually become more valuable over time while you get to enjoy it!

Do – finally tick some items off your bucket list!

If you’ve being talking about those experiences you’d love to take part in if you only had the cash to get there, now is your chance. The glut of money, sadly, won’t last forever – and you really don’t want to end up regretting that you finally had the chance to do something amazing and didn’t take it.

Don’t – go public if you can avoid it

While it isn’t always possible depending on the regulations of the country or state where you live, staying anonymous if at all possible is a great idea. Some lottery lawyers (yes, that’s a real job) will even advise their clients to close down their social media accounts, or be prepared for every fair weather friend and vague acquaintance to suddenly come swarming out of the woodwork. Social media can really become your enemy, especially if there are pictures of you and your family publically available. Make sure they’re private, or close them down completely.

Do – some good

Money can’t buy happiness, but knowing you’ve improved the lives of others can. This is your chance to support a cause you really believe in, and if you set up an investment account or trust fund that will keep on doing good long after you’re gone, you’ve got the chance to leave one hell of a legacy! Any financial asset that creates a decent sum of monthly interest and can remain self-sustaining can accomplish this goal.

Don’t – make any rash decisions

Remember you don’t have to claim your winnings straight away, and your best plan of action is… to have a plan of action! Speak to a lawyer or accountant first, as it might be better to claim your winnings under the name of a trust or other entity for anonymity.

Another good reason to slow things down is that almost everyone changes their mind several times about what they want to do with the money before they actually make a decision! You will need to take time to get advice, weigh the pros and cons of all the different options, and decide how much you actually want your life to change. Moving to a country where you’ve always wanted to live may look great on paper, but actually uprooting your family and taking the kids out of school presents a different reality when it’s actually an option. For example, and quite surprisingly, a lot of people actually decide against quitting their jobs!

Do – pay off all your debts

No matter how big or small the payout you receive, getting out of any existing debts first should be your number one priority. It’s the first step towards financial freedom, whether you win the lotto or not.