People of Unusual Size...

I have a friend who is a larger person...he is not one of those morbidly obese people that you see on the discovery channel shows, but he is large, over six feet tall and his shoulders are those you'd see on a linebacker. Not too long ago, Southwest Airlines told him as he was preparing to board the plane that if they didnt have enough room for him to have a seat free next to him that he would have to purchase one. Hmm.. stinks of discrimination to me, but here's what the airlines in general have to say.



How airlines deal with 'customers of size'
It's a weighty issue for carriers and clinically obese passengers
By David Landsel
Aviation.com
updated 9:54 a.m. PT, Tues., Aug. 12, 2008

You're paying more to travel, and not just for your plane ticket. Every pound counts as the number of carriers charging for all pieces of checked luggage racks up. So it stands to reason that the public might wonder why airlines don't charge extra for passengers with significant overages of a more, uh, personal nature.

Southwest Airlines calls them "customers of size." Medical professionals would use the term "clinically obese." Bloggers and message board habitués use names that are less polite, but all imply that the passengers in question are overweight.

Many people assume that obese people are getting something of a free ride. But are they? Nearly all airlines keep it very quiet, but many have policies — informal or formal — in place to make sure that passengers of size carry their own weight.

It's a tricky business, Airfarewatchdog.com has found. In some places — Canada, for instance — it just got trickier. A winter ruling barred Canadian airlines from discriminating against "clinically obese" customers. Southwest was successfully sued by a passenger who was told she needed to purchase a second seat after she had already boarded — too late, the ruling found. An ample Air France passenger won a case after citing humiliation at the hands of staff who wrapped packing tape around him in public to prove that he was too fat to sit one seat, forcing him to purchase another.

Here's the funny part about those lawsuits: At the time, both Southwest and Air France had official policies in place for dealing with overweight passengers. Southwest's policy has been around for years. It states that if staff members determine that the passenger will not fit in one seat, the passenger must purchase a second, a cost which will be reimbursed if the flight is not full.

Air France's policy was looser, urging passengers who knew that not having an empty seat next to them would be a problem, to handle it on their own in advance. (As of this writing, Air France passengers "with a high body mass" are warned that if they do not purchase an extra seat, they may not be allowed to board.) In the end, both airlines were punished for being up-front with their customers, even if the execution of the policy perhaps needed work. This is, after all, a terrifically sensitive matter.

Different airlines, different policies
Perhaps that is why, for many airlines, the topic tends to be along the lines of 'That Which We Don't Speak Of.' Ask United Airlines what rules it has in place for dealing with the situation, and you'll hear a pregnant pause, followed by a terse "We have no policy."

American Airlines is more forthcoming, but hastens to emphasize that in no way does it require its passengers to purchase two seats. Spokesman Tim Wagner said passengers whose weight exceeds 250 pounds should know that there are "possible limitations that could result in American not being able to accommodate them." He also said that the airline urges passengers to "recognize ahead of time that they may need to purchase two seats." Wagner also cited an FAA regulation to which all airlines adhere: If you can't snap the seatbelt (after the extension is added, that is) you can't fly.

JetBlue Airways doesn't mind taking a more straightforward stance. Spokesperson Alison Eshelman said its policy "requires" larger customers who need an additional seat for their own comfort to buy one in advance. If they do not, and the crew cannot accommodate them, they will be required to buy the seat in any case, with no refunds. (However, Eshelman noted, truthfully, that JetBlue does offer its passengers a little more wiggle room with its larger-than-average seat width on board the airline's A320 aircraft.)

Does size matter?
But what of the growing awareness among the traveling public that it costs the airline more to transport an obese passenger than a passenger of average weight? Those hoping for any type of joy in that department should sit on their hands. Delta's Susan Elliott said that the airline "has no plans to implement any policy that discriminates against any of our passengers." Translation: This is one hot potato nobody is going to touch.

Here's a look at how different airlines deal with the "customer of size."

Southwest Airlines
Passengers should plan on purchasing an extra seat or risk being asked to do so at the airport by staff. If the flight is not sold out, the passenger may claim a refund.

American Airlines
The airline states that passengers over 250 pounds should recognize that there may be limitations to the service that the airline can provide. However, it does not require that you purchase an extra seat automatically.

United Airlines
The airline has no policy whatsoever.

Midwest Airlines
As with Southwest, passengers are encouraged to know their needs in advance. If staff members determine that two seats are required, the seat will be sold at the lowest possible fare, with a refund available if there is one or more open seats on the flight.

Air France
Passengers with "high body mass" may receive a 25 percent discount on an extra seat, knowing that if they choose not to buy the seat, they may risk not being able to fly.

JetBlue Airways
You are required to buy a second seat, and there are no refunds.

Delta Air Lines
The airline "works to accommodate" passengers with special needs. Upon request and availability, it will try to make sure the next seat is unoccupied. However, if the plane is full, you will most likely be asked to leave the flight and buy a second seat on the next available flight. (You can actually count on this being a fairly typical practice on most airlines.)

Do you think clinically obese passengers should be required to buy an extra seat? Take this poll.

© 2008 Imaginova Corp.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26158641/

World's sexiest beaches 2008

Little clothing required in these sunny, sandy, sizzling locales
By Jason H. Harper
Concierge.com
updated 1:54 p.m. PT, Mon., July. 28, 2008

You know the saying: Put two people together and let nature take its course. Well, put two people together in a locale with sunshine, sand, and turquoise waters ... and watch the clothes come flying off. Whether this summer finds you and your Pucci two-piece looking to break a few hearts, or whether it's a matter of you and your mate defrosting passions after a long, cruel winter, we've got the surefire solution. These beaches, quite simply, bring the heat. We're not responsible for what happens the morning after.

For a slideshow of World’s Sexiest Beaches, click here.

1. Site: Kas, Turkey

Bring the heat: Do you daydream of the old world Mediterranean? The ancient architecture, the sagas of wars over beautiful women, the ... togas? Look and you'll find it in southwest Turkey, rife with historic seaside towns and Roman ruins along the sea. Imagine the private recreations: "You, Venus; me, Adonis."

Select sand: A crumbling amphitheater, tombs, a Roman temple, and, yes, one helluva nice beach. Archeologists have made a rich historical find at Patara, not far from the town of Kas. The other upshot, other than being able to explore the ruins on your own, is that the beautiful, 10-mile-long Patara Beach is protected from development.

Hookup potential: Kas is like a much smaller version of Antalya, a former seaside village that draws crowds of Turkish tourists. And you'll soon find that this bunch loves to party.

Privacy rating: 3 out of 10. This part of the world has been well populated for many thousands of years.

Pillow talk: With a vista toward the Greek island of Meis, the hillside Villa Hotel Tamara has three terraced platforms, two of which have pools (one filled with saltwater). The third terrace is almost level with the sea, so you can dive right in. Suites have French doors that open onto glass-enclosed balconies and hot tubs.

Villa Hotel Tamara
Tel: 90 242 836 2112
Doubles from $154

2. Site: Malibu, California

Bring the heat: Why Malibu, you ask? Angelina Jolie, Cindy Crawford, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Pamela Anderson ... in swimsuits

Select sand: If Malibu's beaches were supermodels, Zuma would be Cheryl Tiegs: blond, well-proportioned, and friendly. It's open to the public, and there's parking too. (Head to the volleyball courts for great, um, people-watching.) For the more attitudinal side of Malibu, look to the Naomi Campbell-esque Carbon Beach (a.k.a. Millionaire's), which is great to look at but can be vicious to outsiders (think security guards, "No Trespassing" signs, and lawsuits).

Hookup potential: Surprisingly good, though you may find that Ms. Aniston's bodyguard accompanies her on her morning beach stroll. Make the approach to Tinseltown's sexiest off the beach first, perhaps in the valet line at the swank restaurant Geoffrey's Malibu or at one of the chichi shops in the Malibu Country Mart. You are a producer, right?

Privacy rating: Zuma Beach: 2. Millionaire's Beach, that nearly inaccessible bit of sand and rock fronted by a $20-million mansion: 9.8.

Pillow talk: Position yourself on the same beach as the stars' homes. The Malibu Beach Inn is owned by movie mogul David Geffen, and your very private balcony will look onto Millionaire's Beach itself. Plus, it's only a short walk to David's own house for Saturday night drinks ... your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to secure an invite.

Malibu Beach Inn
Tel: 800 462 5428 (toll-free)
Tel: 310 456 6444
Doubles from $325

Geoffrey's Malibu
Tel: 310 457 1519

3. Site: Paros, Greece

Bring the heat: There's just something about the Greek Islands that encourages exuberant behavior. This outcropping of sand and craggy rocks in the Cyclades, 13 miles long and 10 wide, is giving Mykonos a run for its ouzo-fueled reputation, and attracts a heady mix of sun-loving Europeans and on-the-make locals.

Select sand: Kolymbithres Beach is dominated by curiously shaped rocks rising out of the aquamarine Aegean. Perhaps they were shaped by centuries of gentle winds—or maybe it's the friction from all the scantily clad bodies sunbathing on top of them.

Hookup potential: Extraordinary. Even the locals act like they're on vacation, and the very late nights in the town of Naousa usually segue directly to naps on the beach. The shedding of clothes can occur at any point on this continuum.

Privacy rating: Not applicable. Everybody's topless anyway.

Pillow talk: Since you'll be spending the day sleeping at Kolymbithres and the nights in Naousa, stay at Astir of Paros. This 57 room hotel is built in traditional style and sits in tropical gardens on Kolymbithres, a five-minute drive to town. And if you're in a hurry to arrive on Paros from the mainland, take advantage of its private helicopter pad.

Astir of Paros
Tel: 30 22840 51976
Doubles from $378

4. Site: Loreto, Mexico

Bring the heat: Mexico has long been a haven for Americans looking to to escape—from posses on horseback, from unpaid taxes, from the FBI, angry exes, or even oneself. But in Spring Break towns like Cancún, that mystique is as dead as Raymond Chandler. Not so in Baja's Loreto, 700 miles south of San Diego. It's still the kind of place where you might meet a mysterious brunette at a beachside watering hole who's happy to share her tequila—but not her last name.

Select sand: Even on the edge of town, the Sea of Cortez is a magical thing, soft and azure one moment, sparkly neon green the next. But to truly experience the isolation and grandeur of this as yet unadulterated area of Baja, hire a boat or pilot a kayak to Danzante, one of the small desert islands in the 800-square-mile Loreto Bay National Marine Park.

Hookup potential: While Loreto isn't anything like its hard-partying southern sister, Los Cabos, this is still Mexico. There's always trouble to be found if you know where to look.

Privacy rating: 9.7. The waters are calm, the locals aren't nosy, and a kayak will take you to many a dead-quiet cove.

Pillow talk: Since you're hiding out, best not stay in town. Rather, book an off-the-radar bolthole like Danzante Eco Resort, 25 miles south of Loreto. The nine simple rooms have views to Danzante Island and even free kayaks to get you there. And since there are no phones or Internet, nobody from the outside world will be able to track you down.

Danzante
Tel: 408 354 0042
Doubles from $360, including meals

5. Site: Pemba Island, Tanzania

Bring the heat: There are places to get away, and there are faraway places. Take Pemba Island: You'll know you're off the tourist route when you finally reach Zanzibar, in East Africa—and you've got another flight to go. When you and your lover fantasize about chucking it all (the jobs, the stress, the kids ...) and living off the grid in a remote land, this Spice Island is the place you're dreaming of.

Select sand: They simply call them the sandbanks: the beaches that are reborn when the iridescent waters slide back with the tide. These strings of white-sand pathways make for ideal strolls or launching points for snorkeling.

Hookup potential: It's an insular community with very few travelers. Plan ahead and travel with someone you really like.

Privacy rating: 3, on the island itself. (You don't want to scandalize the locals.) Charter your property's traditional dhow to whisk you to uninhabited Misali Island to achieve the perfect 10.

Pillow talk: Tourist infrastructure is scant, so the Brit-owned Fundu Lagoon comes as a bit of a shock. The infinity pool is the tip-off to the luxury on offer here, as are the thatched superior suites that sit on the beach and come with two private terraces and a plunge pool.

Fundu Lagoon
Tel: 255 76 35 92 820
Doubles from $740, including dhow sunset cruise and all food and drink

6. Site: Providencia

Bring the heat: The Caribbean islands sprinkled off the coast of Nicaragua offer a tantalizing cultural brew—one part Afro-Caribbean, with two jiggers of Latin America. Providencia, under Colombian jurisdiction, is a back-to-basics paradise where beach shacks hum with both reggae and salsa, beers are cheaper than bottled water, and there's nothing to do but back-float in calm, sun-dappled waters.

Select sand: Only three miles long and two miles wide, Providencia won't take long to explore, but once you hit the khaki crescent of Playa Manzanillo, with palm trees hanging over the water, it's unlikely you'll want to go any further.

Hookup potential: Love the one you're with. The neighboring island of San Andrés sees tourists from Colombia, but Providencia is gloriously quiet.

Privacy rating: 4. There are no T-shirt shops on the beach, but there will be a number of locals enjoying the surf as much as you are. And they like to visit.

Pillow talk: Long sunny days, the slow pace, and cheap lobster dinners are more than a match for more typical luxury. The 35-room Sol Caribe Providencia sits on a quiet bay and has its own restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. By the end of the first day, you'll be on a first-name basis with all the ladies manning that restaurant and bar.

Sol Caribe Providencia
Tel: 57 851 48036
Doubles from $135, including breakfast and lunch or dinner daily

7. Site: Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Bring the heat: Looking for heat, you say? Well, this is a volcanic island, after all, and despite Lanzarote's location 100 miles off the coast of Africa, it's Spanish (and the locals are, well, passionate). Much of the interior is made up of jagged lava fields, and the black sand beach is called El Golfo.

Select sand: If quiet splendor (and skin) is your thing, head south: Caleta del Congrio is a remote beach at the island's southern tip where fair young things are known to shed all their clothes. Choices abound, though: The island is ringed by some 90 white-, golden-, and black-sand beaches.

Hookup potential: You'll find a steady flow of tourists, from Spain and beyond, chasing a fun weekend in the sun. For those who like surfer types, make for the north of the island and the wild, four-mile-long Famara Beach, where board-lovers do their thing.

Privacy rating: 8.7. We already said it: 90 beaches.

Pillow talk: The influx of budget vacationers hurts the lodging around the island, but the Hesperia Lanzarote, which has sister hotels in Madrid and Bilbao, gets it right. Located in Puerto Calero, it has 46 suites and 289 standard rooms; four swimming pools; comfortable cabanas on the water; and a good, clean design that plays up the Mediterranean influence.

Hesperia Lanzarote
Tel: 34 828 080 800
Doubles from $194

8. Site: Oahu, Hawaii

Bring the heat: Oahu gets its share of loud shirt–wearing tourists, but it's surprising how few venture around the entire island, choosing instead to nurse fruity drinks in Waikiki. Which leaves the North Shore and nearby beaches to the hot surfer boys and girls and superfit locals. And you're free to mix it up with them.

Select sand: In winter, the North Shore's Sunset Beach is legendarily sexy—have you ever seen so many hard bodies toting around their surfboards? Great ogling, but you don't want to get in that pounding surf yourself. A short drive away is Kailua Beach, a sweet arc of sand where the pretty girls and sporty guys from the moneyed enclave of Kailua like to body-board.

Hookup potential: Score! Oahu is a no-shirt, no-shoes, no-problem island. Mix in all the athletic types who travel here for the swells, the young military people stationed here, and the happy-go-lucky locals, and you get sparks.

Privacy: 2. Sorry, bud, it's a small island, and the locals have claimed the most secluded bits as their own.

Pillow talk: Turtle Bay is right at the North Shore—and after a long evening hanging out at the house where all the surfers live, you won't want to drive all the way south to one of the big resorts. If possible, book one of the 42 cottages, which have more personality than the 400-plus rooms.

Turtle Bay Resort
Tel: 800 203 3650 (toll-free)
Tel: 808 293 6000
Doubles from $340; cottages from $703

9. Site: St. Lucia, Caribbean

Bring the heat: If curious couples once fantasized about Jamaica—a sensual green-and-blue paradise that's still close to home—these days St. Lucia has assumed that role. The verdant island has an increasing number of top-tier properties, a host of possible land and water adventures to spice things up, and plenty of sand to roll around in as the surf breaks over your bodies.

Select sand: The island has archetypal Caribbean beaches such as Reduit—which, while oh so pretty, are sardined with sun-reddened tourists. If lying around doesn't suit, Cas-en-Bas on the Atlantic coast is more geared towards the adrenaline set, with pursuits such as kiteboarding or racing in the surf on horseback. You can rent horses from the International Riding Stables in nearby Gros Islet (though we'd suggest springing for the saddle rental, too).

Hookup potential: If all that sunshine, good food, and beautiful scenery doesn't help your game ... well, there's always the priesthood.

Privacy rating: 6.5. The island keeps getting more popular, so ditch the crowds and slip away to a hidden spot—underneath the waterfall at the Botanical Garden's mineral baths, for instance.

Pillow talk: The newest resort property is Landings St. Lucia, in the north (only 15 minutes or so from Cas-en-Bas). The one- to three-bedroom villas are sparkling new, there's an 800-foot private beach dotted with pools and hot tubs, and the huge RockResorts spa will get the kinks out.

Landings St. Lucia
Tel: 877 657 7625 (toll-free)
Doubles from $225

International Riding Stables
Tel: 758 452 8139

10. Site: Perth, Australia

Bring the heat: The Aussies may be world-class friendly, but even they get tourist-weary in places like Sydney. To achieve that "I'm an outsider, wanna buy me a drink?" sizzle, it's hard to beat the west coast, near Perth. The locals pride themselves on being a little wilder, a little more independent, and a lot more entertaining. Challenge a cute one to a drinking contest.

Select sand: Mindarie Keys is a perfect spot on the 20-plus miles of Sunset Coast that run north from Perth. Think long washes of bone-white beaches and a clear Indian Ocean that blushes brilliant red at sunset. If you set off from Perth's busy city center, you'll be here in less than 30 minutes.

Hookup potential: Great-looking locals. Lots of them. You're the one with the accent. Do the math.

Privacy rating: 7.7. Chances are, new acquaintances will love to show you their favorite swath of solitary sand. If you're in the mood to duck away on dry land, ask for a tour of nearby Yanchep National Park, famous for some 600 natural caves and colonies of fuzzy-wuzzy koalas.

Pillow talk: Perth's a lovely city, but there's no reason to listen to the sound of traffic when you wake in the morning. Opt instead for the sound of boats clinking softly together at the Mindarie Marina, which has really nice suites at even nicer rates. Each has a balcony overlooking the water and access to the swimming pool and tennis courts, and—most importantly—the hotel is about a three-minute walk to the beach.

Mindarie Marina
Tel: 618 9305 9305
Suites from $140

11. Site: St. Philip, Barbados

Bring the heat: It's only 21 miles long, yet Barbados has a bit of everything: Fine dining and bawdy beach shacks, cricket matches and Mount Gay Rum tours, the posh Caribbean Platinum Coast and the rough-and-tumble (and Highland-like) Scotland District up north. Gauge your partner's whims and go.

Select sands: Been fantasizing about pink-sand beaches while sitting in your beige work cubicle? Imagine waking up, running out of the hotel with your lover, and straight onto Crane Beach, backed by tall cliffs and baby powder–fine sands that glow pink. It's a primal place that might encourage a detour back to the hotel.

Hookup potential: Minimal. There are other tourists to check out, but Barbados is really about spiriting out of town for a week with somebody you'd like to know better.

Privacy rating: 8.3. The western coast packs 'em in, leaving your side of the island just as it should be: empty.

Pillow talk: Unless you're desperate to hang around the crowds, the Crane's remote location—on an east-coast cliff overlooking Crane Beach—is ideal for intimacy. You have a choice between the rooms in the original section (built in 1887) or the new private residences, which come with private plunge pools.

Crane Resort
Tel: 800 223 9815 (toll-free)
Tel: 246 423 6220
Doubles from $150

12. Site: Gotland, Sweden

Bring the heat: The funny thing about Stockholm is that when it finally gets warm, all the Swedes leave. They make for their summer homes on the thousands of islands that dot the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland. There they roast in saunas, sit by the shores of lakes and the Baltic, and drink bottomless bottles of aquavit. If you think the Swedes are good-looking people, and you would like to get to know them and their mating rituals better, get thee to the thousands of islands in the Åland Archipelago.

Select Sand: Gotland is the biggest island in the north Baltic Sea, drawing ruddy-cheeked visitors from around Sweden. The countryside is a riot of greenery, and as the sun never sets in the summer, you can spend as much time as you like on the miles of empty beaches.

Hookup potential: What's the Swedish phrase for "sure thing"? The society is quite permissive, and Midsummer's Eve is the biggest (and longest) party day of the year.

Privacy rating: 10. The Åland Archipelago is packed with 6,500-plus islands.

Pillow talk: While the medieval town of Visby is the place to go out at night, better to base yourself in Gotland's countryside. Hotel Toftagården is close to the water, has its own sauna (an important thing to the Swedes), and has both cute little private cabins and traditional hotel rooms to choose from.

Hotel Toftagården
Tel: 46 498 29 7000
Doubles from $215, cabins from $316

13. Site: Natal, Brazil

Bring the heat: So your globe-trotting friends have Brazil-beach-hopped from Salvador, Bahía, all the way south to Florianópolis, but we bet none have been to the northerly city of Natal. Imagine a sea of sculptured sand dunes that push up against the perfect blue waters of the Atlantic—the juxtaposition is fantastic. Take a thrill ride on the dunes with one of the region's lunatic buggy drivers before diving in the warm sea among the black dolphins. And expect an all-nighter in the town's ready-for-anything Alto de Ponta Negra neighborhood.

Select sand: The sexy crowd hangs out at Morro do Careca, where you'll find fine bodies working up a thirst playing beach soccer and volleyball, and then quenching it with ice-cold Brahma beers while chilling under yellow umbrellas.

Hookup potential: Through the roof. When you're wondering if you should invite along a romantic interest on your trip to Brazil, first consider the local saying, "Why bring sand to the beach?" Natal, with a population of around a million people, doesn't see a lot of tourists, so chances are the trim, black-haired surfer dudes and dark-skinned, white-teethed garotas in tiny bikinis will be very pleased to show you around.

Privacy rating: 1. This scene is all about showing off.

Pillow talk: Natal can be a bit rough around the edges, so go for the service and comfort of the Pestana Natal, which has three pools just off the beach and a staff that mostly speaks English. It's also where you can hire a dune-buggy driver who's less maluco ("insane") than most.

Pestana Natal
Tel: 55 84 3220 8900
Doubles from $110

14. Site: Lake Nyasa, Mozambique

Bring the heat: This is the interior of Africa, but looking over a sealike expanse of clear liquid blue, you wouldn't believe it. The ninth-largest freshwater lake in the world touches Mozambique, Tanzania, and Malawi (where it's called Lake Malawi). Gaudy beach tourism? Not a whisper of it—remote, pristine, sublime.

Select sand: A clean white beach that squeaks as you walk along it, this is unlike any lakefront you'd recognize. And with waters so clear they cry out for snorkeling expeditions to see bright fish, it's unlike any lake you'll find in North America, either.

Hookup rating: Unless you count the leopards and elephants in the neighboring Manda Wilderness Preserve (your lodge will set up a safari), the only game you'll be stalking is the lovely creature sharing your chalet.

Privacy: 6.9. The lake is quiet, with just the occasional fisherman gliding by, and the Manda Nkwichi Lodge accommodates only 14 at a time. With the leopards about, however, it might be best not to wander into the woods alone.

Pillow talk: An eco-lodge that can only be reached by boat over the lake, Manda Nkwichi has seven modest cottages amid the trees. They have outside showers and hammocks, and the staff will set up private dinners on the shore.

Manda Nkwichi Lodge
E-mail: mdw01@bushmail.net
Doubles $480 per person per night, including meals and some activities

15. Site: Fire Island, New York

Bring the heat: If the Hamptons can feel stuffy or elitist, 31-mile-long Fire Island, along Long Island's south coast, is the friendlier, easygoing alternative. Each stretch of beach attracts its own demographic—Fire Island Pines, the gay crowd; Ocean Beach, the young professionals—but instead of long lines at nightclubs, it's all about house parties. Drinks in the hot tub, anyone?

Select sand: Which demographic are you looking for? Both Ocean Beach and the Pines see some very outré goings-on along the surf—and it's easy to take the action back to the rental house. For a wide, classic East Coast beach that attracts all kinds, the five-mile stretch in Robert Moses State Park is a good bet.

Hookup rating: You're single? Why, so is Jake. And Sally. And seven other people in the house. See you in the hot tub?

Privacy: 0. The other people in the house will know everything by morning.

Pillow talk: This is a house-rental world. You can book a week at a time, or for the entire summer. A good place to start is to take a look at FireIsland.com or a directory such as vacationrentals.com, which allows you to contact the owners directly.

VacationRentals.com
Two-bedroom cottages from $1,000 per week

16. Site: Peter Island, British Virgin Islands

Bring the heat: Eight miles long and a half mile wide, this private island's sole apparent purpose is to provide you with a postcard-perfect backdrop for making out with the one you love (or at least the one you brought).

Select sand: Deadman's Bay is the beach to beat, and it's right out your door. A classic U-shaped stretch of golden sand with views to Tortola, it's the kind of place you'd wash up on after walking the plank of a pirate ship—if you also happened to be starring in a Hollywood movie.

Hookup potential: Strictly couples only. Unless you don't mind being a third wheel among googly-eyed honeymooners.

Privacy rating: 5. Deadman's Bay is bustling, but make your way to White Bay Beach on the windward side for pounding surf and private nooks. Resort staff will set up a fancy picnic lunch on the sand and then leave.

Pillow talk: Peter Island Resort is the only option. Happily, it's a good one, with fewer than 150 guests and lots of space to play in. The simple A-frame villas have bright splashes of Caribbean color inside—more fun than chic. And nobody will mind if you spread the sand around.

Peter Island Resort
Tel: 800 346 4451 (toll-free)
Doubles from $575, including meals and on-island activities

17. Site: Krabi, Thailand

Bring the heat: Get a load of all that drama: those lances of limestone that tower hundreds of feet out of the sea; the sea caves; the intense color of the water. Love at first sight.

Select sand: The embarrassment of sandy riches is the main reason people travel so far to Krabi and its neighboring Andaman Sea islands—and the reason they return time and time again. But once you arrive, you'll find that the best beach, Phra Nang, can only be reached by boat.

Hookup rating: Forget about having to set the mood with embellishments like candles and wine. This place is the mood.

Privacy: 5. Krabi is no longer off the map, so you'll have to share. Once you get back to your private balcony, though ...

Pillow talk: Rayavadee is mad fancy, with 98 two-story rooms spread over 26 verdant acres; there's a spa, four restaurants, and yada, yada, yada. What you'll most care about is the to-die-for location, at the very edge of Krabi Marine National Park.

Rayavadee
Tel: 66 2301 1850
Doubles from $600

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25785182/

Favorite Cruise things

The other day someone asked me what my favorite cruise line was. Well I have to say that I like different lines for different things, but my favorite would have to be NCL because just in general I like the way they do things. I love their Mexican riviera itinerary and their pricing is usually right on par. I wish they offered more Caribbean itineraries... Anyway, as far as ship architecture goes, Holland America wins the prize so far. Last year we were on the Oosterdam and she is gorgeous. Carnival wins is first in my book for activities. There is always something going on pretty much 24/7 no matter what your age or interests. Princess was high on the food category, but still not as good as NCL. Holland America's food was disappointing, so much hype about gourmet meals, but so many of them were bland and unimaginative with little likeness to the fluffy menu descriptions. Carnivals food is better than average, and they have a great menu with lots of variety.
NCL..well so far, they have won my heart. The french restaurant has a velvety chocolate mousse with Gran Marnier that absolutely melts in your mouth. We also loved the cheese plate that was very traditional with nuts and fruit and several different kinds of cheese. Holland America's cheese plate was totally completely awful. Only like 3 different kinds of cheese, apple slices ( whoo how exciting) and a few walnut chunks. NCL's main dining room was great too. We actually had a hard time deciding where to eat every night. The high end steak house was not a disappointment either. It may cost a few bucks, but it was soooooooooooo worth it. The memory of the bread basket alone makes me hungry!

Be A Kid Again

1. Do a cartwheel.


2. Sing into your hairbrush.


3. Walk barefoot in wet grass.


4. Play a song you like really loud, over and over.


5. Dot all your “i”’s with smiley faces.


6. Read the funnies. Throw the rest of the paper away.


7. Dunk your cookies.


8. Play a game where you make up the rules as you go along.


9. Step carefully over sidewalk cracks.


10. Change into some play clothes.


11. Try to get someone to trade you a better sandwich.


12. Eat ice cream for breakfast.


13. Kiss a frog, just in case.


14. Blow the wrapper off a straw.


15. Have someone read you a story.


16. Find some pretty stones and save them.


17. Wear your favorite shirt with you favorite pants even if they don’t match.


18. Take a running jump over a big puddle.


19. Get someone to buy you something you really don’t need.


20. Hide your vegetables under your napkin.


21. Stay up past your bedtime.


22. Eat dessert first.


23. Fuss a little, then take a nap.


24. Wear red gym shoes.


25. Put way too much sugar on your cereal.


26. Make cool screeching noises every time you turn a corner.


27. Giggle a lot for no reason.


28. Give yourself a gold star for everything you do today.

San Antonio is one of my favorite places on the planet... well, I could be a BIT biased. After all, I was lived there from age 9-30, when I was drug kicking and screaming ( ok not really) to live in the vast wasteland of what is known as Las Vegas, NV. More on that later, I'm sure. Since that time, I have dreamt of moving back, and someday I will, but until then, let me just share a bit of my love for this gorgeous city and it's surrounding areas.

Unlike other parts of TX, San Antonio is rather hilly and can be almost sub tropical in climate. They can get a lot of rain and thunderstorms, but severe tornados are rare because of the hilly terrain.

Lots of fun things to do there, too.. There is SeaWorld, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, a few water parks, the Riverwalk, etc. Speaking of the Riverwalk, its a ton of fun. Go during the day with the family and have ice cream and a barge ride. Go shopping at the fabulous Mall. Go at night ( yes its safe as long as you stay on the main streets) and party at places like Dick's Last Resort, Howl at the Moon, Durty Nellie's, Iron Cactus or Mad Dog's or get your foodie fed at outstanding resturaunts like Boudro's, Biga on the banks, Schilo's, or Texas Land and Cattle. The holidays are especially cool on the riverwalk because they light up all of the abundant trees and have carolers on barges floating up and down the river. It's really special and not to be missed.

Out of town, you've got all of these neat little towns and villages all with their own history and flavor. There's New Braunfels and Fredericksburg, both originally German Settled and with a ton of history and culture. Fredericksburg is also known for its wonderful Peaches, quaint Bed and Breakfasts and unique shops and resturaunts. In Gruene and some of the towns around the area, there are tons of antique shops. Some of the towns even host Antique Weekends. In New Braunfels you'll also find Schlitterbahn Water Park and Resort. I'll tell you, this park is like none other I've ever seen. It is literally part of the Comal River and the water is wonderfully cool, clean and inviting. If you'd like to see a map of the park there is one here.

Well I guess thats all I have about my hometown for now.. I'm sure there will be more later! Ya'll come visit.

Great Trip Advisor Posts!

As Heard On TripAdvisor, Ten Priceless Posts NEEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, today announced the ten funniest traveler posts of 2007, as chosen by TripAdvisor editors. Many of these gems and more can be found on our humor blog, http://tripadvisor.typepad.com/.

    1. Not So Great Expectations
  "I could have done without the blood-stained mattress and the (actual)
  chunk of poop on my bedspread, but I didn't expect the Hilton."

  2. Rest in Peace
  "I spent the night in the (hotel) room and experienced a 
   friendly spirit. This presence got into bed with me, 
   an old lady, she was nice and I just patted her 
   on the head and we had a comfortable restful sleep. I think I
   will ask for a different room next time."

  3. Mime Over Matter
  "The neighborhood is filled with aggressive mimes, 
  including one sitting on a toilet bowl
 (how creative). Room cards are changed for no reason 
  and you cannot understand why you can't get into your 
  room. All in all it was a very unpleasant stay."

  4. Deep Thoughts
  "Time could be spent pondering over the meaning 
  of some of the many safety signs around the complex. 
  Out of the several we managed to identify, the
  two we found to be of greatest use were 
  1. Not to step on any crocodiles
  whilst bare foot, and 2. No ugly, or spotty 
  children to frequent the pool."

  5. Is That Really What You Meant?
  "I echo the sentiments of the previous 
  reviewer. The ambience is lacking to be sure, 
   but the food is like angels copulating on your tongue."

  6. Freezing Over
  "Sleeping in the street during a 
   blizzard would be better than staying at
  this hell-hole. The place should be imploded."

  7. No Accounting for Taste
  "Subject: Crab Trap Restaurant. We enjoyed 
  our experience at the Crap
  Trap. The food is very good with nice size 
   portions and reasonable prices(especially for the shore). 
   The only down side is the wait."

  8. A Sore for Sight Eyes
  "Food not special, and the couple that lives 
  there with their dog is very'homey' and 
   'folksy' types. Not for everyone.  The premises 
  are well kept, but some private parts we could 
  see thru open door were not."

  9. Leave It to Beaver
  "Imagine awakening at 4:00 am to the 
  sound of loud footsteps in the
  stairwell, only to realize that someone 
  is drunk and knocking on your
  hotel door saying, 'Beaver...it's me. 
  Let me in, Beaver.'"

  10. The Last Laugh
  "In fact, I told the management there that 
  I was putting a review on your
  website about their poor service and they 
  laughed at me and said go right
  ahead, nobody reads the TripAdvisor site."

"With millions of reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor, in addition to helpful travel advice, there is some great color, and these comments got the most laughs from our editors." said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor.

So, last weekend we went to Phoenix for a combination business/fun trip. It was created to help my husband close a partnership arrangement and as an excuse to go see our favorite team.. The Steelers play the Cardinals. Got to see the new University of Phoenix arena. Man, thats a nice arena. It has 3 different levels of seating, the club level, standard level and whatever they call the box level. We sat in the club level and really enjoyed it even though our boys were out-played and lost!