Below are some of the most odd and unique hotels in the world. There’s everything from tree house hotels in India to underwater hotels in Fiji. Click the link to look at more of these crazy abodes:
http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/07/18/12-unusual-and-creative-hotels/
Tree House hotel in India
Underwater Hotel in Fiji
We canceled our cable about a month ago in order to save extra money for our trip. So September’s sister lets us use her Netflix account to watch movies instantly. It has helped kill some of the silence in our apartment AND save us money! Each time you watch a movie, Netflix recommends another – usually something similar to what you enjoy watching. However, we noticed that Netflix was bit off on these suggestions:
Since you enjoyed watching fluffy, rainbow-colored animated bears, we thought you'd enjoy this film about animals getting gored. (Note: September's nieces were the ones watching the Care Bears, not us.)
Again, because we 'enjoyed' watching the Care Bears, Netflix recommends a Pilates workout video? Maybe it's trying to tell us to get off of our butts and exercise...? This one was amusing to us.
Remember that 1,000ft spool of white paracord we posted pictures of a week ago? WE FINISHED IT! We used all 1,000 feet (and then some) to make hundreds of orders for our Japan Disaster Relief gear – bracelets and key chains! We haven’t totaled the numbers yet but we’re guessing that our donation to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief efforts will be close to $3,500 dollars – all from the last 2 weeks!
Don’t forget to place your orders SOON! The last day to order your Japan gear is TOMORROW – MARCH 31ST – AT MIDNIGHT! If you haven’t done so already, please consider purchasing one of our disaster relief paracord bracelets or key chain sets because ALL SALES, 100%, go to the American Red Cross to help Japan during this devastating time of need. Be part of something greater than yourself!
Thanks for your support!
Morgan & September – Top Knotch Gear
What used to be a 1,000-foot spool of white paracord. ALL GONE!
Lots of orders for our Japan Disaster Relief paracord bracelets!
Check out this link to watch a guy boulder in his own home! It’s awesome!
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/5sU97Q/www.break.com/index/home-rock-climbing.html
Travel tip #6: This tip is goes out to everyone but is particularly important for ladies who might be traveling: Leave expensive (or expensive-looking) jewelry/clothing/hand bags/sunglasses/electronics/etc. at home – like in your country of origin – when traveling. The more bling or expensive clothing you wear in public, the more attention you will draw to yourself – and it’s not always good attention! Being conscious of your appearance will reduce your chances of getting mugged (at the very least) in a foreign country. Keep your money and passport hidden on your person, lock your day pack (TSA approved locks are found nearly everywhere), and try to blend in as best as you can with the culture you are visiting. Our best tip: walk around with confidence - even if you have no idea where you are or where you are going, projecting confidence will deter many thieves.
Safe travels!
Get some TSA-approved locks for your luggage or pack
I use these locks religiously when I travel. It's better to be safe, than sorry.
For more travel tips from travel experts, check out the Lonely Planet!
Grown ups aren’t the only ones who enjoy traveling and exploring the world – kids can have a blast pretending to globetrot, too! For a fun time, try throwing an around-the-world birthday party!
The invitations: Plane tickets! If you have a computer and printer, you can easily download or make templates that represent plane tickets. Date of flight (date of party), boarding time (time party begins), departure time (time party ends), destination (location of your awesome party) and a reservation confirmation (the RSVP section)!
Click the picture to visit the party blog!
The decorations: Try decorating the party space with an international theme. Different tables can represent different countries where you have arts & crafts, food and fun facts about countries in that continent! The kids can all have hand-made passports (easy to do with scrap book paper and a computer). Each table can have a special stamp or sticker and as kids make their way ‘around the world’ (i.e.: table hop), you can stamp/sticker their passports just like you would on a real-life trip! Flags are a great and easy way to show kids global diversity and different food websites can offer recipes for easy-to-make snacks from countries around the world.
Click the picture to visit the party blog!
Parents – You can dress up as flight attendants/airplane pilots complete with ID lanyards (you can have Top Knotch Gear make them), wings and a uniform! You can fly (lead) a group of kids from country to country, continent to continent so the kids can get their passport stamps and learn about the world. (We would recommend refraining from having a customs check at each location. Customs aren’t fun.)
Click the picture to visit the party blog!
This is a GREAT blog post from a mom who threw her 5-year old an around-the-world birthday party. Wonderful pictures, tips and ideas if you are looking to do the same:
http://apartystyle.blogspot.com/2010/04/around-world-party_12.html
Don’t forget an around-the-world themed cake!
Click the picture to visit the party blog!
My (Morgan’s) birthday is the end of April and I am seriously considering throwing myself one of these parties – 24-year old style! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea for a birthday party. And like I said, I think it’s great for kids AND grown ups! Happy birthday!
Even though we still have a week left in March, Top Knotch Gear is preparing for April – Earth Month! Be sure to sign up now for TKG’s newsletter because it’s going to be full of tips for GREEN living and travel… among other awesome things – including COUPONS for gear!!! We’ll also be sharing updates on our Japan Disaster Relief gear sales and give you the total amount we’ve raised in donations! To sign up for the newsletter (which we send out twice each month), click the ‘eNewsletter Signup’ in the right margin of the page – http://www.topknotchgear.com. You don’t want to miss out!
Think GREEN!
Our newest piece of gear! For only $5 USD, you can customize this python knot key chain in either 1 or 2 colors. We ship internationally, offer free delivery confirmation and give awesome discounts on orders of 10 or more pieces. GET YOURS TODAY!
U Call It! Available in any 1 or 2 colors of your choice!
Travel tip #5: When packing for a trip, consider leaving cosmetics like shampoo, soap and sunscreen at home. Chances are, you will be able to find those items wherever you are going and you’ll save valuable room in your pack or suitcase. (Now, if you’re taking a remote backpacking trek, that’s a different story. But for most travel, 9 times out of 10 you can find your everyday cosmetics at your destination.)
The exceptions:
Travel toilet paper - a LIFESAVER
TKG has received orders from 44 of the 50 U.S. States for the Japan Disaster Relief gear. And many orders from Canada too!
For those of you in Montana, Wyoming, Kentucky, Vermont, Delaware and South Dakota, check out our store for your very own Japan Disaster Relief Gear! http://www.topknotch.etsy.com – all proceeds from the Japan gear is donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts!
