Experience The Amazing Rides

If you're someone who when things that go bump in the night get your blood pumping in a good way, then you should consider a ghost hunting tour for your next vacation to the UK. All of Europe is steeped in history, with mysteries surrounding royal scandals as well as blood feuds and violent battles. The UK is especially rich in this history and has quite the afterlife to experience once the sun goes down.

Where You Could Visit

Castles, of course, are among the top draws when it comes to ghost hunting tours. After all, castles housed not only royalty but also servants, guards, armies and a host of visitors. Disease, crimes of passion, war and other means of death likely occurred within the castle walls and grounds, and some of its victims stick around to haunt the area.

Old schools, pubs, forts, bunkers, city halls, mansions and even cemeteries could all be on the list to visit for your ghost hunting tour. It just depends which historical back story of a particular location is the most intriguing to you.

How to Choose a Paranormal Tour

Because there are likely quite a few companies that tout ghost tours, you need to know which one to hire for a hauntingly good time. Look for an outfit that employs real psychic mediums to lead the mystical tour of your choice. It is not enough to have a good story based on the history of the area; look for a tour company that uses equipment such as sound recorders, video cameras, still cameras and other pertinent ghost hunting equipment.

Look for a ghost tour company that allows patrons to try out the hunting equipment as well. Do they present tours which offer séances or the use of Ouija boards to call the spirits? What about glass divination, table tipping and other forms of paranormal calling to the spirits? A legitimate touring company does not guarantee a ghostly sighting but should present all the tools and actions possible to make the setting conducive for it.

Safety should be paramount for paranormal tour operators as well. Ask about first aid procedures, safety protocols and even whether they have liability insurance. You don’t want to have to worry about those pesky details in the midst of a dark dungeon waiting for those spirited bumps in the night do you?

Choose a tour that is not too large so you have the benefit of more exposure to the experiences of your psychic medium guide. Also, listen closely to the history of the area that you are visiting so you are more prepared for paranormal sightings during your ghost hunting jaunt.

Enjoy your car... that's simple huh? Well it's not really that simple. Here is a list of things to think about after the sale.

Notify your insurance agent about the new car.

Read the entire owner’s manual. Familiarize yourself with the service requirements. Understand when you need to change oil, filters, and other major things like timing belt and driveline fluids.

Get used to operating the heating/AC controls and the radio so you do not have to fumble around and risk an accident while on the highway.

Pop the hood and find the oil filler cap, the oil dipstick. If you bought a car with an automotive transmission there will be a dipstick for the transmission fluid also.

Find the spare tire and jack. Make sure you know where to jack the car when changing a tire and how to remove the spare when you need it. There is nothing worse than getting a flat tire in a new car and having to struggle to change it the first time.

Accessorize! It's your car and it should make a statement about you. There are plenty of aftermarket items to make your new car unique like yourself.

Purchasing the car audio is a practice that is quite popular among the car owners. In fact, there are several benefits of purchasing the audio system separately. In fact, they will save you a lot of money and allow you to buy a better quality system than that which comes with the car. However, you will be benefited only when you make the perfect deal. But, that is not an easy task. In fact, there are several mistakes that people commit while purchasing the audio system for their cars. So, you must ensure that you are avoiding these mistakes.

The first of the mistakes is of course to spend too much of money while purchasing the car audio. In fact, some go so far as to go into debt. What makes the situation worse is that often people invest so much of money for a audio system that hardly complies with their car. So, it is important first to consider the budget that you can afford and then purchase the car stereos accordingly.

These are several components in the audio system. For example, there are the car subwoofers, speakers, amplifier, and so on. So, you must consider which part is the most important for you. You must arrange them according to your preference and then spend money accordingly.

Often people don't consider the amount of modification that their cars must undergo to accommodate their choices. But, this can be very important factor. For example, there are speakers that will require a lot of changes inside the car to be installed. In such cases, you must take the help of the professionals. Now, this should be included in the budget as well.

Also, there is a tendency of not thinking about the future. However, in reality, more often than not the car owners sell their cars after a few years. Now, in this context you must decide whether you are going to sell the audio system along with it or want to keep it with you. In this regard, it is useful to remember that the value of the car audio does not increase the overall value of the car much. Again, removing the audio system can be problematic. So, you must think about it beforehand.

Another common mistake is to overlook the usage of the car. But, this is an important issue. For example, if your car is going to receive a lot of wears and tears, you should ensure that the audio system is a high quality one. On the other hand, if you are not going to use the car that much extensively, you can do well to go for the low end products.

Sunday Lifestyle section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer published a list of the country’s Top 10 Scuba Diving Sites. If you are a scuba diving enthusiast, a trip to the Philippines for a one-of-a-kind scuba diving adventure will surely whet your appetite for all things scuba and so much more.

The Philippines is an archipelagic country and has so much to offer in terms of marine biodiversity. In 2006, the Dive and Travel Awards named the country as one of the top three dive sites in the world. That is very impressive. Among the internationally recognized dive spots in the Philippines (some are included in PDI’s Top 10) include Tubattaha Reef in the Sulu Sea, Malapascua in Cebu (which offers you a chance to catch rare Thresher Sharks), Subic Bay (wreck diving), Balicasag Island just off Bohol, Anilao in Batangas, Boracay Island, Puerto Galera (colorful corals and big fishes abound), Apo Island in Dumaguete, and the islands surrounding Palawan.

From World War II wrecks, colorful tropical fish, diverse corals, and a host of others, Philippine scuba diving has a lot to offer even to the fussiest diver.

Water Temperature

One of the factors that make the Philippines an ideal diving spot is the year round warm waters. Being a tropical country, the water temperature in Philippine diving spots is nothing short of divine. All throughout the year, water temperatures range from 22 – 28 degrees Celsius. These comfortable temperatures allow divers to wear thinner, more moveable wetsuits on their dive explorations. This makes for a more comfortable experience and allows the diver to have more freedom in exploring the sites under the sea.

Dive Trips

Dive trips operated by both big international resorts and small family-run businesses exist in the Philippines. Usually, diving is done from smaller boats (bancas). These dive centers usually have what is called a house reef which is accessible from the beach. These dive sites are suitable for snorkeling or for more relaxed diving trips throughout the day. The house reef is also suited for night dives.

Liveaboard scuba diving expeditions are also done in the Philippines, but mostly in the Tubbataha region. A liveaboard is a boat for tourist scuba diving where the guests sleep on board a boat. This allows the people to reach more distant dive sites and have their diving equipment ready where they are.

Diving Conditions

It is pretty much scuba diving season all year round in the Philippines, though some places have shorter dive seasons due to trade winds. You have to take note also that the wettest months are from June to August (typhoon season in the Philippines) so diving during those times is not recommended. Best times to go are between the months of October to June, with April to May being the calmest among those months.

Average visibility on Philippine dive sites is generally an excellent 30 meters (98 feet), depending on the season, currents, and weather conditions.

Scuba diving in the Philippines is everything you want it to be and more. Your expectations will be exceeded, and the possibilities are definitely endless.

Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and LocalPhilippines will most likely feature it.

Starting a car with a cold engine can be very difficult sometimes and it can become a real obstacle for those who live surrounded by extremely cold weathers. This way, for all those who might experience this problem it is not only important to learn how to overcome it but also why it happens in order to be able to prevent it as much as possible as well.

Cold engines might experience problems at the time to start due to different reasons. One of these reasons can be based on the effect which cold has on liquids evaporation. When it is cold, gasoline evaporates less and this cause it to be more difficult to burn due to the fact that it is burnt when it is evaporated.

Another reason by which a cold engine might have problems to start is caused by the fact that oil becomes much thicker in cold than the way it is in hot. Oil, like any other liquid changes its consistency when it is exposed to very low temperatures as well as it changes back when it is in a very hot weather, and this might cause oil to have problems at the time of circulating in the car engine.

Besides the engine, car batteries might experience problems while being in cold weathers as well and this could affect the engine. Batteries function through chemical reactions which loose agility while being cold and therefore, in such circumstances, batteries don't function properly. When this happens, the car energy becomes affected and this causes problems for the engine start.

If these three problems happen together, starting an engine might become a really hard task to achieve. In order to overcome the lack of gasoline evaporation problem, you can spray ether into the engine which would evaporate quickly and help the engine start. Besides this, you can also to prevent having oil too thick which wouldn't circulate properly by using thin synthetic oils. You should also try to maintain the car isolated from cold as much as possible, but by using the two last mentioned methods you would experience much less problems at the time of staring the car in cold weather.

Your car may be the second largest purchase you make in your lifetime. You must take your time and not let it become an impulse decision. Before you go out browsing dealer lots consider the following:

How will I use my new car, truck or sport utility vehicle? A mini-van will fit fine in a large family but might be out of place in a singles life. Do you go off-road a lot but still like to carry more than 2 passengers, go for the SUV. Trucks have come a long way with most comforts available in today's truck rivaling luxury cars. But do you really need that to carry construction equipment to the job site? If you do not go off-road, do not buy a 4 wheel drive truck. The extra weight will only decrease gas mileage and increase maintenance costs. Afraid of the snow? Look to the variety of AWD vehicles on the market which provide excellent traction in the snow and also more economical operation. Take a serious look at your life and find the vehicle that most compliments your lifestyle.

Color choices. This is a personal preference but rational can come into play. In warmer climates, a lighter colored car will stay cooler. Certain cars are easier to keep clean. White and black are the worst while tan, silver, and brown hide dirt quite well.

Interior options. Do you need the heated seats? Well that depends on where you live and how much winter driving you do. Leather seats can be unbearable in the summer months and generally harder to maintain. Do you listen to music often? The premium sound system might be a great idea if you do, however if you only listen to talk radio then the standard system will be more than enough.

Insurance rates. Take into consideration the insurance rates before you start your car buying quest. A Honda may be significantly cheaper to insure than the Ferrari that caught your eye last week. Talk with your insurance agent to find out about how cars are classified. Sports cars generally raise premiums while family cars tend to lower them.

Who will service the vehicle? Having a dealership close by can be a blessing. If there are no dealerships nearby, buy a domestic car which most mechanics can work on. It is also important to examine the warranty offered before making a decision.

I hope the few comments and suggestions above have given you some things to think about. Never rush into a new or used car purchase. Always take some time to think it over. If it helps, get out a piece of paper and write down the pros and cons of all the vehicle you are considering. Writing down this information is often all you need to get you thinking practically and on your way to making a good selection.

Good luck!

Has your family started to cram into the old sedan like a pack of sardines? Have members of the neighborhood car pool begun to look suspiciously at your battered station wagon? Perhaps it’s time to retire the old family car and move up to a bigger vehicle. Often, the choice for a more spacious family vehicle is a toss-up between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a minivan. Both offer flexible passenger and cargo areas, comfortable seating for five to eight persons, and rear-seat entertainment systems. Although the SUV has a slightly higher risk for rollovers than minivans do, both are equipped with similar safety features, such as air bags and anti-lock brake systems. So, which one deserves to park in your family garage? To come up with the right choice, you need to look at how the vehicle’s styling, fuel economy, passenger and cargo space, towing capacity, and safety will suit your family’s needs and lifestyle.

Styling

More than a matter of need, a vehicle’s styling is a matter of personal preference. The SUV usually wins out over the minivan when it comes to appearance. With its rugged, sporty styling, an SUV oozes urban cool, unlike the minivan, which is perpetually associated with soccer moms and suburban neighborhood carpools. Most men would recoil at the thought of driving a minivan, so if your husband would be sharing driving duties, you might have to talk it out with him. Likewise, many teenagers wouldn’t be caught dead stepping out of a minivan, so if you’d be using the vehicle mainly to drop off and pick up your adolescent children from school, you’d have to consider their preferences, too.


Fuel economy

Minivans give better mileage than SUVs, which have a reputation for being gas guzzlers. If you want to squeeze more miles out of the gasoline tank, then a minivan would make a more economic choice than an SUV. Other ownership costs, such as maintenance and insurance, also tend to be higher for SUVs than minivans. Unless you’re willing to pay the price for being cool and stylish, the practical minivan is the way to go.

Passenger and cargo space

Sport utility vehicles and minivans have comparable passenger and cargo space, but the roomy interiors of a minivan can be a delight to young kids. Unlike SUVs, minivans also have a low step-in height, so they’re easier for kids to climb into. Minivans’ large picture windows afford young passengers a better view of the passing scenery, therefore keeping your impatient young ones amused for a good part of the ride.

Towing capacity

If you own a boat and like to take the entire brood for weekend sailing retreats, then an SUV would make an appropriate choice. SUVs have superior towing capacities, enabling them to pull practically anything between a trailer and a small boat. Otherwise, if you’re only schlepping groceries and your kid’s soccer team, then there’s no reason to overlook the minivan.

Safety

Although both have comparable safety features, SUVs have a higher rollover risk than minivans. SUV devotees counter this by pointing out that rollovers account for only three percent of all traffic accidents and claiming that SUVs offer excellent passenger protection in two-car collisions. It remains to be seen whether this supposed collision safety factor outweighs the risk of rollovers. If the threat of rollover accidents keeps you awake at night, then a minivan could give you a little peace of mind.

Owning a brand new car is exciting. But financially speaking, it makes more sense to buy a used car. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it loses a great portion of its value. This is because your car is no longer “new”.

New cars lose about 40% of their value within 3 years, and then depreciation starts to slow down. Why not buy a used car and allow someone else to take that depreciation hit?

The previous owner will have absorbed the steepest part of the depreciation cycle. At that point the costs of owning and operating the car will be reduced. The money you save on depreciation will surely go a long way.

Another benefit of buying used is lower cost. By buying used you pay less. You will also save on financing costs, insurance premiums, registration and licensing fees. You don’t have to worry about paying sales tax.

As with everything else there are a few downsides to buying a used car. There are greater chances for costly unwarranted repairs. You may very soon have to do major maintenance on your car, including replacing tires, battery, brakes, muffler, and perhaps even the transmission.

A used car is usually less reliable. You don’t know exactly what you’re getting into and how the previous owner treated the car. However, every situation is different and some used models may actually be far more reliable than some new ones.

If you can pay cash, go the new car way. Enjoy the feeling of knowing you're the original owner of a new car in mint condition. Nothing can replace that feeling.

Otherwise do not hang your hat higher than you can reach. Practice financial prudence. Save your money and comfort yourself knowing that one day you will be able to afford that dream car. One day when money is no object.