Either way, if you're traveling on Good Friday we want to know how's it going so far? Whether you're traveling by bus, rental car, plane or elephant, keep us posted on all the good and bad things you encounter on your trip. But please, spare us the details of your chocolate bunnies and peeps overdose.

Tell us about your Good Friday Travel here.

[Photo: JetSetCD]

Yesterday was the day.  Check out StokeReport.com to see some of the goods.  He got some nice ones.  I didn’t get out until the evening and it was a bit bigger but not nearly as clean.  Got to be on it.

Al llegar a la region de Bretaña, hacia hambre y nos fuimos a una creperia a comer, pero dejen que les cuente, en esta region las crepas son tomadas muy en serio y se puede hacer una comida y postre de puras crepas (algo asi estilo pizzeria en italia). Batallamos un poco para encontrar una creperia abierta en el pueblito donde nos paramos y por fin encontramos una abierta:

When we arrive to Brittany we were hungry and we went to find a creperie to eat, because you must know that in this region crepes are taken very seriously you can make an entire meal with them (like pizzas in italy). We had some troubles finding one palce to eat but finally we found this one open:

La fachada de la creperia / Here is where we ate

Llegamos y una señora muy amable nos sento y nos dio el menu, en el cual en la parte de Crepas saladas habia una extensa variedad por ejemplo: crepas con tomate, huevo y jamon, crepas con verduras y salsas, etc... yo me pedi unas crepas con huevo y tomate, y ahorita solo de acordarme ya me dio hambre... cuando me llego el plato bueno hagan de cuenta que esta toda la crepa extendida y en medio un huevo estrellado con el jamon y las verduras y luego doblan los cuatro lados de la crepa para que quede como un cuadro... y asi te la comes con tenedor y cuchillo ah que cosa tan rica... y claro la comida acompañada de una sidrita bien rica que es lo tradicional que se toma con las crepas aqui.

We arrived and a very kind lady gave us a seat and the menu, where you can see salt and sweet crepes and a big variety... we started with the salty crepes (I ask ones with egg, ham and tomato) and I am getting hungry as I remember of them... when you eat crepes you accompany them with cider very tasty !

Termine mi crepa salada y era hora del postre... y pues pedimos unas crepas ahora dulces (el harina esta preparada diferente) yo la pedi creo con nutella y platano y Vicente me parece que con manzana no recuerdo bien... pero estaban muy ricas tambien... y entre plato y plato puse atencion al mantelito de papel que tenia el cual era un mapita de la region en la cual senialan los distintivos de cada lugar.

I finshed my salty crepe and it was desert time... and we ask a sweet crepe I asked one with nutella and bananas and Vincent one with apples... very tasty... and between dish and dish I saw this little map of the region where you can see the things that distinguish each place.

Ademas mire hacia mi izquierda y estaba este poster:

And I also looked to the left and I saw this poster:

Es un poster de una cerveza Bretona pero OH NOOOO pero quien es !??? LANCELOT O_O la verdad me sorporendio mucho pero resulta que Lancelot es reconocido oriundo de la region... ayyy la verdad me desconcerto mucho verlo por que a mi me parecia como algo muy ingles... y ahora resulta que no es... ahhh y la mujer que sale al lado de el es la que era reina de la region cuando era un reino independiente y ella se caso con un rey frances (o algo asi dice la historia) para que el reino se fusionara con francia... por que segun esto habia guerra entre Inglaterra y Francia por el reino este... asi que si la mujer se hubiera casado con el rey Ingles pues esta region seria seguramente parte del Reino Unido... que cosas no?

It was a poster of a Brittany beer but OHH who is he??? Lancelot !!! I was so surprised I didn't know he was from the region I always tought he was english. Also the woman you see in there she was the queen when the region was a kingdom and she got married with the king of France (something like that) so the two kingdoms get toghether, this was to stop the wars between UK and France to be owner of the region... so imagine if the woman had married the UK king... this region would be another country...

Y para terminar los dejo con el gran descubrimiento de este dia:

And to finish, this was the biggest discovery of the day:

BREIZH COLA

Les explico: pues resulta que la region bretona (Breizh como se dice en la lengua nativa del area) hace su propia version de refresco de Cola... la cual se llama Breizh Cola y se vende bastante bien... yo me tome una (no podia dejar de hacerlo) y pues si esta buena... tiene un sabor diferente a la Coca Cola pero esta esta rica tambien... (lo malo que de Breizh Cola no hay version light...)

I explain: it seems that this region (Breizh is the name in breton) makes their own version of Cola Beverage... and its named Breizh Cola and is quite well sold there... I drank one (of course) and it was good... is different taste as Coca Cola... but is also good (the bad thing of Breizh one is that there is no light version)...

Y esto es todo por hoy, pero volveremos con mas de esta region que hay mucho mas por descubrir!

And this is it for today, we will show more things of this region !

I’ve just ridden stage 5 of the Tour d’Afrique, a Cairo to Cape Town, four month, 12,000km bicycle ride the length of Africa. Two Lonely Planet teams are making the ride relay fashion. The first half of my ride took me 572 km from Iringa in Tanzania to Chitimba Beach in Malawi where we had a rest day.


On the road to Malawi

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Many resorts will be packed with families making the most of exceptional ski conditions over the Easter break.

It's widely known that this year there has been fantastic snow across the Alps - the best for 15 years apparently.

I really didn't want to miss out. Even the euro didn't put me off. I haven't been skiing for a few years but last week spent a few days in the French Alps.

A pal is lucky enough to be spending a season in Tignes- one of the highest resorts and part of a massive ski area. L'Espace Killy connects Tignes and Val d'Isere.

There was lots of fur. And all-in-one ski suits. And that was just the men.

As for the weather, well it was varied. Heavy snow and poor visibility one day, then blue sky and sunshine the next. Skiwear was considered for all eventualities. It was bitterly cold and blustery at higher levels. Then almost too warm on descent on the lower slopes.

As we head into mid-April the sun is gaining some oomph. The snow is spring-like by the afternoon, especially on the lower slopes making them heavy and slushy. But even now in some of the higher resorts there are nearly four metres of packed powder on the upper slopes and glaciers.

Usually this time of year the snow is a little more sparse. Along with stronger sun comes higher UV levels and a higher chance of goggle marks.

As we approach Easter weekend you may well need your sunglasses closer to home.

Around this time last year we were in a cold snap. Who remembers the Olympic Torch relay? Hail and sleet showers, as well as some snow in London.

This year after Good Friday comes some springtime sunshine.

Getting a booking in the old course of the Ballybunion Golf Club can be quite difficult especially in the peak season. A long list is filled up months before the season and most of them are seasoned golfers looking forward to the difficult yet very relaxing links. But if you don't get the chance to have some tee time on the old course, you may find that the Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen course, its new course, can be quite as challenging and some might say its more challenging.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones SR., the Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen course features spectacular yet difficult long links dotted with enormous sand dunes, which means you have to make the ball fly when you play to the number of greens that has been elevated in these treacherous course.

While scores of golfers from all over the world flock to Southwest Ireland for the old Ballybunion Golf Club course, local golfers tend to prefer the new Cashen course. Many low handicapped golfers have also expressed their preference for the new course, but the old still remains as a must go to and play course for all golfers, for maybe at least once.

The Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen course has traditional links and like the old course, it is exceptionally unique, and is set with the greatest sand dunes found in golf courses world wide. Both are also designed along the Atlantic Ocean offering a calming back drop.

The Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen course is also a private members only club like the old course, but they do sometimes allow limited public access during weekdays. Limited guest plays are also allowed but must always be accompanied by a member.

The Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen course has set booking conditions so that other golfers can be accommodated as some of them come from different parts of the globe. Some of the conditions are:

* All payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.

* Bookings not paid by the due date will be removed from the list

* Payment in full must be given 28 days after reservations has been made.

* Payments can be done via cash, cheque or credit cards.

* A handicap limit is observed. 24 for males and 36 for females.

* The certificate of handicaps should be presented on the day of reservation.

* A group of four would only be the allowable number in each play.

Being one of the most sought after golf clubs in Ireland and the world, members, guests and visitors are expected to follow a dress code that would met the clubs high standards and should be neat, tidy and clean.

You will not be accepted in the club if you were the following:

* Sleeveless, singlets and shirts with no collars.

* Outfits with slogans.

* Shorts that are not tailored.

* Untucked shirts

* Leisure or track suits.

* Also, pant legs should not be tucked inside the top of the socks.

Carts are now also available to be used around the Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen course, it will only set you back 3.50 Euros for each cart for each round. You can also ride on buggies in the Cashen which is prohibited on the old course.

When it comes to golf courses, the Ballybunion Golf Club has more than a century of experience in the industry, whether it's the old or new, you can be sure that you will get one of the more satisfying golf vacation trips in Ireland that you'll ever have.

This Three Stooges sign is on the door to my guest room.

I’m running around cleaning it (and the rest of the house) because Austin’s South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) tech conference starts this Friday, March 13.

As a resident of the Austin metro area and a traveling guest-room-borrower myself, I’m happy to host fellow geeks at this event.

This year’s guests include social media communicator extraordinaire Liz Strauss and the multi-talented Becky McCray, who specializes in small businesses in small towns and rural areas.

On Saturday, March 14, I’ll be speaking at SXSWi about travel blogging (our panel is called Blog Highways: Travel Blogging for the Wanderer) with Seattle-based writer and photographer Pam Mandel.

We intend to pack our panel room in the Austin Convention Center….but first, Hotel Knucklehead has sheets to wash and vacuuming to do!

Jamie Jensen, author of "Road Trip USA" (Courtesy Avalon Travel)

Jamie Jensen, author of Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways, has probably seen more two-lane blacktop than Kerouac did. Jensen has just released an

BT: What has been your most memorable find?
If I have to choose one truly special place, it would probably be the borderland between the Sand Hills of Nebraska and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Within a couple hours drive of Mount Rushmore and Wounded Knee, you have a full spectrum of highlights, including my favorite oddball roadside monument—Carhenge, a replica of ancient Stonehenge, made out of 1970s American cars. History buffs will love Fort Robinson, where Sioux chief Crazy Horse was captured (and murdered) in 1877; also the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron. Feast on great milk shakes and up to 2-pound (!) hamburgers at a classic old soda-fountain diner, Sioux Sundries, in the one-stoplight town of Harrison. All that said, if you asked me again tomorrow I'm sure I'd come up with a dozen other favorite places like this, which I've found over the country.

BT: What are your top tips?
One great way to save money and still have a great time is to go camping—the USA has perhaps the best and most beautiful national and state parks in the world, yet for some reason many Americans don't take advantage of them. Not only is a campsite less than half the price of a motel (and many campsites, if you are willing and able to hike a short way away from roads and RV-ers, are free!), but since you do your own cooking the food is comparatively cheap. (And all food tastes better outdoors!)

BT: What's the most important thing to consider when putting together a road trip itinerary?
For me the most important thing is not to be too ambitious—make sure you factor in enough time to savor and enjoy the things you do on your trip. So often, people make the mistake of "over-scheduling", of feeling they ought to be moving on to the next stop, when what is important is to relax and enjoy the moments. Leave yourself enough time for spontaneity and serendipity.

BT: What are some areas of the country that are prime for road tripping but are often forgotten?
One place that great for traveling but not exactly famous is the Great Lakes, and especially the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Here you have gorgeous scenery (rugged mountains and dense forests, and of course the lakes), with a lot of history (think Paul Bunyan). [Editor's note: Budget Travel has a four-day road trip itinerary for Michigan's Upper Peninsula.]

Duluth is another one of those wonderful mid-sized American cities no one thinks of for a vacation, but which happens to be tons of fun.

Other less-known but fun cities I like: Buffalo, with its wonderful architecture and access to Niagara Falls; Memphis, with Elvis, a great minor league baseball stadium and access to the musical road trip heaven of the Mississippi Delta; and Missoula, Mont., which is a great college town right at the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

Want more? Check out Jensen's website.

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Update: New Zealand court convicts passenger for dumping her baby in lavatory trash can originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Africa, Lesotho

Dispatches from Lesotho originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shane McConkey 1969-2009

Father, Husband, and Innovator

Donations to the Family

This year’s Bells Beach will be incorporate the new format; round 1 heats will be man-on-man elimination.  Check out the event live at www.live.ripcurl.com . 

Damien Hardmen summed up the new format’s effect on, ““… and with the new format providing zero room for error, our surfers will need to be on their game.”

This year’s lineup -

To the east is the wonderfully rolling Chugach Mountains and to the west is the sparkling waters of the Cook Inlet, the town of Anchorage is cozily nestled between two extremes.

Located in south-central Alaska, this town was originally settled in 1815 but as years wore on, Anchorage steadily grew to become the business, cultural, and distribution center of Alaska. And at the heart of this bustling, busy city is Anchorage Aspen Hotel which is located in the heart of downtown Anchorage. At 108 East 8th Avenue, Anchorage Aspen Hotel is merely a few steps away from all most happening places in town.

Opened in the Spring of 2003, Anchorage Aspen Hotel is Alaska's finest chain. Anchorage Aspen Hotel offers modern classy atmosphere with warm golden tones. It features 89 first class guest rooms, every single one spacious with refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, VCR, data ports and speaker phones. The convention and performing arts centers, the museum, many fine restaurants, shops and other visitor attractions are within easy walking distance from Anchorage Aspen Hotel so you never lack of anything fun to do.

Some attractions located near Anchorage Aspen Hotel include the Anchorage Museum of History and Art (2 blocks South), 4th Avenue Theater (7 blocks Southeast), Alaska Railroad (10 blocks South), Captain Cook Monument (10 blocks Southeast), Imaginarium (7 blocks Southeast), AK Center for the Performing Arts (6 blocks West), Elmendorf AFB (5 miles Southwest), Alaska Regional Hospital (5 miles West), Providence Hospital (8 miles North), University of Alaska (8 miles North), Alyeska Ski Resort (50 miles North).

Anchorage Aspen Hotel offers several astounding amenities that you have come to expect from a hip hotel such as this. You can spend your day lounging by the pool or pamper yourself at Anchorage Aspen Hotel's spa. There are also guest laundry services and exercise rooms. So if you ever feel like sweating it all out, it's to the exercise room for you.

In addition, Anchorage Aspen Hotel offers complimentary parking so you never have to worry about where to place your car. And each morning, you get to enjoy a continental breakfast in bed or at the balcony with an overlooking view of the city. Anchorage Aspen Hotel also provides you with a courtesy transportation service between the hotel and airport. Rail depots are also included in this service.

Each Anchorage Aspen Hotel room has the following amenities: two queen beds, full private bath, cable TV/VCR, telephone with voicemail and data port, and complimentary continental breakfast. The exercise facility, pool and spa, guest laundry, and courtesy transportation are all available for guests who require them.

Are you interested in planning a RV trip? If you are, you will find that you have a number of different options, in terms of acquiring an RV. Generally speaking, your options include buying your own RV or making arrangements to get an RV rental. One of the best ways to determine which option is best for your next RV trip is to examine the pros and cons of each.

As for buying an RV, there are many RV owners who love having a motor home that they can call their own. For many RV owners there is a great sense of pride associated with owning their own motor homes. When owning an RV, you have the freedom to basically come and go as you please. This isn't always the case with RV rentals. Buying a new or used RV is ideal for those who enjoy taking last minute trips.

In addition to having the freedom to come and go as they please, RV owners also have the freedom to do what they want inside their motor homes. This is something that isn't always possible with RV rentals. For example, are you a smoker? Would you like to bring your pets with you on your trip? Would you like to pack as many people into your RV as possible? If so, you may be better off buying your own motor home, as opposed to making arrangements for a rental.

Perhaps, the only downside to buying a motor home is the cost of doing so. RVs are considered large investments. Although many hopeful RV owners are able to secure financing to make their purchases, the cost of doing so can still be expensive. It is also important to remember that more than just the purchase price needs to be examined. When owning an RV, additional expenses, such as repairs or roadside assistance, becomes the responsibility of the owner. This point is important to keep in mind, as you will not want to find out that owning a motor home is too expensive when it is too late.

As for renting an RV, many find it a much more affordable option. This is particularly the case with those who only travel by RVs once or twice a year. Comparing prices to find the best RV rental deals is a great way to keep the costs of traveling by RV reasonable. You may also be pleased with all of your rental options. While you will find some variances, many let you rent RVs for as short as a weekend, but as long as month.

Perhaps, the only true downside to renting an RV for an upcoming trip is the rules and restrictions that you may be faced with. Although not all RV rental companies are the same, it is not common for smoking or pets to be banned. Even with these rules and restrictions, should they exist, you may still be required to pay a security deposit.

As highlighted above, there are a number of pros and cons to both buying a RV and renting one. For that reason, you are urged to take a close look at your personal wants and needs. Do you plan on traveling by RV multiple times throughout the year? Do you want the freedom to come and go as you please, at the drop of a hat? These important questions can help you determine which method of RV travel is best for you.

Through a couple of referrals by mutual friends on Twitter (here’s my Twitter stream) I got a question from Mzinga executive and social media business strategist Jim Storer about taking his family to Japan later this year.

After pulling together an email for Jim, with links to most of my Japan-related writings across this blog, the Perceptive Travel Blog and some other publications, I thought, why not put the same consolidated information in a helpful blog post?

I lived in Japan for awhile while serving with the Navy near Fukuoka, on Kyushu, and returned a couple of years back when my daughter was a preteen, staying for about a month and a half near Tokyo.

Japan is not an “easy” destination for families  –  that’s not to scare you off,  but so you’ll know that standing around feeling like a complete idiot (and usually a lost idiot who can’t determine north from south) is TOTALLY normal for a visitor to Japan. It’s worth it, though.

I always advocate pushing out of the coddled tourist bubble and striking out on your own, but it’s harder to do that with kids in tow. Mix it up - do the “weird stuff” (and occasionally feel like an idiot) then allow occasional forays into McDonald’s or Starbucks for some feeling of familiarity. Your brain will need it more frequently than you’d think, especially with kids.

I don’t care what anyone tells you, English is not widely spoken, but it really doesn’t matter all that much. Do a lot of bowing and hand gestures; the Japanese will generally go out of their way to help.

Let me tell you, travel around Europe after that was (comparatively) a piece of cake.

My writings on Japan:

***  Here’s an article I wrote about taking a preteen to Tokyo, for the San Antonio Express-News:  Navigating Tokyo with a ‘tween.

***  One of my first posts - an itinerary for Asakusa to Odaiba in Tokyo. It can fill one whole day.

***  They’re everywhere and they’re awesome - one of the main things I miss about Japan - vending machines!

***  You need to know how to use a squat toilet.

***  If you plan to rent a car in Japan, stand by to blow up your brain by driving on the left.

***  Here’s my guest post on Away.com’s family travel blog about climbing Mt. Fuji:  Trip of a lifetime - climbing Fuji with a preteen.

***  Great side trip from Tokyo: Yokohama (try to see the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.)

***  Another good Tokyo side trip: the beaches at Zushi and Kamakura (see the giant Buddha, or Daibutsu, at Kamakura - here’s a Taylor family post about it, and an excellent description of the area by travelers Susan and Lars.)

***  Fun souvenir: Japanese children’s chopsticks and bento boxes.

***  More great souvenirs: Kappabashi Dori where you can buy plastic food.

***  Don’t miss the summer fireworks and local matsuri (festivals.) Check the Tokyo tourist Web site event calendar for matsuri dates and locations, but you may also stumble across one going on in the streets so be ready to get swept up in the fun! One of my favorite blogs about Japan, AMPONTAN, has a whole category about Japanese festivals; most posts are titled Matsuri-da!

Guidebooks - I wore out my copy of TimeOut Tokyo and I’m a long-time fan of Frommer’s guides for good overviews. Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Guides are pretty good but are rather heavy. I’d get one good guidebook for Japan overall and then a small one for the city where you’ll spend the most time.

Maps. You’ll want maps. The guidebooks have ‘em and they always boot up and don’t need WiFi.

When you arrive, look for copies of Metropolis and TimeOut Tokyo magazines, for the latest info in English (Metropolis Visitor’s Guide online, and TimeOut Tokyo online.)

For good blogs and news sites about Japan, take a look at Alltop, an “online magazine rack,” and their topic page on Japan.

Another good book is CultureShock! Japan: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.

Here’s the BootsnAll Travel Network portal page for Japan.

Did I miss anything about taking kids to Japan, especially Tokyo? Tell us about it in the comments….