Here are some of the necessary measures that you can do to improve your gas mileage:

1. Car maintenance. Regular maintenance is one of the most important factors that ensure the longevity of a car. Always inspect the condition of your car by checking the engine oil, the tires and the brakes.

2. Remove heavy items. Less amount of luggage, tools and equipment in your car increases fuel economy.

3. Drive slower. It has been proven that driving faster increases fuel consumption.

4. Restrain from long idles and always track your fuel consumption. When the car is on, it consumes a little gas and when it is idling, it consumes a fixed amount of gas. Start recording your miles per gallon.

5. Look for a fuel efficient car when looking for a new one. A hybrid car is a good choice. Numbers of hybrid owners are increasing up in places around the world. But when asking for a long distance drives, Diesel engines can give you a much better gas mileage.

Always remember that the efficiency of your gasoline engine depends on the fuel’s octane level. By using the right manufacturer’s recommended oil that contains “friction-reducing additives” thus improves gas mileage.

1.Dress Appropriately

My dad always tells me that dressing is the key. If you want instant respect then dress the part. A lot of times, I’ve seen people mostly men wearing only a sleeveless shirt and sometimes without even shoes. If you’re already on beach mode well you’re not there yet so better dress up if I were you.

2.Use Armrests

Every seat inside the plane is equipped with an armrest and nothing is more annoying than seeing someone use your own seat as leverage when they stand up. The fact is, the seat in front of you is not yours and using it without his or her permission is simply awful and disrespectful.

3. Window Courtesy

If you happen to be positioned near the window, be courteous enough to your fellow passengers by lowering the blinds when they start to sleep, watch TV or work. Remember, you don’t own the window.

4. Stay Seated

One time when I was traveling to Europe I was constantly annoyed by one buxom American guy who kept on walking down the aisle to talk to his friend. Apparently, the guy does not have enough foresight to reserve a seat next to him that’s why he had to walk several steps in order to get to his buddy. Not only is he rude but he also happened to block other passengers while they make way through the plane aisle. On the other hand, if you’re in for a very long trip make sure that you stand up once in a while to help your circulation. Stretch for several minutes to remove muscle soreness and stiffness.

5. Reduce the Stress of Air Travel

Keep yourself busy on long haul trips by working on a Sudoku puzzle, crossword puzzle, writing or bringing a flashy gizmo such as a PSP. You don’t want to spend lots of time without doing anything and surely even if you’re beside the window, looking at the view will surely strain your neck. Meanwhile, here’s what I do to combat boredom while inside the airplane: sleep. It’s as simple as that and it would even be better if you listen to classical music which is what I do.

6. Early Traveling

I hate going to the airport at around 7:30 am just to catch my flight but unfortunately I’ve already experienced it many times before. During an early trip, I make sure that everything’s prepared and my travel outfit is already in place. I wake up at around 5:30, take a bath and put on comfortable shoes without having to spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. I don’t mind not looking at my best but I make sure that I don’t look wasted as well.

7. Reserve Early

Although this might cost some cash, this wouldn’t be much of an issue if you have enough to spare. I don’t like having to find a cheap hotel when I’m already in my destination because it consumes so much time, so what I do is I do my research a few weeks before and have the hotel room reserved one night earlier. I know I’m going to pay for something that I haven’t used but I prioritize time over money.

8. Packing Tricks

If you would be staying in a place for quite sometime, I advise that you list down the things that you have to bring before putting it inside your bag, I prefer bringing backpacks by the way. And never forget your toiletries because for sure you’ll need them when you get there. Meanwhile, pack light because bringing unnecessary things while traveling long distances would only make you confused when you start looking for the essentials. Aside from that, always organize things because it’s faster and more efficient.

9. Be Prepared for Security Checks

The worst thing that can happen to anyone before boarding a plane is holding up the line of a routine security check. Remove coins and keys before your turn to avoid delays.

Everybody wants to travel peacefully and comfortably but in the real world, that rarely happens. The thing is, always be prepared, have a lot of class and grace and more importantly know what you should and shouldn’t do.

]]> http://worldsoffthebeatenpath.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/airline-etiquette-101/feed/ 0 leighkeiruff http://worldsoffthebeatenpath.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/top-10-places-i-want-to-visit-before-i-die/ http://worldsoffthebeatenpath.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/top-10-places-i-want-to-visit-before-i-die/#comments Sat, 05 Apr 2008 07:19:20 +0000 leighkeiruff http://worldsoffthebeatenpath.wordpress.com/?p=81 ]]> Every traveler and adventurer wants to explore every place especially destinations that would leave you breathless because of the scenery. Some of my friends want to be in historical cities, others in tropical islands while someone I know wants a place where he can spend all his money to gamble. Regardless of where we want to go there’s no way that one cannot appreciate the world’s natural wonders and even man-made structures that have stood the test of time. I’ll be veering away from my usual car posts in this blog because I’ll be listing the best places that can easily make your eyes pop out. There are many awe-inspiring destinations but I’ll make this one a little different because most probably, you’ve never heard anything about the places that I’m going to mention yet they’re too magnificent to be taken for granted.

10. Fairy Chimneys-Cappadocia, Turkey

This place is a local tourist attraction for years and was only discovered recently by Western thrill-seekers. The Fairy Chimneys are oversized conical rock formations that are made of basalt. One friend of mine who had been there thought it looked more like massive phallic symbols rather than chimneys, which needless to say made it more appealing to her. Meanwhile, these formations are not only there to stimulate your visual sensors but the locals have converted them into dwellings where visitors can stay. If you ever plan to go to Turkey, better drop by this place and visit it.

9. Silbury Hill- Wiltshire, England

Most of us would never pay attention to a mound of earth unless it’s 130 feet high and is as big as five acres. That’s what the Silbury Hill is and it’s been standing on its place for almost 4500 years. The exact purpose of this massive structure is unknown although scholars believe that it was basically constructed to serve as either a burial place or a sundial. Moreover, it is believed that it took more than 15 years to finish dating back to the Neolithic period. Needless to say, if you’re into prehistoric architecture, visiting this place would certainly excite you.

8. Magnetic Hill – New Brunswick, Canada

New Brunswick in Canada might not ring a bell for many people but it has been attracting droves of people ever since the 1930’s. Motorists have been reporting that even when their engines are turned off their cars roll uphill hence calling it a “magnetic hill”.

On the other hand, there are no paranormal forces involved here rather this is merely an optical illusion that is caused of changing terrains giving you the impression that a vehicle appears to be ascending even if the engines are halted.

7. B15-Antarctica

If you’ve always wanted to go to Luxembourg then you might as well check out iceberg B15 which happens to be the biggest free-floating object in the world. It’s so big that it’s just like seeing Luxembourg floating while covered in ice and lots of penguins on it. In 2003 however, the iceberg split into two off the coast of New Zealand giving the “biggest iceberg” title to C19-A which happens to be as big as Brunei.

6. Stone Forest- Kunming, China

China has so many geographical anomalies to offer but one place that really stands out is the Stone Forest located in Kunming, Yunnan. The 96-acre place is breathtaking because of numerous limestone monuments that seem to sprout off the ground out of nowhere hence the name “Stone Forest”. The formation was caused by over 270 million years of different elements that eroded and reshaped the environment. The locals have divided the Stone forest into areas such as like Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Falls.

5. Carlsbad Cavern-Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico

If you want to see how the Earth’s surface changes over millions of years first hand then you just have to be in Carlsbad Cavern located in New Mexico. The 300-mile wide cavern was once part of the sea teeming with marine life about 250 millions years ago. After several million years and lots of evaporation later, it’s now a complex system of caves where different flora and fauna thrive. Today, thousands of stalactite formation can be found here and not to mention thousands of tourists that flock this place yearly to get a glimpse of this fantastic natural spectacle. What’s more interesting about the Carlsbad Cavern is that it’s so big that it hasn’t been explored totally ever since it was discovered leaving more than 90% of its area unscathed by humans.

4. Franz Josef Glacier-Westland National Park, New Zealand

The Franz Josef Glacier is another spectacular geographical oddity that looks like a frozen river while it descends from the country’s Southern Alps. The glacier is even more breathtaking by the fact that it is surrounded by temperate rainforests and lush greeneries. The glacier was first discovered by Julius Von Haast in 1863 and was named after Franz Josef I of Austria. Remarkably, the glacier is still growing despite of the imminent threat of global warming. Its growth is attributed to the strong snowfall that comes from the mountains where it emanates. The Franz Josef is believed to have existed for 15,000 years and had extended to the sea during that period. Every year, thousands of foreigners visit the Franz Josef to experience “ice age” first hand.

3. Rock of Gibraltar- Gibraltar, Iberian Peninsula

55 million years ago during the Jurassic period, the Eurasian and African tectonic plates collided violently forming a monolithic limestone promontory now called the Rock of Gibraltar. It is basically 426 meters in height and there isn’t much like this in the world that is more imposing and overwhelming hence the simile “Solid as the Rock of Gibraltar”. Prior to it being fortified in the many wars that the rock was used, Neanderthals have inhabited the Rock of Gibraltar when archaeologists excavated it in the 1950’s. In short, the Rock of Gibraltar didn’t only play a huge role in our history but also to our evolution. The Rock has been extremely fortified in World War II that prevented the attack of the Germans in many parts of Europe. Aside from that, the tunnel system was pivotal for the defense of the Mediterranean routes during that period.

2. Banaue Rice Terraces- Ifugao, Philippines

Talk about imposing structures, the Banaue Rice Terraces located in Ifugao (north of Manila) Philippines is easily one of the biggest man-made structures ever. It’s a two-thousand year-old engineering and agricultural feat that was created by the ancestors of the Batad people. The most fascinating fact about this wonder is that it was built using only bare hands while occupying over 4000 square miles of mountainside. The reason for creating this structure is simple: there wasn’t enough agricultural land because of the mountainous landscape, so the Batad people flattened the sides of the mountains so they can plant rice. The result is a majestic structure that very few can compare to. What’s more amazing about the whole terrace system is that it’s so formidable that until now, its till being used by the descendants of the Batad people.

1.The World Islands-Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The advancement in engineering has made possible one of the greatest man-made constructions ever, the World Islands located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is basically composed of 300 islands shaped to look like the world map. Just like its equally popular and amazing artificial island project called Palm Island, it is made from sand that is dredged from the sea. The overall cost of its construction was estimated to be around 14 billion USD while every island is sold from 15-20 millions USD. Because of the cost of each island, celebrities such as David Beckham, Angelina Jolie and Vijay Singh had been rumored to purchase some of the islands of “the world”.

Personally, I’d rather go to natural wonders that had been shaped through eons of years than visit a bunch of islands with an unbelievable price tag. Nevertheless, the world is big and that there are thousands of sights that you can choose from which don’t only tell you how wonderful the place we live in is but also how small our achievements are compared to what nature can actually do. So if I were you, I’d save money, work my ass off and someday visit the places that I mentioned in this post.

1. Always be Respectful

The most common mistake that a traffic violator does is to increase the tension by talking too much. A cop always looks at a routine traffic stop as an unpredictable and dangerous situation. If you stay uncooperative, it will only make the situation go from bad to worse. Explain your side calmly, lower your window and turn off your radio when a cop tells you to stop. It only shows him that you respect authority and that you’ve got nothing to hide that can make him or her suspicious.

2. Limit your Talking

This item is somewhat related to the first one and its main purpose is to show the cop that you recognize his or her presence. Talking too much would make it appear that you are at the defensive, which isn’t a very good thing when you are talking to a cop. Always wait for your turn before talking and never be rude to the cop.

3. Evade Arguing

There are bad apples wherever you go and that is also true when it comes to cops. The thing is, no matter how clearly and succinct you’ve stated your case to him or her, sometimes it doesn’t and wouldn’t work. Know when to stop by conceding to the cop and if you think that he has abused his authority, there are proper venues for complaining about his demeanor.

4. Don’t Use Ignorance as an Excuse

If you’re a woman just like me you can use your charms sometimes but not all the time to get out of a traffic violation encounter. I find it quite ridiculous when most men use ignorance as an excuse when they get caught on the road. The fact is it simply would not work, once you obtain your license, you are required to abide with all the rules of the road no matter what. Besides, this is probably the most common excuse for cops, so just forget about using this one.

5. Always Ask for a Warning

When an officer orders you to pull over, always ask for a warning. On the other hand, when an officer gives you one, he or she is doing you a favor, so don’t let your anger get the better of you.

6. When already on the Court

When things become too serious such as your case brought to the court, always have a lawyer that will handle it. If you think that you can get away easily because it’s merely a traffic violation , you’re wrong. Your case can be used against you in the future, worse you might have difficulties getting important documents because of it.

7. Always Present a Strong Case

Although this might sound pretty obvious, always be prepared when defending your case before a court. Aside from knowing the details and presenting strong evidence, always be on time, dress appropriately and speak clearly. Although these do not guarantee a decision in your favor, at least you’re showing the judge that you deserve a second thought.

 What I wanted to instill by stressing these things is that there’s a way to get out of stressful and tense-filled situations. Unless you’re a criminal, getting toe-to-toe with the law is not an everyday and often pleasant experience. Remember to always know your rights and handle yourself properly too.

1. Know the Language

Make sure to learn as much as possible when it comes to learning the fundamental greetings and questions asked by foreigners. Don’t expect people to know how to speak English because most likely, you’ll just end up being disappointed. If you’re in Korea or even in Japan, not a lot of people there speak English so better be prepared. Also if you have enough time to learn their alphabet which countries such as China, Thailand, Japan and Korea have then better learn it before buying your ticket.

2. Know the Culture

Most Westerners fail in this category especially when they’re in countries in the Middle-East or even in China and Japan wherein the disparity of Western and Eastern culture is huge. The global village might be in effect right now but don’t expect people to act the way you do when you visit another foreign country. In Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, it’s a pretty bad idea to be skimpily clad because they enforce strict Sharia laws that can get you in jail if you’re not very careful. On the other hand, just make sure that you know what to expect when you get to your destination. You might not be able to know every aspect of their culture but it’s better than being completely ignorant. So do your part, read and research.

3. Know the Law

This does not mean that you have to take up a crash course in International Law. When you attempt to visit other countries, you should be aware that their laws differ from one another so should be careful. Other societies are very liberal while others aren’t, so make sure you know the laws so you won’t find yourself in jail. If you can get away smoking marijuana in Amsterdam you can get caught in Singapore by simply littering.

The Must-Haves

1. Dictionary

Preferably a bilingual dictionary that will help you translate some words that you’ve never encountered before. Bringing this one will save you from the time-consuming process of asking questions and talking to locals who might have a not-so-good intention when it comes to foreigners.

2. Pen and Paper

Although a PDA or laptop can also do for those who are technologically savvy, keeping it straight and simple using pen and paper would be enough. You can use these items by jotting down important information that you’ve seen, sketching directions so you won’t get lost and many other purposes that will surely make your traveling as stress-free as possible.

3. Maps

Need further elaboration on this one? I don’t think so.

4. Your Address

A lot of my friends forget the address where they are staying causing them so much time and trouble as a consequence. Not every taxi driver knows everything about the place where you’re staying in so make sure to know the complete address. Aside from that you can also bring your map to make things even easier.

5. ID, Passport and Credit Card

Needless to say, you have to bring all these things all the time in case of emergency.

Traveling is all about fun and discovery but then again it helps to be always prepared because you don’t know what to expect. Stay out of trouble and marvel at what these countries can offer. 

 I was furious for a minute because I only have one spare tire and it can’t be used. Aside from that, I was several kilometers away from my sister who can’t help me in that kind of situation since she didn’t bring her car and she was waiting for me to get a ride back home. So there, I attempted to salvage the situation by driving my car even with one tire missing and hoped that it’ll hold for several kilometers more but still, it didn’t work.

 Good thing there was one driver who stopped by me and gave me a hand during that ordeal of mine. She was kind enough to give me her spare tire and she even helped me to replace the whole thing. If there’s one thing that I learned in that experience is that you can never be too prepared. I know it’s simple replacing a flat tire because I’ve done it before but I never thought that my spare tire hasn’t been checked for so long. I guess I have to write about some tips on how not to forget that you spare tire has to be replaced.

 Basically Laos is a poor state but that doesn’t mean it does not have right culture that is unique to the Lao. So what are the things that you will need before heading to this far-flung place in the middle of the Indochinese Peninsula?

 1.      You should obtain a tourist Visa from Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Aside from that, they will require you to bring three passport photos as well.

2.      Money, yes of course that’s one thing you should never forget and make sure you will bring more than what you actually need. The worst thing that can happen to you is to be empty-handed in a foreign land.

3.      You should also take note of the hotel reservation that you plan to get. Make sure that the amenities are complete and at the same time the place is well known by tourists.

 The first stop that we visited was Laos’ capital called Vietiane. The distinct and influential French culture is still extremely visible in this country particularly in Vientiane. One thing that immediately caught my attention was when the Lao people give food to their monks every morning which have been a part of Lao tradition since time immemorial. When looking for transportation you can take their taxis called jumbos or rent a bicycle for approximately 2 USD.

 Meanwhile, your Lao trip will be incomplete without visiting the That Luang. It is basically a massive golden temple that has a spire that shoots 150 feet into the air. Take note that the idea of Lao nationality isn’t very clear for the Lao people. Primarily because since antiquity, their country has been part of the Siam empire which is now Thailand. It is not uncommon that Lao people would have Cambodian, Thai and even Vietnamese relatives. So don’t be surprised when you see the Thai king’s picture hung inside a Lao household.

 Moving on, another hot destination spot is Luang Prabang which happens to be one of the oldest cities in Laos. It also used to be where the Lao royal family resided when the country was still under monarchy. We only spend 5 days in Laos and before you start packing your things here are some useful things that you might want to remember:

 1.      The Thai bhat is widely accepted in Laos aside from its official currency the Lao Kip.

2.      Giving tips isn’t customary in Laos.

 So there, that’s pretty much what Laos is in a nutshell but I am sure that you’ll find a lot more enticing things when you visit the country by yourself.

 1.      Check the Oil

It’s pretty obvious that you won’t be going anywhere once your car engine does not have oil. This is perhaps the simplest and easiest thing to do before your start your engine’s ignition. Checking the oil isn’t that too complicated and it starts by looking at the “dipstick”. The oil should be at the “full line” level to ensure that you have enough fuel.

 2.      Check your Transmission Fluid

When you car gears do not have enough transmission fluid lubricating them, your car might be in big trouble. The transmission fluid makes the motion of the car gears smooth since it lessens the friction and increases efficiency. When checking the transmission fluid, look under the hood and look for the “dipstick” with a transmission label.

 3.      Make Sure your Battery is Fully Charged

One way of knowing whether your car battery is busted is when you start the ignition and nothing happens. You can check the status of your battery by plugging its terminals to a voltmeter. On the other hand, if the terminals have some residue you may want to clean them using a brush and some cleaning liquid that you can buy from your nearest car parts/accessories dealer.

4. The Air Filter Test

Make sure that your air filter doesn’t have a black or brown residue because when that happens, it only means that so much dirt has already accumulated. Remember that a clean air filter can give your car more gas mileage thereby saving you more cash.

 There some tips that I’ve learned as an experience driver that I never forget doing everyday. I know its repetitive but not taking chances can always dividends. My uncle is okay now but I just hope he’ll be a lot more careful once he is healthy again to drive his new automobile.

But then again, I changed and figured that my life expectancy can be further prolonged if I drop this dangerous habit. What are the signs that may tell you that you’re a dangerous/reckless driver? Here’s a list that I came up with and maybe you can tell whether you’ve been acting like a bozo on the road.
Ominous Sign No. 1

How many times did you opt not to stop when the sign says “stop”. Some people would rather “roll” rather than hitting the breaks when they see the red light. You’re probably nodding your head right now but jut slowing down instead of completely halting would have disastrous consequences. You may not have experienced it right now, but never take chances when on the road.

Ominous Sign No. 2

Numbers never lie and according to a poll 30% of car crashes that resulted to death happened because of over-speeding. Everyone’s on the road to get to their respective destinations not to dethrone Schumacher or Alonso’s racing speed records. So before you pretend to be the next big thing in racing, think about it first.

Ominous Sign No. 3

Being too slow does not necessarily mean that what you’re doing is safe. If you’re driving on a busy highway where every automobile is speeding up, be part of the traffic flow by following it.

Ominous Sign No. 4

Almost everyone is busy while they’re on the road. It’s either they’re talking through the phone, gobbling their breakfast or even listening to the radio. I know, driving is boring but multitasking while driving is only permitted if you moderate doing these things.

Ominous Sign No. 5

Right after office hours it’s pretty hard to pull yourself up and still manage to drive back home after all the stress. If you can’t drive because you’re tired then don’t force it. Before you start pushing the pedal next day make sure you’re alert and that you’ve got plenty of sleep.

So there, I know you guys can still come up with an even longer list but I’d leave that for you. The road is basically an accident waiting to happen so don’t be another road accident statistic by thinking about safety all the time.

How many times have we read news about violence erupting once drivers get enraged over a petty traffic situation? The fact is it’s tough to control oneself when another driver cuts you off while you’re also trying to get to work as early as you can. In a place like New York, these things happen all the time and although it’s tempting to lash back it’s always smarter to take a step back.

1. The Trick Is Not To Care

So here’s the scenario, you’re on your way to work and while it’s pretty obvious that there’s a massive traffic clog going on another car cuts you off while giving you a cold and angry stare. For men, the macho element would be hard to restrain and there’s a good possibility that you’ll exchange some colorful words or even obscene hand gesture as well.

Before you get into more trouble, remember that you’ve got a whole day to do at work and fighting a total stranger isn’t a very good way to start your day. So in short, don’t lose your composure and handle the situation as calmly as possible.

2. When Things Get Too Close For Comfort

Prior to my trip to London I was driving along an extremely busy avenue to meet up with some of my clients. Meanwhile, on my way to the place another car was tailgating me but instead of slamming my brakes to send off a not-so-nice message, I decided to just back off even when I was already seething with anger.

The fact is, cooler heads will always prevail and although I can pretty much get away by just bitching like what most women do I didn’t risk it. It’s better to be safe than sorry and you’ll never know whether a person is drugged and armed until it’s already too late.

3. Never Get Out

On the other hand, sometimes it’s inevitable that you finally lose your cool and when that happens it’s either you budge or you don’t. If ever you end up waving an obscene finger or blurt out a nasty remark, don’t escalate things further by getting out of your car. Doing so is simply inviting commotion and when that happens, anything is possible.

If the other driver gets out and starts his or her aggression, close the window and get out of the place as soon as possible. The last thing you’d want is a massive black eye and your ass getting kicked just because of traffic.

Tense-filled situations do not need to be escalated by joining in the fray especially when you’re out there driving. The point is everyone just wants to get to their own destinations safely and without any scratches. On the other hand, there are lots of people who can’t manage their anger and when you know that you can, that’s enough reason to believe that you’ll be safe no matter what.