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The phenomenal area of Africa known as South Luangwa has been named the best place to safari in Africa. The area has been acclaimed in countless years by the countries greatest animal experts. British tourists might well be able to notice huge groups of big cats as well as incredible zebras.

The park is well known for its brilliant driving safaris and is a hit with all curious holiday makers. The changing weather makes the wildlife region irrestible with a dry season through out winter and a green charming jungle feel over June and July. During the changes in season the game might often differ giving folk a different aspect. Try Africa safari holidays from Kaingo and explore your wild side.

Identify the charm of Africa with a walking safari vacation and be at one with nature. The breathtaking rivers and hippos and lions might make holiday makers feel alive with energy. Holiday Makers will be able to take large volumes of photos and take home the very best memories.

South Africa has many animals in its parks and tourists can easily find the perfect photograph of a hippo. If you are not used to a walking holiday you may go on a driving safari and watch huge amounts of the country within a short amount of time. When you have exhausted your walking safari by day you can then go back to your resort to have dinner. Innumerable apartments are five star and super.

The province of Newfound land and Labrador is a province of history and beauty, is it located on Canada’s Atlantic coast. This province can offer some of the neatest sight seeing in the world, from animals to historic sights it all a must. History can be traced back to the Viking age 1000AD where they first settled on this province. You should check out Gros Morne National Park also known as UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a walk through ancient times walking this heritage site, you will learn lots and be exposed to some of the world’s treasures. There are a lot of activities for the families, you can take them on ocean tours, whale spotting, fishing, go hiking around the coast lines, or you can relax along the beach and just enjoy the ocean sounds, a must to relax for the sounds of the big cities. They also have some of the best seafood restaurants, the crab, lobster, different types of fish, and it’s all so fresh right from the ocean.

Facts -Largest city is St. John’s -Population is 533,800 -10th province admittance into Confederation Date March 31, 1949 -English speaking province -12thTime zone

I think that this province is a beautiful province and if you are going to tour eastern provinces do not miss out on this one, there is too much to do and see all in a week so I you can give your self a couple of weeks .

Windsor Castle is assumed to be the biggest inhabited castles on the globe and the eldest in continuous occupation (over nine hundred years). It’s one of the Queen’s three certified homes, and is tine & time again beloved to be the Queens much beloved home. The Royal Standard soars above the Round Tower of Windsor Castle on every occasion Queen Elizabeth is at the residence - yet, at other periods, the Union Jack banner flutters instead.

Samuel Pepys remarked Windsor Castle to be “the most passionate castle on the planet.” That was believed in sixteen sixty six and the same is true even now.

Windsor Castle Moving History:

The beginning of Windsor lies in the early seventh century Saxon village of Windlesora, where the modern day community of Old Windsor is sited. The settlement of Windsor is rightly branded as the “New Windsor” - the phrase “new” being taken in a relative sense!

Windsor Castle assembled by the eminent William the Conqueror, as a result of his hit of England in ten sixty six. The original structure was constructed from timber with earth walls. The Castle held an understandable strategic position on a tall mound above the River Thames, and was part of a collection of strongholds surrounding London, with the Tower of London, one day’s walk away, at its hub. For a special family day out, visit Windsor Castle UK today.

The Castle was then later redesigned in rock, & increased in worth over the subsequent years. In recent times Henry II erected the Round Tower and the original stone outer wall. After the English Civil War, the Castle’s chief function became that of a royal palace. The Castle has stayed significantly unbothered from the start of the 19th century, apart from the refurbishment effort that followed the terrible fire in 1992.

Andrew Brash returned this week from Nepal after successfully climbing to the summit of Chomolungma. Andrew Brash and four climbing guides reached the 29,035-foot (8,850-meters) summit of the world’s highest mountain early Sunday, said Ramesh Chretri, an official with Nepal’s ministry of tourism. With the Chinese preparing for the impending summer Olympic Games, Min Bahadur Sherchan noted that the government’s actions hardly reflected the Olympic spirit. Bahadur Sherchan last attempt resulted in the rescue of Lincoln Hall, an Australian climber who was left by his team in the “death zone.”

Now that Min Bahadur Sherchan has successfully scaled the tallest mountain in the world, he is once again ready to focus on his family. Therefore, he was all too aware of the potential dangers the mountain could bring. Certain parts of the climb are more dangerous than others and it is important for climbers to remain focused “The Chinese weren’t allowing anybody on the mountain. They ended up commandeering it for themselves, even though the mountain is shared by two countries. They basically coerced the Nepali government to not allow any climbers past camp two on the Nepali side. As he planned for the climb, Sherchan told reporters he wanted to inspire fellow senior citizens. He also said many Nepalese have established records on Mt Everest, so it was only fitting that the record for the oldest climber to reach the summit should also belong to a Nepali. Hall was frostbitten and severely disoriented due to altitude sickness. Bahadur Sherchan returned a hero to Calgarians. Sherchan just 24 days away from his 77th birthday beat the age record set last year by 71-year-old Japanese teacher Katsusuke Yanagisawa.

They flexed their muscles this year all the in name of the Olympic spirit, but it was hardly spirited at all.”

He was reported in good health as he began making his descent. His first found him within 226 metres of the peak when his team stopped to help a fellow mountaineer who was left for dead. One year later, Andrew Brash, a University of Calgary alumni, returned to Everest to finish what he had started.

This season mountaineer Anthony Loeff is reporting the scales for the Mount Everest after he reached the top of Mont Blanc earlier this year.

The 75-year-old man from Nepal is now the oldest person to have reached the top of Chomolungma or Mount Everest. Nevertheless, the decision to actualize a long-time personal goal left Andrew Brash with some internal uncertainties, he cited the political actions of China and Nepal as providing the greatest adversity he faced on his journey. More than 3219 people have climbed to the summit since it was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary, who died in January, and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay.

“Mount Everest this year became a political pawn,” he said with some frustration.

The Chinese were flying their airplanes over the mountain and had Chinese officials in Kathmandu.

Here you are! You waited with great anticipation for this moment - Holidays are here!
There it is - your motorhome. Fully equipped, beds are made, a breakfast basket on the little table by the window, the tank is full and you are ready to go.

You probably have some questions when you handle a large vehicle for the first time. The change from driving a car to “piloting” a Motorhome requires some special attention and concentration. Always obey rules and regulation and use common sense.

The Motorhome is longer, larger, higher and heavier than cars you are used to driving but they are easy to handle. After the first km’s of driving you will find that they respond beautifully and are fun to drive. So don’t worry!

Please read the motorhome’s instructions carefully before you get behind the wheel. You will avoid mistakes and your travel through our beautiful country will be pleasant and trouble free.

Many of the hazards encountered on the road result from incorrect loading of an otherwise safe Motorhome. Overloading is the most common cause of accidents. A slight over load or poor weight distribution can seriously restrict steering and braking. It can also result in sudden blowouts an breakdowns. You can help control this situation.

To minimize swing and wobble keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low. Store heavy items low, forward and between the axles: lightweight items high. Try to balance the load between the vehicle’s two sides. Make sure everything is in place and easy to get at when needed. Secure all cargo inside and outside the vehicle or it will shift. Always leave room for the usual ground gear: leveling plank, wedges, water hose, jack and tools.

Avoid carrying spare gasoline; if you must, carry it in the storage container possible, tape the lid shut to prevent spillage and protect it with a shield.

While you are at the gas station check your motor oil, automatic transmission oil, radiator water, battery water and tire pressure. Heat in the desert can affect the tire pressure, over or under pressure can cause problems in steering your Motorhome.

Check your travel route every morning before you start. Plan for a camping place for the night for rest stops and dump stations. Also consider gasoline stops, especially if you travel in the desert.

Reserving a campsite in advance can save a lot of frustration later, especially during high season. When traveling without reservation, the earlier in the day you stop, the better are your chances to get to a good campground.

When driving into the campsite, especially at night, scout around the area of you on foot. A large log, a hydrant or other obstacles can punch through the paneling, tearing pipes or wiring and causing costly repairs.

Make sure you park level at the campsite. A board under one wheel or under one side might be all you need to do this. Check for rocks and jagged outcrops near the entry door. Avoid loose wires or hoses around the Motorhome. Check fuel lines and all connections before you use your appliances. Use a soap and water solution to detect leaks, NOT a match!

Should there be a leak somewhere, (it can happen because your Motorhome is constantly in motion) be sure to air the entire unit thoroughly, before using any matches or open flame. Your Motorhome is equipped with a fire extinguisher. Use it if needed. Dirt and baking soda are also great and effective agents to fight a fire. Do not use water! It can be very dangerous. Water on a gas or oil fire results in a bigger fire. Water on an electric fire can result in death or injury.

When you leave the camping place, it is a good idea to check your packing list for all items. It also helps to check the members of your travel party. You’d be amazed, how many travelers forget wives and kids. Disconnect all wires and pipes, shut off appliances (except the refrigerator). Drive the Motorhome off the boards or other supports and stow away. O around the Motorhome campsite for any articles left there. Always allow a little more time than you think you will need, to get started. Check your planned route and rest stops.

Written by Birgit Jurock (birgit@jurock.ws) for Happy Holidays Motorhome Canada at http://www.canadamotorhome.ws

Birgit Jurock lives in Roberts Creek on the
Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, you may reach her at birgit@jurock.ws.

Mexico is the land of fiestas. What this word means exactly is celebration but also to indicate a party or holiday. Mexicans will have a party or celebration for any or no reason at all.

I asked my wife, who had just finished a feature article on Mexican fiestas, exactly how many fiestas Mexico has. Her response: “Only God knows.”

When I tried looking into this, I found she was right. There are so many fiestas that I found it difficult to get any accurate list of all of them.

Here’s the deal: Although there is an official list of national fiestas, each little town, and even the neighborhoods in those little towns, have traditional fiestas that they celebrate. Sometimes they make up new ones as they go along! You never know and you cannot possible keep track of all of them. It is dizzying to say the least.

Try going to www.google.com and type in “Mexican fiestas” and then get ready for your eyes to bug out of your head. I got 67,800 hits for this search term. Yahoo will give you 134,000 hits. How do they do it? How do they find the time to celebrate them all and just who keeps track of all of themapparently, someone does!

For an example, here is what is on San Miguel de Allende’s calendar of fiestas:

January - Six holidays

February - Five holidays with one of them lasting 3 days.

March - Seven holidays

April - Nine holidays with two of them lasting 5 to 6 days.

May - Eleven holidays!

June - Nine holidays with one of them lasting 2 days.

July - Five holidays with two of them lasting 5 to 7 days.

August - A slow month with only two but one lasts 15 days!

September - Eight holidays

October - Six holidays

November - Four holidays

December - Four holidays with the Posada lasting 7 days

The mother of all fiestas occurs in our town of Guanajuato during October. It is the Festival Internacional Cervantino. This is an international celebration of the arts (some locals call it the celebration of the booze!) which lasts a whopping three (count them!) weeks! Can you imagine partying for an entire 21 days?

What I want to know is how does anyone find the time to do anything else but attend these fiestas?

What makes my head spin is that this isn’t all the fiestas. Each little town and even barrio (neighborhood) can and does have its own unique fiestas which it also celebrates with all the trimmings. You can walk through a particular neighborhood and see people setting up colorful flags and banners, tables for loads of food, and hauling in whatever they will need for the night’s festivities. Once you hear the fireworks going off then you know the party has begun.

The Spanish government, sometime in the 18th century, alleged that San Miguel de Allende was having “too many” fiestas. Now, what they meant by that is anyone’s guess and how it was suppose to be affecting the city badly I simply do not know.
Nevertheless, in usual Mexican fashion (the Spaniards should have seen this as a sign of things to come), a protest was organized and lodged, and the Spaniards repealed the allegation.
The point is that Mexicans love their fiestas and no one had better mess with them!

One of the most mysterious fiestas of which most gringos know little is The Day of the Dead. This is celebrated November 1 & 2 and is not a morbid remembrance but rather a festive celebration. It is pre-Spanish and has roots all the way back to the Aztecs.

I’ve been to some of these fiestas and all I can say, in agreement with the words of George Carlin, American comedian,

“One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.”

Expatriates Doug and Cindi Bower have successfully expatriated to Mexico, learning through trial and error how to do it from the conception of the initial idea to driving up to their new home in another country. Now the potential expatriate can benefit from their more than three years of pre-expat research to their more than two years of actually living in Mexico. The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico answers the potential expatriate’s questions by leading them through the process from the beginning to the end. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn not only how-to expatriate but will learn what to expect, in daily life, before coming to Mexico.
BUY BOOK HERE: http://www.universal-publishers.com/book.php?method=ISBN&book=1581124570

For decades, Japanese glass floats were a big find on Oregon’s coastline, having drifted thousands of miles after fishing boats lost these smooth, crystalline balls, used to keep their nets afloat. It was a tradition among coastal visitors to scour the beaches for them, and many locals still adorn their cabins or porches with them. They practically disappeared in the 80’s, and are extremely rare finds these days.

Now, a new glass float tradition is rising on the coast, with a few artisan glass ball blowing shops showing up in the last couple of decades and creating beautiful, ingenious works of art. They come in a myriad of colors and unique designs, and are now considered one of the more treasured finds on the coast - even if you can just buy them.

However, Newport - on Oregon’s Central Coast - is giving visitors a chance to win these valuable catches throughout the winter. No beachcombing in stormy weather is required to find one of these 200 luminous beauties, which are considered collectables. Each is engraved with “2006,” created by the highly acclaimed Schmitz family of Pyromania Glass Studios in Newport, Lincoln City and Depoe Bay.

Until January 31, 2006, several will be given away each week by various businesses around Newport. Visit one of the shops listed on www.newportchamber.org, or on a map provided by the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. Fill out an entry form, return it to the float display at one of the businesses on the list, and wait for the weekly drawing there (which will arrive by mail).

Call 800-262-7844 for more information.

The promotion is part of Newport’s “value season,” which features numerous lodging specials throughout this adorable town with two lighthouses.

Here, you’ll find the ancient Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, only used for three years back in the 1880’s and open for tours. Then there’s the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, sitting atop a majestic basalt headland, towering into the sky and blinking its signature flash still to this day.

Other family attractions include the awe-inspiring Oregon Coast Aquarium (including its 360-degree view of the ocean from inside a glass-like tunnel), and the famed Hatfield Marine Science Center with its cutting-edge scientific research and displays for all ages.

There’s a legendary wine bar in the charming Nye Beach District called Blu Cork, regular wine tasting at Nye Beach Gallery, a heavily supported art scene, and the streets of that neighborhood are made up to look somewhere between America at the turn of the century and Old Europe. The district is becoming famous for its many fine cuisine choices, such as the stellar, Mediterranean-themed fine dining at April’s at Nye Beach, the unique pizzas at Panini Bakery, and the family-style gourmet of Caf© Stephanie. Or shop until you drop at a dozen distinctive sellers of various interesting ideas for yourself or for gifts, such as the kid’s clothing at Bambini at Nye Beach, surprises at Illingworth’s Gifts or the global fare at Jovi.

There are dozens of places around Newport that are part of the Glass Treasures Promotion, but in Nye Beach you can find them at April’s and at the Viking Cottages & Condos.

In the meantime, you’ll want to explore the pristine beaches of Newport - most of which are up against Nye Beach. You may still run across a real Japanese glass float that has been wandering the oceans for decades.

For more on Nye Beach, see www.nyebeach.org. For a detailed virtual tour of Newport and Nye Beach, see www.beachconnection.net/vtour_newport.htm

Halloween - so starts the Holiday Season. The average American gains 7-12 pounds between Halloween and New Year’s . The next series of articles will help you ensure that you won’t be among them. First, Halloween. As Halloween rears it’s head, so does the plethora of wonderful smelling chocolates and other treats that tempt us as we walk through the aisles of our favorite stores. I will cover some tips, tricks and nutrition information for many of the popular candies to help you make the best choices . The moral is - if you can count it and limit it to a single serving , you can work it into your food plan and enjoy the Holiday festivities without sacrificing your fitness goals.

1. Keep your goals firmly planted in your mind. We all get “caught up” from time to time. While in “the moment”, it is quite easy to lose sight of your ultimate vision and why you began your fitness or nutrition program in the first place. I always spend time, prior to the beginning of the Holiday season, reinforcing our client’s “Why’s”. How will your life be better when you are living at your goal weight? What will you be wearing? How will you be feeling? Where will you feel more confident or energetic? How will your weight loss benefit your family? How are you feeling in your current condition? Why the heck do you want to lose this weight anyway? I suggest that people make a “why card” and keep it visible for those times when the going gets tough. You can also pick out a favorite outfit which no longer fits , find a picture of an outfit that you would love to be able to wear, find a picture of yourself or someone else that represents your goal or find a “before” picture that represents something that you never want to go back to. Keep them handy for a constant reminder of why you do want to make the choices that will lead you to your goal .

2. Keep an eye on serving sizes and portions - Any food (even not so healthy ones) can be worked into your food plan, it’s just a matter of awareness and balance. Many people label foods “good” or bad. In reality, it is all about portions and serving sizes.

3. Make a plan - If you are like most people, you grab a “treat” or two every time you walk past the bowl. This can add up to hundreds of calories before you know it. Plan ahead and count a few treats into your food plan ahead of time. Count them out in advance and place them in a separate bowl or dish. This will keep you from feeling “deprived” and still allow you to stay on track towards your goals.

4. Avoid the “All or nothing” mentality. Let’s face it, no one’s perfect. Chances are, there will be a time or two when you go overboard. Don’t let this lead into an “I already blew it” binge that lasts until January 1st. No one or two days is going to make or break your fat loss efforts. The key is to get right back on track the next day and consider adding some extra cardio in to work off the extra calories.

5. What is in YOUR candy bowl ? This can make a significant difference in how you manage your weight throughout the Holiday. Be aware, however, that “healthier” does not necessarily mean “fewer calories” , that “low fat” does not mean that you can eat twice as much, and that “lo carb” usually means more calories.

6. Choose candy you don’t like: You will be less apt to eat out of habit and “take a piece or two” if you are not surrounded by your favorites

7. Choose alternatives to candy: Give out dried fruits, nuts, raisins, cheese and cracker packets, pretzels, popcorn , or fruit roll-ups for a more healthful “treats”

8. Choose low-calorie treats: Things like Licorice, popcorn, gummy bears, mints and marshmallows are all lower calorie alternatives

9. Choose small portions: Buy fun-sized chocolates instead of their full sized counterparts. Don’t forget to count out in advance your allotted servings for the day.

10. Choose non-food alternatives: You can still enjoy the holiday festivities and keep the trick or treaters happy. Many stores and holiday shops carry a multitude of Halloween miniature toys, cars, glow-in-the-dark necklaces and other fun little goodies.

11. Be informed and prepared: Many people see the holidays as a time where nutrition labels don’t matter because all “treats” are bad. During this time of year it is even more important to look at and compare nutrition labels and to be aware of SERVING SIZES. This will allow you to enjoy the holidays without sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Here is some nutrition information for you to consider. Nutrition information may vary from company to company and may vary from this list, please check your individual food labels.

FOOD                    SERVING SIZE      CAL   CARBS   FAT
Fun Sized StarBurst        1 pkg          40      8      1
Marshmallows                c            45     12      0
Fruit rollups              1 roll         50     12      0
Junior Mints               1 sml box      55     12      1
Raisins                    2 tsp          60     14      0
Fun Sized 3 Musketeers     1 bar          70     12     2.5
Fun Sized Milky Way        1 bar          90     14     3.5
Hershey's Kisses           4              100    12      6
Fun Sized Butter Finger    1 bar          100    15      4
Fun Sized Kit Kat          1 bar          100    12      5
Pretzels                   22 pieces      110    22      2
Dried Apricots              c            130    30      0
Fun Sized baby Ruth        1 bar          130    17      7
Goldfish                   55 pieces      150    25      5
Nuts                        c            160    6       15
Cheese & Crackers          1 Pkg          220    44      5
M & M's                    1 sml bag      220    50      5

About The Author

Article written by Dianne Villano, President of Custom Bodies Personal Training and Weight Loss Programs. Dianne is a personal fitness instructor certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine with over 16 years of experience who specializes in weight loss programs and programs for beginners. For more articles or free fitness tools visit www.custombodiestampabay.com.

Overflowing with history, art and culture, Florence is a city that’s very hard to do justice to in a single day. A visit to the Uffizi museum alone could easily eat a day or two into any itinerary.

If you’re fortunate enough to visit Florence for the first time, but unfortunate enough to have only a single day to savour the delights of this city, you will need to ensure that you have a plan.

So allow me be your guide for the day and take you on a whistle stop tour of the sights and sounds of Florence. I can’t promise you the Uffizi in a day, but hopefully at the end of the tour you’ll feel like you’ve seen the best of the city. Your only problem will be deciding when to come back for more!

The first thing you’ll need before you start your tour is a map of the city. The centre of Florence is pretty compact, so the best way to see it, without missing a thing is by foot. If you don’t have a map or a guidebook and you’re not the type that enjoys aimless wandering, make your first stop of the day one of the tourist offices where you can pick up a free map of Florence.

Starting off in the main Piazza, you’ll easily spot the famous Duomo, with its magnificent terracotta coloured cupola. If you are there early enough to avoid the crowds and feel you can face the 463 steps I’d recommend starting your tour by climbing up into dome for a spectacular view of the city. The Duomo is probably the most distinctive feature of Florence’s skyline and is the result of years of work spanning six centuries.

Once you’ve taken in the view, catch your breath with a leisurely stroll around the streets surrounding the Duomo, and then take a walk to the nearby Piazza della Signoria. Here you’ll find a unique outdoor gallery of sculptures, including Neptune’s Fountain and a copy of the famous Statue of David. You’ll also find the Palazzo Vecchio (the Old Palace) here. This was built in the early 14th century and is still used today for its original purpose, as a Town Hall.

Just beside the Palazzo you’ll find the Uffizi museum, with its unrivalled collection of Renaissance art. If you’re an art lover, you don’t want to miss the Uffizi, but it’s not something that can be easily covered in a short 2-hour visit!

Alongside the Uffizi you’ll find the River Arno, with its many bridges. If you take a right turn you’ll arrive at the Ponte Vecchio, the famed bridge that houses a multitude of goldsmiths and jewellery shops, with its medieval workshops overhanging the bridge. The bridge itself was built in 1345 and is the only bridge on the Arno that wasn’t destroyed in World War II.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll arrive in the area called Oltrano, which literally means “Over the Arno”. Here you’ll find the Palazzo Pitti - a large 16th century palace. The palace was originally home to the Medici family who ruled Florence almost continuously between 1434 and 1743 and it now houses several important museums and galleries.

You may want to finish your day by taking a relaxing stroll in the Boboli gardens, which can be accessed through the Palazzo Pitti. These gardens were laid out in 1550 for the Medici a year after they bought the Palazzo Pitti and were opened to the public in 1766. Many parts of the gardens give stunning vistas over Florence and make a welcome retreat after a day of walking round the city.

If you have the time, it’s worth returning to view the Ponte Vecchio at sunset, followed by a walk along the bridge after dusk, when the lights on the bridge reflect on the River Arno and everything seems almost magical.

Finally, don’t forget to take a break from your sightseeing - stop for lunch or a drink in a pavement caf©, take some time to soak up the atmosphere and do a spot of people watching.

Suzanne Morrison is a keen independent traveller and considers Florence one of her favourite European cities. To find out more about Florence, visit her website www.PlacesToVisitInFlorenceItaly.com
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The state of New Jersey is often the butt of jokes, but in reality this area has much to be proud of. For travelers we have the best airport, and Newark Airport parking is about one hundred times easier than parking at one of the airports located in Queens too. The Sopranos are obviously fictional characters, but if they were real you can bet they’d never book a flight out of anything other than the Newark Airport. You can reach anywhere in the world in no more than 2 or 3 hops at most from good old EWR, and airfares are often cheaper from Newark as well. When you want to leave your Cadillac Escalade here you’ll find plenty of cheap lots that are ready for you.

Only a few times a year do these lots fill up, but when they do you’ll be glad you decided in advance to reserve a space. Several of these places offer this luxury now, but it’s actually the same price as normal drive-up service. The benefit is that instead of coming to Newark Airport and then going from one lot to another looking for one with open spaces or at least a short line out front, all you have to do is pull up, show them your confirmation sheet, and then toss them the keys before boarding the shuttle bus to the terminal. It’s totally worth it even if you aren’t sure the places will be busy or not.