Showcasing Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

At a recent training summit for a large nonprofit organization, I heard several directors lamenting the lack of respect their significant volunteer positions received in the working world. I was flabbergasted to realize that these women did not feel valued for their contributions to others, which included managing hundreds of thousands of dollars and writing lengthy manuals on subjects from communication skills to regional operations.

Every day, millions of people do important work for which they are not compensated. This work can be as complex as medical missions to undeveloped countries or as simple as tutoring the child down the street. If you are one of the many people who give of their time without financial reward, it is important that you include your accomplishments on your resume.

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Perhaps you publish your weekly church bulletin with everyone's announcements. This means you have some writing and layout abilities, as well as numerous work samples. Maybe you're the treasurer of your neighborhood home owners' association. If you collect 0 in yearly dues from each of your 300 neighbors, then you manage a budget of ,000-something many people in the corporate world will never do.

As a class mother at your child's school, it may be your job to coordinate an out-of-state field trip for three classrooms of students and 10 chaperones. On your resume, this task would translate to event planning and travel coordination. Many alumni associations offer graduates the opportunity to share their expertise with current students who need assistance with career planning. These types of mentoring activities involve public speaking and interviewing-so-called "soft skills" that are valued by many employers, particularly in sales.

In addition to volunteer activities, many people's hobbies demand skills that are sought by employers. Organizing a group on meetup.com requires knowledge of social networking and event planning. A personal blog can demonstrate your writing abilities, (provided the content is appropriate for the eyes of a potential employer). Maintaining the Facebook page for your local running club exhibits your ability to connect people through social media. Given that less than a quarter of Facebook users are over 35, an older hiring manager may be looking for someone who understands the "foreign world" of Internet communications.

Most people who volunteer do so by using abilities that come naturally to them. Almost all volunteer responsibilities require some kind of skill that an employer could use. Don't be afraid to incorporate unpaid experience into your work history. College interns do it all the time! A close friend familiar with your activities can often help you reflect on your contributions to the community. If you're feeling particularly uncertain about how to showcase volunteer experience on your resume, a professional resume writer can assist you with marketing your skills-all of them!

Showcasing Volunteer Experience on Your Resume

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A Few of My Bermuda Notes

A vacation involving some "island time" was long overdue, as it had been over 25 since my last visit to Bermuda, and my husband had never been to this beautiful little island. Bermuda is one of the most cosmopolitan of all the Atlantic Caribbean islands. This tiny island has a former British influence, an international banking presence and a well established community. Bermuda can be reached by plane in just 3 hours, from New York City, and is easily accessible from the much of the Eastern US seaboard. With the allure of easy access, a comfortable western perspective and reliable tourist-based industry, the island is a fantastic vacation spot. Given Bermuda's exclusive tourist client-base, and the lack of arable land, the island is expensive.

The restaurant food is undeniably geared to a tourist crowd and priced accordingly. There are of course some local spots including, an almost hidden gem Harry's that we found one evening. Harry's restaurant can be found in an office complex by the Hamilton marina. This restaurant has a pleasant patio on a quiet cul-de-sac at the end of the marina. It also has an extensive bar menu (food and drink), I would recommend the salt and pepper shrimp and the tuna carpaccio. There is no possibility of leaving hungry or thirsty from this place. We also understand that Friday afternoons this place is buzzing during happy hour.

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Other than the meal at Harry's, we had mixed dining experiences in Bermuda. Coconuts in The Reefs Hotel had received several reviews from a disparate group of people so it sounded like a place we must try. The restaurant location is at the water's edge, where you can dine on the patio overlooking the surf or at a table on the sandy beach. However, the indicator should have been the prix-fix dinner. The food was disappointing and unequivocally created for a tourist crowd. We would recommend going for a cocktail and check out the view and the scenery but skip their package dinner. They do have another fantastic patio overlooking the ocean and the beach, at road level. This too would be a delightful spot for a drink.

On the last night, we tried The Waterlog Inn associated with the Southampton Princess. It is a classic steakhouse. The food and service were both extremely good. The restaurant was full, possibly with those people were also disappointed by Coconuts. My husband would recommend this restaurant based on the wine selection. However, I remain on the fence as the restaurant could be found in any large North American city. We did not try, although should have, the Dining Room at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. The lighthouse is on a hill, and the outdoor restaurant has the best views on the island. Please try it and let us know.

Coffee in Bermuda was disappointing. Hamilton has a few places that serve espresso including the Hamilton Princess coffee shop. The first place that we tried, was the coffee bar located inside Miles Market. The lattes were prepared by two baristas who were much more interested in talking on the phone than serving their customers. The next day we ventured a little further to the Common Ground, which can be found in an alleyway, just off Front Street. The Common Ground lattes were an improvement from the day before although a bit milky. We gave their food a decent rating. My husband had their breakfast sandwich a BLT with egg. It was made-to-order and nicely presented. The restaurant that gets the highest local ratings is Rock Island on Reid Street. On the Sunday morning, I ventured out to see if Rock Island was really the coffee spot. However, it was a failed mission absolutely nothing is open in Hamilton on Sunday mornings. Even the Juice and Java shop on Front Street only opens at 2pm. My unsuccessful coffee mission led me back to the aforementioned Hamilton Princess coffee shop, which had a line-up out the door of hotel guests and islanders who had just finished their road bike rides. Literally, this is the only coffee shop open in Hamilton on a Sunday and the coffee was terrible.

Despite disappointing food experiences, Bermuda offers a broad variety in tourist attractions and activities. The island is small and easily explored. The ferry and bus system work in tandem, with little effort one can reach either end of the island in about 60 minutes, from Hamilton. There are up to 4 bus options each way and several ferry options on weekdays. Do make a point of checking the museum and fort opening schedules before heading out to explore, as we discovered Fort St Catherine is only open on weekdays. We would recommend spending at least half a day at the Royal Naval Dockyard and exploring the Bermuda Maritime Museum and the Commissioner's House. However, be aware that the Royal Naval Dockyard is also the port for the cruise ships visiting the island so expect a significant number of tourist shops and associated inflated prices.

St George's located at the other end (east) of the island. This little town is a step back in time to the 19th century, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This tiny port still has cobbled streets and alleyways. There are a few attractive shops and restaurants. Make sure to visit Tobacco Bay and have a swim or a drink overlooking the ocean. One can reach St George's by boat on weekdays, or via any one of 4 buses every day of the week.

The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse can be found on the highest point on the island, constructed in 1844 and it is the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world. The hill stands at 245 feet high and the lighthouse itself measures 117 feet. A 1,000-watt bulb sits inside a lens revolving in a trough of 1,200 pounds of mercury. Ships can see the light beam 40 miles away and from a range of 120 miles by a plane flying at 10,000 feet. The views are worth the walk up to the top of the hill.

Golfers love Bermuda. There are numerous courses with varied terrain and price points. We were fortunate to play the Mid-Ocean Club and Port Royal courses. Mid-Ocean is a classic old course, with plenty of trouble along the way and certainly a challenging walk. At the time, of our visit the Port Royal course was undergoing a massive renovation for the Grand Slam. The Port Royal course does have a lot of sand, and it is not easy for the average golfer. We did visit, although did not play Tuckers Point, which is adjacent to Mid-Ocean. Tuckers Point offers fabulous grounds, tennis, semi-private beach and a beautiful golf course with remarkably similar terrain to Mid-Ocean.

The beaches in Bermuda are all beautiful, possibly even the island's best feature. The sand is a pink-white colour. We found that it is not too difficult to get away from the crowds and find a secluded place to swim. Bermuda is beautiful and worth a visit.

A Few of My Bermuda Notes

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Powerful Mission Statements - What? Why? How? - Part II

In Part I, (reference) we discussed the What, Why, How of powerful mission statements. In this second part, we are going to focus on how to construct a succinct, yet powerful mission statement.

I have personally tried lots of different ways of structuring a mission statement, and here is the most useful and easiest format - it actually requires 3 statements:

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- What?
- Why?
- How?

What do you stand for? Why is that important? How do you deliver upon it?

Good Examples

Examples are always useful, so lets take an example hotel - Hotel A

What? Ours, is the friendliest place to stay in the world

Why? Because too many hotels simply don't care enough

How? We treat every single customer, as a friend, come to stay for the night - we will go out of our way to make you welcome as well as comfortable.

Or in another hotel - Hotel B

What? A hassle-free stopover for those in a hurry

Why? Because you don't want a long check-in and you certainly don't want a slow check-out when it's time to leave

How? You won't have to queue when you arrive and we guarantee no queuing to checkout in the morning - whatever time you need to leave. We even offer our unique breakfast-to-go package.

I don't want to repeat the underpinning principles of What? or Why? from Part I, but let's just pause to compare these examples before trying to write our own. The point of these examples is that they are both good examples but both very different. As a customer, you would know which hotel suits you (or your current trip) and which one doesn't. Equally importantly, if you worked for either hotel, you would know how to act - whether to chit-chat at the check-in desk or to be quick and efficient. And ultimately, that's the main point - if you ran Hotel B - you wouldn't hire a receptionist who could talk the hind leg off a donkey!

Writing your own

In reality, there isn't much more to say, these examples pretty much say it all. But here is your action plan:
Write down in one short sentence what your business delivers - not the product but the benefit (note - there is no mention of hotel in either example). Test your sentence. Do you believe this? Would this attract you? Would this attract your best customers? Does it set you aside from your competitors? If the answer to any of these is no, go back to step 1. Why do you believe this first sentence sets you apart? What made you create a business like this? If you are struggling, try to define what is missing in your customer's life - why they need you to be different to everyone else. How do you intend to make this difference - typically not talking too much about the product - more about how you deliver it. Review it again and again over several days, but importantly keep each iteration. It is easy to simply start making it too long, or putting too many different things in, or just becoming too bland. Forget it for a day or two and then pick the best of the many iterations. If in doubt, pick the most extreme one! Then Love it and Live it. And make sure all your staff do too. One Last Example

For one final example, here is mine from ProspectSoft - a CRM and Web Solutions company:

What? - We will genuinely help you to grow your business

Why? - Because we know that far too many companies spend good money implementing unfocussed software projects that simply don't deliver any significant business benefit

How? - By making the effort to understand how you intend to grow your business and how our software could help implement this change, and then focussing 100% on making sure we jointly achieve that growth.

Do we live and love this mission statement? Yes we do - we aren't perfect and we could always do better, but we put real effort into focussing on how we can help customers grow their business - not in just trying to sell more software - because ultimately we know that if we help customers to grow their business (and our software is right for them) then they will buy more and more from us - it works this way round - the reverse would be doomed from the start.

Follow-up work

My final tip on mission statements - to kick start the Living and Loving - is to work it into your recruitment process (will this person help or hinder the delivery of our mission) and write your mission into the job description of each and every member of staff. For more on this, see my article on organisation charts and job descriptions.

Powerful Mission Statements - What? Why? How? - Part II

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Culture in South Africa

The Culture

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The Culture in South Africa is am major tourist attraction. "The Rainbow Nation" is absolutely a worthy name of a country with such a rich, diverse and colorful culture.

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The special thing about the culture in South Africa is that so many different cultures from all over the world come together in an African way, to build the unique South African culture.

Predominantly European cultures, south east, central and southwest Asian cultures mix together with African cultures and have composed altogether, the culture in SA of today's time.

The People

SA is a culturally diverse country, one nation made up of many peoples.

With 11 different official languages, a multiplicity of traditions and skin tones ranging from ebony to sunburnt pink, South Africa is, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu once put it, "the rainbow nation of Africa".

Over 47-million South African people share a wide variety of South African cultures, South African languages and South African religions.

South African tribes each have their own traditions and cultural heritage. Thank God these native South African traditions are giving expression, through the end of the apartheid.

They are colorful and friendly and serve as a great asset to the post apartheid awareness of SA.

The National Symbols

The South African National Symbols tell you a lot about it's culture. Thanks to the end of the apartheid these symbols have become more original, more truly African, washing away the "imported" heritage from Europe.

Many of the national symbols of SA are or have features from nature and wildlife. They range from Flowers, over animals, to gold. Yet the most popular symbol of SA is Nelson Mandela.

The Traditions

It says "Culture is what you grow, and tradition is what you pass on!"

South Africa's rich history dates back to some of the earliest human settlements in the world. Over 300 museums reflect the heritage of South African Traditions - from 18th century homes to mountain caves, from rural cultural villages to state-of-the-art urban facilities.

South Africans treasure their diverse cultural heritage - and they are only too happy to share it with visitors. South Africa's many cultural villages offer a close-up insight into the country's traditional cultures.

In the major centres, township tours - conducted with sensitivity and pride - will put you in touch with real South Africans, their history and their traditions.

The Languages

Besides the 11 officially recognized South African languages , many others - African, European, Asian and more - are spoken here, as the country lies at the crossroads of southern Africa. This most certainly profiles SA as a multilingual country.

The country's constitution guarantees equal status to 11 official languages to cater for the country's diverse peoples and their cultures.

Still English is understood across the country, as it is the language of business, politics and the media. But it only ranks joint fifth out of 11 as a home language.

Culture in South Africa

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Florence - A Portrait by Michael Levey

Having read Michael Levey's From Giotto to Cezanne and A History of Western Art, I approached Florence - A Portrait mental I knew what to expect. I did find the concentration to detail, the keen valuable assessment and aesthetics that I expected. I did not envisage the book would turn out also to be quite the stupendous work of scholarship and erudition that it is. Florence - A Portrait is much more than a history of art in the city state. It is practically a biography of the place, replete with historical, economic and political detail. What is missing, of course, is a picture of Florentine life from the point of view of the lowly citizen, but we cannot criticize Michael Levey for not together with what probably does not exist.

I visited Florence thirty years ago and have never returned. At the time, memories of Kenneth Clark's Civilisation were very clear in my mind and I focused on renaissance Florence, practically to the derision of the rest. Even after such time I found my memories of the architecture, paintings and sculptures were still fresh, however, when I read Michael Levey's descriptions. But his descriptions do more than merely list a proximity or critique a style. He offers context, valuable evaluation, origins and influences when he considers these - and any - works of art. He identifies flattery or criticism, idolatry or satire where an untutored eye would see only colours and shapes.

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The book is presented chronologically. It walks us through the early years of the renaissance and deals with the extent of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in wee detail. Then, as a more anonymous baroque era dawns, the account speeds up somewhat.

Michael Levey also makes crucial and leading points about the nature of Florentine government in this later era, an era that is so often dismissed as decadent when compared to the golden age that preceded it. The account is comprehensive, detailed and illuminating, but is written in a consuming style which is never dull. It's a book that would be more consuming after a visit than before and would not work as a guide book on grounds of size and weight! But it is a truly rewarding read.

It is excellent in its rehabilitation of the baroque era. Most visitors to Florence are there for the renaissance, and this later work is often dismissed as over-ornate, opulence for opulence sake, over-stated, crass bad taste. Michael Levey corrects this view by evaluating this later duration in the context of and as a amelioration of its precursor. While reading his account, I was curious to learn just how much those who commissioned works naturally wanted to make a grandiloquent statement about wealth and power. So Damien Hearst's skull is conceptually right within the tradition of Western art. Michael Level, incidentally, also pointed out that late medieval and early renaissance artists were often pressured into using greater quantities of gold leaf to endow as much value as possible to their work. There is, after all, very wee that's new under this sun.

Florence - A Portrait by Michael Levey

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5 Terrific Tips For Motorcycle Road Trips

When it is time to hit the road, a motorcycle road trip is the best means! There is the relief of leaving all of your cares and worries behind you-literally! There is the refreshing feeling of the wind whipping across your face and through your clothes. There is the perception that you are free as a bird, and free to travel wherever your heart and cycle take you. One of the keys to preparing for any motorcycle road trip is packing properly. Here are some tips to help make your trip more successful:

1. Check the weather forecast
Today, you can get your weather report from a variety of sources-the Internet, TV, radio, i-pod, etc. It does not particularly matter where you get your weather report, as long as you get one before hopping on your cycle. When taking a long road trip, it is extremely important for you first to get a weather report, as the weather can change drastically over a long distance.

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2. Pack and dress in layers
At first, it may seem logical to bring heavy coats for extremely cold temperatures. However, keep in mind that weather can fluctuate greatly, and you will experience it firsthand when exposed to the elements. You want to avoid freezing or frying while on your motorcycle road trip. It is better to pack and dress in layers. That way you can conveniently pull off and put on thin layers, in order to maximize your comfort.

3. Gear up
Helmets lower your risk of death when motorcycle riding, by nearly 30%! Always sport a full-face helmet whenever you take off on road trips. Such helmets include a shield to safeguard you from rain, snow, and blustery winds. Furthermore, they provide enough ventilation so can avoid getting a hothead. You may feel somewhat restricted by wearing a full-face helmet. However, remember to follow the rule of "safety first."

4. Bring enough but not too much
Your mission when packing up your motorcycle is more difficult than it seems. You want to bring enough supplies to ensure that you are comfortable and prepared for the trip. Consider the fact that inclement weather or a breakdown could occur in the middle of nowhere. On the other hand, you also want to avoid having excess bulkiness and weight, by leaving unnecessary items at home. Over-packing could result in slowing down your progress, or even making it more difficult to maneuver your motorcycle.

5. Load up your motorcycle properly
When using motorcycle saddle bags, make sure to follow some guidelines. Place heavier items along the bottom of the bags, and lighter bags on top. This will help to balance the weight. In addition, the sides of the bag should be as close as possible to the cycle sides.

Are you ready to hit the road on your motorcycle? Motorcycle road trips can create some of the best times of your life. Just follow some steps to ensure that your trip is as safe and comfortable as possible. Have a happy road trip!

5 Terrific Tips For Motorcycle Road Trips

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What is a house Readiness Group?

A house Readiness Group (formerly know as house reserve Group), is an organization of house members, volunteers, and soldiers belonging to a unit, that together provide data and aid to others in the group. According to DoD website, http://www.myarmylifetoo.com, “The house Readiness Group (Frg) is an officially command-sponsored organization of house members, volunteers, and Soldiers belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual reserve and assistance, and a network of communications among the house members, the chain of command, and community resources. Frgs help generate a climate of mutual reserve within the unit and community. Basic Frg goals include supporting the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and data to house members.”

That explains what the DoD classifies a Frg as, but what does that mean to you? A Frg is a group, normally made up of soldiers, spouses, and house members, which meet at definite times, to distribute information, to discuss reserve issues, to raise funds, and for friendship and community, surrounded by other reasons. It is a network that is formed because of its member’s affiliation with the unit it represents. The Army focused sharply on house readiness as a effect of lessons learned during the Gulf War. On 1 June 2000, the department of the Army renamed it house Readiness Group to emphasize the need for readiness and self-sufficiency among Army families in the modern Army.

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The Frg is:

• An data conduit.

• A welcoming organization.

• A self-help, referral organization.

• A source of collective reserve and group activities.

• A unit house dedicated to achieving collective and military goals.

Source: carrying out Ready Frg Handbook

Your role in a Frg depends on your relationship to the Army. If you are the house member or dependent, Unit Frgs are where you will gain data about the unit and military community. This is one of your “links” or contacts to the people in your Unit. If you are a Soldier, Frgs are there to provide house support, integrity of care, and bring up open and honest communication.

The idea behind prosperous Frgs, is to enable dependents to organize a more safe bet attitude toward themselves and their military lifestyle. A prosperous Frg should also help dependents gain a good comprehension of why deployments are necessary, and help them comprehend the Army’s mission to declare readiness. The goal is to bring up trust and care of the soldier’s house so that the soldier is ready and able to concentrate on the mission at hand, and have the emotional readiness to carry out that mission. Frgs are there to provide reserve of the soldiers’ house members so that the soldier has belief that a trustworthy reserve law is in place, should they not be available when their house needs them.

You may have some questions come up when faced with your first relationship with a Frg. Those questions include:

• Who can be a part of the Frg?

• Do I have to formally join?

• Do I have to participate?

• Why should I join?

• Are meetings mandatory?

• Are Frg’s open to all ranks?

• What kinds of activities does a Frg perform?

Who can be a part of the Frg?

Unit Frgs normally consist of all assigned and attached soldiers (married and single), their spouses, and children. However, modern day Frg’s can include boyfriends and girlfriends, fiancés, friends and relatives, retired service members, or even members of the community.

Do I have to formally join?

No, your membership is automatic.

Do I have to participate?

No, participation is voluntary.

Why should I join?

A Frg is a great source of data and support. It is your relationship to the Unit. To put it frankly, should anything ever happen to your house or your soldier, it is very helpful to you if Command knows how and where to reach you or your accident contact. It doesn’t hurt that they can put a name with a face, and they know who they are talking to either. In the end, you’ll thank yourself for being involved.

Sure, there are other reasons too. every person has skills to offer - from creating the phone tree, to fundraising, to typing newsletters. Help your Frg become a success by staying involved. The best way to make sure the Frg meets your needs is to let people know what you want. If you don’t like the way things are going, the power is in you to change it. A Frg relies on its members for direction, and it’s only as prosperous as you make it. You are the Frg. So go out and make a difference.

Are meetings mandatory?

No meetings are not mandatory, but right on encouraged. How else do you think you’re going to know what’s going on? Remember, it’s just as much your Frg leaders accountability to keep you informed as it is your accountability to fill in yourself. So take that into notice the next time you want to say “well, she never even called me.” Ask yourself, “Did I go to the meeting? Have I taken every opportunity to fill in myself of what is going on?” Then, if the talk is yes, call your Frg leader and make sure you are on the declaration list, and construe you were missed. There is an even easier way not to be missed, volunteer as a key-caller, and become an active participant in the declaration process.

Are Frg’s open to all ranks?

Frgs are open to personnel of all ranks. Frgs are organized and directed by their own members.

What kinds of activities does a Frg perform?

Frg events and activities can include things from telephone trees, to open house for the Unit, house days, fundraisers, trips, fitness activities, holiday celebrations, a newsletter, workshops or classes, and even community projects. The possibilities are virtually endless, and it all depends on where your Frg decides to focus its energy.

Frg Resources:

[http://www.hooah4health.com/deployment/familymatters/Fsghandbook.htm] The Commander’s Frg Handbook

http://www.myarmylifetoo.com

http://www.militaryonesource.com

http://www.armyfrg.org

© 2006 Army Wife Talk Radio

Publishing Guidelines: Thank you for publishing this narrative in its entirety, along with the resource box. Please make all links clickable within the text. Please fill in me of publication by sending whether a website link or a copy of the syndication upon publication via email info@armywifetalkradio.com.

What is a house Readiness Group?

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Two Recommended Hospitals in Durban, South Africa

Durban is a major city in South Africa and the Durban Metropolitan Area is the biggest city on the African east coast. The city has about 3.5 million people and 2,292 square kilometers and is a major center of export-related industries, transportation, tourism, finance and administration ifor the country of South Africa. Durban has many good hospitals in both public and private sectors. The modern hospitals are operated by the country's major private health care companies and offer excellent medical care. This is a description of some of the leading hospitals in Durban.

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Netcare Parklands Hospital is situated at Hopelands Road in the city of Overport, and is a leading hospital which offers high quality health care service. South Africa's most reputed medical service provider, Netcare Limited manages this well equipped hospital. The surgery unit for this hospital has eight modern operating rooms and one ESWL theater with facilities for conducting various surgeries in different specialties including pediatric and ENT surgery. It has a a minor surgical ward with 16 beds and a major surgical ward with 36 beds. The modern emergency care division offers round the clock services. In addition, the center has a well-equipped baby clinic and a spacious pre-admission clinic. The hospital possesses a lot of sophisticated equipment including a PET / CT scan. The retail pharmacy is stocked with all types of drugs and medical aids. Warm accommodations are provided in an especially caring environment. Physiotherapy services are also offered in the center. Tel: 27 31 242 4000

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Life Entabeni Hospital is another modern health care facility in the city and is located at 148 South Ridge Road, Berea, Durban. This patient focused hospital is one among the 63 hospitals managed by Life Healthcare, one of South Africa's largest hospital groups in private sector. Like all other Life Healthcare hospitals, this center is also known for having all the latest facilities at unparalleled quality. The hospital has modern departments in all disciplines such as cardiology, internal medicine, dentistry, gastroenterology, neurology, pediatrics and more. Life Entabeni Hospital has an epilepsy unit with a 24 hour video EEG and a lung center for treating breathing problems. The radiology division is provided with a complete range of modern diagnostic equipment like a CT scanner, an MRI and radioisotope nuclear medicine facilities. Tel: 031 204 1300.

Two Recommended Hospitals in Durban, South Africa

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Earn Money Online in South Africa

There are many ways to make or loose money on the internet. There is no easier way to waste your money than to get online and buy some second hand get-rich-quick e-book or product. Well. I am not going to sell you any e-book or product, but I am going to give you honest straightforward advice. I am not promising that you will make six figure incomes instantly, but I can assure you that the following is very good advice if you want to make some money on the internet.

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Making Online Payments

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To do business online, you need a credit card. This is very important as the credit card is an international recognized way of guaranteeing that the seller will get paid for products and services delivered to you. If you are worried about using a credit card online, there are secure ways of shopping online. One way is to sign up for a free PayPal account. PayPal is an international recognized online payment system that is safe way for making and receiving online payments. At present South Africans cannot receive payments through PayPal due to governments regulations but it is still a safe way of making payments. PayPal acts as a financial intermediary, so that a third party will never have directl access to your credit card details.

Affiliate Marketing

One of the best ways to make money online is affiliate marketing. Through affiliate marketing you are paid for helping to market the products and services of other businesses. First you need to register with such a company. Then place affiliate text links or banners on your website. When people click on the links or banners you are paid in accordance with a predefined fee structure. There are numerous affiliate marketing programs available in South Africa, but it is best to sign up at an affiliate network. You are not limited to marketing of South African products only, since the beauty of the online business is that you can market international products too.

South Africa has very few big affiliate networks. The top three networks are: Trafficsynergy, OfferForge and EarningsOnline. At this stage OfferForge is the largest affiliate network in South Africa, but Trafficsynergy is fast catching up. Well known businesses like Outsurance, Liberty Life, Musica and many others make use of the services of affiliate networks. When you sign up for a affiliate network account and your application is approved, you can market the products and services of more than one businesses through one account.

There are additional benefits for using an affiliate network. You can use a single username and password to access your affiliate account and it is easier to access your statistics for all the campaigns you are promoting. Also, many well known businesses like Outsurance only offer membership to their affiliate programs through affiliate networks.

Another common way of making money online is to sign up for Google AdSense. Google will display ads that are relevant to the content of your website and when visitors click on any of the AdSense links you will be paid per click. Just paste the relevant code provided by Google onto your website. These links will be updated frequently without any further action from your side. Just beware that Google has a reputation of terminating your account if their algorithms find any suspicious activity on it, such as too many clicks coming from one particular IP address.

Auction Sites

A second way of making money online is to sell products and services through an auction site. Bidorbuy is the largest online auction site in South Africa. You can buy and sell almost anything at their site, even without a website. For security reasons, you will need a credit card to sign up.

Getting a Website

You will need a website for using Google AdSense. You can either design and maintain your own website or find a business to set it up for you for a fee that can vary from a few bucks to a few thousand bucks. Should you decide to do it yourself, you need to sign up for a hosting account at one of the many website hosting companies in South Africa and abroad, depending on the type of site you want. We recommend one of the following: Afrihost, IX Webhosting, Hostingmetro, or ImHosted.com.

Next, get yourself software to create and publish web pages. There are many programs that can do this, but Microsoft's FrontPage program is better if you are new to the trade. Some web hosting companies also offer an easy to use website builder that is template driven and does not require any knowledge of webdesign.

Getting a Domain name

Each website needs a name, referred to as the domain name. Most international domains are ending in dotcom (.com) while South African names typically end in dotcoza (.co.za). Choosing the right domain name is vitally important.

Getting help

There are many other considerations to take into account when starting a new website in terms of content, search engine optimization (SEO) and submission of your new website.

Earn Money Online in South Africa

AFRICA

Private Charter Jets

Flying on a airplane can be a pain. Long lines to get on, small seats, kids yelling and crying. Let's not forget how you always manage to get seated next to the passenger who will never stop talking. Sometimes it's not worth it. There is a way though to get to your destination without having to deal with all of that. You can chart a private jet to take you there.

Private jet charter services have one mission and one mission only and that is serve you. They work hard to ensure that you have a flawless, comfortable, luxurious and safe travel. When you charter a jet you can expect only the best service and the best atmosphere. You will no longer have to worry about long lines to get on the plane, or chatty passengers or even crying babies. You can fly and actually enjoy the flight and the view from above that you may see. You can work in quiet or just sit back and relax depending on how long the flight is.

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You can also be sure that you will be safe. Before serving you, jet services priority is to make sure you are kept safe. They keep their aircrafts in tip top shape and they keep all of their aircraft in compliance with Part 135. This is the operating standards at which aircraft safety, regulations, pilot licensure and maintenance are ensured. They have each and every one of their aircraft inspected by Qstar, ARG/US and Wyvern. These three are independent outside auditors whose job is to inspect these aircrafts.

They are also very convenient for you, by flying out from airports in nearly every state. They can also help you find nearby hotel information and airport maps.

You might be thinking that chartering a private jet to fly on your business trip or even your vacation might cost you a arm and a leg, but this isn't the case when it comes to some jet charter services. There are times when a flight is booked for a client and it is only one way. The plane still does need to return to its home base. Usually on the return flight they fly empty. These flights are usually called empty legs or Dead head. Due to the fact that the planes still have to fly and they could be losing money on these trips back, they offer empty legs at a deep discounted price. Taking advantage of these empty legs flights could be provide you with a memorable flying experience at half the cost of a normal charter flight.

Private jet service companies can also help you sell your aircraft if you have one, and also buy an aircraft. Buying a plane can be one of the biggest investments you can make. It is essential that you have a expert walking you through this. This expert needs to be involved in negotiations, inspections, contracts and tax issues. They will provide you with this expert and can point you in the right direction. The same thing goes for when you sell a aircraft.

Thanks to this private jet service, you no longer have to deal with the nightmares of flying on a commercial jet. You can now fly in comfort and in style at a affordable price.

Private Charter Jets

MISSIONS TRIPS

secret Treasure in Florida - Eight Places to quest

Florida has been known for Spanish shipwrecks off its coast. Stories of pirates and incommunicable treasures are well documented in this State. However, Florida treasures are not just pirate booty. Below are eight areas to search for various treasures in Florida

Amelia Island is placed in St. Mary's River. Spanish plantations were erected on the island, and Spanish coins have been placed on the beaches.

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Dade Battlefield is placed on State rte 476, west of U.S. 301 near Bunnell. In 1835, Seminole Indians massacred Federal soldiers here. It has been reported that the soldiers buried their payroll before the attack. No evidence of the treasure has been reported.

Crystal River State Park is placed two miles west of Crystal River on U.S. 19. Sometime in the middle of 400 Bc and 1200 Ad Indians established this site. The park is off limits to treasure hunters. However, divers have recovered numerous artifacts in the river.

Fort Caroline is placed ten miles East of Jacksonville. Although now gone, the French Huguenots built this site in the 1500's. The Spaniards attacked and killed the inhabitants shortly after the fort was erected. If the site can be placed there may be relics from that era.

Indian Key is placed a few hundred yards from the west end of Upper Matacumbe Key. The Calusa and Matacumbe Indians, as well as the Spaniards used this site. Many shipwrecks that date back to the 1600's are known to be in the waters off Indian Key. For years, treasure hunters have found gold and silver coins, as well as old bottles in this area.

St. George Island is placed in the St. Johns River near Jacksonville. The Spaniards built a fort and a Mission here. Indians raided both places a amount of times. Silver and gold coins have been found on local beaches.

The Florida Keys area has been known as the most effective treasure-hunting site in the northern hemisphere. For centuries, the Spaniards moved their goods along the Florida Keys in the middle of Spain and Mexico. Many times their ships were lost at sea due to violent storms.
To this day, silver, Spanish coins, and gold coins, as well as pieces of gold and silver jewelry, from these wrecks, wash up on the beaches of islands and the coastline of Florida.

The Florida Everglades has many tales of incommunicable treasures. Stories of confederate soldiers and pirates burying treasures have been told for years. One supreme treasure story of this area is the one about Billy Bowlegs. Bowlegs was a very bad pirate who many called a "cutthroat." Apparently, Billy Bowlegs buried treasures near Franklin, Fort San Carlos, and at Santa Rosa Island.

It is prominent that you all the time ask for permission when entering incommunicable property. If you are going on to State or Federal Land, in search for lost treasure, be sure to check with your State laws about any digging.

The link below will provide you with more data with regard to Sate Laws.

Good luck in your search for incommunicable treasure.

secret Treasure in Florida - Eight Places to quest

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

South Africa - Game Parks and Wildlife

You can't go to South Africa without making at least one expedition to a major game reserve. This country has some of the best wildlife viewing on the African continent. Moreover, its tourist commerce has industrialized an exquisite infrastructure that makes a wildlife safari easy, comfortable, and commonly affordable for most visitors. The leading wildlife parks are very well organized. They have well surfaced roads, exquisite accommodations, and wonderful facilities for viewing animals. For visitors who want it, the wildlife viewing excursion can be much more independent than it is in other countries. Visitors can self-drive on the widespread road networks in destinations such as Kruger National Park. Nonetheless, a guided tour is advisable, because a park ranger can direct you to the best places to see wildlife, and is a wealth of facts about the animals and the flora.

Now You See Me, Now You Don't

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

Some wild animals don't like to have humans watching them; others couldn't care less, as long as the humans don't get too close. Many aren't even trying to hide, when it appears that they are, they're just simply camouflaged. A park ranger will be invaluable in helping you see animals you might otherwise miss. The best times of day for spotting animals in their natural habitat are early morning and late afternoon. The best time of year is winter, which is July to September in South Africa. That is when dry weather troops animals to congregate nearby water holes and vegetation is less dense, making the animals more visible. The chances of seeing mating displays and baby animals are great in the spring and summer, but lush greenery can obscure photo opportunities. However, don't unnecessarily disturb animals just to get a good picture.

What Are the Big Five?

The term "Big Five" was coined in the days when expert big game hunters were looked upon as celebrities, as renowned as star athletes are today. These "sportsmen" went to South Africa to bag the biggest and most exotic animals to add to their trophy collections. The Big Five were elephant, lion, rhino, Cape buffalo and leopard.

A separate Kind of Shooting

Big game hunting is still a big firm in South Africa, but many of the animals once hunted for sport are now on the endangered species list and are protected. More citizen now do their shooting with cameras. For these animal lovers, the Big Five has been extensive to the Big Nine, with the addition to the list of hippo, giraffe, cheetah and zebra. Even amateur photographers have a good chance of getting great shots of these beautiful animals.

Field Guide

The park rangers say, "The animals are where you find them." But it helps if you know where to look. Giraffes like to browse nearby tall trees, rhinos prefer dry brush and scrub. The cheetah is an open plains hunter; forest cramps its speedy style. Leopards hunt in both forest and Savannah at night, but in the daytime they can be seen resting in trees, often guarding a kill. Lions are also night hunters, and can often be seen lazing in the shade while the daytime. Keep your eyes open, and learn where to look, and you'll see hyenas, baboons, wart hogs, springboks, and all of the other creatures of wild South Africa.

South Africa - Game Parks and Wildlife

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

Giving Back to the Community - A Dallas Cowboys Franchise Mission

The Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League are a fan favorite franchise. They have been a success on the field, playing at a consistently high level, since joining the league as an expansion team in 1960. In addition to their great success on the field, "America's Team" has been just as successful off the field and is considered to be one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. The great success of the Cowboys organization hasn't just been limited to the football field, it has spilled over into the community that it serves, represents, and calls home.

At the heart of any organizations success are the people. Jerry Jones has been owner of the NFL Dallas Cowboys for the past 18 years. Together, he, his wife Gene and their family manage and operate the franchise. All three of his children are part of the Cowboys organization and are actively involved with the day-to-day operation of the franchise. Thankfully for the people of Dallas and area, Jerry Jones and his family put equal emphasis on The Cowboys giving back to the community.

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The Dallas Cowboys and their Logo are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world and are more than happy to use their celebrity status and visibility to help others. The idea behind giving to the community is to help those who don't have the means to help themselves. In the words of Jerry Jones, "As a sports entity that has enjoyed unprecedented success and recognition for four decades, we feel a very strong obligation to transfer that championship tradition and the magic that it creates toward the bigger purpose of making a difference." To that end the resources, talents, and skills of his family, the Cowboy players and all members of the organization are utilized for community outreach.

The presence of the Jones family and the Dallas Cowboys in their community is unmistakable. Their giving way has been recognized by countless charities and organizations. The Lone Star Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Family Gateway, a Dallas outreach organization, the Boys and Girls Club of America, and the United Way, to name just a few, have all recognized the support and generosity they have received by Gene and Jerry Jones and family.

Every year the Dallas Cowboys players along with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders make a holiday visit to local children's hospitals. For the past 18 years, with the guidance of Gene Jones, the Dallas Cowboys have visited local children's hospitals. Along with their visits each child receives Dallas Cowboys gift items and autographs from both the players and cheerleaders.
Dallas Cowboys wives are also very involved in giving to the community. One such example is the food drives they hold at a Dallas Cowboys home game for the North Texas Food Bank. At a designated game, Cowboys wives are on hand to collect non-perishable food items at all Texas Stadium gates. This is a much-appreciated gesture by the Food bank as the state of Texas leads the country with the highest number of "food insecure" families.
As with all of the 32 NFL teams, the Dallas Cowboys take part in the NFL Community Quarterback Awards program. The program identifies and acknowledges outstanding volunteers in the community who demonstrate dedication, commitment and leadership to make the Dallas and area community a better place. The non-profit organizations that are served by the award-winning volunteers receive grant donations. The NFL Community Quarterback program awards nearly million annually to the charitable organizations served by the 32 NFL teams.

At the core of the Dallas Cowboys organization is the importance and need for giving back to the community and making a difference. Dallas and area charities have all benefited from the time, effort and generosity of the Jones family and the Dallas Cowboys franchise. In the words of Jerry Jones, "the star on the helmet can move mountains" - something he, his family and the Dallas Cowboys are happy to see happen time and time again.

Giving Back to the Community - A Dallas Cowboys Franchise Mission

MISSIONS TRIPS

Cross Country on Our Motorcycles - A Father Daughter Adventure

And what is good, Phaedrus,
And what is not good-
Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?

-Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

MISSIONS TRIPS AFRICA

Two days before I was to depart on a journey by motorcycle across the United States, I cracked my oil pan. What was only a classic beginner mechanic's mistake was a dramatically devastating occurrence for me as I faced the countdown to my rapidly approaching trip.

The summer before my senior year of college I was living in New York. I busied myself with classes at Columbia University from May-June, and then worked on a dressage barn through the muggy heat of July. August proposed a free schedule and only some ambiguous desires on my part; I wanted to see my parents back home in Washington and ride my motorcycle. My motorcycle being in New York and my parents being in Washington created a predicament.

After mulling over my endless August options the solution dawned on me, in all its romantic and adventurous grandeur: I would ride my motorcycle cross country! This would not only be an undoubtedly epic adventure, but also one which would solve the geographical location of my motorcycle dilemma. I announced the news to my parents and dreamt each night of me, my motorcycle, the open road and highway attractions like the world's largest frying pan, or the country's largest ball of string!

Sometime after my decision my father decided (or more truthfully, my mother elected him) to join me. I only needed to find him a bike; he would purchase a one way ticket to New York and join his daughter's venture. July rolled around and I began shopping for a bike worthy and capable of this trek. The nature of the bikes specifications created complications: budget, comfort, mechanical soundness...and located somewhere I could take a train to pick up. I finally found a bike in Brooklyn with potential. I hopped on the train to the city after work and to my dismay discovered the Long Island Express doesn't work as efficiently as one might desire. I finally made it to Grand Central Station and out to some hood in Brooklyn, I found the address and waited for the seller to arrive home. I plopped my sticky self down on a curb and watched the children playing in the wild spray of an open fire hydrant which spilled water into the street in every direction causing medium size rivers to flow down the streets of Brooklyn.

Eventually the seller showed up. He flung a tarp off of a motorcycle shaped object to reveal the product - a 1992 Suzuki V-max, rhino lined black, with metal spikes in the front fender. I tried to have an open mind: the bike just needed to get across the country and the price was right. He jumped on the bike and beckoned me to hop on, I warily climbed on the back with this enthusiastic stranger and he gunned the black devil down the tree-lined Brooklyn block, water flying up behind us from the ghetto hydrant-rivers. He energetically explained and demonstrated how the acceleration on the bike was and then slamming on the brakes -how top notch the braking power was. We flew back onto his block and up on the side walk. I got off asked him if he would ride it to Washington State, he said yes and I said I'll take it. A half hour later I was navigating the black devil onto the Long Island Express freeway, struggling with the cruiser style fork pitch and suspension, rolling my eyes at the inconceivable situations I get myself into.

My next task to prepare for the trip was the infamous oil change. I set up my tools and provisions neatly around my shiny blue Suzuki GSX-R, excited the way newbies are when they perform their first task of motorcycle maintenance. At the moment I triumphantly thought: 'mission accomplished' I over tightened the bolt and cracked the oil pan. Oil gushing out onto the yard I saw the dreams and plans of this trip washing away with my engine lubricant. 'How could this happen right before the trip!?' My father being the ingenious man he is got off the train in New York with a helmet, a small backpack and God's gift to motorcycle riders: JB Weld.

With my oil pan JB Welded and oven baked, we were ready to cruise on out. The morning we left I gave my Dad a tour of the barn I had worked at over the last month. Lines of expensive German horses, the smell of wood shavings, and just as we exited the barn to start our adventure the radio station hailed the start of our journey with, Steppenwolf, 'Born to be Wild.' My Dad of course thought the cinema heavens were speaking directly to us, but had to explain the Easy Rider reference to me.

We left New York in an August heat wave and navigating up through the Catskill Mountains we were met with the sporadic, but violent, thunderstorm. We pulled over at Niagara Falls to cool off in the spray of the natural wonder, marvel at my hair sticking straight up from the electric charges and ask some tourists to take our photo. We continued on around Lake Eerie and stopped for a meal at a local café boasting the local flavor of their renowned grape juice.

Sipping on my grape-float I described to my father the goals for the trip, beyond finding Zen and peace inside a helmet. Food and local flavor, I wanted to stay off the interstates and check out the locals, seriously what is in middle America besides Bush voters? I'd heard rumors of corn fields and cheese, but we were about to find out for ourselves!

We pushed forward through the heat and thunderstorms. After grapes and the first great lake, we hit Amish county, Cleveland and then the ominous sight of Chicago fortified by its construction clogged highways. Approaching Chicago the tan lines on my back were seared in red and my fragile GSX-R kept 'reminding' me of the inescapable heat by reaching obscene motor temperatures then nagging at me with the check engine light. We headed into Chicago with one motive: push through to the other side. The Motorcycle gods had another plan.

After struggling through 5 lanes of traffic in the merciless sun we found ourselves in standstill traffic on a giant overpass, high in the air with zero shoulder room. My bikes temperature ticked progressively higher then I had ever seen it and then conveniently shut off. With semi trucks on my rear and nowhere to go, I helplessly tried to get the bike running, no luck. I was left to push my bike, Flintstone style; I paddled like mad to avoid getting swallowed by Chicago's ruthless traffic. I frantically coasted across the many lanes of traffic, finally descended the ramp and stopped under the shaded mercy of an over pass.

Thoughts of a cracked oil pan seemed petty now! Had I blown my engine right here in this Chicago heat wave?

My father and I fiddled around with this and that, to no avail. Finally I went into the city to call a tow truck and find a shop. We dropped the bike off just as the shop was swinging its gates closed for the night. We enjoyed the unexpected layover in Chicago, exploring downtown, walking along the water and eating at a rather questionable Persian joint. The next morning we both piled on my Dads bike, me half perched on top of them luggage and nervously rode to the shop.
To our utter relief my bike was fine, a little gunk in the kill switch assembly had prevented it from starting, but other than that the old Suzuki was sound. My father was eyeing the windshields in the shop like candy after being blasted by wind a third of the way across the country and ended up purchasing one. After installation of the windshield we got back on the freeway. Anyone who has drove Chicago knows not only are the freeways plagued with traffic and construction; in addition ill-placed toll booths act as giant speed bumps and catalysts for more traffic jams.
One of these toll booths, I got the toll money out of my tank bag and as I sped away from the booth, realized I didn't put my wallet away -I caught sight of my pick wallet flying away behind me. Determined not to lose my money, identity and credit cards to this city seemingly determined to destroy me, I screeched to a stop and ran back to my wallet on the side of the freeway. As I jogged up to my wallet, I saw it flying up in the air as cars sped over it sending my cards and cash spinning up into the air. I half laughed and half cursed at the idiocracy of the entire scene as a dashed onto the road during a break in traffic. I collected everything I remembered having in my wallet, which I guess anything forgettable isn't worth having.

By this time my father, unknowing of the entire situation had exited and passed by me going the other direction. Seeing I was in one piece and getting back on my bike, he had to go through the tolls 2 more times to get back on track. Irritated, we finally rendezvoused and got back on the road together, leaving the windy city once and for all.

The next few states were pleasantly peaceful. Throughout Wisconsin we kept seeing signs for 'custard' a delicacy I have never experienced. Unfortunately every time we came across an establishment with custard it was either 7am or we had just ate, so custard remains the elusive edible item of our trip.

Minnesota surprisingly stole my heart. The twisty roads, green mountains, misty valleys and country lifestyle were alluring and beautiful. One night we stayed in 'Winona' a bit of a haul off the road we were following, but worth it. That night we poked around in our tank bags, both out of clean clothes we decided to find a laundry mat. Wearing our night gowns and flip flops we cruised down to the local laundry mat. As our laundry tumbled dry we enjoyed some 'authentic Italian pizza' from Minnesota's finest and then rode back through the quiet summer air.

As we entered the Dakotas, we started noticing a very visible phenomenon, Harley groups, like locust, seemed to be getting thicker by the minute. We realized our trip fell on that hallowed Harley meet in Sturgis and began to develop our inside jokes as it seemed each viewpoint or cultural attraction we stopped at groups of men in leather giddily requested we get a group shot.
Our trip had been pretty free spirited, for weather reasons we wanted to stay North, for quaintness we stuck to small back roads, but there were two destinations I had to see, a twisty road called 'Spearfish Canyon' and Yellowstone. Spearfish Canyon because it stuck out on the map as a twisty motorcycle haven and Yellowstone to catch a few geysers. Ironically Spearfish Canyon was minutes away from Sturgis and since we were already headed there, we figured we'd go into town and check out the meet.

Sturgis was a spectacle, I was an odd ball on a sport bike, but it was worth the look around. As we reached the far end of town we took off for Spearfish Canyon, without needing a map as a clear flow of bikes flocked toward it. The entrance to the canyon is marked by Deadwood, a town made all too famous by Hollywood and it was an adult Disney Land full of casinos, entertainment and fatty food. We enjoyed some fatty food and left the rest, as we cruised down the twisty road along a glittering river.

Leaving North Dakota we entered Wyoming, on track to hit Yellowstone in a day or two. Unsuspectingly, Wyoming dazzled us with some of the trips most amazing natural wonders and settings. One evening we found ourselves descending a small mountain range. As the sky grew purple the bluffs which reached up into the heavens contrasted in glowing shades of orange. Sporadic frail pines struggled out of the rocks adding to the unearthly wonder we were witnessing. Mouth open wide I looked from side to side taking in the sight, nearly running off the tightly twisting road a few times, which jolted my adrenaline and focused me back on the road.
Once down in the valley we pulled into 'Ten Sleep;' population 287. We stopped for fuel and while fueling a teenage boy raced out of a beat-up old pickup to gawk at my bike. He wanted to chat about the bike and ask the normal questions, I guess sport bikes are not that common in Ten Sleep. As we parted ways he exclaimed, "That's just a sick-ass bike." I gracefully thanked him as my father marveled at the linguistical refinement of this sleepy town.

The next day we entered Yellowstone. After a day of cruising around lakes, up and down mountains, exploring thermal pools and geysers, and even riding through a herd of buffalo, the hype over Yellowstone was clearly obvious. We moved north toward Montana, where the Rocky Mountains slowly became a visual reminder we were approaching home. The mountains loomed in the distance for hours on end, they signified the light at the end of the tunnel and our imagination climbed up and over them to our hometown which resided on the other side.

We took a northern route over the Rockies and Idaho boasted its finest of glittering lakes and god-like mountains. As we descended into Eastern Washington we had around 4hours to go which left us alone in the flat desert to reflect on our adventure. As we raced down the highway, Dads face shrouded with stubble and my hair able to break any brush that dare near it, there was a strange sense of accomplishment. Memories of the muggy heat of New York and Chicago, however embedded in our shirts, seemed distant and now the explicit details of our adventure were being replaced with more implicit lessons and memories.

In today's instant society, we have facts and documentation outlining nearly every aspect of our life. It's difficult to really find adventure, to seek out the unknown. While riding cross country you may not discover an uncharted sea or continent, but undoubtedly you'll feel the excitement and wonder of complete mystery around each bend. The more we learn and accomplish in this life you see that it's not the destination that matters it's the journey, but with a journey of this proportion you also realize that; it doesn't matter where you go, it's who's beside you that counts.

Robert M. Pirsig. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. New York: Bantam Books, 1973.

Cross Country on Our Motorcycles - A Father Daughter Adventure

MISSIONS TRIPS AFRICA

A Review of Global Resorts Network - GRN

One of these companies is Global Resorts Network, or GRN. The question is, does GRN actually work, or is it another "promise the earth, deliver nothing" kind of opportunities? A little bit of both, actually.

The way that Global Resorts Network works is by offering high-end vacations at extremely low-end prices. For example, say someone wants to holiday in the Caribbean and it might cost ,000 - that same vacation can be had through GRN. However, this is just the vacation price benefit - the real deal comes with becoming an affiliate rep, selling the membership that offers these discounted vacations.

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To become a rep at GRN, you pay a one-off lifetime membership fee of just under ,000, which then entitles you to buy unlimited discounted vacations at the resorts in question. And with even the top resorts costing no more that 0 to stay at for a week, you can see how this benefits the buyer.

Once you're a member, you can then go on to sell the same membership onto friends, colleagues, business leads - anyone, basically, in order to build your little business venture up. And with vacations being one of the constant things in anyone's life, you can see where the potential for extra income comes from.

When you sign up a new member underneath you, you receive ,000 from their membership fees in commission. On top of that, you also receive another ,000 "roll-up commission" on each one of their sales - for life. So the potential is definitely there to make a solid residual income for as long as you're a member of the Global Resorts Network.

The really good news about GRN is that, so far, it seems to be a genuinely good opportunity for the average person to make a financial difference in their life. Even if you only manage to sign up 4-5 of your friends or family, you'll receive a nice bonus to put toward your own discounted vacations.

To date, there have also been no complaints about the way that GRN works to any of the consumer websites such as ConsumerAffairs.com and similar. So is GRN that diamond amongst the rough, in that there are no setbacks to it at all? Not quite.

Although GRN has what appears to be an excellent product and business opportunity, it's not really geared to supporting that with extensive marketing. Instead, what is recommended is that you sign up with something along the lines of the Reverse Funnel System, if you're serious about generating leads for your business. The problem here is that the RFS costs add considerably to what you've already paid.

An average -4,000 to get a good database, coupled with an average 0 per month for training and marketing costs, make the RFS an expensive way to succeed to any great level with Global Resorts Network. However, if you can afford that expense and wish to join a business where you can make some great returns, then GRN is definitely one of the better options out there.

A Review of Global Resorts Network - GRN

MISSIONS TRIPS

South Africa Travel Trips - Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans Culture Facts

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, so the saying goes, but when in South Africa, it can become quite difficult to follow this with the vast amounts of languages and culture that exists here. A truly diverse nation in every sense of the word, South Africa boasts 11 official languages and a multitude of cultures that have over time blended and mixed to create a plethora of interesting features and people. The most widely spoken language in South Africa is of course English and this is the main platform for businesses and industry in the country. The other languages that are official and that are present in the relevant schools according the region they are located in are Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Venda, Tswana, Pedi, Tsonga, Swazi, Sotho, and Ndebele.

african masks

Afrikaans is the languages derived from and still closely related to Dutch or Flemish. Most of the Afrikaans speaking people are of Dutch decent, with some of the Cape Colored community also adopting this as their native tongue. In the farmland regions, Afrikaans is widely spoken and many African people speak this as their second language as opposed to English. The culture of the Afrikaans / Dutch descendants stems mainly from the arrival in South Africa. Jan Van Riebeeck was the first Dutchman to land on South African soil and from here more and more people began to descent upon the peaceful, beautiful and fertile land. Most of the Afrikaans people are farmers and wine makers with Simon Van der Stel being the first person to insist that the Cape Wines could be bottled and sold to create a booming wine industry.

AFRICA

The most famous symbol that Afrikaaners are associated with is the Voortrekker (pioneer). These were the first of the Dutch immigrants that set off to explore the land of South Africa and acquire new frontiers. Women wore smaller versions of the winged Dutch caps while the men wore floppy felt or cowhide hats, and the rode in ox wagons. Music is very important in the Afrikaans community as is theater and most of the Afrikaans singers and musicians are better supported than the English singers.

The most popular of the African tribal languages is Zulu and Xhosa. The Xhosa tribes come mainly from the Eastern Cape regions and this language is spoken more frequently in the Cape. The Zulus are found further North in the Gauteng and in the KwaZulu-Natal Province which is named after them. The Xhosa language is famous for its clicks which are used in speech. The clicks you hear are used for the letters c, x and q. In Zulu you will not have any clicks, although many of the words are similar. The heritage of the Xhosa people lies very closely with the political nature of South Africa as the famous Nelson Mandela is from Xhosa descent as is most of the ANC (African National Congress) party he formed part of. The current president, Thabo Mbeki is also Xhosa speaking. The traditional dress of the Xhosa people is colorful with lots of beading, embellishments and patterns. They often wear ankle bracelets which are used for making sound effects during dance rituals and celebrations.

The Zulu tribe was very powerful in the time of King Shaka and used to be the main tribe in the land. After the fall of Shaka and Dingaan, there have been less conspicuous Kings / Chiefs with the current Chief being Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The Zulu tribes formed the IFP or Inkatha Freedom Party during the Apartheid years and have a strong following. The Zulus are renowned for their dress. They carry long spears and body length shields usually covered in some kind of animal hide. They wear feathered head dresses and are characterized for their unique dancing style. This style was adapted by the Zulu mine workers to include some Western moves and Gumboot dancing is now a popular dance form.

Beside the official languages that are spoken there are lots of other cultures and religions that form part of South Africa. Muslims form a large part of the community, especially in the Western Cape. There is also a very large population of Indian people living in Durban and its surrounding towns with many Hindus and Islamic religions being recognized. You will also find a strong Jewish sector in most of the main cities in South Africa while other prominent nationalities include Italian, German, Portuguese, Lebanese, and smaller Chinese communities. Each nationality and religion is celebrated and not discriminated against in any way according to the new laws and cultural tolerance.

Cultural tourism is offered throughout the country now, as international visitors are eager to learn more about the different cultures and traditional African tribes that they were separate from during the Apartheid regime.

South Africa Travel Trips - Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans Culture Facts

AFRICA

Missionary Paid Position - Missions With a Paycheck, a Rare Find in Ministry

Living a life of love and service demands great sacrifice. I know personally from the over 15 years I have served in missions and ministry.

Although I had a wonderful and unforgettable experience traveling to over 50 countries of the world, my continual struggle was providing for myself and family financially. Living off of freewill offerings and the whim of a sponsor who feels emotionally inclined to give one month, but forgets there annual commitment midstream is no easy task. Nevertheless God is faithful and always managed to supply our needs.

MISSIONS TRIPS

Among some of the part-time jobs I took while living and working abroad is one of my personal favorites - teaching English to students of other languages. Finding a faith based school that allows you to impart morality and godly values while you are teaching is a bit harder to find. Thankfully however my many years of traveling the globe, making friends, and building professional networks has given me an unusual cross-cultural bond with employers.

While stationed here in the United States, I have had the joy and privilege of connecting people to the overseas teaching market and facilitating meaningful employment. Many discover that living abroad is far less stressful and way more relaxing than living capitalistic countries in the western hemisphere that are mostly monetarily motivated. Moreover living abroad allows a professional ample time to enjoy their life, rediscover their own values, reconnect with themselves, and expand their horizons as they experience a new culture. Meeting new people abroad opens up a world a lifelong friendships and marriages for many singles.

Truly dreams do come true! Learn from the wise and master your money when doing missionary work. If you can secure yourself financially to undergird your ministry, your life will be far more enjoyable and less stressful. Solid contacts and faith based employers who celebrate and compensate you is worth its weight in gold.

Live your missionary dream, while working for Christian employer who will celebrate and financially compensate you. The world of missions and ministry must be sustained financially, without which the missionary will sink into despair and be unable to adequately care for him or herself. Enter a new world of ministerial service and missions, pioneering a path that is profitable spiritually and financially.

Missionary Paid Position - Missions With a Paycheck, a Rare Find in Ministry

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The Underwater World

Northern Red Sea

The Red Sea is a water bay, situated in between Asia and Africa. The northern division of this inlet has been given the name as one of the seven wonders of the undersea world, because of its tremendous attractiveness and the biodiversity of aquatic life there.

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The Northern Red Sea comprises of water from the Indian Ocean because it is approximately a lake and enclosed by sand, the weather here has altered to sustain a wealthy diversity of life. The aquatic life breathing in the Northern Red Sea is a marvel in itself. Over 1000 diverse variety of fishes, 400 species of coral and also many birds above the water exist there, giving anyone who goes there an eye opening experience.

Formation:

The formation of the Red Sea occurs over the time of many millions of years. It's assumed to have started nearly 55 million years ago, pacing up gradually and finishing at least 23 million years ago. This development took place because of tectonics plates and tectonic movement beneath the earth's crust, cause the two continents of Arabia and Africa to tear apart.

Why it Was selected:

Unlike some of the other undersea wonders such as the Galápagos Islands and Lake Baikal, the Northern Red Sea does not hold widespread aquatic wildlife. There are abundance of variety of plant life, fish and corals existing inside it that also live in other deep-seas, but this only is an addition to the level of biodiversity here.

The chief motive that CEDAM International, the American Diver's Association selected the Northern Red Sea for one of its seven wonders of the undersea world was its exquisiteness. The water sparkles and glitters red and orange when the sun is right in the middle of the sky and it is at a certain angle, plunging and snorkeling there is said to be fantastic. Owing to global warming the Northern Red Sea's maritime life could be in menace of dying out therefore CEDAM selected it as an underwater wonder to promote it so that it could be safeguarded for future generations to take pleasure in.

Even though the Northern burgundy ocean is an unbelievably well-liked spot for somersaulting, snorkeling and seafaring, the lands in the vicinity are also very well-liked for Safaris and there are countless trip operators providing this kind of pleasure trip in Africa. To get to the Northern burgundy ocean you can take to the air to Marsa Alam airport at the southern end of the burgundy ocean and journey up by train, coach, cruise boat or hired cab.

The Underwater World

MISSIONS TRIPS AFRICA

East Africa - Interesting Facts About Kenya

Kenya is located in East Africa. It is a leading tourist destination not only in Africa but also in the world. In fact, the concept of safari originated from Kenya. The stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, culture and friendly climate all year-round attracts visitors from many parts of the world. Kenya gained independence in 1963 from the British colonization with Mzee Jomo Kenyatta being the first President. Daniel Moi succeeded him after his death in 1978 until 2002. It is a democratic country with many political parties under the leadership of president Mwai Kibaki.

african mango

Kenya is a developing country with over 50 percent of the local people living under the poverty line. War, drought and diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria have contributed to poverty, killing hundreds of people and young children each day. Corruption by the Kenyan leaders who hardly care about their poor parents, sisters and brothers have made the situation even worse. As a result, over 50 percent of the country population are illiterate.

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Kenya is considered the candle of mankind. According to Archaeological research, the modern man first appeared in Kenya around Lake Turkana. Giant fossils were discovered along Lokitaung Gorge by a team of archeologists from National Museum of Kenya and the University of Utah in 2004.

Mount Kenya is the highest peak in the country and the second highest in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is the only Mountain in the country where there is permanent snow and ice. Other mountains include Mt. Elgon, Mt. Longonot and Ol Doinyo Orok mountain.

Many of the countries lakes are located in the Great Rift Valley. These lakes include; Lakes Naivasha, Oleidon, Nakuru, Turkana, Bogoria and Magadi. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and it is shared by the three East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania). Lake Nakuru and Lake Oleidon are famous tourist destinations and home to millions of pink flamingo birds.

Kenya holds one of the world's greatest wildebeest migration spectacle in the Masai Mara Game Reserve next to the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania. There are many parks in Kenya where you will watch many wildlife species. This includes animals such as the lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephant, rhino, buffalo, zebra, antelope among other wild animals. You will also see monkeys, birds, reptiles and many butterflies.

The Indian Ocean coastline in Mombasa, which is about 500 kilometers long attracts both the local and outside visitors. It is a good place to spend your holidays and relax on the white sandy beaches, swim or tour the Islands.

East Africa - Interesting Facts About Kenya

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A Fundraising Road Trip - Planning & Achieving Your Goals

Do you ever daydream about going on a great vacation? It's fun to think of all of the great sights and things to do once you get to the destination. But usually there's lots of planning involved, such as planning around schedules, getting tickets and placing reservations. It can be quite an ordeal. But once you're on your dream vacation, boy is it worth it.

Oddly enough, creating fundraising goals is itself a little like going on a trip.

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Here's how...

The Destination: Long Term & Yearly Goals

What's the first thing you do when you decide to go on a trip? Yes, that's right - choose the destination. Is it Disneyworld or New York City? Will you camp at the local state park or Yellowstone? Starting a fundraising program without a predefined goal is like getting in your car at the beginning of a vacation and saying, "I don't know where we're going, but I hope we get there!" (Doesn't make much sense, does it?)

Your yearly goal is the final destination that your group should be striving for all year long. Whether your organization follows the calendar year, school year, fiscal year, or whatever the case may be, you still need to set this long term destination goal.

Budgetary requirements generally guide the financial goals that are needed for your organization. What are the total expenses for the year, and how much of those expenses need to be covered by fundraising efforts? Write down this "big target" number that needs to be reached by the end of the year.

The Roadmap: Project Goals

Now that you've decided on a fundraising destination, the next step is to break down that number into smaller, more manageable goals.

Imagine your organization's individual fundraisers such as events, raffles, or candy sales as the highways you will take to get to your final destination. Therefore, each individual campaign or event has its own fundraising goals. The combined goal amount should equal or be greater than the yearly goal.

Having too many fundraisers that appeal to the same audience can become burdensome and reduces the effectiveness of your efforts. By forecasting the amount of funds needed, you'll be able to plan the right amount of individual fundraisers.

The Pit-Stops: Fine Tuning Your Fundraising Goals

During the course of the year, periodically review your fundraising goals. Have your fundraisers met their individual targets? If not, the "pit-stops" are times when you can do some fine tuning to your list of goals and objectives.

Consider ways that you can earn more on the remaining fundraisers

1. Increase attendance at your event by adding something unusual, like a door prize drawing, a contest or a "celebrity" appearance

2. Place calls or send letters to get more prizes donated for your raffle or auction

3. Add an additional source of revenue to already planned

4. Add an easy fundraiser that doesn't require much time from volunteers, such as an online magazine fundraiser

Reaching Your Destination

Your group has worked hard to raise funds for your cause. Be sure to celebrate along the way, thanking donors and volunteers. Each year evaluate what programs worked best, how you can improve upon them, and ways that you can become more efficient in planning the fundraising programs.

A Fundraising Road Trip - Planning & Achieving Your Goals

MISSIONS TRIPS

The Islands colse to South Africa

Full of diversity and distraction, South Africa is truly one of the most attractive places you will visit in an whole lifetime of travel. However, it's important not to stick too intimately to the mainland or you might just miss out on some of the spectacular sights that surround the country - also known as, the islands colse to South Africa.

Robben Island
In the past, South Africa's Robben Island has been known to many as a range of things including a hospital for those suffering from leprosy and mental illness; a training and defence station for soldiers; and most infamously, an island of imprisonment housing many renowned prisoners including Nelson Mandela and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. Today however, the island, which is accessible via ferry from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, is best known as a world patrimony site with a overwhelming museum. Tours of the prison are conducted by previous residents of the prison, providing a attractive insight into what life would have been like on the island in years gone by. There is also a overwhelming range of birdlife, wildlife and vegetation to be enjoyed on the island, providing visitors with the exquisite combination of cultural and natural activities.

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Dassen Island
Declared as a nature retain and renowned for being home to some of the most impressive wildlife the country has to offer, Dassen Island can be found to the north of Cape Town. With almost 70,000 African penguins inhabiting the island, as well as other species of bird such as white pelicans, cormorants, terns and gulls, it absolutely is a twitcher's paradise. Any way those preferring mammals or reptiles will not be disappointed as there are plenty of those to enjoy as well! The island is relatively small, as well as being low-lying and flat, which allows plenty of wildlife spotting and photo opportunities galore. The best way to visit Dassen Island is by boat, Any way if you absolutely want to make it a special visit, you could all the time fly in by helicopter.

Seal Island
One of the smaller islands that surround South Africa, Seal Island's name does all the talking for itself. A rocky island that looks more like one massive stone protruding from the sea than an island, you could absolutely fail to spot it. However, not to visit would absolutely be to miss out on something quite extraordinary. Not only is the island's outside area almost thoroughly covered with Cape Fur seals, but the waters colse to the island are full to the brim with marine marvels including whales, dolphins and jellyfish. If you visit Seal Island at the right time of year you may be lucky sufficient to catch one of South Africa's best sights - breaching great white sharks. Cruises colse to Seal Island will allow you to watch the sharks as they leap out of the water to sizable heights, almost as if they know you're watching. Shark breaching is one of the most overwhelming sights you'll see in the waters colse to South Africa and Seal Island is a popular island to visit.

So, enjoy yourself as you tour South Africa's mainland, but don't forget about those smaller land masses surrounding it, as these are often home to both cultural and natural phenomenon well worth seeing.

The Islands colse to South Africa

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How to Plan for the Perfect Mars Mission?

Going to Mars has been one of the biggest dreams of mankind. For centuries, mankind has looked upon the Red Planet with envy, while thinking that it contains a civilization of living beings much like Earth. In fact, until the Pathfinder mission, many people were convinced that Mars contained a much more advanced civilization as compared to Earth. In fact, there were many exposes and scientific papers written on the political structure of the Martian society. However, now we know for sure that no civilization lives on Mars and even the possibility of bacteria or any other non-sentient organism living on Mars is slim if not nonexistent.

Even so, this does not change the fact that sending men to Mars is a viable mission for the future of Earth and for the advancement of space exploration. Mars is the only planet in the solar system that has a viable atmosphere that is susceptible to Terraforming techniques within the reach of our technology. It is a planet that is nearby the general location of Earth and unlike Venus, its atmosphere as well as its surface temperature is more tolerable. Hence, due to this, going to Mars would be a viable and doable mission. Since the Space Exploration Initiative in 1981, Mars has continued to be an attractive mission and as a result both Americans as well as Russians have made plans to go to Mars with a manned flight. However, while this was a matter of prestige for both sides during the Cold war, it has become somewhat of a less important objective after the Cold war has ended.

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One of the biggest obstacles in front of a Mars mission is the phenomenal cost associated with it. According to the latest NASA estimates, a viable Mars mission would cost somewhere around 450 billion to 500 billion US dollars. Even though, the overall world expenditure on defense is almost twice this amount, spending 450 billion dollars for a Mars mission doesn't seem possible with the various global economic worries that seem to be plaguing our world economy.

One way to make Mars mission viable would be to create a longer mission in which the astronauts and the scientists would stay there for nearly a year. Most calculations predict that such a mission would be around 800 to 950 days with the trip times involved. On Martian surface, a standard mini nuclear reactor can be used to provide electricity to the Mars compound and a chemical reactor can be used to separate Carbon dioxide to oxygen and carbon, in which the carbon can then be used to fuse with hydrogen in order to create Methane. In addition, Methane would then be used as a source of fuel for the outpost as well as for the return leg of the mission. Moreover, the recent findings of Mars in the Martian atmosphere suggest that water can be used and electrolyzed to create oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen would serve as a life support as well as an oxidizer, while the hydrogen can be used as a fuel as well as a source of energy for the Martian outpost. Moreover, the cost of such as mission could be shared by USA, Russia, European Union and Japan; since such a mission would be for the advancement of mankind. In addition, the small outpost created can remain on Mars for other missions in the future and this can really create an opportunity to create a stepping stone to the stars.

How to Plan for the Perfect Mars Mission?

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The Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in South Africa

A few months before South Africa is supposed to host the FIFA World Cup, an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever has infected at least 7 individuals, killing one.

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According to the Deputy Minister of Health, a 45 year old patient was admitted to the hospital on February 26 with a presumptive diagnosis of Congo fever and died a day later. Testing confirmed that the offending virus was Rift Valley Fever a week ago.

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The other six people infected have mild disease and are under observation and treatment.

The deputy minister of health says the disease poses no threat to the soccer event and is not considered a crisis.

Rift Valley Fever is mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in parts of Africa including South Africa. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle and goats and it can have an economic impact on a community due to the loss of livestock.

Humans get infected through contact with infected animal blood or organs. Butchering and slaughtering of animals is a primary cause of transmission to humans. Certain occupations are at a higher risk of getting Rift Valley Fever like farmers, herders and veterinarians.

It can also be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and the bites of blood-sucking flies.

Most cases of Rift Valley Fever are mild and symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle pain. However, a small percentage of people can get serious disease which includes retinitis, encephalitis and a hemorrhagic fever. Fatalities happen in less than 1 percent of those infected.

The health department is recommending those farmers in Free State and Northern Cape use gloves and other protective gear when doing high risk activities like slaughtering.

The Rift Valley Fever Outbreak in South Africa

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10 Most Venomous Snakes in Africa

Interesting facts about some of Africa's most dangerous and most venomous snakes!

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Black Mamba

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- The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is Africa's largest venomous snake, reaching an average 2.5 m in length (8 feet). The biggest ones however, can get as long as 4.5 m (14 feet)!:)
- It is also the continent's most feared snake.
- Extremely aggressive, it will not hesitate to strike.
- Fast and agile, it reaches speeds of up to 20 km/h (12 mph).
- Despite its name the "black" mamba is not black, but rather brown/olive or brownish-grey in colour.
- The snake has an "inky black" mouth displayed when threatened.
- It has extremely potent neuro and cardio-toxic venom, capable of killing a dozen men in as little as one hour.
- Without anti-venom, the mortality rate for a black mamba is almost 100%.
- Diet-wise, the animal feeds on creatures such as moles, rats, mice, birds, squirrels and other small mammals.

Mozambique Spitting Cobra

- The Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica) is perhaps the most widespread cobra of tropical and subtropical Africa.
- It is considered as one of the most dangerous African snakes, second only to the Mamba.
- As its name entails, the snake can spit ("spray" is perhaps even more accurate) its neurotoxic venom with great accuracy and reach (jets up to 3 m).
- Its bite can cause severe tissue damage (happens rarely; does not necessarily bite), while venom to the eyes can cause impaired vision or even blindness.
- When needed, it can also elevate to as much as two-thirds of its body length.
- May simulate death to avoid further molestation.

Puff Adder

- The Puff Adder (Bitis ariens) is responsible for more fatalities (accounts for +/- 60% of all snake bites) than any other snake in Africa.
- Most common on the African continent and inhabits the majority of regions (except for some deserts and rainforests).
- Since it relies on camouflage to hide itself and lies still when approached, people tend to step on them and get bitten.
- Has very long fangs (12-18 mm).
- Average length is 1 m.
- Moves in a similar fashion to the way caterpillars move.
- When disturbed hisses loudly and forms a tight coil.
- Strikes sideways.
- Can inject between 100 and 350 mg of cytotoxic venom in a single go. The lethal dose for a human is 100 mg of its venom.
- Good swimmer and climber.

Gaboon Viper

- The Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica) is the ultimate ambush snake as it perfectly blends in with leaf cover and surrounding vegetation.
- Ambushes its prey (large birds and some mammals) by standing still, and attacks by surprise.
- Very heavy-bodied (weighs up to 10 kg), and can grow to over 2 m in length.
- Large triangular head, develops two nostril horns with age.
- Has the longest fangs of any snake in the world (records at 50 mm).

Egyptian Cobra

- The Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje) is most commonly found in Egypt, but is in fact the most widespread of African cobras.
- Average size is 1.5-2 m, though some can exceed 2.5 m (8 feet) in length.
- The snake has the third most toxic venom of any cobra, just after the Northern Philippine Cobra and Cape Cobra.
- In fact, its venom is so potent it can kill a fully-grown elephant in as little as 3 hours.
- Some people believe that Cleopatra committed suicide using an Egyptian Cobra.

Saw-Scaled Viper (Carpet Viper)

- Found North of the African Equator, Saw-Scaled or Carpet Vipers (Echis carinatus) are small yet viciously efficient and badly tempered snakes.
- Average adult vipers reach a length of less than a meter (20-30 inch).
- Gets its name from the "sizzling" warning sound it makes as its scales rub together.
- The snake's venom is hemotoxic and very virulent.
- According to some researchers, the Carpet Viper's venom is 5 times more toxic than that of the cobra, and 16 times more toxic than the Russell's Viper (one of Asia's most deadly snakes).

Better left alone!:)

Boomslang

- The Boomslang (Dispholidus typusis) is the most venomous rear-fanged snake in the world.
- It is found in sub-Saharan Africa.
- "Boomslang" comes from the Afrikaans word "tree snake". It is therefore a "tree-dwelling" snake species.
- Like the Gaboon Viper, the Boomslang's fangs are very long, and it can open its mouth at a full 180 degrees to bite.
- While fatalities are rare since the species is very timid, its venom is haemotoxic and results in internal bleeding.
- Sexual dimorphism is particularly apparent in Boomslangs: females are brown, whereas males are light green with black highlights.

Cape Cobra

- The Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) has a highly neurotoxic venom believed to be the most potent of all African cobras.
- Beautiful snake that varies both in colour (from yellow to copper/mahogany coloured and purplish/black) and size (average is 4 feet; can grow to 6 feet).
- Mortality rate in humans is +/- 60% if not treated immediately.
- Death normally occurs between 2 and 5 hours after a person is bitten, and is usually the result of respiratory failure due to the onset of paralysis.

Green Mamba

- The Green Mamba is similar to its black cousin in terms of venom composition (only one-tenth as toxic though), yet it differs in colour (glossy grass-green) and size (1.8 m/5.9 feet on average).
- It is also shy and less aggressive than the black specimen, and tends to be arboreal (instead of mainly terrestrial).
- There are two types of green mambas: the Western Green Mamba (Dendroaspis viridis; native to West Africa), and the Eastern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps; indigenous to the eastern side of southern Africa).

African Bush Viper

- The Bush Viper (Atheris squamigera), sometimes called the "Leaf Viper", is an arboreal snake species that inhabits the rainforest and woodland habitats of Africa (Congo Basin, Uganda, Kenya...).
- Primarily nocturnal.
- Highly venomous yet relatively passive. Will defend itself when molested.
- Often comes to the ground to feed on small rodents, frogs and lizards. Uses its tail to hang from the low lying branches and unsuspectedly strikes on its chosen meal.
- Usually green but adapts to its environment for survival: olive brown or rusty brown colour not uncommon.

10 Most Venomous Snakes in Africa

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