RiverBarge ceases operations

RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc. has been forced to curtail all operations for 2009 due to economic conditions. Rising costs and very soft bookings have forced this decision.

RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc. states to all guests that deposits and all payments for excursions are in a special escrow account at the Whitney National Bank. This escrow account is overseen and regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission. As soon as these funds are made available to RiverBarge Excursion Lines, guest refunds will be processed.

RiverBarge Excursions would like to expresstheir gratitude to all guests who have traveled withthem in the last 10 years and thankeveryone for your support and for being a part of the RiverBarge Family.

For further information call 1-888-GO-BARGE, (1-888-462-2743).

Dead Sea Ultra Marathon – April 10, 2009

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to lose weight and get in shape we have the ultra perfect event for you.

One of the most grueling races on earth takes the brave from Amman, some 2,953 feet (900m) above sea level, to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. The shade-less tarmac provides the surface and only the fittest dare attempt it due to the scorching climate. The race is on behalf of the Society for the Care of Neurological Patients headed by HRH Prince Firas Bin Raad, in aid of increasing awareness of neurological diseases and traumas.

But you don’t have to run the full 48.7km, you can run just the regular marathon for 42km or they also have a half marathon, a fun run and a junior marathon. For those of you not familiar with kilometers, 48.7km is just over 30 miles. The junior marathon is just 4.2km or just under 3 miles. So there is something for everyone here and a very unique destination to run.

Like any good marathon there are festivities the night before in Amman and at the end of the race at the Dead Sea. Even if you don’t run the Ultra Marathon because you got a late start on getting in shape, you could work out with a goal to do the junior marathon by April.

Running from Ammanto the Dead Sea with people from around the world will give you plenty of stories to tell when you come home and memories to last you a lifetime.

For more information on this amazing event go to www.deadseamarathon.com/UI/English/Default.aspx.

Ixtapa Sailfish Tournament – Jan. 17 – 24, 2009

Ixtapa’s annual Sailfish Tournament invites eager fishermen to try their hand at catching sailfish, marlin and broadbill swordfish and other small game fish. Sign up at the Hotel Dorado Pacifico on El Palmar beach. The cost to participate in just the tournamentis Angler fee: US$900; guest fee: US$75.

Only circle hooks are allowed, and both a TAA (Tournament Anglers Association) and a IGFA (international Game Fish Association) membership are required in order to participate.Only circle hooks are allowed, and both a TAA (Tournament Anglers Association) and a IGFA (international Game Fish Association) membership are required in order to participate. This ia a qualifying event for the IGFA Offshore World Championship.

For more information on the tournament and to register go to http://www.fishtaa.com/Pages/IST.html

If you are needing a hotel room in Ixtapa during this time contact InterlineTravel.com at 800 766-2911 or in the DFW Area at 817 481-8631 or go online to www.interlinetravel.com.

“Bird Life” Recognizes Diversity in “Loma Alta”

300 species of birds, 5 of them in danger of extinction, nine vulnerable and 42 endemic, were the reason for Bird Life to declare “Loma Alta” Ecological Reserve as a site of international importance for the conservation of birds. This Reserve is located in the Santa Elena Peninsula (province of Guayas). Loma Alta includes about 6.000 hectares, of which approximately 1.800 hectares make up the protected forest.

Fundaci??ves del Ecuador” (favesecuador@yahoo.com) is currently in charge of a project to develop tourism in this internationally recognized site. To visit Loma Alta, you can contact Rosa Vela at the numbers 2552608 (in Guayaquil) or 098 059 233. She is the founder of the foundation, and also runs a club of bird watchers in Ecuador.

To reach Loma Alta you have to take a bus from Guayaquil to Salinas ($3.60) and get off at the stop in Santa Elena. From Santa Elena you have to take a bus from the company “2 de Noviembre” (the last bus departs at approximately 19h00) up to the town of Barcelona. This picturesque town shines like gold with the “paja toquilla” (straw of which the Panama hats are made) laid out to dry in the sun. From Barcelona you can hire a motorcycle ride ($1) or a pick-up ($0.50) to drive you up to the community house of Loma Alta.

In total, the trip from Guayaquil to Loma Alta is approximately 3 hours long. The road is not in good conditions, but visiting the reserve is worth the sacrifice.The community charges a $3 fee to visit the forest. From the community house you can rent a horse or continue on motorcycle up to the reserve. People from the community offer lodging and meals for very convenient prices.

Travel Tips for Libya

Airline employees are always looking for new destinations to explore. Recently US citizens we allowed to legally to travel to Libya. This ancient county on the North side of Africa lies on the Med across from Italy and France. For about a decade there were UN sanctions on air travel to Libya, which caused daring touriststo maketheir way there by road from Tunisia, Egyptor a boat from Malta, but no more. Today Libya is served by such International carriers as British Airways from London, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, Alitalia from Rome, Swiss Air from Zurich, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, Emirates from Dubai, Air Tunis from Tunis and Egypt Air from Cairo, etc.

Before you travel you should know that travellers from all but Arab and certain countries need a VISA to travel into Libya. These are normally issued by libyan travel agency send invitation to the Libyan people’s bureau,embassy or consulate in the relevant overseas country, only Arabs and certain some of African country nationals are exempt from this requirement. VISA’s can be issued for several reasons, Tourist and Business are the main reasons. Due to the growth of the Libyan tourism industry, VISA rules have been relaxed and are easier to obtain. To obtain a VISA, you need to apply to the nearest Libyan embassy “People’s Libyan Bureau” (see Libyan Embassies). The cost of VISA’s differed according to the country you apply from. VISA’s are usually valid for 3 months from the issue date and are valid for a month’s duration in Libya.

You can always extend your stay in Libya by applying to the nearest immigration office there. Usually, you need an invitation to visit Libya, but you can obtain one from a Libyan travel agency, or an agency that deals with Libya. If you have a Libyan contact (Friend, Relative or Business contact) they can issue you an invitation. Your government or the Libyan Embassy you apply to might provide this service. All visitors to Libya must have the essentail data on their passport translated into Arabic.

If you are travelling as a part of a tour group then your travel company will almost certainly deal with this to translate your passport information into Arabic. If you are travelling alone or with a friend to get VISA and you don‘t know anyone in libya you can contact a locale travel agent in Libya, they will send you an invitation.

What to bring along? Take out Medical Insurance, also take a letter from your doctor if you have any major disease or special care you need. If you take medications, it is advised that you bring a good supply and a letter explaining the use of them.

Bring a spare of Glasses, if you use them. If you find a good Arabic phrases book. Libyans like when tourists try to speak their language. It is advised to bring the basic medications (i.e. Diarrhea, Headache). Bring your sunglasses and a good hat. A camera. Please check with yourtour guidewhen you are in the cities and remember people DO not like to be photographed without their permission. Good sneakers. Swimming Suit. Lots of Sun Lotion.

When you arrive There is a no compulsory currency purchase order for tourists traveling to Libya to change amount of money. you can change as much as you want when you pass the Immigration(always ask your locale tour guide for the amount of change during you stay in Libya), you need to make the change at the Tripoli International Airport or at any bank in Tripoli, or your entry point. It is always advised to travel through the Tripoli International Airport as the main operators deal with it.

Libya has one of strongest bans in the world on Alcohol and drug imports. Before you plan to bring any please think twice andwe highly advise younot to do so.

You need to fill Immigration and Currency forms on entries by the Tunisia or by Egyptians border. The forms can be obtained in both Arabic and English, if you are with a tour, they usually assist in filling them. If you are alone, do not hesitate to ask any one, people in Libya are friendly and will go over board to assist in any way possible. You need also don’t forget to register with the authorities in Libya during your first week of entry.

In Tripoli it is the immigration office, you can always ask at your entry point or ask the hotel that you are staying in Libya the also could do it for you, or even at the Libyan Embassy where you have obtained your visa. If you have organized your visit to Libya with a travel agent they will take care of the registration for you. If you are traveling with your own vehicle, the rules are slightly different. We advise that you contact a Libyan travel agency to organize a guide for you, the guide can do a lot of help during your visit in Libya. When leaving Libya, note that you are only allowed to export a limited amount of Libyan money and there are currency controls.

There is no a departure taxes that you need to pay when leaving. Libyan Currency The Libyan Dinar is the standard currency which is divided into 1,000 dirhams witch called Dinar. Notes are issued in 20 – 10 – 5 – 1 – .5 and .25. Coins are 25 – 10 and 05 dirhams, but are rarely used these days. The currency exchange rates are changing. Please check with you tour operator, host or Libyan Embassy. There are also many banks in all the major cities, and you can always make any exchanges at any of them. Credit Cards are not used in Libya (Rumors has it that they will be introduced to the major Hotels and banks very soon).

Getting there: Libya’s main entry points are Tripoli and Benghazi or by Libyan Tunisian or Libyan Egyptian Border.

You can travel by air or by sea. You can also enter from Egypt, Tunisia or from the south of Libya by land. Please make sure to have made preparations in advanceand that your Libyan contacts know about your plans. When in Libya, the roads are in good conditions, currently there are some Car Rental agencies (Prices are not expensive). You can also relay on Taxi and local transportation. Between the cities, you can take the bus or rent your own taxi, shared taxis are also available. You can also travel by air between the major cities including the south part of Libya.

Please note that Libya has a high rate of car accidents, so if you plan to drive do it carefully or hire a driver.

General Information: Libyan Electricity service uses standard 240V power system. But please note that adapter plug sizes might vary, it is advised that you bring an international adapter with you. Libyan hours of business are from 7:00 am to 2:00 p.m. (summer) and 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m. (winter).

Private business and shops operate differently and are usually open late. If traveling in Ramadan (the Islamic Holy month), the working habits are changed, businesses are usually opened after sunset. Libya’s official time is GMT – 1 and the time does not change between summer and winter. When traveling be advised to respect Libya’s religion (Islam). Dress reasonably and remember that the Libyan people are very hospitable. But you should be aware of LibyanandIslamic customs so that you do not accidentally offend anyone during your stay. Also if you intend to travel around Libya, either make arrangements with a tour company, or have a Libyan national escort you.

Delta with new nonstop flights to Sydney, Sao Paulo, increased service to New York

Delta Air Lines will strengthen its gateway at Los Angeles International Airport in 2009 with the addition of its first-ever daily nonstop service between Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia* effective July 1; three-times weekly service between Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, Brazil* beginning May 21; and increased service between Los Angeles and New York-JFK starting March 2.

Delta? growth at Los Angeles is supported by the recently announced expanded marketing agreement between Delta and Alaska Air Group that will make the two companies preferred partners on the West Coast and bolster connectivity at Los Angeles. The agreement will make Sydney, Sao Paulo, as well as Delta? existing international flights to Latin America, Tokyo-Narita, Seoul-Inchon, Guangzhou, Amsterdam, Paris-Charles De Gaulle and other U.S. destinations more accessible to travelers from points throughout the West Coast via easy connections with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Delta and its Northwest Airlines subsidiary together with Alaska and Horizon offer customers daily connections to approximately 45 nonstop destinations to, from and through Los Angeles.

With the addition of Sydney, Delta will become the only U.S. airline to fly to six continents, enhancing its position as the premier global airline.

Beginning in March, Delta also will increase nonstop service between Los Angeles and New York-JFK from seven to eight daily flights to improve connections for New York and Northeast customers on long-haul international flights via Los Angeles. Additionally, Delta customers in the Southeastern U.S. will benefit from same-plane service between Atlanta and Sydney via LA.

*Subject to foreign government approval.