Maui Camper Van

Motor home rentals are a flexible and affordable way of touring a new country such as New Zealand. Especially for tourists from overseas travelling with their families, where being able to have everything you would at home with you 24/7 is a crucial factor to being able to enjoy a holiday. Renting a camper van provides an excellent base for parents who have young children with them, giving mum and dad the flexibility to stop whenever necessary to cater to their children’s needs.

This combined method of transportation and accommodation can be less expensive for families than staying in a hotel for a week or moving around the country from hotel to hotel with a rental car or escorted tour bus. These vehicles also remove the hassle of having to unpack toys, nappy bags, DVDs etc at each stop to entertain the kids. With self contained campers mum and dad can set up their own mini home for the week or two, only having to set up and pack up once – at the start and end of their holiday.

With fully equipped motor home rentals families do not have to worry about providing their own crockery and bedding, as each vehicle is already set up with amenities such as: sets of dishes, silverware, cutlery, sheets, blankets and pillows. Fully equipped rental campers also have the convenience of built in toilets and showers, which can be a very useful feature when travelling long distances with the kids.

There is a huge variety of vehicle styles and internal setups with up to 6 berth campers available for larger families. Motor homes are designed to cater to both daytime and night time with beds turning into couches and pull-down tables etc. Other useful add on features that can be arranged (if not already part of a camper) can include: outdoor tables, chairs, a sun umbrella, BBQ, bikes and a navigational system.

Before planning a New Zealand camper van excursion, it is important to know that upon van pickup, there is a required tutorial for the driver, which will involve an explanation of all equipment and how to drive a vehicle that is more cumbersome than the standard automobile. These tutorials usually take about an hour. Also, adjust the pickup time of the motor home rental to coincide with any potential flight delays and adjust for the possibility that it may take a while to get through customs.

Once on the road, it is important to note that the New Zealand speed limit is 100 km per hour and that automobiles are driven on the left hand side of the road. Many roads can be windy, so use caution. Don’t plan for too many kilometres a day because not only will you miss a lot but the drive will be much safer.

New Zealand is abundant in family fun activities especially if travelling in summer, there are beach carnivals, theme parks, water sport activities, hiking, animal parks and much more. There are dozens of safe and family friendly holiday parks to book overnight accommodation at and also empty waste and sewage before venturing to your next destination. Check out various rental options online today and book your family in for an affordable and flexible holiday around New Zealand.

The journey to a wedding can be a real nightmare, because a wedding photographer simply cannot be late. If you plan everything carefully, you’ll have nothing to worry about; the important thing is planning well ahead. On the few occasions when the photographer is late, the whole wedding comes to a standstill: nobody wants to start the ceremony without the photographer, otherwise all of the long term memories will be compromised. Imagine this: tens of people are sitting in the church just waiting for you to arrive. What are you going to tell when you arrive there an hour late? How are you going to deal with such an embarrassing situation?

Being always late is a real disability. I know of people that are unable to keep a job, because of their time keeping skills. I myself do not keep assistants that are late. A wedding is a very important thing and being late once is enough for me not to hire an assistant again. What I tell them is this: make sure you arrive on time; if you have time keeping problems, then arrive three hours early. There are no excuses for a wedding photographer to be late. Not to talk about the financial losses you could incur into: you can be sure that you will be charged for some extras the bride and groom will incurred into because of you. The journey to a wedding doesn’t have to be this stressful, actually it can be quite peaceful and pleasant. Planning early and well, will almost guarantee that you will be there on time.

Your Vehicle:

Whatever vehicle you use (car, van, motorcycle, bicycle), make sure it’s well looked after. If you have a vehicle that is more than five years old, I would advise you have it checked out at least a couple of weeks before the event. This is because if there are repairs to be made, you want to be sure you’ll get it back before the wedding.

If your car is not reliable, rent one. Nowadays hiring a car can be very cheap and this can easily be included in the expenses bill. Also the vehicle you arrive with tells a lot about the way you work. Much more than you would think.

Imagine: you call a plumber from the yellow pages and he arrives at your home with an old noisy bitten up pickup truck with a dirty camper shell and you can tell he lives in it. Then your neighbor’s plumber arrives in the latest van, quietly, a professional advert on the side, wearing a nice work uniform. I bet you would wish you had called the other guy. You will automatically assume your plumber will not do the job properly, or at least not as well as the other guy. First impressions really count a lot.

It’s the same with wedding photographers: how you travel tells how you will work. Arrive in style and the bride and groom will already trust you more, even without having touched one of your cameras. They are paying you top dollars and they want to see their money well spent and of course they want to show their family and friends that they have selected a real pro.

Want to know what I do? Just in case that something goes wrong with my car and the journey, I always keep a folding bicycle in the trunk. When such an important thing like a wedding is at stake, you have to think about the unthinkable. What if you get into an accident and your car can no longer be moved? You are still required to attend the event. Remember that accidents do happen and they are not necessarily your fault, but you will be expected to have allowed enough time for them.

This is not a normal 9 to 6 job; you are the person in charge of the only memories the couple will have of their wedding day and it is your duty and main priority do anything in your power to attend AND to be on time (which means early).

Get a membership with the local automobile club, so that you will be prepared for any mishaps and you’ll have less worries as there would be someone to help you. Even if you only got a flat tire, could you change it on your own while wearing a nice suit and a white shirt? How clean (or dirty) will you arrive at the ceremony?

Always respect speed limits. Other than dramatically reducing the chances of having an accident, you’ll also reduce the chances of being pulled over by the police. Even if you get a straightforward fine, you will waste precious time and you will be upset for most of the day. You are going to create art on commission and your mind needs to be clear, relaxed and happy.

The Journey:

Going to a wedding is not like going to work at rush hour on weekdays, where everything is more or less predictable. Weddings usually happen on the weekend, where sometimes (always if you live in London) unusual road works take place, trains are limited and diversions are in place.

Since it is a weekend and most people do not work, the authorities don’t usually give much weight to congestion, which becomes extremely unpredictable and very heavy at times.

If you can, avoid travelling on the day of the wedding. Even if the event takes place at only 50 miles from your home, travel there the day before and stay at a cheap hotel. You will wake up nice and fresh, with plenty of time for everything… maybe even to have a nice walk in the morning before the wedding.

Make sure you know what is going on around you. A good way to do this is to watch the evening news the day before the wedding and to check for the local news website as soon as you get up in the morning. Go to any extent to make the journey go as smoothly as possible.

The Routes:

Always plan at least three routes. The first should be the quickest, the send should be the shortest and the third an emergency alternative. If your route includes a highway, plan an alternative route using local roads. Always think of the unthinkable.

Nowadays we use navigators, which are a fantastic aid in these sort of situations, but do not rely 100% on them. Always carry a city mad and a larger area map. The day before plan your route on a real map and match that with the navigator.

Keep in mind that on the weekend some roads might be closed and diversions might be in place. The journey can be severely altered and delayed, especially on a Saturday morning.

My wife and I currently live in the great North West, Portland area, to be exact. It is a beautiful area for sure!  When I get all tied up with the hustle and bustle of the big city life, I need to unwind. My two favorite things to do is get out  camping and fishing.

I have three favorite places to do that here that are close and affordable, Promontory Park, Milo McIver Park, and now, Metzler Park. All three of these are less than an hour away. The furthest one is only 40 miles from our house!

Since we like camping and fishing,The first Favorite is Promontory and it is definitely the most convenient. I hook up our 12 foot aluminum boat behind our 23 foot motor home, it’s a 1983 Mini Winnie  and head out of town. The reservoir is stocked on a regular basis so trout fishing is good. There is a nice dock there and it is easy to put the boat in. The campsites are all rustic, so the convenience of the motor home is nice, but they have hot showers and a few strategically placed electric hot plate cookers, so tent camping is real good too! The first time we went there it was in a two room cabin tent.

The second favorite spot is Metzler, it is also the furthest. The campsites are more private and the majority have water and electric hook ups. If you want to fish there don’t bother with a boat, there’s no launch site and the stream is small. What they do have there is a lot of banks to fish from and several trails to walk.

And finally the Third favorite is Milo McIver Park. They have electric and water hook ups, the campsites are spacious, and the park is well maintained. There is also a stream and trails. All of these are with in traveling distance from each other, so you could take your boat and head over to Promontory from the other two.

As far as your daily chores being better, did you ever notice how bacon, even though it’s cooked on a camp stove tastes better when your camping? Sooo Cooking is more fun! and the cleaning and so forth have to be done when you’re stuck in the city anyway so what the hey!

I hope you get the opportunity to check these out if you haven’t all ready, and remember have fun and enjoy life!

Living in an RV is a great way to live or retire. It is fun it is frugal and it offers a freedom of movement that is hard to duplicate with a bricks and mortar home.

There are sacrifices that have to be made however, and here is a list of 5 things you will not see RVing.

1)      No one will be towing or using a riding lawnmower or snow blower.

Some things have to be left at home and the above 2 items are at the top of the list. I know I miss having somebody disturb my peace by firing up the lawnmower at cocktail hour but on the road you have to do without here. 

2)       No one will be leaving the park before 8AM in a suit and tie.

This is a big adjustment for a lot of retirees…but you must buckle down. There are also limited chances for you to wear the ties you get for Christmas as well. Some watch Trump reality shows to ease the pain of not being in business anymore. 

3)      No one will be asking for directions to the drycleaners

A big adjustment for some ladies who are used to paying by the pleat to have their work dresses dry cleaned. Recent retirees are especially susceptible to this malady. 

4)      No one will care when your neighbor shows up in a new car

You will have to get used to not keeping up with the neighbors. No longer will you be buying things you don’t need, in order to maintain appearances. 

5)      No one will know or care when Oprah or Dr Phil is on TV

A biggie for some, but you just don’t care about which Senator is having an affair. Oprah may have a series on how to handle your rebellious teenager, you will not care. Get ready for these life changing events, living in an RV. 

No these things will have to be replaced with visiting your friends in the rig next door and congratulating each other on leaving the rat race. Living in an RV will require adjustments…but I bet you can handle it. Enjoy.

Using camper van hire in Europe can be one of the greatest options you have if you want to learn more about the scenic spots in the continent. A lot of campers, who went before you, have attested to the joys of camping in the area. In fact, Europe has many of the most famous spots for a campervan holiday.

Since the 1960’s, the era when campervan hire started to flourish, Europe was already one of the most popular tourist destinations for campers. Spain, specifically Barcelona, is one place you should traverse using a motorhome hire. The spot has great RV parks with a kind of Bohemian feel to them. Aside from Spain, however, there are other great camping sites in Europe where you can put the campervan into use. The list includes the following:

1. Germany. In Munich, there is a well-maintained campsite known as Oberstdorf. You can consider this during your campervan trip. This famous winter campsite is actually around 15 minutes away from the town’s centre. You can also enjoy health resort facilities around this area.

Also found in Germany is the Prahljust, a campsite situated in Hanover. This is found on the Harz Mountains and is well-known for its beauteous forests and captivating mountain lakes. Whilst you are using a camper van hire in Europe in traversing this area, you can extend five more extra kilometres to reach the place of Clausthall-Zellerfield. Take time out to see more of its wooden church, learn of its mining history, and experience how it is to shop in its street market. You can also use the motorhome hire to reach the picturesque village of Buntenbock.

2. Belgium. This country is known for its 3-star caravan park, Baalse Hei. The campsite is particularly seated in Flanders and is popular for its quiet surroundings. Take time out to explore the 36-hectare lot using the cycling routes and footpaths provided on its mountain trails. There are also great hideaways you will find in Baalse Hei with your motorhome rental. Some other great activities you will enjoy in this famous Belgian campsite are fishing, rowing and swimming. When you decide to use a camper van hire in Europe during summer and you want to go to Baalse Hei, expect that you will be able to enjoy one of the events organised by the campsite’s management.

3. Spain. Aside from Barcelona, Catalonia is also a seat for one of the favourite campsites in Europe. This one is called as Las Palmeras located just a few kilometres from Tarragona. The place is ideal for the entire family since it is equipped with the most modern facilities for camping and caravanning.

4. France. This small village is home for the campsite known as La Samaritaine. It has plenty of space where you can relax and explore nature. This 3-star campsite is equipped with a lake, a manmade beach, mobile homes, chalets and pitches for campervans.

Never stop exploring options when you want to make use of camper van hire in Europe. You can always make some researches to see other great places to go to around Europe. You can also ask your motorhome hire companies for help on these matters.

A camping tent is the most important equipment you will need because this will provide shelter and ensure your safety while you are outdoors. Since camping season is here again and you need to check out a new tent to replace your old one, here is a rundown of the three basic tents for camping.

The A-Frame

Of the three, the A-frame is the most traditionally designed camping tent. A-frame derive their name from the basic structure featuring two poles that form a triangle placed at either end of a tent; a central pole is also placed on top of the two triangles to provide added support for the tent material itself. Although these tents are easy to construct, they might not withstand windy conditions.

The Cabin

In terms of structure, cabin are supported by a system of jointed poles that could easily be assembled and disassembled when needed. Cabin tents for camping, despite the heavy weight, provide unparalleled floor space and usually have a high ceiling that helps create a more spacious interior. Meanwhile, in terms of size and weight, cabin tents are larger and heavier. These are suitable for a large family of campers who want to camp out together but also need some privacy and individual areas for each member inside. This is because cabin tents provide enough floor space inside that the tent itself can be divided into several sections or “rooms,” much like a house with different rooms for every member of the family, making them ideal options for a large family of campers. Eureka camping tents provide a wide range of cabin tents that could suit any requirements.

The Dome

The basic structure of a dome tent is a pair of jointed poles crossed one on top of the other, creating an “x” configuration upon which the tent itself will rest. The reason why dome tents are popular among campers is because they are lightweight and can easily be moved from one location to another without having to dismantle the entire thing. Although these are relatively smaller than the cabin tent, dome tents also provide sufficient interior space and headroom. Dome tare perfect for backpackers who want to have a sturdy tent that is relatively lightweight compared with the others. If you think that this is the right tent for you, you might want to check out the range of Eureka camping tents featuring the dome configuration.

The dome, cabin, and A-frame tents are the three basic tent designs incorporated by modern camping tents being sold today. Aside from the basic configurations, you can also choose a tent based on whether it is a freestanding or a fixed one. For other designs, check out Eureka camping tents that all provide the best range of products out in the market. Remember, your next camping trip will only be successful if you have the right equipment. Thus, carefully consider options such as the number of users and other requirements you might have to help you choose the best equipment.

When dealing with a propane tank you must realize that it is mandatory that the tanks remain in an up right position. So here I want to discuss how to properly disconnect the tank and transport it to be refilled.

The first thing to do is to remove the propane tank cover. Shut off the valve on the empty cylinder and make sure there is no propane flowing out of the tubing. Disconnect the connectors to the RV and loosen the clamp. Put the dust cap on it to keep out foreign debris and to protect the threads on the valve. Remove the cylinder and place it securely in a carrier of some type. This can be a holder made especially for the propane tank or a cardboard box or crate. Then secure the tank & carrier with a bungee cord or rope to your truck.

So you don’t have a truck, can you carry it in your car or an enclosed vehicle? Alright don’t get excited! The standard size of a propane tank is 30 pounds. You can carry up to three tanks in your vehicle but it is not recommended to carry more than that. On a hot day (100 °F) the heat can cause the pressure in the tank to be raised to 200-215 psi. That is not something we want to mess with! When carrying propane in an enclosed vehicle you still need to keep it in the upright position. Secure it with a seat belt or on the floorboard of your car. Open all the windows in the vehicle for proper ventilation just in case there is a leakage in the valve.

Portable solar showers are plastic bags that you fill with water and leave them in the sun to heat. After a while you have warm water that you can take a shower with using the built in shower nozzle.

These showers are sold as an outdoor and camping item but they can also be for home use. I tried one of these last summer and it worked so well that I started using it at home instead of the regular shower. Home water heaters are one of the biggest energy hogs in a home and with a solar bag shower that I bought for less than $20 I eliminated that bill as far as showers go.

Solar bag showers are made of tough plastic that is clear on one side and dark on the other. You fill it with water and lay it out in the sun with the clear side facing up. On a warm sunny day after 2 or 3 hours it’s warm enough to take a shower. In some cases it may even be too hot and you will have to add some cold water.

Once it is hot you hang it above head level and turn on the valve. You can do this outdoors or bring it inside and use it in your home or RV shower if you install a hanger or shelf to put it on. I found the 5 gallon solar shower to be plenty for one person to take a fairly long shower.

A solar shower bag is not for cold weather. Unless the weather is warm and sunny the water will not get warm enough. I have an outdoor shower set up and if the weather is above 70 degrees I can just leave the bag hanging in the shower position and it gets plenty hot. If it’s only in the 60’s I have to set it down flat so it will be exposed to maximum sun.

If you enjoy camping or if you want to switch your showers to solar power during the warm months of the year a solar bag shower is an excellent low cost solution.

Many travelers take advantage of last minute deals by scheduling their vacation time to avail of the best, discounted rates. A lot of the popular travel destinations have vacant hotel rooms and many flights are not completely reserved. The hotels and airlines take the opportunity of the vacancy and market their discounted rates online, to attract customers. The choice of the right destination is often confusing, but if the options are available, the thought of a Caribbean travel is very exciting.

The Caribbean has a lot to offer to tourists. It is famous for its culture, ancient architecture, delicious food and water sports. Many online sites have great package deals to offer in and around the Caribbean. The expertise of the Internet makes booking of hotels and other details easily available. The list of price options mentioned online, is worth a glance.

The warm and pleasant climate of the Caribbean makes it very appealing. Apart from the beautiful beaches, the resorts have much to offer. While touring the Caribbean, a person can choose to stay at any of the small and large islands.

Travel agencies and online booking is a favorite among the clients who choose last minute vacations here. The offers are good, hotel accommodations can be done even at the last minute and flight tickets can be reserved ex-tempo.

The Caribbean has its own distinct charm that attracts tourists every year by the millions. The authorities here take efforts to make sure that the tourists are given the best services, at affordable prices. There are hotels around the airport, where accommodation can be arranged at a reasonable price.

The people here are very hospitable and welcoming, hence, tourists are welcomed with open arms. The number of tourists increases, as they yearn to come back to the wonderful Caribbean.

If you are planning a trip Florida and are flying into any of their twelve main airports you will find car hire companies based in all of the terminal buildings.

If you are flying into Miami International Airport you will pass through the baggage reclaim area into the main arrivals area, where there are nine major car hire firms at Miami Airport with desks in the arrivals area next to the baggage reclaim area in the Central and North terminals, or if you arrive into the South Terminal there are Information and Reservation boards in arrivals and on the third floor where you can use the rental car phone. There is a major road around the inner hub of the Miami Airport where hire cars, shuttle buses and coaches can be found.

When you have checked in with your car hire firm in the arrivals hall you need to go across the road from the terminal building and pick up a courtesy car hire shuttle bus to take you to the various rent a car stations which are all located just outside the airport on LeJeune Avenue. When you come out of the arrivals hall you will see shuttle buses with the name of the car hire company on them, so just hail one and it will stop. Remember when you are bringing your rent a car back to Miami Airport allow at least 30-45 minutes to drop it off and catch the shuttle bus back to the airport terminal for check in.

Before you drive off in your hire car make sure you check it for any scratches or dents and ensure that it is in full working order (seat belts, windscreen wipers, headlights and indicators) as it is important that you report any problems at this stage so that the representative can note down any problems on your rental agreement. Failure to do this might result in you being charged for damage you did not cause when you return the car.