The beach can be a great place to meet women over the summer months. There are lots of single women there, the location is very relaxed, the women are very attractive, and the beach lends itself to being social.

The truth is that there aren’t that many tricks to this. It really boils down to you starting a conversation with the woman of your choice and going from there. With that said, I am going to give you some tips to help you meet women at the beach.

Your Confidence Is Important

No matter where you meet women your level of confidence is important, but at the beach it is maybe more important then anywhere else. Why? Because at the beach women will be wearing very little clothing and so will you. Those two things could make you extremely nervous and insecure.

You don’t want to be too self conscious about your body. Get yourself a tan before you go to the beach. Try a good sunless tanning solution to get rid of that whiteness before you go to the beach. You may also want to work out a little bit so that your not too soft. You don’t need to be the biggest guy, but a little muscle will help.

You should also get yourself a nice bathing suit. At the very least get yourself something that is in style for this summer. Some nice looking sunglasses should also help improve your look.

Having a nice t-shirt or other summer shirt will also help. I recommend that you approach women with your shirt on if you do have a nice body. It shows the woman that your not trying to impress her.

What To Bring

Yo

- A Frisbee

- A volleyball

- Beach ball

- A football

- Surfboard (If you know how to surf)

- Sunscreen lotion or oil

- A blanket

- A deck of cards

- Ice and drinks

- Snack and food

How To Meet Her

Go where the biggest crowds are. That is the easiest way to meet women at the beach. Try any of the following:

- Borrow some of her lotion

- Ask her if she would like to throw the Frisbee

- Invite her for a drink

- Just say “Hi” and make small conversation

- Move around. As women walk around you can say “Hi” to them

- Have a question to ask her and her friends.

- Get her opinion on something

Very standard and straightforward stuff. Not all women will be receptive to your approach, but some will be.

Conclusion

As you can see meeting women at the beach is a great idea. Just make sure you aren’t like most men who stair at women. If that’s all your going to do then there is no point in even going to the beach.

Tyler Moss teaches men how to meet and flirt with women. How would you like to meet, date, and attract the woman of your dreams? Now you can by visiting http://www.charmingmanblog.com and learn how to attract women.

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Unwanted Belly Fat Can Creep Up On You

Women want to lose that bulging belly, no matter how small. Of course men don’t mind small “beer belly,” if they can just get rid of those love handles. For me, I didn’t start to see what nine or ten years of beer drinking was doing to my muscular physique until my late twenties. Staying busy with typical sports activities usually will be enough to thwart the alcohol’s effect on the body. For me, it was beach volleyball. Running and diving around on the sand is not only a great cardiovascular workout, it also keeps your muscles toned. But as you grow older, and some girl friends who tended not to like volleyball, you look down one day and realize you somehow have grown an extra tire around that once flat tight stomach area. At first it’s a little donut, however in less time than you care to remember, you now have a full size truck tire on your hands.

Of course for you ladies the story is a bit different. Unless you are into exercising or sports, the effects can be even more devastating. That midriff blouse that proudly showed off your firm stomach last year, is being replaced by an oversize T-shirt this year. If any of this has a ring of truth for you, do not despair, real help is only moments away. I have reviewed some of the top diet and weight loss programs available, and can give you the reasons most methods ultimately fail.

If you are currently doing anything harmful to your body, please cease and desist. There are many harmful methods out there, some even famo

Starvation Diet

I know it sounds ridiculous to say that someone who is starving themselves is on a diet. But for the hundreds of thousands of women who pop pills and binge, it is a reality. Plain and simply, your body needs food to function properly. There are so-called liquid diets, and programs that tell you to eat as little as possible. Losing weight this way is  actually worse for you than gaining weight. Without proper nutrients, your body will systematically break down.

Eating Low Carbs

You have probably tried or heard of someone who has tried the diet plans that consist of eating only low carbs. For some this may work, but for most of us life will be miserable. The body can’t function on a low carb diet and will cause you to have headaches, irritability and sleep loss. You will end up gaining weight after the initial weight loss.

Low Fat Diets

Low fat does not equate to loss of weight. Just take a good look at the so called Low Fat foods that the stores sell. These foods are typically very high in calories, and will cause you to gain, not lose weight.

Pre-package Diet Programs

These companies all are prospering on the simple concept of moderation. They haven’t done anything that you can’t do yourself. They have just made it easier for someone to eat less.

I am sure that not only can you cook better meals than they offer, you’ll be to do it for a fraction of the cost.

Hollywood Diets

Most of the time it seems that the most popular anything out of Hollywood, is a ripoff of someone else’s program. It usually is that way with diets. The most popular still seems to be” binge and purge” or just not eating at all. Occasionally some guru comes up with a silly idea like a “cookie” diet, or a mystical potion, or some other kind of nonsense.

Yes, losing weight is no laughing matter. So now let’s get serious. You can see why the diets and weight loss programs that fall into the previous categories  failed. As promised, I will now reveal some of the finer points of my top reviewed weight loss system. Remember that my top pick might not necessarily be your number one pick. I strongly urge you to go to my site and check them all out for yourself. That being said, my top program is Strip That Fat for three very big reasons.

1.This is a program that works equally well for both men and women.

2.  The secret is eating the right CALORIES. Strip That Fat will get you to actually eat more and lose more. Which brings me to my last reason to try it.

3.With Strip that Fat you will be eating five meals a day. You need to exercise, but most of you do enough exercise already to be losing weight, you just have not been told about the proper techniques to target specific areas, like the belly  (which they release in full details within this system). Imagine an exercise that increases your metabolism, and increase the calories you burn while you are resting.

I’ve shown you just a few ways you can shed that unwanted fat and return to, or discover, a tight flat stomach. And these are just a few of the reasons that  Strip that Fat is the top dieting programs available online. Do the fun thing and check this out. Find out why people who have never had success losing weight, are seeing results after just the first week. Please go to: Best Weightloss Reviews

Compare Strip That Fat to the other top weight loss products that are now available. You decide which one best fits your needs.

At 57, I consider myself to be a Jack Of All Trades And Master Of Nothing. I was a struggling actor for 25 years. During that time I learned a little about a lot of things, and would like to pass along some of that knowledge. I live in California with my beautiful wife and a menagerie of pets.

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There’s an old saying that says “life begins at 40″ so the party for this occasion should be more than just another birthday party, it should be a celebration of the beginning of a new life. All your friends and colleagues should be invited to your 40th birthday to celebrate with you. You should look at it as a chance to show you are still enthusiastic and have a passion for life.

If you are planning a theme for the party, make sure to include that in the invitations and send them out well in advance. There are a number of computer software programs that will allow you to be creative and customize your invitations and this makes for a nice touch.

Here are some themes and 40th birthday party ideas:

* Surprise party – few parties are more memorable than surprise parties. Make sure all the invitees are aware it’s a surprise so the cat is not let out of the bag.

* Play “This Is Your Life” just like the TV show. It’s a terrific but seldom used 40th birthday party idea! Put together a book that chronicles the entire life history including pictures, newsclippings and other memorabilia. A PowerPoint presentation is a great way to go too. Make sure to invite plenty of people from their past and dramatically introduce them one by one.

* A boat party can be one of the most thrilling 40th birthday party ideas. Go for the river or ocean if you live nearby. Arrange a dance or dinner party aboard. Have all the guests dress in their best cruise wear or beach clothes if you want to keep it cas

* Going camping can be a great 40th birthday party idea. Imagine getting away to a nice mountain setting with friends and family and enjoying a campfire and a scrumptious barbecue. Don’t forget the marshmallows! This is a great setting to pass stories and memories around the fire with a warm drink.

* Something that is exciting and usual is to use a castle as a party venue. Put together a medieval banquet in the banquet hall that King Henry would be proud of and your guests will not soon forget this 40th birthday party. Have the guests dress in traditional medieval garb. Do some internet research and include the websites on the invitations where folks can see pictures and get ideas for their costumes.

* If you are near the ocean (or a large lake) a beach party will be a huge hit for a 40th birthday party. Instruct your guests to don their best beachwear including Hawaiian shirts, Bermuda shorts, flip-flops and tank tops. Whip up a sumptuous Hawaiian or Caribbean style feast. Keep the party fun and lively by breaking out the volleyball net and the beach balls.

These are just a few of the 40th birthday party ideas and themes that you can come up with. Make it suit the personality of the guest of honor, keep it lively and fun and the party is sure to be a big hit.

Cheri Brennan is an avid party planning enthusiast. She has planned many parties for friends, family and corporate settings. To get more great articles, tips and party planning ideas click over to Plan Your Best Party.com! Visit today and get the “Appetizer Recipe Collection” as a free gift!

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By: TJ Kirgin
Can you really make six figures a year with an online business that doesn’t require a degree? Tanya Watson says, “Of course!”

Tanya is a part of an online phenomenon called Online Business Systems – an opportunistic company for an online Business.

Tanya’s life before Online Business Systems was that of any other people who work in the corporate world. She relates tons of hours and overtime, no thanks or appreciation, and a bad boss who carries around a coffee cup and pretends like he cares. Tanya had little time to spend with her family, and most importantly, her infant baby girl. “I wanted independence,” says Tanya. Turning to Online Business Systems, Tanya and her husband Warren became the CEO’s of their own online business.

Now Tanya works from home, spending time with her daughter and running a successful independent company with her business partner, best friend, and husband Warren. This is a dream any working mom would want and any person can have.

It’s normal to be skeptical, but the important thing to remember is that this is not a get-rich quick scheme, and it is definitely not a job, it is a business. “I was skeptical at first, but we wanted to give it a try, and I’m glad we did!” says Tanya about first seeing the ad for Online Business Systems. Online Business Systems requires hard work and effort to begin your company that will continue on to build and manage your company. Many people may find themselves thinking “Is it really possible to make six figures a year, as the business claims?” Online Business Systems works as well as you want it too, depending on your own personal drive, motivation, and attitude. So if you have a great attitude, and a willingness to work and learn, being an Online Business Systems distributor can create a whole new avenue of freedom for your life.

“The business sounds great so far, but what kind of business is this exactly?” The company that Online Business Systems is affiliated with is an established, respectable 27 year old company that specializes in skin care products, nutritional supplements and weight loss management, and gives an unmatched business opportunity to people around the world. Their nutritional products have helped many people internationally and have been growing since 1980, with annual sales of $3 billion.

Along with its success in the nutritional market, the company that Online Business Systems is affiliated with is the sponsor for a number of sports events, venues, and athletes. Our affiliate was the Nutritional Advisor for the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour for seasons 2005 to 2007,. They were the Presenting Sponsor of the Chase Open WTA tennis tournament in 2005 and 2006 and are the official nutrition company and shirt sponsor of the LA Galaxy Soccer team and Tour of California Bicycle race, along with many other triathlons and their athletes. They have created a family foundation in 1994 which is committed to offering support to children to escape poverty, hunger and abuse so that they can receive adequate medical care and education.

Leaving the supposed security of a JOB to venture into a BUSINESS can be a scary proposition. You must research. You must weigh your options and you must look deep into your self, identify your goals and make a personal commitment to succeed. To begin this journey of research and self discovery toward personal success and inevitably happiness, independence and wealth visit www.loveyourworkathome.com You will learn why Online Business Systems is one of the few online business opportunities backed by the Better Business Bureau Online Reliability Program.

Second Generation Ad guy and 10 year media buying veteran. Owner of Anchor Communications, Inc – An Advertising Agency, and Founder of Anchor Digital Services – A Web Marketing Company.

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By: Cookie Feldstein
Your photos are just as important as your profile. And photos will get someone to look at your profile faster than they would look at a profile without photos. Yeah, you know it’s true. But this doesn’t mean you should put up just anything (meaning no driver’s license, passport, or old college ID photos). And though “the more the merrier” may apply to some things, putting up more than 6 or 7 photos can be a bit much for anyone looking at them (well maybe not to your mom, but she’s not going to be looking on this site—as far as we know). You do want to be up front and share a little about yourself—just not all at once, and on this type of venue.

Head shots

You’ll want a good head shot, and a shot showing people that a body does exist below your neck. What about one of you participating in a sporting event, playing tennis, volleyball, windsurfing, camping, fishing, riding a horse, your bicycle or Harley? You get the idea. Yeah, I know, how many shots do I honestly have of those things? Well, how about a couple of shots of places you’ve been that you really enjoyed that means something to you? They not only show you, but what you find interesting. Note: Leave out photos with your minor children’s faces in clear view as I view this as a security issue.

Blacked out faces

I run the other way when I see photos with a lone guy surrounded by people with creepy blacked out faces — the worst of which appear something like the four horsemen of the apocalypse surrounding a broadly grinning guy holding a beer bottle in one hand with his other arm lost behind someone’s body.

That’s so nice of you not wanting to reveal the faces of your friends, relatives, old loves, etc., but give me a break! Guys, you seem to be guiltier of this than women, but you’re still not alone. Women, don’t do it. If you can’t take the time to actually crop the photo and make it look good, or just take a new photo, how do you think that makes you look?

As a woman looking at prospective date and seeing one or more photos of a guy surrounded by people with no faces (and these faceless wonders are usually women and most of the time this is quite obvious), then I start thinking that this guy is not really serious about finding a nice person to date. Or he thinks he’s so great that he doesn’t have to make an effort. And if he’s not making an effort and taking time to present himself well, what does that say about him?

And what about a guy looking at photos of a woman surrounded by men with no faces…get the picture?

And what about pictures that literally look like they’ve been ripped in half? Not a pretty picture!

Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses or hats that shadow your eyes are a big “no” on your main photo. If you’re skiing down a mountain or pointing out the migrating whales from a tropical beach, or wearing a wetsuit and mask, that’s cool. But make sure you have at least one photo where I can see your face. I want to see your eyes. Covering them up with sunglasses says to me that you’re hiding something, whether or not it’s true. Don’t waste your time arguing. Just don’t do it!

Shirt or no shirt?

While checking out a myriad of dating sites, I’ve run across my share of guys who are not wearing shirts in their photos. Hey, I think it’s great that you take care of your body. You should be proud of it. At the beach, running a marathon, playing sports, in the water, all fine. But what about those other types of photos. You know which ones I mean. The ones where you guys think it’s sexy to show those rippling muscles, or your chest bared all the way done to your navel. Along with that type of pose, you usually see someone trying for that sly half-smile half-glance, come hither look. Most of the time, it doesn’t work.

My first thought is “Oh Jeez!” My second thought is “Oh Jeez!” To me, it can be a turn off. Why? Because I’m looking for someone who is not just about the physical side of things. And more often than not, that’s how these photos come across. When I really start thinking about it, I wonder if this is his way of telling me that’s that all there is to him – a body. And that’s fine, if that’s all I’m looking for.

Now don’t get me wrong! I enjoy seeing muscular guys sans shirts. I admit to walking a little more slowly past the magazine rack where Men’s Health is displayed. But seeing a bunch of photos of a shirtless guy on a mainstream, traditional dating web site where I want to meet a guy that’s serious about wanting to meet a woman for more than a quick tumble – I don’t think so.

Smile for the camera

If I took all the fingers and toes of all the players in any major sports league, I still wouldn’t have enough to count the number of times I’ve cringed at someone’s main photo (not to mention their other ones). Some of you just don’t know how to smile. Some of you actually grimace! If the first thing I see after your headline is a shadowy photo of a guy or girl not smiling, or actually grimacing, I flinch and immediately X out. No second chances here. I’m going to find someone that looks friendly, at least in the beginning.

If this is what the guy or girl actually looks like – Arrrgghh! That’s scary! What’s more, if they actually thought that this photo was an accurate representation of who they were well, that’s even scarier! AND if they actually thought there was nothing wrong with the photo, crikey! That’s even worse! What does that say about their taste? Please. Let’s not go there.

Taking your own photo

If you can’t take a better-than-decent photo of yourself without it looking distorted (like a part of your head is bigger than another part, or that you’re in a fishbowl), then don’t use your webcam or your cell phone! Duh! Have someone else take a photo of you. Someone whose judgment you trust. And that doesn’t mean your friend who just took his or her photo with his or her webcam or cell phone and finds nothing wrong with it!

Please, put down the beer bottles

If you’re trying to put your best foot forward, do you honestly think a picture of you holding a beer bottle looks attractive? It’s tacky at best. I’d rather see the webcam photo

(see above). And as far as cigarettes, ditto.

Arm crosses

Body language is something to be aware of, especially when you’re trying to attract prospective dates. Standing there with your arms crossed says to me “Keep out, stay away. I’m not letting you in.”

Doubles

Here’s something I don’t get. What’s the point of putting up several shots of you that look almost exactly the same? I still can’t figure that one out.

By now you must have a good idea of what types of photos shouldn’t be put up with your profile. We all know it’s all so subjective, but hopefully these guidelines will help you on your way to getting responses from the people YOU want to meet!

Cookie Feldstein is a live wire, over 40 and actively dating. Her travails through the ever-changing dating maze will make you smile,laugh and give you added insight into the world of dating over forty.

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Every person has a romantic side, even those persons who appear to be stiff and cold. And when you’re talking about honeymoon, any couple will welcome such idea. It’s a great time to spend endless moments together, without any disturbances.

The honeymoon is a special moment shared by a couple, especially the newly weds. And one of the best destinations is a tropical honeymoon. So what’s with the tropics? A tropical honeymoon appeals to many couples because of the warm climate. You can find a lot of men, as well as women, wearing loosely worn cotton shirts and dresses, native wraps and colorful skirts, and gauze tops. Aside from that, you can also feel more relaxed because of the dizzying display of flowers in various sizes, shapes, and colors. You can also appreciate the brilliant rainbow of colors like red, pink, blue, orange, purple, and green in the form of trees, flowers, and impressive exotic birds.

The best thing about a tropical honeymoon is that you get to enjoy the crystal clear waters, as it beckons an azure blue. And when you’re far from the shore, the sight is really astounding because the waters sparkle. Beneath the deep waters you can find extraordinary, colorful, exotic, and breathtaking underwater scenes.

If you want to celebrate your beautiful love, the tropic is the best destination. This place is conducive to rest, relaxation, and romance. You can hear a lot of laughter in the tropics, and people are always smiling so it’s easy to find new friends in this paradise.

When you say tropica

If you’re looking for wild (or mild) honeymoon experiences, the Caribbean is the place to be. If you choose to stay in any Caribbean resort, you only have to pay for the up-front cost and all the necessary things that you as a couple will need are well-taken care of.

Usually, the services offered vary from one resort to another. The common services of resorts include the following:

-    for land rates only: round-trip tickets for airfare

-    round-trip hotel transfers or airport

-    room tax

-    accommodations

-    all beverages and meals

-    tips

-    Land sports like ping pong, tennis, volleyball, gold, etc.

-    Water sports like wind surfing, scuba diving, water-skiing, kayaks, snorkeling, aqua-cycles, etc.

-    Spas (some)

-    Discos and other night entertainments

-    All the resorts are located in beachfronts

The Caribbean is a huge place and you can choose from Antigua, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Jamaica. If you’re unsure on how to get a booking, you can do a search online on these different places.

Even your honeymoon deserves careful planning. Make sure that you choose a place where you’ll both enjoy and have intimate moments together. Remember, it doesn’t end at the wedding. Spending a tropical honeymoon in the Caribbean is a great way to express each other’s love and passion.

Be sure to include your honeymoon plans in your wedding. If everything is perfectly planned, you will have no problems once the day arrives.

Go to the Frog Habitat website for information on water for frogs. Visit the Getting Rid Of Mice website for info on how to get rid of mice. Want to learn everything on web weaver spiders? Visit the Types Of Spiders website.

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Q – Richard, you just got back to New Zealand after another season in the Maldives working at Hudhuranfushi. How was this season?

Richard- What can I say? It was epic…. but if I must be specific, it was quite a slow start this season, well, just a lot of mid sized, fun days to start with. The first solid swell of the season was the week following the QS comp (early June) but remember that even when the surf is average, most guests are having the best surf of their lives. That’s the thing with the Maldives, as I have said before and I will say again and again, it is simply the most idyllic place in the world to go surfing. Sure there are many amazing places to surf and travel, Tahiti is beautiful and sitting in the line-up is breathtaking but you don’t truly have time to appreciate it because the very real “fear factor” means that you are not truly relaxed in your surfing. The beauty of the Maldives is that it’s comparatively “user friendly” yet can get big and hollow enough to be challenging no matter where you’re from. I have had guys who charge in Hawaii come to Lohi’s for a romantic get away with their partner, not really expecting to surf much and they end up surfing more than they do at home and really love it… at the other end of the scale are the guys and girls who’ve not really surfed over reef before, perhaps they are on a first trip overseas, they’re a bit nervous, worried that it might be too big and heavy for them but they ease into it, and end up having the best surfing experience of their liv

Q- So, when is the best time to visit the Maldives?

Richard- If it’s the surf season (April – Nov) then any time is a good time!! In 2008 September and October were virtually deserted and pumping, we scored back-to-back swells with no one around for two straight months. July was good as well but the crowds were in full effect. This year July was empty and pumping and on-island crowds at Lohi’s were at a record low, but Sept and Oct were quite busy and the swells not quite as big as the previous year. Early season seems to be slightly more variable, it’s typically smaller, though often very glassy…crowds are usually lighter too…. I wasn’t joking when I said that any time’s a good time! You can get really good waves at any point in the season. When you book anything in advance, it can be a gamble if it involves the fickle moods of Mother Nature and the weather. It’s reassuring to know that the winds and storms that generate the waves we ride do follow seasonal patterns, so don’t stress the dates just book when you can!

Q-What boards should one bring to the Maldives?

Richard- Anything goes! Whatever you normally ride will be fine. I’d always pack for a slightly bigger day and also a board that goes well when it’s small and then you have everything covered. I’ve talked about boards in a previous blog so go to the World Surfaris blog page and check it out!

Q- Do I need a wetsuit, how’s the weather?

Richard- No wetsuit required! Boardies and a T-shirt or rashie is all you need, though I sometimes wear a 2mm vest if it’s windy…but I’ve softened right up!! The weather is usually wonderful but it can rain and when it does, it’s torrential! Each season there seems to be a week when it rains pretty much everyday. As much as I know it sucks for those wanting to relax poolside I quite like surfing in the rain – it’s quite refreshing and saves sunscreen. “Lohis perfection after the rain, nice shot Darryl!”

Q- What is the reef like? Do you need booties?

Richard- The waves break over a fairly flat rock bottom reef, but of course if you hit the bottom hard you can always get cut. The Maldives reef is pretty forgiving compared to Indo or Tahiti and some people bring booties but not many wear them, especially if they’ve got a surf pass and they are jumping from the boat out the back twice a day.

Q- Do you have to have a surf pass?

Richard- You have to be staying on island at Hudhuranfushi to surf Lohi’s. To surf any other waves you will need to go by boat and there are limited spaces on the boats. The boats go twice a day, morning and afternoon. Having a surf pass guarantees your spot on the boat. If you don’t have a surf pass and would like to surf another spot besides Lohi’s you can pay as you go but only if spaces are available. Surf pass holders have priority on all boats, which is a great feeling when it’s pumping at the other breaks!! To answer you question, you don’t have to have a surf pass but I do recommend buying one.

Q- Where do the boats go?

Richard- We have two boats; they both go morning (9:30 am) and afternoon (3:30pm). Typically, one boat will go north to the Cokes/Chickens breaks and one boat will go south toward Sultans/Honkies/Jails. Of course, it’s dependent on the conditions but if it’s on, we’ve got it covered!

Q- What are the waves like? Does it barrel like Indo?

Richard- I have talked about the waves on my past blogs so I’ll be brief! The waves are super fun and rippable, yet there are some days with epic barrels at all the breaks. Cokes can be the heaviest wave in North Male. It is a right hand barrel with a heavy inside section over fairly shallow reef. Chickens is the perfect left across the channel from Cokes – long and fast with some good barrel sections. In the other direction from Lohi’s is Sultans which is a super fun, very consistent right with many good sections…Honkys is the left breaking next to Sultans, another perfect wave that is so much fun when it’s on! Across the next channel is Jails, a long, perfect, slightly softer right, warm water J bay is how it’s often described! Does that sound appealing? Lohi’s is the very consistent left at Hudhuranfushi. It’s surfable pretty much every day and can be epic. It really is a wave of many faces from 2-3ft super fun and glassy perfection, to heaving stand up barrels.

Q- Can you learn to surf in the Maldives? Are there any beginner spots?

Richard- The Maldives is not really a good place to learn to surf. To be honest, you need to have a certain level of competence to surf over any reef. It is not ideal for someone who has never surfed before. However it’s the best place in the world to improve once you’ve learned the basics. The waves can be so perfectly mechanical you can really work on every aspect of your surfing…

Q- On average what are the crowds like?

Richard- Like anywhere it can be crowded, but most of the time the crowds are manageable and you can often get a session with no other boats. What I must stress is that compared to so many of the great waves in the world, the waves in this area have a number of take off spots so the crowd gets spread out. Again, I know I’ve been spoilt so my perception isn’t necessarily reality. I’ve surfed the best waves of my life in the Maldives with no one but a couple lucky guests…just lucky timing….so now even if I think it’s crowded the guests are saying ‘wow, there’s almost no one out’!! Like I say, no matter how many surfers are in the water you can always get waves….all the spots are surfable on any tide so it’s not a case of everyone in the area surfing the same waves on a certain tide before it goes un-rideable…

Q- Last time I went to Indo it seemed like every pro surfer and want to be pro was there on photo shoots. It was almost impossible to get waves. Does this happen in the Maldives?

Richard- No not really, of course around the contest there’s a huge influx of pro’s and cameras but I find they’re pretty cool to surf with and I actually quite enjoy it. Over the rest of the season you hardly see any, perhaps one or two boat trips or pro’s traveling with their girl but it’s inspiring rather than a problem.

Q- Who have you seen in the water? Any standouts?

Richard- hmmm..I guess I’ve seen most of the guys on the QS…All the Saffa’s are classics…Davey Weare and Greg,… Shaun Cansdell, Mick Cambell, Dan Ross…. They all just surf so well… How Shaun Cansdell is not on the Ct is a mystery to me. At Lohi’s, his was some of the best, most precise, stylish surfing I’ve ever seen. He owes me a tail pad though if you see him tell him to bring it next year! Mick Cambo is a legend! He’s all time, he would be talking it up to everyone all day – guests who knew nothing about surfing, who’d never even seen it before all loved him, the full on super gregarious Aussie larrikin. He was surfing more than anyone, hitting the cocktails then paddling out and blowing up!! I watched Dan Ross in a couple heats this year; he’s about 6’5” yet he was destroying these tiny little waves at Pasta Point. His spray was going twice as high as everyone else! We’d be surfing Sultans and we could see when he paddled out for a heat just by the spray he was chucking! It’s humbling yet inspirational to surf with guys like this.

Q- Is it easy to take photos – my girlfriend is really getting into surf photography – will she be able to shoot my sessions!?

Richard-!!!!? Hmmm… yeah for sure!! The deck at Lohi’s must be one of the easiest places to “get the shot” she can sit there under an umbrella, sipping a cocktail and take photo’s of you all day! Just make sure you remember it’s her holiday too, I find those spa packages seem to be a great incentive!

Q- OK, so can you do it on the cheap? Can you just turn up and find budget places to stay?

Richard- It is possible to stay on a couple of the islands, though I don’t really recommend it. More often than not, after a frustrating and fruitless time trying to arrange local boats and missing waves the guys wanting to “do it cheap” end up trying to come down to stay at Lohi’s. It is also a place you would never want to take your lady! With the Muslim religion as law on all local islands, she would have to cover up completely (cant show shoulders or above the knees) and no alcohol allowed, so it wouldn’t be such a fun trip for her.

Q- How is the food at the resort?

Richard- The food is pretty good, there is something for everyone. Fresh fish and salad everyday, and plenty of fruit… you can eat healthy if you choose to. There is a wide variety and many desserts you can hit it as hard as you like. It is a good feeling coming off the boat after the morning surf, and knowing lunch is ready and waiting….

Q- Local culture?

Richard- To be frank, the island is it’s own little world. A complete getaway from reality, however there is a cultural night once a week that is great with Maldivian food and drums and dancing after dinner. There is also the option of a day trip to Male via speedboat for a nominal fee through the resort.

Q-How does the Muslim religion affect the stay?

Richard- Not at all, apart from not being able to bring duty free alcohol through customs and hearing the call to prayer from the mosque at Cokes and Jails. You are at a resort and pretty much isolated which is neither good or bad…as I mentioned before, the rules are very strict for the local islands but the resorts do not fall under that law.

Q- So you can drink alcohol?

Richard- Of course!!! The World Surfaris deal is all-inclusive and you can drink as much or as little beer/wine as you want at no extra cost. The arvo boat arrives back to the resort at beer o’clock most nights! Cocktails are charged to your room and you settle up the night before you leave.

Q-Is it just honeymoon couples? How is the nightlife?

Richard- It really is a beautiful, idyllic little island and a wonderful place for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. At the same time I must stress that it is not just honeymooners, there is a broad spectrum of guests to Hudhuranfushi…. couples, groups of guys who come every year for a boys surf trip, girlfriends coming on girls surf adventure, to Russian air hostesses who seem to bring any party to life. There are cocktail nights and beach parties and a local Dj…but it’s not like Kuta beach in Bali!

Q-What else is there to do if there is no waves?

Richard- You can usually go surfing every single day and most surfers do, be it 2 ft onshore, 6-8 ft and barreling or the Maldivian norm – 3-5ft perfection. However if you happen to not be surfing, the snorkeling and diving is amazing (it’s a great place to get certified) and I do recommend bringing a mask and fins on the boat every session –I’ve been in the water with literally hundreds of Dolphins all around me and I’ve had massive Manta Ray’s gliding right over me. On the island, there’s a tennis court, a gym, table tennis, volleyball (by the beach bar – great fun for late arvo beers) squash, badminton and the Water Sports center where you can windsurf, jet ski, wakeboard or rent a canoe to go snorkeling further afield!

Q- What about yoga/Pilates?

Richard- We don’t have classes as such but the deck at Lohi’s is a great place to stretch out before a surf! I’ve had a number of guests who are Yoga teachers and they sometimes organize a small group and teach a class or two if anyone’s interested.

Q- Massage?

Richard- How could I forget to mention the Spa!! The Coconut spa is great, they offer pretty much every treatment from strong sports massage to facials and other stuff for the ladies that I don’t know much about! Seriously though, it is a great set up and after a good swell there’s nothing like a good massage to ease the aching shoulders.

Q-Can you go fishing?

You can organize excursions for both early morning and night fishing. Also, the surf boat captains are usually quite happy to troll to and from the waves or drop a line over the side while we surf.

Q- Do the boats stay while you surf?

Richard- Yes, the boat is usually anchored right next to us in the channel which is ideal if you want to take photo’s! If we have split up, say between Cokes and Chickens the boat usually stays where I am surfing so that I can organize the pick-ups. But it’s never far away!

Q- Is it possible to take a spare board on the boat?

Richard- Yes! If it’s big I think it’s a good idea. Also, we sometimes have “swap a board sessions” where we get as many different boards on the boat as possible and mix it up…always fun!

Q- Does the boat have a roof? Are you sheltered from the sun/rain.

Richard- Yes.

Q- Can my wife/girlfriend/partner come on the boat to watch and shoot photos

Richard – Yes, there’s a $15 charge but well worth it!!

Q- Is there Internet?

Richard – Yes, The Hotel reception is a Wifi zone and there are also a couple computers available. The wireless is reasonably cheap so if you need to get online regularly, bringing your Laptop is a good idea!

Q- Surf shop?

Richard- No, bring everything you think you might need. Don’t forget to bring tropical surf wax – I find that Blue Zoggs is the best. Saying that, as with anywhere that surfers gather there is quite an active board market and it is often possible to buy or sell a board from/to a fellow traveler. I’ve noticed that whenever there’s a big swell and boards are being snapped, that 6’3 round pins are suddenly very valuable!!

Q- Are there any serious health concerns?

Richard- I know I’m always making comparisons but compared to Indo the Maldives is incredibly safe. The management is very strict with food and hygiene standards in the kitchens and water is bottled. The island has a mosquito control program and there’s no Malaria. Saying that, I’d still bring some insect repellant but there’s none of the Malaria paranoia you feel in the depths of Indo. The Hotel has an on island doctor, but he does much more reading than Doctoring! Safe as it is, I still recommend travel insurance. Another important point is to really look after any small cuts or reef scrapes. Even the smallest cut should be well cleaned and kept covered to reduce the risk of infection.

Q- Is it a good place to bring children?

Richard- It’s a small island with water pretty much everywhere so it’s both dangerous and a wonderful natural playground. I’ve had many guests bring their young children and thoroughly enjoy the experience. It’s so relaxing, and apparently there is always something on the buffet that’s good for kids… there’s some great shallow water snorkeling and “Nemo” and his friends appear everywhere! If you are traveling with children do have a back up plan just in case the weather dictates an indoor activity day and make sure your children are water-safe!

Q- Now then, the million dollar question…..How did you get the dream job, and is it the dream job?

Richard- Haha!! I get asked this every single day of the season!! For sure it’s the dream job! I’m living on a beautiful, Maldivian island and can surf every day. I wake up every day knowing that I’m incredibly lucky, though I’ve always said that we make our own luck. In the surf industry and the surf travel industry it really is a case of who, rather than what you know … and I just got very lucky!

The story goes…..I had been spending a lot of time in Indo, I did a bit of work on a boat, I got to know a few people, I met a friend of Jeff -the guy who was working at Lohi’s prior to me. He introduced us, Jeff was coming to NZ and he came to stay with me in Raglan. The next year I spent a month with him in the Maldives…we kept in touch, he hinted that he was getting burnt out and asked me if I’d be interested in taking over from him if he quit! Of course I was frothing!! The following year I was in El Salvador and I received an E-mail basically saying that I was good to go for the following season…Now I have just finished my second epic season!

Q- So that was it? No interview? No meeting?

Richard- Well I was trying to keep it brief! Look, Jeff had worked at Lohi’s for five years and had done a great job. I think that Shaun Levings ( owner of World Surfaris) trusted his opinion, which was lucky for me! We spoke on the phone and exchanged E-mails, but it was hard at first as from El Sal I went straight to Indo and jumped on a mates boat for a couple months, so I was out of contact for long periods of time and just hoping that I still had the job! In fact I didn’t meet Shaun until my first day at work! We surfed perfect Jails together and I managed to not drop in on him and we’ve got on pretty good ever since!

Q- Classic mate! Finally, I spent time with you at Lohi’s last year. You always seemed so positive and amped to surf every day. How do you maintain your enthusiasm over the entire season?

Richard- Thanks! I guess it’s important to remember that you are working and that even if you’re feeling surfed out and tired the guests who’ve just arrived are full of energy and want to surf as much as possible. I try to look at it through their eyes, which motivates me to make sure they get the best waves possible and have a memorable trip to Hudhuranfushi.

A surfing enthusiast (or as his friends call him, a surfing ‘nutcase’), Andy Griffiths has travelled the world searching for the best spots to surf. His travels have taken him to almost all the surfing destinations all across the world and his articles regarding them are both informative and interesting.

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Assistant Country Manager, Jo Walton, has been working in our Cambodian team after working for us in Sri Lanka for one year. Jo coordinated regular ‘Dirty weekends’ in Sri Lanka – a concept where a big group of volunteers generally get messy whilst helping one of our projects by cleaning, painting and numerous other activities. Here she tells us about the first Cambodian ‘Dirty Weekend’.

The first outing for our brand new Projects Abroad Cambodia ‘Dirty Weekends’ is a clean up day at the Lighthouse orphanage just south of Phnom Penh.

The lighthouse orphanage is funded purely on donations from tourists, and as a result various aspects of it are in a terrible state of disrepair. The kids are happy, wonderfully welcoming, and mostly speak ok English, which makes a change! It is set in a spacious plot of land – there’s a huge play area with volleyball net, a concrete classroom, a small farm that some previous volunteers set up, and recently a French couple has built a pig sty and donated them some pigs. The whole place is covered in asbestos, which the kids break up and play with it – a small girl came over to me the other day with a play dinner set with some dried fish (asbestos) and salad (chopped up nettles) and offered it to me. Nice.

Despite their huge smiles, some of the kids here look pretty grim. Many of them have rotten teeth, that cause them considerable discomfort, so we bought them soap and toothpaste and had some volunteers teach them the basics of keeping themselves clean. The older ones are pretty goo

Another one of the major issues here is that the pathway to the bathroom, via the pump where they get all their water from, is actually made of a pile of raised rubble and broken tiles, so the kids constantly cut their feet whenever they’re running around, or every time they go to wash. Projects Abroad donated all the raw materials to build a proper concrete path over the whole area. After a bizarre start, which involved digging a big hole elsewhere and transporting more mud and broken tiles to the area (I don’t know a huge amount about concreting stuff, but I’m not sure that’s the way I would have started!), and naturally lots of tea breaks, Projects Abroad’s Assistant Manager – Sophan, the volunteers and two of the orphanage staff got started.

Once they did, I’m amazed at how quickly it all went down. By the end of the day, they had a full path, about 1.5m across and 15m long, running from the play area to the bathroom, past the pump. The boys who worked on this deserve a medal! I’ve never seen people sweat so much and not give up. I think Sam can freely go around Phnom Penh this weekend using the phrase “I am all that is man” as much as he likes after that effort!

The final hurdle is the rubbish. Unfortunately, the Lighthouse is too far from the main road to have a rubbish collection. Since they’re not allowed to dump rubbish at the main road for collection, and assuming that they’ll start separating and recycling their rubbish is more than a bit hopeful, it was decided that the only alternative left was to burn it. Not exactly my favourite method of refuse disposal, being a bit of a green bean, but let’s face it, this is Cambodia – anything else just isn’t going to happen.

So, we hired a couple of guys to dig a nice deep hole for them to burn their rubbish in at the back of the farm area, well away from where the kids play. It was a slow start, I could be heard at various stages saying that in no uncertain terms, Cambodian builders were even slower than their British counterparts, and cursed myself for allowing myself to be talked into paying them by the day and not by the job. For the first few hours there was a single spade being passed around the four of them (despite the fact that there were three other spades leaning against the tree that they were sitting smoking under….), but once they got started….. I’ve never seen anything like it! They basically dug an Olympic sized swimming pool out the back while I wasn’t looking! The rubbish hole turned out to be in a handy location, as it dawned on the manager that it could double up as a run off for the pig manure from the new pig sty – not that I think they’ll be making much manure for a while – they’re soooo small!!

Even though we can’t get them recycling, we can get them to separate out raw foodstuffs and leaves to make their own compost for the farm. Some old volunteers had set up a compost heap here, but due to the high winds blowing in plastic and all sorts, and the fact that it had no lid so the sun was cooking it everyday, it wasn’t rotting down successfully. So we bought them three old oil drums with lids, that can be filled in succession, so that once the last one is full, the first will normally have rotted down sufficiently that they can empty the fresh compost, and start to fill it again.

This was by far the hardest part of my shopping list to get hold of (except possibly nit combs – try explaining what a nit comb is to a man who thinks you’re already slightly bonkers without ending up in the hair accessories section of Olympic market doing impressions of small bugs, and demonstrating picking through someone’s hair like a gorilla), so I’ll have to admit I’m a little disappointed when they arrive and they’re still half full of oil. Far be it from a bit of oil to get in the way of a Cambodian, and Sophan (who’s in his element with all this manliness and I’ve never seen so excited – and excited is his default setting so we’re going through the roof) runs off to get some laundry soap and a rag and proves to me that it can indeed (with plenty of water) get oil out of drums.

After a short tuition session on what asbestos looks like, why you shouldn’t go near it if you come across it, and the doling out of heavy duty gloves and masks, all the volunteers take part in a final sweep of the whole area to remove all the rubbish that’s blowing around the site. By this time, all the kids and their belongings are clean, the compost all separated, the path’s well on it’s way to being finished, and my lot are started to look more than a little bedraggled. So I collect everyone’s Projects Abroad T-shirts (whose idea was it to make those white?!) to donate to my washing machine at home, which I don’t think knew what hit it, and it’s off home for a well earned shower.

All the volunteers who took part were taken out for dinner on us, to say thanks for all their huge effort. I’m not naïve enough to think that you can change the world in one day, but we put some basic things in place today that will hopefully encourage some grass roots change in the way they deal with their rubbish, made it safe for the kids to wash, and by getting the kids involved in the washing process in a fun way, hopefully inspired them to do it properly more often!

Thanks so much to everyone who helped out; Mr Lee from the orphanage asked me to pass on his gratitude to you all – he was really impressed by the way everyone got stuck in!

Find Out About Our Projects in Cambodia

www.projects-abroad.co.uk

Projects Abroad is a global organiser of overseas voluntary work placements. Our wide range of projects, including teaching, care, conservation, medical, sport, community projects and journalism, are designed specifically for the many communities where we work and also to give the best experience to everyone volunteering abroad.

www.projects-abroad.co.uk

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We study in Pakistan, yes, thats quite true

If you’re not from Pakistan (which probably you arent=P), haven’t been there, have only heard about it through the news channels, then of course you dont know anything about it!….

Now… I assume, actually am pretty sure, that from the article title ‘Wondered how its like to study in Pakistan?’, you would have imagined a low-level school with the boys in a separate building than the ‘hijab=wearing’ girls… teachers with sticks… children still studying the alphabet in grade 6th…. or probably you wouldn’t have imagined girls studying at all- maybe sitting at home cooking dinner? washing clothes…? all this seems to make perfect sense to you when the word ‘Pakistan’ comes to your mind.

Well….. unfortunately THIS is the image portrayed, but its not like that, ReallY.

I go to a private school(in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan) which not only has branches in Pakistan but also in other countries like UK, Oman, Philippines etc. (yes, schools like this exist in Pakistan;p)…

…Its an amazing school with wonderful teachers and a terrific atmosphere. Now let me tell you how things work in this school:

-Boys and girls study together uptil 5th grade, then from 6th grade till 11th grade they’re separated and in A’Levels its co-ed again. (this is not the case w

When I say ‘separated’ its not like barbed wires are put between the boys branch and girls branch and any girl found in the boys branch or vice versa is beaten then expelled… NoooooooOooo…. not at ALL.

Its just that the campus is the same (in my case) and the buildings are different, you can go into the other buildings, no one will shoot you=P)

-There are sport activities every now and then, both for the girls and boys. Volleyball, basketball, football, badminton, throwball, table tennis etc. There are school teams of the boys and girls separately….. and if ur wondering… girls play extremely well =D

-Hmmm…. what do we wear??? i think that ‘hijab’ image is still not out of your mind=P. Well we have to wear the school uniform: for the girls it is a shalwar kameez with a sash( half-sleeves kameez in summer of course) and no scarf.. actually scarf wearing girls are hard to find (they’re definitely in minority), and the boys wear a shirt along with a trouser…

So, as far as studying is concerned, the standard is excellent in private schools. Many of our Pakistani students, most from the school I study in, have achieved ‘World Distinctions’ ; last year a girl from our campus got a world distinction in Additional Mathematics, some years before another girl got a world distinction in Physics( Congrats to them! =D)

…..This is how studying is like in Pakistan, in my school at least. It is true that in some troubled areas providing good education to the public has become a serious issue and some state-owned schools are no longer of the standard they used to be, but we’re trying to improve the eduactional facilities…. and lets hope education gets even better in Pakistan. =)…

I am a 9th grade(O’level) student in the school mentioned above …

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