The next land is of all places Fantasy Land. Entering Fantasy Land the entrance looks a lot like It's a Small World. The next lands is surprise, surprise Tomorrow Land, I wonder where they got that name from? These are not the only lands one more exists the last land is the most original of all the lands its Samchulli Land, what that means I don't really know it probably translates into Frontier Land, Main Street, or Toontown.

The top ride at Seoulland is Sky-X. You have probably seen this kind of ride at other theme parks. Sky-X is not free it cost to use its one of those rides that pull you up in a harness and then swings you in the air.

Tomorrow Land has Shot X Drop that is a ride like many other parks as well. You sit down and then are launched up fast. It is not the tallest or fastest of rides the height is 52 meters but how tall that is in feet or stories I don't really know.

The Black Hole 2000 is by far the best ride at the park even though officially the park ranks it as their third best park. It is an amazing roller coaster. It is a good roller coaster not the best but this coaster can stand up against any that the U.S. has. The only fault it has is it is small but it is a very fun coaster.

There are a few rides that they have that are common like a Viking ship, a tumbler ride, and a spinning ride called the World Cup that was introduced during the 2002 World Cup.

The final ride that should be mentioned is the haunted house. If you love old dark rides you will love the haunted house. The haunted house is the most old school gimmicky lame ride but if you are like me and love the old classic dark rides that are sadly mostly gone or totally updated so they no longer look like they used to. It is a ride that has charm. If you heard of the guy who built a dark ride in his garage well that looked like a better more advanced ride then Seoulland version but that is part of why it is so much fun.

You go into a cave which is about the high point of the ride as it does give good staging and is kind of impressive its just not some building but a cave oh, ah (no I am serious I am not mocking its cave). The only bad thing about the cave is it probably shouldn't be called a haunted house if it's a haunted cave. As I understand things the ride features legendary ghost from Koreas history but not being Korean they are lost on me.

The park is not a great park by American standards; a typical county fair has the same rides or even better ones often. The only two rides that are worth going for are the haunted house and the roller coaster.

Though it was fun if you have lots of time like more then a weekend in Seoul then this is worthwhile park to see it is certainly one of the best theme parks in the country which isn't much of an accomplishment but since you can do most things you want in Seoul you should have some time to see frivolous places like Seoulland.

From the moment you walk in you're surrounded by history. Buildings of many shapes and size with various backgrounds will welcome you to learn about life in early 19th century rural New England.

My first trip to this living history museum was in the 5th grade. An assistant teacher styled the girls hair in 1830's fashions and we piled into the big yellow bus and watched in excitement as we pulled into the parking lot. We got the chance to try on clothing, make marbled paper, and tour the village.

Now over ten years later I am now a volunteer and dancer at Old Sturbridge Village. I started out as a greeter smiling warmly and offering directions to locations within the village. After becoming costumed in 1830's attire including reproduction dresses, petticoats and bonnets, I was able to become a docent and work in the Towne House.

This house has an interesting history. Its owner, Salem Towne Sr. came from a poor family. His father died during the French and Indian war. His mother eventually remarried to a lonely farmer and later would follow in his step-fathers footsteps. At the rough age of 20, Salem purchased ten acres of land and taking on the position as a land surveyor. He later would purchase and sell pieces of land making a profit and acquiring more land as time went on.

In 1796, three years after he married his third wife, Salem had the Greek revival home built in Charlton, Massachusetts. After his death 1925 the house would be passed down to his son Salem Towne Jr., Salem Jr.'s wife Sally and their ten children. By 1830 the family owned 400 acre's of land was considered the wealthiest family around gaining this status by progressive farming. Their wealth can be shown by the hallway that extends the entire length of the house that is fully carpeted. Another tell-tale sign of wealth is the elaborate sideboard placed in the hall. The house has three floor, a cast iron stove (the newest amenity in those days) and a pleasure garden.

As and Old Sturbridge Village dancer I am able to participate in 1790's to late 1830's style dancing. With skirts twirling and white gloves on you can imagine how elegant it must be to cast off in Jefferson and Liberty or circle six hands round in White Cockade. Dancing in those days was sometimes seen as scandalous but was also romantic as this was possibly the only chance you might have to touch the hand of the person you fancied.

Within the village you can also see three different mills (Saw, Carding, and Grist) that are run off of water power and are the start of the industrial revolution in this country. There is a tavern, tin shop, shoe shop, district school, pottery shop, bank, parsonage, and several farms with cattle and other animals native to this country during the 19th century. You can also grab an ice cream, watch as sheep are sheared, or taste freshly made butter.

So, if you every find yourself in search of experiencing history in a different way then Old Sturbridge Village is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.

Now, some Force followers have found that place, guided by those hints and synchronizing with the Force that flows with an unknown intensity and are willing to tell all Jedi so they can benefit too of this knowledge.

An Amazing Force Reservoir

Check most of the maps of the world, Spain is in the middle. Templars moved there and then disappeared. They found a place where, as I have told before, Force is extremely intense. This place is located in the middle of the Canyon of the River Lobos, a beautiful, peaceful and special place. Almost hidden in Soria (Spain) it has only two entrances, protected and controlled by two villages: Ucero and San Leonardo de Yagüe. Approximately in the middle of the Canyon, the reservoir is located. There Templars built a small church named to Saint Bartholomew, but it's clear that the building only focuses the Force from the reservoir, that's inside the Cave. Watched down up while entering, the image is like returning to a womb. Also, there is a Psychological Panic Wall that only blind or hypersensitive to Force people can trespass easily. Inside, it's told and are slight hints about; Templars meditated and explored the Force. Nowadays, this place is a Natural Park of Spain, so its environment is protected and maybe a must visit. Not much time ago, when Force was just called “Energy”, complex and deep research showed that the flow was really intense, like a spring or a river that spreads that “Energy” around the world. It's stupid to say that Spain is the centre of the world, because there are many other places where Force flows almost this intense too, but in Europe, there are very little places where this happens, just like Stonehenge. Here is an image of this gorgeous place: . Now let's talk about the two entrances to the canyon.

Ucero: The Lighthouse of the Canyon

Ucero, if you add to the beginning of the word an “L”, you get the word “Lucero”, that means beautiful star or light, it's the closest village to the Canyon, also, has the shortest way to the force spring. Walk around its streets and discover an obvious Templar origin, their symbols are all around, and an impressive castle on top of the cliffs guarding the Canyon and all accesses to it. If you walk close to the river, there in the park, you'll find Force running in the crystalline waters, where trouts swim and water lilies dance sweetly. Dusk and down are amazing everyday, the high calcite walls burn with colours and energy, boosting Force to the nearby villages, woods and fields. The access to the Canyon is done aside the Park House, then walk around 2 Km to the spring, following the river Lobos, clear waters, beautiful wood and an great calm to meditate and obtain a close relation with Force and own abilities.

San Leonardo de Yagüe: The Backdoor of the Canyon

This big village, almost a city, controls the access to the holiest entrance to the canyon, but in a way that don't give that impression of control. You can go both ways to Ucero or Santa Maria de las Hoyas, that is, to the Park House or the Seven Eyes Bridge. If you roam around the streets, you'll find at least 2 fonts with the Templars cross and if you are good viewer, the shape of its castle will show you that cross again, and inside the main church other symbols that they used. It can be said that St. Leonardo is the face that Templars showed to the world so they couldn't be identified. There is not much Force around, but when you lead to the Canyon following river Navaleno, its presence is increased, then when you reach the river Lobos and the Bridge, Force turns into an hypnotic feeling that force eyes and feet to follow the longest way into, around 8 km through the Canyon. In summer the river Lobos don't carry water at view but, down some meters below ground, it flows strong and its water is one of the purest water in the world.

Santa Maria de las Hoyas: The Secret Connection with the Reservoir

If you ever read Parsifal, you'll find the description of the castle where Grail was kept very accurate when you visit this village, following the road past the Seven Eyes Bridge, or from Ucero through a rural road where in the early morning you can find wild life like rabbits or deers. Maybe at first eye the village doesn't seem big or full of symbols, maybe because most of the buildings have been rebuilt; but don't worry, even if the castle is a bunch of rocks almost unidentifiable, or the river Lobos is invisible the energy that flows from it is amazing as the underground waters of the river comes straight from the Force spring, walk around the wood of pines back of the village till you find a hidden prairie, maybe you can find there some young men of the village practicing motocross, and their noise won't disturb the peace of the place, or if you are really lucky, you'll find there a Jedi woman, meditating, or practising archery or sword fighting, the only one around in miles, she'll love to chat with you about whatever you want. Not far from that prairie there is a font where many people goes because of its water, no wonder why, this water comes from the river Lobos and calms thirst and soul. Walking on the other side, where the castle or the small church are, there are lot of caves, fossils, and great place to meditate and watch the skies at night clearly. About these caves, called Hoyas (holes), there are some amazing ones, many of them has a lot of energy and are hints of Templars and Iberics (a tribe that shared Spain with Celts). It's told that inside the hill where the castle is lies a lake deep inside, and no one has reached it ever but few special persons… it may sound as a legend but considering the kind of terrain and some studies, that would be very possible…but from years and years nobody has seen it.

Advice

If you're thinking of visiting these places be sure what you want, be brave and your relation with Force will be stronger. Maybe that Jedi woman I can't remember her name now will offer to show those places, organise activities that makes better your relation with nature and Force, I saw her few times and she has smiles, patience, knowledge and an interesting life.

May the force be with you all.

During this “vacation” the herd cattle over rough terrain all the while being tormented by their guide/cowboy Curly, played by Jack Palance. If you haven't seen the movie, you should go and rent it. It is absolutely hilarious and in my opinion one of Crystal's best performances in a comedy.

My friend talked me into going one of these types of vacations. Prior to the trip I was never on a horse, so you could imagine what a culture shock it was for me. Out west we headed to Lozier's Box “R” ranch. I was sized up for my horse and over the course of the next 7 days I learned how to ride a horse and round up cattle.

I can honestly say it was one of the most fun and entertaining vacations I have ever been on. I keep telling my wife when my son gets old enough I am taking him out there. It was the vacation of a lifetime.

Beyond the rounding up cattle you really get to know the family that runs the ranch as well as the other guests staying there. Since the number of guests staying there is held to be under 20, you get that close family type of bond with everybody.

If you are looking to do something different for your next vacation, a working cattle ranch vacation may be a good way to go. Not only do you really enjoy yourself, but the money you pay to go on this vacation goes to the ranches themselves and from what I learned they really need our support.

Ok you are probably thinking I am crazy, but the fact remains it is a good time to get away and save some money. Because the economy is so bad a lot of people have opted out of travel. With the rising costs of hotels, air travel and theme parks, what at one time could have been a $2,000 vacation has suddenly turned into a $4,000 vacation.

I know this may seem a bit contradictory but because of these issues, many people who rent out homes as vacation homes are working great deals. You can easily bring down the price of renting a vacation home by more than 50% which is more than enough to make up for other travel costs.

A friend of mine worked a deal where a house was originally renting for $2,000 for the week in a vacation area along the coast; he was able to get the person down to $700. The best part was how very little negotiating he had to do. Why? Because had the person renting the house not worked with my friend the house would have been vacant and they would have made nothing. $700 sounds a lot better than zero in the rental business.

Sure you will get property owners that will not budge on their price. Chances are these are the homes that might be right on the beach or right on the side of the mountain. That is ok. Remember you a trying to go on vacation and get a great deal, so by pass these people and look for the ones that are interested in working with you.

A good place to start is rental and real estate agencies in the area that you want to visit. They know the ins and outs of what people have to offer. A lot of times you can negotiate directly with them since they are probably managing the property for the owners. Don't be fooled by them when you ask them if they are willing to take a discount and they answer, “No, most owners are not taking discounts right now because the area is renting out well.”

They will tell you that because they want to make the full price. Their commission is based on the amount of rent they get, not what they should be getting. The best response you can give them is to leave your contact information and a price you are willing to pay to rent the home you are interested in. Ask them to forward your information and offer to the owner to see if they will take it.

In many areas of the country they are required by law to submit any and all offers, so chances are they will. As a precaution I would find out who the owner of the property is which you can do through tax records in the town, wait a week and send a letter directly to the owner with your offer. If they did not receive your offer from their manager and liked your offer, the property owner will invariably be upset with the property manager, something the property manager does not want because they need the business.

Obviously the task here is not to create problems or a riff between people, but if you want to save some money, you have to do what you have to do.

You also want to take the time to look on the Internet. There are dozens of great websites out there where people list their homes for rent. You can contact the home owners directly which is better because they are the ones who will make the final decision.

A small tip to getting a good deal is if you could care less of the kind of house that you want, but know when and where you want to go, waiting for last minute deals could be for you. Find a home that has been vacant for a few weeks in the area you are traveling to and the home owner will practically rent the home for free. As a property owner myself nothing bothers me more than having my house sit there with no one in it.

There are great deals out there waiting for you to go get. You know you want to go on vacation with the family you just need to find something affordable. Now is the time to make the best rental house affordable, you just need to go and do it.

Traveling when I was single was completely different once I got married. Going on a vacation with the “guys” is a different experience than spending time with the wife. When I was younger my friends and I decided to take a Vegas vacation. It was the ultimate “guy” trip in the town labeled sin city. We hit clubs and bars, we gambled, you name it, and we had a good time.

A few years later after I got married I went back to Vegas with my wife and experienced it in a completely different fashion. We enjoyed going to shows, riding the gondola at the Venetian, taking the time to slow walk along the Vegas strip to enjoy the sites and the sounds. I can say that both experiences were great.

Fast forward a couple more years and we now have a child. I have already assured my wife that I am not taking my son to Vegas (anytime soon anyway). If you are in the same situation as me, and find yourself with a young child but still long for that week get away, you can do what my wife and I currently do.

As great as some hotels are, they just are not that accommodating to families with infants or toddlers under two years of age. If you are like us and your youngster still needs a crib, or needs to take those morning and afternoon naps, than I highly recommend renting a house for your next week long vacation.

We recently stayed in North Carolina's Outer banks. It was a wonderful location and the people there were friendly. What made it just as enjoyable was the fact that we were able to rent a good sized house, split it with family members, save some money and still have a great vacation.

The house gave us the ability to lug our crib there, his toys and other supplies that we would just not have had the room for at a hotel or Inn. Along with that, the house also gives us the extra added convenience of a kitchen where we can prepare our meals at anytime (and as many of you parents know it is hard to dine out when you have a young one at home) at our convenience.

This particular house had a back deck, swimming pool, hot tub and game room. So there were enough amenities to keep everybody happy and we did not have to be in a crowded room with everyone else from a hotel.

Since we have had our first child we have taken two vacations where we have rented a home. The first was in Martha's Vineyard (another beautiful location that I highly recommend) and of course the Outer Banks. Although the houses were completely different in price and what they offered, each gave us the convenience we needed since we had a small child with us.

There are a number of websites you can go to where you can look up vacation home rentals for your next trip. I recommend that you price out at least five of them. Make sure the house you end up renting has the amenities you are looking for and is in a location close enough to the attractions that you plan of visiting. If the house has a pool, hot tub and all of those bells & whistles, yet is 45 minutes to an hour away from the amusement park you are going there to visit in the first place, it might make more sense to drop a couple of the amenities or pay a little more to save on gas and travel time.

Consider renting a house for your next vacation. Even if you do not have small children, if you get enough people together to split the rent, it might just cost less than a nightly stay at the local hotel or inn.

The condo I chose was near the beach but out of the evacuation zone, in the Tampa Bay area. If there is a hurricane, people in evacuation zones must evacuate, because they live on low ground and risk flooding. My new place is situated on a peaceful lake, off the main streets in a quiet neighborhood, which is close to stores of all kinds. Every day, large water birds come to visit, looking for food. Most common are egrets, wood storks, blue or green herons, moorhens, and ducks.

Turtles can be seen basking themselves on logs in the water. It is a serene setting that is most definitely worth the pricey rent. With large windows, and a lovely balcony, my houseplants are growing without my needing to do anything except prune or water them once in awhile.

The bright sunshine, blue skies and puffy, white clouds naturally improve a sad mood here in Florida. Up in Ohio, the skies tend to be gray most of the year, and that can make many people depressed. It never occurred to me how much my mood had been affected by the weather until moving down here.

Driving in Florida can be intimidating, due to the many people who all decided to move down here to get away from the northern weather. Roads are crowded and traffic moves fast. Parking in cities can be hard, but it comes with the territory of living where everyone wants to be. Taxis are plentiful and cheap I prefer to hire taxis instead of using my own car, to save money and avoid parking hassles.

The stores and malls here are plentiful and fun to browse. Since tourists come here all the time, there is a huge variety of merchandise to see. It is a shopper's paradise. It is so convenient to live in the suburbs, where everything you need is only a street or two away. My former home in Ohio was in the suburbs but nothing was close by, without a car life would be hard. There is everything from large international style malls to family owned small stores, and everything in between. And, if you feel like being a tourist, drive over to the beach nearby and check out the gift shops and boutiques nearby.

If you love nature, sunshine and being outdoors in general, Florida is a wonderful place to live. As long as you have a good air conditioner for those hot months, living here is comfortable and there are many activities to entertain just about anyone. Sure, there are big bugs, snakes and spiders, but well-maintained properties are vigilant about keeping the critters where they belong, outside and away from your living areas, by spraying regularly with pesticides. Wherever you go, there are lush, tropical landscapes and beautiful flowers. Come to Florida for a visit, and like me, you may want to move here. If you do, you'll be very glad that you did.

Dolls on the Mount is described in the Melbourne ‘Cheap Eats’ Guide 2003 as ‘something kooky’. The woman dressed in the long skirt and equally long, full crisp white apron frowned and asked, “Do we look kooky to you?” Looking around the tiny tearooms, there is a table with eight grey-haired grannies sipping tea and our trio of middle aged females waiting at a circular table, covered with a good imitation lace plastic tablecloth.

“No! No, you don’t.” I stammer.

Certainly Dolls on the Mount is a unique experience for an afternoon tea in Melbourne, but ‘quaint’ may be a better description. The waitress turns out to be Vivienne Dodd a maker of dolls and creator of some of the best baking to be tasted in Melbourne.

Take a train to Heidelberg and stroll up toward the residential end of Mount Street. Half way up the street there is an old Edwardian villa with a sign stating that this is a doll’s museum. Lace covers the dark windows and a second reading of the sign, explains that afternoon tea is available.

The woman in the long apron answers a knock on the door. As the door opens, it reveals a house frozen in a bygone era. The parlour is set up for afternoon tea guests and as ‘newbies’ to the house, you are ushered into a side room. This is where the museum is housed. One room, with a large dining table in the middle is crammed with dolls from yesteryear. Plenty of porcelain ladies and here a number of retired Noddys and Alice-in-wonderland figurines have found refuge from the modern world.

Saturdays are often noisy affairs with a dozen young children who have come to dress in the costumes crammed into boxes in this room. The birthday girl is dressed as the Queen and seated on her ‘throne’ she entertains her guests dressed in an assortment of characters from sailors to old fashioned ladies.

The house has been home to Vivienne and her mother and has operated as a tea rooms and doll museum for five years. The front rooms were redeveloped to include the dining area. Many locals have learned the art of doll making here and can bring dolls for appraisal or to be mended. There is no need to advertise as people who come invariably return with friends. Today it can be important to book in advance, especially for weekends.

A few minutes browsing in the museum and ruing of days when dolls were closer to true human body proportions and sighs of relief that this house hasn’t quite caught up to Barbie and we are back in the parlour.

The menu includes a high tea, or traditional pastries or sandwiches. You can choose the ‘fat rascal fruit scones and Devonshire tea for $8.50. We go for the Devonshire tea. It takes a few minutes and we are correct in our suspicions as we bite into the scones that this small delay is because they have been freshly baked just for us. They are set at the table with an accompanying mountain of whipped cream and fruity jam.

The tea arrives and each of us has ordered a pot. Each pot has an individual tea cosy adorned with a porcelain doll torso and head. My two companions get delicate slim ladies that uncannily resemble my companions. My teapot arrives and the doll is a chubby blonde dowager with rosy cheeks. The table of eight turns and evaluates and laughs.

Dolls on the Mount, a must for girls. A brave man may enter.