How to Choose a Portable Camping Shower

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As modern consumers, we’re spoiled for choice in most of the things we buy and today’s portable camping showers are no exception. Although for some the term “camping shower” may conjure up an image of a perforated tin can slung over a tree branch, the fact is that the products on the market today are efficient, portable and provide hot showers in seconds. In other words, there’s no excuse to go camping without one.

In choosing from the wide range of models available, there’s a number of factors to consider: portability, output, durability and of course price. Leaving aside the question of price for a moment, the best way to address the other three factors is to simply identify the kind of camping you’ll be doing.

So, let’s figure out where you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing. Does your trip involve hiking at all? Then the last thing you want to do is drag around a propane tank on your back. In this case, a solar shower is right for you. Solar showers are extremely light, easy to use, and pack up into a small tidy package that will take up very little space in your backpack. The major drawback of solar showers, however, is that they’re dependent on the sun as a heat source, so on a cloudy day, you’re out of luck. But if portability and simplicity are top priorities, a solar shower can’t be beat.

If hiking is not on the agenda and instead you’ll be camping out with the family in one place for a few days, cooking meals and cleaning the mud off the kids in the evenings, then it’s time to consider something with more power. Propane tankless water heaters have the ability to heat water in seconds and many are equipped with battery-operated water pumps that provide great water pressure. With a limitless supply of hot water, you can wash the dishes and then immediately turn the hose on the kids or anything else in need of a good scrubbing.

Or maybe your next camping trip will include not only the family but also the in-laws, the neighbors, and a few friends. With mountains of dishes and a long lineup for the evening shower, the obvious choice is a portable water heater that packs a big punch, such as the Eccotemp L5 Tankless Water Heater. It comes equipped with an on/off shower head, an LP regulator hose that connects to a 20lb propane tank and features 1/2″ NPT water fittings that plumb easily into standard American fittings. It provides a whopping 1.5 gallon of hot water per minute and can last around 18 hours on an 20 pound propane tank.

Camping showers have come a long way since the days of perforated tin cans and although the wide range of choice may seem overwhelming at first, it is simply a matter of identifying the kind of camping you’ll be doing and then choosing accordingly. Once you’ve done that, all that’s left to consider is how much you’d like to spend and you’re ready to go. In the end, whether you go with a simple solar model or a high-powered propane heating unit, you next camping adventure will be all the better knowing you can look forward to a hot shower in the outdoors.

Vietnam Tours Offer Everything From Adventure, Relaxation to Cultural Activities

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When you think of Vietnam the immediate image is that of rice paddies and while that does form an intrinsic feature of Vietnam, the country also has modern cities full of architectural marvels and modern amenities. Highlands, rainforests, beaches and lagoons all comprise Vietnam and offer a varied and diverse topography. Vietnam tours offer plenty of choices as to how to spend your time in this beautiful country and you can take your pick from river cruises, adventure holidays to cycling or relaxing on the beach. From the moment you arrive in Vietnam you will realize that you are not short on entertainment or activities.

If you are keen on cycling, take a cycling tour which will show you the historical Ho Chi Minh City as well as the rice paddy fields of the Mekong Delta. You can visit the imperial city of Hue along with Hanoi, the capital city of the country. You will also come across many charming villages of Vietnam and you can enjoy chit-chatting with the locals for some time. A cycling tour will allow you to see Vietnam at a slower pace and visit all major sights while simultaneously allowing you to travel off the beaten track and through some of the most wonderful natural scenery.

Halong Bay offers the country’s best kayaking and you can also take part in rock climbing activities. Whist there, take a ride on a traditional junk ship and sail past the grand limestone karsts. You can opt to stay for the night on the ship and indulge in some wonderful night fishing with the crew.

Counted as one of the most popular Vietnam Tours the Mekong valley tour and river cruise is something not to be missed. These tours take place year round and are truly very captivating as the river cruise takes you down the Mekong Delta past rice paddy fields and fruit orchards on its banks. You can see charming villages and floating markets with locals plying their goods on narrow wooden boats in the river. For an exhilarating experience try your hand at river rafting.

The region of Sapa also draws tourists in hordes as it has plenty of scenic beauty and is also the centre of cross-cultural influences in the country. This is amply evident in the architecture of the region. A stroll in the Bac Ha market is a must while at Sapa and the colourful dresses on the locals and horse-drawn carriages which bring in fresh produce into the market make for a charming picture.

The country has put behind its turbulent past and is rapidly emerging as one of the booming economies in the region. With a rich ancient culture, entrancing natural beauty and a friendly population, Vietnam has made it as one of the top destinations in the world.

Camping Toilets

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One of the more… unpleasant things about going camping is the bathroom situation. If you’re camping at a state or national park, there will often be at least rudimentary facilities available, but who knows where they’ll be located or how clean they’ll be? And if you are going camping in the deep woods, often the closet thing to a bathroom is a tall tree or fallen log. It’s not hard to see how this can lead to some uncomfortable situations.

One solution to this issue is to bring along a camping toilet on your trips. There are several different types of toilets that would be suitable for camping and there is sure to be one that will work well for your situation. If you’re planning on going backpacking, and will be hiking in a significant distance to your campsite, then a simple and lightweight folding camping toilet will probably be best for you. These sorts of toilets use a bag that attaches on the bottom to catch and hold waste. Odor control will most likely be an issue, so plan on stationing it away from your camp.

If you are going car or RV camping, then you might be interested in a bigger model with more features. There are camping toilets that are actually flushable and others that use chemicals to contain the waste. These types of toilets are much larger and heavier than the folding toilets, so they’re not appropriate for backpacking, but they are great for car camping.

Snooze ‘n Ski – How to Plan a Ski Trip That Combines Rest and Action

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If you have a busy lifestyle, then you probably need to rest when you take a vacation. But if you’re a skier, then your ski trips will be filled with action during the day. So, how do you balance, so that your vacation includes fun and down-time?

The secret is in the planning. Most importantly, you need to plan your lodging based on amenities that encourage peace.

Amenities.

As you plan your accommodations, consider the amenities that you can access. They should allow you to rest whenever you are off the slopes. For example, can a local massage therapist give you a massage in your suite?

Here are some amenities that they should have on-site where you stay:

* Hot tubs (Jacuzzis) in-room or short walking distance

* Steam rooms or saunas

* Variety of pillows

* Purchase of wine, beer or liquor (if you drink)

* Nice restaurant (healthy eating is more rejuvenating than fast food)

* Massage therapists (on-site or on-call )

If your vacation is just a short getaway, those amenities should suffice. If you are planning a trip for more than five days, then you should also consider if these amenities are nearby:

1) a spa;
2) natural hot springs; and
3) less physically-demanding activities for your off-slope days, like snowshoe hikes or nature walks.

Convenience is another important feature of a snooze-and-ski trip. If you want to spend every off-slope minute relaxing and enjoying yourself, then plan your trip based on maximum convenience. Arrange a valet service to deliver your ski rentals to you. Stay at a destination resort or at a full-service lodge in the woods.

Plan your ski travel surrounded by peaceful amenities and services, and you will go back home feeling refreshed!