Travel

Driving on Daytona Beach

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Driving your car on a white sandy beach along the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean is almost part of a popular fantasy in our time that comes to us from the cities just like that of trudging through wild mountainous nature aboard your Jeep.

In the 60s, on Daytona Beach in Florida, bikinis, surfboards and big crowds shared the four kilometers of sand, transformed for the occasion into a circuit for stock car races. This is also there that bikers are not always very friendly.

The city is world famous for its many car or motorcycle races taking place on its sandy beaches or on its circuit, the Daytona International Speedway. It is visited by around 8 million people each year. The racing tradition of Daytona Beach dates back to the early 20th century when the first major manufacturers (Henry Ford, Louis Chevrolet) settled in the area. Between 1902 and 1935, 13 speed records were established there (109 km/h in 1902 at Ormond Beach, north of Daytona). Many races (cars, motorcycles or karts) make being in Daytona exciting throughout the year. During racing periods, the city knows a crazy animation, and the hotels multiply their prices by 4 or 5 and display their full sign.

The other great moment of madness in the city is the Spring Break period, the spring break for all American and Canadian students (around the second half of March). Since the 1930s, nearly 400,000 students have been meeting there every year to celebrate the arrival of spring, a pretext for excesses of all kinds.

In the United States, as in many other countries with large sandy beaches, using your car first responded to a simple need: easy access to fish, camp, swim, surf or just to spend a day at the family beach. It would often have been difficult, if not impossible, if the use of a car had not been permitted.

This practice has developed naturally in large spaces in many regions of the United States such as the Long Beach Peninsula in New York State or the Cape Cod National Seashore in that of Massachusetts. It has also developed in parts of the coast of Texas, Oregon, Washington State, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, etc.

Some would like to keep this practice, which they consider a tradition, but they forget that the population of the United States of America has grown since 1950, just after the Second World War, from 158 million inhabitants to 329 million!

It has therefore more than doubled and it is widely recognized by environmental experts that driving on the beach can have serious ecological consequences: destroying nesting areas for sea turtles and birds, such as the piping plover, or even damaging wild vegetation and the stability of the dunes. Vehicles on the beach can also constitute a real danger for the safety of beach and swimming enthusiasts who are more and more numerous and who very often come in family with young children.

It is clear that so many visitors and vehicles require good waste management procedures run by the local government. Cleaning the leftover garbage and junk require the help of roll-off rental Daytona Beach companies. These junk disposal operations provide large bins so that bulk clean out can take place regularly.

Nowadays annual beach passes are $25 for residents of Volusia County and $100 for non-residents. The daily entry fee to the beach is $ 20 per vehicle with the possibility of a second free entry the same day and for the same vehicle. For more information on other passes, such as the Beach Pass Holders Express ramps and other fees, visit www.VolusiaBeachPass.com or call the toll services on the beach (866) 398 -6352. Most passes are available at the beach and Inlet parks tolls

Located further north on the Atlantic coast, this county includes the “Fort Matanzas National Monument” located south of St. Augustine. In 2010, the national park service had to ban the circulation of cars on the park’s beaches due to the deterioration of the environment. However, the service is currently reconsidering this decision. Case to follow!

In conclusion, the celebrity of Daytona Beach was made the last century around the automobile races which were held directly on the beach and today, it must remain world famous like being the beach of Florida on which one is still driving.

5 Destinations In India That Won’t Empty Your Pockets

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We all know the cost of traveling and how difficult it is to find cheaper destinations. This prevents us from potentially go to places that we would love to visit. For travelers who need to stay on a budget, it impedes our desires to go to the places we prefer. But with a lot of research and planning, there are affordable culture-rich countries you can visit.

India, as we all know, is one of the oldest civilizations in history. At present time, it is consistently ranked as one of the cheapest travel and budget friendly countries we can visit in the world. And due to the fact it is a multi-cultural country, you will not feel like you have only visited one place!

If you are enticed to wander around without worrying too much about the money you have to spend, here are some of the beautiful destinations in India that will not require to burn your entire savings account.

Goa

Goa has some of the best restaurants, beaches, inns, apartments, and churches in the country. You can find the cheapest accommodation at available inns nearby and renting a bike for your transportation to roam around the place is a great way to get some exercise as well.

You can enjoy your time at the beach and perhaps consume very cheap liquor with friends and family. It is believed that everyone needs to come across Goa at least once in their lifetime.

Varanasi

If you are looking for a travel destination in India that exudes spirituality, Varanasi is the place to visit. Locally known as Benera, it is one of the seven holy cities in Hinduism. Because of its famous name, guesthouses and hotels that range from cheap to luxurious are situated everywhere in the area to attract more visitors.

Food in Varanasi is also incredibly cheap. You can take long walks along the ghats and enjoy the scenery of colorful and vibrant temples.

Amritsar

A place for devout believers, random tourists and ultimate foodies, Amritsar is a city with divine ardaas of the Golden Temple that attracts tourists from all over the globe. To save a little bit on your budget, you can stay at the Golden Temple for free and savor the local dish called langar.

Another dish you can enjoy in Amritsar is curry. Seasoned with spices like chili powder, cayenne, turmeric curcumin, star anise and many more. The spices used in this dish is believed to treat many ailments. One good example of it is how curcumin benefits arthritis and other inflammation related diseases. It is included in the Glucosamine Chondroitin Turmeric supplement that helps remedy soreness and pain in the joints.

You can find a variety of authentic Indian dishes around Jalianwala Bagh or scoff and find restaurants at affordable rates that will surely be budget friendly.

Pondicherry

This place is commonly known as the French Riviera of the East due to its French influences in the Union Territory. Pondicherry is known for its tranquility, beauty, tasty food, pristine beaches, French inspired infrastructures, excellent wine, wonderful Ashrams and rich culture. It is best for you to stay at the Auroville Ashram as their accommodations are priced reasonably well.

Gokarna

for tourists who wish to find a more peaceful place, Gokarna is a faultless beach town located in Karnataka. This area is admired by many tourists and locals for its splendor, serenity and an appealing place of worship and meditation.

You can stay at the guest houses and home stays around this location. They are cheap and very accommodating to their guests. You need not worry about your food as well as most guest houses have their own mini diners where they can serve food to their guests.

Traveling does not need to be a luxury. If you simply take the time to research travel blogs, cheap air fares and travel testimonials, you will have an idea how much money you need to prepare for your trip. If you are well equipped with such information, you would not have any reasons not to travel, in particular to India.

New York Indian Restaurants

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A Taste of India: Top Indian Restaurants in New York

New York City is home to some of the best restaurants and chefs on the planet. It is a cultural melting pot of tastes and traditions that are heavily influenced by the richly varied inhabitants of this city. New York is a place to find amazing cuisine that is prepared and cooked just like in its native country.

In fact, many Indian transplants are able to find the food that their grandmothers made them at their local takeaway store. If food is good enough for those who grew up on the dishes, then you know its authentic. As a result, many flock to the best Indian restaurants in the city to get a taste of the distinct cuisines offered by different regions of India.

The most well known place to go for Indian food is at the aptly named “Curry Hill.” This nickname is a humorous take on the neighborhood’s main drag, Murray Hill, as it is full of Indian restaurants and take out eateries. It is essentially a Little India smacked right in the heart of New York City.

Of course, there are plenty of neighborhoods to find amazing Indian food in this city if you know where to look. The following lists will help you find the best of the best when it comes to getting your fill of spicy curries and other flavorful dishes from India.

Banjara

Banjara is a fabulous pick for those on a budget. Its address at 97 on 1st Avenue puts it a central location. However, its food makes people from all over the city trek to this well kept local secret. You will spend a fraction of the price on a delicious meal for two than what you pluck down for one at a more expensive joint.
Do not let its seemingly average decor fool you because this is Indian food at its finest.

You can choose from an array of meat dishes and curries that will whip your taste-buds into overdrive. Main meals begin at just over ten dollars. Some crowd favorites include the Banjara Baingun, a spicy eggplant dish, and their version of the Onion Bhaji. Just do not be surprised if you become a regular at Banjara thanks to its incredible food at budget friendly prices.

Chutney

Ask any New Yorker in the know, and they will list Chutney one of the landmarks for Indian food in the city. This well loved restaurant has catering to the city’s experts on Indian food for nearly twenty years. It began as an outpost in the Hamptons before it became a local Upper West Side favorite. There are several locations for you to choose from depending on your own preferred neighborhood.

Just be warned: go early or prepare for wait because it can get crowded during lunch and dinner hours. However, its incredibly filling dishes are well worth any waiting time you have to do. Their Thali special is well known all over New York for providing you with a filling meal that includes rice, veggies, soup, naan, and accompanying sauces. Chutney is also famous for its Dosa pastries and sandwiches under ten dollars. Visit Chutney hungry because you will want to save room for all this place has to offer.

Vatan

If you are looking for Indian restaurant that specializes in vegetarian food, then Vatan is your destination. The restaurant’s charming decor will transport you across the world to a private Indian home that severs your lavish meals to share with your dining partners. There are two locations in New York; one is at 409 Third Avenue and the other at 97 First Avenue. The food itself is what you would expect for any great Indian restaurant- plenty of flavor, spices, and choices to keep you satisfied.

Chola

Chola is another great New York Indian restaurant for those with a limited budget. It occupies a colorful and festive place at 232 East 58th Street. The place can get crowded quickly as it has been mentioned in every guide book for great food in New York. However, you will not have to wait long to get a taste of some of the best curry in the city. Of course, you can also get your fill of more traditional lamb and shrimp dishes if you prefer to lay off the heavy spices. Chola is ideal for tourists and locals who want a quick taste of New York Indian cuisine at an affordable price.