Update: Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree

This month our little tree is all decked out to celebrate two holidays, Mothers' Day and Memorial Day. Dressed in pink ribbon and flowers to honor mothers and red, white and blue to honor our veteran that gave their all for our country.

Did you know

The modern American holiday of Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. Her campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her beloved mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Anna’s mission was to honor her own mother by continuing work she had started and to set aside a day to honor mothers, "the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world." Anna's mother, Ann Jarvis, was a peace activist who had cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the Civil War and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.

Due to the campaign efforts of Anna Jarvis, several states officially recognized Mother's Day, the first in 1910 being West Virginia, Jarvis’ home state. In 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation creating Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers.

Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

On May 26, 1966, President Johnson signed a presidential proclamation naming Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Earlier, the 89th Congress adopted House Concurrent Resolution 587, which officially recognized that the patriotic tradition of observing Memorial Day began one hundred years prior in Waterloo, New York.

We, at Rawhide Travel and Tours would like to wish all Mothers a very Happy Mother's Day.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours, start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In the News: Travelers Fall Victim to Scams Overseas

The U.S. State Department has taken notice of many of the common scams and criminal tactics, and warns travelers to be aware of them.

Current safety information from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, here are some of scams and schemes have been reported in foreign countries:

Argentina
A common scam is to spray mustard or a similar substance on a traveler and offer to help clean the stain. A pickpocket or an accomplice then steals from the traveler. Unscrupulous vendors and taxi drivers sometimes pretend to help tourists review their pesos, then trade counterfeit bills for good ones.

China
Taxi drivers, especially at airports, sometimes target arriving travelers, refusing to use the meter or claiming they are a limousine and can charge higher fares. Cab drivers, businesses and even ATMs have given people counterfeit currency.

Colombia
Criminals pose as undercover police officers on the street and request to examine a traveler's money or jewelry, supposedly to determine if it is counterfeit. They then flee with the money or jewelry.

Czech Republic
Americans have reported being overcharged by merchants on credit card transactions. Travelers should verify that charges are correct before signing for purchases. Keep all receipts, and check credit card accounts online to ensure proper billing. Be alert for substantial overcharging by taxis. Some taxi drivers charge unsuspecting foreigners two or three times the standard rate.

France
Pickpockets are very active on the rail link from Charles de Gaulle Airport to central Paris and Metro Line 1. They may try to distract their target by making a disturbance, asking questions, or asking someone to sign a petition or take a survey. In the Pigalle area, unsuspecting tourists have run up exorbitant bar bills and been forced to pay before being permitted to leave.

Israel
Americans have sometimes been victims of high-pressure sales tactics in Jerusalem's Old City and other tourist areas. Vendors have not disclosed the cost of an item and convinced the buyer, who is unfamiliar with the exchange rate, to unwittingly sign a credit card receipt worth thousands of dollars.

Italy
Travelers in Rome, Florence and Naples have been befriended by criminals and offered a drink laced with a sleeping drug. While asleep, the criminals steal valuables or commit sexual assault. Three thieves may work together. One drops or spills something on the victim, a second assists the victim in cleaning up the mess, and the third discreetly takes the victim's belongings.

The U.S. Secret Service in Rome is assisting Italian law enforcement authorities in investigating an increase in ATM skimming devices. The devices are attached to legitimate bank ATMs and capture the account information stored electronically on a credit card's magnetic strip. The devices consist of a card reader installed over the legitimate reader and a pin-hole video camera mounted above the keypad that records the customer's PIN. The victim's information is sold, traded online or encoded on another card, such as a hotel key card, to access the compromised account.

Mexico
Americans in Mexico have had their debit or credit card numbers "skimmed." An employee of a merchant or a bank copies the card number manually, with a magnetic stripe reader or with a camera at an ATM, then fraudulently withdraws money or charges the card. Americans have become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by alleged Mexican law enforcement, immigration and other officials.

Russia
A common street scam is the "turkey drop." An individual "accidentally" drops money on the ground in front of an intended victim, while an accomplice either waits for the money to be picked up or picks up the money and offers to split it with the pedestrian. The individual who dropped the currency then returns, aggressively accusing both of stealing the money. The confrontation often results in the theft of the pedestrian's money.

In airports, travelers have been targeted by a "friendly" stranger who asks them to watch a bag or a purse, then leaves. The stranger returns with someone appearing to be a police officer, and the bag may contain drugs or other illegal items. The perpetrators then extort money or other valuables to avoid hassles with the police.

Spain
Two or more thieves often work together and use distractions. A thief might wave a map in a target's face and ask for directions, "inadvertently" spill something on a target, help clean up bird droppings thrown at a target by a third accomplice, or drop coins or keys at a target's feet. Some thieves have posed as plainclothes police officers, beckoning pedestrians from cars or confronting them on the street. They've asked for documents or to inspect their cash for counterfeit bills, which they confiscate as "evidence."

Good Samaritan scams are common. A thief diverts a driver's attention by indicating there is a flat tire or a mechanical problem. When the driver gets out to check the vehicle, the thief offers assistance, while an accomplice steals from the car.

Thailand
Scams involving gems, city tours, entertainment venues and credit cards are common and often involve drivers of taxis and tuk-tuks (three-wheel taxis) who receive kickbacks or commissions. Many companies that rent motorbikes, jet skis and cars require a passport as a deposit or collateral. If a rental vehicle is damaged, the company often holds the passport until payment for the damage. Many renters have reported they were charged exorbitant amounts, even when there was no visible damage.

United Kingdom
Imposters pose as undercover police officers and demand cash for bogus minor offenses, including littering or not having ID documents. At ATMs in busy areas, thieves use distraction techniques. They may wait until a PIN has been entered, then point to money on the ground or hand out a free newspaper. A colleague will quickly withdraw cash when the ATM user is distracted.


The State Department offers tips that may help travelers avoid being victims of scams or petty crimes abroad:

Before departing, read the warnings and alerts on the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs site for the country you are traveling to.

Don't bring valuables and irreplaceable items, but, if you do, use a hotel's safe. Carry only the cash, credit cards and belongings needed for each outing.

Put your passport in a pocket with a zipper or another safe enclosure.

Be very cautious when using ATMs to protect against theft of card information.

Be wary of people who aim to extort a bribe by posing as undercover police or public transportation inspectors.

No matter where you are traveling the most important thing is to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Off the Beaten Path: Northern India

Difficult to get to, but isn’t that true for all the best places? Tucked between Nepal and Bhutan, the West Bengal Hills are home to rolling hillsides, stretching tea plantations, and the city of Darjeeling.

Take in nature’s beauty on treks through Singalilia National Park with views over Nepal and the Himalayas; ride an historic toy train through the hillsides; spend days lazing around Darjeeling and enjoying the mix of Buddhist temples and colonial buildings. This state is also home to Calcutta, where most of the tourists head, so leave the trail and head north. The unpaved path awaits.

With a country of such magnitude and marvel these six suggestions only scratch the surface. India is so vast and so nuanced that getting off the beaten path can be as subtle as taking the less-travelled Delhi street or as bold as heading into a sleepy snow-covered mountain town. Carve out the trip that you want, get out of the cities as much as possible, and look for those shimmers of the real Indian spark. The untouched is all around, so go explore it.

Darjeeling

Spread in ribbons over a steep mountain ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and with a backdrop of jagged white Himalayan peaks floating over distant clouds, the archetypal hill station of Darjeeling is rightly West Bengal’s premier attraction. When you aren’t gazing open-mouthed at Khangchendzonga (28,207 feet), you can explore colonial-era architecture, visit Buddhist monasteries and spot snow leopards and red pandas at the nearby zoo. The steep narrow streets bustle with an array of Himalayan faces from Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet and when energies start to flag a good, steaming Darjeeling brew is never far away.

Darjeeling sprawls over a west-facing slope in a confusing web of interconnecting roads and steep flights of steps. Expect an uphill hike to your hotel if arriving at the train station or jeep stand. The two main squares are Chowrasta, near the top of town, and Clubside junction, which are linked by the pedestrian Nehru Rd (The Mall), the main shopping street. Hill Cart Rd (Tenzing Norgay Rd) runs the length of the bustling lower bazaar and is Darjeeling’s major vehicle thoroughfare.

Put your experience of getting mesmerized under challenge by discovering sheer artistry of nature spread to every corner of the horizon. The lush green gardens at your feet and snow-covered White Mountains at a distance seem like a wonderful experiment of god with colors. It is the rendezvous of earth and heaven; it is the treasure that you would keep in your heart forever. Hidden under the shadows of Eastern Himalayas, the hill stations of West Bengal are the main footprint of tourism in the state. Darjeeling, without a doubt is the most important and most visited hill station. This unique destination is famous world over for its unparallel beauty. Darjeeling and the other hill stations of West Bengal offer a magnificently rejuvenating respite from the exhausting heat that adorns the majority of the state during the summer months.

Mirik, 30 miles from Darjeeling, at an altitude of 5676 feet, has forests of japonica, orange orchards, tea gardens and cardamom plantations. Its restful ambience, dramatic views and homely accommodation make it an appealing stop for a few days of relaxation. Sumendu Lake, with its 2 mile cobbled promenade, offers boating, while Krishannagar, south of the lake, has a carpet weaving centre and the impressive Bokar Gompa, a 15-minute stroll from the main road. You can trek to Kurseong and Sandakphu, or less ambitiously, take a bus a few minutes up the Darjeeling road and walk back through rolling tea estates, flower-laden cottages and villages.

Kurseong ('Place of the White Orchid') east of Mirik, is surrounded by tea gardens and orange orchards and has some popular boarding schools. Travellers suggest stopping here overnight on the Toy Train between Siliguri and Darjeeling. You can visit the Makaibari Tea Estate and the Forest Museum on Dow Hill.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Culinary Travel: Northern India

One of top 5 historical places in India, it would be a huge loss to visit India and miss out on seeing the Taj Mahal. After all, the Taj Mahal is India's most famous monument -- and certainly the most identifiable. It looms fairytale-like from the banks of the Yamuna River and has a rich history dating back to 1630 AD. It's actually a tomb that contains the body of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Made out of marble, it took 22 years and 20 000 workers to complete. Words cannot do the Taj Mahal justice, its incredible detail simply has to be seen to be appreciated. One of the most captivating things about it is the way its color appears to gradually alter in the changing light of the day.

Origins of Tandoori Chicken
The unique history of the Tandoori Chicken dates back to the time of the Mughals. Grand feasts were conducted by the kings in their palaces. Its popularity however, expanded across India in more recent times. Just before the partition of India, there was a man called Kundan Lal Gujral who ran a restaurant called Moti Mahal in Peshawar. In order to keep the customers interested and add a touch of variety to the menu card, he started to cook the chicken on day ovens and serve them red hot on the plate. The customers who visited the shop were delighted by the new preparation and welcomed its arrival. Later on, he moved to Delhi and his restaurant attained enormous popularity. The tandoori chicken at Moti Mahal so impressed the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, that he made it a regular at official banquets.

Plan ahead, this one takes time. In fact, at least 8 hours of marination, but preferably overnight. The cook time is just 45 minutes, and it is worth the prep time to achieve the maximum flavor that only a good Tandoori dish delivers.

Tandoori Chicken

Serves 4: Prep Time 8 hours: Cook Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
1 chicken, cut into serving pieces,
Remove skin and all visible fat
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or malt vinegar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon peeled and grated or crushed ginger root
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
Vegetable oil, for brushing
Fresh cilantro sprigs for garnish
Slices of cucumber, red onion, tomato and lemon, for garnish


Directions
Prick the flesh of the chicken all over with a fork. Then, using a sharp knife, cut slashes in the chicken to allow the marinade to penetrate. Place the chicken in a large glass shallow dish.

In a glass bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, ginger, cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and salt. Stir until well-mixed, then pour the mixture over the chicken and rub it vigorously into the flesh, turning the chicken several times. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or for best results overnight, but do not marinate for longer than 2 days.Remove the chicken from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking. The chicken may be grilled or roasted.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, pressing lightly to extract excess marinade, and brush with oil. Place the chicken pieces on a well-oiled grill rack and; grill, covered, with the vents open, turning 3 or 4 times, 45 minutes or until the juices run clear when a piece is pierced near the bone with a knife. If roasting, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan, brush with oil, and cook, turning once, 25 to 30 minutes until the juices run clear when a piece is pierced near the bone with a knife.

Serve with sprigs of cilantro and slices of cucumber, red onion, tomato, and lemon.

If you have a taste for culinary travel, let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you plan your next vacation and all of your other reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Buck Island Reef National Monument Virgin Islands

The United States Virgin Islands consist of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, all popular destinations in the Caribbean Sea. The islands are reached by several airlines with flights into the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. 

Buck Island Reef National Monument is most notable for its coral reef ecosystem and the small tropical island that it encircles. The Monument supports a large variety of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, including endangered and threatened species. Its biological diversity and complexity affords outstanding opportunities for approved recreational activities, public education, and scientific research. Buck Island’s elkhorn-coral barrier reef is unique within U.S. waters. The Monument is host to several Threatened and Endangered species, and contains significant evidence of human use on land and in the water over thousands of years.

The only way to get to Buck Island Reef NM is by boat; private or park licensed concession operation which has daily trips, full or half day. The trip is between 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hour depending on whether you sail or motor boat to the park. Once at Buck Island Reef you can only access the outer reef and the underwater trail by boat. There is only one foot path on the island which takes 60 minutes from beach to the reef overlook and back down to the beach. All other sites can be seen by walking, swimming, or snorkeling.

Six thousand feet long and a half mile wide, uninhabited Buck Island rises 328 feet above sea level 1.5 miles north of St. Croix. It is made up of sedimentary rock layers deposited in deep water approximately 60 million years ago then pushed up and tilted.

The tropical dry forest of Buck Island has over 180 native plant species that inhabit the island, including locally threatened species. It is threatened by non-native invasive plants which out compete native species. 

Whether you delight in hiking to the crest of the island, perhaps savoring the beautiful coral reef as you follow the underwater trail, or prefer to sit quietly and watch the sea, Buck Island Reef National Monument offers a myriad of activities for you to enjoy. The hardest part may be choosing what to do while enjoying the Caribbean Sea!

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Let Us Help You Get Lost

Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little else. Our years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.

We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can arrange the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.

Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
 rawhidetravel.com

In the News: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Opening Soon!

Photos Courtesy of Walt Disney World

Embark for family-friendly thrills as you enjoy the twistiest, turniest, rollickingest ride in New Fantasyland. Check out this full ride-through video of the attraction. http://youtu.be/vMw6lLJWIgA 

Showcasing a first-of-its kind coaster system, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train cruises along through a fabulous mine—glittering with diamonds, emeralds and other precious gems—swinging and swaying Guests up large lifts, across sharp banks and around exhilarating turns.

Come feel a rush of enchantment and excitement too as you take off on this all-new addition to Magic Kingdom park!

Plus, be on the lookout for several favorite characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, they’re all here, recreated in vivid detail using innovative technology that brings their 3-dimensional expressions to life.

Follow the path of forest creatures as you pass a cozy woodland cottage on your way to the mountain slope. From its footprints, enter the mine of the Seven Dwarfs, where a treasure trove of experiences awaits!

Within a covered wooden tunnel carved into the mountainside, discover a series of mining stations prepared by Doc, each one a gem of its own:

Jewel Sorting – Follow Doc’s instructions, etched into a nearby plank, and help match jewels by color and shape as they flow down a wooden trough—a.k.a. dozens of touch-screen video displays.

Jewel Washing – After the jewels are sorted, grab ahold of a musical water spigot and start cleaning. Each spigot plays its own melody—heed Doc’s tips and you may hear a collection of familiar tunes!

The Vault – Inside the door of the mountain, enter the center of the vault to find a collection of wooden barrels overflowing with glowing stones. Turn each barrel to see the ceiling above you transformed!

Hop into your mine cart, hewn together with wood, metal bands and nails—and get ready for a ride like no other as your train departs, winding down and around before starting its ascent up a steep hill.

Feel the wind in your face when your cart teeters over the crest, traveling down and around the mountain and deep into the mine shaft. Soon, the dark begins to sparkle as you happen upon the Seven Dwarfs hard at work—whistling and singing while collecting diamonds, rubies and other shining jewels.

All your Dwarf friends are accounted for, Sleepy, Happy, Grumpy, Dopey, Sneezy, Bashful and Doc, as you careen through the cavern and climb toward an opening to the outside world. At the top, soak up an inspiring view of New Fantasyland before arriving back to the foot of the mountain.

After passing behind a waterfall, prepare for a party as you peek inside a rustic cottage where Snow White and her Dwarf friends are dancing in celebration, just as this rocking ride comes to an end!

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com