How to Select the Best Android Tablet

In the age of smart phones and tablets, Android powered devices have successfully managed to carve a unique identity for them. All the Android powered devices are famous for their user- friendly interface as well as the cheap apps and games available with them. Though these apps were already a part of many smart phones that came before Android, these were expensive enough that not everyone was able to afford them. With the introduction of Android powered smart phones and tablets in the market, this entire range of high end games as well as apps became more accessible to the common masses.

Android tablets have an advantage over other tablets available in the market. These tablets are powered with one of the most powerful and portable operating systems available today i.e. Android itself. These are highly customizable as well. The reliability as well as powerful features provided by Android is the reason why some of the automobile manufacturers in the world are also interested in it, so that they can find something useful and engaging for their customers.

Specifically speaking of Android tablets, it is a known fact that a whole new range of tablets have exploded in the digital market. Apart from this, the new range of applications and games that accompany these tablets are also commendable. However, all these choices can put people in a huge dilemma. To make it easier for everyone to easily and wisely invest in an Android tablet, below are some factors which should be kept in mind before investing in an Android powered tablet. In order to make a wise decision, scroll down and take a look at some of the points to be kept in mind before buying an Android tablet.

1. Purpose/ Usage of tablet

Interestingly, a wide range of tablets are available under the Android platform. These range from utility tablets for grownups to the user friendly and educative tablets for kids. The Kid's Safe Tablet is especially designed for kids so as to assist them in various educative programs involved in their curriculum. It can be used for the purpose of playing games and solving puzzles as well. Also, there are the usual bigger and smarter tablets meant for grownups. These tablets are as efficient as a full- fledged laptop.

The perks of choosing separate tablets for you and your kids is that it will certainly reduce the wear and tear which kids often leave on their parent's tablets. So, the first step is to determine the purpose for which you are planning to invest in an Android tablet.

2. Size of the tablet

After determining the purpose of investing in an Android tablet, the next step is to decide the size of the tablet. Luckily, Android powered tablets are available in a variety of sizes. One of the most interesting as well as advantageous fact about a tablet is that it is compact in size. The sleek design and smart built of a tablet is what makes them easy to carry and look after. While it is impossible to carry a PC around and since laptops are huge in size, tablets are what come to everyone's rescue.

The 7 inch tablets from Android are way cheaper than many other tablets available in the market. But if you are interested in playing games and using apps on your tablet, those 10 inch tablets are simply perfect for you. While smaller tablets are easy to carry around, bigger ones have their share of advantages as well. For instance, watching movies and playing games is something that can be conveniently achieved on a big tablet. Since Android tablets can be highly customised, bigger tablets make the whole experience more enjoyable and mesmerising for the users. So, the second factor to be kept in mind while choosing the right Android powered tablet is the size of the tablet.

3. The right Android operating system

Like iOS, various versions of the Android operating system are also available. All these versions of Android have their own set of features. Starting from the very first version of Android i.e. Android 1.5 (Cup Cake), there are 8 more versions available. The most recently launched version of Android is the Android 4.4 (Kit Kat). It is entirely the buyer's decision that which version of Android he/ she wants in his/ her tablet. Accordingly, their tablet will be performing all the functions which are offered within the scope of that particular version of Android.

Moreover, there are certain applications as well as games which are unique to each version and they may/ may not be upgradable to the higher ones. Hence, every buyer should be cautious while buying a tablet with Android 2.3 or below. The reason behind this is that these versions do not support Flash. It is advised to choose the appropriate version of Android wisely. This can be done based on the user's preferences as well as the reasons behind buying a tablet.

4. The right manufacturer

Looking at the popularity and fan following of Android tablets in the market, there are few very potentially powerful tablet manufacturers in the digital world today. The dilemma arises because each of these tablets is worth putting your hands on. Manufacturers like Sony, Google, Samsung, etc have emerged as equally powerful suppliers of Android powered tablets in the world.

However, it may not be that difficult to choose between these tablets. The reason behind this is that each of these manufacturers has some additional features and may function differently as well. Hence, the only way to zero in on any Android tablet is by being sure about the features and specifications that you expect to be there in your tablet.

5. What's your budget?

The cost of an Android tablet depends on the version of the Android operating system installed as well as the features offered by it. The various factors which contribute in the final price of a tablet include the operating system, features, built, design, utility as well as the size. While smaller tablets are definitely cheaper than the bigger ones, it solely depends on the user's requirements and budget.

6. Does your tablet connect to the Android market?

Sadly, not every Android powered tablet can be connected to the online Android market. This is because Google does not have much control on Android. Once a new version of Android is released to the masses, there is nothing that Google can do. But Google certainly has the control over the entire Android market. Hence, older versions of Android such as Android 2.2 and below will never connect to the Android market. No doubt some apps will be available to you, but the majority of utility apps and games will be far out of your reach.

You must be wondering about the significance of buying an Android tablet if you cannot have access to all the apps and games in the Android market. Hence, this is another important factor to be kept in mind while buying any Android powered tablet.

7. Tablets may/ may not require a data plan

All Android tablets can be either sold with Wi-Fi connectivity or with 3G/ 4G wireless data access. Often it is seen that these tablets are sold at a discount price because of their collaboration with any cellular service provider. Before investing in any Android tablet, check if you are covered under the 2 years of payment over the price for which you are buying your tablet. Also, check the amount of data that you will be provided under this plan. It is always advised to go for a plan which is expandable in future.

8. Say no to Modified Androids

Similar to the modifications brought in Android user interfaces in different devices by their manufacturers, modifications can be brought in Android tablets as well. Often manufacturers state that it is a wonderful thing, but it also has some disadvantages.

The disadvantage is that these modified versions often act differently from their real versions. This may pose a difficult situation for people using the modified version of Android. Hence, you should always go for the real and original version of Android.

Investing in the right Android tablet is surely a difficult decision to make. But once you invest in the right tablet, there will be no looking back for you.

The Key To Effective Project Financing

Funding is at the heart of every real estate project. In my previous article I discussed the disparity of financial benefits between direct cash investment and bank financing. Profit is maximized when bank financing can be obtained, so positioning your project so that it can achieve bank financing has a direct impact on your bottom line. Professional documentation can also have a direct impact on your bottom line, as it can enhance the financial terms and rates that lenders are willing to offer, making your project more or less profitable.

So, how can you best position and structure your project to achieve effective bank financing and improve profitability? Following is a summary of what we consider to be "the key to effective project financing".

Create a professional plan

Describe your real estate project with a concise and professional document. This will help save time in the underwriting process, and provide a clear understanding to underwriters and bank representatives so that they can more easily facilitate and support your funding request. While projects vary in type, size, structure and scope, the following elements should be included in most plans:

• Executive summary - Typically a 1-2 page narrative description of the project outlining the basic details and financial highlights.






• Location details - Describe and illustrate the location, specifics and advantages of the project site and area.






• Visual illustrations - Site survey, site plan, elevations, floor plans, renderings and other material that can help visually describe the project.






• Financial Pro Forma - Demonstrate the uses of funds, sources of funds, project costs, operating projections, cash flow and all other financial details of the project in a professional manner that can be easily interpreted by bank representatives and underwriters. We recommend preparing a 1-page financial summary of the project in addition to the intricate details.






• Capitalization Plan - Narrative that summarizes the funding structure, strategies and approaches of funding the project.






• Market Study - Demonstrate the current and projected value of the project. Describe market, sales and/or lease trends, competitive environment, supply and demand factors, and other market conditions.






• Team Bio - Describe the project team and discuss their education, experience and contribution to the project.






• Attachments - Purchase agreement, leases, architectural drawings, bids, contracts, and other supporting documentation.

Third-party validation

Your plan is stronger and more effective when you include third-party validation to the lender. This can also help facilitate the underwriting process and make your project more favorable to the lender. Third party validation can be demonstrated in the form of various documents that are provided to your lender, including:

• Comparative market analysis - Demonstrates the viability of the proposed sales and/or leasing strategies.






• Project feasibility analysis - Demonstrates the viability of estimated project costs, revenues, expenses, cash flow and operating projections of the project.






• Market feasibility analysis - Demonstrates the viability of the project given market trends, supply and demand, absorption rates, propensity of sales and other market factors.






• Appraisal - Demonstrates the current and/or future value of the project.

Find the right funding sources

When your project is ready to be presented, start with contacting your local banks, then search for regional and national lenders that fund similar types of projects. Make sure you understand their financing programs and ensure that the financial details of your project wall within the lenders' general financing parameters, such their loan-to-cost ratio (LTC), loan-to-value ratio (LTV), debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), internal rate of return (IRR), return on investment ratio (ROI), capitalization rate, and such.

Present your plan professionally and close the deal

In my experience, a professional multimedia presentation always enhances the ability to obtain funding. You can simply provide paperwork to your lender; or you can meet with the lender in person, professionally present your project, then provide the professional documentation at the meeting. The latter is always preferred over the former. Be prepared to answer questions concisely and to provide back up data and documents that validate your assumptions.

Follow up regularly to ensure your loan request is effectively processed. If and when an initial term sheet or letter of intent is provided by the lender, have an attorney review thoroughly and work directly with the lender to consummate a loan agreement and close the deal.

Other potential funding sources for your project can include private equity investors, hard money lenders, joint venture partnerships, private placement memorandum investments (PPM), and other sources that can be included within the financial structure of your project to assist in meeting the equity and guarantee requirements of lenders. My next article will discuss equity-raising strategies that can help reduce risk and exposure, and can expand funding possibilities for your project.

The Four Best Ways To Invest In Your Children's Financial Future

When speaking of the four great ways to invest in your children's future, one must start at home.

Childhood Training

Proper upbringing is an investment that will continue paying dividends into a child's future. Some basic examples may include:

* Doing household chores in turn for a small allowance
* Encouraging part time jobs to save for college or their first car
* Setting up their first savings account
* Giving to a favorite charity or at church

Educational and Health Plan Coverage

With today's unstable and volatile economic environment it would be wise to begin setting up a fund for the children's education. Be it for a four-year degree program or a voluntary certification course, having at least some funds in place will help make their road a little less strenuous when having to come up with tuition and other education expenses.

No one knows if any national health insurance will be in place when the time is needed. Therefore, preparing for a viable health plan for one's children is another way to not only attendate health expenses in the future but to be in a better position to confront them when they do occur. This can be done through company health plans or self-pay plans such as HMOs but health coverage is a must in any event.

Information Research

Today, through the Internet, parents can easily obtain the investment knowledge needed to make the best investments. By carefully researching each investment vehicle available and not moving too quickly, parents can fully formulate, within reason, what path to best take for their child's financial future.

Carefully researching the vast deposits of knowledge available on the Internet's "information highway" is a vitally important part of financial planning - and a prerequisite.

Setting Up A Financial Strategy

How can one know the best path to take if one does not know the destination? Having specific goals and the strategic planning to achieve them are essential especially during times of economic uncertainty. As they grow older, teach the basic differences of having short-term, medium term and long-range goals. Also, show them some common investment vehicles for each category. Some examples of different investment classes may include:

• Short-Term: US Treasury Bills or Notes
• Medium-Term: CDs or US Savings Bonds
• Long-Term: real estate and commodities such as gold

Childhood training, preplanned education / health plans, information research and financial planning are truly the greatest ways to invest in your child's future. Needless to say, it would be wise for parents to begin investing for their children as early as possible.

Dangers Of Lacking Financial Education And Giving Value To Others

In this article, I am going to talk about the dangers of lacking financial and values education which are just as important as our school education which mainly and still focuses on theory and academic score having read and understood the books by Robert Kiyosaki like Rich Dad Poor Dad as well as watching all videos of Eben Pagan on what it takes to succeed in business, relationships, wealth and improving all areas of life as his subscriber and customer which are in contrary to what we have been taught and conditioned to think and do by our parents, grandparents and teachers.

Truth being said, most of us only think of making money for ourselves, families and loved ones if we are married and have kids without understanding that in order to make money, we need to give and deliver value to others which is just as important. That also ties in with what Zig Ziglar said that you can have everything you want in life if you give enough people what they want in life. The only knowledge we have is that we have to study hard to get good grades and qualification so that we can get great jobs with high pay in order to have our homes, marry, retire, and live happily ever after. While our parents - especially those from low and middle-income families - told us this out of concern, this sort of mentality is sadly outdated in the current 21st century. And even more so with digital technology looking to shape and change the way we live, study and work.

A rich parent - for instance the current US President Trump - will never tell his children that. Sure at first glance, they will tell their children to respect others in public and tell them off if they are disobedient and do not behave. But behind closed doors of their homes only known to family members and maid serving them, they will share with them other things that poor and average parents will never share with their kids.

Which is while making and saving money are important, delivering value and smart investing to maximize it are just as important.

According to Eben Pagan in his YouTube videos, he said after years of studying about business and wealth, he learnt two critical things. One is that people do not like to give away their hard-earned money without getting any value in return. When I say value, I am not talking about anything that sales and marketing people offered them. But what people really need and want for themselves and loved ones. Second is that money has a hole in its bucket and unless you know how to earn, you will lose every dollar you spent never mind on what things.

Here is another truth of life which I discovered after my very own study and research on other articles and blog posts besides reading and watching videos by those gurus. That is money is never given or distributed evenly all the time. It is only for those who delivered the most value as in helping and making a difference to others' lives as well as those that others feel closest to. Even if it is otherwise, most people will squander on things they like short-term but are not essential long-term. Especially luxury items such as cars, condos, gadgets and jewellery to name a few. And when they spend all their hard-earned money with little or no savings, they will usually resort to those things.

1. Taking on 1 to 2 part-time jobs on top of their main one just to be able to cope with the daily expenses and support their family.

2. Borrowing from families and friends,

3. Asking for loans from creditors, loan sharks and banks,

4. Applying for credit cards,

5. Gambling in casinos, lottery and sports betting

While there is nothing wrong with the first though it might put additional stress on individuals' health and well-being, there is everything wrong with the other four which I myself was guilty of in the second and fourth.

Because every time you borrowed, you needed to pay back as we Asians have a very strong ethnic and principle on it. If they are not carefully abided by, tragedies may occur. Not just on individuals who cannot pay back and lose everything but their families as in their parents, parents-in-laws, spouse and children as well.

And the saddest truth is when the family is poor, the spouse have to work or take extra job as well to bear the costs and the children will have to give up their passion, interest and even studies just to work early to copy with the family burden costs.

For the rich, it is another story. Suppose if one or both your parents are running the company as bosses or CEOs, you will be required to help them out upon completing your studies.

Otherwise they will be judged as "selfish and unfilial who only think of themselves, inconsiderate and uncaring about their families' well-being."

That is if they want to pursue their ambitions, interests and passions they once have as children but are dismissed by most parents as naive child words, play and who are just asking them what they like to be when they grow up simply to make fun of them.

It may sound weird to you but that is the situation in my country Singapore.

Which explains why most people are conditioned to study hard, work hard, save hard and retire comfortably with just one working job income they see as honest earnings.

Any income incurred outside are dismissed by baby boomers in particular - as fraud from cheating other people of their hard-earned money which is partially true with some entrepreneurs but it is wrong to dismiss every business owner because of a few rotten eggs.

Given the fact that government supports them because they are our pioneers, very little room is given for youth development not just in terms of creativity and innovation but in terms of money and wealth management be it creation, multiplication and preservation.

The only things they know are saving, working and borrowing money as well as buying insurance policies from financial advisors who may or may not be acting in the interest of their clients.

Hence their ignorance, overspending and not earning enough leads them to be over-dependence on government to the extent of asking more and blaming the government when things are not going the way they expected and wanted. That will cause serious implications on our economy and society well-being in general be it relationships and the daily essentials of life we, our families and future generations need.

I don't mean to sound arrogant but if I am in the shoes of Minister for Education, I will make financial education compulsory as one of the main subjects. Especially when it comes to generating, growing and saving money while still acting in the interest of others as in giving value.

Which most people need to know but in actual truth, they don't which is absolutely critical.

Except for a selected few.

Like Warren Buffet, Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and Eben Pagan I earlier mentioned.

Fx Trading Forex - Trading Foreign Exchange

The largest financial market worldwide is without question, the foreign exchange market, also commonly referred to as Forex or Fx trading. With a large volume of cash and activity in fx trading forex, there is high liquidity in this market.

According to statistical data, over $ 3 trillion changes hands around the globe on a daily basis. Along with these high liquid assets, you have the ability to trade whenever you want and at any price level that you choose.

In a forex exchange trade, a trader measures how much a currency is worth in relation to another currency. These currencies, between two countries, are traded in pairs. To illustrate this point, if you exchange US dollars for Canadian dollars, this pair would look like this: USD / CAD.

90% of the foreign exchange market is made up of 6 major pairs, and these are:

-EUR / USD: The Euro and US dollar.

-USD / CHF: The US dollar and Swiss franc.

-GBP / USD: The British pound and US dollar.

-USD / JPY: The US dollar and Japanese yen.

-USD / CAD: The US dollar and Canadian dollar.

-AUD / USD: The Australian dollar and US dollar.

Now we know that a currency's value is assessed against its paired value. So, when one currency moves in one direction, the other currency's position will verify the current value from this exchange rate movement.

Before the availability of the Internet, large institutions like banks and corporations prevailed in the forex market. In today's global environment, the Internet has enabled anyone with a computer to get involved with fx trading forex. The structure of this market is highly decentralized and is known as an Over The Counter market.

An advantage to forex trading is that you can start trading with a small amount of money. Education is key in developing a solid understanding and an individual trading style. Arming yourself with knowledge will also help you to minimize your risks and learn to trade more profitably.

I would suggest that you find one of the better online forex brokers and open a demo account with them. A demo account will allow you to play around with fx trading forex and execute trades without risking any money. You also have access to current forex news, charts and statistics, at no cost to you.

These are some of the benefits to developing your skills in the foreign exchange market. I hope that I have provided a few insights and wish you all the best with your trading plans!

Business VoIP Service

The new age businesses are looking to integrate VoIP into their setup of communications throughout the office. This technology, which is something that virtually every modern workplace has, is growing in popularity and works via your existing broadband connection, eliminating the need for a landline or even a cell phone and is significantly better than both.

When it comes to VoIP for Business service

It is imperative that you make certain the service contains the features that you need for your business. In addition, you need to ensure that you are aware of all the requirements on your end for the VoIP system to work efficiently.

For example, if your corporation already has a large amount of phone lines then you will likely be required to have a better high-speed internet connection than a business that only has one or two phone lines. The reason for this is to ensure the quality of voice that is transmitted through the phone service.

Comparing Business VoIP Service

When it comes to choosing the company you would like to obtain your business VoIP from - it is imperative that you evaluate the following

- Sound quality of the phone service

- Customer service quality

- Technology capabilities

- Up-front costs

- Operational costs

- Other implementation costs

- Quality of security provided

In addition, you need to determine whether or not the business service will operate on open standard internet protocol (IP) to route your calls. Open standard IP will greatly reduce your costs such as eliminating licensing fees while providing you greater flexibility when it comes to customization as well as new feature integration. Moreover, there will be no limitations on future business expansions.

Return on Investment Comes with the Right Business VoIP Set-up

In order to get the best return on investment or ROI, as a business, you need to find the right business VoIP solution to implement within your business. This is a critical move and it is not one that should be overlooked. The wrong VoIP set-up could drastically drop your business' reputation leading to a decrease in customers and sales. The right Business VoIP Service, however, could very easily give your reputation a significant boost, an increase in sales as well as customers, and provide you the ability to connect with your employees and customers in ways you have never been able to before. See why VoIP for Business is right for you.

For more info go to: http://broadbandbuyer.com/VoIP-for-Business/business-voip.htm

BroadBandBuyer.com

Los Angeles, California Highlights

Los Angeles is a very fascinating city and a great place for anybody to take a vacation. Visiting Los Angeles and the surrounding areas could be one of the best and most memorable experiences that you will ever have. Tourists seem to get excited about everything from the simplest things to the bigger things. For some reason, tourists always like to see the famous Hollywood sign and especially visitors from non-coastal states like to go to the beach and see the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

If you like more of an adrenalin rush of fun and are planning to come to the city of Los Angeles, you will be in reasonable driving distance from several amusement and water parks including Six Flags Magic Mountain, Hurricane Harbor, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Raging Waters and other places like the Los Angeles Zoo and Griffith Park.

If you are really interested in the Film Industry, you can go to the tapings of numerous television shows where you can see your favorite stars live and in person. Or if you prefer to be in front of the camera instead of in the audience, there are several advertisements in newspapers, magazines and posted on telephone poles looking for all kinds of people who want to be background Extras in movies, television shows and commercials. No experience is necessary. Be sure to go down Hollywood Boulevard and look on the ground for the stars of your favorite entertainers on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

You can go to Staples Center, home of the 9 time NBA (National Basketball





Association) World Champions Los Angeles Lakers. Magic Johnson has moved on from playing professional basketball, but you will still see his name all over Los Angeles. He is involved with a few businesses around town including some 24 Hour Fitness locations, the Magic Johnson Theatres located in the Crenshaw Shopping Center, Starbucks Coffee and Magic Johnson's TGI Friday's Restaurant.

Right across the street from the Forum in Inglewood where the Lakers used to play for about 30 years until a few years ago, is the Hollywood Park Race Track and Casino. They only have horse racing a few months out of the year. But you are in "Luck" because the Casino is in full swing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to satisfy your gambling needs. It is one of the few places around here that at least so far, they still have FREE parking.

For Baseball fans you can go to Dodger Stadium, home of the former World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers. You would not want to go to Dodger Stadium without eating one of their famous Dodger Dogs.

Not only do we have professional sports champions, we also have our very famous cross town college rivals, the U.C.L.A Bruins and the U.S.C Trojans who have both brought back team championships to the city of Los Angeles and they both have had their students and alumni bring back Gold Medals when they were representing the United States over the years in the Olympics.

If you want to see another historic Sports site, then go to the Los Angeles Coliseum. Not only was it the home of the Rams and then the Raiders, way back when Los Angeles used to have a NFL Football team, but it was a major venue for both the 1932 and the 1984 Summer Olympics. If you watched the Olympics then you saw the Los Angeles Coliseum during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Track and Field events. The Olympic Torch is still there.

While you are at the Coliseum, it would be well worth your while to walk over to the California Science Center in Exposition Park. It is a great educational learning experience for both adults and children. The Sports Arena is in that general area. Also, within walking distance in that area are several museums that you might be interested in going through.

You would not want to miss out on spending time on the 405 San Diego Freeway which runs along the west side of Los Angeles County so you can enjoy the bumper to bumper traffic that we all get to experience so frequently. Most people in the area call it the world's largest parking lot. Your foot rides the brake of your car while burning that expensive gasoline. Usually you are either at a full stop or traveling at a snails pace. Just hope that they do not have a vehicle accident on the freeway ahead of you because the snail would actually beat you in a race.

If you leave the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which is right next to the Playa del Rey Beach on the far west side of the city, you can get on the 405 freeway and head northbound. When you are finally able to get through the traffic, you can visit the J. Paul Getty Museum which is just before you get to the valley.

You can go to Marina del Rey just north of the airport where you can enjoy a dinner cruise on the ocean or bring your fishing pole and go out on one of the all day fishing boats or just hang out in the Fisherman's Village that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and has food, drinks and gift shops. There are places near most of the beaches where you can rent bicycles. There is Bike Path the runs along the side of the Pacific Ocean right on the beach. If you like rollerblading, rollerskating and / or skateboarding, then you will really like Venice Beach.

Normally from the west side of Los Angeles if you are at or near the Playa del Rey Beach and look up, you can see the planes taking off over the ocean. If you are somewhere east of the airport you can see the planes coming in for a landing. But if you look up and see a helicopter, don't get confused. It is probably not a guided helicopter tour. More than likely it is the Los Angeles Police Department Helicopter chasing down a suspect with the news media helicopters trying to get their shots and doing their best to stay out of the way. Police car chases are very common around here. You hear sirens from emergency vehicles coming from all directions. But that is Los Angeles' finest keeping our city nice and safe.

In all fairness, as a traveler you really need to make the safety of both yourself and your family a top priority no matter what city in the world you visit.

If you want to go on another cruise, you can go to Catalina Island. You can go over there, have some fun and come back the same day if you want or you can stay for several days if you really like it. There are numerous activities out there.

Another historic site that you would not want to miss is the street corner of Florence and Normandie Avenues which was where the 1992 Los Angeles Riots all began. Most of the businesses that were burned to the ground during that time have been rebuilt since then, so of course they look much better and more modern. Others may never be rebuilt.

On the far south side of Los Angeles County is Long Beach where you can see the Queen Mary Ship that is docked. You can tour the ship. Also, while you are in Long Beach you can visit the Aquarium of the Pacific for underwater adventure. Just like the California Science Center, it is another great educational learning opportunity for both adults and children.

For shopping, it depends what you are interested in. You can get just about anything you can think of at the malls which are located all over the place. The Del Amo Mall in Torrance (the southern part of Los Angeles County) is one of the largest malls in the United States. If you are looking for discount clothing and other merchandise, then go to the garment district in downtown Los Angeles. If you want the expensive stuff, then go down Rodeo Drive and the Wilshire Boulevard area in Beverly Hills. Just east of Beverly Hills is the Grove where you can check out the Farmers Market that has been serving Los Angeles since 1934. The area has been changed, expanded and built up over the past few years.

Wilshire Boulevard is one of the main business streets in Los Angeles that runs from the beach to downtown Los Angeles. So if you want to drive down Wilshire Boulevard just for fun, you can start by the Santa Monica Pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean and it will take you through the cities of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. When you get to downtown, be sure to take a look at the Los Angeles Civic Center area.

Another interesting street to drive down for fun is Crenshaw Boulevard. You can start at Wilshire Blvd and go southbound on Crenshaw Boulevard. It will take you through the inner city of Los Angeles. Your trip will take you by the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Shopping Center, Leimert Park in the Crenshaw District, then through Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Torrance, Rolling Hills Estates and all the way down until you end up in Rancho Palos Verdes in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County.

Check the schedule of the Los Angeles Convention Center. They always have some type of entertainment, business or informational seminars, expos or workshops going on over there. You might find something going on that you may want to attend.

There are countless food and beverage locations all over the Los Angeles area from fine dining restaurants to fast food places and every shade of grey in between that will satisfy any appetite. You just have to find the ones that match your taste. There are all kinds of entertainment, dancing, activities and shows even in addition to all of the things that are mentioned above.

If you are not visiting someone who has a car that you can use, then you should probably rent a car because waiting around for public transportation in Los Angeles will use up most of your vacation time. Have fun.