March 21, 2020 by Jeremy

Information on Australia Citizenship Test and Traveling Before Ceremony

So, you have visited Australia and have decided you want to stay and become an Australian citizen. You have thought about it and you want to live, work and invest in this great country referred to by many as the Outback. 

Permanent resident

Just to be certain that you understand – a permanent resident of Australian is someone who has a permanent visa but is not yet a citizen. You can have a “permanent visa” and work, live and study without any restrictions but you will not be a citizen and will not be able to:

  • Automatically will not have the right of entry into Australia if you travel out of the country.
  • You will not be able to vote in Australian government elections.
  • You will not be eligible for any governmental services and benefits that are maintained for only citizens.

Australian Citizenship

Australian Citizenship does have plenty of rewards for those who want to have permanent legal residency in Australia. Most of all you get to meet and live among people that like you have come from different countries and races from almost every country around the world. Second, you become one of a unified, liberated and democratic society. And finally, the most valuable part of becoming a citizen of Australia is the commitment you make to the value of the country and its people. You can find more information at citizenshipaustralian.com.

Citizenship Test

One of the requirements of becoming an Australian citizen is that you will have to take the Australian Citizenship test. This is a test that will evaluate what your knowledge is of Australia. This includes:

  • Beliefs
  • Geography
  • Government
  • Laws
  • The people

You also will be tested on the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen. The Australian Citizenship Test will also test what you know about Australia in regards to the government and the law. And importantly, it will also test you on Australia’s democratic:

  • Beliefs
  • Liberties
  • Rights

Apart from the topics already mentioned, the exam will also test your basic knowledge of the English language.

20 questions

This test is made up of 20 multiple-choice questions. It is a computer-based exam and the questions are drawn randomly from a large database of 200 questions and each applicant will have 45 minutes to finish the test. The questions are taken from the official guide called “Our Common Bond” that is published by the Home Affairs Department. Passing this test, you will need to make a score of at least 75%. After passing the test, you will have demonstrated your commitment and understanding of the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

Traveling outside Australia

You might have questions about traveling outside of Australia after you have approved for citizenship, passed your exam and ready for the citizenship ceremony. If you have not finished all of this, you must still travel using your current passport. And in addition, this will not affect your ability to attend your ceremony or to become an Australian citizen. 

10 days

If you wait for at least 10 days, you might be able to apply to get a passport as an Australian citizen. If you have passed the Citizenship Test, it takes about 10 days for this information to be updated in the system. If you can’t wait, then your current passport will have to be used.

January 3, 2020 by Jeremy

5 games to keep kids entertained while you travel

When I was a kid, long journeys were all about the games. At the first whimper of “Muuuum, I’m booooored” she would shoot right back at me with, “Let’s play a game then”. I spy, the number plate game and 20 questions were all firm favourites in the car when I was a child.

In the digital age, it’s all too easy to rely on technology to keep children entertained on long car, train or plane journeys. However, spending too long looking at a screen can make kids carsick or suffer from headaches or a sore neck. Plus, playing traditional car games is a great way to bond as a family during the journey so it’s a good thing to keep doing.

Here are five of the best games to play while you travel…

1. The number plate game

There are many versions of this game, which you can adapt depending on which country you’re in. In the USA, the game is known as the license plate game and involves spotting license plates from different states. In the UK, you could look for number plates starting with different letters, or in Europe you could even look for ones from different countries. All you need is a piece of paper to scribble down the number plates that you spot. The person who gets the most wins. The great thing about this game is that it works just as well for one child as it does for siblings.

2. I spy

“I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…” I spy has been a popular game for as long as anyone can remember. Once you’ve got past the common choices of ‘road’, ‘trees’ and ‘sky’, the game often gets trickier, particularly once your kids start thinking out of the box and coming up with things like ‘teeth’. Playing this game with young children is always funny, especially when you spend ages guessing everything you can think of beginning with S and then they tell you the answer was ‘ceiling’! For very young ones who can’t spell, you could switch letters for colours and spy things that are green.

3. Memory game

Also known as ‘Granny went to the supermarket’, this game involves making and remembering a growing shopping list of items that start with each letter of the alphabet. For example, I might say: “Granny went to the supermarket and bought apples” and you would stay: “Granny went to the supermarket and bought apples and bananas.” Other names for this game include The Picnic Game and The Casserole Game. Perhaps you could come up with your own themes, such as what you would pack to go camping?

4. Things beginning with

In this game, one person thinks of a category, for example, things you can wear. The other thinks of a letter, like B. Then you have to take it in turns to come up with things you can wear beginning with B. This can be a tricky game and is just as well-suited for adults as kids. Descriptive words are okay in this game, so “big knickers” would be allowed! But that then means that you can’t have anything else ‘big’ or any other kind of knickers! Some of the answers are hilarious once you get past the obvious ones. 

5. Would you rather?

Would you rather wear a wedding dress every day or a swimming costume every day? Would you rather have twelve fingers or two belly buttons? The possibilities for this game are endless and all you have to do is decide which is the lesser of two evils. If you’re stuck for questions, there are some hilarious would you rather questions you can look up online.

So, there you have five games which should keep the whole family entertained the next time you travel. None of these need any equipment and many will have children of all ages not just entertained but laughing their heads off! So next time you have a long car journey, or even a flight, give these games a try and you may even be able to leave the kids’ tablet computers at home.

This article was provided by Simon Hansen from Family Travel Planet.

December 18, 2019 by Jeremy

Key Tips on Getting the Best Deals When Hiring Luxury Cars

You may want to make a grand appearance at an event in a top-of-the-range car or to give your lover a special treat by riding in a luxury car. Maybe you are on a holiday with your family and you want them to have special and memorable time, so you decide to hire a luxury car to drive them around. You may also want to spoil yourself by riding in a comfortable luxury ride. Whatever the reason for hiring a luxury car, you can get great deals and save your cash or get a real luxurious machine at an unbelievable rate.

Here are some tips on how to get yourself the best deals when renting luxury cars:

Make reservations

While you have an option of walking into the brick and mortar office of a luxury car rental company and getting a car on the spot, you can choose to do early bookings. You could do so online on the companies’ websites or via a telephone call or even by visiting the car rental offices long before the date of renting the car. By walking into the rental company and driving out with your preferred luxury ride, you can be sure that you will most likely pay a premium rate. Early reservations, especially online, allow you to compare the rates of several rentals, negotiate the rates, or consider other things that could save you some money.

Utilize frequent hirer programs

As is the case with airlines, hotels, and other service providers, luxury car rental companies monitor their customers and offer discounts to their loyal clients. You are therefore in a better position to get the best deals if you use one or a few car rentals every time you hire a luxury car. Joining the loyalty program of your favourite rental company is a good idea so you get benefits like members-only deals even though you may not a frequent hirer. So, identify a good and reliable luxury car rental company like Milani Exotic Car Rentals that has all of the best high-end cars that you can enjoy driving or being driven in and be their consistent client to get the best deals.

Negotiate prices

Do you know how to boost your bargaining clout? Well, get quotes from several luxury car rentals and use the rate of one company to negotiate with another or get some understanding of the prevailing market rates. You must always ask for a lower rate because you can never get a lower rate if you do not ask for it. When a luxury car rental company refuses to lower their rates, you can push to see if you could get an extra day at a lower rate.

Utilize family or friend referral discount schemes

Some luxury car rentals give discounts to friends or relatives of their past clients. To take advantage of such discounts, inquire from your friends and family if they have ever rented a luxury car form a certain exotic car rental company.

Conclusion

You can also get the best deals when renting luxury cars by ensuring that you understand what the rental price covers so you do not have to pay extra charges for things you may have overlooked. You can also seek to know the excess insurance coverage, or the amount that you should pay in case of an accident. Get to know if they will still accept the policy if you get separate insurance for the excess and a guarantee that they will not demand a deposit from you.

December 16, 2019 by Jeremy

Best Private Planes for Short Flights

When reaching out to a company specializing in aircraft management Los Angeles for a private jet rental, you will want to know the style of plane and model, like the Legacy 600 charter, you are looking for. To determine the right plane for your needs, you need first to determine your destination and whether it is a long-haul flight or more of a short trip. While larger jets are capable of flying shorter distances, it may not be a cost-effective solution when you only need to travel short distances. If you are interested in only short flights, then consider one of the following five models for your charter experience.

Compact or Very Light

To book private jet Los Angeles, consider the distance you need to travel and the amount of space you require for the trip. Compact or very light jets are the smallest private planes, and they typically have flight ranges of up to 1,174 nautical miles. Also, these jets are capable of transporting up to seven passengers, but they do not usually come equipped with a cabin attendant. However, some models have an onboard bathroom. The most popular jets in this class are the Cessna Citation Mustang, the Embraer Phenom 100 and the Eclipse 500.

Small Cabin

A popular choice among many executives and business travelers is the small cabin jet. These private planes can easily handle two to three-hour flights, and they can carry up to 8 passengers. Again, there is likely no cabin attendant, but bathrooms typically come standard. The Cessna Citation CJ4, Dassault Falcon 10 and the Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1A are all models within this classification.

Super Light

The next tier up from the small cabin jet is the super light. These aircraft are capable of ranges nearly double that of compact jets, and they typically have more space for luggage with a more spacious interior than what small cabins can offer. Some examples of this size jet are the Citation XLS, Citation XL, Learjet 45XR, Hawker Beechcraft 750 and the Gulfstream G100.

Midsize Cabin

Midsize cabins are capable of longer and shorter jaunts with a flight range of seven hours. While a more capable aircraft than other smaller models, the midsize cabin is more economical than other larger models. Some of the most popular midsize models include the Gulfstream G150, Lear 45, Hawker 800/800XP, and the Embraer Legacy 500.

Super Midsize

If you need to accommodate more than eight people, then you might consider a super-midsize jet. While larger than their midsize counterparts, these planes can carry up to 12 passengers. They can accomplish this while exceeding in distance and speed. Some of the top performers in this class are the Cessna Citation Sovereign, Learjet 60XR or Learjet 35.

Don’t rush the decision for a private jet. While you may only need to make short trips today, where will you be tomorrow? To understand your options better, reach out to a local chartering service and explain your specific needs. The best way to make a decision is to gather all the facts and weigh them against your particular needs.

December 15, 2019 by Jeremy

Best Travel Products You Need to Buy in 2020 Review

Travelling with friends or family to new and unknown places is a fun filled experience for every person. The excitement of visiting foreign places, witnessing foreign culture, and checking out new cuisines can be a great experience. Just like you spend time finding the best hotels and flight tickets for the trip, it is also important that you take some time and make a list of all the importance travel accessories that you need to carry in order to make the trip more memorable and exciting. Whether you talk about items that help you stay organized or items that help you maintain a good health and follow a good hygiene or even those items that keep you safe and comfortable, it is good to carry them with you.

List of Some of the Best and Most Essential Travel Products

The list of some of the best and most essential travel accessories or products can be rather lengthy. However, the list discussed below includes just the most essential of all travel accessories so that you do not get bogged down by heavy travel bags.

  • Document Organizer: When you travel to new places or even countries, you need to carry a lot of important documents that help you gain access to and also leave foreign countries. These include passports, visas, your personal id cards, and much more. If you lose any document, it can mean trouble for you and your group. If you carry a document organizer, it will help you keep all your documents safe and secure in one place within reach.
  • Travel Bottles: There are several countries where you may be asked to show your gut for security purposes. This is why you may also be asked to keep liquids to tiny amounts. If you are one of them who often like to have water, then you may be better off with a good quality travel bottle with you. Keeping a water bottle handy will help you in several occasions as shown on TrueTop5Review.com.
  • Duffel Bag: Most of the passengers prefer to carry suitcases with caster wheels or trolley bags while travelling. Although these are rather convenient while travelling with a family or a group of friends, it can often prove to be a big problem. Imagine having to pull your heavy suitcase behind you while walking uphill where cars are not allowed. This is why it is often said to use duffel bags instead. In many scenarios, it can be rather convenient, comfortable, and also rather efficient as a luggage.
  • International Travel Adapter: Planning to travel abroad, are you? It will be a good thing for you to know that the shape of the power plugs in many countries are different. As a result of this, their power sockets are also differently shaped. Some countries use round shaped power sockets, and some have flat shaped ones. Whenever you decide to travel abroad, it is always a good idea to carry an international travel adapter with you. A good quality adapter will provide you with multiple outlets at the same time.
  • Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot: There are many people who normally travel with a lot of gadgets and in groups. For such people, getting all the different devices properly connected can be a major problem in many countries of the world. In such cases, a mobile router that is unlocked to all types of networks can be a big boon for you. These are rather reliable and pretty simple to use. Using a mobile router or hotspot can also help you save a lot of money. It is important for you to remember the list of frequencies that the device can support. Different mobile operators in different countries have their own SIM cards that normally work within their frequency range.
  • Hand Sanitizer: Although it may sound a bit silly to some of you, it is rather important for you to carry a hand sanitizer with you all the time while travelling. The positive effects of hand sanitization is rather huge. You will be surprised to know that some cases of food poisoning are caused by dirty hands rather than the food. With the help of a hand sanitizer, you can easily keep your hands free from germs. When you travel, you actually touch a lot of things unconsciously. With the help of a hand sanitizer, you can actually provide a first layer of protection to yourself from bacteria and viruses.
  • Melatonin: In case you didn’t know, melatonin helps to regulate your day and sleep cycle. The level of melatonin in your blood helps to determine when you are ready to sleep. When you travel to new places, this level can easily get disrupted. When you have to travel to a different continent, melatonin can easily help you minimize jet lag and adjust to a different time zone. It is important for travelers of all age groups.
  • GoPro Camera: When you travel to a new place, you will spend a lot of time exploring new places and adventuring in different ways. With the help of a GoPro camera, you can easily capture these moments as it happens. This action camera can prove to be rather creative and versatile. The small and compact size of the camera can also help you create extra ordinary videos of standard vacations. Whether you go skiing or kayaking, visit new monuments or do any other activity, a GoPro camera can prove to be rather helpful.
  • Padlocks: This is probably one of the most overlooked items that is needed while travelling. The problem is that you do not understand its importance when you actually need one. Finding a padlock can be rather tricky to find depending upon the place where you wish to spend your holidays. Padlocks are an added layer of safety when you are away from your stuffs.
  • Packing Cubes: Not everybody is a master at packing stuffs. Finding a chaotic pile of items when you open your luggage is a common sight for most of you. Add to that the fact that you often have to spend a lot of time trying to find the item you need the most. In such matters, the best solution is to use packing cubes. This helps packing and unpacking become a simple task. It also makes your luggage appear neat and tidy and finding any item becomes rather simple for you.
  • Multi USB Charger: If you do not have an international travel adapter, you should use a multi USB charger instead. In this modern era, where gadgets rule the world, not finding enough charging spots for your gadgets can be a rather frustrating thing. There are also several hotels that have limited charging points for their customers. Using a multi USB charger is also rather useful when you travel in groups.
  • Power Bank: With so many smartphones doing the job of a good quality camera and handy cam, it is quite obvious that you will require some extra juice while exploring a new city. Thus, the best solution is to use a power bank that can help you charge up your phones even while clicking photos with it. Opt for a power bank with a minimum power of 10000 mAh. It is important for you to remember that power banks tend to lose power over time.
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