Posts Tagged ‘adventure’

Day Trip In Volcano National Park - Costa Rica

Monday, July 12th, 2010

My family and I were traveling through Alajuela, Costa Rica, and wanted to do something exciting so we decided to go on a day trip to Poas Volcano National Park. We got picked up and drove through the most beautiful coffee plantations, strawberry fields and lush green slopes filled with cattle and enjoyed the amazing scenery that this area has to offer. After we got there but before the actual tour started we saw a beautiful, scale model of the Poas Volcano and took some time to enjoy a hot cup of authentic Costa Rican coffee at the visitor’s center.

Right after that we started our walk up to the crater of the volcano which took around ten minutes. And again the walk was very scenic. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the crater was when I saw it. It has turquoise blue gurgling steam and occasionally it burped sulfurous mud and sprayed hot steamy water high into the sky. I was so glad we got there early because the clouds were starting to obstruct the view of the crater s we started our way back.

Back at the visitor’s center we were so excited that we wanted to get a little more hiking so we started walking up another trail which leads to the old, beautiful and extinct crater. Nowadays it’s filled with jade colored water. The way up is a trail between a high altitude rainforest where I had a great time looking for some wildlife.

On the way back to alajuela we stopped at Freda Fresas for lunch. This is a Costa Rican restaurant serves dishes with all kinds of fresh produce from the region. When we were about to leave we found out that it was run by the owners. But while we were there we decided to order the Casado. It is the most typical lunch there is in Costa Rica. I was quite surprised when I first saw it, it consisted of rice and black bean, picadillo, fried plantains, farmers cheese with corn tortillas and chicken in a tomato sauce. And for desert I asked for a cake called “tres leches” or three milk cake and a cup of hot Costa Rican cappuccino.

This is a great day trip for anyone, so if you are in San Jose or Alajuela you can’t miss this adventure.

Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. Traveling with her family to all parts of Costa Rica and Guatemala, she now loves organizing vacations for people and offers first hand experience. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

A Sports Fishing Adventure In Puerto Jimenez

Friday, July 9th, 2010

A friend of mine and her husband own Tropic Fins Adventures in Puerto Jimenez and invited us to join them on an afternoon In-shore fishing trip. I am not a fisherman and my husband had about as much experience as I did. So none of us knew what to expect.

The name of our captain and guide for this adventure was Cory and he has had over 15 years experience fishing. He has taken out professional fishermen and showed them the best times of their lives so you can imagine why i felt his job is a lot easier when he’s out with fellow fishermen, rather newbies such as us. Anyway he made our first fishing experience so fun, that my husband is already making plans for another one but this time off shore.

Our in shore adventure started with a 20 minute boat ride to the middle of Golfo Dulce. Once we anchored the boat Cory was kind enough to prepare all the rods. And oh my god! when the first bite happened the adrenaline that started to flow through us was hard to describe. I couldn’t believe that with just my luck, two bites came at once. Cory directed me to one while my husband was struggled with the other.

After a long and hard fight my husband, with Cory’s help, lifted out a beutiful Jack Cravel that weighed no less than twenty pounds and was breathing almost as hard as my husband. Meanwhile I was still on the other side of the boat fighting for my life with a fish that was dragging me all over the place. It was pulling so hard I was ready to throw myself over, or at least the rod. Finally after the excitement of the Jack Cravel fainted and the fish was released back to sea, all attention turned to me. Cory expertly took the rod from me and handed it over to my husband who managed to reel in a gorgeous fifty pound Rooster-fish.

But that’s not all. The best part of the trip for me was on the way back to the pier, right as the sun began to set over the Osa Peninsula. We were intercepted by a friendly group of dolphins. We had the time of our lives as the dolphins danced and jumped out of the water leading us straight to home.

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

Learn More About Tools And Methods Of Rafting

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Rafting is an activity that will provide you a rush of adrenaline and so if you are considering getting a real high, you should learn about the basic of this activity as well as know more about some of the language that is used to describe several aspects of this particular activity. Like all sports, it pays to find out what a certain activity is and also to understand which tools and techniques you will need to have in order to do the activity safely as well as securely.

Dry Bags

Learning about the tools and techniques of rafting will ensure that you know exactly what is to be done and it also assists you gain information about the way of rafting is done without having your body and life in danger. One of the major aspects of rafting is the dry bag that is waterproof and which is used to contain your special items such as wallet, keys and other important things which can be kept safe inside the waterproof dry bag.

CFS is an abbreviation for cubic feet per second and this term implies the ferocity and speed of the water’s current. Understanding the CFS will help you prepare for the experience ahead and high CFS rating means that the water will be moving especially fast and so you need to be prepared to face some pretty aggressive rapids. It will also make sure that you have more fun out of your rafting experience.

Eddie is another term usually utilized in rafting and it implies an area where the water current stops or even heads back up the stream. Eddies usually occur near boulders and are helpful as they can be utilized to prepare you for the next rapid. Gradient is another important term that is utilized in rafting and it refers to the vertical nature of the rapid. It follows that a high gradient indicates a steeper rapid and thus the waters will flow faster and this in turn implies that the whole rafting experience can be more exhilarating.

Hydraulic is any area where there is super turbulence in water and that can be strong enough to easily suck your raft in this. Whitewater rafting is an exciting type of rafting and it also has its own particular set of words that describe the activity. It could certainly help to understand its terminology as this knowledge will prepare you for the trials and tribulations associated with this form of rafting.

If you are being curious about rafting info, you just need to read whitewater rafting in Maine to have a lot of information about white water rafting you are looking for.

Mark Cella - Quite Simply The Most Adventurous Man To Have Ever Lived

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Mark A. Cella is the Greatest Man to have Ever Lived. The man, the myth, the legend, the life and times, beautiful women, and adventures of the real Mark Cella aka Mark Anthony Cella…

On Careers: Find out what it is in life that you don’t do well, and then don’t do that thing.

On Rollerblading: Uh NO. On Life: It’s never to early to start beefing up your obituary.

He is the only man to ever ace a rorschach test.

On Lady Luck: Be wary of a woman who only shows up when you’re winning.

On Drink Umbrellas: Unless your drink is expecting rain, you should probably reconsider.

He’s been known to cure narcolepsy just by walking into a room.

If he were to give you directions, you’d never get lost and you’d arrive at least five minutes early.

Mark Cella is a lover, not a fighter, but he’s also a fighter, so don’t get any ideas.

He has served as the best man for grooms he’s never met.

He could disarm you with his looks, or his hands, either way.

He can speak French in Russian. The ingredients of his tacos refuse to fall from the shell.

If he says it will cost an arm and a leg, it will.

The police often question him, just because they find him interesting.

He brakes down a pinata with a smile and a wink.

I almost broke the land speed record in 1977, popular opinion was that my thing was that my beard caused too much wind resistance. I could have shaved it, except nah, I wouldn’t have. Anyway the women, they seem to like it.

I was the featured guest at a charity bachelor auction that very night. It seems that I recall that I brought in over 13 million lire that very night which was quite a large sum at that time.

In my opinion Mark A Cella is the Greatest, or Most Interesting Man to Have Ever Lived.

Learn more about Mark Cella. Stop by Mark A. Cella’s site where you can find out all about the life and times of the real Mark A Cella.

Locating The Perfect Family Holidays

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

If you have a family, especially a young one, you will know, as your children do that the most important time of the year is your annual, or biannual vacation. Your family holidays are the one time that you get to spend together away from the stresses of school, and work.

Each individual family can be very different though, and this means there is always a need for a wide variety of different holidays. Some families maybe be looking for an action packed break with activities planned for them on a daily basis, whereas another family may wish to simply relax on a beach for 2 weeks, and do nothing except for eat, sleep and read books.

For those families that are looking for action packed holiday destinations, they should be looking to locations like Orlando, Florida, New York, and even maybe somewhere as far a field as South Africa, or South America. All of these destinations will have enough to keep even the most adventurous of families happy.

If you are a family who`s perfect idea of a holiday is to relax on a beach, read your favorite book, and enjoy some lovely fresh seafood, then the above may well not be for you. You should be heading to somewhere like the Caribbean, Mexico, the Maldives, or even Hawaii.

Obviously, as with every purchase that you make as a family, the final deciding factor on your destination will be your budget. This must be decided before you begin looking, it will prevent you from booking something you cannot afford, and will help to save time on your search.

Deciding where to take your family holidays is hard enough, but actually booking it can be even more difficult if you do not know where to look. The quickest, and most effective way of locating the lowest rates is to search online. There are now a plethora of comparison sites that will check numerous agents for you with one search.

Discover great prices on Car roof racks by searching online. There you will find many roof rack accessories at great prices. Go online and learn more today.

Are You Looking For Fun Or Relaxation For Your Gold Coast Holiday? Which Accommodations To Choose

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

The Gold Coast of Australia is a wonderful location to holiday and is loaded with an overwhelming array of things to see and do. When you go on the internet to begin looking into lodging possibilities and things to do on the Gold Coast you are guaranteed to discover a great deal of information and facts with regards to the Surfer’s Paradise area of the region. It’s perhaps among the most popular tourist areas in the Queensland region. Determining if this is the proper place for your Gold Coast vacation is in fact another story.

Surfer’s Paradise features a whole lot to do and see and pulls in many diverse travelers from all around the globe although if you’re looking for a peaceful, laid back beach holiday then you may prefer to relocate your reservations to a different area on the coast. A visit in Surfer’s Paradise is going to be for a more lively tourist who is seeking to be engulfed by people and activities around the clock.

Most of the other spots to stay around the Gold Coast will also provide you quick access to the Surfers Paradise area; yet, they will also make it possible for you to have relaxation while you are at your hotel. Certainly you are going to want to check out Surfers Paradise and experience all the wonderful shopping experiences together with fine dining and entertainment, but you might not be matched to stay in the core of all the action, specifically while in the summer season.

The Gold Coast has many fantastic activities for visitors in the areas surrounding Surfers Paradise as well, so even if you do not stay in the center of the action you are going to still have countless amazing experiences in the course of your Gold Coast vacation and there are many accommodations that are located on the outskirts of Surfers Paradise that are just elegant resort locations.

For the more youthful gang and families there is Surfer’s Paradise, however if you are searching for a quiet vacation that offers you the serenity and comfort that you need then look at some of the other locations of the Gold Coast and you could come across the best balance between vacation enjoyment and leisure. And regardless of what beach you opt to stay on the surfing right through this region is incredible.

For a surfers paradise accommodation holidaymakers can trust check out www.goldcoastinformation.com.au. They have a complete list on gold coast hotels and their availability. You can also find information on local happenings and sights.

All Tariffs Catered For Without Diminishing The Service

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Overview

This tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu hotels took us through some incredible scenery en route to the hotels we were due to stay in for the duration of our trip. We decided that we would enjoy total luxury and sumptuous living for a couple of days in order to acclimatize ourselves to Cusco’s altitude which, at 11,000 feet above sea level, certainly takes a bit of getting used to. Whilst we opted to stay at La Casona, there are many more extremely good hotels in the Cusco area that are all professional and efficient, treating their guests for altitude sickness with supplies of oxygen.

From La Casona to Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

I have to say that, during our stay in Cusco, the hotels we came to know, from guests staying in them, catered extremely well for all their guests’ needs and were all extremely comfortable, at all ends of the tariff spectrum. There was time for a stroll around the market at Pisac and time for a quiet afternoon taking photographs of the stunning scenery. The next morning, after booking out of La Casona, we took the train to Aguas Calientas, en route for our visit to Machu Picchu. Maybe it was my sense of anticipation that made me shiver, but I decided to shun the blankets provided on the train and put on a jumper that I had brought with me. We got off the train at Aguas Calientas and made our way to the hotel that we had booked.

Fulfilled All our Expectations

Despite the fact that this hotel was not too far from the railway station, in terms of setting, it could be a million miles away, filled as it was with delightfully manicured gardens and trickling streams. As far as hotels go in the Cusco and Machu Picchu area, this hotel could certainly hold its head up as being amongst the best! When you consider that we had never seen either of these hotels before and, even though we had done our homework before booking, it was still a risk. I can honestly say, though, that in the case of both the hotels we stayed at, La Casona and Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, we had struck lucky both times. Both these Cusco and Machu Picchu hotels were exactly what we had hoped for when we booked them. We were certainly not disappointed and can quite easily recommend both Cusco and Machu Picchu hotels to anybody visiting this area in the future.

Want to find out more about Cusco and Machu Picchu hotels , then visit Johan Saenz’s site on how to choose the best Cusco and Machu Picchu hotels by Inkaterra for your needs.

Assiduous Care And Attention From The Staff At Our Hotels In Cusco

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Overview

Hotels in Cusco are well used to newly-arrived guests needing a quick dose of oxygen, with Cusco situated at around 11,000 feet above sea level. Usually 10 minutes is sufficient to restore you to ebullient health although I wouldn’t recommend attempting to climb Huana Picchu! We had arranged to be collected from the airport but, since our plane was rather late arriving, we didn’t hold out a lot of hope that they would still be there by the time we had come out of Arrivals. However, they were there, patiently waiting for us with the hotel’s shuttle bus. This set the tone for our holiday, to be quite honest.

Dignified Peace

We were booked into three hotels in the Cusco area, the first one in the town of Cusco itself to give us time to get acclimatized to the altitude, the second at Aguas Calientas for our much-awaited experience of Mucho Picchu, whilst our third hotel was again in Cusco to give us a chance to visit some of the other sites we wanted to see in the archeological dream of a town. That first morning, jet-lagged though we were from our long flight from Europe and second flight to get to Cusco, but we did full justice to the very tasty buffet breakfast. Although this hotel was right in the centre of Cusco, it maintained a dignified quiet about the whole premises.

Ceremonial City of the Incas

Our trip to Machu Picchu was everything we had expected and more. How can you possibly describe something as breathtakingly lovely and ethereal as this incredibly ancient site hovering on the edge of the world, wreathed in low-flying clouds so that the granite peaks hovered into view every now and then as the clouds cleared? We travelled around the area of Cusco where the Amazon vegetation meets the Andes and, knowing that our hotels in Cusco would be available to offer us peace and relaxation at the end of each day enabled us to make the most of every day of our visit.

Ollantaytambo and Pisac

Overall, we visited Ollantaytambo at the end of our holiday and stayed overnight there before making our way back to Cusco and then, the next, day finished our holiday with a visit to the market at Pisac. I have to say, however, that if it wasn’t for the standard of care and assiduous attention from the staff at each of the hotels we stayed in, I don’t think our holiday would have been anywhere near as enjoyable as it was.

Learn more about Hotels in Cusco . Stop by Johan Fabrich’s site where you can find out all about Hotels in Cuzco and what it can do for you.

The Great Toronto Area Is A Great Place For A Vacation

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

If you want to take a vacation in a place where there is a wide variety of things to do then you should consider the Great Toronto area. It has it all; big cities, wildernesses and world famous tourist attractions. The region has many rivers, lakes, forests and canyons so it makes a great place for adventure and getting out. Toronto city has tons of urban delights and Niagra Falls is the perfect photo opportunity.

Toronto is the financial and cultural capital of Canada. It is modern with great transport, services and amenities and so is a good place to start your trip to the area. The city is renowned for its range of shops and markets with products of all kinds on offer. The largest and oldest shopping malls in the North of America are in Toronto. The waterfront is also a great place for leisure and shopping. The city has a large arts scene and one of the biggest theater scenes in the world.

The city is close to Niagara Falls and all the attractions which come with it. Niagara on the Lake is a tourist favorite. The area has become known for its gastronomic delights and many wineries. You can also experience the unspoiled nature of the region in vast parks. There are gardens and a well known butterfly house which has over two thousand tropical butterflies.

Burlington is usually considered to be a suburb of Toronto but is a separate town. It is a great place to escape the city crowds and enjoy Lake Ontario. You can hike along part of the Trans Canada Trail as it meanders along the shore of the lake and gives amazing views from the cliff tops. Along the way is the popular Spencer Smith Park with beaches, monuments and beautiful trees. In fact Burlington has six parks and Botanical gardens so nature lovers can really enjoy themselves. You could also take a boat tour or dinner cruises of the lake. It also has chances to experience local arts and history so can be a getaway in itself.

To experience some Canadian heritage you could head to Port Hope just east of Toronto city. It is thought to be one of the best preserved towns in Ontario with a picturesque high street. It also has lots of boutiques and unique shops and hosts many events. The area around the town is unspoiled so you can also enjoy nature. There is some great year round trout and salmon fishing in the Ganaraska River.

If you love to get out and enjoy the outdoors then the region offers plenty of choices. There are canoe tours down some of the rivers or white water rafting if you prefer a faster pace. The many lakes also afford opportunities for various water sports and sailing activities. There are fishing trips, bike tours, horse riding and camping opportunities to get out into the wilds. The winter changes everything and provides opportunities for sledding and skiing.

There are a massive number of events which take place in the Toronto area all year round. There are wine festivals, boat festivals, art shows, music festivals and of course the internationally renowned Toronto Film Festival.

Vacations should be a time for relaxation, adventure and new experiences. These are all easy to find in the Great Toronto area.

These luxurious Toronto Cruises offer boundless fun, adventure, and excitement for all ages. Whether you are a tourist, vacationer, or adventure seeker, you will enjoy the Halloween cruises for their enriching amenities and cozy accommodations.

What Type Of Rafting Trip Is Best For You?

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Rather than taking the same old vacation to the same old places every time, making a change and attempting something new make sense because it beats the drudgery of familiar places and people and adds more enjoyable and excitement to a vacation. A rafting trip lends it well to a vacation idea, and there is actually perhaps no better method than spending the summer vacations than taking in rafting trips down a river. Thankfully, there are several options which are available on the subject of various kinds of rafting trip - each of which makes sure that everyone from kids to grown-ups can find something with which is to take pleasure from their time on the river.

More Takers for Back Country Vacations

The back country has started to attract ever more number of people who like to take their vacations away from the din and noise of cities. A commercial vacation holds less appeal and this is why a rafting trip can make for a great vacation since it offers you a great chance to take in new sights and sounds and also brings you closer to nature as well.

Before selecting one of the many different rafting trip packages, ensures that you know tips on how to find the right rafting trip package. You should also make sure that you pick a level that conforms with your rafting abilities. It might be a great idea to choose a beginner’s rafting trip especially if you are not a professional rafter and when you get the hang of things, and then you can progress to more advanced levels.

However, whether you take a beginner’s rafting trip or one which is more advanced, you will be sure that the pleasure that you get from rafting can be more than you expected. You only need to practice your rafting to ensure that you become more experienced and then you can get even more thrills by choosing more advanced level rafting trips.

When you progress on to the more advanced level of rafting trips, you can of course require having adequate skills as well as having stamina to sustain you over the course. However, the thrill of navigating down rapids will be so exhilarating which you will never get enough of what nature provides.

In case you also want to take your family along with you on a rafting trip, there are various kinds of family rafting trips available. One of the various destinations which you can go to; you do not forget to look at Little Gore Canyon which is found in Colorado and near to Denver. Or, you can try the San Miguel River which is also found in Colorado and more particularly is situated close to Telluride.

To have more experience in your rafting, you are recommended to read whitewater rafting in Maine and American river rafting so that you can get useful info.