Scuba Diving Finds

About the Author

Featured on Life & Leisure TV w/Hunter Tylo, Denise began her career in 1982. Travel expertise: Hawaii, Tahiti, Families, Fundraising, Honeymoon, Destination Wedding and more.It’s vital that you know whom you trust your travel needs with, visit http://www.familytravelassociation.com/about.html We partner with non-profits and school districts in fundraising. Her passion is reflected in her enthusiasm to raise funds and create lifelong memories.

About the Author

Brett Jankowiak is the owner of http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com, Philippines Travel Guide, his passion for the Philippines and scuba diving is reflected in his writings and articles on his information based website.

When it comes to investing in your own pair of scuba fins, you have a plethora of choices from a number of manufacturers who continue to advance the engineering they use to produce the most durable, efficient fins possible. While the original, traditional full foot scuba fins are still popular among some people, there are many more styles available now. Most of the new styles of scuba fins are designed by using technical and involved mathematical angles and engineering so that the fin works to the divers advantage as far as efficiency and ease of use.

Some people find themselves being turned off by the complex and technical features of these efficiently advanced scuba fins, leaving them to be content with basic, traditional fins, which is not a bad thing. The main point to remember when purchasing your own scuba fins is comfort. If you are uncomfortable or awkward in a pair of fins, they arent going to work for you as intended. The specialized angles or split fins used to create greater kicking efficiency are only effective if you are comfortable wearing the fin and using it in the water. Comfort is important because only when you are fully satisfied with you fins will you be able to use them properly.

To help you choose which type of scuba fins will work best for your intended use you should research each style. First are the traditional paddle fins. Paddle scuba fins can be either full foot or have an adjustable heel strap. For scuba diving purposes, people most often use the adjustable heel strap fins of any style. Full foot fins are commonly used as snorkeling fins. Traditional paddle fins work to move water up and down as you kick and they are complimented by divers as being useful when free diving or in currents.

Several major scuba equipment companies have released a new, specially engineered paddle fin that provides much more move for you kick. Dacor and Tusa both have scuba fins with the optimized pivoting blade which is a design that angles the fin so every time you are kicking upward or downward the fins are at the most efficient angle for getting a more forceful kick. The specialized angles of these scuba fins alter the angle traditional paddle fins have, which makes you loose full force during part of the kick.

The next type of scuba fins are all altered in some way with splits, cutouts or vents that the manufacturers say enhance the kicking force and efficiency. The most prevalent of these are the split fins, also known as "Bio-fins" by some companies. These scuba fins divide the paddle of the fin into two parts with a sliver taken out of the middle vertically. Many people have come to appreciate the efficiency and forceful strokes split fins have been proven to allow you. The modification to these fins is supposed to minimize the number of kicks needed to get a set distance. Some divers still believe the most capable scuba fins are the basic ones. Again, the fins you choose should be primarily based on comfort and how easily you function in them.

Other types of split fins have horizontal splits or cutouts and vents at strategic places on the paddle. The Apollo Bio-fins are split scuba fins engineered to push water back, as opposed to up and down, like most fins. The Bio-fin acts like a propeller instead of a paddle, allowing you a much easier kicking task.

Force fins are an additional style you have to choose from. This type of scuba fins is considerably smaller than others, but if you are comfortable using them, they can provide equal kicking force. Force fins mimic a small scale whale tail, which is part of the reason they are claimed to have successful kicking efficiency.

Choosing between these broad types of scuba fins is only the beginning. Within each type there are several other designs to pick from and choosing which brand can be difficult too. Most people limit their selection by having a budget or price range not to exceed. Limiting yourself to a budget will not spoil a large selection though, because there is a variety of scuba fins in every price range. Obviously, the basic and simple scuba fin designs will be the least expensive and as the fins advance in efficiency technology and specialized features, the price will rise.

If you are an avid diver, owning pair of durable and efficient scuba fins is a must, so it would be wise to spend a little extra money on fins with some of the advanced features. At asudoit.com there equipment sold for many adventure sports, including several brands and styles of scuba fins. Here you can look through the features of all the broad types of scuba fins such as force, split, full-foot, heel strap and traditional paddle fins. DiversDiscount.com also has a large selection of scuba fins of all types. At this site you pay less than half the original price for the Tusa Platina fins, which have dual blade fins for greater propulsion force. These Tusa scuba fins are high-performance and available at a cheap price at the discount site.

As for shopping by specific brands, you may want to start with the most commonly know names in scuba equipment such as Apollo, Dacor, Oceanic, Sherwood and Tusa. Some scuba equipment companies are conglomerates, which means some of the less known and less expensive brand names you see may actually be made by one of the larger companies. This is a plus for you because often the branch off brand equipment will be cheaper price wise, but with quality and durability nearly equal to that of the more expensive, better known brands. Each of these manufacturers will have scuba fins for all types. Brand name preference is a personal choice, but each of the above brands are well known, reliable names in scuba fins.

Choosing scuba fins is a matter that is based on personal preference and each individuals selection will be different, but none of them are wrong. Because of this, it is helpful to have the wide selection available so that everyones preferences are accommodated. Whatever your choice, know that you are comfortable in the fins before you purchase them and look in to the quality and durability of the fins, as it will determine the fins life span and help you decide if they are worth the money.

About The Author

Laura Cain is a freelance author that writes regularly on items pertaining to scuba diving and snorkeling. You can find many of her articles at http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/ .

The site also features tips on budgeting for scuba equipment http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/scuba_equipment.htm as well as a scuba gear checklist http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/scuba_gear_checklist.htm .

Imagine, 42 square miles of golf and surf

Hilton Head Island is appropriately called Golf Island. Located just off the coast of South Carolina, the semi- tropical 12-mile barrier island is devoted to providing world-class golf, tennis or water-recreation activities to the 2.5 million visitors who arrive annually. The majority are seniors, who faithfully return each year during the balmy winter months.

Hilton Head Island was the first eco-planned destination in the United States, in the mid-1950s. Those early efforts to protect the unique, scenic ecosystem have served as historic models for contemporary land-use planning. Any visitor today encounters the same fertile salt marshes, forests of moss- draped oaks, and pristine beaches enjoyed by the island’s early settlers.

Golf Island’s total devotion to pleasing travelers didn’t just happen on its own. It was painstakingly designed to create a first-class resort and recreational mecca. The island is warmed by the Gulf Stream how about the golf stream, which keeps average temperatures about 70 degrees. That assures a year-round golf season, with a million rounds of golf played annually in Hilton Head, SC.

Let’s Talk some Serious Golf

There are 24 golf courses on the Hilton Head Island 10 of them private. Some of these are world-class championship courses hosting major tournaments like the Heritage and the Celebrity Golf Tournament. And if that’s not enough choices for you, there’s easy access to another 40 courses conveniently reached off the island, in the Hilton Head, SC area.

But don’t feel like you’ve got to be an outstanding golfer to get the most enjoyment out of the available courses. Facilities exist for every skill level. And the Golf Coordinator at Hilton Head Rentals & Golf can match your own personal style and skills to the best courses for you.

The range of packages offered keeps golfing holidays affordable. There’s no such thing as a charge for a golf cart. They’re always included, along with guaranteed tee times and green fees.

Tennis also provides another major attraction for tourists. Tennis lovers can enjoy over 300 tennis courts, along with an abundance of tennis training professionals and tournaments.

No Interest in Golf or Tennis There’s still the Ocean

Start with twelve miles of sandy, year-around beaches that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Add eight marinas. You’re ready for fishing and water sports. For a person hankering for something more strenuous than sightseeing, waterskiing, windsurfing, scuba diving,and crabbing beckon. Or just try stretching out on the sand. There’s a lot to be said for doing nothing but soaking up the sun and sand - as much as you can.

Capturing Memorable Experiences

A person can’t play golf or tennis or even fish all the time - no matter how pleasant. So relaxation-seeking visitors are enticed by a huge selection of enjoyable amusements or cultural events. Start with the island’s 250 plus restaurants that cater to every taste, ethnic cuisine, and price range. And don’t overlook the array of freshly caught seafood.

You’re looking for a total experience, much like a symphony. All the parts lodging, recreation, quality of service, dining merge harmoniously together - without a single sour note. That’s what every visitor stores up and takes back home, once the vacation is over.

Enjoy a Symphony of Pleasures

If you’re expecting the finest "symphony" of experiences, where you choose to stay needs to be just as unforgettable as the island’s first-rate recreational offerings. Accommodations can be found to match every taste and price range.

Choose from: 6,000 villas 3,000 hotel or motel rooms 1,000 timeshare units 2 RV resorts 1 Campground off-island

But if you really want to pamper yourself, start at Hilton Head Rentals & Golf, with over 250 premier Hilton Head condos, villas and homes for rent on the island.

Picture this. You’re waking up with your sweetie beside you, languidly looking forward to a day on the golf course. And not just any golf course - a legendary one. You can smell the ocean, without even seeing it. You’ll do that later, after your leisurely breakfast on the verandah. There’s not a thing that needs doing, except figuring out what amusement takes your fancy - and where you want to dine. No need to rush. Remember you’re on holiday. One you won’t soon forget.

Come join us at Hilton Head Rentals & Golf for an island vacation you’ll never forget! Visit us at http://www.hiltonheadvacation.com or call us toll free at 800-445-8664 for exciting golf packages and more.

© Mark Ridgway, 2004

About The Author

-Mark Ridgway, Hilton Head Island Golf Professional Voted Top 10 Golf Destinations in the World by Golf Digest toll free 800-445-8664 Largest selection of luxury condos on the island http://www.hiltonheadvacation.com mark@hiltonheadvacation.com

Brought to you by www.discovereronline.com - Educational Research Marine Biology

At 50ft below the surface of the ocean, the blood in the water draws ocean predators to our position. A nurse sharks synapses are stimulated as blood drifts into its nostrils while it swims behind us with lethal nonchalance. A silvery barracuda sails over my head, jaws working feverishly. Worse, I come face to face with a green Moray Eel known to attack human divers - its 7ft long body ribboning through the water, its mouth, lined with fangs as it stops in front of me, eyeing me with a hungry gaze. It wants the fish I have in my hand.

Twenty minutes earlier we had assembled and donned our scuba gear under an electric, neon pink sky as squalls darkened the deck of the boat and made the water choppy. Wordlessly, my dive buddy falls backwards from the boat, hand clasped to regulator and mask, as I quickly follow.

The dark, jade water is balmy and warm. In my right hand is a high-powered spear gun. Its mechanism is set in beautifully worked teak. Around 5ft long, it is clumsy on land but once in the water it balances perfectly. A long sharpened spear is powered by thick rubber bands. The trigger of the gun will release a spear that could pin a grown man to the wall. As we alight to the side of a dun-colored reef with knobbled outcrops and fire coral, teeming with fish, the hunt for our supper begins.

We are several miles from Key West in the Florida straits, diving from the Discoverer Ketty Lund, a wooden-hulled scientific research vessel on a trip around the Keys. Her captain is Eric Smith, a muscular, salt-encrusted sea skipper and diver with a boyish gap between his front teeth who has piloted his boat and marine scientists around the Atlantic for years. On the long trips down from places like Labrador, Canada, to his home in the Keys, he will jump over the side and go spear fishing for grouper, snapper and tuna to feed himself and his crew. As we descend deeper into the cool depths, he is showing me how to hunt under water.

As scuba diving becomes increasingly accessible, and recreational divers tire of blithely paddling around aquamarine reefs, spear fishing is undergoing a resurgence.

Guy Skinner, president and chief executive of JBL, one of the largest spear gun manufacturers in the world, says: "Theres a spear fishing renaissance under way, just how snow boarding gave life to skiing again. Weve probably had a 20 per cent rise in sales in the past five years." Skinner has himself been a keen spear fisherman since the age of eight. "Spear fishing is the only time I am a flying predator - I can loop the loop, somersault and hunt like that. Or I can just wait at the bottom in kelp beds for that big 30lb bass, jump him and have him on my dinner table in 40 minutes."

I enrolled in a spear fishing course in the cold, murky waters off the coast of my home in New York with an organization called Spear fishing Extreme. There was a long classroom session telling us which species can be shot and what size they have to be before they can be killed legally; gun safety and, of course, learning how to hunt under water.

To the novice, Spear fishing is difficult. Before our dives off the reef, Eric takes me to shallower waters, near coral heads, to go skin diving with just a mask, snorkel and fins. The secret is stealth. Eric can effortlessly bob from the surface, arch his back and glide to the bottom holding his breath in the ebb tide until a fish emerges, which he then spears with majestic ease.

I, however, tend to kick and splash my way down and can only hold my breath for such a short time before having to barrel to the surface again, gasping for air. My frantic motions are enough to scare away any fish in the area. Eric advises me to be as quiet, graceful and nonchalant as I can.

With this in mind we descended on to the reef with scuba tanks. Eric shot first and hit a snapper, which he duly cut up in the water to lure other fish. However, this also attracts sharks and other less salubrious creatures.

A hogfish, a pink fish with a rooster-like crown, darted out. I fired my first shot. The spear missed by a foot, hopelessly losing its trajectory after a few meters and falling to the sandy ocean floor. As we swam around the reef, the hunt continued as snapper and hogfish swam out, reflexively dodging each time I fired. Again, I would have to swim to retrieve the spear and pull the heavy bands back on the gun to reload.

Eric later told me that just before I fired each time, my adrenaline rush would become obvious as bubbles would spill out from my regulator. The metallic inhalatory noises of my regulator scared the fish as I lined up my shots.

And then, finally, I swam above a school of yellowtail snappers. I tried to regulate my breathing, squeezed the trigger and the spear fizzed through the water. The fish was harpooned dead center and wriggled on the spear as it followed a downward curve to the bottom. Eric pulled the fish off and stuffed it into a pouch on his weight belt.

So exhilarated by my success, I start to breathe excitedly and my lungs fill with so much air that I begin to float to the surface. I force myself to kick down and resume the hunt, shooting two more -a Lane Snapper and a French Grunt.

With minutes of the dive left, the predators - smelling blood - arrive. The Moray Eel, capable of knotting itself around prey as well as severing anything with its razor-sharp teeth, wont let us pass - much like a Mafia taxman of the deep, demanding his share of our catch. Eric feeds him a fish head, which he snaps at and then drags to a dark hole under the reef.

We surface, our supper in hand. Once back on the boat, however, my monster fish looks significantly smaller than it did when I shot it. Due to the mask, things under water look 30 per cent bigger. Its not a fish worth boasting about, but it is food.

For a man who has lived on the sea almost his entire life, Eric says Spear fishing is the most ecologically sound form of fishing there is. "You go down, choose the fish you want and take it," he says. "Its not like a rod where you really dont know what you have until you pull it out of the water - by which time the fish maybe undersized, not the species you can eat or just simply damaged. And unless you have ever really had fish as fresh as this you probably wont understand anyway."

So that night we cook our fish aboard the boat and the taste is nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately, I drilled mine right through the tastiest part of the fillet, but there is still enough flesh for a good meal. We sit back sated and, as we rock on the swell of the ocean, I sit content with a stomach full of fresh fish that I had speared. But I knew that, deep down in the rapturous blue depths somewhere below us, a certain green Moray Eel, the taxman of the reef, had also been paid for what we took from his neighborhood.

Brought to you by www.discovereronline.com - Educational Research Marine Biology

About The Author

Jonathan Green

Copyright 2005 - www.discovereronline.com - Educational Research Marine Biology

info@discovereronline.com

Wetsuits are meant to keep divers warm by giving them thermal protection. There are some important guidelines which a diver should learn regarding the wetsuit he might acquire and use. First of all, it is important to know that they are usually made from neoprene; most of the times open cell neoprene. Besides, when wetsuits have a coating added to the neoprene they are easier to be worn and taken off.

The practice of free diving and scuba diving imply the use of different kinds of wetsuits. While a 5 mm thick wetsuit would be ideal for keeping warm a free diver, a scuba diver would need a 7 mm thick wetsuit to achieve the same results. Besides, while most free diving wetsuits dont have a zipper, most scuba diving wetsuits do come with them.

If you are looking for an open cell neoprene wetsuit, it is important that you have into account the fact that they can be easily damaged. If, for example, you are going to use jewelry under your open cell neoprene wetsuit, this could easily damage it and open it, so you should be very careful with it or try to find another kind of wetsuit instead of it. If you have long finger nails you should be careful as well since you could damage it while putting it on or taking it off.

It is also important to have in mind that free diving wetsuits should fit the diver in order to work well and give him the proper thermal protection. If a free diving wetsuit is loose or too tight it would not give the protection it should and it could even become a problem since it could be an obstacle to the divers movements.

There also are recommendations on how to maintain and store your wetsuit. In order to store it properly while you are not using it, you should hang your wetsuit up avoiding folding it since that could damage it. Besides this, you should make sure to wash the suit after using it and make sure to wash all salty water off from it.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.divepilot.com. Please visit his website to discover the world of diving!

So What Goes Wrong?

Having made such a sweeping endorsement of the relative safety of boating, how do we explain the glaring headlines which we find in the press on an all to regular basis?

Fortunately, for you and me, there are numerous public agencies which spend a lot of time and money doing the research and compiling data. After researching their findings it becomes obvious that a little preparation and planning can all but eliminate therisks.

Some Pertinent Facts:

The most common accident to passengers and crew is falling overboard. According to the statistics over 40% of all fatal boating accidents start this way. It can be avoided if boaters make sure they have good footing and a good hand-hold at all times. An, age-old, seafaring reminder, which I first heard in the Coast Guard, goes like this. "One hand for the ship, one hand for the sailor."

Children should never be allowed to move about on an underway boat. If you need to move around on the boat, for any reason, reduce speed and make sure to get and keep a grip with at least one hand.

Alcohol and water don't mix. In a Red Cross study, two-thirds of boating injury victims had consumed alcohol. Almost 40% had an alcohol level above the legal limit. Besides being illegal, it's dangerous to operate any kind of machinery while drinking. A boat is no exception.

35% of boating accidents were directly attributable to alcohol use and the overwhelming primary cause of fatalities was alcohol-related. If you drink and boat, you are more likely to be involved in an accident, and once involved, more likely to die.

53% of fatal boating accident victims drowned, while 39% suffered trauma and 9% died of other causes.

What About All Those Drownings?

A recent Red Cross study noted 92% of boating-related drowning victims were either not wearing a PFD or life jacket or were wearing one incorrectly.

The US Coast Guard is even more to the point, stating that of the 519 boaters who drowned in the year 2000, life jackets could have saved the lives of approximately 445 of those boaters who drowned. In 2000, approximately eight out of every ten victims in fatal boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.

Always carry enough Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for each person on board, and make sure that each of them knows where they are and how to use them. It's your responsability, Captain. No one, least of all yourself, wants to hear that you thought they knew how to put on a PFD. If anyone won't prove their knowledge of the devise, or buddy up with someone to teach them, leave them ashore. You'll both be better off.

Children and non-swimmers should wear one at all times that the boat is underway. For water-skiing, fishing, or simply cruising, PFDs are absolutely essential. It's now even easier to find the ideal PFD because they're available in a wide array of sizes, colors and patterns. You can now choose one in your favorite color, or to match your swimsuit or boat. Just make sure it fits properly!

Does boating education help in preventing accidents?

I can't stress this point enough.

A recent Florida study brought out these interesting facts.

72% of operators involved in boating accidents had no formal instruction in the operation of a boat.

2.5 times as many accidents involve boaters who have had no boating safety instruction.

Boating is a wonderful pastime, and lots of fun but, there are a few things, that one needs to know, in order for it to be a safe pastime. And don't worry about looking silly, I've been around boats all my life, (53 years) and hardly a day goes by that I don't learn something new or discover a new and better way of doing something.

Two years ago I took a boating safety course with the idea that, with all my experience, I might be of help to some of the new people. Fact is, there were so many things I didn't know, or had forgotten, that I spent a good deal of time just asking questions. When the class was over, several of the students came up and thanked me for asking all the questions they weren't sure how to ask. Guess I was a help to the new people, after all, just not in the way I figured.

Weather you are an old "salt", with years of boating experience, or a "lubber", who gets lost in the bathtub, do yourself and your loved ones a favor and take an approved boating safety course. The time to think through, and plan for a journey in a strange environment, is before you make the trip.

Safety Tips

To prevent ending up in the emergency department as a result of carelessness during your next boating trip, the American College of Emergency Physicians recommends the following safety tips:

Tell someone when you're going, who is with you and how long you'll be away. Then check your boat, equipment, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before leaving.

Before starting your engine, open hatches, run blower, and most importantly, carefully sniff for gasoline fumes in the fuel and engine areas.

When changing seats, stay low and near center line of a small boat.

Always carry life jackets and first aid equipment.

Watch the weather. Sudden wind shifts, light flashes and choppy water can mean a storm is brewing.

If you will be fishing, keep fishing and hunting gear clean and well packed. A loose fish hook can cause a lot of pain and ruin a great outing. Bring an extra length of line to secure boat and equipment.

Never drink alcoholic beverages on a boat. Being "tipsy" can result in falling overboard. Your ability to swim to safety or call for help is greatly reduced as alcohol slows reactions.

So There You Have It

To learn more about safe boating, I'd like to suggest these Online sources of information. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the U.S. Power Squadrons. Our sister-site, Ask-BoatCat.com offers more tips on boating safety and a complete page of links to Boating Safety related websites on the Internet.

May all of your boating adventures be joyous and happy ones, unblemished by the blight of accident or injury.

About The Author

James "Doc" Lewis has been "messin about in boats" for as long as he can remember. He is owner/operator of BoatDocs1, a full-service boat detailing-yacht maintenance business serving the Emerald Coast region of Florida. To learn more about boats and keeping them looking their best visit his web site at: http://www.boatdocs1.com/

You are welcome to distribute this article via Email or on the Internet. The only provision is that it be published in it's entirety including this resource box. Related articles can be found at www.boatdocs1.com

©2004 BoatDocs1

About the Author

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Misha Troyan Jetsetters Magazine. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

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============================================================copyright © 2004 - All Rights Reserved - Sharpdiver SportsFor more information on learning about scuba diving gear as well as finding discounts on scuba equipment. Please visithttp://www.sharpdiver.com/============================================================Sharpdiver Scuba Gear & Snorkel Equipment

About the Author

Colin is an Scuba Instructor Trainer, published underwater photographer, and store manager for The Underwater Connection, a Scuba Diving Center located in Delafield, Wisconsin.

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Ian Scott is an experienced diver and freelance writer for http://www.thescubaguide.com – a site that offers information every scuba diver can use. Information on scuba diving trips, scuba tanks and more.

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============================================================For more information on learning about scuba diving gear aswell as finding discounts on scuba equipment. Please visithttp://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/============================================================

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Looking for information about Photography? Go to: http://www.asaphotography.com 'ASA Photography' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for Photography! Check out more Photography articles at: http://www.asaphotography.com/archive

About the Author: Mansi agarwal writes about scuba diving city topics. Learn more at http://www.scubadivinghotspots.com .

NC—In Canada, studies show boating is a safe family activity. Almost every problem we hear about is the result of a stupid decision – mixing alcohol with boating and/or ignoring safety regulations. There are some very simple ways to keep you and your family safe while boating.

The most common accident to passengers and crew is falling overboard. In fact, 40% of all fatal boating accidents arise from this. It can be avoided if boaters make sure they have good footing and a good hand-hold at all times. If you need to move around in the boat, hold on to both sides and keep your weight low.

Dont mix alcohol and water. In a Red Cross Society study, two-thirds of boating injury victims – where the blood alcohol level was recorded – had consumed alcohol. Almost 40% had an alcohol level above the legal limit. In addition to being illegal, its clearly a dangerous idea to operate a boat and drink.

Always carry enough Personal Floatation Devices PFDs for each person on board. For water-skiing, fishing or simply cruising, PFDs are absolutely essential. Its now even easier to find the ideal PFD because theyre available in a wide array of colours and patterns. Choose one to match your swimsuit or boat and make sure it fits properly! The Red Cross Society study noted 92% of boating-related drowning victims were not wearing a PFD or lifejacket correctly!

Boating, practiced by smart boaters is safe. U.S. statistics show boating is twice as safe as biking, five times as safe as driving and 24 times as safe as scuba diving. By practicing safe boating, youre guaranteed to have a great time boating all summer long.

To get more information on boating, including a free CD-ROM entitled "Discover Boating", visit www.discoverboating.ca.

- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

SABAH is Malaysias premier nature adventure destination situated in the northern tip of Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world. Sabah is popular for its wildlife conservation attractions, rain forest, surrounding nature and islands, beach resorts, tropical white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and its warm and friendly people. If you are thinking of visiting Borneo, these places of interest and activities will whet your appetite!

Mount Kinabalu

Let me begin with my favorite place and definitely not to be missed if you are visiting Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu 4,093m. It is the summit of Borneo and the tallest mountain in South East Asia. This mountain is sacred to the locals. Thousands from around the world have trekked to its peak. At the feet of this mountain is Kinabalu National Park, a botanical paradise where rare plants are found: rare orchids, nepenthes pitcher plants and the rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

If you haven’t heard yet, the most popular native of Borneo is the Orang Utan. The world-famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre enables visitors to come in close contact with these amazing animals. This sanctuary allows visitors to witness an exciting conservation programme in action. Set in 43 square km of beautiful rainforest, the sanctuary helps once captive Orang Utans learn to fend for themselves in the wild. Watch how these orphaned Orang Utans being taught to climb, and then go to a platform where you can witness them coming in from within the forest for their daily meals of milk and bananas.

Danum Valley Rain Forest

If nature is close to your heart, then this next destination I am going to introduce you is a must visit, Danum Valley. Danum Valley is nestled deep in the rain forest of Borneo where nature is at its most pristine. As you travel deeper and deeper into the jungle, you will suddenly come across a magical paradise of the Borneo Rainforest Lodge BRL, erected overlooking the magnificent setting of the Segama River and flanked by tall hill ranges. BRL is an impressive resort, designed by naturalists and built on stilts using traditional timber materials, and has the comfort of a 3-Star Hotel. I totally recommend Danum Valley to those who yearn to see wildlife in a primeval Borneo rainforest - the rare Sumatran rhino, proboscis monkeys, Orang Utan, elephants and over 275 species of birds.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Park

When you think you have enough of sightseeing and you want to take a day’s break idling around to charge your energy, then I suggest you take a 30-minute boat trip to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The park is made up of five beautiful islands and is a well-known sanctuary where peace and tranquility prevails. The tropical white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and tanning. The crystal clear water is fantastic if you fancy snorkeling or watching the sea lives and corals. The park is also a great spot for a BBQ picnic under the long hours of golden sunshine. Other activities include windsurfing, fishing, parasailing, kayaking and bird watching.

Golfing Holidays

If golf is your sport, then try the numerous high quality golf courses in Sabah. One of the courses as described by its designer - “I had to create a masterpiece by combining the natural splendor of the mountains and the seas, with ingenious architecture, and create a first class championship course to provide an enjoyable, yet challenging game for top professional golfers and amateurs alike" - Graham Marsh. Enough words said for the quality of golf courses here.

White-Water Rafting

For the true adventure seeker looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity, Sabah offers some of the most exhilarating thrills in the world. My scariest experience, only because I am not a good swimmer, is white-water rafting down the Padas River a grade-3 river. Whilst trying to negotiate the rapids along this raging river for a distance of about 5 kilometers, do enjoy the breathtaking view that the surrounding rain forest does offer. However, be warned, don’t take your eyes off the rapids and waves too long!

Scuba Diving

Off the North Eastern coast of Borneo lies a tiny jewel of an island, Sipadan, with a marine ecosystem so perfect and unique that it is world renowned as one of the best dive spots in the world. Sipadan Island rises as a pristine Coral Sea mount, 650 meters from the floor of the Sulawesi Sea. This pinnacle off the eastern coast of Borneo is an oceanic magnet for marine life. As soon as you enter the crystal clear waters of Sipadan Island, you’ll understand why you have endured a journey that has taken you halfway around the world. As you begin to descend into this tropical water, youll also understand why the World Wildlife Fund says, "No other spot on the planet has more marine life than this island."

About The Author

Walter Rajah is owner of Exploration Borneo Tours. Visit his site at http://www.explorationborneo.com for more information and images of Borneo – The Exotic Island Paradise. Check out all the travel packages to Borneo and subscribe to EBT Travel Newsletter for the latest events, travel news, Borneo articles and cheap deals! webmaster@explorationborneo.com

Are you planning your next family vacation Are you want to discover an exotic, wonferful and tropical paradise You have to go to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica offers plenty of pleasant choices like these, especially if youre interested in nature and outdoor activities. Thats why so many people have chosen to go there: In the past decade, the number of visitors has quadrupled, and tourism has become a big part of the nations economy.

Costa Rica is practically synonymous with ecotourism -- travel that incorporates education about the environment and promotes preservation of natural resources. The country has a large number of national parks and nature preserves that boast a rich array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. The variety of birds, in particular, is astounding: Some 850 species are packed into a relatively small area. Approximately 25% of the countrys land has been set aside in protected areas, earning Costa Rica a reputation as an environmentally sensitive country and leader in ecological conservation.

The country has excellent conditions for a number of adventure sports, among them surfing, river rafting, hiking and scuba diving. Those who prefer a less strenuous vacation can view active volcanoes, take boat trips down jungle rivers and float through the treetops in the worlds first Rain Forest Aerial Tram.

On this Costa Rica Travel Guide you will find important information for your Costa Rica vacations: costa rica hotels, costa rica tours, costa rica travel areas and much more.

About The Author

Andy Bezara. I came to Costa Rica in 1998 to study my MBA at INCAE. I love this country... It is very small, but it is a land of natural wonders. If you come with your family you will enjoy a magical experience. Visit www.mytraveltocostarica.com They can help us to organize your Costa Rica vacation. andybezara@hotmail.com

All inclusive resorts are the best getaways for people who want to relax and enjoy the serene nature. The destinations are spread out all over the world. A lot of those depend on the qualities, price and ultimate extravagant fun. Sandals resort which includes Jamaica, St. Lucia, Bahamas or Antigua that has been voted world’s Leading Honeymoon resort for six years in a row. Here you can engage in every land and water sport such as water skiing, scuba diving and an impressive fitness center. When comes to dining, there are extraordinary restaurants to choose from.

All inclusive resorts have a grand entrance; none can compare to the winding, palm-lined road that leads you to the beginning of your dream vacation. The playful dolphin fountain provides a dramatic sense of arrival to this gated Disney Area Resort. It is located just minutes from Walt Disney World in Kissimmee and can be perfect resort for a total vacation experience.

All inclusive resorts in Hawaii give you a great time to experience the scenic beauty and enjoy the great deal package indeed. The atmosphere at these resorts is laid-back, and the service is awesome. White beaches and sapphire lagoons at the Kauai are breathtaking. A line of chairs stretched across on grassy lawn. You can feel the crashing waves all day long. In all vacation resorts, guests can swim and snorkel and can be easily swept into the spirit of paradise.

About The Author

Mike Yeager Publisher http://www.a1-vacations-4u.com/ mjy610@hotmail.com

The Galapagos Islands were named after the giant Galapagos tortoises. The archipelago emerged six million years ago as a result of volcanic activity in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. These enchanted place on earth is composed of 19 islands and more than 40 islets, with white sand beaches, dark and solid rocks, unique landscapes, deep crystal clear waters, you can enjoy yourself swimming with playful sea lions around you, watching friendly sharks cruise six feet under you. All these wonderful nature makes you feel as if you are part of it all.

It has a world record of especial titles and management categories: the islands are Ecuadors first National Park; UNESCO World natural heritage Site, both the terrestrial Park and the Reserve, the second largest and possibly the most unique in the world; Biosphere Reserve and a Whale Sanctuary.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS LOCATION

This alluring complex ecosystem is located 1,000 kilometers 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, northwest of South America in the Pacific Ocean.

WILDLIFE OBSERVATION

Some of the most unusual and fascinating species in the world, both terrestrial and marine, are found in the Galapagos islands. Here most of the surface 96% is a National Park, surrounded by a protected Marine Reserve, both UNESCO World Heritages Sites.

On Santa Cruz island, the Giant tortoises can be seen at the Charles Darwin Research Station including famous Lonesome George, the only remaining tortoise from "Pinta" island and also in the wild, in the highlands of this Galapagos island. There are 15 sub-species of giant tortoises. Some prefer the upland zones of the large islands because of humidity, grassy pastures and small ponds to drink and stagger about. Others prefer islands with low elevations, dry terrain, and with lots of prickly vegetation like cactus. The largest populations are found in Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island, and in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

BIRD WATCHING

A total of 140 species of birds have been registered in Galapagos. About half of the resident birds cannot be seen , anywhere else in the world. You can observe shore and lagoon birds such as ducks, stilts, herons, warblers, pelicans and frigates all easily approachable, just like all the Galapagos animals.

Eight species of Darwins Finches are found on Santa Cruz island; most of which can be observed all around the island. Charles Darwins concepts were founded by modern evolutionists by studying the different beaks of these finches.

SNORKELING AND DIVING

The Galapagos islands are considered a world premier destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The protected waters of its Marine Reserve have been well preserved, nearly untouched by external sources. Here the crossroads of marine currents has resulted in a unique marine ecosystem.

GALAPAGOS WEATHER

Although the islands are tropical, there are two markedly different seasons : the warm, humid and sunny season from December to May and the dry, windy and not-so-sunny season from June to November.

Transitional months are January, April and May. The Warm Season offers hardly any wind so the sea is usually very calm and the visibility tends to be better. In the Dry Season there is more wind, sometimes the sea tends to be choppy and the visibility lower.

THE MEANING OF GALAPAGOS

Amongst the first groups that came to Galapagos, we had many of Spanish origin. In traditional Castilian language, the word "Galapago" was used to describe the frontal piece of the riding saddle, and upon seeing the many tortoises the islands had in earlier years, but more important, the shape of their carapace shell, they named this archipelago "Islands of the Galapagos". And this is the official story of the name of these islands

Visit the most complete Site ever made about the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. You will find outstanding and solid information regarding these Enchanted Islands and the country to which they belong Ecuador.

http://www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com/article

About The Author

I am a business administrator and run my own Consulting company, I live in Quito and have been in the Galapagos Islands for more than 10 times already, I have also studied a lot about them.

The wonderful and unique wildlife and landscapes of the islands has always impressed me. Thats why I decided to build a Site promoting the Galapagos so people around the world will know more precise information about this wonderful spot on Earth.

http://www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com

info@galapagos-islands-tourguide.com

Travelers who are looking for a fantastic all-inclusive resort destination that is priced far below most tropical destinations in and around the Caribbean should look into Mexico’s Riviera Maya. This area has fast become a very popular tropical vacation getaway for travelers from around the world. The Riviera Maya is located on the Caribbean side of Mexico and encompasses the stretch of coastline ranging from about 5 miles to 60 miles south of Cancun.

Don’t be misled into thinking that because you fly into Cancun to get to the Riviera Maya that it is anything like Cancun and its spring break, party-like atmosphere…it is far from it. The Riviera Maya has been set aside by the Mexican government as a semi-protected area, and as such it cannot become the touristy, high-rise resort type of destination you find in the Cancun hotel zone. Resorts can only be built 3-stories or less in height and they have to be constructed to embrace the surrounding vegetation, wildlife, and topography. It is a much more family-friendly and romantic vacation destination.

Resorts in the Riviera Maya are primarily all-inclusive properties. Because of the remote locations of many of the properties there are very few offsite dining areas. All-inclusive resorts give the traveler the benefit of having everything paid for prior to their arrival. All meals, drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic, non-motorized watersports, and other amenities are included in package prices. The more upscale all-inclusive resorts of 4-star and higher quality typically have many different restaurant options ranging from buffet to world-class a la carte cuisine….all-included! Some of the more popular resort chains in the Riviera Maya include Iberostar Resorts, Palace Resorts, and Secrets Resorts & Spas. Resorts run anywhere from more family-related types of properties or resorts for the budget-minded to very upscale adults-only spa resorts.

One of the best reasons to choose the Mexico Riviera Maya for your next vacation is not just for the superb quality resorts and great value, but also for the fantastic tours and excursions that are available in around the Yucatan Peninsula region. This area is teeming with Mayan ruins and ancient architecture that are very popular with tourists. The most majestic of the local Mayan ruins are the pyramids of Chichen Itza. These incredibly preserved pyramids date back to 400AD and this awe-inspiring tour will leave with you many wonderful memories. There are many other Mayan ruins tours you can take as well. In addition to ruins you can also experience many eco-based tours that take you to game and marine preserves where you will find amazing wildlife and snorkeling that is nothing short of amazing. Another popular day-trip for those staying in the Riviera Maya region is the island of Cozumel. You can reach this quaint island by ferry from the town of Playa del Carmen located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. It is a short 45 minute ferry ride and once there you will find duty-free shopping, great dining, and some of the world’s best SCUBA diving and snorkeling.

If you have taken tropical vacations in the Caribbean or Hawaii and are looking for a new destination to go to the Riviera Maya is an excellent choice that will definitely impress and have you ready to come back to again and again.

About The Author

Barry deCocq is a co-owner and managing director of Tropical Sands Vacations http://www.tropicalSands.com, a discount Mexico and Caribbean travel brokerage specializing in all-inclusive resorts. Contact at info@tropicalsands.com.

Re-print rights: Need content You may use this article on your website, or in your newsletter. Include the following sentence: "Article by Barry deCocq of www.tropicalsands.com", with an active link to our web site at http://www.tropicalsands.com

A – Address peel and stick labels for all your family and friends before you go. Then stick to postcards along the way and youll come home looking good.

B – Bottled water is a must – dont drink anything else.

C – Cookbooks from your travels are always a great souvenir. Cook a dish from one when you have friends over to see your video and pictures

D – Digital cameras save the day; their small and you never run out of film

E – Expect excitement; go with anticipation, not trepidation

F – Food is fun, try something youve never eaten before like zebra pate or Australian wine

G – Give generous tips, especially in poor countries, youll be so glad you did

H – Hang out with the locals. Get to know a new person on your trip and get a photo with them

I – Inform someone at home of your itinerary

J – Journal every day. Can you remember now what you did last week

K – Kids love it when you have packed little surprises to open along the way

L – Learn something: Take a pasta making course in Italy, Scuba diving in Argentina or Belly dancing in Bagdad just kidding!

N – Note the local artisans and buy something authentic

O – One substantial souvenir is better than a lot of small things. Then ship it home to lighten your luggage

P – Postcards will rescue you when your photography fails. You can never have too many

Q – Questions help you get the most out of all you see and experience.

R – Read before you leave. Read lots of books about your destination. Find out who the local best sellers are, and read one of their books.

S – Scrapbook within the first week of getting home

T – Travel as light as humanly possible. Dragging luggage is no fun.

U – Unpack as soon as you get home.

V – Vaccinations and certain medications are necessary in some countries – be sure to check with the World Health Organization about what you need.

W – Whining never fixes anything – buck up and deal with the differences

X – exchange your currency at the airport or a bank and be sure you understand the value of your money

Y – You are the one who will make or break your adventure. Plan to be positive

Z – Zero in on one or two experiences and squeeze the most out of them. Adventure overload will leave you confused.

For information on travel adventures of the heart, visit www.negstusa.com

- News Canada

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Asias best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions.

A sizable enclave of foreigners Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and youll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools.

Not only are three world-class playgrounds Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines all within a few hours travel from Malaysia, but with miles of white sand coastline, tropical islands, and beachfront property galore, it has all the makings of a fairy-tale setting.

Despite being the capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and sidewalks and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Home to the tallest building in the world, there are also FedEx and UPS offices, international banks, English cinemas and bookstores, western-style supermarkets, French and German bakeries, Chinese, Indian, and Italian restaurants, gourmet coffee, Cuban cigars, Internet cafés and some of the best shopping in the world!

One of the few things that lend a "Third-world" feel to the capital are the open-air night market, where local merchants peddle everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to meat and fish, to exotic animals and traditional handicrafts.

All the major newspapers are available at newsstands, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Cable and satellite TV provides access to a wide variety of English-language programming, including CNN, the Discovery Channel, Filmnet and many more.

Despite the local Muslim population not drinking alcohol, Kuala Lumpur has some of the liveliest nightlife in the region and there are more than a fair share of clubs and bars, where tourists, expatriates and locals alike mingle and party. Though the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, great tolerance is shown for other religions, with many beliefs being represented and their adherents practicing openly, including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and Jews the nearest synagogue is in neighboring Singapore.

Compared with other major Asian cities Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example, Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. Even in the over-priced tourist spots you can get a good meal for two for around $20. Outside of these places, a 3-course meal for two with all the trimmings, including drinks, will set you back no more than $10…a doctors visit $8 to $15 and live-in domestic help $200 a month.

Rental properties are readily available and not overly expensive by American or European standards. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month, with 3-bedroom houses starting at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or the luxurious suburban homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.

Other properties recently on offer include:

A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 725-square-foot apartment with a dining room, a kitchen, ceiling fans, a walk-in closet, and parking, costs $45,215.

A small two-story bungalow with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room going for $35,700.

A penthouse apartment, close to downtown, with a sea-view and a 350-sqare-foot terrace. It comes fully furnished and has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a dining room. The asking price $75,000.

A spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2500-square-foot condominium with a large living room, an elegant dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a pantry, for $125,250.

Though there are expensive restaurants and accommodations, theres simply no reason for you to check into a five-star hotel when you can stay in a clean, friendly hotel in the city center for $40 a night where every meal costs less than $5 per person.

CRIME-FREE AND FOREIGNER FRIENDLY

Of course, cheap living shouldnt be the only deciding factor when choosing a new home. As well as being very affordable, Malaysia is safe.The governments real no tolerance policy means street crime is virtually nonexistent.

The Malaysian government, through its "Silver-Haired Program," offers expatriate resident retirees extremely attractive benefits. Outside of nationals of Israel and Yugoslavia Serbia and Montenegro, the program is open to citizens of most countries. To qualify, you need only be over 50, show you can bring a guaranteed income of about $1300 per month into Malaysia or open a savings account in Malaysia with $40,000, and have a local sponsor which can easily be arranged.

Penang, a small island off the northwest coast, has been called the "Pearl of the Orient" and its beaches are a favorite tourist destination. The coastline is also dotted with many small, quiet seaside villages. The tropical rainforests and jungles offer many opportunities for exploring lush mountains, trekking through the jungle, or even taking a riverboat safari. The bountiful sea surrounding Malaysia provides for some of the best scuba diving and fishing anywhere in the world Malaysias seas are home to the Black Marlin, tuna, mackerel, sailfish, barracuda and a host of other species.

PRACTICAL BENEFITS

Medical care is good, with excellent hospitals and clinics in all the major towns. Doctors speak English, and the majority gained their qualifications in Western Europe or North America.

Although foreign residents must arrange private health insurance, visiting tourists who have an accident are entitled to free emergency treatment in public hospitals. A consultation with a private doctor in most cases will cost just $8 to $15.

When it comes to banking, management methods and the range of services offered closely follow the British model. Plus, most major world banks have full-service branches in Malaysia.

Many expatriates living here off investment income keep their cash growing tax free in Labuan, an offshore tax haven administered by Malaysia, and then bring into the mainland whats needed for living expenses. Labuan is also perfect for anyone looking for a private, offshore bank account, a tax-free corporation, a trust, or other offshore structures.

Led by Malaysian Airlines, the national carrier, the island is served by many major airlines, linking it the world through its international airports. A good network of modern roads covers the distances between towns, and Malaysian telecommunications are among the best in the world.

If youve ever thought about living overseas, you owe it to yourself to investigate Malaysia.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 by Shannon Roxborough

Shannon Roxborough is an international lifestyle expert with close to 20 years experience. He has helped hundreds of clients with overseas living, retirement and travel matters. Visit his website at: www.TheGlobalLife.net

askinternational@aol.com

My first glimpse of Tangalooma’s famous wild dolphins was from the boat that ferried us to Moreton Island 75 minutes from Brisbane, Australia. They arched their black silken bodies out of the water as though to greet us as we docked at the island’s main pier. I was down at the pier later that night for an up close and personal meeting with these friendly sea mammals; a group of eight that frolicked in the floodlit waters as they waited for the party to start.

Along with the other guests of the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort, the only one on the island, I trooped down to the beach, picked up a fish in each hand from a bucket and stepped into the water. Immediately a dolphin swam up to me. Large, gentle eyes looked into mine; pleading to be fed. I bent over and held the fish in the water and the dolphin gratefully accepted my offering in its smiling mouth. And then lingered on a while, I like to believe to say thank you, before swimming out and repeating the ritual with the next guest who stepped up to feed it.

The wild dolphins that visited this little outcrop every day of the year to bum a snack and say hello to us, their distant cousins that lived on the land, was only a fraction of the thrills that Tangalooma had to offer its guests. Over two days in this island paradise, I would snorkel with schools of colourful fish, scuba diving within shipwrecks, ride All Terrain Vehicle ATV across sandy banks and even go tobogganing down desert dunes.

Indeed, still recall the moment I lay flat on my stomach on a plank at the summit of a sand dune and looked down the treacherous plunge ahead of me. The moment of panic, however, had passed. I had already committed to the tobogganing run and focused my attention on doing it right. I grasped the front of the plank and lifted it off the sand and made sure that my elbows and feet were well up in the air so that they did not get scraped as I raced down the dune.

‘Let it rip’ Alcester, our Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tour manager and guide queried. ‘Let it rip!’ I responded. The next moment I was tearing down the face of the dune. I don’t know what speeds I reached, but it seemed like over 100 kmp and with the ground whizzing under me, no more than a foot from my face, it was both terrifying and exhilarating. When eventually I came to a complete stop at the bottom of the dune I stayed still on the plank, savouring the thrill of the ride. A little later I was trudging up the dune for one more zany run down its slope. It was the culminating highlight of the island safari which started with a drive through dense native forests that emerged onto a bleak desert in the middle of the outcrop.

Back at the resort I checked in at the resort’s dive unit and kitted up – tanks, wetsuit, the works – for an underwater adventure. A little boat ferried us to the dive site at the far end of the island where the rusted superstructure of sunken vessels spooked the sky above the water. Soon I was swimming with fellow divers around battered hulls of ships resting upon the seabed and admiring the new marine ecosystem of colourful coral and tropical fish that had evolved around these ghostly galleons. I felt my pulse start to quicken when Lea, our dive leader and my diving buddy, led us into heart of one of these wrecks. Sensing my apprehension, she held my hand while we swam through an underwater passageway. I emerged from the ordeal with the sense of elation that comes from having confronted my worst fears and survived.

The rest of the dive was a visual delight. Soft coral swayed to the rhythm of the currents while brilliantly hued fish in amazing shapes and sizes waltzed around us in this bizarre underwater wonderland where life flourished in the midst of ancient wrecks.

That evening I slowed down the pace of the adventure and lazed around in the shallow of one of the many swimming pools that dot the property. I lay in the water and congratulated myself for following up on the lead I found on Traveljini.com. I was browsing through the site looking for something in India – Traveljini.com is the leading travel portal in the country – when I noticed that it was offering a close encounter with wild dolphins package in Australia. Before I knew it I was hooked; curiosity turned to desire and desire to compulsion. I had to get to Tangalooma. Now that I was here, it was all Traveljini.com promised it would be and more.

Later that evening I was down by the floodlit pier to interact with the Tangalooma bottlenose dolphins once more. The ranger attached to the Dolphin Research Centre assured us that the feeding ceremony accounted for only around 20% of the dolphins’ diet and that they had to depend on their own hunting instincts to catch fish in the open seas. According to her the contact between dolphin and humans on this island goes back a long way to the time when the two cooperated to catch fish. The dolphins would herd schools of fish towards the shore where the aborigine would catch them in their nets. Once the catch was hauled in, the local fishermen would throw back a part of it into the water for the dolphins to feed on.

The next morning I shifted back into high gear when I mounted an all terrain vehicles ATV, a modified four-wheel motorcycle with a souped up engine, and went speeding down a deserted beach before heading for a dusty rollercoaster ride over sand dunes that waved over the island. It was a fitting finale to an adventure that lifted me to zany heights and gifted me with peaceful and quiet moments; an adventure during which I had the good fortune to be part, if only briefly, of the legendary bonding between humans and dolphins.

About The Author

Gustasp Irani 25 years of experties in Travel writing..currently working for traveljini.com seo@traveljini.com

Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera have an exceptional array of attractions and activities from the Mayan ruins at Tulum to the Playa del Carmen nightlife, you will love your Mexico vacation. Here is a listing of some of the popular ones:

Beaches and sport activities

This area has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Most of the beaches have been manicured and have fine white sand. The water is a turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea.

Scuba diving and snorkelling

Just off the coast is the worlds fifth-longest barrier reef. The reef, home to hundreds of species of marine life, is perfect for snorkelling. Scuba dive and snorkel in the magnificent Caribbean waters. Scuba lessons for beginners and diving tours for the pros are available. Most resorts offer scuba/snorkel tours and/or lessons. Most of the ecological parks have great areas for snorkelling.

For more information: www.sealifedivers.com

Cozumel

Only 45 mins from Playa del Carmen by ferry, this divers haven is well worth the trip across the ocean. Considered among the best snorkelling and diving spots in the world, Cozumel offers magnificent coral reefs, underwater caves, and shipwrecks sites to explore. There are over 30 kilometres of coral reef, including the worlds second largest reef called the Gama Reef.

Golf Courses

Playacar Golf Club - This is an 18 hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge. This course is carved through the lush Mayan jungle where it awaits any golfer to come and tame it. Driving range and putting green. Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo. Tel.: +52984873-0624

Puerto Aventuras - Marina, Tennis / Golf Club. Features a par 36, 9 hole course designed by Thomas Leeman. Maximum length 3,236 yards. Also features a putting green. Rental clubs / carts are available. - Located on the Cancun to Chetumal highway at km. 90 Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen, Q.ROO. Tel.: 52-987 3-5109. Puerto Aventuras also has swimming with dolphins, relax and watch the dolphin show while having lunch. Puerto Aventuras also has a marina and restaurants.

For more information: www.dolphindiscovery.com

Mayan Jungle

Take a trip out of time and trek through the wild exotic jungles of the Mexican Riviera, ATV Explorer Jungle Tours is the original Playa del Carmen jungle tour. Ride an ATV through jungle paths, swim in a clear 60 foot deep cenote, explore caves, climb ancient Mayan ruins on this 2 hour tour. Right next to Playa del Carmen and Playacar, Mexico, just an hour south of Cancun.

For more information: www.atvexplorer.com

Mayan Ruins

Tulum

The smallest Mayan ruin site among the three, Tulum only needs a day. These ruins overlook the ocean and are right on a beautiful beach. This is a perfect spot for a picnic, a short swim and sun bathing. Take lots of pictures.

Coba

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and prepare for an hour and a half drive into the jungle before reaching these ruins. Well worth the drive as there are beautiful temples and pyramids to see.

Chichen Itza

This is the most famous and grandiose pyramid of them all. Bring plenty of film and marvel at the beautifully kept grounds and the new restoration work on the pyramid. A must see Mayan ruin for culture enthusiasts. Restaurants, small museum, and tourist shops abound.

Eco-Parks

Xcaret

An eco-Mayan theme park for the whole family. A must see if you visit the Mayan Riviera. Prepare to spend your entire day at Xcaret as there are a million and one things to do and see. An excellent light and sound show, swim with the dolphins, snorkelling, underground river runs, sea trekking, butterfly park, a Mayan village, and much more.

For more information: www.xcaret.net

Xel-Ha

Xel Ha is a eco-park with a large lagoon for snorkelling. It is a great place for first time snorkellers. Inner tubes and life vests are free, and you can rent snorkel gear or bring your own. Amazing cave system, cenotes, lagoon and snorkelling with thousands of tropical fish.

For more information: www.xel-ha.com

Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

The Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, one of Mexicos largest parks, covers more than 1 million acres of coastal jungle or about 20 percent of the state of Quintana Roos land. This virgin wilderness is home and sanctuary to innumerable species of tropical flora and fauna, of which, the jaguar found here is counted as one of the many protected species. Offers eco-trekking through mangroves, lagoons and rivers. Get a close-up look of the wildlife in the reserve in their natural habitat.

Aktun Chen

Witness spectacular geological formations and swim in crystal clear fresh water in the underground caves. Spider monkeys and a serpentarium snakes can be seen.

For more information: www.aktunchen.com

Xaman-Ha Aviary

Located in Playacar, this exotic bird sanctuary is a wonderful natural habitat for some 60 species of tropical birds that populate the jungles of the Yucatan peninsula. Scarlet macaws, flamingos, herons and may other beautiful feathered creatures can be found here.

Jardin Botanico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera

Beautiful botanical gardens sprawling with exotic species of tropical fauna in the lush Mayan rainforest. The gardens sit on 60 hectares of jungle and mangrove. A groomed loop trail provides easy walking to various collections of plants, all beautifully displayed in their natural environment. A scenic lookout tower is a bit of a challenge to climb but rewards the brave with a panoramic view from the mangrove to the sea, and out over the jungle.

Shopping

Playa del Carmen Shopping

The pedestrian street 5th Avenida in the heart of Playa del Carmen is lined with boutiques filled with goods from all over Mexico and the world. With handicrafts such as fine silver jewellery to hammocks there are shops that cater to every budget.

The stores that cater to tourists typically carry items such as carved wood and stone, hammocks, leather goods, paintings and sculptures. However, there are also high-end galleries featuring artworks from San Cristobal and Oaxaca for the serious Mexican art collector.

If youd prefer to venture off the main strip, there are funky little treasures to be found in the small plaza between 6th and 8th ave.

About The Author

Jolana Klobouk is the webmaster of www.best-family-beach-vacations.com. A parent and former travel agent, she has travelled extensively for work and vacations with her family.

Jolana@best-family-beach-vacations.com

A tropical vacation usually evokes images of images of sultry summer days lounging on the beach and soft breezes caressing you in the evenings while you sip a drink in the evenings. There are so many wonderful tropical vacation packages that give you just that in Mexico, but if you’d like to take it to the next level, consider traveling to the interior as well and experience the full spectrum of nature’s glory. Tropical also means exotic plants, gorgeous birds and chattering monkeys, mountain cliffs and amazing wildlife!

Jungle and Tropical Rainforest Vacations

Ecotourism is one of the most incredible adventures you can embark on in Mexico and other tropical areas of the world. These eco adventures give you the opportunity to see and hear things you would never be able to experience outside of a zoo or museum. In tropical regions of the world there are jungles and rain forests that shelter an amazing array of plants and animals that are colorful, unique and exotic.

Traveling with an experienced guide through the interior of a rainforest or jungle will bring you into a world where time has stood still for thousands of years. Imagine trekking along a stretch of sandy beach your first day, then heading spending the next few days in a rainforest where brilliantly plumed parrots fly overhead, calling to one another and flashing feathers of emerald, ruby and gold. The chatter of monkeys as they swing overhead will delight your group as your guide explains the delicate balance of Mexico’s ecosystem.

There are coral reefs to explore, natural springs and underwater rivers with stunning rock formations and always the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea.

In the evenings you’ll view glorious sunsets from atop majestic Mayan ruins or high natural ridges, all part of the protected heritage of the Mexican people. The warm breezes will sweep away the humidity of your jungle day as you relax with your small group of fellow travelers, suspended in time under a brilliant blanket of stars.

Challenge Yourself in the Tropics

If you’re up to something a bit more physical, tropical vacations offer a vast range of topographies for every activity from mountain biking to scuba diving. The mountains of the Yucatan Peninsula offer extremely challenging mountain biking trails and hiking opportunities for solo or group trekking.

Check out some of the stunning vistas you can see from various mountain locations, including views of several of the largest volcanoes in Mexico like Pico De Orizaba, Iztaccihuatl and the still active Popcateptl which erupted spectacularly less then ten years ago, causing the evacuation of two villages. Near Mexico City you can visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, another spectacular example of early Mayan culture.

If you’re a fan of scuba diving, there’s nothing more exhilarating than a tropical vacation for scuba. Cancun offers a variety of packages for exceptional open water diving and cave or cavern diving. Even experienced scuba divers agree that there’s always something new to discover in the elaborate underwater caverns along the tropical beaches of the Mexican shore.

Did you know that the second largest coral reef in the world, the Great Belize Coral Reef, is in Mexico This tropical reef system stretches from Playa del Carmen to the Gulf of Hondoras and is a paradise of stunning plants and fish that can be explored by scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Your whole family will be enchanted by the flashes of rainbow color darting through the diamond-clear waters of this vast expanse of one of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems.

Soaking Up the Atmosphere

Tropical means warm days, warm nights and plenty of sunshine, and on tropical vacations you expect plenty of both. In Mexico you’ll find them – the average temperature is 85º in the daytime and in the 70’s at night, with warm rains of short duration only occasionally interrupting the mornings. Warm breezes keep things comfortable year-round and the sunsets are always spectacular!

And tropical means atmosphere…it’s that special combination of warm weather, sandy beaches, exotic locale and that indefinable something extra that comes from the people. The Mexican people are friendly, generous and family oriented. You’ll discover that shops are closed for lunch breaks and that Friday afternoons are made for relaxing.

Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations and make new friends; the mood is relaxed when you take a tropical vacation. There’s no fussy dress code and you’ll never have to put on a necktie or suffer through an evening in stockings and high heels unless you want to!. Casual is the standard when you’re on a tropical vacation – even for dinner, you’re fine in a polo shirt and sandals are encouraged. This is a vacation, after all! And kids are welcome everywhere!

It’s a tropical pace that encourages taking full advantage of the simple joys of walking on the beach, sampling fresh seafood, bartering in the local marketplace and sipping a Sea Breeze in the evening with your spouse while the sun goes down over the waves in a blaze of oranges, reds and golds.

The beaches stretch for miles with the finest white sands in the world and new and unusual sea shells washing ashore with every wave that gently laps the shore. Palm trees stir in the breeze, adding the quiet rustle of their leaves to the winds and providing shade for the many hammocks you’ll find strung between them.

Time loses meaning in the Tropics

The sound of pounding surf and the cry of seagulls overhead will lull you into a relaxing sense of peace as you realize there’s nowhere you have to be, nowhere to rush off to, because in tropical Mexico, no one operates by their watches. It’s free and easy, based purely on what you want to do and when you feel like doing it. Doesn’t that sound good for a change

So for the ultimate in relaxation or adventure, a tropical vacation has it all – sunsets, warm breezes, natural beauty, adventure, friendship, and incredible, lush beauty. Go somewhere tropical for your next family vacation – you’ll never want to go anywhere else!

About The Author

Lori Wilkerson is a full-time freelance writer who loves her job because it gives her the opportunity to learn more about the world every day. Right now, she knows a little bit about almost everything, and a lot about beach vacations, family vacations, and mexico vacations. Lori once led a Conga line to the tune, “Hot, Hot, Hot,” throughout an entire cruise ship sailing to Nassau.

www.beach-vacations-4u.com

True story!

cbmacgregor@shaw.ca

Coral reefs around the world are under siege - FACT. Threats from over-fishing, urban coastal encroachment and rising sea temperatures are destroying sensitive corals and devastating the marine life they support.

According to The United Nations, in the last four years ten percent of the worlds reefs have died, and nearly a quarter are sick and suffering. Think about that for a second. More than half of the living reefs are seriously threatened, and scientists estimate that if todays trends continue mankind will cause the irreversible loss of reef formations and related fish species within 40 years.

Fortunately, there is a growing dedicated global effort to reversing this decline and to finding new - and sustainable - ways to manage the last of Earths remaining coral reefs. Here are some reef facts for you to consider:

Coral reefs are home to more than 25 percent of all marine life - yet occupy less than one percent of the ocean floors.

Coral reefs have been around 100 million years and are the largest living structures on earth. Australias Great Barrier Reef is more than 2,000 km long and can be seen from outer space.

Scientists have found as many as 3,000 different species living on one reef in Indonesia.

Coral reefs protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage. Without reefs, many islands, in the Banda Sea for example, and low lying mainland would be underwater.

Coral reefs are a tremendous medical resource, providing chemical compounds used in antihistamines, antibiotics and other medications for illnesses ranging from asthma to leukaemia and heart disease. Indeed, more than half of all new cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms.

More than 350 million people worldwide depend on corals for food and survival.

Corals are animals-not rocks or plants-and they come in two types, hard and soft.

Some deep water corals grow very slowly-as little as 30 cm in 1,000 years, while some shallow water corals may grow up to 15 cm per year.

Corals need very specific conditions to survive - a narrow range of water temperatures, access to sunlight and low pollution levels.

More than 14 million hectares/35 million acres of coral reefs have been destroyed by human activity - 10 percent of the worlds reefs have died during the last four years alone, a number that could rise to 20-30 percent by 2010 without immediate and decisive action to preserve and sustain those that are left.

There are a number of reef threats one has to be aware of. These include the following:

Global warming is perhaps the most serious threat to healthy coral reefs. Scientists expect sea temperatures to rise several degrees in the next 20 years. When water temperatures get too high, corals turn white or bleach and eventually die.

More than 75 percent of the earths people live in coastal areas, bringing to pristine coral reefs such threats as over-fishing, pollution and direct physical damage. Asias population is expected to double in the next 25 years - the threat of further reef over-exploitation grows as well.

Fishing with explosives, as in Burma and Thailand, and poisons in Indonesia not only kills fish but reefs as well. In the Philippines, about 180,000 kg of cyanide is dumped into the ocean each year, badly degrading local reefs.

Sedimentation caused by run-off from poorly planned and managed construction, logging or mining, muddy reef waters with silt, cutting them off from the sunlight they need to survive. There are now no coastal reefs remaining in Phuket.

Water pollution from sewage, oil and other chemicals can poison coral reefs. Ordinary rubbish dumped in the ocean can also kill coral reef life - plastic bags have been found in the stomachs of reef fish and turtles. Both these degrading activities are taking place in Phi Phi Islands.

Coastal development, which involves altering coastline habitats and the cutting of mangrove forests, also threatens the oceans fragile ecosystem. The small group of Thailand Dugongs is under serious threat at Koh Turatao due to this very problem.

About The Author

Sheldon Hey is the founder of Dive The World http://www.DiveTheWorldThailand.com and has been an passionate scuba diving professional for many years. Sheldon and the Dive The World Team would love to share their experience with you to ensure your next diving trip meets all your expectations.

Sheldon@Dive-The-World.com

About the Author

Robin Piggott has spent a lifetime at the Wheel.He runs Astral Driving School in Limerick,Ireland.Visit the web site and blog if you are planning to visit Ireland.http://www.astralmotoring.iehttp://astralmotoring.blogspot.com

About the Author

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest well known author, travel writer and expert on the South Pacific David Stanley. David is the author of Moon Hanbooks South Pacific. Good Day David and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed. NORM: Please tell our readers something about yourself, your expertise and the books you have authored pertaining to the South Pacific. David: I've earned a living from travel guidebooks since 1979, when Moon Publications of Rutland published the 1st edition of SOUTH PACIFIC HANDBOOK . In November 2004, Avalon Travel Publishing of Emeryville, California, brought out the 8th edition of Moon Handbooks South Pacific. I've also written Lonely Planet guides to Eastern Europe, Cuba, and Canada's Maritime Provinces. Lately I've been exploiting the power of the Internet with sites like SOUTH PACIFIC.ORG: MAP SOUTH PACIFIC and CUBA PICTURES. NORM: When we talk about the South Pacific what exactly are we referring to and where is it situated in relation to the USA or Canada? David: The "South Pacific" brochures printed by tour operators often focus on Australia and New Zealand, but those countries are quite different from the tropical Pacific islands. Moon Handbooks South Pacific covers 15 insular countries and territories from Easter Island to the Solomons. People tend to consider this region remote, yet it takes only two hours longer to fly from Los Angeles to Tahiti than it does to fly to Honolulu. Fiji is midway between Hawaii and New Zealand, to the west of Tahiti. NORM: Would you consider the South Pacific a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why? David: All of the main South Pacific destinations have attempted to market themselves as wedding or honeymoon destinations. Fiji and the Cook Islands have been the most successful as weddings can be arranged locally with little fuss. In French Polynesia, marriages can only be performed for persons with 30 days residency, which excludes most tourists. Instead, French Polynesia has developed an active honeymoon industry with Bora Bora highly favored by bridal magazine writers who enjoyed the hospitality of luxury resorts. In my opinion, Moorea is Bora Bora's equal in all but name and is far less expensive. For a romantic getaway, I recommend Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. There’s a lot to see and do within a compact area, and prices are fair. NORM: What is the best time to visit the South Pacific from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe? David: Officially, the hurricane season in the South Pacific is from December to April, although with global warming it's starting earlier and ending later. Winter (May to October) is generally cooler, drier, and less humid throughout the region, the best time to go. May to August is the off-season in Australia and New Zealand; hence Air New Zealand's low season South Pacific airfares apply those months. So by a happy coincidence, you can enjoy the best weather for the lowest price if you schedule your trip at that time. NORM: How safe is it to travel to the South Pacific? David: Very safe. "Terrorists" would stand out like sore thumbs on these small islands. Violent crime (muggings, etc) is almost unknown, but petty theft does occur. Nothing will go astray if a few simple precautions are taken. Contrary to the image fostered by Hollywood and in the tourism brochures, the island societies are socially conservative and scanty dress is frowned upon. Women traveling alone should avoid staying in isolated bungalows or wandering off on deserted beaches. NORM: Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA or Canada and how accessible is it to fly to the South Pacific? David: One-month roundtrip airfares from Los Angeles or Vancouver to Tahiti, Rarotonga, or Fiji start around US$1,250 in the low season, provided you book at least 14 days in advance and are willing to accept a 35 percent cancellation fee. If you fly on shorter notice during the high season (December to February), you'll pay around US$2,000. The weekend travel sections of major newspapers carry ads for discounted fares, and websites sometimes sell tickets for considerably less than the prices quoted by airline agents over the phone. For example, I recently flew from Vancouver to American Samoa for US$700 roundtrip on an Internet special. Such offers are routinely announced in the newsletter of the South Pacific Tourism Organization, available at SOUTH PACIFIC TOURISM ORGANIZATION. NORM: If you had to choose 6 unequalled venues in the South Pacific for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why? David: My first choice would be: · Tahiti and its neighbours Moorea and Bora Bora. The soaring green peaks and brilliant reefs of these islands are unsurpassed, and the "exotic" French atmosphere combines well with the charm of Polynesia. · Fiji is a very close second for its stunning variety and friendliness. · Then there's Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. This is long a favorite holiday destination for New Zealanders. Rarotonga is small enough to explore in a week, and the facilities are excellent. · My fourth choice is Easter Island. Although for those into hiking or archaeology, it should come first. Travel agents often book three-night stopovers on Easter Island, but only the highlights can be seen during such a short stay. · Finally, I should mention Vanuatu for those looking for something really different. This little known Melanesian country offers a colorful mix of scuba diving, tribal culture, active volcanoes, and the South Pacific's most beautiful capital city, Port Vila. NORM: What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in the South Pacific? David: Obtaining independent information on weddings and honeymoons isn't easy as resort and tour company websites only promote their own products. That said, HONEYMOON FIJI and HONEYMOON VANAUATU are worth a look, and TRAVEL MAXIA is useful in that it covers the entire South Pacific. It's also well worth perusing the official tourism websites of the island visitors bureaus, all of which are linked to SOUTH PACIFIC.ORG NORM: Is there anything else you would like to add that we have not covered pertaining to the South Pacific? David: The South Pacific should be recognized as a straightforward, trouble-free destination. None of the countries included in my book require visas of North Americans, Europeans, Australians, New Zealanders, or Japanese. Obstacles like erratic pricing, corrupt officials, violent crime, and security glitches are generally absent here. This sprawling region is best characterised by its amazing variety, with many distinct cultures, cuisines, histories, and environments to experience and enjoy. At US$24.95, Moon Handbooks South Pacific has the potential to save vacationers hundreds of dollars, while assisting them in making the best choices. It's all in there. Thanks David

About the Author: Norm Goldman is editor of sketchandtravel.com and bookpleasures.com. Norm and his artist wife Lily meld art and words in order to create an unusual travel story, which generates interest, particularly because of the fact that each painting appears to have been ‘custom-made’ for the story-original story and original art. Combining the watercolors with travel writing provides a softer, more romantic look at the places we visit. Their main focus is on romantic and wedding destinations. As they specialize in web-based content, their articles are featured on their own site, SKETCHANDTRAVEL.COM, where you can find out more about them. They are also regular contributors to some of the most popular Internet Travel Sites: LOVETRIPPER.COM: THETIMESHAREBEAT.COM:TRAVELLADY.COM:BOOTSNALL.COM: Visit Florida Online: Tropical Island Weddings Norm and Lily are always open to suggestions as to romantic and wedding destinations to visit, write and paint about.

About the Author

S.A. Baker is staff article writer at http://www.e-travelpromos.com. sbaker@e-travelpromos.com

About the Author

Bobbi Buchanan, Correspondent for Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Join the Travel Writers Network.

Today Norm Goldman, Editor of www.sketchandtravel.com and www.bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as a guest Joshua Berman,(http://www.stonegrooves.net/contact.htmlco) author of Moon Handbooks Belize (http://www.moon.com/catalog/belize.html. Joshua is an expert on traveling in Belize, and recently chose this tiny Central American country for his own honeymoon; he has also lived in and written extensively about Nicaragua and Honduras. Welcome to Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com Joshua and thanks for accepting our invitation to be interviewed. NORM: Please tell our readers something about yourself and your expertise pertaining to Belize. Joshua: I have been living, working, teaching, and traveling in Central America since the U.S. Peace Corps sent me to Nicaragua in 1998. I have been returning to the region ever since to write guidebooks, lead service trips, and visit friends and adopted families. Last year, I was asked by Avalon Travel Publishing to take over Chicki Mallan's Moon Handbooks Belize, which, when it first appeared 15 years ago, was the first and most acclaimed guidebook to the country. I gladly accepted and proceeded to research and write the sixth edition, which was released in early 2005. NORM: Where is Belize? Joshua: Belize is tucked into the northeast corner of Central America, bordering Mexico's Yucatan peninsula to the north, Guatemala's Petén wilderness to the west, and the Caribbean Ocean to the east. Culturally however, Belize and its hundreds of cayes (islands, pronounced keys ) is more Caribbean than Latin. English is spoken everywhere (along with seven other languages). The diversity is astounding, especially considering there are only 260,000 people in the entire country. NORM: Would you consider Belize a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why? Joshua: · They can rent their very own waterfall for the day at Hidden Valley Inn. · Couples can get Mood Mud Massages at Maruba Resort Jungle Spa. · They can rappel into a vertical cave shaft together, at the bottom of which they'll find a flower strewn bed next to a subterranean spring at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch. The list goes on and on. Belize's size (smaller than Massachusetts), easy access (only a two-hour flight from Miami or Houston), and astonishing selection of small, intimate resorts and lodges seal the deal. In order to solidify my endorsement of Belize as a romantic destination, I even took my own bride here on our honeymoon (ah, the work never stops) NORM: When is the best time to visit Belize from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe and Australia, etc? Joshua: Some resorts distinguish holiday season from the normal high season, with even higher prices and lower availability around Christmas, New Year's, and Easter be sure to make reservations during these periods. High season (re: more tourists and hiked prices) is generally mid-December through April; this is also the dry season during most years, although December, January, and even February can play to host to cool fronts that either blow right through or sit around for days. Your best bet-be prepared, both with clothing and attitude! A week of stormy weather may ruin a vacation planned solely around snorkelling, but it could also provide the perfect setting for exploring the rainforests or enjoying a hot tub and fireplace in the Mountain Pine Ridge. June, July, and August technically fall in the rainy season, and travelers during this time are rewarded with significantly discounted prices at most accommodations rain during these months may mean just a quick shower each afternoon, or it may go on for days. August is the big month for European backpackers and travelers, while December and February are dominated by North Americans. Some tourism businesses shut down completely during the months of September and October, the peak of hurricane season. NORM: Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA, Canada and Europe and Australia? Joshua: Conventional traveler wisdom calls Belize the cheapest Caribbean vacation spot and one of the most expensive Central American. There are plenty of mid-range and upscale accommodations throughout the country, running from US$25 to hundreds of dollars per night. Exact hotel rates are an elusive thing in Belize; seasonal fluctuations are compounded by various taxes and service charges, sometimes by as much as 25 percent additional. Always make sure the rate you are quoted is actually the same amount you will be asked to pay. And, of course, great deals are abundant in the low season (May through November), when room rates plummet across the board. · For food, budget travelers can get by on less than US$20 per day, but you're on vacation, right? Entrées run from US$5 to US$25, depending on where you are; at the trendiest restaurants in San Pedro, a fancy dinner can cost up to US$75 per person. A few resorts include meal prices in their nightly rates, which can be a good deal. · Don't forget to budget an extra US$40-80 per person per day for activities like scuba diving, sailing trips, and guided tours of Belize's rainforests, ruins, and fascinating cave systems. Experienced, independent travelers can get around for less, but transport can be a hassle. · US$10 per person per night is the bottom line for budget lodging, and it'll get you anything from a cramped, stuffy concrete box in most towns to a generous wooden cabin at the Trek Stop (in Cayo) and other backpacker hotspots. NORM: If you had to choose 5 unequalled venues in Belize for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why? Joshua: First of all, remember that selecting a place to stay has a lot to do with where you want to be and what activities you would like to do during your stay: beach or rainforest? Diving or hiking? Reef or ruins? Do you want to get pampered with massages or get sweaty and muddy with your loved one on a jungle trek? Get an idea of what kind of trip you and your honey are looking for, then dive in and book it. Following are only a few of Belize's upscale romantic accommodations that stick out in my mind for quality and intimacy. For more on Belize's ample budget options, flip through a copy of my book, Moon Handbooks Belize. · Starting on swanky Ambergris Caye, just inshore from Belize's famous barrier reef and three miles north of San Pedro village, you will find Capricorn Resort, offering intimate beachfront seclusion in one of three bright and tasteful cabanas. Capricorn's restaurant is one of the best (considered the best by many) on the island. · Situated on 7,200 acres of private property in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Hidden Valley Inn is a quiet paradise for hikers and birders who will have a blast exploring the resort's 90-plus miles of walking trails and old logging roads and then cozying up in front of their cottage's fireplace, listening to the birdsong outside (especially nice during the cool, misty, rainy season). The property encompasses lush broadleaf forest and pine tree habitat. The two diverse ecosystems are divided by a geological fault line, which marks the edge of a towering 1,000-foot escarpment. Numerous watercourses spring from the mountain and then cascade down the steep slopes, often into deep, inviting pools; Hidden Valley's trail system runs through it all. · On Placencia Peninsula, Kitty's Place is one of the best and most unpretentious resorts on this long strip of beach resorts call it "low-key luxury," and check your shoes at the front desk. Be sure to schedule a day trip or overnight on Kitty's private isle, French Louis Caye, 12 miles offshore with great snorkelling and upscale accommodations. · Two of Belize's most romantic, beautiful, and expensive options are Francis Ford Coppola's gorgeous pair of resorts: Turtle Inn and Blancaneaux Lodge, located on the Placencia Peninsula and Mountain Pine Ridge, respectively, and offering a number of collective packages. Both places feature breathtaking architecture and artwork from all over the world, and top-notch service and facilities. · Located about an hour north of Belize City, Maruba Resort Jungle Spa pampers the body and soul, as evidenced by its acclaimed spa treatments and unique focal points spread around the grounds: A tiny, glass-decorated chapel; a palapa-covered stone chess table; two pools that seem to spring from the jungle complete with waterfalls. The rooms are spread out for privacy and are addressed by name Moon, Fertility, and Bondage, to name a few. All boast an eclectic neo-primitive motif carved masks, mosaic tile floors, standing candles, cement fountains, tiled tubs, screened shuttered windows and fresh flowers on the massive feather beds and in the bathrooms. NORM: What should people know about celebrating a wedding in Belize from the point of view of requirements, experience of the various hotels, etc. Joshua: Belize is gaining quite the reputation as the perfect place to tie the knot. A growing number of resorts cater to weddings of all sizes, some quite creatively (such as ceremonies underwater or atop Maya pyramids). If eloping, you must be in Belize three business days before submitting your marriage application to the Registrar General's Office (tel. 501/227-7377, not open on weekends or local holidays). You get the paperwork back the following business day for your ceremony. If you have been divorced or widowed, bring a photocopy of the death certificate or divorce decree. The Government of Belize charges US$100 for the license and you'll need a birth certificate or passport. NORM: How far in advance should a couple prepare themselves for their honeymoon, romantic getaway or wedding in Belize? Joshua: Honeymoons and getaways are easy and do not need much advance time when booking, except around the holidays and at the more popular resorts. If you are planning a wedding during the high season that will require numerous rooms for guests, book a year in advance if possible. Otherwise, a few months are usually sufficient. NORM: What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in Belize? Joshua: Several wedding specialists can facilitate paperwork, ministers, flowers, book hotels, celebrations, etc. including Katie Valk for anywhere in the country, Iraida Gonzales on San Pedro, and Lee Nyhus in Placencia. NORM: Is there anything else you wish to tell our readers that we have not covered? Joshua: Yes, keep an eye on my WEBSITE for new links and developments regarding romance in Belize and beyond; I have the most popular Belize forums and news posted on my links page. Also, MY PUBLISHER'S SITE will soon feature sample itineraries and other excerpts from my book, to make planning your Belize trip even easier. Lastly, remember the words of Kurt Vonnegut's prophet, Bokon: Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God. Happy trails, everyone, Joshua

About the Author: Norm Goldman is editor of: www.sketchandtravel.com & www.bookpleasures.com. The former is a travel site and the latter is a book reviewing site. Norm and his artist wife, Lily, meld words with art and focus their travel articles on romantic and wedding destinations. They are always open to invitations pertaining to properties and destinations located in New England, New York, Florida and California.

About the Author

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

About the Author

Fred Coolridge is the content manager and author for the website Great Exuma Island, Bahamas - www.exumabahamas.org.

Cocos Island National Park

Sank in the middle of the infinite Pacific Ocean, we find the Cocos Island. It is one of the protected areas with the greatest diversity in terms of wildlife and one of the best places for Costa Rica Scuba Diving Vacation. It is a huge natural laboratory for scientists and nature lovers. It has 2.400 Ha, with 510 species of sea mollusks, 362 species of insects, 235 species of plants, 200 species of fish, 97 species of birds, 57 species of crustaceans, 3 species of spiders and 2 species of reptiles. In this huge diversity, there are over 130 species of endemic flora and fauna. It is an ideal place for scuba diving, snorkeling, bird watching and wildlife watching.

The trip to Cocos Island is in itself a great adventure. After traveling for over 36 hours on the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, a "green bouquet is seen far into the sea".

Legends say that pirates and corsairs, like William Davies, Benito Bonito and William Thompson, found a safe place to hide their treasures in this Island. For many, Robert Stevenson was inspired on those tales of sailors to write his famous novel the Treasure Island.

Although you will not find golden medals or precious gems, you will find the most valuable treasure of all: The natural richness of flora and fauna.

As soon as you arrive, it is as if time is suddenly going back, as taking a leap to an old world, a place that remains intact through time. Cocos Island is probably one of the places with most endemic flora and fauna in the world.

In just 2.400 hectares, there have always been 139 endemic species in the national park. More than 230 species of plants, out of which 70 are endemic, including the Palo de Hierro (Sacogiottis holdridgei). More than 85 species of birds inhabit the park, but 3 of them can only be seen in Cocos Island National Park: Cuclillo from Cocos Island (Coccyzus ferrugineus); Mosquerito (Nesotriccus ridgwayi) and Pinzon from Cocos Island (Pinaroloxias inomata). Two reptiles joined the selective and exclusive list of species that are unique in the world: Lizard (Norops townsendi) and the Salamander (Sphaerodactuylus pacificus).

If you are already amazed with the natural panorama in land, come on and explore the depths...many more treasures are waiting for you. Scuba Diving at Cocos Island implies a unique experience for any diver as soon as you go down, a world full of life appears before your eyes, thousands of fish swimming around you forming a synchrony of colors, a rainbow in the plenitude of the ocean.you will be hypnotized when your eyes are set of great schools of hammer shark (Sphyna lewini)or when you see the amazing white finned sharks (Triaenodon obesus) swimming very close to you.

Today, as it was for the buccaneers, the only way to get to Cocos is by boat. Divers, who make up the vast majority of visitors, usually arrive on live-aboard dive boats (a 9- or 10-day trip from the port of Puntarenas). If they go ashore, it's usually only to dry out for a spell. But exploring the 14-square-mile, virtually uninhabited island that Jacques Cousteau once called the most beautiful in the world isn't really a hardship. There are other Cocos Islands in the world (near Guam, Australia, and Mauritius to name a few), but there is only one "Shark Island. " That's a good thing, right?

Field Notes

Scuba Diving: As dive site names go, Dirty Rock isn't the most inviting, but this rocky outcropping about a half mile off the north shore of the island has one of the largest hammerhead shark populations in the world, along with giant manta rays. Expect 120-foot-plus visibility. For even more mantas, head to Dampier Head at the southwest corner of the island, where rays with wingspans up to 10 feet seem to like to swim with divers.

Nature, Nature and Nature. A natural laboratory similar in some ways to the Galapagos (which lacks the tropical rainforest here), Cocos is home to an estimated 60 endemic animal species. Bird watchers will note that the rocky islets off the island are prime nesting areas for seabirds, including the red-footed booby, and that three of the island's 70 or so species include three found nowhere else: the Cocos Cuckoo, the Cocos Finch (shades of Darwin!), and the Cocos Flycatcher.

Hiking: For a little legwork between dives, head up 2,092-foot Mount Yglesias, the highest peak on the island. The trail to the summit, one of several on the island, leads through rainforest (and passes the wreck of a B-24 in the jungle), and the view of the Pacific at the top might even make you forget about your swim fins for a while.

For more information, visit http://www.mytraveltocostarica.com/

Aventuras Elegantes is a Costa Rica Travel Expert.

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Doug Fowler is an Internet Consultant for numerous vacation rental websites, such as www.vrul.com. VRUL.com offers worldwide vacation rentals by owner.

Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120 km separates the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea at the narrowest spot - Costa Rica still has some of the most diverse scenery in the world. Its coasts have both sandy beaches and marshy swamps, while its interior is dotted with volcanoes, dense with rain forests and abundant with unusual flora.

When you are planning your Costa Rica vacation, make sure to visit destinations like Monteverde Cloud Forest, Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park or Manuel Antonio National Park. In addition, you will enjoy in your Costa Rica vacation, a wide range of adventure travel activities, including scuba diving, hiking around the Arenal Volcano area, and exploring the dense tropical rainforests.

What to do? Where to do? Fly through the rain-forest canopy on a zip line? Go white-water rafting? Climb a volcano? Laze on a white-sand beach in guanacaste and manuel antonio national park on the pacific coast or Limon on the caribbean coast? Check out colorful marine life while snorkeling? Or try to hook one on a deep-sea fishing excursion?

Costa Rica offers plenty of pleasant choices like these, especially if you're interested in nature and outdoor activities. That's why so many people have chosen to go there: In the past decade, the number of visitors has quadrupled, and tourism has become a big part of the nation's economy. Costa Rica is practically synonymous with ecotourism - travel that incorporates education about the environment and promotes preservation of natural resources. The country has a large number of national parks and nature preserves that boast a rich array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. The variety of birds, in particular, is astounding: Some 850 species are packed into a relatively small area, a bird watcher paradise. Approximately 25% of the country's land has been set aside in protected areas, earning Costa Rica a reputation as an environmentally sensitive country and leader in ecological conservation.

The country has excellent conditions for a number of adventure sports, among them surfing, river rafting, hiking and scuba diving, wind surfing and mountain bike.Those who prefer a less strenuous vacation can view more than 50 volcanoes (Poas volcano, Rincon de la Vieja volcano, Irazu volcano and Arenal volcano) take boat trips down jungle rivers and float through the treetops in the world's first Rain Forest Aerial Tram, visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Tortuga Island, The Cafe Britt Coffee tour

Andy Bezara

Visit www.mytraveltocostarica.com and find the most wonderful Costa Rica vacation packages

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Dive South Africa is proud to be a family owned business specialising in scuba diving safaris and holidays to Southern Africa and Mozambique. We have lived and dived in South Africa and Mozambique for all of our lives and know the dive sites, charters, lodges, sharks, wrecks and reefs like the back of our hands - always safe, and always conserving the reefs and animals.http://www.divesouthafrica.co.za

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Jeff Palmer is a Search Engine Optimization expert living on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

A Honeymoon Cruise as the name suggests offers a gateway to paradise for honeymooners away from the pressures of daily life and enjoy the bliss of togetherness. This provides an opportunity for you to start your married life in a state of togetherness by exploring the unknown and enjoying nature and life. The Honeymoon cruise offers the comforts of a five star luxury and provides a period of unending excitement, adventure, the opportunity to get to know each other and enjoying life as nature had wanted it to be. This is an ideal way to start a life of togetherness for fulfillment of one’s desires and daresay this is a golden getaway. The excitement of togetherness under the moonlit sky with the stars twinkling and the rustle of the water and the gentle breeze flowing from the sea is an experience, which will be etched in your memory for life. The honeymoon cruise package usually includes: 1. Champagne and Strawberries in the Stateroom on embarkment 2. Canapés delivered to your cabin on the evening of your choice. 3. A special Honeymooner’s party 4. Honeymoon Photographs. 5. Champagne breakfast in bed The following Honeymoon cruises satisfy the forever romantics and provide luxury unheard of:- 1. A Silver Sea Cruise is a love nest and provides Bed-breakfast, pre-dinner cocktails, a private verandah with canapés, complimentary Champagne and wine, a mini-bar stocked with the choicest of drinks to enhance your mood, delicious cuisine are the attractions of this Honeymoon Cruise. 2. Crystal Cruises are midsize luxury liners which provides all the above . Penthouses with personal butlers are also available at a nominal extra cost at this Honeymoon Cruise. 3. Wind Star Cruises offers everything you would have dreamt. This Honeymoon Cruise offers boats with which you sail away from ports at sunset and feel the exhilaration of cruising under white billowing sails. The spirited can go for scuba diving, kayaking, Windsailing, snorkeling etc. 4. Norwegian Cruise Line - The Norwegian Star is a specialty for romantic couples. Resort casual dining offers an alternative following a formal wedding at this Honeymoon Cruise. The destination is Hawaii (world’s most romantic destination) departing every Sunday and has a Wedding Chapel for intimate ceremonies and vow renewals. The destination shall be of your choice depending upon your taste – be it the romantic hills, historical monuments, beaches, tropical rain forests etc. All the cruise ships offering a Honeymoon Cruise have exquisitely done suites, gyms, swimming pools, beauty parlors and casinos to pamper the cruiser and energize the mind, body and spirit.

About the Author: Looking for information about cruises? Go to: http://www.whatcruises.com 'What Cruises' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for Cruises! Check out more cruise articles at: http://www.whatcruises.com/archive

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Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Namibia safari and tours at the website.