The Tale Of The Big Fish

If your ready to expand your diving experience – here we go…

There is a milestone in almost every diver\’s life: The seventeenth lake looks like very much like the good ol\’ lake next door. Truth is its kind of cold in here. And why the hell am I staring at a dirt covered car wreck, just because somebody has pushed it into the water?

Even the corals during the last diving vacation didn\’t thrill as much as they used to do. Sure, they are beautiful, but they\’ve been sensational once ago. Hey, there was a moray eel back there, but hold on, there will be another one sooner or later.

You get my point?

This is when the big fish are becoming the issue. Give me sharks and mantas, whale sharks and dolphins (ok, no fish). Give me a shot of adrenaline!

Let\’s get to the core right away: In my personal opinion these animals are worth every effort, every dime, every mile. It can\’t get much better than a manta gliding by in a diver\’s life. Maybe snorkelling next to a whale shark comes close. Most of us won\’t find any of these encounters anywhere close, but there are airplanes and carefully planned travelling is not necessarily expensive. Here is how we do it:

Preparation helps…

To get a feel for the destination we usually check „The diving network“ Divingnetwork.net. Don\’t take everything too serious there, but it is a good start! For accommodation purposes Trip advisor is a good source Tripadvisor.com. There are some lunatics around, too, but just disregard them. There is a new travel community around, also available in german as reisecommunity, which we like al lot, Planet Vacation Club Planetvc.com. Check out the WIRLL\’s, it is a smart idea!

I prefer to book the flights myself – it usually takes a while but it gets you better deals. There is nothing wrong with travel agencies – they always did a very good job. Just make sure to pick a diving specialist. They\’ve usually been to the places they sell and they will help you to avoid traps. A while ago a friend of mine missed the departure of his diving boat, because he underestimated how long it takes in Mexico City to change planes. Needless to say that this was a very expensive mistake. My recommendation: It is safer to book diving boats through agencies, but feel free to arrange everything else yourself.

Check the best time for your trip – a year ago

Many critters will only show up during a couple of months. Make sure you get your booking in time. Being there during the wrong season can be disappointing, trust me. But don\’t trust the weather forecasts too much. The monsoon for example obviously is not as predictable anymore. Rainy months can be dry and the „safe“ months rainy. It is a good idea to call and inquire.

Where to?

To get you started – we liked:

Mozambique – for example the Tofo area. Mozambique is still pretty basic, with big, empty beaches but this is going to change. You\’ll find friendly chaos, manta rays and whale sharks – not a bad combination! The simple accommodations are not too pricey yet, but luxury is an option, too. Connection usually through Johannesburg.

The northern part of Bali is quite a thrill, too. Meet some dugongs! There are a lot of villas or apartments available, which might be a better option than regular hotels.

We also like Mexico a lot! The Caribbean coast is more crowded. Try Baja California. The Islas Revilladas are among the world\’s most exciting dive sites – giant manta rays,

Hammerheads, whales, dolphins – you name it. Only diving boats go there, though, and the trips are kind of expensive. But worth it. And don\’t forget La Paz – they feature diving among seals, an unforgettable experience.

And don\’t miss the Maldives – the best atoll for diving in my opinion is Ari. The Maldives recently became pretty expensive, since they are in steady demand. But there is a wide range of islands from basic to luxury class.

And if you don\’t mind going even further: Palau and Yap are legendary diving areas – they offer everything you\’ll ever dream of. Don\’t expect perfection there – the islands itself are average – it\’s all about the diving.

Honourably mentioning: Australia, Galapagos, Cocos and Panama – haven’t been there yet 😉

We see these ferocious creatures on the Discovery channel all the time and they are fascinating to watch. I was wondering if there were any plans to exhibit Humboldts in say, the Monterrey Bay Aquarium? Don’t you think this would be incredible, to have an aquarium full of voracious Humboldts, especially during feeding time? Has anyone ever tried this before?

Places to Stay In Indonesia, Places Adventure Tours Indonesia Island

Places to Stay In Indonesia
Visit site www.vacationtoindonesia.com

Spending a relaxing and luxurious vacation in place stay in Bali is possible. Among the plethora of options, here are the top hotels in Bali arranged in no particular order.

Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort and Spa
Located in a secluded beach in Jimbaran, this five-star hotel is one of the best in place stay in Bali. Like the Four Seasons, this firs-rate hotel is not far from the Ngurah Rai International Airport and other attractions on the island. There are a total of 368 guestrooms, 38 of which are newly built

cliff villas with stunning ocean views. The rooms are all furnished and designed to meet every visitor’s need for comfort. The rates start at 0 per night.

The main attraction of this excellent place stay in hotel is the Spa complex. In addition, there are two outdoor pools in the resort, one of which is an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. Other amenities include a golf course, a tennis court, and a jogging path. The resort also has twelve lounges and restaurants that serve a wide selection of cuisines, from local Balinese food to European delights.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Stay Jimbaran Bay
One of the most respected hotels in place Bali, place Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay is ideal for rest and relaxation. It promises a wonderful and memorable experience in one of the world’s finest holiday place destinations.

The hotel is equipped with a wide array of amenities designed to cater to the needs of its guests. The service is also exceptional. The starting rate for each room is between 0 and 0. Just fifteen minutes away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, this vacation hotspot also serves as a place good starting point to get to some of Bali’s well-known attractions.

Live in sumatra
he great island of Sumatra the third largest in the archipelago and fifth largest in the world (roughly the size of California or Sweden), is Indonesia�s most important territory. In just about every way, strategically, economically and politically, Sumatra has always formed a pivotal “backbone” for the nation. place Second among the major islands in population numbers but first in exports (principally oil, natural gas, rubber, tin and palm oil, but also tobacco, tea, coffee and timber), it stands at the crossroads of place Asia.

Place Like Java, Sumatra is formed by a longitudinal range of mountains, a double fold in the earth�s crust with a central trough through which towering volcanoes have thrust upwards. This so-called Bukit Barisan Range extends for about 1,600 kms (1000 miles) in a northwest-southeasterly direction rising at several points above 300 meters (1000 feet). There are about 90 volcanoes in this range, 15 of which are active, but unlike those in Java and Bali they frequently deposit material of an acidic nature which does not improve the fertility of the surrounding soils.

Live in Lombok
To the east of Bali, across a deep strait seething with whirlpools and place swimming with dolphins lies Lombok, an island whose history and culture are intimately intertwined with those of her illustrious neighbour. Yet in many important ways, Lombok is quite different from palce and stay in Bali and Places to Stay In Indonesia . It’s climate is drier and land more rugged. And with 1.6 million inhabitants, a majority of whom are Muslim Sasaks, Lombok is only about half as densely populated.

Places to Stay In Indonesia Like Bali, Lombok is dominated by a towering northern volcanic range, with 3,800-metre (12,300-foot) Mt. Rinjani, the second highest peak place in Indonesia, at its centre. Another non-volcanic range traverses the barren southern side of the island (corresponding to Bali’s southern Bukit Peninsula), and most of Lombok’s arable land and the majority of her population occupy a narrow 25-km (16-mile) wide strip of land in between.

Irian Jaya is Indonesia’s largest place province covering approximately 253,616 square kilometers (158,510 square miles)of the western half of New Guinea, the worlds second largest island after Greenland. Irian Jaya is one of the most fascinating islands to visit and explore due to its geographically diverse landscape, rich bio-diversity and indigenous peoples. Irian Jaya is the last Indonesian island to be touched by the outsider and provides an opportunity to witness people just now emerging from the Stone Age. Live in Irian Jaya and Places to Stay In Indonesia
Irian Jaya constitues 22% of Indonesia’s total land area and may be divided into the 3 distinct regions; the Baliem Valley, the Casuarian coast and North and West Irian. Geographically Irian Jaya has enormous diversity from swampland at the southern coast, to Savannah, and snow-covered mountains.

The highlands consist largely of sedimentary limestone, sandstones and shale of tertiary periods. place Volcanic rock is not common in the mountains, but in one of the few places an igneous intrusion has appeared at Mountain Tembagapura in the Sudirman Mountains the outcrop has proved to be incredibly rich in copper, gold and silver and is now the site of the world’s most productive copper mine.

Lake Tahoe’s Western Shore Offers Plenty For Summer Vacationers

If you’re looking for a summer vacation with mountain fresh air and mild temperatures, then Lake Tahoe is the place for you.  The average summer temperatures are in the 70s and 80s.  Tahoe is known for its clear blue water and beautiful mountains surrounding the alpine lake some 4,500 miles above sea level.  The lake’s western shore in California offers several activities for summer vacationers.  From Tahoe City down to Emerald Bay, the west side has lodging, restaurants, boating, kayaking, boat cruises, swimming, hiking, rafting and tours of historic sites.

Tahoe City, the largest city on the western side, offers several options for your summer vacation.  The city has many places to stay and eat with plenty of lake side dinning choices.  The Sunnyside Lodge offers the mountain grill on their large deck overlooking the lake.  The grill has a casual atmosphere where kids are welcome.  The menu consists of appetizers, sandwiches, seafood dishes and salads.  The Calamari steak sandwich is my favorite menu item. Sunnyside is also a lodge that has been a landmark on Lake Tahoe since the 1950s. Their location is right on the lakefront with 23 guestrooms and suites.

Rafting and boat cruises are also popular activities in Tahoe City.  You can take a leisurely, self guided raft down the Truckee River.  The trip is a five mile float down the river ending up at the River Run restaurant. About half way down the river along the shore is an ice cream vendor.  This stop is a nice break and provides a cool treat on a summer afternoon.  You can also enjoy a nice meal along the river at the restaurant at the end of your trip.  From the restaurant you can take a bus back to your car on highway 89.  There are two different rafting companies on highway 89 offering rentals.

Departing from Tahoe City, the North Tahoe Cruises offer sightseeing boat cruises on the Tahoe Gal.  They offer four different daily cruises; a shoreline brunch cruise, a lunch cruise to Emerald Bay, a cocktail cruise and sunset dinner cruise.  We took the sunset dinner cruise that goes along the northern shore.  This cruise features views of some of the luxury lakefront homes and beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Further down the shore on Tahoe’s west side, between Homewood and Meeks Bay, is Sugar Pine Point State Park.  The park has many miles of inland hiking trails and a variety of trees including the park’s namesake, the sugar pine.  The park also has two miles of lakefront, but the beaches are too rocky for many beach activities.  Another attraction here is the rustic three-story Ehrman Mansion which was built in the early 1900s and is open for guided tours.

In Meek Bays at the Meeks Bay Resort and Marina, you have several summer activities to choose from.  Boat, canoe and kayak rentals are available along with access to beautiful white sand beaches, barbeques and designated swimming areas.  Meeks Bay also offers fishing, hiking and the Washoe Cultural Art Festival.  The Meeks Bay Resort offers a variety of lodging choices.  You can stay in log cabins along the lakefront or stay in a historic mansion.  The Kehlet Mansion rests on the bay’s north point and offers impressive views of the lake.

Emerald Bay is located in the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe and is home to a unique Vikingsholm mansion built in 1868 and features Scandinavian architecture.  The bay also has a small island, Fannette Island, where a Tea House was built.  This is the only island to be found on Lake Tahoe.  You can get to the Vikingholm by boat or by hiking down the trail from the parking lot on Highway 89.  The hike is about one mile and drops 500 feet to the base of the bay where the house is located.

Down the road from the Vikingshom parking lot, you will come to the Eagle Falls Picnic Area parking lot on highway 89.  From here you can hike the trail that leads to the Upper Eagle Falls which is about a one-third a mile away.  The hike is very rocky and has steep areas that drop off suddenly.  The trail offers several breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe.  If you keep climbing further up the trail you’ll reach Eagle Lake.  The hike is two miles round trip if you go all the way to the lake.

The west side of Lake Tahoe has plenty to offer summer vacationers.  From Tahoe City in the northwest down to Sugar Pine Point, Meeks Bay and Emerald Bay in the southwest, the western side of Lake Tahoe is a great choice during the summer months to enjoy all that Lake Tahoe has to offer.

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will redwood trees deter termites from your home.?
if you have redwood in the back of your home and then your neighbor has one that sits in the front of your home. how would that then effect your home. the redwoods sit in a way that one is in the back but also is by the left side of the house. and the one in front also is by the right side of the house. Does this make a differents?

Mexico: Truly a Holiday to Delight Your Senses

Mexico is located in the northern region of the American continent between the Gulf of Mexico to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Mexico is bordered by the USA to the north and by Guatemala and Belize on the south.  Mexico’s land area extends 1,964,375 sq km, which is broadly divided into six tourist regions.

Northern Mexico is known for its extreme weather conditions and is characterised by its deserts, nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges. Some cities in the region are key industrial and business centres.

In Central Mexico or the Mexican heartland, you’ll find plenty of natural surroundings, picturesque towns full of life and color, and beautiful colonial cities, some of which have been declared World Heritage sites.

Southern Mexico is lined with the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.  The region offers an abundance of marshes, mangrove swamps and forests, all of which are ideal for ecotourism outings and exciting outdoor adventures.

The Yucatan Peninsula is the gateway to the Mayan world, where you can enjoy the white-sand beach resorts and the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Here you can scuba dive along the world’s second largest coral reef. You can also swim in fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as cenotes.

In the Pacific Coast region, you’ll find cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, as well as some of the best beaches for water sports like surfing and fishing.

The Baja California Peninsula territory has been inhabited from time immemorial, in this region you can play golf on world-class courses, discover the underwater treasures of the Sea of Cortez, and witness the amazing migration of the Gray Whale.

Mexico’s 32 states are truly diverse, as each one has countless tourist destinations offering a wide array of activities.

Probably one of Mexico’s most important and famous beach resorts is Acapulco, which is located on the Pacific coast, 395 kilometers (245 miles) from Mexico City and 133 kilometers (83 miles) from Chilpancingo, the state capital of Guerrero. It has a warm, humid climate with temperatures ranging from 22º C (72º F) to 33º C (91º F) with sunny days throughout the year.

Among the port city’s many enticing qualities are: its beautiful bay, one of the best in the world; the calm waters of its beaches; the amenities offered by its well established hotel industry, which in recent years has undergone a major revamping, especially in the Punta Diamante neighborhood; and finally, the city’s unbeatable nightlife, which offers one of the hottest playgrounds among Mexican vacation destinations.

For those who have never visited Acapulco, we recommend that you visit la Isla de la Roqueta (Roqueta Island), an ideal island setting where you can either relax or enjoy some scuba diving. You’ll also want to check out the infamous   La Quebrada, where fearless cliff divers plunge into the ocean below. If you’re looking for a little excitement of your own, Acapulco offers bungee jumping and parasailing, where from high above you can admire the stunning panoramic views of the bay, the hotel zone and the surrounding mountains, in their utmost splendor.

Nearby Acapulco, you can visit the beach of Pie de la Cuesta, known for its spectacular sunsets, or Puerto Marques, with it beautiful bay and calm waters. Finally, don’t miss out on Barra Vieja, where you are sure to enjoy delicious seafood dishes prepared in traditional Mexican restaurants.

The capital of Mexico is Mexico City, the oldest metropolis on the American continent.   The city is perched atop a highland valley at about 2,240 meters (7,392 feet) above sea level.  Towering high above the city’s southeast side are two volcanoes: Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl.  The nation’s capital has some of the best weather in the world with an average temperature of 22º C (72º F).

Once known as the City of Palaces, Mexico City has two areas that were declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. The first, the Centro Historico (Historic Center), has beautiful historic and religious buildings, such as the Catedral Metropolitano (Metropolitan Cathedral), one of the most important architectural structures in the Western Hemisphere.

The Palacio Nacional (National Palace) has spectacular Diego Rivera murals that chronicle Mexico’s history. And Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts), which hosts the city’s most important cultural events, is a beautiful construction that blends art nouveau and art deco styles. The other World Heritage Site, Xochimilco Ecological Park, is often called the Venice of Mexico due to its beautiful canals. Flower-painted boats offer tours of the canals and floating gardens.

If you’re interested in cultural events, Mexico City offers a wide variety of museums, such as the Museo Nacional de Antropologia (a world-class anthropology museum), the Museo Nacional de Arte (The National Art Museum) and the Museo Nacional de Historia (a history museum in Chapultepec Castle where you can see an amazing exhibit that chronicles the nation’s history and art, from the pre-Hispanic era to present day).

In north Mexico City, you can visit the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the most visited basilicas in the world; in fact, it is second only to Saint Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City, in the number of visitors it receives each year. This is a must-see for those who want to learn more about the city’s customs and traditions.

What’s more, Mexico City is a cosmopolitan metropolis, where new and old traditions coexist side by side. Here you can go shopping at bazaars and crafts markets in the Coyoacan and San Angel neighborhoods. Or you can go to exclusive boutiques and shopping centers in the posh communities of Santa Fe and Polanco, where you’ll be surrounded by the comfort of top-notch hotels and restaurants.

Mexico is well recognized in the world for its rich gastronomic tradition which offers a great variety of dishes and beverages prepared with innumerable ingredients. The taste, aroma and texture of these ingredients can charm even the most demanding palate and thus turn Mexico into one of the most important destinations in the sphere of international cuisines.

Mexico is becoming a more popular tourist destination, especially for wedding parties and honeymooners, touring, its world heritage sites and its gastronomy.

More information about Mexico, how to get there and where to stay can be found at http://www.travel-tastic.net.

Been at the computer too long? Need a little break? Take this 1-minute vacation. Look, listen and imagine yourself in Northern California, meandering down the Feather River towards Lake Almanor. Then you can get back to work.

i am a republican and i wanna go to humboldt state. do you think i will be able to take the liberalism?

Villa Clara Keys: a natural luxury

Described by Christopher Columbus more than 500 years ago as “the most beautiful land which human eyes have ever seen”, Cuba has never ceased to fascinate visitors due to its exuberant natural beauty, warm and affectionate people, rich culture and beautiful colonial cities. Because of its location, Cuba is one of the most privileged islands in the Caribbean regarding its biodiversity, state of conservation and high number of endemic species.

There are more than 300 fine sand beaches in the country, with warm placid waters free from pollutants and covering approximately 600 km of the national territory. Many are found in the more than 4000 neighboring pristine keys which offer an exceptional product.

Villa Clara Keys are a capricious cluster of some 500 islands, strewn along a sea of varying shades of blues and greens off the northern coast of the central province of Villa Clara and close to the second largest coral barrier reef in the world. It’s a tropical paradise with more than 17 km of fine-white sand beaches.

Villa Clara Keys, covering more than 77 844 hectares, are a veritable wildlife refuge and provide a habitat for some 248 species of plans. The most precious jewels are Cayo Las Brujas, Cayo Ensenachos and Cayo Santa Maria, renowned for their immaculate landscape of incredible beauty, with sugary-white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, fringed by autochthonous vegetation and connected to Caibarien, a small fishing town on the Cuban mainland, by a 48 km causeway stretching over the sea -accorded an international prize for its harmonious combination of nature and engineering in an area declared a World Biosphere Reserve- thus enabling visitors to access the keys directly from Santa Clara City, site of the international airport. The causeway has a total of 46 bridges especially designed to allow the flow of sea water, therefore protecting both the biodiversity and sustainability of the area.

There is a small air terminal in Cayo Las Brujas for the operation of small and medium size aircrafts.

Villa Clara Keys, located approximately 300 km from Havana, are part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, the largest archipelago surrounding Cuba which extends 465 km along the northern coast of the country.

A site of legends, it is said that this island, maze of singular biodiversity, was once a haven for pirates and buccaneers ready to pounce on ship passing along Cuba’s shores.

Cayo Las Brujas takes its name from an old legend about a young couple whose love was thwarted by a jealous uncle, who in turn is the namesake of another islet: Cayo Borracho, which means drunkard. The remains of the San Paulo, a ship that ran aground many years ago, can be observed a mile away from the key. Built in San Francisco, California and launched in 1919, the ship evokes the presence of American writer Ernest Hemingway in the area. From its deck, Cuban painter Leopold Romañach found inspiration for some of his famous marine landscapes.

Cayo Ensenachos is the smallest of the three keys but it’s a refuge for 22 endemic plants and 39 wildlife species. Shaped like a horseshoe, the islet was originally an aboriginal settlement. The beach is always calm due to the position of the key which prevents the large waves from hitting the shore with force.

Cay Santa Maria is also known as the White Rose of Jardines del Rey. The key was named after the flagship of Christopher Columbus’s fleet on his maiden voyage to the New World. Legend has it that this strip of land-some 13 km long and 2 km in width- is haunted by the spirit of Rosa Maria Coraje, a woman who hid aboard a ship in a desperate attempt to find both paradise and her beloved. She landed on the key and managed to survive hiding in the marshes, among the mangroves and feeding on fish, until she finally discovered her dearly-loved in a neighboring key.

Villa Clara Keys are a challenge to fantasy, as one is quickly captivated by this pristine paradise by simply breathing its cool sea breeze. If this Cuba destination has captivated you, make sure to read our next article concerning Villa Clara Keys hotel accommodations, so you can ensure that your vacation in Cuba will truly be a memorable experience.

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