Tuesday, May 31, 2011

great resort for snorkeling in the Riviera Maya (cc)

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Saturday, May 28, 2011

"Rarotonga and Aitutaki: 21-25 August" Martinakhaelss's photos around Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Preview of Martinakhaelss's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: www.travelpod.com This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Rarotonga, Cook Islands Entry Title: "Rarotonga and Aitutaki: 21-25 August" Entry: "Rarotonga, Cook Islands: The small airport of Rarotonga welcomes us with traditional life music played on the Ukulele, the traditional guitar. Welcome to the Pacific - I feel like in a James Bond Movie. Rarotonga is a simple island, the beach of my guesthouse is nice but the water very shallow and swimming is not possible. The activities offered on Rarotonga include snorkeling (by boat or kayak to one of the small islands around), hiking (due to rainy weather the famous island walk is not possible) or diving. I decide to escape the rainy weather and book a flight to Aitutaki for the next day - Aitutaki which is supposed to be the most beautiful lagoon in the world. Aitutaki, Cook Islands: Aitutaki´s lagoon is really stunning, the blue colors amazing, nevertheless, the water is also very shallow for swimming or snorkeling; therefore, there is a couple of tour organizers on the island who offer snorkeling trips to some small islands outside the bay and this trip is really breathtaking. We spend the whole day on a small and comfortable boat, stop twice for snorkeling in the most blue water I have every seen, stop on two small islands for bird watching and barbecuing ... the most beautiful snokeling trip ...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Hiking Bruce Peninsula

We decided to spend Labor weekend at Bruce Peninsula, famous for its crystal clear water, ancient stone plates and rocks, pebble beach and challenging hiking trails. Our initial thought was to stay at Cyprus Lake or private campground, or in worst case scenario at the motel. But all sites and rooms were booked. It was possible to get a regular motel room for $173 per night, but we thought it is too pricey.

And then we were lucky enough to book so called backcountry campsite. There are only 18 sites like these offered by Bruce Peninsula National Park. These sites can be only accessed by feet through moderate difficulty hike trails and don't have electricity, therefore are not popular among regular tourists. They offer true wilderness experience. And unbelievably 3 sites out of 18 were still available two days prior one of the most popular long weekends in Canada!

Of course, such camping requires some fitness and special equipment, but I already collected all camping items over last 8 years of camping. Some important items for two-day backcountry camping are: hiking boots, large backpacks (75-85 liters), light-weight tent (I love my $400 MSR Mutha Hubba tent), small gas stove, light-weight sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Also you need to take proper amount of food to last at least 5 servings, as the calories burn fast.

So, after one day of preparation, we left Toronto on early Saturday morning to get to Cyprus Lake Park around 10 am. It took us 4 hours to get there. At Cyprus Lake you pay the fees and register your vehicle for overnight parking.

Bruce Peninsula has 2 backcountry campgrounds called High Dump and Stormhaven. There are four main access points: from the south it is north end of Crane Lake road (Highway 6 -> Dyers Bay -> Crane Lake), in the middle we have Halfway Log Dump that is the end of Emmett Lake Rd and Cyprus Lake; and you can access the trail from the north at the end of Little Cove Rd.

Ideally, you can spend 3 days of hiking starting from Crane Lake to High Dump on the first day (8km), then, hiking 12km to Stormhaven on the second day finishing in Tobermory on the third day with 20 km hike. But since we had only 2 days, we decided to hike from Cyprus Lake to Stormhaven and then hike back on the second day. The backcountry campsite costs around $30 per night plus you pay $12 for each night of parking.

Initially we hiked from Cyprus Lake to Grotto. Grotto is the most popular attraction for all Cyprus Lake campers (hundreds of them), so don't expect any privacy or piece there on the long weekend. In a summer weekend it reminds a zoo. But once you get away from the Cyprus Lake trail, it is getting very quiet and wild. We met only few people during our 1.5 hour hike.

The water is very clear therefore it does not get warm even by the end of the summer. I would assume it was around 15 degrees Celsius, but it was completely worth getting through the chill due to the amazing snorkeling in the blue wonderland.

The hike trails gives very good variety of shore line, steep rocks and deep woods. It is marked with very visible white marks that are hard to miss. By the way, the trail is part of the larger Bruce Peninsula trail that is 863 km long and connects Niagara Falls with Tobermory.

Once we arrived to the site, we were impressed with the quality of campsites. Campsites had wood platform for the tent, special ropes for storing the food away from bears and very fancy composting bathroom that uses sawdust.

Because of few campsites, the community of campers is very small and cozy. It consists of hikers and kayakers and most of them are very experienced travelers with many interesting stories to share. The sunset was breathtaking. In the morning we had our breakfast prepared on gas stove (open fires are prohibited), packed backpacks and hiked back from this small paradise.

There are a lot of great rental cottages at Bruce Peninsula and hiking the Bruce Trail can be great one day adventure.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Fun and Adventure Await On Those Metal Detecting Hunts

You don't need to be new to metal detecting to learn how to search for treasure. It is very easy to learn how to use a metal detecting unit. Metal detecting hunts are a lot of fun and the chance of finding some type of treasure is great. Knowing some of the best places to hunt is very helpful but not necessary.

Hunting with a detector is a wonderful hobby and it has many benefits. It can provide the hobbyist with an active lifestyle which is something we could all use. It could also provide an opportunity for the hunter to meet new people and make friends that may last a lifetime.

It will provide you with the means to learn a little more about history and perhaps provide you the chance to travel to new places and make a nice discovery. What a wonderful way to build a strong character and learn more about yourself. It truly is a wonderful hobby.

The beginner will need to get some information from the internet about hunts and what type of equipment to buy. Since you are just starting off in this new hobby you should start with the basics and not try to compete with the more experiences until you have some hunting time under your belt.

You will probably start detecting around your area for coins, jewelry and maybe some personal things that may have been lost months or years ago. It really doesn't matter because when you are starting, it is a big thrill anytime you find something. It will give you the opportunity to study about your hobby and improve your technique.

There are many types of hunts but the most popular for the beginner could possibly be the hunting for coins. It is fun to find the coins and there are many areas where this can be accomplished. This could be picnic areas you visit, maybe the beach you enjoy during the summer months or any area where there may be the possibility of someone losing coins. That includes parking lots.

For those living close to the ocean, it is very exciting to go hunting for treasure underwater and there are many ways to do this. The first may be snorkeling, which is usually in less than 20 feet of water. There is also scuba diving with a detector but this will require scuba training which is not very costly and can be a really fun and exciting experience, as well.

Metal detecting hunts are great as a hobby but you will need a lot of information to really know what you are doing. It world be helpful if you have friends who hunt or maybe try joining a club. There are many. You could go online and absorb as much information as possible about basics and also what the best type of gear is best for you. Find someone who has a metal detector and try to find a detector club to join. Have good hunting and stay safe.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wyndham Westwinds Resort by Alligator Adventure and Myrtle Beach Parasailing and Casino Cruise

BOOK NOW: www.extraholidays.com Wyndham Westwinds sits directly on one of the area's nicest beaches, tucked away from the crowds, yet conveniently located to Myrtle Beach's top attractions. Wyndham Westwinds offers spacious one- and two-bedroom deluxe suites withfully-equipped kitchens, washers and dryers, dining rooms, large bedrooms with plenty of closet and storage space, and living rooms with pull-out sofas. All suites include private balconies with breathtaking oceanfront or ocean views where you can admire the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Wyndham Westwinds is a great choice for reunions and other special occasions. The perfect vacation home - away from home - for a weekend trip or an extended stay. Wyndham Westwinds is a magnificent ten-story tower that offers a warm resort ambiance and extra-friendly hospitality. The resort features an indoor swimming pool, outdoor children's pool and hot tubs offering countless ways to soak, splash and play the days away. A large variety of daily activities for kids (and adults too) offer limitless fun for the entire family. The Myrtle Beach area is all about the beaches, delectable foods, fun-filled amusement parks and some of the finest unique shopping venues. You will find lively nightlife for the adults including live theater performances, adventurous water sports for the whole family and fishing in an area where you can also learn all about history at the same time. The Myrtle Beach area has all the fun, which starts ...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Getting the Best Snorkeling Equipment For a Perfect Snorkeling Experience

Snorkeling is a lot of fun, but before you go into the water, there is a couple of things you need to know. You need to choose your snorkeling equipment carefully and properly learn how to use it. Let's consider some of these equipment.

Snorkeling Mask:

How do you know if a mask fits well? Take your snorkeling mask and put on your face as if you are going to wear it, then you try to breathe in through your nose and see if the mask sucks up against your face without leaking air. If the mask will stay on your face when you let go of your hands then you probably have gotten a good fit.

Snorkel:

Another nice piece of equipment to have is the snorkel. Well you do not have to have a snorkel, its just that it is really tiring to constantly lift you head up out of the water to breathe, so a snorkel solves that problem. There are several type of snorkels, amongst a variety is a special kind of that has a little float at the upper end. What it does is that when you go under the water the float closes off so the snorkel doesn't fill up with water. It is particularly a nice type to have as you can enjoy an extended stay under the water.

Snorkeling Fins:

Another nice piece of snorkeling equipment to have is a pair of snorkeling fin. Now if you are in really shallow water say two to four feet deep, you might not need the fins. But if you are in water that is a little bit deep or if you want to cover a wider area then its nice to have fins because they help you glide effortlessly through the water and when you are snorkeling you want to be very relaxed and just try not to work too hard so you can enjoy it.

Generally, just about any sandy beach for instance in Florida is going to be a good snorkeling when the water is clear, there are also few places where there are natural geographical features that makes snorkeling even more fun. Moving further north to the Tampa bay area there is the Egmont Key, another great place will be the St Andrews state park in Northwest Florida near Panama city. Otherwise, you may want to go book a snorkeling holiday abroad with interesting experiences like with the Punta Cana snorkeling or you may want to try snorkeling in Cabo for a change of scene and refreshing experience.

Now we have learned how to choose our snorkeling equipment and how to use them and how to go out on the water and thrive in one of our going to be best snorkeling experience.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

La Ballena Rental Vacation Home Villa Cozumel Mexico

cozumelrentalhomes.com **Please view the video in HIGH QUALITY** La Ballena is one of the very few villas in Cozumel that lies directly on the ocean on one of the finest sand beaches on the island...no coral laden,rocky entrance here....just crystal clear waters, and white sand between your toes. One of Cozumel's true finds, this very special four bedroom, three and a half bath villa is perfectly suited to couples, friends and families and will comfortably accommodate your group of up to eight, with a maximum nine persons. Come on in and take the tour! La Ballena is the perfect holiday retreat! Decorated throughout with Rustico Mexican furnishings and special local art, your will feel perfectly spoiled at La Ballena. Stunning views of the Caribbean can be enjoyed from both the kitchen, dining room and one of the two living room spaces found on the first level. Tucked between the two living rooms you can find a desk with high speed internet access (bring along your laptop) and a half bath that services the first floor. Around the corner you will find a fully equipped kitchen with microwave, toaster, blender, coffee maker etc., a roomy dining room with seating for eight, pull up kitchen counter seating and stepping through the sliding doors to the screened-in porch, a table and chairs for four more. Just off of the kitchen and toward the front of the villa, is a wonderful new grilling station, prep and outdoor sink area...the perfect addition for the grill master in your ...

Friday, May 13, 2011

US Divers Junior Snorkeling Set

US Divers Junior Snorkeling Set www.amazon.com US divers junior snorkeling set provides excellent quality, our youth/small adult masks are designed to offer contemporary styling, great features and durability. This kids mask and snorkel set is appropriate for children approximately 6 to 12-years old.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

H2Odyssey Snorkeling Vest - Great For Kids, Great For Adults Too!

Snorkeling is indeed the perfect bonding activity for families. For one, the sport can be played by adults and children of different ages. And more importantly, snorkeling is a sport that both parents and kids can enjoy together. While inexpensive, letting your kids get into snorkeling action can also become an avenue for learning. It's such a pity that many parents still hesitate to get their kids into snorkeling.

Aversion for kiddie snorkeling is a byproduct of unfounded parental fears over drowning incidents involving children. Little do they know that many of these accidents actually transpire in a swimming pool - not at the beach. In fact, parents can employ a number of precautionary measures to guarantee their kid's safety when snorkeling. The don of a snorkeling vest is one top measure to this end.

Great for Kids. Snorkeling vests allow kids to stay afloat close to the surface as they probe the attractions of the underwaters. In fact, the snorkeling vest from H2Odyssey can be easily adjusted to meet buoyancy requirements. When snorkeling, a minimal inflation of the vest (through its oral inflator) produces a cushion over the chest to help keep the head and snorkel over the surface. Meanwhile, the vest can be packed with air to provide extra buoyancy during times of emergency. Now kids can enjoy snorkeling without the need for 100% attention from their parents. Made of 220 denier nylon material, the vest is designed to be tear and rupture resistant; along with adjustable straps and buckles that fasten the material firmly over the body. And with its bright yellow top, parents can easily spot their children from a distance.

Find optimum comfort in the wear of the H2Odyssey Snorkeling Vest, as it doesn't bulk and bunch up like any other snorkeling vests. It also provides warmth around the chest and back areas, which makes snorkeling much more comfortable, even in relatively cold waters.

Great for Adults as well. Kids are not the only ones requiring snorkeling vests - even adults do. In fact, the vest can be used as scuba gear to provide additional buoyancy during the dive.

What's good about the Snorkeling Vest from H2Odyssey is that it is retailed in both kiddie and adult sizes so that the functionalities created for kiddie users are also made available in the adult sizes of the vest. Of course, wearing a snorkeling vest is an optional thing for adults; but then, it's always better to have this gear donned for emergency buoyancy requirements.

So for some family fun, grab your snorkeling gear and don't forget to wear the H2Odyssey Snorkeling Vest [http://www.scubasuppliers.com/site/1408308/product/SVX], and create more familial snorkeling memories you can treasure for a lifetime.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Thursday, May 5, 2011

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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

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Monday, May 2, 2011

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Sunday, May 1, 2011

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www.bermuda4u.com Tobacco Bay Beach is the main public beach in St Georges Parish, Bermuda. Its sheltered waters make it one of the best beaches in Bermuda for kids, snorkeling and swimming. Facilities include a concession selling food, drinks, and renting snorkelling gear, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Tobacco Bay Beach is extremely popular with cruise ship passengers visiting the town of St George. The beach is a 10 minute walk from the centre of the town.