Travel with the Tide

A travel blog written by a guy who has visited all the continents except Antarctica.

November 2008 - Posts

The Natural Beauty of New Zealand

New Zealand is a beautiful country with a diverse geography. There are glaciers, mountains and even volcanoes which make up the landscape of the islands of New Zealand. The beautiful mountains are almost always topped with snow caps accentuating the beauty of the rivers and lakes of this region of the world.

New Zealand also boasts a diverse culture with both indigenous and immigrant population. There are cities which thrive in the New Zealand Northern Island and small communities which lay off of the beaten paths on the smaller New Zealand islands.

There are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy in New Zealand. You can take advantage of the wonderful natural scenery and go on a guided tour of the mountains or glaciers or you can kayak the beautiful rivers of the area watching for the wildlife.

New Zealand is the home for many varieties of whales, dolphins and a vast selection of interesting birds. Typically, you will want someone to show you where to see these wonderful animals although you can venture out on your own if you so wish. Cave diving is an especially popular sport for those who are looking for a new means of adventure. You can have a guide teach you the basics and then experience the adventure for yourself in a short period of time.

Once you have explored the natural beauty of New Zealand you may want to venture into the cities of Auckland and Wellington for shopping, dining and partake of their various cultural events.

New Zealand is home to several large cities including Auckland. Here you will find museums and shopping malls along with all of the great traditional food of New Zealand. Maori culture is also shown in exhibits located in the local museums of Auckland and featuring an abundance of ancient artifacts and modern information on the lifestyle of the Maori.

Auckland offers traditional entertainment as well and includes casinos and sightseeing tours of the area. If you wish to see all of Auckland in one trip then you will definitely want to visit Sky City. Sky City is an enormous glass tower which overlooks the entire city.

If you want to experience the natural beauty of New Zealand without all of the hassle then you may choose to visit one of the smaller islands. Stewart Island is a pristine picture of New Zealand forests at their prime. The island is mostly undeveloped and is the home of the famous New Zealand bird the kiwi.

You can sit back and enjoy the aurora australis on this small island making it the perfect spot for a camping adventure in New Zealand.

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Join the Jet Set in Acapulco, Mexico

You would be hard pressed to locate anyone who has not heard of Acapulco, Mexico. This popular Mexican town is the birthplace behind Mexico’s growing tourist industry. Prior to the creation of Cancun this town represented the ultimate location for beach related fun and excitement.

As an experienced traveler and writer of my adventures people always ask me if the magic is still there in Acapulco and I have to reply with a large “Yes”. This famous Mexican resort has much to offer the traveler in the way of luxury accommodations.

The town was once a small fishing village that comprised a natural harbor which was isolated by its surrounding jungle. Today is appears that its beaches extend indefinitely in all directions making Acapulco one of Mexico’s more popular beach resorts. The city may not be as modern as other resort areas nearby but it has managed to retain its charm and excitement with its abundant supply of cliff divers, it glamorous four star hotels and its modern disco nightlife.

Acapulco at one time was considered the Mecca of the jet set crowd. Many people can recall the movie made in the 60’s with the same name and featuring the King of Rock – Elvis. These are the same fans who now have been returning every year for 30 years now in support of their previous life style.

Since Acapulco is now the number two vacation resort in Mexico a visitor can find some real deals on their purchases at the local markets. For the most part the prices are lower then one would find in other areas of Mexico.

Would I return to Acapulco fro a vacation? You bet I would! Here you can enjoy the endless beaches with their warm white sand or perhaps you would like to visit one of the charming restaurants located in the hearty of the city. If the nightlife is your passion then you have come to the right place as Acapulco is the classic nightlife capital of Mexico.

When transversing around the city you must remember that within Costera Miguel Aleman which is the main street of the city the house numbers mean nothing what so ever. It is not unusual to find house number 200 residing directly next to house number 4201 while house number 1999 may be several miles further down the road. This makes it very important when obtaining addresses to get the beach name as well.

Yes without a doubt Acapulco is worth the time and effort to schedule a visit. It is an older resort and represents the classic Mexican paradise. Have a great time there.

<a href="http://akumalvacation.com/akumal_links/Travel_Links_Mexico/">Mexico Travel Links</a>

<a href="http://akumalrental.net/">Akumal Mexico Villa for Rent</a>

 

The Beaches of Cozumel

The island of Cozumel lies just off the coast of the Riviera Maya and offers you an incredible getaway for your vacation. You can easily visit the island on day trips by using the ferry service from other areas like Cancun, Puerto Aventuras and others. However, you can also choose to stay on the island. The town of San Miguel is home to numerous hotels, while the island is dotted with numerous resorts for your enjoyment.

You will enjoy some of the most amazing beaches in the world, as well as pristine jungles and even Mayan ruins on the island. Most of the sandy beaches are located on the eastern side of the island, looking out over the open Caribbean. The other shores are rockier, though you can find secluded beaches and inlets for exploration.

Palancar Beach – The beach offers white sand and easy access to the ocean. You will also find scuba and snorkeling gear for rent, as well as beach chairs and a restaurant for your dining pleasure.

Playa Sol – This beach is one of the most popular on the island. Horseback riding, scuba and snorkeling, a swimming pool, restaurant, Jet Ski rentals and more make this a great place for fun in the sun. This is one of the more crowded beaches on the island, as well.

San Francisco Beach – Snorkeling equipment is available for rent, and a restaurant is available for dining. You will also find that this is a perfect beach for family oriented fun and games in the sand.

Villa Blanca – Located just outside of San Miguel, this beach is another popular beach on the island. Numerous diving equipment rentals are available nearby. However, if you are looking for seclusion, this is not the beach for you.

Playa Bonita – This beautiful beach offers you beach chairs and a restaurant for your enjoyment. If you are looking for a smaller crowd of tourists, this is a great option.

Play Punta Moreno – The beach here is more secluded than others surrounding the island. You will find a great place to relax in the sun and splash in the waves, with few interruptions or other tourists.

Numerous other beaches exist on the island. However, one note on the eastside beaches – during the summer, these beaches are home to nesting sea turtles, making them much more secluded. Treating the turtles and their nests with respect is important.

You can see the lights of Cozumel from our house for rent in Akumal.

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Top Travel Destinations in Mexico

Cities like Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta have made many people realize that you can travel to Mexico with little problems or trouble. More importantly, these cities, as well as Los Cabos, Mazatlan, and Veracruz allow for the perfect couples or family retreats during vacation time.

When you want to travel to Mexico, Cancun is one of the top destinations. Located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun provides several lagoons and sand bars, as well as gourmet restaurants, shopping attractions, and several ways to enjoy the ocean.

Just 60 miles south of Cancun is the lovely little town of Akumal.  It used to be a sleepy little fishing village but it has become a tourist favorite with it's pristine beaches, laid back atmosphere and fantastic snorkling and diving.

Cozumel is another popular place to travel in Mexico. Cozumel is well-known for being the largest island of the Mexican Caribbean. The Palancar Reef and the ocean floor around the island are perfect for divers, skin divers, and cruise ship guests that travel to Mexico for fun and sun.

The white sandy beaches of Acapulco are just one of the reasons why millions of people travel to Mexico each year. A sanctuary for the rich and famous, Acapulco is known for the glitz and glamour that it provides.

Guadalajara, which is second largest place to travel to in Mexico, is a largely economical and political city. It is also full of beautiful and historic buildings that display the history and culture of Guadalajara.

Two of the fastest growing places to travel in Mexico are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Originally a haven for pirates, Los Cabos each offer a different type of environment for guests to enjoy. Cabo San Lucas has stylish hotels and condos with a number of sport fishing and water sports. San Jose del Cabo, however, is a quieter environment filled with beaches, golf, and shopping galore.

Puerto Vallarta has everything that you need when you travel to Mexico. It has multiple restaurant, golf, tennis, mountain biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, and everything that you need to do while enjoying your time and travels.

Also a popular tourist location, Veracruz is also one of the oldest cities. Activities like the country’s Carnaval, local museums, the open-air markets, and much more provide plenty of things to keep you busy while on your trip.

No matter where you go or what you do, when you travel to Mexico you can have as relaxing, active, or cultural experience as you like. You can also visit historic buildings, listen to the music, and enjoy the beauty of any area of Mexico.

Travel Links Mexico

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The Beaches of the Caribbean

If you are interested in beaches when you travel to the Caribbean, there are more than enough to occupy your time during your vacation. Cow Wreck Beach, Devil’s Bay, White Bay, Knip Bay, and Point o’ Sand Beach are all wonderful places to relax and play on the beach.

Cow Wreck Beach, Devil’s Bay, and White Bay are all located along the British Virgin Islands. The beach at Cow Wreck Bay was originally named for the cow bones that washed ashore from shipwrecks is now home to waves of sand dunes. It also offers a beach bar and provides a wonderful location for divers. The Cow Wreck Beach Bar provides lunch and dinner and offers a selection that ranges from burgers and ribs to lobster and shell fish.

Devil’s Bay, along with Spring Bay and The Crawl are popular locations for day trips, cruise ship stops and much more. Typically, Devil’s Bay Beach is one of the least crowded beaches for those who travel to the Caribbean. Visitors must arrive from the entrance of the Bay or through a hiking trail.

Named after the powdery white sand, White Bay is also a frequent stop for those in the British Virgin Islands. The White Bay Beach is located on Peter Island and is popular for scuba divers and snorkelers who appreciate the tropical fish and colorful marine life. It is just one of five beaches on the island and may even offer a glimpse of sea turtles as they feed in the bay.

Popular with the locals, as well as the tourists, Knip Bay Beach provides bright blue water and a setting appropriate for any sunset or sunrise. Once the weekend hits, live music and dancing turns the entire beach into one big party, which makes Knip Bay Beach a popular locations for those that travel around the Caribbean Islands.

One of the three islands that create the Cayman Islands, Little Cayman is home to the Point o’ Sand Beach. Point o’ Sand Beach is located on the eastern end of the island where those who travel to the Caribbean can go diving, snorkeling, and fishing, as well as enjoy a number of beach activities.

Remember to travel to the Caribbean from November to May. June through October is hurricane time for the Atlantic Ocean when tropical storms and hurricanes are present, although August and October. Additionally, you can pick an island when you travel to the Caribbean. Aruba, Curacao, and Barbados are usually outside the path.

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Puerto Aventuras – Adventure and Beauty

Traveling to Mexico's Caribbean coast is an exciting, exotic trip. You will find numerous cities and towns offer you fun and enjoyment. While cities like Cancun are obvious choices, the Riviera Maya offers many more options. Puerto Aventuras is one of the little known destinations in the area, offering you numerous ways in which to enjoy yourself.

Puerto Aventuras is a marina community, built around a spectacular deepwater marina. If you are sailing down the coast, this makes a safe harbor for your stay. You'll also find that the area is convenient to Cancun and all the rest of the Riviera Maya. A short trip down the coast is all it takes to find the best resort community in the region.

The community is home to numerous hotels and resorts, bungalows and condominiums. You will find no shortage of accommodations here. In addition, the area boasts numerous ways to enjoy your stay. The 9-hole golf course is a great way to enjoy a day in the tropical sun, while the tennis courts and other sporting options provide you with even more enjoyment.

One of the most popular ways to enjoy the area is sailing aboard a catamaran. You will find several companies and private operators offering charter trips. You can combine these trips with snorkeling, scuba diving and coastal exploration, as well. Deep-sea fishing trips are available and allow you to tackle numerous species of game fish for your enjoyment.

The marina, itself, is home to a large amount of enjoyment. You will find several options for shopping, from handicrafts to upscale shops. In addition, the marina disco is a great place to have fun once the sun goes down. Dining options around the marina run the gamut from traditional Mexican cuisine to island fare and even international dishes.

Alternatively, you can head out to Dos Ojos and other cenotes on the area. These freshwater sinkholes offer you diving, swimming and even underwater cave exploration. Filled with unique wildlife and stunning beauty, exploring cenotes has long been a popular way to enjoy the area. There are several national parks around the area offering you exploration of pristine jungle and seascapes. X'caret, Tres Rios and X'puha are nature theme parks in the area, combining the energy of a theme park with the spectacular beauty of the area. You will find an incredible array of attractions in the area for your enjoyment.

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