January 2009 - Posts
Aktun Chen, located along the Mayan Riviera, is just 4 kilometers
south of Akumal. This provides a perfect chance to take a fun tour of
the place most known for its many underground caves.
The name “Aktun Chen” means “cave with an underground river inside”
in ancient Mayan language. Nearly 988 acres of jungle surround the
cavern where Mayans harvest the gum from a local tree called
“chicozapote” as they have for centuries.
Three caves call Aktun Chen “home”, and rivers flow underground in
all these caverns. The main cave offers an easy walking tour that may
even be an option if you need the use of a walking cane. Most who are
able to walk on their own, even with manual assistance, are able to
navigate the cave paths.
Indirect lighting from several openings in the cave prevents an
uncomfortable experience for those who suffer from claustrophobia.
Water and calcium carbonate formed the stalactites, stalagmites and
natural sculptures seen there over the past five million years.
Regional and local wildlife is also easily seen in Aktun Chen. This
includes white tail deer, spider monkeys, badgers, wild boars, wild
turkey, iguanas and many kinds of birds.
When arriving at Aktun Chen’s main cave, a specially-trained guide
will greet you in the reception area. The guide will then take you and
your tour mates on an hour and fifteen minute tour of the 600 meters
long cave system.
During the tour, you will have the chance to view a beautiful cenote
with crisp, crystal water that is 12 meters deep. Local flowers and
plants abound at this cenote, and offer an ideal photo shoot for future
memoirs.
At the end of the cave tour, a small restaurant is available for a
quick bite to eat or a relaxing drink. This beer for a unique taste of
Aktun Chen.
When arriving and leaving the cave, you will notice the reception
area which is surrounded and decorated with local tropical flowers.
This will also offer an ideal chance for you to take a photo of the
pretty scenery or a memorable moment with your travel mates!
Eco tours are also available at Aktun Chen, offering several chances
to hike and climb cliffs, as well as tour the local rainforests. The
largely untouched environment in which Aktun Chen resides allows
visitors to truly experience the local wildlife and plant life in its
raw and natural form.
Akumal House for rent.
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Tulum, located 15 miles south of Akumal, was once called “Zama”,
meaning “place of the dawning”. This spectacular place which sits on a
cliff facing the east Caribbean shoreline offers many Mayan ruins and
ocean views for a day or short visit.
It is usually thought that Tulum was an important city in Mayan
world between 1000 A.D. and 1600 A.D. Only the elite Mayans lived
there, where the lovely views of the ocean suggest the remains of an
ancient country club. However, a 20-foot wall surrounds the site to
keep invaders from both land and sea from entering Tulum.
This place was one of the first Mexican cities discovered by the
Spanish Conquistadors, though the high walls dissuaded them from
entering it. At that time, Tulum was the only city still thriving when
it was discovered.
It was the major center of resistance during the 19th century War of
the Castes, though later succumbed and signed a treaty with the Mexican
government in 1935. In recent times, Tulum has become a major tourist
attraction in the Mayan Riviera for those who appreciate ancient
architecture and craftsmanship.
Buildings throughout Tulum boast several columns and intricate
carvings. The most famous building ruins in the city include the
Temple of the Frescoes, Castillo Pyramid, and the Temple of the Diving
God.
The Temple of the Frescoes is well-known for housing multiple 13th
century murals which picture ancient ceremonies highly regarded by the
Mayans. One such mural depicts the Mayan goddess of fertility and
medicine, Ixchel, which is extremely rare. Outside, pieces of the
stucco are still painted red; it is believed that at one time the
entire city was covered in this same paint.
The Castillo Pyramid is known as a scenic place offering multiple breathtaking photo sea invaders.
The Temple of the Diving God boasts a figure above the entrance
doorway which depicts a man diving headfirst toward the earth. Two
similar frescoes are found at Coba in the Grand Pyramid, and are
believed to reference the planet Venus. The image may also be called
“the bee god” or “the god descending”.
Tulum offers a unique insight into the lifestyles and living spaces
of the elite Mayan civilization members. Contrasted with the beautiful
carvings and superb architecture, the high walls speak to the city’s
resistance to influence from outsiders over several thousand years.
It is only about a 15 minute drive from our villa in Akumal to the Tulum ruins.
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The small Canary Island of Lanzarote makes an ideal destination for a good value winter sun break. As this tiny speck of Spanish located just seventy miles off the coast of Africa. Granting the island withal great year round climate with temperatures that rarely fall below 21 Celsius - even in the depth of December and January. Add in over 90 beautiful beaches, a profusion of cheap flights to Lanzarote and a host of unique tourist attractions and it’s easy to see why the Island of Fire has long been a hot favourite with British and Irish tourists. Attracting over one million visitors from these two countries alone during the course of 2008.
Acomodación
There’s an excellent range of accommodation on the island for visitors to select from. The best Lanzarote holiday villas are located in the south of the island, in and around the newest resort of Playa Blanca. Where luxury villa and hotel accommodation forms a central part of the mix. Those planning a holiday on a budget should head for the islands oldest resort and rent a holiday apartment in Puerto del Carmen. Where prices start from as little as €200 per week for a stay on a complex such as Plaza Palmeras. Which is centrally located in close proximity to all of the bars, shops and restaurants in the resort.
Getting to Lanzarote
Lanzarote is serviced by a number of leading low cost flight operators such as Monarch, Thomas Cook and easy Jet. With flights available to the island from all major UK airports. The journey time is a bearable four hours and prices average out at around €200 return. Depending of course on the time of year. All flights arrive at Lanzarote´s sole international airport, called Arrecife, flight code ACE.
The airport is very centrally located and the island is small so transfer times to the main resorts are minimal. With Puerto del Carmen just ten minutes away by cab, Costa Teguise fifteen minutes and Playa Blanca about half an hour. The majority of visitors will be transported to their resorts by coach, but independent travellers will have to rely on a taxi - as their is no shuttle bus service to and from the main resorts.
Sighsteeing
For a small island Lanzarote is big on attractions boasting plenty of natural beauty spots as well as some incredible sites created by the island born artist Cesar Manrique. Who had a major influence on the development of tourism on the island. Thanks to Manrique advertising hoardings are banned, high rise buildings are outlawed and all of the islands tourist resorts are well cotnained.
Visitors can also view his philosophy of fusing art with nature in action at places such as the Jameos del Agua, where he converted a collapsed lava tube into an underground auditorium and the Mirador del Rio, where h transformed naval gun battery into a breathtaking lookout point.
Lanzarote is also famous for its volcanic origins and visitors can view the epicentre of these eruptions at the Timanfaya National Park. Where the eerie lavascape never fails to make an impression on tourists. Head for the north of the island for a contrast to the arid lava flows and tour the verdant Valley of 1000 Palms. Where villagers used to plant one palm tree for every new born girl and two for a boy.
Chile is considered to be among one of the nicest South American
countries to visit. If ever you wanted to find and travel to an
interesting and friendly South America location then this would have to
be the location. With its world famous Andes volcanic peaks to its
ancient forest lands Chile represents a nature lover’s paradise. This
county has many of nature’s best held treasures. The Torres del Paine
is foremost of these places and is one of the many proofs towards the
claims of fame for the nation of Chile. The beautiful Lake District
tends to hold most of the enchanting forest destinations that one can
find in this remote county.
Entry into the country of Chile is actually quite easy. If you
happen to have a valid passport you can quickly apply for a tourist
visa for immediate entry. The visa can be easily obtained provided you
have complied with all the legal requirements for entry via the Chilean
Embassy. Spanish is the native language involved in this beautiful
county thus it would be to your advantage to learn one or more of its
more important words or phrases. Foreigners who can speak in the
countries native tongue can always put a smile upon any of the local’s
faces as well as a sparkle in their eyes.
While visiting in the country of Chile you can always rest assured
that you can easily find a very good and reasonably priced place to
stay for the night. Most of the hotels and inns offer similar
capabilities as those that you would find in America. The business hub
of the capital city begins its operation at about 8 AM in the morning
and close for a meal break at noon. Some shops and businesses will then
reopen at about 3 PM or 4 PM and will eventually finalize its day at
around 8 or 9 PM in the evening. Finding a nice place to sit down and
eat an evening meal with an abundance of fine dining is always an easy
task in Chile as delicious food is considered a valuable asset. A 10
percent tip is always required in all the best restaurants within the
country.
If you happen to be a fan of nature then you would certainly enjoy
the chance to experience a different kind of nature trip where you can
find a relaxing vacation with a chance to get in touch with the natural
sceneries that are everywhere in Chile.
Visit my Akumal Travel Blog.
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Mention the words “Great Golf Courses” and often the first thought
which quickly comes to mind is an image of the largest and the most
successful of all golf course projects ever conceived in the whole
world – that of the Robert Trent Jones golf trail. With its 432 holes
this course offers unique world class design thoughtfully blended with
elegant style and consists of a total of ten different golf linkswhich
reach from one end of the state of Alabama to the other. The Robert
Trent Jones Golf Trail is one of Alabama’s most significant landmarks
andis their highest achievement in regards to the sport of golf.
The popular Golf Digest has named five of the ten golf trails
associated with the Robert Trent Jones golf trail for their list of the
Fifty Top Golf Courses in the World.
This is a golfer’s dream as the golf fan can play golf until they
tire in any of the ten golf sites of the assembly. These include
Cambrian Ridge, Grand National, Capitol Hill, Highland Oaks, Hampton
Cove, Oxmoor Valley, Magnolia Grove, Ross Bridge, Silver Lakes and the
Shoals. Being one of the most honored golf courses within the world,
the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail was a major location for several of
the world golf famed golf events such as the 1997-1997 Nike Tour
Championship, the 2000-2002 Buy.Com Tour and the LPGA AFLAC Finals held
in 1998 thru 2001. Upon checking the archives you will surely find that
many golf professionals such as Tiger Woods and other international
golf personalities had already played their sport in this world
renowned sporting facility. And did I mention that the courses have
some of the lowest green fees in the USA?
If you happen to be a golf enthusiast and you are planning an
upcoming golf trip then we would highly recommend that you consider
attending one of Alabama’s Robert Trend Jones Golf Trail courses. This
is especially vital if you happen to be considered as a major contender
in the sport. No golf enthusiast would be satisfied to read about this
series of courses without seeing and playing the course in person. You
can have it all as you play any of the many courses in this one of a
kind golf trail. If this sounds like a great trip that would be of
interest to you then don’t wait to contact your local travel agency or
go to http://www.rtjgolf.com/trail/ for further information concerning
this superb facility.
Akumal Traveler
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Akumal Bay is known for its many species of sea turtles which use
the grounds for breeding, feeding and rearing their young. This
provides an optimal chance to see the animals in their natural habitat,
including the many colorful species of fish and plant life.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are perhaps the favorite activities to
do during a trip to Akumal, but snorkeling is a less physically
demanding and technical option. With a short instruction course and a
good site choice, snorkeling is relatively easy for even first-time
beginners.
One popular site for snorkeling in Akumal is the Yal-ku lagoon.
This site is an extremely rare environment where fresh water meets with
salt water from the sea. The combination of the two types of water is
called a “halocline” effect.
Only very specific species can live and thrive in this halocline
lagoon, and the mixture of salt and fresh water supplies creates an
altered appearance of the water itself. Many species found in this
area are not found anywhere else in the world, and have been featured
on many travel channel specials in recent years.
Casa Cenote is a lagoon featuring mangroves and bright fish
displays. Many snorkelers find the fossils in Cenote at Dosojos quite
worth while for a day of exploration. Many of the fossils seen at
Dosojos date back to original civilizations that once occupied the area.
Snorkel lessons are usually a good thing forfirst-timers prior to
traveling to one of these sites. Although the activity is simple, some
find that they are uncomfortable with the equipment or unsure how to
best watch the underwater scenery while safely using the equipment.
A fun activity for locals and tourists alike is night snorkeling.
Typically, a flashlight is used in conjunction with traditional
snorkeling equipment for this activity.
Many species which are not observed during daylight hours can be
observed when snorkeling after sunset. This is usually because they
are night-feeders or resting during the day.
The octopus is a perfect example of this phenomenon. Octopuses only
come out to feed at nighttime, and change color when a light is focused
on them. Virtually all of the life seen at night are safe for
swimmers, so night snorkeling is a family-friendly activity as well.
Plant life and some types of fish are also luminescent at night.
This creates greenish lights shining either continuously or flashing at
night – quite a show for someone who is only used to snorkeling during
the day!
Why not rent our house in Akumal Mexico and bring the family?
Visit my Akumal Travel Blog.
Prince Edward Island is one of the most beautiful areas in Canada, a
peaceful retreat that embraces the natural beauty offered by the sea
and the greenery of the nation. Although the island is quite populated
and is, in fact, the most densely populated area in the nation, most of
Prince Edward Island is dominated by national parklands where the
environment is protected.
There are several tourist attractions
on Prince Edward Island most of which feature the beaches of the
island. There are several local attractions of interest to the tourist
or traveler particularly the theaters which usually offer plays and
musical performances throughout the year.
If you want an inland
adventure consisting of the outdoors you will want to participate in
the bike tours around Prince Edward Island. The area is a truly
beautiful place with a picturesque coastline dotted by small boats and
cottages. Bike tours provide you with the opportunity to see all these
senic features up close.
The Confederation Bridge joins the
Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, making
travel throughout the Maritimes easy and convenient. The curved 8 mile
long bridge is the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water, and
it stands as one of Canada’s top engineering achievements of the 20th
century.
The Confederation Trail is popular among the cyclists
who want to view the entire island by bike since it stretches from one
end of Prince Edward Island to the other. The Confederate Trail was
made specifically for cyclists and hikers so that you can slow down and
enjoy the island without worrying about traffic.
There are
dining experiences for families who have a small budget as well as
restaurants that specialize in formal fine dining encounters. If you
are in a hurry to have your lunch then you may wish to check out one of
the great traditional seafood restaurants around the Prince Edward
Island region.
There are also several four star restaurants
located on Prince Edward Island. These restaurants are great for that
special evening out with your family where you can enjoy fabulous food
complimented by great company.
If you are visiting the Prince
Edward Island to simply spend some time with your family you can spend
quality time at the Victoria Park in Charlottetown. This park contains
all of the traditional activities for families with children including
a great pool and a tennis court. For those with teenage children there
is even a skateboard park within the confines of Victoria Park. Your
family will love Victoria Park and you can even visit some of
Charlottetown’s historic locations while you are there.
Of
course, nothing beats a day on the beach and Prince Edward Island is
home to a long coastline of wonderful sandy beaches. Your family will
love playing on the sand dunes that line the coast or simply lying in
the sun enjoying the weather.
Akumal Oasis
Akumal House for Rent
You can enjoy a memorable vacation in our private villa located directly on a white sandy beach in South Akumal, Mexico. Villa Paraiso is truly a "house in paradise" set in a lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific! The blend of brilliant sunlight, emerald and turquoise water, cool ocean breezes and lush tropical vegetation is breath taking. You walk through the garden filled with hibiscus, orchids and bougainvillea and into an authentic Mexican villa!
Our four-bedroom luxury home is decorated with rich red, green and white colors of Mexico and filled with local art. The ground floor has an open plan living and dining room area with a splendid view of the Caribbean Sea. Our colorful Mexican hand carved wooden dining table seats eight and the large fully equipped gourmet kitchen is a chef's delight. Why not have the staff cook for you? They prepare wonderful Yucatan style food as well as Mexican and American delights!
The four bedrooms all have comfortable king size beds. There are two identical master bedroom suites with sitting areas. One of the other bedrooms has a ocean view and the fourth bedroom has a garden view. The villa is complete with a computer with a DSL connection, WiFi Hotspot, satellite TV, VCR, stereo system, a pair of two person kayaks and a large selection of books to read. The entire house is fully air conditioned.
Step out of the living room or downstairs master bedroom onto the marble terrace surrounding the swimming pool with it's Jacuzzi and waterfall. This is the perfect place to swim, sun and relax! The sandy beach in front of the pool is a perfect place to nap or read a book in the shade of a palm tree and listen to the ocean.
Mix yourself a cocktail at the wet bar and sip it in one of the double hammocks on the upstairs terrace while listening to the waves lap on the white sand beach.
In front of the villa is a spectacular reef that runs from Belize to Cancun. This world-famous barrier reef protects the lagoon and keeps the warm crystal clear water calm and safe for swimming, snorkeling, diving and leisurely cruising around in one of our two person kayaks. The roof-top patio is a perfect place to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean or set over the jungle while listening to the tropical birds sing. The area around Akumal is home to many spectacular Mayan ruins, golf courses and world class diving and snorkeling.
You can rent Villa Paraiso in Akumal, Mexico… a tropical paradise!
Nova Scotia is a diverse area with roots in both French and Scottish cultures. There are many unique and interesting activities found in the Nova Scotia area including biking along the Lighthouse Route and rafting the wide tides.
There are several biking tours which are available in the Nova Scotia region. You will love biking across the beautiful terrain of this area and seeing first hand some of the most popular sites in the country by way of a bike. These interactive tours will offer you the opportunity to see Nova Scotia up close and become familiar with the diversity which flows within the country.
Whether you want to see the Bay of Fundy from your bike or simply wish to visit as many of the unique places in Nova Scotia as you possible can, you will definitely want to take advantage of the local bike tours.
Walking and hiking tours may not be as expansive as the biking tours in Nova Scotia but they will take you into the Canadian countryside that is typically inaccessible through other means. The tours typically end in a stay at one of the charming bed and breakfast hotels in the area which are renowned for their home like atmosphere.
The walking tours in Nova Scotia are a great way to observe the wildlife in the area as well. There are plenty of moose, birds and even bears which reside in the area.
The Bay of Fundy is one of Canada’s most interesting sights. You can experience the world’s highest tides firsthand when you take part in one of the Nova Scotia traditions of tide rafting. The change in the water level is amazing. We watched it fall over 8' while we were having lunch!
The Bay of Fundy features a multitude of diverse species of marine life including several species of whales.
There are few large cities in Nova Scotia. Instead, you will quickly discover small towns and villages dot the wonderful region which is filled with natural beauty. Halifax is the one city that is bustling with energy although the towns and villages of the area have a lot to offer as well.
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and is also home to several historic sites especially historic war sites from both the French Canadian War and WWI. The city is built upon one of the most historically valuable harbors in Canada.
There are many unique experiences available in Halifax which makes it a wonderful destination including interesting and friendly people, shops and dining experiences.
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