Tuesday, April 25, 2006

5 Nice Places to Visit in Puerto Rico

by Omar Vega

There are a lot of places to visit in Puerto Rico on your trip. Most people concentrate on the main attractions on the metropolitan area of the island, here we feature 5 nice places to visit out of the way, they are worth the driving and the experience, enjoy.

• Las Cuevas de Camuy National Park
This national Park features on of the largest cave systems in the world. visitors will walk into parts of the caves and explore a small part of the system. The surrounding areas feature some nature settings that make for very good views.

• La Parguera, Bioluminescence Bay
Another very unique place to visit on the island. this bay has micro organisms on the water that when disturbed they "light up" and produce a beautiful display on the water. this phenomenon happens on various places around the world, but in Puerto Rico is the only place that is guaranteed for it to happen every night.

• Arecibo radar observatory
In the north par of Puerto Rico you can visit the famous radio telescope, the largest of this kind of the world. Its large receptor plate it's larger than 12 football fields, used to spot signals from planets and in the SETI research for extraterestrial life. Inside the Observatory there are science related exibitions of different subjects to watch.

• Mayaguez Zoo
Mayaguez is home to the only public zoo in the island. The zoo 2 main animal selections are the African Forest and the African Savannah. Also it features a Beautiful bird sanctuary.

• Ponce Art Museum
The Ponce Art Museum has the largest art collection of the Caribbean between pictures and sculptures. Its collection have many European works such as works by Velasquez, Rubens and Rodin, and others.

About the Author
The writer of this article is the webmaster of http://www.parador.info Paradores en Puerto Rico Website. On this website you can find all the information you need about the Paradores, or small country inn's in Puerto Rico.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Island Paradise by the Reef

by Rory James

My wife and I went on a tropical island getaway during our trip to Cairns, Australia. We found a tourist cruise line that transports passengers daily on a 45 minute catamaran ride out to a small resort island. The island we visited is named Fitzroy Island and is located off the coast of Cairns near the Outer Great Barrier Reef. We only spent the day on the island but could have easily seen ourselves spending several days relaxing at the island hideaway that we discovered there.

The island is a tropical paradise; white sandy beaches; tropical foliage; clear blue water; rainforest; walking trails; everything anyone would want for a secluded island escape with the person they love. We spent time on a pontoon boat during the afternoon, snorkeling and basking in the sun.

After snorkeling, we walked along the "Secret Garden Walk", a rocky path through the beautiful island rainforest. During our walk we marveled at the large cockatoos in the trees and found our way to a lookout over a glorious white sandy beach named "Nudey Beach". I cannot say if the beach lives up to its name since the people on the beach were a fair distance from our vantage point on the rainforest path.

After returning to the resort restaurant, we ate a delicious steak dinner and then headed off hiking on another walking trail up into the hills to view the old island lighthouse before returning to swim in the freshwater pool at the resort.

We had a wonderfully relaxing day on the island. The tiny resort had several quaint little cabins and bunkhouses for overnight guests. It would have been a real treat if my wife and I had stayed at the resort overnight and watched the sunset together on the sandy beach; but we had plans for the next day that required us to take the catamaran cruise back to Cairns. It was definitely a day to always remember.

Copyright 2006 Rory James

About the Author
Rory James is publisher of an informational website, FlyingRugrats.com, providing free planning tips for parents who fly with small children when traveling.
This article is free for republishing if published with author information and web site link.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Travel Hong Kong: 12 Must See Places

by Robert Thatcher

Hong Kong features a diverse mixture of characters as a result of long British occupation and a great Chinese influence. As a state of China, Hong Kong provides a good introduction to who ever wants to know more about China without entering the mainland plus a venue for more attractions with western culture and Asian spirit.

1. Hong Kong Museum of Art - Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong's culture and history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, and lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).

2. Hong Kong Disneyland - The newly open and the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun and excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA.

3. Victoria Peak - Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher and take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.

4. Lantau Island - Travel Hong Kong and take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.

5. Ocean Park - Travel Hong Kong and visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you and your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda and butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef and shark aquariums are found, and Headlands amusement park where you can go and take a ride with cable cars and roller coasters.

6. Water World - Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, and water slides.

7. Middle Kingdom - A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, and palaces only at Middle Kingdom.

8. The Central district - If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls and several Western designer and signature boutiques are located.

9. Lamma Island - If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.

10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) - Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses and colors.

11. Hong Kong Space Museum - See what's in store for you in the future at Hong Kong Space Museum. The complex offers hundreds of displays ranging from telecommunications, robotics, energy, computers, and physics with hands on experience that will keep you interested.

12. Wet Market - In Hong Kong, everything is fresh. And when they say fresh, they mean it. If you happen to travel Hong Kong to visit a friend or someone you know, come along when they go to wet market where the freshest among freshest seafood are for sale.

About the Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides hong kong travel resources on www.your-hong-kong-travel.info.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Riviera Maya, Mexico - Your Next Vacation

by Selvyn Patterson

Set in the eastern section of the Yucatan Peninsula and bathed on two sides by the crystal clear turquoise water of the Caribbean lies the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. There situated south of Cancun and stretching down the peninsula coastline is Riviera Maya. Due to its lush jungle, landscape, shoreline and history, Riviera Maya has a variety of attractions to entice travelers. A vacationer in Riviera Maya has a rich selection of either relaxing or stimulating activities to embark on.

Water sports Water activities in Riviera Maya run the spectrum from the quiet tranquility of secluded white sandy beaches to thrilling scuba diving. Those who are into adventure and scuba diving will be amazed exploring the breathtaking Great Maya coral reef. Formed due to the warm transparent water, it is the second largest barrier reef system in the world. The reef is home for varieties of corals. It is teeming with numerous kinds or reef-dwelling fish. Not to mention the colorful marine life that can also be found there, such as, sponges, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, starfish, sea urchins, lobsters and crabs. Divers and those who like to snorkel will also be impressed investigating the subterranean freshwater rivers with exceptional cavern structures. The ardent fisherman will take great pleasure in the sport fishing that is available here.

Golf
The area boasts a choice of professionally designed courses for enjoying a challenging round of golf. Along with the magnificent landscape, there are driving ranges, putting greens and club houses. Quality golf merchandise can be purchased in the pro shops.

Spas
During the day, one can visit a spa for ultimate relaxation. Each spa provides its own forms of service from various types of exercises and massage methods, such as Yoga, Shiatsu, Reflexology, hot stone massage and scalp massage to soothing body scrubs and wrap treatments. In addition, you can awaken your senses with aromatherapy baths or indulge in more traditional therapies, like facials, hair treatments, manicures and pedicures.

Natural Parks and Archaeological Sites
While vacationing in Riviera Maya, one ought to visit at least one ecological reserve in the area. The Sian Ka'an biosphere affords the visitor an astonishing view of nature at her finest. It is here that many diverse species of flora and fauna converge into a nature lover's delight. Xcaret EcoPark is both an ecological and archaeological park. Sightseeing is a wonderful cultural indulgence at the ancient Mayan ruins. While most structures are Mayan in origin, there is a Catholic church erected by the Spaniards. Some of the exhibits that can be seen at Xcaret are the Orchid Greenhouse, Butterfly Pavilion, Manatee Lagoon, the Mushroom Farm and Coral Reef Aquarium. You can even swim with bottle-nose dolphins.

Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is the major town in the region and runs along the beach; offering tourists prominent hotels. The pulse of the city is Fifth Avenue (Quinto Avenida) which is the main street and caters to pedestrians as cars are not allowed. While strolling down Fifth Avenue, you are likely to see artists, musical groups and other unusual sights. Playa del Carmen affords the avid shopper a wide-ranging choice from delightful browsing in boutiques for colorful local handicrafts to picking up the latest trends in European fashions. Most Riviera Maya's restaurants are located in Playa del Carmen and of these the greater part is located on or near Fifth Avenue. You are able to dine on authentic Mexican cuisine, American style or International menus like Italian. After a fun-filled day about town, tourists can partake of intense partying and dancing throughout the night in the bars and night clubs.

Glorious Riviera Maya is a vacation destination that appeals to every taste and desire which is sure to produce warm memories that are able to endure a lifetime. For an outstanding tropical getaway, it is hard to find a better resort location for your next vacation.

About the Author
Adventure Package Travel: for travel tips, advice, insight and booking for Air/Cruise to North American and Caribbean vacation spots. Visit: http://www.travel-adventure-guide.com