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Posts Tagged ‘Mountain’

Winged Safaris Amid The Desert Sands

August 27th, 2010 No comments
Complex dune: Dune 7 in the Namib desert, one ...
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The afternoons are by far the best time of day in Namibia. Sipping a cold drink as the sun sits low within the African sky, bleeding the harsh desert shades into soft pastels. As the still, evening air cools in the heat of the day, the sky becomes awash with an boundless sprinkle of stars.

Perhaps not as popular as some of its African neighbors, Namibia is really a jewel for those who are in search of wildlife and wilderness.

Occupied since the dawn of time, the community individuals, plants and animals have come a long way, adapting in remarkable and unique ways to their, often, tough environment. The distinctive culture, spectacular landscapes and exquisite silences of Namibia supply a welcome change from the frantic pace of modern life.

Big parts from the country are so distant and untouched, you will often feel like you’re the first individual to discover these magical places and you will never be missing room to look around at your own pace.

Gliding along a absolute blue, cloudless sky over the crisscross jigsaw from the cracked desert floor – a fly-in safari offers unequaled access to this parched and lonely land that belies the rich array of flora and fauna that calls it home.

Back on very dry land within the heart of Kaokoland, one from the final surviving wilderness areas in Southern Africa, following the rare desert dwelling elephant, black rhino and giraffe will take you exploring the tough landscape amid stunning mountain scenery. Silent, huge and for the most part empty, Kaokoland is truly the back of beyond.

Along Kaokoland’s northern border the perennially flowing waters of the Kunene River run past richly colored rock walls within the shade of wild fig trees, baobabs and waving makalani palms. A touch of white water rafting and canoeing offers some welcome respite from the harsh desert climes, and might bestow a glimpse of some of Namibia’s impressive birdlife, as an African fish eagle and a tiny Malachite Kingfisher hunt along the banks side by side.

A short, comfortable flight west will soon have you skimming low over the desolate, unworldly sands of the Skeleton Coast, dotted with a maritime graveyard of landlocked carcasses of ships whose surviving sailors came ashore to die in the pitiless wastes from the Namib Desert. Eerily cold sea breezes blow across hot desert sands that are frequently shrouded by fog.

A winged safari vehicle is the only method to get close to among the inhospitable sand dunes, canyons and mountain ranges of the Skeleton Coast Park, which offers a unique view of diverse and ever-changing geological formations and the refuges of black rhino and desert-adapted elephant.

A variety of local lodges provide the chance to explore and also the possibility of spotting a cackle of hyenas as you scramble over this bleak landscape on a quad-bike, or get stopped in your tracks by lonely-looking flock of ostriches wandering the desert amid the shimmering sands.

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Blue Mountain Chalets: A Great Place For A Family Holiday

February 20th, 2010 No comments

A holiday in the Blue Mountain area near Ontario in Canada will open up a whole new world of family fun. It doesn’t matter which time of the year you go, there will always be lots to do and to see. For the family man Blue Mountain chalets offer the best alternative by far.

For a family or 4 or more, chalet accommodation makes perfect sense cost wise if compared to a stay in a hotel. Should you stay in a hotel, you will have to rent at least two rooms, which will sharply increase the cost of your holiday. To pay for two rooms in a hotel for a week or more will make a serious dent in the family budget and simply mean that there is a lot less money available to do all the things that you planned to do.

If you stay in a hotel, you will also not have any facilities to prepare your own meals. That means you will be forced to eat all meals in either the hotel’s restaurant or at a restaurant in town. This will further escalate costs quite sharply and once again mean that you will have less money to spend on all the activities in the area.

Another aspect of a chalet holiday is simply the increased space it provides to every member of the family. The majority of chalets are quite roomy. There will in all likelihood be a lounge area where the family can watch television, play games or just relax. Most chalets also have a large kitchen counter with bar stools where all of you can gather to have your meals or just sit and chat.

The Blue Mountain area can get very cold in winter. This is the reason why very often your chalet will come with a fireplace where everyone in the family can cuddle together on a cold winter’s evening. Most of us will agree that the ambiance of a log fire is far above that of an electric heater in a hotel room. These evenings will become fond family memories in the years to come.

Chalets often even have such facilities as a pool table to keep everyone busy during a long, cold evening when it’s pouring outside. A few of the upmarket ones even come with a private swimming pool and a hot tub. If there isn’t a private pool, you will most likely have access to a communal swimming pool, which is excellent for hot summer’s days.

Staying in a chalet doesn’t cut you off from the activities in the surrounding area. You can eat out every evening if you want and do so in a different restaurant if that’s your choice. There are sufficient restaurants in the vicinity to please every palate. If the children want pizza and mom and dad want a cozy candle-lit dinner, there’s no reason why everyone can’t have exactly what they want.

Blue Mountain chalets provide the perfect family holiday in so many ways. There such a lot to see and to do in the immediate area that nobody will ever be bored. There are activities and entertainment for all age groups and every single family member will return home feeling refreshed and ready to face life’s challenges again.

Planning to ski or snowboard but don’t have a place to stay? Save money by staying in Blue Mountain chalets instead of hotels. Enjoy the comfort of a home while being close to the mountain in these Blue Mountain accommodations. With breathtaking views and in an area with many unique experiences, you’re bound to enjoy yourself.

Dressing for the Mountain: A Beginner’s Guide to Snowboarding Clothing

December 18th, 2009 No comments

Dressing for success isn’t just for a first date or a job interview. It’s just as important out on the mountain, where the wrong outfit can mean a lot more than just looking silly. Whether you’ve been snowboarding forever or are just starting out, the most important thing to remember is that dressing for the elements is just as much a part of staying safe as having the right kind of board and staying off of runs that are too difficult for your skill level.

While choosing the right board and binding is important, no one, beginner or expert, should consider a day on the slopes without planning accordingly.

You should avoid cotton like the plague because, unlike other synthetic materials or even wool, cotton absorbs water, a potentially dangerous trait for your clothing to have in the middle of a snowstorm when it’s freezing outside. Trekkers and professional skiers all know that cotton kills, and it’s no laughing matter! Don’t put it on.

Layers are a crucial part of dressing for snowboarding because it’s much more convenient to be able to take something off or put something on at a moment’s notice than it is to unzip a one-piece ski suit and go from there. Sometimes, a drop in temperature will necessitate adding a layer, while other times, on a warmer spring day, three layers just won’t be necessary. Layers make adapting a whole lot easier.

Long underwear and non-cotton socks make up the first layer to any snowboarding outfit, known as the core or initial layer. The purpose of this layer is to wear material that clings closely, but comfortably, to your body, keeping the heat trapped in. The thinness also makes the layers that come afterwards feel and appear a lot less bulky.

The insulation layer of a snowboarding outfit goes on over the base layer, but does not need to protect from the elements like the outer layer. Also known as the middle layer, this is what provides extra warmth by keeping heat locked firmly in while allowing water to be wicked away. The middle layer consists of a sweater or zip-up, usually made of wool or fleece. Its purpose is to provide a little bit more warmth while not adding too much bulk to the outfit. Boots are also included in the middle layer.

The outer layer of any snowboarding outfit is the stuff that actually keeps you from getting snow in your clothing. It is important to make sure that even something as simple as a cap is not made of cotton, as it is just important for your body to be able to “breathe” while bundled up as it is for the heat to stay locked in. Hats should cover your ears as well as the top of your head, and as people lose almost all of their body heat through their heads, it’s important to find one that fits securely and keeps the heat locked in.

The outer layer of clothing for snowboarding also consists of gloves, which are particularly important given that most snowboarding falls put the most impact on the hands and wrists. Make sure to get a pair that has extra padding in the palm, as well as sufficient insulation. Sometimes, a thin wool glove is worn inside of the large waterproof glove, for extra warmth on particularly cold days.

One of the most important elements of outerwear are the goggles, which protect against just about everything, from ice and water to tree branches and too much sun. Goggles should fit snugly around the face and be attached with a secure band so that they don’t go flying off during a particularly invigorating run.

The most crucial part of your snowboarding outfit is the snowboarding jacket. A water and wind repelling jacket is a must for riders, as well as an inner-shell that fits a little more snugly and keeps water out in case you fall down at any point during the day. Once you’re all suited up, it’s time to hit the slopes!

If you are thinking about visiting the Japan Snow, try the Niseko resort. It is amazing for those who want to try snowboarding in Japan

Luxury Resorts in Antigua Guatemala – La Reunion offers Relaxation, Pampering and Golfing

May 4th, 2009 No comments

There are some outstanding luxury hotels in Guatemala. When looking at Antigua Guatemala luxury resorts La Reunion offers some of the best golf and sports fishing experiences. Antigua luxury resort, La Reunion, is only 17 kilometers away from Antigua Guatemala. In 1979 UNESCO declared Antigua Guatemala a world heritage site. Here is an overview of La Reunion Luxury Golf Resort:

La Reunion is different from most Antigua Guatemala luxury resorts. It combines a residential zone, a sport club, a golf course and Antigua Guatemala luxury hotels. The architecture is elegant and is able to embrace the colonial feel of Antigua Guatemala. It is a fantastic collaboration between wonders of nature and luxury.

La Reunion Antigua luxury resort has 26 colonial hacienda style suites. Each has a private terrace with an outside pool, Jacuzzi and shower. The suites have relaxing ambiance. There are traditional highly detailed Guatemalan wood crafts and furnishings in each unit. Every unit offer views of the four volcanoes.

The master suites have two queen beds and a bathroom. The Suite Gran class has one king size bed, a living room with an ergonomic chair, and a bathroom. A Golf cart is included with the suites. The golf cart is to be used for transportation to the club house and around the resort. The suites also include an LCD TV, a bar, IPod base and CD player.

La Reunions was originally a coffee plantation. Now it is an example of Antigua Guatemala luxury. There are four imposing volcanoes that frame the Antigua luxury resort. They are Agua, Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya. Volcanoes and mountains are believed to be full of spirit. They are places that provide purifying and rejuvenating energy. Shamans still perform sacred ceremonies on Guatemalan volcanoes and mountainsides. La Reunion has wonderful scenic views of the volcanoes.

La Reunion has a stunning 18-hole professional golf course, Fuego Maya or Mayan Fire. The golf course offers spectacular views of the Fuego volcano and the Pacific coastline. This is a beautiful place to play golf in Antigua Guatemala. The course is designed to demonstrate similarities between the millenary Mayan calendar and golf.

The Mayan calendar has 18 20-day months with an extra period of five days. The first nine holes are connected to the first nine months. In the Mayan calendar the first nine months follow the sun moving north. The last nine holes connect with the last nine months following the sun as it travels south. Wayeb, the last five day period is for relaxing and preparing for the journey ahead. Much like the club houses so fondly known as the 19th hole.

Sports fishing on the Pacific is very popular in Guatemala. It is only 40 minutes from La Reunion golf resort to Guatemalas sport fishing marina. There Billfishing Adventures offers fishing tours or angling adventures. An exhilarating chance to catch sailfish, blue marlin, Dorado, tuna and all varieties of marine life. Sailfish offer a great battle between fish and angler. Sailfish are about 8ft long and 80lbs. They fight when hooked, providing acrobatic displays and speedy runs. A challenge for any sports fisher. La Reunion Antigua Guatemala luxury resort offers the opportunity to combine a golf vacation with sports fishing.

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Inkaterra Machu Picchu Luxury Hotel

April 28th, 2009 No comments

Situated deep in the cloud forest, next to the train station, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu enjoys one of the most exclusive locations in Peru; right next to one of the most iconic landmark of South America, the Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incan Empire, this Machu Picchu luxury hotel is an astounding and unique place to stay in Peru.

The Machu Picchu Hotel is constructed exclusively from local materials and rudiments. Based on conservation and preservation of the natural habitat as well as ensuring the preservation of the Incan culture, the Machu Picchu Hotel is built so as to integrate fully to the natural environment. The single or two- storey cottages of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Luxury Hotel features eighty five guestrooms constructed to create a lovely Andean village ambience.

The Machu Picchu hotel brings, features stone pathways, large patios and one- or two-story whitewashed cottages. Every room boasts local artifacts and colorful elements that reflect the traditional culture of the Incan Era, as well as pre colonial crafts that remind the diversity and richness of the multi-cultures. Guests have the chance to take enjoyable strolls amidst lush gardens and dazzling waterfalls, through a forest that was restored and well preserved. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel is the only hotel in the world that features a large collection of orchids ” 372 different species in their natural habitat. Moreover, the guests have the chance to see some of the protected and endangered species of South America, such as the endemic birds and butterflies.

The villas of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel are built with the traditional Colonial Style, blending Andean elements so as to create a unique environment. The Machu Picchu Hotel is more than a luxury hotel, it is a natural cloud forest destination that boasts a great number of attractions. The Villas are situated in a secluded area, overlooking orchid trails and the Vilcanota River.

The whitewashed bungalows is nestled amidst of the cloud forests of the Andes, with a variety of facilities at the guests disposal at all times. The UNU (water in Quechua) Spa offers body and mind treatments following the healing approach of the mountains and natives, using exclusively natural and local products derived from herbal extracts.

The Machu Picchu Hotel boasts one of the most unique restaurants in Peru; a glass walled dining outlet that overlooks the Vilcanota River and the mountain chain of the Andes. A palm thatched roof and Andean architecture that creates a romantic spot in Machu Picchu, catering novo Andino flavors. The quinotto is an absolute must taste.

There is no better way to prepare yourself for a visit to the lost Incan city, but a natural and secluded paradise, such as the Machu Picchu Hotel. Once in the hotel, you can feel the mystic and magic power of the mountains and valleys and the spiritual energy of the ancient culture. Luxury meets tradition, culture blends with mysticism and the enigmas of a lost civilization.

Inkaterra Association, is Inkaterras NGO, a non profit organization that is created to promote the conservation of Perus natural environment and its cultural and archeological resources. It develops scientific, technological, social and cultural research designed to manage and protect the biodiversity of Perus Andes and Amazon Rain Forest.

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