Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Wildlife’

Sun, Fun, And Not Culturably Outdone In Miami

September 24th, 2010 No comments

South Florida presents a number of cultural experiences which can be a part of the main reason why lots of people chose to visit or, in many cases make it their home. For those within Miami and wish to involve yourself in in more educational points of interest than the average visitor locations there are many alternatives there for you. In the Miami area there is certainly fantastic gardens, brilliant architecture, along with noteworthy landmarks. At the Fairchild Tropical Gardens you’ll be able to examine the unusual plants from all over the globe. Soak up the sights of the baobabs shaped like a bottle, the twisted trunks on the Pandanus palms, or the Heliconias which is a claw-shaped plant.

An additional way to get in touch with the environment while in Miami is to offer your senses a whirl with a number of the more one of a kind smelling plants held within conservatories. One deemed Mr. Stinky because of the appalling scent of its flowers when it blooms is from Sumatra. An additional rare flower that gives off the sweet smell of bubble gum would be the gardenia. As well as going to conservatories to view these distinctive flowers you can take the opportunity to ride through a rainforest or visit a butterfly garden plus take in a ballet.

You’re able to even experience the brilliant scenery of South Florida by just looking inside the backyard of many homes in Miami to see the Mango trees, which in reality aren’t a native plant, but are in fact from India. If you’re keen on the sticky sweetness belonging to the mango fruit you need to attend Fairchild’s July Mango Festival, which has food, fun, along with everything mango. An additional Miami event meant for gardeners to enjoy often is the plant sale held by Fairchild members in October. Garden lovers are capable of finding examples of the greatest botanical plants for exceedingly reasonable prices.

Approximately 25 miles southwest of Miami is Redlands where in years earlier the growers plus ranchers lived. For 40 years there has also been the Fruit and Spice Park located there in the U-Pick √Em strawberry and tomato fields. A stroll throughout this park is a great occurrence for every nature aficionado. Survey plants including black sapote, as well as miracle berries, in addition to soak up the aroma of allspice as you experience nature at your fingertips. While you are not allowed to take anything from the trees, any harvest which has fallen on the ground is fair game to enjoy.

One more must see in Miami is Coral Castle, an astounding sculpture garden made of stone. You can witness the monumental feat of a particular undersized guy by the name of Edward Leedskalnin. Many believe this magnificent structure was the result of unrequited affection. He managed to keep the details of his building process secret creating a baffling sense to the entire formation. A few of the shocking features of this landmark contain an enormous coral rock dining table and rocking chairs crafted from stone that are actually sensible. His capacity to carve such splendor out of 1,100 tons of coral rock is a secret that you ought experience for those within the area.

One more historic landmark to visit within the Miami area is Vizcaya, which was made of limestone by the industrialist James Deering. What was once created as his place of residence for the winter has become a museum for most to see. This structure was intended to resemble a several hundred year old Italian estate. Much thought was put into the architecture of the estate along with the gardens, which were looked at more as an outdoor area. One can find exquisite gardens present within the estate that include elements like statuaries, pools, and fountains.

The Art Deco district, an additional well-liked Miami destination, takes visitors back to the time when the region was mainly known for high-rollers and headline acts. The Deco architecture still present in ziggurats, glass blocks, porthole windows, and terrazzo floors are mementos of the gambling and bootleg whiskey that was once present. Not many of these reminders are remaining, but there are some locations worth noting that also give off that Deco vibe. The Tangerine Bar represents the glamour of the 1930′s. You can also step back in time at Raleigh while drinking a martini, and get that Deco feel at Quinn’s while enjoying classic seafood dishes.

If you’re looking for a sharp deviation away from the trendy clubs and restaurants in Miami it is possible to step into the peaceful ambiance at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The tropical plants, trees, and orchids together with the Japanese garden produce an environment of tranquility. While walking the grounds absorb the exceptional view belonging to the vertical living wall. It really is an ideal place to relax in the midst of the chic Miami lifestyle outside of its walls.

For those seeking to witness the awesome wildlife that South Florida has to provide just north of Miami in Davie lies Flamingo Gardens, a wildlife sanctuary and botanical collection. You’ll be able to expect to see many different creatures here like river otters, bobcats, Florida panthers, the Golden Eagle and other birds of prey, and alligators. If you want to experience all that nature has to offer while visiting South Florida then Flamingo Gardens will be attractive to you.

While you’re in Miami, there are many choices for lodging accommodations, thousands of beautiful hotels, and hundreds of resorts such as Solara Surfside, available from the Bluegreen vacation club. Regardless that Miami is a comparatively new city you can find a distinctive piece of history present in North Miami. An ancient Spanish Monastery which was originally shipped from Segovia to New York in 1925 is currently a tourist attraction in Miami. It is open to visitors as well as being an active parish church. This is more than just any tourist attraction. It is a place for reflection, meditation, and taking time to evaluate ourselves. So embark on a trip to Miami right now and take a genuine vacation away from your problems.

Michael Crane is a travel and vacation author focusing in Bluegreen resorts and Bluegreen vacations at amazing locations throughout the world. You can connect with Bluegreen directly for data concerning the top travel acommodations in the world at www.bluegreenonline.com.

South Pacfic Region Of Costa Rica

September 20th, 2010 No comments

This region is most commonly known as the Osa Pennsula. Some of the things you will find in it are: the highest mountain in Costa Rica, Mount Chirripo; Pavones, one of the longest left surf breaks in world; and Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. You will find the Osa Peninsula extending from Playa Dominical, south to Panama. Nature lovers go crazy here because this is where you can find the largest portion of preserved land in national parks of Costa Rica.

What places can I visit in the Osa Peninsula?

Dominical

This is a laid back town where you will be able to experience walking barefoot or swinging in a hammock in this cool seaside village. This is one of the best places to see whales and dolphins. This is also a popular surf spot but if you want to do it be careful it’s not for beginners.

Drake Bay

This is a secluded spot of Costa Rica popular among nature lovers and eco-tourists. You can only access it by plane or by boat and sometimes by taxi. Don’t be surprised by how remote this place is because locals want to preserve the natural environment of a natural world.

Puerto Jimenez

This is also a secluded place of the Osa Peninsula, Puerto Jimenez. In it you will find dirt roads, well developed tourist infrastructure, luxurious hotels and variety of restaurants.

Pavones

It is famous for its left point break. It is one of the longest surf breaks in the world and is the pride of Pavones. It has been recorded to last up to three minutes on a slow, south swell.

What are the most popular National Parks?

Ballena National Marine Park

This water park is named after the humpback whales that migrate here from August to October and December to April and give a brautiful spectacle. It also welcomes the Olive Ridley turtle as they come ashore to nest along more than nine miles of coast.

Corcovado National Park

It was called by the National Geograhic one of the “most biologically intense places on our planet” and with good reason. It has over 4% of the world’s total plant and animal species. It home to 370 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 40 species of freshwater fish, 117 species of reptiles & amphibians.

Marina K. Villatoro, has lived in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. With her first hand experience, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

Belize – Central America’s Smallest Country

September 15th, 2010 No comments

Belize is the smallest of all the Central American countries but don’t let that fool you because it has Mayan archaeological sites such as: Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai, lots of miles of beautiful white sanded beaches, rain forests filled with wildlife, lots of animal species and a culture with a very noticeable British influence but unique at the same time.

It is believed that this country’s name comes from the native word be’lix, meaning “muddy water”, as they referred to the Belize River. They have an estimated population of only 333,000 in an area twice as big as Jamaica. Here you can find lots of different cultures including Garifunas, Creoles, Europeans and Mayans. There might be a lot of cultures in Belize but all of them have a thing in common: They are warm and friendly people.

Belizean cuisine is influenced by British, Mexican and Western Caribbean cooking. In this country plantains, rice and coconut milk are ingredients of almost all traditional dishes.

This is the only country in Central America where the official language is English but Spanish and creole are common too. It has a tropical weather with a range of 16 to 30 C year round, yes even during the rainy season! This along with national parks and a Barrier Reef, over 1,000 offshore Cayes or islands offers tons of fun things to do such as:

* Fishing close to the reef

* Scuba diving among colorful fishes

* Snorkeling around the coast

* River rafting

* Mangrove kayaking

* Hiking in the rain forest

* Bird watching guided tours

* Discovering Mayan ruins

* Cave tubing

* Cruising tours

And for all for all of those travelers concerned about the environment this is also a place where eco tourism is becoming very popular in this country.

So stop giving it too much thought and come over to this Caribbean Paradise!

Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. Having first hand experience of all the places with her family, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

Things To Do In Monteverde

July 19th, 2010 No comments

1. Canopy Tour: This is the thing to do in Costa Rica. It is an exciting adventure that will take you along zip lines on the forest’s canopy.

2. Hanging bridges Tour: These tours take place in the forest and take you along trails and huge bridges over the forest. From them you get one of the most spectacular views of the area.

3. Sky Tram Tour: This allows you to see animals hiding in the trees.In it you will travel along the forest canopy sitting in gondolas. This is what I like to call the relaxed version of the canopy tour.

4. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Here you can explore the cloud forest and learn about its flora and fauna. This is a great place for a relaxing hiking tour. This tour is also famous among birdwatchers

5. The San Luis Waterfall: For a small entrance fee you can enjoy hike through the forest to the waterfall. That is because this is a beautiful waterfall located in private property-

6. Horseback Riding to The Waterfall: This is a very scenic and relaxing tour. The most common horseback riding tour of the Monteverde area is the one that takes you to the San Luis Waterfall.

7. Orchid Garden: This is a project that has one of the biggest orchid collections in Costa Rica. Right now they have more than 450 different species including the smallest orchid in the world.

8. Frog Pond: They have over 25 frog species, including the famous Red Eyed Frog. This is a small zoo for frogs but they also have some other reptiles.

9. Serpentarium: This is a reptile only zoo. In it you will find snakes, vipers, lizards, frogs and all sorts of reptiles.

10. Insectarium: Here you will find thousands of different species. This is also the place where a great collection of insects is located called The Jewels of Costa Rica. This is a great place for insect lovers.

11. Don Juan Coffee tour: Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about how coffee is made. It is a tour along an authentic coffee farm where excellent coffee is harvested and processed.

12. The Bat Jungle Exhibit: In the exhibit there are more that 40 live bats of 7 different species. Here you will be able to see and learn about these beautiful yet misunderstood creatures.

13. Hummingbird Gallery: It is home to mere than 100 hummingbirds from 14 different species of these fast flying birds. It is located right next to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

5 Amazing Nature & Wildlife Photo Contests You Simply Can’t Miss

April 12th, 2009 No comments

If you spend any time at all outdoors with a camera, you should try your luck in one (or all) of these contests. Even though the competition may be daunting, it’s always worth a try, and there are some really nice prizes up for grabs.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year This year marks the 45th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition held by the National History Museum in London and BBC Wildlife Magazine. The 12 categories (9 main and 3 special) are open to both amateurs and pros, and there are also 3 youth categories. You may enter up to 3 images for a fee of 20, and the jury selects one winner and one runner-up per category, all of whom receive cash prizes (500 and 250 respectively for the adult main categories).

Those under 18 may submit up to 10 photos, at no cost, in the youth categories (“10 years and younger”, “11-14 years”, and “15-17 years”). Acceptable subjects are wild animals, landscapes and plants, and the winner and runner-up in each category are awarded 250 and 100, respectively. The “Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year” gets to spend a day out with an acclaimed wildlife photographer, and also receives a cash prize of 500.

In the three special awards, the requirements are a bit more specific. For The Gerard Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife award, you need to submit photos of species listed as critically endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened on the 2008 IUCN Red List. The Eric Hosking Award is open to photographers aged 18-26, and participants are required to enter a 10-image portfolio. The One Earth Award focuses on conservation, and they are looking for images that encourages respect for nature. The winner of each category is awarded 1,000.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner gets 10,000, presented at a ceremony at the National History Museum in London. Deadline for 2009 is March 27, but if you don’t make it, don’t worry. Remember, it is an annual event, so you always have next year.

Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Named in memory of photographer and conservation advocate Windland Smith Rice, this annual contest, held by Nature’s Best Magazine and the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, is open to amateurs, pros and youths (under 18). The 16 categories include some that you don’t see in every competition: People In Nature, Small World Spectaculars, Zoos & Aquariums, Creative Digital, and Camera Club, where your club enter the contest as a group. The Grand Prize winner, category winners, and “Highly Honored Images” receive cash prizes and their photo(s) included in an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. For an entry fee of $25 you may submit up to 20 photos, and the deadline is May 4, 2009.

National Wildlife’s 2009 Photo Contest Open to everyone over the age of 17, this annual competition is looking for photos of mammals, birds, people & nature, backyard habitats, landscapes & plant life, other wildlife and global warming & wildlife. Pros, amateurs and youths are judged separately. The winner of each category is awarded $1,000, and two Grand Prize winners receive $5,000 each. You can enter up to 20 images for $15, and that also gives you a year’s subscription to National Wildlife Magazine. The deadline for 2009 is July 20.

The Great Outdoors by PDN and National Geographic Open to both professionals and amateurs, this contest has a broad range of categories: Insects & Gardens, Outdoor Sports & Activities, Beaches, Underwater, Islands, Parks & Safaris, Animals, Plants, and Scenes of the Natural World. The cost to enter (per photo or photo essay consisting of up to 6 images) is $35 for pros and $12 for amateurs. There is one Grand Prize – a five-night stay for two at Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya Hotel in Mexico – and several other prizes, including a digital camera, gift certificates to B&H, etc. The deadline is April 20 (with an extension to May 4 for an extra $10/image).

EuroNatur In this contest – “Nature Treasures in Europe” – they are looking for photos of European animals, plants or landscapes. It’s free to enter and you may submit up to 5 photos. Prizes include trips and camera equipment, and the winning pictures will be part of an exhibit at Schloss Wolfstein (a castle in Bavaria, Germany) and printed in EuroNatur magazine and in a wall calendar. The deadline is March 31 2009.

About the Author: