Adventures for Anyone

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Get to Know the Wildlife in Turks and Caicos

Winter time means that a lot of us are looking for somewhere less cold and frosty to spend our time. This is that time of year when fleece and sweaters feel cozy and warm, but wouldn't it be nice to throw it all off and run around in a t-shirt and shorts?
Well, here's the answer. Above is the airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This place is a little off beat for the Caribbean, but they have some things that you won't find anywhere else. That's what I'm always after. And I have to admit, looking for something different in the Caribbean was difficult. Most of the islands, no matter whom they belong to, are pretty much the same. Sorry, but they are. They're all beautiful, and they're all warm. They all have great beaches and friendly locals. That's all true. But, when you're looking for something a little different, all of that becomes a little annoying, even though it shouldn't.

The Turks and Caicos archipelago is an amazing dive spot. On Gibbs Cay the Manta Rays are plentiful and friendly. There are companies there that will gladly take you out to meet them. I can't stress enough, they are wild animals. If you do this, please be careful. Look what happened to the Crocodile Hunter. For the most part, they are friendly and curious about humans. You will also see see turtles and even sharks. It's a good idea to go with a guide for guidance and support though.

Providenciales Island has the Coral Stairway Reef, an amazing home for coral and all the amazing wildlife that lives there. And this reef is not alone. There are many of them around the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Grand Turk Island not only has a fabulous coral reef, but it also has a 7,000 foot drop off just off shore. Diving in that area you will see things that you can only see a couple of other places in the Caribbean and Central America. Coral reef diving is an amazing way to see the world under the sea, but once again, respect the creatures. They are wild, and even though they are friendly most of the time, don't count on it. Also, once again, go with a guide.

And here he is, Turks and Caicos most famous national treasure, Jojo the Dolphin. This guy came to the area many years ago, and is one of the few lone dolphins in the world. He made friends with a scientist who has spent his life looking after Jojo and studying the dolphins in the islands. He's a friendly guy who visits with people off the coast of the islands, most often Providenciales. I know you've seen Flipper, but Jojo's behavior is actually quite unusual. Most dolphins are not as friendly with people and stay in pods. He's a different dolphin with a different personality. Just remember, he's wild. Don't think that he is there to serve you. Respect animals in their natural habitat as everywhere.

Here's some more wildlife for you on Providenciales. This is a Conch. I don't know whether it's male or female, but they do have both, and on Providenciales there is a conch farm. It's the only one in the world.

Queen Conch Farm is the only place in the world that raises conch for profit. It is a delicacy in the islands and growing in popularity around the world. You can come here for a tour and to meet the conch up close and personal. They will also cook some for you so you can see what it tastes like. I know it's not the up close and get friendly experience that the coral reefs and dolphins are, but it is truly unique and the only place in the world to see this style of farming. There are daily tours available, and it will be an experience that you won't forget.
So, come to Turks and Caicos. You'll get to see some great and unusual wildlife. But that's not all.
Then there's the Hole. That's right, it's a hole. It's approximately forty feet wide and 80 feet deep. This place is for an adventure. The idea here is that you go out and repel down into the hole. What's down there? A swimming hole. That's right, go swimming 80 feet down inside a hole. That's a good one. There are local guides that will be happy to help you do this, and it's a great way to spend the day. So, after you've seen all the wildlife, take another kind of a dive and take a swim.

Turks and Caicos is a beautiful tropical spot in the world. It's one of the most unspoiled areas in the Caribbean. There are still a few islands in the archipelago that are uninhabited. You can spend a day there with no one to bother you. There just aren't enough good things to say about this place. It has all the resort hotels and everything from cities to villages. It has an airport and cruise ship docks. It has great beaches and wonderful fishing. But it has that one thing that some other islands don't have. Personality. They have a famous dolphin, they have coral reefs full of wonderful life that rival any others in the world. They have a 7,000 foot drop off just off the shore of an island. They swim with rays, sharks, and turtles. It's a fascinating place with so much wildlife to explore that I didn't even mention the whales. Come take a look and leave the Bahamas behind. Take a look at something a little different in the Caribbean. If it's good enough for Jojo, it's good enough for me.

http://caribbeantraveler.com/
http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/tci-exclusive.html
http://www.marinewildlife.org/jojoProject.php
http://www.dolphinsfilm.com/Scientists/JoJo.htm
http://www.perfectislands.com/turks-and-caicos/things-to-see/jojo-the-dolphin/
http://deanandjojostory.com/
http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/tci-exclusive--page--2--next--1.html
http://travel.usnews.com/Turks-Caicos/Things_To_Do/The_Hole_Provo_61621/
http://www.turksandcaicos.tc/travelagents/index.htm
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings

Come for a visit--see if you can make yourself go home.
Enjoy!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas is coming, but it's always there in North Pole...Alaska

I don't know about you, but this is kind of the way I've always pictured the place where Santa lives. And this is the time of year when thousands of kids of all ages start thinking about Santa Claus for one reason or another. Now, we've all outgrown the Santa myth as adults, but wouldn't it be nice to fly away to a fantasy now and then?
Here the first one of my Santa stories.

This is North Pole Alaska, and it's home to Santa Claus. Now, haven't you always wanted to go to Alaska anyway? Most of us have. This little town isn't far from Fairbanks, and the good news is that although this is the time of year that most people think about visiting Santa, you can come visit him here anytime.

It's always Christmas at Santa Claus House.

There's shopping, there's visiting with Santa,

and you can even feed the reindeer.
But there's more to this sleepy little town than meets the eye.

North Pole, Alaska's post office is legendary. The town founders started a tradition many years ago that continues today. You can order a special letter from Santa Claus for your child or the child in you. The original letter from Santa will come directly from the good people who work with the Santa Claus House and will be postmarked as coming from the North Pole.
If that option doesn't appeal to you, in the tradition of other theme towns across the country, you can buy an inch of the North Pole that comes complete with deed for your very own square inch.
Towns like North Pole are far too rare. It's a great side trip to an otherwise regular skiing or snow machining holiday. So take the side trip. Take the short 40 mile drive from Fairbanks and see what has become one of the most popular inland attractions in the state.

It's far too rare that we have a chance to visit an entire town that doesn't take life too seriously. Have some fun. Take that side trip. Come and visit Santa at North Pole, Alaska.

http://fairbanks-alaska.com/santa-claus-house.htm
http://www.santaclaushouse.com/index.asp
http://fairbanks-alaska.com/north-pole-alaska.htm
http://www.alaskatravel.com/alaska/north-pole.html
http://www.santaclaushouse.com/
http://www.northpolealaska.com/
http://search.travelalaska.com/search?output=xml_no_dtd&site=TravelAlaska&client=TravelAlaska&proxystylesheet=TravelAlaska&q=north%20pole
https://secure.travelalaska.com/Destinations/Communities/North%20Pole.aspx?tab=2
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g31079-North_Pole_Alaska-Vacations.html
http://www.alaskantour.com/
http://www.alaskaheritagetours.com/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=+alaska%20+tour&utm_content=alaska_tour&utm_campaign=aht_ppc
http://www.alaskawildland.com/ppc-home.html?utm_campaign=awa-bing-2013&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=alaska tour&utm_content=alaska
http://www.norad.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html

Enjoy!

You Never Thought of This in Cabo San Lucas

This is one of the most iconic images in travel. Everyone has passed by a travel agency and seen this in the window at some point in time. This is the most photographed scene in Cabo San Lucas. But, that's not why I'm mentioning this wonderful place.
Cabo is famous for whale watching.

In the winter months you would be hard pressed to not see one.

You can go off roading with ATV's.

You can go off roading with four wheel drives.

But what you can do here is go off road with Baja racing cars. This isn't the only place in the world that you can do such a thing, but it is the Baja. Does it get any better?
Wide open tours is the company that you'll want to visit. They will train you and then let you do the driving. That's a chance that you shouldn't miss. They will let you do the extreme driving through the desert country that is Cabo. This is the Baja. This is what it was named after. This is the place to do it.

If you've ever wanted to try your hand at that something that seemed impossible to get your hands on, this is it. This is the thrill that you've been looking for.

Now, you can go parasailing. It's fun, and it looks adventurous. It's actually referred to as relaxing, however.

You could go out on a booze cruise on a pirate ship. I mean, it is Cabo.

You can even go out on something that is called a submarine.
There are many things that you can do in Cabo. It's a great destination, full of snorkeling, sea kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing.

The sunsets are beautiful.

The resorts are beautiful.

The beaches are beautiful.

Even the bars are beautiful.
But, if you want that something extra that makes a great vacation in one of Mexico's safest locations an unforgettable vacation, then try that something different.

Then try Wide Open Off Roading Baja Racing.

I promise you, you'll never forget it.

http://www.allaboutcabo.com/
http://www.cabosanlucastours.net/Adventure-Tours.htm
http://www.cabosanlucastours.net/
http://www.loscabosguide.com/wideopen.htm
http://www.wideopenbaja.com/Cabo/
http://www.cabosanlucasactivities.com/
http://www.toursbylocals.com/Cabo-San-Lucas-Tours?s=BA_22_001A_guided tours Cabo San Lucas&utm_source=MSAC&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22
http://www.loscabosguide.com/activities/index.html
http://bestoncabo.com/
http://www.pueblobonito.com/cabo-san-lucas/things-to-do.aspx
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings

Get revved up and enjoy!

The Largest Fluvial Island in the World

This is the gateway to Marajo Island. It's a fluvial island, because it sits in a river or the delta of a river. Marajo sits in the delta of the biggest of them all--the Amazon. The island isn't officially the largest in the world, because of tides and seasons. Sometimes Marajo is a single island, sometimes an archipelago. Pororoca is the confluence tide in the delta of the Amazon where the sea water meets the freshwater of the river. There are many times during the year when you can see the two waters moving against one another. It's a phenomenon that you would be hard pressed to find visible anywhere else on Earth.

But why should you go to Marajo? I always pick something unusual. The tides are enough, but that's not all. Marajo is most of the year, the size of Switzerland. That's big. Remember, the Amazon Delta is also the biggest in the world.

This may look like your average resort, but it's not. This is Fazenda Do Carmo, a local farm and ranch turned tourist attraction. What makes it different? The activities. There are many things that you can do on a farm, of which this is only one of many farms on the island.

They have Water Buffalo. They raise them, they breed them, they cook them, and they are a primary source of transportation on the island. I'm not joking. They ride Water Buffalo on Marajo Island. It's common, and they will teach you how to ride. They do also have horseback riding and such, but why would you waste your adventuring time riding a horse when there are Water Buffalo awaiting?
And this is only the tip of the iceberg here on Marajo. There are kayaking and other boat tours of massive Mangrove forests. There are lush beaches with beautiful white sand. There are excursions that will take you fishing for Piranha. It's amazing all the things you can do and learn on this magnificent island.

The scenery is beautiful.

It's largest city, Soure, is beautiful.

The beaches are beautiful.

Marajo Island is a great place for birdwatching. As a matter of fact, if you love ecotourism, this is a great place for it. Most of the activities are based on nature. There aren't many cars on the island, so there isn't a lot of damage to the ecosystem here. There is a ferry that comes to the island from Belem on the coast of the river. If you don't want to ride Water Buffalo or horses around the city, you can rent a bike almost anywhere.

The accommodations at Fazenda Do Carmo are nice, farmhouse rooms, with meals as well as activities. They will teach you more than just to ride a Water Buffalo there. They will teach you about fishing for Piranha ranching in the river delta, Mangrove Forests, and their culture. You will eat and help cook authentic local dishes. Beware, you will try Water Buffalo.

So, if you've seen Rio, and the other busier spots in Brazil, try this one. It's wonderful, small town, and different.

Oh yeah, and they ride Water Buffalo.

http://www.carmocamara.com.br/en/index.php
http://www.resava-tourism.com/isla-marajo.php
http://www.terra-brazil.com/travel-amazon/marajo-island.php
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/363788/Marajo-Island
http://www.traveltobrazil.org/post/10-best-islands-brazil.html
http://www.travelbrazil.net/International/Tours/belemmarajo.htm
http://www.packtours.com.br/dest/para/bel/index.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/brazil/the-north/ilha-de-marajo
http://www.braziltravelbuddy.com/Belem/park/Marajo_Island_National_Park
http://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Brazil-Marajo-Island
http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/the-amazon/para/ilha-de-marajo/buffalo-farms
http://www.sanjo.tur.br/index_ingles.php
http://www.resava-tourism.com/insolito.php
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings

As I always say, try something different and enjoy!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Do you know where Vermillion Parish, Louisiana is?

The swamps of the bayou in the Mississippi Delta area of Louisiana are legendary. There are TV shows about the people who live there. They are a rugged frontier sort of people who live off the land and do things there own way. Most of them travel by boat a lot of the time. But what can you find in the swamps of the bayou?
A lot.

First, you'll find the most famous area residents. There are alligators there. The locals have a relationship with them. They feed them for the tourists. They hunt them. There's even one family that has one as a pet. I'm not sure that would be for me, but hey, whatever.

If you want to see the wildlife, go fishing or hunting, the air boat is the most realistic experience out there. These captains will take you around and show you things that you didn't even know really happened in a swamp. The air boat is unique, and gives you a thrilling experience.

Many of the locals have their own air boats. They are a tradition down there.
And there are other traditions too. The locals will take you to hunt alligator with the proper permits. They'll also take you fishing if that's what you would like. You can go camping in the bayou and boating. It's fun for everyone. So, if you've ever wondered about those shows you see on TV about swamp people, this is your chance to find out first hand.
If you're lucky, they'll cook you up some Endouie Sausage at the local restaurants.
You'll love Lake Fausse State Park with it's options for primitive and even canoe camping.

Imagine yourself canoeing or going with a guide through this lush tropical rainforest, looking for gators along the way.

the sunsets are beautiful too.
So, don't think twice. Take a step outside yourself and look at a lifestyle that you've only heard about and maybe seen on reality TV. The people here do live off the land. They do take boats more often than cars. The do have houses on stilts. Come and see it all. Come and see the land, watch the gators or hunt them. Go fishing, air boating, and even spend an evening cooking with the locals. It's an outstanding trip to another place and time.

So, what are you waiting for? There's a truly unique lifestyle there that needs exploring. Don't waste time. You never know when a storm will come along and destroy it all for a while. After all, this is where Katrina hit. Come feed an alligator. Come and see the bayou.

http://vermilion.org/
http://www.bayouvermilion.org/index.cfm?active=1
http://champagnesswamptours.com/
http://www.creolenaturetrail.org/visitor_services/Attractions/
http://www.airboattours.com/
http://www.airboatadventures.com/?_vsrefdom=p.3937
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/alligator-hunting
http://www.alligatorhunting.net/alligator-hunting-louisiana/
http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/116341.html
http://wildbayou.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_GDjPLNn8
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ilakefaus.aspx
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Lake_Fausse_Pointe_State_Park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=LA&parkId=240029
http://www.outdoorplaces.com/Destination/stateparks/louisiana/lake_fausse_point/
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html

So, try out some Zydeco music, have some Creole cooking, learn about the Acadian people, and look for some gators. The bayou is one of the most unusual places in the world. It's well worth a look.
Enjoy!

Cooking in the Azores Islands

What is it? The place is called Furnace. Imagine that. The island is Sao Miguel in the Azores. I have a lot of explaining to do.
Let's start with the basics. The Azores Islands are an archipelago of nine main islands and other various places. Sao Miguel is the largest and considered the green isle. The Islands belong to Portugal, but sit just off center in the Atlantic Ocean. You know how most people like to go to the islands in the Caribbean? Well, as you go south, hang a left and go a long long way. You'll find it.

This is where you'll find them. They are interesting. Back in the day, before everyone had a long distance jet, they were the Atlantic refueling station for many countries' militaries. They were a stopover for commercial flights as well. Hell, even Amelia Earhart stopped off there.
Now Furnace. This is a beautiful area that used to be riddled with volcanic eruptions. Nowadays, it still has it's natural sulfuric heat, but it's been put to good use. This is why to visit.

The geothermal mud baths are said to cure what ails you. People have been coming here for decades and longer for the baths. They run a little over 100 degrees, and are all natural. There are geysers in the area and there's something else.

Cooking Cozido in the ground here has become a Sunday tradition on Sao Miguel. The locals mix their stew ingredients together, put them in a pot and come to Furnace, where they bury it in the ground for hours to cook it hermetically. It's unique. It's also a great way to spend a Sunday with family and friends. The Cozido is normally some beef and sausage with cabbage, carrots, turnips and other veggies.

Looks yummy. Traditional Azores cuisine.
There are many things to see and do on Sao Miguel. They have a beautiful botanical garden.

They have unique housing.

The village is lovely.

Let's face it. All the boating, beach sitting, cliff diving and snorkeling, is not even interesting when you get a load of all the volcanic activity in this place. The public baths have been around for centuries. The Cozido in the ground is an ethnic tradition. This is where it's at. This is what makes Sao Miguel tick.

It's one of the most interesting ways I've ever heard of to cook.
I like to get off the beaten path. There are many more common things to do in the Azores. This is just that thing that makes the place truly unique. That's what I like.
To get there is the trick. Most airlines go through Lisbon to get to the Azores. You fly all the way across the pond to come back on TAP Airlines. I recommend using this little fact to take a long layover and spend some time in Lisbon as well. It's a fabulous city. The last I knew there was a weekly flight from Dulles Airport in Washington DC to the Azores. It's a tricky way to try and do it though, because you only have one shot a week.

So come and try the water, but be careful. It's a little warm.

http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/0707/azores.html
http://www.azores-islands.info/uk/places/sao-miguel/furnas.html
http://www.visitazores.com/en
http://www.eicadventures.com/travel_destination.php?hol_country=Azores
http://www.realadventures.com/listings/1126078_Jeep-Safari-Guided-Tours-SMiguel-Azores
http://www.azores.com/sao-miguel
http://www.portugaltravelguide.com/en/furnas.htm
http://www.azores.dk/Esao_miguel.htm
http://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
http://pixels.com/profiles/terri-dixon.html
http://www.zazzle.com/imagings

Come visit an amazing place where it wasn't so long ago that the volcanoes ruled.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Uzbekistan, and Man's Destruction

There are many times in my life that I have visited a place for it's ambiance or it's natural beauty. However, many of us have spent significant time wandering the globe, looking at ancient ruins and wondering how things came to that. Here in the U.S. where I live, we have gone overboard to protect and preserve some really weird things in the name of not destroying them. There's a busted bell in Philly that exemplifies that. But, some other cultures, in the name of progress have done some odd things with some amazing repercussions.
This one is for Soviet buffs like me. This is the Aral Sea. No, you're not seeing things. It looks like a desert, but see the ships. They used to be sitting in water.

Here you can see the sea as it is and the dotted lines show where it used to be. The two rivers that were running into it, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, were dammed up in the 1960's to provide irrigation for cotton and rice fields. With these two rivers being the only supply of water to the foremost inland salt water sea, the water has simply gone away. The ships have sat right there in the water until it went away. The town of Muynak has gone by the way too.

There's not much left. This is the local hotel.

There's not much left. There aren't very many people either. This place used to be a big fisherman's port on a thriving sea. Now, it's a desert ghost town. Welcome to a modern ecological disaster.
But yet, it's something that is amazing to see.

It's amazing, isn't it? There's nothing on Earth quite like it. Here's the thing. If you like to look at ruins in Rome or Athens, then think about this. In a thousand years, people could be coming to look at these ruins in the same way that we go to look at the others. This is something you don't see every day.

Uzbekistan is a fascinating and beautiful country with wonderful steppe cultures to learn about. You can take a tour that includes living in a Yurt with locals that teach you about the ancient nomadic lifestyle and the foods that they eat. You can come and spend your time in Tashkent where there's a modern lifestyle emerging. It's an amazing country. It's an amazing journey. Just take that side trip up to Muynak and the Aral Sea. It's a side trip you'll never forget.
And take that side trip soon. The people in the area are starting to clean it up, so to speak. Some of the locals have been making deals to sell the remains of some of the ships for scrap. That means simply that as time goes on, there will be less of a ship graveyard to see. As time goes on, there may also be less of a remaining sea to look at. As it stands, you can still go to parts of the sea where you can get in the water if you like that much salt.

There are also areas in Kazakhstan where they have salt flats from the dried up sea and mine that salt for sale. It's the other part of the Aral Sea that's definitely worth a look.