Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Puerto Montt is commercial center of the Lake District in Chile




As the commercial center of the Lake District, Puerto Montt boasts a quaint port area, which offers a variety of seafood restaurants and fun craft shops. A perfect jumping off point for exploring the nearby lakes, Puerto Montt offers a bit of a cosmopolitan atmosphere within the region, and is a good place to deal with city needs before venturing off to the nearby lakes.

Source : artourismchile

Torres del Paine amazing place for adventure in Chile





This national park houses Patagonian peaks to delight outdoor adventurers of all levels. Choose the Paine circuit for a strenuous trek or simply meander along the steppes and keep the peaks in breathtaking view. The vistas here are what Chile is famous for…don't miss it!

Source : artourismchile

Santiago amazing destinations await visitors to Chile




While at first glance, Santiago seems like any crowded, polluted South American metropolis, look closer. Santiago boasts some of the regions finest cuisine, world-class architecture and a sophisticated populace, all nestled snugly between the coast and the Andes. After sight seeing in Santiago Centro, where museums and churches offer glimpses Chilean culture, head to Barrio Lasstaria for a look at great architecture. For dinner and nightlife, Barrio Bellavista is the place to be. Chile's famous poet Pablo Neruda had his home in this bohemian neighborhood.

Source : artourismchile

Monday, March 22, 2010

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Belize



Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll and is a protected area including 15sq.mi/39sq.km of the surrounding waters. The caye is a bird sanctuary protecting a colony of about 4,000 of the rare, red-footed booby and is the most visited caye of the atoll. One of only two such colonies in the Caribbean, Half Moon Caye is Belize's oldest national park, created by the Belize Audubon Society in 1982. Cruise ships occasionally moor at Half Moon Caye for day visits.

Apart from the boobies, some 98 other species of birds have been recorded on the caye, including warblers, ospreys and white-crowned pigeons and the magnificent frigate bird. The caye has a lighthouse and excellent beaches, as well as a submerged wall just offshore that is teeming with marine flora and fauna. Half Moon Caye measures 45ac/18ha and holds two distinct ecosystems. The west side has lush vegetation while the east side has less vegetation but more coconut palms.

Half Moon Caye is popular with both birders and divers. The natural setting of the caye provides good hiking, and wildlife enthusiasts should note that both of the endangered loggerhead and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs on the southern beaches of the caye. A number of shipwrecks in the caye's vicinity present opportunities for interesting dives. Half Moon Caye Natural Monument was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Source : planetware

Belize City Surroundings - Altun Ha Archaeological Site Pictures




Altun Ha, Mayan for "Rockstone Pond" or "Water of the Rock", is northern Belize's most famous Mayan ruin. The community at Altun Ha existed between c600 BC (perhaps even earlier) until the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization c900 AD. The population at Altun Ha was estimated at around 3,000 people, and the town was an important trading post as well as an agricultural and ceremonial center.

Altun Ha is famous for the discovery of the Jade Head, which is the largest carved jade object found in the entire Mayan area. The carving represents the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, and is one of Belize's national symbols. The archaeological site features two main plazas and some 13 temples in a park-like atmosphere.

Many tombs were discovered during excavations and restoration that took place between 1964 and 1978. Artifacts found in the burial sites include hundreds of jade and green obsidian blades. Altun Ha is unusual because of the absence of a stela, a column or pillar monument.

Source : planetware

Ambergris Caye - Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize





Hol Chan (Mayan for "little cut") Marine Reserve is Belize's most popular snorkeling and dive site. The park encompasses 5sq.mi/8sq.km of protected area made up of coral formations, sea grass beds and mangroves. The main attraction is the cut in the reef, which is a 30ft/9.5m deep and has steep, coral-lined walls. Another main feature of Hol Chan is a crescent-shaped sinkhole known as the Cat's Eye.

Numerous species of fish, crustaceans and corals can be viewed at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. These species include black groupers, eels, spadefish, spiny lobster, finger and brain coral. Visitors will not be disappointed since several schools of colorful fish are always present, however the reserve is often crowded.
Hobbies & Activities category: Scuba or snorkel opportunity; Natural area; Wildlife area, bird sanctuary

Source : planetware

Ambergris Caye, Belize




Of the some 200 cayes that dot the coast of Belize, Ambergris Caye is the largest. Ambergris is 25mi/40km long and a little over 1mi/1.6km wide in some places, and is located in the clear shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea just off the tip of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Most of the island's 4,500 residents live in the town of San Pedro, near the southern tip of the island. The people of the island are called "Sanpedranos" and speak English, Spanish, Creole, and Maya all at the same time, creating their own island dialect.

Since Ambergris Caye's coastline is protected by the Barrier Reef, the island is good for all water sports. Several nearby snorkeling and scuba sites offer excellent opportunities for coral and marine life viewing
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Ambergris Caye was once a part of Mexico and therefore its wildlife is vastly similar to that found in northern Belize and southern Mexico. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded on Ambergris Caye, and other wildlife includes peccaries, raccoons and white-tailed deer. Ambergris enjoys life at a relaxed pace and is one of Belize's top destinations.

Following the Maya came European whalers and buccaneers, followed by the ancestors of present day residents who were fishermen and workers in British-owned coconut plantations. The island became significantly populated when the Yucatán's War of the Castes forced Mestizos and Mayans onto Ambergris. Eventually, lobster fishing became the island's main industry, which has been replaced by tourism in the present day.

The history of the island goes back to the days of the Maya, European pirates and Mexican refugees who fled during the Caste War. Originally, Ambergris Caye was a Mayan trading post and was part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Around 1,500 years ago, Mayans dug a narrow channel separating Ambergris from Mexico in order to create a better trade route to mainland Belize. Archaeological sites on Ambergris reveal a former Mayan population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants.

Source : planetware

Monday, March 1, 2010

Bathsheba a beautiful beach in Barbados




This is the rugged east coast of Barbados, where visitors come to breath the air, soak in the invigorating Bathsheba Pools and feel alive.

It is breathtakingly beautiful; wide white sand beaches stretch along a dramatic coastline of striking rock formations against which the Atlantic rollers break in cascades of foam. What at first glance are huge boulders washed up on the beach, are actually rock formations broken away from ancient coral reef!

Pictured here is the fishing village of Bathsheba in the cool light of the early day. The village is home to a small community of fishing folk and their families. Along the coast are guest houses, local rum shops and restaurants. It is a hideaway for discerning tourists and for Bajans who frequently weekend here in their seaside cottages along the shore.

Source : barbados.org

Welchman Hall Gully a beatiful Island with beautiful Nature and Plant in Barbados





If you like nature, hiking (at any level), plants, culture and natural history, then Welchman Hall gully must not be missed.

The tranquil feel of the gully will instantly strike you. It is a place where you can experience a piece of nature and imagine what the island was like 300 years ago. It is a touch of tropical forest, mixed with Barbadian and other exotic tropical plants.

Since Barbados does not have many remaining tropical landscapes that are easily accessible, visiting Welchman Hall Gully will be an unexpected surprise and treat.

Source : welchmanhallgullybarbados

Tourist Scams and Volcanoes in Panajachel, Guatemala

Volcano on Lake Atitlan at dusk.



Lake Atitlan and mountains at sunset in Panajachel, Guatemala.




If you like good people, good food, good entertainment and natural splendor, then you will not want to miss the chance to include a visit to Panajachel when traveling through Guatemala. A jewel among the highlands of Guatemala Panagachel is set at 5,238 feet above sea level, alongside the stunning Lake Atitlan, with the volcanoes Atitlan, Toliman and San Pedro framing the whole scene. About as picturesque as it gets, Lake Atitlan gets its name from the Mayan word, “atitlan”, which means, “the place where the rainbow gets its colors”. As is the case with many highland destinations throughout the country, Panajachel Guatemala maintains a predominantly Mayan culture, with Mayan ancestors making up the largest part of the city’s inhabitants. Also found residing in this exotic destination are foreigners who find Panajachel an ideal spot to live. Besides the resounding enchantment of the area, it is perhaps the friendly nature of the people here that make Panajachel Guatemala such a wonderful place to be.

Panajachel facts regarding history are intrinsically linked to the era when the first Spanish Conquistadors arrived. As with Guatemala history in general, native Mayan and Indian peoples would forever see their destiny changed with the Spanish attempts to acquire land in the New World. At Panajachel, one of the greatest battles between the Spanish and native peoples was set along the shores of Lake Atitlan. In the 1500"s, the Spanish had made allies of the native Cakchiquel people, with whom they took up arms against the Tzutuhils. As for ensuing attempts at converting the native people of Guatemala Panajachel was a major staging ground. Scores of Indians were more than likely forced to embrace the new religion. Among the colonial-style relics from this dark past is the facade of the St. Francis Spanish church where conversions were made, or at least attempted. The facade is visually impressive and it dates back to 1541.

In Guatemala Panajachel is commonly referred to as “Pana”, especially by the locals who are lucky enough to make their home in this modern-day paradise. Replete with an atmosphere that inspires the senses with rich sights, smells and sounds, Panajachel is ideal both for adventurers and those looking to relax and simply take in the sights. Panajachel surely makes its case with its beauty for any language students considering studying Spanish in Guatemala. While the cities of Antigua and Quetzaltenango are the more popular spots to find quality Spanish language schools, it’s hard to not at least consider taking some of the lessons offered in Panajachel. Visitors to this wonderful town will encounter numerous quality Panajachel hotels, as well as an array of small, yet sumptuous restaurants. Enjoy finely cooked Guatemalan food, international dishes, or simply a coffee and a muffin before heading out and about on a tour or out on the town. Panajachel’s dining options definitely benefit from the influence of foreigners who have spent time here in the past.

During the day, visiting the surrounding villages is a popular activity for travelers. These predominantly indigenous locales, such as Santiago Atitlan, San Antonio Palopo and Santa Cararina Palopo are renowned for their textiles and clothing items, all hand made by native women weavers. For a magical view of the city, the lake and the surrounding mountains, consider taking the short local bus up to La Cueva Maya (the Mayan Cave), where you might find yourself rubbing your eyes in disbelief of the beauty of it all. Simply strolling the pathways along the banks of the lake is a great way to take in the sights while enjoying some of nature’s creatures. Tour and Adventure agencies can help you plan additional activities, like hang gliding, fishing for Largemouth Bass, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and rapelling, to name a few. At night, the Panajachel Guatemala bars and discotheques are a nice place to meet new people and share travel stories. Dance the night away, or simply sit and relax with a cool drink. When the next day rolls around, you can find an internet café in town, just to let all your friends back home know how much fun you are having. And, unless you are simply intent on not having a good time, you are sure to have fun in Panajachel Guatemala.

Source : destination360

Tikal National Park Guatemala



The Tikal National Park, 370 square kilometers is part of the even larger Maya Biosphere Reserve. Home of hundred of species, including spider monkeys, toucans and parakeets. Towering above the rainforest are the ruins of Tikal, one of the most magnificent of all the Maya sites. The ruins are dominated by five enormous temples, step-sided granite pyramid that rise some 40 meters from the forest floor. Around them are bitterly thousands of others structures, many still hidden beneath mounds of earth. It's well worth staying overnight, partly because you will need the extra time to do justice to the ruins themselves, but more importantly to spend dawn and dusk at the site, when the forest canopy burst into a frenzy and sound activities

Source : guatemalatouring

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