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Posts Tagged ‘adventure’

When it comes to naturally stunning destinations worlwide, Australia’s Mount Tamborine area ranks very highly and for good reason.

Located around 60 kilometres south of the state of Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic plateau set within Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.

The area is the result of an outpouring of lava from nearby Mount Warning and this geological phenomenon created a plateau approximately 8 km long by 5 km wide that now sits 600 metres above sea level.

The many attractions of the Mount Tamborine area include beautiful views that can be enjoyed on both sides of the range and the many craft and antique shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants which attract thousands of tourists every season.

Tamborine Mountain is famous for its National Parks. The Tamborine National Park covers eleven square kilometres of the mountain’s plateau and foothills and its oldest section, the Witches Falls, was first declared in 1908, making it Queensland’s oldest National Park. Over the years, additional reserves have been declared and today Tamborine National Park comprises 13 sections of land.

So why should you – literally – ‘take a hike’? Well, first of all, the Tamborine National Park overall has much to offer walkers including sundappled picnic areas (many with BBQs), breath-taking lookouts and waterfalls, cliffs and gorges, sparkling rock pools and shady woodlands. The Park is also home to an astounding 85 percent of all fauna species and 65 percent of all flora species in the Gold Coast City area.

Now that they are part of Tamborine’s National Parks, these rainforest areas with Piccabeen palm groves, wet Eucalypt forests, sky scraping flooded gums and open areas of bracken and ferns, are all protected. This protection extends to cover its interesting fauna too, including the rare Albert’s Lyrebird & one of the world’s largest skinks; the glossy, black and very generously proportioned Land Mullet.Richmond Birdwing Butterflies, whose males are a brilliant iridescent green and Noisy Pittas, birds that hop on the rainforest floor in search of leeches and snails, both migrate eachs eason to the park, making this a significant area in terms of conservation.

Many believe that the Witches Falls section of Tamborine’s National Park is one of the most captivating to walk. Its 3.1 km circuit begins from the picnic area on Main Western Road. This lawned rest area has electric barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and is surrounded by soaring eucalypts.

The Witches Falls Circuit snakes down a steep incline through closed-in forest into a rainforest area that features cycad groves. Cycads are the single most ancient plants on earth that still exist today and are known, through fossil findings, to have been present in the Permian era – over 200 million years ago – even before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Although once abundant across the planet, cycads are greatly reduced now in both numbers and distribution and much international attention is being drawn to protect these plants that are believed to be nearing extinction.

While en route to the waterfalls you will come across shimmering lagoons, palm groves and enormous strangler figs. After heavy rain, the lagoons fill with water and thrive with many species of frogs and insects. The Witches Falls waterfalls only flow after recent rain and can be viewed by taking a short 200m detour from the circuit to a lookout platform. The track then returns through the rainforest and ends behind the local cemetery.

For your own safety, walk only in daylight hours and wear sturdy shoes, a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen. Take along a mobile phone and drinking water as creek water may contain organisms that can cause illness. At a usual walking pace, you can expect 3km to take about an hour. If you are walking with young children however or if plan to take photographs or bird watch along the way, do allow extra time.

When it comes to Mount Tamborine accommodation, the most spellbinding place to stay is at the Witches Falls Cottages , a retreat that consist of many private cottages tucked away in one of the Mountain’s most secluded and peaceful locations and just a few steps away from the Witches Falls’ circuit’s start point.

Crossing the border (frontera) from one country to another in Central America is relatively easy except going into Costa Rica. All the way from Guatemala to Costa Rica you can pretty much drive the PanAmericana Highway without going through long border crossings.

Once a upon a time Costa Rica created convenience. Now they create adventure.In Costa Rica if you are planning to travel by road they decided you needed another adventure.

This can take anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours +…

When crossing, driving your vehicle becomes a little more complicated.   If you plan on taking another person’s vehicle… It would be a lot better, if at all possible you did not do that.

For those who drive their vehicle the list below is predominantly.   Not driving then just delete those parts or items pertaining to vehicles.

Items required:

• a couple of pens – in case one gives up on you
• valid passport with current stamps
• valid exit visa stamp if you are a resident of Nicaragua but not a citizen
• valid exit documentation for your Nicaraguan vehicle should you be driving. Depending on your luck with the local officials this can at least take a half a day to 2 days. Where your vehicle is registered you can obtain the requirements from the local Polica.
• valid vehicle registration card – circulation
• proof of insurance for your vehicle
• cedula – should you be a resident
• valid drivers licence.
• 3 photocopies of your passport (main page), vehicle registration, insurance certificate, exit visa for your vehicle, cedula, (include front and back side of all documents that have printing or stamps)
• patience – generally more then usual – simply because you do not know what kind of adventure you are going to run into.
• a spare batch of patience just waiting for the real fun adventures you may have.
• a high dose of positive attitude and humor
• plenty of small denomination bills – Cordobas or dollars (US) on the Nicaraguan side and Calones or dollars (US) on the Costa Rica side. Up for another adventure. If you know what you are doing you can get a better exchange rate from the coyotes. In this casa you would have to know the exchanges rates.

Usually it takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour. It can take longer,at the boarder, if the traffic is heavier than the usual. Mostly equal time for each country.

Leaving Nicaragua:

First charge. The charged for 4 people to cross the boarder with a vehicle is 80 Cordobas (about $4.00). Tax for the local town. The number of people in the vehicle being the determining factor.

You must go to the offices to obtain a free customs form soon after you have paid for the entrance into the boarder. This is the building where there is all of the buses lined up in the center. To register where you are going where you have been, and where you are from….

The passport should at all means be out and ready to fill the proper information out. (Generally the forms are bilingual both English and Spanish)

When you have the forms filled out you must stand in line…

…Did I mention patience?

For the Migration officials to stamp your passport and send you on your destiny. Non-resident’s price $5. Any time, this can changed,.

IF you are traveling with your own vehicle you must also go to another office on the Nicaragua side.

Here you will obtain an inspection paper from the local inspector then if you are lucky and the Policia are close by you have them sign off on the inspection.

With the vehicle inspection form signed off by both the

• inspector and
• Policia

you then get to stand in line to have the migration officer check for

• properly signed vehicle inspection,
• the proper registration,
• insurance,
• exit papers for your vehicle, and
• driver’s license.

Once they approve then you go to the next line to wait and have the Policia check for the proper registration, insurance, exit papers for your vehicle, and driver’s license.

In order to received a vehicle exit ticket that will be presented to the migration exit post, everything has to be approved.

Hand your exit ticket to the official at the exit post and proceed to the fumigation office. 6o Cordobas will the cost (aprox)-. $4.00) and this for the spraying of your vehicle to disinfect it before going into Costa Rica.

Later, you drive to the Costa Rica boarder buildings and …

Join us for the rest of the adventure of crossing the border…It has literally saved hours to other motorists!

Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. It has become very popular as a leisure time activity. There is also the call of the thrill of adventure. Camping is also cheaper than the rather expensive and sophisticated packaged eco-tourism or nature tourism or adventure tourism offered along with accommodation in expensive resorts, hotels or cabins. The campers leave their everyday life wherever they are. They take off for a few days and nights to a camp site to rough it out. The camp site is usually natural areas or wilderness that are publicly owned or privately owned. They may prefer to be in the open without any shelter, or a crude structure or a tent. The tent can be heavy or light, and in different sizes to meet a variety of needs.

 Campers who prefer to keep moving their camp carry camping equipments as their backpack. These equipments are lightweight. They are able to carry them over long distances to locations that are far away and isolated. These locations may be mountains or the woods or valleys. Mobile camping is cheaper than the use of trailer or motorhome for camping. Amongst the camping equipments that they carry as backpack is the essential camping tent. This makes it possible for them to set up camps where they like.

 Amongst the varieties of camping tents that are available to the choosy camper is the all season two person camping tent that you could choose the  north face mountain 25. It can protect you from strong wind, and heavy snow or rain. It comfortably houses two persons with two entrances and vestibules. You have a good view of the outside through the polyurethane windows which keeps the biting cold from sneaking in. Naturally heavier, the tent is easily carried as a backpack.

 While camping tent no doubt is an important camping equipment, there are a number of other essential items such as utensils, furniture, personal care products, sleeping bag, first aid kit and flashlight. These equipments are portable and light weight making it easy for campers to carry around. However, this could cost you a tidy sum and so check and compare prices. Camping easy and comfortable brings you both the physical and mental energy surging through in abundance.  

A visit to Playa Del Carmen comes extremely endorsed by families. Don’t miss out on a great oppertunity for your ideal vacation. We recommend flying into Cancun since it is a major airport. You don’t have to stay there though. The Riviera Maya is a short taxi ride away. Here you can still find authentic Mexico.

A large amount of adventures and tours can be found all over Playa. They include both deep sea fishing, exploring the quaint town surfing and visiting the amazing Playa Del Carmen Resort of Grand Coco Bay and Xel-Ha where you will discover plants and wildlife treasures of the planet.

There is even a place where you can meet dolphins. If you are ready, then you could swim with them and truly have a good time! If you are truly adventurous, then there is zip lining over the top of the jungle canopies.  You may also ride horses with a choice of atmosphere. There is tons of jungle that can be explored on the back of a horse. Galloping into the sunset on the beach can make some great memories.

There is so much to do in Playa. But if that isn’t enough, think about Cozumel. You can jump a ferry and be there in minutes. Take a day to explore a new region.

Getting to Cancun takes less than an hour. So those two popular destinations are available as day trips when you choose to make your vacation stay in quieter Playa Del Carmen.

An awesome way to save money with your family is to try the all inclusive resorts and spas. These abound to create a luxurious and also an affordable getaway where no worries may exist. You can leave your calculator at home, tips and gratuities are included in your stay.

Mom and dad can even get some alone time here. Most hotels offer activities with supervision so that everybody gets a vacation. It’s a great romantic escape

The best family vacations can mean so much. Playa Del Carmen has so much to offer. Check it out for a great time.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico is in the Mexican state of Yucatan. You’ve never experienced another place like Playa Del Carmen. It is the 3rd smallest of Mexico’s 31 states. As the only other major city in the state, Playa Del Carmen is very different from Cancun. Its neither to hot nor too cold. It’s away from the hustle and bustle but it still holds your imagination. While many places sell their souls for visitors, Playa stays true to it’s origins. Playa has much less capacity for visitors than its neighbors.

The average temperature is eighty five degrees for this region. It is on the same latitude as Hawaii, so it gets similar weather. Really it is the best weather on the coast, cooler than Cancun, and less sticky than Puerto Vallarta. You are going to fall in love with the tourist scene in Playa Del Carmen, the restaurants are great, plenty of uncrowded beaches to satisfy even the most picky beach bum, and the night clubs are hopping, if you go for that.

Two-thirds of those visiting are Canadian. It looks like many from Canada have decided to make Playa Del Carmen their second home. More than 2/3 of the foreigners are from Canada. Playa Del Carmen is everything the other tourisy locations are not, it is so obvious. It’s always nice to see when the owners recognize you and are happy your returned. A happily stated “bienveidos” welcomes you to the restaurant. Everybody hopes that nothing will change any time soon for Playa Del Carmen. A feeling which is a shared desire of the locals, who, it is reported, have for many years been reluctant to accept federal funds targeted at developing tourism in the area. Playa Del Carmen remains true to it’s roots.

An awesome way to save money with your family is to try the all inclusive resorts and spas. You can check your worries at the door, these places are designed to be havens of peace. You may want to slip them something extra, but don’t forget that already included in the bill is the tips. Go on a affordable Playa Del Carmen vacation today!

This is the truth, it’s no myth, it’s cheap, and it can be yours today!