Caverns and Caves: Journey into the Land

August 7, 2010

As the filling of a chocolate sweet, caverns and caves are the heart hidden inside the mountain or underground. In this dark world is something really fascinating. Stalactites, stalagmites and strange rock formations line the walls of the cave in a landscape little land … Discover a cave inside and ten reasons to make your next trip into the land.

The caves and caverns that we know today are the result of thousands of years of geologic processes, erosion of rock and other phenomena that were forming cavities within the rock. The interior of the caves is usually very favorable to the animal shelter and even of man, which initially learned to live in caves for shelter from predators and keep warm in times of low temperatures.

In the caves that have undergone a process of water filtration are magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. Both formations are the result of the accumulation of mineral salts accumulates and stalactites hang from the ceiling, and stalagmites build up and seem to sprout from the floor of the cave.

Camuy, Puerto Rico

These caves are located northwest of Puerto Rico, in the town of Camuy. Camuy Caverns  formed by erosion of the Rio Camuy, creating 11 miles of underground caves and the third largest cave complex in the world. In addition to the large number of stalagmites and stalactites that are inside, keep Camuy Caverns Amerindian historical paintings, which add value cultural walks.

Cacahuamilpa, Mexico

At just 52 kilometers from the city of Taxco silversmith in the state of Guerrero hides the largest caves in the world. So great are the caves that extend for several municipalities, although the region most surprising and visited there, right near Taxco. For cavers, it is the most beautiful caves in the world because it meets all conditions of study at an optimal level of humidity and temperature. Cacahuamilpa Caves are equipped with all amenities for travelers, but also has an amphitheater where you can witness a sporadic concert of the local philharmonic.

Mammoth Caves, United States

Within the National Park Mammoth in central Kentucky, Mammoth caves are. Just as Cacahuamilpa are the largest caves in the world, this complex forms the largest network of natural caves and underground passages of the world: they are 587 kilometers of galleries eternal formed 10 million years thanks to the Green River (Green River).

Inside the cave there are 130 different species, including flora and fauna. The cave passages are passages that can travel with a guide. It is surprising that a site visit in time to exploit the spectacle of Mammoth and around the National Park which lies on the surface.

Garganta del Diablo, Ledenika, Magoura and Yagoudina, Bulgaria

In 4620 caves scattered throughout its territory, Bulgaria has become a haven for cavers. Among the most impressive caves you will see:

• La Garganta del Diablo: From the road 350 meters is hard to see the thousand meters long has this cave. This training of 300 thousand years is the highest waterfall in the Balkans.
• Ledenika: There are 300 meters long and its name means “glacier”, this is because during the winter is full of icicles. It is within the Vratsa Mountain and is characterized by the large number of stalactites, stalagmites and some waterfalls. It is a beauty in winter when ice covers the walls and painted white. The cave has electricity.
• Magoura: With 2500 meters, it is one of the largest caves in the country. It is near the town of Belogradchik and has been all lit so passengers can enjoy the interior. This cave is so named because its walls are still preserved paintings from 2800 years old, with hunting scenes that show what life was like back then. It also has a small museum for you to see the geological history of Magoura.
• Yagoudina: It is the largest cave of the Balkan Peninsula. Located near the namesake town and has 10 kilometers long. Travelers love this cave by the intricate internal roads that form a maze of stone. Part of the cave is light, showing some strange formations, pearls, furs of wild animals and many stalactites.

Škocjan Caves, Slovenia

These caves Slovenian, east of the country, form a system of caves with a length of 6 km of passages. In some places, the caves of Škocjan reach a depth of 200 meters. Visiting this World Heritage Site you will see waterfalls and even the largest underground chambers ever known.

Aggtelek Caves Karst (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia)

At the border between Hungary and Slovakia are concentrated 712 caves that have mobilized the world of caving. In this system of limestone have been recorded climatic effects and tropical glaciers, resulting in a world of strange formations and colors through which you can learn the geological history of the region over the past 10 million years. Aggtelek Caves National Park is within the same name, a wonderful natural setting ideal for tourists to explore.

Naica (Cave of Crystals), Mexico

Discovered only in 2000, Naica is one of the most amazing places on the planet. The cave is buried 300 meters below Naica Mountain in the Chihuahuan Desert. Inside the cave, the discoverers found astonished what would become the field of natural crystals worlds largest, with specimens that can reach 11 feet long Can you imagine a glass of that size?

Although this underground complex is also called the ” Crystal Cave “, the truth is that this cave is only one of the four caves containing Naica. The others are the Cave of Swords, the Cave of Candles and the Cave of Ojo de la Reina. The names refer to the type of training that can be seen within each, all equally impressive.

Through these destinations you have to see the world from another perspective, from the inside. In each of these cave complexes can learn more about the history of our land. Inspired to a different trip! What do you say?

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Kiribati, a Country of Atolls

August 6, 2010

Kiribati is a small country made up of several islands in the Pacific Ocean. The country is known for its beaches, its nature only unaltered by man and by its traditional culture.

The Republic of Kiribati consists of a coral island and 32 atolls. The country lies on both sides of Ecuador and bordering the International Date Line Change Date. The country became independent in 1979 and 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited.

The country used to be on both sides of the International Date Line Change Date, until the government took the decision to change the line to the east. This step enabled the nation to be the first country to enter the third millennium, an event which attracted many tourists.

Caroline Island was the first to enter the new millennium, and it is now known as Millennium Island. Interestingly, Kiribati is the only country in the world is found in both hemispheres and both sides of 180th meridian.

The Gilbert Islands are the most populous areas of the country. However, many other islands are uninhabited islands, as most of the Phoenix Islands and some of the Line Islands.

One of the most famous islands is Kirimati Island or Christmas Island, known for its wide range of water sports offered. On Christmas Island also offers several cultural activities. The most common activities are fishing and bird watching, because the island still retains its nature. Other joint activities are diving and snorkeling.

Banaba Island belongs to the Gilbert Islands. This island is the country’s highest point, a hill just 81 meters in height.

The Phoenix Islands belong to this group of atolls. These beautiful islands are now known as the largest marine nature reserve in the world.

The capital is Tarawa. The natives, known as the I Kiribati, make up the bulk of the population. They even have their own language, Gilbertese, although English is the official language. Tarawa is famous for being the place where they held the Battle of Tarawa during World War II. There are several museums dedicated to the theme of the battle on the island. However, what stand out are its beautiful beaches.

Abaiang atoll is north of the main islands. The coral atoll is famous for its stunning lake that invites visitors to relax. A few meters from this atoll are the Bingham Canal, which connects the lagoon to the majestic Pacific Ocean.

In general, Kiribati culture is based around family values, the church and the sea. The music and dance form an important part of the country’s culture. There are several types of dance from the dance standing Kaimatoa, to the dance of the hips, Te Buki. The country also has its own martial art power, which includes the disciplines of Nabakai, Nakara and many others.

Tourism forms an important part of life in Kiribati. Among the most popular activities include tours of the many gaps. The islands are also home to several museums, and excursions through the points that were made during the Second World War. For the more adventurous, tours are organized by plane, from where tourists can admire the beauty of the coral islands.

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What to Do on a Journey of 10 Hours or More?

August 5, 2010

Did you travel performed for more than 10 hours? It is certainly a challenge for any traveler. But all is not lost and there are hundreds of things you can do for fun and the trip fly by.

Caring for the physical part
Special care should be free from the circulation to the so-called “economy class syndrome”, which can cause thrombosis. By plane, bus or train is useful down the aisle from time to time and should not fall asleep with your legs crossed or limit the legroom with luggage. It is good to do little exercises of contraction and relaxation of the limbs. If we are traveling by car worth the same, except that every certain amount of time we should make a stop to get off and rest, walk around and if we can use for a snack.

Pregnant women, elderly, smokers, people with circulatory problems and who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Disease (COPD) or heart failure are the populations most at risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and should consult their doctor before traveling.

Tips for health care travel

• If no contraindications, you can take an aspirin, anticoagulant beneficial for their power.
• It’s good not to use hypnotic drugs or sleeping pills.
• Use loose-fitting clothing, preferably natural fiber, in order to exert less pressure on the skin and facilitate ventilation.
• Do not place bags under the seats that prevent stretch.
• Take regular sips of water to avoid dehydration. The lack of liquid thickens the blood and increases the risk of blood clots. Avoid alcohol and coffee.
• Do not keep your legs crossed while sitting.
• In the same seat, you can stretch your arms and legs to avoid a “sleep.”
• Make a simple exercise, like lifting your toes with energy and move his fingers for a few seconds, supporting the heel on the floor.
• Every 1 to 2 hours, and if travel conditions permit, it does take a little walk.
• If after making a long journey and watch an unusual persistent swelling in the legs, feel chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, go immediately to a hospital.

Accommodation in the plane
Before buying a ticket should apply the map of the plane to choose a good site. The front seats are quieter and more spacious, and near the emergency exits have more space still.

It is also important to consider the physical characteristics of each person and choose according to your needs, a person who does not usually get up from the window seat can choose not to be bothered by the motion of the hall and have some control and to cast a shadow in the window or enjoy the view, but if a person is very high, better choose aisle to stretch your legs. The contrary are the worst seats in the back row because they are resting and adjoin the kitchen.

By bus
As in the plane, the window seats are more relaxed and comfortable than the hallway. In the front is more difficult to get dizzy, besides being closer to the television, a key resource for getting bored. Two excellent sites are the front and the rear seat to the back door out: in the former can recline the seat as possible without disturbing anyone and subsequent table usually has a very practical. The back row is the worst because the seats do not recline. In the very long journey, you can opt for bus bunk.

Should avoid travel at peak times and dates of departure or arrival operations take longer because of the required hours can be maddening. It is advisable to eat light and drink plenty of fluids. Because you can not walk down the aisle, we must take special care to poor posture and stretching exercises.

By train
Traveling by train can walk along all the coaches, the cafeteria and enjoy the scenery. In this mode of transport are advised to take inflatable pillows, blankets or any other accessory that allows the seat padding.

Faced with the planes and buses, in trains is more common than not broadcast movies, which requires remembering to bring music, books, hobbies, or anything else that helps to get distracted. If the intention is to sleep, we must bear in mind that the rattle and the constant traffic of people walking down the hall is noisy. Therefore, should bring earplugs, choose seats away from the cafes and, if possible, opt for a sleeper.

By boat
The greatest risk of the boat is to get dizzy. To avoid this, it should be at the top, in the stern and center. You must eat little and not travel on an empty stomach or drink alcohol. If it’s hot, it’s always better to take the air to make do only with air conditioning. It is less likely to get dizzy sitting or lying down than standing and under no circumstances is to bend the body to the legs nor should stare at the waves or anything else that moves. Whether or read or power prevents dizziness is under constant debate, so each one must choose wise to their previous experiences. Finally, if you want to take any medications for seasickness, do it half hour before starting the journey, not the boat.

Killing boredom
Leaving the issue of health aside, let’s focus on the issue of how to entertain for a very long journey. Here are a few tips:

1. Read: Reading is always a good choice. Take at least two books, depending of course on how long wills the trip. Bring books that are easy and fun to read, so you engage in such a way that the time fly.
2. Listen to music: You can bring an iPod. It is a device easy to carry, simple to use and we can provide a very useful service as the amount of music you can store is quite large. In addition, today are quite affordable to buy.
3. Electronic games: With the iPod itself can also play, which is very entertaining at least for a while. There are a lot of games available, and apart from containing your iPod, you can take a lot of these games ready to play anytime, anywhere. There is also the option to play while listening to music.
4. Cards: If you are no friend of video games is always a good deck of cards, especially if two or more people traveling with you.
5. Audio books: Audio books are another possibility if we do not like being all the while concentrating on a book or on a screen. Simply we just have to rest, relax and listen.
6. Sudoku: Sudoku many people take on their travels. Take some that are difficult. Time passes quickly when you’re solving.
7. Write: You can take the opportunity to write about something. It can be an autobiography, articles for a publication or blog, or whatever you choose.
8. Watch a movie: In most long journeys, put at least one film. Are a few hours you’ll be entertained, while movie can do the above, see the landscape from the window or sleeping.
9. Spending time with the laptop: Many people decide to take your laptop and get the most, with which we, reading, listening to music, play, study, work, etc. The only thing to consider is that the battery is fully charged.

There are many things we can do on a long trip while we reached our destination. Only we have to organize time and activities to count in our favor.

In the commercial flights, there are often many magazines, which are usually full of ads and occasionally have very good articles. Take a look and you might be surprised.

Do not be too conservative with your seatmate. Since you share space has played for some time, a lively conversation could be ideal to pass the time quickly. Anyway, some people do not like to talk to strangers, and therefore must be respected.

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Destinations for Two: the Most Romantic Trips

August 4, 2010

The trips are often the ideal context for a plan of personal rediscovery. If we travel in pairs, you can relax and improve the relationship, leaving traces in the future. When a couple visiting a new destination, transform it succeeds only in memories and anecdotes.

Whether in the context of a honeymoon to celebrate a wedding, an anniversary or occasion, there are sites that seem to have been painted by the hand of a specialist in Romantic weather. It is destinations where lovers may feel the only visitors, as if the whole city had been built to this point in their lives.

Venice, Italy
Venice, famous for its canals, its base sits on an archipelago of 120 small islands, connected by about 400 bridges and 150 canals, which work like streets.

It is a paradise of gondolas traveling wandering here and there. One of the recommended sites to visit is the Grand Canal, where they leave all other channels. Do not miss the opportunity to travel by vaporetto and if he can, by gondola. If you can attend a party masks and lights in the Carnival of Venice will be a unique moment for both.

If you go in winter, there will be less tourist traffic and may provide better Venetian wonders. Do not miss the opportunity to pass under the Rialto Bridge. Getting lost in the streets can be a very romantic moment.

Paris, France
Perhaps the most visited tourist spot in the world, Paris is the ultimate elegant city. Full of world famous monuments, places like the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and the famous Eiffel Tower pins are points of your romantic journey. Narrow streets full of cafes and restaurants will ensure long walks. The Louvre art flood his eyes selected. There’s nothing better than holding hands along the Seine River to dedicate a visit quite romantic.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
This destination is highlighted in its open spaces, such as various squares and parks that distinguish it. Except for the worst days of summer and coldest winter, its climate is ideal for romantic getaways with incredible outdoors.

The Rose Garden is a nice place to visit during the day, like the Japanese Garden that rescues adapted various elements of oriental culture and ensures hours of recreation.

The Palermo neighborhood is ideal for drinks, lunch or dinner at one of the hundreds of bars and restaurants in the area where you can enjoy first class cuisine in contact with various European trends.

The streets of San Telmo are another romantic spot in town. During weekends, the antique fair in San Telmo offers us a journey through time. The city is full of museums and galleries, the art of great importance to local culture.

The prominent place is Puerto Madero, downtown district on the banks of the Rio de la Plata with exclusive restaurants and bars, where a late night visit to the moonlight through the Puente de la Mujer can be hauntingly romantic.

Archipelago Hawaii, United States
Welcome to paradise green coasts and volcanoes, where the sand is white and the sea, the color of the sky. Hawaii Island is the largest of a group of islands that are part of the Hawaiian Islands.

Here you can surround the Kilauea volcano, known as the busiest in the world. On the island of Lanai, a little further north can enjoy the walk through the Garden of the Gods, in which territory will feel walking on the moon.

On the island of Maui, have the option of visiting the beautiful village of Pa’i, capital of windsurfing, and if in a little bit more, Hana is a great place to tour waterfalls and forest reserves.

Of course, it will not leave without seeing the Hawaiian Hula dance. Far from superficial, this dance is deeply rooted in local culture and is the only connection to their origins, which remains in that territory. As in the Japanese theater, every step and movement has a poetic meaning.

To enjoy holding hands, you should visit Oahu, and there look for a show of Hula, there are other free and paid offerings, but all will be just as romantic.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
It is nothing better than a tropical climate, beautiful beaches and endless local joy for a few days to pure romance. The hotels on the seafront are ideal for determining the nature of Rio de Janeiro from the balcony and get a unique intimate atmosphere.

It is impossible not to visit beaches as exclusive as Copacabana and Ipanema. It is advisable to visit the Sugar Loaf Mountain, where they can use the cable car to see the entire landscape from the heavens, embracing. Then there is the Corcovado Mountain, which sits the imposing figure of Christ the Redeemer, a tourist spot that can not be missed.

The majesty of its landscapes and the variety of attractions will make your stay in Rio de Janeiro surprisingly romantic. These were some of the countless romantic destinations that populate the world. Have you visited any? For you, what is the most romantic destination?

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