Thursday, August 26, 2010
Comical capers of Guest Jeff Wu on his Belize Adventure
It’s been a little over a week since our epic adventure with you. Here’s a photo of me sitting in “civilization” wishing I was back at the Jungle Dome sucking down a cold Belikin. ARGH!
We are still talking about our vacation and how wonderfully you guys packaged the day trips. We’ve definitely agreed, this was one of the most memorable. As Tim said, “This trip exceeded our expectations”. I will always remember the sights, activities, hospitality, but most of all the people of Belize. I especially will recollect some of the more humorous escapades:
Everyone’s expression (especially Luis our Tour Guide) as he picked us up from the airport and I pulled a calf muscle getting into the van. I’m sure he was thinking “I’ve gotta take care of this Grande Chino?”
At Tikal, I remember David’s puzzled look as I sank lower and lower right before the plastic chair gave out and I did a back-plant. Then of course there’s Tim telling me to “stay down, you might be injured” as a ruse so he could take photos.
That funny man Luis as he told the zip line guide to attach the “elephant” harness (extra shoulder strap). Hmm, I didn’t notice any other guest wearing one …
During our snorkeling trip out to Goff Island, it rained so hard we had to pull over to a clump of Mangrove trees. Tim scared the crap out of me when he pointed into the Mangroves and said, “Do you hear that? That’s gotta be a man-eating animal” It was the skipper who, unbeknownst to us, had dived overboard to inspect the boat. The noise was him exhaling through the snorkel tube.
Tim trying to mount your swimming pool inflatables. Failing miserably.
At first, it wasn’t so funny, but as time wore on I found it more humorous. The porky woman over at Caye Caulker who wouldn’t leave us alone offering all kinds of “services”. Unfortunately, I didn’t get photos (maybe that was a good thing).
To all of you, a heartfelt THANK YOU! Till our paths cross again,
Jeff, Alice, Megan and Travis. Houston, Texas, USA - July 2010
If you have any photos of your Belize Trip send them to us and we will put them on our blog or our Facebook Page.
Sandbridge Beach, is the ideal family vacation
Sandbridge Beach Virginia offers visitors a variety of overnight and extended stay accommodations, including Sandbridge Beach vacation rentals by the water. Rent an oceanfront home that sleeps 23, or find a smaller cottage with a pool. Check online with the Sandbridge Visitor's Guide homepage to find a listing of available rentals.
A Sandbridge Beach vacation is also ideal for golf enthusiasts. Sandbridge Beach Virginia is less than 25 miles from at least six area golf courses, such as Hell's Point (three miles away from Sandbridge) where you can on a 6,776-yard, par 72, 18-hole course designed by renowned architect Reese Jones. This Virginia Beach course has been voted 'Best of the Beach' by the Virginian Pilot Reader's Poll nine years running.
Sandbridge Beach Virginia also maintains a variety of beach parks and a Sandbridge Beach picnic area for day-trippers. Choose from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the False Cape State park, and the Little Island State Park, all offering a variety of play areas, educational programs, or Sandbridge Beach picnic area for lunching. For visitors who've just come down for the day and are searching for an ideal Sandbridge Beach picnic area, Little Island State Park offers a host of amenities including: basketball courts, concessions, fishing pier, picnic shelters, playground equipment, restrooms, surfing/swimming, tennis courts & volleyball courts.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day Sandbridge Beach Virginia also offers visitors a chance to surf. You can hang ten all day on your Sandbridge Beach vacation, just not between 11am - 4pm Friday - Sunday when surfing is not permitted due to more intense tourist and family activity on the beaches. You can, however, surf all day Monday - Thursday, just don't forget the sunscreen.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Originally built in 1888, the history of the boardwalk in Virginia Beach runs deep. In modern times it has received national acclaim from several prestigious publications, often referred to as "America's favorite boardwalk." In a multitude of forms, this bustling artery has seen some of the most interesting times in history. The enduring landmark was constructed in the post-Civil War era Gilded Age, a time when the population snowballed and wealth was reinforced in the upper class. Today the abiding wood-planked walkway still receives the largest number of visitors in Virginia seeking out the best of the Virginia Beach boardwalk attractions and exhilarating atmosphere.
To explore all the Virginia Beach boardwalk attractions in depth, at minimum a few days are needed. With the majority of seaside attractions arranged along the three-mile boardwalk in Virginia Beach, visitors can enjoy the vehicle-free area and opt to bike or walk the wooden stretch. The distinct cycling paths make a bike ride along the Virginia Beach boardwalk a great and earth-friendly way to explore. The three-mile-long, twenty-eight-foot-wide boardwalk is home to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, housed in the oldest beach cottage on the oceanfront of Virginia Beach. The Virginia Legends Walk offers a look at some of the most celebrated Virginians of all time including Edgar Allen Poe, Robert E. Lee, and Ella Fitzgerald. From April through October, visitors can take a walk out to the Virginia Beach boardwalk fishing pier for a look or to enjoy some fishing.
The Amusement Park is another must-see for many exploring the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. The screams and screeches of roller coaster riders along with the hum of happy voices makes this one of the best spots on the thoroughfare. The Naval Aviation Monument at 25th Street is one of the most photographed and admired monuments in the area. It is dedicated to the Coast Guard and Marine Corps aviation beginning in the 1900s through to today. Some of the other famous Virginia Beach boardwalk attractions include The Norwegian Lady Statue, adjacent to the aviation monument, and the commanding, 24-foot King Neptune Statue made entirely of bronze is arguably the best photo-op on the boardwalk.
During the summer months one of the leading stops along the Virginia Beach boardwalk is Beach Street USA. This vibrant, high-energy area comprises four waterfront stages offering a wide variety of family-friendly theater performances and live music. Kicking off in mid-June and continuing until Labor Day, fireworks, festivals, and entertainment complete Virginia vacations and offer a good look into one of the most unique and exciting communities in the state. Pair all that excitement with excellent shopping, an enormous choice in dining and fantastic nightlife and you've got a match made in vacation heaven.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Best Activity Beaches in Florida for You
Do you prefer a quiet beach or one with lots of activity? What about diving, snorkeling or surfing?
Do you want bring the whole family, and have everyone enjoy the day?
Come and find some of the best beaches in Florida.
Active Beaches
If you're high energy and like to rent "beach toys" like jetskis and kayaks, Florida has several beaches that would suit you just fine! Two of the more popular are Daytona Beach and Key West. As a bonus, these beaches are great for people-watching!
Quiet Beaches in Florida
Although Florida has developed most of the coasts with condos, beach houses and resorts, there are still some quiet Florida beaches around.
There's a jewel in South Florida most people don't know about, called MacArthur Beach State Park. In the Panhandle there are lots of wide, sandy beaches on the barrier islands -- some of which see very few people.
The Spacecoast, too, as a treasure in the Canaveral National Seashore.
Beaches With Resorts
The answer is there are tons of such beaches! Some of the more popular include Panama City, Sanibel, Ft. Lauderdale and Daytona. There are all kinds of price ranges, although Sanibel and Ft. Lauderdale tend to cost more.
Snorkeling and Diving Beaches
The Florida Keys has myriad beaches where you can snorkel and dive to your heart's content in the warm, clear tropical waters.
South Florida as well as some clear water and interesting reefs. Check out MacArthur Beach State Park for the worm reefs just off the beach.
What Else?
There are beaches in Florida where you can camp, bring your four-legged friend, surf and more. The best beaches in Florida are the ones that fit your vacationing style!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Luxury Laguna Beach Resort Phuket, Thailand
The hotel accommodation features a choice of views of the private lagoon and of the wide-open sea including sunrise and sunset. Enjoy dining at our four restaurants, offering International and Thai cuisine.
Laguna Beach Resort offers an unforgettable family experience that will leave you and your children
Monday, August 23, 2010
Scuba Diving Can Be The Right Way To Experience Life
People perform scuba diving for personal issues, recreation, enjoyment, exploring a whole new world, the need for adrenaline or just wanting to get out from the daily routine. Who wouldn’t want to live in new experiences, explore the unknown under water worlds and discover new things?
Scuba diving has become a very popular activity done by a lot of people who are willing to experience new sensations while performing wreck diving, cave diving, ice diving or deep diving. It is not only addressed to swimmers and requires some basic training, but it was proven to be fun for anyone who tried it.
Also the prices decreased a lot during the years, as more and more manufacturers started to produce the needed equipments. Also the increase in popularity decreased the costs of the training programs.
If you are tempted to spend your holiday somewhere where you can explore the underwater world, you should know that there are a lot of travel agencies specialized in this activity.
How would you like to see a Whale Shark with your eyes or to hear the acoustics of the Humpback Whale? What about swimming through Barracudas or just relaxing, feeling the water touching your soul while floating through underwater coral gardens? All of these are not seen just in movies.
Scuba diving is practiced almost anywhere in the world where there are waters. In the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the globe you can find a lot of holiday divers, people like you who enjoy living the best things in life. The underwater scenery may leave you speechless as it left me and nothing else will ever equal that feeling.
Depending on where you live, you can go to Australia, where you’ll find a colorful underwater life and the longest coral reef in the world, also shark whales and mystical white sharks, the Bahamas where you will enjoy turquoise waters, underwater tunnels and interesting caves, ship wrecks, where you can swim with the dolphins or enjoy the large variety of fish or you could visit Corsica; here you’ll find a luxurious fish life, like you’ve never seen before.
Also you might want to go to Egypt and dive in the Red Sea; you will find superb coral reefs and lots of turtles. Another must-dive-in place is to be found in Galapagos. Here you can dive if you have the necessary experience as the waters are dangerous.
Indonesia has a lot of dive choices like wild waters found near islands, a large variety of creatures like hippocampus, sharks, tunas, dolphins and turtles.
So as you can see there are infinite possibilities when it comes to scuba diving. The best thing is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on this passion. You don’t have to go far, check out the places near you and see if you can dive there, for sure you’ll find things that you never knew were so close to you.
Cozumel Mexico – The Best Scuba Diving Spots In The World
Ranked among the top 10 scuba diving spots, Cozumel Mexico is the place to head to if one is looking for an exotic holiday, diving among amazing species of fish.
With pristine reefs around the island, it is the perfect spot for scuba diving vacation.
Cozumel is the largest Mexican Caribbean Island about 12 miles from the main land.
The name of the island refers to the Mayan name Cuzamil which meant “Land of Swallows”. With 100’ visibility and a diving height ranging from 30’ to 120’ the island offers some of the world’s best scuba diving spots.
The reefs are protected by marine national parks, thus one can expect them in perfect conditions. Some of the popular spots are Palancar, El Cedral and Santa Rosa reefs.
Enjoy the scuba diving experience with exotic fishes swimming by your side. Step off the sand and wade through fabulous coral gardens.
It really does not matter if the tourist is a novice or an expert at scuba diving, there are plenty of professionals here, just waiting to help you.
You need to bring nothing with you besides your love for scuba diving. Hire equipment, take lessons and dive with professionals beside you.
You should go to Cozumel for the perfect scuba diving holiday. Enjoy the pristine reefs and clear waters along with luxury stays and gourmet food for a unique dream vacation.
Scuba Diving In Papua New Guinea
Scuba Diving In Riviera Maya, Mexico
Scuba in Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Maui Prince Hotel - Makena Resort
The onsite tennis facilities offer six courts, clinics, private lessons, equipment rentals, and a snack bar. Other recreational facilities include the outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center, and the spa. Additional amenities include children's programs, wireless Internet access, babysitting services, arts and crafts classes, laundry services, babysitting services, free valet parking, and free local shuttles.
Dining options include Island cuisine at the Prince Court, Sunday Brunch, the Sunset Lu'au, Japanese fare at Hakone, Cafe Kiowai, Makena Clubhouse, Molokini Lounge, and the Poolside Snack Bar.Guest rooms feature private lanais, refrigerators, free bottled water, coffeemakers, bath amenities, hairdryers, TVs, high-speed Internet access, and safes.
KIDS EAT FREE / GOLF FREE promotion (valid for travel dates from April 1 - September 30, 2009):Children 5 - 12 years of age eat FREE when dining with parents paying full rate on a main course or equivalent from restaurant menu. Children 6 - 17 years of age golf for free when golfing with their parents. Parents must purchase a round of golf and accompany kids when golfing.
Great Falls Montana's Portion
Like many other Montana cities, Great Falls didn't start to gain identifiable status until the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was during this time that Great Falls Montana became both an important railway stop and a thriving industrial center. The city's waterfalls were used to create hydroelectric power, which also helped it to grow into a major supply center. As Great Falls quickly became one of the larger cities in the state, visitors began arriving to get a glimpse of the falls for which the city is named. They also came to see the studio of artist Charles Marion Russell, who was born in St. Louis and moved to Great Falls when he was a teenager. Russell specialized in painting scenes of the American West. He also made bronze sculptures and was an accomplished author and storyteller. When Charles Marion Russell passed away in 1926, the local schools shut down so that the children could watch his funeral procession. If you want to view some of the works of one of the most cherished past residents of Great Falls, a visit to the C.M. Russell Museum is in order.
One of the top Great Falls attractions, the C.M. Russell Museum complex displays some 2,000 artifacts, pieces and art, and personal objects that relate to Russell's life and career. It also features a home that Russell built in 1900, the rustic log cabin studio that came three years later, and even some works of art that were created by other renowned western artists. Great Falls Montana prides itself on being a cultural city, and there are a few other museums here that you might also add to your Great Falls travel itinerary. They include the History Museum, which has more than 95,000 objects on display that revolve around central Montana history, and the Children's Museum of Montana, which features fascinating interactive experiences that any kid is bound to enjoy. To learn more about Lewis and Clark's 1804-1806 expedition and how it relates to Great Falls Montana, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center is the place to go.
Found on a bluff that offers picturesque views of the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center offers exhibits that celebrate the spirit of adventure. There are also ranger programs that can be enjoyed here, and you can hike to nearby Giant Springs State Park, which is another historic Lewis and Clark Trail landmark. Should you really be interested in making the Lewis and Clark experience the focus of your Great Falls travel plans, you can visit the city in June, which is when the Interpretive Center puts on its annual festival. This event celebrates both the Corps of Discovery expedition and the area's Native American history and culture. Getting back to Giant Springs State Park, it too is among the top Great Falls attractions, partly because it is home to the shortest river in the world. At least that's what the Guinness Book of World Records once labeled the Roe River.
While there are plenty of hot springs in Montana that you can visit, the cooler springs at Giant Springs State Park also attract plenty of onlookers. People also come to the park to do some bird watching, to see the fish hatchery, and to enjoy the Rainbow Falls Overlook, which is easily reached from the park. Visiting Ulm Pishkun State Park is also among the top things to do in Great Falls. It is at this park where you can observe the cliffs that Native American hunters stampeded buffalo over for more than 1,000 years. From the cliffs at Ulm Pishkun State Park, views of the Rocky Mountains just to the west can also be enjoyed.
After engaging in a little Great Falls travel, you can head west to enjoy all that the highlands have to offer, or you might take a northerly route towards Glacier National Park. Head south instead, and you'll eventually find Yellowstone National Park. There's a lot to see and do in Montana, and the Great Falls attractions can definitely keep you busy for at least a few days before heading on. This is especially true if you show up for the State Fair, which is among the top events in Montana. The overall affordability of the Great Falls hotels helps to make it an attractive destination, and since one of the six major Montana airports can be found here, you can fly right in!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Belize Guest Comments and Slideshow - May, June and July 2010
21 June 2010
What a great place! Karen, David, Nora, Wanni, and those others whose names I don’t know, thank you so much for taking us in and making us feel like family! This place is a perfect combination of relaxing paradise and adventure. We will never forget our experience here.
The Reed family
5th July 2010
Thanks for everything. Karen & David are great asset to your business. The tours were fun, just remind people the ATM can be scary because it is dark, enclosed and goes on forever. The rest was a gas! Wanni’s food was perfect and plentiful. Great place, we will be recommending it to many.
Chris and Malcolm Rayburn, Narato, California, USA
14th June 2010
Dear Jungle Dome
This was a life changing experience for my mom and I. Everything from the crazy driving , to our day trips, to the great food, to the sitting by the pool.
The moment we got here all of our stress seemed to just melt away and it was so relaxing knowing everything was taken care of. The food was amazing, and it was wonderful to sit outside after dinner and talk while the toads came out and the howler monkeys sang. All of our day trips were incredible.
We can't even describe how much fun we had ! We learned so much and the entire experience was incredible ! We loved every second of this trip and wouldn't have changed a thing. Our stay here was simply life changing ! We will never forget it !
Thank you all for everything
Stephanie and Debbie Wade, Kent, Ohio, USA
VISIT us on the web at www.belizejungledome.com
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sorobon Beach Resort, Bonaire
Bonaire is a city on the main island (out of a total of five islands) in the Netherlands Antilles. Here is where you find the the Sorobon Beach Resort. The pristine atmosphere on the beautiful island is what makes this place a little haven that welcomes you to swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and to stay nude on the beach 24-7. The average nightly rate is $190.
Top 5 Nude Beaches This Summer
Wonderful Hidden Beach Resort – Au Naturel Club, Mexico
Hidden in the Mexican Caribbean just one hour from Cancun, this is an adult-only resort with some of the finest white sand beaches in the world, where you can spend a truly luxurious nude vacation. One of their 42 beach-front suites are waiting for you in this intimate, uncrowded setting. Don’t expect it to be cheap. The average nightly rate is $541 and makes it the most expensive on our list. Looking for a more affordable option in Cancun? Check out these great discount hotels in Cancun.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Family Vacation Planning in The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort-St. Lucia
Situated on Labrelotte Bay, The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is the best family vacation resorts. This makes the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort a great choice as a family vacation resort because of the sheer space in the accommodation. In fact the villas can easily become anything from one to four bedroomed.Equally the privacy of the stylishly decorated villas makes it a great honeymoon resort too, and if not that a good choice for a romantic getaway, with the separate living and dining rooms plus full kitchen also increasing the options in the villas.
There are in fact five restaurants including Papa Don an Italian Trattoria for the pizza and pasta fiends, then Jammer’s Restaurant and Bar is a steakhouse and Grill Bar, and the Dragonfly serves Asian and West Indian food. You can have dinner prepared and served in your villa, make your own meals, or eat in the restaurants. The chefs at the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort are rated amongst the top in the Caribbean, and they are one of the reasons this place is rated a top Caribbean Family resort, plus the fact that only one restaurant doesn’t allow under twelve year olds in for dinner.
One strongly suggested option is to take the all inclusive vacation package if you like to drink alcohol. There is little doubt that the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is a good quality luxury hotel and resort, with a high satisfaction ratio. What guests seem to like more than anything is the friendliness of the staff, the roominess of the villas, the plunge pools at the villas, the food, and the water sports.
All in all as a family vacation resort the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort does well. It isn’t totally a luxury hotel and resort, but it has a pretty good try, and would be a good choice as a romantic honeymoon destination especially if you book one of the very private villas.
Four Mile Beach- Port Douglas Australia
Take a look a sandy beach of Four Mile Beach. This beach is on the East side of Port Douglas, a small tourist town around 50km (31mi) North of Cairns, Queensland. It is a long sandy beach, lined by tropical coconut trees, that starts near the town centre, extending South for close to the advertised four miles. At the North end there is a picnic area with BBQs, hotels and cafes. Further South behind the beach is a mix of residential houses, hotels and resorts.