วันอังคารที่ 28 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Destination Bali

Land of Extremes

Mother Nature is full of notable extremities. There are places on this planet Earth like El Azizia in Northern Africa, where temperature soars upto 66°C and it is in this very planet lies Antarctica, where temperature freezes to -89°C!!

Talking about extremes, there is an island in the Asian continent which is quite notable for the extreme creation of Mother Nature. Yes, we are indeed talking about Bali! Located as an island within Indonesia, Bali is known worldwide for its volcanic eruptions. It is also one of those places in the world frequently prone to earthquakes. Bali was in the news in the beginning of the 21st century because of the Bomb blast incident in one of the famous tourist place.

A look at the other extreme of this earthquake prone island would certainly make anyone forget nature's mischievous acts and rather start appreciating the natural scenery, cultural heritage of Bali. Renowned for its largest tourist attraction from around the world, Bali is famous for its sculpture, painting, dance and other art related works.

Holiday Destination

Bali has all it takes to be one of the world's exotic tourist attractions. One might wonder about the reason for this island being a centre of attraction. It is not a mysterious myth. It is rather a simple math! Statistics and survey reveals that a foreign tourist spends approximately 50% less than he/she would spend in other exotic locations. This doesn't mean that the services offered by the Hotels and resorts are any lesser than countries elsewhere. The cost of living in this part of this world is so less.

"Who practices Hospitality entertains God himself"- Balinese are among the most visitor-friendly people. The hospitality offered by the locals to the foreigners is one rare gift that these local people possess. And for this particular reason, there are quite a few regular foreign visitors to Bali.

A vacation means to relax your mind and body. Beaches in Bali unlike other busy beaches in the world are a quiet place without much of the commercial complexes nearby. It is a spectacular sight to watch the Rice terrace throughout Bali! Rice being their staple diet, 20% of their land is being used for growing Rice.

Anybody who is a nature lover must make a trip to Bali. There are some dead volcanoes in this island which are a major source of attraction for the tourists. It is also converted as a trekking spot among the misty craters.

If you are looking for a holiday destination with a serene environment and less of commercialized and crowded atmosphere, go ahead and book your tickets to Bali. It is a place one can visit at an affordable budget!




The author of this article has great knowledge about the Bali villas. He has helped many people out there to get the best Bali villa deal at affordable prices. He well knows the fact that there are several things to be considered while choosing the Bali villa. He has written many articles on choosing the Bali holiday villa.

วันจันทร์ที่ 27 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Ten Must-See Places in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the countries in Central America. It is bordered by both Nicaragua and Panama as well s the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica is a wonderful tourist destination for visitors as well as newlyweds, and here are ten of the many places that you can enjoy in Costa Rica.

1.) The Central Cathedral

Located in Alajuela, this cathedral is a must-see when you visit the city. Although it is pretty in its own way, it is not that impressive when it comes to its architectural design. What makes this area special though is because it is a nice spot where you can enjoy views of parrots and even a sloth or two if you are lucky enough.

2.) Juan Santamaria Park

You can take a nice long walk in this park named after their national hero. You will also see here cannons that were used during the 1860s era. After a stroll in the park, you can also visit the Juan Santamaria Museum which houses memorabilia about the national hero.

3.) Poas Volcano National Park

This is a favorite place among locals and foreigners alike. Here, you will get to see what the crater of a volcano that is still active looks like. There are guided tours that will take you to the summit of the volcano.

4.) The Lankester Botanical Gardens

What great way to spend a relaxing afternoon than having a nice quiet stroll along the grounds of this botanical garden? Here, you will see a large assortment of orchids and other kinds of plants. This is also ideal for families to enjoy.

5.) Arenal Volcano

You can also take guided tours to the Arenal Volcano, another active volcano here in Costa Rica. Here, you will be taken to El Mirador where you are in a safe distance to view the volcano's eruption. The hot lava flow is a nice view when seen at night, red lava against the contrast of the black night.

6.) Fortuna Waterfall

This is another favorite tourist spot. Here, you can spend the day swimming in its lovely pool and stream as well as catch a glimpse or two of its native animals. Do not forget to bring a jacket though as it can become chilly at night.

7.) Cahuita National Park

Visiting this national park is also a great way to spend the day. Its main attraction is its coral reefs that are located near the shore. As such, this is a good area where you can snorkel or scuba dive and get to enjoy the views offered by the different species of fish that make their homes in the reefs.

8.) Corcovado National Park

This is a wildlife park that provides a very good opportunity to see animals at their habitats. Here, you will see four species of monkeys as well as wild cats (many of them endangered) and other kinds of animals like birds. This remarkable plethora of animals in this national park is brought about by less human contact.

9.) Manuel Antonio National Park

This is home to squirrel and white-faced monkeys as well as other kinds of animals such as the sloth and iguanas. You can also see here toucans and birds and, of course, bats. Word of caution though, it is prohibited to feed the monkeys in this national park.

10.) Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

This is also a must-see in Costa Rica if you are a nature lover. You will enjoy here the sights of vast greenery as well as a myriad of creatures like amphibians and insects. Get a different thrill as you walk through its trails with vines hanging from trees and the songs of the birds and insects.




Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv]. Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/costarica] to view or share Costa Rica travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/costarica].

วันเสาร์ที่ 25 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Mount Kilauea: Burning With the Fire of Hawaiian Mythology

The Big Island is home to several areas of volcanic activity, including one of the world's most active volcanoes: Mount Kilauea. This astounding location has a long history of erupting, and an even longer history within Hawaiian folklore. In fact, native Hawaiians might lead you to believe that the characters of this folklore are the very same forces that drive such scorching activity both to this day and in centuries long since past.

Kilauea has been in a state of constant activity for hundreds of years, but violent eruptions are far and few between. The earliest eruption on written record was said to occur back in 1820. Even before notes of the eruptions were transcribed, the volcano had a history of reigning fire. Sometime in 1790, Kilauea is said to have erupted forcefully, killing a group of Hawaiian warriors and their families. These same warriors were reportedly followers of Keōua Kuahuula, who was the last chief on the Big Island to hold out against Kamehameha the 1st's unification of the island of Hawaii, on his way to conquering all of the Hawaiian Islands.

Another noteworthy early nineteenth century individual associated with this impressive volcano is Admiral Lord Byron. Byron, who was the cousin of the famous poet of the same name, (minus the "Admiral") spent some time at Kilauea, camping at a coordinates that can still be found today known as Byron's Ledge. We might assume that this more recent lord felt similar to his elder cousin, retreating to the slopes of Kilauea because he "love[s] not man the less, but Nature more."

One reason to reconsider that love of nature when it comes to volcanoes happened in the early twentieth century. One of Kilauea's most powerful eruptions occurred during this era after water that had accumulated in the Halema'uma'u Crater drained into the volcano below. The ensuing clash of magma and water created an enormous explosion that was said to have cast volcanic ash, steam, and fiery rock projectiles as far as twelve miles into the Hawaiian sky. This amazing display of Mother Nature's power occurred in 1924, and is surely reminiscent of similar events that precede recorded Hawaiian history. When one considers this fact, it's easy to understand why the Hawaiian people held this --and the other big island volcanoes-- with such high respect. Having seen mother-nature's fury first hand, their natural reaction was to attribute it to their gods, namely Pele, who has a long fiery history of activity throughout the islands.

Pele, or the Hawaiian Volcano Goddess, was said to have been manifested in Kilauea. The volcano was thought to represent the actual body of this important Hawaiian deity. Certain lava formations even became associated with Pele's physical attributes. Spatters of lava as they travel through the air take on a tear drop shape and sometimes harden before returning to land, retaining their form and becoming what are known as "Pele's Tears." When lava drips over itself, or spurts quickly through the air when it enters water, hair-like strands of volcanic glass are created, that you might be able to guess are referred to in Hawaii as "Pele's Hair." Pele's legacy survives to this day in the form of these eruption products and photos of lava that sometimes seem to show Pele's likeness within the blazing lava itself.

Another physical sign of Pele and other Hawaiian gods' actions are viewable at the previously mentioned Halema'uma'u crater at Mount Kilauea. The Hawaiian rain god Kamapua'a, jealous of Pele's amazing ability to demonstrate her power by causing fire to erupt forth from the ground, caused 'ama 'uma 'u or a specific type of Hawaiian fern (which the Halema'uma'u is named for), to cover the sides of the mountain. Choked by the smoke that was now trapped by the covering of lush foliage, Pele was forced to emerge from below ground and expose herself to her rival. The two powerful deities immediately realized that an all out battle between the two of them would certainly result in their mutual destruction. The two wisely reached a truce, splitting the Big Island between each other with Pele retaining control of the leeward side of the island, and Kamapua'a gaining total control of the windward side. To this day, the geography of the big island is strikingly contrasting, perhaps lending a bit of validity to this imaginative bit of Hawaiian legend.

The Big Island of Hawaii is truly a one of a kind location that any visitor to the Hawaiian Islands should take some time to explore. Mount Kiluea in particular is frequently the highlight of many a vacation experience.




Tours of the volcano area are a great way to get a chance to see Pele in all of her magnificence. Seeing these amazing spectacles of fire and rock will surely leave you wondering exactly what else besides a supernatural force could inspire such a constant flow.

Benjamin Herrick
Staff Writer Discover Hawaii Tours

วันศุกร์ที่ 24 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

A Romance With Nature

If you're not a lover of nature, you may stop reading this.

And for those nature lovers and nature wanderers, explore what nature brings to you the luxury of a tranquil and relax world. Witness the agape while communing with nature.

This is no way near serene. I love exploring wonderlands. The hills, the mountains, the seas, and even the underwater, the sparkling springs, and a long stretch of pristine beach are like a sprint to paradise.

That's me!

For others this is almost unreal in a modern day world. But I still keep my faithfulness to nature and its laws. Almost three times a year, I see to it that I would have my island destination. Where there is a luxury link to a pristine without remaining primitive, convenient and comfortable without annoying commercial - a long stretch of beach.

I see to it that there is abundance of natural attractions on a small price of land lying of the coast. I usually go for a cheap but luxurious travel that is included in vacation package. In my last vacation, the island is about an hour drive around. This island has waterfalls, hot springs, cold springs, caves, Spanish galleon era relics, even volcanoes and a pool of soda water. Where we actually drink the water we swim in! Hahaha

I love the beach, farther out is a blinding strip of white sand above a gleaming turquoise sea. Below the water are reefs, one of which are canyon ridges that were formed from a past volcanic eruption. This is now laden with aquatic life that is celebrated as prime dive sites. With a ten-minute banca ride from the shore brings us to this impressive sandbar that bulges out of the open sea. As we are looking for a beach in this island, it leads us on this islet. This is a good focal point for travel or should I say exploring the island.

Inland, there are numerable sites that will keep a nature lover like me busy for days. The Falls is easily accessible and refreshing while therapeutic hot springs is located further on. Camping grounds surround the little steaming pool. Sadly to say, this is an island in stasis - modernization and progress is making its inevitable way in.

Still at the dive site, a pair of eel that stare curiously at the camera.

We happen to chat up with a fellow American, who happens to be a resident here. We were offered a dive, beer and pizza! There are even motorcycles for rent. I'm lucky enough to borrow a bicycle. The best way to explore the coastal road is on two wheels. Coz' the rolling terrain cuts through tree lined villages, forest patches, seaside cliffs and breezy and elevated plains. Since arriving in this island I have ridden my borrowed bike around the island everyday.

We saw a rare Green Sea Turtle at the dive site, was so relaxed that it had to be waken up for this photo.

After almost travelling around the world, I don't want to leave this island anymore. This rare, perfect island, a paradise.




Bea Scott is in-love with life & secretly dreams of traveling to Hawaii and wear a pink grass skirt! Her current crusade is to limit paper wastage and has since been bugging her officemates and friends to stop printing unnecessarily. Read more of her views at her blog Romancing Nature

Safety First on Hawaii Volcano Tours

Discovering the islands of Hawaii, and participating in Hawaii volcano tours, is exhilarating.  Whether lying on the beaches of Waikiki, walking through the historic towns of Lahaina and Kailua-Kona, or hiking the Na Pali Coast, it is good to remember how these idyllic landscapes were created. 

It is good to look at what lays underneath your tropical vacation, because the creation of this paradise is ongoing.  And the destruction of this paradise is ongoing.  That is why it is always wise to remember that safety comes first when touring the volcanoes of the Hawaiian Islands.

The safest way to experience the volcanoes of Hawaii, regardless of which island you are on, is always with experienced guides.  Many visitors to Hawaii have ventured out on their own to the edge of active lava flows, to the cliffs and new deltas formed by dormant lava flows, and the results have not always been pretty.  Beneath hardened lava fields lies a geological world straight out of mythology, and a thousand year old lava flow can be just as dangerous as a ten day old lava flow.

The hazards from volcanoes to be aware of are tephra, which is airborne fragments of lava, sometimes known as "lava bombs" depending on their size.  These can be carried by the wind some distance and awareness is always called for so you are not caught by surprise by a volcanic projectile.

Lava flows, lava tubes, and lava vents have their beauty and their danger.  The town of Kalapana, on the Big Island, boasts beautiful black sand beaches.  This black sand however is the result of a 1990 eruption and lava flow that lasted nine months.  An entire town, housing subdivision and way of life now lay buried under more than 30 feet of lava.

Volcanic gases and emissions are monitored in Hawaii, and if you have respiratory problems it is wise to be aware of what fumes are being released into the air on any given day.

There is no sight so humbling or so awesome as that of molten lava meeting the sea. Do not miss such an experience but be aware that there are explosions that occur when these two forces of nature meet. New land is created and new land falls away as volcano encounters ocean.  The serene waters of the Pacific can instantly boil, sending hot, scalding water into the air.  A breathtaking sight to see, but one best seen from a distance.

There is no experience that compares to witnessing the volcanoes of Hawaii in all their various stages of development and decline.  But it is best to do so with an experienced tour guide.  Respect these forces of nature, with all their inherent beauty and all their inherent danger.  Touring the volcanoes of Hawaii is perfectly safe; just remember always to put safety first.




Safely experience your Hawaii volcano tours. Visit http://www.hawaiitours.com/volcano.php for more information.

Global Warming Is Expected To Increase The Intensity Of Hurricanes & Tornadoes

Global warming is expected to increase the intensity of forces of nature, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. It is determined not by individual weather events, such as heat waves or cold snaps or hurricanes, but by the global mean surface temperature. It is already increasing the intensity of hurricanes in the North Atlantic, increasing the risk of devastating impacts when a storm hits.

Global warming is also leading to more dramatic swings in the weather in some areas. It is already affecting the world we know, endangering polar bears, shortening ski seasons and creating more intense storms. Global warming is a huge risk, it is an increase in the average temperature of the earth's surface.

Global warming is bad news for human life, including changes in agricultural yields, melting of glaciers and the extinction of certain species for ever.

Global warming is an increase of average world temperatures as a result of what is known as the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in the atmosphere behave like glass in a greenhouse, permitting sunlight through to heat the earth's surface but trapping heat as it radiates back into the space, causing an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface. Since the late 1800's, the global average temperature has increased about 0.7 to 1.4 degrees F (0.4 to 0.8 degrees C). Global warming is determined not by individual weather events, but by the global mean surface temperature. North America experienced a fairly normal winter in 2006-2007, and some parts had extremely cold weather this year ?

Greenhouse gases are an air pollution problem, and all air pollution problems of the past have cost significantly less to fix than projected, while declining faster than expected. This gives cause to hope that artificial greenhouse gases can be controlled reasonably cheaply and without wrenching sacrifices to the global economy. Greenhouse gases are released by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, and agriculture. Other phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes have had smaller and probably negative effects 1950.

Global warming is already under way. The evidence is vast and the urgency of taking action becomes clearer with every new scientific study.




Bob Wright has produced more interesting and informative articles on Global Warming. They can easily be found here > http://globalwarmingthefacts.com/

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 23 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Big Island Volcano Tours Equal Big Island Fantasy

Big Island volcano tours can be educational or spiritual or scientific or anything you want them to be really. Your tours can amount to a nice family outing, a botanical and geological study, or even a brief history of the creation of the world. And they can also be about danger, excitement, exhilaration, adventure, and plain, good old fashioned fantasy.

Volcanoes have always brought out the child in me. The tom boy who wants to get down and dirty with the big boys, wrestle in the mud, and live life to its fullest.

I want to be the type of person who looks into the face of an active volcano and says, "Bring it." I want to be the woman who flies in a helicopter over exploding hot lava and volcanic ash with the same rush of joy and elation other women find in an afternoon shopping the big sales.

Volcanoes bring out the Indiana Jones in me. Whether for a brief ride in a helicopter or on a nine hour hike, there is a quest involved, and I am the ultimate explorer - the ultimate adventurer.

There are no "to do" lists when touring the volcanoes of Hawaii. There is only a spirit of the unknown; the mysterious and the ancient forces of nature. I meet the Gods and Goddesses of the elements and I introduce myself. I am the Goddess of Soccer Moms. I am the conqueror of the volcano and the ruler of the PTA.

I can stand fearlessly at the edge of the world and watch new lands being created and older lands being destroyed and I am exultant. I am powerful. Pele has nothing on me.

Some feel humble when volcanic ash and fumes surround them. Some feel small in the shadows of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. I feel myself rise up to meet them; world's tallest mountain meet the world's most complicated woman. There is no comparison.

Lava crumbles underneath my feet. Waterfalls bathe me. The ancients of Hawaii chant my name and sing my praises. Maui holds the sun up just so it can shine on my beauty. And Lono, well, he just wants to love me.

I see the sunrise and the sunset from the top of my volcano worlds. I am ruler and creator of all that I see. You will suffer my wrath or bathe in my mercy. I am moody. I am mercurial. I am mysterious.

In my island fantasy, I am the winds and the seas, the stars and the moon. I stand on top of volcanoes and I am all that is fierce and uncontrollable in this universe.

And I am late for dinner with my family.




Live out your fantasies on your own Big Island volcano tours. Start today by visiting http://www.hawaiitours.com/big-island-volcano.php.

Chile Travel Destinations & Places to Visit in Chile

A country in South America, Chile totally reflects the beauty of nature. The country is very well known for its improbable shape. It has an unusual geography of extreme zones which means geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes. Chile is the perfect destination for the ones who are in search of wilderness and pure nature.Generally, this country is regarded as the natural wonderland.

Santiago is the capital of Chile. Vina del Mar, Easter Island, Arica, Curico, Iquique, Calama, La Serena, San Pedro de Atacama, Valparaíso, Torres Del Paine, Valdivia, Temuco, Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Talca, Concepcion, Antofagasta, Quellón, Chaiten, Chonchi, Ancud, Punta Arenas, Puente Alto, San Bernardo, Talcahuano are among the popular cities of Chile.

Santiago is not only the capital city but also the biggest one. Santiago offers tourists a number of attractions. Among these attractions there are Arms Square, Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, National History Museum, Coloured House, Moneda Palace, La Chascona House Museum, Palace of Fine Arts, Church of St Francis, Statue of the Virgin, Santa Lucia Hill and much more. Moreover, Santiago offers attractive parks.

One of the major attractions of Chile is Easter Islands known as Rapa Nui and Isla de Pascua which has a mistery. The colossal rocks that are carved to resemble huge human faces make this place so charming. These are 887 huge monolithic stone statues called moai The mistery is that how these boulders were carved is unknown. Chile is also famous with Torres del Paine. It is also one of the best nature travel destinations in all of South America. In Arica there is the famous San Marcos Cathedral. Altiplano with its vast volcanoes and lakes is a place to see. Atacama desert in the North and Patagonia in the South call for adventure. The Andes provide outdoor sports such as hiking, skiing, trekking and climbing. The Lake District presents beautiful secenery.
Chile houses one of the driest places in the form of Atacama Desert. On the contrary, it has the coldest glaciers.

Chile owns a very long coastline which means that the country is a paradise for beach lovers. Viña del Mar is the most popular seaside resort of Chile. Concon, Arica and Renaca are also popular ones. Valparaíso which has been designated as World Heritage Site by UNESCO is a popular travel destination. It is the main port of Chile.

Chile also has very beautiful National Parks. Juan Fernandez Islands, Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael, Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo, Vicente Pérez Rosales, Volcán Isluga, Laguna del Laja, Bosque de Fray Jorge, Parque Nacional Puyehue, Lleu Lleu Lake, Lauca National Park, Rio Simpson National Reserve, Torres del Paine National Park are among these parks and places to visit while exploring Chile.

These are only some of the names of the destinations to visit. There are many attractions all of which are worth to see. To learn and get more information you can visit travelovideo.com. The videos of travelovideo will inform you about Chile.

- Copyright © 2008 Travelovideo: Online Travel Videos -

Not: Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine with the information about author/website info & links is included. (URLs in should be set as hyperlinks)




Travelovideo: Online Travel Videos - the place to watch travel videos online for free. Visit http://www.Travelovideo.com to view Chile travel videos and places to visit in Chile.

วันพุธที่ 22 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Paulina Lake - Year-Round Fun

Southeast of Bend in Central Oregon there are two lakes formed in the caldera of a volcano that blew its top thousands of years ago. Paulina Lake is nestled in the Newberry Crater fed by snow melt and springs. It is nature at its pristine best. Full of rainbow trout, brown trout and sockeye salmon it is a fisherman's paradise. One of the best things about it is that it has a twin a short distance away called East Lake. It is one of those double your pleasure kind of things.

You do not have to fish to enjoy Paulina Lake and East Lake. The lakes are great for canoeing and swimming. There are miles of hiking, mountain bike riding and horseback riding trails. The hot springs that flow into Paulina Lake near the bank can be corralled into your own hot tub with just a shovel and a bit of effort.

Both lakes have lodges that have rustic rental cabins that are on the lake shore and there are campgrounds nearby for both RV's and tents. Chief Paulina Horse Camp has stalls for horses. Paulina Lake Campground, Newberry Group Camp, and Little Crater Campground are on the shore of Paulina Lake. The campgrounds on East Lake are Cinderhill, East Lake, and Hot Springs. At the lodges of both lakes you will find restaurants, grocery stores, boat rentals, and tackle shops.

Nearby are Paulina Falls and Benham Falls which you can see after a short hike. Also a trip to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument makes an interesting side trip where you can learn about the volcanic eruption that formed Newberry Crater and view the lava fields at the Lava Lands Visitor Center.

Paulina Lake is also good for winter fun -- snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. In the winter there are 330,000 snow-covered acres to play on. Snowmobiles are available for rent at Paulina Lake Lodge or if you don't want to drive your own, you can take a four-hour snowmobile tour. Picture yourself in a rustic log cabin with a crackling wood fire, a cup of hot chocolate in your hand, watching the snowflakes falling gently to the ground. You can have that Paulina Lake Lodge mid-December through March.

Central Oregon is well known for its 300 days of sunshine each year. Paulina and East Lake are a great place to take advantage of those days.




To learn much more about Paulina Lake, visit Paulina Lake where you'll find more information. To plan your Oregon vacation visit Great Oregon Vacations.

Ten Great Places That You Have to Visit in Congo

Congo is one of the countries in Central Africa and is also called the Democratic Republic of Congo. This country is made popular by its many national parks that have made the list of the UNESCO World Heritage List. When in Congo, do remember to visit these 10 great places, most of them national parks.

1.) Virunga National Park

This got listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a protected piece of land. What you will see here are a diversity of Congo's native floras and faunas. Among the most popular animals to see here are its mountain gorillas as well as its hippopotamuses.

2.) Kahuzi-Biega National Park

This is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, you will see some extinct volcanoes that are always a sight to behold, and these extinct volcanoes are the Kahuzi and the Biega volcanoes. Furthermore, they also have gorillas that are well protected from poachers as well as a plethora of other animals and plants.

3.) Garamba National Park

When you visit the Garamba National Park (also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List), you will be awed by the vast savannahs it has as well as its majestic grasslands and woodlands. These are filled with all kinds of animals like the giraffes, hippopotamuses, and elephants. You will also see here the unique white rhinoceros as well as the black rhinoceros.

4.) Salonga National Park

This is a tropical rainforest national park and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as well. In this immense rainforest, you will see the antics of the dwarf chimpanzee and be amazed of the Congo peacock. This is also made more famous because of the African slender-snouted crocodile or what is also called a false crocodile.

5.) Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, this reserve is popular for the variety of birds and primates that it has. It also gives anybody who visits this place a true sense of what the beauty of nature is about as they gaze at the waterfalls. Be amazed at the wonderful scenery Ituri and Epulu Rivers offer.

6.) Nyiragongo Volcano

Another beautiful tourist destination, this volcano is a must-see in Congo. Here, you will marvel at the sight of the lava lake. But remember, this magnificent sight posts danger to the people living near it.

7.) Kinshasa

This is the capital city of Congo. Here, you can stay at budget hotels like Al Dar and La Bloque. If you want a nightlife, go to Matonge at night because this is where you can find most of the bars as well as restaurant and popular night clubs.

8.) Falls of Zongo

This is also a great place to go to if you are a nature lover. Here, you will surely love the splendid view of the Zongo Falls and admire the beauty of the nature that surrounds it. You can also stay the night here as you can camp here in a tent or you can rent a bungalow for a night's stay.

9.) Bombo-Lumene Game Park

This is a wonderful place to spend some quality time with our loved ones. You can spend a quiet and peaceful time in the many small gazebos located here. Or you can take a short nature walk along its trails and rest on a quaint bamboo bench if your legs get tired from all the walking.

10.) Bukavu

This is a city in Congo that you can also visit. Here, you will be given a scenic view of Kivu Lake. From here, you can visit the gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.




Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv] Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/congo] to view or share Congo travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/congo]

วันอังคารที่ 21 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Lake Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

My children are 6 and 8 years and I felt they were old enough to join me and my husband on one of my research trips, combined with a family holiday to Costa Rica. They loved it - and a great highlight for them was Arenal Volcano near Lake Arenal, the largest volcano in the world, erupting every day since July 1968. The local Costa Rican guild had the children in the front of the vehicle so he could explain all about the geology of the Arenal Volcano to them and answer all their millions of questions, what a coup for their next school project.

Hotel Kioro in Costa Rica
The children loved swimming at the beautiful Arenal Kioro Hotel, and watching the smoke streaming out from the Volcano. They enjoyed playing in the hot springs while spotting the different birds and animals, also horse riding around the different sides of the volcano stopping for a swim in a waterfall.

Hotel Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica
The second part of the trip was a great relaxing family holiday on the beach at Hotel Manuel Antonio. We stayed at the luxurious Arenas del Mar hotel, with monkeys playing in the trees at breakfast and Jesus Christ lizards and iguanas to see all day. Costa Rica is such a special place, perfect for a family holiday, with adventure and education for all.

Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers luxury holidays for those with a love for diversity. It is a country embracing nature, adventure, striking beaches and steaming volcanoes.
Exotic nature

This small country is an eco-tourism haven; with 12 distinct natural vegetation and ecosystems along with 630 miles of remarkable beaches lining the Pacific Coast.




Read the original Lake Arenal Costa Rica article by Helen, Founder and Managing Director of Worldwide Holidays Direct.

Helen: "I regularly travel to our destinations, visiting hotels and attractions and most importantly talking with the local staff. This way we maintain a personal relationship with our local representatives, keeping up to date and ensuring we maintain the responsive, informed and personal touch that is so important to us".

วันเสาร์ที่ 18 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Anything That Is Intense Is Short Lived

Anything that is intense is short-lived, for this is the rule of nature.. For things that are intense, no matter what their nature may be, are utilizing immense amounts of energy and that is the crux of it.

For example when you are enraged with anger there is nothing on your mind other than putting the cause of your anger out. To do this your body musters up all the energy that it can to sustain your momentum, however, as time passes your rage begins to subside because your energy levels are gone.

In a similar fashion tornado's are short-lived because they require immense amounts of energy to stir up, but like rage it can only last a short time. Volcano's - need I say more?

Couples that are in love are a true case in point. When you are young and in love you see things in a totally different light. You are walking on a cloud so to speak and not really stable in planning for you keep the love spell in mind all the while that you are in love. It is fine to be in love but ask yourself "Is a couple that has been married for 25 years still talking and acting the way that they were when they were first in love", no of course not.

The lesson to be learned from these examples is to look at your own life and see if you are making decisions and plans bases on the emotionally pack short-term rather than the calm and steady long-term.

Stephen F. Condren




Fine Arts, House Portraits, Skyline Paintings.

Education:

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA)
  • Northern Illinois University, Masters of Studio Art (MA)

Indonesia Tsunami Warning System - What is Being Done?

Nobody in the present period will forget the 200,000 victims of the Indonesia Tsunami, which was caused by the Sumatra Earthquake on Christmas Eve. But what is being done in the region now while it is still seismic active with major Volcanoes and Earthquakes? The Pacific Rim of Fire needs warning system throughout, along with the Indian Ocean, there too is seismic activity in the Caribbean as well, thus, we should be considering systems here too.

Indeed, there are some good things that are being done right now to save lives so another 200,000 people do not perish next time there is a Tsunami or a large Earthquake, which triggers one. As the Japanese, Americans and several other nations are installing Tsunami Warning systems around the globe, time is important too, the more systems that are in place, the safer human civilizations close to the water can be and there are problems now with Volcanoes and some people will not evacuate as they believe that the Volcano represents a safe passage to the final journey in life? And Volcanoes are an environmental nightmare for humans and nature. Although some could say it is merely the cleansing of the Earth so it can start a new and part of the cycle?

There have been over the last two-years hundreds of large 4 plus Earthquakes and many over 6 and 7 also. The region is very seismically active and these Tsunami Alarms will help warn people of any impending Tsunami Wave to allow people lead time to evacuate the area near the ocean. Consider this in 2006.




"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Ever Heard of a Volcanologist? (And Other Science Careers)

If you have decided that you want a career in science but are not sure which field to choose then you should look at all available options to see which most interests you. There are literally hundreds of scientific fields and many of these have a shortage of specialists. With that said, if you can commit yourself to a particular science career then you are likely to have a career for life. Science careers are rewarding and can be well paid.

So what sort of science careers are there? Some to consider include:

- Ecologist: Studies of nature and ecology
- Astronomy: Study of space
- Biologist: Study of living things
- Volcanologist: Study of volcanoes [a branch of geology]
- Engineer: Can take many forms in many different sectors. Generally to do with designing structures
- Science Teacher: Person who teaches science at school, college or university
- Geologist: Study of rocks, minerals and Earth processes
- Computer Scientist: Study advanced computer technology like virtual reality and robots
- Physicist: Study of the forces of the universe
- Chemist: Either a lab technician or a pharmacist
- Zoologist: Study of animals in captivity
- Medicine: Study of human health
- Archaeologist: Study of past civilizations, fossils and other ancient objects

The above are just a few of the hundreds of possible careers in science. Medicine is also considered a science and as such, becoming a doctor also involves studying science, particularly biology and chemistry. The earth sciences like geology, archaeology and volcanology are extremely exciting fields that are always moving forward fast. They can also provide qualified people with the chance to travel to the world to study scenarios the world over.

To become a qualified scientist in any field you must undertake a bachelor's degree in the field of your choice. Many scientists then choose to take on post graduate study to further their knowledge and to specialize in a sub-niche of their chosen sector of the scientific field. Many opt to undertake a doctorate and become a professor however this is usually only after many years are spent in the field.

Whichever science career you choose, make sure it is one you are passionate about and feel you can undertake forever. Because many scientific careers blend into one another, it is possible to change fields throughout your career and shift to a related scientific career. Without a doubt science careers are very satisfying, challenging and rewarding.




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วันพุธที่ 15 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

The Purpose of A Shelter

Nowadays, more and more people are becoming the victims of nature's bad mood. Hurricanes, earthquakes, volcano eruptions are making a lot of casualties, but we should not forget that not only nature is the cause for the disasters that seem to occur more often. One of the biggest destructive forces is the human itself with its wars, pollution, extinction of many species of animals and plants. But we don't have to accept that endlessly. We could make a difference and help our brothers in need.

One of the biggest needs of someone who was brought down by the wrath of hazard is a place he can call home. Everybody needs a bed where he can sleep, a table on which he can have lunch. The need of intimacy granted by the walls that surround his little world is probably the biggest desire.

Disaster relief shelters are being provided by many manufacturing companies through all over the world. The constant need for shelters led to an increase in the quality of the new "homes" and people who receive this kind of products are very satisfied and some tend to live in their new houses for many years.

These shelters are quite affordable and although they are very tough, rugged and durable, these structures are lightweight. Disaster relief shelters are also very easy to manufacture and that's why the new homes are available almost immediately and in a large volume. There are 1.4 billion homeless people in the world, so these features are very important. Another very interesting aspect is that these buildings are quite cheap because of the cheap materials and the automatic manufacturing techniques. Some of these shelters are made of some kind of special foam while others are made of ordinary materials like wood, metal, paper or glass.

When people are hit by various disaster they usually lose lots of precious things, including money, people they care about, their homes. The situation is very sad and these people need help. They need to be offered the chance to begin a new life. They need the most elementary things that make a living a decent one. It's probably quite obvious that in many cases the basis of such decent living is a place where the homeless can feel safe, where they can protect from extreme temperature and perform social activities.




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Volcano Eruption - 15 Important Factors To Prepare

The pictures of volcanoes look quite fascinating. Most often, they are very perfectly structured like a cone For instance Mayon Volcano in Philippines and Mt. Fiji of Japan.

Though these may be as beautiful as Mother Nature, they are quite disastrous. In terms of a definition, volcanoes are mountains, but they are yet different in the sense that geothermal activity that happens with in them is quite active and occasionally goes through destructive processes.

Primarily there are two types of volcanoes - Dormant & Inactive.

Dormant volcanoes are structures of normal mountains & do not erupt. Inactive volcanoes are quite destructive. These are active volcanoes, and occasionally erupt.

Most of the volcanoes across the world are situated at special zones. These are quite strategically located all across the Pacific Ocean. Hence, the areas of the Pacific are collectively termed as Pacific Ring of Fire.

Among these the most disastrous volcanoes are situated in the countries across the Pacific such as Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, & New Zealand. Hawaii & other islands across the Pacific are very rich in the volcanic supplies.

Her are some important facts about volcanic eruptions:

1. Over several years mankind has witnessed a lot of destruction in terms of the property & their lives due to the raging molten lava erupting from the volcanoes.

2. These eruptions of the volcanoes also cause highly destructive earthquakes that make the disaster even more catastrophic.

3. Sometimes even disastrous mudflow accompanies these eruptions, that is, only when there is rain over the volcano's crater especially near the place of eruption.

4. The only happy news is that the volcanoes do not erupt all of a sudden. They take a considerable time in order to accumulate the lava that actually triggers the eruption.

5. Most oft, the native & residents of the near by areas can make out from the indicators being showed up at the volcano and predict when the eruption would happen.

6. Thus the volcanologists & seismologists are able to advise the people days and / or even months prior to the volcanic eruption. These advices serve as warning in the long run.

7. Whenever a warning is issued for a particular area, the people there are expected to take care of all the necessary precautions in order to save their own and their family's lives from the arriving disaster.

The safety guidelines to prepare for the volcanic eruptions are as follows:

1. In case your house is located with in a few kilometers of the volcano, you must evacuate it at once. You might like to take all your important belongings with you or may be just leave them there.

2. Earthquakes are one among quite normal occurrences with the active volcanoes. Instead of getting panicky, you must proceed towards some precautionary measures.

3. Remember in case some sudden rains occur near the volcanic crater, it leads to the abrupt mudflow. This mud often contains the pre-volcanic debris of eruption & hence is hot enough to hard boil the eggs. Hence, you must be ware else, you might have to suffer severe burns owing to the mudflow.

4. You must find for a sage shelter before the eruption as during the eruption the volcano emits with a lot of force the debris high up in the air. This would lead to falling rocks & small stones being emitted out from the crater.

5. During the volcanic eruption a lot of sulfur is emitted that can cause abnormal breathing or even choking. Be prepared with the gas masks much before the eruption in order to save yourselves from the foul odor and breathe normally.

6. You must avoid any & all contacts with the most crucial & sever emitted materials of the volcano that is lava. This composes the centerpiece of the volcano and contains burning hot mud that would instantly turn anything that comes in to its contact in to ashes.

7. Even after the eruption is over, you must wait for the volcanologists' advice regarding the safety and then proceed towards your homes.

8. In case you live near a volcano, instead of changing your address, just take some precautions and keep a watch on the indicators of eminent eruption.




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วันอังคารที่ 14 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553

The Emerald Dragon Montserrat - West Indies

"What is your final destination?. I was asked upon entering Antiguan customs.
"Montserrat". I replied.
While searching my bags the customs agent commented, "Do you know you're running the wrong way?"
He then added with a smirk, "Why do you want to go there?"
As I handed him my passport, I responded, "To watch the volcano erupt."
While stamping my documents, he shook his head and directed me to the boat.

The small volcanic island of Montserrat forms part of the Leeward Island chain in the West Indies, a geologically young archipelago that began forming less than 50 million years ago. The island's volcano has remained dormant for some four-hundred years but all that changed in July of 1995. The Emerald Dragon awoke in a very cranky mood.

The eruptions involved intense earthquake swarms. Steam exploded out of the mountain from the rapid heating of ground water by the rising magma. By mid-November of that year, the magma reached the surface and a new lava dome began to form. The lava of Caribbean volcanoes is known as Andesite and is very viscous, thick like honey. It piles up around the volcano's vent, forming a dome that continues to rebuild and collapse. When the dome collapses it creates a pyroclastic flow which is an avalanche of millions of tons of fragmented lava and incandescent gasses that race down the mountainside destroying everything in its path. Reaching speeds over 100- mph and temperatures over 600 degrees Celsius, nothing within its reach survives.

As a result of the island's violent outbursts, two thirds of this forty square mile landmass became unlivable. Called the Exclusion Zone, entering it without direct government permission and escort is illegal. A large-scale evacuation effort relocated over 8,000 of the 11,000 residents. Most people searched for a better life on a neighboring island or in England which is Montserrat's "mother country". After learning that the Montserrat volcano was considered one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes, I flew down to the island to see how its wildlife and ecosystem reacted to this destructive environment.

As a result of the volcanic activity, Montserrat's airport was demolished, so I rode the island's ferry from Antigua. After climbing aboard the 150-foot boat I realized that there were only nine other people on deck. All of them were Montserrat natives returning after a day of shopping in Antigua. These are some of the resilient few who have toughed out the volcano's wrath and refuse to leave their homes.

The boat was a high powered catamaran, unlike any ferry I have seen. It transports people to and from the island twice a day and is on stand by in case of an evacuation, that is if the sea permits it to do so; some days when the sea swells are too treacherous the boat cannot safely dock in Montserrat's Little Bay. In order to keep the boat finely tuned, the Captain ran it at full speed.

As I departed Antigua, I realize that if this were the United States we would have had at least 15-minutes of "safety instruction". Here I appreciated the "use your head" approach; if you did not use your head, you would find yourself swimming. The sea was so rough, even some of the seasoned passengers held on for dear life. The splashing water and chop of the boat digging into the waves was unusually peaceful. Fatigued from traveling over 2,000 miles before noon, I felt as if I was in a dream state. The bright sun made everything overly sharp and vivid. The crystal blue water rolled by and the sweet smell of the Caribbean air relaxed me like a dentist's laughing gas.

In this part of the world fish can fly. In small squadrons, they soared over the waves like diamonds being skipped over the sea. Then their wings would cut into a wave, plunging them into the abyss like mini kamikaze pilots. I pictured little.rising sun. headbands around each of their tiny heads. Far in the distance the faint silhouette of Montserrat emerged from the horizon. The reflection of the water made the island appear to hover in mid air as its volcano hung from the sky shrouded in clouds. When the boat approached the north end of the island considered the "Safe-Zone", lush aloe trees and palms gave a glimpse of what the entire island was like before the eruptions.

Like the islands from Jurassic Park and King Kong, Montserrat puts forth a menacing aura as its craggy cliffs jut out of the Caribbean Sea. Its thick jungle vegetation hides a force uncomprehendable to most humans, a far greater power than Hollywood could ever dream up. When the boat pulled up to the dock, a dozen or so people lined the shore waiting to depart the island on the boat's return trip to Antigua. While being cleared through customs, I could not help but notice that everybody seemed unconcerned and happy. The tiny bar next to the custom's pavilion was perfectly named The Last Resort. It was full of customers drinking their beer, along with lightly tap-ping one another's fists together in a sign of respect.

The Last Resort is owned and operated by a man named Moose. Moose's staff consists of his lovely wife plus his two extremely well behaved and hard working children. The spear fishermen are still wet when they deliver the catch of the day. On most evenings I would watch the sunset from Moose's and enjoy a wonderful home cooked meal. While eating, a gang of the largest, thickest, and most intimidating black and yellow spiders paced like intoxicated tight rope walkers over my head. They always seemed as if they were about to fall on me but they never did. I actually became rather used to them being there and eventually developed the habit of holding them. They were rather docile, with their long legs straddling my entire hand but never biting. Moose welcomes the spiders just as much as
his customers.

After passing through customs, I met my contact from Montserrat's Emergency Department and he drove me to my guesthouse. The island's roads are cut out of the sides of the mountains and all the cars chirp their tires as they wind their way up the steep thin hills. My rented guesthouse sat next to the governor's home, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, on the edge of the "Exclusion Zone". On my return trips to the island I continued to stay in this same house. Aside from it being a luxurious house, it is logistically perfect. This beautiful location is completely surrounded by jungle except for the view of the crystal blue Caribbean Sea. It is so close to the Exclusion zone that watching the eruptions from the back deck gave me a stiff neck. It is like sitting in the front row of an IMAX movie (that can burn you to death).

Once I settled all of my gear in the house, I decided to venture into the small town of Salem. This town lies in the shadow of the volcano and was considered part of the Exclusion Zone for some time but had recently reopened. It was a 3-mile walk into the town and it was pitch dark, not a street light and, on that night, not even the moon. I have quickly learned from experience that in many areas of the world it is not wise to venture out after dark. Montserrat is the exception; it has little or no crime. When the island began its evacuation there were only eight prisoners in their jail. The police commissioner once told me of a small group of bank robbers that he incarcerated. When most people think of bank robberies, we envision people in Nixon masks wildly pointing guns and cursing. Not on Montserrat.

This is how they robbed a bank. When a pyroclastic flow covered their capital city of Plymouth, several of their banks were also covered. A small group of men learned that during the hectic evacuation of the city, one of the banks left behind one million dollars in uncirculated cash. So one night they hiked down to Plymouth, dug a tunnel through the hard ash, broke into the bank, and stole the loot. I imagine that they might have gotten away with the deed except for the fact that they tried to exchange all the money at once in a casino in Antigua. Being uncirculated bills, the robbers were quickly caught, so even most crimes in Montserrat are peaceful.

Whether poor or a millionaire, everyone leaves their homes open, their car doors unlocked, and no one bothers a thing. This was also a rule before their ongoing tragedy. I have found that most of the residents on Montserrat are very proud people and have very little class envy. As I was walking into Salem, all I heard were the digital sounds of tree frogs at a deafening volume. About a half mile from the town, I saw the single headlight of a motorcycle coming toward me at a high rate of speed. I was a bit more nervous than I normally would have been, due to the fact that there are no drinking and driving laws in Montserrat, and no speed limits.

A dark, massive creature emerged from the weeds about 50 feet in front of me, it charged the motorcycle and.BLAM!. The bike then crashed onto the road. As the bike hit the pavement the gas tank flew to the left, the seat flew off to the right, and the driver's body was sent skidding down the middle of the road. Just as quickly as the dark creature appeared, it vanished. I ran to help the man as residents emerged from their homes to see what was going on. Being totally baffled by the event I asked,.What happened?.. One Rastafarian man next to me said,.Ya mon, de bulls, they no like de sound of de bike, so da charge..

The bulls roamed free after the eruptions began since most of the farmers had relocated off the island. The bulls hate the loud noise of the motorcycles and will occasionally go head to head with them. The bull always walks away and the rider flies away. After we dusted off the injured biker, he got a lift to a local doctor to be examined. Later, I found out he survived suffering only a broken collarbone and fractured wrist. I began speaking to some of the residents at the accident scene and they invited me to a local pub called Jimmo.s to play a few games of dominoes. Dominoes is a very intense game for them, almost a contact sport. The more confident they are of their move, the harder they slam the domino on the table. When I would play against them, I could always guess who the big winner of the day was because the rickety table leaned in his direction from being slapped so much.

During the games, the men traded stories back and forth about growing up on the island, what it was like in the past, and their hopes for the future. They spoke of when their ancestors were alive and the volcano was as active as it is today. One could see the fiery glow of the magma emitted from the cone of the volcano. They would tell the children that is where Jack O'Lantern lives and if you are bad, he will run down and take you away. Much like many societies, the children behave due to the fear of a higher power or "boogieman". Perhaps there could be more to the story. Years ago, around Halloween, four parts of the volcano's dome collapsed, creating what looked like two eyes, a nose and a mouth which glowed over the island like a carved pumpkin.

I spoke to a man who, before the heavy eruptions, decided to climb into the volcano. He said that when he reached the cone it was like entering a separate reality. Red, blue and orange fireballs would hover in the air, then shoot across the cavern only to hover again and dart back like angry ghosts. It was the incandescent gasses burning away within the cone. At 6:30 a.m. the following morning, I was awakened by what I thought was thunder. Still half asleep, I assumed that a fierce thunderstorm was passing by. Then Richard, the owner of the house yelled, "Wake up! We've got an eruption!"

As continuous loud explosions rang out, I took a second and scrambled for my camera. After I ran out to the back porch, I stared at a 20,000 foot high ash cloud hanging over my head. As the hot ash and gas shot towards the sky, it slowly blocked out the sun. For the next half-hour I photographed the plume and watched the wind blow the ash west where it splashed down into the sea in front of the house. Good Morning! When the volcano settled, I traveled with the chief of the Emergency Department to see what path the pyroclastic flow had taken. We discovered that the flow burned its way down the Tar River straight out to sea, barely missing the already ravaged airport. The Tar River area is one of the two most common paths for the pyroclastic flows.

We wandered near the airport and saw smoke rising from the barren ground where the flow had traveled. The airport is built on an ancient Caribbean Indian burial ground. Many natives feel that the eruptions are the gods' punishment for disturbing such sacred grounds. That afternoon the government of Montserrat invited me into the Exclusion Zone. It was a last minute decision by the police commissioner because of the heavy volcanic activity that morning. Since the island's radio station issues volcano warnings regularly, he required us to listen to the radio while in the dangerous areas.

I remember the emotions I had going into the Exclusion Zone. Entering a place that has defeated man, and is continuing to do so, was a feeling few people ever get to experience. No matter how much power, money or connections one has, he is still a proverbial ant to the volcano and can be eliminated in seconds. It is human nature to thrive on the sense of control, but here, control is not an option. The Chief of Defense opened the gate and we drove into an environment beyond imagination. The only visible life were a few nervous lost dogs whose owners were forced to abandon them during the evacuation. Otherwise, it was deathly quiet, a ghost town, even our car silently coasted over the morning's freshly fallen ash like snow.

The dead forests resembled giant toothpicks thrown in the ash. A suffocating sensation overcame me as I saw the slumping ash encased vegetation, wilting and choking, unable to produce oxygen. Resembling the outer edges of a nuclear blast, everything was intact, yet there was nothing. The roofs of once beautiful million dollar homes were caving in from the weight of the rain soaked ash. Their T.V. satellite dishes were reduced to merely giant bowls of ash. The playgrounds were empty. Only the ocean breeze squeaked the children's swings back and forth. The soul of this town had left along with its people.

When we stopped on the side of the road, I realized that my official driver had switched the car's radio station to a cricket game instead of monitoring the local volcanic warnings. If we received an eruption warning, we would have never known about it. But where we were heading next, we would have no problem knowing if another eruption was set in motion. For a short distance we walked through a dry dead forest until we arrived at a cliffside, and there stood Soufriere Hills volcano. I smelled the volcano as it leaked clouds of sulfuric gas from its vents. In its presence, I felt like we should whisper or say nothing. Words had no place here.

Boulders the size of school buses lay where they had poured out from its side. Nineteen farmers died here when she first began to erupt. I could barely see the tiers where the farmers grew their crops up her side. I had no problem picturing these gentle people tending to their fields moments before the volcano consumed them. Off to the left lay the remains of entire villages covered with five to fifteen feet of ash that had hardened like concrete after it rained. A local journalist stood next to me trying to find where her house once stood. She failed to find it. All of the landmarks she once used to locate her property in the past were all now gone, either buried or burnt away.

From there we drove on to Plymouth, the former capital. From a distance Plymouth looks like the ancient ruins of a society that had deserted the area hundreds of years ago, except here, future archeologists will excavate microwaves and cars instead of pottery and hand tools. Plymouth was the hub of activity for the entire island until 1995 when a pyroclastic flow descended from the volcano, forever destroying it in a matter of seconds. Their church is now just a shell of stone. Amidst all the rubble stands the altar with a brass chalice melted to the top of it.

Most three-story buildings looked like single floor structures since the two lower stories were engulfed in ash and rock. I thought back to the people who had lived there and wondered if they had any clue that the mountain directly over them would soon awake, altering or destroying their lives in seconds. Within the ash were small rivers leading to the sea, etched by rain running off the volcano, with each new storm, the landscape changes. In one area of Plymouth, a new "river" ran through a cemetery, washing the dead into the sea. In some areas small patches of grass struggled to exist despite the harsh environment. Only grasses with shallow roots have any chance of survival. Long after a pyroclastic flow, one can probe a few meters into the ash and find it can still be up to 600 degrees. After silently standing over this lost city, we felt we had pushed our luck far enough and decided to head back into the Safe Zone. With one more eyeful of the volcano etched in my mind, we left.

Even with all the destruction the volcano caused, I did not feel ill towards it - just respect. There I was in a place that was unsuitable, unstable and uncaring for all life, yet I did not want to leave. Standing next to something of such brutal force and energy gave me an adrenaline rush that could not be matched. I now see why many cultures worship volcanoes, deeming them gods or god-like. They have the power over life or death, demanding respect and breeding fear. We ventured back through the Safe Zone, firmly locking the gate behind us. While leaving the Safe Zone, we arrived at a bridge that had been washed out by a mudslide. Originally, that bridge spanned across a ravine over 40 feet deep. When heavy rains mixed with the volcanic ash, it created a mudslide that filled the entire riverbed. It went over the bridge and demolished the adjacent golf course covering it with ash and boulders, leaving it to resemble the surface of the moon. A utility truck lay submerged up to its windows in dried mud and rocks.

The next morning I hiked up a small mountain near the volcano to search for the endangered Montserrat Oriole. This bird lives exclusively on Montserrat and its population has been decimated from habitat loss due to agriculture, hurricane Hugo, and strike three is the volcanic activity. Some estimates state that over 76% of their habitat has been destroyed. Most of the losses are concentrated in the ghauts, (French for gullies), prime habitat for the oriole and essential for their survival. It is a realistic scenario that with the continuation of the eruptions, it is not likely that a viable population will survive over 50 years. There is a 50:50 chance of total extinction within 10 to 15 years. The day was dark and drizzly. A thick layer of cottony clouds covered the mountaintops and hung in front of the volcano like a theater curtain. Thick jungle foliage held the rain of the night's passing storm, and it showered down on me as I weaved through the rainforest.

Beyond a tiny knoll of green ferns and moss, I heard rushing water and birds chirping. I slowly sneaked over the knoll and peered between two ferns that I separated with my hands. A crystal clear mountain stream poured over the jagged rocks into a small pool surrounded by a thick carpet of moss. The coal black hue of the rich soil contrasted a dark outline around the moss while the shallow roots of various plants gripped the earth like long fingers. Pinkish flowers hung over the pool and their leaves reached out like arms, catching the mist of the tiny water fall. A black and yellow Heliconius butterfly fluttered among the flowers. It landed on each of the flowers, weighing them down enough to cause the blossoms to jiggle like empty bells. Minuscule bugs gently skimmed the surface of the water. It was hard to distinguish whether they were flying, and occasionally touched the water, or were swimming and occasionally lifted from the water. Tiny "unknowns" scrambled within the ferns causing the leaves to shake as if the whole plant was silently chuckling. I continued to lie on my stomach hidden in the ferns, hoping to catch a glimpse of a Montserrat Oriole drinking or bathing. I watched and listened.

The next time you are around a rushing stream, listen to it. You will be able to hear the sound of every musical note being played together. And unlike any instrument, playing every note at once is always soothing to those around it. Within a few minutes several birds that looked as if they were dressed for a Mardi Gras parade, slipped down from the trees to bath. As they preened their feathers at the outer edge of the pool, a buzzing sound filled the air. Then out from the forest's morning fog, a hummingbird sped over to one of the flowers, and quickly inserted its beak into it with a surgeon's precision.

Its local name is the Doctor Bird, but it is generally called a Purple-throated Carib. This brilliant looking bird is largely black with purplish red patches, a bluish green tail, and metallic green wings. To keep his "clothes" glowing he must conserve energy. With a brain the size of a grain of rice, this 5-inch long "Liberace" must remember to never return to the same blossom twice. Wasting vital energy on empty flowers could mean certain death for a hummingbird.

When done drinking from all the flowers, he faced me and hovered in mid air. Like a disco ball he rotated, reflecting tiny beads of waterfall mist that gathered on him. After the short hover break he turned his back to me and streaked though the rainforest like a psychedelic tracer bullet. As soon as the hummingbird flew out of sight, BOOM!!! The volcano erupted! Explosions rang out one after another as if an air raid of bombs were being dropped upon a single target.

I jumped out from under the ferns and sprinted down the mountain. Fighting to stay on the thin path, I began tripping over the pointy rocks and slipping on the moss. Within five minutes (probably a new world record) I was out of the forest and in a tiny field next to a small dirt road. I looked to the sky and saw a 20,000-foot tall ash cloud. Identical to the mushroom cloud of a nuclear bomb, it grew towards the sky as its glowing molten "root" churned and roared within the earth. As if a temper tantrum from a mythical god, lightening shot out from the cone and thunder vibrated the ground.

At a temperature over 6,000 degrees, the explosion was so immense that it immediately created its own weather system. Before the eruption, it was drizzling. During the initial eruption, the volcano produced thunder and lightening. Minutes later it became clear, sunny perfect beach weather. The sun shone and the only visible cloud in the sky was rooted to the earth and stood over 30,000 feet tall. Although it seemed like perfect weather, the wildlife knew otherwise. Not a bird chirped, nor a frog croaked. I began to jog up to Salem as the ash plume thickened and began to block out the sun. As it billowed above my head, the temperature dropped about ten degrees and the town darkened. Then it began to rain, not water, but rocks and ash.

At first the fine ash falls. It is so fine one does not even realize its falling, except it makes your eyes itch as if you have hay fever. Then the gravely ash falls like black snow that never melts. I placed my respirator over my face and continued to jog. One learns to take this little filtered mask with you everywhere in Montserrat. Breathing the ash from this volcano can cause Silicosis, also known as Black lung. The gravely ash started mixing with rain, but it was not an ordinary rain it was sulfuric acid. The volcano vents sulfuric gasses into the atmosphere. Then, while in the atmosphere, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide mix and undergo a set of chemical reactions, eventually combining with water to produce sulfuric acid, major acid rain.

Montserrat's acid rain is so concentrated and intense, that it is a prime location to study the effects of acid rain. Acid rain greatly affects Montserrat's diverse terrestrial habitats, such as the coastal mangroves, semi-desert vegetation, and the cloud forest. Acid rain affects plants by breaking down the lipids and protective membranes of their foliage, which leads to their death. Soon the ash totally blocked out the sun's rays and the town went black as night. The only sounds were honking of car horns and the "spine-chilling" squeal of car windshield wipers scratching the fallen ash over their windows. I made it to a small store in Salem where I waited out the falling ash and talked with some of the natives. One gentleman said "Ahh, tis I.re mon, tis nuttin.": translation "Ahh, It is alright man, this is nothing". It has become such a common occurrence for them, that they seem rather more annoyed with the volcano, than scared of it. When the falling ash began to thin, I tightened my respirator to my face and jogged back to my house.

Later that evening I discovered the volcano's acid rain had rotted the metal clips off my boots. Then after my wristwatch corroded off my arm, I noticed the acid rain also fused the watch's dive gauge. The volcano is a very domineering force, and overshadows Montserrat's inner beauty, but adds to the island's mystique. It is a microcosm of how people can work together in a time of immense destruction and desperation, and yet still remain happy, helpful, respectful, and caring.

On the bright side the volcano has kept the island free of annoying, disrespectful tourists. There is only one white sand beach on the whole island, and one can only arrive there by a mile hike over a mountain or by boat. I made it my own paradise, spending entire days diving among its coral reef watching thousands of schooling fish and the occasional passing shark, then napping on the white sand without ever seeing another human soul. It became my hideaway, and I return there as much as life allows me. If you ever get the urge to see the way life should be lived, visit the.Emerald Dragon., then ask around for me if I am not at the beach, check Moose's.




Rusty Johnson
http://www.RustyJohnson.tv
Rusty@AmazonDetours.com
845-331-6750
"Rusty's way with animals, including people, is magical.
Sylvia Earle, National Geographic

Tropical Tradeoffs

My recent trip to Hawaii reminded me of the power of contrasts. One day I was in Watertown, MA, where the natural world is incidental and mild. Two days and two long plane trips later, the dominant and powerful nature of volcanoes, crashing surf, and lush tropical plants filled my senses. The balance and proportions had changed dramatically. Such sudden rearrangements make one stop and look around!

Many people choose to live in Hawaii BECAUSE the natural world is so dominant and magnificent there - it feeds their souls. It's a tough economy there, so in order to survive, many people work 2 or 3 jobs, and many live at a subsistence level. The people I talked to were quite conscious and intentional about the tradeoffs they were buying into and were at peace with them.

The innkeepers at the Bed & Breakfast where we stayed had glimpsed these options and made major changes in their lives. They'd relocated from Southern California, where they had become increasingly unhappy with the encroachment of urban sprawl into their lives. They sold their home and bought the Hawaii property on which they now run both a B&B and a working coffee and macadamia nut farm. This industrious couple in their 50's work hard in their two businesses, and love the life in Hawaii it affords them. They are conscious of their "new deal" every day, as they meet on their lanai (balcony) at the end of their long workday, and watch the sun set on the Pacific.

Such changes are hard, as many of us adopt a buy-and-hold way of navigating our lives. We figure things out once, and don't keep assessing. I once heard the late folk musician Jim Ringer describe his approach to re-tuning his guitar during a concert: "I just tune the sucker once, and don't look back." Many of us use that approach in our lives. We figure out where to live, how to earn a living, and make hundreds of other decisions about our lives, and then shift into automatic.

We can be caught up short, though, if we start to feel significantly off-course in some way. As citizens of the 21st century, our knee-jerk inclination is to get a new job, find a new lover, or BUY something (anything). But a more constructive approach may be to take a step back and ask ourselves what tradeoffs we are living with, and whether they are still valid for us.

Trade-offs often trail after decision-making. A single mom I know worked for many years in a fast track, high-paying professional job. Recently she realized she no longer wanted the tradeoff of working very long hours for very large income. No longer willing to tolerate having so little time with her daughter, she negotiated a part-time schedule and is learning to live on less income. She is re-crafting her relationship with work, establishing stronger boundaries around it, and expanding her relationship with her child. She's much more at
peace with this new arrangement because it aligns better with her current priorities and values.

What tradeoffs have you bought into, and are you at peace with them? It can be very useful to take a look at these every once in a while. Of course there's the risk that you will find that you are off-course somehow, and will need to make some changes. But know that there is also risk to not looking - you will still be off-course, but you will not be conscious enough to make any changes. Staying unconscious is a lot like a volcano - what's deep within can erupt at any time.

COACHING TIPS:

1. List the trade-offs you are currently living with.

2. Ask yourself if any of them need to be adjusted, either on a
large or small scale?

3. If so, brainstorm how the adjustment might look.

4. See if there are any next steps you would be willing to take.

5. If so, take them.




Copyright 2003, Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.

Master Certified Coach Sharon Teitelbaum is an authority on work life balance and an expert life coach to busy professionals, high achievers, people at midlife, and working parents. Her book, Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance, is a strategic, tactical guide for maintaining a sane and balanced life, distilled from her experience coaching hundreds of people.

A sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader, Sharon has addressed such diverse audiences as Harvard Medical School Faculty, financial advisors at Merrill Lynch, and Mothers' of Twins Clubs. She has been featured in national publications including The New York Times, Working Mother Magazine, and Forbes.com. Sharon works with individual coaching clients throughout the US and internationally by phone, or in person in the Boston area, and always offers an initial consultation at no charge. Married for thirty-plus years, she is the mother of two fabulous grown-up daughters.

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Walking Amongst Volcanoes in Costa Rica

When planning a trip hiking in Costa Rica, smoldering volcanoes and wild rainforests are often some of the first images that spring to mind. The whole country is a natural paradise, with many fantastic sights to behold. Here a just a few of the highlights:

Cahuita

Cahuita is one of the few places in the world where you can combine a trek through a verdant jungle with an afternoon sunbathing on a perfect white sand beach. The region also contains a national park, which is among one of the most visited in the whole country. This park was formed in 1970 to protect Costa Rica's largest coral reef and is a popular place to try your hand at scuba, snorkelling and deep-sea diving. The park even contains an 18th century shipwreck, which is fascinating to explore.

The crystal clear waters make the area ideal for swimming and spotting different species of marine life from sea urchins to angel and parrot fish. You may also be lucky enough to spot a Carey Turtle or lucky (or unlucky) enough to spot one of the three species of sharks that frequent the area. The animal species found in the jungle include sloth, possums and monkeys, with birdlife including kingfishers, heron and ibises amongst others.

Arenal

If you plan on hiking in Costa Rica, a visit to Arenal National Park is an absolute must to experience the breathtaking beauty of Central America's natural landscape. The park is home to the spectacular Arenal Volcano, one of the top ten most active in the world. This colossal landmark, set in the depth of a lush tropical rainforest, will leave you in a sense of awe as you bear witness to its perpetual stream of rising smoke and the flow of the crimson lava creeping from the precipice. Listen carefully and you will even hear the deep earth-shaking rumblings of this prehistoric titan. Many hotels tout their views of the volcano, and if you can spare the time while hiking in Costa Rica then an overnight stay is highly recommended. As night falls, the scene becomes ever more dramatic, with the luminescent lava flow creating a spectacular image against the dark skies.

While you cannot scale the volcano itself, there are many tours offering you the chance to hike around the base and view this spectacular landmark from every perspective. After a day of hiking in Costa Rica there is nothing better than unwinding at the famous Tabacon thermal resort. Set in acres of primary rainforest, the resort offers weary hikers the chance to revitalise in a series of lagoons, each enjoying a constant supply of natural and steamy-hot volcanic water. While there, don't miss out on the waterfall back massage, the Ayurvedic spa treatments or the 5-star restaurant. If action is more your kind of thing, why not try your hand at white-water rafting, horseback riding, caving or even the exhilarating canopy zip-lines. With so many activities in an around the Arenal area, you should be sure to make this a priority stop while hiking in Costa Rica.




Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a holiday hiking in Costa Rica with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.