Mona, Puerto Rico - an Untouched Treasure

Puerto Rico is known worldwide for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts. Travelers come to this Caribbean Island paradise to take advantage of the natural beauty and luxury Puerto Rico Resorts. What many don't get to experience are the 'untouched' natural wonders found in this fascinating country.

Located in the Mona Passage, Mona Island is something you don't read much about. This natural preserve is a flat plateau surrounded by dazzling cliffs on most sides. On Mona, you'll find many species that are either endangered or cannot be found anywhere else in the world. If is for this reason that Mona is often compared to the Galapagos Islands.

Take a tour of Mona and you'll find countless species of animals. On land, the Mona Iguana freely roams the island but cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You'll also find several species of rare birds. In the ocean, several endangered species of sea turtles swim freely amongst the unspoiled mangroves and rich coral reefs. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of dolphins or humpback whales.

Things to do in Mona Most visitors spend a great deal of time exploring the island. With plenty to see, this can easily keep your attention for your entire visit. For ocean-lovers, it has been said that Mona offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Healthy coral reefs, clear visibility and warm waters attract ocean-lovers from around the world to this island paradise.

Camping in Mona You won't find any hotels on Mona. In fact, the only way to stay overnight is to pitch a tent on the inland. Camping is allowed on three different beaches and is restricted to weekends-only during hunting season.

Getting to Mona

Accessing Mona can be done from the towns of Mayaguez and Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico. Charter boats carry visitors to the island. Since the trip takes 6 hours, you may want to plan to spend at least a couple days.

Next time you're in Puerto Rico, consider spending a couple days of your vacation in the natural wonder that is Mona Island.

By Enid Glasgow
Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who enjoys traveling in the Americas and Caribbean. When visiting Puerto Rico, she stays at luxury hotels in Puerto Rico like Gran Melia.

Advice For Female Backpackers

Make sure that you have tampons, sanitary towels and other articles of hygiene that you need. They may not be available everywhere especially when you leave major cities behind. Consider getting discardable wash clothes for intimate hygiene if you are going places where hygiene may be problematic.

Use a sports bra when you travel on bumpy roads and rivers. Six hours on the back of a truck on bumpy roads is not what your breasts are longing for.

Attractive women with long blonde hair and shiny blue eyes (well not only them for that matter) get a lot of attention in some parts of the world. In fact, looking someone in their eyes may be regarded as flirting in some places. This may be a lot of fun for the first couple of days but it soon gets weary. Being approached and asked if you are married 32 times a day can be exhausting and drain your energy (which should be focused on all the positive aspects of travel).

Here is some advice for attractive women in order to avoid unwanted attention:

• Wear a fake wedding ring

• Claim that you are married to a big jealous wrestler

• Get a picture of a mean looking guy from the Internet and keep in your pocket, show it to your potential suitors and claim it is your husband

• Team up with a fellow male traveler

• Dye your hair (if blonde)

• Wear baggy clothes and avoid wearing make-up, make yourself unattractive

• Cut long hair or keep it under a hat

By Peter Siljerud
This article is based on the free e-book The Backpacker's Toolbox It contains checklists, templates, FAQs and practical advice (and a few bad jokes) to make your backpacking experience as smooth as possible.

http://www.hellobackpacker.com - practical advice for new and experienced backpackers for all trip stages: get inspired, plan your trip, advice on the road, tips when back home.

Rafting Vacations - A Simple Getaway Or Fun For the Entire Family

Rafting Vacations

Rafting is an exhilarating and fun experience for everyone. Rafters often come to different rivers all over the country to respect the power of the water while enjoying serene surroundings that are only broken by the sound of the rushing waters. Although it looks dangerous, this type of adventure is actually available for the whole family. Young and adults, novice and experts could enjoy the waters while being close to nature like never before.

Rafting: The Basics

White water rafting is an activity wherein an individual or a group maneuvers through the river usually using their paddles while inflatable boats. Rafting or whitewater rafting is done as a hobby itself or as means of going through the river while enjoying the surroundings.
Rivers are classified based on the challenges such as rocks, waves and the requirement for maneuver. There are six classes wherein class six is the most dangerous and never recommended for anyone while class one is a type of river that provides little to no waves. No skills and small amounts of maneuvering are needed for class one. As the class increases, the danger also increases which requires more skills and experience for rafting.

Class 1 has manageable rough areas which require no skill level.
Class 2 requires maneuvering but still good enough for beginners.
Class 3 is already rough for first time rafters since advanced paddling skills are required.
Class 4 has stronger waves, rocks and possible drops which is only ideal for experienced rafters.
Class 5 features large rocks, stronger waves and deep drops. Only rafters with advanced experience and skills should consider going through this class.
Class 6 is very dangerous and could be fatal. Even with great skill and experience, the waters and condition is very dangerous.

Popular White Water Rafting Destinations

There are hundreds of white water destinations around the country. However, there are places that have gained the distinction of being family friendly while providing challenges for thrill seekers.

The US will always have some of the world's best white water rafting destinations. Active participation from the government and strict implementation of rules has preserved these mighty yet gentle rivers.

1. Trinity River California - A perfect destination for the family, Trinity River is a serene family destination offering mile after mile of natural beauty. The trees offer an amazing backdrop to the consistent but slow river. There are spots in Trinity River that are great for canoeing while others for rafting. Parts of Trinity River have Class 2 - 3 waters.

2. Colorado River, Colorado - Less than three hours from Denver, Colorado River is the haven for white water rafting enthusiasts. There are parts where class 5 water conditions which only for the experienced and parts which feature class 4 waters. But don't just behold the power of water in Colorado. The canyons in this park are breathtaking. There are a good number of canyons in Colorado River that you should get a guide to visit these beautiful canyons in the park. You may stay here for the night to fully enjoy what Colorado River has to offer.

3. San Miguel River, Colorado - if Colorado River is too strong for you, head on to San Miguel River. Anything that Colorado River doesn't offer in terms of waters is there. The waters are ideal for beginners and family as the waters are usually graded class 2 to 3. The wildlife is very strong in this area so it's possible to spot certain animals such as elk or even bears.

4. Salmon River, Idaho - this river is one of the biggest in the country. Salmon River runs through a forest that's measure 2.3 million acres. The Salmon River will provide an exhilarating experience with their class 3 to 4 rivers. But families will still like the waters in this area since there are stretches that could accommodate their skills. Besides the strong and challenging waters for everyone, the 2.3 million acres is home to some of the country's deepest gorges while its mountains, particularly the Sawtooth Mountains offer a breathtaking view of the area. Because of the size of Salmon River, a two-day trip is never enough. Most of the vacation trips here last for at least three days.

5. Kennebec River, Maine - Go up north and you'll have a great rafting experience in Kennebec River. The place is three hours by car from Portland and less than three hours from Canada. For a day or two, experience rafters as well as families could have fun in this river. The water here is controlled by a nearby dam so water conditions are always stable. The river is full life in the vast Kennebec River as river otters and Atlantic salmon could be spotted here.

Rafting Safety

Safety is always the priority of the guides as well as professional rafters. Helmets and life jackets are very important during rafting even in Class 1 rivers. Pointed objects should never be brought to the boat as this could be dangerous if the boat strikes against hard objects. Information is also the key to safety. Check the conditions of the river before visiting the area. Extra caution has to be done when traveling with the family. Most guides follow the strict rule of the minimum age for rafting. Knowing the age restriction will also prevent frustration on location.

Rafting Vacation Options

Depending on location, your rafting vacation could only last for a day, overnight or multiple nights. If you and your family are only here for rafting, then a half day adventure in the water should be more than enough. However, there are multiday trips that would be perfect during the summer. It may require hiking but guides are smart enough to get you to the most scenic places with different water challenges as fast as possible. Your trip could be very comfortable if you have the budget since your traveling company will bring the food and supplies to you, but you can still enjoy the scenery if you don't have a good budget. The only difference is the comfort of traveling since you might have to bring your own food and supplies for cheaper multiday trips.

White water rafting is a great activity that could be enjoyed by the whole family every summer. Through careful planning and observing safety during the entire trip, rafting will never be dangerous but a fun activity for the whole family.

Paul Kapschock is an author, researcher, web designer and developer and CEO of Good Sense Inc. Good Sense Inc. owns and operates informational websites for the general public and niche specific sites for avid readers.

His latest site is: http://www.raftingvacations.org/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Kapschock

How to Select Your Canoeing Vacations Spot?

We all need vacations to take a break from the monotony of our work. They help us to relax and rejuvenate. If you are looking for a vacation amidst the beauty of nature, there can be nothing better than canoeing vacations. Canoeing is sailing in a small narrow boat which is normally human powered, using paddles. However, nowadays, they are also powered by small electric or gas motors. There are many travel companies which provide some of the most incredible canoeing vacations for you, whether you are with your family, in a group or single.

Although there are a large number of destinations where you can go for a canoeing trip, but the canoe holiday trip packages to Croatia are one of the most popular amongst a lot of. The pleasant climate of Dalmatia, Croatia makes it a favorite spot for canoeing. Canoe trips are mostly arranged in Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Istra and Zagreb areas. You get a chance to unwind yourself while paddling along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast. You can canoe all over the Adriatic Sea. The campsites are registered campgrounds with indoor bathroom and are located in proximity to the sea and the guest house. Most of these companies offer packages that are multi-day trips including multi-sport excursions as well.

Many tours and travel firms offer fully equipped and guided canoe trips in the pristine waterways of Central Florida namely the Wekiva River, Silver River and Lil' Amazon. You can not only paddle these spring fed rivers but also swim, snorkel, fish or do bird watching. A typical day can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on what you want to explore. You also get a chance to go on a canoeing and kayaking trip to Alaska's Prince William Sound, known for its tidal glaciers, sea caves and abundant wildlife. One does not require any prior experience for it. That would be an adventurous trip.

The canoe trips to NE Minnesota Boundary Waters give you the experience of a lifetime. The package includes fully outfitted canoe camping vacation as well as guided fishing trip. You also get the opportunity to go on canoeing trips to the beautiful Shenandoah River, situated near Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns; Washington DC.

You can find a lot of companies online that offer the best canoeing packages. However, if you are unsure of which company's service you want to avail, you can log on to www.realadventures.com. The renowned company provides pre-defined packages as well as customized expedition to the clients. As a part of the trip, they also provide help guides, light weight gear and supplies excellent lodging and delicious meals. Besides canoeing, it arranges various other adventurous trips as well such as ballooning, biking, kayaking, rafting, scuba and snorkeling, hiking and trekking and many more.

Kumari Patel is an independent writer who loves to write on the topics like bicycle tours, rafting trips and hot air balloon rides.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kumari_Patel

Balloon Rides - Feel Wonderful at Great Height

If you are looking for an adventurous or for a unique experience then you can opt for balloon rides. The hot air balloon rides allow you to enjoy the scenic beauty from a great height. It provides you with a lifetime experience and would please you. There are different ballooning packages that are available in different parts of the world.

For people staying in South California, there are hot air balloon rides in Perris, Palm Desert, Del Mar, California and other parts. They are of good quality, are safe and are lead by professional. In Del Mar you get sunsets balloon rides only wherein you get a chance to fly over the golf courses, celebrity home and enjoy the sun set on the Pacific Ocean. Similarly the other balloon rides also cover various interesting and beautiful regions.

If you are searching for balloon rides in Spain then that is also available easily. The hot air balloon rides in Spain are mostly available for early mornings and lasts for around 1 hour. Lunch is also included in this balloon ride package. The package is available at discounted prices and is quite affordable.

To enjoy the postcard like scenic beauty you can opt for the balloon rides in New Hampshire. These rides are conducted only when the weather is favorable and people of all age group can enjoy this ride. You can either enjoy sunrise balloon rides or the sun set rides.

The balloon rides are also available for Egypt. You can fly over the river Nile and over the Luxor which helps you to get an unbeatable view. This ride is more enjoyable in the early morning before sunrise so that you can enjoy the view from the balloon. The package includes various other facilities and services like pick and drop facility, refreshments and other such thing. These balloon rides are of 45 minutes and helps you to discover Egypt from a great height

Apart from these places, you can enjoy these balloon rides at other parts of the world also like Florida, Colorado, Carolina and New Zealand. Some of these rides have age restriction while others don't. The different balloon rides packages offer different facilities. To get more information on these rides you can log on to www.realadventures.com.

The website helps you to plan your adventurous vacations that may include bike trips, canoe trips and other exciting sports. They offer various packages that are reasonable and can provide you with your dream holiday.

Kumari Patel is an independent writer who loves to write on the topics like ocean kayaking, whitewater rafting and mountain biking vacations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kumari_Patel

Birding Along Alabama's Gulf Coast

The Alabama Gulf Coast plays host to many different kinds of birds, with habitats running from coastal to marshland to bay areas. This region on the Gulf of Mexico is also an important stop-over habitat for a number of migratory birds who make the area their transient home.

In summer months, the savvy bird watcher may spy the rare groove-billed ani in the canal near Lake Shelby. And in between sand dunes, you can catch a glimpse of the snowy plover, a shorebird whose California cousin is on the endangered species list. Snowy plovers' numbers are diminishing because of beach habitat disruption, caused mostly by humans and some animals. So be sure to tread carefully.

You'll find rare birds as they stop over during migration in places like Little Lagoon Pass in Gulf Shores. And Wade Ward Nature Park in the middle of Gulf Shores is home to a number of bitterns and rails. Lake Shelby, just east of Gulf Shores in Gulf State Park, is the ideal spot to look out for waterfowl.

There's something almost zen-like in watching the skies as a Great Blue Heron soars into view over the snow-white beaches of the coast to hunt for his dinner. Great Blue Herons are year-round residents to the region, where you'll find them along the shoreline, or nesting in trees or bushes near the water. You'll see a line of pelicans flying in over the Gulf, where they chase schools of fish into shallow waters for their dinner. They will plunge-dive right into the water to catch fish, then come up and toss it into the air to be caught in their bills for eating. And often, a fellow pelican will pirate the catch in mid-air!

More than 370 species of birds have been identified during migratory season at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, on the Birding Trail just west of Gulf Shores toward Fort Morgan. Bon Secour protects 7,000 acres of wildlife habitat and is on the critical migratory path leading south to lower Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Year-round, you can spot a number of egrets and herons, as well as red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, belted kingfishers and ospreys. Summer brings brown pelicans and double-crested cormorants, and occasionally anhinga and white ibis. Very rarely, you might catch a glimpse of a magnificent frigate bird or bald eagles.

The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail leads you through two counties, in loops designed to showcase the best areas to view birds in their habitats. The loops are close enough together that you can drive easily from one to another, using the trail signage as your guide. You'll find interpretive signs throughout the loops to help you on your quest. The area's Welcome Centers can provide you with maps and information on the Birding Trail.

Alabama's Gulf Coast is definitely a bird-watcher's paradise! But it's also so much more. You'll find plenty of opportunities for refreshment, distraction, and relaxation in beautiful Gulf Shores / Orange Beach.

For more ideas on where to stay, play, and dine, make sure to check out http://www.thebeachiscalling.org/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=April_Boone

Embarking on a Bird Watching Vacation

Bird watching has been one of my favorite experiences, and is a relaxing way to spend a vacation. Why? In my view, birds are simply unique. There are diverse types of birds and their behaviors differ greatly from each other. A parrot will fervently imitate the words that we utter to it, a flamingo will showcase its wings of myriad colors, a peacock will strut elegantly in the aviary, a penguin will wander charmingly in their group, a hawk will stealthily stalk its prey and many more. It is very entertaining to embark on bird watching vacation, as birds interact uniquely to their environment keeping us captivated with their actions.

Fortunately, birds are not rare in nature; they can be found nearly everywhere. Exotic birds are frequently kept in aviaries in zoos so one does not need to worry about the peril of being assaulted by birds. Almost every zoo has specific bird cages or aviaries, so one will easily get the opportunity to watch the birds in action. Wild birds can also be seen in their own habitats, so bird watching vacation is a really enjoyable trip as one can travel to any locale or climate.

Furthermore, in bird watching vacations, one can also interact with birds and consider them as close friends. We can feed them, take pictures with them, and we can also interact with them. In terms of money, bird watching vacation is one of the inexpensive forms of vacation available and yet, one of the most relaxing. It gives you the satisfaction of getting close to nature as well as a journey to watch a cultural performance. You'll never be bored watching these wild or exotic birds, because their actions keep us engaged and addicted with their unique behavior.

Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about bird watching vacations, please visit New Recreation Site for current articles and discussions.
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Six Flags Season Pass Discounts & Deals For 2008 Season

Overview

There are quite a few Six Flags season pass discounts and deals that you can grab. But before that you need to know what are the advantages of buying a Six Flags pass. A very common misconception amongst the Six Flags visitors is that the pass cost 5-6 times the Six Flags daily tickets. This is very untrue and unless you know the options and benefits of Six Flags season pass you will not be able to decide this for yourself. In fact the Six Flags passes is a great deal because at most of the Six Flags parks the cost evens out the Six Flags ticket price if you plan to visit the park more than once during a season. There are a lot more benefits that you get when you buy a Six Flags pass.

Six Flags Season Deals & Benefits

Early in the year Six Flags Season Passes were out for the lowest prices of the year and when you buy the pass you get the 2008 Six Flags value book that include free tickets to bring your friends along on certain days of 2008 operating season. You also get $300 in passholder perks that include discounts on food, games and more. Also the Six Flags season passes give you free entry to the Halloween Fright Fest. These perks are valid on season passes across all Six Flags Theme Parks in the US. Also the Six Flags pass is accepted across 15 Six Flags parks nationwide.

Free Water Park Admission & Free Concerts at Certain Parks

Six Flags season passes at some parks have a even better benefit which is the free entry to the water parks. For Six Flags Great Escape, the pass gives you free admission to the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Six Flags St Louis season pass gets you free admission to the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park and admission to 15 concerts during the season. With Six Flags over Texas pass, you get admission to 10 concerts and also free admission to Holiday in the Park. Six Flags Fiesta Texas pass gets you free admission to the White Water Bay water park and 8 free concerts. The pass holder perks for Six Flags fiest texas is of $400 value compared to the regular $300 in passholder perks which are offered at other parks along with the season pass. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom passes gets you free admission to the Holiday in the Park. Six Flags Great Adventure pass gives you free admission to 20 concerts during this season. With Six Flags America play pass you get free admission to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park and free admission to 10 events & concerts. Six Flags Magic Mountain pass gives you $400 in passholder perks instead of the regular $300 offered at other parks and admission to 10 concerts and events. With Six Flags Great America season pass you get free admission to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park and a whopping $500 in passholder perks which is the highest passholder perks offered with pass at any of the other Six Flags parks. And not to forget the free admission to 8 concerts and events. Six Flags over Georgia pass gives you free admission to 15 concerts during the season. Remember these are additional benefits of having the Six Flags SP apart from the free tickets for friends and the pass holder perks.

Are there any Six Flags Season Pass Discounts available ?

Now after we have seen the amazing benefits and the fact that Six Flags season passes pays for itself in less than two visits makes it a great deal. Think about it like this! You are planning to go say 2 or more times to the park during the season. Now you buy the pass and you can have unlimited visits to the parks and at most Six Flags the season passes allow free admission to the water parks. There are even better deals although you may not find Six Flags season pass coupons that you can carry with you or use online. If you buy Six Flags season passes for family or in a group then you get the pass for $5-$10 off the regular season pass price. Six Flags season passes are $5 off the regular price of $69.99 if you buy 3 or more season passes. You can get two park pass for the season at Six Flags over Georgia for $99 which is just $25 more than the theme park pass. Six Flags Great America 2008 pass discount is $5 less than the regular price for families. You have to buy 4 or more season passes to get this Six Flags season pass discount. Six Flags Fiesta Texas 2008 Pass discount of $10 off the regular pass price of $69.99 if you buy 4 or more season passes. So with this Six Flags 2008 pass discounts you no longer have to look for Six Flags season pass coupons.

Ken Silverman is a well known theme parks author covering several theme parks. He often focuses on theme park bargains like Six Flags Season Pass Discounts, Six Flags Tickets & Six Flags Discounts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Silverman

Rivers in Jamaica Are Stunning Places to Visit

Rivers in Jamaica

There are more than 100 rivers in Jamaica but not all of them have been explored or can be navigated. The most popular of all the rivers to be found on this island are in fact the Great River, the Rio Grande and the Martha Brae River. But other rivers around the island are actually increasing in popularity as well.

The Black River which is the widest of them all is 73km long but only the first 28km can be traveled along in small vessels. Then there is the Rio Minho which is the longest of all the islands rivers and flows south to southwest where it starts at Portland Point and ends up at Carlisle Bay. The major town that is situated on this rivers bank is May Pen, Clarendon. But as well as those rivers that you can see there are a number of underground rivers located in the limestone regions of the island. The main ones of these being the Hectors and Cave Rivers.

Many of the rivers on the island and not just used for pleasure but have other uses as well. The Rio Cob and Milk River are used to irrigate the land surrounding them. Also the Rio Cob is used to produce hydro electricity for the island as well and this also goes for the White River and Rio Bueno. Certainly the Rio Grande is probably a river that many people have heard the name of and this is where one can try a spot of rafting if you wish.

Before you visit Jamaica check out our Holidays to Jamaica and also our Package holidays to Jamaica
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_P_McNally