Adventure Travel Blog

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Nov 09
2011

Nature and Adventure in Sian Ka'an Mexico

Posted by Den in Sian Ka'an , Mexico

Den

The biosphere reserve of Sian Ka'an is a widely known non-government and non-profit organization. It is maintained by groups of wildlife activists and conservationists in the Tulum municipality.

The Sian Ka'an reserve itself is located in the Quintana Roo, a Mexican state, but its reputation travels far across the world. As a matter of fact, tourists from all over the world visit the Yucatan Peninsula just to see the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve.

Nov 08
2011

Adventure tourism

Posted by katinka van walen in adventure travel

katinka van walen

People always sought to find new things and new land, see new sights, and discover the undiscovered.
The National Tour Association defines adventure tourism as a tour that is designed around adventure sports. Sports like mountain climbing, hiking, rafting, and similar extreme activities fall into adventure tourism.

The History of Adventure Tourism

The modern form of adventure traveling started several decades ago, back when the first people planned on climbing the Himalayas. Then, in 1970, the very first rafting trips were opened commercially in Ethiopia, attracting tourists from around the world.
As climates and political power changes over time, so does adventure tourism and the travel industry. Back in 1980, floating along the Nile in Egypt and hiking the Mount Ararat were all the rage. The 90s saw to the big change when the interest turned to the Swiss Alps and Thailand. The twenty-first century saw to a bigger change when adventure tourism went over to Central America, the Dominican Republic, and the Costa Rica. Kayaking and trekking were especially popular in the two latter destinations.


adventure travel

Types of Adventure Travel

Oct 27
2011

The Quetzal's Effect on Central America

Posted by katinka van walen in nature , Mexico , guatemala , conservation , Central America , Birding , bird watching

katinka van walen

This small, and largely unheard of bird, loves the relatively low temperatures and humidity offered by the Central American highlands. The Quetzal species has had a massive impact on the Central American people and government. This tiny colorful bird has been thriving in Central America since the times of the ancient Mayans. Here are a few ways this lightweight bird has influenced heavy changes in Central America. The species can also be found in Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The small fowl has been battling poachers and natural selection for thousands of years, but the advanced means that are used by man today can’t be matched by the Quetzal’s “live free or die” way of life.

 

The Namesake

The name Quetzal originally comes from the Aztec term in Nahuatl, meaning “large brilliant tail feathers,” which the Resplendent is famous for. The Nahuatl word “quetz” means, literally, “stand up.” This word would often be used in reference of a large plume of standing feathers. In the beginning of the bird’s long history, only the Resplendent was given the name Quetzal, but with time it was discovered that there are 5 other Quetzal species, none of which are doing much better than the Quetzal in terms of numbers.

 

Oct 19
2011

Why Go Cave Tubing in Belize

Posted by katinka van walen in Mayan history , Mayan Caves , family travel , Belize , Belize , adventure travel

katinka van walen

Belize Caves

While vacationing in Belize there are quite a few things to do. One of the best activities available is cave tubing. Sure, you can go see the ruins of Mayan Pyramids, but in the caves of Belize a different kind of Mayan history reveals.
It’s a side of Belize that far fewer people experience in their lives when compared to the other Mayan tours and sites to see. Most of the visitors and tourists go swimming in ocean, scuba diving, or exploring the ancient ruins.
Caves Branch Belize

Mayan history

An exciting alternative way to see more of Belize, and its Mayan history hidden inside the jungle, is by tubing your way through the natural rivers and canals that feeds the lush beauty of Belize’s countless forms of wildlife. Not only will you get to see parts of Belize and many Mayan artifacts in a way that most never will, you will also get multiple chances to see the underworld of Belize. The inner working of this tropical place is the real secret behind its long history.

Oct 13
2011

Was Cortes Really mistaken for a God by the Aztecs?

Posted by katinka van walen in Mexico , history

katinka van walen

Aztec God Quetzalcoatl

When the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl died at his own hands, burning his own body to ash, it is said his heart was all that remained. The Aztecs called him the God of the Morning Star because they believed that when he burned up, his heart rose into the sky and became the morning star.

People commonly believe that the Aztec religion stated that the god would return and Quetzalcoatl would usher in a time of peace and tranquility for the world. Evidence of this prophecy has never been found in Aztec writing. Every piece of writing found on the subject has been written in post Hispanic tongue. There is little to no evidence that the belief of the great feather dragon like god would return... ever.

Mexican history

As a matter of fact, the first recorded writing of the god’s return are in Spanish writing by Cortes himself assuming that the Aztecs had mistaken him and his party for their gods. Cortes also reports to the King and Queen of Spain of the Aztecs ignorance and naïveness towards the Spanish Conquistadors.

The real rumor that Cortes was considered a god by the Aztecs started a full half century after, in a paper called "Florentine Codex." This codex suggests that the ruler of the Aztecs, Moctezuma II was taken by Cortes as a god from the very first meeting. The Aztec king offered words of peace such as, "You have graciously come on earth, you have graciously approached your water, your high place of Mexico, you have come down to your mat, your throne, which I have briefly kept for you, I who used to keep it for you." Perhaps Cortes should have realized, being a world traveler, that not all civilizations have words for certain things and speak in a very friendly manner to honored visitors and members of their own tribes. The famous Hispanic saying, mi casa, es su casa, comes  to mind almost instantly. But, there is no real proof that the Aztecs saw Cortes and his men as gods from a single sentence upon their first meeting. The Aztec King said, "You have graciously arrived, you have known pain, you have known weariness, now come on earth, take your rest, enter into your palace, rest your limbs; may our lords come on earth."

If you read that last sentence carefully, you'll see that the Aztec King says that have suffered pain... no god suffers pain or needs to rest their wary limbs. Gods have no pain and never need to rest. The Aztecs may have been gullible, but they weren't completely dumb. By the time the Aztecs had put together that the Spanish were there for gold and for domination, there was little the Aztecs could do about it.

There has never been proof that the Aztecs took the Cortes landing party as gods; not until 50 years later when this rumor really started to take grip around the known world. Cortes was surely dead by then and so was never able to cash in on his new found divinity.

Oct 10
2011

The 7 Mayan Prophecies of 2012

Posted by TravelAdviser in Mexico , mayan prophecies , Mayan history , mayan calendar , guatemala , 2012

TravelAdviser

Mayan history        

There are many different religions and belief systems that have tried to predict when the earth was going to end, all of them have been wrong. Every person and religion that has tried to predict earths final day had been, thankfully, wrong. What makes so many of us believe that the Mayans got it right?

Perhaps we believe them so much because of their amazing building achievements as a civilization, or maybe it was their ability to read the stars and make the most accurate calendar that has ever existed; the Mayan Calendar. The Mayans were also very good storytellers, and believed that the world’s destruction had happened several times before.

 

2012

Much like the Bible, and many other holy books, the Mayans listed a set of prophecies that are supposed to start on 22nd December 2012, culminating the next day – 23rd December 2012. The 7 Mayan Prophecies of  2012 are as follows:

Oct 05
2011

The Appeal of Taking Horseback Riding Vacations

Posted by katinka van walen in vacations , Mexico , horseback riding , guatemala , Belize , adventure travel

katinka van walen

If you are a fan of horseback riding, you can definitely enjoy the feel of wind as it blows past your hair and the breeze blowing freedom as beautiful landscapes roll past as you ride on a horse. Thousands of people who love equine all over the world enjoy this feeling and this has led to the burgeoning of horseback riding vacations in many parts of the world including Belize and Guatemala.

Horseback riding Vacations

You can find many package tour deals that offer many types of horseback riding getaways. For example, you can find inn rides, which allow you to combine riding with overnight stopovers in various places. The other packages available are safaris that enable you to enjoy beautiful wildlife from the back of a horse, tours for the entire family and horseback fishing trips. One of the best ways to get away from the stress that is caused by the demands of contemporary living is to take on the adventure of horseback riding vacations.

Oct 04
2011

Mexico’s Riviera Maya: A Family Get Away

Posted by TravelAdviser in Riviera Maya , Mexico , family travel

TravelAdviser

Many have come to know the Riviera Maya as a place for single or couples vacations. If given the chance, the Riviera Maya can be a great place for the whole family to go.

First off, one of the great things about the Riviera Maya is the crowd, there isn’t one! The multitude of things to do there range from dining, ruins, and some small adventures that no one should miss out on while in the Maya Riviera.

Sep 06
2011

Adventure tourism

Posted by Den in travel tours , adventure travel

Den


Adventure travel has been a big part of our world's culture ever since the earliest explorations. People always sought to find new things and new land, see new sights, and discover the undiscovered.

The National Tour Association defines adventure tourism as a tour that is designed around an adventure sports. Sports like mountain climbing, hiking, rafting, and similar extreme activities fall into adventure tourism.

The History of Adventure Tourism


The modern form of adventure traveling started several decades ago, back when the first people planned on climbing the Himalayas. Then, in 1970, the very first rafting trips were opened commercially in Ethiopia, attracting tourists from around the world.

If climates and the political power games change over time, so does adventure tourism and the travel industry. Back in 1980, floating along the Nile in Egypt and hiking the Mount Ararat were all the rage. The 90s saw to the big change when the interest turned to the Swiss Alps and Thailand. The twenty-first century saw to a bigger change when adventure tourism went over to Central America, the Dominican Republic, and the Costa Rica. Kayaking and trekking were especially popular in the two latter destinations.











Sep 03
2011

The Mayan Calendar 2012 Doomsday Countdown: Real threat or Pulp Fiction

Posted by Den in mayans , doomsday , 2012

Den

The Mayan calendar has long been referred to as the most accurate calendar ever created by mankind. It moves in circles like a toy, almost. It spins around, with smaller consecutive rings lining the larger out ring. Using merely the sun, the moon and the stars, the Mayans were able to track the passage of time better than any of our modern supercomputers. This is what has got the doomsday fanatics all riled up.

There are several misconceptions when thinking about the Mayans, their calendar, and the 2012 dooms day predictions that have been made about dooms days and catastrophe. The first is that the Mayans invented the calendar they used. It is true that the Mayans refined the cyclic calendar to what we see from their ruins today, but they did not invent the calendar.

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