Blog entries http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com Wed, 23 May 2012 22:48:00 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/endemic-animals-of-cozumel.html <p>&nbsp;</p><br/>Cozumel is home to many endemic animal species<br/><p>The Island of Cozumel has been known to be a paradise for tourist but you may not know that it is home to many endemic animal species and some of them are considered critically endangered while some others are on the threatened list. It is considered home to so many mammals, birds and reptiles.</p><br/><br/><p>&nbsp;</p><br/>Racoon<br/><p><img style="margin: 10px; float: left;" title="Racoon" src="http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/imagesRead More... katinka van walen Wed, 23 May 2012 05:39:35 +0100 Wildlife ecology Birding bird watching http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/cozumel-island-the-island-of-swallows.html <p><br/>Cozu<img style="margin: 10px; float: left;" title="Isla de las golondrinas" src="http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/images/150/isla de las golondrinas.jpg" alt="Isla de las golondrinas" />mel Island is the most populated and the most recognized tourist island and is also the third largest Island in Mexico.&nbsp;<br/><p>The name Cozumel was given to this famous island from the Mayan word Cuzam which means swallow and the word Lumil also of Mayan origin which means &lsquo;land&rsquo;. ThRead More... katinka van walen Fri, 18 May 2012 08:37:13 +0100 Cozumel Birding bird watching http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/the-endangered-black-catbird-of-new-mexico.html <p>&nbsp;</p><br/>The Melanoptilaglabrirostris<br/><p><img style="float: left; margin: 10px;" title="Black Cat Bird" src="http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/images/150//blackcatbird.jp.jpg" alt="Black Cat Bird" />The Melanoptilaglabrirostris, the bird which is popularly called the black catbird has been declining in population over the past few decades. This is apparently occurring due to the fact that its habitats have been converted to coconut plantations and to the development of tourist reRead More... katinka van walen Thu, 17 May 2012 05:35:13 +0100 Wildlife ecology conservation Birding bird watching http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/chinampas-floating-gardens-of-the-aztecs.html <p>&nbsp;</p><br/><p>Often called "floating gardens," these rectangular plots did not actually float, and were much more than gardens. &nbsp;The technology to create them was introduced to Mesoamerican cultures in the Valley of Mexico sometime around 1150 AD, and quickly secured their place in history a vital tool of agriculture to support the enormous cities that prospered in that area. &nbsp;Today, the chinampas are indelibly associated with the indigenous cultures of the region, particularly the Read More... katinka van walen Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:19:34 +0100 Mexico history aztec http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/the-three-phases-of-mayan-civilization.html <p><img style="float: left; margin: 15px;" title="Mayan Civilization" src="http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/images/150/civilizacionmaya.jpg" alt="Mayan Civilization" /></p><br/>Pre-Classic period (~2000 BCE &ndash; 200 BCE)<br/><p> The exact date of the Mayan civilization's inception isn't known; the earliest artefacts associated with the early Maya have been carbon-dated to about 2600 BCE, but the first organized settlements probably appeared around 800 years later. These early villages begRead More... katinka van walen Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:37:48 +0100 Mexico Mayan Ruins http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/tenochtitlan-city-of-destiny.html <p><img style="float: left; margin: 10px;" title="Tenochtitlan " src="http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/images/150/tenochtitlan.jpg" alt="Tenochtitlan " />Between its founding in 1325 and its fall almost two centuries later, Tenochtitlan &ndash; named for the prickly pear plants which grew among the rocks near the site of its construction &ndash; was one of the world's most magnificent cities. The capital of the Aztec empire and its most important city, its construction and flourishinRead More... katinka van walen Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:15:36 +0100 ruins Mexico aztec http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/gods-of-chichen-itza.html <p> The polytheistic Mayans are famous for their pantheon of gods. &nbsp;As one of the Mayan Kingdom's most powerful and enduring metropolises, and today among of their most-visited relics, the city of Chichen Itza is famous for its pyramids and temples, which pay tribute to many of these gods, although two are represented with special frequency: Chak, the rain god, and Kukulkan, the feathered serpent.</p><br/><br/><p>&nbsp;</p><br/>Chak &ndash; God of Rain<br/><p><img style="float: left; margin: 10px; border: Read More... katinka van walen Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:15:34 +0100 Mexico mayans Mayan Ruins Mayan history Archaeology News http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/nature-and-adventure-in-sian-kaan-mexico.html <p>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.</p><br/><p>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.</p><br/><br/>Sian Ka'an National Park<br/><p>Sian KRead More... Den Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:57:08 +0100 Sian Ka'an Mexico http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/adventure-tourism-107.html <p>People always sought to find new things and new land, see new sights, and discover the undiscovered.<br />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.<br /><br /></p><br/>The History of Adventure Tourism<br/><p>The modern form of adventure traveling started several decades ago, back when the first people planned on climbing the HimaRead More... katinka van walen Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:26:19 +0100 adventure travel http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/the-quetzals-effect-on-central-america.html <p>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 hRead More... katinka van walen Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:57:45 +0100 nature Mexico guatemala conservation Central America Birding bird watching http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/why-go-cave-tubing-in-belize.html Belize Caves<br/><p>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.<br/><br />It&rsquo;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.<br/><br />Read More... katinka van walen Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:51:13 +0100 Mayan history Mayan Caves family travel Belize Belize adventure travel http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/was-cortes-really-mistaken-for-a-god-by-the-aztecs.html Aztec God Quetzalcoatl<br/><p>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.<br /><br />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 prophRead More... katinka van walen Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:35:19 +0100 Mexico history http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/the-7-mayan-prophecies-of-2012.html Mayan history&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br/><p>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?<br /><br />Perhaps we believe them so much because of their amazing building achievements as a civilization, or maybe it was their Read More... TravelAdviser Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:56:24 +0100 Mexico mayan prophecies Mayan history mayan calendar guatemala 2012 http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/the-appeal-of-taking-horseback-riding-vacations.html <p>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.</p><br/>Horseback riding Vacations<br/><p>You can find many package tour deals that offer many types of horsebaRead More... katinka van walen Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:45:15 +0100 vacations Mexico horseback riding guatemala Belize adventure travel http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/mexicos-riviera-maya-a-family-get-away.html <p>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.<br /><br />First off, one of the great things about the Riviera Maya is the crowd, there isn&rsquo;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.<br /><br/><br/></p><br/>The Food in Mexico<br/><p>Every hotel on this tropical place is goRead More... TravelAdviser Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:53:49 +0100 Riviera Maya Mexico family travel http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/adventure-tourism.html <p><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /></p><br/>The History of Adventure Tourism<br/><p><br />The Read More... Den Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:07:54 +0100 travel tours adventure travel http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/the-mayan-calendar-2012-doomsday-countdown-real-threat-or-pulp-fiction.html <p>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.<br /><br />There are several misconceptions when thinking about the Mayans, their Read More... Den Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:59:56 +0100 mayans doomsday 2012 http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/guatemalan-diverse-wildlife-volcanoes-and-ancient-ruins.html <p>Two very distinctive traits, the highlands and the lowlands define Guatemala. Each area has it&rsquo;s own unique look and it&rsquo;s own unique inhabitants. The thick jungles of the highlands to the filled with natural wonders and spectacles lowlands, there are monuments here that can&rsquo;t be seen anywhere else on the planet. For now, let&rsquo;s concentrate on the amazing wildlife and geography of the Guatemala highlands.<br /><br />One of the defining characteristics for the survival ofRead More... Den Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:01:52 +0100 Wildlife ruins guatemala http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/guatemalan-travel-tikal-national-park.html <p>Located approximately 50 miles from the country&rsquo;s border with Belize, Tikal National Park consists of the abandoned city of Tikal, its intricate buildings stretching over 6 square miles, and the lush jungle surrounding it, filled with native flora and fauna that continue to flourish there. Many animals and birds also call this park home, including the rowdy Howler Monkey, gorgeous parrots, the illusive Gray Fox, and playful Spider Monkeys. Just outside the National Park&rsquo;s entranceRead More... Den Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:59:20 +0100 Mayan Ruins http://www.adventure-community.onejungle.com/blogs/unearthing-ancient-mayan-ruins.html <p>Between 300 CE and 900 CE, there flourished an extremely advanced civilization inhabiting the lands of Yucatan Peninsula, along Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. A few centuries later, archaeologists have discovered exquisitely built pyramids and surprisingly detailed monuments in these areas, which are known to have existed between 1300 BCE and 1200 CE. Fortunately, these ruins have been opened for tourists and young explorers alike. And true enough, most people visiting the areas of MRead More... Den Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:19:55 +0100