Jose Chameleone with Sweet Maama on UGPulse Ugandan, Kenyan and Tanzanian Music
Filed Under : Tanzania Safari by 
Sep.3,2010
Tags : Jose Chameleone, maama, Ugandan, UGPulse
Safari Holidays
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Filed Under : Tanzania Safari by Sep.3,2010
When I want to unwind and unplug at the beach I head for Nosara. The feel of this seaside town is relaxed yet upscale, and has some pleasantly familiar tones for a California native like me that echo holistically oriented communities like Santa Cruz, for example. At the same time, it is uniquely Costa Rican with a Guanacasteco flair.
Nosara is part of the proudly independent Guanacaste Province, that was once part of Nicaragua. The focus on wellness is represented well and genuinely in what the area is best known for: surfing and yoga. You dont need to partake of these, however, to completely enjoy and appreciate your Nosara vacation. Thankfully not too many people know about Nosara yet, and I am hoping that this unspoiled gem can stay low key for a long while to come. The town is 40 miles from the nearest paved road, and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica. What I really appreciate is the strong sense of community and the commitment to keeping Nosaras water and environment healthy and clean. The Nosara Civic Association was established to represent the interests of the people living in the region in a sustainable way. The community is inviting to locals and foreigners alike, and I simply just feel at ease whenever I visit. Pura Vida is alive and well in Nosara!
My family and I especially enjoy the Harmony Hotel on Playa Guiones:
The ambiance, the caring staff, and the sustainable practices pull it all together in an elegant, yet relaxed environment that leaves all of us refreshed and recharged after every visit.
The cuisine is a natural extension of the focus on health and wellness, with many vegetarian options, no red meat, and plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, as well as just-caught-fresh fish and seafood.
The juice bar has many inventive concoctions including both beverages such as Ginger Lassi (Indian yogurt drink), and fun vegetarian appetizers such as coconut-lime ceviche-delicious! Reflecting a harmonious way of living, the kitchen uses organic ingredients whenever possible.
The rooms are natural, roomy and very private with a great indoor/outdoor feel. One of the best kept secrets is the Harmony House. It is a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom beauty and simply elegant.
The open kitchen, dining and sitting area open onto an expansive patio boasting the best views in Nosara. You can check the surf on Guiones below, while floating in the infinity pool. We stayed with family and had an incredible time.
The Harmony staff even offered to shop for our family dinner we insisted on cooking together in the fully equipped kitchen. It is the best of both worlds: a private beach house , fully equipped and with all the amenities of a hotel. Perfect for families up to 6. The natural wood and crisp white linens work well and the amenities include organic products locally made for you to enjoy during your stay.
The pools are easy on the skin, leaving no harsh chemical burn because the treatment is done with salt water instead of chlorine.
The spa is wonderfully appointed with tantalizing services including a chocolate wrap, using organic cacao and coconut oil.
The coffee rub is amazing and invigorating with great anti-oxidant effect.
The spa also uses organic ingredients as much as possible, for example insisting on organic coffee beans only for the coffee rub from a local family producer.
There are yoga classes overlooking a pond with lotus blossoms, a natural juice bar, ping pong table, and great little store with art supplies, books and many other gems.
The very short stroll to the beach will reveal the long, pristine Playa Guiones with surfing, boogie boarding and a private palapa (with attendant) where you may leave your belongings while you frolic in the sea.
There are many local tours and activities to choose from in addition to the very popular surfing, boogie boarding, yoga and spa treatments. These include kayaking the Rio Garza, Rio Montana, or Rio Nosara, ocean kayaking, bird watching, waterfall hike, Ostional Turtle Nesting, canopy tours, horseback riding, estuary boat tours, among others. One of the best natural highlights is the Lagarta Lodge Biological Reserve Tour, which is very near to the Harmony Hotel. The private reserve is 125 acres along the Nosara river mangroves boasting an abundance of plants and animals including herons, waders, seabirds, motmots, monkeys, coatis, armadillos, anteaters, crabs, iguanas and many others. The best time for animal activity is early morning, and after the tour it is a wonderful option to enjoy the breakfast buffet at the Lagarta Lodge with a lovely ocean view.
Some other highlights include the local eatery/bar/bakery called Cafe de Paris. This is a great spot, right in the heart of town, with a wonderfully diverse menu, yummy bakery and extensive beverage selection. You will find unique German and Belgian beer, along with many tropical drinks, and eclectic international wines. The Black Sheep Pub up in the Nosara hills is a fun place with a great view and vibe. Strolling through the surf shops and boutiques in town, you will find an old fashioned ice cream shop with giant waffle cones and a super wide variety of flavors. You will meet locals, North Americans, Europeans, South Americans all in a very enjoyable, easy setting. If you want to unplug and unwind, with a focus on well-being, you will love Nosara, too.
About the Author:
Lisa Khajavi is a Costa Rica Travel Designer and proud member of Nature Vacations Costa Rica. Nature Vacations is the premier travel agency of www.NatureAir.com, the first carbon neutral airline in the world. For a list of top Hotels in Nosara Beach Costa Rica feel free to visit us here: Nosara Costa Rica Vacation - Hotels and Resorts
Mount Kenya National Park is located in the Kenyan Highlands on the slopes of the mountain after which it is named. 150 kilometres North East of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, and just South of the Equator, stands the once active volcano of Mt. Kenya. The Kenyan Highlands are covered in bamboo forests at the lower elevations, giving way to scrub land on the higher slopes, and finally becoming rocks, snow and ice on the mountain peaks.
With its highest peak reaching a height of 5199 metres, Mt. Kenya is Kenya’s highest mountain, and Africa’s second largest after Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Mount Kenya National Park circles the mountain, making one of the most scenic Game Reserves in Kenya.
This is a popular mountain for climbers because the slopes are easier to scale than the intimidating Kilimanjaro. There are also many great hikes and walks in the foothills and the lower slopes. One of the attractions of Mt. Kenya is its anomalous permanent glaciers, which are unexpected given its location almost straddling the equator, and given the high temperatures of Africa’s equatorial climate in general.
No matter whether you attempt the peak or are content to pick your way through the rocks and glaciers on the lower slopes, you will experience majestic views over one of Kenya’s most beautiful national parks.
Lodges and clubs throughout the park specialise in assisting and guiding climbers. The best months for climbing are January/February and August/September. If you come from the lowlands, it may take a few days to acclimatise to the higher elevation of the Mt. Kenya terrain.
Because of its location in the Highlands, the park is home to game and mammals that have adapted to life at higher elevations. You may also be lucky enough to view some of the rare and endangered species that can only be found in this part of the Kenya Game Reserves system, such as the bongo, the largest of the forest antelope, and the several, a medium-sized cat.
There is also a wide variety of alpine and sub alpine flora to be found on the lower slopes where rainfall is plentiful. Come to Mt. Kenya to view the buffalo, lion, and leopard (now rare). Here you will see some rare and unusual birds, such as the purple-throated cuckoo and the red-fronted parrot. You may also see a variety of raptors, along with the very rare lammergeyer, or bearded vulture.
For information on other wildlife viewing in Mt. Kenya National Park, Game Reserves in Kenya, and the other exciting attractions that Kenya offers, visit http://www.my-kenya-guide.com/mountains-in-kenya.html
By: Maggie Nguyo
About the Author:
Maggie Nguyo is a Kenyan who is well versed with most Kenya travel aspects. She is also the editor of http://www.my-kenya-guide.com, a website that is invaluable to travellers to Kenya. Written in a simple and personal manner, this website gives you insights and tips to help you to plan for your most memorable holiday in Kenya.
Posted by http://www.traveltheworld360.com
alessiagandolfo asked:
How was the journey? Did you find it better than other tour operators?
The Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta is a famous tourist attraction for vacations and trips. It is located in the southern region of the city, in the Ragunan Suburb. The place is suitable for international travelers with fully serviced hospitality and all amenities provided; a wonderful place to have fun and learn at the same time.
The Dutch flora and fauna lovers organization, the Vereneging Plantenen Dierentium organization at Batavia is credited with developing the place originally. The park was initially a ten hectare region on the Cikini Raya, Street two, in South Jakarta in the year 1864. The main park, the Plantenen Dierentium was subsequently shifted to its current position in 1964 in order to take care of the city’s development strategy. Until 1964, the Ragunan Zoo was situated at Cikini Street, after which it could not meet its fast expansion, and was reopened in 1966. Currently, the sanctuary accommodates more than 550 different species of wild life belonging to all parts of Indonesia. The Ragunan Zoo also provides shelter for a number of endangered wildlife species that include the Sumatran Tiger, Komodo dragon, and the dwarf buffalo and is a haven for the avian fauna.
Currently workers are in full flow to construct a new ten hectare enclosure. The director of the Ragunan Zoo will describe it as one of the most spacious and beautiful sanctuaries in the world. This spot is the perfect place for families to travel to on holiday. The place allows enjoyment of natural beauty and wildlife while imparting important bits of informative details. The working hours are from 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening, and the zoo is usually crowded with streaming visitors on weekends and holidays.
The Ragunan Zoo is located in the suburb and at the end of the day, you may wish to spend the night at a serviced residence. Jakarta has many aspects to its charm and staying a few nights in Jakarta serviced apartments can give you a perspective into the city’s serene and beautiful suburban lifestyle.
By: Naveen Marasinghe
About the Author:
Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a search engine marketing company that offers integrated Internet marketing services and specializes in hotel Internet marketing industry.
Posted by http://www.traveltheworld360.com