Grand Cayman is not just for stashing money.

I am sure you have heard of money-makers stashing cash in the Caymans. Well, the Islands have a lot more to offer than just about every international banking institution known to man. Those money-makers chose a very beautiful and exclusive island to stash their cash, and for good reason...

 
The Cayman Islands sit just south of Cuba and Northwest of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea. They make up three islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. 

Because there are no rivers on the island, the waters are the clearest and bluest you will ever see. Look down from your boat, or from the shore and you can see many, many feet down to the bottom as if it's right in front of you. Just gorgeous! But, watch out for those reefs. They have been known to ground many ships over the centuries. 

The Islands were first located by none other than Christopher Columbus himself in the 1500s. However, it wasn't until the 17th century when the English took formal control and began inhabiting the land. The Caymans are still owned by the English today and were deemed as a tax-exempt destination when, in the 1700s, the 'Caymanians' rescued ten English ships, which struck a reef during rough seas in an incident that has since become known as the Wreck of the Ten Sails.  King George III then rewarded the island with a promise never to introduce taxes as compensation for their generosity.  That reward is why banking is so popular here now and why money-makers all over the world have at least one Cayman account. ;)

Enough about the history of these Islands. On to the fun stuff! There are three things that you must do when visiting the biggest and most popular of the three islands -

First, you can't visit Grand Cayman without snorkeling in those crystal clear waters with the stingrays at Stingray City. Take a boat a few miles off the coast of the Island to view these graceful creatures of the sea. Once you step off your boat, you will be greeted with hundreds of them. It's hard not to get scared at first, but once you relax, you realize they are as gentle as your dog or cat at home. They are often-times considered pets to the locals, so there is a lot of love for these 'rays, and you can feel it. They rub up against you knowing there is food around and play with each other for attention. You wouldn't think they would have such colorful personalities, but they do! They are actually very smart. Take a couple of once-in-a-lifetime pictures, don't forget to kiss one for good luck, then move onward to your next destination on Grand Cayman...Hell.  Yes, Hell.

Hell, Grand Cayman is more or less a tourist trap that has become very popular over the years. Even though it is a tourist trap, you can't help but take the short, 10 minute stop and visit at least once in your lifetime. It received its name from a field of short, limestone formations that formed on the Island. The locals turned to each other and thought 'this is what hell must look like' and so hence the name. Other than a field of rocks, Hell has a small post office and a gift shop, which has a lot of t-shirts with cute sayings like 'Ive been to Hell and Back.' We sent out postcards from the Hell post office so we could receive them with the stamp from Hell. It's a novelty...

Last, Turtle Farm, Grand Cayman is the third thing you must see on this Island. Learn all about the endangered green sea turtles as you watch them swim and play as little hatch-lings and adults. Since these adorable turtles are on the endangered species list, Grand Cayman created this wonderful park in the 1960s to help save them. The farm has been very successful in breeding them and introducing them back into the wild, allowing their numbers to grow around the Islands.  It since has evolved into a tourist attraction that can't be missed. The coolest part is getting to hold them.  They are super gentle and have adapted to human contact. Being face-to-face with one is truly an experience! Don't miss out on this when you visit! For more information on the Turtle Farm, please visit Boatswain Beach's Turtle Farm.

Other things to do while on Grand Cayman is shop, of course. In the downtown area you will find lots of restaurants, bars, shopping, jewelry markets. There is also boating, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, diving, and places to rent scooters, bikes and cars to get around. It's not a large island, but to be able to see everything, it's best to rent a car. 

I hope you enjoy your trip, I am more than positive you will! :)  

For more information on traveling to the Caymans and for the best deals on travel, you can visit: Cheap Caribbean.com.

Also, to plan your boating and snorkeling trip to the infamous Stingray City, go to: Stingray City Trips.

Costa Rica is Pura Vida!

To understand what Pura Vida truly means, you have to go to Costa Rica. It is the epitome of Pura Vida! The term literally translates to 'Pure Life' or 'Full of Life.'  It is used as a greeting and as a farewell.  But the Ticos of Costa Rica understand it in a much more profound way, because they get to live it everyday... They understand it as 'we are only here for a short time, so enjoy it, and then you are gone.'  An inspiring meaning to a catch phrase that truly represents such a beautiful country!

Costa Rica has to be one of the most untouched, pure, and full-of-life countries left in this world.  There is a reason for that.  The people of Costa Rica (or 'Ticos') understand the importance of nature and what their country offers this planet. They have many laws and unwritten laws that protect the colorful and fragile environment. The flora and fauna, as well as the animals that inhabit this Eden are loved and appreciated like a son or daughter. It is that important to them. They may be considered a third-world country, but technology and wealth are not nearly as coveted as being able to lose yourself in the beauty and purity of the spirit that has taken over this land. All you have to do is sit back, close your eyes, and breath it in.  You will feel it too! 

To visit Costa Rica, you must plan thoroughly. It is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the city and in the many mountains and dilapidated roads that you will come across.  First, know what you want to see. If your visit is limited with time, don't try to do it all. It's too much.  Costa Rica, although appearing small on a map, is large when traveled.  The roads aren't as easy to drive upon and aren't as direct as what we're used to in the states, so it takes a long time to get around. If you have 2 or 3 weeks, then you just may be lucky enough to appreciate all facets of this country. 

There are two main areas to see in this country: the ocean (coast) and the rain forests (inland). The ocean is like the Graceland for surfers, boaters and fisherman. Costa Rica, being nudged between two different oceans offers even more than most countries can. The Pacific side has some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world. There are many vacation packages that are just for people who want to fish this area. Catch marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin, roosterfish, tuna and dorado all day. On both the Pacific and Caribbean sides, you will find a surfer's mecca.  The larger waves bring professional surfers from all over the world, as well as annual surfing competitions.  I didn't get a chance to visit the ocean part of Costa Rica. I was more interested in active volcanoes.  :)

The rain forests of Costa Rica are so rich, so vast and so full of life. It seems at times that everything is moving..especially when you take a second to stop and really pay attention. We visited two different active volcanoes of Costa Rica - Arenal in La Fortuna and Poas in La Paz. Both are located in the middle of the rain forest. We rented a car and drove to our first stop, Arenal. It took about 3-4 hours, not because of the distance, but because of the windy, 30 MPH, dilapidated roads that hang off of cliffs of huge mountains. Some of the roads may have been featured on "Off-Road Truckers' Deadliest Roads." We were told that cars fall off the cliffs all the time. Fun!

Arenal Volcano

After you survive the drive, you arrive to see the largest 'mountain' in the town, Arenal Volcano. It is in the center of the town, very active and, when the weather is right, you can see the lava rocks spewing out of the cauldron with lava sliding down its sides. Super cool. A lot of the cheaper places to stay are called Eco-Resorts. There is no electricity in these resorts.  All power is gained via solar or geothermal energy. If you choose to 'rough' it in the rain forest, this can be your thing. Even resorts that are not 'eco', can be found at great prices. 

Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs

Tabacon Thermal Hot Springs

The nicest resort in Arenal is Tabacon. Tabacon has geothermal hot springs that are out-of-this-world gorgeous. You do not have to stay at the hotel to visit the springs. There is a fee to stay for a day and enjoy this amazing part of Arenal. The heat warms the springs that jut out of the ground and form rivers that flow down from the volcano. The further you are from the springs, the less hot the rivers become. For hotter temperatures walk towards the top of Tabacon's spa-like river system, and for cooler, more tolerable temperatures, walk down towards where the river ends into a perfectly-warmed pool w/ a bar sitting in the middle. So convenient! It happened to be my birthday the day we went to Tabacon, so we celebrated (just a little). ;)  Remember all of the resorts are at the base of this active volcano, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's an experience of a life time! For reservations or more information about Tabacon Grand Spa & Thermal Resort click on the link.

Coffee Fields

Other things to do in La Fortuna is visit La Fortuna Waterfall. Bring hiking boots! It'll be the best decision you make. You have lots of hiking to do, whether you like it or not. Hiking boots are an absolute must to get through it without a scratch. The hike down and up to the Falls can be difficult for some, plus just about anything in Costa Rica must be hiked, so the boots will be worth it for sure.

Zip Lining in La Fortuna

Also, you can go horse-back riding to visit with the native Indians who have kept their Costa Rican villages and traditions alive, go zip lining for views of the waterfall and volcano that you can't get anywhere else, and eat as much as you can! The native food is delicious. Finally... if you like coffee, then you may know that Costa Rica grows some of the best in the world. Bring some back with you and have a little of Costa Rica in your home. There are also coffee tours that you can take to learn more about this Costa Rican tradition. P.S. - Starbucks grows their coffee here. ;) 

Our Room at Peace Lodge

From Arenal, we drove three hours to our next destination. La Paz Peace Lodge and Waterfalls Gardens near Poas Volcano. I found this resort randomly when researching for our trip. They do not advertise and rely solely upon word-of-mouth. The grounds are incredible. Even though we were lucky enough to stay here, like Tabacon, La Paz hosts tourists that do not need to stay at the resort in order to visit it. The resort has many things to see and do. You can spend days there without leaving and see a lot of Costa Rica. That's the reason why they have a 4 night limit!  Ever heard of that? They will not let you stay longer than 4 nights because they feel you miss out on other parts of Costa Rica. They want you to get out there! The resort is so amazing, I can see how no one would want to leave!  

The Butterfly Gardens of Peace Lodge

Our room included a fireplace, four post bed w/ mosquito screen, a volcano-style hot tub and hammock on our balcony, a waterfall shower and bathtub under a solarium that makes you feel like your bathing right in the rain forest and $20 one-hour, in-room couple's massages! It had it all! Just perfect for a relaxing few days after all the hiking and exploring we did in Arenal. 

Aviary of Peace Lodge

The Waterfalls Gardens (within the resort)  is a trail of catwalks. There are about 7 beautiful waterfalls to see on this trail. Unfortunately, a few months before we visited, the area suffered from a 9.1 earthquake that caused many mudslides, damage and some deaths. Because the area is so rural, the damage was not as bad as it could have been. Earthquakes are normal for this area due to the active volcanoes. The damage was not extensive at the resort, but portions of the catwalk had to be closed. However, we were able to enjoy at least 1/2 of them, which was worth it in itself. Also at the Peace Lodge is an aviary, butterfly gardens, monkey pass, big cat zoo, a night frog tour, trout lake for fishing, and so much more. The list can go on and on. I recommend anyone visiting Costa Rica to check this place out..even for just a day, if you don't choose to stay there. For reservations and to find out more about La Paz Peace Lodge and Waterfall Gardens click on the link.

Poor Man's Umbrella

The local volcano is Poas. It is also very active, but hasn't spewed lava since the 1960s. We visited and were lucky enough to have the clouds lift right on time to reveal the volcano's enormous caldera. The view looking down into the caldera was impressive to say the least. You can see heat and sulfur being released from several areas. It truly was something to see! 


As a bonus, the short walk to the volcano allowed us to appreciate some more of Costa Rica's vegetation. It looks a lot like Jurassic Park. Everything is just sooo big! The ferns, the flowers, the trees...all of it was just so extraordinary. One native plant that we came across is referred to as "Poor Man's Umbrella" because the leaves are so large, you can stand completely underneath them. So Jurassic! And so Pura Vida! 


It's hard to write everything that needs to be said about this incredible country. There is so much to see, do and learn about. I feel like I can go back several times and never get to experience everything that should be.  Having been there for only 5 days, I still feel like I got out of it what everyone should. Living with and taking in Costa Rica's Pura Vida... 


For more information on how to get here and to begin enlightening yourself on Pura Vida, go to: Visit Costa Rica.


Now, go explore!

Banff National Park is Like Being in a Fairy Tale

Forget Disney, Banff is where you want to be to feel like you're in a fairy tale land! It may be one of the happiest places on earth, too.  The bright colors, wildlife, quaint town, and ginormous Rocky mountains all make for a magnificent scene that seems to cleanse the spirit.

Banff is a town located within the Canadian Rockies, inside Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.  It's the only town in Canada that is located inside a National Park! Step outside your lodge and gaze upon the wildlife that sits right at your doorstep. We were there for three days and saw just about every kind of animal that resides in the park, including grizzlies!

Grizzly Cub from our Gondola

Banff is not only a tourist destination for everyone around the world, but also for their locals in Calgary.  Spending a day relaxing, having some wine, fondu and fresh air is inviting to just about anyone. Campers travel from all over the world just to enjoy all the things this park has to offer.  Canoeing, hiking, taking a ride on the gondola, fishing, exploring, soaking in hot springs, shopping in the very cute town, and trekking glaciers are just a few of the things that can be enjoyed during the summer months. In the summer, the temperature averages in the 70s during the day and 40s at night. In the winter, the skiers come out to play. Banff has some of the best skiing on the continent and hosts many competitions annually. There are 3 ski resorts in Banff, and the Canadian Rockies are just perfect for it. We went in the Summer, so no skiing for us, but being able to enjoy the outdoors in near perfect weather was more my idea of a vacation anyway. :)

You can't visit this Park without going to Lake Louise and looking around the historical Fairmont Lake Louise Resort located right on the famed lake. The views are spectacular, the hotel is grand and they also have hot springs and a 'grizzly' gondola where you will hopefully spot some from the air. We did!  Two baby grizzly cubs were vegging right underneath the gondola! Super cool. When taking the Lake Louise gondola, at the top you will have amazing photo ops and can visit the grizzly museum to learn more about these beasts. 

To see as much as you can in this Park, you must rent a car and drive it. There's so much hiking and things to see on the side of the road.  You will come across, deer, elk, big-horned sheep, wolves, waterfalls, mountain flowers, just about everything right there from your car. Icefields Parkway is the infamous road that takes you through Banff north to the glaciers and icefields (hence the name).  Take Bow Valley Parkway to Icefields Parkway.  Bow Valley is a scenic route north to Icefields Parkway. It's where all the animals come out to play, so you should definitely see something! When you get to the Icefields Parkway, you will be greeted by someone who can answer any questions you have and who will provide you with a map of all the glaciers, waterfalls, etc. that you will come across.  You may not even know you're seeing glaciers as you drive past them, so the map is a must.  They are everywhere!

Drink the glacier water and feel youthful!

The most famous glacier is located at the Columbia Icefields-- just South of Jasper, off of Icefields Parkway, on the continental divide. These icefields have many glaciers, some are close to the largest in the world. Athabasca glacier is the largest at this field. It's another must see when visiting Banff. Take an icefield trekker (which is like a gigantic bus with wheels on steroids) up and onto the constantly moving glaciers for a view that will take your breath away (if the cold doesn't already). ;)  I was there on the hottest day of the year, and the temperature was between 6-9 degrees Celsius. Brrr. Don't forget to drink the glacier water when you go. You can bring an empty water bottle and fill it too.  Locals say that when you drink the water, you gain youth! You will also learn a lot about glaciers. Like how they are receding at an alarming rate.  The very glacier you would be standing on will not exist in 100 years! Global warming can clearly be seen here. There is even a sign on what is now a parking lot which shows where the glacier used to begin 100 years ago. It has receded a ton since then. It makes you feel lucky that you are able to appreciate it now while it's still here.

Peyto "Wolf" Lake

Also from the parkways, you can see Bow Valley Falls, Peyto Lake and tons of rivers and streams that are as blue as.....ummm...there's just nothing that compares to that kind of blue! It's awe-inspiring. After inquiring as to how the water there gets its hue, we learned that since glaciers are constantly 'drifting,' they grind the rock that's underneath into a fine, white powder.  That powder is filtered into the streams and wah-la! You got this beautiful, clean-looking blue that you see everywhere in Banff. Seeing pictures of the water is what brought us here in the first place. It looked like..a fairy tale! And it truly was. No robotic deer, or plastic flowers, it was the real thing.
Disney has nothing on this place!


For more information on what to do, where to go and a bunch of useful facts, visit: Banff.com.

There really is so much more to do and see than what I wrote here.  Please research for yourselves and find out everything you need to know before you travel. You will be happy you did!

Venice, Italy: a beautiful swamp land

Never thought of Venice as a swamp before, huh? One of the more interesting things we learned while traveling to this popular tourist destination was that this city was built on top of swamp land! Just like the Everglades of Florida, Venice hosts extreme heat, tropical thunderstorms, 100% humidity, 300+ days / year of flooding and mosquitoes like you wouldn't believe. What most people don't know about Venice is that it was built using tree trunks from what used to be a forest on the mainland. Those trunks have since petrified and are, in fact, sinking little by little each year into the mucky bottom. Ironically, what makes Venice so popular today is its swampy location, or what they prefer to call the "Venetian Lagoon."  

The canals of Venice have for a long time been known to romance the pants off everyone who is fortunate enough to gaze upon them. Contrary to the rumors, Venice does not have an odor of any kind. Their sewage is not seen nor sensed in any way throughout the city. Locals actually swim in the canals when the summer's heat bares down on them. The canals and the city are as amazing as the pictures that attempt to reflect it. What pictures can't show you is the feeling you get when you are there. Romance is certainly in the air, and not only the tourists can feel it. I believe this is why the people there are so nice. That and the fact that not just anyone can live there...

 
Most of the people who live there are Venetian. They are born there, grow up there and pass away there.  Less than 10% of its residents are not Italian, but have boo koo bucks, if you know what I mean. The history, architecture, and cafes are enough to make anyone think twice about where to live, but once you've been there for a few days, you realize there's no place like home. It does seem like a difficult place to live after a short stay. It's very compacted (so much so that no cars or bikes are allowed) and since everything (and I mean everything) has to come in via boat, you can imagine what shipping would be like!

Now it wouldn't be a trip to Venice without taking a ride on a gondola.  It's really the best way to see the city. Floating down the canals and through the 'alleys' helps you to see parts of Venice you never could otherwise. Gondoliers have a very coveted position in Venice. 

Did you know that in order to have this title you must be a Venetian born and raised on the Islands? Venice has kept this occupation so sacred, and for good reason. Gondoliers are put through an immense amount of training and schooling in order to obtain their license. Venetians also have their own language and need to understand one another when they yell at each other on the canals allowing the other gondoliers to know they are coming around a corner. It can get so cluttered in those tiny canals, that communication becomes key when navigating.

The masks of Venice are another known source of culture. They derive from a less fortunate time in the Venetians history. During the bubonic plague, the sick were forced to live on little islands in Venice, one being the lazaret. It was a quarantine island where the sick would eventually pass away and be buried far from the city's wealthy and healthy. National Geographic recently located mass plague graves on the island and have written about it.  You can read more about this here: National Geographic Article.

 

But I digress... The masks were worn by doctors to prevent getting sick when treating their doomed patients. They would stick herbs into the nose of their mask to help filter the air. And this wasn't the only reason to where masks in Venice. Masks were also used to hide one's social status. Wearing a mask allowed those of higher class to socialize with the public and act freely. Masks are not expensive in Venice. You should definitely purchase one from one of the hundreds of mask makers you will come across during your stay. It's a cultural icon to say the least.

Besides gondolas and masks, there is a list of things that one must see and do when visiting this fascinating swamp land -

1. Lido Island is the island where we stayed. It's absolutely gorgeous, big enough to have cars and reflects a side of Venice that you don't get on the main venetian island. All of the other islands of Venice have a lot less tourists, so it can be nicer to take a stroll. The taxi (I mean boat) service is not expensive and allows locals and tourists to move around the islands efficiently. Take a boat to this little island for a day and enjoy everything it has to offer.

2. The Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge are staples of the city. Unfortunately, the bridge can become so cluttered with tourists, you cant really get a great view or idea of the awesomeness of it unless you view it from the water on the grand canal. Take a gondola on a grand canal tour and not only view the Rialto, but also the beautiful, historical mansions that line its path.

3. St. Marks Square and Cathedral is the center of Venice. Here you will find the location of where St. Mark the apostle is buried. St. Mark is the Patron Saint of Venice and so his symbol (a lion with wings) can be seen throughout the city. Visit this historical cathedral and learn all about how his body ended up in this beautiful swamp land. 

4. Marco Polo lived in and loved Venice. After his travels to the orient, he returned to Venice to share his journey. He also brought back with him a lot of the seemingly foreign architectural styles that you can still see on many of the buildings and its windows. His home is located on the main island.

5. Royal Gardens. Gardens on the islands were very rare and hard to come by. Only the upper class could afford them being that land is so sparse to grow them. The Royal Gardens are the largest on the islands and  may seem small to someone with their own large yard, however, it is still something to see. You can see gardens also from the grand canal while looking upon the incredible mansions and their grounds.

6. Murano Island is THE island where the famed glass is made.  You can see this art all over Venice, however, on the island you can learn and see how they actually blow the glass. Don't forget to purchase some for yourself! It's cheap compared to what we have to pay in the states.

7. Get Lost in Venice! It's very easy to do, and the only way to get away from the touristy spots. Remember, every time you cross a bridge, you are on a different island!

Other stops you can make are to the Guggenheim museum, Burano Island, Doge's Palace and don't forget to try Italy's famed gelato! 

For more things to do in this beautiful swamp land, visit: Trip Advisor's Things to Do