Archive for September, 2007
Posted by Jamie Rhein on
September 25, 2007
Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, Learning, Paddling, Scuba Diving, Stories, United States, Hotels and Accommodations
We've written about how you can mail a postcard in a cave, stay the night in a volcano cave--or some other caves, bungy jump in a cave, paddle in a cave, and go to church in a cave. There's a whole lot more you can do in a cave and I'm sure one of us have mentioned it, but these will do for now. Missouri is the place to go for even more cave fun. It's not called The Cave State for nothing.
The reason Missouri has such cave wealth has something to do with mining. When you dig sand, limestone and lead from underground, huge caverns are the result. These left behind caverns make for terrific underground recreation facilities since the temperature stays constant year round regardless of what the weather is doing above ground.
Here's what you can do in Missouri's caves besides walking through them. You can:
And in the future, hopefully, you will be able to ice-skate and kayak at Crystal City Underground, once a sand mine.
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Posted by Iva Skoch on
September 25, 2007
Filed under: Scuba Diving, North America, South America, Panama, Ecotourism, Budget Travel
I am planning a trip to Panama. Not sure why. I don't know much about the country but I have a free Continental voucher to use up and they fly there directly from New York. That's a good enough reason for me. Plus, it sounds like a pretty interesting place.
I am sure many of you have been there already. I hear that Panama is trying to brand itself as the new, wilder (and possibly more dangerous) Costa Rica. Any recommendations? Any must sees and must avoids? Are there good diving/rafting opportunities?
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Posted by Catherine Bodry on
September 18, 2007
Filed under: Scuba Diving, Ecotourism
If diving with sharks no longer gets the adrenaline going, then maybe you've been hitting the wrong spots.
Forbes Traveler assembled a panel of noted shark experts to compile a list of the world's scariest shark dives, and here are the top three:
1. Dangerous Reef in the Neptune Islands off the southern coast of Australia.
2. Shark Alley near the Dyer Islands off the southern coast of South Africa.
3. Guadelupe Island off the coast of Mexico.
Accidents do happen -- you don't want blood in the water, or anyone fishing -- but in general you're more likely to be killed by a falling vending machine than a shark bite. But if the real thing is a little too much for you, you can check out the
slide show from Forbes Traveler from the safety of your desk chair.
[via
Msnbc.com]
%Gallery-7635%
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Posted by Iva Skoch on
September 16, 2007
Filed under: Scuba Diving, Europe, Greece
If Crete is the first place you will ever dive, chances are you won't ever do it again...unless you like hanging out underwater, some 60 feet deep and in poor visibility, and seeing about ten fish an hour, that is.
If diving here is any indication of the state of fish in the Mediterranean, we should all be very, very scared. There are, for sure, more fish at an average all-inclusive hotel restaurant buffet table than there are in the water off the northern coast of Crete.
To be fair, we did see a few barracuda and a couple fireworms, but that's about it. Save your Euros for sightseeing and frappe-drinking instead.
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Posted by Brett Atkinson on
September 7, 2007
Filed under: Paddling, Scuba Diving, Oceania, New Zealand, Ecotourism
I've just come back from a couple of days in Kaikoura on the South Island of New Zealand. I've been whale watching by helicopter and staying in a luxury tree house, (more about that tomorrow), but the coolest thing was bobbing about in the ocean with a colony of New Zealand fur seals.
After being poured into an essential winter weight hooded wetsuit I ventured with Sealswim Kaikoura to a local landmark called Barney's Rock, about 300 metres off the coast. A layer of kelp surrounds the base of the rock and adolescent seals were spinning and diving amidst the tangled marine forest. My guides, father and son Graeme and Matt Chambers, provided an essential tip to maximise the experience. "Imitate the seal, and mimic whatever they're doing."
It was excellent advice and by just floating on my back in the gentle swell, the seals didn't regard me as threatening. Out of the water it would have been a different story for the territorial older bulls, but joining them in their own environment I was regarded as just another benign species.
The younger seal pups swept recklessly towards me, made underwater eye contact, and then darted playfully away. On the rocks a few older seals kept sleeping in the sun, and I got the idea that none of the younger ones in the water felt the need to wake up their dozing uncles and aunties.
Thanks to Sealswim Kaikoura for the pic.
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