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Interesting Insect Facts Learned from Traveling the Amazon

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When it comes to travel, you can have unique adventures anywhere. However, none of these places is an interesting as a place that has not been disturbed by millions of people. Nature is where you will find the most interesting things. You will see a variety of plants, animals, and even insects while you are in a natural area. It is proven time and time again by all the people who are sincerely impressed and surprised by the interesting insect facts they can learn by traveling in the Amazon Rain Forest.

Hidden Treasures in the Amazon

Amazon TrekkingAsk anyone and they can tell you that the Amazon Rain Forest is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. There are more species of any given animal, plant, and insect here, than in any other part of our Earth. It is said that there are more than 40,000 plant types, 427+ mammals, 378+ reptiles, 400+ amphibians, 1,300 bird species, and an impressive 3,000+ freshwater fish. A person could survive for a very long time here as well, thanks to approximately 3,000 fruits that grow and are edible. If you want to talk about insects, a trip to the Amazon will put you in close quarters with 2.5 million different insect species. Keep in mind that not all of them are nice. There are some who also believe that more than 50 tribes live in the Amazon Rain Forest and none of them have ever had contact with the outside world. They are lost in the 2.1 million square miles of land that make up this amazing forest. Can you imagine all we can learn from the rainforest and perhaps the people and animals that live there?

Learning About the Rainforest

Exploring The Rain ForestThere are many guided tours that you can take that venture into the Amazon.  Most people say that it is a once in a lifetime experience. Along the Jungle Walks, people can see and learn about different plants, animals, and much more. On some tours you will have the opportunity to meet tribes that are willing to speak to visitors. You can get a bird’s eye view of the forest by walking a canopy bridge if you are not afraid of heights. One of the best things about taking a guided tour though is that you can find all you want to know about the people, plants, and animals that reside there. Your guide will know which plants are edible and which are medicinal. They may even be able to tell you the answer to the all-time question, do mosquitoes have teeth? Indeed, mosquitos do have teeth! These are just some of the fun facts that can be learned along the way exploring the Amazon.

Are You Ready to Go Exploring?

Some people spend their entire life waiting for an opportunity to see what the Amazon has to offer. People of all ages travel there yearly. Most all of them come back with amazing stories to tell their friends and family. If you have the opportunity, would you want to become a part of the world within our world?

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family vacation

A Family Vacation Is Important as Well As Fun

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A family vacation is something that the whole family looks forward to every year. It is the thing that they will talk about for years and something that the family can plan together. It takes a lot of work and a healthy budget to make sure that everyone has a good time and they all get to do the things that they want. But, there is so much more to a family vacation than the trip itself. A vacation with the whole family creates memories that will last a lifetime, long after you go home and unpack the luggage.

Fewer Distractions and Memories for a Lifetime

When the family travels together, everyone shares the experiences of seeing new things and trying out new adventures. The daily distractions that pull everyone apart are no longer a bother when a family is on vacation together. When everyone is together we find those special moments to sit and laugh together. A family vacation allows a family to do those things without any interruptions. These are the times that create memories to remember for years to come and stories that the kids will share with their children and grandchildren. A family vacation allows for the family to bond in a special way that simply does not happen in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On an Azamara Cruises ship, your family will share experiences and bond together.

Escape from the Electronic World

Would you like a break from the electronic word that permeates every corner of our beings? Take a family vacation and let everyone unplug from technology. Let the family be family together and enjoy the real world around them. The old expression is to smell the roses while you can. This is easier as a family when everyone is engaged in a new adventure and not stuck to their cell phones. On an Azamara Cruises ship there are communication facilities for emergencies, but otherwise, the family vacation is a great time to confiscate all of the cell phones.

Take a Family Vacation While You Can

There are memories that stay with us through the years. It might be your time with the family on an Azamara Cruises ship or simply a weekend camping by a lake. Take time to be with the family. This is what bonds us together. All too soon, the kids will be grown and off to college or married and living in a home of their own. Parents need to take advantage of the time that they have with their kids now, before it slips away. It can be a lavish trip that is a once in a lifetime experience, or a long weekend when you decide to head to the lake house. It doesn’t matter. It is all about being together and having a great time. It is all too easy to get caught up in work and other obligations. Taking time on vacation with the family reminds us what is important in life and nurtures the soul.

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Easy Recipes for Backpacking

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Going on a great outdoor living hiking trip is going to require adequate food and drinks. If you’re planning to go on a hike that is difficult and/or long, then you should carefully plan out what nourishments you will store in your backpack. The foods that you decide to bring should be packed with carbohydrates and proteins in order to give you plenty of energy for your great outdoor living venture. Also, since you’ll be carrying all of this in your backpack, you should try to minimize its weight as much as possible. This means that you will have to store just enough food, nothing more and nothing less. You can reduce the amount of food you’ll need to bring for your great outdoor living experience by storing dry and light ingredients.

For instance, for breakfast, you can store cereal and milk in your backpack. This doesn’t mean store a big gallon of milk and 16 oz box of cereal. All you will need for your great outdoor living backpacking trip is a cup of dry cereal and about 2 tablespoons of powdered skim milk. You can also bring along a tablespoon of powdered coffee creamer. You can place all of this in a zip lock bag, along with a half cup of cold water and you’re ready to begin your great outdoor living hike. If you want, you can also bring along some fruit.

For something to snack on along your great outdoor living trip, you can bring along granola bars and powdered chocolate milk. Any snacks that you plan to bring along with you should be lightweight, such as raisins, granola bars and crackers. Rather than canned meat products, you can store a few bagels for lunch. You can also opt to store peanut butter or cheese to eat while walking the trail. For an energy boost, bring along canned tuna and some recipes that you can enjoy along your great outdoor living hike.

Now, we can’t forget about the best meal of the day — dinner. For your evening meal, you can bring along various substitute ingredients that are just as tasty and satisfying. You may want to cook your dinner before leaving out on your great outdoor living venture, so that you can just chow down when night falls. Just store it in a lightweight container or zip lock bag. Also, you can cook some noodles before heading out, place it in a container. Then heat up some olive oil, which can be stored in a small film canister. Add in some salt, garlic and pepper, and dump in some salmon, chicken or tuna that is precooked (you can store these in foil packages). Place in the pasta and voila, a tasty dinner.

If you want something quick to snack on, you can find goodies on Groupon, such as Shari’s Berries. Just make sure you eat them quick before they melt!

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Iceland

Everything You Need to Know About Travelling to Iceland

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Are you planning to visit the land of fire and ice this year and want to know the best places to visit? Then you’re in the right place. Iceland is a huge island in the North Atlantic Ocean that combines natural beauty with a unique way of life in the modern world. You can stand in the middle of two drifting continents or go on a whale watching trip. Whatever you decide to do, you’re going to be in for a special experience in this destination. This article describes everything you need to know to have an awesome trip to Iceland.

Rent a Car:

The first and biggest piece of advice for Iceland is to rent a car. A car gives you the flexibility to explore the country on your own terms and allows you to stop and take photographs whenever you want to. Public transport is virtually non-existent and when you do find the bus, it’s very expensive and has limited service. Tours also cost a fortune and so the price of a rental and fuel for a few days will be about the same as a single tour.

iceland photo

The Best Places to Go in Southern Iceland:

Most people arrive and stay in Reykjavik. The capital itself is small with a charming city center and a few churches. You can spend a day wandering around to get a feel for what this place is all about. But, don’t limit yourself to staying here. If you have a car, plan to do the Golden Circle where you can see a historical national park, a huge waterfall, and a breath-taking geyser. A trip to the Blue Lagoon is also on most people list of things to do here.

Another popular activity is to explore the nearby towns of Keflavik and Hafnir. Both are small and have a special charm. They’re definitely worth a few hours to get some great photographs. If you’re more adventurous, you can follow the Ring Road along the southern coast where you’ll first pass through the lava fields. Then, suddenly the landscape transforms into rolling, green hills. As you’re driving, stop by at some of the towns and take a few photographs. You’re also going to see churches that are in the middle of nowhere.

As you’re driving, follow the brown signs to go to the tourist sites. Most of the places are free. This includes the bubbling hot springs, the Mid-Atlantic Drift, and other interesting places that you may come across. You should also be aware that if you’re at or around the coastal regions, it’s not uncommon to see seals on the beaches.

Places to Go in Northern Iceland:

Another popular thing to do is to visit Northern Iceland. There are several small towns along the Ring Road where you can stop. But the best place to explore the region is in Akureyri. This small town acts as the capital of the northern part of the country. From here, you can see the fjords, take a day trip to the glacier in the northwestern, or simply enjoy some of the hot springs. The drive from the south is very scenic as you pass through different landscapes.

Travel Tips for Iceland:

The first travel tip is about safety. Iceland is an unforgiving country and there are lots of ways that you can injury yourself, or worse. The warnings are here for a reason. If you’re told not to step off the path, then don’t. It’s foolish to try to get the perfect photograph by endangering yourself. The rocks around the hot springs are hot and will cause serious burns. The water on the beaches is unpredictable and has strong currents. Another tip when you’re driving is to only stop in the designated areas. Avoid stopping in the middle of the road to take pictures of the landscape. This is both dangerous to you and other motorists.

Driving is easy in Iceland with very few people using the roads. But, there are two very important things to be aware of. The first is that the speed limit is 80 km/h and that this is strictly enforced. You’ll see plenty of speed cameras around the country that will send you a ticket. Remember when you gave your credit card information to the rental company? If a ticket comes, they take it from your credit card. The next is that snowfall and blizzards are common. Roads don’t have barriers and sometimes there are steep drops off the side. Just take care and prepare yourself. Sometimes, the road will be completely covered in a layer of ice and strong crosswinds blow piles of snow across it. The locals still drive fast and confidently, don’t copy them.

The final tip is how to save money in Iceland. We all know that the country is notoriously expensive and a mid-range meal for two can come to close to $100. For this reason, most travelers tend to buy at the supermarket and prepare meals in their hotel or Airbnb. The best place to get food is at Bonus. This is the largest supermarket in Iceland and you can find it in almost every major town.

The Takeaway Message:

There are so many places to visit and explore in Iceland that it’s a paradise for travelers with an adventurous spirit. You can see the capital, self-drive the Golden Circle or even go around the entire Ring Road. Wherever you go, you’re going to be awed by the beauty that this country has to offer.

 

 

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