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Travel To Machu Picchu
May 8th
One of the most visited sites in the world today by travelers is Machu Picchu. It is located in Cuzco, Peru in the high Andes Mountains. It is approximately 724 miles away from Lima, the Peruvian capital. A typical trip by land on a bus takes about 20 hours. One could also take a flight and arrive there in a heartbeat of one hour. The starting point usually begins in Lima.
The ruins sit surrounded by the Andes Mountains at about 11,024 feet above sea level. The name Machu Picchu literally means old peak, translated from the Quechua language. It was discovered by Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911 while he was in charge of a Yale University expedition. It was in this landscape that the Incas built Machu Picchu at the end of the fourteenth century.
The climate is mild, warm and damp. It has a year round average temperature of 55F during the day. There are typically two seasons, a rainy season which lasts from November to March and dry season, which lasts from April to October. Most travelers prefer to travel to the site during the dry season.
Personal Travel Experience
I had the pleasure of visiting Machu Picchu 22 years ago around this time when I was a small child. I was accompanied by my mother. The scenery was beautiful and breathtaking. We took a train from the city of Cuzco and it took us just a few hours to get to Machu Picchu. Then we had to take a small bus up the trail all the way to the top. Nowadays, there are two ways to connect from Cuzco. One is a Tourist Train, which only operates in the high season. The trip takes four hours and returns in the evening. Then there is also the Autovagon, a tourist service that takes three hours to get to the site with an evening return trip as well. Both leave in the early morning hours.
We highly recommend you to put Machu Picchu, Peru as one of your top travel destinations to visit in the near future. The experience will be unforgettable.
UPDATE: On July 7th in Lisbon, Portugal, Machu Picchu was voted in as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Visit A Winery For A Barrel Tasting Event
May 8th
An exciting and fun learning experience is a barrel tasting. Some wineries offer different types of tours that include tasting from barrels. Others offer barrel tastings to their club members at certain times during the year. Check the wineries where you will be visiting to see if they offer tours that may include barrel tasting. If you are a club member, see if barrel tasting is one of the benefits of membership.
Most likely, when you taste a wine from a barrel it is not ready for release. Barrel tasting provides the opportunity to taste a wine that may be months or years away from bottling and sales. Although the wine may taste good, try to determine what additional aging may do for it. Is the wine balanced or is the alcohol, acidity, oakiness, or fruit predominant?
In April of 2007, we had the opportunity to attend a barrel tasting at Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery in Leon, Virginia. Brad Hansen, the winemaker, led 40 people down a flight of stairs from the spacious tasting room. We entered a large rectangular shaped, barrel aging room with a curved ceiling. Small overhead lights provided subdued lighting. Barrels lined the walls of this room except for two alcoves that had beautiful murals painted depicting scenes from the old world wine country.
In the center of the room a long, wood table was set with wine glasses, cheeses, olives, crackers and water. Brad welcomed everyone and indicated that this barrel tasting was in appreciation of the wine club members. He chose four wines to show us a picture of whats going on in production.
Brad began the tasting with the history of Prince Michel vineyards. He discussed the challenge of the vineyards on the land next to the winery and the direction the new owners have taken. Sixty percent of the Chardonnay crop around the winery was lost due to 16 – 19 weather in mid April. The previous weather was warm and the buds began to swell and leaves began to pop out when they were hit by the very cold weather. The buds turned brown and dropped off. Brad explained that the difficulty in this area of Virginia is that cold air rolls down the mountains and settles right over this area. So Chardonnay vines planted just minutes away are fine. Fortunately, Prince Michel owns or has partnership vineyards throughout the Virginia Commonwealth. They acquire most of the Chardonnay from a vineyard on the Eastern shore. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay keep the land on the Eastern shore warmer. The recent sub-freezing temperatures around the winery did not affect the Chardonnay grapes on the Eastern Shore area. By having partnership vineyards throughout Virginia the risk is spread around.
The first wine Brad offered the group was Petit Manseng. This is a new grape planted for Prince Michel and Brad is very pleased with the first release that will be for sale in just a few weeks. Brad produces this wine in a dry French style. The Petit Manseng grape can produce very high sugar levels and make a very sweet wine. Brad harvests this grape early while the sugar levels are low. We enjoyed this wine. Although dry, it seemed sweet and had a very nice bouquet and a good balance between the citrus fruit flavors, acid and alcohol.
The next wine we tasted was a barrel selected 2006 Chardonnay. This wine will see another eighteen months in the barrel before release. It was out of balance at this point, with too much oak flavor. Brad explained that over the next eighteen months, the dead yeast cells will give the wine flavors and the fruit flavors will become more intense and balance out.
We then tasted a barrel aged Syrah done in the French style. This was a very light Syrah and Brad is thinking of blending it with about five percent Merlot. It will see several more months in the barrel before release in the fall of this year. The final wine tasted was a Cabernet Sauvignon that has a summer release date. Brad explained that he would like to use this wine in a blend of Prince Michels Symbius, a Bordeaux style blend.
During the tasting, most people drank the wine and only a few people dumped their wine in the dump buckets. While waiting for a serving of the wine, people frequently visited the table for the cheese, olives, crackers or water. After we tasted the Cabernet Sauvignon, Brad asked the group for questions. There were several questions. Do grape growers know what areas of Virginia grow the best varietals? What characteristics do you look for when blending Symbius? Brad explained that Virginia is new to wine and they are still discovering what areas grow the best varietals as well as experimenting with varietals that may do well in the various climates of the state. He talked about the success of the Viognier grape throughout the state. Brad believes that the Petit Manseng will also be successful. Brad pointed out that the wineries throughout the state produce similar wines. However, they seek their wines to be similar with a difference. If our wine tastes the same as others, why come here? Many produce a Bordeaux style blend. However, each of these blends is different. He will blind taste different wines until he comes up with what will make a blend for Prince Micheles Symbius.
Be sure to check out your favorite wineries or wineries you have not visited yet, and see what type of barrel tastings they have to offer.
The Disneyfication Of Times Square In Nyc
May 8th
America is often defined by Times Square. After all, this is the famous location of the dropping of the ball on New Years Eve. With such a famous designation, its only reasonable that Americans would want their country to be represented by something decent. Not as it was for years, a seedy, littered, crime-ridden district.
Times Square, New York at one time was littered with sex clubs and porn shops. One of the most notorious establishments in Times Square could be considered the Gaiety Theatre. This was a male strip club that operated in Times Square for more than thirty years. When they officially closed their doors recently, the Disneyfication of Times Square was considered to be nearly complete.
The decline of Times Square began with the Great Depression, however the original opening of The Gaiety Theatre ushered in hustlers, tourists and individuals of the gay variety. With them, sex clubs opened up and porn movies became popular in this section of New York. Once these establishments took hold in Times Square, the crime rate skyrocketed and people began to avoid this area. After a bit, it began to be considered one of the seedier places to be in New York.
This was presenting a very bad image for New York. With the newly formed Giuliani administration, they swooped in and began enforcing laws that encouraged a higher quality of life for people. By doing this they were able to begin shutting down many of the sex themed establishments. They worked to drive out the people who encouraged sex solicitation and shops. The only drawback was that in peoples minds, it still had a reputation of being a place to avoid. So the biggest hurdle New York had was to show the world that Times Square had indeed changed for the better. Police worked to clean up the streets and brought the crime rate down dramatically.
It wasnt until the Amsterdam Theatre was closed and transformed into the Disney Theatre that Times Square began to share the Disney name synonymously, then people started to associate Times Square with the family oriented theme park kind of mentality. With that association they began to feel that Times Square would also be subject to the Disney type of regulations as they have in their parks.
With the gradual closings of the gay clubs, porn shops and sex establishments, Time Square began to build up a more wholesome image but it took time. These shops werent eliminated immediately, it took time and a lot of effort on the parts of many individuals. The upgrading of Times Square was considered a complete success once the last remaining establishment that had such a stronghold on this New York crossroads was officially closed.
How To Plan A Family Ski Vacation
May 8th
A ski vacation is a great way to stay active with the whole family. But, if you are planning a full family ski vacation, there are a few things you should know that can help you pick the right resort, save money, and make sure everyone has a great time. Keep reading for informative tips on how to plan a memorable and enjoyable ski vacation for both you and the kids.
1. Look For Ski and Stay Packages: A number of family-focused resorts will offer Ski and Stay packages that include free lift tickets for the kids. Many of the ski resorts that market towards families and children will also offer designated beginners’ and children’s areas – giving you peace of mind about safety and the availability of skill-appropriate hills.
2. Get Out of the Hotel Room: Renting a local condo or chalet lets your family spread out and gives you access to a DIY kitchen – which can save you hundreds on meals. Instead of paying for hotel breakfasts or expensive village meals, you can prepare your own and save your money for an extra day of skiing. You can save even more by opting to share with another family.
3. Consider Renting Equipment For The Kids: Children grow out of their ski and snowboard gear so fast that it may be more worthwhile to rent their equipment. If you are planning on renting, try to pick up your equipment the night before. Ski rental areas can be very busy in the morning and considering the amount of time it can take to fit kids, you’ll be glad you did. If you’d rather purchase, look into second-hand equipment through local families or a second-hand sports’ equipment store. Also, always make sure that your children are equipped with well-fitting helmets and that includes teen snowboarders!
4. Opt For Lessons: If your little ones (or you) are new to skiing, opt for some valuable lessons. Not only will the kids learn solid skiing technique, but enrolling them in ski school will also give you some free time to hit some more challenging slopes. For more money savings, many ski resorts offer price breaks on lift tickets when skiers enroll in lessons.
5. Go Off-Peak: Off-Peak times at ski hills include weekdays, evenings, early season and late season. Hitting the slopes during these slow periods can not only significantly reduce the cost of your lift tickets, but also insure that you and your little ones will get the luxury of a quiet hill, which can be a blessing for beginners.
The great thing about ski (and snowboarding) vacations is that it’s a family activity that’s enjoyable for all ages – from tots to teens to parents and accessible, with lessons, to all skill levels. To save money and have fun this year, remember to book during off-peak times, opt for lessons, try renting, and go on the hunt for family ski and stay packages. Ski vacations are a great way for you and your family to have a great time together.
Journey To “Where The Sky Is Born” – The Yucatan’s
May 8th
Journey To “Where The Sky Is Born” – The Yucatan’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
As the largest protected area in the Mayan Riviera and esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sian Kaan has been the regions premier nature and outdoor recreation destination since it opened 20 years ago. With nearly one-third of Mexicos Caribbean coast dominated by the park, there is also no shortage of nature to explore. Located just south of Cancun near the ancient city of Tulum, Sian Kaan offers some of the best daytrip opportunities for tourists staying in Cancun.
As the parks name is taken from a Mayan phrase meaning where the sky is born, it is no surprise that Sian Kaan is also home to numerous historical sites. Human remains and artifacts found within the largely unexcavated Mayan sites in Sian Kaan have been traced back over 2,300 years. In addition to the 23 distinctive archeological sites in the park, it is believed that the northern section of Sian Kaan contains a once-vibrant Mayan trade route. When you visit the park, you will be able to see ancient Mayan temples resting undisturbed amongst the beauty of the natural environment. In fact, several tour operators visit these sites as part of active kayaking and hiking tours, allowing visitors to experience the best of both worlds.
Despite such fascinating history, the true value of Sian Kaan rests in the fact that the park is one of the most biologically diverse preserves on earth. In fact, within the boundaries of the park, researchers have found 103 unique mammal species and 336 different species of birds. Unlike anywhere else in the world, Sian Kaan allows visitors to experience several types of natural habitats in a single day. While touring the park, these are just a few of the unique natural habitats that tourists can explore:
Coral Reef Along the Caribbean coastline, Sian Kaan protects over 60 miles of the worlds second largest barrier reef system. Besides offering unparalleled diving and sightseeing opportunities, the parks coral reef protects a number of endangered aquatic species.
Beaches Four species of endangered sea turtles use the Caribbean beaches of Sian Kaan as a nesting ground during the summer months. These unspoiled stretches of sand also grant visitors a great opportunity to see many nesting sea birds in their natural habitat.
Wetlands The greatest ecological diversity in the park is found in the wetlands. As the classification of wetlands includes such diverse environments as grassy savannas, nutrient-rich swamps and four distinct species of mangrove, these areas are of particular interest to tourists and researchers alike.
Tropical Forests The majority of the parks mammal populations are found in the tropical forests. Found inland from the Caribbean coast and the wetlands areas in the western portion of Sian Kaan, the tropical forests provide many of the favorite sites for visiting nature lovers.
Lagoons Supplied by the immense underground waterways beneath the Yucatan peninsula, the numerous lagoons found in Sian Kaan are home to many unique species. Near the coastline, ocean water mixes with fresh water to support crocodiles and wading birds. Further inland, the fresh water lagoons connect to the underground rivers through cenotes. These large sinkholes found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula have long been popular destinations with divers and water sport enthusiasts.
Hummocks The most unique of Sian Kaans environments, these forests are found only in Floridas Everglades, parts of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. Known locally as petenes, this particular type of hummock habitat is defined by isolated forests surrounded by swamps or other wetlands. Much like true forests, these tropical hummocks support an incredible diversity of plant and animal life including exotic birds and mammals.
Many local tour companies and ecological organizations lead groups through the parks diverse habitats each day. One such group is the Centro Ecologico Sian Kaan (CESiaK), an organization created to educate both locals and visitors about all aspects of the parks environment. In addition to the opportunity to learn about the environment, visitors can participate in tours that feature a number of outdoor sports. From snorkeling and swimming in the parks rivers and cenotes to hiking and bird watching in the tropical forests, Sian Kaan provides the perfect daytrip for the adventurous tourist.
If you want to experience the natural beauty and incredible history of the Yucatan Peninsula while in Cancun, you wont find a better destination than Sian Kaan. Make the journey to where the sky is born and immerse yourself in one of the most vibrant natural environments in the world.
