Oahu, Hawaiian Vacation Be sure to plan ahead when it comes to activities in Hawaii. There is just so much to do on Oahu that you want to ensure you get to do the things you really want to. Take
a Walk on Florida's Wild Side Florida
has some of the best beaches in the world and has a beach
for all tastes. You can find a beach for a secluded getaway,
family beaches, romantic beaches, hiking beaches, fishing
beaches and so much more. You can read this list and save
this for your future reference. Florida
Beaches are Fun for Everyone Florida
has some of the best beaches in the world and has a beach
for all tastes. You can find a beach for a secluded getaway,
family beaches, romantic beaches, hiking beaches, fishing
beaches and so much more. You can read this list and save
this for your future reference. The
Florida Trail and Big Cypress National Preserve The
Florida Trail starts at the southern end of Florida in
Big Cypress National Preserve about 50 miles west of Miami’s
International Airport and travels North to the Suwannee
River, then bends West traveling through the Florida Panhandle
to end at the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola. Sabastian,
Florida Redfish Fishing After
making his cast Nick handed me the rod and said, “Start
reeling.” I started reeling and BAM! Immediately,
I hooked a fish and after fighting for almost 30 minutes,
I landed the biggest redfish of my life. “Want to
do that again?” Nick asked me. In response, I shouted, “Absolutely!” I
then handed him another mullet. Just like before, Nick
launched this second mullet into the inlet and handed me
the rod. Instantly, a fish hit the bait and after another
30 minutes, I reeled in the second largest redfish of my
life. FLORIDA'S
CEDAR KEYS: A HISTORY LOVER'S DELIGHT Downtown
Cedar Key is a definite must for a walking tour of Old
Florida at its best. The local Historical Society operates
a museum right on the corner of Highway 24 and their main
street and is a must to visit. The museum is home to an
abundance of exhibits, pictures and displays, some dating
back to 1775. You can enjoy Cedar Key history on the half
shell while visiting their museum. Bahamas-Nassau/Paradise
Island Ahhhhhh,
the Bahamas! Who doesn’t fantasize about the clear
waters of the Caribbean, punctuated with steel drums and
a symphony of color? It was the frostbite of winter, when
the California rains had soaked our spirits, and SAAD moods
prevailed. We decided that traveling was a better choice
over another visit to the therapist. We made the right
decision! Central
Florida's Lake Country - Florida's Best Kept Secret Fishing
is a very productive sport in Central Florida. It claims
the nickname
of “Bass Capital of the World”. Its many freshwater lakes and rivers
provide excellent habitat and cover for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, and
catfish. There are several popular lakes. Lake Kissimmee is in the eastern part
of Polk County and has almost 35,000 acres. It is a good bass and black crappie
lake. Connected by a canal to this one, Lake Hatchineha with 6000 acres has a
good population of largemouth and bluegill. Shark
Valley Entrance in Everglades National Park Over the years that I have resided
in South Florida I have heard about Shark Valley and the 15-mile
bike path that leads to the Florida Everglades. Riding the bike
path into the Everglades has been something I have wanted to do
for a long time. Central
Florida's Lake Country - Florida's Best Kept Secret Ideally situated between Orlando
and Tampa, Central Florida is one of the state’s best-kept
secrets. There are over 500 lakes in which to play and get close
to nature. Well-kept gardens to admire. Museums and great places
to eat. Campgrounds in the most ideal settings. Spend a weekend.
Spend a month and be in the midst of some of Florida’s best
nature. Adventure
Costa Rica Style The
New El Salvador Does
the term ‘El Salvador’ make you uneasy? Some are overcome
with a negative feeling when hearing the words, associating it
with the civil war that occurred there in the 1980’s. Many
are surprised to learn that today’s El Salvador is actually
an alluring and rewarding place to visit. The country is in peace. Adventure
Costa Rica Style Where
can you rappel from waterfalls, zip in a harness across
the top of a rainforest canopy, mountain bike around an
active volcano, kayak, take a ride in an ultra-lite plane,
enjoy hours of class four whitewater rapids, explore caves
a mile and a half underground and have world class meals?
Costa Rica. Cape
Canaveral, Florida Cape
Canaveral, Florida is situated in the central East Coast
of the state midway between Jacksonville and Miami. The
history of Cape Canaveral and its region is fascinating.
It dates back to an astounding 10,000 years ago, when
the Ais and Timicuan Native Americans journeyed to the
area. Coral
Castle - Miami, Florida Coral
Castle – A different Miami attraction Spending time with
my mother is an annual ritual. She is a snowbird who visits sunny
South Florida once a year, when we spend a day together. I call
it our ‘bonding time’. Puerto
Rico Today,
Puerto Rico is a major tourist destination. Its ecology,
environment, and personality attract countless travelers
every year. Lying between Hispaniola and the archipelagoes
of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico has a beach for anyone,
with the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean
Sea to the south. Fishing
on Florida's Nature Coast Homosassa
Fishing, an outfitter run by Captain Mike Locklear, is
a sure-fire way to get your fill of adventure and activity.
He promises to provide fishermen with the best fishing
guides in Homosassa. He proclaims, “Over the years
my regular clients have landed hundreds of redfish, trout
and tarpon.” Florida's
Miami-Dade County Dade
County, a historic region in Southern Florida, was created
in 1863. The county was named after Major Dade. Major Dade
was a soldier who was killed in in the 1835. In 1997, Dade
County’s name was changed to Miami-Dade County, via
voter approval. Today, according to the 2000 census, the
county is immense, with a population of well over two million. Florida's
Pinellas County Orlando
has Disney World, but Pinellas County has some of the most unique
theme parks, including Adventure Island, a water-theme family park.
In addition, Busch Gardens, an African theme park is located close
by. Its here you can be thrilled by killer coasters and come face
to face with big game at one of America's largest zoological parks. Ocala, Florida Ocala
is a marvel existing in a small space of Florida that seems
immensely large, with its tremendous natural outdoor wonders.
Lets hope it stays this way, with the help of local residents
and business owners. Hopefully, they understand what a
special place Ocala is, and will continue to keep it as
special as they can. Collier
County, Florida Collier County, located along the “Paradise Coast” of
Florida, is among the top tourist beach destinations in the nation,
and possibly the world. The county includes the beautiful Macro
Island, the wildness of the Everglades, and the mystique of Naples.
The area is located at the Southwestern tip of the Gulf Coast. Butterfly
World Florida At
Butterfly World you will view thousands of live butterflies from
allover the world. Opened in 1988, it is the first showplace of
its kind in the Western Hemisphere and largest butterfly educational
and breeding facility in the world. Florida
Tourism - Changing Faces As
a Florida tourist, my mind is open to learning, and my spirit
is open to experiencing the natural and historic wonders abundant
in Florida. As a result, I can hopefully inspire others to be
a part of Florida tourism, and all of the beauty that comes with
it. Belize
- A World of Wonder & Wilderness There are many, many
things to do, places to visit, and people to meet in Belize, and
each can show you something unique. Diving, snorkeling, fishing,
hiking, birdwatching and more await the adventurous traveler in
Belize. Scuba divers will find heaven on earth in the waters off
of Belize. Merritt
Island Wildlife
Florida’s beauty and abundance of wildlife doesn’t
miss a beat in winter. A day visit to the Merritt Island Wildlife
Refuge demonstrates this, for certain. Curacao
A friendly island with all the amenities of some of the more "popular"
Caribbean islands, but with a more relaxed atmosphere. The best
thing about Curaçao, to me, is it’s modern infrastructure
and the high standard of living most of the local people enjoy.
Dominican
Republic
Today, the Dominican Republic is known for its seemingly pure
white sand beaches. A stroll around the island reveals rainforest,
desert like expanses, and an abundance of farming fields, especially
in the Southwest, where sugar cane, and banana groves span the
spectacular countryside. Bimini,
Bahamas
A short flight to Bimini was a superb way to begin the adventure
to this small and quaint island. From Ft. Lauderdale Executive
Airport, via Bimini Island Air, we soared in a small eight-seater
plane, blessed with stunning views, from take off to landing.
I was filled with excitement flying through the huge puffy clouds
towards the two islands that would be my host for a week. Sint
Maarten
Ahh! Stable ground. Fresh off the Grand Princess cruise ship I
took in the salty and humid early morning air as I strolled along
the squeaky clean sidewalk at the A.C. Wathey Pier at Pointe Blanche,
in Dutch Sint Maarten. Guatemala
Guatemala offers an affordable, accessible travel destination
of unique history and cultural and biological diversity. Kathryn
Appey Hanna Park
There is plenty to do at the park, including off road biking trails,
walking and hiking, fresh water and salt water fishing, play grounds,
and clean beaches where you can swim and surf in the ocean. The
off road biking is superb, consisting of 5 miles of well-groomed
single-track trails. St
Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine was established in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de
Aviles, and is the oldest permanent European settlement in the
continental United States. For 235 years it was the political,
military, and religious capital of the Province of Florida from
which Spain exercised jurisdiction over a vast geographical region. The
United States Virgin Islands
St. John is covered in dense woodlands, rolling hills, sandy bars,
and an alluring irregular coast, and making for some of the best
beaches in the Carribbean, especially on the north coast. A
Day at Ulumay
Inconspicuously positioned off commercial highway 520 is the Ulumay
Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated on 436 acres in Merritt Island, Florida,
the sanctuary is an unexpected resource for soft adventure. Quintana
Roo, Mexico
The state of Quintana Roo offers much to the laid back and energetic
traveler. The semitropical, scubby-jungled Quintana Roo became
an official state in 1974. The state is a dichotomy of sorts,
with the Americanized party atmospheres of Cancun and Cozumel
on one hand, and the archaeological marvels of the Maya ruins
only a stone’s throw away. Fort
Myers Beach Florida
The Ft. Myers area has plenty to do for the beach, nature and
history lover. We were pleasantly surprised with its beauty. Next
time we look forward to discovering Sanibel Island and Captiva
Island, which are both in the Ft. Myers area. These islands are
some of the most beautiful areas in Florida, from what I’ve
been told. Mysterious
Honduras
Honduras has more extensive rain forests and cloud forests than
Costa Rica, Mayan ruins comparable to those of Guatemela, better
beaches than Nicaragua, a more peaceful political climate than
El Salvador, safer cities than those of Panama, and the greatest
undeveloped wilderness area in all of Central America. Turks
and Caicos Islands - Island Bazaar
We can call it an Island Bazaar. Turks and Caicos, with its many,
many islands, and its plethora of biological components, there
are so many choices for the curious traveler in the Turk &
Caicos Islands. Which island will you choose? Lovely
St Lucia
Alive! This is the best the word to describe the island of St.
Lucia. St. Lucia is a flourishing and diverse island with thick
rain forests, mountain peaks, beaches, rare wildlife, and brilliant
foliage. Brian
Piccolo Park
In this park you can find state-of-the-art facilities and fields
for almost every activity. The park also keeps the whole family
engaged with areas and programs for thrill seekers of all ages. Oleta
State Park
If you want to experience the fun of South Florida, Oleta River
State Park is the place to visit. Oleta Park is the largest urban
park in the state of Florida at over 1043 acres. The park offers
kayaking, mountain biking, camping, swimming, fishing, picnic
areas and air-conditioned cabins. Key
West
Beautiful weather, crystal oceans, great food, fun and relaxation
all in a beautiful historic setting. A
Day in the Dry Tortugas
The rising sun peaked through the unrestricted shade as the palms
brushed gently against the screen of the window; ahh, it was a
typical Key West 6:30 am wake up call. Melbourne,
Florida
Located 15 miles south of Melbourne Beach is one of Florida’s
most popular parks. Famous for it’s prime surfing and fishing,
Sebastian Inlet State Park has something to offer everybody. Seminole
County Parks
This is a 50-acre park located on Third Street north from Lake
Mills Road in Southwest Seminole County near Chuluota. Lake Mills
offers a unique up-close look at a mixed hardwood swamp. Quiet
Waters Park, Florida
Quiet Waters Park is a great trail for beginners or advanced mountain
bike riders. It have challenging trails that takes you through
trees, over natural bridges, and around several beautiful lakes. A
Day at Red Reef Park
These mounds are usually teeming with life, blue tangs, parrotfish,
snappers, full of sergeant majors, and an occasional barracuda
or two. Dominica
As we made our approach to land in Dominica, I was awestruck at
the incredible jungle scenery and mountainous terrain “ not
a single hotel chain\ or high rise in site “ just the Atlantic
Ocean, and the tops of coconut palm trees. Cozumel
Cozumel is the largest inhabited island in the Mexican Republic
and the oldest in the Caribbean group. Nestled just 12 miles off
the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, it's surface is approximately
80 percent jungle. Key
West
Beautiful weather, crystal oceans, great food, fun and relaxation
all in a beautiful historic setting. Florida
State Parks Homossa State Park - Located just 75 miles North of Tampa
and St. Petersburg, and 90 miles West of Orlando on the West coast
of Florida, the Homossa State Park was first inhabited by the
Calusa and Seminole Indians.
Bahia Honda State Park - What makes the 13 acres of Bahia
Honda State Park located in the big pine key so special, is that
it is the only island in the Florida keys that can boast extensive
sandy beaches. Meet
Caroline McNamara Her trip to Belize The trip from Belize City to Ambergris
Caye takes 15 minutes on a puddle jumper and about 1 hour by boat. See
what Hilary & Ron had to say about their trip to Amelia Island
and St. Augustine, FL
It has to be one of our favorite places in the State. We loved
it. The best way we could describe it to friends back home was
that it reminded us of the set in the movie Jaws.....Amityville. Tim
Mulvihill's trip to Grand Bahama Island
On my recent trip to Grand Bahama Island I enjoyed the beautiful
beaches, clear warm
water, and a terrific snorkeling adventure. I had never experienced
anything quite like the clear water and smooth white sand... Blaski
Barbara's trip to Hopetown on Elbow Cay in the Abacos Bahama
Island The water is incredible
there. We did some snorkeling in a couple of the protected reefs.
I have always had a fear of water (other than swimming at the
shore) so it was a big step for me to get out there and snorkel. Anneli's
trip to Bahamas & Dominican Republic
We can recommend Dominican Republic with it's beautiful nature.
There are several guides taking small groups up in the mountains
to rainforest and waterfalls which are not experienced anywhere
else.
Activities
To Do
Kayaking
off Big Pines Key Today,
Puerto Rico is a major tourist destination. Its ecology,
environment, and personality attract countless travelers
every year. Lying between Hispaniola and the archipelagoes
of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico has a beach for anyone,
with the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean
Sea to the south. MAIDEN
VOYAGE: M/V INDIAN RIVER QUEEN Orlando
has Disney World, but Pinellas County has some of the most unique
theme parks, including Adventure Island, a water-theme family park.
In addition, Busch Gardens, an African theme park is located close
by. Its here you can be thrilled by killer coasters and come face
to face with big game at one of America's largest zoological parks. Parrot
Jungle Island Parrot
Jungle is one of those attractions in South Florida that has been
around so long that most South Florida residents have been there.
It’s like the Statue of Liberty. Eventually, most residents
of New York will visit in their lifetime. Barefoot
Nature Preserve and Beaches Barefoot Nature Preserve
was an unforgettable find. Located in wealthy Naples, Florida,
this spectacular Collier County park stands in the midst of luxurious
homes. The preserve has a little bit of everything, including
a great beach, nature path, lecture halls, educational classes,
and backwater canoeing. Third
annual Big "O" Birding Festival
Bird enthusiasts are waiting patiently for April 2, 2004. That
is the day that the Third annual Big "O" Birding Festival
begins and for three days, the lake region will be host to hundreds
of avid birders in search of the areass
winged residents. The
Miami Metro Zoo
Where can you go to be in Asia, Africa and Australia in one day?
Well of coarse at the Miami Metro Zoo, a world renown zoo. I was
at the zoo, on a typical South Florida Summer day, hot in the
morning, rainy in the afternoon, and beautiful in the evening. Pelican
Island
Living on the bluff, Paul could always watch the river and the
bird life on it, especially the pelicans, which were numerous.
From the top of the bluff he could see Pelican Island, to the
east in the Indian River, where the pelicans went to roost and
nest. He came to love them. Miami
Seaquarium
What do you do with a 5 year boy who you only spend a day with
once a year? You take him to the Miami Seaquarium, of coarse. Florida
Keys Wild Bird Center
If you are a bird watcher or just want to learn about the animals
and their preservation, you must stop and see the Florida Keys
Wild Bird Center. It's FREE! Bird
Watching in Florida
St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge is one of my very favorite
birding hot spots. It is located on the Florida Panhandle just
south of Tallahassee. Florida,
its more than Disney World
A view through one man's eyes of what else Florida has to offer.
If you think Florida is all Mickey Mouse and Disney World, you
should read this story. My
Bicycle ride to Key Largo-
by Lenette Marie
The challenges of training for 100 mile bike ride from Miami to
Key Largo Riding
a Harley Davidson in the Florida Keys
If you like to drive and being on the open road in a car, then
you will love to challenge yourself to ride a motorcycle. Skydive
Photography
- by Kelly McQuillen
The twin-engine plane soars 2 1/2 miles above the earth, slipping
gracefully through the air at 90mph. Suddenly the door opens and
the thundering wind rushes in to fill the cabin with brisk air. Meet
Nicki LaPierre - One of Florida's youngest Dolphin Handlers Nicki, a slender a 24 year old with
a great tan, found her dream job three years ago as a dolphin
handler in the beautiful Florida Keys. Her cheerful attitude clearly
displays the passion she has for what she does.
Local
Commentary
What
is sustainable tourism? It is true that
the popularity of tourism can be supportive of natural and cultural
heritage through restoration
and preservation of destinations BUT the popularity of tourism
can result in unacceptable levels of use and consequential damage
to vulnerable ecological and cultural features. Lotto
Fever Is playing the lotto really gambling?
Isn't playing the lotto a 'get rich quick' form of investing
just like playing the stock market? Even if I lose, doesn't the
money I put into the lotto go towards schools and education?
I don't see the problem with putting a couple bucks a day towards
winning the big one. "Proud
To Be An American" I know my country was and is based
upon Christian law and a healthy belief in God. I know that I
am very blessed to live in the greatest country in the world.
I am proud to be an American. Don't
Get Yoked! What is holding you back? Why are
you not accomplishing all of your goals? What is stopping you
from a meaningful relationship with your spouse? What is it that
is restricting your career advancement? What is binding you and
limiting your financial success, health or happiness? The
Power of a Smile If you have been overwhelmed lately,
make it a priority to re-discover your fun side. Make a commitment
to make you and someone else laugh out loud. Tell a joke, get
your sense of humor back, make those around you laugh and enjoy
your company. Beachfest
with Luis Palau On March 22nd and 23rd hundreds
of thousands of people flocked to Ft Lauderdale Beach to hear
great music good news presented at Beachfest. The great music
was from top recording artist from around the world while the
good news was from Luis Palau. Borrow,
Buy and Refinance Now! Are you still renting and waiting
to buy your first home? Have you refinanced your home yet? Are
you still delaying the purchase and installation of that home
improvement? Stop delaying! Move now before the interest rates
go up. Living
a Healthy Lifestyle Every diet works: the one that
will work for you is the one you stick with and make it your lifestyle! New
Years Resolution Where is your New Years resolutions?
The calendar is at the end of January; do you know where your
New Years resolutions are?
Places
To Visit
