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Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Offer Two New Spa and Wellness Adventure Cruises in California's Channel Islands

4/30/2018

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Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Sea Lion cruise ship
The five-day expedition voyage takes place on 62-passenger National Geographic Sea Lion.
By John Roberts

Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic are now offering "Basecamp Channel Islands," a wilderness and wellness adventure in partnership with international spa and wellbeing company Exhale Spa. This experience explores the seldom seen Channel Islands National Park. Part safari, part adult camp, the five-day expedition voyage on 62-passenger National Geographic Sea Lion will explore the alluring remoteness that has motivated people to protect these landscapes and surrounding ocean.

This Lindblad active adventure is designed to blend the best of exploration, transformation and restoration among the acres of hiking trails. Within the Channel Islands, passengers also have the chance to explore sea caves by kayak or paddleboard, as well as enter undersea realms and observe impressively scenic landscapes and bird colonies.

Naturalists have dubbed the Channel Islands the Galapagos of North America.

Miles of ocean separate this unique destination from the Southern California mainland, and half of the park sits underwater. So being able to get there effortlessly, to move freely around the Islands leisurely and in genuine comfort -- and to explore the land and undersea -- is what makes this Channel Islands expedition cruise a one-of-a-kind journey. Of the 2,000 species of plants and animals within the vast national park, 145 exist nowhere else in the world. Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the blue whale.

Basecamp Channel Islands voyage on the National Geographic Sea Lion expedition ship departs from the Port of Los Angeles and explores East Anacapa Island, home to Anacapa Lighthouse, the last major light station to be built on the west coast in 1912.

You'll explore Santa Cruz, the largest island in California, with more than 600 plant species, 140 birds, including large colonies of nesting seabirds, and 11 land mammal species, including pinnipeds -- and more than 60 endemic species. 
Also on the itinerary is Rosa Island with Torrey Pines, considered one of the world's rarest pines, and one of only two naturally occurring groves in the world; and San Miguel Island with over 30,000 pinnipeds and up to five species. On Santa Catalina Island, look for the elusive Santa Cruz Island Fox or the resident bison. You'll have the afternoon free to grab a bike and explore downtown Avalon, the island's only incorporated city.

Programming for the Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Basecamp Channel Islands adventure includes transformative wellbeing experiences that Exhale Spa is famous for. You can indulge in healthy activities led by an expert fitness instructor, spa therapist or a Lindblad wellness specialist. Choose among sessions like Barre + Cardio, Beach Boot Camp and Power Yoga classes on deck, as well as stand-up paddleboard yoga, transformational mindfulness hikes and assisted stretching. Neck and shoulder massages will be offered prior to evening cocktails, and Chill Yoga classes offered in the evening, alongside group guided meditation.

There are many trails covering the islands offering the opportunity for leisurely walking, birding or working with your certified photo instructor to capture the natural beauty, or for a strenuous hike for a real workout. Grab a kayak to explore the shoreline, or you can participate in talks, wildlife sightings, drawing and painting, mindful silences, star-gazing and tide-pooling.    
Passengers also will be happy to find healthy snacks, juices and menu options. Lindblad Expedition's touts its longstanding commitment to sustainably caught seafood and locally sourced produce.

Rates begin at $2,490 per person based on double occupancy for the voyages that depart October 17 and October 24, 2018.

Sounds like an invigorating way to explore a special outdoors gem in the United States.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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The 10 Best Cenotes in Mexico

4/26/2018

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Sac-Actun cenote in Mexico
The Sac-Actun sinkhole is one of the prettiest and most geologically interesting cenotes in Mexico.
By John Roberts

One reason I love to return to the Yucatan Peninsula often is to explore the interesting natural features of the region.

The Yucatan Peninsula is located in the southeast portion of Mexico and separates the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The peninsula is home to such destinations as the Mayan ruins of Coba and Tulum, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen and other gorgeous towns that attract tourists for the beaches, food and nightlife.

Some of the adventures and outdoor activities you can enjoy in the Yucatan are horseback riding, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, ziplining, climbing ropes courses, diving and kayaking. I'm most fascinated by the region's cenotes, though.

Cenotes are large sinkholes that develop after the porous limestone that serves as the bedrock of the region collapses. This provides fascinating access to underground waterways and crystal-clear turquoise waters.  The Yucatan Peninsula is home to thousands of cenotes, and adventurous visitors can rappel down to submerge themselves into these fascinating natural formations and take a swim in a surreal underworld.

Cenotes possess a mystical quality, and they are regarded with incredibly high spiritual significance to the native people. Many residents in the Yucatan trace their ancestry to ancient Maya people, who were one of the most advanced indigenous civilizations in the Americas beginning more than two centuries ago.

The cenotes are regarded as sacred wells that connect people to the world below. Ancient Maya people would throw live men into the sinkholes, as well as valuables like precious stones, as a way to please important gods who resided in the Maya underworld. These offerings were especially important in times of drought as a way to bring on vital rains.

We visited a cenote on our way to the ruins at Coba and were honored to be blessed by a shaman in a ceremony prior to our rappelling and swimming adventure (see video at end of post). It's an amazing experience and one that any visitor to the Yucatan Peninsula should consider. If you want to get around the Yucatan Peninsula to see cenotes and other points of interest, Car Rental Cancun is a good option to let you set your own schedule during your time in Mexico. It's also a lot more affordable and helps to avoid the crowds compared with group tours to these spots.

To help you plan your visit, we've broken down the 10 best cenotes in Mexico.

Sacred Cenote -- This is the original "Well of Sacrifice," where many Maya people were sent for a final plunge into what now serves as a pleasant swimming hole (up to 130 feet deep) at the famous Chichen Itza archaeological site.

Ik Kil -- This awesome attraction is highly popular because it falls on the route to see the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza (one of the New 7 Wonders of the World). Ik Kil is a spectacular swimming hole -- 200 feet in diameter and 120 feet deep. The facility is well developed, with a buffet restaurant and accommodations to stay overnight.

Gran Cenote -- This is one of the most accessible, popular and stunningly scenic cenotes in Mexico. Gran Cenote is on the main route to the Coba ruins and is a great spot for snorkeling. You can spot fish, turtles and lush tropical plants.

Dos Ojos -- Located near Tulum, Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) hooks up to one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. The site has two pools, a really dark one and one that is a shimmering blue, and you can snorkel, dive and hike there, while spotting stalactites and bats.

Sac-Actun -- This distinctive cenote features impressive stalactites formations dangling from the rooftop and lovely turquoise water. Sac-Actun is more than 300 feet deep and known as one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico.

Ucil -- This is among the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula at about 370 feet. Ucil is nice because it features a semi-enclosed pool grotto with blue water. Cenote Ucil is located in the town of . . . wait for it . . . Cenotillo, which is known for having several cenotes as well as interesting archaeolical sites.

Uch-Ben-Ha -- This spot is good for snorkeling because it is more in the open and receives sunshine. This means the water is warmer and offers good visibility to spot fish. Uch-Ben-Ha is located within the Katun-Chi ecopark, which has several cenotes, grottoes, caverns and plants, flowers and animals to discover.

Zacil-Ha -- Another fully developed facility, Zacil-Ha looks like an in-ground swimming pool with emerald waters. Deck chairs and loungers surround the circular swimming hole, and a small restaurant offers food, drinks and snacks. This cenote also features a short zipline that you grab onto, enjoy a little ride and then drop in for a plunge.

Azul Bacalar -- This open-water cenote evokes comparisons to Belize's famed Blue Hole. Likewise, it is a mecca for divers. Azul Bacalar is located just off a coastal road in the town of Bacalar and is separated from a nearby lake by a strip of land. Swimmers generally will stick closer to shore, and divers delight in being able to explore the massive sinkhole that reaches depths of almost 300 feet.

Calavera -- This secluded spot near Tulum is known as the "Temple of Doom" cenote. Calavera is a small swimming hole but has evolved features that make it ideal to jump into. The cenote's roof has broken away, leaving an open hole about 10 feet above the water that allows you to take a fun leap in. There is also a wooden ladder for less-adventurous visitors.

Have you had the joy of swimming in a cenote? Been to any of these or other cool swimming holes in Mexico? Tell us all about it.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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Rainforest Adventures Opens New Eco-Park in St. Maarten

4/13/2018

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Soualiga Sky Explorer at Rockland Estate in St. Maarten
The Soualiga Sky Explorer at Rockland Estate in St. Maarten is just one of the adventure rides in a cool new eco park in this Caribbean paradise.
By John Roberts 
A cool new eco-adventure park has opened in one of our favorite Caribbean cruise destinations.

Carnival Corp. and Rainforest Adventures have collaborated to create Rockland Estate in St. Maarten, and the park is excited to welcome cruise passengers.

Carnival helped finance the project, and Rainforest Adventures built Rockland Estate, which is touted as a "one-of-a-kind attraction expected to quickly become one of the most popular in the Caribbean."

The new eco-park is located on the historic Emilio Wilson Estate, a former plantation property that also features the Emilio Wilson Museum.

Rockland Estate is a short ride from the cruise port and offers a range of thrill rides and activities that can be purchased individually or as part of a package of rides. Carnival's cruise passengers can buy a trip to the park and its attractions though the onboard shore excursion desks on Carnival Corp. ships.

Rockland Estate is considered an eco-adventure park committed to preserving native eco-systems while ensuring the sustainability of the estate's physical and intangible attributes. Rainforest Adventures built the attraction to enhance and preserve St. Maarten's natural features while aiming to endorse the island's cultural and historical significance -- thus promoting education through adventure.

I love to learn as I have fun in the outdoors so this looks like a winner to me, especially because it is designed to have minimal impact on the natural beauty of this historic property.

"In constructing the park, one of our goals was to uphold our commitment to environmental conservation, with less than 5 percent of the Emilio Wilson Estate impacted by the new Rockland Estate eco-adventure park," Rainforest Adventures president Josef Preschel said. "Our other key goal is to educate visitors on the importance of ongoing conservation in this area and to celebrate local history and culture, while also providing thrilling rides and relaxing activities."
Picture
Carnival Corp. had an interest in helping to develop the park so it can offer a shore excursion to Rockland Estate for passengers cruising on any of eight of its cruise line brands.

At Rockland Estate in St. Maarten, cruisers can try:

Soualiga Sky Explorer: This attraction offers 68 four-passenger chairs that take visitors to a transfer station for zipline and tubing, and then to the top of one of St. Maarten's highest points where they can take in spectacular panoramic views from 1,125 feet up.

Sentry Hill Zip Line: From the transfer station at the midpoint of the Soualiga Sky Explorer, the Sentry Hill Zip Line sends riders off on a 1,600-foot, four-span line that provides unforgettable vistas of the mountain ridge.

Schooner Ride: This ride at the midway point of the Soualiga Sky Explorer gives you the chance to glide down the mountain in large 40-inch inner tubes across a specially designed 657-foot track of heart-pounding curves mixed with fast straightaways.

Top of Sentry Hill: One of St. Maarten's highest elevations, Sentry Hill, offers walkways and platforms that encircle the mountaintop, showcasing 360-degree vistas of the island with views of neighboring Saba, St. Barts, St. Eustatius and Anguilla.

Flying Dutchman: The Flying Dutchman is Rockland Estate's main attraction and the world's steepest zip line. It guarantees thrill-seekers the ride of a lifetime while securely harnessed in a chair, dropping them 1,050 feet in elevation from the top of Sentry Hill down the mountain over a 2,800-foot span.

Emilio Wilson Museum: Originally built as a plantation home in the 1700s, the museum tells the powerful story of Trace Wilson, who was born into slavery on the property, and her direct descendant, St. Maarten pioneer and preservationist Emilio Wilson. It also highlights the customs, traditions, lifestyle and stories that have earned St. Maarten the moniker "The Friendly Island."

Thanks for reading and always travel happy!
JR
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