Travel in Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel is another one of Mexico's very popular tourist attractions. There is a lot of rich cultural heritage in and around this area. Cozumel in Mayan means Island of the Swallows and it is located off the shore of the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is not so far from Cancun. It is world renowned for its scuba diving as well as other water related activities. It is also the largest Atlantic island of Mexico and is the third largest island in all following Tiburon Island and the Isla Angel de la Guarda. Almost the whole of the population here lives on the western shore in the town of San Miguel. The rest of this island is covered in dense vegetation and is another great attraction for the eco-tourist.

As many other places in the Spanish speaking countries south of our American border, there is a great festival held here every year in the small town of El Cedral in the southern end of the Cozumel Island. It is a most historic event and a must see for any tourist traveling here in the end of the April month. This annual event was started over one hundred and fifty years ago by Casimiro Cardenas. This man was one of a group that had fled to this island from the village of Saban on the mainland. He and his people fled after an attack during the War of Castes. These attackers that they fled from killed many of the other villagers, but he and a few others escaped while he clutched tightly to a wooden cross. So it was that the tradition of this festival was born when Cardenas vowed to begin this tradition wherever he and the few survivors settled. It was to be in held to honor the religious and holy power of the crucifix in which he held. So for the religious traveler, this may be a festival of some interest for reasons other than its great festivities. The festivities include a rodeo, music, traditional feasts, bull fights and other competitions. This celebration lasts about five days and is most worthy of visiting if you happen to be in the area.

Cozumel is well known for its biodiversity. There are quite a number of endemic species to this island, some which are on the brink of extinction which should attract any tourist to see the fading beauty that is here. There is the Cozumel thrasher which is nearly extinct if not already so, the Cozumel vireo which can only be found here and the Cozumel wren. Another highly endangered species that dwells here is the great curassow and of course the Cozumel emerald. There are several dwarf mammals that live here on the island such as the Cozumel island raccoon and the dwarf coati which is another highly endangered animal. Not to forget the Cozumel fox and the ever splendid toadfish which is also becoming endangered.

If you are an animal lover and more of an eco-tourist, Cozumel is a wonderful island to visit. You may get to see some of the endangered species that reside only here before they are completely extinct. So come diving and exploring in Cozumel!

Annie Taylor Survives a Barrel Trip over Niagara Falls

It's hard to imagine; someone actually going over Niagara Falls in a barrel and surviving the attempt. It's even harder to imagine that someone would even consider doing such a thing. Nevertheless, Annie Taylor was the first person to pull off this stunt successfully in the year 1901, and she managed to come out of it with nothing more than a minor cut on her forehead.

Annie Taylor had a manager for the event and she had high hopes that her successful trip over the falls would make her rich enough to pay off her debts. Hopping into a rowboat, with her wooden barrel trailing closely behind, the widowed Michigan schoolteacher rowed out to an area just before the falls and climbed into the barrel on October 24, 1901. After her safe arrival at the bottom of the falls, the stunt being successfully accomplished did not gain her the fame she desired.

Since Annie Taylor's successful attempt, others have tried to go over the falls, and although they have succeeded, it is not without significant injury. Bobby Leach went over the falls in a barrel made of steel just ten years after Annie Taylor and broke both of his knees in the process. Further, Jean Lussier made a successful trip over the falls in a rubber ball, but not without his share of nail biting moments.

Finally, many individuals have died in an attempt to match Annie Taylor's accomplishment. Charles G. Stephens lost his life in his attempt to conquer the deathly waters of Niagara in 1920; George L. Statakis suffocated after making the 175 foot drop in 1930; and Robert Overcracker died in his attempt to Jet Ski over the falls with a parachute that sadly failed him in 1995.

Preparing Yourself to Travel to Mexico

It is very important to remember while traveling abroad that United States citizens are often targeted by foreigners for malicious acts. This is no different in Mexico. If you are planning a trip to Mexico, I strongly recommend that you look over these facts so that you can be one more step closer to being prepared for traveling outside our great country.

The United States Embassy urges you to always be aware of your surrounding while in Mexico. Women traveling alone are especially warned to keep an eye on their surroundings. Make sure that there is no one following you or keeping an especially close eye on you. Women who have been unaccompanied have been raped, robbed, and even abducted and help captive while their credit cards were being used at varied businesses or Automatic Teller Machines. Women are not the only ones who have been victimized by being held captive, however, while their credit cards were taken from ATM to ATM. Any traveler who is by themselves is urged to only travel in the day light and to stay in well populated areas. Even Mexican citizens are subjected to this kind of treatment. Travelers beware!

Kidnapping is also a big problem in Mexico. Nearly all the kidnapping cases that are reported victimize travelers. The crime rate for kidnapping is raising at an alarming rate. So, once again, if you are an American citizen abroad, you are urged to keep your travel to the day time and keep yourself in well populated areas. Kidnapping of this nature have occurred in nearly all major Mexican cities and are being coined express kidnappings for their nature. A traveler is kidnapped, but only for short times for their money, more directly, money on their credit cards that must be gotten from ATMs. Crimes of this nature are not only targeting the wealthy, but the middle class as well.

Crime does not only occur on the streets but also on the highways! Travelers need to exercise extreme caution at all times, even when they are driving. The United States Embassy would like travelers to know that avoiding night travel is one of the smartest things you can do while on a vacation or business trip to Mexico. Everything that can be done during the day should be done that way. If you must travel at night then you are advised to use the toll roads as opposed to the free highways that anyone may travel on. It is said that keeping your doors locked and your windows up it a precaution you definitely want to take. It doesn't matter if you're on the highway or in town, remember to take these preventative steps for your own safety. The Embassy also would like American travelers that are stopped in traffic or in heavy traffic to leave themselves enough room to maneuver out of it to escape if need be. Above all else on the road, do not hitchhike! It is better to be safe than sorry while traveling outside of our country.

Discount Cruises: How to Get the Best Deal

If you've considered going on a relaxing, romantic or exotic vacation, then I'm sure you already contemplated taking your vacation on a cruise ship. It is a great way to spend your vacation alone, with your spouse, or even with the whole family. However, cruise ships don't necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are discount cruises available to you, if you know where to look.

First of all, there are a variety of different cruise travel packages on the market. There are some designs for those with no concern for budget, and others who are very budget conscious. There are price points for all types, so don't think you can't afford a cruise.

To increase your chances of finding discount cruises, follow some of the options below.

First, contact travel agencies. By finding a travel agent, you will find a guide to help you get the best deal on a cruise ship. They may even be able to negotiate a discounted rate for you. At the very least, they will find something within your budget.

Book your cruise early. Oftentimes, cruise lines will offer large discounts for those who pay a month or more in advance.

At the same time, booking late can mean a discount as well. The way this works is that if there are passengers which cancel at the last minute, and you find out about it, you can take their place, and often at a discount.

Also, shop around the Internet. By going to different cruise websites, and looking at different packages and comparing them, you may find one that is very inexpensive. Also, you may come across a deal or discount rate.

Finally, remember that your experience is more than just based on price. Make sure you are to get the service you expect, see the sights you wish to see, and also enjoy a variety of activities. Otherwise, it won't be worth the money you save.

The Caribbean islands

The Caribbean islands are in a prime location for one of their specialties seafood. Salted codfish is a specialty on the Caribbean islands. It is usually served in a salad or stew, or at breakfast in scrambled eggs. Lobster, sea turtle, shrimp, crab, and sea urchins are also specialties on the islands. They are used to make such exotic, spicy Caribbean dishes as Antillean crab pilaf and curried coconut shrimp.

Desserts are an integral part of the Caribbean culinary experience. Sugar cane is one of the area's chief products, so there are always an abundance of cakes, pies, and dumplings. Caribbean natives incorporate dessert into almost every meal. At Caribbean restaurants you may notice the emphasis they put on their desserts; in their culture, dessert is just as important as the main course.

Caribbean cuisine incorporates flavors from all of the different cultures that have ever graced the shores of the islands, from Africa to China to India. The flavoring in Caribbean cuisine is intense and rich, strikingly similar African and Creole food.