A Little Mexican Adventure Vacation

A lot of people plan their vacations months in advance. The reason why some people do it is because they would want everything to be perfect. They want the hotel checked out, they want the destination close to the hotel, they want their activities lined up and ready for them and of course they want to be treated special because after all they are paying tons and tons of money.

This is how an adventure vacation is perceived. Months of preparation followed by countless weeks of anticipation and anxiety, this is usually how a regular vacationer sees it and it's how they live out the drama of their vacation.

Now when we talk about vacation some people would think that to enjoy their vacation they would need t travel across the globe to seek out and uncharted island blissfully located in the middle of nowhere and strategically located right next to civilization. Some people would also think that they need to spend tons and tons of money just to get them there, an island bordered by the savagery of the out doors and the comforts of civilization. But sometimes when people look too far away they miss what's under their noses.

Many people prefer going to more luxurious and popular places without considering those that could offer exciting adventure and interesting places to visit. Nowadays, when you talk about people missing things that are right under their noses—I'm talking about missing out on a good place to go to for a vacation. Some people spend too much of their time looking away to places like France, Italy, London etc. etc. when some of the good places to go to are just a border away in Mexico.

Though we must admit not all of Mexico is for the sight seers, there are many places in the heartland of Mexico that are not really for tourist and their vacation getaways. Some are cruel realities of life that really require the attention of the government. Mexico is a really nice place to be in because of the virgin forests and the beautiful beaches, but if there would be any improvement in the tourism scene in Mexico, it has to start now.

Anyway, one of the few places that really deserve hats off is a place called San Blas, Mexico. Long before Spanish settlers set foot in this little gateway to California, people have already started settling here. Some people speculate that the lost civilization of the Incas may have been from there once.

It may not be as popular as Cancun but it does hold it own brand of notoriety especially for birds. Yes that's right birds. Many of the bird watching enthusiast flock to this little barrio surrounded by forests, lagoons, mangroves and endless islets that serve as excellent breeding grounds for both exotic and local species of birds.

Another attraction here are the ruins of Fort San Basilio built atop of a steep hill the La Contaduria. Imagine yourself on an adventure vacation high above the expanse of the town and the harbor. A good place to see the whole town and the beach, a good thing about it is that it's not too far away unlike when you need to have your fix on.

Here, you can enjoy not just a peaceful environment but also a feeling of self-fulfillment and utmost relaxation.

Adventure Sailing is More Fun When You Own The Yacht

You can charter adventure sailing vacation to almost any destination in the world. The only problem is that it will cost you a lump sum paying for the crew, the meals and the fuel for the trip. You can probably save money on a sailing vacation when you own the yacht but only if you know how to navigate and control it.

The advantage of owning a boat is that you can go on a sailing vacation at anytime. You don’t have to call your travel agent or make any reservation online since the boat is just sitting at the dock waiting for you to come aboard. The only thing you have to do is buy food and fuel which should be enough to get you back to port.

The boat also brings financial benefits because when you are not using it, this can be rented out to those who want to go on their own sailing vacation as long as they are able to pay your rate. This of course means additional revenue for you so the ship stays in good shape.

This makes it also ideal for those who want to conduct business on board because this is a tax deductible once you register your boat as a place of business. To see how this works, get in touch with your tax advisor

Another financial benefit of owning your own yacht is the fact that this is considered to be a second home. This is as long as the boat has at least one berth, a permanent galley and a head which is the requirement of the IRS.

If you can’t buy your own yacht, there is something called fractional boat ownership which means for a certain period during the year, you can do whatever you want with the boat. This will allow you to use it to go on a trip with your family.

The best thing about this is that a group of you share the cost of owning the yacht which already includes its maintenance, insurance, moorage, equipment, fuel and repairs.

This can only happen of course after you have completed a boating safety class and a safety orientation. This will not be a problem for you if you are already certified to sail a boat and know how to use all the equipment like charts, compass and GPS on board.

The other option is to join a boat club. Unlike part time sharing, you don’t get to own a boat. But as a member, you are entitled to up to 4 advanced reservations at any given time and access to powerboats or to sailboats that are up to 30 feet in length. The club for its part will shoulder all  the other expenses such as maintenance, cleaning, storage and insurance.

There are many of then around so you won’t have a hard time choosing one. Some cater to one market while others cater to all. They also offer boating classes for those who want to do this for fun or commit themselves in the sport.

Adventure sailing vacation is truly better when you own the yacht as the only thing you have to do is drive on over to the docks, stow your gear on board and then sail off into the sunset.

The Real Mata Hari

Mata Hari

In July 1917, at the height of the First World War, Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, alias Mata Hari, went on trial for her life before a military tribunal in Paris. She was accused of having passed French military secrets to the German enemy - secrets so vital they had cost no less than 50,000 French lives, the prosecutor claimed. As a sensational tale of sex and espionage unfolded before the court. Margaretha's anguished declarations of innocence fell on deaf ears. The tribunal had no hesitation in pronouncing her guilty and sentencing her to death by firing squad.

Dancing into danger

Yet the facts of Margaretha's life suggest she was more a harmless, bewildered victim of circumstance than a dangerous secret agent. Born in the Netherlands in 1876, she married a Dutch Army officer when she was 19 and lived for a time in Java and Sumatra. In 1905, back in Europe and separated from her husband, she embarked on a career as an oriental dancer, first under the name of Lady MacLeod and then as Mata Hari - a Malay expression meaning 'the eye of the day'.

Mata Hari was soon famous throughout the continent, not so much for the quality of her dancing as for her readiness to perform virtually naked on the stage. She acquired a string of lovers of various nationalities in the highest military and political circles, including Crown Prince Wilhelm, heir to the German throne.

After the First World War broke out in 1914, her international contacts made her a tempting target for spymasters looking to recruit agents. By this time down on her luck, she accepted money from both the German and French intelligence services. But she proved a hopeless secret agent. There is no evidence that either side ever got any worthwhile information out of her. Eventually, tired of paying money for nothing, the Germans deliberately allowed the French to discover her duplicity.

Although some of France's most influential men - many of whom were Margaretha's ex-lovers - appealed on her behalf, she was executed at Vincennes on October 15, 1917. Her unconcerned behaviour in the face of death fed the Mata Hari myth. Salacious journalists dwelt upon the black silk stockings and fur-trimmed cloak she insisted on wearing for the execution. As she courageously refused to be blindfolded, the story was put about that she believed on of her high placed lovers had ordered the rifles to be loaded with blanks.

(Image Source: britannica.com)

Preparing for an Adventure Vacation in Slovenia

If you are up to an adventure vacation that is truly memorable, try going to Piran in Slovenia. The charming town can be reached for only two hours if you are coming from Venice. Compared to other places nearby, Piran is considered as one of the most interesting because it hasn’t been changed by modernization a lot. Although there are existent commercial establishments, the beauty of the town has more or less remained the same since medieval times.

Before finalizing your adventure vacation in Piran in Slovenia, there are so many things that you need to prepare.

Getting to Piran is one of the major considerations for your trip. In order to be prepared in going there, you must know what are the available means of transportation that you can use. There are basically three modes of traveling off to Piran. One is getting there by land using a train from Koper. Another is through ferry travel from Venice or from other coastal cities located at the northern Adriatic. You can also travel via air through a charter flight from the regional airport at the Portoroz or a flight from Trieste to Rome from New York and Chicago.

Staying in Piran is also one of the things that you need to consider because this will entail your safety as well as of your belongings. The most popular places to stay include the Hotel Tartini located at the main square or at the Max Hotel inside an early 18th-century building.

You also need to prepare your timetable including the date you wish to go there and the length of your stay. One week is ideal to visit all the places in Piran as well as its neighboring places. It is advisable to go there during the summer months of June to August because of the warm Mediterranean climate. (TIP: Try traveling in late spring or early fall to have cheaper prices and accommodations.)

Discovering a great medieval city 

One great thing in Piran is that you can see and enjoy the sights and activities that can be found in its nearby cities like Dubrovnik or in some other places in Italy or Croatia, only that you don’t have to spend so much money. This is because Piran offers one of the lowest costs to tourists in terms of places to stay, food, amenities, basic items, and other necessities.

Piran can be considered as one of the most relaxing places for an adventure vacation because it stimulates adrenaline rush just by looking and walking through wonderful places that remind of the medieval times. Aside from the great architecture that can be seen surrounding the place, one of the things that is really exciting about this place is that it will give you an opportunity to peek into other neighboring islands and towns.

As early as the 7th century, people from all over were amazed by the charm of this place. And since it has been under the Venice rule for 500 years, many parts of the city reflect strong influences of colonialism.

What makes this city an ideal adventure vacation spot is its being a ‘walking city.’ People can just walk around the place for sightseeing, discovering street food, and observing the lifestyle of the locals. Encircled by narrow cobblestone streets, you can always find an activity to enjoy or a place to discover.

Having locals that are naturally friendly and accommodating, you would not find yourself bored for even just one minute. Walking through the city can open you up to many possibilities like discovering a nice local restaurant, a lovely coffee shop or can even give you a glimpse of the local culture as shown in the activities held at the town square.

If you are up for a more thrilling adventure vacation, you can visit the Venetian-style campanile sitting atop a hill that allow you have magnificent views of Croatia and Italy or drive around and discover the beauty of the Trieste, Pula and Opatija or the Triglav National Park.

If you still have free time, visit Venice by catching a quick ferry or roam around and visit several vineyards and wineries nearby.

(Image Source: wayfaring.info)

Living Dangerously

The Dangerous Sports Club is a group of eccentrics based in Oxford, England, who endeavour to 'act boldly in timorous, over-protected world'. 'Acting boldly' to the Dangerous Sports Club means acting like madmen to most other people. Why else would David Kirke, one of the club's founding members, have hurled himself from the Royal Gorge Bridge in 1982, 320 m (1030 ft) above the Arkansas River in Colorado? He was attached to the bridge by a length of elasticated cord tied to his ankles. At 260 m (860 ft) the cord was stretched to its limits, and so was Kirke: virtually unconscious, he dangled for over two hours before his companions could haul him back to the bridge.

Grabbing the bull by the horns

History is full of such daredevils. The 'bull leapers' of ancient Crete, for example, used to grab the horns of a charging bull and somersault over its back. These were the forerunners of circus acts such as Hugo Zacchini, a Californian, whose fame was due as much to his showmanship as to his acrobatic skills. In 1929, Zacchini was shot from the mouth of a cannon, propelled by compressed air. He travelled over 40 m (135 ft) through the air at a speed of 130 km/h (80 mph). In the 1870s, the American circus performer John Holtum would catch cannonballs fired at point-blank range - in his own hands.

But death-defying acts can go wrong. The escapologist Harry Houdini used to invite people to punch him hard in the stomach, resisting the blow by tensing his muscles. On October 22, 1926, however, Houdini was struck in the stomach before he had time to prepare himself, and died six days later of a ruptured appendix.

Circus folk perform their dangerous deeds to make money. But people like George Willig, who climbed up the outside of the World Trade Center in New York in 1977 without ropes, or Jaromir Wagner, the Czech who flew the Atlantic strapped to the pylon of a light aircraft in 1980, have no other motive than a love of danger.

(Image Source: hrexaminer.com)