Dive Cabo Pulmo, the Largest Coral Reef on the Western Side of North America

Take your photography to new depths when you venture out on your next dive vacation to Cabo Pulmo. Just north of Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo is the largest living coral reef on the western side of North America, boasting some of the youngest, most fertile waters on earth. Be sure to bring a full tank, because if the schools of jacks, tuna, stingrays, turtles, frogfish, sharks, and mantas aren't enough to take your breath away, there are always the playful resident California sea lions. Cabo Pulmo Marine National Park is composed of eight veins of coral reef, which protect over 800 species of marine animals. It wasn't until 1995, through persistent efforts of the Cabo Pulmo community, that this spectacular place became protected. Despite this, ...

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Sing Along with a Humpback Whale at Socorro

During man's next age of enlightenment, Earth will be called "sea". The world's oceans cover 70 per cent of its surface, and harbour the majority of species. The most majestic of these, the humpback whale, can be best appreciated on a liveaboard to a little known refuge in the waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Here, a chain of volcanic islands rise up from the ocean floor, over 1,050 metres below. The Revillagigedos Islands, commonly referred to as Socorro, are special because in a time when most dive spots are suffering a loss, here humpback encounters continue to flourish. Your dive vacation begins by flying into Cabo San Lucas and boarding the impressive Solmar V. Hunker down on the deck before departing on the Socorro ...

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Bubble Makers Unite to Play with San Benedicto's Manta Population

When you come face to face with a Giant Pacific manta ray, it makes you want to find more ways to identify with them. The simple fact that a manta is almost always paired with the words "magical" or "unimaginable" may provide some insight as to why manta diving has become so popular. There is no better location in the world to experience this magical creature then at the Revillagigedos Islands, an environment equally matched in intrigue. A remote chain of volcanic pinnacles, the Revillagigedos Islands are comprised of 4 islands: San Benedicto Island, Socorro Island, Roca Partida and Clarionis. Off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, you can find these islands if you are brave enough to search them out. Board the Solmar V ...

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Come Toe to Tail With One of Earth's Most Intelligent Species

Off the posh and popular coast of Cabo San Lucas lies Socorro Island, a frontier as remote and rugged as they come. As any great explorer knows, you need to stay with the locals to fully appreciate a place, and as Socorro is an uninhabitable volcanic island, the best way to explore here is on a liveaboard. Set sail with Solmar V on a Socorro liveaboard and be prepared to splashdown with one of the world's most intelligent species, the Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin. A pursuit so great isn't without some hardship, though. The journey from Cabo San Lucas to Socorro Island is about 24 hours, but the opportunity to meet these amazing animals in the wild fully makes up for any uneasiness the wavy terrain ...

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Cage Diving with Great Whites at Guadalupe Island

If you have an adrenaline addiction, diving with Great Whites is a sure way to satisfy any craving you may have. There are a few go-to spots scattered throughout the world, but what many in the Western world don't realize is that Guadalupe Island, Mexico, is a just a hop, skip and a jump from their backyards. Departing from Ensenada, Mexico, hop aboard the Solmar V and get ultimate access to these apex predators on a Great White Shark tour. In partnership with Great White Adventures, Somar V offers adrenaline junkies liveaboard diving, so that you have more opportunities to feel the rush of a Great White sweep by your cage. Despite being able to accommodate 22 passengers, Solmar V only takes 16 passengers for ...

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Go face to face with a Hammerhead Shark

While being face to face with a shark is always a thrill, being face to faces with a school of sharks could be argued to be the pinnacle of shark experiences. Alas, there aren't too many places left where you have a good chance of running into a school of sharks on any given day. One of the few remaining is a little spot off the island of Kuramathi in the Maldives. Chances are you've already seen photos from the Maldives. If you've ever drooled over a photo of a luxury bungalow on stilts, sitting over the water above a perfect turquoise lagoon, there's a chance you've already put the Maldives onto your bucket list. The particular island of Kuramathi has both the stilted water ...

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Never forget the King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

Teams from around the world gather each year in the golden triangle region in Thailand. The tournament raises money for the National Elephant Institute which provides medical care, maintenance, employment and mahout training to Thailand's elephant population. The elephant camp is located within the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle where the elephant camp director works closely with the Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang in development of the elephant sanctuary. The Tourism Authority of Thailand endorses the event as a prime annual special event. The tournament is a week long event and attracts players from at least 15 different countries. Traditional dancers and costumed elephant spirit men are featured along side the matches.

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Cruise past the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry shuttles commuters traveling between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, providing one of the world's best free harbor cruises. Mingling with tourists and locals alike, going to and from work, the Staten Island Ferry is a truly authentic New York outing. As you step off the boat in Manhattan, walk a couple blocks through battery park and get on another ferry - this time to go up the Statue of Liberty and into the Ellis Island Museum. You'll find that the statue is much bigger than you first imagine it, and also more popular. Just beside the statue is Ellis Island. Over 12 million immigrants entered the United States via Ellis Island as it served as the main gateway to the country ...

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Scuba dive the 'great blue hole' off Belize

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Stare down a Black Bear in Jasper National Park

When most people visit the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, they choose to visit the southern locations of Banff and Lake Louise. To the North is the less frequented mountain town of Jasper. The road connecting Banff and Jasper, called the Icefields Parkway, is one of the most breathtaking drives in the world. Nestled in amongst mountains and lakes, make sure to take the tram to Whistlers peak to survey the wilderness for miles around. Many big game call Jasper National Park home including mountain sheep, elk, deer, mountain goats, black bears, moose, and wolves, all of which are at hand as you explore in and around Jasper. Due to the protection the park offers, many of the animals are not scared of human contact and ...

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Explore the world's deepest cave, the Krubera-Voronja

Descending down jagged rock and squeezing through confined underground pools, professional caver's and speleologists surpassed the world record caving depth in 2005, descending an astounding 2,140 meters into the earth at Krubera Voronja Cave. This tunnel to the deepest depths of the earth also known as the Crows Cave, Krubera Cave, or Voronya Cave, is located in Arabika Massif of the Gagra Range, in Abkhazia, Georgia. Even now it is unknown as to whether the absolute bottom has been reached, and it is speculated that the future holds deeper descents. Something to explore for those looking to join an elite group of adventurers.

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Be a part of an Ancient Army at the Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors

Traverse to the time of Xiang’s Terracotta Warriors and roam amongst over 8,099 life sized sculptures of Chinese soldiers, horses, acrobats and other figures. Discovered unexpectedly in 1974 by farmers near Xi’an, Shaanxi province, they unearthed a clay head, unusual for a normal day of farming work. Unaware of the magnitude of this discovery until archeologists began excavation, they later ascertained that these statues were created by China’s first emperor Qin Shihuang, who instructed their creation to ensure the safe keeping of his remains after his death. Each statue of the Terra Cotta Warriors is unique, no two are exactly alike, and range in size from 6ft – 6ft 5inches. These elaborate works are estimated to have taken 11 years to complete. The details on ...

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Heal your skin in Iceland's Blue Lagoon geothermal spa

Revitalize, rest, and rejuvenate during a trip to the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa in Iceland. These healing waters of the spa are full of minerals such as silica and sulfur, which by bathing in eases visitors various medicinal aliments as well as soothes the recreational user. Entirely man made, the Blue Lagoon Spa operates as most of Iceland does in generating power by burrowing deep into the earth. In doing so this causes steam to rise up powering turbines which is then recaptured and pumped into the luxurious lagoon to heat it. The average temperature of the water in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon is 40 °C (104 °F). The Blue Lagoon is surprisingly enjoyable all year round despite being so close ...

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Float your ill fortune away at the Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand

The full moon of the 12th lunar month in the traditional Thai calendar marks the Thai festival of Loi Krathong. This celebration thought to originate from the Hindu Festival Diwali, in India, has progressed for Thai people into veneration of Mae Khongkha, the Mother of Waters. The act of floating ornately decorated Krathong or traditional banana leaf lanterns out onto various rivers and waterways is the main act in this brilliantly preserved tradition, also known as the “festival of lights”. Evolved from ancient Royal rituals, it has since been adopted by common people by making offerings to the Mother of Waters or in other cultures Buddha, as an expression of thanks for providing life sustaining water. Some people look to cast away personal misery or ...

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