Reasons to Explore Yourself and the World, ideas for creative travel and personal enrichment

Book a Mountain Retreat in Costa Rica

ReasonsToExplore — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:52:00 -0800

Located twenty minutes west of San Jose, the White Cloud Sanctuary is a personal retreat high atop the mountains overlooking the town of Santa Ana. There, you can partake of the quiet and solitude to practice meditation techniques and learn Qigong and Tai Chi from sanctuary teachers. A cottage at the top of the mountain accommodates a single person in modern comfort (including a laptop connection) while giving you a view over the surrounding natural terrain which includes bamboo forests, fruit trees, the Rio Oro River, and an organic garden. You have the option of following a schedule comprised of deep meditation and training, or you may rent the casita to relax in the solitude and forego any lessons. Optionally you may book lessons on an individual basis. Residency programs are also available for those who would like to become involved with the running of the sanctuary, including caring for the multitude of animals on the property.

Hike the West Highland Way in Scotland

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:03:00 -0800

photo by tomsflickrphotos2

The West Highland Way is the oldest and one of the most popular hiking trails in Scotland. It stretches 152 kilometres (95 miles), from Milngavie to Fort William, and is commonly divided into seven stages. The route takes you through the sloping Lowlands, into forests and moors, passed lochs and eventually into the Highlands. The start is fairly easy, but later stages require quite a bit of stamina.

Being a well established and popular route has its advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, it is clearly marked with signs and there are sufficient facilities along the way. For those who don't fancy dragging their backpacks with them, there is even a baggage transfer service where your bags are transported between certain fixed locations along the route (mostly hostels) and you can pick them up when you get there. For those wanting to do it the hard way, it's good to know that wild camping is legal under the 'Outdoor Access Code', as long as you leave the places you camp in the same condition you found them.

On the negative side, especially in the summer months certain stretches can become quite crowded with holiday vacationers, somewhat hampering the experience of the wild outdoors.

-- Mascha Geerts

Play with Sea Lions in Alberta, Canada

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:06:00 -0800

photo by Stacina

At West Edmonton Mall in Canada, participants have the chance to interact with one of three sea lions that were delivered to the mall from Scotland in 2004. The sea lions usually are at play in the mall's Marine Life pool at Sea Lion Rock where they perform daily shows, but you can book time with one of the creatures under the guidance of a trainer. With the trainer's help you will learn about the California sea lion and how to play games with it. Once geared up in a wetsuit and life jacket you can then join the sea lion in the water and have it tow you around the pool. Children as young as 14 years of age may participate.

Dive the Great Blue Hole in Belize

ReasonsToExplore — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:45:00 -0800

photo from wikipedia

For divers willing to brave the long and often rough ride out to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a striking reward awaits. Blue holes are vertical limestone caves created from erosion and weather changes during the Ice Age. When the oceans rose, these caves were then submerged, creating watery sinkholes. The Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize near Ambergris Caye is the largest in the world at nearly 1,000 feet across and 480 feet deep. The depth causes the water in the hole to look darker than the surrounding shallower water, resulting in its dramatic appearance. The deep, still waters hold limited sea life past a certain depth, although sharks make an occasional appearance. There, past 100 feet, the typical formations of a cave -- stalactites and stalagmites -- form a strange and beautiful landscape. The experience of diving the hole becomes similar to that of diving a horizontal cave system.

Explore the Metro in Moscow, Russia

ReasonsToExplore — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

photo by therefromhere

The Moscow subway system is much more than a means to get around the city. Built to impress and also educate its users, many of its stations feature mosaics and paintings depicting scenes from Russia's history to inspire the socialist spirit. The stations were designed by multiple architects between the 1930s and 1950s and styles range from Neo Classical to Art Nouveau. From the marble floors to the chandeliers, every inch is used to reflect the grandeur of the former Soviet Union. You'll find yourself easily lost, looking up at the ceilings and around at the sculptures, rather than where you're suppose to be going. But in this subway system it's no trouble spending a few hours simply exploring before you go on your journey. It has more the feel of a presidential palace than a humble transport system and all for the price of a single subway ticket.

-- Mascha Geerts

Reasons to Explore on Hiatus

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:56:00 -0800

We're on break until next year while we work on some projects. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season! See you in 2009!

Take Your Children to a Dinosaur Park

ReasonsToExplore — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:37:00 -0800

photo by ghostdad

If you and your children have grown bored with the standard theme parks offering roller coasters and over-priced food, and if you'd like to explore a unique park that's also educational, a visit to a dinosaur park may be in order.

Dinosaur Land was opened in the 1930s in Virgina's Shenandoah Valley. The draws of the park are huge fiberglass replicas of dinosaurs ranging in height from the size of dogs to as long as 90 feet. As visitors walk through forests, through swamps, and duck into caves, they'll find themselves stalked by these prehistoric wonders. Though none of the replicas are animated, children will nonetheless be fascinated by their size. Over 30 different dinosaurs are in residence, giving children the chance to identify them and expand their dinosaur repertoire. King Kong, a giant cobra, and an octopus also rule the park. The most recent addition is a carnivorous Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dinosaur Land is closed January 1- February 28th.

Dinosaur World has parks in Kentucky, Texas, and Florida. Over 150 life-sized replicas dominate the parks. Visitors can also visit dinosaur museums and dig for bones in bone yards. Party rooms and programs are available for groups. The parks are closed for some holidays.

Take a Spin Class

ReasonsToExplore — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:32:00 -0800

photo by sirwiseowl

If the choreography of aerobics and step classes is too difficult for you, or you want to feel 'sporty' while you exercise, a spin class is an activity you may want to try. Relatively low-impact and performed indoors, spinning helps you tone your body in a group atmosphere filled with music and encouragement.

For your first spin class you should show up early so you can discuss the class and the equipment with your instructor. This will also notify your instructor that you are a beginner so he/she can keep an eye on you. Spinning is performed on a spinner bike which features a tension knob and weighted flywheel which combine to help mimic riding hills and jumps while keeping up your momentum, a feature which helps keep the workout non-impact. In coordination with music, the instructor leads the class on an imaginary bike ride, describing the hills and upcoming obstacles you will face and coaching riders on how to adjust the tension knobs on their bikes to reflect the course difficulty. Whether riding while seated or standing up on the pedals for sprints, spinning is a powerful fat-burner, typically burning 10 calories per minute.

Watch the Kentucky Derby in Lexington, Kentucky

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:56:00 -0800

photo by Banamine

Whether you're a horse racing fan or you simply want to witness one of the nation's oldest and most storied events take place before your own eyes, a trip to watch the running of the 135th Kentucky Derby may be a memory of a lifetime.

Tauck Tours has a 5-day trip to Kentucky in May 2009 that provides you with a stress-free means of seeing the race and learning more about this horseracing tradition. The trip begins in Lexington where you'll enjoy a visit to Maker's Mark, a whiskey distillery that is the only distillery in America designated to be a National Historic Landmark. A tasting and barbeque follows as well as a visit to a mansion in My Old Kentucky State Park. The next day features the opportunity to choose between attending the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks ("Run for the Lilies") or visiting a private horse farm where you'll receive an insider's look at what is involved in running and caring for thoroughbreds. The highlight of the trip comes the following day when you're transported to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. You'll enjoy VIP treatment in the tour's special marquee with a full spread buffet, open bar, closed circuit TVs, and private betting windows. When the race begins you'll have reserved seating along the First Turn to cheer on your favorite horse.

Become a Member of a Live Studio Audience

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:25:00 -0800

photo by Soon

Sometimes it's not enough to watch your favorite television shows every week. Sometimes you need that extra fix. What could be more exciting and bring you closer to your favorite shows than to see them up close and personal? Why not visit the studio where the show is filmed and sit in the audience as the show is taped?

AudiencesUnlimited is a resource for finding tickets to television shows, specials, award shows, and pilots. The free tickets are available approximately 30 days before filming on a first come, first served basis. Audience size can vary from 150 -200 people and are sometimes overbooked so to ensure your seat it's important to show up at least one hour before the scheduled taping. Filming generally lasts 2-3 hours and if you're lucky the stars of your favorite show will greet the audience or possibly sign autographs. Photos of any kind are forbidden, however. Shows are taped in Burbank, Culver City, and Hollywood. Maps are available on the website to help you find the studios. Depending on the show's content there may be a minimum age restriction. For many shows this age is 18, but there are some shows that allow children as young as 10 to attend. Group tickets and fundraising opportunities are also available.

Drink Hot Chocolate at Angelina's Cafe in Paris, France

ReasonsToExplore — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:58:00 -0800

photo by surangk

France is well-known for its gastronomic delights and takes great pride in producing the most luxurious meals imaginable. This desire for excellence extends to beverages as well, for within the city of Paris can be found what many will argue is the best hot chocolate in the world at Cafe Angelina.

Located across from the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre beneath the Rue de Rivoli archway, Angelina's is something of an institution, favored by locals and tourists alike. The front of the cafe is where the impressive pastry cases are located where you'll find treats such as Mont Blanc and fig tart. But the star of the show at Angelina's is the hot chocolate. Take a seat inside the cafe at a marble table and admire the gilt mirrored walls, but ultimately it's the l'Africain, a thick, rich, extremely sweet hot chocolate that many have likened to melted chocolate bars that will seize your attention. It is served quaintly in a pitcher alongside a parfait glass filled whipped cream. Despite the sweetness of the beverage you'll be tempted to order several pastries to accompany it, such as madeleines or maccaroons. It is pure indulgence and those on a diet or trying to limit their sugar intake might do better with an Angelina salad or perhaps a quiche.

Dive with the Sharks at the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, Colorado

ReasonsToExplore — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:55:00 -0800

photo by scubadive67

If you think being thousands of miles from the ocean means you can't dive with fish and sharks, think again. A fun diving adventure can be had at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

The Downtown Aquarium in Denver is a restaurant and aquarium that offers a variety of opportunities for you to become involved with the marine life that is present in the aquarium. A diving with the sharks program allows certified divers to climb into the Shark Tank and spend thirty to forty minutes diving with them, all while friends and non-divers watch from behind the glass walls of the tank. The aquarium provides all of the diving equipment and divers are given souvenirs to commemorate their experience. If diving with sharks sounds too intimidating, another option is to dive in the fish tank with eels and 500 species of fish. Non-divers and children can also participate by snorkeling in the fish tank or joining one of the aquarium's zoologist for a day or marine biologist for a day programs which introduce visitors to the behind the scenes activity that occurs in a major aquarium and wildlife habitat.

All programs include admission to the aquarium adventure exhibits, T-shirts, and discounts at the restaurant. Two weeks advanced reservation is required.

Ride a Murder Mystery Train in Blissfield, Michigan

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:43:00 -0800

photo by Norma Desmond

Dinner and a show is a common evening plan, but how about dinner and a murder mystery show onboard a moving vintage train? The next time you're in Michigan you may want to consider checking out the Old Road Dinner Train, North America's longest-operating dinner train.

The company operates out of both Blissfield and Charlotte, but the primary rides originate in Blissfield, 20 minutes north of Toledo. The murder mystery train travels through the countryside while presenting entertainment and dinner over the span of two and a half to three hours. Diners enjoy a five course meal in classic dining car splendor. While the guests dine, actors perform the show which is billed as family friendly and more comical than dramatic. A volunteer is recruited to participate and guests may find themselves interacting with the cast as everyone aboard the train attempts to solve the murder mystery. The Blissfield train may be booked every Saturday night and on select Fridays and Sundays.

In addition to the murder mystery shows The Old Road Dinner Train offers experiences such as moving wine tastings, pizza trains, and Santa trains which are ideal for families with children. A New Year's murder mystery party is also scheduled.

Chill in a Snow Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:50:00 -0800

photo by Qua Baths & Spa/Caesars Palace

For most people who live in parts of the world where snow is a regular occurrence each winter, the idea is often to get away from the chilly stuff. But since snow is rare in Las Vegas and greeted with fascination when it does fall, the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino decided to bring snow to the city. Inside its themed Qua Baths & Spa, guests can enjoy the winter treat in a luxurious setting unique in the desert.

Qua Baths & Spa boasts a spa experience called Roman Rituals, inspired by ancient Roman bath houses. Guests move between multiple rooms that offer different spa experiences. The Roman Baths consist of three pools heated to varying temperatures. The Laconium Room is an elegant sauna. The tea lounge is where tea sommeliers pair the beverage with spa treatments.

Arguably the most memorable part of the Roman Rituals is the Arctic Ice Room, a beautifully domed room adorned with blue glass tiled walls. The Arctic Room features heated floors and benches to provide comfort for guests as they relax in the chilly 55 degree mint-scented air. Overhead, fake snow descends from special equipment in the ceiling and gently dusts the guests. This artificial snow isn't actually cold; it's similar to the mixture used on movie sets. However bowls of crushed ice are made available throughout the room for guests who would like to follow the ancient tradition of scrubbing themselves with snow to rub away sweat and impurities and invigorate their circulatory systems.

Visit the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Japan

ReasonsToExplore — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:00:00 -0800

February is your chance to visit one of Japan's largest winter events, the Sapporo Snow Festival. Ice sculptures and snow statues dominate the event which is spread along Odori Park, Satoland, and Susukino. The 2009 event will be held from February 5th to the 11th.

The festival began in 1950 with sculptures created by six high school students. Since then it has grown into one of Hokkaido's largest events, attracting nearly two million visitors from Japan and around the world. Lasting seven days, the event can be found in three main areas: Odori Park, where ice sculptures stretch east to west through downtown Sapporo and music acts perform on snow stages in front of gigantic snow backdrops; Satoland Park, where you can stumble through an ice maze, go snow rafting, or slide down a slippery ice flume; and Susukino, where the Ice Sculpture Contest is held and the Ice Queen is available for photographs. Susukino is also where the opening and closing ceremonies are held and is beautiful for visiting in the evening when the sculptures are illuminated. For seafood fans eager to sample Hokkaido's famous delicacies, the Hokkaido Winter Food Park offers crab and other Hokkaido specialties all day and night. Ice bars also feature liquors and beer 'on ice'.

Become a Puppeteer on Vancouver Island, B.C.

ReasonsToExplore — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:58:00 -0800

photo by Sister72

Your parents may have entertained you with simple puppets when you were a child or perhaps you fell in love with the story of Pinocchio, the puppet who wished he was a little boy. The art of puppetry has existed for centuries as a means of passing along stories, culture and for entertaining people of all ages. Thanks to schools around the world, you can try some puppetry of your own and share this joyful art with others.

One such school, Juniper Tree School of Story and Puppetry Arts, is located on Vancouver Island, B.C. Programs include part-time courses which are spread out over the summer, or full-time six week apprenticeship/training certifications. While both the part-time and full-time courses teach students how to use puppetry for educational, therapeutic, and artistic purposes, the full-time apprenticeship allows for a deeper concentration. Students learn how to develop stories specific for their audiences; to understand the psychology of storytelling and puppetry and how they can be used for healing and to explore the human condition; and they learn how to create their own puppets and stages. Puppets ranging from felted finger puppets all the way to more complex rod marionettes are studied and created by the student.

The school also offers a variety of workshops and professional development courses including the Art of Therapeutic Puppetry, as well as weekend events for puppet lovers. Courses are held at the Vancouver campus and in cities throughout the West and Southwest U.S.

Do a Blind Wine Tasting

ReasonsToExplore — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:39:00 -0800

photo by comicbase

For wine lovers -- and those who want to learn more about wine -- trying new producers and varietals brings never-ending enjoyment. If the choices seem daunting, however, next time you're in the market looking over the wine selections, consider holding a blind tasting.

Blind tasting wine is a good way to educate yourself about the characteristics of grape varietals and the effects that region and producer have on the final product. You can start with only two wines or several. Try comparing producers by buying a single varietal from them, e.g., which winemaker makes your preferred style of merlot? Compare regions: can you tell the difference between Santa Barbara pinot noirs and those from Carneros? What about comparing prices -- is there much difference between a seven dollar bottle of cabernet versus one that costs thirty? Or maybe you'd like to try to differentiate between wines using the same varietal of grape produced in different countries, such as a syrah made in the Rhone Valley of France compared to a shiraz made in Australia?

When comparing your anonymous wines make notes. Compare color, clarity, body, the bouquets (how they smell), mouth feel, how 'hot' the wine is (the higher the alcohol content, the 'hotter' it tastes), and your plain simple enjoyment of the wines. Obviously the more you know about the characteristics of a varietal, the better you'll be at identifying it, e.g., the cat spray smell of some sauvignon blancs, or the musty, manure-like aroma in French burgundies. Practice will sharpen your nose and your palate and you'll soon not only be able to recognize what you're tasting, but appreciate all the subtle nuances you missed when you knew exactly what wine was in your glass before you tasted it.

Happy Thanksgiving from Reasons to Explore

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:58:00 -0800

photo by RW Photobug

Hopefully your turkey is more attractive than this guy.

Pan for Gold in Jamestown, California

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:41:00 -0800

photo by Heather F

On the way to Yosemite National Park is Jamestown, and located there is the 1849 Mining Camp created and maintained by Gold Prospecting Adventures. It's a historical re-creation of a genuine gold camp and a fun opportunity for individuals and families to learn history and get their hands dirty while searching for real gold.

The objective of the camp is to provide an experience similar to that of the Great California Gold Rush. Participants learn the history of the area, how traditional gold panning equipment works, and then search for gold themselves. The camp provides several prospecting packages, ranging from two hour goldpanning and sluice box sessions to 3-5 hour expeditions in which the already panned earth is dug out to allow you to get to the 'fresh' bedrock beneath. Overnight camping packages are also available. Participants are allowed to keep all the gold they find and should reasonably expect to find some on the two hour or longer courses. For those who are caught up in the excitement of the gold rush, professional prospecting courses are available which show you how to hunt for gold with the latest technology available and how to stake your claim if you find a hotspot.

Go Geocaching

ReasonsToExplore — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:44:00 -0800

photo by Rev Dan Catt

The traditional children's game of hide and seek has been reincarnated into a worldwide quest that people of all ages can play. Geocaching requires your feet, a GPS device, and your natural curiosity to find objects that have been hidden by other people all over the world.

Geocaching relies on a GPS unit. It's a handheld electronic device that can be purchased in outdoor and electronic stores. It can determine your location on the planet within 6-20 feet via latitude and longitude. It's most often used to pinpoint where you are (such as in emergency situations). But in geocaching you also use it to locate an object (cache) that has been hidden and whose coordinates you know. The hidden cache can be a logbook, a memento, a picture -- anything that isn't perishable or dangerous. Cache owners often hide their caches in locations that they find particularly beautiful or meaningful, wanting to share it with the searchers. Once found, the searchers either replace the cache for other searchers to find, or take it along with them to deposit somewhere else per the cache owner's request. The results of the find are then recorded on the geocaching.com website, which is where further geocache hunts can be selected.

While finding treasures via GPS seems to take some of the fun out of the hunt, you'd be surprised by how difficult it can be. The GPS doesn't lead you exactly to the cache. Often you can't reach the coordinates in a straight line: rivers, buildings, and other barriers may stand in your way. When it comes down to it, you still end up hunting around just like a pirate searching for the hidden X.

Become an Acrobat in Beijing, China

ReasonsToExplore — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:37:00 -0800

photo by Ethnocentric

If you've ever fantasized about being a performer in a production like Cirque du Soleil, you may want to consider taking a trip to Beijing and learning acrobatics from the masters.

The Beijing International Art School, formerly the Beijing Acrobatic School, is the largest secondary art school in China. The course study emphasis is on the circus arts, aka acrobatics, although you can also learn martial arts and dance. The school is a large modern facility boasting 360,000 square feet and 22 training gyms. It is open to local and international students of all skill levels. On campus housing is available or students may live off campus in Beijing City. The school suggests students undertake a minimum one year term of study but shorter summer classes are also available. Acrobatic students study six days a week and international students have the option of attending additional Chinese language classes or minoring in other subjects.

Students have the added benefit of being eligible to participate with the Circus China, the largest state circus in China. Other chances to gain valuable on-stage experience may be obtained by the joining the school's team of performers which competes in several circus festivals around the world.

Participate in a Turkey Trot

ReasonsToExplore — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:20:00 -0800

photo by canadianfamily

We are confronted by numerous diet pitfalls on Thanksgiving Day. Faced with a bountiful spread that may includes starchy and fattening side dishes, pies, and given the temptation of a major NFL football game on TV, it's easy to write the day off as a caloric loss and lounge around the house. But Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a day you look on with dietary regret if you're willing to get off the couch and tie on your running shoes.

Around the country on Thanksgiving Day you will be able to find 5k races open to amateur runners, joggers, and walkers. Usually called Turkey Trots, these 3.1 mile races encourage people of all fitness levels to run or walk off the calories they'll soon ingest at the Thanksgiving bounty. Nearly all races are wheelchair and stroller friendly and open to all ages, making them ideal for families. Signups can be made online or through local sponsoring businesses all the way up to the day of the race. A T-shirt is often included in the price of the run so you can proudly proclaim that you pounded the miles while your friends napped in a tryptophan induced daze. It's aThanksgiving tradition you can be proud of.

Trek in Thailand for Charity

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0800

photo by kar_jirayu

There are plenty of reasons to visit exotic Thailand, from its glittering golden temples to its wild and tasty cuisine. Here's one more incentive: when you book smartly, a portion of your trekking fee can be donated to a local charity in need.

ResponsibleTravel offers various charity treks including a 10-day adventure to Thailand's Golden Triangle region. The trek emphasizes respectful and responsible immersion in the Thai culture to get a true sense of the region. In addition to the initial hotel stays in Bangkok you will spend overnights in villages in stilt houses, bamboo long houses, and other local accommodations. You won't be separated from Thailand by the glass windows of a tour bus, you'll be down on the ground, seeing village life up close and interacting with the locals. You'll hike through lush jungles, cross streams, shop in local markets, and sample true Thai food. Stunning cave temples, pagodas, and a visit to an elephant farm are also scheduled.

The trek encourages learning about the Thai culture while causing as little environmental damage as possible. The tour company donates money through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight. Best of all, approximately $300 of each trek is donated to The Pattaya Orphanage Trust.

Make Turkish Delight

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:04:00 -0800

photo by The Pink Princess

Turkish Delight, or rahat lokum, was originally made for a Turkish sultan who had grown tired of hard candy. It is a sweet, jelly-like confection that is highly addictive. Since the treat is often difficult to purchase outside of Turkey, try making your own version for the holidays.

Turkish Delight is relatively inexpensive to make and contains few ingredients. What you'll need most of is time. The candy is made in two parts. The first involves bringing sugar and water to the soft ball stage. The second requires you to constantly stir a paste of corn starch, cream of tartar, and water until it takes on a glue-like consistency. The two mixtures are combined and flavoring and food color added and then relentlessly stirred over low heat for about an hour. When the mixture turns a golden color it is then poured into a well-oiled pan and allowed to sit at room temperature. Again, more patience is required, because the jelly mixture should ideally sit for a day or two before slicing with an oiled knife. Cubes are then tossed with equal parts corn starch and powdered sugar.

Traditional flavors of Turkish Delight are rose, mint, and lemon. Lightly roasted pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts are common. But you can make your own unique version of this classic candy by trying different flavor essences or by substituting strongly flavored tea water for the usual rosewater.

Try Hatha Yoga

ReasonsToExplore — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:54:00 -0800

photo by Foot Fun

The term yoga refers to the state when individual consciousness merges with the cosmic consciousness. To get to that mystical existence, several physical and spiritual techniques are performed. These are the forms of yoga.

There are many routes to achieving this perfect synergy, from 'power' Ashtanga yoga that emphasizes athleticism and aerobics, to Bikram yoga performed in heated rooms, and Iyengar yoga, which incorporates props. An easy way for beginners to practice yoga is the peaceful Hatha form, which focuses on meditation, breathing, and holding the positions to maximize the stretch.

A typical Hatha yoga class is very relaxing and slow-paced. It begins with opening mantras (gajananam), and then moves on to breathing exercises (pranayama). Control of breath is an integral part of yoga and is a skill which you can use all day every day to relieve stress. After the breathing exercises your class will shift into poses (asanas) which are performed on comfortable mats. While you may fear that you'll be asked to contort your body into extreme positions, the reality is that many yoga poses are in fact stretches you have done since you were a child in gym class. The key is exact positioning, holding the pose, and breathing through it. The poses are carefully selected to increase blood flow throughout your body, gently massage your internal organs, and relieve tension. Hatha yoga isn't intended to exhaust you, but to relieve and relax you. As you progress, you'll find yourself with better posture, more energy, and a limberness you may have thought you'd never achieve.

Learn Russian in St. Petersburg, Russia

ReasonsToExplore — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:03:00 -0800

photo by jimg944

The most thorough way to learn a foreign language is to immerse yourself in the culture that speaks it. Not only will you pick up the slang and pronunciations specific to your region of study -- which might not be taught in a book or audio course -- it's an opportunity to learn about another lifestyle and develop a true love for the peoples with whom you will communicate.

AppleLanguages is just one of several companies that provides the means to learn Russian in its country of origin. The school is located in St. Petersburg. It will arrange shared student housing, apartments, or the chance to live with host families. You can learn Russian through the standard program of 20 lessons/week or the more intensive course which includes 5 cultural lessons. Advanced private courses are also available. Tours to various sites around St. Petersburg such as a Russian steam bath, the Hermitage Art Gallery, Yussupor Palace and other places are offered to ensure your stay in St. Petersburg is fun in addition to being informative. The option is also there to split your courses between the schools in St. Petersburg and Moscow, giving you a chance to explore the differences between the two cities.

If you're already fluent in Russian but would like to sharpen your skills, you may sign up for the school's work experience program which allows you to work in Russia in a variety of fields. Volunteer work is another way to polish your Russian.

Bungee Jump Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa

ReasonsToExplore — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:52:00 -0800

photo by Face Adrenalin

As far as adrenaline rushes go, bungee jumping is right up there with base jumping and parachuting from a plane. Maybe you'd like to finally give bungee jumping a go. Or maybe you've made previous leaps but want to make the 'ultimate' jump. If so, a trip to South Africa could be exactly what you're looking for.

Near the Garden Route at the Tsitsikamma Forest Village Market is the world's highest single span arch bridge in the world, Bloukrans Bridge, overlooking a river by the same name. The main draw of Bloukrans Bridge is the bungee facility which is the highest commercially operated bungee jump in the world at a whopping 707 feet. A leap from here is one to brag about even to hardcore adrenalin junkies. If you can't summon the nerve for the jump, an option is to ride the cable line (zip line) out to the center of the bridge, something that even families can do. Even less nerve-wracking is a walk across the bridge, which is the highest and largest in Africa and the third highest in the world. But if you decide you'd like to go all-out and experience all that you can, your best bet is to pair the cable ride with the bungee jump for the greatest rush possible.

Sleep Underwater in Key Largo, Florida

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:24:00 -0800

For an once-in-a-lifetime experience you can't get without boarding a working submarine, try booking time in an underwater hotel. Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida provides this unique opportunity for both divers and non-divers who'd like to safely sleep with the fishes.

The lodge started out as a research laboratory and was converted into a comfortable living facility capable of housing two couples or groups up to six. It holds two bedrooms, a common room, a small galley, and the central wet room where divers surface to enter the lodge. Filled with compressed air, the lodge is kept at a comfortable temperature and features many common amenities of a typical hotel including an entertainment center with TV and DVD player, bathrooms, and a feature unique to the lodge: 42-inch windows which allow you to admire your undersea neighbors. The lodge is monitored by experienced staff 24 hours a day and a 'mer-chef' dives down to prepare your daily meals.

Divers can enjoy multiple dives in the organism rich lagoon where the lodge is located. Non-divers are equally welcome and need only participate in a three-hour instructional course before going below. Certifications for open water diving and Underwater Habitat/Aquanaut dive specialty are also available.

Share Your Books with the World

ReasonsToExplore — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:49:00 -0800

photo by Sean O' Sullivan

Discovering a great story or fantastic new author is exciting. Beyond telling your friends and family about your favorite reads, why not share your literary discovery with the world?

Sites like BookCrossing encourage readers to spread their love of great books by literally sharing them. After registering as a free member on the site you then record your books which are given trackable ID numbers. You write the number in the book along with any encouragement you'd like for the finder to visit the site. Then you leave the book in a public place. Ideally whoever picks up the book will not only enjoy the book but also log onto the site and report the book's ID and perhaps leave a brief message about what they thought of it. Results are trackable on the site and you also receive email notifications when one of your books is found.

Joining a site to record a book's progress is fun and easy and allows you to interact with other readers in forums. But joining a website certainly isn't necessary if you'd like to drop off "A Carnivore's Dilemma" or perhaps "The Catcher in the Rye" on the bus or in a park. If your goal is simply to share, you'll doubtlessly find a kindred reader out there. So whether you decide to include your email address inside the book cover or leave the gift entirely anonymous, book sharing is a 'novel' way of spreading your love of words and ideas and perhaps inspiring others to do the same.

Reasons to Explore on Vacation

ReasonsToExplore — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:46:00 -0800

Reasons to Explore will be on vacation until Nov 12, so check back when we resume posting articles to inspire an extraordinary life!