Tropical Giants: Giant Centipede
From here on we will assume the reader is an insect enthusiast. For what we are about to relate is not for those who experience intense entomophobia. The Giant Yellowleg Centipede is a species only entomologists could love. So, if this is not your field then simply take note of the characteristics of the insect, for the purposes of avoiding it while traveling in Jamaica, and be on your merry way. For the rest of you bug-lovers out there, read on!
The scolopendra gigantea, also called the Peruvian Giant Yellowleg Centipede or Amazonian Giant Centipede, is the largest of the scolopendra genus. The longest recorded example measured 12 inches. Depending on the age and size, this particular centipede can have up to 23 body segments, usually in a deep maroon color and bordered with black lines. The Giant Centipede has been found all over Central and South America, including most of the Caribbean islands (such as Jamaica).
The Giant Centipede is carnivorous and has a very toxic venom, even to humans. If bitten, one would experience severe swelling, chills, fever, weakness but little pain. As the venom contains the pain reducing serotonin, one may not even know they were bitten until swelling begins to appear. Despite the symptoms, it is very unlikely the venom of a Giant Centipede will be fatal to humans. On the other hand, if a bird or mouse was bitten by the Giant, it would become breakfast. Or dinner. The typical prey for Giant Centipedes are other large insects, lizards, frogs, bats and even the beloved tarantula.
If we consider the facts with the proper perspective, it would be easy to determine the personality of the Giant Centipede is probably not all that friendly. Even at its largest, this insect has just 100 legs, one set of claws, some deadly venom and no armor. Yet it is able to catch, kill and consume bats. Logic could point us to the conclusion that Mr. Giant Centipede is a bulldozer of death, killing and eating whatever gets in his way. Or, it is simply a case of survival of the fittest.
Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean is too beautiful to ignore. There are far too many exotic things to see, hear, taste, and experience. The occasional mean-spirited Giant Centipede deep in the tropical forest is surely not worthy of preventing a luxurious vacation on a Jamaican beach, is it? Relax, enjoy and leave the giant insects for the scientists.
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Read MoreCuba Travel Guide
If you are looking for warm cheap Caribbean holidays then allow me to introduce you to one of the best destinations in the area. Cuba offers an incredible range of options for such a small country. You can make sure that your holiday is exactly the way you want it to be.
Best Locations in Cuba
Varadero: If you are a beach lover then there is no other better place in Cuba than Varadero. Pretty much all the beaches in Cuba are equally as beautiful as each other however Varadero is the beach resort area in Cuba with the best infrastructure. Varadero also have the best all inclusive hotels in Cuba and there is a town where you can enjoy the local life and culture.
Havana: Do you wish to admire the famous buildings, museums and castles? If your answer is yes the Havana is a must-see for in your holidays. Havana is one of the most eclectic cities in the Caribbean. Havana for centuries have been the lab where metropolis tested their latest developments and as a result today it enjoys one of the most amazing architectures in the Caribbean.
Guardalavaca: The beautiful beaches of Guardalavaca are the perfect place to relax. The three main beaches – Esmerelda, Pesquero and Guardalavaca itself – offer a good range of accommodation, long stretches of white sand and great opportunities to chill out.
Trinidad de Cuba: Declared a world heritage site in 1984, Trinidad boast the best of the colonial architecture in Cuba. It contains beautiful churches (such as the Great Parish Church, a neoclassical edifice built in 1892) and public squares, the most important of which is Main Square-surrounded by buildings of great beauty and historic and architectural interest and considered the second most important square in the country, after Havana’s Cathedral Square.
Santiago de Cuba: Santiago is fantastic! Not very well equipped for tourists outside of hotels (i.e. for food and entertainment) but fine if you were happy to live as the Cubans do (which is highly recommended). It’s worth reminding clients that toiletries are not readily available to buy (so come well equipped.
Looking to find the best deal on Cheap all inclusive holidays, then visit www.cheap-allinclusiveholidays.com to find the best advice on cheap Caribbean holidays for you.
Read MoreVacation Property
If you are thinking of buying a vacation rental property, there are two things that you can eventually do with it. Some owners of vacation rental property aim to live in it a lot of the year round themselves and others intend to rent it out for a lot of the year. There is no doubt that vacation rental property can provide an excellent income stream.
However, there is a huge difference between vacation property rental and residential property rental. This has to do with the fact that holiday makers are not inevitably looking for the same amenities in a vacation rental property as they are in a home.
One item that does influence the desirability of both vacation rental property and residential property is location. However, a good residential property for a young family may have to be near to schools and other services and for older people being near a school is more of a hassle.
Similarly with vacation rental property, you have to know your target market. You have to discover the answer to the question: why do people come to this location? And then buy a vacation rental property that matches the highest volume profile.
In this way, you will never be short of tenants and you will be sure of high rents too. For example, some people might go to the Caribbean island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands for the diving opportunities it presents while others may want to explore the tropical rain forests. However, younger travelers might not want to go far from the only largish town on the island, Christiansted, so that they can take part in any nightlife happening.
One thing that everyone requires is security. The person who hires your vacation rental property will want to feel safe. That is secure from falling masonry and rickety stairs and secure from burglars. That means that your property should be well lit both internally and externally and have well-made doors and locks. Windows should be lockable too.
It is a good idea to present a kitchen like the one a family would usually expect at home. So, an American kitchen with American style appliances for American families, if they are the people you are trying to attract. Again, you will have to study the typical visitors to where you want to buy a vacation rental property. A younger family may eat in at night, an older one may never eat in at all. The kitchen should be well-equipped, furnishings should be comfortable and recreational gear should be on offer too.
A great deal of people like to take their dogs with them, so you might want to consider making the vacation rental property pleasant for pet owners. If the furniture is robust, massive oak or something like that, dogs will not be able to damage it easily. Plastered walls without wall covering and tiled floors are also favourable for having animals in the house. This is a definitely growing niche market for vacation rental properties
And last but not least, bear in mind that people like to be able to keep in touch when they are away from their loved ones, so Internet access is a growing essential too. People can VOIP, so a phone is not so important these days. If you bear these points in mind, you can have a profitable vacation rental property where you can holiday free too.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with St Croix Virgin Islands. If you are interested in St Croix Vacation Rentals in the US Virgin Islands, please click through to our site.
Read MoreSkip the Cold Winter Weather and Head to St. Maarten/St. Martin for Your Winter Vacation!
;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk62fdU_S1M?version=3&feature=related]”Oh the weather outside is frightful.” If this snippet from a favorite holiday song has you shivering for real, maybe it’s time to do something different for your upcoming winter vacation. Think gentle warm breezes, white sand beaches, swimming with the dolphins – think about the island with two names – St. Maarten/St. Martin.
This jewel of the Caribbean got its double moniker in 1648, when the Dutch and the French agreed to disagree and just divide the island in two. Today, one part – St. Maarten – is still governed by the Dutch and the other – St. Martin – by the French. Both sides are equally lovely, so whether you want to say you’re going on a St. Maarten vacation or you’re going to vacation in St. Martin, you’re headed for a great time.
December and January are part of the dry season on St. Maarten/St. Martin. Year-end also marks the end of the hurricane season, so no worries about extreme weather interfering with your plans. The average temps range from 73 to 82 degrees, so the weather outside is guaranteed to be fantastic, not frightful. The only downside is that demand is very high during the holidays, so the best advice is to book well in advance.
This Culinary Capital of the Caribbean’s 37 square miles are packed with over 350 restaurants that offer cuisines from the 100+ nationalities that have settled there. If goat stew isn’t for you, then how about conch fritters or exquisitely spiced dumplings simmered in a delightful array of spices?
When you’re not eating, you can hike or bike to Pic Paradis – the highest point in St. Maarten/St. Martin. Be sure to stop by the Loterie Farm in St. Martin, named for how Englishman Richard Bay came into its possession – by winning a lottery. The farm features a private nature reserve with trails, peacocks and 1,000 plant species. Adults can do the zip line and the kids can experience Ti Tarzan, an area designed just for them and supervised by certified guides.
This island paradise provides a wonderful getaway for families, singles or honeymooners. And did we mention the duty free shopping?
One good way to stay on budget is to book one of the many fabulous villas in St. Martin . These homes away from home are often right on the ocean (which is never far away in any case), and are air-conditioned and have maid service. You won’t have to sacrifice your TV or Internet and the kitchens make for easy family meals.
So, make your escape this year and vacation at St. Maarten – or if you like, St. Martin!
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For the ultimate tropical island vacation, author Stephen Daniels recommends St. Martin vacation rentals available from the Villa Lady. All these villas are oceanfront, reasonably priced and luxuriously equipped with everything you will need for the most laid back and enjoyable Caribbean vacation.
Read MoreCheap St Lucia Holidays
If you are looking for some cheap Caribbean holidays then allow me to introduce you to St Lucia. Sea and sun naturally play a large role in the island’s appeal. Lounging under a thatched hut, exotic cocktail in hand is one way to enjoy the legendary beach scenes of Saint Lucia.
Climate
Due to its location near the equator, St. Lucia does not have very well defined seasons. There is, however, a rainy season that generally falls between June and November. During this season, vacationers should be prepared for heavy, but sporadic showers that come on quickly. Visitors should not worry about traveling during the rainy season as the showers may come about rapidly, but blue skies are quick to follow.
What to Do
Spend a day at a spa and be pampered to your hearts content, go on wild St Lucia excursions, take scenic tours around the Island. Who cares what you do as long as you have fun and enjoying every bit of your holiday. You can find a number of places in St Lucia that offers horseback riding. St Lucia scuba diving is definitely the best in the Caribbean and has some of the best diving sites in the world.
Where to stay
St Lucia has an impressive depth of accommodation, which ranges from large hotels through to small and friendly places to stay that are ideal for independent travellers. The accommodation is concentrated in the north of the island, in the tourist heartland that radiates north and south around Rodney Bay. This is where the best beaches are and in addition to the busy resorts you will also find guest houses and a large number of villas.
Nightlife
At Rodney Bay, The Lime and The A Pub are popular hangouts. The Indies Night Club, located next to the Bay Gardens Hotel and Julian’s Supermarket, and Le Chalet, near the Rodney Bay Marina are usually the hot spots. Back Door Indies is also good for a mix of Caribbean and international music. Ask about the daily drink specials – it’s definitely worth it.
safety
Most visits to St Lucia are trouble-free, but visitors should take common-sense precautions against robbery and theft. Isolated areas, such as beaches, should be avoided after dark. Hurricane season is generally from June to November.
Want to find out more about cheap Caribbean holidays, then visit Jose Maurette Garces’s site on how to choose the best Cheap all inclusive holidays for your needs.
Read MoreSome Of The Most Popular Traditional Food Served On The Island Of Barbados
When most people think about food from the Caribbean they think of spicy dishes and usually the popular culinary spices known as “Jerk” seasoning. While this type of food can be found across the Caribbean the “jerk” style of cooking is not native to Barbados. The Caribbean Islands all have their own unique recipes and favorite dishes.
In Barbados the combinations of spices and herbs used give the local traditional food its very own flavor. This tasty combination of marjoram, parsley, thyme, and green onions is often referred to across the island as Bajan seasoning, or in some places it is called Barbados seasoning. Many of the dishes in Barbados are made with Barbados rum that is distilled across the island.
Food is such an important part of the island of Barbados culture that they have officially declared a national dish. Cou Cou and Flying Fish is a dish that appears on menus and home dinner tables across the island. Like many of the dishes served on the island you may not recognize the names given to the dishes if you have never visited the island, but the ingredients used are familiar to most people. Cou Cou for instance is a combination of okra and cornmeal seasoned salt and pepper and spiced up with Bajan hot sauce. Flying fish is plentiful in the waters that surround Barbados and is one of the most frequently caught fish. The most popular way to serve up this native fish is either steamed or fried.
The national dish is not the only food whose name may be unfamiliar with you. These are some of the other dishes you will find across the island that are definitely worth a try! While “rice n’ peas” may cause you to picture a bowl of the popular white rice sprinkled with green peas you would only be half right. “rice ‘n peas” is a dish that combines rice with the native African pea known to most people as a black eyed pea. Another variety of this popular dish also includes parsley and kidney beans. A dish that is often reserved for special occasions is pudding ‘n souse. This dish is a combination of pig and sweet potatoes.
Pig intestines are stuffed with sweet potatoes to create the pudding and the pigs head and trotters are boiled to create the souse. A salt bread bun combined with 2 pieces of Bajan seasoned salt fish cakes creates the popular dish appropriately named “a bun and two”. Another dish that includes a salt bread bun is the “flying fish cutter” this time the bun is paired with a fried fillet of the islands popular flying fish. An American favorite, macaroni and cheese gets a new name and a new partner in Barbados. “pie and fish” consist of a serving of Barbados macaroni and cheese served alongside a fried fillet of flying fish or other native fish found in the islands waters. Not all of the food in Barbados will be unfamiliar. Other popular dishes you may recognize include candied sweet potatoes, fried plantains, and fish cakes. The islands most popular fruit is the Barbados cherry. This fruit is often used to make juice.
Learn more about barbadosrentalvillas.net. Stop by the website where you can find out more. Also consider Grand Cayman vacations for your next holiday trip.
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