Mag Park

Archive for July, 2010

Magpark – You should know that Robert Butchart bought land due to its richness in limestone quarries now known as the Butchart Gardens. He started his own Portland cement company and saved money due to the fact that he mined his own limestone instead of purchasing it. In 1904 Mr. Butchart and his wife Jenny decided to make their home here as well. They built a grand home which eventually grew to include a bowling alley, a richly panel laden billiard room and an indoor pool filled with salt water which was rare at the time. After the quarry was used up Jenny decided to move in soil from local farms and make it into a sunken type of garden.

Mr. And Mrs Butchart traveled all over the world and Jenny was taken by the beauty of the gardens within each locale they visited. She made up her mind to make over their old unused tennis court into a vibrant Italian inspired garden and to make a complete Japanese garden close to the sea side of their home. Later she decided to replace the kitchen vegetable and herb gardens with that of colorful different varieties of roses. The fragrance of the blooms were breathtaking as was the true natural beauty of the flowers within each garden area.

Within the 1920’s the news of Mrs. Butchart’s magnificent gardens had spread and people well over 45,000 were coming from all around just to see their beauty. They renamed their grand estate to the Italian ‘Benvenuto’ which means welcome in thanks to all those who visited them and admired the gardens. Jenny then purchased Japanese Cherry trees to line the walks leading into the magical gardens.

There are showcase flowers and blooms grown within the heated and expansive show greenhouse. Pictures can be taken without glares due to the addition of sliding photo windows. At the delicious Blue Poppy Restaurant you can get cafe style service which makes for a quick and convenient meal. There you will find meats and vegetables as will as kids meals like chicken fingers, hot dogs and more.

There is a stunning carousel much different than traditional ones. The Rose Carousel has not only hand carved horses but thirty different animals all just as handcrafted and detailed as the next. You will see bears, ostriches, zebras and many more. Basswood was used in the creation of each animal and every one took at least two months to complete by hand. Adults and children alike will delight in a ride upon this wonderful work of art.

At the Dining Room you can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables of the season and prime dishes made from them as well. Settle down for a tea in the afternoon with friends and a nice chat with one another. Two popular dishes include Prawn Croquettes and the mouth watering Salmon which has been smoked in house and made into flake quiche. They do have dishes that children will like as well.

During the Summer months you can get in on the extravagant fireworks display every Saturday night throughout the summer months. There are also evening music concerts to be heard and seasonal summer blooms to admire and smell. For coffee lovers there is also a quaint Coffee Shoppe on the premises that serves some of the most flavorful coffees around. You can delightful herbal teas here as well along with pastry home made, ice cream, sorbet, chocolates or freshly made sandwiches. Butchart Gardens is a perfect place to plan a splendid day with loved ones and friends.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Magpark – It can be hard to find a good place to vacation when extra money is low. Expensive resorts and pricey activities are common in many places that are frequented by vacationers. However, this is not the only way. These five cheap travel destinations are a great way to save on money while still having a great experience on a vacation you will remember forever.

1. Vancouver, British Columbia: Low living costs and favorable exchange rates make this Canadian city an inexpensive place to visit. It offers a variety of things to do in any time of the year. There’s Whistler Mountain with skiing in the winter, and lake sports in the summer. Gastown is another great place to visit for less with Victorian buildings and great views to see and the Seawall Promenade to stroll down. The Classical Chinese Garden and other museums also make for cheap or free places to enjoy.

2. San Carlos, Mexico: When most think of visiting Mexico, they picture big resorts in Cabo San Lucas or Cancun, filled with partying students, however there are other options. San Carlos is a small village located right on the edge of the ocean, and has many beach houses and camping options for a cheaper stay. There are many activities on the beach or in the water with little to no expense. Since it is not as touristy as some of Mexico’s other cities, food and everything else tends to be much cheaper, and also less crowded.

3. Costa Rica: From trekking through rainforests, to kayaking or scuba diving in the beautiful reefs, Costa Rica offers many cheap travel destinations or free activities in the great outdoors. It has great weather year round to enjoy these things, and since it is a smaller country with convenient bus systems, your stay can include all parts of the country with less travel expenses. Also, wherever you stay in the country, there are hotels and hostels costing as little as $7 a night, a great discount compared to many places around the world.

4. Morocco: Since the dirham, Moroccan currency, has lost much value, you can get a lot more for your money. There is a variety of great food from the different cultures making up the country, and many places to visit. The art, architecture, and great history make for an interesting and unique vacation, with many named UNESCO heritage sites. Also, Morocco boasts the city of Casablanca where the famous movie of the same name takes place. This is a great place to go to see the locations of the movie for free, along with touring the port.

5. Prague, Czech Republic: The old capital of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague is a beautiful city that has been rebuilt since the Iron Curtain fell. This city boasts many buildings that stand as they were when they were build more than a thousand years ago and are interesting to look at and go inside, taking a step into history. There is a great, cheap nightlife including clubs located in some of the old buildings, with beer costing as little as $0.30 per liter. The food also comes in a great variety, featuring local favorites like goulash, but also anything from Thai to Russian offered at great value.

Whatever location you decide for your vacation, instead of cutting costs by skipping out on time or activities, finding cheap travel destinations can get you more for your money. Between free activities and low overall costs for daily needs, many alternative places to visit can show you a great time.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Magpark – Hawaii is the most recent of the 50 US states and is the only state made up entirely of islands. It occupies most of an archipelago (series of islands) in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental US, southeast of Japan and northeast of Australia. Hawaii’s natural beauty, warm tropical climate, inviting waters and waves and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists and volcanologists alike. Due to its location in the mid-Pacific, Hawaii has North American and Asian influences along with its vibrant native culture. It has over 1 million permanent residents along with many visitors and military personnel. Its capital is Honolulu on the island of O’ahu.

Here is a breakdown of the major islands and their nicknames:

Hawaii – The Big Island

Maui – The Valley Isle

Kaho’olawe – The Target Isle

Lana’I – The Pineapple Isle

Moloka’I – The Friendly Isle

O’ahu – The Gathering Place

Kaua’I – The Garden Isle

Ni’ihau – The Forbidden Isle

As it is a major tourist and mid-Pacific stopover point, Hawaii tends to suffer from some of the same tourist attraction clichs as other major vacation spots. If you aren’t interested in the grass skirts and flower garlands then there may be a few other ways to spend your time exploring the natural beauty of the islands.

If you are interested in hiking, Kauai has an awesome canyon – Waimea Canyon accessible from the south of the island. On the north shore there is a hiking trail along the Napali Cliffs. And if you do go to the Kauai north shore, the Kileaua lighthouse is an amazing spot to witness the Hawaiian seabirds, Pacific seals and rugged ocean scenery. The best hike on the big island is the Ka-hau-a-Le’a Trail. It’s a tough trek through rainforest that ends abruptly as you encounter a lava-damaged space. This is a glimpse of the active volcano from a side that most people never see. Be warned though, that the road that leads to the trailhead is treacherous and it is not recommended that you leave your vehicle unsecured.

Bird-watching in general is an excellent pursuit if you happen to have access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle and are willing to put some mileage on your boots. Haleakala on Maui has an amazing old-growth with flowering trees just before the summit. It is easily accessible and there are tons of bright native birds in colorful foliage. Haleakala is not just the volcano summit or a bicycle coast downhill – there are a number of supernatural sights to appreciate for just a few more steps around the bend.

If hitting the links is your thing, a cross section of golf facilities is located in Central Maui, from exclusive golf clubs and spas to the basic county-run municipal course. On the road to Hana, in Spreckelsville, is the Maui Country Club, the only private country club on the island. It is open for play seven days per week but the public can play only on Mondays. Walking is allowed. This course is the oldest golf facility on Maui. It opened for play in 1925, and has nine holes, so it is played twice and is very well maintained.

Some other recommendations include:

Travelling to Volcano National Park where every evening a host of people (tourists and locals alike) will trek across the lava field to watch the lava glow at dusk.

Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay — It cannot be reached via road, so you need to take one of the boat tours to get there. This is on the west coast not far south of Alii Drive.

The Kona Brewing Co. has the best pizza on the island and home-brews their beer (this is in Kailua-Kona).

The waterfalls in and around Hilo are a sight to see, especially if there has been recent rainfall.

The islands of Hawaii are home to a large population of people. If none of these ideas strike your fancy, you could always try asking one of the locals what they like to do – maybe a day at the beach shucking clams isn’t such a bad idea? Often the point of an exercise isn’t so much what you do as who you do it with, so making some local friends will definitely improve your options! In a setting as glorious as the Hawaiian Islands, anything off the beaten trail is likely to be more beautiful than any average day in the city.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Magpark – You know that Jamaica is an island in the Greater Antilles. It is 234 kilometers long and 80 kilometers at its widest point. It lies in the Caribbean about 150 kilometers south of Cuba. It is named by the Arawakan-speaking Taino inhabitants, meaning the “Land of Wood and Water,” or the “Land of Springs.”

Regardless of when you visit, the tropical climate and warm temperatures of Jamaica essentially guarantee beautiful weather during your vacation. The average temperatures in Jamaica range between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August are the hottest months and February the coolest. Temperatures in Jamaica generally vary approximately 10 degrees from summer to winter. As Jamaica is a relatively small island, it is surrounded by lush tropical beaches on all sides. This makes it one of the most popular tourist and vacation destinations in the world.

Doctor’s Cave Beach was named for a physician who donated his beach property to form a swim club; the property was once accessible via a cave that was later destroyed by a hurricane. It’s a place full of history, not the least because this is the strip of sand that helped put Montego Bay on the international tourist map. The beach is located in the heart of MoBay and maintained by the Doctor’s Cave Beach Club, a membership club that charges an admission fee for use of the beach. It’s a small price to pay, however, for access to a great beach that’s right off Gloucester Avenue with a new clubhouse with changing facilities, the Groovy Grouper beach bar, and other amenities.

If it’s a deserted beach you have in mind for your Jamaican vacation, Treasure Beach is the place to go. This south coast beach community, known as much for fishing and farming than tourism, offers a great opportunity to mingle with ‘real’ Jamaicans far from the tourist hordes. Try Jake’s Hotel, which is part of the Island Outpost chain and located oceanfront. Expect to find unpopulated sands, private coves, and laid-back resorts, dining and nightclubs.

The longest beach in Jamaica remains one of the island’s best. First developed in the 1960s, Seven Mile Beach is lined with resorts but maintains a touch of its free-love spirit with a number of designated areas for nude sunbathing, including at the Hedonism II resort. Harassment by vendors selling everything from hair-braiding to marijuana can be a negative at this beach, however.

If you’re in Montego Bay and looking for a more sedate beach experience than you’ll find downtown, head east to Rose Hall Beach. If you’re staying at one of the luxury beachfront resorts here, such as the Iberostar, Half Moon, the Hilton Rose Hall, or the Ritz-Carlton, then this glorious strip of sand is right outside your doorway. If not, you can access this strand at the Rose Hall Beach Club, which has a restaurant, beach bar, and live entertainment, among other amenities.

Boston Bay Beach, located in the somewhat faded tourist town of Port Antonio, is known for having some of the best jerk stands and surfing in the country. The beach is frequently by locals and tourists alike.

If you are looking for that terrific swim, you will find it in Port Antonio at Blue Lagoon. Lie out in the sun on one of the floating docks and get good and hot. Then dip into the cool, spring-fed waters and enjoy the swim.

If you are in the area of Runaway Bay, check out Puerto Seco Beach, which looks out on Discovery Bay. Its name means “dry port,” and it was purportedly so named by Christopher Columbus, who came to the island in search of fresh water but found none.

Surfers love Boston Beach where equipment is plentiful. The beach of Long Bay are said to offer the most consistent waves on the southwest coast. Swimmers should be careful as the current may be strong.

For families with young children there are several beaches in Jamaica known for their gentle waters that lack the strong currents and undertows found in other areas. This makes swimming safer. Among the best of these are the Walter Fletcher Beach in Montego Bay, San San Beach and Blue Lagoon Beach in Port Antonio and Dunn’s River Beach, located in Ocho Rios.

Jamaica is a lovely island nation with approximately 200 miles of beaches. There are beaches to suit every taste, ranging from family oriented to nude sun bathing. They are peaceful, natural surroundings with pristine white sands and full service from the resorts. There are beaches perfect for active water sports and others known for their active social scene. Planning will help make the best choice. Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses and tanning lotion as it is always sunny in Jamaica!

Popularity: 9% [?]

Magpark – Everybody knows that the reason why kids love the summer time so much is because they don’t have to go to school. So they have a lot of free time to spend. But no parent likes it when their kids sits around the house all day long and plays video games. So, what are the best activities for kids in the summer time?

The best thing that we could do it to get them out of the house in the outdoors. All kids like to spend time in the outdoor especially if they get to do something interesting and fun. If you decide to spend a day with your child then you could take them to a garden. Most children in our days don’t know where apples come from, for instance. When you come home you can actually ask him/her to draw the things that you have seen during the day. It can be a good way of ending a beautiful day spent with your child.

You can also take a nice walk in a park together with your kid and maybe bring your family do along. Go somewhere with a lot of trees and flowers and maybe bring a basket with some food. This little picnic will surely make your kid enthusiastic. And it is a lot better than staying indoors and watching TV.

Something else that you could do is to try to explain some simple facts about nature and about the small animals that live there. Some kids have no idea that in summer baby birds learn how to fly and in autumn they leave towards warmer places. You would be surprised to see how attentive they will be. If your house has a back yard then you can go and show them how vegetables grow.

Summer is the season when you can spend most of your time outside so it would be a shame not to do this. If you have a holiday planned think about going in the countryside, your kid and you will enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful landscapes.

Popularity: 7% [?]