PajMon Information Blog

Posts Tagged ‘tourism’

[I:http://www.pajmon.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/VictorCKrumm5.jpg]

If you were asked to pick the place with the highest satisfaction of life and happiness, where would you choose? Hint: Disneyworld which claims to be the “happiest place on earth” did not make the finals (or the list for that matter). It is officially tiny Costa Rica, winner of the Happy Planet Index as the most satisfying place to live on the planet.

The Index measures three factors in 143 countries, encompassing 99 percent of the population on the planet: high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint. Costa Rica came out on top by a large margin.

The Happy Planet Index asked: 1. What is a person’s life expectancy ( premise: it is better to live longer than die young)? 2. While alive, how satisfied are people with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)? 3. How much does a country cost the planet (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources and has less effect on global warming) ?

Most folks probably think the wealthiest nations will rank at the top of the list but they would be surprised. The richest, most developed nations fall somewhere in the middle of the Index. The highest-ranking Western nation is the Netherlands – 43rd out of 143. The United Kingdom places 74th and the United States is a long way back in 114th place.

There is a very dramatic difference between Costa Rica and the United States. Costa Ricans live slightly longer than Americans (and have universal, almost free coverage), report substantially higher levels of satisfaction with their life, and yet make a per capita carbon footprint 75% less than the States.

Costa Rica reached the top of the rankings for many reasons. The country does not just talk about sustainable development, it is committed to it. While the developed world and rising powers of China and India rely upon nonrenewable resources (think oil) for power while contributing to serious global pollution and global warming, an incredible 99% of Costa Rica’s energy is completely renewable and sustainable. As the States and other developed countries dither about how to address power needs, chase more and more resources to use up, and argue about the challenges of global warming, tiny Costa Rica has been taking action. Even as more and more of the world is being deforested, there are 20% more forested areas in Costa Rica than just 20 years ago. And, though there may be large oil deposits off its shores, the country has ignored its Siren Song and refuses to allow oil drilling. Also, it is the first, and so far the only, country to commit to being completely carbon neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica’s per capita income is only about $11,000, but it is the #1 place in the world for life satisfaction. Other countries can endlessly debate all the ways things cannot be done or rethink their model.

It’s early Saturday morning in Santa Elena. The local farmers market is in full force. I’d normally be there early in order to get first pick of the organic veggies. The local kids race about all through the marketplace. This morning I’m just kicking back at the house drinking coffee and making this journal entry. A bit later I’m planning on taking a yoga class and then probably going to play Ultimate Frisbee down at the school.

If your are ever in Monteverde on a Saturday morning, you should stop by the Friends School to play with us. If its raining, though, youre out of luck. Its a great way to meet the community here. Kids and adults from all over the mountain come together and get to run around and play. Its the only real exercise I get all week. Yoga doesnt really count.

Some buddies are coming in today from Sacramento. They’re supposed to get in on the afternoon bus, so it looks like they won’t make it to the game, but I have something pretty special in store for them. After leaving their luggage at my place, I’m going to take them into the forest on some great hikes that only the locals know about.

I’ll then take my friends on a canopy tour. When I arrived here years ago I did some freelance guiding for a few of the tour operations here. I can’t think of a more exciting way to introduce my friends to the cloud forest ecosystem. From a birds eye perspective in the dense canopy is an experience that will spark their curiosity and inspire awe…

For me there is something so primitive in being so high up in a tree. There is always a bit of fear there. To be at the top of one of these ancient, high altitude trees, is absolutely fascinating. When clouds wisp by and the views open up to the lowlands and the Pacific Ocean.

You connect to cables from a pulley and harness, and swoop across from tree platform to tree platform, and you’re standing in a tropical setting, jungle moss curtains all around, small creeks running below, and tropical birds zipping in and out of view. From miles away you can hear the daunting calls of Congo monkeys.

At another platform you can see that each branch up here has a plethora of life surging on its surface. Small orchids, practically microscopic, cover large swaths of branches, and hanging moss provide a moist substrate for an array of multicolored bromeliads, each one a natural pitcher to capture the moisture in the air. Some of these provide shelter and protection for growing tadpoles.

The forest here is magic. Dark and light, merge into an atmosphere similar to an underwater reefscape. Ziplining across is not unlike scubadiving in that sense, only much faster. At each point along the canopy tour there is something to be explored, overturned, photographed. Army ants marching past the hive of stingless wasps, a toucan raiding the nest of a blue warbler.. Hercules beetles, walking sticks, cyanide caterpillars. Here in the canopy there are worlds to be discovered.

My family and I recently went on a long awaited family vacation to Costa Rica. Some time ago we had seen a television program highlighting all of the great adventures that destination held. For a family of nature freaks, such as we are, it seemed ideal and my family hasnt let me forget about it since.

This peaceful, Central American country is sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama and boasts one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems in the world. It is part of a land bridge between North and South America and as such enjoys wildlife from both hemispheres. It has protected over 12 % of land thus birds and other wildlife have areas of refuge here during yearly migrations.

Monteverde was to be our first destination on our itinerary. Green Mountain as it were, was settled by a group of Quakers who arrived to the area around 1951. They were attracted to Costa Rica after the abolition of its army and choose the area that would become Monteverde because it seemed conducive to the diary farming that was their trade. After scientists realized the significance of the delicate micro-system of its surrounding cloud forests, they began to protect the nearby forests.

The road to Monteverde is, for many, the first adventure of their time there. For us, it was no exception. It is a rugged, unpaved road with dramatic drop offs and equally dramatic vistas of the gulf of Nicoya in the distance. The sunset, was one of the most breathtaking I have ever seen.

The plan was to spend our first morning ziplining at a place called Selvatura. After awakening to a symphony of nature just outside our cabin we ate breakfast and drank fresh Costa Rican coffee as we waited for the shuttle to pick us. We choose Selvatura for our zipline experience ironically, because they offer so much more. They host an unparalleled bridge system through the forest canopy, a magnificent butterfly garden the most extensive insect museum in the country probably more I am not aware of.

Our dream for sometime had been the zipline canopy tours and that was to be our first adventure. The sensation of flying through the forest canopy suspended by nothing more than a steel cable was exhilarating beyond words! Fortunately, because of the way it was built, it also felt totally safe for my kids to do as well.

We stayed in Monteverde long enough to enjoy much of what it has to offer. We explored the local nature reserves, enjoyed a night hike through the Childrens Eternal Rainforest and headed out on horseback to witness the majesty of nearby, Volcan Arenal. This active and picture perfect volcano, is set against the tranquility of lake Arenal.

As our plane rose above the clouds and leaving Costa Rica in its pristine glory far below, my family and debated the highlights of our time here. Zipling, it was decided, remained our favorite. Followed, however, close behind by the many other unbelievable experiences we had enjoyed in this lovely country.

It is easy flights from the UK to warm and glamorous Nice in the south of France, including convenient and competitively priced flights from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. Disembarking visitors arriving at Nice’s C’te d’Azur International Airport arrive at one of two terminals. The numerous, convenient options for flying from the UK to Nice make it a great destination to take a holiday.

Nice is located in the French Riviera, about halfway between Monaco and Cannes. It is a leading resort in that area. Because Nice is close to Monaco, Nice’s airport serves as the airport for that city-state. Nice is the fifth largest city in France and is a very popular tourist destination. Its population is approximately 348,000 people. It is the second largest city in France, after Paris, and therefore has the second busiest airport. Nice has a large influx of Italian, Spanish and Portuguese immigrants.

The blue skies and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean flanked by beaches of fine sand make Nice a renowned travel destination. The area gets very crowded in May during the yearly Cannes Film Festival. And in addition to Cannes, Nice offers its Jazz Festival and the Carnaval de Nice as well. All year-round, Nice is known for its nightlife.

Even lovers of peace and quiet flock to Nice for its delightful climate. Rain and especially snow are rare along the Riviera. The summers are dry and hot, the spring is windy, and autumn and winter are mild. Its beautiful weather is one of the most important reasons Nice is so popular with tourists.

A must sightseeing spot in Nice is the Promenade of the English. The promenade is built directly on the beach. The Promenade of the English offers unique shops, fine restaurants, and excellent hotels. Just a short walk from the promenade is the Place Massena, Nice’s city square. The Place Massena has a wonderful Mediterranean feel with its Italian architecture and red tiled roofs.

Many public celebrations take place at the Place Massena. These include, of course, Bastille Day on July 14. Other popular public squares in Nice include the Place Rosetti, the Place Garabaldi, the Place du Palais, and the Cours Saleya. The Cours Saleya offers a popular flower market, and the courts of law are found in the Place du Palais, which is also a popular area for nighttime entertainment. The Place Rossetti is also popular with tourists at night.

In addition to its attractive street life, Nice offers wonderful shopping, fine dining, and several art museums. Gourmets will appreciate the ratatouille and bouillabaisse. Local ingredients, as in most of France, play a prominent role in the cuisine of the city.

There are plenty of dining options, from quaint home cooked meal type restaurants to fine, formal dining. Whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed, as the fresh, local ingredients make Nice cuisine a true pleasure in dining. If local cuisine does not interest you, there are options for foreign cuisine dining available as well.

Whether it’s glamour, beaches, shopping, watching for celebrities, nightlife, culture, or great food, Nice has something to offer every traveler.