Mountains and Cliffs

Acapulco Sights and Wonders

The white sugar beaches and the vibrant nightlife of Acapulco make it a favorite vacation spot for party goers and those just wanting to spend a holiday away from home. Adventure lovers flock to this place to dive off a 130 foot cliff and surf the biggest of waves at La Quebrada Cliff Divers. Children and adults will surely love the abundance of aquatic life exhibits at the Magico Mundo Marino, a waterpark with swimming pools and aquariums, plus a boat trip and snorkeling to Isla La Roqueta aboard a glass bottom boat. The 52-acre city park Parque Papagayo named after a luxury hotel has been packed with various attractions and activities for all ages such as a roller skating rink, go carts, bumper boats, a space shuttle Columbia replica and the famous life-sized Spanish galleon model. The Zocalo, located opposite the fishing harbor is the town center of Old Acapulco where you can relax under the shade of giant rubber and mango trees. Acapulco just has so many things to offer to visitors that have included this city in their Mexico vacation itinerary.

Best Beaches in Mexico

The beaches of Mexico always lures in visitors going on their Mexico vacation especially during the months of November to May. About five hours away from the city are the remote beaches of Costa Esmeralda on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. On the Caribbean coast particularly in the Maya Riviera region are the fabulous Cancun beaches and Puerto Morelos fishing village and beach resort which has sugar sand and warm clear waters plus the added bonus of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Here in the Maya Riviera is the chic Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which is one of the most beautiful beaches that have the historical Mayan ruins in an area that overlooks the beachside. On the Pacific coast is the Baja Beninsula where the beaches of Playa Cemeterio, Playa Santa Maria, Playa Costa Azul, Playa Canta Mar and Playa Solmar can be found. Between Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco can be found the most popular fine sand beaches of Mexico with a choice of exclusive resorts to the smaller local ones. There are just so many options for the top beaches of Mexico.

Riding the Waves at Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido or the Mexican Pipeline is popularly considered as one of the top ten surfing areas in the world. It hosts the Mexpipe Challenge in February and an international surf contest in November. Professional and amateur surfers will get a pick of the best waves they have. There are several beaches in Puerto Escondido but the Playa Zicatela is not ideal for swimming as it is the main surfing beach with strong rip tides that will pull you in as well as some of the best and strongest waves in the world which topples even the popular Hawaii Banzai Pipeline. This place is recommended for very experienced surfers only to avoid the risks of accidents which even the most professional surfers have met here. One area that has fast and challenging waves is the Point. While Playa Zicatela is the break closest to town, there is the other end of the beach break called the Far Bar which offers the heaviest surfing as the water is deeper and the break is further from the shore. Those who love surfing would surely welcome a trip to Puerto Escondido.

Have Fun in the Waters with the Dolphins of Mexico

You get the chance to swim with the amazing dolphins of Mexico when you include a visit to these amazing centers. Have a close encounter with these fascinating marine mammals and discover their intelligence and friendly demeanor in a safe and entertaining environment. All throughout Mexico are dolphin centers or dolphinariums where these dolphins are well taken care of and are open for the public to interact with. The vacation destinations such as Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Cabo San Lucas and the Riviera Maya are popular for both their beautiful beaches and for the dolphinariums that allow you to swim with the dolphins. In Cabo San Lucas Marina is the Cabo Dolphin Center that is considered as one of the most exclusive dolphin centers in the world. The Wet n Wild Aquatic Park has Altantida where the dolphins stay in an enclosed beach. The biggest dolphinarium chain in the Mexican Caribbean is the Delphinus with centers at Xcaret, Xel-Ha and the Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen. You can have games, embrace and ride the dolphins or otherwise watch the dolphins perform for you. Once in your life, this activity is really worth including in your Mexico vacation.

PLEASE SEE RESPONSES-Lyrics,Many rivers to cross But I can’t seem to find my way over Wandering I am lost As I travel along the white cliffs of dover Many rivers to cross And it’s only my will that keeps me alive I’ve been licked, washed up for years And I merely survive because of my pride And this loneliness won’t leave me alone It’s such a drag to be on your own My woman left me and she didn’t say why Well, I guess I’ll have to cry Many rivers to cross But just where to begin I’m playing for time Produced at: The ImaginAIRium, the Great Room at The Mayerson Law Offices, The Meeting House Law Building And Gallery, 3540 Schuylkill Rd, Spring City PA 19475
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Enjoying the Attractions of Acapulco

Acapulco, one of the most famous party place choices for your Mexico vacation, beckons to vacationers with its delightful mix of 12 miles of sunny sandy beaches and pulsating nightlife. The La Quebrada Cliff Divers, their most famous attraction since 1934, are for thrill seekers who wait for a wave and dive 130 feet off steep cliffs into the surf. The Magico Mundo Marino is a fun family water park with stunning outdoor and indoor marine life aquarium exhibits, swimming pools and slides and a glass bottom boat to take you to Isla La Roqueta for snorkeling. The Parque Papagayo is a 52-acre city park that was named for a luxury hotel that used to be located in that site and houses a life-sized model of a Spanish galleon that you can climb on, a space shuttle Columbia replica, roller skating rink, bumper boats and go-carts for the kids. If you are simply looking for a place to unwind and relax under gigantic mango and rubber trees, Zocalo which is located at the heart of Old Acapulco and just opposite the fishing harbor is a perfect destination. Acapulco just has so many things to offer to visitors that have included this city in their Mexico vacation itinerary.

The Wonders of Mazatlan

Experience the real Mexico vacation with a trip to Mazatlan located on the Mexican Gold Coast that boasts of long beach stretches lined with palm trees. Just like many places in Mexico, Mazatlan is an interesting combination of history, culture and adventure. A must-do is a visit to Old Mazatlan where the citys famous twin towered cathedral is located while nearby is the citys second oldest plaza, Plazuela Machado. The malecon (promenade) gives you a refreshing palm-lined oceanfront walkway that connects Old Mazatlan with the resort area known as zona dorada. The villages of Concordia, Copala and Cosala with its beautiful handcrafted furniture and ceramic and clay handicrafts is located on the Sierra Madre Mountains and forms part of the countryside tours. The known islands of Mazatlan, Isla de Chivos or Goat Island, Isla de Pajaros or Bird Island and Isla de Venados or Deer Island has fine sand beaches and should be included in your tour of Mazatlan. Mazatlan should be an important part of your Mexico vacation for that glimpse of Mexicos passion.

Exciting Place to see in Veracruz

Veracruz is one of the cities that have retained its old world charm and although it is not top on the list of Mexico vacation destinations, it is now slowly emerging to be one. Ideal for day or night strolling is the main plaza called the Plaza de las Armas. There are several old but well-preserved buildings that you should visit such as the Municipal Palace with its baroque style of architecture and the neo-classic Virgin de la Asuncion cathedral that were all built in the 17th century. In the port area is the Pemex Tower which is an old lighthouse, the Crafts Market, the Old Customs Building, the Postal and Telegraph Building, the Civil Registry Building and the Juarez Hemicycle Monument. The Fort San Juan de Ulua is now an island that is now connected to the land. You can go walking and exercising at several kilometers boardwalk known as the malecon. One of the newer developments is the Veracruz Aquarium which is the biggest in Latin America. With all these and more, Veracruz is still a worthy vacation destination in Mexico.

The Beauty of the Border City of Tijuana

The border city of Tijuana is easily reachable via the San Diego trolley that goes right up to the Mexican border. Despite its close proximity to the US, Mexico vacations in sunny Tijuana allows you to shop at the legendary Avenida Revolucion where you will find the amazing bargains of beautiful Mexican handicrafts, leather goods, cigars, silver, beadwork, jewelry together with imported goods at bargain prices. Immerse yourself in the culture of Mexico and visit the Tijuana Cultural Center or Municipal Institute of Arts and Culture. InInject some excitement to your day and watch a Greyhound race at the Hipodromo Caliente, go to a Jai Alai Game at the Jai Alai Fronton Palace or see a bullfight at the El Toreo de Tijuana or the Plaza Munumental Playas de Tijuana. Tijuana showcases vibrant Mexican culture and is a place that is truly worth visiting.

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Acapulco Sights and Wonders

Acapulco, one of the most famous party place choices for your Mexico vacation, beckons to vacationers with its delightful mix of 12 miles of sunny sandy beaches and pulsating nightlife. Those seeking some breathtaking adventure can try jumping off 130 feet into the surf at the La Quebrada Cliff Divers that is Acapulcos most popular attraction since the 1930s. The Magico Mundo Marino is a fun family water park with stunning outdoor and indoor marine life aquarium exhibits, swimming pools and slides and a glass bottom boat to take you to Isla La Roqueta for snorkeling. Bring the kids to the Parque Papagayo and let them try out the replica of a Spanish galleon and the space shuttle Columbia, roller skating rink, bumper boats and go-carts that will surely bring so much fun and excitement. If you are simply looking for a place to unwind and relax under gigantic mango and rubber trees, Zocalo which is located at the heart of Old Acapulco and just opposite the fishing harbor is a perfect destination. You will never run out of a hundred and one things to do in Acapulco.

Dazzling Underwater World of Mexico

Diving enthusiasts on a Mexico vacation are presented with a variety of choices for this popular and fulfilling water activity. You can opt to go diving in the Pacific Ocean on the west coast, on the Caribbean Sea side, the unique cenote or sinkhole cave or at the second largest reef in the world or the Great Maya Barrier Reef. The cities of Cozumel, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta provide very good diving spots too. The stunning coastline reefs as well as the renowned beautifully complex underwater panorama with cliffs, canyons and underwater flora makes Cozumel a popular dive spot. The shallow and multicolored reefs of Playa del Carmen or Chinchorro Banks leading to the Great Maya Barrier Reef are ever popular in Cancun. The nearby islands and bays and sea creatures like whale sharks, dolphins, sea turtles and tropical fishes make Puerto Vallarta a very interesting and famous dive spot. Other diving spots in Cabo San Lucas and La Paz is a visual display of the colorful marine world.

Whale Watching in Mexico

The sight of whales frolic playing or cavorting or even just plainly swimming in the waters never fails to evoke a sense of admiration and marvel. The gray whales leave the winter waters of Northern Bering and go to the Sea of Cortez every year during fall to give birth and feast on the bountiful food in the tropical waters of the Pacific. The best place in Mexico to watch these huge but gentle whales with their calves is Magdalena Bay just off the coast of Los Cabos. Although San Ignacio is more famous for whale watching, there is a higher chance of seeing whales in Los Cabos than any other place in Baja during the whale season from end of December to end of March. Whale watching tours make sure strict rules and guidelines are followed in order to ensure that the whales are not harmed. When planning your Mexico vacation, dont fail to include whale watching in your itinerary.

Puerto Vallarta Vacations

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico with a wide array of attractions from sandy beaches to the natural tropical forests. Puerto Vallarta vacations give guests the chance to tour the jungles and see exotic wildlife or watch dolphins and whales frolicking right beside the 98-foot Bloodhound sailboat in Banderas Bay or better yet take a cruise that allows you to view its beautiful beaches and rich sea life. You can also choose to go scuba diving, snorkeling or kayaking to take advantage of its pristine tropical waters. You can also go on a tour of Puerto Vallarta by walking, hiking or bus and see the Cathedral of our Lady of Guadalupe, the famous watersports center Playa de Oro, Los Arcos which is a fun underwater park, the quaint tranquil village by the sea of Boca de Tomatlan, the unique old town Rancho Capomo or the gorgeous boardwalk or the Malecon. A trip to this exciting destination will never fail to add to your lifetime memories of a beautiful vacation in an excitingly exotic place.

From the album The Art of War (Release May 30, 2008) Here is the official video for Cliffs of Gallipoli: www.youtube.com

Enjoying the Attractions of Acapulco

Sunny Acapulco lures in vacationers with a long stretch of white sand beaches and its popular exciting nightlife. Those seeking some breathtaking adventure can try jumping off 130 feet into the surf at the La Quebrada Cliff Divers that is Acapulcos most popular attraction since the 1930s. Children and adults will surely love the abundance of aquatic life exhibits at the Magico Mundo Marino, a waterpark with swimming pools and aquariums, plus a boat trip and snorkeling to Isla La Roqueta aboard a glass bottom boat. The 52-acre city park Parque Papagayo named after a luxury hotel has been packed with various attractions and activities for all ages such as a roller skating rink, go carts, bumper boats, a space shuttle Columbia replica and the famous life-sized Spanish galleon model. The town center of Acapulco that is popularly called the Zocalo is just right across the fishing harbor and has a lot of giant rubber and mango trees that you can laze under. Acapulco, Mexico vacations offers a wide selection of enriching sights and adventure-filled activities that everyone will surely enjoy.

What to see in Ixtapa

If you want to go for elegance and luxury on your Mexico vacations, the best place to go would be the resort paradise of Ixtapa. Club Med Ixtapa is one of the most popular resorts in Ixtapa which has fully furnished rooms and a host of activities for the whole family. Another popular resort that is suitable for families is the all-inclusive Barcelo Ixtapa. Most of the resorts, if not all are on the beachfront where the white sands and crystal waters are just a few steps away. You have the option to go snorkeling, body boarding and swimming which is guaranteed fun for all beach lovers. You can also take a day trip to the Playa las Gatas by taking an inexpensive water taxi ride at Zihuatanejo that will drop you off at the beach that is lined with quaint local shops and restaurants featuring delectable local cuisine. If you want to take the luxurious and elegant vacation, go to Ixtapa.

The Wonders of Mazatlan

Experience the real Mexico vacation with a trip to Mazatlan located on the Mexican Gold Coast that boasts of long beach stretches lined with palm trees. This place combines history and culture with adventure. In old Mazatlan, you can take a stroll in the citys second oldest plaza, Plazuela Machado and light a candle at the citys famed cathedral with its twin towers. Take a walk down Mexicos most beautiful walkway, the malecon (promenade) with its palm-lined oceanfront connecting Old Mazatlan with zona dorada or resort area. There are countryside tours that include a visit to the villages of Concordia, Copala and Cosala on the Sierra Madre Mountains which has the finest hand-crafted furniture and ceramic and clay handicrafts. The known islands of Mazatlan, Isla de Chivos or Goat Island, Isla de Pajaros or Bird Island and Isla de Venados or Deer Island has fine sand beaches and should be included in your tour of Mazatlan. There are so much more to see in Mazatlan that thrives with the passion which Mexico is known for.

The Sights and Sounds of Cozumel

One of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world can be found at Cozumel which is just south of Cancun and across Riviera Maya. Dubbed as one of the best diving destinations in the world, it has amazingly crystal clear waters and the worlds second largest barrier reef, the Palancar. Be sure to include this city in your Mexico vacation itinerary and get the chance to see the Chichen Itza which is the capital of ancient Maya empire and is included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. There are several archaeological sites near Cozumel like Tulum that was the main Mayan port and is a unique walled fortress, Coba is located in the lush jungle forest with an authentic Mayan community that allows you a view of what life was during the Mayan civilization, Castillo Real which used to be the Mayan astronomical observatory and San Gervasio which was most visited by the Mayan women as it was a site dedicated to Ixchel, deity of midwifery, fertility, medicine and weaving. You will definitely need a lot of time at Cozumel with all these and more at Cozumel. The list of attractions in Cozumel is quite long.

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Silver City, New Mexico grew to a bustling city because of the gold and silver discovery in the 1870s. One of its most famous citizens was Billy the Kid. We know of his reputation from Pat Garrett’s book “The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid.” Pat Garrett was the sheriff who killed Billy. Billy, I feel, has been much maligned. He moved to Silver City as a young boy in 1873 with his mother and stepfather William Antrim. Billy’s mother was sick with tuberculosis and passed away in 1874. Billy’s step-dad spent most of his time mining gold and silver. So Billy was left alone with his younger brother. Like any unsupervised rebellious young boy, he got into trouble with some petty thefts. Sheriff Whitehill wanted to scare him and teach him a lesson. He put him in jail. Billy escaped by climbing out the chimney. He was very slender; weighing only seventy-five pounds and was constantly bullied.

This came to a head at the age of seventeen, shooting a blacksmith, who was harassing him in an Arizona bar. Billy returned to New Mexico and got caught up in the Range Wars of Lincoln County. Here his legend grew.

Silver City is also noted for its Ditch Park. This was the main street of the town and was carved out by a series of floods from 1895-1906. The Silver City Museum has pictures of the devastation caused by this flooding. The museum is housed in the former home of H.B. Ailman, who made his fortune in gold and lost it by starting a bank. (Hmm!) There were no bailouts in those days. The museum has permanent and rotating exhibits. It has an extensive research library about Silver City and its mining history.

Up the hill Western New Mexico University has a wonderful museum in Fleming Hall at the end of 10th Street.

It houses an extensive collection of Mimbres pottery and other artifacts. The designs of the pottery are beautiful, depicting animals and geometric designs. Many of them have holes in the base of the bowls. The bowls were placed on top of the heads of a deceased person and a hole was made. This was to allow the spirit of the deceased to depart for the afterlife. No photos were allowed in the museum.

Sixty-five miles Northwest of Silver City is the town of Glenwood, which Butch Cassidy frequently visited. The important thing about the town is that it is the gateway to the Catwalk National Recreation Trail five miles east on 174.The Catwalk runs along the Whitewater Canyon. Miners erected it in 1893 to process the gold and silver ore three miles into the canyon. The constructed a pipeline to deliver water from up in the canyon to the base where the crusher was. At first four-inch pipes were adequate. Later, when a larger generator was installed, eighteen-inch pipes were installed. Some of these are still visible today, along with some of the rigging for the pipeline.

The area is called the catwalk, because the men had to walk the pipes like cats to do the maintenance. The CCC workers in the 1930s built the present day catwalk and trail. The trail is 1.1 miles in length and takes between one and one and half-hours to make the round trip. The first half-mile is paved with a 0 to 10% grade. After that the grade increases with many steps and bridges. The elevation varies from 4,923 feet at the parking lot to 5,234 at the end of the trail. This does not count into the effect of the four or five times the trail goes to the water and then ascends thirty to forty feet above. Little children were able to take the trail along with senior citizens like myself. If you have knee problems, I recommend you take the paved section only.

There is much wildlife along the way: squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and lizards. Not seen were the mountain lions, big horned sheep, fox, and a feral cat, which they are trying to catch.

A not to be missed stop along the way is the Aldo Leopold Picnic area, twenty miles toward Silver City. There are beautiful views of the Gila National Wilderness, which he helped to establish.

The next day we went on the other side of the Gila (pronounced He la) Mountains to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. We took Rte 15 through Pinos Altos over the Continental Divide and into the Gila National Forest. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, PULL A RV ON THIS ROAD. The road is at best a one and a half lane wide with no middle lines drawn. There are more twists and turns than on a crowded club dance floor on a Saturday night. We white knuckled the entire eighteen miles. The views, when I could see them were spectacular. After the twists and turns the road meets up with rte 35 and becomes more manageable.

At the end of the road are the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, forty constructions built within seven caves 180 feet above the floor of the creek.

The tour guide, given daily at noon during the winter season, explained that these were most probable ceremonial chambers and gathering places for the Mogollon (pronounced mugg e Yon) around 1270 during a time of severe drought. There are a few pictographs in one of the caves. According to astro-historians, one points to the Pleiades during the Summer Solstice.

One cave was used for food preparation: nuts being hulled and ground and corn and beans being processed. The Mogollon people were both hunter-gatherers and farmers planting the three sisters: corn, beans, and squash.

The next cave was the kitchen, which holes formed out of the rock. Stones were heated and put in these holes. Then the food was put into bowls and heated over the coals.

The third cave is pretty much sealed, but has a window reminiscent of the Anasazi culture. This window is in the form of a Tao cross. No one knows its purpose.

The fourth cave has most of the buildings. Since there were no written records and the site was stripped of most of the artifacts before archeologists arrived there, most of what is known is speculative. Most of the rooms seem to be used for different ceremonies. Some of them might have been dwellings for the medicine clan while seeking their visions and dreams. The cave is the largest of all of them and is quite impressive.

The National Monument is run primarily with volunteers. Only the Superintendent is paid. These volunteers are very knowledgeable and friendly.

They talked about the pictographs at the Lower Scorpion Campground, which was on the way back to visitor center. There were three pretty distinct ones drawn using the red paint.

The volunteers also said that on the National Monument property was found an archeological site with over three hundred building foundations. These, most probably were the homes of the Mogollon people, rather than the cliff dwellings, which would have been pretty indefensible.

We went back to Silver City via Rte 35 and 152. We though that 152 was a wonderful road and that we would take it the next day to go to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

On 152 we passed by the Santa Rita Copper Mines near Bayard, New Mexico. These are open pit mines, which stretch for miles. They are beautiful in their own way.

The next day we took Rte 152 with our trailer. It was a disaster waiting to happen, forty miles of twisting roads, which kept going up and up to Emory Pass at over 8,200 feet. It took us five hours to go the fifty miles and almost lost a transmission. I am happy we have a transmission thermometer. It saved the day.

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