Micro Bikini Pimp

gatas do orkut – Juliana Cardoso -loira gostosa praia biquini

Originally uploaded by leo900matrix

8 Tips for Choosing an Excellent Cheerleading Uniform

Decide what kind of uniform you want your cheerleading squad to wear can be a little overwhelming. There are so many vendors and retailers that offer cheerleading supplies that the task of picking just the right uniform can seem like it will take for every. Here are a few tips to help you narrow down your search and find a uniform that fits your team’s style and needs.

1. Consider Rules and Regulations:
   
   Before you choose a uniform it’s important that you find out what rules and regulations your school or association may have. Often times, schools have rules establishing a minimum length for a skirt or the amount of skin you are allowed to show in the chest/midriff region
2. Set a Budget:
   
   As always, deciding how much you can spend and setting a budget is a good way to help narrow down your search. Some companies, like Just for Kix, often offer discount prices on large orders; therefore, it’s a good idea to consider this when ordering your team’s uniforms.
3. Find a Reliable Company:
   
   Cheerleading uniforms are often pricey and your budget may not be that big. You don’t want to be left with an empty pocket book and less than desirable uniforms or no uniforms at all. Before ordering cheer uniforms from a company, ask other squads, coaches, or associates about which cheerwear companies are most reliable. It’s a great idea to go with a company that has excellent customer service and a good track record.
4. Consider the Entire Team:
   
   When you begin to choose uniform styles you should consider the size and makeup of all your cheerleaders. Remember your goal is to make the whole squad look great, therefore you need to purchase something that will compliment the majority of the team. While certain styles may look great on extremely lean and tall girls, they may not look right on girls who are a little shorter or extremely muscular, and vice versa.
5. Check the Availability of Your Colors:
   
   Before you even choose a style, it’s essential to find out which uniforms are available in your school’s colors. There is no use narrowing down the choices to a few uniform styles only to find that the ones you have chosen do not come in the colors you need.
6. Find an Appropriate Fabric:
   
   The fabric that makes up your cheerleaders’ uniform needs to be considered before you choose a uniform. Consider the care that the uniform will need. While some fabrics can be thrown right into the washing machines, others may need to be dry-cleaned. Your squad will be very active so look for fabric that will give a little during stunts, and will allow the skin to breath.
7. Comfort is a Factor:
   
   If at all possible have a few of the girls try on uniforms similar to those you are going to be purchasing. Comfort is a huge issue so you want to make sure you buy something that your cheerleaders can wear confidently without tugging the skirt or the shirt. Uncomfortable cheerleaders are not going to be happy cheerleaders, and cheerleaders who aren’t happy will not inspire crowd or the players.
8. Check on Deliver Policies:
   
   It’s extremely important that you will have your uniforms delivered in time for any upcoming games, competitions, or other performances. If you’re ordering your uniforms under time constraints check and double check the company’s delivery policies. It may also be helpful to read customer reviews and speak to other people who have ordered from that particular company.

By Jennifer Wasilewski

Biquini!

Originally uploaded by alexandre grand

A Brief History Of NFL Cheerleaders

The history of NFL cheerleaders goes back to the 1960s when the Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts) had formed their very own cheerleading squad. It was the first team to have an official cheerleading squad out of all the other NFL teams. A few other teams decided to have their own cheerleaders as well. NFL cheerleading was nothing like it is today but when the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders came around in their revealing outfits and dance routines, cheerleading became incredibly popular in sports entertainment.

The manager of the Dallas Cowboys knew that women could have an important role in promoting their team and their public image. He first tried to put some models out on the field for the audience. The models couldn’t survive the heat during the games and turned out to be a failure in terms of entertaining the sports fans. Determined to make his idea work, the Dallas Cowboys manager thought of a brand new concept at the time. This concept was to bring athletic dancers to perform choreographed routines on the sidelines. He held auditions where women were selected for their dance skills, looks, and style. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were formed and the squad took to the field their custom-made uniforms and dance routines. The sports fans loved this and the NFL cheerleaders skyrocketed with popularity at Super Bowl X where America’s millions of people sitting at home saw a glimpse of these newborn stars on television.

With their complex dance routines and pretty looks, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders created the new image of NFL cheerleaders. More NFL teams decided to take on a cheerleading squad of their own in order to increase their team’s exposure to the public and media. The latest NFL cheerleading squad to be formed was the “New York Flight Crew” (formed in 2007) who cheer for the New York Jets. With this spurt in popularity, the cheerleaders made guest appearances on television shows, paid events, charity events, and also overseas performances for the US military troops. The NFL cheerleaders contributed greatly to the public image of the NFL greatly as the media began to recognize their presence.

NFL cheerleaders were no longer just dancers on the field but also participated off the field to heighten the public image of the NFL teams. Though the stereotype of cheerleaders is that of a simple-minded, dancing girl, bear in mind that they are actually contributors to the community as well as sophisticated entertainers in the field of sports entertainment.

By David Court

Ensaio de Biquini

Originally uploaded by Marcelo Odorizzi

Need New Cheerleading Uniforms?

After four years with the same uniform it was time for our school to invest in new ones.

We started off asking for sponsors to help offset the cost of the uniforms. Depending on the amount of their donations we offered various ways of advertising their company such as having their logo printed on the back of the warm up suits or on the gym bags the girls brought to every competition. This helped offset the cost of the uniforms immensely.
For our team we were able to purchase a practice uniform which was a basic t-shirt with the school logo and shorts in the school colors. A warm up track suit that was to be worn to and from every competition along with a matching gym bag to carry all their essentials, shoes and of course the new uniforms.

There are many different styles of uniforms available to choose from. Keep in mind the size of the girls and boys on the team and look for uniforms that will be flattering for all shapes and sizes. You want the team to look great and to also feel great in them. They will not carry themselves with confidence if they feel self-conscious in the uniform. All the uniforms must match unless there are boys on the team and then they would wear matching pants. You can choose from tops with or without long sleeves, a second top overtop which has the team logo on, and tops that show the midriff. If they have a skirt matching spankies are worn underneath or they can have skorts. The skirts must have enough flare to them that the team is able to do jumps and tumbling without any restraints. The uniform should fit with a little breathing room otherwise you will notice some on the team always pulling down their tops or skirts.

Choose fabric that is very durable, flexible and breathes well. They teams work very hard during their routine and get quite hot.

Shoes should have good ankle support and allow the feet to breath. The should also be lightweight and comfortable. Some shoes come with little inserts that can be placed along the side of the shoe to add a splash of your team color.

The most important thing is that you allow enough time for the uniforms to arrive before any competitions as there will always be some type of alteration needing to be made to at least one of the uniforms.

By Marci Bartlett

gatas do orkut – Caroline Nabinger (Porto alegre RS) muuuito gostosa de biquini praia

Originally uploaded by leo900matrix

Cheerleading and Cheerleaders

Cheerleading is a sport which includes tumbling, dance, jumps and stunting to direct event’s spectators to cheer on sports teams at games and matches. The athlete involved is called a cheerleader. Cheerleading is famous in America and soccer matches. But with cheerleading competition by ESPN International and the worldwide release of the 2000 film Bring it On they are famous now in Australia, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Japan and United Kingdom. The team of cheerleading includes:

School-sponsored: Most American high schools and colleges have organized cheerleading squads made up of students. Several colleges that compete at cheerleading competitions offer cheerleading scholarships.

Youth league: Many organizations had sponsored youth league football or basketball cheerleading squads.

Gradually with their popularity in 1986 National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) was formed with rules and regulations. Even coach was appointed for keeping their routines in a constant state of flux, detracting from time that should be utilized to develop skills and provide personal attention to their athletes. The USASF hosted the first Cheerleading Worlds on April 24, 2004, where cheerleading coaches from all over the country organized and made the National All Star Cheerleading Coaches Congress. During competition routine, a squad performs choreographed stunting, tumbling, jumping and dancing to their own custom music. Teams create their routines to an eight-count system.

All-star cheerleaders are placed into divisions, which are grouped based upon age, size of the team, gender of participants, and ability level. The age levels vary from under 4 year of age to 18 years and over. There are two main forms of routines are:
1. Pompon dances: involving pompons and jumps but no stunts, tricks or gymnastics.
2. Cheer dances: involving gymnastics, jumps, cheers, stunts, signs, pomes.

Thus guideline to cheer dances includes:
1. Music – There are two snippets of music – it includes with strong beat.
2. Cheer – There are usually at least two cheers or chants involved in the routine. These are easy to make up and should be aimed at trying to involve the crowd.
3. Gymnastics: these should be incorporated into the routine by the team. From basic forward rolls and cartwheels to flicks and aerials.
4. Jumps: These must be included – tucks, toe touch jumps, straddles, pikes etc.
5. Stunts: Thigh stands, preps, full extensions, liberties, basket tosses etc.

Thus cheerleading is generally used in games to cheer the team. It is for their moral boost up, so that the team playing should have moral support.

By Marc Levack

Originally uploaded by xineks

Mexico Ecotourism

Eco Friendly Mexico Destinations

Ecotourism – “The union between the Natural Beauties and Tourism”

Mexico, Mexico and Mexico…

How many times you hear people talking about Mexico? But why they talk so much about this Country? Because is wonderful and full of everything you have in mind.

All the states of Mexico differ greatly from each other, and not; Mexico is unimaginable places, secular trees, lush jungle, plants and flowers, thousand of animals of every kind and biodiversity, immense beaches, red hot sunsets, volcanoes, mountains, lowlands, islands and paradisiacal spots, music, history, colors, perfumes, flavors and tastes that you just can’t easily forget.

Biologists call Mexico a “mega-diversity country” because of its incredible variety and abundance of flora and fauna. The country is home to almost every kind of ecological habitat on Earth, making it the perfect destination for travelers interested in nature and the environment.

That’s why it’s so famous and so important for the world tourism.

As Mexico is one of only seven countries with mega diversity, nowadays Mexico is trying to develop in some of its travel destinations a new concept…the Ecotourism. Mexico offers plenty of options for travelers looking for adventure or eager to experience nature.

Over the last few years, the ecotourism concept’s popularity has blossomed and travelers that want to enjoy an Eco Mexico Vacation have different options to choose from.

Ecotourism means different things to different people. Sometimes, the word “Ecotourism” looses its true meaning because of misinterpretation and/or abuse of it.

Ecotourism is about conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people. Eco tourism is generally understood to be responsible and sustainable travel to natural areas.

An ecotourism travel should mean minimizes negative environmental impacts and, where possible, makes positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, wilderness, natural and human heritage. It also means to respects culture and traditions.

TIPS – Remembers that small actions will help the nature to grow, not to decrease!

If you are concerned with the conservation of natural landscapes, you should consider the impact your activities will have on them.

The nature of Mexico offers the responsible traveler, a world of adventure and personal discovery.

For those who love nature, we have multiple options to immerse into a fantastic adventure full of new experiences, hear the sounds of the jungle, explore ancient sites, watch wild birds and colorful fishes and discover the many faces of nature, experiencing at the same time responsible travel.

Booking an ecotourism hotel in Mexico is one of the most direct and personal ways you can make a difference to some of the biggest issues affecting our world!

Mexico Eco Tourism Destinations

Tulum Riviera Maya

In the extreme south of the Riviera Maya, curled up between the white sand that draws the crystalline beaches of the Caribbean Sea and the exuberant tropical forest laysthe enigmatic Tulum. Eco tourism is hot and many travelers experience the novelty of these rustic hotels in Tulum Mexico. When a person thinks about ecotourism hotels in Mexico, associates the idea of something uncomfortable, sacrificing and unclean but this is not the truth. The small Tulum hotels found here focus mainly on ecotourism and sustainable development, and promote nature. Most of the hotels in Tulum use Aeolian and solar energy, cisterns for rain-water and most of them are involved in the beaches’ conservation and in the animals protection.

Tulum is one bastion against overdevelopment, a glimpse of the Yucatan as it once was.

The spectacular Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offers a great chance to enjoy the real wildlife of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Isla Hol Box Mexico

Nature, comfort and style is the perfect combination for your stay in Holbox Island.
Beneath blue skies and palm trees, lulled by the sound of the waves and the scent of hibiscus, discover Mexican paradise at Hol Box Island. HolBox is full of nature and unexplored areas with colorful birds, wild dolphins and whale sharks, and it is where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet. Holbox Island is still a paradise waiting to be discovered. It’s a very picturesque island with a typical fishermen village and several miles of white sand beaches that disappear into mangroves.

Each year the harmless whale sharks mammals come to the Yum Balam ecological reserve near Holbox Island to feed and mate in the months of May through October.

Places like Hol Box Island make us understand why we have to take care about the environment and respect nature!

Mexico Eco Tours and other destinations

Wildlife viewing is a part of the ecotourism travel philosophy; in fact, in some Mexican destinations you will experience some eco tours throughout Mexico. Some of these activities include Mexico rain forest tours, bird watching, river tours, jungle treks, nature walks, sightseeing, and much more.

The ecotourism attractions means watching the flora and the fauna in their habitat without modifying the natural balance, or visiting Eco parks involved in environment protection and regeneration programs.

Ecotours are daily activities and excursions for exploring the different sight of this amazing Country, and are all focused on nature watching.

The following is a list of eco activities and Mexico Eco Tours in different Mexican Spots:

Los Cabos Eco Tours

• Monster Zips
• Outdoor Adventures

Puerto Vallarta Eco Adventures

• Marietas Snorkeling
• Wonderful Waterfall Ride
• Yelapa and Majahuitas

Riviera Maya Ecotours

• Coba – Mayan Encounter
• Contoy Island Kolumbus Tours
• Nohoch Jungle Crossing
• Xcaret
• Xel Ha

Other important Mexican Ecotourism Destinations are:

Chiapas Mexico

Chiapas is a magical Mexican state with outstanding natural resources and abundant biodiversity…

Oaxaca Mexico

Oaxaca, known as “Tierra del Sol” or “Land of the Sun,” is a large, rambling state blessed with mountains, lakes, and miles of beautiful Pacific coastline.

Copper Canyon

In the Chihuahua State, Copper Canyon is ideal Eco and Cultural Tourism, it is an isolated area that pay respect to Mother Nature. The Land of the Tarahumara Indians

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, on the “Mexican Riviera” are considered two resorts in one. Enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the wonders of nature that abound in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo tropical paradise.

“Eco tourism is the marriage of an altruistic mission to an economic model! The union of mission and model produces sustainable tourism which is critical to providing hope for many species and ecosystems throughout the world. Encouraging and promoting responsible capitalism is essential if we are to maintain a viable, biologically diverse planet in the future.”
- Bill Wright -

Not only will you make a contribution to other people’s lives, you might just change your own.

By Elena Piccini

Originally uploaded by xineks

Vancouver, BC – A Great Weekend Trip From Seattle

As most of you know, those who have read my bio at least, I am now a resident of Seattle, Washington. Not having been here a year yet, there is still a ton for us to explore and experience. This Memorial Day, Joe, my long suffering husband of 23 years arranged for the three of us…Erika, our 12 year old, and myself to drive up to Vancouver CA for an over night…yes DRIVE….at THESE GAS PRICES! But heck, it was cheaper then flying the Lear round trip and renting a car for 36 hours and it was only 150 miles one way, unless you get lost then you can add on 50 miles of aimless wandering while trying not to kill each other over who told who to take a right when it should have been a left! (No names please!)

So we left the Seattle area taking the northern route toward Vancouver, B.C. Driving on the I5 highway was a beautiful ride on a Sunday. The sun was shining and we were all in a great mood. Waiting the 45 minutes to cross the border into Canada wasn’t even that bad with the windows rolled down and a light breeze wafting off the Pacific Ocean from the left and on the right, a lovely little speck of flowering shrubs and green grass where the Peace Arch Provincial Park is located. (No we didn’t get out and stroll because we were hoping for a miracle to happen. One that included the lines moving faster through the check points into Canada….don’t hold your breath!) We did bring our passports and once it was finally our turn it was all of 55 seconds of where are you going and why and THEN we were through and experiencing THE GREAT NORTH WEST of Canada….where road signs are hard to follow!

We finally arrived at the River Rock Casino Resort located in Richmond, Canada just south of Vancouver. Check out the link! This is a all Suite resort and Spa with a small casino. We checked into our beautiful suite over looking a marina….Erika had a very comfortable queen size sofa bed in the living room and we had a heavenly king sized bed in the bed room. Everything was new and fresh. After we were settled in we had lunch at the Dockside Cafe and Joe and Erika hit the beautiful indoor pool with a water slide! (I just lounged on a chair, took pictures and read my book…MY idea of relaxing!) After an hour or two of swimming we were off to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG 13). It was fun and Harrison Ford hasn’t changed a bit! We had a quick bite to eat and then back to the hotel. I am leaving out 2 things here…how DISSAPPOINTING it was to find out that the US dollar is only worth 95 cents AND how horribly LOST we were trying to find the movie theatre! I swear that when you are on a road that provides signs every 2 miles that states ‘please respect slow moving farm equipment’ you would think THIS is the WRONG ROAD….and you turn around….and we DID…and then we found out that we actually WERE on the right road and so we had to back track AGAIN….sheesh…This is where the “D” word is tossed around with abandoned while my child, from the back seat, in a sing song voice, tells her father and I to build a bridge and GET OVER IT! HA (SHE isn’t driving!)

Back at the hotel, we settle Erika in with some ice cream, the remote control and the cell phone while Joe and I decide to support our neighbors, the Canadian’s, with some of our hard earned American Moola. This is my way of saying…NO we didn’t hit the big one on the slots and don’t ask anything about the exchange rates at the Casinos! But it was fun for a while and we tucked ourselves into our heavenly bed by midnight!

Memorial Day dawned bright, I’m sure…but I didn’t see a bit of light until 10:30 am. Now THAT’s a Vacation! We packed up and by 11:30 we were out the door and on our way North through Vancouver to Capilano. I highly recommend a visit to the Capilano Suspension Bridge | Explore the Park . It is beautiful! And well worth the price. We had only thought that the Suspension bridge would be the best thing about it but we loved the bridges in the tree tops as well as the cliffhanger walk. This is perfect for all ages and I really don’t think you need to worry about any small child falling through the cracks…there aren’t any! It is perfectly safe…..although I saw MANY older people hanging on for dear life! We stayed a couple of hours and may have stayed longer if we didn’t need to get back to Seattle.

Again, on the drive back, we had to wait at least an hour to cross onto US soil and again, our passports came in handy. But this time there was no breeze as we took a less scenic route back to America and I5. We will be traveling north again but we may take a ferry to Victoria the next time. I always believe in taking full advantage of where you are living and see what is out your very own back door……and with travel starting to cost so much these short trips maybe all we do for a while!

By Sharon Lamothe

the credit cards maxed out thats all she buys need 2 drawers and a walk in robe for her swimwear but im not complaining

Originally uploaded by danancinders

Chicago, Illinois – Catch a Cubs Game
By Harry Preston

When one visits Chicago, one probably knows about the rich sports history that Chicago is known for. One of Chicago teams is the Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Cubs are a baseball team that is part of the MLB(Major League Baseball) which calls Chicago, Illinois its home. The Chicago Cubs are part of the Major League Baseball’s National League and are a part of the Central Division. Since 1916, the Chicago Cubs play its home games at Wrigley Field.

There are two Major League baseball teams that call Chicago home. The other team is the Chicago White Sox. The Chicago Cubs are also one of the only two remaining charter teams left in the National League (the other original charter team being the Atlanta Braves). Chicago people and media people usually refer to the cubs as The North Siders. They are called the North Siders because Wrigley Field is located in Chicago’s North Side Lakeview community.

The Chicago Cubs also known as “The Cubbies,” are also known as The Lovable Losers. The Lovable Losers name came along because of their significant nation wide fan base despite ninety-nine years without winning the World Series Championship. Despite this curse, the Cubs have had success in the past and have numerous memorable moments and players that have put on their uniform.

If you are lucky, you might be able to catch a White Sox versus Cubs game, which brings out the heated cross town rivalry.

I highly recommend if you are visiting Chicago and are around during the active Major League Baseball season, you should definitely get tickets and stop by Wrigley Field for a Major League baseball game.

Originally uploaded by xineks

Activities in La Manga and Murcia

One thing about a Spanish holiday in La Manga is that there is never a shortage of things to do. Activities in La Manga run the gamut from the serene to those sizzling with excitement. It all depends on your mood each particular today. La Manga and Spain in general offer much to the traveler who seeks leisure in the sun and more on a Spanish holiday.

La Manga, in the Spanish region of Murcia, is a slice of land 28 kilometers long. It divides the Mediterranean from the sea area called Mar Menor.

While on a Spanish holiday in La Manga, you can check out Murcia and its bullfighting history. In Murcia you can catch exciting bullfighting spectacles. In fact, Murcia is the home of the Bullfighting Museum of Murcia. A trip to a bullfight in Murcia will bring you to the Murcia Bullring on Ronda de Garay. It’s a unique place, and many tourists visit at least once just to say they witnessed an exotic bullfighting experience.

Exploring activities in La Manga and the surrounding area would not be complete without investigating the culture preserved in galleries and museums. When enjoying a stay in La Manga, you can check out the Ceutimagina Science and Art Center. It is located in Ceuti, close to Murcia and the La Manga resort area. Ceutimagina Science and Art Center’s presentation of art has included the works of Goya and Salvador Dali. You may also want to visit the Ethnological Museum of the Huerta. This museum exhibits the popular traditions and arts of the region of Murcia. It is a place to learn more about the everyday way of life in this Spanish region.

Outdoor activities in La Manga can include peaceful and relaxing walks throughout the surrounding landscape. A great place to walk is the Calblanque Nature Reserve. This regional park is a protected environment. This walking area includes sandy beaches, hills, cliffs and salt flats. It boasts established walking trails. For those leisurely waterside walks, Calblanque has long beaches and offers visitors the opportunity to see various forms of wildlife. It even has an area designated for camping.

Close to the La Manga resort region is the Sierra de Espuna National Park in Murcia. It is an area suitable for rock climbing and horseback riding. The walking paths in this national park allow for traversing across ridges and give sweeping views of the entire countryside.

Other outdoor activities to partake of in La Manga are tennis, go-karting and golfing. Of course, there are the myriad water sports to enjoy, such as water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing and scuba diving. At the end of the day, there’s also plain old refreshing swimming in your villa, apartment or luxury resort private pool.

Activities in La Manga also include the region’s varied festivals. Festivals in La Manga and the Murcian region continue year round. Pick a month and there is sure to be some type of festival to suit your interests. A well-known event is the Las Minas Flamenco Song Festival. Another is the International Festival de Mediterranean Folklore, which takes place over three days every September. Another wonderful festival is the International Festival of Theater, Music and Dance.

A Spanish holiday in La Manga offers a traveler access to all that goes on in the Murcia region. Of course, there’s always the beach, along with siestas. However, with all that, there’s always time for a museum or art gallery in the region and any one of a number of the areas festivals. There are sports activities galore too. It’s your call as you venture out from your apartment, villa or luxury resort accommodation to try some of the activities in La Manga and its environs.

By Michael J Lee

Originally uploaded by xineks

Family-Friendly Caribbean Travel

Let’s face it – vacationing with family can be hectic. Between planning, packing, traveling and keeping everyone happy along the way, vacation can sometimes seem more like work than rest. If you’re traveling with kids, there are countless considerations you need to take when planning your vacation.

Destinations
The destination of your vacation is often affected by the number and age of children that you’re traveling with. For example, you’re probably not as likely to take your five and six year old to Las Vegas as you would be to take them to Orlando. Likewise, you may rethink that trip overseas when you consider how your child will respond to a 10-hour flight. Wherever you choose, it’s important to find a destination where your kids have as much to do as you, or more.

Resorts
More and more, vacation hotels and resorts are taking notice of the traveling family market and gearing services towards traveling families. Gone are the days where putting an arcade in the lobby made a hotel ‘family-friendly’. The new goal; to offer a complete experience that gives mom, dad and the kids a chance to get the most out of their vacation, without the hassle.

In a destination like Orlando, you expect these types of services at most resorts because the clientele has long been families with young children. In the Caribbean, an increased number of resorts also offer vacation packages for families. From water slides and cartoon characters to mini-buffets and handcrafts, many resorts have gone above and beyond to attract families with services guaranteed to keep the little ones happy which, in turn, keeps mom and dad happy.

Enjoying a Caribbean all-inclusive family vacation now means that for each activity available for adults, there’s another activity for the kids. A true family-friendly resort will have a comprehensive program in place that keeps kids entertained from the morning until the evening. Besides, mom and dad won’t get any time to kick back and enjoy the vacation if they have to entertain all day.

The next time you plan a family vacation, take the time to look into the children’s’ activities offered at any resort you’re considering. All ‘family-friendly’ resorts are not the same and do not cater to children in the same way. A little extra time planning may mean a lot more rest and relaxation for you.

By Enid Glasgow

Originally uploaded by xineks

Remote Dominican Waterfalls

Step outside of your hotel and into an unexpected adventure on your next Dominican Republic vacation. With white-sand beaches, breathtaking mountains and raging rivers, the Dominican Republic has so much to offer to adventurous travelers who are interested in stepping away from the all-inclusive luxuries offered by the resorts. With so many mountains and rivers, the Dominican Republic has more waterfalls than can be counted. Here are a few:

* Salto de Aguas Blancas – Located way off the beaten path in Jarabacoa, Salto de Aguas Blancas is highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic. The 55°F water falls off this waterfall into a collecting pond that’s 83 meters below. The real treasure with this natural beauty is its remoteness. You won’t likely see many tourists or anyone at the waterfall with the exceptions of locals on the weekends. A four-wheel drive vehicle or a good pair of hiking boots will get you here from the main road near Constanza.

* Salto del Limon – Accessible only by foot or mule, Salto del Limon is a natural beauty offering unforgettable mountain vistas and a chance to get knee deep in Dominican culture. Local guides who survive off of tourism can help get you to the waterfall on one of many paths from Samana. It’s not out of the ordinary to find locals and tourists alike who take the plunge by leaping from various parts of the waterfall.

* Salto de Jimenoa – One of the Dominican’s most-visited waterfalls, Salto de Jimenoa is located and can be accessed from Jarabacoa. From Jimenoa, you’ll take a series of paths, and bridges to reach the falls. You’ll likely see tourists and locals climbing this falls and cascading down, which basically means they treat the waterfall like a water slide.

Regardless of where you stay in the Dominican Republic, you’re within reach of some outdoor adventure. Take advantage of the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic and you won’t be sorry that you did.

By Enid Glasgow