blue whale http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for blue whale Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:10:19 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/blue+whale Free Online Trivia Game Questions http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-online-trivia-game-questions http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-online-trivia-game-questions#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:21:41 +0000 blue whaleinternational olympic gamesmodern olympic gameslargest mammalsquare kilometerstallest mountain in the worldteaser http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-online-trivia-game-questions tallest mountain in the world?

Answer: Everest

Trivia : Mt. Everest, on the border of Nepal and Tibet, China, is the world's tallest mountain and highest elevation with a peak at 29,035 feet (8850 meters).

Question: What language is the most spoken in the world?

Answer: Mandarin Chinese

Trivia Teaser: Chinese (Mandarin) is the most spoken with approximately 1,075,000,000 speakers followed by English with 514,000,000 speakers.

Question: When were the first held? Answer: 1896

Trivia Teaser: The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad, were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece. These games were the first and the first Games since Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the Ancient Olympic Games in 393. They were held between Monday, April 6 and Wednesday, April 15, 1896.

Question: What is the to ever live?

Answer:

Trivia Teaser: The Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus, is the largest mammal living today and is also the largest mammal to have ever lived. In fact, the Blue whale is the largest animal ever to have lived on the planet as far as we know; bigger by far than even the largest Dinosaur. The longest Blue Whale ever measured was a female, 33.58 meters or 110 feet long. The heaviest weighed an estimated 190+ tons.

Question: What is the largest country in the world?

Answer: Russian Federation

Trivia Teaser: Russia covers 17,075,400 . Prior to its dissolution in 1991, the Soviet Union had an area of 22,402,200 square kilometers. Canada is the second largest country with 9,970,610 square kilometers.

Question: How many planets are there in our solar system?

Answer: Nine

Trivia Teaser: Our solar system officially has nine planets and one star: the Sun. In order from the Sun out, the planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. The discovery of an object larger than Pluto in 2005 rekindled the debate over whether such objects, belonging to the andquot;Kuiper Beltandquot; -- a collection of icy bodies located beyond Neptune-- should be called planets. Pluto itself belongs to the Kuiper Belt. If you enjoy Free Online Trivia Game and Free Trivia Questions and Answers you should visit the Trivia Teaser Online Contest at http://TriviaTeaserOnline.com ]]> San Diego Whale Watching http://www.artwoo.com/article/san-diego-whale-watching http://www.artwoo.com/article/san-diego-whale-watching#comments Sun, 27 Aug 2006 20:27:12 +0000 gray whalesbirch aquariumgray whalewhale watchingsan diegobaja californiamigration http://www.artwoo.com/article/san-diego-whale-watching San Diego is the ideal place to watch the annual of the . Looked upon as one of nature's ultimate spectacles; the migration of is nothing short of breathtaking. The coastline of San Diego is one of their migratory points as they travel from the waters of the Arctic to the warmer regions of the Baja (California), where females also give birth.

Every year, roughly 26,000 gray whales will make the long journey of 10,000+ miles from the Arctic to the Baja and back. If you look at this journey and compare it to any other mammal, you'll notice that the gray whale by far has the greatest amount of traveling at hand.

If you've never experienced , you'll be happy to know that anyone will find it memorable - young or old. Spotting a gray whale along the coastline is something that is truly a memorable moment, making you stop for a second and truly appreciate these awesome mammals.

If you ask the in San Diego, you'll find that gray whales are seen most frequently from December through March. While they travel in dozens normally, it's nothing to see pods of them (2 - 3) as they travel during migration. Throughout the coast of San Diego, you can easily spot these whales as they are somewhat slow swimmers.

During their swimming, they will normally dive to a depth of 100 feet or more for a few minutes, then surface and blow. Then, they will do a few shallow dives, before making that deep dive again. When watching whales, figuring out this pattern makes the success of watching them all the more fun and exciting.

While there are many common places to watch whales, nothing seems to compare to the excitement of watching them from aboard a cruise. There are many cruises that take place in San Diego, many of which offer unbeatable deals. From Handamp;M Landing to the Birch Aquarium, cruises are some of the best ways to see the beauty and tranquility of the traveling gray whales.

The beauty of the gray whales can also be seen from many points of the San Diego coast, including the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma or the cliffs of Torrey Pines State Beach. Along these points, you can see the whales as they make their travels.

Whether it's a cruise or just watching from the coast, whale watching in San Diego is something you truly have to see to appreciate. You can take your kids, family, or even your friends. Whale watching can definately be exciting, all you have to do is plan your day and enjoy everything that the beauty of the gray whale will provide you with. Burt Cotton http://www.about-san-diego.com ]]> It's June So The Whale's Are Coming! http://www.artwoo.com/article/its-june-so-the-whales-are-coming http://www.artwoo.com/article/its-june-so-the-whales-are-coming#comments Wed, 05 Jul 2006 08:27:32 +0000 humpback whaleswhale watchingright whalessouth african coastright whalecape west coastsouthern right http://www.artwoo.com/article/its-june-so-the-whales-are-coming Whale watching in South Africa: Every year, these beautiful gentle giants congregate to our shores to mate and calve. South Africa has got to be one of the most incredible destinations in the world for watching marine mammals. In early June, southern s leave their Antarctic feeding ground to frolic in the warmer waters of the Western Cape coast. Here they mate, calve and generally hang out, occasionally flopping a tail up, or sticking their heads out of the water, much to the delight of onlookers. They are a true marvel to behold.

Whale watching in South Africa is done from June to November, although it's not uncommon for whales to be spotted outside this period. They pick some of the most beautiful stretches of our coast for their activities. Some of the best viewing spots include Lamberts Bay on the , the Cape Peninsula, False Bay, Hermanus, Arniston, Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Some 37 species of whales and dolphins are found in South African waters, but the most common are the and whales (in spring), which are frequently encrusted with white barnacles. Humpback whales are similar in size to southern right whales (around 15m), and are often seen off the between July and November as they move to Mozambique to calve and breed, and to Antarctica, where they feed.

The absolute best way to enjoy whale watching in South Africa, is to go on a whale-watching boat trip. The boats are big, comfortable and moderately dry. Boarding is easy and people in wheelchairs can be accommodated. In some cases, the prices of these whale watching boat trips can be quite high, but the chance to get within metres of whales at water-level is simply unforgettable.

Hermanus is one of the finest places for South African whale watching. It is home of the Southern Right Whale which is named as such because it was considered to be the 'right' whale to catch. Whether it is the calm waters or their well-documented curiosity that brings them closer in, whales often come within a few meters of the shore. Hermanus as a town, is very much geared towards whale watching and many vantage points have been set up to accommodate the hundreds of people who flock here for the Hermanus Whale Festival every year in late September. The festival consists of nine days filled with music, theatre, sport and parties. The famous Whale Crier will be around to give everyone the latest whale watching news.

You could also visit one of the many coastal nature reserves to enjoy more South African whale watching. For example the De Hoop Nature Reserve near Bredasdorp which offers numerous spectacular trails and hikes varying in distance to get the most out of your whale watching experience.

Plettenberg Bay justly lays claim to the title of the South African Whale Watching Capital. The southern right whales can be seen for the whole season and when they are getting ready to leave in early November, the humpback whales arrive with their calves, and stay until the end of December or early January. A truly memorable sight! Plettenberg Bay is where the South African dolphin and whale watching industry is said to be the most organized. There are whale watching boat trips, dolphin-watching kayak trips and a number of aircraft from which you can check out the whales from the air. The town has made a vast effort to promote a responsible boat-based whale and dolphin watching program. Viewing, distances and time spent with each animal are strictly monitored so that there is minimal interference.

Which ever way you choose to watch these magnificent creatures, it is an absolute must. South African whale watching is truly an unforgettable experience! SA-Venues.com is a comprehensive travel guide for South Africa with essential travellers information including visas, safaris, hotels, accommodation, maps, attractions and more. Visit the site at: http://www.sa-venues.com/ ]]> Patagonia -- One Of The Best Places For Whale Watching http://www.artwoo.com/article/patagonia-one-of-the-best-places-for-whale-watching http://www.artwoo.com/article/patagonia-one-of-the-best-places-for-whale-watching#comments Fri, 20 Oct 2006 06:27:02 +0000 southern right whalewhaleswhale watchingwhaling shipswhale ivorypatagoniamagnificent animals http://www.artwoo.com/article/patagonia-one-of-the-best-places-for-whale-watching whales are actually very close to extinction due to the of the time who would go out and slaughter these animals for the blubber and other parts of the body that were used to make a good many products over the years. The eventual increase in value for made the slaughter continue all the way through until the past few years where whaling ships have been banned from hunting anywhere in the world.

This was a grand day as the number of whales is starting to increase and today the people of the world are able to view these in their natural habitat and during the mating ritual. Unlike other sea bound creatures, whales do not have a natural fear of man and will readily display and play for the many people who come out to watch them.

in South America is one of the best places on Earth to watch whales. The uses this area as its primary mating ground, and they swim in by the thousands every year to mate and roll in the surf. This brings great delight to the locals and the tourists who flock to the area every year for the simple purpose of .

The mating ritual of the whales is impressive to say the least. Not only are they rolling around to attract other mates, but the males will perform spectacular jumps, lifting their enormous bodies out of the water and then crashing while displacing thousands of gallons of water at the same time. This will continue for many days as the couples begin to pair off. The boat trips that are offered in this area take you right into the middle of the action. The whales are familiar with the boats and seem to know what the people want to see. It is not uncommon to have several whales surround a boat and perform for the crowd that is happily looking on. This is the whole reason for the trip.

The Nuevo Gulf in South Patagonia is the best place to find whale watching in top condition. This area holds the Fauna Reserve which is a whale protected area where hunting and fishing is illegal. The area is home to some of the largest whales that can be found anywhere.

The open sea is a dangerous place for many of the whales in the world. Even though there is a world wide ban on whaling, some companies still operate pirate operations that will take hundreds of whales every year. The governments of the surrounding countries are working hard to toughen the laws and increase the penalty for whaling. One whale will make over one hundred thousand dollars worth of income for the capture on the black market. The fine for taking a whale is only twenty thousand. You will find more from this author at: http://www.pets-mag.com ]]> Get Noticed And Stand Out From The Crowd http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-noticed-and-stand-out-from-the-crowd http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-noticed-and-stand-out-from-the-crowd#comments Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:15:01 +0000 whale watchinginternet marketplacesuccessful entrepreneursrisk takersbar harbor mainestampedecrowd http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-noticed-and-stand-out-from-the-crowd whale watching in Bar Harbor, Maine, while on a family vacation. I remained in the large, central cabin with my poor seasick infant son when a whale was finally spotted.

The Captain announced, "Whale to the starboard", and a mini- of about 70 tourists scampered over just in time for the briefest of glimpses as it quickly submerged again. Everyone jostled and jockied for position to get the perfect camara shot for when that darn whale resurfaced.

But of course, it wasn't going to work out this way. "Whale to the port side", announced the Captain, and the stampede to the other side literally rocked the boat. Naturally, the whale had disappeared by then as well.

This went on like this. back and forth, for about twenty minutes. The whale seemed to be toying with human nature -- the tendency for people to do what everyone else was doing.

And EVERYONE was zigging when they should have been zagging. There were no "individuals". They moved as a group in their futile quest to snap off a clear and revealing shot.

Are you moving with the on the internet, or are you striking out on your own unique path, one more likely to get noticed?

If you observe your own specific , it's very likely you'll find that the vast majority of the "crowd" are doing the sames things in the same ways ... and they're also getting the same poor results.

This presents a golden opportunity to be noticed by doing things differently.

, both online and off, are innovators and . They experiment, evaluate and evolve until they successfully convey that both who they are and what they offer is unique in the marketplace, despite all the competition.

To seperate yourself from the pack, you need to look at every aspect of your internet marketing effort and ask yourself, "What's unique about this?" And, "how does this contribute to my own unique web presence?"

Here's some important areas to look at to get you started.

* Are you playing it safe and trying to please and sell everyone, and consequently selling to almost no one?

* Why should your prospects believe YOU when they are skeptical of so many others?

* How about your newsletter? Is it similar to countless others or is there a unique theme or tone running through it?

* While your ads may be well written, is the overall message very much the same as the pack?

* How is your sales page unique? And have you given it a measured dose of your own personality?

This process of developing a distinct "uniqueness" is subjective, involves risks, takes work to implement, and time to evaluate and change again if necessary. But in doing so, you will develop the factors crucial to successfully setting yourself apart in a very competitive marketplace.

Back onboard, my wife took a chance and finally went to the OTHER SIDE of the boat, alone. Sure enough, the whale popped up for a few seconds, she got the shot, and that was the last that was seen of that whale, or any other, for the rest of the trip. There were alot of unhappy tourists grumbling on the way back.

Stand out from the crowd. Move to the empty side of the boat .... and you'll stand a much better chance of getting your picture of the whale. Joshua Rose shares affiliate marketing and internet marketing tips at http://www.internetprofitwizards.com. An example of where he puts his tips into practice, can be seen at http://www.auto-broker-magic.com/carbuying.html. ]]> Philippines Travel: Gentle Giants Of Donsol, http://www.artwoo.com/article/philippines-travel-gentle-giants-of-donsol http://www.artwoo.com/article/philippines-travel-gentle-giants-of-donsol#comments Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:50:04 +0000 whale sharkswhale sharkmarine biologistdonsolwhale watchinggentle giantshark family http://www.artwoo.com/article/philippines-travel-gentle-giants-of-donsol Donsol used to be a sleepy coastal town in Sorsogon--a province in the southernmost tip of Luzon. Nobody knows Donsol except for, of course, its local inhabitants until a few years ago when tourists from all over the world began to flock this remote place to get a look-see at the largest fish on earth: the .

Before, fishermen in Donsol were ignorant of the ecological (and tourist) value of . They used to hunt, slaughter and sell the poor gentle sea creatures to Japanese traders. Local folks call them "butanding" or "big fish" in the vernacular. Early sightings of the butandings were reported in the Visayan seas in Bohol further south. It was said that massive slaughtering caused their migration to Donsol waters.

Although, according to stories, the first butanding that was netted out in the area was also butchered. A witnessed it and instantly recognized the fish as a rare marine specie. The biologist immediately reported the incident to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), an international organization promoting the preservation of the wildlife.

WWF wasted no time and launched an education campaign about the giant creature. After coordinating with the Department of Tourism, whale-watching soon became a tourist activity that allowed extra income for the people of Donsol.

Whale sharks can grow up to 50 feet in length. It has a rather wide mouth with hundreds of pointed teeth. It usually comes in grey or greenish brown color with white or yellow spots all over its body.

It earned the label of the sea because of its harmless nature, considering it is of the . It has nothing in common with whales except for its size, thus the name. Divers can swim and interact with them and are only known to sink deeper into the ocean when it gets upset. There has been no known attack on humans of whale sharks.

Scientists are still baffled with the large migration of whale sharks in Donsol. These fishes are known to prefer the cold waters, not the tropical seas that we have. One explanation would be the flourishing of planktons in the area. Planktons are organisms that fill the diet of the whale sharks. It is also hard to record the number of whale sharks that now thrive in Donsol. But early studies show that whale sharks can travel 14,000 miles in 40 months and is capable of breeding in different sea environments.

Whale sharks swim on the surface of the water especially during the morning and early afternoon. It opens its mouth rhythmically when feeding on the planktons and visitors may be treated to this wondrous sight if they spot the fish at the perfect time. But don't expect them to jump up and down the water like the whales or dolphins. That's actually another beauty of the whale shark experience because this makes it perfectly east and safe to get near them. John Grant has been living in the Philippines for 5 years and has travelled the country extensively. His online Philippines Travel Guide http://www.netguard.dk gives you an extensive coverage of destinations like Sorsogon http://www.netguard.dk/luzon/sorsogon/ ]]> Whale Watching - 5 Things You Should Know http://www.artwoo.com/article/whale-watching-5-things-you-should-know http://www.artwoo.com/article/whale-watching-5-things-you-should-know#comments Sat, 22 Apr 2006 05:50:05 +0000 whale watchingwhale watchspot whalesthings to rememberocean waterscoastal watersbored http://www.artwoo.com/article/whale-watching-5-things-you-should-know ing is the biggest show on earth. With the ocean as their stage, the spellbinding and entertaining whales put on daily star performances for the whale watch cruises visiting their feeding grounds. In this article you'll discover how to get the most out of your trip.

Picture this... a warm summer afternoon on a boat in a gentle rolling ocean. A cooling breeze softly massages your face where you sit, and you begin to close your eyes and drift away... the sound of the boat's engine begins to fade and finally stops. The boat, like you, is drifting over the waves and following the breeze. It's very peaceful and calm and after a stressful week at work you finally feel in harmony with the world.

Then something explodes... out of the water... and only a few feet from your nose! A 30-ton humpback... the length of a large house... it breaches... and in another second is gone. And you're left in disbelief and wonder. And it's just the start of your whale watching!

While whales are scattered throughout the world there's only a handful of accessible locations to view them in their natural environment. The of New England and the west coast of North America are prime locations for whale watching. Hawaii and South Africa are also superb locations to , as are the around New Zealand. So if a vacation or trip takes you to any of these areas make sure you book a cruise and take in the biggest show on earth.

Here's five to ensure you have an enjoyable whale watch.

PLAN YOUR WHALE WATCHING TRIP

It may seem obvious but book in advance for your trip to avoid long lines or even disappointment. Usually at least one week before the trip is recommended. Whale watching cruises can last anywhere from 3 hours to 41/2 hours, and the length depends on how long it takes to find the whales. If you're easily staring at the open ocean then take along a novel or your iPod, or something to entertain young children if they're part of your group. While most boats are equipped with a place to buy food and drink they don't usually mind you taking your own pack lunch or snacks to keep the costs down.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WHALE WATCH CRUISE

I've two criteria when I choose a whale watch cruise company. How long have they been in business and does it have whale experts on staff? You can usually uncover this information by checking out their web site or calling them.

Most whale watch boats use sophisticated sonar and communications equipment to find the whales, but as I'm not an expert in equipment I look to see if a company has a history of organizing whale watch trips. Good experience is usually a sign they're doing something right and a safe bet. I also like to see at least one scientist or naturalist on the crew narrating the tour, as having a knowledgeable authority provides a better understanding of what you're seeing.

CHECK FOR A WHALE SIGHTING GUARANTEE

It happens occasionally you don't get to see a whale. These mammals are unpredictable, and while the captain will make every effort to uncover their location, some days they're nowhere to be found. So make sure you book on a cruise that offers a guarantee sighting or you get to cruise again for free. Offering a guarantee is another good sign of a confident and experienced whale watch company.

WHALE WATCHING IS DONE ON THE OPEN OCEAN.

Experienced whale watch cruise companies do not go out in rough seas, but the whale feeding grounds are normally miles from land in the open ocean. Even at the height of summer the open sea can still be choppy, and so if you suffer with motion sickness then take something about an hour before you board the cruise.

QUICK CHECK OF WHALE WATCHING EQUIPMENT.

Recommended things to bring on your whale watch are a camera and plenty of film or memory cards. Take or borrow a pair of binoculars, as whales many times surface yards from the boat, and having binoculars will provide close up views other passengers just won't get.

As for clothing, wear sneakers or something rubber-soled for good traction on a wet and slippery deck. And take sunscreen, sunglasses, and if it's got a tie strap - a hat. Because of the breeze on open water take a sweatshirt just in case of temperature drop, especially for a late afternoon trip. The boats will go out in the rain, so if you've got a poncho pack it as well. I put most of my whale watch necessities in a small fanny pack.

Whales are mesmerizing mammals that've traveled thousands of miles to feed in their playground coastal waters. They don't stay for long so go ahead and book your whale watch adventure and prepare for the biggest show on earth. For more details on Whale Watching in New England and to pick up your free vacation reports go to Cliff Calderwood's New England Vacation site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/ ]]> Whale Watching on the Western Cape http://www.artwoo.com/article/whale-watching-on-the-western-cape http://www.artwoo.com/article/whale-watching-on-the-western-cape#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:01:24 +0000 dolphins and porpoisesdolphins and whalestypes of whalesbeaked whalestoothed whalessperm whalesspecies of dolphins http://www.artwoo.com/article/whale-watching-on-the-western-cape
Throughout the world, 78 species of can be found. 37 of those species can be found right in the waters off South Africa. These whales can be divided into two categories; baleen whales and . Baleen whales include the Humpbacks, Southern Right Whales and Bryde's Whales. Toothed whales include , , Killer Whales, . The main difference between the two is the fact that while baleen whales strain food using a horny plate inside their mouths, toothed whales typically feed on squid and fish.

Whale watching along the Western Cape offers the opportunity to view whales as they participate in a variety of amazing behaviors including blowing, breaching and lobtailing. Blowing consists of whales creating a sound as they expel water through their blowhole. Breaching involves the whales leaping from the water in a back flip that arches and then falling back into thee water on their sides. When whales lobtail, they slap their tails on the water; creating a loud sound. This is believed to be a form of communication. Whales may also spy hob, which occurs when they lift their heads and bodies from the water in a vertical fashion in order to see what is happening above the water.

Throughout the year, residents and visitors can enjoy the opportunity to view a variety of different whales. Some of the best opportunities for whale watching begin in June and last through November. Beginning in May and lasting throughout December; the Humpbacks begin their migration to the area. In many cases, it is possible to catch site of the whales just a few feet from the shore. A bit further offshore, Bryde's whales can often be viewed all year around.

One of the best places from which to observe whales begins at Lamberts Bay and runs all the way down the coast to Cape Town. For the best chance to catch sight of the young whales, be sure to check out the old harbour near Hermanus where the whales come each year in order to calve. You can be certain you will not miss any opportunity to see the whales as an official Whale Cryer travels the coast in that area and informs passerby of whale sightings.

Still Bay also offers excellent whale viewing on the Garden Route. The placid waters here offer the perfect locale for the Southern Rights to gather and bear their calves. Wilderness also provides excellent whale viewing points as well, including Dolphin's point. Other great spots include Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. In fact, Plettenberg Bay offers a unique whale hotline and the opportunity to view whales as they come in quite close to the coast.We are your source for Cape Town Accommodation, Garden Route Accommodation, Knysna Accommodation, and more for your next vacation to the Western Cape.]]> The Best Of Mexico Honeymoon Places Is The One and Only Palmilla Where You Can Go Whale Watching In The Pacific Ocean Near Baja http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-best-of-mexico-honeymoon-places-is-the-one-only-palmilla-where-you-can-go-whale-watching-in-the-pacific-ocean-near-baja http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-best-of-mexico-honeymoon-places-is-the-one-only-palmilla-where-you-can-go-whale-watching-in-the-pacific-ocean-near-baja#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:30:03 +0000 palmilla spawhale watchingbest of mexicohoneymoondrinksembarrasseddigress http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-best-of-mexico-honeymoon-places-is-the-one-only-palmilla-where-you-can-go-whale-watching-in-the-pacific-ocean-near-baja Best of Mexico places purely by what we had read online, and because of the conversations we had with the hotel staff. To say we were pleased with our choice would be an understatement, because not only was the resort everything we could have asked for and more, there were two other bonuses we had not even bargained for.

The first was to be able not only to go in the Pacific Ocean near Baja, in fact off the beach close to the resort, but in addition the One and Only cuisine.

I think it will be the image of the whale I will remember forever, but the One and Only Palmilla came a very close second.

The Palmilla is an extraordinary resort from the food, the ambience, the lovely suite, the butler, the golf course, and of course the prices!!

This isn't a cheap , but when a girl is on her honeymoon at the very best of Mexico honeymoon places, who cares what it costs. and food are expensive, even allowing for huge portions, and enough alcohol to drown a sailor, but hopefully the prices keep out the kind of people you don't really want to be in a resort with!!

I from describing the One and Only Palmilla, but it is important to know these things.

The service is incredible, and it never ends. You are taken to your room in a Hummer, introduced to your butler, who is your s and totally yours alone. He will get you whatever you want, from reservations, to ice, drinks wherever you are. Nothing is too much trouble, and sometimes we felt to ask!!

You can even get a sniff of oxygen by the pool, or your sunglasses brought, even a room upgrade, to find he has placed all your clothes exactly where they were, just in the new room.

The suites are fantastic, with living room, bedroom, and huge bathroom, and a very large patio, with a rain shower, loads of products which are replenished frequently. Great beds, a day bed on the patio, and not only a wonderful ocean view, but even a whale watching telescope!!

The infinity pool is fabulous, beautiful beach, stunning grounds, and food to die for. The spa is phenomenal with a relaxation area with a hot and cold plunge pool.

I have to finish with the food. Every meal was a joy, there wasn't a bad meal during our stay.

The best of Mexico Honeymoon places is the One and Only Palmilla Ann-Marie Stanley enjoys writing for http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com and recommends you check out the articles on less well known destinations. ]]> The Whales Are Back! http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-whales-are-back http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-whales-are-back#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:15:50 +0000 southern right whalehermanus whale festivalgenus eubalaenawhale criersouth african travelwhale oneright whales http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-whales-are-back Hermanus Whale Festival, the only Enviro-Arts festival in South Africa is held annually in September to celebrate the return of the s to the waters of Walker Bay, Hermanus which is the best land based whale watching destination in the world. This is a fantastic addition to a itinerary (especially for those visiting Cape Town) and is a popular attraction for families.

From early June until November, the whales come so close to the Hermanus shoreline (within 200 meters) that they can be viewed from the strategically positioned boutique hotels situated along the coastline. The town even employs a who walks through the town announcing the places where the whales have been spotted.

The Southern Right Whale is a baleen whale, one of the three species classified as the Right Whale belonging to the . There are around 7,500 Southern spread throughout the southern part of the Southern Hemisphere.

There has been historical disagreement on whether to classify the populations of Eubalaena whales as one, two or three species. Morphological factors indicate that there were at least two species. One in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Ocean. No group of Right Whales has been known to swim through the warm equatorial waters to make contact with and breed with the other sub species. Recent studies have proved this to be correct.

Southern Right Whales are distinguished from other whales by the callosities on their heads, a broad back, absent dorsal fins and a long, arching mouth that begins above the eye. The body is dark grey or black with with some white patches on the belly. The length of the Right Back Whale is between 11-18 metres (36-59ft) and they can weigh up to 100 tonnes. The females have a gestational period of 1 year.

One behaviour that is unique to this whales is called 'sailing', where the whales use their elevated flukes to catch the wind. It is interpreted as a form of play and is seen on the coast of South Africa and Argentina. Another interesting behavioural pattern is the fidelity of a mother to its feeding and calving habitats. This instinct is very strong and is passed down to the calves.

The Southern Right Whales are listed as endangered species and have been protected since 1946 in the territorial waters of the countries where they breed.

Hermanus boasts some world class hotels. It is a cosmopolitan town that has retained some of its historical fishermans village heritage. The harbour has been restored and gives visitors a glimpse of times past. For those looking for an adrenalin filled activity, shark cage diving gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent sea predators.

A visit to Hermanus can easily be combined with a malaria free safari in the Eastern Cape. Some excellent family lodges/hotels include the Grootbos Nature Reserve, Long Lee Manor, the beautiful Cape Grace and the Waterfront Apartments.Jane Harmsen is a specialist in luxury safari travel to africa.]]> Activities on the Western Cape http://www.artwoo.com/article/activities-on-the-western-cape http://www.artwoo.com/article/activities-on-the-western-cape#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:22:16 +0000 great white sharkstsitsikamma national parkmossel baywhale seasonwhale routewhite sharksgentle giants http://www.artwoo.com/article/activities-on-the-western-cape
Whale Watching

One of the most popular activities in the Western Cape is whale watching. The in South Africa runs from July to November, providing the best opportunity to catch sight of these . Visitors will find numerous opportunities for whale watching during this time as the whales arrive in the area for mating and to calve in the protected warm waters of the bay areas. The heart of the whale watching region can be found in Hermanus, well known as the best area in the entire country for whale watching. Walker Bay, in particular, offers extremely good sighting opportunities. In fact, it is often quite possible to catch sight of the whales just a few feet from the shore. While Walker Bay is one of the premier whale watching locales in the world, the actually stretches all along the Western Cape, touching upon such places as Knysna, and the coastline of the .

Shark Diving

You will find there are a variety of different options for catching site of the that make their home off the coast of South Africa. Perhaps one of the most exciting of these options is the opportunity to take a cage diving trip near Dyer Island. This locale is well known as one of the best shark diving spots in the world. Cage diving trips provide the opportunity to learn more about Great White sharks as well enjoy an up close and personal experience with the Great White sharks, all from the safety of the diving cage. These excursions provide an excellent opportunity to not only watch the sharks in their native environment but also take fabulous photos as well.

Game Safaris

Game viewing safaris remain of the most popular attractions of the Western Cape and South Africa. Certainly, no trip to the region would be complete without a safari adventure. A number of different game parks are in operation throughout the entire country; however, the oldest, most well known and largest is without a doubt Krueger National Park. Visitors can take advantage of the opportunity to view the beautiful wildlife that makes their home in the region through guided hikes and overnight trips.

Bungy Jumping

Bungy jumping has become an exciting adventure to be enjoyed around the world. Some of the most exciting opportunities to bungy jump exist on the Western Cape, particularly at Bloukran River Bridge near Storms River in the spectacularly beautiful Garden Route region. This site actually offers the highest commercially operated bungy jumping site in the world, reaching up to an impressive 525 feet. The bridge leading to the jumping site is actually a bit higher; however, a walkway which was specially constructed for the adventure, allows jumpers to reaching the jumping site.We are your source for Cape Town Accommodation, Cape Town Hotels, Camps Bay Bed and Breakfasts, and more for your next vacation to the Western Cape.]]> Blue Mountain Coffee Beans http://www.artwoo.com/article/blue-mountain-coffee-beans http://www.artwoo.com/article/blue-mountain-coffee-beans#comments Tue, 15 Aug 2006 08:27:14 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/blue-mountain-coffee-beans Blue Mountain coffee beans are widely thought to be the pinnacle of coffee. With unmatched taste, richness, and completeness, most who try the blue mountain coffee agree it is one of the best blends in the world. As such, Blue Mountain coffee makes a fantastic gift to any coffee lover, and it is ideal for special occasions.

Unfortunately, Blue Mountain coffee is not the easiest to get. Because of the limited area that the beans grow (the Blue Mountains in Jamaica) the quantities produced are limited. The coffee has also undergone some controversy through its life, starting with the Japanese investing heavily in the industry, causing what many believed to be an overproduction of the coffee, and a subsequent drop in it's quality. The bean was traditionally wet-processed, which took more time than the short-cut versions implemented at a growing number of mills. Blue Mountain coffee became more readily accessible, but the quality dropped.

The Blue Mountain coffee bean has since been making a come back to its previous excellence (and in truth, it was never really a bad roast) through the efforts of the Jamaican Coffee Board. They began allowing individual coffee farmers to produce their own coffee (rather than sending it through a central processing farm) which has resulted in some distinct Blue Mountain area blends. While all the beans are Blue Mountain, there can be subtle differences depending on which estate you buy from.

Which unfortunately brings up another tricky item when buying Blue Mountain beans - many places will do something like put a small percentage of Blue Mountain beans in with another bean, and call it Blue Mountain. They can then sell this much cheaper than real Blue Mountain costs, which fools people into buying inferior coffee. The best way to protect yourself? Make sure that the coffee you buy has the Jamaican Coffee Board seal on it. You can also tell by the price - if it seems like its cheap, it probably isn't pure Blue Mountain. Just remember that you get what you pay for. Adrian is a coffee enthusiast who maintains various sites. Check http://www.fullcoffee.com/showEntry/15/Blue-Mountain-Coffee/ for more information on blue mountain coffee beans. ]]> A Home Business Money Maker You Will Like http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-home-business-money-maker-you-will-like http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-home-business-money-maker-you-will-like#comments Thu, 21 Dec 2006 16:27:10 +0000 money makerbacteriahuman dnaalzheimers diseasehome businessesvanderbilt universitymake money http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-home-business-money-maker-you-will-like money maker to count on. This one is really simple. It is the color blue.

How can blue for you? Easy. Blue builds trust in your prospects and customers. People associate blue with loyalty and sincerity. It is a calm color and does not push or shout.

It is important to have the proper shade of blue. It should be medium to medium dark. Light blue does not work as well as it brings to mind uniforms.

Use blue on your Website, in ads, on packaging and if possible, even on the product, itself.

Why does blue have such a positive effect on people? Perhaps, it is because our world is wrapped in blue sky and sea. We see blue in tree shadows and blue eyes in many baby animals.

Although everyone pretty much agreed that blue was a part of our life, no one was prepared for what happened in 1999. It stunned the entire scientific community.

Two biochemists working at accidently discovered that blue is a part of the human body. The two were researching drugs to use against cancer and Alzheimer's disease. When they injected with DNA from a human liver, the bacteria turned a rich blue.

They repeated the process and the bacteria continued to turn blue. Thanks to this surprising development, scientists believe can be used grow blue products of all kinds such as roses and cotton.

No one knows where this startling experiment may lead us. Will it mean the end for blue dye? In the meantime, look at the color blue as a gift and use it wherever you can. Team it up with red or yellow. You can't go wrong and it may just be the money maker you have been looking for. Siriol Jameson helps you find a money maker among high income business opportunities. Visit http://www.easy-home-businesses.com Get insider tips in your free newsletter at http://www.easy-home-businesses.com/newsletter.html ]]> Blu-ray Name: Can Misspelling "Blue-Ray" Hurt "Blueray"? http://www.artwoo.com/article/blu-ray-name-can-misspelling-blue-ray-hurt-blueray http://www.artwoo.com/article/blu-ray-name-can-misspelling-blue-ray-hurt-blueray#comments Fri, 15 Sep 2006 18:27:06 +0000 blu ray discblue raygooglehddvdsearch enginesblurayhd dvd http://www.artwoo.com/article/blu-ray-name-can-misspelling-blue-ray-hurt-blueray Google are done with Blue-ray or Blueray. And within the misspelled searches, Blue-ray is about 80% and Blueray is the other 20%. The numbers from Overture for july are 26708 searches for Blu-ray compared to 8618 for Blue-ray and 1082 for .

It was a choice made by the Blu-ray disc association to remove the andquot;eandquot; from blue-ray to be able to have a trademark on it. andquot;Blue-ray discandquot; or andquot;Blueray discandquot; would have not been so easy. We are wondering if people are searching half the time with andquot;Blue-ray playersandquot; or andquot;Blue-ray moviesandquot; or even worse andquot; vs. Blue-rayandquot;, if they are going to find what they are looking for? They will find results talking about blu-ray, but it's going to be limited because of the pollution done by sites that have misspelled blu-ray themselves with blue-ray or blueray.

Google and the other can make the translation between andquot;blue-ray and blu-rayandquot; or andquot;blueray and blu-rayandquot; but it is certainly going to hurt the search result. The andquot;did you meanandquot; could have helped but websites writers are doing so much mistakes that there is enough results for andquot;Blue-rayandquot; that the andquot;did you meanandquot; doesn't pop-up.

An ad by a major retail store in the newspapers last week was announcing the andquot;Samsung Blue-ray playerandquot;! Talk about confusing people! All those people that did not knew about the technology are now convinced that the correct spelling is Blue-ray and not Blu-ray. They just run to their computer now and search for Blue-ray and find enough results just like if it was the correct spelling.

Blue-ray may look cool without the andquot;eandquot; but at this point, the only result they have is a major dilution of the internet traffic.

We took a look at the HD DVD camp if they had problems with or HDVD. We found those results for july in Overture: 29299 searches for HD DVD against 1527 for HDDVD and only 515 for HDVD. We see that the HD DVD doesn't have a misspelling problem like the blu-ray camp. We can certainly count that as a bonus for HD DVD in the andquot;HD DVD vs. Blue-rayandquot; war! Stephane Dion cumulates 15 years of experience in technolgy development and writes about emerging consumer technologies. You can find other articles at http://www.blurayfreak.com and http://www.hddvdfreak.com ]]> Technological Challenges With The Bluetooth Headset http://www.artwoo.com/article/technological-challenges-with-the-bluetooth-headset http://www.artwoo.com/article/technological-challenges-with-the-bluetooth-headset#comments Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:20:06 +0000 blue tooth headsetsblue tooth technologycell phone usersear piecebacksetcommunication methodstiny space http://www.artwoo.com/article/technological-challenges-with-the-bluetooth-headset communication methods, with a battery and receiver built right into the . As complicated as they are to create, they are extremely popular for everywhere.

Today, when you think of headset, you typically think of those that are extremely small and light to carry. What is great about is that they are wireless an, but not so small. What is happening is that there is so much to fit into the ear piece, such as receiver and transmitter, that they are having a difficult time trying to fit that much equipment into a .

Never fear technology advances each day and blue tooth is working around their obstacles. Consumers demand small and lightweight, blue tooth is working heavily to produce just that. To some people, even though blue tooth headsets are wireless, they tend to weigh slightly more which is considered to be a disadvantage to the technology and the headset.

Battery Charge with Blue Tooth

Traditional headsets, with wires, when combined with cell phones did not present much of a problem when it comes to batteries, because they are wired. However, the problem with the blue tooth headset is that it is wireless and contains a battery within the headset. The problem is that the headset only lasts about twenty six hours when not in use and only 2 to 3 hours when talking. Manufacturers are developing ideas to keep the headsets usable for the maximum amount of time. This might mean turning off the headset after calls or having to connect the headset with each call.

Yet another disadvantage of the blue tooth headset is the range of calls. With even though wireless, you cannot be far from the cell phone, not much further than the of your car, and still communicate. Therefore, it is still necessary to keep the phone with you at all times, even though it is meant to be wireless and hands free. Discover the benefits of Bluetooth technology at http://www.discoverbluetooth.com ]]> When Blue Topaz Jewelry is Best (Or at Least, A Good Bet) http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-blue-topaz-jewelry-is-best-or-at-least-a-good-bet http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-blue-topaz-jewelry-is-best-or-at-least-a-good-bet#comments Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:01:36 +0000 blue topaz jewelryblue bloodsstate gemstonestar cutbest gift for menprofessional therapistclinical depression http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-blue-topaz-jewelry-is-best-or-at-least-a-good-bet blue bloods, bluegrass, blue baby, and blue book that attest to how pervasive the color is in culture.

That said, here are some instances when is the , women and children. Or at least, a good bet when you are in a pinch.

Texas Blues

When you want to give the gift of jewelry to a true-blue Texan, blue topaz jewelry is an excellent choice. After all, blue topaz is the of Texas! You can even have it custom-made such that the Lone is incorporated into the gemstone.

Watch his or her eyes shine at the sight of the Texas gemstone when you present it. Maybe become as big as the state itself. Figuratively speaking, of course.

Down in the Dumps Blues

Well, of course, even the cheeriest of optimists among us will go through the blues once in their lifetime. Nobody can be Miss Eternal Sunshine forever, you know!

However, you can cheer up a friend by giving them blue topaz jewelry with a good joke about being blue to make them blue in the face from laughing. Oh, you might encounter some resistance but that is what a friend is for - to stay by a friend's side through sad times.

If that does not work and you suspect , then you need to advice about seeing a . You can only do so much to help especially when psychological problems beyond your ken take place.

Blue Professions

For psychics, the color blue represents spirituality and social service. If you have friends who are social workers, counselors, writers, psychologists and teachers, then blue topaz jewelry can be the better choice.

You can even tell them the significance of the color blue in relation to their professions, as the psychics will have it. Besides, nobody can really go wrong with jewelry as gifts because one size fits all.

Democrat Blues

Oh, this does not pertain to the fall of democracies and people feeling all blue because of the loss of freedom. This is about the two-party system of the United States where Democrats are blue and Republicans are red.

You can give blue topaz jewelry to your Democrat family and friends to denote their political inclinations. Your gift will last beyond Presidential Elections since jewelry knows no political colors in the modern sense.

Religious Blues

For Judaism, blue is the color of God's Glory. It is even said that in meditation, staring at blue brings glimpses of the glory of God in His Throne. That said, you can give your spiritually-inclined friends the gift of topaz jewelry in its blue form.

Blue Births

This does not pertain to either the birth of blue bloods or the birth of premature babies. You can discard that notion right about?now.

Instead, think of birthstones and birthdays. You can give jewelry with blue topaz for those born in November since it is the birthstone of that month, per Western traditions. However, you can also give blue topaz to people born on a Friday since that is the color of the day, per Eastern traditions, specifically Thai.

And these, ladies and gentlemen, are the best times to give blue topaz jewelry. You will never go wrong with it!For the perfect gift for mom, or for any female relative for that matter, visit UniqueCollectiblesGifts.com for its wide array of freshwater pearl jewelry and blue topaz jewelry that will make any woman drool. Visit them now!]]> How To Choose The House Blue Prints That Are Right For You http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-choose-the-house-blue-prints-that-are-right-for-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-choose-the-house-blue-prints-that-are-right-for-you#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:29:59 +0000 house blue printsreal jerkright from the beginninggreat sourceordealfirst personpriority http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-choose-the-house-blue-prints-that-are-right-for-you house blue prints that ultimately build your home is a choice you will live with day in and day out for as long as you live in the home. This is why it is so important to choose the right person to make those house blue prints for you.

My husband and I just went through the process of building our home and we went through quite the in getting our own house blue prints done right. I wrote this article to make your process go a bit smoother.

The we talked to about our house blue prints was a . He would make his own decisions on how our house should look and wouldn't explain to me why my ideas could not be used instead. Customer service was obviously not a in his eyes.

It is very important to find a company that will actually listen to and explain things to you when you have questions and ideas. After all, it is your home. You will be the one living in it.

Sometimes it is just easier to choose from stock house blue prints and just have modifications done to them to suit it to your needs. That way you know what your house will look like .

A to find some high quality blue prints is - http://houseblueprints.thebestreview.net

Find a company that has a lot of experience in both customer service and creating high quality blue prints. If I had knew this from the beginning, I would have saved myself a lot of time and stress.

If the company does not care about you and your questions, they don't deserve to have your business. When I finally came across a great company I was so relieved. They actually explained things to me and the whole process went beautifully.

The most important thing to remember is to know what you are paying for. When you're looking for stock house blue prints or custom blue prints, you want to know all of the costs up front.

Many people will have 'hidden fees' or costs you have no idea you will be paying until you receive the bill. Find out exactly what you will be paying before you sign a contract or make a payment. Amy G recently went through the process of building a home and shares what she discovered on her website http://houseblueprints.thebestreview.net Visit to learn all the tips, tricks and advice you need for choosing the perfect house plan for your home. ]]> Trivia Questions From Trivia Teaser Online http://www.artwoo.com/article/trivia-questions-from-trivia-teaser-online http://www.artwoo.com/article/trivia-questions-from-trivia-teaser-online#comments Thu, 16 Nov 2006 08:27:08 +0000 earth answersearth creaturemilletsteasertriviacretaceous periodbehemoth http://www.artwoo.com/article/trivia-questions-from-trivia-teaser-online
Answers: San Marino

: According to tradition, San Marino is known as the world's oldest republic. The tiny republic was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marino (or Saint Marinus) on September 3, in the year 301 C.E.

Question: Which continent is the largest?

Answers: Asia

Trivia Teaser: Asia is the largest and most populous continent or region, depending on the definition. It covers 8.6 percent of the Earth's total surface area, or 29.4 percent of its land area, and it contains more than 60 percent of the world's human population. Australia is the smallest and lowest-lying of the Earth's continents, having a total land area of some 8,560,000 square kilometres.

Question: What is the with the longest neck?

Answers: Sauroposeidon

Trivia Teaser: Sauroposeidon, a huge, long-necked sauropod, was found in Oklahoma, USA, and may be the biggest dinosaur yet found. The name Sauroposeidon means andquot;Lizard Earthquake God,andquot; because this probably shook the ground when it walked. This giant plant-eater weighed about 60 tons and was about 60 feet tall. It has the longest neck in the fossil record, beating even the enormous dinosaur Mamenchisaurus. Individual vertebrae (neck bones) are up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long. A single bone looks more like a tree trunk than part of an animal's neck. Sauroposeidon lived about 110 million years ago, during the mid-.

Question: Name one of the first crops ever cultivated? (there are 3)

Answers: Rice, Millet, or Sorghum

Trivia Teaser: Rice, millet, and sorghum are thought to be the first crops ever cultivated. Rice has been cultivated for over 5000 years. There are thousands of different varieties of rice (Oryza sativa). At the International Rice Research Institute Genetic Resources Center in the Philippines, there are 80,000 rice samples in cold storage. Rice is grown on every continent except Antarctica. The are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one, based on similar characteristics and uses. Sorghum originated in the north-east quadrant of Africa and spread from there throughout Africa and into India. In 1994, sorghum ranked fifth among the most important cereal crops of the world after wheat, rice, maize, and barley in both total area planted and production.

Question: What is the largest fish in the world?

Answers: Whale shark

Trivia Teaser: The whale shark is a the biggest shark and the biggest fish in the world. Despite its name it is NOT a whale. The whale shark is up to 46 feet (14 m) in length and weighs up to 15 tons. The average size is 25 feet (7.6 m) long. Females are larger than males (like most sharks). It has a huge mouth which can be up to 4 feet (1.4 m) wide at the very front of its head (not on the underside of the head like in most sharks). It has a wide, flat head, a rounded snout, small eyes, five very large gill slits, two dorsal fins (on its back) and two pectoral fins (on its sides). Whale sharks have about 3,000 very tiny teeth but they are of little use. This enormous shark is a filter feeder and eats by sieving huge amounts of plankton through its gills as it swims. The whale shark has distinctive light-yellow markings (random stripes and dots) on its very thick dark gray skin. Its skin is up to four inches (10 cm) thick. There are three prominent ridges running along each side of the shark's body.

Question: What is the longest river in the world?

Answers: Nile

Trivia Teaser: The longest river in the world is the Nile River at 4,157 miles long. The Nile is located in northeastern Africa, originating from tributaries of Lake Victoria, and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. If you enjoy Trivia Games and Trivia Contests you should enter the Trivia Teaser Online Contest at http://TriviaTeaserOnline.com ]]> Information About Health Insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/information-about-health-insurance http://www.artwoo.com/article/information-about-health-insurance#comments Mon, 14 Aug 2006 20:27:10 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/information-about-health-insurance There is uncertainty in life and insurance is designed to lessen the burden of this uncertainty. The principle of operation is simple, the insurer (that is Blue Cross Insurance company or Blue Shield in this case) pays the medical costs of the insured (you) if the insured becomes sick due to covered causes like disease, disability, accident etc.

In return the insured (you) pays a monthly or annual premium (a monetary amount usually around 200 dollars a month, however the exact amount varies according to the insurance plan purchased) to the insurer. As a general rule, the larger number of people in the insurance group, the lesser is the premium. This is due to the distribution of costs.

Blue Cross Insurance is an insurance company providing health insurance in the United States and Canada. Blue Cross Insurance was started by a university president Justin Ford Kimball. It started out in a very humble way as hospital care for school teachers in Dallas in 1929. The premium was only 6 dollars a year! Within 10 years of its formation the Blue Cross symbol was adapted by the American Hospital Association. Presently one of every three American is covered by Blue Shield or Blue Cross making them the largest health care provider in the United States.

Presently Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a trade organization linking 38 independent regional health insurance companies in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. It achieved its present form in 1982 after the merger of Blue Cross association and the national association of Blue Shield plans.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans are very closely linked to managed health care in the United States. The association is also the administrator for Social Security in a large number of states. Traditionally Blue Cross provides hospital coverage and Blue Shield provides medical coverage.

In different states Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have different names. The names of the companies are Wellpoint, Carefirst, Healthcare service corporation, Highmark, Premera, The Regence Group, Wellmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield of various states, La Cruz Azul de Puerto Rico, Triple-S (in Puerto Rico) and The Canadian Association of Blue cross Plans ( In Canada).

It is very important to read all the fine print of the insurance plans as health insurance is usually required in cases of emergencies like accidents or during illness. During such a situation it would come as a nasty surprise if you find out a particular clause which denies insurance. Also the important phone numbers should be noted down for such emergencies. Keith George always writes about valuable news andamp; reviews. A related resource is http://the-bluecross-insurance.info/ Further information can be found at http://the-wellbeing.info/ ]]> Enhanced Online Features At Blue Cross Blue http://www.artwoo.com/article/enhanced-online-features-at-blue-cross-blue http://www.artwoo.com/article/enhanced-online-features-at-blue-cross-blue#comments Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:10:27 +0000 cross blue shieldblue cross blue shieldmailavian fluhot topicscustomer servicecontact http://www.artwoo.com/article/enhanced-online-features-at-blue-cross-blue
Like many traditional socially-centered organizations, Blue Cross/Blue Shield has embraced the new technologies developed in recent years. In an effort to provide better service to Blue Cross/Blue Shield members, the organization has enhanced its website and now offers more services for people to use.

HealthIssues.com is one of the new online features now available at Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Surfers can access useful newsletters from the past year and the current one so that they may stay current with potential health issues and ways of dealing with them. The service can be initiated and terminated at any time. While active, members will receive a newsletter via e- every month with a host of useful information that is of vital importance to anyone concerned about their health. Health issues such as the epidemic sweeping Asia are just some of the covered in newsletters.

One of the other major improvements to the online website for Blue Cross/Blue Shield has to do with . What was once formerly known as the " Us" portion of the website has been changed to "Customer Service". The enhancements to this section were made primarily due to overwhelming demand by Blue Cross/Blue Shield members.

One of the time-saving and beneficial advantages offered by the new service is to allow members to change the spelling of their name on official Blue Cross/Blue Shield documentation. What once was a time consuming task bogged down by red tape, this simple but essential service speeds up the correction of mistakes and ensures continuation of benefits without worry of interruption. The new online service also allows people to change date-of-birth and social security information as well.

The timely and useful enhancements to the Blue Cross/Blue Shield customer service section also allow members to access information about their individual enrollment plans to check for accuracy and updates to coverage. Also, at times when the service area for a local Plan is not available, members may access records without leaving the comfort of their own home.

Unfortunately, members cannot access their information at all times of the day or night. Access is only permitted at present on Monday thru Saturday, 7 a.m. -- 9 p.m., EST. But, for persons that utilize the services during these hours, any changes made to their personal information will be posted and applied during the next business day. Plans are currently in the works to expand hours of access so that the website becomes even more convenient and useful to members.

Although not all transactions can be conducted online, the truth is that the new additions to the online services offered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield have made the entire process far more accessible and convenient for members. The newsletter provides members with critical healthcare information while the enhancements to customer service reduce waiting time and increase the ease of use for services. About The Author: For more information on Blue , visit http://www.bluecrossblueshieldinfo.com ]]>