Author: Amelia Whitehart

Best VPN for travel in Cuba, Colombia and Argentina for tourism destinations: The primary purpose of a VPN is to ensure that nobody can access your private online data and build a profile of you from the sites you visit and the things you do online. The primary purpose of a VPN is to make your private online activity, private. A VPN sets up an encrypted tunnel between you and the internet site you’re using. It encrypts your data and puts it into kind of digital capsule (packet). Before sending that encrypted capsule down the encrypted tunnel to the VPN’s own servers located throughout the world. Once the capsule reaches the VPN’s own servers located throughout the world, the first of two keys is used to unlock the outer layer. The VPN company then knows where to send the rest of the encrypted information. Read extra details on Cuba Travel.

As the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere, Aconcagua is certainly impressive. The peak has a summit elevation of 6,961 meters and is part of the Andes, close to the border with Chile. For climbers, Aconcagua has special meaning, as it’s one of the Seven Summits, the ultimate climbing list that includes the highest mountains in each continent. The mountain falls within the limits of the Aconcagua Provincial Park, a protected area that offers a number of activities for outdoor lovers, including hiking and skiing. For those who are up for something a bit more challenging, the Horcones-Confluencia trail takes hikers up to the basecamp on the route up to the summit. It’s a 14-kilometer-long trail with an elevation of 538 meters. Laguna Horcones, a stunning blue lake fed by glaciers, is another popular attraction within the park.

Colombia’s most popular hike is undoubtedly the four-day, 44-kilometer trek to Ciudad Perdida, a lost city hidden deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains that was only rediscovered in the 1970s. Built and occupied by Tayrona Indians between the 8th and 14th centuries, this ancient city is said to be one of the largest pre-Columbian settlements discovered in the Americas. Much of the site remains buried beneath a thick jungle quilt-the modern Indigenous inhabitants of the area have banned excavations-but you’ll find that the stone terraces and stairways are in outstanding shape. Independent treks are not allowed, you will need to go with a sanctioned and approved tour operator who will provide a guide and all meals. You can book a tour from Santa Marta in advance. If you decide to go, be prepared, this is no walk in the park. You’ll face blazing heat, stifling humidity, rainstorms, copious quantities of mud, and insects. The trail, although easy to follow, is never flat, plan to always be going up or down. However, it’s not all drudgery. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular jungle views and the opportunity to swim in rivers and ponds. Hikes start early, usually around 5am to make use of the coolest part of the day. At the designated campgrounds, you’ll either sleep in a hammock or on a mattress; mosquito nets are provided. You should count on being able to walk about 12 to 14 kilometers or seven to nine hours in a single session. The trail is closed every September as part of an agreement with the local Indigenous community. The best time to go, with the least rain, is January and February.

If you’re looking for a ravishing slice of nature in central Cuba, head to El Nicho waterfalls. About a 90-minute drive from Trinidad or Cienfuego, in Parque El Nicho, these multi-tiered falls flow into several jade-green jungle pools – the perfect place to take a cool dip on a hot day. Driving here along the twisty rutted roads is an adventure in itself, and the scenery is beautiful. Once you arrive and pay the entrance fee, take the 1.5-mile palm-lined trail to the park’s most scenic spots. It meanders along a cool river and ascends through thick, tropical forest to the falls, where you can swim and sunbathe. Along the way, keep an eye out for the tocororo, Cuba’s national bird, and the beautiful royal palm. Walk beyond the falls, and you’ll end up at a scenic lookout with breathtaking views across lush valleys. Wondering about things to do with the family in Cuba? This is the perfect back-to-nature excursion. Best of all, the waterfalls gush year-round – even in the dry season.

You’ll find some of the best beaches in Colombia within the protected Tayrona National Natural Park, which is known for its palm-shaded coves and crystal-clear coastal lagoons. Most beaches are set against the dramatic mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, whose rainforested hills make for a great side trip on any beach vacation. Tayrona is also a fantastic place for snorkeling at protected areas near La Piscina beach and Cabo San Juan. Though remote, these secluded beaches aren’t exactly a secret, so it’s best to visit in low season (February to November) to avoid the massive crowds. Also, unless you’re paying for the lavish Ecohabs Tayrona, be prepared to sleep in a tent (or hammock) at one of the many beachside campgrounds.

It was the following day that I moved into an apartment in the more upscale neighbourhood of Vedado. And it would be the casa owned by the woman I’d eventually go back to Cuba to see. You’d know her as Che Guevara’s granddaughter. I’d come to know her as Fanny, my gorgeous beagle loving Airbnb hostess. Who was both the most frustrating woman alive and yet so gorgeous. I booked the first available flight to Buenos Aires Argentina. My favourite city in South America and where I’d spent quite a bit of time in my youth. I booked the first available flight and was on my way three days later. Arriving in Buenos Aires and being thrust back into the civilised world was a shock after about 4 months in closed off Cuba. Discover extra information on https://inlovelyblue.com/.

At the southern end of Argentina, Patagonia is famous for its spectacular landscapes: a dramatic mix of the Andes and long stretches of plains and plateaus. Most adventures here start in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Established as a penal colony in the early 20th century and now a popular jumping-off point for trips to Antarctica or around Cape Horn, this town on Beagle Channel is surrounded by a unique landscape of mountains, sea, glaciers, and woods on the edge of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, with its spectacular scenery and diverse flora and fauna. Popular places to visit include the San Juan de Salvamento Lighthouse – also known as the End of the World Lighthouse – built in 1884 on the Isla de los Estados, and the End of the World Museum. Here, you’ll find exhibits relating to the region’s natural history, aboriginal life, and early penal colonies. The Maritime Museum of Ushuaia is housed in the town’s notorious former military prison, is worth visiting for its many maritime artifacts and scale models of famous ships such as Darwin’s Beagle. Named for Darwin’s ship, the Beagle Channel cuts through the heart of the national park, and you can board a boat in Ushuaia to cruise through this historic waterway.

Cuba, the Caribbean’s largest island, drips with history, culture, and a captivating mystique. Live music wafts through the cobbled squares in Havana’s World Heritage-listed Old Town, vintage cars still cruise the streets, and the beautiful old buildings in Cuba’s colonial cities evoke the feel of a country frozen in time. Cuba also abounds in natural beauty. This vast island has more than 5,000 kilometers of coastline, much of it rimmed by dazzling beaches. Coral reefs glimmer in the turquoise waters, and Cuba’s lush countryside and sublime islands have played host to presidents; provided refuge to revolutionaries; and inspired writers from around the world, Hemingway among them.

Clean energy tech news with Matthew Wrist Warwick UK right now: Is solar power really expensive? This is probably the most debatable aspect on the entire solar energy pros and cons list. The driving forces behind the development of solar energy are rooted in politics. Solar power is incentivized to compete against other energy sources on the market. On the other hand, the U.K. government, similarly to the rest of the world, provides incentives to every major energy production market – not just solar. Read a lot more details at Discover extra info on Mathew Wrist Warwickshire UK.

What are the most efficient solar panels? The most efficient solar panels on the market today have efficiency ratings as high as 22.2%, whereas the majority of panels range from 15% to 17% efficiency rating. SunPower panels are known for being the most efficient solar panel brand available on the market.

Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows.

Clean energy tech news from Mathew Wrist Warwickshire UK today: Without energy storage, you can make good use of about 50 to 80 percent of the solar electricity for your own house. A battery can easily take that up to (almost) 100 percent. If you do not base the own consumption just on the solar generator, but on the electricity demand of the entire house, the following general rule applies: Without storage, you can meet about 30 to 50 percent your electricity demand directly from solar. In combination with a solar battery, this can be as much as 90 percent. To meet your entire electricity needs over the course of a year, you need a second generator, e.g. a cogeneration unit. It is usually simpler – and less expensive – to use the power grid. During the winter, your needs can be met through green electricity from a certified utility.

The electrical conductors are attached to positive and negative terminals, thus forming an electrical circuit. From there, the electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current (electricity). This current, together with the cell’s voltage (which is a result of its built-in electric field or fields), defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce, and is how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Grid-connected systems make use of the local utility grid to ensure you are never without electricity. If your domestic solar panel system generates more electricity than your household requires in a day, this surplus energy can be exported back to the national grid. On the other hand, if you need more electricity than your solar panels have generated, the grid can supply this.

A household with a family of 3-4 people would commonly have a 4kW system installed, which has a price range of approximately £6,000-£8,000. In this scenario, you can save approximately £270 on your electricity bill annually, and can even earn £100 per year on top of that. For larger homes that house 4+ people, a 6kW solar panel system would be required. This can be anything from £8,000 and upwards. With a 6kW system, you can save a whopping £430 on your electricity bills every year, and earn £151 from SEG payments additionally. Nonetheless, you are not limited to these three choices only. The system size is determined by the number of panels and the wattage of each panel; as a result, you can customise the system size according to your needs, e.g. have a 3.5kW solar panel. If you are installing commercial solar panels then the sizing will be vastly different, and this will be reflected in the cost.

Operating a generator indoors is unsafe. Never run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space. Why not? Because, as this article in Popular Mechanics explains, it’s dangerous. they produce carbon monoxide. And that can be fatal. Ideally, a generator for home use is best placed outdoors. This is due to noise levels as well as exhaust and other fumes associated with operations. Having said that, it’s still advantageous to have some type of enclosure that protects your generator from the elements. This will promote long life and fewer maintenance issues. This, of course, reduces your overall operating costs living off the grid.