What's New?!

Hello Coral Reef Islanders!

With the start of a new year comes new changes we are excited to finally reveal. For the first time, dedicated Creature Club members will be able to guest post on Coral Reef Island! That means that if you receive a message from Coral Reef Island saying congrats, then you have been added to the coblogger membership! As of yet, there are no rules regarding what may be posted by new bloggers, unless something comes up (which is not anticipated and not expected). Anyone who views Coral Reef Island will be able to see what club members are sharing, so if you are not a member, email me at creaturelove04@aol.com to become one! To become a lucky coblogger you must A. Be a member of the Creature Club (as previously described), B. Be a member of the blog, C. Leave at least one comment, and D. Visit Coral Reef Island (the blog) regularly. So what are you waiting for? Check your mail to see if you are one of the lucky viewers!

Just a Little Longer...

Halloween costumes coming soon! Just need to get them uploaded!

Creature Halloween Costume Contest

You know it's fall when you see the Creature Costume Contest! That's right, it's back, and for the first time on the blog! Here's how to enter:

Design a cute, scary, or uniqe costume and email it to creaturelove04@aol.com and you might see it on the Coral Reef Island blog!

The deadline is Oct. 26.and the restrictions are:

• No devil or witch costumes (basically anything Satanic is not accepted)
• Preferably nothing with jewelry
• Nothing skimpy (they're creatures, not toddlers in tiaras)
• Nothing that wasn't fun to create :D

So what are you waiting for? Get creative!

Creature Vacations: Cuddles, Supercat, Peanut, Snowpea

Cuddles and Supercat: San Juan Islands
Cuddles and Supercat are in Washington! "Yesterday we went clamming. It was so much fun! Today we're going whale-watching, which the San Juans are famous for. Orcas are a common sight on the coast. Right now, though, we're exploring!"



Peanut and Snowpea: Cliffs of Moher (Ireland)
"O'Brien's Tower was amazing! One story goes that O'Brien built it for better viewing of the cliffs, and another was that he did it for ladies. Either way, it is a popular tourist site, and no wonder, the view is breathtaking! Tomorrow, though, we're off to Rathlin Island!"










San Juan Islands:funplaceswashington.com
O'Brien's Tower:vareen.com

Creature Vacations: Sassy, Peanut, Flower, Rainberry, Snowpea, Titanium Monkey

"Ah, France! We finally made it to the French Riviera, also known as Cote d'Azur. Many famous people have been here, including Picasso, Matisse, and even Queen Victoria! We're staying in a fancy resort in Nice that is shaped like a lighthouse. It is tres belle. We're so excited about yachting tomorrow! The Riviera is famous for its yachting, and has several marinas along the coast. Gotta go, we're about to watch a French show." (Flower and Rainberry)



"The Cliffs of Moher (in Ireland) were awesome! We even did yoga on top of them! It was so much fun. Almost one million people visit the cliffs every year. We're going back again to see O'Brien's Tower tomorrow, though I'm not sure what that is yet. We'll describe it when we see it. Bye!" (Peanut and Snowpea)




"Hi! We just arrived in Germany! We're staying on a little island called Pellworm. Tomorrow we'll explore it a little more and see what all it has to offer. There's a lighthouse that we want to see especially." Sassy and Titanium Monkey







French Riviera Map:certifiedtravelteacher.com
French Riviera: http://www.best-beaches.com/europe/france/french-riviera
Cliffs of Moher: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher
Pellworm, Germany:en.wikipedia.org

Creature Vacations: Adventures Continued

Pink Princess and Flamingo are in Hilton Head, South Carolina. "We're staying at a beautiful hotel inside a real lighthouse. Every night, we go up and turn on the light, which flashes different colors. Our favorite color is pink. Ships that see our light toot their horns as a reply. We love it here! The only way to get to the top of the lighthouse is through a bookcase with a hidden door behind it. We have tea parties while we're up there, and no one knows about it, except us. But it's our little secret, so don't tell anyone!"

Peanut got off the cruise ship in Ireland with Snowpea. They are going to the Cliffs of Moher. "We are taking a train ride to the cliffs today. The views are picturesque, and Ireland is just as green as we imagined! I hope we see lots of famous Irish people. I would love to meet at least one. We're also keeping a lookout for leprechauns!" Irish fun fact: according to some historians, more than 40% of American presidents have had some Irish ancestry. (ireland-fun-facts.com)

Kaitlyn, Ginkgo, Flower, and Rainberry are still enjoying the cruise. Last night they found a hidden room with a huge inflatable ball pit and playground. "We were in there until midnight! It was fun going down the slides in the ball pit. We are about to anchor in Le Havre, France, where Flower and Rainberry are getting off. Then, it's on to Germany!"



Pink Lighthouse Image: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&biw=1088&bih=472&tbm=isch&tbnid=FxN8u_cWhjkbhM:&imgrefurl=http://lighthouse-news.com/2007/10/10/the-little-pink-lighthouse/&docid=V5L_AcyXbJgJnM&imgurl=http://lighthouse-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/wollongongtinpink.jpg&w=425&h=500&ei=I-UzUNzkBuzAyQGZioCwAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=93&vpy=115&dur=14405&hovh=244&hovw=207&tx=125&ty=119&sig=114824083199062858
561&page=1&tbnh=137&tbnw=116&start=0&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:73

Creature Vacations: The Adventures of Kaitlyn, Flower, Peanut, and Sassy

Kaitlyn is on the Tail of the Sea Creature Cruise Ship, en route to Lake Malaren, Sweden. "This cruise ship is awesome! I love swimming in the private pool on a secret deck with my friends, Peanut and Flower. We're sailing from the Celtic Sea, through the English Channel to the  North Sea, to the Baltic Sea, where I'll get off at Sweden. How Swede it is!"

Flower is also on the Tail of the Sea Creature Cruise Ship, only she is going to Cote d'Azur, France. She writes, "I'm going to France! It's so lovely there! It's good to see my friends on the ship. We have fun exploring and finding all of the hidden nooks and crannies on all of the decks. Once we reach the English Channel, I'll take a plane to the French Riviera from Le Havre. Tres fantastique, non?"

Peanut is on his way to the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, and is taking the cruise ship to get there. "I can't wait! Ireland is my most favorite place ever! The whole trip so far is so much fun. We play ping-pong, eat at fun cafes and restaurants, and read in a secret book club, and that is only the beginning! The ship holds so much more for us to do each day! Until next time, slan agat (that's 'goodbye' in Irish)!

Sassy loves Germany, so that is why her first destination is a small island called Pellworm in Germany. The Creature Cruise Ship is taking her there right now! "I like checking out the different little shops on the ship. They have cute boutiques, yummy cafes, and even a skating rink! My favorite thing to do is attend the needlework and crafting seminars they hold here. Auf Wiedersehen, from Sassy!"

Creature Vacations: In Progress!

Thank you for your submissions! Creature Vacations are now in progress. You can see who's going where and doing what, and maybe your creature will meet up with other creatures! Creatures will be in touch with their members, updating them on all of the exciting adventures they're experiencing. Coral Reef Island appreciates your attentive attention to each vacation post!

Creature Vacations Deadline

Packages and Deadline

IMPORTANT!!!
Creature Vacation Destinations must be chosen and we must be informed of decisions by 8:00 p.m. tonight (Aug. 17). Failure to do so in the allotted time will result in a canceled vacation. We can be contacted at creaturelove04@aol.com, or you may leave us a comment to this post containing your selected destination or package.

The Creature Vacations Travel Agency has arranged a number of packages that members can choose from for their creatures. If you decide that you would like a package rather than a single destination, please inform us of that selection.

Packages include:

• Bonus Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature more than one destination (beach, jungle, etc.) and are listed in certain destination descriptions (Example: the Anarctic snowy location/ the Anarctic desert).
• Historic Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature ancient and modern tribes, ruins, and historic museums regardless of destination (Example: The desert tribes, jungle tribes, beach ruins, etc.)
• Wildlife Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature rare wildlife regardless of destination (Example: The jungle, desert, mountain, etc. with the most rare and remarkable wildlife).
• Rest and Relaxation Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature and focus on spas and resorts regardless of destination (Example: Resorts from Tropical Getaways, Jungles and Rainforests, etc.)
• Country-categorized Packages: Combines vacation spots that can be found in a certain country regardless of destination (Example: USA- featured vacation destinations may include a rainforest, beach, rocky coastline, major city, etc. Depends on what spots are offered in destination descriptions for the U.S.)
• Special Packages: If you want to combine certain destinations, but don't see a package that contains them, you can appeal for a special package with authorization.

If you have any questions about packages or vacations, contact us by the address above, or leave a comment describing your question.

One member will have their vacation described on the blog after the details have been sorted out. If you do NOT want to be included as a possible mention, contact us.

It is now up to you! Get your vacation info sent in!

Creature Vacations: Part1: Rocky Seashores

Rocky Seashores/ Coastlines:

• Ocean City Boardwalk (Maryland): Fun rides and interesting museums await at this fun-filled boardwalk.
• Lake Geneva (Switzerland): View the lovely lighthouses that sit on this lake. While there is no seacoast in Switzerland, there are still beautiful and functional lighthouses.
• Rathlin Island (Ireland): No cars allowed, but all lighthouses are reachable by foot. A lovely walk, indeed.
• Lake Malaren (Sweden): The third largest lake in Sweden, Lake Malaren is home to its own original lighthouses.
• Cote d'Azur (France): Also known as the French Riviera, this region is famous for its resorts and vacation spots, and now for its lighthouses.

Creature Vacations: Part 1: Snowy Locations

Snowy Locations

• Antarctica: Play with penguins, build frosty snowmen, and visit camps.
• Falkland Islands: Visit museums, see the only forest in the Falklands, and view penguins and seals.
• Greenland: Snow, snow, snow.

Mountains

• The Rocky Mountains (US, Canada): Beautiful views await in the U.S.
• Matterhorn (Italy, Switzerland): Is one of the best known mountains in the world.
• Sajama (Bolivia): This mountain is actually a volcano, but is still one of the most beautiful.
• Mount Tai (China): One of the five most important mountains in China.
• Mount Shuksan (Washington): One of the most photographed moutains in the Cascades.
• Mt. Rushmore (South Dakota): Home of the four presidential mountain-carved physiognomies.
• Grand Canyon (Arizona): Ok, so it's not a mountain. But it's pretty close.

Due to an ominously approaching deadline, details are not included in this description. More details will be provided for those who choose a destination in Snowy Locations or Mountains.

Creature Vacations: Part 1: Famous Castles

Famous Castles

• Castle Neuschwanstein (Bavaria, Germany): Known as the most famous castle in the world, this castle was started in 1869 and finished in 1880, and is being considered for a position in the modern version of the seven wonders of the world.
• Blarney Castle (Ireland): Home of the legendary Blarney Stone, this castle is almost 600 years old.
• Darver Castle (Ireland): Renovated to modern times especially for vacations and weddings.
• Edinburgh Castle (Scotland): Most famous in Scotland, this castle was built on the site of another ancient castle.
• Windsor Castle (England): This castle is the current home of Queen Elizabeth II and was first built by William the Conqueror, though it has been rebuilt and had additions to it.
• Langley Castle (England): First class dining and finely furnished rooms await guests in this castle hotel.
• Chateau de Ranton (France): This castle is rentable, with beautiful gardens and a large swimming pool.
• Hammond Castle (Massachusetts, USA): Was built by John Hammond in the early 1900s and is now a museum.
• Herreshoff Castle (Massachusetts, USA): Built in the early 1900s, this castle is a bed and breakfast and was fashioned after a castle built by Leif Erickson, the notorious viking.

For a castle vacation, members can choose a country rather than castle. Creatures can visit the historic castle of the country during the day, and stay in the "castle hotel" during the night.

Creature Vacations: Part1: Big Cities

  Big Cities

• London (England): Visit the Tower of London, take a walk in Hyde Park, and tour the grandness of Buckingham Palace.
• Paris (France): Experience the Eiffel Tower, admire the art in the Musee du Louvre, and visit the famous Notre Dame.
• New York City (New York): See the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, stroll in Central Park, and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Beijing (China): Visit the Great Wall of China, stop at Tiananmen Square, and experience Olympic Park, as well as tour the Forbidden City.
• Sydney (Australia): See Sydney Harbor, visit the Sydney Opera House, and stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
• Rome (Italy): Experience the Colosseum, visit the gardens of the Villa Borghese, and see the Trevi Fountain.
• Barcelona (Spain): Sightsee in Guell Park, shop in Las Ramblas, and visit Casa Mila.

Creature Vacations: Vacation Destination Packages

The Creature Vacations Travel Agency has arranged a number of packages that members can choose from for their creatures. If you decide that you would like a package rather than a single destination, please inform us of that selection the moment you choose it. Such choices can be made once all of the destination descriptions have been posted, at which time we will inform members of the deadline (August 17) and encourage decisions to be rapidly made. If you decide on a destination or package right away, however, and decide not to wait for further destination descriptions, you can inform us of your choice at any time.

Packages include:

• Bonus Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature more than one destination (beach, jungle, etc.) and are listed in certain destination descriptions (Example: the Anarctic snowy location/ the Anarctic desert).
• Historic Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature ancient and modern tribes, ruins, and other histories regardless of destination (Example: The desert tribes, jungle tribes, beach ruins, etc.)
• Wildlife Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature rare wildlife regardless of destination (Example: The jungle, desert, mountain, etc. with the most rare and remarkable wildlife).
• Rest and Relaxation Packages: Combines vacation spots that feature and focus on spas and resorts regardless of destination (Example: Resorts from Tropical Getaways, Jungles and Rainforests, etc.)
• Country-categorized Packages: Combines vacation spots that can be found in a certain country regardless of destination (Example: USA- featured vacation destinations may include a rainforest, beach, rocky coastline, major city, etc. Depends on what spots are offered in destination descriptions for the U.S.)
• and More, once destination descriptions have all been posted.

                                                           Questions? Comments? Fun Facts?

Creature Vacations: Part 1: Jungles and Rainforests

Jungles and Rainforests

• Dominica (Lesser Antilles): Hot springs, eco-resorts, waterfalls, geothermal springs... this island has it all!
• Manu Wilderness (Peru): Located in the Amazon rainforest, this area is home to more animals and plants than almost anywhere else on earth. Guided tours allow visitors to see the amazing wildlife that live in this rainforest.
• Danum Valley (Borneo, Malaysia): Ride rivers, hike through jungles, and then relax in the upscale eco-resort in this valley's exotic and unusual animal- filled jungle.
• Olympic National Park (Washington, USA): Hike through this park's trail-filled jungles and feel the exotic adventure in the inner areas of one of the USA's lush rainforests.
• Tasmania (Australia): Tropical and leafy jungles covers 10% of the continent, but the scenic environment is a sight to see. Rare flora and fauna and small jungle mammals inhabit the area, and one might even see the endangered Tasmanian devil.

***BONUS BONUS PACKAGE!!!***
Darien National Park (Panama): Bing Bing Bing!!! Another Bonus Package! While this is a rainforest by all means and purposes, it also has Rocky Coastline and even Beaches! If you choose this destination, you have the option of visiting these other Vacation destinations as well! Back to the jungle...Here you can see several different species of mammal not seen anywhere else, endemic avian species, and hundreds of other animals. Take a guided tour and learn about native tribes that are still living there.

Creature Vacations: Part 1: Tropical Getaways

Tropical Paradise

• Providenciales (Caribbean): Snorkel or dive to barrier reefs, visit the ocean floor walk, or stroll on this island's uncrowded beaches, also nominated the top beach destination by Traveler's Choice.
• Punta Cana (Dominican Republic): Walk the white sands, swim in the clear, blue waters, and stay in one of this paradise's many resorts.
• Saint Pete Beach (Florida, USA): Visit this beach's sugary sands, playful dolphins, and sunny rays without leaving the USA.
• Tulum (Mexico): Have a massage or spa treatment, visit    ancient ruins, or enjoy beautiful beaches in Tulum.
• Cayo Coco (Cuba): King's Gardens Islands offer everything from tranquil seas and soft white sand to horseback riding and fishing.
• Palm/Eagle Beach (Aruba): Experience the sugar-white sands and aqua waters as well as the culture and history that has been harbored on these beaches since the year 1000.
• Honolulu (Hawaii): What is Hawaii famous for? Surfing! Enjoy that, along with snorkeling, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, and just sunbathing!

See more about these tropical getaways...

Creature Vacations: Part 1: Deserts

Sandy Deserts:

• Sahara Desert (Egypt): Visit the Great Pyramids, see the Sphinx, Ride the Nile, and more!
• Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia): See the beauty of the largest salt desert in the world, along with the multi-colored mineral lakes found inside!
• Wadi Rum (Jericho): Visit one of the most beautiful deserts in the world, hunt for ancient artifacts, and see modern tribes still living there!
• Mojave Desert (United States): Experience one of the most beautiful sights of the U.S., see the Grand Canyon and World's Largest Thermometer, and visit the four national parks located in this desert!
• Other Desert: Vote between the Gobi Desert (Mongolia), Thar Desert (India), and Atacama Desert (Chile) for the fifth choice of desert. View each here.

**BONUS PACKAGE!!**

• Anarctic Desert (Antarctica): That's right! The Antarctic Desert is a bonus package! On this trip, creatures get to combine two destinations: a Desert and a Snowy Location! Experience a desert that has the record for being the driest, wettest, and coldest all at once! See the extreme wildlife that survives there, visit a research station, and more!

Creature Vacations!!!

Despite the fact that I have been mentioning this for months now, there's no mistaking it this time... and here's the proof! Creature Vacations can now be scheduled!

Here are some possible destinations:

Sandy Deserts

• See what deserts are on the travel list (Sahara and Mojave to name a couple) - coming up
 
 
Snowy Landscapes

Yes, Antarctica is definetely on the list




Tropical Paradise
 

Hawaii, anyone? + more
 
 
Big Cities
 

Ooh la la (for one)!
 
 
 
Rocky Seashores

East Coast, West Coast, European Coast?
 
 
Ancient Castles

Includes castles all over Europe!
 
 
 
Tropical Jungles/Rainforests

Amazon is definetely on the list!
 
 
 
Towering Mountain Ranges

For purple mountain majesties...
 
 
 
Creature Vacation Transportation made possible by...
 

•  

 Wait for upcoming updates on specific destinations. Until then, start planning!

 

 

Creature Swims

Be a Friend, Welcomes, and Look For...

Hello again, Creature fans! I just realized that I haven't been on for a week (although that's not exactly true since I was on, I just hadn't posted anything) so I better get started prepping for summer. So here I go, promising things that I may or may not get around to (as I've noticed I  have a habit of doing). Creature Vacations! I need to get going on that! I'll try to post some forms or something- no wait, that might not work. How's about if you are interested on signing up your creature for a vacation, you comment below saying "I am interested in signing up my creature for a vacation", and then I can email you the forms (if I know your email). If I don't know your email, then you email me (creaturelove04@aol.com) saying that you are interested in signing up your creature for a vacation, and then I can get back to you. If you don't have a creature, then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?!? This is the Creature Club, baby! Send me an email saying that you are interested in getting a creature, and I will get back to you. All creatures are property of Coral Reef Island and are FREE! (until I go
global)!

Also, please welcome Samantha Denise to the "Friends of Coral Reef Island" association. She, like Emma, realizes that it is important to be "a Friend of Coral Reef Island", especially if you have a creature. I mean, come on, think of all the awesome benefits you get! ?

Apparently, according to msn, today is World Oceans Day, and we all know that in oceans around the world are... does anyone have a guess? That's right, Coral Reefs! So, to celebrate, look for the special Member Report regarding the preservation of coral reefs.