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James Randi
James "The Amazing" Randi has an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but today he is best known as the world's most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. |
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Dr. Michael Shermer
Dr. Michael Shermer is the Director of the Skeptics Society, founding publisher of Skeptic Magazine, columnist for Scientific American, and producer of the TV series, Exploring the Unknown. His many books include: The Borderlands of Science, How We Believe, and Why People Believe Weird Things. |
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Banachek
Described as the "Cream of the Crop" when it comes to entertainers, Banachek is the world's leading Mentalist. His talents are so incredible that he is the only mentalist ever to fool scientists into believing he possessed 'Psychic powers' but to later reveal he was fooling them. Banachek has stunned crowds at the Amaz!ng Meeting, and is one of Randi's "Alpha Kids." |
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Dr. Hal Bidlack
Lt Colonel Hal Bidlack, Ph.D., is a former Associate Professor of Political Science at the USAF Academy, now retired. He has a long history with the JREF, and has previously performed as Master of Ceremonies, speaker, and presenter at previous Amaz!ng Meetings. He is a father of three, and a widower, who is not quite sure what he believes in.
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Ports
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Key West, Florida |
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| Ernest Hemingway made wild, colorful Key West his home, and you will want to do the same. Home to modern-day adventurers, artists and poets, the island's charming Old Town teems with restaurants, bars and unique shops. Add pristine coral reefs, coconut palms and a laid-back attitude that's truly contagious, and it's easy to see why so many visitors to Key West never leave. |
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| The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss |
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| Enjoy the pleasures of a glass-bottom boat on a unique and informative eco-tour of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. It's home to over 300 species of fish, which complete the colorful and intriguing seascape. The boats are specially designed to provide maximum viewing with minimum stress to the delicate reef environment. |
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| Other Fun Things to Do |
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Visit the Museum of Art and History at the Custom House, a "must-see" when in Key West. |
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Take a traditional trolley tour through historic Key West. |
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Discover the real Key West as you make your way through the lazy back streets on a bike-tour adventure. |
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Board the schooner Liberty for a relaxing sail around Key West Harbor. |
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Take a stroll through Key West's famed historic homes and gardens. Admire Casa Antigua, the former residence of Ernest Hemingway. Built in 1931, it was once a hotel, then was later rebuilt as a private home. It contains the largest courtyard in Key West. |
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Marvel at the priceless treasures on a visit to the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum. |
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Absorb the local charm on a stroll down Duval Street, lined with quaint shops, cafés and restaurants. |
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| Sporting Adventures |
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Kayak through the nearby canals and observe many species of bird and fish, maybe even a manatee. |
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Snorkel the clear tropical waters, swimming with colorful and exotic marine life at the only living coral reef in the continental United States. |
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Learn the intricacies of racing a catamaran as you compete in an actual yacht race - the Key West Regatta. This fun ride is a real rush as you try to outrun your opponents. |
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| Shopping for Bargains |
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| Shopping in Key West is like no other shopping experience in the world. Key West prides itself on an eclectic array of shops, including famous diamond stores, a cat and dog boutique, artists' markets, butterfly art, key-lime treats, luxurious aloe skin-care products, souvenirs that change color in the sun and pearls from around the world. While in Key West, shop for renowned jewelry from sunken treasures, unique clothing and a wide variety of souvenirs. |
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Cococay, Bahamas |
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| Located in the middle of the Caribbean's bright blue water lies the secluded island of CocoCaySM. With its white-sand beaches and spectacular surroundings, CocoCay is a wonderland of adventure. Reserved exclusively for Royal Caribbean guests, this tropical paradise has recently been updated with new aquatic facilities, nature trails and a ton of great places to just sit back, relax and enjoy a tropical drink. |
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| The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss |
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| While you're on CocoCaySM, don't miss the opportunity to take an exhilarating ride in the skies on a parasailing adventure. Soar 400 feet above the island and take in the spectacular scenery. You'll get a bird's-eye view of CocoCay as well as the surrounding islands. It's definitely a flight worth taking. |
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| Other Fun Things to Do |
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Take an adventure down the coast of CocoCay aboard a waverunner, our most popular activity. Fly past Great Stirrup Cay Lighthouse, Slaughter Harbor and Starfish Alley. |
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Enjoy Caylanas Aqua Park, a fun-filled floating playground. |
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Spend the day relaxing in a hammock on the beach and enjoy our island-style seaside barbecue. |
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| Sporting Adventures |
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| While you're on the island, give snorkeling a try and check out the beautiful coral reefs, colorful tropical fish and sunken wrecks. |
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| Get a Taste of Local Flavor |
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| This private island doesn't have any restaurants or shops, but our private beach offers mixed and frozen drinks that are out of this world. Order yours from a shady hammock to capture the true spirit of CocoCay. There are native crafts for sale on shore. |
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Cozumel, Mexico |
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| The Conquistadors first saw Mexico from the shores of Cozumel while searching for gold. Today, visitors to the island continue to seek out gold and silver jewelry in the shops of San Miguel while having a great time in its many local bars and restaurants. Plus, the waters around Cozumel's sheltered coral reefs make this one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. |
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| The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss |
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| Don't miss the opportunity to explore the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tulúm, majestically perched above the turquoise Caribbean. The site was occupied as far back as 600 A.D. However, it was most densely populated around 1200 A.D. You will be struck by the pyramid-shaped El Castillo, which dominates the city from atop a forty-foot cliff. The nearby Temple of the Descending God provides equally excellent insight into the architecture of the Mayan people, who gained considerable achievements in the arts and sciences, only to decline and vanish for no apparent reason. |
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| Other Fun Things to Do |
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Explore the underwater world of Chankanaab on a deep-sea adventure aboard the Atlantis Submarine. |
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Discover what makes a dolphin so magical as you play and interact with these amazing creatures in Chankanaab National Marine Park. |
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Sit back, relax, and bury your toes in the white sand of Playa del Sol beach in Cozumel. This destination offers all the food, drinks and activities you can imagine, including relaxing massages on the beach. |
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Take a Jeep®-safari adventure through the tropical landscape of Cozumel's east side. Ride through sand dunes and trails for an unforgettable experience. |
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Join the Fiesta party boat for a fun-filled trip to Playa del Sol, with margaritas, rum punch and a live band setting the mood for fun. |
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Helmet dive in Chankanaab and trek around coral reefs to see the abundant marine life up close. |
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Escape to the secluded beauty of your own private beach paradise, Passion Island, by a four-person canoe or motorized tender. |
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| Sporting Adventures |
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Experience snow-white bunkers and breathtaking views as you play a memorable round of golf on the championship course at the Cozumel Country Club. |
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Snorkel in the clear sapphire-colored water around Cozumel's coral reefs. It's a snorkeler's dream, and one of the world's premier snorkeling destinations. Equipment, instruction and guidance begin at Sand Dollar Beach. From there, you'll be able to enjoy everything your eyes behold for as long as you like, with transportation ready and waiting to take you back to your ship. |
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| Shopping for Bargains |
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| Regarded as the "St. Thomas of the Western Caribbean," Cozumel has become one of the world's best duty-free shopping ports. Cozumel offers unbelievable prices on diamonds, colored gemstones, jewelry, watches, gold, sterling silver, and even Oriental rugs as well as Mexican housewares and handicrafts. You can find designer jewelry pieces and watches from C2K, Caribbean Hook, Honora, House of Tanzanite, John Hardy, Kabana, La Nouvelle Bague, Starnight, White Diamonds, Cartier, Concord, Maurice Lacroix, Michele, Movado and more. |
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| Local Currency |
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| Mexico's currency is the peso (MXN). The $ sign is used to refer to pesos, so don't be shocked at the price tags. Any prices in U.S. dollars are listed as US$ or USD. Many hotels, restaurants and shops also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. |
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