Yerba mate is an herbal tea claimed to have the ability to stimulate the mind and many medicinal and healthful properties. The low caffeine levels make this herbal tea a fantastic substitute for coffee. "Ilex Paraguayans" is a medium sized tree cultivated in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. Also during the time the Ottoman Empire ruled Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, many Arabs emigrated to Argentina, and there they learned to drink yerba mate.

Syria is also the biggest importer of yerba mate in the world, importing 15,000 tons a year. It is mostly the Druze community in Syria and Lebanon who maintain the culture and practice of mate. This evergreen member of the Holly family was introduced in South America by the Guarani Indians of these regions, who called it " the drink of the Gods" It is the leaves that are desirable. The need to be "deactivated" to release the natural enzymes. This process can be done by holding cut branches over open fire. The foliage are dried, toasted and crushed to produce a fine, flaky leaf tea.

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Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative. But unfortunately today wildlife faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution and other human actions, such as global warming.

Threats to wildlife:

• Habitat Loss: Due to growing population, cities are expanding into the countryside, and as a result fewer natural wildlife habitat areas are left each year. Some wildlife species, such as deer, rabbits and chipmunks, are adaptable to many conditions, but other creatures have very specific plant, moisture and temperature requirements. These are the endangered species which we risk losing if we don't preserve adequate amounts of habitat for their survival.

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I have decided to do our first travel review on India. Incredible India. The movies do not do this country justice. It is so much more than curry, hot food, cricket and turbans.  It is a country full of rich culture, religion, beliefs, mystical places and fantastic food.

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Last night l was watching cable and they showed a great documentary on the Eiffel Tower. So l thought l would also write a post about some interesting facts. Maybe you can use them to impress someone at your next dinner party!

• The Eiffel Tower is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River in Paris.
• It was completed in 1889, taking less than 2 years.
• Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, who paid for its construction form his own money and the tallest building Paris
• Depending on the ambient temperature, the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by up to 18 cm because of thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun!

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If watching the sunrise from atop a 10,000-foot volcano, swimming under waterfalls, hiking through craters and luxuriating on white-, red- and even black-sand beaches sounds like paradise, then you must visit Maui.

Maui is located in Hawaii and is part of the United States. It is one of the most beautiful islands, with lush green hills, waterfalls, and white sand beaches. It is the second largest second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1883.5 km). Maui is also home to the Haleakala Crater, the largest dormant volcano in the world.

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The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the glaciers that makes up the "Los Glaciers" National Park with a dimension of 17.000 ha.

It is one of the most important drinkable water reserves in the world. The last rupture took place in March 2006. However due to global warming the glacier breaks earlier, it will be the first time it breaks in winter!

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When l think of Bangkok, many things come to mind such as lots of people, color, markets, rivers, boats, wonderful food, cheap things to buy, temples.....well Bangkok is all this plus more. So lets have a look at what this beautiful city has to offer.

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Cape Town is the second most heavily populated city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Cape Town. Cape town is known as a Mother City of Africa, and the Western Cape, an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The City is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the join up of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north.

Cape Town boasts a huge number of things to do, ranging from outdoor activities and adventures in the sun to a busy night life under neon signs of course the shopping! This is a city of culture, built on a history that reflects in the architecture, cuisine, music and dance. Together with a warm summer and temperate winter climate and a friendly community Cape Town is an ideal holiday destination throughout the year.

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Walt Disney's Disneyland Park is the place where it all begins! A place for young and old. Eight themed lands filled with classic attractions, world class entertainment and surprises around every turn have made this the place where dreams come true for more than five decades. Where else can you fly on an elephant's back, spin in a giant teacup, meet 999 Happy haunts, journey to the ocean floor and explore an ancient temple all in the same day? Nowhere but here!

Where Disney stories comes to life! Right across from Disneyland park there's even more magic to be discovered in Disney's California Adventure park. All around you, Disney stories comes to life in new and exciting ways - from incredible shows to amazing attractions; from some of your favorite Disney characters, to exciting, dream-come true entertainment experiences. There's no end to the adventure as your imagination runs free in this one-of-a-kind Disney theme park!

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Sweden, which occupies the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, is the fourth-largest country in Europe and is one-tenth larger than California. As the lonely planet guide  mentions "From berserker Vikings to Nobel Prize in just a few centuries - Sweden really has earned its reputation as a model for progressive society. Throw in its gorgeous people, high standard of living, clean-lined design and magically archipelagic capital, Stockholm, and you're onto a very good thing.

Gothenburg and Malm beckon with urban delights, and away from the cities, Sweden takes in vast areas of scenic coastline and idyllic islands. The wilderness areas of Norrland have the legendary midnight sun in summer, Arctic Scandinavia's highest mountain and marvellous hiking trails".

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