Costa Blanca, Spain is the perfect destination for a family holiday as there are some great theme parks and water parks to visit, as well as beautiful beaches. The best way to explore the Costa Blanca is by hire car, as you can drive to whichever attraction you want, whenever you want.

Here are details of five of the best family attractions that you can visit during your hire car holiday on the Costa Blanca. All of these attractions are only a short trip from the popular tourist resorts of Alicante and Benidorm.

1. Terra Mitica

Terra Mitica is a huge theme park situated just outside of Benidorm. You can drive from Alicante to Terra Mitica in about 35 minutes in your Costa Blanca hire car.

The park is divided into five historically themed areas, each of which is packed with rides and shows to suit all ages, together with shops and restaurants:

• Egypt: You can ride on an Egyptian boat, get drenched on the Falls of the Nile log flume, take part in The Battle of the Pyramid paintball game, or watch the Heartbeat of the Sea multimedia show.
• Greece: Enter the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, get soaked on the Triton Fury log flume and enjoy a meal at the Acropolis
• Rome: Some of the biggest thrill rides are in this area, including the Magnus Colossus rollercoaster, the Flight of the Phoenix free fall ride and the Inferno rollercoaster. You can also see shows including a gladiator fight.
• Iberia: Ride the Tizonalooping rollercoaster or test your driving skills on the Ariete bumper cars.
• The Islands: Cool down on the Rapids of Argos bumper boat ride, enjoy a ride on the Mithos carousel or learn about mythology on Ulysses Rescue.

2. Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park

If you hire a car during your Costa Blanca holiday, you can drive to Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park, just one of the attractions surrounding Costa Blanca outside of Benidorm. Here you can see flamingos, turtles, seals, sea lions, penguins, parrots, and a whole host of other animals and birds. The park has a bat cave, a play area for children and a dolphinarium, where you can watch a dolphin show.

It will take you about 40 minutes to drive from Alicante to Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park in your Costa Blanca if you try car hiring.

3. Aqualandia

Aqualandia is right next to Mundomar Exotic Animal Park, just outside of Benidorm, and it is easy to reach in your Costa Blanca hire car.

This large water park offers rides and pools to suit the whole family. You can ride the rapids, try out the exciting Big Bang chutes, race family members on the Splash multi-track slide, bob along on the Amazonas and even watch a sea lion show.

4. Terra Natura

The Terra Natura wildlife park is located about 5km outside of Benidorm, and it is a great place to visit during a Costa Blanca hire car holiday.

Terra Natura is home to more than 1,500 animals, and is divided into four separate areas:

• Pangea: You can see lizards, scorpions and snakes here, as well as other animals and reptiles.
• Asia: In this area of the park, you can see elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards and many other animals and birds.
• America:This area is home to animals and birds such as flamingos, jaguars and monkeys.
• Europe: Residents include donkeys, horses, deer and turtles.

You can also ride a donkey, see crocodiles and alligators being fed, and see a number of different shows.

5. Aqua Natura

Aqua Natura is a water park right next to Terra Natura, and is a great place to cool down from the Costa Blanca heat during your hire car holiday.

Park your hire car at the entrance and enjoy the water slides, wave pool and jacuzzi. There is also a great play area for children, an aquarium where you can see rays, sharks and many different species of fish, and you can even swim with sharks!

¶ 10:46 PM 0 comments

God gave us the beautiful mountains, large meadows, and great seas, all for which I am truly thankful. We have proof in the many natural settings serving as the backdrop for scripture-based posters. Some love what He has created and all are charged with caring for His creation. However, merely recognizing this magnificence is not stewardship. Putting thought into ecology, the environment, and how we affect it is.

How far does this stewardship go? Deuteronomy 25:4 tells us "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." We have guidance from the Bible showing how to care for the land and wildlife inhabiting the earth. However there are others working to give deeper meaning to the word stewardship. They have devoted their lives to studying animals, their environment, and how we affect it.

For example, biologists have documented mysterious disappearance and mutations of frog species, leaving authorities baffled. Some consider it to be a direct reflection of our influence. Factory residue, fertilizer, and construction are some factors contributing to such drastic changes. The scientists I had the fortune of spending a few adventurous evenings with, study such patterns of changes in reptiles and amphibians. Thus, they have carried the definition of stewardship a little further.

Recently, some of the herpetologists at the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Near Aiken, South Carolina, invited me along for a nighttime snake hunt. I met the party at sunset and found in the midst of the experts two undergraduate students, four research herpetologists, and a medical student. The group's collect experience helped to settle my apprehension of purposely seeking out one of man's most feared creatures.

I pondered what we would discover as the headlights led us into the dark woods making up the 300-square-mile preserve owned by the U.S. government. I had been on two previous day trips to turn over logs, strategically placed shelters, and look in swamps for wildlife native to or introduced to the area, and had yet to see a snake. I doubted this trip would be any different.
As we navigated the primitive roads a series of questions interrupted my thoughts.
"Has anyone caught a fasciata recently?" Dr. Gibbons asked.

"A what?"

"A banded water snake."

"Oh, not yet."

"How about a guttata?"

"Huh?"

"A corn snake."

"Oh, that."

"Ok, we'll take road five. I've caught a few up there and I want to check again," Dr. Gibbons instructed.

We made a few stops and looked in the old barns, under boards, and in the vegetation. Even though we did not find snakes, we found many species of frogs and toads. I had a lot of fun scurrying about trying to catch anything that moved. The brave adventurers earned their living reaching into dark shadows for what might lurk. One student pulled her hand out of a hole and revealed a small toad. I wondered how she could know what was in the dark before grabbing it, maybe she just knew.

Not all the work turned out to be fun. The arduous documentation of evidence and amphibious and reptile specimen movements is one of the less glamorous duties in field studies. Yet, without these records, we would not know impact the local industry has had on the ecology.

The winding road brought us to a creek bed, where we scrambled from the van. I was nearly trampled because this wild bunch had a game they liked to play. Basically, when the vehicle made a stop, we tried not to be the last out, or worse yet, just ahead of him or her. Once recovered, I realized that we must be in the right place. Everyone had their flashlight, either hand held or helmet mounted, trained on an area the size of a beach ball. They poised in awe of their spectacular find.

However, I struggled to see whatever had caused the fuss. Even though I strained for what seemed minutes, I could not discern what they discovered. Finally the source of wonder revealed itself. Growing impatient with its audience, a huge serpent uncoiled to slither away. Sinbad or Hercules would have had trouble fighting this large cottonmouth in the old adventure movies.
Later, when I asked why I had such a hard time seeing the snake, Dr. Gibbons explained that I suffered from a lack of what is called "search image". It's something both scientists and laymen often experience. To explain, imagine walking along and your friend jumps at seeing a green snake. You focus all your energy in finding the green menace, but while searching you may inadvertently overlook any brown ones resting nearby. It's like not being able to see the trees for the forest.
Later, we drove to a pond. Since it had rained, Dr. Gibbons thought we would have luck with frogs. I have been in the woods many times at night and have heard many frog calls. This night was different-it was like Christmas for these people. Dreams came true as excited scientists identified species after species. Some proved to be hybrids, having adapted to environmental changes.

I was greeted by such a brilliant display of different frog sounds that I found myself hoping each caller would find their mate. To experience such emotion and excitement as each scientist attributed a frog name to each voice was inspiring. I listened long into the night as each versicolor, ocularis, gratuosa, or any other variation of tree frog called out. I couldn't help feeling as if I were eavesdropping on something special.

Many scientific names are hard for the untrained to remember, so more common ones are necessary. The Morse code frog ditted and datted the lyrics, the cowbell frog provided acoustics, and the banjo frog plucked in an accompaniment to one of the most heartfelt love songs most of the world never hears.

Once finished, we all left satisfied for different own reasons. I gave Dr. Gibbons a ride home that night and we talked as the rain picked up momentum. Flooding had forced many small animals onto the road, so I kept the adventure alive as I inquired of Dr. Gibbons as to their names. We identified some copperhead snakes and leopard frogs.

I had so much fun learning about a new world that I did not want it to end. The next day as I sat on Dr. Gibbons back porch being entertained by his frog imitations, I realized the adventure didn't have to end. There is very much yet to discover in backyards, playgrounds, woods, ponds or wherever your adventure takes you.

The most important, however, is recognizing God's Creation-His most abounding evidence of His existence. It is up to us to learn of all he has to offer. He created it all to glorify Himself, while somehow being generous enough to provide for our amusement. In my appointment-filled day, I am often thankful for those who, like the scientists at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, spend their energy identifying how we affect our environment.

You can hear some of the many frog sounds, or learn of the Savannah River Ecology Lab's mission by visiting their web site at uga.edu

Jeff Bennett is the founder of ISPCert.com and currently serves as the Vice Chair of a local chapter of NCMS (Society of Industrial Security Professionals). He has written a study manual for the NCMS' Industrial Security Professional Certification. For more information on Jeff's articles and ISP Certification, please visit http://www.ispcert.com If you desire to schedule a speaking engagement, please contact Jeff at http://www.ispcert.com

¶ 4:23 PM 0 comments

Introduction

This is an introduction to quality assurance of chemical measurements. Quality assurance is defined as the records kept on the results of the routine analysis of quality control samples. Many laboratories mistakenly assume that merely running quality control samples constitutes an adequate quality assurance program. This is incorrect. In fact, without proper and ongoing documentation of quality control sample results quality assurance does not even exist.

This is not a lesson in statistics, however, a knowledge of statistics is required. Neither is this an analytical chemistry lesson, but without some knowledge in chemical analysis there is really no need to read further.

Quality Control

Quality Control consists of either the analysis of samples of known quantities for the purpose of verifying a method's accuracy or the repeat analysis of a sample to determine the methods precision. Quality control samples may be relatively clean interference free matrices, or complex matrices that duplicate the sample. Results may either be recorded as absolute or relative percent recovery.

Blanks consist of all reagents used in a test and may contain everything in the sample except the analyte of interest. The purpose of the blank is to assess laboratory contamination. High, or variable blank values indicate a contamination that needs to be located and eliminated.

Blank Spikes are blanks to which a known amount of analyte has been added. Blank spikes largely determine whether significant analyte is lost during sample processing. Since the blank matrix is interference free a high blank spike result is further indication of contamination, or an inadequate calibration.

Blank Spike Duplicates measure the ability of a method to duplicate analytical results in an interference free matrix. Bad precision indicates either loss of analyte (lower than expected recovery) or contamination.

Matrix Spikes are real samples to which a known amount of analyte has been added. Subtracting the amount of analyte determined in an unspiked portion enables calculation of the percent analyte recovered from samples of that matrix.

Matrix Duplicates are repeat analyses of a sample matrix used to evaluate precision. If the amount of analyte is expected to be near or below the Method Detection Limit (MDL), Matrix Spike Duplicates are often run allowing precision to be evaluated.

Method Detection Limit (MDL) is a statistically determined number that represents the lowest concentration of analyte that can be detected with the confidence of not being a false reading. One popular calculation of MDL multiplies the standard deviation of seven replicate tests by 3.14. The replicate tests should be blank spikes with an analyte concentration 3-5 times the calculated MDL.

It is important for all users of this statistically derived MDL to realize the great inaccuracies associated with this number. The MDL that is determined by analysis of replicates made on purified water only applies to the purified water. This number generated also only applies to the analyst that made the determination and the instrument that was used. Also, statistically speaking there is no real accuracy or precision associated with this number, as variability can be as high as 100%.

Minimum Level, or reporting limit is the lowest calibration standard, or a concentration of 3.18 times the MDL. The minimum level is approximately 10 times the standard deviation of the noise and represents the point where data has an accuracy and precision of within about 30 % of its true value.

A more accurate determination of the minimum level is to plot RSD and Recovery of collected multiple laboratory data and determine the lowest point where both accuracy and precision are within 30%.

Calibration is a representation of a response that is in proportion to an amount. In modern instrumentation the calibration is an electronic signal relative to an amount of analyte. A graphical plot of concentration versus signal is represented by a calibration curve, which is hoped to be linear, but may be second or third order depending on the measurement method and concentration range. Calibration could, however, also represent mass measured on a balance or volume measured with a burette.

Conclusion

Measurement techniques are moving more and more towards instrumentation leaving behind chemical methods such as gravimetric precipitations and volumetric titrations. The problem introduced by strictly instrumentation analysis is that instruments require known calibrants that responses of unknowns can be compared to. As the classical volumetric and gravimetric chemical approaches to analysis and measurement are gradually forgotten we are gradually losing the ability to prepare new calibration standards for our instruments. Also, classical techniques are more accurate and precise in high purity chemical assays while instrumentation is best at trace analysis. A laboratory does itself service by maintaining classical methods using instrumentation for trace analyses such as environmental testing, or the verification of the purity of precipitates.

William Lipps
http://www.oico.com
(979) 690-1375 ext. 230
wlipps@oico.com

One Extraction, One Dilution, One Injection, Automation solutions. Segmented Flow, Flow Injection, Discrete Analyzers, TOC Analyzers, Sample Introduction, Gas Chromatography, Gel Permeation, Purge & Trap

Expert Methods Consulting
http://www.williamlipps.com

Classical Wet Chemistry, HPLC, IC, GC, GC/MS, SFA, FIA, Discrete, TOC, TOX, UV-VIS, IR, Osmometry, Petroleum, Proximate Analysis, Extractions, Digestions

¶ 10:02 AM 0 comments

Snakes can make fascinating and entertaining pets, but they're not quite the ideal pet for everyone. They require special care and requirements, and should only be kept by those willing to commit to their care.

Choosing the type of snake is your first step. Some snakes are more dangerous than others, and the types of snakes range from common, harmless garter snakes to large and dangerous pythons.

It's important to research types of snakes before making a decision. Take into consideration its special needs and requirements, as well as the danger in handling the type of snake.

Regardless of the type of snake, you will need to house it in a secure enclosure with no gaps or open areas through which the snake can escape. A glass structure, like a large fish tank may be ideal. Just be sure the lid is firmly secured and not able to be lifted easily from the inside.

Snakes do not eat vegetation, but must feed on prey. The most common food for snakes (though it does depend on the type) is mice or rats. It is actually preferable to have the prey pre-killed in order to prevent injury to the snake. A live rodent can harm a snake, so pre-killing is recommended. It may be convenient to keep a supply of frozen food for your pet snake.

Speak with the pet store or pet dealer/breeder before purchasing a snake. If possible, the snake should have been bred in captivity. Snakes caught from the wild tend to be less tame and more prone to disease. Also, snakes caught from the wild will generally be more difficult to feed in captivity.

For new snake owners, or those who may be inexperienced with snakes, choosing the right type of snake is key. Corn snakes, king snakes or ball snakes are the best choice for new owners, as they tend to be more gentle, and their needs are not as difficult as some of the other species of snake. They are also relatively smaller than other types of snake, ranging from four to five feet in length as adults.

The life-span of snakes, especially the easier care species listed in the paragraph above, range from twenty to forty years. Snakes are not a low-maintenance pet. They require a good deal of special care, and their long life span requires an additional commitment to long term care.

As with any pet, the decision to own a pet snake should not be taken lightly. Careful research and evaluation of your commitment to taking care of the pet should be done. Snakes can make very rewarding and entertaining pets. Just be sure you're up to the challenge.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.

¶ 3:42 AM 0 comments