Have you been heading to the same places over and over again? Tired of the same places and the same faces? Want some change?
Do you dare to be different? Then why not head to test the Alaskan landscape and feel the difference. Are you hungry for some pure fun? Do you have the burning desire to do something different? Want a chance to do that? Here you go – the Alaskan adventure. Everything to suit your need, a perfect getaway, for a short excursion or for a long vacation, Alaska is the answer.
If extravagance is your middle name, there are cruises that offer just that, a little more of pampering. The Jacuzzi or the massage, you name it you have it on cruises-everything at your disposal .a complete wine and dine experience that will make you shout out for more! Cruises rule the roost when it comes to class, comfort and luxury , and this Alaskan cruise is no different.
If it is adventure is what you are looking for then this is the answer. if you feel you are tired of relaxing then you have a perfect date for you in the form of Alaska .the natural habitat to some of worlds rarest animals like otters, sea lions and humpback whales, Alaska lets you get close to their homes. To experience this you will have to get up from your seats and head straight to the land to be, Alaska.
Just to feel the difference, head to the whole new world of Alaska and trust us that the experience is once in a lifetime one – be it adventure or luxury a complete answer to your long awaited break. Once you get going, you will have to fasten your seat belts as everything you see will make you jump in joy. Experience to enjoy.
Saturday 25 October 2008
5 Places NOT To Go To For Vacation
Some vacations aren’t as good as they are made out to be; maybe it’s a case of false advertising or maybe the locals just take advantage of you just because you have “tourist” stamped on your forehead. Or maybe your luggage arrived from the airport a day or two after you did? In any case, it’s hard to pinpoint the worst vacation destinations without taking into consideration all the things that can happen. Most disappointing vacations can usually be prevented.
To keep you from making a bad choice twice we are going to give you our list of the top five bad vacations.
1. A lot of popular vacation spots in the United States are suffering from unhealthy smog levels. Ozone smog exposure has a cumulative long term effect on your body especially in the elderly and in children.Believe it or not these popular holiday hot spots have high ozone smog: Cape Cod National Sea Shore, Boston, Maine’s Acadia National Park, Philadelphia, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Washington D.C., Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indianapolis, and Lake Michigan,
Pennsylvania (including the Amish farmland and the city of Lancaster).
2. Orlando looks beautiful when you are looking at brochures like the ones for the Nickelodeon Family Suites, but once you have arrived you have to spend hours standing in line just to check in and to top it off, when you do finally get to the desk clerk your room probably won’t be ready. Now, you get to your room and half the stuff in your
room is dirty and the microwave doesn’t work and the remote for the TV is missing. So you call down to the desk to report the problems which they assure you will be taken care of. While you are waiting you decide you will go down to the pool to distress but when you get there its so crowded you can’t even sit down. I’ve seen better accommodations at a Motel 6.
3. Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center in
Cleveland, Ohio. Beware: The bed bugs really do bite!
4. New Orleans, Louisiana. Even before the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been one of the hottest spots in the country, despite the fact that they have one of the country’s highest crime and murder rates. It will be a long time before it is back in condition to accept visitors, though I think it will be a different city once it is rebuilt.
5. Iraq. Self-explanatory. You can travel to the most wonderful vacation destination in the world and have things go wrong. Get complete details in writing about your vacation arrangements prior to making a payment. These details should include the total cost, including taxes, service fees, surcharges, port charges; including the terms and conditions, restrictions and cancellation penalties.
To keep you from making a bad choice twice we are going to give you our list of the top five bad vacations.
1. A lot of popular vacation spots in the United States are suffering from unhealthy smog levels. Ozone smog exposure has a cumulative long term effect on your body especially in the elderly and in children.Believe it or not these popular holiday hot spots have high ozone smog: Cape Cod National Sea Shore, Boston, Maine’s Acadia National Park, Philadelphia, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Washington D.C., Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indianapolis, and Lake Michigan,
Pennsylvania (including the Amish farmland and the city of Lancaster).
2. Orlando looks beautiful when you are looking at brochures like the ones for the Nickelodeon Family Suites, but once you have arrived you have to spend hours standing in line just to check in and to top it off, when you do finally get to the desk clerk your room probably won’t be ready. Now, you get to your room and half the stuff in your
room is dirty and the microwave doesn’t work and the remote for the TV is missing. So you call down to the desk to report the problems which they assure you will be taken care of. While you are waiting you decide you will go down to the pool to distress but when you get there its so crowded you can’t even sit down. I’ve seen better accommodations at a Motel 6.
3. Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center in
Cleveland, Ohio. Beware: The bed bugs really do bite!
4. New Orleans, Louisiana. Even before the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been one of the hottest spots in the country, despite the fact that they have one of the country’s highest crime and murder rates. It will be a long time before it is back in condition to accept visitors, though I think it will be a different city once it is rebuilt.
5. Iraq. Self-explanatory. You can travel to the most wonderful vacation destination in the world and have things go wrong. Get complete details in writing about your vacation arrangements prior to making a payment. These details should include the total cost, including taxes, service fees, surcharges, port charges; including the terms and conditions, restrictions and cancellation penalties.
Thursday 23 October 2008
The Forbidden Island
If you love a mystery, consider a vacation on Kauai, Hawaii.
Here's the mystery: what's it like on the neighboring Hawaiian island of Ni'ihau? This 550-square-mile island is the westernmost of the main Hawaiian islands and has been privately owned since 1864 by the Robinson family, which forbids tourists.
Ni'ihau (Nee-ee-how) is visible from the southwest shore of Kauai, lying low on the horizon 17 miles away. There are 200 or so native Hawaiians who live there and speak the Hawaiian language. In fact, it's the only place the language is spoken any more. It is taught in the island's only school, which goes K-8.
Islanders of course are free to leave and come back, so many of them do. They need to in order to get provisions from Kauai to live on the dry island, which is in the rain shadow of the ancient volcano cone on Kauai, Wai-ale-ale, "the wettest spot on earth" at 460 inches per year of rainfall. The Robinson family, which owns Ni'ihau, has maintained sheep ranches there.
A stunning form of folk art comes from Ni'ihau. These are Ni'ihau shell leis, tiny shells strung from many strands. These tiny luminous shells come in various colors, and so whole families collect them and sort them for size and color. Then the artist, usually a woman, sets to work, punching a hole in each shell using an awl often made from a bicycle spoke (there are no cars on the island). About half the shells shatter at this point. She chooses colors in such a way as to make a final product that is textured with color.
These tiny shells are still found on Ni'ihau, but not on neighboring Kauai where agricultural runoff has tended to kill off the shell-makers. The resulting shell leis are rare, hard to find, and precious. But if you look hard on Kauai, you can find them!
Hawaiian legend has it that the volcano goddess Pele had her original home on Ni'ihau. Then she traveled to Kauai, Oahu, and moved eastward until she found the Big Island of Hawaii, where she is today. Scientists say that the Hawaiian islands were formed as a plate of earth's crust moved slowly across an active lava vent. But Kauai was formed before Ni'ihau, which is sort of a side vent from the volcano that formed Kauai. As the crust moved slowly, Kauai was formed, then Oahu, and so on. Ni'ihau's current form is as an eroded lava dome on the eastern side of the island. Much of the rest is flat and sandy, with a couple of freshwater lakes.
It's possible to find a map of Ni'ihau, and pictures of its rock formations. But how can you go and see? In fact, the Robinson family is allowing a few forms of tourism now. Some helicopter tours from Kauai are allowed to land on remote beaches. And you can take a hunting safari, to control populations of feral bighorn sheep and Polynesian boars. In addition, scuba divers regularly dive off Ni'ihau.
All that is available from Kauai, Ni'ihau's big sister island 17 miles away. Kauai has immense charms of its own; not only does it have the usual beaches and surf, but it has incredible beauty on its northwest coast, called Na Pali, or The Cliffs.
Here's the mystery: what's it like on the neighboring Hawaiian island of Ni'ihau? This 550-square-mile island is the westernmost of the main Hawaiian islands and has been privately owned since 1864 by the Robinson family, which forbids tourists.
Ni'ihau (Nee-ee-how) is visible from the southwest shore of Kauai, lying low on the horizon 17 miles away. There are 200 or so native Hawaiians who live there and speak the Hawaiian language. In fact, it's the only place the language is spoken any more. It is taught in the island's only school, which goes K-8.
Islanders of course are free to leave and come back, so many of them do. They need to in order to get provisions from Kauai to live on the dry island, which is in the rain shadow of the ancient volcano cone on Kauai, Wai-ale-ale, "the wettest spot on earth" at 460 inches per year of rainfall. The Robinson family, which owns Ni'ihau, has maintained sheep ranches there.
A stunning form of folk art comes from Ni'ihau. These are Ni'ihau shell leis, tiny shells strung from many strands. These tiny luminous shells come in various colors, and so whole families collect them and sort them for size and color. Then the artist, usually a woman, sets to work, punching a hole in each shell using an awl often made from a bicycle spoke (there are no cars on the island). About half the shells shatter at this point. She chooses colors in such a way as to make a final product that is textured with color.
These tiny shells are still found on Ni'ihau, but not on neighboring Kauai where agricultural runoff has tended to kill off the shell-makers. The resulting shell leis are rare, hard to find, and precious. But if you look hard on Kauai, you can find them!
Hawaiian legend has it that the volcano goddess Pele had her original home on Ni'ihau. Then she traveled to Kauai, Oahu, and moved eastward until she found the Big Island of Hawaii, where she is today. Scientists say that the Hawaiian islands were formed as a plate of earth's crust moved slowly across an active lava vent. But Kauai was formed before Ni'ihau, which is sort of a side vent from the volcano that formed Kauai. As the crust moved slowly, Kauai was formed, then Oahu, and so on. Ni'ihau's current form is as an eroded lava dome on the eastern side of the island. Much of the rest is flat and sandy, with a couple of freshwater lakes.
It's possible to find a map of Ni'ihau, and pictures of its rock formations. But how can you go and see? In fact, the Robinson family is allowing a few forms of tourism now. Some helicopter tours from Kauai are allowed to land on remote beaches. And you can take a hunting safari, to control populations of feral bighorn sheep and Polynesian boars. In addition, scuba divers regularly dive off Ni'ihau.
All that is available from Kauai, Ni'ihau's big sister island 17 miles away. Kauai has immense charms of its own; not only does it have the usual beaches and surf, but it has incredible beauty on its northwest coast, called Na Pali, or The Cliffs.
Source: Free Articles
Holidaying in Broome: The Hidden Pearl of Western Australia
If you want to experience another facet of Australia, head for Broome, an exotic oasis in the heart of the country's last great wilderness area.
Broome is an exotic blend of seaside resort and frontier town with and colourful mix of architectural styles. Add in a delightful beach and a rich and unusual history all in a tropical climate, and you've got the recipe for a great vacation.
Broome's exotic nature stems from its history. Its location on the Indian Ocean made it a perfect spot for pearling and it attracted people from all over the world, especially Japan.
Today's Broome is a chic modern town with art galleries and jewellery shops chic cafes with a wide range of attractions. You can see the pearling luggers at the wharf and in the bays, and buy pearls in Chinatown. For a taste of history, there's a Japanese cemetery, the last resting place of over 900 pearl divers.
Other than the city, the big attraction is the famous Cable Beach, a 14-mile stretch of pristine sand washed by a limpid blue sea. To truly appreciate the magic of Cable Beach, take a camel ride at sunset. The swimming is good too. Roebuck Bay on the eastern side of the town is also popular.
Broome is also a delight for ornithologists as flocks of shorebirds land at Roebuck Bay on their annual migration from north Asia. Summer is the peak time to view them but fledglings often remain there for the first two years of their lives.
Transport: getting there and getting around
Broome International Airport provides transport to several regional and domestic towns and cities.
Public transport in Broome is minimal but there's an hourly bus service to Cable Beach. The flat terrain makes it fine for cycling and rental bikes are readily available.
Climate:
Broome has a tropical climate with basically two seasons - dry and wet. During the dry season from May to November, temperatures peak at around 30 C. Most days are clear and sunny. In the wet season, temperatures get up to around 35 C. Humidity is high and heavy downpours are sporadic. The area can get hit by cyclones and summer storms.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Hotels in Broome
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Broome hotels
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Broome accommodation
Events:what's on and what's hot
*Broome's flagship event is known as 'Staircase to the Moon'. It occurs when a full moon reflects off mudflats in Roebuck Bay during low tide. The effect is like a glorious set of stairs reaching up to the moon. Occurs March through to October.
*In September, the importance of the pearl industry is captured in Shinju Matsuri, which started in 1970. The name means 'festival of the pearl' in Japanese and the event is an extravaganza which includes an opening ball, carnival and float parade, mardi gras, together with many cultural activities.
*Opera Under The Stars is held in Broom and Kimberly in August.
Source: Free Articles
Bhutan Travel Guide
Nestling in the Himalayas, the kingdom of Bhutan is bordered by China in the north and India in the south. It is roughly the size of Switzerland. With its closely guarded culture and traditions, and well-conserved pristine natural environment, Bhutan is unique and fascinating in many ways.
Bhutan is the last surviving Mahayana Buddhist kingdom in the roof of the world. Religion has shaped the nation's history, and it still plays a vital role in the everyday life.
Bhutan has a wide range of climates, from the hot and humid jungles of the southern foothills to frigid snowcapped peaks in the north which rise to 7,700 metres. This has made it possible for a lot of unique and rare plants and animals to thrive.
Realizing that uncontrolled tourism can have devastating and irreversible effect on the local environment, culture and the identity of the people, the Bhutanese government has introduced fixed 'daily tourist tariff' to limit the number of tourists visting Bhutan per year. The tourists are charged a fixed rate per night halt during their tour in Bhutan. This rate includes meals, accomodations, transport, services of guides and porters, supply of pack and riding ponies and cultural programs when and where available. Please see 'Getting There' section for details.
There are two ports of entry into Bhutan: by Druk Air via Paro Airport or by road from India via the southern gateway city of Phuentsholing. Either way, a trip to Bhutan must be planned in advance because tourist visas can only be processed through a registered tour operator in Bhutan after full payment of tour price.
Although it is more expensive than visting another South Asian or South East Asian country, you will find Bhutan very different from any other country you have visited. You will find a country where all people in villages as well as in cities still wear their traditional dress. A country whose past is still the present, a country where TV and the Internet have not changed the people's age-old traditions, a country which is rightly called by some as "The Last Shangrila".
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