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Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

Bunaken is part of the Bunaken National Marine Park, which has some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world. Scuba diving attracts many visitors to the island. Bunaken is located at the north of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It belongs administratively to the municipality of Manado.

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia’s growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 890.65 km², 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27 to 29 °C) Pick any of group of interest – corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges – and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 general of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park. Read the rest of this entry »

The allure of Mexico has an appeal that crosses countries and borders. Mexico is well-known for its fabulous resorts and luxurious beaches. From white sand beaches to the mountains, Mexico is host to a wide range of natural wonders and breathtaking sights. Mayan ruins, mountains, volcanoes, and a wide collection of tropical fish and sea life can be found in Mexico. Mexico is home to some of the world’s top tourist attractions. Of these destinations, the top five Mexican tourist sites include Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cozumel.

Acapulco is rated as one of the top tourists attractions in Mexico. It is also considered Mexico’s largest beach resort. It is home to some of the world’s finest hotels, as well as many beautiful beaches. Acapulco offers a wide range of activities such as snorkeling, fishing, golf, tennis, and scuba diving. Boats trips are regular features of a trip to Acapulco. Acapulco is also a great place for family vacations, as well as romantic getaways. Many all-inclusive packages offer fun filled activities for couples and families, but at a descent price.

Cancun is one of the world’s most famous resort towns. According to the town’s history, a computer selected its location when the Mexican government was looking for the perfect location to build its newest resort. Since then, Cancun has grown into a large community and one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. When looking for a vacation spot, many individuals automatically consider vacationing in Cancun. Cancun is most known for its nightlife; however, that is not all that Cancun is about. With nearby Mayan ruins, you can incorporate education into your vacation. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are looking for fun, thrills, and adventure, Universal Studios is the place to go. There are rides that will thrill you and rides that will scare you senseless. From caves to the air, there is something to please all of the thrill seekers out there.

Start your day with Revenge of the Mummy. This is a psychological thrill ride that is unlike anything you have ever experienced. This is a roller coaster ride in total darkness. Traveling at a very high speed, you will have many terrifying creatures jumping out at you. If your heart is still beating and you think you can handle more, your next stop should be Jurassic Park: The Ride.

Jurassic Park may seem a bit tame after Revenge of the Mummy, but it is still great fun, and there are still many thrills. This ride entails you riding a raft which is slowly being cranked up. Dinosaurs of various breeds appear out of nowhere while you are going up. Suddenly, you and your raft are falling quickly downhill, and the ride ends with a huge splash that leaves you soaked! Make sure you bring a change of clothes, because you will want to move on to Back to the Future. Read the rest of this entry »

Nothing in the world beats a family beach vacation, whether it’s at a deluxe resort, or a simple campground on the beach.

Below, are some ways you might do your vacation:

Caribbean Beach Vacation
1. Families flock to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for their all inclusives with watersports and kids clubs.
2. At some resorts the kids programs are outstanding, with separate leaders and activities for many different age groups.
3. Pool complexes – some resorts have waterparks.
4. The prices can be high, although they will drop from May to December. Hurricane season is in those months as well, although most resorts offer weather guarantees.

Mexico Beach Vacation
Even though tourists zip down to Mexico and do what they want at a condo or small hotel, beach vacations at all inclusive resorts are still the best way to go for families.

The Riviera Maya, an hour south of Cancun, has the second largest barrier reef in the world. It also has many activities for families to explore outside of the resort. You can rent a car, hire a taxi, or even take a public bus.

Hawaii Beach Vacation
When you go to Hawaii, you shouldn’t expect to find all inclusive resorts in the Aloha state. Hawaii is known for lush luxury resorts, such as the Grand Wailea on Maui, or the properties on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast.

To find more affordable options in Hawaii, the Waikiki Beach area is breathtaking, fun for the entire family, and offers several different lodging options.

With plenty of options available to you and your family, vacation ideas on the beach are always something to look forward to. There are many beaches out there, all you have to do is find the one that fits your needs – and your budget.

If, like many people, you are often at a loss as to where to go and what to do for a family trip, a Mauritius vacation is ideal! This is one travel destination that is perfect for your entire family. Not only will it give the adults a great holiday, this is one location that addresses the question of how to keep children happily entertained.

However long your vacation is to be, your children will never be bored. Every day will present new and different opportunities to be absolutely delighted! If filling their time with activities that are not only fun but also very worthwhile, a Mauritius vacation is the one-stop travel destination that will give them a wealth of enjoyment and many happy memories.

Mauritius’s Wild Adventure Park is a theme park that your children will love. It is quite possible that you will enjoy it as much as they do! Of course there are theme parks at nearly every travel spot in the world; so you may be wondering what makes Mauritius’s Wild Adventure Park so unique, what makes it the theme park that your children simply must see, and will long remember? The answer to this question is that the Mauritius Wild Adventure Park is actually located in a tropical forest, giving your children the chance to participate in hands-on activities in the jungle. Unlike many theme parks, the Mauritius Wild Adventure Park is not designed to look authentic it actually is authentic; and this is a feature which you are not likely to find in any other theme park anywhere. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you heard of Dubai’s famous indoor ski slope? When you try to imagine it do you think of something like a slope in the middle of the mall covered with fake synthetic snow? A ride fit, at best, for kids? Well, you are as horribly wrong, as I was! I stood with my mouth agape when I finally saw it first hand. We are talking a proper ski slope with real ice and snow blowers that blow proper (although man made) snow onto the slopes. A full size ski lift to take you up to the top of the slopes, tobogganing and ski hire. We are talking a full size operation here where people can actually take skiing holidays to Dubai.

Perhaps it is time to consider taking your holidays to Dubai, because if you have not already done so you have missed out on one of the best most varied experiences there is to be had!

Many people actually learned to ski on that very slope in the downtown Dubai mall in between luxuriously relaxing days at the beach sipping exotic cocktails. Don’t even get me started on those gorgeous beaches either. They are simply stunning Caribbean style. Do a Google search for Dubai pictures and see for yourself.

And if you do decide to take your holidays to Dubai, while you are there why not zip off into the desert on a camel safari for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. I loved pony rides on the beach just as the sun was setting and then there was the awesome water slides with rapids, wave pool and even the Jumeirah Scarah ride which proposes to get you up to approximately 80km per hour! Once was enough for me and I have since decided that I shall not attempt to go that fast again unless in a motor vehicle! The rapids were awesome though.

Well Dubai now is the new center of the world and it’s totally amazed by the beauty and variety and you will be to if you decide to take you holidays to Dubai.

The Forbidden City, located at the center of Beijing municipality, was the seat of power for 24 emperors from 1406 to 1911. It took thousands of artisans and 14 years to complete the colossal complex spread over 720.000 square meters with 9.000 bays of halls and rooms which become a symbol of China’s monarchial grandeur built on the blood and sweat of its toiling peasantry. Significantly, however, the main entrance to the imperial city, Tiananmen or the Gate of Heavenly Peace, connects the past with the present in a curiously fatalistic manner.

And the Forbidden City is not so forbidden anymore. It is one of China’s major tourists’ attractions where hundreds of hawkers accost visitors and shove tourist books in their faces, quoting prices with huge margins for bargain. China is waking up from decades of slumber.

So, what we have in China today is tremendous economic freedom without political empowerment of the citizenry. Corruption and nepotism are logical outcomes of this situation. And the middle class is too tiny to influence the system. According to one estimate, middle-class groups with income ranging from 2,500 dollars to 10,000 dollars per year constitute less than five percent of the population. By contrast, lower income groups even in wealthier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou do not earn more than 900 dollars a year. About 60 percent of China’s population still lives in the countryside, with per capita income less than 300 dollars per year.

Having said that, one cannot ignore China’s huge population base of 1.3 billion people. Even at five percent, the country’s middle-income segment numbers at 65 million people. These people are the architects of the future China which, many observers predict, will be the major economic powerhouse of the world by the end of the decade. A glimpse of this can be had in Beijing’s scores of multi-storey shopping malls where customers literally trip over each other to move ahead. Its huge and fashionable hotels are crawling with guests, as are its eating houses, bars and discotheques.

The main geographical feature of the city is the River Thames. The central area and the most important sights, theatres and restaurants are on the north bank of the river. The trendy and tourist-ridden West includes Soho, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Regent St. The East End lies east of the Circle Line; it used to be the exclusive preserve of the Cockney but is now a cultural melting pot. Accommodation in London is expensive and in short supply in July and August.

City of London: it’s only one square mile in area and contains the Bank of England, The Stock Exchange, the share dealing and finance companies, and the international banks.

Trafalgar Square: It’s the heart of visitors’ London, beating with tour buses, cameras and flocks of persistent pigeons. On the square’s northern edge is the National Gallery.
Houses of Parliament: The building includes the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There’s restricted access to the chambers when they’re in session, but a visit around 6pm will avoid the worst of the crowds

Buckingham Palace: The Queen opened Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time in 1993 to raise money for repairs to Windsor Castle.

Tower Bridge was completed in 1894, after 8 years of construction. It is one of the world’s most famous bridges. 150,000 vehicles cross it every day. Over 900 times a year the roadway parts and lifts to let tall ships, cruise liners and other large craft pass through.