Archive for the 'Oceania' Category

Dec 20 2008

Stewart Island

Published by admin under Oceania

The Island of Tranquility or Stewart Island, originally called in the Maori mythology “The Anchor Stone of Maui’s Canoe” is one of the popular destinations of New Zealand region.

The island rich natural resources consisting in native flora and birds, seafood and the very special variety called titi contribute to the heritage and cultural importance of the island.

Stewart Island offers the possibility to go fishing for species such as blue cod and trumpeter on the rocky shorelines of the island. Beautiful forests with tall trees like kamahi and rimu, present a great spot for deer hunting. There are 35 hunting blocks and an open zone within the Stewart Island and specific hunter camps and huts.

A totally new universe is underwater and divers can enjoy the fantastic view over the diverse marine creatures that wonder in waters of this latitude. The landscape if formed from rocky reefs, underwater forest and myriad of different sizes fish, crustaceans and mollusks inhabiting the reef and sandy bottom areas.

Many tourists visit this island for the great variety of birds that can be noticed in their natural habitat. There are bird watchers that come from all over the world to enjoy birds from Stewart Island. The list of seabirds includes bellbird, tui, kaka, tomtit, grey warbler, kakariki and the New Zealand wood pigeon. Some of the birds are unique to the region and include the weka, robin and fenbird.

But fun is not over here. You might not be interested in birds but you can take evening guided walks or enter the mystery of wilderness experience. Many different tours and activities that could match your interests can be chosen from a quite large range. Water taxis, kayaks, great food, restaurants and cafes, shopping centers are jus a few more reasons to believe that Stewart Island is a great place to be.

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Sep 29 2008

Escape in the Caribbean

Published by admin under Oceania

If you want to travel to the Caribbean, one of the most important things you can to is plan it completely. Planning it now may be a lot of work, but if you do it before ever leaving home, you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation while there. No matter which Caribbean island you want to visit, planning is very important.

First, plan how you want to get to your destination. Because of the nature of the Caribbean, flying straight to your destination is not you sole choice. You do so if you choose, but you can also take a cruise throughout the Caribbean islands and visit a bunch of different port cities. In either case, you should plan your transportation as one of the first and foremost aspects of your vacation. Often, you can get a cheaper deal on tickets if you plan far in advance.

You should also consider your accommodations when traveling to the Caribbean. You first choice is, of course, any one of the many hotels and resorts scattered around the islands and catering especially to tourists. Many of these places to stay are completely Americanized and some even are owned by America companies. Another choice you have is the all-inclusive resort. Found on many of the Caribbean islands, all-inclusive resorts are great because they include meals, tours, private beaches, and more for free. If these don’t strike your fancy, you can also try booking a room in a smaller hotel or bed and breakfast, where you can get a true cultural experience.

Once you have your transportation and hotel figured out, you should consider planning certain activities. You can leave a number of days open for relaxing on the beach and spur of the moment tours, but if you don’t plan ahead for some of your activities, you may not be able to fit them into your schedule once there. It is best to plan ahead a bit, but not too much. This is the best way to enjoy your Caribbean vacation.

The last thing you should consider planning is a back up. Things inevitably go wrong on any vacation, so if it rains, have something to do other than lie on the beach. If the hotel overbooks accidentally, be prepared by knowing the names and numbers of some other hotels that might have open rooms. The key to a great vacation in the Caribbean is not to have everything go smoothly, but rather to enjoy it no matter what.

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Sep 28 2008

Caribbean Travel

Published by admin under Oceania

Many people enjoy traveling to the Caribbean for vacation. However, most don’t realize exactly how vast this region is. There are hundreds of things to do and places to see while you’re in the Caribbean, so before you begin planning your trip, you must first decide exactly where you want to go.

Once called the West Indies, the Caribbean was discovered by different explorers from Europe. Many of the people living on these islands, therefore, speak English very well. Because of the location of these islands in the world, they also cater very well to a United States tourist base, so most of the places in this area are great for travel.

Some of the main islands in the Caribbean include the following: Anguilla, Antiqua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks and the Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can also travel to a number of Central and South American countries that can coastlines along the Caribbean Island.

There are some places, of course that will not be as appropriate for a vacation as others. In fact, in some Caribbean island countries, like Cuba, can be quite dangerous for travelers in some cases. Some of the most popular places for Caribbean travel include Antiqua, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can also choose to take a cruise throughout the Caribbean, so you can visit a number of the great islands in this area of the world.

Wherever you decide to travel, make sure you do you research first. In most cases, you’ll need a passport and sometimes you’ll need visa as well. You may also need to make certain considerations for the luggage you wish to take into and out of the Caribbean countries where you wish to travel. Pets are another consideration—if you plan to take your furry friend on vacation with you, you may need to make special arrangements.

Overall, the Caribbean has sunny beaches and luxurious resorts. You can find activities to fill your days with fun, no matter what you like to do—water sports, museum hopping, site seeing—the Caribbean have something for everyone. Work with a travel agent today to get started on planning a wonderful vacation to these islands.

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Sep 21 2008

Destination Aruba

Published by admin under Oceania

If you like warm, arid weather, beautiful sunny beaches, and stunning sunsets, Aruba might be the perfect vacation spot for you. This little treasure in the Caribbean caters to tourists, especially from the United States, so many people find this to be a great destination. If you’re interested in Caribbean travel, check out what Aruba has to offer to you.

Aruba is found not far north of Venezuela and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. One of the best things about this island is its climate. Unlike many of the other island in the Caribbean, Aruba does not have a generally rainy climate, and in fact is home to desert-like terrain featuring a few species of cacti.

The standard of living in Aruba is very high, and they cater toward a classy, high-end market. Therefore, if you wish to travel to Aruba, your stay may be a bit pricier than in some of the nearby islands in the Caribbean, like the Bahamas or Jamaica. However, the stay is definitely worth it. Aruba has famous white sand beaches and beautiful clear blue waters. If you like water sports, you don’t have to lie on the beach all day! You can try diving, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, or any number of other fun adventures.

The Carnival season is important in Aruba and takes place from January until Ash Wednesday. Just as in many other Caribbean countries, Carnival in Aruba has a variety of great festivities in which vacationers on the island can take part. This includes midway games and children’s rides, parades, contests, parties, and special foods. If you’re looking for an exciting time to visit Aruba, try during the Carnival season.

Because the majority of this island’s revenue comes from tourism, and many of their tourists come from the United States, Aruba’s residents usually speak English. The America dollar is also widely accepted (for a fee) in the major shopping and restaurant districts, and the exchange rate is fairly fixed, so money is easily exchanged if you want to do so. More and more, Aruba is becoming a second home for the wealthy from the United States and from around the world.

Aruba can be your sole vacation destination, and you can fly directly into the country’s large public airport, or you can take a cruise throughout the Caribbean islands and stop to enjoy Aruba for the day. The island has a little something for everyone, so whether you like a relaxing vacation to sleep in the sun or an exciting vacation full of adventure, Aruba is a destination in the Caribbean that you should consider.

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Sep 18 2008

Honeymoon in the Caribbean

Published by admin under Oceania

Your honeymoon is one of the best vacations you’ll ever take. It is the start of a new life with someone you love. As well as a great reason to visit one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. Whether you leave straight from your reception or wait a few weeks until the excitement dies down, a honeymoon is a vacation that you will remember for the rest of your life. One of the most popular places to go on a honeymoon is the Caribbean.

There are many reasons why the Caribbean is the perfect honey spot. First, not many people live in a magical tropical paradise as is found on most of the Caribbean islands. Because we do not live in this kind of weather, the Caribbean is an escape from reality. Another reason when the Caribbean is a great place for a vacation is because it is in fact so popular. The islands cater to couples and love, and you can find a variety of special activities available just for newlyweds.

To plan a honeymoon in the Caribbean, you must start long before you even finish planning your wedding. First, consider how much the honeymoon will cost in your budget. If you overspend, you’ll find yourself coming home to a new life filled with debt, and that is never a great way to start a new life. Instead, start with a budget in mind and find a Caribbean island that can meet your needs.

The second thing you should consider when it comes to planning a Caribbean honeymoon is that you’ll need a way to transition from the wedding to the honeymoon. Traditionally, the honeymoon was to start on your wedding night, but most couples also love to hold wedding receptions. Your wedding reception will probably last well into the night, and leaving for an airplane trip to the Caribbean islands may not be the best idea at that point. Instead, lots of couples are opting to spend the night in a local hotel and leave for the honeymoon in the morning. Still others spend the week after the wedding moving into a new home and leave on the honeymoon after that. Some couples even wait an entire year and plan their honeymoon for their first anniversary in order to save up money. The key is to do what is right for you.

When on your honeymoon in the Caribbean, make sure that you mention this fact to people. You may receive special treatment like a ticket bumped to first class or a nicer hotel room for the same price if people are helping you to celebrate. Champagne and other free drinks, special prices are restaurants, and hotel gifts are some of the other great honeymoon specials you may receive on your honeymoon in the Caribbean. This is a great way to start your new life, so even if small things go wrong, simply focus on enjoying your time together.

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Aug 16 2008

Papua New Guinea

Published by admin under Oceania

Papua new Guinee is located south of the ecuator, north of Auatralia. It containes the eastern half of New Guinee island and also the nearby islands and is the last of the islands stretching from south-east Asia towards the Pacific Ocean.
This is a high vegetation land with over 75% of its total surface being covered with tropical rainforests the rest being covered with plains, swamp lands and rivers. The altitudes are high with many peaks over 4000 m and dominating is the Owen Stanley Range mountain chain.
The main and most popular islands are New Britain, New Ireland and Bougaiville surrounded by magnificent coral formations.
Papua New Guinee is an important region because of the variety of wildlife and nature. Here can be found over 250 species of mammals, 700 species of birds and over 9000 species of plants most of them growing at the footsteps of the mountains.
The country only has four natural reservations the most well know being McAdam and Variata National Park. More parks are planed because pollution and the copper mining in the region are taking their toll on natural life.
The capitol city is Port Moresby and it’s like a hub for the many tourists that come here. Close to the city is the Variata National Park , Brown River and the beautiful waterfall Rouna.
The region called Higlands is the most populated because of its fertility and here is the highest peak in the country Wilhelm 4087 m. In this area is the Gahavisuka National Park where old tribes of people can still be found.
Another popular tourist attraction is Rabaul. Rabaul was a city situated in the mountains, but it was completely destroyed in the 1994 by the eruption of the Tuvurvur volcano. Tourists can walk on the streets of the now abandoned city and can even walk up to the volcano which destroyed the city.
Sepic is an extraordinary area with beautiful beaches, mountains wild life and the 1126 km long Sepic river. The traditional houses, boats, clothes are just some of the things besides the beauty of the area that attract tourists.
Madang is a beautiful area with many volcanic islands and some of the most steeply mountains in the country. On Kranket island the city called Long Island which is famous for the many birds that live here can found.
Papua New Guinea is a popular tourist destionation for adventure seeking people who like long walks, hikes and who appreciate the natural beauty that can be found all over this country.

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Aug 06 2008

A visit to Bora Bora

Published by admin under Oceania

An isle of volcanic origin, Bora Bora is actually a complex of small islands, formed along a coral barrier around the main island. It is mainly preferred as a destination for honeymoon, but a family visit will be also a unique experience. Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia and is situated at the tropics, near Tahiti, from where it can be reached by plane in about 45 minutes.
Although it measures only 6.5 km long and 4 km in width, Bora Bora is recognized to be the most beautiful and most romantic place on Earth. The superlatives are not sufficient to describe the incredible beauty of the “Pacific Pearl” and lagoons colored turquoise as a surrounding. Once you arrive here you’ll fall in love forever with this real jewel of the Pacific Ocean. The climate is also perfect: between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius, with a fresh breeze from the East. The unique lagoons and the coral reefs were born through a gradual extinction of Otemanu volcano. The Taimanu and Pahia tops, which rise more than 655 m above the sea level, are all that is left of the edge of the North crater. Chaotically filled with rocks and vertical abysses, the mountain slopes are now dressed in a tropical luxurious vegetation.
The transportation on the island is quite hard. There is a transport system in common, which makes a semi-detour of the island in about an hour. You can also rent 4×4 cars, which will face with brio tthe rocky terrain of the island. The cross and the environment and tourist services pockets bikes the day, which will prove far more appropriate in most of the ocasions.
Along the coast of the main island, but also on some of the little surrounding islands, many hotels are located, in general of 4 or 5 stars. But they are not just simple hotels. They consist of a collection of bungalows, small houses located on the beach or suspended above the water. Among them we can mention: Le Meridien Bora Bora (which shelters a nature reserve which protects the tortoise), St. Regis (where Nicole Kidman chose to spend her honeymoon), or Intercontinental Sofitel Marara. The luxury hotel offers the terms of spending a great holiday in paradise. In Bora Bora there is also an arranged camping, and many “family” hostels where you can stay relatively cheap, and being surrounded by the same luxurious landscape.
Each hotel on the island offers its visitors minimum 2 restaurants, combining specific specialties of Polynesian cuisine with French cuisine and the international one. Even if you stay at a hotel, you can dinner at restaurants in other hotels. Attention, however, you must make advance booking. Some hotels are asking for written confirmation in order to allow access within them.
Besides these, there are some famous restaurants, including: Top Dive (where there is a school of scuba dive), Bloody Mary (who experience visitors with a list of celebrities who have crossed the threshold and which has no menu, but every day is served the “catch of the day” - fish caught that day), Matira Restaurant (located on the only public beach in Bora Bora).
The pearls are the symbol of the French Polynesie, so you must not miss the opportunity to visit the farm pearls, located on the main island. Here you can learn all about how to cultivate these jewels of the ocean, but you can also buy your own pearl or necklace of pearls.

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