The Magic and Mystery of Halong Bay

By K. Hancock

Halong, in northeast Vietnam, is one of the most scenically beautifully places on earth. It is no wonder that it has won so many accolades from significant organisations all over the planet.

UNESCO inscribed it onto their list of World Heritage Sites and it was chosen as one of the "Seven Wonders of Nature". CNN and Tatler also singled it out as one of the most important and beautiful holiday destinations. Something of Vietnam's secret until quite recently, it has been growing in popularity over the last decade. As Southeast Asia has opened up, more people are choosing a two or three center holiday, and Vietnam has been the big winner.

As the bay has grown in popularity, so has the preponderance of tour boat companies, operating within the area. In peak season nowadays, some 8000 people per day will be cruising round this six hundred square mile paradise, enjoying luxury surroundings and fine dining, whilst taking in the most breathtaking views imaginable. The luxury on board these vessels is outstanding. Beautifully decorated cabins, with en-suite facilities and private balconies, welcome cruise boat passengers to their floating hotels, every night.

 

The bay is an amazing example of nature's finest work. Two thousand limestone islands, known as karsts, pepper the entire bay, creating different vistas at every turn. Sitting on the top deck of a luxury cruise boat, after eating a superb dinner, sipping cocktails as the sun goes down, has to be one of life's finest experiences.

Some of the limestone islands are little more than inhabitable lumps of rock jutting skywards. Others, however, are complete islands with their own ecosystems and local populations.The rock formations throw up amazing geological wonders. The Sung Sot Cave for example is a much visited example. Translated as 'The Surprise Cave', it is to be found on Bo Hon Island. It is accessed by climbing high up on the hillside. This affords those passengers adventurous enough, with superb views around the bay, before they descend into the magic and mystery of the cave.

Enormous stalagmites and stalactites are found here, including one superb example of a column. There is a garden and a pond at the very heart of the cave. Here monkeys and birds come daily, in search of food.

As night falls on the bay, an air of complete mystery falls over it. Boats drop anchor and bob gently in the water as guests, enjoy drinks and get ready to retire for the evening. Many sit on deck, beneath a blanket of stars, enjoying the tranquility. It really is a magical experience in a truly magical place. After retiring they can drift of to sleep, as the boats sways gently in the waters of the bay. Sunrise brings yet another view and yet more beauty. As the daylight pushes the darkness aside, mists roll in and shroud the karsts in a mysterious grey covering.

This is a fabulous holiday destination at most times of the year. Each season has its merits, and avoiding the typhoon that come between July and August, is your only weather concern.

About the author: Keith Hancock is a singer / songwriter and writer who lives in Saigon, Vietnam. He has travelled all over the world, but in recent years has remained in Southeast Asia. It is a region he loves and of which he loves to write. Whilst writing on a variety of subjects, his experiences within Indochina are very much in demand from travel companies. 
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._Hancock

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Exotic Thailand - Tips and Customs

Credit: Floating market in Bangkok  - CYeong


A friend of mine who is a photographer recently came back from a holiday in Bangkok and he has kindly given his blessing to use some of the pictures he took during his Thailand tour. They are some interesting shots of tourist spots that most visitors would not like to miss when they are in Thailand where most of the people are Buddhists.

Some of the wonderful pictures he took include the floating market in Bangkok which is a perennial favourite with a lot of foreign tourists. By the way, Bangkok with its many canals is also known as the "Venice of the East". 

Credit: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery - CYeong


The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the famous Bridge on the Kwai River (remember this war movie?) are also interesting pictures which bring back nostalgic feelings, especially for those who have connections with the soldiers and others who lost their lives during the war.

If Thailand is going to be your next holiday destination, travel writer Christopher Snyder has some useful tips and customs for you to follow when you are rubbing shoulders with the gentle and friendly Thai folks.

Credit: Bridge on the River Kwai - CYeong

Credit: Elephant Ride - CYeong



Travel Tips and Customs in Thailand

By Christopher Snyder

After living in Bangkok for over a year I have learned many things about the Thai People that I wanted to share with other foreigners living or vacationing here should know. 

The first thing you have to accept is that eastern culture is different. The people in the east are less emotional and more polite and while they know westerners are different, they often are uncomfortable when we stray from their norms. 

The things I found to be important are listed below in order of importance:

1. Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their very language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered "common courtesy" you will be fine.

2. Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to him.

3. Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course there are the common places such as bars that being loud is appropriate.

4. Watch where you walk - The side walks in Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, the streets have many stray dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.

5. Taxi drivers (enough said) - Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate...

6. Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell badly and they find it offensive if others do.

7. Movie Theater - After the advertising and right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on and everyone stands in respect.

Following these tips will allow you to have more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you and give you a better understanding of how things functions in Thailand.


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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Snyder

Update - Be forewarned:  Just in case you noticed a similar article including photos on some other blogs, you can be sure it's the work of some scrappers. This site carries the original article and pictures. Where we use the work of others, we credit them.

Wonders in the Land of Oz

By M Witt

A holiday itinerary to Down Under (that's Australia, mate) that takes in the major cities will mean advanced planning on your part, especially if you are seeking budget rates at hotels.

Be it in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth or Darwin, smart budget travellers will first check out travel and tourism websites for the right information, make their bookings before flying off to the Land of Oz.

There are a number of such holiday websites on the Internet for you to consider and make price comparisons and other information you may need before your trip.

Cheaperthanhotels.com.au is one such website that have the information if you're looking for cheap accomodation in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Darwin. They offer advance discount contract rates, so you save money and secure your hotel reservations. So how about an Australian adventure that will remain as fond memories?

The Australian continent offers a remarkable landscape. If you are travelling to see some of the great Australian tourist locations you will not be disappointed.

Queensland

The Gold Coast

The Great Barrier Reef is one location you will not want to miss. When you think of lazy holidays on sunny beaches, Queensland's regions such as the Gold Coast - a holiday spot of wonderful contrasts - and Whitsundays come to mind. Surfers' Paradise is a favourite for many who are looking for an enjoyable time on its famous beach. In these places you will find the perfect clime and seaside towns that give you the experience of relaxed Australian culture at its best.

Known as the Sunshine State, Queensland offers a rich, diverse experience for vacation trippers. From pristine beaches to lush rainforest wonderlands, you can consider it an ultimate holiday destination. The state capital Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia.

New South Wales

Sydney's Opera House


NSW is Australia’s most diverse state. The state capital, Sydney, is the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city and it boasts the world famous Opera House which is a sight to behold. It is one of five World Heritage sites. The vibrancy of Sydney with its spectacular beauty will stretch your imagination. From shopping to dining and other activities catering to all your desires will leave you breathless in Sydney.

Like the other Australian states, NSW can boast its own sparkling beaches stretching from north to south, a vast, colourful outback, Australia’s highest mountain offering every type of snow sport, and meandering waterways.

Victoria

Yarra River, Melbourne

In size Victoria is a small state but it has some of the best sightseeing and most fascinating places in the country. There are surprises everywhere. Melbourne, the state capital, is a great place for those who love food and wine - a paradise for the connoisseur. It is an exciting, multi-cultural city with a rich heritage and culture. There are great sporting, fashion and cultural events. Be the adventurous type and discover the eclectic boutiques in the city.

Discover the beauty and diversity of Victoria's regions - From towering rainforests, ski resorts and endless golden bays, to craggy ocean cliffs, rolling green hills and red sandy deserts. Victoria was the main attraction for thousands of gold prospectors in the mid-19th century because of its goldfields, and today the gold mining towns are modern cities.

South Australia

Shades of autumn - Adelaide Hills


The state is wine country. South Australia carries on the tradition of more 160 years of winemaking that began in 1841 when the first vintage was recorded in the Adelaide Hills.

From Shiraz in the Barossa, Riesling in the Clare Valley to the big reds of the Coonawarra, it's a great sparkling journey across some of the most famous wine regions in the world. Adelaide itself is a vibrant southern city with great cultural events going on and shopping buffs will not be short of places to go.

Kangaroo Island

One of the best places to be is Kangaroo Island which is just a "stone's throw away" from the coast of South Australia. The island is seven times the size of Singapore. This unique place is a microcosm of different landscapes and environments, with desert dunes, stunning beaches, forests, and farmlands.

Kangaroo Island was voted top tourism and environment island in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine for its natural attractions and sensitivity to the environment.

Western Australia

For the authentic Australian experience visit Perth, Australia's western gateway and the capital of Western Australia. It's a great place to start your holiday. Perth City has an easygoing lifestyle. Experience the beauty of Swan River and the inner-city parks and get that easy, peaceful feeling like having a cold beer on a sunny afternoon at an open-air pub.

In WA, as in all the other states, fantastic beaches abound and amazing marine adventures are just waiting for you. For entertainment and other activities, there's plenty of nightlife, bustling markets, inner-city parks and outdoor dining.

Western Australia's history is tied to the ocean. It is a land of great contrasts. The state boasts a rugged and beautiful Outback - from the vast open Nullarbor plains to the colourful marine wonderland of Ningaloo Reef. It's the best of both worlds.

Swan River with Perth's skyline in the background


Tasmania

Tasmania is a green island of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes, separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometres (150 miles) stretch of Bass Strait. Hobart, its capital, enjoys a busy arts scene, thanks to its creative arts community. The city folks are friendly displaying a relaxed lifestyle. Settled in 1804, the town grew rapidly as the clearing house for British and Irish convicts. Its place on the Derwent River became the perfect protected deepwater harbour, and now every December and January it welcomes weary and exultant contenders from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Hobart, Tasmania 

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is a land that is full of surprises - from the lush rainforests of Kakadu and Katherine to the arid red plains of the Red Centre in Alice Springs and the great rock, Uluru (Ayers Rock). Darwin, the state capital, enjoys influences that are as much Asian as they are western with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle.

The Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Northern Territory

The state is one of the most sparsely populated regions, spanning more than 1.4 million square kilometres from the centre to the northerly coast of the Australian continent. It's a place where ancient woodlands meet sandy beaches and escarpments tower above lush billabongs. If you are a photography buff, you will not want to miss some great shots while watching the sunsets and the storms that are something of a local pastime.

Cool time at the Lichfield National Park, Northern Territory

Alicante - Rich in Culture and History

By Keith Barrett

For many visitors to Spain's popular Costa Blanca coast, Alicante is the first location in Spain that they see. Those who take the time to investigate soon realise that there is more to Alicante than its airport.

Benidorm is the key attraction here for plenty of visitors, with its party atmosphere that has been attracting tourists for many years. Those who choose to stay in Alicante itself have plenty of things to do and see.

The city dates back to Roman times and still has remains from that era. There is also, of course, a much more modern side to the city. La Zona and El Barrio both offer exciting entertainment right into the evening, while the beaches are surrounded by bars, restaurants and more.

Alicante has a number of excellent restaurants, specialising in rice and fish dishes, with paella being popular with both locals and visitors.

Elsewhere, the city's marina provides an excellent experience - a great place to relax and enjoy a meal, making use of the shady outdoor eating to avoid the heat of the day.

The old town offers both history and culture. Wandering around this area, known locally as El Barrio, time almost seems to stand still. You can enjoy strolling around, taking in the pleasant atmosphere of this intriguing city, the second largest in the Valencia region of Spain.

Fortunately, it's never been easier to enjoy the delights of Alicante. Flybe, the budget airline, are really starting to specialise in providing cheap flights to the likes of Alicante and other European resorts.

Flights depart frequently from many of the UK's regional airports, including Southampton and Exeter down on the south coast.

About the author: Keith Barrett - You can find the latest Flybe flight information and more of Keith Barrett's travel articles. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.

Article Source: EzineArticles

Search flights here and find the best ticket and the best price. Best website to search flight, hotel-booking and car hire

Dominican Republic - Delightful Island in the Sun

Experience the delights of the hot sun and sandy, lush palm tree lined beaches - no other island gives you the mood of the “Caribbean” quite like the Dominican Republic. There really is something for everyone, offering an extensive range of natural beauty, cultural monuments, excellent sporting facilities and fun filled nightlife for those who just don’t want the party to end.

Santo Domingo 

The oldest Spanish metropolis in the New World, with nearly 3 million inhabitants, is the political and cultural capital as well as the economical centre of the Dominican Republic. Founded in 1496, the old town of Santo Domingo, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is a true treasure trove of colonial architecture.

The cathedral Santa Maria la Menor on the southern side of Columbus Square (Parque Colón) will captivate you with a harmonious vestibule with two arches in the west façade and an interior celebrating the three ships. After it was completed (1521-1540), it was extended with 14 side chapels in which precious objects of art, such as the crown of Queen Isabella, can be seen.

The Alcazar of Columbus (Columbus's Palace), which was the residence of the Spanish viceroy in the 16th Century, rises above the Plaza Espagna. From here, numerous adventurers made plans for crusades to the American continent. The Museo del Hombre Dominicano is dedicated to the history of the island and its indigenous, African and European roots.

The Samana Peninsula 

The Caribbean in the travel brochures: small isolated islands, colourful coral reefs with an unbelievable diversity of species and forms, coconut palms swaying in the breeze, romantic waterfalls, dives to old Spanish wrecks, long walks to remote white sandy beaches. Nowhere else will you feel the true Caribbean flair as much as on the Samana Peninsula in the north-east of the Dominican Republic.



The main tourist areas, in addition to Sanchez, with its small harbour and wooden houses in the Victorian style, are Las Terrenas on the north coast and Santa Barbara de Samana in the south on the bay of the same name. The most popular activities in Santa Barbara are strolling to the attractive Malecon, extended visits to cafés and boat trips to Cayo Levantado - made famous throughout the world by the Bacardi advertisements.

The absolute highlight from January to March is the numerous agencies offering whale-watching tours, when up to 3,000 humpback whales gather together to mate in the warm waters of the Bahia de Samana.

Los Haitises National Park 

The Tainos, the original inhabitants of Spanish descent(Hispaniolas), named the impassable mountainous area between the Bahia de Samana and the Cordillera Oriental, which is protected as the Los Haitises National Park. Erosion of the limestone here has created one of the most geologically interesting types of landscape in the Caribbean: a distinct, lush Karst landscape with extensive cave systems, collapse craters (dolinas), impressive stone towers (mogotes), which sometimes appear as islands (cayos) off the coast.



Nature lovers can study the life of the cotica parrot, the national bird of the Dominican Republic, amongst the approximately 120 different species of birds in the vast mangrove belts and in the tropical rainforests further inland. Around 2000 BC, the Siboneyes, and later the Tainos, drew the fantastic primordial landscape combined with religious depictions in numerous cave drawings in which whales, fish and insects, as well as a shaman (behique), can be seen.

Lake Enriquillo 

The 42 kilometre long Lake Enriquillo at nearly 40 m below sea level is an extraordinary natural spectacle. It is part of a former estuary, the salt content of which is three times higher than that in the Caribbean Sea due to high evaporation at temperatures of up to 50 °C.

In the midst of the lake, the Isla Cabritos National Park surprises you with semi-desert and briar vegetation which is unusual for the region. If you are lucky, in the early hours of the morning on this “Goat island” you may see the largest crocodile in the Americas which is threatened by extinction, as well as turtles, flamingos and rhino iguanas.



The sulphurous whirlpools of the Balneario Las Barias in La Descubierta in the heart of a wonderful oak forest promise refreshment and relaxation. In addition, on the north shore of the lake at the Postrer Rio you will find one of the most significant archeological sites of the Hispaniolas: the Las Caritas sanctuary with petroglyphics, which depict, amongst other things, small faces without ears.

Sosua

Countless souvenir shops, diving schools, travel agencies, discos, cafés and bars and more than 100 guesthouses and hotels - all this makes Sosua the tourist centre of the northern coast of the island. By invitation of the dictator Trujillo, Jewish immigrants founded the city in 1940 and many Europeans from the most varied nations, in particular Germans, settled here subsequently and developed a unique multi-cultural society.


A 1 kilometre long sandy beach separates the two parts of the city from one another: the Caribbean-style Los Charamicos, which lies on a slope and is predominantly inhabited by Dominicans, and El Batey. Under the European influence of Calle Pedro Chisante, this area is dominated by the money-making tourist industry. A synagogue and a historical museum in the Calle Dr. Alejo Martinez district bear witness to the Jewish history of the area. Here bathers can also enjoy the sea from several small beaches, such as Playita and Playa Chiquita.



Puerto Plata 

The history of the anchorage ground named “Port of Silver” at the foot of the Pico Isabel de Torres local mountain is characterised by a continual trend of ups and downs. After the initial boom in the 16th Century from trading leather, the area experienced its heyday in the 18th and 19th Centuries exporting tobacco, sugar, coffee and rum. After another decline, the 1980s saw the arrival of tourism to the lovely city centre with its numerous wooden houses.


The Fort San Felipe (mid 16th Century) towers majestically over the harbour entrance at the western end of Malecon. It was erected by order of Carlos V to protect the harbour from pirate attacks. Carefully restored, its rooms house a weapons museum which is well worth a visit. Not far from the contemplative Plaza Central in the Calle Duarte 61, the Museo del Ambar will fascinate you with a large collection of amber, including examples of embedded old leaves, lizards and insects up to 60 million years old.


Santiago de los Caballeros 

The money spent in Santo Domingo is earned in Santiago. Nothing characterises the economical significance of the city in the prosperous valley of Rio Cibao better than this expression. Rum and tobacco in particular, along with bananas, sugar, coffee and rice have given the trade metropolis wealth and prosperity.



An unmissable symbol of Santiago is the 67-metre high column at the end of the Calle del Sol, often abbreviated to “El Monumento”, which was ordered by the megalomaniac dictator Trujillo (1930-1961) to commemorate the heroes of the Restauration war in 1865. The history of tobacco cultivation and the industry as well as the skillful manual processing of it is documented vividly in the Museo del Tabaco in the city centre. With an extensive collection of richly decorated masks and costumes, the Museo de Arte Folklórico Tomás Morel in the Calle Restauración y López is devoted to the carnival celebrated so enthusiastically in the Dominican Republic.

Jarabacoa 

Set amidst wonderful pine forests at 530 metres, Jarabacoa boasts a pleasant spring-like climate with warm days and cool nights. This part of the Cordillera Central, named the Alpes Dominicanos, offers a range of rafting and walking activities and excursions for nature lovers and those seeking recuperation.



Only 2 km outside this small place, the natural Balneario La Confluencia at the confluence of the Jimenoa and Yaque del Norte rivers offers swimming and relaxation. The 20 metre-high waterfalls Saltos de Jimenoa and Saltos de Baiguate can be reached by foot or horseback. Both are also popular with Dominican holidaymakers.

In 3 to 4 day excursions you can explore Jarabacoa or the village of Cienaga as well as the extinct volcanoes in the Armando Bermudez National Park, the Loma de la Viuda (2,802 m), the Pico de Yaque (3,045 m) and the Pico Duarte, at 3,175 m the highest peak in the Caribbean.

About The Author: Darren McCowan is an online Brand Manager and owner of http://lastminutetraveluk.co.uk. Last Minute Travel UK is one of the largest affiliate based holiday websites, serving hundreds of customers each month. 

Malta - 7,000 Years of Rich History

Skyview of Malta

Malta has 7000 years of rich history so here you can visit many popular attractions including Pre Historic Temples, forts, museum, churches and much more. For art lovers, there is a huge artistic collection at the National Museum of Fine Arts to explore. You can also view more contemporary work at St Johns Cavalier Art Centre.

Valletta -“a city of palaces built by gentlemen for gentlemen” is the capital of Malta. The main tourist attractions of Valletta are Manoel Theatre & Manoel Theatre Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts, War Museum, St. Paul’s Anglican pro-cathedral, St. Augustine’s parish church, Valletta Waterfront, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and many more.

Another popular island of Malta is Gozo which is Malta’s sister island and famous for their natural and alluring beauty. It is also very popular for those who really love nature. Crystal clear blue sea, beaches, natural valleys, gardens and beautiful flowers give a never forgettable experience. Visitors make their tours more enjoyable with various water sports, swimming, boating, golf and horse ridding.

Accommodations in Malta and Gozo make the tours of Malta more cheerful. Spacious and decorated apartments, private villas, modern farmhouses with natural beauty, guest houses, penthouses etc. are available for peaceful and cheerful rental vacations in Malta.

Apartments, villas and farmhouses also offers self catering facilities where you can spend your vacations in a feel like home environment.

All these accommodation facilities are so affordable so that one can stay here for a long time. Here along with short term, long term accommodation facility are also available so that if your wish you could stay for a long time in this wonderful place.

You can also enjoy the taste of traditional dishes of Malta including local bear, tomato and wine sauces with pasta and fresh fish.

So visit Malta and Gozo at least once because here there is something for every one.

Malta-lets.com offers affordable and peaceful accommodation facilities in Malta including villas, penthouses and apartments in Malta.

Visit today for Malta farmhouse at special prices.

Author: Tejrin Raghav

Adventure travel, and great food