Archive for July 8th, 2010

On unsettled waters

On unsettled waters
DULUTH, Minn. – Cathi Williams can see the change in use of the Boundary Waters over the years.”Defi …

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Naturists and Naturalists – Vacations in Southern Crete

Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands, is sometimes described as a mass tourist resort. It is true that there are several north coast resorts on Crete that can be found in the brochures of practically every package tour company. But Crete is a very big island with many unspoilt holiday resorts for tourists who prefer a quieter vacation, enjoying beautiful scenery and glimpses of traditional Cretan culture.

Both of Crete’s international airports are situated on the north coast and two high mountain ranges running east-west, form a natural barrier to mass tourism reaching the south coast. In the southwest corner of the island, the highest mountains drop steeply to the coastal area, making any serious development of these remote communities impossible. Indeed, the mountains drop so steeply here that some of the villages can only be accessed by sea.

This area of Crete is known as the Sfakia region. It lays at the foot the White Mountain range. These mountains have more than a hundred peaks, with eighty reaching to over 6500 feet and the highest ones towering to nearly eight thousand feet. Europe’s longest gorge, the Samaria, can be found amongst them, along with several others that are less well known but are every bit as picturesque and dramatic to explore.

To get to the Sfakia region, most people fly to Chania airport and travel by road over a mountain pass to Chora Sfakion. However, my best travel tip is to check out the cost of flights to Nikos Kazantzakis Airport in Heraklion before deciding which airport to fly to. I have always found that it is possible to make substantial savings by flying there instead of to Chania and the road journey to Chora Sfakion is not really all that much further.

There are a couple of family run hotels, self catering apartments, studios and village rooms providing accommodations at competitive rates in and around Chora Sfakion but we have always stayed at the beautiful naturist hotel a mile to the east in Vritomartis. If you dare to bare this is one of the few places in Greece where nudity is officially allowed. The whole of the hotel grounds are clothes optional and the area around the pool is designated as naturist only. The nearest beach is only a five minute walk away and is also clothes optional. The area is so remote, that many guests don’t even bother dressing for the walk.

For naturalists the Sfakia region provides plenty of opportunities to spot unique Cretan flora and fauna which includes the Kri Kri, a species of wild goat, indigenous to and only found on Crete. Dolphins, whales and turtles can often be seen in the clear coastal waters whilst Bonelli’s Eagle and the Griffon Vulture may be seen circling in the blue skies above.

For walkers, the gorges and mountains provide challenges ranging from relaxing hikes to demanding treks. The most famous walk is of course the Samaria Gorge and although it is very much worth undertaking, you may be put off by the crowds of tourists that descend it nearly every day. They arrive by the coach-load from all over the island because the excursion is number one on every tour operators “must-sell” list. Its worth putting up with the crowds however because once you have hiked a few hundred metres from the start of the walk, you will find plenty of spaces between you and the other walkers for the remaining 16 kilometres. The scenery is magnificent all the way down to the shore of the Lybian sea at Agia Roumeli from where you get a boat back to Chora Sfakion.

The smaller gorges of Imbros and Aradena are much less likely to be afflicted by hoards of other tourists. Imbros is an easy half day hike and its finish is situated very near to Vritomartis, making it a good choice for naturists who want to put their shorts and hiking boots on just for a change. Aradena is more of a challenge but not much further away. A good head for heights is needed on one of the sections where a little scrambling is involved.

For history lovers, the region has much to reveal about the Battle for Crete during the second world war and it is definitely worth reading the book of this name by Nikos Kazantzakis as a prelude to your vacation. The mountain villages were famous for their fierce resistance fighters where you will find the occasional statue or monument erected in memory of a local hero.

So, if you are the sort of person who loves dramatic, picturesque scenery, secluded beaches with crystal clear waters, remote mountain villages where traditional culture still remains; this part of Crete is definitely for you. If you happen to be a naturist as well as a naturalist, my travel tip is to book your vacation at the Vritomartis hotel. If you prefer to hide some parts of your body from the hot Cretan sun, head for the accommodations in Chora Sfakion instead. If you want to stay somewhere that is even more remote, hop on a boat at Chora Sfakion to take you to the next coastal village which is called Loutro. Although there is no way of reaching Loutro by road, it does have some pretty holiday apartments, several secluded beaches that nestle in coves at the foot of cliffs and donkey tracks and paths that lead up into the mountains and along the coast.

Wherever you decide to stay in this region of southern Crete you will almost certainly enjoy good weather. However, a fierce wind, blowing from the north and known as the Meltemi, funnels down through the mountain gorges and hits the southern shores with some force. It is usually at its strongest from mid July to late August, making Europe’s most southerly sun seem a little cooler than it would otherwise be. If you don’t like being wind blasted, avoid this time of the year.

Best scuba diving

Florida has exceptional dive sites that have something to offer to scuba enthusiasts regardless of their level of ability. From shallow dives that offer plenty of bottom time to deeper more technical dives for the more experienced diver.

BLACKMAR’S REEF:

If you are looking for one location that will provide an entire week of diving, then Blackmar’s Reef might be just the place for you.

You will find Blackmar’s off the coast of Jacksonville. It’s a diverse scuba site that is both man-made and the work of nature. You will find five large wrecks that include airplanes, a super barge, a tug, and even a ferry boat.

To complement these, you will find natural limestone reefs with soft coral growth. Even though the reefs are not exceptionally large, it tends to be a magnet for a diverse range of  marine life. If you are interested in photography, this site is a must visit.

THE GATOR BOWL REEF:

If you are interested in a dive that is one of a kind, this site might be of interest to you. After being given a NFL franchise, someone in Jacksonville had the inspiring idea to drop the press boxes from the old stadium onto a group of small reefs.

Now they are a popular Florida diving site and the sprawling press boxes are home to huge schools of assorted game fish. Don’t forget your light, because there are plenty of caves to explore in the same area.

You will also discover that the gator bowl reef is a popular night diving spot.

COPPEDGE TUG:

As part of the Jacksonville artificial reef program, the Chippewa was sunk off the coast in 1988.

One advantage of this site is that it sits in only 75 feet of water. This makes it an excellent dive site for the beginner as the depth allows for plenty of bottom time.

You will find the tug sitting upright with it’s prop still in place. At first the wreck might be difficut to spot amongst the thousands and thousands of fish that occupy the reef.

THE HALSEY:

This world war II wreck can be found just offshore of Fort Pierce.

It may well be one of the state’s most interesting “natural” wrecks you will enounter.

It sits in the exact position it settled to the bottom after it was torpedoed. The bow, midships, and superstructure sit upright, but the stern settled upside down.

The ship is fairly intact, and is in about 90 feet of water.

Most likely the fish you will spot here will be of the large variety. That might include barcuda, nurse sharks, and big grouper.

If you look carefully at the sea bottom you may spot some extremely large lobster as well.

KINGFISH HOLE:

If your interests lean toward night diving, this site off the Treasure Coast might be just the dive for you.

It has the advantage of being quite shallow at 40 feet or so, and as a result you have the opportunity to spend lots of time on the bottom.

You’ll be able to observe lobsters, and large schools of snapper, and it you’re lucky, some nurse sharks having a nap under one of the many overhanging ledges.

THE PLAYGROUND:

This is for the more serious, experienced diver. The Playground is located in West Palm Beach and sits at 125 feet or so.

Pipes, and culverts are scattered across the sea bed. This provides an opportunity to see some very large, green moray eels. Barracuda are also in the neighborhood, as are some very big residents such as, eagle rays, whalesharks and even sunfish reaching weights over 500 pounds.

SAND KEY:

This tiny strip of land is located near the southwest of Key West. It has a huge variety of dive sites as the island that houses the Key Lighthouse is surrounded by reefs.

Off the South side, brilliant colored coral can be seen in every direction you look.

The area is simply teeming with fish and has interesting trenches that are fun to investigate.

As you venture further out, the bottom will begin to slope away. This is where you want to be sure and have a camera along as often eagle rays and huge morays can be spotted in the area.

Whatever your experience of interests when it comes to scuba, Florida is sure to have a site to make your next dive a memorable one.

Easily Become a Travel Agent for Huge Tax Write-Offs

How are most small business owners losing thousands of dollars every year? Eva Rosenberg, author of Small Business Taxes Made Easy notes, “Many small businesses are cheating themselves out of at least $2,000 to $3,000 worth of tax benefits a year by not knowing the deductions and credits available to them.” For travel agents, travel is a tax write-off — whether to an industrial center or an island resort! If a purpose is to discuss business with other travelers, have business appointments, or to attend a business-related seminar, you go tax free. Travel agents may also deduct their travel if it is simply for the purpose of familiarizing themselves with a resort, ship, tour, etc. This means that almost any travel an agent does can be a tax write-off! It is helpful if prior to the trip you can substantiate prior planning for familiarization or for making business contacts. Your spouse’s travel can even be deductible if the individual is part of your business or his or her presence is helpful in conducting your business. Transportation expenses include all those costs incurred getting to and from your destination: airfare, vehicle, on-the-road expenses such as lodging, meals, laundry, dry cleaning, and others. For fees under $75 it is not necessary to keep receipts. For example, if while traveling you pay $20 for dry cleaning, the IRS does not demand a receipt. The only exception is for lodging. If you stay overnight, you must get a receipt for your payment. If you drive your car, 300 miles per day is allowable tax free. For foreign travel, you can deduct all weekends and holidays that fall between business days and you can deduct on-the-road expenses for days in transit. In the case of cruise ships, you can claim it as a deduction if you can substantiate that you used the trip to familiarize yourself with this cruise package/ship. First and foremost, whether you’re in the travel business or some other, the IRS’s primary requirement is that you legitimately treat your home business as a business — not a hobby. That means regularly working your business. Hand out your business card, talk to people, all the time, everywhere you go about travel. Let them know you are a travel agent and would appreciate their business. When you’re out to lunch or dinner with other travel agents, prospects, or friends and you discuss “business”, your meal is 50 percent tax deductible. Some try to also write off trips to the theater, opera, or sports events because they’re “entertaining a possible client.” Be careful with this one. Entertainment expenses are generally non-deductible. If you try to claim deductions for sporting events, gala or social nights, concerts or other similar functions you’d better be able to substantiate that you were dealing with possible customers. If you definitely discuss business matters with a client or possible client while at the event, this does open the door to a possible deduction. Home to work travel is deductible in limited circumstances – for example, if you are engaged in itinerant work, but many independent travel agents have a home office. A home office deduction is available if a portion of your home is used as a principal place of business, you meet or deal with clients or customers, you use it to conduct administrative or management functions, or you store some sort of inventory or product samples. You should use your office at least three to four days per week or 10 to 12 hours per week. In regard to indirect business expenses, you can receive a deduction of approximately 12 to 16 percent based on the square footage or the number of rooms in your home. Home computers, fax machines, telephones, office supplies, and office furniture are tax deductible. But it’s important to have your home office on business cards, have business visitors sign a logbook, keep a work-activity log for time spent, or be able to demonstrate work you have accomplished online from your home office. It is wise to keep a separate “tax diary” of appointments, general transportation, meals, trips, business appointments, contacts. If the IRS ever questions your claims and you don’t have receipts for everything, this tax diary will be of great assistance. So what in heaven’s name are you waiting for? If you love travel and have some time to travel, becoming a travel agent is a no-brainer. It is easy and inexpensive to become an agent and between hugely discounted trips and the tax write-offs, the savings can be almost unlimited.

Top 7 Must-Visit Places in Dubai

Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates. It’s a prosperous, advanced nation in a vigorously developing area of the world. Fantastic towers and brilliant ideas rise out of a desert which Omar Khyyam would have recognized and on a sea which has been the cradle of human history for thousands of years.

Your travel dollar will get real value in Dubai. Hotels in Dubai base their businesses on providing absolute top quality luxury accommodation, service and amenities for guests. The hotel packages are specifically designed to attract attention from experienced and highly selective travelers.

When you come to Dubai, you will experience the extraordinary and the unique on a daily basis. These are just some of the places you must see:

Dubai World

Dubai World is a range of artificial islands which form a map of the world. There are 300 islands with designer living as the keynote concept. The islands have facilities for visitors, shopping, Dubai World is the modern world’s answer to the great designer cities of the past, a triumph of civilization.

Dubai Underwater Hotel

The Dubai Underwater Hotel, under construction off Dubai, is huge and it’s dazzling. It’s 260 hectares in size, (about the size of London’s Hyde Park) and the bubble-shaped suites are 20 metres underwater. The twin domes rise out of the water giving a magnificent view of the Dubai skyline. It’s one of Dubai’s biggest tourist attractions.

Palm Islands

Dubai’s famous Palm Islands are the largest man-made islands ever built, and are being called “The Eighth Wonder of the World” by their admirers. They’re packed with features for tourists and great hotel packages. (If you don’t want to leave, everyone will understand.)

Dubai desert safari

The desert experience is a Don’t Miss adventure. You can travel by Hummer, camel, and sandboard, go dune bashing, experience the desert night, and learn about Arab Belly Dancing, all on one tour.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum)

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum was the ruler of Dubai between 1912 and 1958, and the father of the present ruler of Dubai. His house is a history of Dubai in microcosm. This is one of the great cultural features of Dubai, as well as a link to the past. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum) is an example of the architectural heritage of Dubai, ahead of its own time and a good example of the local talent for creating opulent, spacious living.

Scenic Flying

Scenic flying is a tour of the city and countryside by hot air balloon. This is a tour of a wonderland, an overview of an incredible achievement. Dubai looks fantastic on the ground, but from the air it’s astonishing.

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is the gigantic tower synonymous with Dubai which stunned architects as much as the rest of the world when it was designed. This is tallest building in the world, twice the height of the Empire State Building. It’s a residential building, also housing corporate offices and hotels.

You will never forget Dubai. The more you see, the more you will want to see.

Bali Beaches

There are a wide variety of different types of beaches in Bali from the energetic sports and activities beaches to gentle secluded coves to spend lazy afternoons chilling and enjoying the warm Indian ocean.

Many of the beaches are palm fringed white sands with a tropical feel that you would expect to see in the movies while others are black due to the islands volcanic activity.

Some beaches are within very easy reach and actually make up part of the resort while others are off the beaten track and are a drive away.

Bali has many great beaches – good for swimming, surfing, or just lounging on the sand. Some beach hotels in Bali and villages provide daily clean up and grooming of beaches. Also, the quality of a beach can change drastically between seasons, depending on the location of the beach and the direction it faces.

Bali’s beaches are best during the dry season, roughly April through October. During this period at beaches on the western coastal areas, erosion is minimal and the lack of wind or offshore winds keep the beaches clean and relatively calm.

During the wet season, onshore winds deposits flotsam and garbage on the west facing beaches and constant clean up is needed. In addition heavy rains can deposit run off around the beaches, particularly around run-off streams that flow into the ocean.

The east cost beaches of Sanur and Nusa Dua are less affected by seasonality, although the beach strip from the Melia Hotel to Nusa Dua Beach Hotel  in Nusa Dua experiences seasonal erosion in the winter, resulting in a very narrow strip of sand. The sand returns for the summer months.

The west facing beach from Canggu to Kuta can have rough surf and is known to have many rip currents and strong undertow. Safe swim areas are marked by flags and lifeguards are posted in some places but it is advised to keep an eye on the weak swimmers as the currents often change suddenly.

Mengiat  beach at Nusa Dua and Sanur beach areas are nice because there is an offshore reef that keeps heavy surf away from the beach.

 

Kuta Beach

If  it is an activity beach close to all amenities then Kuta beach is the one to head for as there is a wide variety of water activities available from this beach and surfing being one of the primary ones.

Parking is available all the way along the beach front and there are often extra activities and events held along the long wide walk way.

Parking can get cramped and swimming is dangerous for weaker swimmers as the rip curl and under currents are strong along this section of the shore so be aware of this when planning a day at the beach.

Along the beach front there is a wealth of activity from board and sports rental equipment to five star luxury hotels and sandwiches shops.

You can rent a sun bed and umbrella along certain sections of the beach but make sure that you get a good price for them the normal rate is around 50,000 IDR.

On the west cost of the island the resorts of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are very busy to watch the sun go down.

There are often a wide variety of vendors on the beach offering every thing form a a relaxing massage and pedicure to sellers of beach wear and fresh fruit.

You must be careful along this section of beach as to pick pockets and bag snatches and exercise common sense when swimming and leaving your belongings unattended.

Kuta beach can often become a little crowded in high season and traffic very heavy to get to this part of the island through the bottle neck streets so make sure to leave plenty of time to allow for transit through Kuta and parking.

 

Nusa Dua Beach

The Nusa Dua peninsula is surrounded by some lovely beaches from long golden stretches of palm fringed beaches to more secluded coves at the bottom of cliffs.

Nusa Dua from Geger Temple is known as Mengiat Beach and Geger Beach. The most beautiful blue water, pristine white sand, minimal vendors.

Nusa Dua beach is a wide golden sandy beach stretching some 3 kilo meters from the blow hole and ancient temple at one end to the more secluded cliff at the other end.

As opposed to watching the sun go down on Jimbaran beach why not sip a cocktail and watch the moon rise on Nusa Dua beach or a lovely stroll along in the moon light while the crabs come to life scurrying up and down the beach is a sight not to miss.

Getting here is relatively easy just follow the signs and the surfers via the old wooden bridge and then to the wide flat car park that rolls onto the beach and you are there once you pay the 2000 rupiah to park.

Geger is one of the few beaches at which topless sunbathing is allowed.

There is are toilet facilities and sports hire along this stretch of the beach including hobby cats, canoes, peddle boats, and snorkel equipment.

There are a few beach bars and restaurants where you can get everything from fresh fish and satay to sandwiches and pizzas.

Sun beds and umbrellas are readily available on the beach and cost about 1,500 rupiah, although you will often be asked for more but it is widely acceptable to bargain.

Geger Beach, from Geger Cafe to Geger Temple. This part of the beach is used by seasonal seaweed farmers. At the far end against the hill is the Nusa Dua Beach Cafe, which also has a few rental beach chairs and get a more sheltered day at the beach with the cliff to explore and a shorter paddle out to the reef for the surfers in the party.

The beautiful sands of Mengiat Beach, to the north now has three beach cafes, serving food and beverage, and a currency exchange on the Geger side of the St Regis

It is quieter this side of the beach with fewer bars and activities it makes for a pleasant walk in the evening along to the temple and blow hole to the north.

 

Jimbaran Beach

At Jimbaran you can literally park up at the beach and you are there on the white sand.

It is pretty quiet during early afternoon however the beach springs to life around 4.30 with the restaurants setting up for the evening trade of people watching the sun go down.

The beach is accessible from the many cafes and bars some of which have beach loungers for the day and will allow you to use them free of charge as long as you buy a drink from them.

At the south end of the beach is the Four Seasons, with a private beach club and restaurant.

The beach directly in front of the Four Seasons is rocky and rough, not really suitable for swimming. The beach is more inviting 50 meters away towards the beach BBQ restaurants.

You can get Pizza and ice cream along from the BBQ restaurants and hire body boards and surf boards.

Life guards usually patrol this part of the beach too. It is advisable to bring some form of shoe to wear in the water as the coral washed up makes it difficult sometimes to enter the water.

The barbecue restaurants are great at night for fresh fish, Indonesian style served with local stemed vegetables and boiled rice with an array of different spicy sauces.

During the day the cafes serve drinks and simple Indonesian meals although are now catering more to western taste and you can also get bbq chicken and french fries in some of them.

Some of the big beach hotels groom and cleaned daily the beach in front of the section of their hotel and  provide comfortable chairs and a simple beach cafes.

The beach from the  north to the airport boundary is know as Kedonganan beach and is the the territory of a fishing village, a few fresh fish restaurants, and the local wholesale fish market.

Kedonganan beach is wide and sandy, but as a working beach is not suitable for relaxation. It provides a fascinating site in the morning when the fisherman land their catch and the market is at it is busiest

 

Sanur Beaches

This area is a favorite of many visitors and locals with it is old time feeling it has a seven km paved walkway along the beach front lined with bars restaurants and shops.

This area was one of the first developed tourist areas and is very popular with tourist and residents.

You can find many places renting out bicycles and is an excellent spot to take up an early morning run and walk while watching the sun coming up.

There are plenty of sun beds and places to stop and take a swim as the area has many breakwaters making it safe to swim and enjoy the white tropical sands and clear  blue sea.

A sun bed will cost around 20,000 IDR for the day and you have a choice of bars and restaurants to have a tasty lunch at.

Further along the cost to the Benoa region you will find the Bali yacht club and there is ample parking at this end of the stretch of coast just be careful not to park in the motor bike parking as you will get blocked in by thousands of bikes making it impossible to get out.

 

Benoa Beach Area

Here you will find predominately the sport recreation area and the boats and ferry that takes you to the surrounding islands of  Lombok, Lembongan and the Gilis on one side of the water way and the other home to the many small recreational boats to rent to para-glide, jet ski, dive or a simple banana ride over the crystal blue Indian ocean.

This section of the beach is wide and golden and has a several bars, restaurants and hotels.

This part of the coast runs from the Nusa Dua area and joins the Benoa area in a wide open water way north Nusa Dua beach area that ends eventually at the activity beach at Tanjung Benoa.

Here you can get a trip up the cost to turtle island and see the conservation that takes place of the turtles in Bali who in February are dug up as eggs from Sanur beach and taken to the island to hatch and live out the first months in safety and then released back to the wild in September.

Many of the companies offering the excursions and water sports will also offer a transport service, however parking is simple at the beach side.

The sea here is not really the place you would come to swim as there are many many small speed boats in the water.

 

Seminyak Beach Area

The seminyak area is a great place to go and chill and the beach or enjoy a nice meal while watching the sun go down.

The narrow streets can sometimes get a little crowded at peak times and parking can be difficult so allow time for this.

Stream empties into ocean near Seminyak/Batu Belig. During wet season, the stream is a major river!

Beach around “Kerobokan”, but most know the area as Seminyak. Administrative areas on Bali are gerry mandered, so sometimes the official administrative name does not match the place name most visitors are aware of.

 

“Echo Beach” Canggu

Increased in popularity recently due to the vibe from the restaurants built on a cement seawall facing the ocean. Echo beach really isn’t suitable as a swimming or relaxation beach, but has a solid reputation as a surf beach.

The beach is a bit rocky and the sand is blackish and the seawall on which the restaurants are built is not attractive. The surfing attracts a crowd of surfers and watchers, and it is enjoyable to watch the action from the seawall while enjoying the cuisine from the The Beach House or other warungs. The road to Echo beach has become very pitted and is in need of improvement.

North side of Echo Beach, a bit rocky however it is a great place to come and watch the sun going down and enjoy the early evening jazz.

This is a little bit off the beaten track and can get busy sometimes when surf is up!

 

Dreamland

This is a white sand beach which is very popular with surfers and  now has a  fully developed  hotel.

The old surf beach is gone, replaced with a 15,000 IDR parking lot. Apparently construction on another hotel, the Raffles is on hold due to the global recession.

However the Dreamlands complex has a great bar and pool over looking the beach and you can access the beach via a stair case descending down from the pool area.

On the beach are a few small warungs and bars offering local refreshments and surf hire, sun beds and umbrellas.

The climb down is a little steep but well worth it once you are on the beach with it is tropical white sand.

 

Balangan Beach

Next to Dreamland is Balangan Beach. Popular with surfers and not as well known as Dreamland. The feeling of this beach is almost Hawaiian.

There are a couple of bungalow style accommodations and most of the surf warungs from Dreamland have moved here. Almost no tourists. Access is a bit of a pain from the Nirmala Store intersection on Jl Uluwatu, but the road is paved.

Padang Padang beach follow on across the bay from Dreamlands and  this little beach is paradise on earth. It is both a surf beach and a great place to swim as it is sheltered by a reef so and ideal spot for the surfers and swimmers.

Parking is at the top of the beach and there is quiet a steep staircase down to the beach but the climb is well worth it.

On the beach there are a few warungs offering refreshments and sun beds and at the top is a pizza restaurant offering takeaways.

The shallow waters are ideal to swim and further out on the reef is a surfers paradise.

 

Bukit Beaches

Kutuh Beach access from the village of  Kutuh in the Bukit area through the rock quarries in center. Seaweed farmers are abundant in this area with it is white sand, privacy, and no tourists and is really different. No accommodations and no tourists. This is way Bali was 50 years ago.

“Green Bowl” accessible from the long stairway at the temple next to the closed Bali Cliff  hotel. Surfer beach, caves at the bottom of the stairs and monkeys living around near here. Great scenery and adventure. No accommodations. Really a surf spot.

 

Amed

This is on the north eastern coast of  Bali, is a great place to both swim (as there is no surf) and snorkel directly from the beach.

Some beaches aren’t sand though, they can be coral or pebbles so shoes can be of benefit to get to the water. Amed is approximately a 2-3 hours drive from the south of Bali.

 

Lovina Beach

This beach is a narrow black sand beach with calm water. The beach is lined with a variety of relaxed restaurants. There are very few sun beds on the beach, and the beach is used by fisherman for their jukung.

You can rent a junket to go and see the wild dolphins that live along this section of the cost and it is well worth the early morning call to see the sun rise and watch these magnificent animals play in the wash of the boats.

Most boat owners offer the option to go and have breakfast and then come back to take you oput to the reef to snorkel in the clear blue waters.

The cost of a boat trip is around 50,000- 60,000 IDR per person.

The black sand beaches can feel dirty and the black sand absorbs heat, so its hard and hot on the feet.

Parking is easy at the beach side and access is flat.

However, the views from Lovina beach over to Java are spectacular and it’s worth visiting for this reason alone. Lovina is on the northern coast of Bali and is approx a 3 hour drive from Kuta.

 

Candi Dasa

This is an unspoiled tourist spot on the east cost and is about a one and half hour drive from the airport.

Here the beaches are black and the tide very high at times so that the beach disappears.  A large wall has been constructed to combat the encroaching sea and aid the development of tourist attractions.

This is a place to enjoy a very relaxing, peaceful, romantic holiday. The night life is quiet mainly entailing dinning in the fine restaurants or there is a beer garden and rock cafe with the odd live band.

The shopping in this area is limited and you would be better taking a day trip to Kuta or Ubud.

Snorkeling and diving are very popular here as it is a snorkelers dream. You can rent the  equipment from most hotels.

Bali’s eastern most port from where the ferry to Lombok leaves three times a day. The trip to Lombok takes about three hours and costs approx. 8000 – 12000 IDR..

Becoming a popular little stop over, Padangbai offers a few warung and losmen style accommodation as well as some fine snorkeling.

 

Phuket is the Treasure of Thailand

The largest island in Thailand, Phuket is an enchanting destination, located about 850 km south of the nation’s capital, Bangkok, in the Andaman Sea. Phuket holds the distinction of being the only island in Phuket with provincial status.

Sometimes acknowledged as the ‘Pearl of the South,’ Phuket boasts of a long rich as well as colorful history dating back to more than 500 years ago. An eventful segment in the history of Phuket is the Battle of Thalang, in which the Burmese invaders were defeated by forces under the administration of two women.

Phuket is now categorized into three administrative regions: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kathu, and Amphoe Thalang. Al though Phuket has now become a thriving tourist center, it still preserves its old world charm, and come with an incredible array of attractions comprising imposing gorgeous coves and bays, long stretch of palm-fringed beaches, tiny estuaries, beautiful lagoons, lush green mountains, scintillating waterfalls, and age-old mansions reflecting Indo-Portuguese architecture.

Much of the Phuket’s glory lies in its beautiful white sandy beaches. Majority of the top beaches in the areas such as Kamala Beach – an excellent area for relaxation, Patong Beach – most vibrant among the beaches in the area, and Karon Beach, located south of Patong Beach, are situated in the western coastline.

Popular beaches in the area also include Kalim Beach, an isolated beach dotted with coral reefs and rocks; Kata Beach consisting of Kata Noi and Kata Yai beaches; Nai Han Beach, which is much favored for its white powdery sand and azure blue waters; Rawai Beach, a pristine beach whose surroundings are home to Chao Le people; and Mai Khao Beach, also known as the Airport Beach. Each of the beaches in the area is enchanting, and is a haven to enjoy a continuum of water sport activities such as fishing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, rafting, sailing, scuba diving, and more.

However, the activities that can be enjoyed in Phuket are not restricted to water sport activities. For instance, if you are a golf freak, excellent choices are available for you in the form of Dino Park, an 18-hole mini-golf course located on Karon Beach; golf course in Hat Surin built during the reign of King Rama VII; and Log Palm Golf Club near Amphoe Krathu. Besides, superb options are available to enjoy activities such as mountain biking, trekking, bungy jumping, nature walks, and hiking.

When comes to sightseeing, options are truly diverse and endless. For example, a tour to historical sites including Old China Town, packed with stunning Sino-Portuguese mansions, would be a refreshing experience. Likewise, to have a peep into the history of the region, a best way would be visit the interesting museums in the region such as Thalang National Museum and Phuket Sea Shell Museum.

Phuket also provides a feast of attractions to wild life and nature lovers, such as, Khao Phra Thaeo National Park boasting of unique flora and fauna; Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, with thousands of varied species of butterflies; Promthep Cape, from where one can savor the incredible views of the sunset; and Marine Biological Research Centre, an aquarium with a variety of rare fish species.

A visit to Phuket would be incomplete without taking a tour to its ancient shrines including Wat Chalong – one of the biggest shrines in the region; Wat Phranangsang, devoted to two heroines who defeated the Burmese invaders in the Battle of Thalang; and Wat Phra Thong, whose centerpiece is a large half buried image of the Lord Buddha.

Nightlife in Phuket is really sedative, with hundreds of girlie bars, nightclubs, pubs, disco clubs, and go-go bars. Similarly, dining options available in Phuket is endless, consisting of an array of restaurants serving everything from excellent Thai dishes to sumptuous western style cuisines. Additionally, Phuket is a shopper’s paradise, with a plethora of markets, department stores, street stalls, and specialist shops, apart from a large night bazaar.

Above all, accommodation options are aplenty in Phuket, ranging from world-class hotels and resorts to elegant tropical style villas and bungalows. No matter you are looking for budget accommodation or one with luxurious amenities, Phuket has accommodation to suit every taste and pocket. With the introduction of the internet, it has now become quite easy to find a hotel in Phuket that go with your requirements. Many of them provide options to book hotel rooms and other facilities online.

With these scores of attractions and a plenty of accommodation options, make your vacation in Phuket memorable.