Smokey Mountain beginners want intermediate trail/camping but must have showers?
We would like to spend our Memorial Day Weekend getting a little exercise. Looking for an intermediate hiking trail but being beginners, I’m certain we would need a hot shower. Not really sure how long of a trail. Enough to get a decent weekend of exercise yet we are still considering this a vacation. Any suggestions?? We are from STL so any and all info (trails, campgrounds, sights, where to park, or any other tips) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Categories: Camping Vacations Tags: beginners, intermediate, Mountain, Must, showers, Smokey, trail/camping, want
Travel Hong Kong: 12 Must See Places
Hong Kong features a diverse mixture of characters as a result of long British occupation and a great Chinese influence. As a state of China, Hong Kong provides a good introduction to who ever wants to know more about China without entering the mainland plus a venue for more attractions with western culture and Asian spirit.
1. Hong Kong Museum of Art – Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong’s culture and history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, and lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).
2. Hong Kong Disneyland – The newly open and the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun and excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA.
3. Victoria Peak – Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher and take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.
4. Lantau Island – Travel Hong Kong and take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.
5. Ocean Park – Travel Hong Kong and visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you and your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda and butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef and shark aquariums are found, and Headlands amusement park where you can go and take a ride with cable cars and roller coasters.
6. Water World – Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, and water slides.
7. Middle Kingdom – A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, and palaces only at Middle Kingdom.
8. The Central district – If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls and several Western designer and signature boutiques are located.
9. Lamma Island – If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.
10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) – Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses and colors.
11. Hong Kong Space Museum – See what’s in store for you in the future at Hong Kong Space Museum. The complex offers hundreds of displays ranging from telecommunications, robotics, energy, computers, and physics with hands on experience that will keep you interested.
12. Wet Market – In Hong Kong, everything is fresh. And when they say fresh, they mean it. If you happen to travel Hong Kong to visit a friend or someone you know, come along when they go to wet market where the freshest among freshest seafood are for sale.
Places you must visit in Hongkong
1. Hong Kong Museum of Art – Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong’s culture and history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, and lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).
2. Hong Kong Disneyland – The newly open and the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun and excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA.
3. Victoria Peak – Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher and take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.
4. Lantau Island – Travel Hong Kong and take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.
5. Ocean Park – Travel Hong Kong and visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you and your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda and butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef and shark aquariums are found, and Headlands amusement park where you can go and take a ride with cable cars and roller coasters.
6. Water World – Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, and water slides.
7. Middle Kingdom – A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, and palaces only at Middle Kingdom.
8. The Central district – If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls and several Western designer and signature boutiques are located.
9. Lamma Island – If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.
10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) – Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses and colors.
Categories: 1000 Islands Hiking Tags: Hongkong, Must, Places, Visit
You must visit to Hong Kong
Hong Kong features a diverse mixture of characters as a result of long British occupation and a great Chinese influence. As a state of China, Hong Kong provides a good introduction to who ever wants to know more about China without entering the mainland plus a venue for more attractions with western culture and Asian spirit.
1. Hong Kong Museum of Art – Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong’s culture and history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, and lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).
2. Hong Kong Disneyland – The newly open and the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun and excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA.
3. Victoria Peak – Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher and take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.
4. Lantau Island – Travel Hong Kong and take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.
5. Ocean Park – Travel Hong Kong and visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you and your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda and butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef and shark aquariums are found, and Headlands amusement park where you can go and take a ride with cable cars and roller coasters.
6. Water World – Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, and water slides.
7. Middle Kingdom – A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, and palaces only at Middle Kingdom.
8. The Central district – If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls and several Western designer and signature boutiques are located.
9. Lamma Island – If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.
10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) – Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses and colors.
11. Hong Kong Space Museum – See what’s in store for you in the future at Hong Kong Space Museum. The complex offers hundreds of displays ranging from telecommunications, robotics, energy, computers, and physics with hands on experience that will keep you interested.
12. Wet Market – In Hong Kong, everything is fresh. And when they say fresh, they mean it. If you happen to travel Hong Kong to visit a friend or someone you know, come along when they go to wet market where the freshest among freshest seafood are for sale
Categories: 1000 Islands Hiking Tags: Hong, Kong, Must, Visit
Top 5 Must Visit Places in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world’s biggest archipelago, containing thousands of islands. The country is a collection of many different local places of interest. Tourism in Indonesia is highly developed, including a wide range of tourist destinations, and excellent luxury hotels and hotel packages.
The selection of places to visit is vast, including many fascinating and unique sites and areas of interest. Indonesia is a big place, and the tourist is confronted with infinite possibilities of combinations of places to see and things to do.
This is a selection of five of the best and most dazzling of Indonesia’s tourist paradises:
Java
Java is the main island of Indonesia, in terms of population and development. It’s also one of the most unusual tourist destinations in the world. There are some extraordinary things to see in Java:
Borobodur Temple, the ancient Buddhist Mahayana monument. This is one of the great classics of Buddhist art, with no less than 504 Buddha statues and 2,672 relief panels.
Prambanan Temple, the Hindu Temple near Yogyakarta, a masterpiece of Hindu workmanship 47 metres tall, the equal of its Indian equivalents.
At the western tip of Java is the volcano Anak Krakatau, the “Child of Krakatoa”.
Sumatra
Sumatra is Indonesia’s big western island. It’s a very diverse place with many different environments and a priceless wildlife heritage which trying hard to survive the strain of modern times. Sumatra retains much of its ancient heritage and culture. It’s common to see ancient ways of life and fishing boats next to new four wheel drives and sleek modern power boats.
Bali
Bali, one of the world’s legendary tourist destinations, is the global traveler’s classic must see destination. Bali resorts are famous for their high quality, particularly in the Nusa Dua and Jimbaran areas of the island.
People don’t just “like” Bali, they love it. Each beach and resort has its own admirers, and the regular visitors come back many times. Bali’s reputation is based on a mix of its natural beauty, the fabulous holiday lifestyle, and a personal affinity. Everyone has “their” personal Bali. It’s one of the few places in the world where tourists care as much as locals about preserving the natural charm of the region.
Kalimantan
Kalimantan, formerly known as Borneo, is the big northern island, a wild area famous in colonial times for its wild jungles and their fierce inhabitants, the Dayaks. This is a truly incredible, magical place. You can see orangutans in their natural environment, go on river cruises up wild rivers, trek through one of the world’s great jungles, and see a real traditional longhouse and the famous Dayak dragon.
Sulawesi
Sulawesi is the large, island with four big peninsulas east of Kalimantan. The island is divided into North Sulawesi and South Sulawesi. This island is famous for its diving experiences. Sulawesi has a range of marine environments, including beautiful beaches. Inland, it has fabulous Lake Linow, and an active volcano, Mt. Soputan.
Indonesian holidays combine all the best elements of tourism; Excitement, exotic places, and real luxury.
Categories: 1000 Islands Bed And Breakfast Tags: Indonesia, Must, Places, Visit
What Are the Must See Places in Kingston Jamaica?
Kingston is well known around the globe as heartbeat of the speaking Caribbean Sea, and the fresh-water sailing capital of North America. Kingston is a bustling, squalid, but rollicking city in Kingston. Kingston is a major port for scenic entertainment cruises of the breathtaking Thousand Islands. The people of Kingston are known as most warm welcoming people on the island. Visitors frequently flock into the city by having cheap flights to Kingston. Its major attractions are;
National Gallery of Art: It is Jamaica’s premier art collection. National Gallery of Art is located within Kingston Mall, which is a commercial and cultural center on Kingston harbor. The National Gallery exhibits works traveling exhibition by various international artists including Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds, Cecil Baugh, Albert Huie, Carl Abrahams, and Edna Manley. Visitors having interest in Artistic work reserve cheap flights to Kingston from UK with cheapflightstokingston.com and take a tour to this art gallery.
Kingston City Hall: It is three stories tall Hall in Kingston, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 1971. It is a red brick building constructed in 1873 in a late Victorian architectural style. Visitors having Kingston flights can enjoy Past tenants of City Hall include the Market Vendors, the Customs House, the Bank of British North America, the Board of Trade, the Post Office, the Mechanics Institute, the Masons, the Orange Lodge, the Merchants Exchange, various church groups, A&D Shaw Dry Goods, a saloon, and some residential tenants.
Port Royal: this port wasfounded in 1518, as the centre of shipping commerce in the Caribbean Sea during at the mouth of the Kingston Barbour. Tourists having flights to Kingston like to come into the city for, it is a bustling centre for trading legitimate and ill-gotten wealth, sleepy fishing town containing crumbling run-down remnants of its former glory.
Hope Botanical Garden: Hope Botanical Garden was formerly part of Major Richard Hope’s Estate. Visitors having flights to Kingston Jamaica show special interest in this botanical garden. This botanical garden has many rare and beautiful species of tropical plants and trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Wolfe Island: This Island isthe largest of the world-renowned Thousand Islands, located at the mouth of Lake Ontario near Kingston. The island’s provincial park, Sandy Bay, is a quiet stroll through woodlands. To get more information on tourist’s places and reserving cheap flights to Kingston Jamaica from UK, http://www.cheapflightstokingston.com/
Categories: 1000 Islands Fishing Tags: Jamaica, Kingston, Must, Places
Top 7 Best Trips and Tours You Must Go on in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is fast becoming Egyptâ??s top tourist resort, from its Beautiful coral reefs and beaches, ship wrecks, desert adventures, and ancient monasteryâ??s, to enjoying the vibrant night life.
Here is my Top 7 trips and tours you must go on when visiting sharm el sheikh.
1. Ras Mohammed National Park by Jeep
Egyptâ??s first National Park, here is one of the worlds most Beautiful places to visit, also known as the Jewel in the Crown of the Red Sea, with over 130 types of stunning coral and over a 1000 species of Beautiful fish.
The National Park is also the resting place of many ship wrecks including the famous Thistlegorm.
A Jeep picks you up from your hotel or apartment to take you to Ras Mohammed National Park. You stop at the visitors centre in the park, then on to some snorkelling in the beautiful aqua waters of the national park. After this your next stop is at the Blue Lagoon and Magic Lake. After these two amazing spots you are taken to see the mangroves which naturally grow on the coast line. Then its on to see the past remains of an earthquake which split the ground many years ago. You will need your snorkelling gear with you, or you can hire these at the start of the trip.
2. Ras Mohammed by Boat
This Tour is Totally different from Ras Mohammed by Car as there is more snorkelling involved. The Jeep picks you up from your hotel or apartment and you are taken to naama bay to hire snorkel equipment if needed. Then off to on the jetties of Naama Bay for your boat. The trip includes stops at three stunning snorkelling spots Gordon reef and Jackson reef being just two of them. A stop at the ghostly shipwreck Lovella just off Gordons reef.. A full Lunch is provided on Board and refreshments all through your trip.
Snorkelling gear also needed for your trip.
3. Quad Biking in the Sinai Desert
If you like speed and adventure then this trip is for you. Either take a quad bike for yourself or share one. Adventure deep into the interior of the Sinai desert. You will stop for a rest at the Bedouin camp for a real taste of Bedouin herbal tea. After your rest you
journey to Echo Mountain, This is the chance for you to be silly and shout into the mountains to hear the echo of your voice the Egyptian tour guide loves this one. After making a fool of yourself its time to head back home to base.
Desert quad biking can be taken early in the morning or in the evening this is so you can see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets of the Sinai desert. Trips usually take around 2 hours. If you want a longer and more personal trip then this can be arrange with any tour agent found all over sharm. When arranging these special Quad biking trips always negotiate for a good price, as the prices do vary considerably from each agent. You will need to take plenty of bottle water with you, scarf and goggles are essential.
4. St Katherineâ??s Monastery and Dahab
St Katherineâ??s Monastery is situated 1,1571 meters above sea level and is still home to 20 monks. Here you will find the Chapel of the Burning Bush were Moses was instructed by god to lead his people out of Egypt to promised land. Also you will see the Library of the monastery with its priceless collection of early Christian Manuscripts. The tour includes lunch at the nearby Katherineâ??s Plaza hotel.
After lunch you are taken to the city of Dahab here you can visit the interesting souvenir shops. When visiting St Katherineâ??s Monastery you will have to dress modestly, ladies no Bikinis, men T shirt or top. Take plenty of water for your trip.
5. Moses Mountain and St Katherineâ??s Monastery
Moses Mountain reaches 2,285 meters above sea level which can be walked up or you can take a camel up there. Moses mountain was were Moses was supposed to have received the Ten Commandments. Its also a place to see spectacular sunrises and sunsets and for others who want to feel a spiritual experience.
The tour starts with you being picked up from your hotel or apartment the previous evening, depending on what time of year it is, you will be taken to the foot of Mount Moses were you will start your ascent, when you reach the top you can take a well earned rest and see the stunning sunrise after this you will start your descent. Next its on to St Katherineâ??s Monastery were you can explore the treasures of the monastery. After St katherine,s you are taken for breakfast. To finish the tour you can go shopping in the city of dahab.
This trip is very long and can be strenuous, please dress modestly for St Katherineâ??s Monastery.
6. Abu Gallum and the Blue Hole
Abu Gallum Nature Reserve is home to astonishing natural sites such as the Blue Hole which is surrounded by coral and has a sheer drop of 260 meters. Your adventure starts with your pickup from your hotel or apartment by jeep, and taken across rugged Sinai desert to Abu Gallum Nature reserve here you will be met by Bedouin people with camels to take you along the beach to the Blue Hole. Here you will be able to snorkel for a while before you have a delicious fish lunch in the Bedoiun tent. After lunch you can explore the Blue Hole a little more before your departure for your last stop to Dahab city. Here you have chance to explore there unusual gift and souvenir shops.
You will need your snorkle gear for this one and donâ??t forget take plenty of water.
7. Tiran Island Boat Trip
Tiran island lies in the gulf of aqaba down the tiran straight, and is very popular for Boat trips from Naama Bay and Sharks Bay. Just off the island is Gordons Reef and Jacksons Reef these are very popular stops for snorklers. Your trip start at Naama Bay Jetty were you board the boat and set off for Tiran Island. You will have a couple of stops at the reefs before lunch. After lunch the boat takes a slow sail around lovilla shipwreck which got drifted on Gordon reef in 1981. One last snorkel stop at Far garden in Naama bay, here the coral reefs are beautifully coloured after this its head back to Naama bay jetty.
You will need your snorkle gear if you want to snorkel, donâ??t worry if you havenâ??t any snorkel gear you will be taken to a hire centre in naama bay.
