Posts Tagged ‘Sand’

Tuscany: sand dune and sky 05.462.09

Image taken on 1994-06-01 00:00:00 by Juergen Kurlvink.

Sand Lakes trip labor day

video of our trip to Sand Lakes, Oregon on labor day

Snow or Sand This Christmas

Many people like to fly off over Christmas and the New Year, preferring to spend the break relaxing in a holiday resort rather than enjoying the usual festive traditions at home. Some people just don’t like the chilly temperatures and like to go to warmer regions where there’s a good chance of sunny weather. Others prefer to go to places that are fortunate to have some real winter weather and where snow makes the Christmas celebrations extra special.

In 2009 there seemed to be lots of places around the globe expecting a white Christmas and not just the typical mountain resorts in countries like Austria, Southern Germany or Italy. Places like New York and Chicago are reporting with almost certainty that they will have snow this year and in the UK and Ireland almost everywhere is reporting a better than 50 per cent chance of snow this Christmas. Even Madrid in Spain predicts a 25 per cent chance, which is very unusual in this city.

Naturally some of the best winter Christmas resorts are the picturesque villages in the European Alps. Places like Klosters and Verbier in Switzerland are classed as exclusive, which does not mean that some people are excluded from going there, but presumably refers to the cost of taking a break there, and does not make them an option for all but the very rich. Both are small villages with permanent populations of around 5000 and 3000 people respectively, but those numbers can treble or quadruple over the festive period as the hotels and chalets fill up with holidaymakers seeking that extra special Christmas holiday.

Other places that offer cold winter weather and magical Christmas atmospheres are some of the European cities like Prague or Geneva. Both offer a fairly good chance of a white Christmas but also provide a range of affordable accommodation and a full events schedule that includes Christmas markets, concerts and sports events. Some of the most exclusive tickets in town are for the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Years Day concert at the world reknowned Musikverein concert hall. Tickets are assigned by drawing lots during January a year in advance. If you are fortunate enough to be allocated a ticket then you are faced with the choice of which ticket to purchase. These can vary in price from a reasonable 30 Euros right up to an amazing 940 Euros. However such is the demand for the tickets that many people regard it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and put aside any worries about the cost.

If a white landscape is not your idea of a perfect Christmas then travelling to a destination that provides the opposite in weather conditions is likely to be your choice. For people living in Europe the option of a trip to the other side of the world, where they are right in the middle of their summer is possibly the best way of getting some hot Christmas conditions. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and perhaps even South American countries like Brazil are all in the middle of their summer season which promises average daytime temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius and no possibility of snow. In cities like Buenos Aries, Argentina and Johannesburg, South Africa, December and January are also two of the wettest months of the year, so anyone travelling there should prepare for odd rain shower too.

A closer and drier alternative for Europeans might be be the Canary Islands and thousands of Brits choose to spend their Christmas and New Year in these sunny islands off the West African coastline. Their location makes them easy to travel to from the UK, and there is a wide choice flights taking passengers to the main resort islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura from various UK cities. Being part of Spain there are no issues with complicated travel visas and traditions are familiar to those in the rest of Europe. Daytime temperatures during December and January are normally at least 25 degrees Celsius.

The resorts along the Southern Turkish coast may be much drier than Northern European places at this time of year, although they may not be as warm as the Canaries or the popular resorts of the Red Sea. In Sharm El Sheikh Christmas visitors can look forward to warm sunny days, water temperatures of over 22 degrees Celsius and almost no likelihood of rain.

Once Upon a Stretch of Sand..

We are creatures of the sea. It is in our genetic makeup to seek out the bonding point of water and shore, to dance in frothy surf and leave footprints on sands as varied as is our species. The United States is blessed with thousands of miles of coastline, some of it rocky crags meeting each wave with loud protest, other parts lengths of fine white powder gently sloping to water’s edge.

Offering warm sands, swaying palms and frothy waters in every shade of blue found on an artist’s palette, it is no wonder that Hanalei Beach on the island of Kauai heads the list of the top ten beaches in the U.S. for 2009. The remote two mile (3.2 kilometer) crescent of white sand, flanked by 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) of sculptured emerald mountains moved up from the second place spot on Stephen Leatherman’s (Dr. Beach) 2008 top ten ranking.

Hamosa Beach, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, ranks at number five. A favorite of Ernest Hemingway, this pride of the Valley Isle offers coral and lava sands, a backdrop of verdant cliffs, swaying coconut palms and brilliantly hued flowers along its shoreline.

The mainland has its gems as well. The number two spot goes to Florida’s Siesta Beach in Sarasota Florida. Considered one of the finest white sand beaches in the world, its clear warm waters host a viable marine ecosystem that is quite attractive to snorkelers and SCUBA divers.

Green sea turtles and humans alike share a fondness for Florida’s second nod on the top ten list. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne claims the number eight spot. Sporting its own lighthouse, emerald shaded water and a gently sloping sandy shoal, this very swimmable beach is an admirable choice.

Heading northward to the shores of South Carolina, Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, number ten, we find thousands of birds sharing their barrier island home with two legged visitors of the human variety. Wander the 10 mile (16.1 kilometer) sandy shoreline or paddle a canoe or kayak through tidal inlets on this ecologically blessed isle.

Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina makes the list at number seven. Considered one of the best surfing spots on the East Coast, this beach grass blessed barrier island is also the first designated U.S. National Seashore. Serving as both a recreational outlet and an ecological preserve, it provides a multi faceted beach experience.

Still farther north, Coopers Beach, Southampton, ranks at number three, and Main Beach, East Hampton, number six, give dual honors to the state of New York. Not to be outdone by its larger neighbor, Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod Massachusetts makes the list at number nine. This steeply sloping stretch of sand is only accessible by bike or shuttle bus and offers panoramic views of the bay and barrier islands.

Travel west to sunny southern California to find Coronado Beach, winner of the number four spot. Man has made his mark with the century old Hotel del Coronado, but the beach’s Mediterranean like warm sands and mild surf are complemented by the landmark’s stunning architecture.

For more information on beaches, visit http://www.topbeaches.us

White Beach – Total Relaxation in the Sun, Sea and Sand

Located in the Pacific Ocean in Southeast Asia, the Republic of Philippines is an archipelago consisting of more than 7,100 islands. The country is home to more than 92 million people and is the world’s most populous Catholic nation.

One of the more popular islands of the Philippines is Boracay situated about 200 miles south of the capital city Manila. The island boasts of some of the world’s premier beaches and has even been acclaimed by many travel related bodies including Yahoo! Travel. In addition to its beaches, the Boracay resort island is also quite a popular location for kite surfing, kite boarding and windsurfing.

The world famous Boracay White Beach is a 6 km stretch of pristine white sand surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Travellers from all over the world flock to White Beach to enjoy and revel in the sun, surf and sand. The cool ocean breeze, the gentle swaying of the coconut palms and the friendly people makes this an absolute haven for pleasure seekers.

With its usually festive atmosphere, the White Beach also hosts many concerts and festivals throughout the year. The vicinity features many open air pubs and restaurants that cater to a varied clientele. The White Beach area is also the home to many souvenir shops, massage parlours, places to get henna tattoos as well as hair braids and so much more. Many resorts and hotels provide accommodation to the thousands of visitors that arrive here.

The spectacular location combined with its luxurious comforts makes the Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa one of the most preferred Boracay resorts among leisure travellers to the region. The property offers guests plenty of open spaces, private beaches and a host of other facilities and services to make a visit to this Boracay beach resort a truly memorable one. The Boracay resort also features an exciting entertainment centre and an adventure zone suitable even for kids.