Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Romantic Getaway on Cat Island in the Bahamas

If you want a romantic getaway in the Bahamas, or just to recharge your batteries, then try the Pigeon Cay Beach Club on Cat Island.

As a romantic getaway, a deserted beach, a small hotel style beach club, with blue sea and white sands sounds just about perfect. In fact the vast majority of the guests who come to stay at and return to the Pigeon Cay Beach Club will tell you that it is just that.

What we are talking about here is a bay measuring eight miles of which over three miles of it are powder white sand.

The Pigeon Cay Beach Club consists of only seven cottages, and you literally walk out of them and into the turquoise sea. Just let your imagination run riot, because this is how it is. There are seven cottages three of which are double occupancy, another will accommodate up to four people, and then the Big House, and Lily House can take six, and really are superb.

All the cottages have all home comforts supplied, with ceiling fans but no air conditioning, but in fact with the cool breezes that isn’t necessary anyway. Lovely and fluffy beach towels are included as is breakfast. The bar by the beach runs on an honour system.

With an average cost of less than USD250 per night not only is Pigeon Cay Beach Club a romantic getaway it is a relatively cheap romantic getaway, and consistent in the favourable comments made, are words like peacefulness, and remote. A gorgeous location, with the accommodation being not only very clean but very well equipped.

Recommendations include signing up for dinner on the premises, because of the ambience of eating on the lovely beach as the sun goes down. You will find the food very tasty and the meals go from plain home style cooking to gourmet, with quite naturally quite an emphasis on fish.

Cat Island is a great place for birdwatching, and you’ll be able to borrow books for identification purposes. One of the reasons Cat Island in general and Pigeon Cay Beach Club make for a great Caribbean honeymoon destination is the peace and quiet, and the lack of things to do. This makes it great after all the hustle and bustle of a wedding where you will have been under pressure for a long time, so it is great to just come here, and be the only footprints on the beach and just totally unwind.

The Pigeon Cay Beach Club supplies things like kayaks and bicycles free, and so you can explore on wheels or on the water to your heart’s content. Miles down the beach there is a lovely tidal creek and you’ll be able to wade some stunning bonefish flats if that is the kind of thing you want to do.

Another nice thing about places like Pigeon Cay Beach Club is that the people you will meet there are of a similar disposition to yourself. People who like small, peace and quiet, unfussy, back to nature places, and not big bold and brassy hotels where you could be anywhere. Also you will meet the inhabitants of Cat Island when you go exploring, and a nicer group of people you are unlikely to meet.

Pigeon Cay Beach Club will give you the Caribbean the way it used to be, with the choice of self catering, or dining , and for a romantic getaway or a Caribbean Honeymoon Vacation it is affordable, clean, restful in beautiful surroundings on Cat Island.

Landmark Visitors Guide The Bahamas

Author Resource: Jason Law administers and writes for http://www.bahamas-vacationspots.com and is a contributor to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com His first love is the Caribbean especially the hotels in the Bahamas, but he also suggests you check out http://www.antigua-vacationspots.com

Article From: Article Asylum

Fishing In Hawaii

The opportunity to be on a boat ready to catch fish, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and the camaraderie with the crew of the boat is the best experience in fishing you can find. Here are some helpful tips to enjoy fishing.

1. Choose a boat wisely. A boat that meets your needs and your goal on what to do with the fish you catch are the things to consider when choosing a boat for Hawaii Fishing Trips.

2. Choose the appropriate Island in Hawaii that meets your desired duration of the Fishing trip. For shorter trips, choose an Island in Hawaii that has deep water right near shore. These islands are ideal for shorter trips in fishing where catching fish won't take long.

3. Consider bringing tackle, bait, ice and fresh water. Confirm with the boat company if they will provide these items. Tackle is a set of pulleys and ropes assembled to facilitate the mechanisms for hoisting and pulling. Bait is for luring the fish. Ice is for keeping the catch fish fresh during the trip. Fresh water is for thirst quencher during the fishing trip.

4. Wear comfortable clothes that are suited for a hot summer day. T-shirts and shorts are the best pair of clothes to wear in fishing. An extra T-shirt will also be useful.

5. Consider bringing a baseball style cap for shading. This is effective in shielding the hot rays of the sun during the fishing trip.

6. Bring polarized sunglasses to see the fish in the water.

7. Closed toe boating shoes are highly recommended to use. They are made for keeping the feet from slipping when action gets good.

8. Bring food and drinks if the boat company won't provide these items. Cans are better than glass for drinks. Chips like Cheetos and Doritos for snacks seem to go well at sea.

9. Don't forget to bring medicine for seasickness. To minimize feeling seasick, take an 8-hour sleep before the fishing trip. Being fully awake and active before the boat leaves the dock will help prevent from feeling seasick all through out the fishing trip.

10. Eat a full meal at dinner and a light breakfast before the trip.

11. Don't forget to bring sunscreen. Sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher is highly recommended to protect the skin from the harmful UV Rays of the sun.

12. Decide before the trip on how to get at the harbor for the fishing trip in the morning. Either choose to take a cab or rent a car.
Hawaii

Using these tips will go a long way towards having an enjoyable day of fishing.


To read about types of dolphins and endangered dolphins, visit the Facts About Dolphins site.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Hawaii

Friday, November 21, 2008

Unique Vietnam

Voices of the Vietnam POWs

Vietnam is a fascinating country with a long history and an ancient culture. It's also a dynamic nation that's moving ahead. In recent decades, Vietnam has opened up as an outstanding holiday destination owing to its enchanting cities and magical natural scenery. Here's a look at the unique watery attractions in the great historic cities of Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

Standing along the banks of the Red River, Hanoi, the capital, is a city of timeless elegance with its French colonial villas, spacious tree lined boulevards, quaint backstreets and pagodas. However it's the medley of lakes that gives this city its unique charm.

The most delightful of Hanoi's lakes is the serene Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) that lies plumb in the heart of the city. Cross the The Huc (Rising Sun) Bridge to explore the island in its centre. The island is home to the 18th century Ngoc Son (Jade Mountain) Temple.

The shores of Hanoi's West Lake make up a popular meeting and picnicking spot. This lake is nine miles in circumference and several cafes stand on its shores. A B52 bomber crashed into this lake during the Vietnam War and its wreckage remains.

Going south from Hanoi brings you to the imperial charm of the old capital Hue. The centrepiece here is the Perfume River which is populated with dragon boats, houseboats, and long-tail sand dredgers. Linking the two banks is the Trang Tien Bridge, a popular evening strolling place for young lovers and the perfect spot to take the air. In the evenings, the bridge is illuminated with a light display and the outdoor riverside cafes are splendid spots to relax, admire the lights, and take in the local action.

The Perfume River separates the city and the ‘Forbidden Purple City’, once the sole province of the emperor and his family and attendants. Much of its splendid imperial architecture was razed during the Tet offensive but remnants of its tombs and pagodas remain to hint at its former splendour.

Heading further south to the Mekhong delta region brings you to the zest and optimism of old Saigon in what is now known as Ho Chi Minh City. It's a brash, dynamic and forward-looking city that retains much of its colonial charm in the form of delightful villas and churches and boulevards.

One of the main factors in the choice of Saigon as capital in the 19th century was its location on the Saigon River. This made it perfect for a port and a major trading and transport hub for Indochina. And today the river remains an important part of the city. The best way to experience the charms of the city's main waterway and sample the country's culture is to take a five-mile cruise to the Binh Quoi II Tourist Resort.

The Binh Quoi II Tourist Resort offers a range of cultural events such as music and dancing and dining. One of the highlights is the show of a traditional Vietnamese wedding with a water-borne procession. Tours usually depart Ho Chi Minh City in the early evening and last for four hours.

Vietnam, a forward-looking nation that's steeped in history and a unique and wonderful culture, has much to offer the holiday maker. These three cities with their aquatic charms offer a great introduction.
Reluctant Warrior: A Marine''s True Story of Duty & Heroism in Vietnam


When visiting Vietnam, be sure to have a reservation, because hotels in Vietnam could be fully booked in high season. Of course the Internet offers many opportunities to book Vietnam hotels in advance.

Richard has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for CheaperThanHotels.
Cheaper than Hotels offers cheap hotels with extended background information for travel destinations
Vietnam Voices: An Oral History of Eleven Vietnam Veterans

Great White Shark Attack In Australia

Evan Lloyd  14kt. Gold Mako Shark Pendant

The AFP reported on 25 Jan 2007 that a brave scuba diver repelled a Great White Shark attack yesterday. How did this man escaped from the most feared predator of the sea, the monstrous Great White Shark which is known to grow up to 30 feet long and can weigh tons?

The Australian scuba diver, Eric Nerhus said that he resisted the shark attack so vigorously because he did not want to be an undignified fish food. Fish food? The Great White Shark is no ordinary shark It is a huge mean meat eating machine and nothing in the ocean can stand against its ferocity and viciousness.
Evan Lloyd 14kt. Gold Shark Tooth Pendant


Scuba Diving Shark Encounter
According to Eric, he was scuba diving collecting abalone in the ocean south of Sidney when he suddenly found himself half way into the gigantic mouth of the 10 footer monster with its sharp razor teeth grinding on him. He told Australia's Nine Network TV station that he was so shocked at first that he did not know what was happening. 'I went straight into its mouth. My shoulders, my head and one arm went straight down its throat and I could feel its teeth crunching up and down on my scuba diving weight vest.' he described to reporters from his hospital bed.

Eric, a father of two teenage kids realized that his only hope of escaping from the shark was by stabbing repeatedly at the creature's eye with his abalone chisel as the shark begun to shake him side to side in a vicious vice like grip around his waist. The struggle was so violent that Eric's regulator (breathing apparatus scuba diving gear) was knocked out from his mouth preventing him from breathing and his diver's face mask crushed.
Evan Lloyd  14kt. Gold Shark Pendant

The shark must have been hurt by Eric's vigorous stabbing of its eye that it suddenly paused, and then open its mouth just in the nick of time for Eric to escape from the shark's deadly jaws. The gallant scuba diver then swam painfully to the surface followed by the shark not too far behind him. He was quickly pulled to safety by his son before the Great White shark gets its second chance of making Eric its fish food. The waters of Australia, South Africa and Florida are known to experience Great White Shark attacks on scuba divers, snorklers, surfers and swimmers now and then. Attacks by The Great White sharks are usually fatal and this scuba diver must have been very lucky to have escaped one piece.
Shark Toilet Handle

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Acquiring an Australian Visa: Rules To Keep In Mind



By: Jo Alelsto

A visa generally refers to a formal endorsement which is endowed by a certain government on a person’s passport, and this denotes that the individual’s passport has been thoroughly checked and found valid by the country he or she wishes to visit. This also allows the bearer to legally travel to his or her destination. An entry visa indicates that the bearer has gotten official permission to enter a country as a visitor, but this does not however guarantee outright admission. The other major purpose of a visa is to allow a government to limit, as well as control, the entry of aliens into a country. Generally, there are two types of visas commonly issued, and these are the passport entry visa and the immigrant entry visa. The passport entry visa allows for the person to visit the country on a specified duration, while the immigrant visa is given to those who want to settle permanently in that country. So how should one get an Australian Visa?


Walking in Australia

Based on information posted on the Australian Government’s official web site, most visa applications are approved or denied in 30 seconds, but there will be times when the standard application process takes a bit longer to undertake. For starters, the most common Australian visa issued is the Electronic Travel Authority or ETA. This is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, and allows for multiple visits to Australia with up to three months for each visit. Applications for these are usually quick, and the applicant will know the result in a short span of time. In getting an ETA however, you first need to check if you’re qualified for this. Foremost, only passport-holding individuals from selected nations like the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada are allowed to apply for an ETA. You could check out the complete list of eligible countries from the Australian Government web site.



If ever you belong to any of the countries approved for this visa, you may apply online. Once you’re on the official government web site, click on the "Apply for ETA" button, and thoroughly read as well as accept the information stated. An ETA application has a A$20 application fee levied, but you could use your credit card to pay for this too. Next, provide all personal information required. Once you complete all necessary forms and provide the pertinent information, start waiting for approval. According to Australian visa experts, most applications made online are approved or denied in 30 seconds. However, if you encounter any delays, you may re-check your status every 12 hours, to verify your ETA application status.


This Way: Australia

For those who wish to do business Down Under, special business visas are also offered. However, the length of stay for business travelers who get this type of visa will depend on the agreement that will be met upon after the person consults the Australian visa office. Business visa are usually valid for up to 5 years. There are also temporary visas for those who wish to go to Australia to do some special activities like sporting competitions, entertainment performances, or temporary short-stay company assignments. Those wishing to be granted temporary residence visas in this country however need to be sponsored by an Australian company or organization. Those who get temporary residence visas need to remember that the exact length of the stay indicated on the document needs to be strictly complied, and when the visa expires and you still need to stay quite longer, then you are advised to immediately consult with the country’s Department of Immigration and Multicultural affairs office. Failure to do so will incur the person a hefty fine, along with the imposition of other penalties.




Author Resource:-> Jo is an author and publisher for ‘Visas for Australia’ (http://www.visasforaustralia.co.uk), one of the world’s foremost visa consultant that processes Australian tourist visas, Australian business visas and Australian working holiday visas. If you are going to take a trip and apply for an Australian visa or if you want to go through the excitement and thrill of staying in or fulfilling your desire of visit Down Under then you should check out Visas for Australia.

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Australia: A Traveler''s Literary Companion