Page 149 – Tropical Life

Apr22015 by olafNo Comments

MALDIVES

Those who feel an affection for travelling and who enjoy the resort island style holiday, perhaps share the same dream as me; ‘Maldives’, known as one of the World’s most distinctive island nations in the Indian Ocean that offers a five-star unique holiday experience. Often incorrectly referred to as ‘the’ Maldives, these islands are situated approximately 700 kilometres south-west of Sri Lanka and 400 kilometres south-west of India with the territory spread over approximately 90,000 square kilometres. As an island nation, Maldives comprises almost 1,200 islands only 200 are inhabited. As the smallest Asian country with a population of only about 300,000, this charming island nation is able to attract almost 10 million tourists annually and that is so amazing. The ...

Apr12015 by olaf1 Comment

KARIMUN JAWA

Next Island

Karimun Jawa Untouched Virgin Paradise Some may not be familiar with Karimun Jawa, however the secret of this place is starting to leak out due to the sheer beauty of the area. Coconut stands on the islands meet virgin, white powdery-sand beaches that spill into the clear blue ocean of this archipelago. The Karimun Jawa is an archipelago of 27 small islets divided into protected and accessible areas. Five of the islands are inhabited, mostly by fishermen and their families. Some of the islands are classified as wilderness zones and some of these are protected from human incursion while others in this same zone allow access to visitors. A buffer zone has been established to absorb the increasing number of visitors. The largest two islands are Karimum and Kemujan respectively. He...

Apr12015 by olafNo Comments

RAJA AMPAT

Next Island

Raja Ampat Uncover the Immense Wonder of the Four Kings Raja Ampat or the Four Kings is undoubtedly one of Indonesia’s evolving destinations for visitors wanting to experience some of the worlds’ most spectacular and beautiful areas Planning my first trip here was one of the most anticipated experiences I can remember. To get to Raja Ampat, one needs to take a flight to Sorong, a coastal city and regency in the eastern Indonesia province of West Papua. From there a 2 to 3 hour trip by fast boat to Waisai brings one to the capitol of the Raja Ampat Regency. The name Raja Ampat or the Four Kings refers to the four main island of the group, namely Salawati, Batanta, Misool and Waigeo. It is Waigeo that is the largest of the islands and home the region’s capitol. Raja Ampat is an ar...

Mar282015 by olafNo Comments

Chiang Rai

Next Destination

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_blockquote type="type1" border_color="#00e3ff"] Not to be confused with Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a somewhat different destination where diverse attractions, a relaxing environment, captivating scenery, good-value accommodation and tantalizing local food make it a great place to start an exploration of the Northern Thailand region. [/vc_blockquote][vc_column_text] Although comparably small in size and often overlooked by mainstream tourists and travellers, the city of Chiang Rai is the centre of commerce for its surrounding province. It is certainly the place for those seeking a reprieve from life’s scurrying demands. The city’s surrounds offer the natural attractions of lush forests, waterfalls, exotic wildlife and remote hill tribes. Here one can visit the...

Mar282015 by olafNo Comments

Banda Island

Next Island

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_blockquote type="type1" border_color="#00e3ff"] Around 2000 kilometre east of Java in Maluku province are a cluster of islands called Banda. It is one of the more exciting destinations for travelers looking for an interesting holiday experience. This island cluster presents picture-postcard beach lines, exquisite waterscape and a fascinating history supported by relics going back as far as 8,000 years. [/vc_blockquote][vc_column_text] Although considered as a high profile and popular tourism site, access to the Banda Islands requires some extra travel from Indonesia’s international hubs. The city of Ambon on Ambon Island in the Maluku Islands has a twice-weekly ferry service to Banda Nerira Port. Local airlines or charter planes also offer services to Banda. B...

Mar282015 by olaf2 Comments

Bali

Five Best

Bali’s earliest inhabitants have been traced back as far as 2000 BC but it was Indian and Chinese influences along with Hinduism in the 1st century AD that created the lasting cultural milieu that is so iconic of Bali today. Despite the overwhelming adaption to tourism the Balinese have maintained their age-old culture for the last 1,000 years and their colourful religious displays and processions have become a major tourist attraction. One of the most popular cultural sites on Bali is the Tanah Lot Temple that sits on a large rock just offshore in the Tabanan regency. Founded in the 16th century by Dang Hyang Nirartha to appease the Sea Gods, this temple is one of Bali’s largest tourist draws. Tide erosion has meant that access is restricted to local deities but both the site and the a...