Planning a vacation to Maui

Image by FrogMiller via Flickr

The photo on your right is me in Maui.

How to Find the Perfect Maui Vacation Package for You
Are you interested in taking a trip to Maui in the near future? If you are, have you already started making your travel arrangements? If you have yet to do so, you are urged to examine Maui vacation packages. Not only can a Maui vacation package save you money, but it can also make booking your Maui vacation reservations easier.
As you likely already know, vacation packages are when you are able to make a number of your vacation reservations all at once. When it comes to Maui vacation packages, it is not uncommon to see airfare and overnight accommodations listed as part of the package. Depending on where you look, you may also be able to find additional arrangements or extras, such as a car rental or small entertainment packages; entertainment packages that may allow you to take a dinner cruise or enjoy a meal at a fine dining restaurant. In all honesty, what is included in a Maui vacation package will all depend on where you find that vacation package and who it is being offered through.
Speaking of finding Maui vacation packages, do you know where to look for them? With the popularity of making travel arrangements online at an all time high, you may have responded with the internet. Yes, you can buy a Maui vacation package online, from a number of different locations, but you should also be able to purchase one from one of your local travel agents. Whether you want to use online travel websites or your local travel agent is up to you, but it may be a good idea to quickly examine each. Examining all of your options will not only help you save the most money, but it will also help to ensure that you find the Maui vacation package that is perfect for your needs, as well as the needs of your traveling party.
If you already have an idea as to which area of Maui you would like to visit, you are urged to keep that area in mind. As it was mentioned above, Maui is a popular vacation destination. For that reason, it is possible to find a large number of Maui vacation packages; Maui vacation packages that focus on one particular area of the island. For instance, if you would like to vacation inland, you will want to look for vacation packages that allow you to do. Perhaps, this is most important with overnight accommodations. If you are looking to vacation inland, you will not want to purchase a vacation package that involves you staying at a beachfront vacation resort. The same can be said for if you would prefer to stay along the coast.
In short, knowing where to find a Maui vacation package is the first step in finding the perfect Maui vacation package for you and your traveling party. The next step involves knowing which area of Maui you would like to visit, as well as what type of travel arrangement you will need to make. Taking the time to thoroughly examine a number of Maui vacation packages, before actually purchasing one, is the best way to make sure that the Maui vacation package you choose is the one that is right for you.

(from travel.linksocean.com).

Environmentally Friendly Travel Locations

If you want to enjoy adventure travel to exciting destinations to areas that are environmentally friendly, you should consider some of the eco friendly destinations that can make your holiday exciting while going “green.”

There are many areas throughout the world that you can consider for eco tourism. Some of the best adventure destinations that you can enjoy during your eco travel include the following:

Ecuador

One of the most exciting destinations that you can imagine is deep in the Amazon. One of the best resorts in Ecuador that offers eco friendly travel is the Kapawi that boasts of bungalows located along the river. The Kapawi is right in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon and uses solar energy in addition to flush compost toilets. There is no plastic used at the Kapawi and there is even biodegradable soap for guests. The Kapawi was built in 1993 and is an environmentally friendly tour destination. In addition to being sustainable tourism, you can be assured of comfortable accommodations and delicious European cuisine with a separate bar when you relax at the Kapawi. If you are looking for eco friendly travel, you can find it in Ecuador.

Belize

Belize is a country located just off of the coast of Central America and is considered to be the first of the eco friendly destinations in the Caribbean. Unlike some of the other Caribbean destinations, Belize is not very commercialized and features the Placencia, an eco friendly resort. The resort uses every feasible means to save the environment from solar energy to a water filtration and conservation system. In addition to being popular for sustainable travel, the many outdoor activities that you can enjoy on this tropical island make it ideal for adventure travel.

Mexico

In Mexico you can visit the Hotelito Desconocido Ecolodge that is ideal for eco tourism.  The entire resort is powered by the use of solar power. The hotel is very accommodating and even has a full service spa with handmade soaps that are all natural and also environmentally friendly. Mexico is one of the most exciting destinations for any tourist and if you are looking for eco travel, you can find it at the Hotelito Desconocido Ecolodge in Mexico.

Queensland, Australia

In the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa you can enjoy private bungalows in the coastal rainforest of Queensland. Australia has always been known for adventure tours and if you are looking for sustainable travel, you can find it at the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, one of the best eco friendly destinations in Australia.

United States – Montana

The Papoose Creek Lodge is only a few minutes away from Yellowstone National Park and features an organic holiday in the States. Eco tourism is at its best in Montana with private “green” cabins in a resort that is part of the Trees for Travel program. The cabins are built from recycled materials and is one of the best adventure destinations in the US that also features eco friendly travel amenities.

All over the world, resorts are going green and featuring more eco tourism in hotels and resorts than ever. If you are seeking adventure destinations as well as eco friendly travel, choose one of these popular environmentally friendly areas.

Rare Hog Deer found in wild

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One of the most beautiful stretches of rainforest in Sri Lanka is the rainforest bordering the Hiyare Reservoir, about 18 km (approximately half an hour’s drive) from Galle. Visitors to the Hiyare Biodiversity and Education Center have a rare opportunity to see two Hog Deer. This extremely wary and nocturnal deer is rarely seen in the wild by naturalists. Its is confined to western seaboard. W. W. A. Phillips in his Manual of the Mammals of Ceylon published in 1935 gave its distribution as being from a few kilometers North of Kalutara to Kottawa in Galle. It is found in a band which ranges from 10 to 30 kilometers inland. The Hog Deer is believed to spend the day in forested patches and come out at night to feed in swamps, paddy fields, etc. Its hooves are specially modified to spread out slightly when it walks, to distribute its weight on swampy ground. Hog Deer are free living in the wild in Sri Lanka, and are considered by many authors to be a native species, despite a curiously disjunct distribution in South Asia. W. W. A. Phillips writing in the first edition of Manual of the Mammals of Ceylon commented of a traditional belief that it was introduced by the Dutch or the Portuguese. However this comment was removed from the 1980 revised edition. The nominate species is found in tall grasslands and swamp forest in Northern India from Uttaranachal to Assam, Mizoram and Manipur. It is possible that DNA analysis may shed some clues as to the origin of the sub-species of Hog Deer in Sri Lanka.

The Hiyare Rainforest as it is popularly referred to, is an extension of the Kottawa Khombala Forest Reserve. This stretch of rainforest is scenically situated around the Hiyare Reservoir. The reservoir and the land surrounding it is administered by the Galle Municipal Council, whereas the much larger forest reserve is administered by the Forest Department. The reservoir ceased to supply water to the town of Galle in 2002 and in 2003 the Galle Municipal Council opened it to the public. It has also encouraged and facilitated the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle (WCSG) which runs a field center there. The WCSG engages in education, conservation and research. The initiative by the Galle Municipal Council is a benchmark for other local authorities to engage with the public and to support conservation and education.

Thanks to the Galle Municipal Council’s Hiyare Reservoir Rainforest and the Forest Department’s Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum, residents and visitors to Galle have superb and easy access to rainforests. Galle is the rainforest capital of Sri Lanka and is the richest of Sri Lanka’s districts in bio-diversity. In the first week of October I travelled to the Lighthouse Hotel in Galle to join Sharmini Serasinghe who is producing and presenting Discover Sri Lanka, a new travel series for Rupavahini. Together with Lighthouse Hotel Naturalist Anoma Algaiyawadu, I was to assist her in showcasing Galle as the Rainforest Capital of Sri Lanka. On my way South, I travelled through stretches of the A2, where I had swamps on my left right. The swamps reminded me that I had not yet seen a Hog Deer and I thought my only chance lay in an injured specimen been taken captive for treatment. A few days later, with Sharmini and her Rupavahini crew, I arrived at the education center of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle in Hiyare to film the rainforest. Imagine my surprise and delight when Sameera Akmemana and Sampath Gunasinghe of the society pointed out two Hog Deer under its care. The Ruapavahini crew also filmed some of freshwater fish such as the Striped Rasbora and the endemic Sinhala Barb. The latter is easily seen in the reservoir. The word Hiyare originates from an expression which means a hundred streams. Over thirty species of freshwater fish have been recorded by the Wildlife Conservation Society in the rainforest streams of which several are endemic.

An enclosure presently has an injured Hog Deer fawn which has had the end of one of its feet bitten off by dogs. An un-related adult female has also been brought in. The female has bonded with the fawn. The female had been kept as a pet and it cannot therefore be released as it is trusting towards people and may be hunted. According to Sameera Akmemana and Sampath Gunasinghe of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle, these two Hog Deer take the number of Hog Deer brought to the center to a total of eight. For photographers and naturalists, this is a superb opportunity to view and photograph Hog Deer.

To enter the Hiyare Reservoir Rainforest, and the Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum, a nominal fee is levied for tickets. To get to Hiyare, from Galle, take the Udugama Road (B 129). A hundred meters past the 9 km post of the B 129, take the road to the right. 4.4 km later you come to a big bridge, take the dirt track immediately to your left which leads to the Hiyare Reservoir, a hundred meters away.

For the Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum, continue along the B 129. Just past the km. 13 post on the B 129, on the right, is the Kottawa Information Center. Buy your entrance tickets here. Further along the road before the 14 km post are gates to the left and a large yellow sign board “Kottawa Arboretum Wet Evergreen Forest Kottawa Khombala”. Enter the forest from here. Follow the wide trail that runs parallel to the road until it rejoins it about a km away.

Cheap Australian Travel (And Kangaroo Island)

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Everyone has this inherent desire to travel to any country. Australia, with its no. 3 ranking in the World Health Organization’s most health-responsible countries, is a prime destination for immigrants and visitors alike. Australia is also home to several remarkable spots such as the Story Bridge in Brisbane, and the Sydney Opera House in the capital.
However, not all people make the trip to Australia. This is because everyone, no matter what class they belong to, is constrained by one common thing: the budget. Everyone wants to travel on a budget, to minimize their expenses while maximizing on their experiences. The budget and accommodations, unfortunately, take up most of a traveler’s budget that they don’t get much out of their vacations like sampling local restaurants or going to the local tourist spots.
Hence, there is the need to travel on a budget, including airline tickets. Fortunately, it is possible to find cheap two-way airline tickets for the budget conscious tourist.
Research Carefully
The best—though not the quickest and easiest—way to find cheap airline tickets is to make careful research. This means that you have to comb through as much offerings as possible in order to come up with the best flight for you and your family for your vacation to Australia.
The Internet is a wonderful thing. In the old days, you would have to make visits physically to each and every travel agency in your area in order to find good bookings for a fair price. Nowadays, however, you can just sit in front of your computer, visit your favorite search engine, and find travel agencies with just a click of a mouse. You can also access information faster with the Internet.
The same rule applies. Visit as many websites as you could, compile their information on bookings and accommodations, and make comparisons so you can come up with the offering that has the best service while having the lowest price. The “best” at this point is defined by a balance of quality service and reasonable price.
Cheap International Flights to Australia
There are a number of airlines around the world that offers cheap airline tickets to Australia. Some of these airlines include the JetStar and Virgin Blue airlines.
JetStar. JetStar is an international airline operating from countries like Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Japan, among others. It also has domestic flights within Australia itself. It is one of the newest airline to ply the air routes to Australia, having started flying within Asia only on 2004. It is wholly owned by Qantas but it is operating independently from the parent airline.
Virgin Blue. Virgin Blue is another “young” online, having started flying only in the start of the new millennium. It claims to be the first airline with the cheapest rates in Australian domestic flights. Its international operations started when it launched Pacific Blue, its New Zealand-based international airline. The airline is owned by the Virgin Group.
It has two-way flights from New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Samoa into Australia.

Kangaroo Island in Australia is one of the most favored adventure vacation seats in the country. This is because the place offers fantastic scenery of quality and offers a peep into indigenous birds in the corner. The place has also become accepted for providing access to a close meet with the preparets and fauna sole to Australia.apart from amazing Australian fauna, the Kangaroo Island also offers a uncommon opportunity to move through immense colonies of fairy penguins and sea lions, kangaroos that are obvious in the hills and fields. If you are blessed enough, you can even see koalas munching eucalyptus trees that you can only see in birds channels. People who passion since animals on the crazy such as wallabies, possums, bandicoots, bats, frogs, native birds, and goannas will also like the exhilarating fall.last quality fallFrom this point forward, we will let you in on little secrets that will help you implement this subject into your life.The Kangaroo Island is located at the southern coast of South Australia. though unseen in the craggy coast, the island can be simply accessed for something that is secluded. Considered as an eco-tourism destination, not all people get a casual to unearth the place because the government prefers that it cadaver a partly-tourist destination place. This is to keep the place wash and friendlier to animals that succeed there.though it is not as commercialized as other adventure vacation destinations out there, people who are up for the excitement of meeting birds will certainly like the place. People who are into magnificent landscapes, amazing caves packed with mineral, and great shock formations will certainly maintain on advent back to the place in the imminent.For those who are forecast to go on an adventure vacation to Kangaroo Island, here are some of the stuff that they should respect before finalizing their fall.1. Number of people who will go on the fall. This is very important to guarantee that everything will be provided for individual wishes of the people open there. eloquent how many will go on the fall will someway give you an idea what to prime and what to do winning receiving there. The number of people who will go on the fall will also help you prepare your finances and the complete fall as well.2. The span of dwell. This is very important because the span of your dwell will give you an idea how many objects to produce during your fall. It will also verify the finances that you have to prime and fix your schedule while you are on your adventure vacation fall.3. The activities that can be done. There are countless of activities that can be done in Kangaroo Island. Most of which are oriented to unearthing and reunearthing the quality. If you will go there, conduct a plain inquiries of the stuff that can be done and desire from them. desire those activities that are oriented with your happiness and of the people included in the group.4. Means of receiving there. This is very important because you can prepare your finances up before. The offered means of receiving to Kangaroo Island is via carry that can last from 45 report to an hour from wrap Jervis located at the tip of Australian mainland in the south, approximately 70 miles from Adelaide and via air trek which mostly takes from 20 to 30 report from Adelaide.5. The offered options for dwelling during the adventure vacation. while it is an secluded island, there are few options to dwell at the Kangaroo Island. In verity, there are only two honest seats to dwell counting the Kangaroo Island Wilderness leave found at the Flinders trail resident square and the Southern Ocean stick found in Hanson Bay.The prices of the accommodations limit from moderately dear to very dear.As they say, knowledge equals power, so continue to read information on this topic until you feel you are adequately educated on the subject.

Trang province in Thailand

Guide to Trang

Located approximately 828 kilometers from Bangkok, Trang Province covers an area of 4,941 square kilometers. The province borders on Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the north, Satun Province and the Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea) to the south, Phatthalung Province to the east and the Indian Ocean and Krabi Province to the west.

Trang is considered a magnificent coastal province as it long, beautiful coastline stretches 199 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. In addition, the province has two major rivers flowing through it, the Trang River, which originates in the Khao Luang Mountain Range and Maenam Palian from the Banthat Mountain Range.

Despite the fact that Trang City plays a key role in facilitating trade and communications to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand’s southern commercial hub, Trang is a province less traveled to by tourists. It was only recently that Trang has been poised to establish itself on the international travel map.

Trang has geographical advantages similar to that of Krabi and Phang-Nga. This includes breathtaking islands and astounding beaches along the coast as well as awe-inspiring inland limestone- propped mountains. The province consists of an archipelago in the Andaman Sea with over 46 islands. Of these, 12 are in Amphoe Kantang, 13 in Amphoe Palian and 21 in Amphoe Sikao. The best time to visit Trang is between December and May.

Trang has both mainland beaches and a whole string of offshore islands. For visitors interested in light-adventure activities such as cruising coastal waters, visiting notable sights such as the enchanting Emerald Cave, which is accessible only by water, will prove to be remarkable experience. Additional attractions include the Mu Ko Petra National Park with beaches and islands lapped by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea.

Some of the dive sites in the National Park are world-class. There are also wildlife sanctuaries such as Namtok Khao Chong and Khlong Lamchan Park with waterfalls, nature trails and caves. For those looking for a relaxed, tranquil ambience, Trang is a perfect place to unwind amidst stunning scenery.

With an abundance of blissful attractions mixed with cultural heritage, Trang Province is truly an emerging fascinating tourist destination with numerous jungles, mountains and waterfalls.

The City also has numerous attractions. Walking around Trang City, visitors will be amazed at the mixture of Western, Chinese and Thai cultures reflected in the architecture that range from the Sino- Portuguese shop houses to the Chinese temples and shrines. The Pan-Ya House is the local style of houses in Trang, which offers an insight into the architectural heritage of this town. In addition to architectural attractions there are many parks to stroll through and markets to explore. The main two markets in Trang are Ta Klang and Municipal markets.

History of Trang

Trang or Muang Thap Thiang used to be a port engaged in foreign trade. It was the first city where rubber was planted after Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought it from Malaysia in 1899. Since then, rubber has become Souths major commodity and is now considered an important source of income for farmers.

Todays Trang

Trang has a total area of 4,941 square kilometers and is divided into 10 districts (Amphoe) and 1 sub-district (King Amphoe); Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kantang, Amphoe Huai Yot, Amphoe Yan Ta Khao, Amphoe Palian, Amphoe Sikao, Amphoe Wang Wiset, Amphoe Na Yong, Amphoe Ratsada, and King Amphoe Hat Samran.

The best time to visit Trang

The best time to visit Trang is between December and May. As it is located on the same coastline as Phuket and Krabi Provinces, Trang Province is also influenced by the monsoon. The temperature is generally warm all year round with an average temperature varying from 20 Celsius to 36 Celsius.

In April, the daytime temperature is highest and it is also the hottest period of the year. The rainy season, which is from May to September, has rains and short downpours during the daytime. The monsoon period comes from September to November and then from December onwards the weather generally becomes more pleasant.

ATTRACTION

Ko Libong
Ko Libong, Trangs largest island is located in Tambon Libong and is part of the Libong Archipelago Wildlife Reserve whose headquarters are located here. With an area of 40,000 square kilometers, Ko Libong, which is a haven for holidaymakers, has many fishing villages where most of the residents are Muslims.

The island has many capes and beaches such as Tup Beach, Chu Hoi Cape, Thuat Cape, and To Chai Cape. At low tide visitors can walk across the beach from Chu Hoi Cape to Ko Tup where numerous seabirds and mangrove birds from colder climates congregate during their migration. Around the island are masses of seaweed where rare herds of manatees can be seen. It is also the home of a variety of native and migratory birds that are most abundant in winter.

From Ko Libong, visitors can get a good view of Ko Chao Mai and Chao Mai Cape. To reach the island, take a boat that leaves every hour at Hat Yao Ban Chao Mai Pier. The fare for the 30 minute trip is 400 baht per boat. Accommodations are provided on the island. For more information, please contact the Libong Archipelago Wildlife Reserve, P.O. Box 5, Amphoe Kantang, Trang, tel. 0-7525-1932.

Ko Chueak – Ko Waen
Small islands between Ko Muk and Ko Kradan, the islands are blessed with amazingly colorful shallow and deepwater corals that are the habitat of many types of fish. Visitors can take boats from Pak Meng Pier to the islands. Boats leave regularly on the same route as to Ko Muk and Ko Kradan. The 50-minute trip costs 1,500 baht/day for a chartered boat.

Hat Yao
This is a long beach that extends from a sharks fin shaped mountain to the north. Located at Mu 6 in Tambon Ko Libong, the beach is dotted with lovely sea pines and is therefore very suitable for camping. Private accommodations are also available.

Hat Chao Mai National Park

his area, which was proclaimed a marine national park on 14 October 1982, covers the 2 districts of Kantang and Sikao. The park headquarters is situated at Chang Lang Beach in Tambon Mai Fat, approximately 47 kilometers from the city.

Hat Chao Mai has a 20-kilometer coastline and a 5-kilometer long white sandy beach which is set against shady casuarinas and limestone hills with caves. Most caves are of historical importance as prehistoric human remains are found.

Land-based attractions of the park are Pak Meng Beach, Chang Lang Beach, San Beach, Yao Beach, Yong Ling Beach, Chao Mai Beach, and Chao Mai Cave. All are easily accessible by car. Moreover, there are 7 other islands for which the park is responsible. They are Ko Muk, Ko Kradan, Ko Chueak, Ko Pling, Ko Waen, Ko Meng, and Ko Chao Mai. The park also features the Marine Natural Study Center (tel. 0-7521-0664) and the Tourist Service Center.

In the national park, endangered dugong can be spotted along with rare black-necked stork. More common wildlife includes macaques, languors, wild pigs, pangolins, pacific-reef egrets, etc.

Accommodations are available on the island. For more details, please contact the National Parks Division, Royal Forestry Department, tel. 0-2561-2920 – 1 or Hat Chao Mai National Park, Mu 5, Tambon Mai Fat, Amphoe Sikao, Trang, P.O. Box 9, tel. 0-7521- 0099. Admission fee to the national park is 200 bahts / person.

To reach the park, take the Trang-Sikao-Pak Meng Road (Highway No. 4162) for 40 kilometers and then 7 kilometers more on a road that runs parallel to the beach to the park headquarters.

Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Monument
This monument was built to commemorate Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi, a former ruler of Trang Province who introduced and initiated rubber cultivation, which led to the widespread planting of rubber in southern Thailand. A man with long vision, he was instrumental in the development of Trang’s infrastructure, agriculture, animal husbandry, education system, and laid out the structure of local administration. The site is located in Trang Municipal Park, about 1 kilometer from the Provincial Hall on the Trang-Phatthalung route.

Tham Khao Kop (Khao Kop Cave)

A canal from the Banthat Mountain Range is divided into 3 waterways upon reaching Khao Kop, with 2 going around the mountain and the other flowing through the cave under the mountain. An amazing natural wonder, the main attraction at Khao Kop is this stream which flows through the cave. In addition, the cave itself looks like a high and steep cliff with layers of rocks and stalactites and stalagmites magnificently decorating the cave for a distance of approximately 4 kilometers.

Currently, the Khao Kop Tambon Administration Organization provides rowboats to facilitated visitors explorations of the cave. In addition, eco-tourism and light-adventure activities are provided by the locals.

The cave is in located in Mu 1, Tambon Khao Kop, approximately 7 kilometers from the District Office on Phetkasem Road. Upon arriving at the kilometer 7 marker, turn left onto a 700-meter road that leads to the site. The fee is 200 baht for 7 persons, or 30 baht per person. For more information, please contact the Tambon Administration Organization at tel. 0-7527-1426.

Ko Muk and Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave)
Not just another interesting attraction, Ko Muk is the most outstanding attraction in the Trang Sea and an ideal destination for tourists enthralled with nature. The island, which is nearly opposite Hat Chang Lang on the mainland, has impeccable beaches suitable for swimming and camping and lovely corals around the island that are worth exploring. In addition, The island is comprised of high and majestic cliffs facing the sea to the west, a fishing village on the east facing the mainland and swallows that make the numerous cliffs their home.

Hidden in the jungle, among the cliffs is the awesome Tham Morakot. The cave entrance is a small passage on the islands western side that is accessible by boat during low tide. The cave itself winds for about 80 meters to the other exit, opening onto a clean white beach with an emerald color open pool which is surrounded by high cliffs.

To see real fishermens’ daily activities, visit Ao Phangkha and the Muslim fishing village of Kua Laem, located at the southern end of the island.

To get to Ko Muk, tourists can take a boat from Pak Meng Pier in Amphoe Sikao for the 40-minute trip. The rental fee for the boat is approximately 1,500 bahts / day. Accommodations are available on the island.

Ko Kradan
One of the most beautiful islands in Trang, Ko Kradan is located about 40 minutes by boat from the mainland. With an area of 600 rai (240 acres), most of the island belongs to Hat Chao Mai National Park. The rest are privately owned rubber and coconut plantations.

The island offers good restaurants and accommodations for tourists. The most striking feature of Ko Kradan is its powdery, white beach and crystal clear water that permits a great view of the coral reef underneath. The reef stretches from the beachs northern end to the coast. A variety of colorful fish inhabit the shallow water corals making the site perfect for snorkeling. Ko Kradan is to the west of Ko Muk and Ko Libong. From Pak Meng Pier, visitors can take a 1.5-hour boat trip to Ko Kradan.

There is one resort on Ko Kradan providing rooms and bungalows as well as major resort facilities.

Khuan Tamnak Chan Public Park
The park is located approximately 24 kilometers from the city. Encompassing an area of 250 rai, the park offers spectacular surroundings and a magnificent view of the sea and Kantang District. Having been developed to grow large trees and decorative plants, the park is equipped with tourist facilities that include resting pavilion and a parking lot.

Hot Spring
Thailand’s hot springs are not located only in the northern region, but also in the south. At Mu 7, Tambon Bo Nam Ron, the hot spring is accessible via a road from Kantang (kilometer 10 marker). This natural hot spring has a constant temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. It is growing in importance as an attraction for tourists concerned with their health.

Namtok Ton Te

This waterfall is located 45 kilometers from the city. Originating in the Banthat Mountain Range, the waterfall drops 320 meters down to the rocks. Assorted tropical flora covers the surrounding area. The waterfall is accessible by car throughout the year. To reach the waterfall, take Trang-Phatthalung Road for about 17 kilometers, turn right onto the Ban Kachong-Ban Hat Lao Road (Highway No. 4124) for about 27 kilometers and finally make a left turn and proceed for another 1 kilometer.

Khao Chong Wildlife Development and Conservation Promotion Station

Thailand’s first nature and wildlife study place, the Station is covered with large trees, streams and waterfalls like Ton Yai, Ton Noi and Ka Chong. Its nature study trail is a walking trail that is ideal for studying nature up close, with signs along the trail providing information on the environment. The Museum and Exhibition Building has exhibitions on nature and natural resource conservation. The Station is located approximately 21 kilometers from the City on the Trang-Phatthalung Road. More information can be obtained from the station at Mu 7, Tambon Chong, Amphoe Na Yong, P.O. Box 4, Trang.

The First Rubber Tree in Thailand

This tree, which is located along a road that leads to Kantang, represents the first group of rubber trees that Phraya Ratsadanupradit planted to pioneer Thailand’s rubber plantation industry in 1899.

Tourism Authority of Thailand : http://www.tourismthailand.org

Eco travel in Norway

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Southern Norway is the cradle of Norwegian summer. Local climate is mild and summer season is warm. Rocky coast is excellent for boating. Other good way to entertain yourself is to make a trip along the mainland or go in for paddling. Far from the coast you will find small villages with white wooden houses and small calm towns with their folk museums and wooden churches.

Telemark county is rich in craftsmen and is one of the most popular attractions of South Norway. This region is the centre for skiing. The name of the skiing style telemark derives from the regions name. One of the most popular local cities is Morgedal. The thing to see here is Norwegian Ski Adventure park.

Eastern Norway is the land where antiquity and contemporaneity go hand in hand. This is the land of forests which attracts those who are fond of eco tourism. And it is here that the capital of Norway Oslo, Vikings sea outpost is situated. Oslo is an old trade city where Norwegian Vikings used to live. Situated at the end of the Oslofjord, Oslo is often called the green capital of Europe. It is surrounded with green forests and local air is really pure. A trip to Oslo is an opportunity to combine various kinds of rest. In winter you can ski and skate (one of local attractions is a Holmenkollen ski jump), and summer is ideal for a boat trip, which starts at Aker Brugge quay. And if you want something different, hire a car and plan your own trip around Eastern Norway. Most famous museums of Norway are also found in Oslo: Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, exhibiting the ship Fram, Norsk Folkemuseum and the Vigeland Park.

Trondelag is the county in the centre of Norway, which has a close connection with the countrys history. In 1030 King Olaf II of Norway was killed in the Battle of Stiklestad. Trondelag is renowned for its rivers rich in salmon, woods and mountains.

West Norway is the region with unusual nature. This is the land of fjords and the sights of exceptional beauty. But a conversation about fjords deserves a separate article.

Northern Norway and Svalbard. The region might be characterized as the land of contrasts and harsh climate, filled with Arctic breath. It never gets dark in summer, thanks to which you can stay awake all day long. But, after the arctic day is over there comes arctic night. But one advantage is that at winter you can enjoy wonderful multicoloured northern lights. And from the end of November till the end of January, when there is no sun at all, you can see a unique phenomenon blue daylight. Mountains, sea, wide plains, fjords, astonishing northern culture are waiting for you in the Northern Norway. It boasts of its chaste nature, with 60 thousands lake found on its Finnmarksvidda plateau only! The place is popular with mountain climbers, trekkers and skiers. North Norway gives you a unique chance to get familiar with the nature world, watch birds and whales. Divers who arent afraid of harsh climate come here to deep into pure waters by the islands and rocks.

Mozambique

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Located on the south-eastern coast of the continent, Mozambique is considered one of Africa’s coastal jewels. It is renowned for its crystal blue waters, fantastic coral reef and its amazing diversity of marine life.
This former Portuguese colony, a unique melting pot of diverse cultures, is a major attraction for travellers seeking an African adventure experience. Devastated by a bloody civil war that raged for about 17 years, since the end of the war in 1992, Mozambique has been actively rebuilding itself. This has begun to open up a host of travel opportunities for visitors eager to get a taste of this tropical African paradise.
Great Neighbourhood
Mozambique, bordered by Tanzania, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi is the ideal base for the traveller hoping to explore these countries aswell. Equally, a visit to Mozambique can easily be incorporated into a tour to any of these countries.
Getting Around
Mozambique’s road network is reasonably well-established and most major routes are regularly maintained. Most of the major centres and popular areas are accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. Of course, a 4×4 offers a special advantage and opens up a range of further travel possibilities. There are several car-hire companies in Maputo, catering for the needs of the traveller interested in a self-drive holiday.
If you prefer the convenience and added security of being driven by a professional, there are a number of private mini-bus operators and reliable public transport companies operating in the major centres.
If you wish to experience Mozambique travel as part of a more comprehensive African experience, the packages offered by overland adventure travel companies are a good option. Usually, these companies put together overland tours, which pass through a number of countries and provide travellers with a unique opportunity to enjoy a diverse African travel experience.
Climate and weather
Mozambique enjoys a warm, tropical climate with an average temperature of around the high 20s (degrees Celsius) range. The weather is warm and sunny all year round, ideal for maximum enjoyment of the countries coastal charms.
The summer months, from October to April, are often very hot, humid and rainy. From April to September, the winter months are cooler, drier and more comfortable for visitors not accustomed to heat and humidity normally associated with the warm season in tropical areas.
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t embark on Mozambique travel during summer though, since actual temperatures and rainfall varies by region within the country. The higher-lying Nampula and Niassa provinces are the coolest, while the north-eastern coastal regions are the hottest. The northern region receives far more rainfall than the south.
If you’re hoping for a Mozambican safari experience, the best time of year to visit is towards the end of the winter months. This drier season normally sees animals congregating in larger groups than they do in summer. The summer months offer excellent fishing opportunities with the larger fish populating the coastal waters during this time of the year.
Diving in Mozambique
Mozambique is a world-famous dive location with numerous fantastic reefs supporting an amazing variety of marine life. The relatively warm water temperature and a multitude of interesting creatures including the dugong, sharks, dolphins, whales and shoals colourful fish, makes for an awesome diving experience. The area most popular amongst diving enthusiasts is the Bazaruto Archipelago, consisting of four islands; Bazaruto, Benguerra, Margaruque and Santa Carolina. The archipelago’s coral reefs and clear, crystal blue waters provide what is regarded as the best snorkelling and scuba diving in Africa. If your trip to Mozambique is to be limited to just one destination in the country, then this group of islands must be it.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Metical. Introduced mid-2006, this relatively new currency is used alongside the older Meticais, which is being phased out. In the southern parts of the country, the South African Rand, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are also accepted. In the north, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted to some extent, but only by the larger hotels or businesses geared specifically towards tourists. Generally, it should be assumed that your credit card will not be readily accepted.
Health Precautions
Mozambique is a malaria-risk area, so it’s vital that visitors take proper precautions. To minimise the mosquito risk, travellers are advised to wear long sleeves and trousers when possible and to use an effective mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Treated mosquito netting should be used and the doors and windows of your accommodation should be screened to keep mosquitoes out. A fan or air-conditioner can also help limit night-time mosquito activity to some extent.
Also important is the use of and effective anti-malaria medication. Be warned though, certain medications cause side-effects, so consult you doctor or travel clinic well before you intend to be exposed to the risk to ensure that you are adequately protected.
With a painful history of war and destruction, Mozambique has rebuilt itself and looks to the future by capitalising on its natural beauty. Whether you are after an adventure, leisure or the perfect eco-tourism experience, Mozambique is an idyllic tropical destination that will not disappoint. It is truly a slice of paradise.

Walking with the Masai

(From the UK Telegram):

By Stuart Heaver
Last Updated: 5:10PM GMT 19 Dec 2008

Many of the Maasai, surprisingly, come armed with a mobile phone Photo: GETTY

Tall and angular, dressed in purple and red checks and armed with simple spears, the Maasai warriors of the Ngorongoro highlands maintain a steady gaze as we slow past them in the Land Cruiser.

It is rumoured that they patrol the border country of Tanzania to deter illegal immigrants and that their treatment of any unwelcome intruders onto their pasturelands is swift and bloody.

Our Maasai guide, Lengai Moluo has walked through the wet buffalo grass from his nearby village of Nainokanoka to meet us for our foot safari. We are surprised to see that he is armed with no more than a short stick and a Nokia mobile phone.

Nainokanoka means “foggy cloud” and this morning, there is no need to ask Lengai where this name comes from. The Olmoti ranger post, 2,400 feet above sea level, is cloaked in a chilly mist and moisture drips from the Arcacia trees.

Lengai leads us up the steep incline ahead with the distinctive smooth lope of the Maasai. He seems to bounce gently from step to step in his rubber sandals, fashioned from re-cycled car tyres, while he answers our clumsy questions.

“Much is written about the Maasai and their role in eco-tourism in Tanzania,” he tells us, as we descend a rocky gorge, “but much less is actually implemented”.

Lengai sold much of his family’s cattle to finance his two-year diploma course in tourism and he regards education as the key to survival for his people. The Maasai population is increasing but the cattle on which their economy depends is not; they struggle against disease, climate change and reducing pasturelands. At a tight corner at the foot of the gorge, a well thumbed Spanish language text book spills from Langai’s shuka and falls onto the track in front of us.

“We need to speak European languages if we are to benefit from the growth in tourism,” explains Langai, looking slightly embarrassed, as he secretes the book again under his clothes.

It is market day in Nainokanoka and we are invited by Langai to visit the village and meet his friends and family, who greet us warmly.

“Jambo, mambo, habari, nzuri” – the Swahili greetings and responses, flashing smiles and offers of hand-shakes arrive from every angle. There is the scent of cooking meat and cow dung. Excited teenage girls, in white bead jewellery, giggle and point at us while browsing the mobile phone accessories on the market stalls. Discarded goat body parts are stacked in neat piles near the perimeter, where meat is smoked over small wood fires.

“Soon, our culture may be our only asset, so we try to treasure it,” says Langai smiling, before he shakes our hands and goodbyes are exchanged. We bump and shake again in our Land Cruiser, all rendered silent with culture shock and an aching realisation that the Maasai have retained something special in their fragile world that is, now, long gone from ours.

Jordan invites ecotourism

(From the associated press):

Nader Daoud/AP

The Mujib Mountains rising behind the Dana reserve in southern Jordan. Jordan, home of the ancient red-rock city of Petra, is reaching beyond its considerable historical and Biblical tourist attractions to try to capture a stake in the growing outdoor adventure and eco-tourism market.

DANA, Jordan — A trek uphill from Jordan’s scorching Dead Sea shore through the towering sandstone walls of the Mujib gorge leaves you with a pulse-racing way to get back down — strap into a harness and rappel down a waterfall into a sparkling river.

Jordan, home of the ancient red-rock city of Petra, is reaching beyond its considerable historical and Biblical tourist attractions to try to capture a stake in the growing outdoor adventure and eco-tourism market.

Besides the Mujib gorge — which has the distinction of being the lowest elevation nature reserve in the world — Jordan is marketing places like the wooded highlands and rocky slopes of the Dana Reserve in the country’s south. Visitors there take in views of massive domelike clusters of red-beige rock and — with luck — might catch a glimpse of the shy mountain ibex before settling in for the night at a camp site, rustic guesthouse or the reserve’s candlelit eco-lodge.

The desert kingdom’s effort to lure eco-tourists — 66,000 came last year among a total of 3.4 million tourists — seeks to reap the benefits of four decades of pioneering wildlife and nature conservation.

Environmentalists supported by then-ruler King Hussein founded The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in 1966 at a time when war with Israel, not ecological conservation, dominated most Arab agendas.

“The area was in turmoil,” said the society’s director, Yehya Khaled. “The following year we had a war between the Arabs and Israel.”

Since then, the non-governmental organization has led environmental education programs, set a national environmental strategy and established and maintained eight nature reserves so far.

Other countries in the Middle East are following Jordan’s lead.

In the United Arab Emirates, for example, Dubai’s dune-rippled Desert Conservation Reserve was recognized in November as a protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, thanks in part to its sustainable tourism program and its re-introduction of Arabian oryx and gazelles.

Among the region’s more far-flung places, Yemen’s island of Socotra is also drawing determined eco-tourists and has been compared to the Galapagos because of its hundreds of species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else on earth.

Jordan, for its part, has even dispatched its cause-crusading Queen Rania, known for her activism on issues like poverty and education, to boost eco-tourism numbers. She promoted the country’s natural heritage recently at a Conde Nast travel forum in New York.

“If you want adventure, you can abseil (rope) down waterfalls, paraglide off sandstone crags, navigate Red Sea reefs, then cook supper deep in the desert sands of Wadi Rum,” she told an audience of hundreds of travel industry leaders.

Such exhilaration can be had along one of the trails through the Mujib gorge. From the edge of the Dead Sea, it winds up through hills and descends to the Mujib river via a rope rappel down a 65-foot waterfall. Along the way, you can stop and cool off in natural pools.

The country’s reserves are also great places to spot wildlife. Jordan’s conservation efforts included the 1978 reintroduction of the once nearly extinct Arabian oryx, an elegant white antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula.

The Dana Reserve is home to the Syrian wolf and other endangered animals, as well as 700 plant species, including Jordan’s rare national flower, the black iris, and 215 kinds of birds. You might even cross paths with a horned ibex.

In establishing the reserve in the 1990s, Jordan also resurrected the fortunes of a dying Bedouin village there, providing residents with jobs helping run the reserve.

With Dana and the other reserves, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature also helps market and sell hand-crafted silver jewelry, organic jams and olive oil produced by the local communities through its Wild Jordan division.

Officials at Dana also took into account the area’s broader environmental problems, including by setting up a sustainable grazing program for Bedouin goat herders.

“We’re ahead of the entire Mideast region. We’ve introduced integrating biodiversity conservation with sustainable community and socio-economic development,” conservation society director Khaled said.

The conservation society, which is looking to establish nine more reserves, hopes eco-tourism will serve as the main source of income for the work.

Dana is the country’s largest reserve, covering some 190 square miles.

It is a place of startling variety.

Lush mountains as high as 4,900 feet descend to open woodlands of juniper and oak. And farther down sits scrubland and sandy desert below sea level.

“Your walk may start in snow and after four hours you’ll only need a T-shirt. You’re still in Dana, but it feels like a different country,” said local guide Tayseer al-Qtashat.

The reserve has 11 walks ranging from a gentle one-hour jaunt to a more invigorating 10-hour trek that demands some climbing and swimming.

Dana and three other natural sites in Jordan — the Azraq Wetlands, Mujib and Wadi Rum — are soon to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which already includes other Jordanian favorites such as Petra, Qasayr Amra and Umm Rasas.

American tourist Daniel Dyer, from New Jersey, has visited several of Jordan’s nature reserves and said he plans to keep coming back, especially to Dana.

“There is drama here. Such natural beauty is exceptional,” Dyer said. “I’d have to agree with Queen Noor who called the views here nothing less than ’10-star.’”

If You Go…

JORDAN’S NATURE RESERVES: http://www.rscn.org.jo or http://www.visitjordan.com.

Highlights among Jordan’s eight nature reserves:

• Dana in southern Jordan has a chain of valleys and mountains extending from the top of the Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. Dana is home to 703 plant species, 215 different kinds of birds and 38 mammal species, including raptors and ibex.

• Mujib is located within the deep Wadi Mujib gorge that enters the Dead Sea at 1,300 feet below sea level. It is the lowest altitude nature reserve in the world. Mujib has over 420 plant species, 102 species of migratory birds and 10 species of carnivores, including the red fox, the jackal and mongoose.

• Wadi Rum is dotted with massive mountains, colored in shades of red, yellow and orange. Here you can rent a camel and follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia or sandboard across the rolling dunes. Spring reveals hundreds of species of wild flowers.

• Shawmari Wildlife Reserve is a breeding center for some of the most endangered and rare wildlife in the Middle East, including the Arabian oryx. Ostriches, onagers and desert gazelle are also rebuilding their populations in this safe haven protected from hunting and habitat destruction.

• Azraq Wetland Oasis is located in the heart of the semi-arid eastern desert. A wide variety of migratory birds stop here each year on routes between Asia and Africa.

Plato was a backpacker

Image via Wikipedia

On the excellent site http://www.worldhum.com, a great story appeared recently, authored by Frank Bures.  (www.frankbures.com).

A brief excerpt appears below:

Not far into Will Durant’s book The Story of Philosophy, I came across a startling fact. In his chapter on the Greek thinker Plato, after discussing the politics, history and geography of ancient Athens, he mentions that, due to political unrest, the philosopher was forced to leave the city-state in 399 B.C.

“Where he went, we cannot for certain say,” Durant writes. “Twelve years he wandered, imbibing wisdom from every source, sitting at every shrine, tasting every creed. Some would have it that he went to Judea and was moulded there for a while by the tradition of the almost socialistic prophets; and even that he found his way to the banks of the Ganges and learned the mystic meditation of the Hindus. We do not know.”

I had no idea Plato spent so much time on the road. Like most students, I was assigned to read The Republic in college—several times. As I recall, it seemed like an interesting set of mental exercises, a decent bunch of questions, with maybe even some worthwhile ideas about how society should be run. (Don’t all college students think they’re philosopher-king material?) But Plato the traveler? …”

Go read the rest of the article at this link: http://www.worldhum.com/features/travel-books/plato_was_a_backpacker_20080624/

It’s a great read, and definitely food for thought.