COOK ISLANDS SOUTH PACIFIC

 

COOK ISLANDS

SOUTH PACIFIC

Cook Islands are a secret off the South Pacific. Raratonga, the main island, has many neighboring islands just as amazingly beautiful. They are surrounded by crystal clear waters and colorful reefs. 

The islands are true nature paradise, Aitutaki more than others. One can travel by ferry or fly between the islands. The aquamarine colors of the South Pacific are astonishing.

Raratonga has famous markets with locally handmade colorful textiles, fruits and flowers.

However, nature is the prime consideration of the islands. The sunsets are astonishing.

Discovering many of the Cook Islands islands is an amazing experience.

VANUATU SOUTH PACIFIC

 

VANUATU

SOUTH PACIFIC

Vanuatu, the name given to the islands after they have secured independence represents an archipelago of some 80 islands. The name New Hebrides, given to the islands by James Cook visiting on his ship Resolution in 1774, lasted till 1980s. He also named a number of islands in the group. Erromango is still known for its sandalwood.

 

New Hebrides were ruled by Anglo–French rule to avoid German influences since early 1900s.

Now, independent Vanuatu with its capital Port Vila on Efate, is known as an excellent tourist destination. Port Vila with its resort island Iririki, serviced by a ferry, is a traditional and yet modern city. The markets with fresh fruit and tropical flowers are inviting.

Aneytium is the most southern islands. No roads there. Divided French North and British South till 1980 still applies transportation between the two parts of the island to travel by boat.

Tanna and Ambrym are known for their volcanos. They offer spectacular performances especially at night. Yasur, on Tanna has a legend attached to its existence. A climb with Yasur spitting lava and ash can be scary.

Vanuatu is an undisputed treasure of the South Pacific.

PHILIPPINES ISLAND PARADISE

 

PHILIPPINES

ISLAND PARADISE

Philippines is a conglomerate of some 7000 islands scattered among crystal clear waters. Luzon is the main island with Manila, the capital of the Philippines its main feature. However, Palawan is an absolute nature's masterpiece.

The best known are El Nido and Coron, both amazing towns with palm-lined roads, turquoise lagoons, golden beaches. Snorkeling is breath taking, the marine life fabulous.

Sailors are welcome and treated as friends. Anchorages are comfortable, safe and plentiful.

Sunsets are stunning. The laid-back tropical climate and lifestyle are inviting.

Manila, the capital, on Luzon can be proud of superb sunsets on Manila Bay.

CAMBODIA

 

CAMBODIA

Cambodia has a rich history and the relics of it are located in a famous Angkor Wat where one can spent days admiring its ancient beauty.

There are many sights, best visited before tourists arrive and after they depart. Thus a pass that allows entry before sunrise is essential.

The lake trip offers fabulous nature views. The people are friendly and kind.

They experienced many tragedies. The museums are providing information that all want to forget and hope that nothing like that ever happens again.

CAIRNS a TROPICAL PARADISE of FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

 

CAIRNS

a

TROPICAL PARADISE

of

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Cairns, established in 1876 as a port for goldfields to its west, is now a cosmopolitan, second biggest city in Queensland. Sadly, due to climate change Cairns has been flooded for the past two years. It started with cyclone Jasper, cyclone Alfred, some minor deluges and cyclone Narelle just recently. Cairns is not complaining about shortage of water.

During the WWII Cairns was a base for operations in the Pacific. Now Cairns is a gateway to Great Barrier Reef, the National Heritage Reef and many nearby islands.

Its climate is tropical and the sunsets are impressive.

CHIANG MAI NORTHERN THAILAND

 

CHIANG MAI

NORTHERN THAILAND

Chiang Mai, the main city of the Northern Highlands in Thailand, is mainly history, it takes a visitor back to the early 13^th century although its name translates as a New City. It is a city of a thousand temples.

The main landmark of Chiang Mai are its monasteries and temples called Wats.

And the most important Wat is Doi Suthep overlooking the city from 1000

meters tall mountain.

There are Wats at every corner and along every street. They are old and new,

golden and wooden. It truly is a temple and Buddha statues galore.

 

The city is surrounded by temples.

Chiang Mai is a delightful city with waterfalls in the nearby mountains and

the highest, 2500 meters tall, mountain in Thailand.

 

There are tribes living in the hills, the ex-opium growing area is now growing

coffee and producing crafts.

Chiang Mai and its surrounds are one of the most popular destinations in Thailand

and both have a lot to offer to visitors. The Northern curry is one of the delicious

culinary delights, markets stock fabulous crafts of the region. The tranquility of

Chiang Mai temples is a perfect place for meditation.

KO SAMUI AMAZING THAILAND

 

KO SAMUI

AMAZING THAILAND

Ko Samui is a stunningly scenic island located on the eastern coast of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. Fabulous beaches of white sand, crystal clear water. No surprise swimming and beach walking are some of the main attractions.

The island is mountainous as well and trips to the top of hills and mountains offer attractive views.

The best way of exploring the island is a bike trip to numerous temples, markets and restaurants.

The sunsets are spectacular. Ko Samui offers amazing experiences and is a typically for Thailand friendly island.

BURRUM HEADS GREAT SANDY STRAIT QUEENSLAND

 

BURRUM HEADS

GREAT SANDY STRAIT

QUEENSLAND

Burrum Heads, a small fishing village back in 1890s, started to become a holiday destination in 1950s. Its name means “possum” in the local indigenous language.

Burrum Heads has access to Burrum River and Great Sandy Straits waters that are more like sand deposits at low tide.

Swimming is great at high tide and beach walking is good any time. Fishing is popular.

Burrum Heads is still a quiet and relaxing holiday destination. Maybe a last one while a nearby Hervey Bay development is fast and furious.

AO NANG BAY KRABI THAILAND

 

AO NANG BAY

KRABI

THAILAND

Ao Nang, once a quiet fishing village, has been annexed by Krabi as its beach resort and grown out of proportion. Surrounded by Noppartthara Beach to the West and Railey Beach to the East, Ao Nang is in close proximity to all attractions, rock climbing, beach walking, swimming and boat trips to National Parks.

Starting with spectacular sun rise from behind rocky hills to golden sun sets on Andaman Sea, Ao Nang has busy shopping malls and a Walking Street lined with cafes, restaurants and bars.

Ao Nang also represents an anchorage for yachts and tour boats. It is a busy anchorage with music from nearby bars and discos heard until early morning hours.

 

A spectacular moon rise best visible from the anchorage and a sail to reach it through island spotted sea a sailor's paradise.

LANGKAWI DUTY FREE PARADISE MALAYSIA

 

LANGKAWI

DUTY FREE PARADISE

MALAYSIA

Kuah is the center of Langkawi Island with many shops, ferry terminal, Eagle Square with impressive statue of an eagle and Sailing Club.

Langkawi is a duty free port as well. It has an international airport. There are also ferry services from mainland Malaysia.

Langkawi Cable Car takes one to the heights offering amazing panoramic views. One of them is Telaga Harbour, pristine views of safe yacht anchorage.

The marine scenery is impressive, absolute paradise for sailing the many islands of Langkawi.

Langkawi and its many islands are welcoming visitors from around the world.

PULAU LANGKAWI MALAYSIA

 

PULAU LANGKAWI

MALAYSIA

Langkawi is not just one island. It is an archipelago of some 99 islands, some uninhabited but full of flora and fauna. Kuah is the center with many shops, ferry terminal, Eagle Square with impressive statue of an eagle and Sailing Club. Langkawi is a duty free port as well. It has an international airport. There are also ferry services from mainland Malaysia.

Geopark represents tropical flora and fauna. Langkawi is an echo friendly destination. 

The marine scenery is impressive, absolute paradise for sailing the many islands of Langkawi.

Telaga Harbor has amazing sun sets.

1770 & AGNES WATER CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

 

1770

&

AGNES WATER

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

1770 is a small coastal village with huge history behind it. The full name is The Town of 1770. It was May of 1770 that S/V Endeavour anchoredin the bay and James Cook climbed the hill to get a good view of the reef, now clalled Great Barrier Reef seeking a safe passage for his ship. Perfect sandy beaches, crystal clear water invite to swim, beach walk and enjoy nature.

Agnes Waters is a bigger township enjoying proximity to the coast of Central Queensland. Both, Agnes Water and 1770 offer scenic coastline, excellent fishing, swimming and boating.

Nearby islands, Heron Island and Lady Musgrave, are marine reserves with stunning coral reefs. Turtles visit both islands. Sunsets are spectacular.

 

CHIANG MAI the CITY of a THOUSAND TEMPLES THAILAND

 

CHIANG MAI

the CITY

of a

THOUSAND TEMPLES

THAILAND

Chiang Mai translates as New City. However, its history dates back to 1200s

when King Mengrai moved the capital of his Kingdom to Chiang Mai.

Occupied by Burma in 1500s, when King Bayinnaung commenced a 220 years

of regency, it was not until 1930s that Chiang Mai became part of the United

Kingdom of Thailand.

The Three Kings Monument is the mark of Chiang Mai's history. Chiang Mais

walled Old City is surrounded by a moat indicating city's turbulent past.

 

 

The magnitude of monasteries and temples Wats is the main landmark of

Chiang Mai.

ELLIOTT HEADS QUEENSLAND CENTRAL COAST

 

ELLIOTT HEADS

QUEENSLAND CENTRAL COAST

Elliott Heads is fast becoming a beach resort. Together with Innes Park and Coral Cove the development is at high speed. Reverview is well hidden further up the Elliott river and quiet. There are a few boats, a boat ramp; fishing of a jetty and shoreline is good.

Elliott Heads Beach is a popular promenade, beach walk a real pleasure, swimming is great as well.

Watching fish trapped in rock pools at low tide is interesting. Swimming of the bech is great. Elliott Heads Caravan Park is popular. Many campervans stop briefly on the way North seeking warmer weather but many just stay put and enjoy the best beach on the Central Cost of Queensland.

Elliot Heads has its specific warm climate and well protected waters by K'Gari.

DARWIN ARAFURA SEA PEARL JEWEL OF AUSTRALIA

 

DARWIN

ARAFURA SEA PEARL

JEWEL OF AUSTRALIA

Darwin, a remote, tropical paradise on the banks of Arafura Sea, often called Arafura Pearl. It is the capital of the Australian Northern Territory.

The Parliament House is a definite landmark. The Northern Territory Library hosts an exhibition, The Territory Story. It describes the beginnings of Darwin and its people.

1994 was the year of the beginning of Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, popular for its delicacies from Asia and trinkets. It is the best spot in Darwin to enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Arafura Sea. 

Darwin is definitely a place to visit. It is friendly to visitors and especially the sailing boats.

In fact quite a number of visitors made Darwin their permanent residence.