Travel and Leisure

A canal cruise can be a truly personal and uplifting experience. Have you ever imagined spending quiet time watching a beautiful and unique countryside slowly drift by? How about adding gourmet meals prepared by your personal chef? How about getting off your barge, exploring a village – or a village meal – and meeting up with your ship at the next lock?

Cruising on a canal hotel barge adds the opportunity to enjoy the essence of small village culture and cuisine – not to mention the chance to visit many history-laden cities.

How about just simply “getting away from it all” for a few days? A canal cruise offers all this – and more.

There are literally hundreds of small boat operators with their own web sites – as well as agencies specially concerned with handling canal cruises. Many of these sites offer excellent advice and information and I won’t pretend to surpass their knowledge. I’ll simply provide the names of several.

France is the champion when it comes to barge cruises, with England a close second behind. France has about 5300 miles of canals for cruising and England is approaching 2500 miles.

Canal barges were the main freight haulers before the decline of that industry caused by the building of railroads. Many have been converted into really superbly outfitted floating hotels. The newer models were built specifically for luxury passenger usage.

These hotel barges usually carry from 4 to 20 passengers, with one carrying 50 people – or you can simply lease the entire boat to yourself, if you can afford it.

The barges in France are usually around 35 feet wide and 130 feet long. The locks determine the ultimate size of the vessels. They come fully crewed, almost to a fault, and every amenity is provided. All this, of course, comes with the price. Even all you can drink.

In France, (and England and Ireland as well) it’s possible to rent cabin cruisers (small yachts) for a do it yourself voyage. These boats can sleep from 2 to 10 passengers. In France, there are also boats called Penichettes, which look like miniature hotel barges, but fully manned and crewed by YOU.

If a quiet and relaxing cruise though a French canal on a barge “hotel” suits your fancy, there are many sites to choose from.

Aberchrombie and Kent, Afloat in France, Barges Throughout Europe, Circa Cruises, ewaterways, French Country Barges, le boat, Locaboat Holidays, Locaboat Penichettes, and Travel Points, are among many that have information on barging through the quiet, pleasant, and scenic canals of the French countryside.

Walking holidays in New Zealand will guide you through some of the most fascinating and breathtaking scenery in the world. From thermal springs to winding fjords and enormous glaciers, the scenery in this southern corner of the world will astound you.

Rotura

Rotura is a beautiful area for walking holidays in New Zealand, near the city of Auckland. The area is known as a water wonderland, with 17 lakes providing endless hours of entertainment, from water-skiing to swimming to fishing. The lakes are also the hosts of international events, such as the water-skiing championships which were held there in 2007.

The area is home to an abundance of thermal rock pools too, where geysers bubble and mud-pools churn. Fascinating to walk through, the area is accompanied by an unfortunate smell of sulfur, resembling rotten eggs. This smell is particularly noticeable in the southern regions of the Government Gardens, so you may not wish to spend too much time there. However, the mud-pools further north are ideal spots for soaking weary feet when you’re walking in New Zealand.

Historically, this area is phenomenal, and it adds a fascinating element to walking holidays in New Zealand. In 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted, burying the village of Te Wairoa. Today, it is known as the Buried Village, and has become a well known tourist attraction.

Milford Sound

Some claim that Milford Sound is the most spectacular destination in the world, and perhaps they are right. The fjord in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is a breathtaking scene, and one could quite confidently say that it is the best place in New Zealand for walking. As a testament to this are the massive 550,000 people who flock to the area each year, to experience its majestic beauty for themselves. One of the bays even has an underwater viewing tank, where black coral, which is extremely rare in shallow waters, can be seen.

This incredible fjord stretches for 15km, running all the way from the Tasman Sea. In the glistening waters you will find penguins, seals and dolphins popping their heads above the surface every now and then, and whales swimming below. On either side of the fjord, tall cliffs rise up into the sky, reaching a massive height of about 1,200m on either side. Some famous peaks you can spot along the fjord are The Elephant, which is the tallest, and Lion Mountain, which portrays the figure of a lion.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

Two of the most fascinating sights to see when on walking tours of New Zealand are the Fox and the Franz Josef Glaciers. These glaciers are exceptionally beautiful, and attract thousands of tourists to the area each year. The Franz Josef is situated in the Westland National Park, spanning along 23km of the South Island’s west coast. Lying 20km to its south is the Fox Glacier, which descends from the Southern Alps to just under 300m above sea level. Surrounding the glacier and making the setting so spectacular, you will see lush greenery and thick bushes, and the entire area has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Waianuhea B&B, located on the slopes of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, is a beautiful spot to be your home as your explore the island of Hawaii. Hawaii’s bounty includes lots of organic foods as well as eco tourism activities — ways to explore that don’t hurt the environment.Are you thinking about traveling and interested in visiting someplace where you can stay in an environmentally friendly hotel and enjoy activities that have a low impact on the environment. This article series will give you several suggestions of not only places you can travel to, but also activities that are enjoyable for the whole family!

The Big Island of Hawaii is a very popular destination for many travelers each year. Even though you are in paradise doesn’t mean that you need to leave your green standards behind. There are many eco friendly options for you to stay in, eat at, and enjoy on the Big Island. You only have to be willing to look for those green options for your travel.

Waianuhea Bed and Breakfast is one of the places that you will want to consider when you travel to the Big Island of Hawaii. This B&B offers bright and beautiful rooms with gorgeous views of the ocean or the lovely luscious green grounds, as well as many different amenities and green features.

One of the best amenities of the Waianuhea B&B is the hot gourmet breakfast that is offered each morning. This breakfast is made with organic, locally grown food that you will love. This B&B is also located on an off-grid property that uses solar power and filters sterilized rainwater into the rooms. Recycling and composting is also a way of life at the B&B.

The Big Island offers many different sustainable and/or organic places for you to check out for lunch and dinner. Holualoa Gardens is a restaurant that features fresh bread, pastries and locally grown produce in their ever-changing menu that is a delight to whoever sits at their tables. At Merriman’s you will find “Hawaiian Regional Cuisine” that uses fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

If you are looking for some fresh island fruit, you will want to consider going to Fujimama’s Restaurant and Sushi Bar. With their attention to sustainable foods and great tastes, you will find a wonderful place to eat. Evie’s Organic Cafe and Bakery offers pastries and casual food that is both organic and tastes good. Fresh Kona coffee is also available at many local coffee shops.

Now that you are full of some healthy and good food, you are ready to venture out and find some fun and green things to do. No matter what type of outdoor activity that you enjoy, you will be able to find an eco-friendly tour company that offers exactly what you are looking for.

From water sports to land sports, you will find Hawaii to be one of the best places possible to enjoy these activities in a more environmentally friendly way. Farmer’s markets abound on the Big Island that offers you sustainable and organic foods available for purchase. Whether you hike the volcanoes, surf in the ocean, shop, or do one of the many different activities available, you will find that you can do almost anything greener on the Big Island.

The paradise found on the Big Island of Hawaii doesn’t have to make you feel guilty. You will find Hawaii to be a green destination with its lodging, food and activity choices for you and your family. Whether you just want to relax or you want to exert some energy in fun and green activities, you will find Hawaii to be a great choice.

Are you tired of the same 9-5 grind? Are you sick of driving to your favourite break, only to find that there is little to no swell and 100 other surfers in the water? Why not get away from it all and take a surf vacation? Pack a quiver with a selection of your favourite boards, throw some clothes in your board bag and jump on a plane. Soon you will be sitting out the back, waiting for your set, in beautiful clean, azure water. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing off shore and there is a gentle sea breeze, just blowing off the lip of the breaking wave.

A surf vacation varies for everyone. It could be as simple as driving up or down the coast to a nice little point break in a tranquil little coastal town. Or you might take a flight to Bali, Hawaii or J-Bay Africa.If spending your days relaxing in a sun soaked dreamland is your type of surf vacation, then why not consider a surf resort. You can choose from Baha, California, Fiji, The Mentawis, Hawaii, Australia or many more idyllic destinations.

You will wake up refreshed from your magnificent nights rest in your beautifully appointed room, only meters from world class surf breaks. Jump out of bed, throw on your shorts, grab your board and paddle out, duck diving through the crystal blue, clear waves. Once you are positioned out the back, sit there and enjoy the view as the sun comes up over the horizon, greeting you on this fantastic day.Catch your breath and then paddle, smiling as you drop deep into clean, uncrowded waves. Marvel at the splendour and power of nature’s gift as you carve through wave after wave.
When you feel you can paddle no more and you have a smile on your face that would light up 1000 Christmas trees, catch the next wave in. Lie on your board and let the wave do all the work as it brings you into the shore, so that you can enjoy a well deserved sumptuous breakfast.

The ultimate is a surf charter, where your Captain will expertly navigate the swell. You will wake up in the morning to magic, clean barrels. If surfing azure waves in temperate, tropical waters is your thing, then why not climb aboard a boat cruising the Mentawis, or travel around Fiji’s waters. Soon you will find yourself among unspoilt surroundings with walls of green just waiting for the intrepid searcher.

Remember to pack the essentials. A good selection of boards, including a big wave “gun” for those monster bombs and a couple of shorter boards, so that you can carve up those long awaited waves.

You might also want to think about packing your iPod or MP3 player, so that you can listen to your favourite tunes. Bring a good book or two, so that you can relax, as there will be times when the waves just aren’t breaking. You will appreciate these quiet times and it will allow you to build up your strength to enable you to charge the next 10ft barrel that is maybe just one sleep away. Depending on the surf charter you have chosen, all your food and amenities are included in the package. If you have chosen to go “5 star”, then you will have the pleasure of having all your meals cooked by a renowned chef. Or you might prefer a cheaper option, where you can catch your food, fresh from the Ocean.

One thing is for sure, you will not only catch some great waves and sample fantastic food. You will have an adventure, full of fantastic memories.It’s a personal thing, which ever surf vacation you decide on, it is guaranteed to be full of fun, adventure and experiences that you will forever remember. You will not only take your surfing to a new level, you will have great stories you can tell your friends and family when you get back home.

There are so many fatal incidents in the waterfall that occur around the world and does anyone know what are the causes to these fatal incidents and does anyone know there are actually some prevention tips to avoid this from happening? If you are a nature lover and visit waterfalls frequently, you should really continue reading.

1. Look at the weather

Always look at the weather and make sure the sky is clear before visiting waterfall, if the sky looks murky, you should definitely cancel the visit. Floods can always happen without any signal, it always happens in just a second.

2. Avoid rainy day

It is not a good time to visit waterfall during a rainy day, in case if you are in the waterfall and it is just to start to rain, look for higher ground and stay away from the riverbank.

3. Stay calm from undercurrents

If you are sucked in an undercurrent in the waterfall, do not panic. The more panic and the more you are struggling, the deeper you will be sucked in. Stay calm and the water will release you eventually.

4. Stay calm from water sweeping

If you are being swept away by the water, try to organize yourself to face upwards and follow the flow.

5. Look at the color of the water

If you realize that the color of the water is changing, it is a signal that strong raining in the upstream. You should get out from the waterfall immediately.

6. The rocks

Try not to step on the rock in the waterfall, they are always slippery. Always make sure the step is stable before decide to proceed to the next.