The Cayman Islands have positioned themselves as a leading world direction of the tourist diving for many years. However, today this niche is overfilled and continues to develop. Nowadays, the islands offer family vacation.

These islands are the only place of habitation of the famous blue iguanas considered among the oldest animals in the world. The local Botanical garden supports the program of preservation and protection of this specie of iguanas, the number of which, according to the conservationist organizations, is constantly decreasing. The best time for meeting iguanas is a sunny morning between 8.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. Iguanas of different size, skin and colour are basking in the morning sun in their cages.

In the “city of cramp-fish” shoals of cramp-fish, taught by the local fishers, gather in the shallow water and follow catamarans carrying the visitors. The guides who accompany tourists feed the animals with frozen fish, which makes them rather friendly. Adults and children can bathe together with cramp-fish. Tourists may closely approach the animals, take pictures of them and see the unusual mode of hunting of these sea creatures with their own eyes.

An educational family program, designed by Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of the famous scholar and researcher of the world ocean Jacques-Yves Cousteau), is carried out on the Big Cayman. It represents a part of the program carried out by the organization “Ocean Futures Society”. It is aimed at raising awareness of mankind, primarily children, about the life of the world ocean.

There is a new complex on the beach of Boatswain. It includes specimen of the insular culture, a sea park and a turtle farm housing 16 thousands of sea turtles of different age: starting with curious palm-sized newborns up to adult clumsy species. Nowadays, the turtle farm situated on the Big Cayman is one of few places on our planet where you can hold this rare sea creature in your hands.

Besides, this island allows you not only to rest free of charge, but also earn some money if you find several coins of 16th or 18th century. There is a legend about “The wreck of ten sailing ships”, and people really find golden coins from the Spanish galleons in the bay with the same name. Their treasures have not been found so far.
About the Author:

It used to be that backpacking trips to Fiji involved a bus ride from Nadi to Suva, then a ferry to somewhere like Ovalau, Savusavu, Taveuni or Kadavu. No more. These days young budget travelers are lining up to go to the Yasawa Islands, a chain of 16 large volcanic islands and dozens of smaller ones roughly 35 km off the west coast of Viti Levu.

The dazzling white beaches, clear warm waters, colorful coral reefs, and sunny dry climate make the Yasawa Group an ideal tourist destination, but until recently a visit involved a rough sea voyage from Lautoka in an unsafe village boat-or an expensive seaplane flight from Nadi. Blue Lagoon Cruises has been plying the Yasawas since the 1950s, but passengers aboard those upscale vessels sleep in staterooms and local residents receive few benefits from their presence.

Until the 1987 Rabuka coups in Suva, it was the policy of the Fiji government that the Yasawas were closed to land-based tourism. The long years of military-backed government brought few changes to the Yasawas, although Australian investors were allowed to construct the deluxe Yasawa Island Resort in 1991 and a couple of village-operated backpacker camps sprang up on Wayasewa and Waya. Since the early 1980s, local families have operated three small low-budget resorts on Tavewa Island, thanks largely to Tavewa’s status as a freehold island beyond the authority of the Fijian chiefs. For decades local church leaders have portrayed tourism as a corrupting outside influence to be kept at arms length from village life.

It would be hard to imagine anything more removed from real Fijian life than Turtle Island Resort on Nanuya Levu Island, Fiji’s ultimate hideaway for the US$1,500-a-night crowd. Nanuya Levu has been freehold land since 1868, and in 1972 Richard Evanson used US$300,000 he earned in the Southern California cable television business to buy the island.

Evanson’s Turtle Island Resort became the prototype of Fiji’s current crop of boutique island resorts, hosting notables like Hollywood stars and millionaires. Brooke Shields stayed here during the 1980 filming of the escapist classic The Blue Lagoon.

A self-styled environmentalist, Evanson has planted thousands of trees on his island, and has converted the mangrove forests into tourist attractions by cleverly creating boardwalks. The resort’s food is grown in organic gardens and power is generated using solar and wind energy. Each year a group of volunteer California eye specialists visits Turtle Island Resort to perform eye surgery on needy villagers or to equip them with donated prescription glasses.

Yet for most Yasawans, life has changed little since 1789 when Captain William Bligh and loyal members of his crew paddled past the group in an open boat shortly after the famous mutiny on the Bounty. Even today, most villages are without electricity or running water, and opportunities for economic development are very limited. The Yasawans have felt neglected by politicians in the distant capital, envious onlookers as mini-cruise ships and yachts carried wealthy foreigners along their shores.

In May 2000, rabble-rouser George Speight and assorted thugs seized the Parliament building in Suva, turning Fiji on its head. Speight’s pro-indigenous rhetoric struck a chord in the Yasawas. Villagers from Nacula Island staged a mini-coup on Turtle Island, locking Evanson in one of his 14 luxurious bungalows as village youths rode wildly around Nanuya Levu on Evanson’s golf carts.

When the excitement died down, plaited mats were spread and kava roots were pounded, and over many bowls of grog, Evanson and the villagers came to an understanding.

Rather than killing the golden goose, Evanson convinced the Nacula people that they’d be better off opening resorts of their own and allowing him to continue running his business in peace.

Evanson offered interest-free construction loans and promotional support, and the Nacula Tikina Tourism Association was born. The association’s Web site FijiBudget.com currently describes a dozen locally-operated resorts around the Blue Lagoon in the central Yasawas, including the three existing properties on Tavewa. All resort operators must conform to a strict code of conduct intended to preserve the environment and guarantee acceptable levels of service. Though primitive compared to the luxurious Mamanuca resorts off Nadi, the Yasawa backpacker camps provide basic food and accommodations at a relatively low price.

The mass influx of backpackers only began in 2002 when Awesome Adventures, a subsidiary of New Zealand-owned South Sea Cruises, launched a fast catamaran service up and down the chain. You can now depart Nadi’s Denarau Marina on the Yasawa Flyer any morning at 9:15 a.m. and be at the resort of your choice in time for lunch. As many as 150 backpackers do this every day and the village-operated resorts on Kuata, Wayasewa, Waya, Naviti, Tavewa, Nacula, Nanuya Lailai, and Matacawa Levu are booming.

Reservations can be made upon arrival at Nadi Airport through any one of a dozen 24-hour travel agencies right in the airport terminal itself. All of these offices sell catamaran tickets with a bus transfer to the harbor included. Deluxe lodgings and gourmet food should not be expected at any of the Yasawa resorts-yet the friendly people, spectacular natural beauty, and low prices make most travelers overlook these inconveniences.
About the Author:

‘Long haul’ has to be the only reason Steven Spielberg didn’t choose the St Lucia wetlands in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, to shoot his epic dinosaur trilogy Jurassic Park 1, 2 and 3.

Here, the unspoilt rivers and streams, lush swamps, infinite dunes and beaches, never-ending savannah grasslands and a breathtaking marine underworld of coral reefs and canyons look the same as the day the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Not surprisingly, the area inspired many names in the hopes of finding one appropriate enough to do the paradise justice before the early Portuguese explorers eventually settled on Santa Lucia, or St Lucy’s.

A stitch in time


One of the reasons for St Lucia’s adjacent thriving eco wealth may be attributed to a portion being declared a Game Reserve back in 1895. Today, St Lucia Park has been proclaimed a world heritage site and most recently, The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (the Iranian equivalent of Japan’s Kyoto convention) also proclaimed this Maputaland coastal area with its turtle beaches, coral reefs and lakes, of International Importance.

The area was thus protected from a century of development post the onset of the Industrial revolution, giving it the world heritage site status. This chain of events lead to protecting the habitat of a vast and invaluable list of plant and animal species. On a trip to this most magical wetland, you will encounter a myriad of fauna, including hundreds of birds, marine life such as dolphins, turtles and whales as well as big game such as rhino, elephant and the intrepid Nile crocodile.
About the Author:

Some people say cycling in Malaysia is only for foreigners. Locals find the weather too much. Locals do not use bicycles often. In the kampongs you will see children and some times grow-ups using bicycles. In the cities however, there are fewer bicycles. And, there’s no tradition, like in Holland to take your children out on a bike ride on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

My little friends’ name is Johan, he lives with his family in Penang and has visited me a few times. Johan is 8 years old and loves cycling. As I am living in Sitiawan, very near the tourist destination island Pulau Pangkor, Johan and I have been cycling to and from Pulau Pangkor. We also visited some of the surrounding beaches here: Teluk Rubiah, Teluk Batik and even Teluk Senangin which is 24 km away. We cycled at Pangkor island to the Dutch Fort, the Fu Lin Kong temple and even to Pasir Bogak beach.

Preparation

On the 20th November, Johan was brought to Sitiawan by his mother Nazlina. Before we could hit the road we had to do some training. I needed to know what he could handle and how tired he would be at the end of the day.

So I proposed to visit a beach a bit further from home. Johan is not just a good cyclist, he’s also a good swimmer. Teluk Senangin seemed an interesting beach to him and it was 24 km cycling, a good way to find out how he would deal with a more serious distance.

On the way there are three bridges, the third one is a serious climb, even for more experienced cyclist. But Johan had no problems at all. We went to Teluk Senangin, had a swim there. We spend two hours at the beach, swimming.

After two hours, we went to the far end of the beach were the village is. It added an additional few kilometers to the amount we had to do that day. And Johan didn’t get tired.

The first stage, Sitiawan to Pantai Remis

It’s Monday morning and Johan and I wake up to get ready for breakfast and our first stage of the 5 day journey to Penang. We have a nasi lemak at the Home Curry House in Sitiawan. We leave at 9am. Pantai Remis is only 36 km away but it’s not an easy ride. Just out of Sitiawan there are again the three big bridges to conquer. And like the first time we did the bridge when going to Leuk Senangin, Johan didn’t have any problems with the climb.

After the bridge the road is a bit hilly, we take here and there some rest. With the heat in Malaysia, keep drinking is essential here.

Segari is only 8 km from this point. We have a short stop. After the break we cycle to the junction where I want Johan to make a decision either to continue to Pantai Remis, which is another 12 km away or visit the turtle breeding station and the beach. If we choose that, we have to add another 15 km to our day today. Johan wants to see the turtles.

After 7 flat kilometers we arrive at the beach and the turtle breeding station. Johan is very interested and we spend quite some time with the turtles. We have a two hours swim before we take the last 20 km to Pantai Remis where we check in a hotel, have a shower and go out for our dinner. The first day is a success.

The road to Taiping

We stay in Pantai Remis and have a good night sleep. When we leave the hotel the hotel staff is baffled to find out this little boy on his little bicycle will cycle to Taiping and Penang. I can see them thinking I am the most irresponsible person in the world but when they speak with Johan, they find out his excitement.

After nasi lemak breakfast we cycle north. We take the junction east to Beruas, a much nicer and quiet road that brings us closer to the mountains near Taiping. Johan is not at least worried about the mountains he sees in front of him. We spot birds (mostly eagles and kingfishers) and other animals. Johan finds a dead land turtle.

After lunch in Trong, at about 45 km, we get in the hills. We get a few quite serious hills to cross. They are not high but for a boy like Johan serious enough. Johan however doesn’t even look tired when we come up. He has however a bit of fear when it goes down. In the days before he found out he doesn’t like to go faster then about 35 km/h. In our previous bike rides, I have been teaching him how to use the brakes in a way he will not flip over but have all the time good control over his bicycle. Johan exactly how fast he can cycle without getting scared.

Just outside Taiping we are hit by some heavy rain. We take shelter which also gives us the opportunity to repair a little thing on Johan bicycle. By now Johan wants to have his saddle higher. He feels more confident sitting higher.

When the rain stops, we cycle into Taiping, conquering one last bridge which Johan cycles up with 20 km/h. Johan writes in his diary: 62 km.

Parit Buntar

Wednesday is our rest day. It’s the day we invite Johan mom Nazlina and his 4 years old sister Johanna to join us to theTaiping Zoo. My own cycling experience tells me it’s good to leave the bikes a day and do something else. The zoo is great day out and Johan is happy to see his mom and sister.

The next day we are back on the road. We cycle out of Taiping to Kamunting and take the road to Gerik. The mountains come closer but before the climbs start we take the junction to Bagan Serai.

Here some climbing has to be done but Johan cycles like any experienced cyclist. He is not even sweating! On the hills usually he speeds up. His technique is perfect. Though he likes to stand on the pedals, he is not moving his bike. The power of his legs is extremely effective used forwards in the climbing. And for sure, he did not learn this from me as I have a different climbing style (I keep sitting). It’s magical to see this boy doing what he does.

We cross Road 1, a big busy road that runs north south. We can use a new road that leads us over plantations to Kuala Kurau.

We have bad luck, the old ferry to cross the river is no longer running. We have to cycle back, 10 km extra plus the huge bridge that nowadays connect both sides of Kuala Kurau. At the bridge Johan is fascinated by what he sees. Many of the house in Kuala Kurau are build on the water, there’s fishfarms in the middle of the river and fishing boats come and go. Dogs run on the fishfarms too. Johan wonders how they come there.

We have lunch in the town and then cycle to my friend David in Parit Buntar. Johan eats another plate of rice and chicken (it’s his 4th meal that day), checks his speedmeter and tells us he has done 81 km that day. He also wants to know if he can go out with Davids’ two sons and cycle a bit around. Does he eve gets tired, I wonder.

Back home to Penang

David is at the point of leaving to India. He will do a 45 days bikeride journey in south India starting early December 2006. David has a homestay guesthouse where he receives cyclist from all over the world. However, Johan is the second Malaysian cyclist ever visiting his guesthouse and family.

Johan and I cycle on Friday morning away from David and his family. The first kilometers we are able to skip road 1 but after 16 kilometers we have no choice. The last 30 kilometers will be on the big busy road to Penang. There’s no alternative. It’s the least pleasant part of our journey.

In Butterworth everybody, including cyclist, are directed to the motorway. It’s busy and for sure no fun but we make it without any problems to the ferry. At Penang, we have just 10 km left to go back home. Johan finishes his journey at 5 pm on Friday afternoon. He has cycled 250 km, something to be very proud of.

What the story proves is that cycling is mental. Like the story of the man with one arm and one leg Johan shows that cycling has little to do with physical strength, age or sex. Cycling is mental, if you want you can do it.

I am proud I was able to join Johan in his first cycling journey. If there will be a follow up depends fully on Johan. But to be honest, I think he has already in mind what his next cycling journey will be!

Peter van der Lans
About the Author:

What kind of animals will you see at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland? Continued from Part 5

Johnston’s Freshwater Crocodile

The Johnston’s freshwater crocodile is equally as fast on land or water. They may gallop at speeds up to 18 miles per hour. They have powerful tails and strong legs. They are not generally dangerous to humans, but can inflict serious injury with their sharp teeth.

Laughing Kookaburra

The laughing kookaburra is Australia’s national symbol. It is about the size of a crow with short tail and a long, wide sharp bill. The call of the kookaburras is commonly used in movies to imitate the sound of monkeys in a jungle. They are approximately 45 cm in length and have a large head with a prominent brown eye and a very large bill.

Fly River Turtle: This aquatic turtle is the only freshwater turtle with flippers resembling those of marine turtles. The nose resembles that of a pig with nostrils at the front of a fleshy protruding snout. In Australia, their distribution is limited to northern Australia. They are also found in Irian Jaya and southern New Guinea. Habitat includes rivers, estuaries, lagoons, lakes, swamps, and pools.

Rainbow Lorikeets have blue on the head and belly, orange or red on the breast, green under the tail, back, and wings, and a red bill. With such a color combination you would think the Rainbow Lorikeet is easy to spot, but in their native habitat, lorikeets’ intense coloration is the perfect camouflage.

Snake-necked Turtle: Also known as the long-necked turtle has a neck so long that it can equal or exceed the length of its shell. This turtle is also known by the name of “the stinker” because of the skunk-like musk the turtle expels when threatened. In the wild the snake-neck turtle feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, tadpoles, and small fish.

Spiny-tailed Monitor also known as the ridge-tailed monitor, exists in a number of sizes and colors throughout northwestern Australia. The most notable characteristic of this species is the spiny tail shared by all members of the species regardless of size, origin or gender. The tail is useful in hunting as the lizard whips it around as a large spiky club to attack prey.

Zebra Finch is a beautiful little bird that resembles the large mammal for which it is named in that it has bright black and white “zebra” stripes along its body. The Aquarium houses only males of this species. The female is approximately the same in appearance with the exception of her striped chest, which is a soft grey color.

Amphibians

The most familiar amphibians are frogs, toads and salamanders. Amphibians are cold-blooded, smooth-skinned vertebrates that are capable of living both on land and in water.

American Bullfrog varies in color from brownish to shades of green and often with spots or blotches of a darker color on the back. Breeding males let out a deep bass jug-a-rum call that can be heard over a distance of more than half a mile.

The Blue Poison Dart Frog is a little frog easily recognized by their blue color that is generally darker on the limbs and belly and overlaid with black spots or patches especially on the head and back. The poison dart frog can release toxins from the skin that are distasteful and potentially lethal to predators. Three very toxic species of poison dart frogs from Columbia and South America are utilized by Indians to poison the tips of blowgun darts.

Birds

Birds are varied creatures inhabiting all parts of the world. The most unique defining feature of birds is “feathers.” All have wings and all but a few species fly.

Atlantic Puffin can be recognized by their large, triangular-shaped bill with red-orange tip and blue-gray base surrounded by yellow.

Other animals you can expect to see at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland include:

• Blue-gray tanager
• Scarlet ibis
• Sunbittern
• White-tailed Trogon
• Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot
• Banggai Cardinalfish
• Bonnethead shark
• Clearnose skate
• Electric eel
• Feather Blenny
• Green Moray Eel
• Nurse Shark
• Rosyside dace
• Sand tiger shark
• Sheepshead Minnow
• Southern Stingray
• Striped Burrfish
• Summer Flounder
• Blue Crab
• Chambered Nautilus
• Giant Pacific Octopus
• Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
• Golden Lion Tamarin
• Pygmy Marmoset
• Giant Amazon River Turtle
• Green Sea Turtle

This concludes a series of articles about the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a tourist attraction all age groups interested in aquatic life will enjoy.

For more contact information about the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, follow the link in the resource box of this article.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Though they’ve seen many governmental changes over the years and more recently suffered a devastating hurricane, The Cayman Islands are still capable of providing a lovely and relaxing vacation experience. Grand Cayman is the largest in this inviting cluster of isles in the western Caribbean, and hosts millions of tourists each year. There’s a reason for its enduring popularity – many reasons in fact.

First, there’s the beach. It’s pretty much a given that a Caribbean island is going to have attractive stretches of shoreline, but Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is a mighty fine specimen to behold. Beach enthusiasts name this as one of the finest in the world, and the ample resorts and activities here cement its reputation as popular, accommodating and a pleasure to visit. The reef makes it fun for snorkeling, the bars will quench any thirst, and any necessary gear can be easily acquired. Quite simply, it’s the best.

Top-notch conditions make diving and snorkeling popular activities throughout the island. Seasoned underwater explorers are happy to check Grand Cayman off their lists of places to see in their lives, and newcomers should feel welcomed to give it a try. The water is exceptionally clear and the marine life is abundant around the many reefs and walls. Especially worth a look is Stingray City, where a plethora of friendly stingrays float along the sand bars in the shallows and interact with people in the water. Feed them, touch them, and generally be amazed by these wild and beautiful creatures.

While in this region of the island (the northwest) feel free to stop by the other touristy spots. Hell is a place of strange beauty due to the black rock formations, and it gives visitors something to joke about. Sending a postcard from Hell or picking up a T-shirt satisfies most people’s curiosity for novelty well enough. Cayman Turtle Farm showcases thousands of turtles of all shape and size, exemplifying why the Cayman Islands were originally named “Las Tortugas” (the turtles).

The eastern part of the island is less developed, so those of you who enjoy straying from the beaten path might be able to cook up a little adventure or just claim a quiet stretch of sand. Cars drive on the left side of the road here but Americans can rent them (after showing a valid license and paying a fee) or there are buses and taxi cabs readily available in most parts of the island. Tourism drives the economy of Grand Cayman, conveniences tend to be plentiful.

History is another reason to appreciate Grand Cayman. In the capital city there are the Cayman Islands National Museum and Fort George (what remains of it, anyway), and Pedro St. James Castle and the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum are also worth taking a look at if the island’s past is what floats your boat. Colonial influences and indigenous personality come together in an interesting way (as these things usually do) and add another dimension to a vacation that could be all about mindlessness.

Not that you shouldn’t spend plenty of time lounging on the beach, sipping fruity drinks or floating in the salty sea. In order to properly forget about work, school, stress and responsibility there must be lots of sunning and a few naps. Indulge in all that Grand Cayman has to offer – you did come all this way, after all.

Another indulgence not to be overlooked is a Grand Cayman Vacation Rental. Dozens of delicious properties are sprinkled around the island like so many accommodating jewels just waiting to be taken up by savvy travelers. Small and modest beach cottages, elegant villas, sophisticated condos and more have a way of opening their doors to reveal a host of unexpected amenities. Who know it was possible to whip up some scrambled eggs, sunbathe on a private deck or stroll to the beach minutes upon waking with a cup of coffee in hand?

Staying in a vacation rental opens up a world of possibilities on an island that is already quite promising. Arrive with a detailed itinerary in hand or let the winds of fate lead you along; either way a trip to Grand Cayman will be a journey that is sure to restore and relax your world weary self.
About the Author: