Cape Town - A Dream Destination For a Rock Climber

Offering an impressive backdrop to South Africa's second largest and most visited city, Table Mountain provides amazing views over Cape Town, Table Bay and Robben Island proving extremely popular with visitors, locals and climbers alike.

While, previously, only adventurers and explorers hoped to reach the top, you will now find the mountain quite busy in the tourist season. These days there are numerous ways to reach the top, depending on how much energy you wish to expend. The Table Mountain Cableway provides the easy alternative, while the more adventurous can hike or climb to the top and indulge in activities such as bouldering or caving.

Rock climbing on Table Mountain retains its popularity due to the variety of routes with varying degrees of difficulty and offering breathtaking views. As it goes, only traditional climbing is allowed which means that no bolting can be done here, this is due to the mountain being part of the Table Mountain National Park, and in addition it is also a World Heritage site.

Table Mountain is composed of two hard rock types; Table Mountain Sandstone and Cape Granite. Traditional sandstone climbing, with its clear cut edges, can be found from both the Africa Ledge and Fountain Ledge. As such, the Africa Crag route offers easy climbing with great views and lots of scenic exposure, while Jacob's Ladder is one of the all time classics and most travelled routes.

Indeed, climbing Table Mountain's granite face is all about creating friction, as the granite face doesn't provide many true holds for hands or feet. Therefore, the connection that the sole of your climbing shoes makes with the 'sticky' granite provides the traction required to scale the mountain; experienced granite climbers use as much surface area as possible to work their way up the rock. The odd crack may provide some purchase but mostly your weight is placed by reading the slight curves in the rock.

While many climbing routes on Table Mountain are well known and popular, cliffs are still being discovered, with new routes being created between existing routes. Local and visiting climbers hoping to take advantage of the new routes had better be comfortable with trad-climbing at high difficulty levels. It is therefore good to know that there are many flights to Cape Town available to take you out to this beautiful destination; once there, you can begin taking advantage of the existing and new routes offered.

Furthermore, Cape Town has an enthusiastic climbing community with many clubs and organisations devoted to climbing, mountaineering and hiking. Visitors receive a warm South African welcome ensuring jet-setting climbing enthusiasts from all over the world continue to flock to Table Mountain for its challenging climbs and amazing views.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

Here is What Everybody Ought to Know About Charleston West Virginia

Charleston is West Virginia's capital. Alongside, it's also regarded to be largest city of the state. Having said that, it's the primary location for business and industry in the state. Charleston isn't as popular as other large cities because of the fact that it hasn't developed as much over the years. Nevertheless, its economy and population are proliferating. Because of the nature of the city, Charleston has kept a quaint and very protected heritage. In fact, people from Charleston have a lot to cherish about their origins because their history has been kept very well. Charleston, besides being a developing city, is also a tourist attraction. A lot of individuals aren't aware of this, but the city of Charleston has a lot to offer. You will be surprised at how little time you have to see the wonders and beauty of Charleston.

Business

Charleston, being the largest city in the state, is also home to a lot of sprawling businesses and industries. The state mainly revolves around main commodities. Additionally, Charleston also focuses on natural gas, salt, and coal. Throughout the years though, Charleston and the entire state of West Virginia has branched out into other revenue generators for its economy.

Tourism

A big portion of Charleston's GDP also relies on tourism. Tourism serves as an important role in the state's overall economic condition because it serves as the east coast's tourist spot. A lot of the attractions in Charleston and the entire of West Virginia are dependent on natural resources. Moreover, since West Virginia is enclosed by the Appalachian Mountains, many natural activities and attractions are enjoyed by the tourists and the residents. Among the more popular activities and attractions to see and do in Charleston are skiing (during the winter), hiking and biking, exploring caves, rock climbing, and seeing magnificent wildlife. These are just among the many attractions in Charleston. Charleston still has a lot to offer. Among them are the different cuisines, shopping (with an emphasis on antiques and old-fashioned arts and crafts), experiencing the deep culture of the state, which dates back since the time of the Native Americans, enjoying different kinds of festivities and music, and seeing ancient Native American rituals.

Overall, it seems as if Charleston West Virginia has been understated. The city is beautiful and is occupied by extremely friendly and warm residents. Definitely, when you visit Charleston, you will be amazed by its cordiality and splendor.

Enjoy your vacation by visiting Charleston West Virginia which offers reasonable weekly rates with wide range of amenities like catering services, audio, video equipment, overhead projectors and musical instruments and so on. Just log on to the website http://www.wingatecharleston.com and feel the difference.

Enjoy Utah Recreation Year Round

Utah is chock full of year-round exciting recreational activities. If you live here or even just come for a visit, this probably comes as no surprise. Living here for the past four years has allowed me develop a sincere and true appreciation for the Beehive state and the great outdoors. I know those who have not yet had the opportunity to visit Utah are scoffing at the thought of Utah as a vacation destination. Well, for those of you out there, you may be surprised to find that

Utah is an outdoor enthusiast's dream come true. Boasting some of the best ski runs in the world, Utah is renowned for optimal skiing conditions and the most perfect powder snow (hence the 2002 Olympic Winter Games being held in Salt Lake City). Enjoy skiing or snowboarding in legendary Park City, Sundance, Snowbird Resort, Alta Resort, or The Canyons. Feeling a little more adventurous? Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity and for something a little more challenging, try snow mountain biking (not for the faint of heart).

Into extreme sports? Utah certainly does not disappoint. Bungee jumping, hang gliding and skydiving are available throughout the state. Moab is one of Utah's largest hot spots for extreme sports. Spelunking is popular in the Mount Timpanogos caves or the Utah Lake caves. Go white water rafting

During the warmer months, Utah's numerous mountain cliffs and canyons provide ideal conditions for rock climbing. Popular spots include Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons in the Salt Lake area and Zion National Park in southern Utah. Hiking is a favorite pastime apt for all ages, and Utah has thousands of well-kept hiking trails to choose from.

Utah also has numerous lakes for water sports and activities. Boating and consequently water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are all immensely popular. Lake Powell is one of America's biggest boating destinations and is actually a hot spot house boating destination.

If you are looking for a new and exciting vacation, explore Utah outdoor recreation that offers something for everyone.

KwaZulu-Natal: Shaka's Heaven on Earth

The remarkable diversity of attractions of the KwaZulu-Natal region is unsurpassed in South Africa. It encompasses the splendid Drakensburg Mountains, sublime subtropical beaches, top rated nature and game reserves, historic battlefields, rolling green hills of the Natal Midlands and the city of Durban. The range of activities possible is a challenge even for those with the most eclectic of tastes: swimming, fishing, boating, scuba diving, hiking, abseiling, game viewing, cultural and historical

touring, whale and bird watching and golfing.

Warmer and more authentic South Africa than the Cape Region, KwaZulu-Natal is the favourite holiday destination for locals. The region lies between the Drakensberg Mountains and Swaziland to the west; the Indian Ocea to the east stretching from Port Edward in the south to the Mozambique border in the north. As you transition from a subtropical to tropical environment, you encounter cool mountain ranges, savannah grassland, coral reefs, indigenous coastal forest and dunes, lakes and lagoons and papyrus wetlands. Here 9 million people occupy 92,000 sq km of some the fairest and best-watered lands in South Africa.

Little wonder that the Zulu, or "people of heaven" considered the area a heaven on earth indeed, and were extremely jealous of late comers who sought a share of it. And yet the Zulu people themselves had arrived only in the 16th century. Their ancestors, the Nguni, had been pushing southwards from the Great Lakes region for at least three thousand years. The land was inhabited- if you could use the term- by San Bushmen. This hunter-gatherer society was very sparing in its demands on the land. The arrival of the Nguni, a people with numerous cattle herds and great thirst for land, put the Bushman under great stress and severe disadvantage.

The Zulu derive directly from a clan head of the Nguni named "Heaven" or Zulu, who established a territory bearing his own name or KwaZulu in the Umfolozi valley. The Zulu was a fairly insignificant power, even among the Nguni, until the arrival of Shaka Zulu. Shaka, born in 1787, was first-born son to Chief Senzangakhona, but was considered illegitimate on account of a technicality. Shaka eventually corrected this injustice by plotting the death of his younger brother - the legitimate heir. He thus rose to be chief of his people when his

father died in 1816.

Shaka was a man gifted with great daring, cunning and imagination. He repulsed numerous attacks by the Ndwandwe- a rival and more militarily superior Nguni people, eventually forcing the enemy to flee northwards. Shaka appreciated that

the Ndwandwe would be back unless he created conditions to make it impossible. Above all else a military leader, he devised such weaponry, battle tactics and training methods that resulted in an unbeatable army among known enemies of the day. By numerous treacherous devices -war, assassination, deceit and intimidation -he subdued smaller and larger clans, and gathered all to his realm.

Within three years to 1819, the Zulu nation emerged as the largest and most feared in the whole of southeastern Africa. And Shaka, now King Shaka, was sitting pretty as its head. His success had however caused unprecedented mayhem in the region, and aroused bitter jealousy amongst his ambitious compatriots. He also ruled with an iron fist and was such a tyrant as had never risen before among the Zulu. Shaka was speared to death by Dingane -his half brother, in 1824. The Zulu kingdom survived him, but his legacy was to be severely tested, later in the century in conflicts with new rivals - the British and Boers.

The British had approached Shaka, shortly before his death, for trading rights in ivory and animal skins. Shaka signed a document granting them the chieftaincy of Port Natal, their small base on the east coast. In a very liberal and rather

dishonest interpretation of Shaka's intentions, they claimed the Port Natal area in the name of the King of England. Port Natal is today known to most as Durban -and to locals as "Durbs". The city is the gateway and business hub of KwaZulu-Natal, and the logical starting point for exploring the region. Its port ranks among the world's top 10, and is the busiest on the African continent. To discover KwaZulu-Natal, rent a car at Durban or take a South Africa tour or safari that covers the region.

Durban's weather is mild and pleasant - temperatures average 17 degrees C in winter (June-August) and 27 degrees C in summer (December to February). Holidaymakers are favoured with sea temperatures averaging 24 degrees C in summer rarely falling

below 19 degrees C in winter. This coastal playground enjoys at least a good 320 days of sunshine every year. The rains come over the summer months, when it can get quite hot and humid, with temperatures reaching for 33 degrees C. Long before everybody else, the San Bushmen wintered in Durban, taking advantage of the excellent climate relative to their inland domains.

"The Golden Mile" is a 6 km long waterfront lined with some of Durban's

top rated hotels. The city has some of the finest beaches in the country. Good beaches for swimming and surfing can be found to the south of the city- Ansteys, Brighton, Cave Rock, and Garvies. To the north- Country Club, Tekwini, and Laguna beaches are more exclusive and less crowded. Within the city, you can visit museums and art galleries and shop for crafts. The Kwa-Muhle museum will educate you about Apartheid, which is important if you want to understand South African

society.

There are numerous restaurants- Indian, African and Western - in this cosmopolitan city. The Indians started coming here in 1860 as indentured labour for the sugar plantations. Today, the Durban metro area has the largest Indian population outside India. Durban stands between the North and South Coast of South Africa's eastern seaboard. The North Coast beaches include Umhlanga Rocks, Ballito, Shaka's Rock and Shelley Beach. Here you find good accommodation and myriad opportunities for swimming and surfing. Around Ballito is great for watching the ever-fascinating dolphins.

The South Coast stretches from Durban to Port Edward and covers Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Margate and Southbroom. The region has fantastic beaches and matching amenities. Between Port Edward and Hibberdene is the scene of the sardine run. This most spectacular display of the natural world occurs around June and

July. It is triggered by a 4-5 degrees C drop in sea temperature that prompts millions of sardines in great shoals to head northwards. On this dash, game fish, dolphins, sharks, whales and others of their mortal enemies follow. This unforgettable experience appears to be the marine world's answer to the annual

wildebeest migration on the Kenya-Tanzania border.

To see wildlife you can travel to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, 175 km to the northeast of Durban. This combination of the game reserves of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi occupies 960 sq km. The park is mostly savannah grasslands and low acacia bush, but has a forested mountainous section. You will see the famed "big five"-

lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. The park is well known for its very successful black and white rhino conservation efforts. Other animal species to look out for include impala, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, warthog, cheetah, hyena, jackal and giraffe. Birding is great and over 300 species are on record.

You can see game on guided walks, but for obvious reasons, an armed ranger must accompany you. The less adventurous will have an equally satisfying game viewing experience aboard a vehicle. Accommodation in the Umfolozi reserve is available at various bush camps at Sontuli, Nselweni and Mndindini and at the

self-catering cottages and tented camp at Mpila. At Hluhluwe, the well-positioned Hilltop Camp offers accommodation ranging from a luxury lodge to self-catering chalets and rondavels. The dry season in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi area falls between May and August, while most off the rains fall within the rest of the year.

To the northeast of KwaZulu Natal is the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, which stretches along a 280 km coastline from Cape St Lucia to Kozi Bay near the Mozambique border. This first rate eco-tourism paradise, is an amalgamation of a number of protected areas including - Lake St Lucia, St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Reserves, Coastal Forest Reserve and the Kosi Bay Natural Reserve. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, the official bulletin justifying this distinction highlighted the existence of 5 ecosystems resulting in an exceptional diversity

of species and actual ongoing speciation.

The park is a tropical and subtropical interface and has landforms that include coral reefs, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lakes, swamps, and reed and papyrus wetlands. It occupies more than 3200 sq km, but supports more animal species than larger parks. Here you can find hippos, turtles, crocodiles, rhino, leopard and sharks. The birding is unsurpassed and more than 530 species are on record. The numerous activities possible include- fishing, hiking, boating, diving, game viewing and whale and bird watching. You can seek accommodation within

the park or nearby towns in the range of basic camps and luxury game lodges to hotels and self-catering chalets.

Sodwana Bay Nature Reserve, which falls within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is a haven for sport fishing, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving. The underwater world, and the coral reefs in particular are outstanding, and the marine life plenty. This is one of the world's top diving destinations. You can visit year round, but conditions for diving are best April to September. Water temperatures vary from about 20 degrees C and can reach 29 degrees C in summer. Take time off from water sports for a guided to see loggerhead and leatherback turtles. There is good accommodation for most budgets nearby.

The Drakenberg Mountains on KwaZulu-Natal's western border are one of South Africa's most outstanding attractions. Rising 3282 m above sea level, the spectacular 200 km long mountain ranges were named by the martial minded Zulu as uKhahlamba or "Barrier of Spears". The thoroughly photogenic "Amphitheatre" is very impressive and is popular with visitors. This is a rock wall with a height of 500m and stretching for 5 km. Many adventure activities are available here in the most scenic of surroundings, including- hiking, rock climbing, mountain

biking, paragliding, white-water rafting, birding, and fly and trout fishing.

There are several parks and game reserves around the Drakensberg Mountains, the most prominent of which is the 2430 sq km uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000 mainly for two reasons; first for its remarkable physical charm and biological diversity, and second to highlight the outstanding collection of San rock art. Scattered over 600 sites; there are more than 35,000 well-preserved artworks, with scenes depicting hunting, dancing, fighting and food gathering. The oldest paintings are estimated to date back 2400 years, with more recent ones less than 200 years old.

Scholars have in recent years studied San rock art closely and the consensus now is that this is not merely representation art but it has some spiritual content. At the Kamberg Rock Art Centre, you can learn more about the San people, and how to interpret the symbolic and spiritual content of their art. In the Drakensberg region, there is a very wide range of accommodation including - basic bed & breakfasts, guesthouses, camps, hotels, and luxury resorts. The rains come in summer between October and April, with the rest of the year being mostly dry. Beware that winter nights can get extremely chilly and of sudden thunderstorms in summer.

Descending from the Drakensberg, you can visit the battlefield sites, where some of South Africa's most vicious battles were fought. The protagonists were Zulu, Boer and British who engaged one another in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. The hottest battles were fought in areas around Colenso, Weenen, Dundee, Estcourt, Glencoe, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Utrecht, Volksrust, Vryheid and Winterton.

The Voortrekkers had headed north away from the Cape Colony to escape British control. After crossing the Drakensberg, just like the Zulu people earlier, they believed they had reached "Heaven on Earth". Conflicts over land and other resources were inevitable and in several episodes between 1836-1852, the two parties sought a resolution through arms. Next came the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. The British eventually won, but they met a number of disasters as they had initially underestimated the Zulu army. This is the war that broke the hearts of Bonaparte royalists after Prince Louis Napoleon - an observer with the British party- succumbed to multiple assegai thrusts.

The British were busy making war again, this time on the Boers between 1880-81. They lost the war, made peace but sought a rematch in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. This second engagement attracted worldwide attention, and it was the first war ever recorded on film. Two of the giants of the twentieth century were witnesses - Churchill as a reporter, and Gandhi as a stretcher-bearer. It is advisable to tour with an accredited battlefield guide, who will retell the story of the battles at various sites. While in the area, there are opportunities to learn about Zulu history and culture, and also to buy local arts and craft.

Copyright © Africa Point

Andrew Muigai is the editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com - the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on South Africa Safaris at the website.

Iceland Equals Adventure

Iceland is a little known adventure destination; it's a little known destination period, let's face it. But, if you are like me and really enjoy the outdoors, Iceland is a great place to visit. It has so many offerings, coupled with a near pristine environment.

Here is a list of some of the adventure possibilities Iceland offers, some all year round: hiking, trekking, snowmobiling, glacier hiking, mountain climbing, ice and rock climbing, downhill skiing, telemark skiing, ocean and freshwater fishing, white water rafting, adventure jeep tours, extreme off-roading, scuba diving (both fresh water and ocean) camping and cycling tours. Additionally, you can explore hot springs, ice and lava caves, lave fields, geothermal fields, bird watching - the list goes on.

I will not go into detail on all these activities, just the ones I have done myself. First up is hiking and trekking. In Iceland you can opt for easy, short hikes, half day hikes and overnight hikes. I have even see, though not done myself, a trek across the entire country that takes almost a month - what an experience that would be! I lived in Reykjavik for two years and participated in numerous hikes. Just outside of the capital is Mt. Esjan. This is a fairly easy 3-4 hour hike up the face of Mt. Esjan with a rewarding, uncluttered view back to Reykjavik.

The jeep tours are outstanding and I have been on several. Most will take you in to the backcountry, crossing streams (really rivers) along the way, driving on glaciers, black sand beaches, up tight mountain passes into some of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. On memorable jeep tour I took was to visit several natural hot springs. The whole point of the tour was to bathe in as many hot springs as possible.

I have also done glacier trekking where you have to where crampons and follow a guide to make sure you don't fall into a crevasse. This is one of the most memorable and powerful outdoors activities I did while in Iceland. The colors and surreal beauty was outstanding.

I never personally got the opportunity to do many of the other items I listed but, I have spoken with people who have done them all. Of particular consequence is the salmon fishing. Iceland is a world-class destination for fly fishing and you don't even have to leave the city of Reykjavik. My apartment was about one half mile from one of the best fishing rivers in the country. During the season I would see the salmon grouping up together, resting before their next push forward. I would watch the fly fishermen hauling them in.

Iceland, as an adventure destination, does have some detractions. For one, it is fairly remote, located just below the arctic circle way out in the north Atlantic. Though, it is not as far away as you might think. Flight times from the east coast of the US range from 5 to 6 hours. Secondly, Iceland can have very bad weather, described as capricious. I would advise traveling there in the high season from May to late August. You can expect temperatures in the mid to high fifties and on a really nice day the temperature can reach 70 degrees. Another big hurdle is Iceland's high prices. I read recently that Iceland was one of the most expensive countries in the world. This is especially true for food, fuel and lodgings.

High prices, potentially bad weather and its remote location aside, Iceland is worth it. If you want an adventure, almost no matter what kind of adventure, Iceland will deliver. Just pick your thrill, book your flight and enjoy.

Iceland is a great place for adventure vacations and a good all-purpose beginning would be jeep tours or any day tour company that offers a wide curriculum of activities. - David Brooks

Tahiti - A Different Tempo

Rarely does life present us with such deliciously difficult decisions. And after months of hecticwedding planning, these are the only sorts of decisions you and your new husband will want to make. For a honeymoon that is truly sublime, head northeast towards the equator until you find Tahiti and its 118 islands.

Scattered across five far-flung archipelagos and covering four million square kilometres of ocean, Bride had the enviable task of sampling this corner of the South Pacific. After a week in this land of warm waters, tropical weather, rich culture and delectable cuisine, we know why it is such a coveted honeymoon destination.

Gateway to the archipelago

As our Air Tahiti Nui plane descends towards Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, a collective gasp rolls

through the cabin. Emerging from the emerald sea are cloud-draped mountains, plunging valleys and pristine beaches which appear to run on forever. And if the beauty of the scenery isn't welcome enough, the warmth of the locals is.

Tahiti is renowned for the hospitality of its people. On arrival at our hotel, the InterContinental Resort Tahiti, we are greeted with song and the sounds of the ukulele and guitar. Smiling Polynesian women in traditional dress entertain us with traditional dancing and swathe us with colourful garlands of flowers featuring Tahiti's national flower, the tiare.

A great place to commence your Tahitian sojourn, Tahiti offers visitors numerous treasures including a bustling market where you will discover multi-coloured pareos (sarongs), local handcrafts and luscious vanilla soaps and lotions.

During our stay, the sun rarely leaves the sky and the breeze barely rouses the flat crystal waters. While this is a typical day for this part of the world - the temperature varies between 26 and 28 degrees all year round - our guide warns us of the occasional bout of tropical rain. However, all is not lost if it does rain as there are scores of art and history museums waiting to be explored. Particularly worth a visit is the Paul Gauguin Museum. Located in a spacious garden, the museum is a memorial to the artist famed for his portrayal of island life.

If your idea of a honeymoon involves activity and adventure, you will be hard pressed to find a more extreme excursion than a climb through the lava tubes of Hitiaa. Situated on the rocky east coast, volcanic eruptions have forged channels through the rock. Over time, these have been penetrated by water and stunning waterfalls gush through the eroded sections. You will need a reliable pair of shoes, a guide that knows the area and some quiet determination.

After our extreme hiking experience, it is time to chill out. We fell in love with the laid-back Polynesian approach to life at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti. With two infinity pools, a swim-up bar, dancing shows and choice of restaurants and cuisines, it rarely gets much better than this.

Moreish Moorea

Bidding the mainland farewell, we take a 45-minute ferry ride to the island of Moorea - Tahiti's sister island.

Moorea looks good enough to eat. Literally! On a four-wheel-drive trip around the island, we sample the plentiful papayas, mangoes, wild bananas, breadfruit, limes and watermelons that thrive in the volcanic soil. But the pick of the island's fruit salad is the deliciously sweet pineapple. Best sampled straight off the plant, our guide tells us the sugar content is so high they turn bad within 48 hours. This explains why you won't find them in your local supermarket and is all the more reason to devour as many as your tummy can handle.

Stop at one of the many black pearl boutiques scattered throughout Moorea. While your new husband might think wedding and engagement rings are all the jewellery a woman needs, you can't go home without a Tahitian pearl encircling your finger or dripping from your neck. Unique to the pristine lagoon habitat, the pearls come in a range of colours such as aubergine, reddish-bronze, shimmering green or steel grey.

Moorea is also the home of the InterContinental Resort Moorea's Dolphin Centre, which is located amid the lush surrounds of the InterContinental Beachcomber Resort's estate. You will touch, play and communicate with these magnificent creatures in the shallows of the lagoon before donning a diving mask to observe their grace underwater. Your guide will teach you all about these intelligent mammals and will provide you with a souvenir photo of you and your new flippered friends.

After a tough day playing with dolphins, snorkelling, jet-skiing or scuba diving, you can mollify your muscles with a deep tissue massage or a soothing wrap at Moorea's Hélène Spa. The spa treatments take advantage of Tahiti's plentiful flowers, fruits and plants and are freshly prepared with oils and exotic essences. For a particularly opulent treatment, soak in a traditional Tahitian flower bath set in the green surrounds of one of the spa's private treatment rooms.

The lagoons of Bora Bora

It pains us to leave Moorea. That is, until our light plane lands in Bora Bora. With its sparkling lagoons in all hues of blue, velvety sand and coral gardens filled with rainbow coloured fish, Bora Bora is indisputably Tahiti's most beautiful island.

The island is best experienced from the vantage point of your own over water bungalow. We stayed at InterContinental Moana Beach Resort where each bungalow boasts a glass-bottomed coffee table, which can be opened up allowing you to feed bread to the many fish that swarm beneath.

Lash out and order room service, which is brought to your private deck on an outrigger canoe. Then spend the day exploring the lagoons by canoe, snorkelling or people-watching from a hammock strung between towering coconut trees.

For a memorable experience, take a boat trip to a nearby sandbar where you can hand feed stingray in waist-deep water. Despite what you expect, stingrays rarely sting. And the feeling of these metre-wide grey beauties slipping and sliding up your legs is indescribable. If you are brave enough, offer a morsel of raw fish and watch as one gently accepts it from your fingers.

From there, ask your guide to take you to the deeper waters for some manta ray spotting. Our guide throws fresh meat into the water before directing us to jump in and see the fish. We oblige and join the thousands of fish that come to feed. Our fun is short-lived, however, as we look down and see 10 to 12 sharks circling below. Despite our guide's assurances that reef sharks are not partial to human flesh, our heartbeats don't slow until we are back aboard the safety of our boat.

Even if water sports are not usually your thing, be sure to take a jet ski tour around the island. At first terrifying, you will soon by shrieking with delight as you master the powerful machines. After a few hours bouncing over the waves of the lagoon, we guarantee you will be a petrol head by the time your tour is over.

After all this aquatic activity you will be hungry. A traditional Tahitian picnic on a motu - the Tahitian word for 'little island' - is a must. While we swim in the turquoise water, local chefs cook a feast fit for royalty. And as you might expect in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, seafood is on the menu.

Cooked in earth ovens, we savour fresh and fleshy perch, parrotfish, barracuda, mahi-mahi and more, flavoured with Tahiti's famous vanilla beans and soused in creamy coconut milk. Following the old 'when in Rome' adage, we eat with our hands from hand-woven vine leaf plates. Food seems to taste even better in paradise.

And while on the topic of Tahitian cuisine, be sure to visit the island's best-known restaurant Bloody Mary's. With its sandy floor, tree-stump seating and fire lighting, you'll feel like you are on the set of Survivor. Except this is one island you won't want to be voted off. There is no official menu. Instead, diners choose from a seafood selection delivered daily by local fisherman. While your choice of fish is being cooked to perfection, sip a Bloody Mary - the restaurant's signature beverage.

The only downside of Tahiti as a honeymoon destination is the cost: accommodation, food and drinks are very expensive. But hey, you only get married once - or maybe twice.

And with a smorgasbord of things to see and do including whale watching, snorkelling, scuba diving, playing golf, horse riding, bike riding, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, water skiing, caving, fishing, black pearl and handcraft shopping, swimming with dolphins and manta ray, observing the world beneath in a glass bottom boat - you'll want to extend your honeymoon, forever.

Michelle Tesoriero travelled as a guest of InterContinental Hotels Group, Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourisme. For more information visit: http://www.bride.com.au; http://www.tahiti.intercontinental.com; http://www.airtahitinui.com.au and http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com.au.

New Zealand National Parks

Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park, opened in 1942, is potentially the most famous of New Zealand's national parks, and with good reason. It has earned its reputation thanks to its golden sandy beaches, its many rocky outcrops and its unmodified estuaries.

It has a mild climate, making it a popular place to visit year round, and with plenty of sunshine hours during summer the beaches are very popular. The landscape tends to look scarse at times due to the early settlers tendency to fire the hills to create pasture, but thanks to the time it has been given forests are regenerating. The wildlife you can expect to see here are tui, bellbirds, pukekhoes, weka, dolphins, seals and even some penguins.

What to do in Abel Tasman National Park?

There is plenty to see and do in and around the Abel Tasman. One of the best known activities is sea kayaking and with plenty of operators willing to show you around you really are spoilt for choice.

Other fantastic ways to see the park are on a sail boat, charter boat, above in a helicopter or airplane or you can go right into the park on a guided walk and explore either the Inland Track or the Coastal Track, which is one of New Zealand's Great Walks.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

This national park is a beautiful yet harsh land of ice and rock, and amazingly 40% percent of it is covered in glaciers. The largest and longest glacier in New Zealand, the Tasman Glacer, can be found here as well as the park's namesake, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Aoraki/Mount Cook is New Zealand's tallest peak, at 3754 metres, and is one of 19 peaks over 3000 metres found in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

The park is a true alpine region and with that comes over 300 species of alpine plant and about 40 species of bird, including the cheeky kea. There is also plenty of invertebrate fauna.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park can be found in the Central South Island near Twizel and offers stunning scenery for tourist and local alike.

What to do in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park?

So Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park offers a very specialised environment and some of the things to do here really should only be attempted by professionals, ie mountaineering and skiing in some areas. Heli skiing and snowboarding can be done in a variety of locations around the park and intermediate to alpine skills are required.

However, for those of you playing at home there is still plenty to see and do. You can indulge yourself in one of the walks around. These range from very short to multi-day walks. You do need to be well prepared if you are going to tackle one of the multi-day tramps.

There is also some mountain biking to be done here and an absolutely unique way to see the Tasman Glacier up close is to join Glacier Explorers boat tours. If you are looking for something a little less strenuous there is the option to do some flightseeing, and you can even see Aoraki/Mount Cook in new light by going on a hot air balloon.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is one of the most visited national parks in New Zealand and with good reason. It was the first national park to be established in New Zealand and the fourth in the world, and is a dual World Heritage area due to its significant Maori cultural associations and amazing volcanic features.

This is an absolutely stunning place to visit and you could spend hours just being amazed by the scenery alone.

There are three andesitic volcanoes in the middle of the park. These are the mountains Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe are two of the most active composite volcanoes in the world.

The Tongariro National Park is a rough environment and is full of strong contrasts, from barren lava flows to winter snowfields to hot springs to active craters. The planbtlife also varies greatly, from dense beech forest to shrubs to tussock and flax to alpine herbs.

There are many creatures that inhabit this harsh alpine environment including New Zealand's only native mammel, the short and long tailed bats. You can also see North Island robins, fantails, parakeets and kereru along with many varieties of insect that can be found here.

What can you do in Tongariro National Park?

There is plenty that you can do in and around the unique Tongariro National Park. One of the most common activities is walking, and with such a spectacular setting its definitely a must. The most common day trip is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing which is part of the larger Tongariro Northern Circuit. There are also several more different multi day tramp options and other short walks that can be found. Some of these walks can be quite demanding and for all you should have some experience and know how.

The Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas on Mt Ruapehu are operated by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and offer some amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities with particularly good spring snow.

If you feel the need to do something that doesn't involve your legs so much you can go for an amazing flightseeing adventure with Mountain Air or you can spend some time on the Whanganui River jet boating, kayaking or canoeing with several companies offering trips.

For the hard outs there are also mountaineering and rock climbing options to be found, just be sure you know your stuff and check with the appropriate authorities and experienced people. Your best bet in that regard is with the Department of Conservation.

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is an area of rugged New Zealand wilderness and a large part of it is inaccessible by road. It is the heart of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area also called Te Wahipounamu.

It is one of the most amazing places to visit in New Zealand in my humble opinion and is that way because of its amazing features. You can see deep fiords (one of the most famous is Milford Sound), beautiful lakes, snow-capped mountains and unbroken forests.

This magical wilderness environment is home to lots of differing plantlife and creatures with over 700 plants here that can be found no where else. New Zealand's rare flightless parrot, the kakapo, comes from Fiordland as well and is the centre of a strenuous recovery programme. Dolphins, seals, other birdlife, mice, rats, possums, deer and the every present sandfly can be found here as well. Some obviously much more welcome than others.

What is there to do in Fiordland National Park?

Fiordland had been called the 'sightseeing and walking capital of the world' and it's clear to see why. There are a lot of short walks in the park and some of the famous longer walks that are available are the Milford, Hollyford, Routeburn and Hump Ridge Tracks. Care needs to taken when attempting these tracks, however. You can also take a guided walk on some of the day walks around.

Some amazing ways to see the fiords, and particularly Milford Sound, are onboard on a boat cruise or up in the air with some flightseeing. I have to say, however, that one of the more amazing ways to see the Sounds is from a kayak, and this is highly recommended by Lonely Planet.

Other pretty cool things to do around Fiordland National Park are horse riding, fishing and indulging in an eco tour or some relaxation. If you are into your Lord of the Rings than you might find it helpful to know that here is where South of Rivendell, Anduin River and the Dead Marshes were filmed.

Westland Tai Poutini National Park

Westland Tai Poutini National Park (try saying that fast) is found in the South Island, and it extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to the wild and remote beaches of the West Coast.

Westland is split by the Alpine Fault, and this makes for some pretty dramatic scenery and features in the Westland National Park. Here you will find mountains rising steeply with forested slopes until you get above the tree line and hit the permanent snowfields that feed the many glaciers, none more famous than Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier.

Further out to the coast you will find lowland waters that are home to wading birds and water-loving creatures such as the threatened kamana/crested grebe and the magnificent kotuku/white heron.

Throughout the park you will also stumble across beautiful lakes, rivers and lowland forests which are home to the only population of the endangered rowi - Okarito brown kiwi.

What is There to do in Westland Tai Poutini National Park?

There are some pretty unique things to do within the bounds of this National Park. You can indulge yourself in some of the many walks, short and long, around. Some of the short walks will take you right to the terminal faces of the two famous glaciers, Fox and Franz Josef, and to further explore the glaciers there are guided walks available.

If you want something a little more sedate you can relax in the hot pools in Franz Josef or treat yourself to a flightseeing adventure aboard one of the local helicopters or small planes.

Kayaking and rafting on the local rivers and lakes is spectacular and the opportunity to see unique wildlife makes it all the more attractive.

For the extreme there are options to skydive, mountaineer, ski and hunt. Care needs to be taken when attempting the later of these options as the environment and conditions can be extremely challenging.

Five More New Zealand National Parks

Arthur's Pass National Park -- a magical part of New Zealand dominated by high mountains, large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide rivers, the Arthur's Pass National Park is situated between Canterbury and the West Coast right smack in the Southern Alps. It is full of amazing scenery and differing plantlife depending on what side of the pass you are on. It is also the path of an historical highway and unique railway.
Egmont National Park -- a beautiful part of New Zealand dominated by the majestic peak of Mount Taranaki (aka Mount Egmont). Mount Taranaki (pictured on the right behind the Heliview Taranaki helicopter) is a volcanic peak, now considered dormant and beside it sit two extinct volcanic peaks - Kaitake and Pouakai. The mountain is surrounded by a lush and dense rainforest and well settled and established agricultural landscape.
Kahurangi National Park -- one of New Zealand's largest and newest National Parks, the Kahurangi National Park is full of natural and recreational opportunities. It is found in the northwest corner of the South Island and parts of it are untracked wilderness paradise. Different types of rock can be found here, ranging from sedimentary to limestone to marble. The latter of these make for some pretty amazing caves, sinkholes and natural arches. Vegetation here varies from one side to the other and some threatened New Zealand wildlife can be found here also.
Mount Aspiring National Park -- known to be a walker's paradise the Mount Aspiring National Park combines remote wilderness with high mountains and amazing river valleys. It provides a truely stunning setting and is home to the highest peak outside of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Mt Aspiring. It is dominated by beech forest and provides those interested with many hours of walking and tramping fun. Care does need to be taken when tramping, however, as the environent here can be unpredictable at times.
Nelson Lakes National Park -- close to where I come from you will find the Nelson Lakes National Park. It is a beautiful spot protecting the northernmost Southern Alps and it's central features are Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa which form the headwaters of the mighty Buller River and are surrounded by some pretty impressive mountains. This area is pristine and at the leading edge of wildlife recovery with its Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project which is aiming to make and preserve a 'mainland island'. There is plenty of hiking, fishing, boating, walking and some skiing to be found in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The Rest of the National Parks

Paparoa National Park -- found on the rugged West Coast the Paparoa National Park is a unique place to visit. It is most famous for the Pancake Rocks and the blowholes of Dolomite Point and is underlaid with limestone which form most of the amazing landforms which can be found here. It is home to a variety of native birdlife, and vegetation in the area varies from areas filled with nikau palms to broadleaf forest to rata forest to the typical New Zealand beech forest.
Te Urewera National Park -- this remote and rugged national park is well-known for its amazing forests and beautiful pristine lakes. It's remoteness is a great thing for the wildlife (particularly birdlife) that thrives there. It contains a full complement of North Island native forest birds including the whio (or blue duck) and the kokako. In the park you can find walks, including the Lake Waikaremoana Track, which is one of New Zealand's Great Walks. You will also find opportunities for boating, fishing and hunting.
Rakiura National Park -- the park that protects the uniqueness of the Stewart Island in New Zealand's far south. There is loads of walking that can be done down here and some fantastic scenery to check out. Rakiura Charters (pictured on the right) can take you to see some of the sights to be found here. And what exactly is here? You will find podocarp and hardwood forest and shrubland, grassland, wetland and alpine plantlife here. The west coast can get pretty pounded but along the coastline you will find cliffs and sandy beaches. The people here are friendly and the way of life is much less hurried. You also have here the best opportunity to spot a New Zealand Stewart Island kiwi and if you look up at night don't be surprised to see the Aurora Australis displays. All in all a pretty cool place to come visit.
Whanganui National Park -- the Whanganui River forms the heart of this uniquely cultural National Park, and was used extensively by early Maori as they made their way up and down the river trading and traveling. The Park and river area are full of Wahi tapu (sacred places) and wahi taonga (treasured places) which are sites and landscape features with special spiritual, emotional or historic significance to tangata whenua (or people of the land). The Whanganui National Park is where you will find the largest remaining lowland forest area in the North Island and this is home to heaps of wildlife and beautiful plantlife. There is a lot you can do in this park, from river related activities to walking to hunting if you are keen.

http://www.onzamap.co.nz ONZAMAP Ltd is a new web service that is taking a different look at promoting New Zealand as a holiday destination. Through interaction with current and past travellers of New Zealand, as well as the operators of New Zealand's tourism businesses, ONZAMAP Ltd will be providing an easy to use, up to date account of what makes New Zealand unmissable for the International traveller.

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Big Island Day Trips 5 - From Kona Across the Top of Hawaii to Mauna Kea, Kaumana Caves and Hilo Via

Trip 5: Kona to Mauna Kea, Kaumana Cave and Hilo via the Saddle Road

Approximate minimum time start to finish (to see every site): 12 hours

From Kona take Highway 190 to Highway 200 in 45 minutes of driving. Saddle Road, which cuts between the "saddle" of Mauna Loa on the south and Mauna Kea to the north, passes through ranch lands and the Pohakuloa Military Training Facility, for another 45 minutes, to the turn for Mauna Kea Access Road (John Burns Way). Nearby, Kipuka Huluhulu, or "shaggy hill", is a 20 minute hike to the top and back. From here it is a 30 minute drive to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center. The small village is home to scientists and astronomers that work in the observatories and an amazing place to learn what their research tells us about our universe. Returning to Hwy 200, drive 45 minutes to the amazing Kaumana Cave lava tube, a short hike and a wonderful exploration. A further 30 minutes down Hwy 200 brings one to downtown Hilo, where there are shops, restaurants, fine museums, gorgeous waterfront beach parks and a fabulous Farmers Market. From Hilo, it is approximately three hours to return to Kailua Kona over Hwy 200; alternately one can take the faster though less scenic Hwy 19 to Waimea and then Hwy 190 into Kailua Kona, about a 2 1/2 hour drive.

Leg 1) In Kailua Kona, start at Ahu'ena Heiau; take Palani Road east to Hwy 190; take Hwy 190 to jct with Hwy 200, The Saddle Road

Ahu'ena Heiau and Kamakahonu Beach

Centuries ago the inhabitants of this region built a series of sacred temples, or heiaus, which were originally used for the purpose of sacrificing human beings to their war god, Kuka'ilimoku. This particular archeological site is called Ahu'ena Heiau, which in Hawaiian means "Hill of Fire".

Built originally in the 15th century and rededicated by Kamehameha the Great in the early 1800s as the main temple of his capital, the current structures seen at Ahu'ena Heiau were re-built in 1975 under the auspices of the Bishop Museum with financial help from the Hotel King Kamehameha and are constructed to 1/3 the original scale. There are restrooms and showers located on the pier near the beach. Adjacent Old Kailua Town is a treasure of shops, restaurants and aloha.

Leg 2) Take Hwy 200, The Saddle Road, east to jct with John Burns Way (also called Mauna Kea Access Road).

Saddle Road

Crossing the spectacular saddle between the towering bulk of the volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa at about 6600 feet, The Saddle Road runs through brush, grass and forest lands, over lava fields and through some of the wildest and most breath-taking scenery on the Island. From this roadway, four of the 5 principal volcanoes that form The Big Island may be seen: Hualalai, Kohala, Mauna Loa, and Mauna Kea. Because the western half of the road is in notoriously poor condition and consists, in reality, of only one operable lane for much of its descent from the saddle to the Mamalahoa Highway.

However, this road provides the only road access to the Mauna Kea Summit Area and Visitor Information Center, Mauna Kea State Park, Pohakuloa Training Area, Mauna Kea Astronomical Observatory Complex, Waikii Ranch and the Kilohana Girl Scout Camp. The Saddle Road also provides the only access to thousands of acres of public forest and open grass lands. Connecting Hilo from about milepost 7.8 on the Hawai'i Belt Road to the Mamalahoa Highway approximately 6 miles south of Waimea, the Saddle Road is widely used by island residents for cross-island travel, despite its somewhat poor condition and undeserved, evil reputation.

The Saddle Road frequently has perfect weather, but also fairly routine are patches of intense rain, fog and high winds. It's takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours straight driving time, depending upon weather, to make the full traverse from Kailua Kona to Hilo; however, one should be sure to leave time in the schedule to drive up to Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station or hike the Pu'u Huluhulu nature trails.

Along its entire 53 mile length between the turn-off from the highway just 6 miles west of Waimea and where it meets Hawaii Belt Road just north of Hilo, there is no gas and there are no services available; plan accordingly. Some food, water and restrooms may be available at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station which is a 30 minute drive up a side road off the Saddle Road about half way.

Leg 3) Off a Spur road at the jct of John Burns Way and Hwy 200, on the south side, is Kipuka Huluhulu ("Shaggy Hill") Nene Sanctuary.

Pu'u Huluhulu Nature Trails/Kipuka Aina Hou

Frequently described as simultaneously the most noticeable and the most overlooked landmark along the Saddle Road, Kipuka Pu'u Huluhulu rises more than 200 feet out of the surrounding lava flows. It's name meaning "furry hill", this forested cinder cone has multiple trails winding up through rare native koa trees to breathtaking 360° views of Hualalai, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa at the top, where you can also wander a meadow of native Hawaiian plants recently reintroduced in this protected natural habitat. By whatever trail, the summit of Kipuka Huluhulu is only about 20 minutes walk from the car.

Owing to the encapsulated nature of the kipuka, bird watching here is particularly fabulous; the ÄEUR'akepa, Nene and the ÄEUR'akiapola ÄEUR'au, as well as the Kalij pheasants, pueo, i'o and turkeys are among the rare, endangered or just plain beautiful birds you will see here. The numerous roads and trails through the hundreds of square miles of adjacent lava flows makes for interesting, if hot and dry, mountain biking and hiking.

Parking and a unisex pit toilet are the only amenities available at Kipuka Pu'u Huluhulu.

Leg 4) Go north on John Burns Way to Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station.

Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station

The Visitor Information Station is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the day there are interactive computer exhibits about Mauna Kea, the observatories and astronomical research, plus there are video presentations and nature trails to hike. Many evenings after dark National Park personnel and astronomers put on public programs and discuss what the latest astronomical findings tell us about the nature of our universe. The souvenir shop has some food items, including hot chocolate, coffee and hot soup, for sale.

Mauna Kea Summit

Before you decide to go to the summit of Mauna Kea, stop, think, plan. Are you prepared for cold and high altitude? Do you understand the nature and dangers of altitude sickness and UV radiation? Are you experienced at traveling icy dirt roads? Is you car safe for the trip (many car rental agencies on the island forbid you to drive this road)? The Rangers at the Visitor's center can brief you on altitude sickness, UV radiation preparedness, the condition of the road and all other information you need to decide whether to visit the summit.

The summit of Mauna Kea is truly an amazing place. Beautiful, awe-inspiring, 360 degree views of the entire Big Island, the summit is also culturally and religiously important to the native Hawai'ians and is home to several, world-class astronomical observatories and their support buildings. Because of the extremity of the altitude and the poor quality of the road above the Visitor's Center, it is advised that extreme caution be exercised in deciding to visit Mauna Kea's Summit. From the road's end very near the summit, a short, 10 minute trail leads up Pu'u Weiku cinder cone to the actual mountain top and a Hawaiian religious shrine. Also near the summit is the 1-mile hike to Lake Waiau, the 7th highest lake in the US, as well as numerous archeological sites. Moving at altitude is strenuous, so conserve energy. Do not over-tax yourself, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and protect yourself from the sun, wind and cold. Leave the summit area and return to the paved road long before you are tired.

Leg 6) Return John Burns Way to Hwy 200; take Hwy 200 east to Kaumana Caves

Kaumana Caves

A skylight opening to 25-mile long Kaumana Cave is located at the county park near the 4-mile marker on the Hilo side of the Saddle Road. Concrete stairs take you down through the rain forest jungle to the bottom of a collapse pit forming two entrances to the cave. Most people are drawn to the entrance on the right, a large, opening leading to cavernous rooms. In this entrance, graffiti from hundreds of years ago to the present is preserved, scratched into the rocks. The entrance on the left, however, is more interesting, leading through squeezes and low spots to numerous rooms with fascinating speleo-architecture and cave formations. Both caves go to true dark in fewer than 300 feet in either direction. There are more than 2 miles of easily accessible, wild cave to explore here, but if you intend more than just a cursory inspection near the entrances, bring a hard hat, water and at least 3 sources of light. A quick tour of the caves takes fewer than 20 minutes.

Parking for the caves is located across the highway from the park; extreme care should be taken when crossing he road. Public restrooms, water and picnic tables are available at the park. As you approach Hilo from Kaumana Caves, Hwy 200 becomes variously called Kaumana Drive, then Waianuenue Avenue.

Leg 7) Take Hwy 200 into Hilo Town.

Hilo Town

Beautiful but wet, metropolitan but decrepit, bustling but laid back, Hilo is a lovely, maddening, heartbreaking, addictive study in contrasts. In can rain all day long for 50 days in a row, yet when the sun does shine, the views of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea from the Lilioukalani Gardens, or of Hilo Bay as you drive down from the mountains, or the rain-forest and waterfall choked gulches with lovely beaches along the highway north of town, make Hilo one of the most truly, achingly-lovely spots on earth.

More laid back and sleepier than bustling Kailua Kona, Hilo is the largest town on the island, and the county seat. The Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, Tsunami Museum, Lyman House Missionary Museum and the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo are all wonderful places to learn about various aspects of Hawaii. There are numerous shopping districts, two large malls and the Historic Old Hilo downtown shops to browse through, a variety of sprawling green parks, a fabulous tropical arboretum right downtown and a mile-long black-sand beach fronting the bay to explore. Hilo's Farmer's Market is a "must see" for any visitor who is spending time on this side of the island.

Leg 8) Return Waianuenue Avenue to Kaumana Drive to Hwy 200; take Hwy 200 west.

For more information about visiting and touring Hawaii in general, and exploring the historic and cultural sites on the Big Island in particular, visit http://tourguidehawaii.com and http://lovingthebigisland.wordpress.com

Top 10 Places in Australia Not to Be Missed

Australia is not only a country of breathtaking beauty but of cultural and historic significance. The most perfect travel Australia journey will include a mix of cultural and natural exploration of this great country.

Listed below you will find some of the greatest places to visit during your extreme travel Australia journey that will create unforgettable memories for years to come. Top 10 Places that should not be missed during your next vacation to Australia.

1. Opera House in Sydney is a signature trademark of Australia depicted on many postcards. The Opera House was built by a Danish architect Jorn Utzon in 1973 and represents a ship ready to sail. This magnificent buildings hosts over 3000 thousand opera, ballet and theatre performances every year and attracts over 200,000 tourists to admire its architectural design.

2. Blue Mountains region in Australia is a nature's oasis located within a 2 hour car ride from Sydney. Nowhere else in the world you are going to be submerged into the wilderness fully without any reservations and at the end of the day you can relax in the comfort of world class accommodations and dine at exclusive restaurants. Everybody, old and young, can find plenty of things to do like hiking, scenic railway, visiting a row of limestone caves where you can witness a series of aboriginal wall art and many more family friendly activities.

3. Great Barrier Reef is a unique collection of living coral organisms that is even visible from the space. Over 2,000,000 million tourists come annually to the east coast of Australia to experience the majestic beauty of coral reefs. Tourists are normally brought by various vessels and allowed to wander only around certain areas in order to preserve the ecosystem and prevent the possible damage to the Reef Barrier. Apart from enjoying the coral beauty you can also see numerous species of ocean habitat that call The Great Barrier Reef its home like dolphins, whales, green turtles, exotic fish and dugong.

4. Kakadu National Park is the largest nature's reserve in Australia and is a true nature lover's paradise. This national park offers multiple guided hiking tours to enjoy the spectacular beauty of true Australia, the largest collection of aboriginal wall art and perhaps see some of the rarest animals and birds in the world. Amazing wildlife, waterfall creek and rare fauna and flora make Kakadu National Park the ultimate destination for any Australian vacation.

5. Shark's Bay in Australia is a great place to explore nature's unique marine creatures in their unique and unaltered ecosystem. Here you can see world's rare species of turtles, whales, sea snakes, sharks and dugongs. You can also embark on diving and snorkeling adventures here in Shark's Bay.

6. Kangaroo Island is one of the few left untouched by civilization spots on the earth where you can experience the authentic beauty of Australia. About one third of the island is a protected conservation zone intended to protect the island's ecosystem. Here you can sample world's tastiest dishes like fresh sheep's milk cheeses, honey and virgin olive oil pressed from the olive trees growing on the island. Take one of many tours offered on the island to sea seals basking in the sun or koalas having a eucalyptus snack. Kangaroo Island is yours to explore.

7. Uluru- Ayers Rock is the most famous natural icons of Australia. These unique sandstone formations change colors depending on the time of the day and changing weather. Spectacular views could be especially enjoyed by means of helicopter rides and climbing tours which are hot attractions in the area.

8. Nambung National Park offers splendid opportunities to enjoy secluded Australian beaches for swimming, diving and snorkeling. This park offers multiple camping and picnic grounds. It's home to amazing giant limestone pillars that were supposedly formed thousands years ago from broken seashells brought here from the ocean. Catch the wave and go windsurfing that is going to be an experience of a lifetime.

9. Twelve Apostles are not to be missed during your vacation to Australia. Twelve Apostles are colossal limestone rocks created by means of erosion of underwater rock formations. These rocks rise proudly from the water of the South Ocean. The Twelve Apostles magically change colors in the sunrise and sunset creating breathtaking background for any picture that you are going to take home from Australia. These rocks are surrounded by two main attractions of the area, namely Marine National Park and Port Campbell National Park.

10. Tasmania is perhaps the cleanest and the least polluted island in the world situated just 240 kilometers off the Australian mainland. Here you can enjoy what Australia has to offer along its tall mountains, lush vegetation, mountain lakes and rivers. Enjoy over 2000 kilometers of hiking trails and 18 National parks that offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy camping for nature lovers of the world.

Travel Australia journey can offer amazing opportunities for the thrill seeker like you.

Caroline Hawthorn is one of the fellow contributors of the travel blog at http://www.TravelInformation123.com.

Cave Hiking - What It Is And What Equipment To Use

Cave hiking is considered to be an extreme sport in some circles. However, extreme sport tends to mean that the people who participate have little regard for safety and that is not true with this sport. Cave hiking is a recreational activity that is quite challenging and requires skills of varying levels depending on the type of cave you're exploring.

When you go cave hiking, you need equipment to help you navigate. The sport is physically demanding but fun and rewarding. It is similar to mountain climbing and diving in terms of the physical demand required and the rush you get from accomplishing it. Throughout the world there are many caves that you can explore, especially in the larger countries like the United States.

While cave hiking is not extremely popular, the athletes that do participate in the sport find it quite exciting and different from other sports. There are thousands of caves that can be explored and there are still many that have not yet been explored. If you are new to the activity, you should hire a guide to go with you to make sure that you have a safe trip that is enjoyable - the trip stops being fun when you are trapped in a cave and you don't have the right equipment.

Safety is paramount in cave hiking and there is equipment you need:

LED lights: When you are cave hiking, you should have a few different light sources to help you see in the dark caves. Ideally, you will have a LED headlamp, which is a popular choice of equipment with cave hikers. Headlamps offer you a light source without needing to use your hands. It points in the direction your head is pointed, which is usually where you are headed and need light the most. You will also want to have a LED flashlight with you to shine into other spaces, tight spaces or into a different direction. Lanterns offer a lot of light and are great for lighting up an entire cave. You will want to use LED lights because they offer you a longer battery life and longer bulb life. Always have two light sources with you when cave hiking for extra safety.

Knife: You will need to carry some type of survival knife with you as well while you are cave hiking, such as a Swiss Army knife or hunting knife. A knife is paramount in case you need to cut ropes or vines, etc. while in the cave. It also may be needed if you have to mark your direction in the ground or rock.

Other equipment: Items like ropes, helmets, carabineers, hiking boots, water and food are additional items you will want to carry with you when cave hiking. It is best to check with a guide or take a course with a guide on what is the appropriate equipment and attire for the particular area you will be hiking. Don't cave hike on your own until you have done so with a proper guide.

Always remember - safety first. Tell someone that you are going hiking, when you are entering the cave, where it is located and when you expect to return. This is to ensure that if something goes wrong and you don't return on time, someone knows where to begin the search. Always ensure that if you are new to the area or new to the cave that you take a guide with you who is experienced in that area and cave. This will ensure that you are safe throughout the hike and that you have fun.

~Ben Anton, 2007

Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for DLK.
We invite you to read more about the cave hiking safety standards and equipment at our outdoor LED lights and knives website.

How to Have an Active Adventure in Puerto Rico

As an active backpacker, I always look forward to experience the best (and worst in some cases) that my travel destination can offer. One of the best ways to achieve this is by getting off the beaten path and exploring actively the destination's natural features. Recently, I adventured some of the best natural spots of the island of Puerto Rico. And I have to say... I was impressed!

When it comes to having nature as your platform for travel and adventure, this small island really stands out. Let's start with one of its most famous (and touristy) natural features, El Yunque. This rainforest, the only one in the United States, counts with many treks that let you explore its wild and rich landscape. You can hike to the watchtower on the top of the mountain and see the breath-taking view all the way to the sea. There are also others active ways to experience the rainforest, like zip-lining.

As a perfect contrast, you can go south and visit the Dry Forest and the Dwarf Forest. It's ironic to see a "desert" region in a tropical island, but this variety of ecosystems makes Puerto Rico even more interesting. Just a few miles south of the main island you will find one of the most beautiful mangrove islands I've ever seen, called Gilligan's Island (yes, like the TV show). This extremely small and uninhabited island shows you a small pocket of paradise where you can picnic between the mangroves, swim in crystal clear waters, and sun bathe at its stunning beaches. This is definitely a place not to miss.

Puerto Rico also counts with various bioluminescent bays. In my opinion, the most impressive one is found at Mosquito Bay in Vieques Island, at the far east of the main island. Nocturnal kayaking will definitely make you feel like you are in another world as you see the dinoflagelates create a beautiful glow around your kayak and paddle. Go ahead, take a dip and swim in the bay to be part of this impressive light-show.

For the wild adventurers, there are various places throughout the mountains to rock climb like a pro. Or you can even try spelunking at the Camuy Caves and its underground rivers.

Certainly Puerto Rico has a lot to offer when it comes to natural adventures. I highly recommend visiting the island and immersing yourself in this natural collage. In addition, the old towns throughout the island will show you a vivid representation of its Spanish past through its fortress, churches, and colonial buildings. No matter what you are looking for in your trip, Puerto Rico will have something to offer to make your vacations a unique experience.

Norbert Figueroa is the author of this article and provides additional information about Backpacking and Independent Travel at GloboTreks.com. GloboTreks gives you all the insider tips on how to travel cheap and smart.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Adventure Weekends With an Adrenaline Kick

Take your weekend holiday to the next level by adding a little spice to your vacation activities! What better way to experience the world's greatest destinations than by going to the extreme and taking on some adrenaline-pumping sport? Below is a list of the top 10 attractions for the adventurer in everyone and the best place to go to do them.

1. Skydiving in the Swiss Alps -Let your heart race as you soak in the beauty while plummeting past the majestic Alps from a plane! I recommend doing a little shopping around to ensure that you book your trip with a company that will give you the most for your Swiss skydiving experience! You'll also be able to do some quick sightseeing during the flight up - you'll get great views of the Interlaken lakes as well as the mountain peaks Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. During the freefall you'll get that extra kick you've been craving as you plunge towards the earth at 120 MPH! After freefalling, you'll enjoy sightseeing from a different point of view - from the comfort of a canopy ride as you make your landing descent.

2. Hot Air Ballooning in France - Get to see one of the world's most picturesque countries from up above! A graceful way to explore the rich scenery of the French countryside, though hot air ballooning can be expensive, the memories from this trip are worth the fees. There are numerous places where you can take off, but I recommend going to Champagne for a balloon ride -you can take in a gorgeous view of the Reims. You can probably also catch a perfect view of the slopes of the Route du Champagne and the Regional Mountain Park of Reims.

3. Surfing in Indonesia - The Mentawai Islands are a surfer's dream with over 70 islands that are wave-rich and adventure-packed! Off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, this is one of the hottest surfing destinations in the world. There are four main islands (Siberut, Sipora, North Pagi, and South Pagi) that provide some of the best surfing experiences. The only downside is that access to these swells is usually by ferry and charter boat, and costs can add up throughout the day for food and such, but dedicated surfers, or those looking for the ultimate first experience won't be disappointed.

4. Hiking in Morocco - The Toubkal Valley is one of the world's hidden beauties. Spend some time hiking and take in the scenery of one of the most exotic places on the planet. Travel from Marrakech through various hamlets and Berber villages and make your way to the Western High Atlas Mountains. Get the chance to trek past the villages of Taourirt, Targa and Imoula and visit a village in the Assif Aït Mizane Valley, where you'll overlook ancient irrigated terraced fields of fruit trees and vegetables! The winding mule tracks to the Tizi n'Tamatert provide you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlas Mountains. The sightseeing possibilities in the Toubkal Valley are endless!

5. Rock Climbing in California, USA - Yosemite Valley in the National Park is the place to be for an extreme rock climbing adventure! Much more than just a valley filled with skyscraping rocks (literally, some of them are around 3,000 feet tall!), you'll get the experience - and exercise - of a lifetime when you visit here. Anyone passionate and adventurous enough to attempt to climb these rocks is in for a treat. Yosemite offers both the experienced and the beginner climbers not only challenging climbs, but mind-boggling views of the gorgeous landscape that's unlike anywhere you've been before.

6. Paragliding in India - If you're prepared to experience soaring through the sky and seeing the world from a bird's perspective, don't miss a visit to Kamshet, Maharashtra - a paragliding paradise! Kamshet is a hill station located in the Western Ghats near an ancient trade route. Prehistoric cave temples, hill citadels and colonial stations all give this area a unique archaic twist for anyone that loves adventure. Fall in love with the undisturbed nature of the area and relish the peaceful atmosphere of this location. On your paragliding adventure, you'll experience more than just a view of nature at its finest, but also an exhilarating experience that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

7. Coasteering in Wales - What better way to get your adrenaline pumping than by being tossed around the ocean swells during a session of coasteering in Wales? The birthplace of this ultimate adventure, they've got this sport down pat. Explore the brilliance of this country and test your abilities in the world's most natural playground. Though the concept of being thrashed around in the ocean is somewhat daunting, it is completely safe; qualified leaders are there to make sure your experience goes as smoothly as possible!

8. Scuba Diving in Australia - Probably the first thing that pops into anyone's mind for the best scuba diving experience is to see the Great Barrier Reef in Australia! This location is perfectly tailored for those that love to live life on the wild side. Scuba diving in Australia offers one of the most colorful and vibrant sightseeing underwater adventure experiences, and there is no better time than now to visit, since the Great Barrier Reef is quickly disappearing. The best times to go are from August to December, when the water is warmer and there is more aquatic life present, but diving is possible at any time throughout the year.

9. White Water Rafting in Thailand - There are so many ways to get your adrenaline fix in Thailand, one of the most exhilarating being white water rafting! Phang Nga, filled with gorgeous parks and scenery, is a must to visit, let alone white water raft! Get caught up in the ride as you raft down the Phang Nga River, while challenging your skills. This adventure is fairly new to Thailand and is considered the country's best kept secret. See the lush forests as you make your way down the river quench your thirst for high packed adventure!

10. Safari in Zambia, Africa - Discover all that Zambia has to offer by going on safari! Regardless of whether or not you're there for hunting game, river cruising down the Lower Zambezi National Park, or talking a walking tour through the South Luangwa National Park, you'll definitely be in for an eye-opening experience. Safaris in this African treasure are numerous and allow you to see the exotic wildlife (like a cheetah in Kafue!) and natural beauty of the area up close and personal.

By Jacel Egan

Arizona - Fun in the Sun

The state of Arizona is located in the heart of the southwest United States, bordering Mexico to the south. Often called The Grand Canyon State because of its location as home to one of the most impressive natural canyon systems in the world, Arizona is truly an ideal location for outdoor adventure. Arizona is home to a diverse range of natural features including canyons, rivers, lakes, and forests.

As home to many indigenous Native American tribes and later to Spanish explorers and American settlers, Arizona has a diverse history going back many years. But its most famous feature is its geography, particularly the arid desert landscape, as well as its climate, which makes for extremely hot summers and mild winters. But Arizona is more than just desert. Almost 20% of Arizona's landscape is covered in forest.

Visitors to Arizona have a wide variety of choices for fun outdoor activities. One of the most popular attractions for both residents and tourists is the famous Grand Canyon. Stretching 277 miles long, 4-18 miles wide, and 6000 feet deep, the Grand Canyon is truly a wonder. The canyon was formed over millions of years as the Colorado River and its tributaries slowly cut channels through layers of rock.

Other popular activities include every possible outdoor adventure you can think of including mountain biking, ATV rentals, motorcycling, dirt biking, rock climbing, skydiving, caving, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping, hiking, boating, watersports, and even skiing. Arizona also offers scenic roads that are perfect for those who enjoy driving tours. With so many options for outdoor adventure, it is no wonder that Arizona is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Arizona Outdoor Fun Rentals LLC (http://www.arizonaoutdoorfun.com) is your complete one-stop shop for all your Arizona outdoor recreational fun and phoenix atv rentals. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.