tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167040817098288102024-03-13T01:03:10.213-07:00Travel n TravelFind about your holiday's information heredoggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-40196245749720739162011-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:002011-06-24T06:24:00.357-07:00DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQXWvS2zkF593t38iAQ_Se_PooxLTcpaQOcZRLGNSCp03TqfdIbnY3_GPH2O6ta8SX_7KduQZzRdNnwt7vgELHfV7sC7u7XaYCszK5XVOAUIAR6x5BVN52TezIfVdGVyf0lKmkGkhIjpg/s1600/denali_national_park_and_preserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQXWvS2zkF593t38iAQ_Se_PooxLTcpaQOcZRLGNSCp03TqfdIbnY3_GPH2O6ta8SX_7KduQZzRdNnwt7vgELHfV7sC7u7XaYCszK5XVOAUIAR6x5BVN52TezIfVdGVyf0lKmkGkhIjpg/s400/denali_national_park_and_preserve.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The towering granite spires and snowy summits of Denali National Park and Preserve straddles 160 miles of the Alaska Range and display so much elevation they are often lost in the clouds. Dominating this skyline is North America's highest peak; Mount McKinley standing tall at 20,320 feet and one of the most amazing sights in Alaska.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it's not just the mountain that makes Denali National Park a special place. The park is also home to 37 species of mammals, ranging from lynx, marmots and Dall sheep, to foxes and snowshoe hares, while 130 different bird species have been spotted here, including the impressive golden eagle. Most visitors, however, want to see four animals in particular: moose, caribou, wolf and everybody's favorite: the brown, or grizzly, bear. Here at Denali, unlike most wilderness areas in the country, you don't have to be a backpacker to see this wildlife - people who never sleep in a tent have excellent once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to get a close look at these magnificent creatures roaming free in their natural habitat.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not surprisingly then, visitors come here in droves; the park is a popular place, attracting 432,000 visitors annually. Over the years the National Park Service (NPS) has developed unique visitor-management strategies, including closing its only road to most vehicles. As a result Denali National Park is still the great wilderness it was 20 years ago. The entrance has changed, but the park itself hasn't, and a brown bear meandering on a tundra ridge still provides the same quiet thrill as it did when the park first opened in 1917.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although generations of Athabascans had wandered through what is now the park, the first permanent settlement was established in 1905, when a gold miners' rush gave birth to the town of Kantishna. A year later, naturalist and noted hunter Charles Sheldon was stunned by the beauty of the land and horrified at the reckless abandon of the miners and big-game hunters. Sheldon returned in 1907 and traveled the area with guide Harry Karstens in an effort to set up boundaries for a proposed national park. Sheldon was successful as the area was established as Mount McKinley National Park in 1917 with Karstens serving as the park's first superintendent. As a result of the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the park was enlarged to more than 6 million acres and renamed Denali National Park and Preserve. Denali now comprises an area slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts and is generally ranked as one of Alaska's top attractions.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-75475760479457191142011-06-16T22:46:00.000-07:002011-06-16T22:46:00.269-07:00Currumbin, Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5-g1fSEjTaSff-SfXR0B2VWq9iNUQr_aGZFYE_G9TDQLaACQkKjczhu6onU7ECnAv2yAg4s6_rduXYJlCutyuZBfq_RRdSGw3M1TUmln_52jJ7eHiesdEeVjgEqJeJMrZvo1f0UUcwg9/s1600/royal-palm-resort-on-the-beach-gold-coast-palm-beach_150220102318176521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5-g1fSEjTaSff-SfXR0B2VWq9iNUQr_aGZFYE_G9TDQLaACQkKjczhu6onU7ECnAv2yAg4s6_rduXYJlCutyuZBfq_RRdSGw3M1TUmln_52jJ7eHiesdEeVjgEqJeJMrZvo1f0UUcwg9/s400/royal-palm-resort-on-the-beach-gold-coast-palm-beach_150220102318176521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A travellers view of Currumb in Queensland Australia: Yesterday I had the pleasure of lunch here at Currumbin Surf Club, as you can see from today's pictures the Surf club itself is built directly on a large geographical feature of the area, Elephant rock.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why anybody would choose to spoil such an interesting feature let alone for a council to allow it, is beyond me but there it is. I have visited this venue before, Father's Day 2007 and so I have inside information that the lunch will be excellent regardless of the positioning of the club.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rock, is of course the more interesting, I think rocks are sort of interesting because they are what they are, where they are and shaped the way they, are all of which would seem at random, at it doesn't matter what you or I think, they have plonked themselves down and that's that as far as the rock is concerned. We humans need to put in a great deal of work with hammers or explosives to make a difference in their rock world.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This big rock looks to be igneous in nature and the result of an angry volcanic eruption (can there be any other kind?) and has been vomited from the earth to solidify in the hilly area inland of the seafront, which of course at the time eons ago may well have been somewhere, anywhere about here. The monolithic boulder possibly rolled from its perch above the beachfront where it came to rest on a platform of brother rocks who no doubt welcome it in a civil happy and certainly not with a stoney silence. Rocks, stones, boulders etc speak in a frequency not heard by mere human ears.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elephant rock and the table it appears to rest on seem very new geologically speaking because there appears little erosion from the wind, salt air and wave action and if we look north we can see another rocky sibling jutting proudly from the beach in an area known as Currumbin Alley which I gather is a name generated from the surfing culture which as you can imagine is very prevalent here.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within a few miles of this very spot the local district claims ownership of several World Surfing Champions including current hero and world ranked No. 1 Mick Fanning and current Women's champion Stephanie Gilmore who was born around the corner or at least a short distance from here up the Tweed River at Murwillumbah I will be doing an entry on Murwillumbah in the next few days.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currumbin Alley marks the southern edge of the entrance to Currumbin Creek which is a tidal waterway fed by the Salty Ocean during high tides and mountain fed fresh water during low tide. This leads to brackish water quite close to the outflow adjacent to Currumbin Alley and is apparently an area in which it is possible to encounter the notorious Bull Shark. This estuary dweller seems to prefer brackish tidal depths and is very much adapted to seeking its food in murky water.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we proceed up the creek the clarity declines as the leaf and earth stained fresher water becomes predominant. The use of fresh water seems a little misleading here but of course I mean non salty water. When it first trickled down from the wonderful Border Ranges far above in the catchment area, the water was as almost as fresh as water can be. As we get to know each other better(reader and scribe) you will find I do not enjoy swimming, lolling, floating, soaking, wading, splashing or generally getting wet in water that is not clear. Like most things there is a reason but that story is for another day.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So lets about face and retreat along the murky parts of Currumbin Creek and be dazzled by one of the loveliest stretches of yellow glowing sand in a nation of lovely yellow glowing beaches. Even the erstwhile British tourist does not feel the need to wear a handkerchief with knots tied in the corners on a balding or even hirsute pate. Why on earth our British cousins allowed Aussies like me (I was born in the UK incidentally) to have this image of English manhood I will never know. Imagine a latin lover boy with the Andalusian accent of the Spanish gigolo emerging from the sea, brown muscles glistening from the crystal clear waters of Currumbin Beach with his daggy trousers rolled above the knees and wearing a four corner tied handkerchief plastered to his head.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh Dear! could this be the beginning of an international incident. As if we Aussies are never portrayed in foreign press as anything but fine upstanding incredibly great looking young people. "Where the Bloody hell are ya's". Ms Lara Bingle or her former paramouror cricketer Michael Clarke, are fine examples of what all Australian look like. Well that's the portrayal we wish to believe, not that Stephanie Gilmore or Mick Fanning are hard on the eyes to their respective opposite sexes or of course in some cases, same sexes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the north of Currumbin Beach is the commercially named Palm Beach which although it has much of the aforementioned glowing yellow sand and sunshine liberally applied to tanned and less tanned new arrivals alike, there are few Palm trees to be seen other than in the occasional suburban backyard. Nevertheless the atmosphere is generally holiday plus, for the family lucky enough to visit this part of the world. Here there's a little extra bonus for folk like me.... the water is a perfect temperature and generally beautifully refreshing, no Irukanji stingers here, no stone fish, sometimes ablue bottle will appear and best of all....few bull sharks nosing around, the waters too clear.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-3533111403534404162011-06-12T18:50:00.000-07:002011-06-12T18:50:00.575-07:00Broome, Western Australia - A Jewel In The Rough Diamond of Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN2f0mQD2vCo-_45ygHfDWsxDUPQ5sL7zWtBZvi7AcnDhcTELimgxRlv2WyNSRQaO2vXfGaLEB2Hnhyphenhyphenp_4pHH1Ya0a-ksBULjIT-x-coIitJafcNCth03rWThGcfIsbDfw-e2mqKt2kW8/s1600/kimberley-australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN2f0mQD2vCo-_45ygHfDWsxDUPQ5sL7zWtBZvi7AcnDhcTELimgxRlv2WyNSRQaO2vXfGaLEB2Hnhyphenhyphenp_4pHH1Ya0a-ksBULjIT-x-coIitJafcNCth03rWThGcfIsbDfw-e2mqKt2kW8/s400/kimberley-australia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With good Broome accommodation in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, Broome hotels and resorts make a great base to explore the untouched environment of the Kimberley which I first discovered in 1974. Accommodation Broome-style used to be a bit rough in the 70's pioneer town I lived in but now the Broome resorts and Broome backpackers accommodation are world class Australian accommodation properties.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome can be reached by road or by plane from Perth, Darwin, Port Hedland or Bali.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The people of Broome are very friendly and relaxed. Many of them are Aboriginals. Sport and recreation is a large part of community life. Fishing in Broome is a popular recreational activity.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome has a great sub tropical climate and Broome's Cable Beach is one of the best beaches in the world (Cable beach, Broome is listed as one of the top 5 beaches in the world in top travel magazines).</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surfing at Cable Beach Broome in the dry season, April to Nov, is small, fast and enjoyable. During cyclones surf can get BIG at Grantheaume Point where seeing red sunsets and pindan (unique low native trees and bushes that thrive in the soils of the Kimberleys) are a must.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also one of the biggest annual events is the Broome Races. The Races is a very popular Broome event and I recommend advanced Broome accommodation bookings.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In August Broome's main event is Shinju Matsuri (Festival of the Pearl). If you want to enjoy happy times of the festival, it pays to book your Broome accommodation well in advance.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you first get into Broome and are ready to explore this incredible place your first stop should be the Broome Visitors Centre which you will find on the corner of Broome Hwy & Bagot St. Ph: 9192-2222 or make a freecall on 1800-883-777. They can offer you a wide array of information on what to see and how to get there. They will also point you towards the types of events and sights that are tailored to your particular needs. So no being shunted off to see something that just doesn't work for you!</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bit on the local weather</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max temp 32.1ºC (av)</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Min temp 21.1ºC (av)</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Annual rainfall 580 mms (about 24 inches)</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How wonderful is that Broome weather? Couldn't get better could it?</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Northern parts of Australia experience only 2 seasons a year - The Wet and The Dry.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wet: Oct - Mar is the monsoon season with it's spectacular tropical thunderstorms and balmy nights. Warning: Be aware that some of the remote areas may not be accessible by motor vehicle and this includes 4-wheel drives because of the rains.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dry: Apr - Sept for those seeking the sun but don't forget your 30+ sunscreen</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Population</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome Township 13,700</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local Radio Station</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABC 675AM</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CRITICAL INFORMATION IF TRAVELLING INTO REMOTE AREAS</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check with the Broome Visitors Centre or the local Police before travelling into any remote areas. It is vital that you leave your travel details with Police and when you arrive safetly to let them know of your safe arrival. If you do NOT you could die (we have tourist that die regularly in the Australain Outback) or face a very heavy bill for any unnecessary rescue effort that may be instigated.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Places of Interest</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pearlers Row Gallery</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The perfect place to see traditional Aboriginal ochre and art works. They also offer for sale work by local contemporary artists.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anastasia's Pool</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located at Gantheaume Point and built of local sandstone by a former lighthouse keeper to help ease the pain suffered by his arthritic wife.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bedford Park</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overlooking the spectacular Roebuck Bay. The park includes a replica of the chest that belonged to William Dampier, the discoverer of the area, the local War Memorial and numerous boab trees.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Shell House</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developed from a private collection of shells from the waters of the local Kimberley coast. The collection, of over 6.000 shells, preserved fish and crustacea, is open to the public for viewing. It also contains a shop that sells souveneirs and Mother of Pearl items.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome Historical Society Museum</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well worth a visit and located in the Old Customs House.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buccaneers Rock</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Belived to be the location where William Dampier careened his ship The Roebuck. There is a plaque commemorating the event.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anastasia's Pearl Gallery</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Gallery was established to be the local jewellry shop serving locals and visitors alike. But not only is there a wide array of pearl related jewellry but also diamonds (another big Kimberly industry) and other gemstone jewellry as well.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This business is a family affair and they will do all they can to make your visit something to remember.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome Bird Observatory</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will need transport to get to the observatory as it lays 25 kms east of the town (15 kms of unselaed roads).</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Broome Bird Observatory is recognised as one of the 5 top locations to observe wader bird in the world.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome Crocodile Park</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malcolm Douglas established the Crocodile Park in 1984 while a renowned producer of wildlife documentaries and adventure films. The park now houses over 4,500 crocodiles. There is also another area which is used to farm crocodiles for theior meat and skins. Please be aware that the crocodiles have not been removed from their natural habitats except where they have posed a danger to humans.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>C</em><em>aptain Gregory's House</em></span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Built in 1917 by Capt Gregory on the corner of Hamersley and Carnarvon Streets in became his home and, being one of the most successful businessmen in the local pearling industry, it is a great example of what the richest people of the day selected as their suitable to house themselves and their families.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cable Beach Camel Rides</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most unique experiences you can have in Broome is to take a camel ride along Cable Beach.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each time of the day has its unique quality with an ride in the early evening probably the best for atmosphere as it offers you an opportunity to catch those incredible sunsets.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courthouse Markets</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the largest art and craft markets in the Kimberleys.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Held every Saturday morning on the corner of Frederick and Hamersley Streets between 8am - 1pm.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Massive array of arts and craft plus food and music - wonderful atmosphere.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinatown</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A reminder of what this town used to be. in it's early heydays. It was here that the commercial and industrial ccntre of the town evolved with all its pearl sheds, saloons, entertainment houses and Chinese food halls.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courthouse</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The old Courthouse is built in distinctive 'Broome style' with which you will become very familiar with if you hang around Broome for a while.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Court House was the original Cable House (that managed the telephone cable) after which Cable Beach is named.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinatown Markets</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally on Sundays between 8am and 1pm in Johnny Chi Lane (seasonal). Large selection of local art and crafts.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sinju Matsuri</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'Festival of the Pearl' is held in Aug/Sept each year and celbrates the pearl harvest, the local Broome pearling industry and the town's multi-cultural heritage.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cable Beach</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Beach is named after the telephone cable that was first laid to connect Australia with Indonesia. The beach lays 6 kms from the centre of Broome township. Cable Beach is one of the top 5 beaches in the world and streches for 22 kms with beautiful white sand and deep blue Indian Ocean waters. It is a safe bean on which to swim and there is a wide selection of beach activities you can enjoy.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caution: Nov - Apr there can be box jellyfish and stingers in the water.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gibb River Road Bus Services</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a transport service between Kununurra and Derby 6 days a week. It will give you the opportunity to explore the Gibbs River Road. The Gibbs River Express is a luxury 4x4 air-conditioned bus that thravels the 700kms from Derby to Kununurra in 11 ½ hrs and offers access to all destinations along the route such as the gorges, cattle stations and holiday destinations.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're into bird watching, hiking, camping, wanting to see the incredible Kimberly gorges or want to experience life on a typical Aussie cattle station then this is the way to do it. Make your choices, stay where and when you want with a multi-stopover ticket. Runs May - Sept only.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinosaur Footprints</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find footprints left behind by dinosaurs millions of years ago. Only visible duringa very low tide (1.5metres or lower). If the tides are too high you can always check out the casts that have been made that sit at the top of the cliffs.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you do get the chance to walk out and check the footprints please ensure you take care of the reef environment as it is very fragile and also wear think soled shoes as stonefish are known to live on the reef.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Horizontal Falls Adventure Tours</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is only one way to really capture the grandeur of the Kimberley and that is from the air. Once you step aboard this turbo-prop seaplane you know you will experience something you will never forget.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy a relaxed flight to Talbot Bay where you will transfer to the vessel 'Rare Breed' to experience 'Horizontal Falls', described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest wonders of the World" and experience the unbelievable tidal powers that can be found in the Kimberleys. You will be taken straight through the falls (tidal conditions permitting) - this you won't forget.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flying Boat Wrecks</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The remains of these flying boats can be found about 1 km offshore from Town Beach and are only visible at very low tides (be aware of the need for thick soled shoes. See warning immediately above). The flying boats were ferrying civilians from Indonesia during the early invasion of Indonesia by the Japanese when they were pounced upon as they landed in the waters near Broome. A number of people were killed and boats sunk. What you can see are the remnants of these flying boats that were sunk by the Japanese attack.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinatown Natural Healing Centre</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need to relax or feel the need to refresh yourslef after a long and dusty trip then the Chinatown Natural Healing Centre is just what you need.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturaphy or homeopthy - there are all available here.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is also a wide array of related items on sale such as books, tapes, incense, cards, oils and essences.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese Cemetry</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located on Port Drive you will find this one-of-a-kind cemetry. It is here that the early Chinese settlers (many pearl divers who died doing their job) can be found.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A camera is a must for this visit.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep Water Point</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you arrive by boat you will probably anchor here as it is the anchor point for all visiting vessels.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here you will find the Broome jetty (great for fishing off) and a small sheltered beach for swimming (safe for children) and picnics. There are also restaurant and kiosk facilities.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Willie Creek Pearl Farm</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to find out all you ccan about pearl farming as it is practised today? Wille Creek Pearl Farm is where you need to go.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the farm (38kms north of Broome) you will understand how Broome develops the world's best cultured pearls. You will see the intricate art of seeding the shells so that they produce those wonderful round translucent gems of the sea. Discover the different types of pearl shells and get aboard the 'Willie Wanderer' to get to see the pearl shell beds in the creek.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Tours</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The local indigenous people have a rich and diverse background. Mamabulanjin Tours offers visitors to Broome a wide range of indeigenous experiences including escorted bush walks, spear and boomerang throwing and local stories of The Dreamtime (or The Dreaming as it is sometimes called)</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tours can offer you an insight into the traditions, history and contemporary lifestlyes of the Broome Aborigines.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staircase to the Moon</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most beautiful natural sights in Broome and seen across Roebuck Bay during a full moon, is the Staircase to the Moon.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The illusion of a staircase reaching up to the moon is caused by the moons reflection on the wet mud flats - a tedious explanation for a wonderful sight.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gecko Gallery</span></em></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located in the heart of Chinatown the gallery is Broome's best gallery for local Aboriginal fine art. These art works are for sale and the gallery is also an outlet for drawing and painting supplys if you need them to capture, in your own way, your visions of this land.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Bit of Broome History</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The local indigenous people, the Yawuru, have lived in the area for many hundreds (some say thousands) of years. There is also evidence that people sailed all the way from Malaya and Indonesia in search of turtles, dugong and pearls.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Dugong feeding just off Broome</strong> William Dampier was the first European to visit the area in 1688 and Roebuck Bay was named after his ship the HMS Roebuck. But it wasn't until almost 200 years later that the town was officially recognised and named after the then Governor of the State, Sir Frederick Napier Broome.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the discovery of the world's largest pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima - producer of the White South Sea and Golden South Sea Pearls) that saw the beginings of the industry that has, over the years, made Broome famous - pearling!</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the 1910's Broome producted over 80% of the world's Mother of Pearl shell used in the production of a wide array of decorative items from buttons, furniture and jewellry. It was in 1913 that the local pearling fleet (examples of which can still be seen in Broome) reached it's peak of over 400 vessels.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The industry was very profitable for the ships Captains but the divers faced real dangers from sharks, sea snakes (the most venemous in the world), cyclones (submerged divers were cut adrift if one appeared over the horizon to allow the vessel to run for safety), drowning when equipment broke or was faulty and the 'bends' (an agonising death).</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The invention of the plastic button in the 1950's saw the rapid decline of the Mother of Pearl industry. However, in the late 50's the industry started a recovery as the cultured pearling industry took off. By the 70's Broome could again boast that it was the centre of the world's pearling industry meeting over 70% of the world's demand.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the 80's another industry started to impact upon Broome and this time it was people - tourists in fact. These days Broome hosts over 100,000 tourists a year and the numbers continue to rise as new resorts are built and older hotels refurbished. The real changes started when the road between Port Hedland and Broome was finally sealed allowing people to drive all the way in relative safety and comfort.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broomes Cable Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world and the pindan cliffs (soils this time rather than the vegetation. See above), stark white sands and clear bblue waters of the Indian Ocean are part of this exotic towns appeal. Chinatown boasts an unusual style all of it's own which is a blend of Australian Colonial/Asian developed in the early days of the settlement and still surviving today.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broome is also a haven for those of us who live the sport of fishing. There is either the massively long jetty (watch the local kids catch fish you would kill to catch yourself with only a line, hook and a birds feather as a lure), or in one of the many tidal creeks. But be aware that local King Tides can be dangerous and it is strongly advised to obtain a tide chart from the Broome Visitors Centre.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-18339852962523883742011-06-11T07:28:00.000-07:002011-06-11T07:28:00.329-07:00Mono Lake<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs1V09h0GYbJZSZOEiIF82jl1bqI8UcKvSMDw7ak99Hxnd7NduzZRSWRzXa71QNy58L-xVXl8_xwT9ckX9IEStxdDwckHzTmnmWCr6zMTtJjiG6ewMeN7wbsNOTEfeECyiTpv-POfxKHG/s1600/moonrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs1V09h0GYbJZSZOEiIF82jl1bqI8UcKvSMDw7ak99Hxnd7NduzZRSWRzXa71QNy58L-xVXl8_xwT9ckX9IEStxdDwckHzTmnmWCr6zMTtJjiG6ewMeN7wbsNOTEfeECyiTpv-POfxKHG/s400/moonrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></st1:placename></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #333333;">Mono</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #333333;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype> (rhymes with "OH no") is the largest natural lake completely within the state of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state>. Once endangered when water feeding it was diverted toward the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> basin, it lost half its volume in the 40 years before an agreement was reached to save it. Today's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> is 7 vertical feet lower than the targeted level, and it could take well into the 2010's before it reaches that depth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cYndOG1d8Q_qLsJpsJ4AUcK4Hk_8LshNK4SXg2OitltSHkBFEqrrxjUYJq6UX-af6dX71_5DQ_EYA73WDjminlle8eqiTf-Q4tePO89_wNXj_3oTx3BDWptwckOrpBE46QERqJviX8F-/s1600/MysticMonoLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cYndOG1d8Q_qLsJpsJ4AUcK4Hk_8LshNK4SXg2OitltSHkBFEqrrxjUYJq6UX-af6dX71_5DQ_EYA73WDjminlle8eqiTf-Q4tePO89_wNXj_3oTx3BDWptwckOrpBE46QERqJviX8F-/s400/MysticMonoLake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1ooNh6faCrjKuSN6Ox20z1z9xYf8c4eut8AnTm5OyUsS96S18cDpkYR2BcpiH4aHTt5vG0TKtadW-Y16iiZ3LtfyUodacDb77F2UqaeLxzrIYlMHRiUpLcqn132vzKJd8SZ53E1XE3ZL/s1600/TufaTowersMonoLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1ooNh6faCrjKuSN6Ox20z1z9xYf8c4eut8AnTm5OyUsS96S18cDpkYR2BcpiH4aHTt5vG0TKtadW-Y16iiZ3LtfyUodacDb77F2UqaeLxzrIYlMHRiUpLcqn132vzKJd8SZ53E1XE3ZL/s400/TufaTowersMonoLake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best-known feature of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> are its dramatic tufa (TWO-fuh) towers. Over time, rainfall at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> did not keep up with evaporation, and minerals in the water built up until the lake is now 2 1/2 times as salty and 80 times as alkaline as the ocean. When the lake level was higher, freshwater springs flowed into the lake under the surface and reacted with the lake's minerals to form the dramatic cement-like calcium carbonate spires and towers that line <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> shores today, looking like abandoned ancient cities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18pt; text-decoration: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Things to Do at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="color: #333333;">Mono</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #333333;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span style="color: #333333;"> is beautiful when viewed from any direction. Visitors who take the time will also find a lot to do here:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 13.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Mono</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="color: #333333;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Visitor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #333333;">:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">At this center just off US 395, you can view exhibits about the area's history<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 13.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #333333;">South Tufa Reserve:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">The most dramatic tufa towers are here, and you can walk among them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 13.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #333333;">Naturalist <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tours</st1:place></st1:city>:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">In summer, join a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>tour <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of the tufa towers<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 13.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #333333;">Photography:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> tufa towers make dramatic photographs, especially with colorful skies behind them. Depending on the day, sunrise and sunset can both present spectacular photo opportunities. If you choose to go at sunset, get there at least an hour before the "official" sunset time, as the sun sinks below the mountains earlier than you might think.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-left: 13.5pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><st1:placetype w:st="on"><b><span style="color: #333333;">Lake</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #333333;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Tours</st1:placename>:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">The best way to get to know <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> is to get out on it. You can take a canoe tour with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Caldera Kayaks<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or one<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>sponsored by the Mono Lake Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><h3 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18pt; text-decoration: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Getting to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mono</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place> visitor center is located just off US 395 north of Lee Vining. The South Tufa Reserve is east of US 395 on CA 120.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-44713080575378722512011-06-06T18:34:00.000-07:002011-06-06T18:34:00.462-07:00Cable Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2pvnd04sEmZQeH9nu9H0RJ5d-PpW6k127sdqkUTPSlJtWfjfZe8rfxNqnlvrlmaWg1njjmx0DYad0t1oOqzLycKpTdTWB4I-jsQlzduBZ-zRC-R0OJHAc2txVXxmLfrxDX5RFPhpMHJT/s1600/77690196_7b835abc69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2pvnd04sEmZQeH9nu9H0RJ5d-PpW6k127sdqkUTPSlJtWfjfZe8rfxNqnlvrlmaWg1njjmx0DYad0t1oOqzLycKpTdTWB4I-jsQlzduBZ-zRC-R0OJHAc2txVXxmLfrxDX5RFPhpMHJT/s400/77690196_7b835abc69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cable Beach is a 22km-long stretch of purest white beach where Broome meets the Indian Ocean. The stunning colours of Cable Beach stunning colours - aqua blue against the white sand and bright red-orange dirt inspire photographers from dawn till dusk daily. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cable Beach is named as the terminus of the original cable used to send telegraphs between Java and Broome.<br />
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The Cable House, which later became Broome Courthouse, is situated in the centre of Broome and was built to house the equipment and telegraphists that operated the early communication service. The Court House is an excellent example of the colonial architecture of the day; wide verandas, polished timer floors, iron roof, overhead fans and the heavy iron stairs are particularly elegant. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, Cable Beach is a long, flat beach that is ritualistically used by locals and tourists each day to wash away the cares of living in paradise. The sand is smooth and bright white, the water is cool and clear.<br />
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The beach is punctuated with rock pools where octopus and other creatures wait for the tide to take them back to the deep. At this time, vehicles are still permitted to drive onto the northern side of Cable Beach, and a blind eye is turned to those who choose to sunbath au naturelle in that part of the beach.<br />
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Cable Beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing. Cable Beach is washed clean everyday by the massive tides that ebb and flow into Broome. Beachcombers can find beautiful shells and many a piece of flotsam and jetsam washed ashore. Whales and dolphins can also been offshore in season.<br />
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The construction surrounding Cable Beach is remarkably humble and it is very far from being commercialised. A restaurant and cafe with ocean views sits on the grass overlooking Cable Beach. Each evening as the sunsets over the Indian Ocean across Cable Beach, the esplanade is lined with visitors from all parts of the world, with cameras ready to catch the perfect Broome sunset.</span>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-22719596377556170742011-06-03T04:48:00.001-07:002011-06-03T04:48:00.231-07:00Kabul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQBSj7v2xKHisfwfZRnDnu6Sn5y07uHQaQuEqgGUOUUu4d_y_fXiT0_5pmRB4-qFGi52d-LWHepcibk3AGsVfqO9Ni3p1sGenOV3npksC3HD7_zYHD1qMVyJYuv0aOp0PM3C6mn5rn-9g/s1600/kabul-paramount2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQBSj7v2xKHisfwfZRnDnu6Sn5y07uHQaQuEqgGUOUUu4d_y_fXiT0_5pmRB4-qFGi52d-LWHepcibk3AGsVfqO9Ni3p1sGenOV3npksC3HD7_zYHD1qMVyJYuv0aOp0PM3C6mn5rn-9g/s400/kabul-paramount2.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The capital of war torn Afghanistan is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Kabul is situated on the Kabul River and is one of the highest capital cities (1800 m - above sea level) in the world. The history of Kabul dates back to the legendary times of epic Ramayana when Kubha is mentioned as the founder of the city. Lying at the crossroads Kabul was always victim of invasions and civil strife. During the reign of Kushanas the city must have been a place of importance since it led the way to their winter capital of Peshawar. In the vicinity of Kabul was the famous Begram, which had attained its prominence of being an important center of the eastern Hellenic Art. Kabul rose to importance when Mughal Emperor Babur made his capital and since then it inter-acted with various ruling dynasties. The recent history of Kabul is painful being subjected to incessant civil war and lately under the wrathful rule of clerics.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Nation’s chief economic and cultural center, it has long been of strategic importance because of its proximity to the Khyber Pass. This city grew as an industrial center after 1940 and the main products of this city were textiles, processed food, chemicals and wood products, Tajiks are the predominant population group of Kabul and Pashtuns are an important minority. Kabul University, which is now partially opened, was founded in 1932 and during 70’s and 80’s it was the best known in the region for higher education.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kabul was occupied by Soviet troops in 1979 and later it went through the toughest and most disastrous civil war of its history from 1992 to 1996. Taliban later ruled the city from 1996 to 2001 before the Northern Alliance took over the city as Taliban withdrew from Kabul after the American intervention in Oct 2001. Currently, Kabul is the capital of Transitional Government being led by Mr. Hamed Karzai.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The city of Kabul, which used to be a tourist attraction, has lost its charm during the last 24 years of its history. Infrastructures such as roads and traffic system, telephone and electricity system, water sanitation, renovation of buildings is in shambles and the need for reconstruction is very much needed to bring back the city to a better place for living.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-20269888971306021562011-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:002011-06-02T18:28:00.518-07:00Dampier Peninsula<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM8oBbF8iYM2zZeCqONUrMWkVUwhXenWvdp4_OngMCaezFYzlexxKUsJGLlG0FvbEX_HPoSFEiXD1ahfT9i-iQ5fmF3Vg5v47B4yp6-6XM5o_BBXWkX3cpNE-153zxMRjr7GxniidTaWG/s1600/ET2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM8oBbF8iYM2zZeCqONUrMWkVUwhXenWvdp4_OngMCaezFYzlexxKUsJGLlG0FvbEX_HPoSFEiXD1ahfT9i-iQ5fmF3Vg5v47B4yp6-6XM5o_BBXWkX3cpNE-153zxMRjr7GxniidTaWG/s400/ET2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dampier Peninsula is a remote area north of Broome. It is a special place offering many treats for the adventurous traveller, with spectacular unspoiled coastline, tranquil community settings and sleepy holiday retreats. You can swim in the sparkling waters, go snorkelling, fishing or simply relax and enjoy the wide open stretches of white sandy beaches.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those prepared to look further this is also an opportunity to share in the lifestyle of Peninsula people. To learn of traditional fishing and hunting techniques, of bush foods and medicines, and the special relationship between Peninsula people and the land and the sea.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A visit to the Dampier Peninsula means entering Aboriginal land. A drive from Broome to Cape Leveque, on the northern tip of the peninsula, includes some 200 kilometres of unsealed road characterised by corrugations and sandy sections, so a four wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended for thravel and the road is not suitable for caravans. You will need to allow three and a half hours for the drive from Broome to Cape Leveque and during the summer wet season, (December to April), the road will sometimes be closed to traffic.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst on the Peninsula you are asked to respect the land, the culture and the privacy of local Aboriginal people. Although some communities and outstations have embraced tourism, access within the area is still restricted. It is important you observe all no entry signs on private roads, to minimise visitor impact on law grounds, burial</span></span>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-81283683526369415392011-06-01T06:10:00.000-07:002011-06-01T06:10:00.744-07:00Juneau - Explore the area's many attractions on a guided tour or custom charter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEYGqswQhGMqArPwbPUzQuZ3iQB_H9_H61QltCnGWUVxkIqki83M2bl6XKyYDp9_jqTXHoY70RIK4zg-m4VkLuyMGzvn5_Aav6DqQwU7ap9SHu-Vf0t_zkllaFXM4l660OdjH0SPXELlY/s1600/juneau-alaska-fishing-lodge-graphic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEYGqswQhGMqArPwbPUzQuZ3iQB_H9_H61QltCnGWUVxkIqki83M2bl6XKyYDp9_jqTXHoY70RIK4zg-m4VkLuyMGzvn5_Aav6DqQwU7ap9SHu-Vf0t_zkllaFXM4l660OdjH0SPXELlY/s400/juneau-alaska-fishing-lodge-graphic1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">There's an awful lot to do in Juneau. Chances are, you'll have trouble figuring out exactly where to start.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The obvious, must-do activity is checking out the glaciers</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">. Mendenhall Glacier is our most popular attraction, and when you see this thing you'll know why. At its widest point, the glacier is about a half mile wide, with ice 300 to 1,800 feet deep. The fact that something that big can still move is pretty magnificent.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">But the Mendenhall is literally just the tip of the iceberg; it's part of the much larger Juneau Icefield</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">, an area of myriad glaciers including Taku, Eagle, and Herbert. You can explore these mighty 'bergs on any one of our locally operated tours, including aerial tours - very cool.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Get here at the right time of year, and you're bound to see whales</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">. Humpbacks and orcas (think Shamu) congregate in the calm waters and put on quite a show. Hop on a boat and go whale watching for a classic Juneau adventure. Seriously, it's something you won't want to miss.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">You don't have to be an "outdoorsy" type to enjoy our</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> outdoor adventures</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">, and you'll truly miss out on the beauty of Juneau if you pass on these activities. Try hiking, rafting, kayaking and even ziplining. And even if you've never cast a reel in your life, you ought to try the fishing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">around here - it's prevalent and incredible - if only to have a story about the one that got away.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Or, get the best of all worlds just the way you want it with a custom cruise charter</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">. You'll get hooked up with knowledgeable locals who will show you the best of Juneau. Hiking, whale watching, fishing, spectacular photography, or any combination of these and more. Whatever you want, Juneau tour operators are accommodating and happy to deliver.</span>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-74823201900444348182011-05-30T18:24:00.000-07:002011-05-30T18:24:00.293-07:00The Hidden Facts of the Kimberley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpXP82iGHc1IP93O8tbYpQnfi-_lnvN-XpEpJ1SpzAYnFZcs-IOHu1O_vAofhe_YBg_ZviGci15c-bWzjxy8P0UxMyx14ZizqiKna8_cJk_w8jURdXrXAndSYFQVo3r7PQ4zfCZkRDtQ/s1600/kimberleypictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpXP82iGHc1IP93O8tbYpQnfi-_lnvN-XpEpJ1SpzAYnFZcs-IOHu1O_vAofhe_YBg_ZviGci15c-bWzjxy8P0UxMyx14ZizqiKna8_cJk_w8jURdXrXAndSYFQVo3r7PQ4zfCZkRDtQ/s400/kimberleypictures.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kimberley is a place in the edges of Australia famous for its inhabitants of powerful men and women plus its countless crocodiles. With the arrival of different foreigners eager to see what Australia has to offer, many locations in the continent have modernized to welcome these tourists. The unique scenery that The Kimberley is best known for is unreachable for most areas in the country.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this large area of about 350 to 650 square kilometers along the northwestern part of Australia specifically cited on the acme of Western Australia is where 25,000 natives live in. It's also home to the bountiful, crocodile infested Ord River, the magical and 350 million year old sand castles of the Bungle Range, and the lush, waterfall draped Emma Gorge. Getting to see these unique and astounding is only a three to five day trip packed with three different soft camping adventures that will surely leave tourist wanting to come back.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking a quick plane ride out southwest of Darwin in a town called Kanunurra, the two camp sites will only take about one hour to reach by car, while the last one is about half a day away, The monsoonal wet season which normally happens from November to April will bring about 18 to 22 inches of rainfall a day for The Kimberley. During this season, before, the Ord River would collect the excess water from the rain and overflow to the sea. When the Lake Argyle water project was instituted, collection of the outflow of water for the dry season was easier with the help of the dams and gates.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the sixth largest artificial lake in the world, Lake Argyle provides the Ord River water that creates an even flow. Different types of creatures have convened in the Ord River now that it is able to provide them with a lasting source of water. Experiencing the pristine beauty of this place will lead you to the only two tour operators that give you the amenities and guidance you will need like campsites plus boating and fishing on the river.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking their guests for the one hour drive from Kanunurra to the northwest part is what the Blue Camp, an authorized operator, offers. With the many different views of Australia, this camp balance in a bluff is home to 12 adventurers. A common area where guest can just enjoy each other's company is provided by Bush Camp.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reaching 215 meters up the desert around it, is the 350 million year old range The Bungle Bungle. Deep in the canyons and gulfs as well as the dome towers keep this range mysterious and beautiful. Orange black tiger stripped skin have protected these formations made up of fragile sandstone since the beginning of time. Rock paintings and burial areas is what the Bungle Bungle is for, over 20,000 years have passed for the Aborigines.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People have the fortune of seeing the ranges as the second camp allows them to fly over. Making the trip more exciting is a walking tour that allows them to see more breathtaking sites Australia offers. What Australian's say is their version of the pyramids can be seen by tourists as they move forward on their journey. The Cathedral George, allows guests to marvel at the structure that takes the shape of a bell. Leading to the end of the tour is a little pond that mirrors that 200 meters away blue sky.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tourists get a chance to see Echidna Chasm, a structure that most people perceive as that of a snake moving in an elegant manner because of the narrow twists and turns it has, Livinstona palms measuring 15 meters up covers the corners of these gaps and gulfs. Taking all these sights in is an experience both remarkable and touching.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-86856924926846443742011-05-29T07:29:00.000-07:002011-05-29T07:29:00.688-07:00Antarctica - Much More Than Your Usual Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9zhZl0cPMnnPHGfU_JepStFErgYCikZfMrutua1G7ZbkgrPVmXMSx1E7QVji_MVDr2IgeQbAmniSYh_1n1yFQbq5CAlPYDvMiPj-iwjMTrFS7MOd5YkZkxGr_ZzZW55QnTijuTOhtXy-/s1600/alaska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9zhZl0cPMnnPHGfU_JepStFErgYCikZfMrutua1G7ZbkgrPVmXMSx1E7QVji_MVDr2IgeQbAmniSYh_1n1yFQbq5CAlPYDvMiPj-iwjMTrFS7MOd5YkZkxGr_ZzZW55QnTijuTOhtXy-/s400/alaska.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Planning and implementing unique travel experiences is becoming a booming business for Americans. Americans are tired of going to the usual spots like Mexico and Monte Carlo. The Caribbean no longer draws those who have cruised there before. They are tired of the usual, safe spots and want to see something unusual. If you're into outdoing you neighbors they won't be able to beat you in the unusual vacation category when you come home with tales of your travels to Antarctica.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making this journey is actually much less challenging than you would think. Sailing for three days, you'll arrive in Antarctica. You'll take a twenty-four hour flight from New York to Ushuaia to meet the boat. The US Navy has a presence in Antarctica. Some tourists will feel more safe knowing this fact. The United States, together with various additional nations, began manning a base in Antarctica in 1957. While the sailors of the US navy may have misgivings about the growth of Antarctic tourism is can be quite reassuring to know that they are there should a traveler fall into a crevasse in the ice or if a tour ship becomes icebound.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what do you do on a vacation to Antarctica' Diverse wildlife is available to photograph and study. You can expect to find seals, whales, penguins and sea birds in Antarctica. They may also observe long plumes of white smoke billowing out of the 12,000 foot high, ice covered, active volcano, which provides quite an extraordinary experience. That outdoes Kilauea or the crater of Mt. St. Helens any day.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may also ask exactly who feels inclined to spend $5,000 or more in transportation costs in order to experience Antarctica this way. Scientists and doctors are the most frequent tourists. More and more married couples are traveling there. Grandmas out for adventure also journey to Antarctica. Recently, more and more individuals have become attracted to vacationing in Antarctica, according to one travel agency representative. Experiencing the continent is now possible for almost anyone, he went on to say, as opposed to times past, when only a few brave and daring explorers could actually see the continent.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The US Spokesperson Navy indicates that the American government's single requirement regarding tourists visiting Antarctica is that they satisfy safety benchmarks, are self-sufficient and adhere to the international treaties regarding the protection and preservation of the continent. Conservationists and scientists do have several concerns, however. There are nightmare visions in their heads of tourists and treasure hunters swarming over the ice leaving trash and terrified wildlife behind them. There is concern that they may even deface or destroy the historic monuments that exist on the continent.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cape Royds houses an example of such a monument. The hut that held the members of a famous expedition during the winter is still there, in exactly the same condition as they left it. The canned food and stored clothes are in perfect condition. A major European newspaper copy from that year is still sitting on the table.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Antarctic Mountain range, watches over the South Pole, and although it is located 900 miles away, the crisp, clear air of the frozen continent allows for a stellar view, of which many tourists enjoy snapping photos, from atop the hill. Pioneers and explorers were first met with additional miles of crusty ice when they first reached the pole. But presently there is an actual South Pole which stands eight feet in height, painted in orange and blue stripes like a barber's pole and adorned at its top with a reflecting silver orb.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-84251078399246041912011-05-26T18:20:00.000-07:002011-05-26T18:20:00.240-07:00The 'Wet' Season in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpXP82iGHc1IP93O8tbYpQnfi-_lnvN-XpEpJ1SpzAYnFZcs-IOHu1O_vAofhe_YBg_ZviGci15c-bWzjxy8P0UxMyx14ZizqiKna8_cJk_w8jURdXrXAndSYFQVo3r7PQ4zfCZkRDtQ/s1600/kimberleypictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpXP82iGHc1IP93O8tbYpQnfi-_lnvN-XpEpJ1SpzAYnFZcs-IOHu1O_vAofhe_YBg_ZviGci15c-bWzjxy8P0UxMyx14ZizqiKna8_cJk_w8jURdXrXAndSYFQVo3r7PQ4zfCZkRDtQ/s400/kimberleypictures.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The remote and rugged Kimberley region occupies the north-west corner of the Australian continent. It covers an area of 421,451 square kilometres but inhabited by a population of only 35,000. Because of its remote location, some areas are virtually untouched by humans and those that are accessible, only have limited numbers of visitors each year. This is in part due to the distinct "wet" and "dry" seasons of the region. The "wet season" from November to March sees regular tropical thunderstorms throughout the region that turn dry river beds into mighty, raging torrents and the dry season golden brown grasses into lush green meadows. Many of the mighty rivers that flow at this time criss-cross the only main road that traverses the region and at these times the highway can become impassable, sometimes for weeks at a time. The national and state parks which are the sites of many spectacular gorges and waterfalls are also closed during "the wet" because of their inaccessibility.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The famous adventure road, the Gibb River Road, is also closed during the months of December to March, trapping pastoralists on their stations with their only access for food, mail and emergency health services via light aircraft or helicopter.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Although it is hot and humid at this time of year, residents eagerly await the sound of rain pounding on their rooftops and the cooling breezes that the thunderstorms and rains bring. The smell of rain after nearly eight months without any is so sweet! Gigantic thunderheads can form late in the day, offering amazing cloud formations that reflect the setting sun and making the whole world seem to glow in sunset colours. When the storms do eventuate, the lightening shows are worth taking time out to watch. Professional and amateur photographers venture out to try and capture those special moments of lightening bolts across the dark purple skies.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">To wander along the 22kms long Cable Beach, Broome, late in the afternoon with a thunderstorm building and developing in the distance is an amazing sight. The distant clouds can be dark and threatening and the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance sends a message of promising relief, but the skies above can be clear and sunny and as quickly as the storm builds, it can also disappear......someone else may have been the lucky recipient of this afternoon's refreshing rains!</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Many travellers avoid the region in the 'wet season' but they are missing a spectacular time of year. There is a definite unhurried pace around the towns as the warmer weather slows activities but is really is a great time to relax and enjoy what the season does present....particularly the thousands of mango trees throughout the region whose fruit ripens in late November and is the cause for celebration in a festival!</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Whatever the time of year, one of the world's last great wildernesses is truly blessed with Mother Nature's gifts of spectacular coastal and inland landscapes, wildlife, marine life, flora and fauna. The Indigenous inhabitants have left a legacy of unique rock art and history... but that's another story.</div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-11295575967178481742011-05-25T00:23:00.000-07:002011-05-25T00:23:00.488-07:00Kodiak Island<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #494a44; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafmPC2TuR5WSvheFxvyGX5CuAZ__oQ0qwMjf1ZlEiKSmIagODXufRqZxOhb6BJU7_Y1HpsPUYtoOMECsKmLvpr6fee3ZZMd6pDQzW8gFX-rkK1XtTzK8vc6P4-wfhwJjAFPZG9-BtdQTf/s1600/432613scenics7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafmPC2TuR5WSvheFxvyGX5CuAZ__oQ0qwMjf1ZlEiKSmIagODXufRqZxOhb6BJU7_Y1HpsPUYtoOMECsKmLvpr6fee3ZZMd6pDQzW8gFX-rkK1XtTzK8vc6P4-wfhwJjAFPZG9-BtdQTf/s400/432613scenics7.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kodiak Island Archipelago is a large group of islands about 30 miles from the Alaska Peninsula and 158 miles across the Gulf of Alaska from Homer, Alaska. The archipelago is about 177 miles long and encompasses nearly 5,000 square miles, roughly the size of the state of Connecticut.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the vast majority of Kodiak’s population resides in the city and nearby areas, there are villages in the Kodiak Archipelago that are windows to the past and models of modern subsistence lifestyle. Many of these villages offer services to visitors including lodging, fishing charters, and wildlife viewing. The villages are not accessible by car. Port Lions can be reached by ferry and Ouzinkie is within boating distance, but most people reach these outposts by air charter. Regardless of the mechanism of travel, these villages promise a glimpse into Alaska that is seldom seen by most tourists.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-24738982674516831682011-05-20T20:39:00.000-07:002011-05-20T20:39:00.259-07:00Weddel Island<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #464646; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJurRmeq0jBPL6-pGzzVZhvwhenzJIyocqSNC7LCj6vUg2wN2nmC74wX_hVmjgjiZhbdR4P5viRCV1efqZIHNAleeMsmid7txf_98q2xI_b-nPqVR63azwwqjRlyXyfoBiHOLrpqIgR13a/s1600/295+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJurRmeq0jBPL6-pGzzVZhvwhenzJIyocqSNC7LCj6vUg2wN2nmC74wX_hVmjgjiZhbdR4P5viRCV1efqZIHNAleeMsmid7txf_98q2xI_b-nPqVR63azwwqjRlyXyfoBiHOLrpqIgR13a/s400/295+%252810%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weddell is the largest offshore island in the Falklands group offering 63,000 acres and many spectacular miles of coastline for exploration. Though Weddell suffered from the introduction of land-based predators like the Patagonian fox during the mid 1900s, the island still offers access to a variety of wildlife such as gentoo and magellanic penguin, sea lions, striated and crested caracara, variable hawk and numerous breeds of small birds. Foxes, though reduced in population can still be seen along with a small herd of reindeer more recently introduced. Albatross and petrels can be observed feeding offshore.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many walking opportunities on the island including Mount Weddell, for fantastic views across the island, and full day excursions to Loop Head. 4WD tours and drop-offs are also available.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent self catering accommodation is available in the main settlement. Camping is possible.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-87196634340162932842011-05-19T23:21:00.000-07:002011-05-19T23:21:00.499-07:00GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_gSmkf0agm2MSdG8bDYOjJ2vd9qGd010sDILydoLzc8oxBC2EARmNRS9nrujwTbqQ5ajkjyGYR-x76k8_2XHpS0Ryz2tZUAEvxhy7LthUy35-9PcPhYXV1rsbgp7UW_9JM6EA-MAx2Ih/s1600/Gates-of-the-Arctic-National-Park-and-Preserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_gSmkf0agm2MSdG8bDYOjJ2vd9qGd010sDILydoLzc8oxBC2EARmNRS9nrujwTbqQ5ajkjyGYR-x76k8_2XHpS0Ryz2tZUAEvxhy7LthUy35-9PcPhYXV1rsbgp7UW_9JM6EA-MAx2Ih/s400/Gates-of-the-Arctic-National-Park-and-Preserve.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, one of the finest wilderness areas in the world, straddles the Arctic Divide in the Brooks Range, America's northernmost chain of mountains. Second only to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in size, Gates of the Arctic covers 13,238 square miles, sprawls 800 miles from east to west and is entirely north of the Arctic Circle. It extends from the southern foothills of the Brooks Range, across the range's ragged peaks and down onto the North Slope. Most of the park is a maze of glaciated valleys and gaunt, rugged mountains covered with boreal forest or treeless slopes of Arctic tundra north of the divide. It is a habitat for grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, moose, caribou and wolverines. Fishing is considered superb for grayling and Arctic char in the clear streams and for lake trout in the larger, deeper lakes.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within this preserve are six Wild and Scenic Rivers, miles of valleys and tundra slopes to hike and, of course, the Gates themselves. Mt Boreal and Frigid Crags are the gates that flank the north fork of the Koyukuk River. In 1929 Robert Marshall found an unobstructed path northward to the Arctic coast of Alaska through these landmark mountains. Marshall's name for the two mountains has remained ever since.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the exception of the Dalton Highway, the park is far from any roads and is home to only one village, Anaktuvuk Pass. Eight more Native villages dot the perimeter but all have less than 400 permanent residents. In the simplest terms, Gates of the Arctic is a vast wilderness the size as Switzerland that contains no National Park Service facilities, visitor centers or campgrounds. The only trails are those made by the Western Arctic caribou herd, the largest in Alaska at 490,000, the only people passing through are the truly adventurous visitors or subsistence hunters.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The remoteness of the park attracts mostly experienced backcountry travelers for float trips, backpacking treks or base camps set up to enjoy day hiking and fishing. Many visitors join guided trips that a handful of outfitters offer in summer for rafting and hiking or in the winter for dog mushing and cross-country skiing. Either as an independent traveler or as part of guided expedition, a visit to Gates of the Arctic requires careful planning and advance reservations.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-84519625975513933712011-05-18T07:53:00.000-07:002011-05-18T07:53:00.258-07:00Why Scuba Diving is So Popular at the Great Barrier Reef<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn67p8bJweUI5opezdo6R31kbZbgJhonQ1RpcjAOczJoqb47rwK2EtDJsio9Vbs-V1B_ux9kU9Z5wkYNqyoeS8e5f0woGe1o7NZmbj9bUkaSc5DWNETAF3RAQjlNqm29RnUqijIpk24Tx-/s1600/Great-Barrier-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn67p8bJweUI5opezdo6R31kbZbgJhonQ1RpcjAOczJoqb47rwK2EtDJsio9Vbs-V1B_ux9kU9Z5wkYNqyoeS8e5f0woGe1o7NZmbj9bUkaSc5DWNETAF3RAQjlNqm29RnUqijIpk24Tx-/s400/Great-Barrier-Reef.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland in Australia is one of the most sought after diving destinations in the world. It's splendor lies not only in its name but also because of the fact that it is the only living organism that you can view from outer space.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The beauty of the reef from above inspires awe and reverence however when you wear the wet suit and take the plunge you will feel as if you are in an alien in another world. This is because the 2,600 kilometers of corals and coral walls of the Great Barrier Reef are abundant with marine life and underwater marine activity.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">There are many water activities that guests can do at the reef, swimming, snorkeling, helmet diving, and scuba diving. Of these scuba diving is the most famous and sought after.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">One reason for this is that all sorts of divers from the novice to the advanced who is looking into more training and dive experience certainly have a place in this underwater world. Novices must attend introductory classes on land before they are let into the water.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The Great Barrier Reef consists of 3000 reefs that you can choose to dive into. You can't go to all of them that is why you have to pick the one that suits the kind of diver you are.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Open water diving is done primarily for sightseeing and is easily the most common dive at the reef. Some tour companies take guests on a guided night dive which is a chance for you to see marine life that only come out at night. Most popular island destinations for these dives are the Whitsundays group of islands and Lizard Island.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Certified wreck divers can go to one of the 30 shipwreck sites of the Great Barrier Reef where divers are allowed to explore. An example of such site is the wreck of Captain James Cook's ship named "Endeavor".</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">In drift diving the diver jumps into the water that has a known current and simply allows himself to drift and watch the whole surrounding float by. Popular dive sites are Herron Island and the Ribbon Reefs along Cairns and Port Douglas.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><b>What You Can See Where</b></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">At Cairns particularly the Cod Hole, you will see various fishes such as the Maori wrasse, eels, and the gentle but huge potato cods. At the Far Northern region you can see caves which is the place where green turtle gather.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">At the Coral Sea you will see amazing reef mountains where you can see various fishes, gorgonian fans, and of course corals. The best place to go to here is the Osprey Reef where guided tours sometimes hold feed the shark dives.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The walls of Castle Rock at Port Douglas at the Great Barrier Reef are another great diving destination where divers will see stingrays hidden in the sand. The Nursery Bommie is often visited by barracuda, manta rays, sharks, and eels and green sea turtles.</div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-41386916352428848262011-05-17T02:11:00.000-07:002011-05-17T02:11:00.217-07:00Vlora - What to See in Albania's Second Largest Port City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PL7wQcAYYV8PbPtNEHbbQFm3oHPul0nX_cAfdVZUjkuLzy3smVGp8GpGQlVVdXL9Y_dK3-FLdE46lqPeZs1ZMDBLrIGVDd-lAh17H7L0F41Xx7X7hXhPcvzA45PivNGlSJLF0CyRMiR8/s1600/vlora-picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PL7wQcAYYV8PbPtNEHbbQFm3oHPul0nX_cAfdVZUjkuLzy3smVGp8GpGQlVVdXL9Y_dK3-FLdE46lqPeZs1ZMDBLrIGVDd-lAh17H7L0F41Xx7X7hXhPcvzA45PivNGlSJLF0CyRMiR8/s400/vlora-picture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vlora is a coastal city on Albania's Adriatic Coast. It is reputed to be one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean region and in recent years has become an important tourist center. With nice sandy beaches, the summer time is an ideal time to visit Vlora. You can swim in the sea beginning in May and the water is still warm enough in October to enjoy a pleasant outing at the beach.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides the beach, Vlora has a rich cultural history dating back to the 6th Century B.C. A stone wall was built around the city in the 4th Century B.C. and it was the main port of Illyria (the ancient name for Albania). During that era Vlora was well known for its olives, wine and for the production of salt.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the medieval period Vlora was under the administration of several different rulers. The Normans conquered the region in 1081, and it later came on rule of Venice before being handed over to Germans. In 1272 it became part of the kingdom of Arbria and in the 1400s an Albanian feudal family dominated the city. Finally, in 1417 Vlora was the first port to fall to the Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans built mosques and fortresses and other monuments during their rule of 500 years.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the modern era, Albania obtained its independence in 1912 and Vlora was the place where that independence was declared. Fittingly, there is a museum dedicated to the Independence movement in Vlora and it should be near the top of your list if you are visiting Vlora for cultural purposes.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another important place to visit in Vlora is the Mosque of Muradie. It was built in 1542 and was designed by the architect Sinani. It was commissioned by Sultan Sulejman who was in Vlora and preparing a naval attack on Italy.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The castle of Kanina is another must-see place for any cultural tour of Vlora. This castle dominated the entire medieval period of Vlora and is located in the present day Kanina village near the city. If you like old castles, then you can go on to visit the castles of Porto-Palermo, Himara and Ilias which all lie in the area around Vlora.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a number of religious places that are points of interest for tourists and these include the Monastery of Saint Mary in Zvernec Village, the Churh of Saint Mitri in the village of Qepara, the church of Mesodhia in the village of Vuno and the Church of Saint Sotiri in the village of Vuno.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to the previously mentioned Museum of Independence, the city also has a Museum of Ethnography and a Museum of History.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you are wondering about accommodations and other facilities, the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this city have made it a magnet for tourists; thus, the tourism infrastructure has developed rapidly in the past few years. So you should be able to find what you need to make your stay comfortable.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you want to enjoy the pleasures of a sandy beach on the sunny Adriatic sea or take a first hand look at cultural artifacts stretching back to the sixth century BC, Vlora is the place for you.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-49128471302105000702011-05-11T18:14:00.000-07:002011-06-09T07:13:54.055-07:00Ningaloo Reef<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYlc00fJfyyWMLyP-NXeCEH23ZLgRin3J7NJhsQKqkgDFj_v_iIfw2SaraIVrWZJj_E8GrIt0XziDQGqTx68tg0FFDHpakADw4vlPdcI0_uWqan9Fj7LiRd-9bvmXigP6IS0kaq6UGg8-/s1600/NINGALOO+REEF+%2526+PERTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYlc00fJfyyWMLyP-NXeCEH23ZLgRin3J7NJhsQKqkgDFj_v_iIfw2SaraIVrWZJj_E8GrIt0XziDQGqTx68tg0FFDHpakADw4vlPdcI0_uWqan9Fj7LiRd-9bvmXigP6IS0kaq6UGg8-/s320/NINGALOO+REEF+%2526+PERTH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Ningaloo Reef is said to be Western Australia's answer to the Great Barrier Reef, and what an answer it is. But its the differences between the two that make Ningaloo stand out, as well as the similarities. Stretching for 260 kilometres up the North West Cape, the reef sits very close to the shore, meaning you are able to walk straight from the beach onto the coral. The sheltered shallow waters between the reef and the beach are crystal clear, and the white sand beneath shines through the bright blue, giving the beaches an incandescent quality. Beautiful weather, dazzling scenery and an astounding concentration of marine life make the Ningaloo Reef the ultimate holiday. The fact that its wonders are within swimming distance of the shore make it all the more appealing.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Ningaloo Reef, which is a protected Marine Park, has become a mecca for snorkellers and scuba divers keen to experience its underwater delights. There is nothing more soothing than gliding through these waters lazily taking in some of the 220 coral species and 500 fish species present here. Surrounded by thousands of tropical fish and all the colours of the rainbow this underwater world can entertain and surprise you all day long. The smooth waters and the shallow depths mean that anyone can enjoy snorkelling here, no matter how young or old you are. Even if you are simply wading through the shallows, the colourful fish swim and feed around your feet. For those who do not want to get wet at all, a semi submersible submarine in Exmouth does tours around the reef, and through its clear floors the coral gardens and the fish are clearly visible. This is perfect for photography opportunities, and the expert commentary going on the whole time will educate you about the marine environment.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Scuba divers are often attracted here for the opportunity to dive with the amazing whale sharks in the deeper parts of the reef between the months of March and June. These gentle giants grow up to fourteen metres in length, and because of their strictly plankton diet are safe to swim with. Their presence attracts thousands of smaller fish, making a dive with these creatures a diverse and moving experience. The whale sharks are important to the locals here, who organise an annual Ningaloo Reef Whaleshark Festival that uses live music and performing arts to highlight the areas relationship with the whale shark. Another common sight in these waters are the giant turtles that come to nest on the beach between November and February. Green, Loggerhead and Hawkesville turtles are often seen making their way through the shallows and amongst the coral gardens.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The multitude of life under the surface in Ningaloo means that the fishing is second to none. Fishing from the shore is easy and fun, as well as being safe for the younger children. But its in the deeper waters where the real challenges are to be met, where the monsters are lurking. There are lots of species to be caught including Red Emperors, gropers, North West Snapper, mackerel and tuna.</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Exmouth is the town where most people visiting the reef base themselves. Situated 1270 kilometres north of Perth, any drive to Exmouth is going to be a long one. There is an airport in the town that caters to domestic flights so this is probably the easier option for visiting the region. Pick up a hirecar at the airport and you will be able to explore the region more fully. Mobility is essential, because in this expansive part of the country the distances between any two points is normally fairly large!</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Another favourite destination is Coral Bay, situated about 120 kilometres south of Exmouth. Situated twelve kilometres off the main road, many bypass this in favour of Exmouth. It is a smaller and quieter town, and the access to the reef here is better than in Exmouth. As a destination Coral Bay is very nature oriented. Dont come here expecting shops and nightclubs, come here expecting to be blown away by the rugged terrain of the Australian outback and the crisp blue waters and white beaches of the ocean. The marine life is just as spectacular, with the whale sharks migration also bringing them within site of the shore. Coral Bay is just as equipped as Exmouth to deal with tourists, with all the usual forms of charters operating.</div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-45863711677004774122011-05-10T20:37:00.000-07:002011-05-10T20:37:00.531-07:00Sea Lion Island<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #464646; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaIfHUEZ4Xtp9HxFuMgHzHusMj180mlphDlrMobl9MpR_4Cn-EqqtRiFfnz5Vk-uvjj7O4Lg5GV4DECc5CfGXOMjii4WaAKsdRfOAw_5FhHwnqytIt-LMwYwWK803bp-mMD1GVUWuNu-6/s1600/295+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaIfHUEZ4Xtp9HxFuMgHzHusMj180mlphDlrMobl9MpR_4Cn-EqqtRiFfnz5Vk-uvjj7O4Lg5GV4DECc5CfGXOMjii4WaAKsdRfOAw_5FhHwnqytIt-LMwYwWK803bp-mMD1GVUWuNu-6/s400/295+%25289%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sea Lion Island, is often considered the top wildlife destination of the Falkland Islands due to the close proximity of many breeding species to the island's Lodge. The island itself is five miles long and just over a mile wide at its widest point, so just the right size to spend a day, or more, exploring. Beautiful tussac plantations cover one fifth of the island and provide a perfect habitat and protection for much of the island's varied fauna, including elephant seals and sea lions. Opportunities for photography and wildlife watching are limitless and start literally steps away from the Lodge.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides the tussac, there are sand beaches, cliffs, freshwater ponds and heathland, all with their own wildlife. The 47 different species of breeding birds to be viewed on the island include three species of breeding penguins and five different birds of prey. Every year brings exciting sightings of vagrants. Pods of killer whales (most notable between November and January) circle the island in pursuit of the elephant seals and sea lions that breed there. Leopard seals and larger whales are also seen from time to time.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A memorial to the HMS Sheffield, sunk in nearby waters, is situated on the island. 4WD tours with a knowledgeable guide can be arranged around the island.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comfortable accommodation is available at Sea Lion Lodge.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-44233636769539932982011-05-09T07:48:00.000-07:002011-05-09T07:48:00.490-07:00Port Lockroy is a beautiful natural harbour on Goudier Island<div class="style1" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-align: left; text-transform: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhEhXHOU_V2QPvafhNR3zfUcNCzTmE9uG0bI1wn_-_T1HfEplzaEdxpN2AciIENfMZJixw9YKQVu93Nm4AVub6OJPPzJykmtuJW41jrM5dXlj5hYOFP6_peOGFlgtqBxnZrJSWi15cNYx/s1600/Port_Lockroy_1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhEhXHOU_V2QPvafhNR3zfUcNCzTmE9uG0bI1wn_-_T1HfEplzaEdxpN2AciIENfMZJixw9YKQVu93Nm4AVub6OJPPzJykmtuJW41jrM5dXlj5hYOFP6_peOGFlgtqBxnZrJSWi15cNYx/s400/Port_Lockroy_1962.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like many sites currently occupied in Antarctica, it was used by the whaling industry after its discovery in 1903.</span></div><div class="style1" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="style1" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A British base was established in 1944 (British base "A") and it is now designated a "historic site" under the Antarctic Treaty. Since 1996, the base has been opened during the summer months by British Antarctic Survey under the guidance of the <a href="http://www.heritage-antarctica.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">UK Antarctic Heritage Trust</a> (UKAHT). It is possible to look around the renovated buildings and museum and get a flavour of what life used to be like in Antarctica on a base in the 1950's.</span></div><div class="style1" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is even a gift shop and Post Office where cards and letters can be franked before being placed on the next available ship for transport to their destination via Britain. Port Lockroy is currently the most visited site in Antarctica with about 6000 tourists each summer. <a href="http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Living_and_Working/Diaries/Port_Lockroy/letter_from_lockroy.html" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Post office diary</a></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="style1" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An environmental monitoring programme was established when the base began being manned in 1996 to to investigate potential visitor disturbance to the rookery of gentoo penguins nearby. It appears that so far, the large numbers of visitors have had no discernable impact on penguin breeding success, which is more closely linked to local environmental conditions, such as snow cover or the availability of krill.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="auto-style7" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left;"><span class="style1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-left-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-right-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); border-top-color: rgb(192, 192, 192); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; text-transform: none;">There are also relics from the whaling days at Port Lockroy such as a massive fin whale skeleton. The fin whale is the second largest whale (after the blue whale). Each year the skeleton is reassembled after the weather blows it apart all winter. This particular whale has even been shown to have had arthritis because some of its bones show deterioration in the same way that arthritic human bones do.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-51265040856136712652011-05-05T02:06:00.000-07:002011-05-05T02:06:00.483-07:00Laganas, Zante - Resort Travel Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql0Xci6_JgXhfyTM6yUwWtUntmjU_81eU6A7B03tLm_Dua0S1ZB8my4o-mqpDgHAYyU_aQFF2i-1mBDGH-xKF7-WUt0JidGULt6xLaJnswGrC4ilz99OHEZI_DHxwT4z9SvjWMaCssk1o/s1600/laganas-beach-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql0Xci6_JgXhfyTM6yUwWtUntmjU_81eU6A7B03tLm_Dua0S1ZB8my4o-mqpDgHAYyU_aQFF2i-1mBDGH-xKF7-WUt0JidGULt6xLaJnswGrC4ilz99OHEZI_DHxwT4z9SvjWMaCssk1o/s400/laganas-beach-xl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laganas is a large lively resort on the south coast of the Greek island of Zante (Zakynthos). It is the largest resort on the island and is particularly popular with the 18-30 year olds who flock here for the great nightlife and beautiful sandy beaches.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The resort has hundreds of nightclubs and bars, hotels and apartments, shops and plenty of restaurants serving all kinds of cusine, including Chinese, Indian and Italian food.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laganas Bay is a narrow beach, about 3 miles long and is part of the Greek National Marine Park. Watersports are not allowed here as loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta-Caretta) use the bay for nesting. The turtles visit the protected beach to lay their eggs in June, July and August.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Opposite the beach there is the islet of Agios Sostis which is covered in pine trees and reached by a wooden bridge from Laganas. There are also two other islets, Pelouso and Marathonissi.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a 7 mile drive from Laganas is the deserted village of Agalas where you can visit the Cave of Damianos which has very impressive stalagmites and stalagtites.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Climate</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></strong></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laganas has a typically Mediterranean climate. Average temperatures in the summer reach 30C with 12-13 hours of sunshine a day. The summers are very dry with hardly any rainfall with temperatures often reaching 31C in July and August.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking for beautiful beaches and plenty of nightlife why not book one of the many package holidays to Zante that are on offer.</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #4b4b4b; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With hundreds of cheap holidays available to this wonderful Greek island, you will be spoilt for choice.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-52977941320903336582011-05-03T23:15:00.000-07:002011-05-03T23:15:00.581-07:00ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBaIsy0cumqhYVKfPSyNN4yWAjJLrqnizdpcH4utsiiSZ5Lq_-8zhtXgv-cGxy-XED7umN9BOCzJe1qh7ZEuYiaXC_9IH4IG62RKgpD2AWeI1i8lX45G7LA4SVwiScFU7cJZNMpABgSks/s1600/arctic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBaIsy0cumqhYVKfPSyNN4yWAjJLrqnizdpcH4utsiiSZ5Lq_-8zhtXgv-cGxy-XED7umN9BOCzJe1qh7ZEuYiaXC_9IH4IG62RKgpD2AWeI1i8lX45G7LA4SVwiScFU7cJZNMpABgSks/s400/arctic.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vast, beautiful and remote, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has often been called America's last great wilderness. The 19.6 million-acre refuge is located in Alaska's upper-right-hand corner, straddling the eastern Brooks Range from the treeless Arctic Coast to the taiga of the Porcupine River Valley. The majestic Brooks Range, with peaks and glaciers to 9,000 feet, dominates the refuge. These rugged mountains extend east to west in a band 75 miles wide, rising abruptly from a flat, tundra-covered plain. Numerous braided rivers and streams cut through this treeless expanse. South of the continental divide, rivers wind serpentine courses through broad, spruce-covered valleys dotted with lakes and sloughs.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife in the circumpolar north. The refuge's rich pageant of wildlife includes 36 fish species, 36 land mammals, nine marine mammals, and more than 160 migratory and resident bird species that come from four continents to breed, rest or feed from April to July. The refuge is also the most important polar bear denning area in the country and a critical calving area for the Porcupine caribou herd, the second largest at 130,000 animals. Dall sheep roam the mountains, moose and musk oxen graze the plains, and grizzly and black bear forage for food along streams, the rivers support grayling and char.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The climate in the refuge is almost as diverse as the wildlife. Snow usually blankets the ground from September through May, but freezing temperatures can occur any month, especially north of the mountains. Summers last from June through August. Strong winds, cool temperatures, clouds and fog are typical near the coast. Blue skies, variable winds and moderate temperatures are more common inland. Areas south of the mountains have more rainfall, greater temperature extremes and lighter winds.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The movement to protect the area began in the 1950s out of concerned for the loss of wild places to development and the destructive potential of the atomic bomb that was displayed during World War II. Led by Olaus and Margaret Murie, conservationists launched a seven-year, hard-fought campaign to establish the Nation's first ecosystem-scale conservation area. In 1960, the Eisenhower administration established the 8.9 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Range and in 1980 it was expanded 18 million acres and renamed. Today the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is 19.6 million acres or the size of South Carolina.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-86874433396771333232011-05-02T04:35:00.000-07:002011-05-02T04:35:00.282-07:00TALAMPAYA NATIONAL PARK... A World heritage Landmark by UNESCO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLBBqORu80sKittFjd8w1J0VsqWokbEop-KYvD0nf5yHaUg3BQDNUuArX3RPHV1p0VrXLjEYSrL1MgAxIFfth0hdEX7woVQx5qbKmxl0btUP5K0HcHU82p1TUX8Ew94WlpEDNW5VlJ4Bj/s1600/fh4ttu9j4hnba-XbKRMVjlqQ8-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLBBqORu80sKittFjd8w1J0VsqWokbEop-KYvD0nf5yHaUg3BQDNUuArX3RPHV1p0VrXLjEYSrL1MgAxIFfth0hdEX7woVQx5qbKmxl0btUP5K0HcHU82p1TUX8Ew94WlpEDNW5VlJ4Bj/s400/fh4ttu9j4hnba-XbKRMVjlqQ8-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Located some 217 km. from La Rioja city (capital of La Rioja province), Argentina, Talampaya National Park is the most visited tourist destination in La Rioja, that you can combine with a visit to neighboring Ischigualasto Provincal Park, in San Juan province.</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Parks share a geological basin of around 5.000 km.</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talampaya is named after the Quechua "Dry riverbed of the Tala" (Tala is a tree), as it was running water from the Talampaya river that created its steep-walled sandstone canyons - 150 meters high some of them - during Permian and Triassic times...</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is also an archaeological record of caves and shelters (burial sites, habitations, etc.) as well as rock art: figures, zoomorph engravings and geometrical motifs that goes back to the years 120-1180 AD.</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can visit the remains at two sites: in la Puerta de Talampaya (entrance to Talampaya National Park) and Los Pizarrones (the blackboards).</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Its mos distinctive fauna - around 250 millions years ago - were the Lagosuchus Talampayensis(dinosaur) and Palaeocheris Talampayensis(turtle).</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, you'll find mainly a common type of grey fox, armadillos and vizcachas. Andean condors and falcons are also a frecuent sight in the area.</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please note that that Park access is by guided tour only, irrelevant if you choose to do it by foot, bicycle or a 4WD vehicle. The entrance fee is $12.00 (around U$S 3) and you can visit it all year round (preferable in the morning,to avoid the afternoon heat).</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-57868322326647697152011-05-01T20:35:00.000-07:002011-05-01T20:35:00.338-07:00Saunders Island<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #464646; font-family: Verdana, 'Segoe UI', Candara, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'DejaVu Sans', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkBkfPFiTI-RfVs1MSKUb7Y0zRHkMAi0XIHb7zjVCcRiusGdw9rDbnb-n29FCUUywx0DJL6dnXljBcZtxYPPYH3Pfqpuk1D7sx_ePcSlEJMNiCFlWN0_zplooemLyw6rcvTeOEmjkfDr2/s1600/295+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkBkfPFiTI-RfVs1MSKUb7Y0zRHkMAi0XIHb7zjVCcRiusGdw9rDbnb-n29FCUUywx0DJL6dnXljBcZtxYPPYH3Pfqpuk1D7sx_ePcSlEJMNiCFlWN0_zplooemLyw6rcvTeOEmjkfDr2/s400/295+%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saunders Island is one of the largest in the archipelago at over 31,000 acres. Rich in wildlife and history – the island boasts four species of breeding penguin (gentoo, king, magellanic, rockhopper) and a spectacular black-browed albatross colony on its northern cliffs, the Rookery. The Neck, located on a narrow isthmus of sand, is frequently visited by Commerson's and Peale's dolphins and many seabird species. The combination of wildlife and natural, scenic beauty afford some of the best photography opportunities in the World.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Port Egmont, a short walk from the current settlement, was chosen as the first British settlement in the Falklands in 1765, and remains from the original buildings are still clearly visible. A visit to this historic site can be included in a two-hour return hike from the settlement, including an exhilarating walk up Mt Egmont – which affords expansive views over Saunders and neighbouring Keppel Island. Look out for the old ammunition box which contains a flag to hoist to give the feeling of being a real explorer!</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Self catering cottages are available in the settlement and also at the idyllic locations of the Neck and the Rookery. Tours and drop-offs can be arranged.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-65138923922878523052011-04-30T05:25:00.000-07:002011-04-30T05:25:00.797-07:00Asta Tinggi Cemetery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnHHQ4ijIGtiy2AOIIZQbtcEUvRL1Izw4CeLM-gEbUwPuK5wbjKkpo_J1HmUxWKCnvQx14wsMGuaKK5S1iMxnod2dKp9kN3vO4fNnF7b2B3ErXCb8SZFWKAK4fIsWyoisiehEQI1shJjZ/s1600/asta_tinggi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnHHQ4ijIGtiy2AOIIZQbtcEUvRL1Izw4CeLM-gEbUwPuK5wbjKkpo_J1HmUxWKCnvQx14wsMGuaKK5S1iMxnod2dKp9kN3vO4fNnF7b2B3ErXCb8SZFWKAK4fIsWyoisiehEQI1shJjZ/s400/asta_tinggi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify" style="color: #484848; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #484848; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asta Tinggi is a Royal Cemetery located in Kebunagung village on the northwest side of Sumenep city, about two and half kilometers away. Asta Tinggi has two main buildings. The first is on the west side where one can find an old pendopo and three grave dooms. It is a simple pendopo used for holding a meeting in the time ago. While the dooms is placed for grave. The first doom located on the west and content of Prince Pulang Jiwo grave. The second doom located on the north, is a grave of Prince Jimat and the last that listed on the east content the grave of Bindoro Saod and the queen Raden Ayu Tirtonegoro. This old building was built in 1750 in the reign of Bindoro Saod whose titled as Raden Tumenggung Tirtonegoro.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #484848; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #484848; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second building placed on the north side is greater. The entrance is a big and beautiful gate. About 2 meters after it, there is an inscription written in Arabic letter. This building has one great and interesting doom content of the grave of Arya Noto Kusumo I and his descendants. It has Islamic, China and Europe style. It was built in the year of 1763 by Aryo Noto Kusumo I.</span></div>doggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16560032352205997872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-616704081709828810.post-58695309921657349662011-04-29T22:24:00.000-07:002011-04-29T22:24:00.856-07:00Lorentz National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDnEcz0ELVDJhdwfyJYNBVrLw3ZJqh963bcy2Q2klwYFgDmxbgIKxyIfbgmXehCz4J_mdWZquCSSO9jnBeALearsBs7gFW62HaX7obY94EGNZSBgLwKwEzY6WN90G9Z5OeYSRWm7fsixi/s1600/11+Lorentz+National+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDnEcz0ELVDJhdwfyJYNBVrLw3ZJqh963bcy2Q2klwYFgDmxbgIKxyIfbgmXehCz4J_mdWZquCSSO9jnBeALearsBs7gFW62HaX7obY94EGNZSBgLwKwEzY6WN90G9Z5OeYSRWm7fsixi/s400/11+Lorentz+National+Park.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Park lies within Irian Jaya Province, and the administrative Jayawijaya, Paniai, Merauke (Southern Division), Fak-fak, Mimika and Enarotali districts. It stretches for over 150km, from the central cordillera mountains in the north to Arafura Sea in the south. Access is by air from Jayapura to Wamena and Timika 04º00'-5º15'S, 137º14'-138º20'E.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dutch Colonial Government gave the first protection status in 1919 with the establishment of Lorentz Nature Monument. In 1956, the protected status was abolished due to conflicts with local people over unresolved land ownership. In 1978, it has established as a Strict Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam) by the Indonesian Government with an area of 2,150,000ha wdth. In March 1997 it was declared National park by the Ministry of Forestry, which includes the eastern extension (Mt. Trikora, Mt. Rumphius, Habbema Lake area), coastal and marine areas.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the total area is 2,505,600ha, about 0.6% of Irian Jaya's total size, the Park can be divided into two very distinct zones: the swampy lowlands and the high mountain area of the central cordillera. The central cordillera itself can be subdivided in the eastern part and the western part on the basis of geology and vegetation types, the north/south line at approximately Kwiyawagi village being the dividing line.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="b" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The central mountain ranges are the southern portion of two colliding continental plates, which are causing the mountain range to rise. The lowering and rising of the sea level during the glacial and inter-glacial periods of the Pleistocene, along with continuous activity in the mobile belt which characterizes the contact zone of the two colliding lithospheres plates, has continued to promote the great biodiversity of the island of New Guinea in general, and in the Lorentz area in particular. Large tracts of the mountain range, and especially the area formed by the traditional lands of the Amungme (or Amung) are rich in mineral deposits - especially gold and copper.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Carstenz or Jaya Peak section of the Jayawijaya Mountain Range still retains small ice caps. It is one of only three equatorial highlands (Sierra Nevada region in the Andes, and Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Ruwenzori in E.Africa) that is sufficiently high altitude to retain permanent ice, but note that Lorentz glaciers are receding rapidly. Some 3,300ha of snowfields REMAINED IN 1992. The main snowfields comprise five separate areas of ice on the outer margins of Mount Puncak Jaya. These include two small fields, which feed the Meren and Carstenz glaciers, and a small hanging glacier on the Carstenz Pyramid.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Puncak Jaya's summit consists of several peaks (Jayakesuma / Carstenz Pyramid 4,884m, Ngga Pulu 4,862m, Meren 4,808m) that developed from Tertiary rocks (Miocene). This high area was still covered by wide ice caps (13sq.km) in 1936. These ice caps melted down to an area of just 6.9 km in 1972 and further reduced to 3.3 sq.km by 1991. The remaining ice is now divided into three patches the North Wall Firn, the Meren and Carstenz glacier with only 3 sq.km of ice left. Based on climatic data, a deficit mass balance will continue as the future trend.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lowland area is a wide swampy plain, covered with virgin forest and intersected by countless winding rivers and streams, mostly tidal. The largest of these rivers empty into the shallow Arafura Sea, which separates the island of New Guinea from Australia.</span></div><div align="justify" class="b"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Regional Physical Planning Program for Transmigration recognized 9 physiographic types and regions (beaches, tidal swamps, meander belts, peat swamps, alluvial valleys, alluvial fans, dissected terraces, mountains and alpine summits) with 13 major land systems.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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