97 Search Results for ""the bay area""

• Top Biking Adventures in Vietn Top Biking Adventures in Vietnam

  • From: acitvetraveasia
  • Description:
    As a country with every terrain imaginable, Vietnam offers a memorable bicycling adventure for any and all peddlers, regardless of experience or condition. The flat expanse of the Mekong Delta grows to rugged mountains in the central expanse and then blends into the widest variety of difficulty north near Hanoi.
    Traffic and Bicycle Laws
    Along with standard laws like not causing traffic problems by racing or zigzagging, Vietnam has few laws targeted specifically toward the bicyclist. It is important to remember not to carry cumbersome loads, carry children over age seven with you or ride more than two abreast. No sort of helmet or lighting is required, but bicyclists are not allowed to ride with open umbrellas. One can only guess what happened to make this law.
    Common Trips
    For those interested in adventure and active trips, there are some routes that will take you through and explore the backcountry while providing some modicum of modern amenities. ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA_one of the travel companies offering cycling tours in Indochina_ is received good reviews of adventure travelers.

    Biking Mekong Delta

    The easiest of these is around the Mekong Delta. With a terrain nearly devoid of any rise, these trips are easier, but by no means less scenic, than the others. Traveling through the expanse of rice paddies dotted with the occasional copse of trees, the rider will be joined by children cycling to or from school or women returning from the market. People in the villages will be pleasantly surprised to see a foreigner riding into town and a circuit from Ho Chi Minh to any of the surrounding villages is an easy ride. With the flat terrain and abundance of villages it is easy to take a trip of any length, whether only a day or two weeks, a rider can tour without backtracking.

    Biking Mai chau, Hoa Binh province

    The northern area allows for more wooded scenery while still allowing for easier trips. For the more adventurous, the northern area provides a greater degree of difficulty through the hills surrounding Hanoi. This trip offers a great opportunity to see the two area of outstanding nature beauty; the North West highlands of Mai Chau and the limestone mountains of Ninh Binh. Biking is a great way to see this fascinating and visually stunning part of Vietnam, offering both physical activity and the unique opportunity to observe a way of life that has changed little over the centuries. As we ride in Mai Chau we encounter Muong and White Thai minorities and are guests in their traditional stilt houses allowing us to see firsthand how these minority peoples live. In Ninh Binh we explore the beauty of “Halong Bay on the rice fields” on bikes.

    Biking Ho Chi Minh trail

    A new trip for the adventurous would be along the historical Ho Chi Minh trail. The so-called Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the most renowned legends of the American War. The complicated road system winds along the Truong Son Range, which that facilitated movement of soldiers and war supplies from North Vietnam to battlefields in South Vietnam. Now the historic trail is being turned into a highway and hotels and towns are springing up speedily beside it. The route is incredibly beautiful with new mountain views around every corner, very little traffic, and virtually no tourists.
    Weather
    Weather in Southeast Asia is a big consideration and it is recommended to go from Late September to December or March to late May. The weather in the southern area of Vietnam stays warm and humid averaging 26°C with its rainy season from June to September. BE WARNED: Vietnam sees monsoonal rains starting in June, peaking in August and tapering down in September. This season varies depending on location; Hanoi in the north generally has a rainy season that peaks earlier while Ho Chi Minh City may not see its rains slack until early October. Vietnam, especially central Vietnam, often floods and can hold up a trip for a week before the waters recede.
    The hot season will see temperatures averaging 30°C, with the south staying warm all year round and the north seeing winter trends averaging 15°C. Depending on the time of year, it would be advisable to take a jacket to keep off the chill, especially if riding in the highlands, and a hat to protect against the sun.
    Other Considerations
    Visas must be applied for at least six months prior to entry date. Tourist visas are granted for one month, but may be extended after arrival in Vietnam, and only allow one entry into the country. Tourists must fill out arrival/departure papers and declaration papers, keeping both with the passport at all times. It is also recommended having a few extra passport-size photos with you as local authorities may request these and it is always a good idea to stay on the good side of authorities.
    With over two-thirds of its roads unpaved and those paved roads sporting an abundance of potholes, the road conditions almost require a mountain bike. 
    The lush landscapes and warm hospitality provide anyone with a good biking tour of Vietnam. Take the time to look around and smell the proverbial “roses”.
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• Singapore: Traditions at the Singapore: Traditions at the Core of Modernity

  • From: Brianmcquillan
  • Description:
    
    
    

    Admired as one of the most prosperous cities in world, Singapore is a popular tourist destination that can be defined through rock-solid infrastructure, congestion free roads and heady concoctions of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cultures.These things in combination with energy make Singapore a city state like none other.Singapore appears as a city where poverty and chaos are nonexistent.As your flight lands in Singapore, you get introduced to a place where there is an order in almost everything.

    Prima facie, the city unveils to you as an urban settlement where everything seems artificial but as you scratch its shiny surface its true colours start enchanting you.

    This former British trading colony stuns you with myriad places of tourist interest, excellent shopping options, glittering nightlife topped with loads of glamour and glitch.

    Rendezvous with Singapore:

    National Orchid Garden:The garden opened for public in the year 1995, is home to a large number of species and hybrids.

    

    Singapore Botanical Garden: Sprawled over an area of 74 hectare. The garden boasts off a large collection of plants.

    

    Marina Bay:Marina Bay is situated to the east of Downtown Core of the city. The tourists can explore new lifestyle options and have endless conversation on business and day to day life.

    

    Singapore Flyer: The operators of the wheel describe it as observational wheel. With total height of 165m it is the tallest Ferris wheel on the earth.

    

    National Museum of Singapore The museum is an ideal place for those who want to get introduced to history and culture of Singapore. The museum presents the history in an innovative way.

    

    Singapore Science Center: This destination is an ideal place for those who have a genuine interest in science and have a scientific temper.

    

    Chinatown: This Chinese heritage area has a huge following among tourists.

    
    When it comes to accommodation and dining there is no dearth of options here. The city is a food lover’s paradise. Your London-Singapore trip is bound to be an unforgettable experience.
    
    

    This content is originally syndicated from http://brianmcquillan-travel.blogspot.com/2013/03/singapore-traditions-at-core-of.html

    
    

     

    Also you can find Singapore travel news on

     

    
    

    news.carltonleisure.com/singapore

    
    
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• Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay

  • From: clays
  • Description:

    Ha Long Bay (Vietnamese: Vịnh Hạ Long,  listen, literally: "descending dragon bay") is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long City, Cẩm Phả town, and part of Van Don district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Ha Long Bay is a center of a larger zone which includes Bái Tử Long bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà islands to the southwest. These larger zones share similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climate, and cultural characters.

    Ha Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km², including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km² with a high density of 775 islets.^[1] The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments. The evolution of the karst in this bay has taken 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate.^[2] The geo-diversity of the environment in the area has created biodiversity, including a tropical evergreen biosystem, oceanic and sea shore biosystem.^[3] Ha Long Bay is home to 14 endemic floral species^[4] and 60 endemic faunal species.^[5]

    Historical research surveys have shown the presence of prehistorical human beings in this area tens of thousands years ago. The successive ancient cultures are the Soi Nhụ culture around 18,000–7000 BC, the Cái Bèo culture 7000–5000 BC^[6] and the Hạ Long culture 5,000–3,500 years ago.^[7] Hạ Long Bay also marked important events in thehistory of Vietnam with many artifacts found in Bài Thơ Mout, Đầu Gỗ Cave, Bãi Cháy.^[7]

    500 years ago, Nguyen Trai praised the beauty of Hạ Long Bay in his verse Lộ nhập Vân Đồn, in which he called it "rock wonder in the sky".^[8] In 1962, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam listed Hạ Long Bay in the National Relics and Landscapes publication.^[9] In 1994, the core zone of Hạ Long Bay was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site according to criterion vii, and listed for a second time according to criterion viii.^[1

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• Waikiki Beach: The Perfect Des Waikiki Beach: The Perfect Destination for Friends

  • From: ajjordan2
  • Description:

    My friends and I had a birthday celebration in Oahu, Hawaii- a perfect combination of beach time and nightlife. Here are some suggestions for visitors that would like to experience a range of activities from snorkeling to bar hopping in the tourist hub of Waikiki Beach.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Where to Stay:

    

    Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach

    We stayed in a two bedroom, two bath suite at the resort, which included a king bed in one room and two queens in the other. These accommodations were convenient for the six of us to spread out without feeling cramped. According to sales manager, Susan Koehler, "what makes the property stand out from other resorts is our extra space, value, and location”.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Each morning we had complimentary hot breakfast followed by complimentary alcoholic beverages at the manager’s reception in the evenings. This was a great prelude to our nights on the town.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The sundeck, Jacuzzi, and pool-side bar are perfect amenities for a chill out session. Some insider tips include checking out their free yoga classes Tuesday and Friday mornings and catching the fireworks that take off from the Hilton Hawaiian Village each Friday.

     

     

     

     

     

                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                         DoubleTree by Hilton

     

    We decided to spend our last night at another Hilton property, the DoubleTree hotel in Waikiki. The DoubleTree contains 317 guest rooms, each featuring a private balcony. Other amentities included complimentary WiFi in the lobby, 24-hour fitness center, and heated pool for swimming laps. The location of the DoubleTree allowed us to see the other end of Waikiki, which was close to the Ilikai Marina and the Ala Moana Beach. Our last day was spent touring these two areas.

     

    Where to Party:

     

    First Fridays in Chinatown is the place to view the local artists and showcases; the downtown area is lively with bars and lounges open for the streams of visitors. Addiction nightclub is located at The Modern hotel and caters to the 21 through 30 year-old crowd. They play a range of music from Hip Hop to Pop, and many locals gravitate to the club Thursday nights. 

     

     

     

    The Sheraton has an outdoor bar/lounge called Rum Fire that attracts a grown and sexy crowd from 21 through 40; lighted torches surrounding the bar and a glowing pool gives off an aura of a sultry Hawaiian night. Moose McGillycuddy’s is the go-to dive bar for inexpensive drinks and a packed crowd.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Activities to Try:

     

    A 2-3 minute walk from the Embassy Suites puts you right on the strip of the Waikiki Beach, where you can rent a umbrella to lay out, as well as kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or rent a paddleboat. We got some great shots out on the wooden pier.

    

     

     

     

    A 20 minute ride from Waikiki puts you in Hanauma Bay, an ancient  volcanic crater-turned bay, which is packed with marine life; excellent for snorkeling. We camped out on the beach after we went snorkeling (tip: map out the areas of the ocean beforehand where reef is not widespread for better snorkeling).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Enjoy hiking? Check out Manoa Falls, a waterfall surrounded by a verdant rainforest that can be reached via a hiking trail (the destination is site of many films, including Jurassic Park and Hunger Games). We hiked the 2 mile trail, and ended up at the base of the waterfall. Of course we had to take a  dip for photo ops.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    For an authentic luau, and a colorful end to your vacation, try Germaine’s Luau, with offers a Hawaiian cultural ceremony at sunset, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and 3 free drinks.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

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• The Fishermen of Halong Bay, V The Fishermen of Halong Bay, Vietnam

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:
    “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru
    Mesmerizing panoramas of limestone karsts often covered with lush green vegetation. Adding to this backdrop was the ever present fishermen who live on these waters. We were never completely alone.
    The put-put of their engines was the first indicator.
    
    A single boat with Quonset hut and colorful flags passed by our junk oblivious to us watching.
    
    Oftentimes boats were rafted together. This was home for them and a way of life dating back generations.

    We notice a lone man in his boat tied to this grey ragged landscape collecting crustaceans. It is food for the table and to sell.
    
    A cultural and colorful highlight was visiting a floating village tucked along the jagged edge of karsts in a somewhat protected area from the winds. Consisting of 120 people, mostly families with children, they have been there since 1994 and encouraged by the government to fish these waters. They do so with nets as well as fish-farms. There are three other such floating villages scattered throughout Halong Bay and some quite large. Collectively, these fishermen supply seafood to all of Vietnam, particularly Hanoi. In addition, they are developing markets for farm-raised sea grasses, sea weed, and shrimp.
    Houses were painted in cheerful colors and each appeared to have a resident watch dog. Roosters crowed.
    Generators provide electricity for the floating village and fresh water is brought in from the mainland and stored in tanks.
    We were taken to the community building to meet the village elder, his family and to have tea. The structure also serves as a school while efforts are being made to replace the one that was destroyed in a typhoon. The government provides a teacher, but he or she needs to be married, which reflects the cultural morays. Older children who wish to further their education often live on the mainland with a relative.
    Managing tourism is of importance. This village has a partnership with several junk touring companies. Only the smaller vessels can approach this particular floating village, which was a cultural bonus for us. Instead of selling us trinkets or local crafts, we were taken on small boat excursions. There were four couples in our group and each couple was assigned to a row boat made from a woven reed basket.
    

    Our rower was a girl named Win who was shy and had such a lovely smile. By tipping these rowers we are told this is a “workable” situation for tourists and the village. I had to agree. These women worked hard at what they were doing. An extra cultural treat for Ron and I was Duc, our guide, joined our little boat as well as the village chief’s son and niece. It was fun listening to the children chatter away and Duc translate.

    Laughing at each other in our conical hats was a reminder that we were acting the tourist part. There was one particular area that Duc wanted us to see, but the lead rower could not get her boat through because of the current.

    

    We weren't disappointed. The beauty around us was worth this experience of being rowed in a basket.

    Once back on the junk, the long term sustainability of these floating villages was discussed. There is a balance between the fishermen, tourism, and the fragile eco-system which can change because of industrial run off, storms affecting fishing and increasing pollution. Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder. Protection of these waters while preserving a cultural way of life is an ongoing challenge.

    Source: onthegowithlynne
    For more information about Halong Bay cruise, please refer: http://www.indochinasails.com/
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• Egypt Adventure Package By Two Egypt Adventure Package By Two Ways Travel

  • From: Gohartravel
  • Description:

     

    ITINERARY

    DAY – BAY – DAY 

    Day 01:  (Arrival Day Luxor)

    Arrival to Luxor international airport "02 Adult" Meet & assist through passports and Customs formalities by our representative. Then transfer with our representative by Private A/C Van to hotel Leave your Luggage get Shower and Overnight in Luxor

    Day 02:  (Overday to Dendara & Abydos)

    After breakfast meet your Guide Then Transfer by air-conditioned modern vehicle to visit Dendera temple which is dedicated to goddess Hathor- cow headed woman and known by Goddess of Love. This temple back to 125 B.C and it is quiet unique because of the fact that the roof is still intact and visitors can admire the beautiful ceiling; depicting the hours of the day and night as well as the traveling journey of the sun, the moon and the stars across the sky. One of its ceilings is decorated with a plaster cast of the signs of the zodiac. Not only that but this temple has the only relief which represented queen Cleopatra and her son Caesarian. Then continue the tour to Abydos which was the head of god Osiris- the god of underworld and part of his body was buried there according to the legend of ancient Egyptians. In Abydos you are going to visit the famous temple of king Seti I – the founder of Abydos temple which was completed by his son king Ramses II.  The beauty of this temple almost feels like an apology and dedication to the following gods: Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amun Ra, Mut and Khonsu after finishing the tour, you will be driven to your hotel in Luxor. 

    Day 03:  (Hot air balloon not including The Package Price)

    We pick you up from you hotel early morning for a fantastic hot air balloon ride in Luxor that is one of the best ways to see Luxor and get a feel for the vast area covered by the area's ancient sites is to take a balloon trip, you climb aboard a hot air balloon for an amazing 45 minutes floating over some of the world's most important archaeological sites, including the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and iconic historic monuments. During the flight you get breathtaking view of sprawling temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple complexes. This tour includes refreshments and then you will be transferred back to your hotel.

    Day 04: (Nile Cruise)

    After breakfast check out the hotel then transfer to M/S Farah Nile Cruise

          12:00 Check-In

          12:30 Lunch on board

          14:30 Visit East Bank (Karnak & Luxor Temples)

          20:00 Dinner on board

    Overnight in Luxor

    Day 05: (Nile Cruise)

          6:00 Breakfast on board

          7:00 Visit West Bank -- Valley of the Kings ,Temple of Queen Hatshepsut ( El-Deir El-Bahari )

          12:00 Sail to Edfu via Esna

          13:00 Lunch on board

          16:00 Afternoon tea

          20:00 Dinner on board

    Overnight in Edfu

    Day 06: (Nile Cruise)

          7:00 Breakfast on board

          8:00 Visit Horus Temple in Edfu

          13:00 Lunch on board

          16:00 Afternoon tea during Sailing to Kom Ombo

          17:00 Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom Ombo

          18:30 Sail to Aswan

          20:00 Dinner on board Galabia Party After Dinner

    Overnight in Aswan.

    Day 07: (Nile Cruise)

          7:00 Breakfast on board

          8:00 Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae & unfinished Obelisk.

          13:00 Lunch on board

          16:00 Afternoon tea

          17:00 Felucca on the Nile around Kitchener island

          20:00 Dinner on board

    Overnight in Aswan.

    Day 08:  (Nile Cruise)

          7:00 Breakfast on board

          8:00 Check- out

    Day 09: (Cairo Arrival – Sightseeing - and Overnight)

    A: M Arrival Then transfer to hotel rest – Shower then Meet The Tour Guide transfer by private A/C Van Then Meet the Tour Guide at 09:00 A.M to Egyptian Museum, famous for its antiquities from Egypt's Pharaonic period then end Of the Day Visit to Khan El Khalili Market and Overnight in Cairo.

    Day 10: (Cairo– Sightseeing - and Overnight)

    After breakfast meet the Tour Guide to go to Giza to view the legendary majestic Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Myerson's, the great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren; guarding the Royal Burial Chambers, Valley temple and Papyrus institute and perfume Factory and Overnight in Cairo and Overnight in Cairo. "Camel Ride Including on This Day" then Islamic Cairo to visit El Sultan Hassan Mosque, Ahmed Ibn Toulon and Then Move Coptic Cairo and Overnight in Cairo.

    Day 11:  (Cairo– Sightseeing - and Overnight)

    After breakfast meet the Tour Guide to go to visit to Sakkara that is part of Memphis's massive necropolis, and the burial site of the most ancient Pharaohs where you will see the first pyramids build in Egypt "Step Pyramid of King Djoser that was designed by Imhotep, the ancient Egyptian architect also you will visit the Teti Pyramid and tombs in Sakkara then you will be transferred to Memphis, the ancient Capital of Egypt to visit the colossal statue of Ramses II and nearby a still half-buried Hathor Temple. Later on you will be driven to Dahshure Bent Pyramid & Red Pyramids which were founded by King Snefru – the founder of the Old Kingdom. Both Pyramids the Bent & the Red create the link between the Step Pyramids at Sakkara and the Pyramids of Giza. Finally you will be escorted by your guide back to your hotel and overnight in Cairo.

    Day 12: (Cairo Final Departure)

    After breakfast check out the Hotel then transfer to Cairo Airport to final Departure.

    “End of Tour “ 

     

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• Halong Bay‘s sunset praised on Halong Bay‘s sunset praised on CNN

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:
    Thanks to its unique beauty, Halong Bay was selected as one of Asia’s top five tropical island paradises which possess the most beautiful sunset.
    
    

    With this spirit of maritime adventure in mind, CNN asked Herman Ho, Boat Asia 2012 managing director, and Stuart McDonald, founder and editor of Asian travel website, travelfish.org, to give the lowdown on Southeast Asia's most spectacular coastal spots. Vietnam’s Halong Bay was selected in the list of top five tropical island paradises.

     

    Halong Bay in northwestern Vietnam is one of the most stunning boating destinations anywhere in the world, says McDonald.

     

    Comprising a vast coastal waterway of roughly 2,000 islands spread over an area of 1,500 square kilometers, carving out your own sailing space shouldn't be too much of a problem. While tranquil waters year round make sure going for a swim is always a pleasure.

     

    The mysterious limestone caves on Halong Bay's bigger islands and the "incredible sunsets" meanwhile are two sights not to be missed, advises McDonald.

     

    Other tropical island paradises includes Indonesia’s Anambas islands, Thailand’s Koh Chang, Malaysia’s Langkawi and Thailand’s Similan Islands.

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• The Ocean Cultural Tourist Are The Ocean Cultural Tourist Area of West Island

  • From: x123456
  • Description:

    Located at the center of Sanya Bay, The Ocean Cultural Tourist Area of West Island is a holiday resort for tourism which is well-known for beautiful mountains, coral reefs, clean ocean water, and soft beaches. It’s composed of an amusement park and a tourism spot. And it’s 8 sea miles away from the Sanya downtown.

     

    The amusement park which is combined with sea sports, sightseeing under the sea, outdoor bathing places and activities on beaches is a scenic spot on the island.

     

    Around the sea areas of the Ocean Cultural Tourist Area of West Island which is accepted by the world as a resort for diving is the national preservation area of coral reefs. In the sea areas are the areas for diving where the water is very clean and blue, with 10 to 20 meters deep, and also you are able to see all kinds of marine animals like corals, snail fish, angel fish starfish.  

     

    In the Ocean Cultural Tourist Area of West Island, you can dive in different  ways to experience how beautiful and miraculous the underwater world is.

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• Motorbike Adventure And Trekki Motorbike Adventure And Trekking (3 Days/ 2 Nights)

  • From: khuongvn
  • Description:

    Tour introduction:

    
    Ba Be Lake is a place with some of the most wonderful sceneres in Vietnam. The lake is in Ba Be National Park, which is about 250km North of Hanoi. It is near Bo Lu and Pac Ngoi villages, the home of Tay ethnic people.
    Ba Be Lake is on a limestone mountain, at a height of 150m above sea level. As it looks similar to Halong Bay, the lake is also called "Halong Bay on the mountain." It has a water surface area of 500ha. It is more than 8km long, nearly 2km at its widest, and 20-35m deep. The lake is made up of three river branches - Pe Lam, Pe Lu and Pe Leng.

    
    Tour code: BB29

    
    Day 1: Ha Noi - Ba Be (250Km/7hours) (L/D)
    
    After breakfast we depart Hanoi for We leave Hanoi at 8:00 am and follow the National road #3 to Thai Nguyen. On arrival, we have lunch in a local restaurant. Continuing on your trip to Ba Be National Park. Refresh with a short walk in the afternoon around the park and even go swimming in the nearby lake (depends on the weather condition).
    Have dinner in a local restaurant in Ba Be.
    Overnight in home-stay in Ba Be
    
    Day 2: Ba Be (B/L/D)
    This morning we take a boat cruising on the lake to discover the beauty of the lake and the diversity of fauna and flora living on the lake and visit nearby tourist places in the national park such as Tien Pond, Po Gia Mai Island, Puong Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall. If they visit at the time of Long Tong Festival on the 10th and 11th days of the first lunar month, they can see traditional games, performances of martial arts, and the horn dance of Tay, Dao, Mong, Nung and Kinh tribal groups.
    Get back to the village for lunch and a short break. In the afternoon, we do a soft trek to Ba Ba National park covering more than 23,000 hectares, this beautiful region is a tropical rainforest area with over 410 named plant species and 300 wildlife species. Get back to the hotel for dinner and free at leisure.
    Overnight in home-stay in Ba Be.
    
    Day 3: Ba Be - Ha Noi (250Km/7hours) (B/L)
    This morning we ride for a couple of hours around the park and take advantages of the morning's fresh air in the peaceful village. Have lunch in a local restaurant before heading back to Hanoi.
    Arrive Hanoi around 5:00 pm. The trip ends.
    
    Climate
    From July to September, the climate is usually humid and hot.
    From October to June brings cooler and more pleasant weather.
    
    Transport:
    - boat.
    - vehicle.
    
    Tour Guides:
    Our experienced and friendly Tour Guide(s) speak excellent English or French.
    They are extremely knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment.
    
    Meals:
    - 2 breakfasts.
    - 3 lunches.
    - 2 dinners.
    We choose local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area, at local restaurants, markets or homes.
    We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking.
    
    Accommodation:
    - home stay (2 nights).
    A clean and comfortable home stay with mosquito nets provided.
    
    Tour price: please contact us
    
    
    Note: To book a place on this tour,it is required 30% deposit into our bank account the rest payment must be made 10 days before the departure.
    
    Tour includes:
    • Motorbikes (Minsk 125cc or similar): 01 bike/ per person
    • All petrol (gasoline), helmet
    • Rain gear
    • Motorbike jacket
    • Boat trip on Ba Be lake
    • 02 nights in the hotel in twin share room
    • Local English Speaking guide
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: 02 Breakfasts (B), 03 Lunches (L), 02 Dinners (D)
    • All entrance fees
    
    Tour excludes:
    • Visa to Vietnam
    • Any other transportation are not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Travel Insurance
    • Drinks
    • Meals are not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Tip for guide
    • Other personal expenses.
    
    What to bring:
    • Passport
    • Good sunglasses
    • Good shoes for walking
    • Other personal needs and some cash for drinks or souvenirs.
    
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    For further information, don’t hesitate to contact us:.

    Hotline:

    (+84) 1676 161 008

    Email:sales@thebtourist.com

    Website:

    www.babenationalpark.com.vn

    www.thebtourist.com

     

    THE B-TOURIST TOURISM SERVICE AND TRADING COMPANY LIMITED

    Head office: No. 03, Lane 150/141, Giap Nhi Street, Thinh Liet  Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Tel: (+84) 4 3 6425 420

    Fax: (+84)4 3 6425 421

    Email:info@thebtourist.com

    Website: http://thebtourist.com 

     

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  • 4 months ago
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• Ha Noi - Ba Be National Park P Ha Noi - Ba Be National Park Private Tour ( 2 Days/ 1 Night )

  • From: khuongvn
  • Description:

    
    Hua Ma cave in Quang Khe Commune is ranked among the most beautiful and interesting caves in Ba Be national park because of its magnificent stalactites and the legend that has been told for generations.

    
    Day 1 : Ha Noi – Ba Be Lake (250km) (L, D)
    We depart at around 7 A.M in the morning from Hanoi and drive to Ba Be National Park. On the way we make several stops wherever you want to take photos and visit beautiful sights and villages along the way. We arrive in Ba Be Lake late in the morning. We have lunch on the Babe lakeshore in a local restaurant., After lunch we go a boat trip for 3 hours to visit Ba Be Lake and row kayak at pelu bay,  have dinner and stay overnight in a local Tay minority family in their traditional wooden stilt house.
    
    Day 2: Hua Ma cave  & Ha Noi (B, L) .
    After breakfast we go past Ba Be forest, you can discover spectacular rivers, deep valleys, natural caves and undulating mountains. On the way, we stop at Huama cave to see one of the most biggest cave in Vietnam, you can compare with Phong Nha – Ke Bang. Then drive back to Ha Noi. On the way, we also pay a visit to the Thai Nguyen Minority and Culture Museum where we can learn something about the culture and traditions of the different minority groups in Vietnam. Have lunch in a local restaurant on the way. We arrive in Ha Noi at about 8 P.M  and the car will droop you off at your hotel.
    
    The facts…
    Physical activities:
    
    Hiking and trekking with:
    - a 3-7 km hike on Day 1.
    - a 4-6 km trek on Day 2.
    - a 5-7 km hike on Day 3.
    
    From July to September, the climate is usually humid and hot.
    From October to June brings cooler and more pleasant weather.
    
    Transport:
    - boat.
    - vehicle.
    
    Tour Guides:
    Our experienced and friendly Tour Guide(s) speak excellent English or French.
    They are extremely knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment.
    
    Meals:
    - 1 breakfast.
    - 2 lunches.
    - 1 dinner.
    We choose local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area, at local restaurants, markets or homes.
    We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking.
    
    Accommodation:
    - home-stay (1 night).
    A clean and comfortable home-stay with mosquito nets provided.
    
    Tour price: please contact us
    
     
    Tour price includes:
    + Private door-to-door pick-up & -off services.
    + All private transfer and transportation
    + Home-stay with daily breakfast
    + Experienced English or French speaking guide.
    + Private boat trip
    + Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)
    + All sightseeing tickets.
    + No extra charge after confirmation
    + 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
    
    Tour price excludes:
    + Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
    + Travel insurance
    + Beverage
    + Other services not mentioned above.
    
    What to take:
    + Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking.
    + It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat...

     

     

    For further information, don’t hesitate to contact us:.

    Hotline:

    (+84) 1676 161 008

    Email:sales@thebtourist.com

    Website:

    www.babenationalpark.com.vn

    www.thebtourist.com

     

     

    THE B-TOURIST TOURISM SERVICE AND TRADING COMPANY LIMITED

     

    Head office: No. 03, Lane 150/141, Giap Nhi Street, Thinh Liet  Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Tel: (+84) 4 3 6425 420

    Fax: (+84)4 3 6425 421

    Email:info@thebtourist.com

    Website: http://thebtourist.com 

     

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
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• Ha Noi - Ba Be Open Tour (2 Da Ha Noi - Ba Be Open Tour (2 Days/ 1 Night)

  • From: khuongvn
  • Description:

    
    This is one of the new tours that The Tourist Vietnam set up, Hua Ma cave in Quang Khe Commune is ranked among the most beautiful and interesting caves in Ba Be national park because of its magnificent stalactites and the legend that has been told for generations.
    Tour code: BB06

    
    Day 1 : Ha Noi – Ba Be Lake (250km) (L, D)
    We depart at around 7 A.M in the morning from Hanoi and drive to Ba Be National Park. On the way we make several stops wherever you want to take photos and visit beautiful sights and villages along the way. We arrive in Ba Be Lake late in the morning. We have lunch on the Babe lakeshore in a local restaurant., After lunch we go a boat trip for 3 hours to visit Ba Be Lake and row kayak at Pelu bay,  have dinner and stay overnight in a local Tay minority family in their traditional wooden stilt house.
    
    Day 2: Hua Ma cave  & Ha Noi (B, L) .
    After breakfast we go past Ba Be forest, you can discover spectacular rivers, deep valleys, natural caves and undulating mountains. On the way, we stop at Hua Ma cave to see one of the most biggest cave in Vietnam, you can compare with Phong Nha – Ke Bang. Then drive back to Ha Noi. On the way, we also pay a visit to the Thai Nguyen Minority and Culture Museum where we can learn something about the culture and traditions of the different minority groups in Vietnam. Have lunch in a local restaurant on the way. We arrive in Ha Noi at about 8 P.M  and the car will droop you off at your hotel.
    
    The facts…
    Physical activities:
    
    Hiking and trekking with:
    - a 3-7 km hike on Day 1.
    - a 3-5 km trek on Day 2.
    From July to September, the climate is usually humid and hot. From October to June brings cooler and more pleasant weather.

    
    Transport:
    - boat.
    - vehicle.

    
    Tour Guides:
    Our experienced and friendly Tour Guide(s) speak excellent English or French.
    They are extremely knowledgeable about local cultures, history and the environment.

    
    Meals:
    - 1 breakfast.
    - 2 lunches.
    - 1 dinner.
    We choose local ingredients, typical of the way people eat in the area, at local restaurants, markets or homes.
    We also cater for Vegetarians but please request this at time of booking.

    
    Accommodation:
    - home stay (1 night).
    A clean and comfortable home stay with mosquito nets provided.
    
    Tour price: 120 USD/ Person
    
    Included:  A/C transfer, entrance fees, boat trip, all meals as mentioned, English speaking guide, home-stay.
    
    Excluded: Travel insurance, drinks, personal expenses, kayaking, tips.
    
    Extra service:
    + Kayaking US$ 5.00/pax (02pax/kayak)
    + Private room + US$ 5.00/pax
    
    * Children rates:
    + Free of charge for children under 4 years sharing bed with parents.
    + Surcharge 70% rate of adult for children (5-11 years) sharing bed with parents.
    + Over 11 years is adult’s rate.
    
    * The itinerary can be changed due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions.
    * Special request (diet or vegetarian, …) should be sent before your departure date.
    
    
    Note: Open tour is only arranged on Monday & Saturday. 
    
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    THE B-TOURIST TOURISM SERVICE AND TRADING COMPANY LIMITED

     

    Head office: No. 03, Lane 150/141, Giap Nhi Street, Thinh Liet  Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Tel: (+84) 4 3 6425 420

    Fax: (+84)4 3 6425 421

    Email:sales@thebtourist.com

    Website: http://thebtourist.com 

     

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 96

• San Francisco Stroll San Francisco Stroll

  • From: rschoeff
  • Description:

    A little stroll down one of the piers of the San Francisco bay area on a warm November day seems just the thing in the late afternoon as the sun begins descending earlier. Lots of people, and dogs, were out enjoying the weather. We remembered it even more fondly after returning to the midwest and seeing snow falling the next day.

  • 6 months ago
  • Views: 1235
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• A short overview of Los Angele A short overview of Los Angeles

  • From: steveven
  • Description:

     

    Los Angeles, often known by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California and the second most populous in the United States, and is located in Southern California. The city is the focal point of the larger Los Angeles–Long Beach–Santa Ana metropolitan statistical area and Greater Los Angeles Area region. Los Angeles is also the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populated and one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the United States, while the entire Los Angeles area itself has been recognized as the most diverse of the nation's largest cities. The city's inhabitants are referred to as "Angelenos."

    Culture

    Los Angeles is often billed as the "Creative Capital of the World", due to the fact that one in every six of its residents works in a creative industry. According to the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation, "there are more artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers and musicians living and working in Los Angeles than any other city at any time in the history of civilization."

    LA malls and shopping centers:

    West LA and Beverly Hills, including Beverly Center Shopping Mall, Rodeo Drive, Two Rodeo, Century City Shopping Center and Westside Pavilion.

    Hollywood and nearby, including Hollywood & Highland, Universal CityWalk, Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard Shopping District in West Hollywood.

    Downtown and nearby, including California Market Center, LA Fashion District, Santee Alley, Cooper Design Space, Grand Central Market, LA Flower District, Little Tokyo District, Olvera Street, Citadel Factory Outlet.

    Mid Wilshire and nearby, including The Grove, Original Farmers Market, West Third Street, Koreatown Galleria and Koreatown Plaza.

    South Bay / Redondo Beach, including Del Amo Fashion Center, Manhattan Village Mall, South Bay Galleria, Plaza El Segundo, South Bay Pavilion.

    Los Angeles Nightlife:

    ABH: The Thompson Beverly Hills is a destination on its own accord, but when you consider their rooftop pool at ABH you're left with no reason to not be there right now. The pool provides an intimate and secluded environment for sipping cocktails or taking a dip.

    Poolside cabanas are few and far-between, but incredibly sought after. Luckily, admittance is reserved exclusively for hotel guests and members so the list to get one stays relatively short.

    Apple:  Apple is two-fold, restaurant and entertainment venue. The food comes from the kitchen courtesy of up-and-coming young chef Bryan Ogden, but it is once the plates are cleared that the real fun starts. Over in the Apple Lounge, velvet ropes hold back the average, and only allow the best of the best past.

    Avalon Hollywood: Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles is a historic night club and music venue that attracts some of the hottest performers and musicians in the business. It houses room for nearly 2,000 people, features the exclusive Bardot lounge on the second floor, and plays host to A-list DJ?s. Avalon Hollywood is one of the top destinations for music and party enthusiasts. The historic Avalon is located right across the street from Los Angeles? Capitol Records Building and attracts hundreds of trendy music lovers. With three bars, opera box seating, and outdoor patio Avalon Hollywood is a popular venue for live concerts, dancing, award shows, film screenings, and private events.

    Today, all the major studios are here and the city is the world's undisputed king of film-making. Disneyland is the city's major attraction, but LA is also home to world-renowned cultural institutions from the Museum of Contemporary Art to the LA Philharmonic and the stunning Getty Museum so just try this weekend a new experience in your life. Book your flights to USA and pack your begs now with http://www.ticketstousa.co.uk.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
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• ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA offers new c ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA offers new cycling tours in Vietnam for 2013

  • From: acitvetraveasia
  • Description:

    ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA), one of the leading adventure travel companies in Indochina, announces to offers new cycling tours in Vietnam for 2013. 

    These cycling tours will focus on itineraries of Ba Khan Rustic – Mai Chau Valley, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Cuc Phuong National Park, Hoa Binh Lake & Moc Chau… Travelers who are looking for a budget scenic tour of Southeast Asia combined with greater mobility and adventure, a mountain bike tour may be right up travelers alley because “Bike touring is the perfect holiday: cheap, fun, and good for your health and kind to the environment.", as Mark Hodson from the Sunday Times said.
    Following are the three new cycling tours:
    Cycling & Home-stay in Ba Khan Rustic 2-days (Hanoi – Ba Khan Rustic – Mai Chau Valley – Hanoi) is a 2 days tour depart from Hanoi, the beautiful capital of Vietnam, to Ba Khan Rustic then to Mai Chau Valley. Tourists will be overnight in home stay in a stilt house that looks over Hoa Binh Reservoir, lying in a green valley of paddy fields dotted. The rest of the day travelers can swim in the lake, walk around the village or relax in the garden of the house.  
     
    
    Highlight:  Ba Khan Rustic - A new and unique

    destination of ATA, travelers have opportunity to interact with Thai, Muong ethnic minority who’re very warm, friendly and have unique culture.

    Cycling Hoa Binh Lake & Moc Chau – 3 days (Hanoi – Ba Khan Rustic – Moc Chau – Hanoi )
    This is a 3 days 2 nights tour departs from Hanoi, pass Ba Khan rustic to Moc Chau and back to Ha Noi, stay overnight in Ba Khan Rustic and Moc Chau. Moc Chau is known as not only the land of greenery but also the paradise of fog, smog and cloud. Tourists will spend some time to visit a tea farm and tea tasting, learning how the Vietnamese cultivate tea, cycling routes about 125km/3 days. The tour includes support vehicle, home stay permission, meals, sightseeing fees & entrance fees…
    Great Cycling Adventure Northern Vietnam  (Hanoi – Ba Khan Rustic – Mai Chau Valley – Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Cuc Phuong National Park – “Halong Bay on rice field” – Hanoi)
    
    This is a 4 days tour, different from 2 above tours that travelers will have chance to explore Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Cuc Phuong National Park – “Halong Bay on rice field”. The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty, cultural interest and biodiversity, stretching from Mai Chau in the northwest and to Cuc Phuong National Park in the southeast. The region is blessed with rich forest, Limestone Mountains, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. Biking in Pu Luong is one of the best ways to discover the natural beauty of the region and exotic culture of minority groups. Travelers will stay overnight in Ba Khan rustic, Hang Village and Hin Village in Pu Luong.
    About ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA): launched in Vietnam in 2006, one of the Indochina's leading adventure travel companies, offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, kayaking, overland touring and family travel packages. ATA’s packages and tailor-made private itineraries will take travelers through exotic destinations to really experience the culture, history and nature of Asia. 
    Supported by ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA – Explore the hidden land!
    Hanoi Office:
    Add: Floor 12 Building 45 Nguyen Son Street, Long Bien district, Hanoi, Vietnam
    Tel: +844 3573 8569
    Fax: +844 3573 8570
    Email: info@activetravel.asia 
    Website: http://www.activetravel.asia/
  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
  • Views: 129
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• My Heart is still in Halong Ba My Heart is still in Halong Bay

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:

    

    
    
    
    
    “It is the wonder that one cannot impart to others” – Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts on Halong Bay.
    
    
    The night I spent in Halong Bay will be one I treasure forever, for more than one reason. I fell in love with the area as soon as our junk boat left the harbour and began cruising towards our destination for the night. I was blown away to be finally surrounded with the limestone karsts I had seen on television and the internet too many times to count.
    
    

    

    
    
    After visiting some caves in the afternoon and taking this photo (that I had seen before) I went kayaking around the karsts and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
    
    
    It is not everyday that you can just sit in the middle of the ocean looking up at one of the new seven wonders of nature. It was an once-in-a-lifetime moment I will never forget. Following the kayaking we jumped overboard to swim in the beautiful sea and float away all our cares.
    
    
    

    
    

    
    
    That night our junk boat staff prepared the most amazing seafood feast I have ever eaten, and all products were straight from the sea around us. There were muscles, bugs, soft-shell crabs, fish and prawns.
    
    
    

    
    

    
    
    And then the fun began. My tour group had a pirate party to celebrate the end of our tour. I danced the night away on the top level to the backdrop of Halong Bay – amazing. I was even wearing a singlet I had bought in Cambodia earlier.
    
    
    

    
    
    
    
    Please put Halong Bay on your bucket list. I promise you won’t regret it.
  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 300
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• Great 3 day trip through Halon Great 3 day trip through Halong Bay!

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:

    Coppy right Blogger BertBo 
    Amsterdam , The  Netherlands 

    
    We had booked a 3 day trip through  Halong   Bay  with Indochina Sails  on board of their Indochina Sails 1 or 2 and we stayed in two  Superior  rooms. A good mid size boat with in total 15 cabins. 

      
    It was GREAT ! Luxury boat , excellent service, nice cabins, great program, fine sun deck with deck chairs, cool lounge, sunny clear weather and above all the stunning beauty of  Halong   Bay . 

      
    Halong   Bay  is actually quite a risky location as is is often foggy and it is known for its rainy days. Well, that is just a matter of 'luck'. In all kinds of weather  Halong   Bay  has a certain magic, and when sailing through you sort of expect a dragon to appear any time..... 

      
    The first day soon we arrived at  Luon   Cave  after an excellent lunch. We explored the area in a sea kayak; great fun and good opportunity to be active. 

      
    Stay on the sun deck having an early afternoon drink and enjoy the stunning sunset in Halong Bay. 
    
    
    
    Getting up early the second day we started with a lesson Tai Chi. Quite an exercise as it was already 30+ Celsius at 7 am. We loved it and being home in the  Netherlands  again my wife and I just started a full course. 
    
    
    
    During this second day we explored much more of Halong bay using a 'day boat'. I had no idea what a day boat was supposed to be and had imagined a tender or other kind of small motor boat. On the contrary: it proofed to be a mid size fully equipped ship with a nice cool lounge, beautiful sun deck and full staff. And that for about 12 people. Not bad at all. 

      
    
    During this day we really went into  Halong   Bay  visiting a remote floating village, doing some kayaking, visiting a  Pearl  farm, doing some swimming and all being surrounded by the most beautiful scenery. You did not know what to photograph first or last. I would not want to have missed this second day as it opened up Halong Bay  to us. 

     The third day we visited  Surprise   Cave . I usually am not so much into caves, if you have seen one of them you have seen all of them, but I have to admit that  Surprise   Cave  was something special. The size alone is unbelievable and the beautiful rock formations are stunning. 
    
    This 3 day cruise with Indochina Sails was for sure of of the highlights of out trip through  Vietnam . Perfectly organized and the crew had not lost its personal attention to detail even having done this trip XXX times over. You will regret doing the 2 day only cruise as you miss the most beautiful parts of  Halong  Bay  and all the fun exploring it.

    
    
    
    
    
    

     

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 301
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• GUIDE 2 FUN IN VEGAS.. GUIDE 2 FUN IN VEGAS..

  • From: ajjordan2
  • Description:

    

    My friends and I took a 4-day vacation in Las Vegas, and we had a blast due to prior planning and recommendations from past visitors. Here is a guide to different venues and hotspots that we enjoyed for those traveling to the exciting Sin City…

     

     

    We decided to stay at the 4-star Platinum Hotel, located off-strip. This was a great choice, as the boutique hotel allowed us intimacy, without the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the big casino hotels. Our room was luxurious, complete with a full kitchen (including a dishwasher), washer and dryer, whirlpool Jacuzzi and state-of-the-art fixtures. The 255-room hotel contains one or two bedroom suites that range from 950 to 2,200 square feet, and contain an outdoor swimming pool, on-site fitness center, day spa, business center, and dry cleaning services. The property hosts many weddings as it is one of the only hotels with a large patio featuring outdoor views of the Strip. For food options, you can choose between the Kilowat Restaurant, which is open from 6am to 2pm for breakfast and lunch, and Stir lounge, which is open for dinner from 4pm to 2am. A unique feature to this lounge is their extensive wine selection (50-100 classic and vintage wines), with an added treat of 50% off special on their classic wines on the weekend. The Platinum Hotel is constantly in the Top 10 rating on TripAdvisor (out of 280 Las Vegas hotels).

     

     

    

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    After checking into our hotel and unpacking, we took a 15 minute walk to Central Michel Richard for lunch, located at Caesars Palace. This was a great start to our weekend, as the restaurant was bright and airy with both outdoor and indoor seating, as well as great views of the Strip. We started off with an appetizer of crab cakes with leeks tartare and ginger aioli. For my main course, I chose the pan seared salmon, which was cooked well done to my preference, and had an awesome burst of flavor through a medley of seasonings. My companion chose the fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese. Two of their cocktails, “Blueberry Blitz” and “Granada Sangria” are excellent choices for those who like fruity drinks. This is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For those who enjoy breakfast mid or late-day and like to party late into the night, the restaurant offers a “Late Risers Menu” from 11:30AM to 6AM.

     

     Our first evening in Vegas was a blast, and probably the best night of our vacation. We spent the evening at the Bellagio hotel, and dined and played at three of their venues: Fix, Lily, and The Bank. We started off at Fix for dinner, which was loungy with architectural, earth-toned décor. We were offset from the middle of the casino, which gave us nice views of the players, but still felt like we were in a restaurant. We started off with the “Ultimate Shell Fix”, which is a perfect appetizer for shellfish lovers. The seafood sampler contained marine lobster, tiger prawns, seasonal crab, market oysters, and clams. The lobster tacos and seabass were two of our favorite menu items. For drinks, we favored the “Raspberry Sin”, followed by the Cucumber Martini and Pineapple Mojito.

     

     From Fix, we migrated a few steps over to Lily, an upscale lounge and perfect venue for pre-gaming for a late night.  The décor at Lily contained glass paneling, white lilies in vases, boudoir furniture, and see-through drapes to give a sensual aura about the place. Music selections were diverse, and contained a nice variety of Old School R&B, Country Rock, and Reggae. The best part of the experience was sampling 10 different cocktails on their menu, all created by bartender/mixologist, Emilio Tiburicio. Some of the specialty cocktails include, “Lily” (their signature drink, which is a mixture of lime, vanilla, pear, and blood orange vodka) and the “Hibiscus Margarita” which is similar to Triple Sec, but better quality. My favorite cocktail was the “Sgroppino”, which was a combination of lemon sorbet and Grey Goose Le Citron vodka. Emilio described his creations as having “20 or 30 different flavors in one cocktail”. I recommend this venue for those that love creative and one-of-a-kind drinks.

    

     

     

    After getting our fill of cocktails at Lily, we went to The Bank, a two level nightclub with 8,000 square feet of dance and lounge space. They have VIP rooms available that accommodate up to 75 people, and we experienced having bottle service in their VIP area, which was a blast. The music selection ranged from House to Hip Hop and featured an elegant décor of black, gold, and Cristal adorned walls. The club is open Friday through Sunday starting at 10:30 p.m. and always attracts a large number of partygoers.

     

    Friday morning, we decided to experience something adventurous; we went zip lining at Bootleg Canyon, hosted by FlightlineZ. This was an adrenaline pumping activity, and it was also great to see another area of Nevada outside of the strip. The excursion departs from Excalibur hotel located on the Strip, and takes around 30 minutes to get to the zip lining destination. The activity was a one-of-a-kind experience, where you zip line from four different levels at speeds of around 65 miles per hour, for a total of 1.56 miles and a total elevation drop of 1200 feet. The view is breathtaking; overlooking orange mountains and arid terrain. The length of the zip lines are 1852ft, 1864ft, 2546ft, and 1150ft, consecutively. This is unique because the 3^rd zip line at 2546ft is the longest in Nevada and the 3^rd longest in the country. The hosts were extremely gregarious and experts at making you feel comfortable throughout the excursion.

    

     

     

     

     

    Friday evening we attended Holly Madison’s Peepshow. The burlesque show is described as being “tantalizing fun, taking audiences through a glamorous enchanted adult playground”. The show was created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who directed both Legally Blonde and Hairspray. The name, “Peepshow” is a clever play on words and a fitting description of the program in that there were characters called “Bo Peep”, “Peep Diva”, as well as the obvious reference to the sexy burlesque show. The theme of the show is childhood fairytales with a sexy, adult twist. The element that was the most enjoyable was the wide range of diverse women performing, from black, white, to Hispanic, with different body types and personalities. These were not your stereotypical Vegas Showgirls, however, each woman had a unique sexiness to them, and the choreography and performances were top notch. This is a performance to go see immediately, as the last show takes place December, 2012.

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

    Friday night we went to Palms hotel to experience their nightlife scene. We started at Ghost Bar, a rooftop lounge situated on the sweeping 55^th floor of the hotel. The 360-degree view of Vegas from this level was awe-inspiring. Compared to the many massive-sized clubs and lounges in Vegas, this venue was intimate and sexy, and thus frequently attracts the celebrity clientele. The lounge contained indoor and outdoor partitions, with plush, white furniture. After visiting Ghost Bar, we went next door to Rain, a popular club for House music, and contains 25,000 square feet of dance space with an upscale interior.

     

     

     

     

    After a night of partying, we slept in until lunchtime, and decided to dine at Slice of Vegas located at Mandalay Place (a shopping area located in between Mandalay Bay hotel and Luxor and contains affordable boutique shopping and dining choices). Slice of Vegas is an Italian eatery described by the manager, Tony Cordovana, as being “fresh casual Italian”. We started with an appetizer of calamari, which is cut fresh in-house. For the table, we ordered the “Four Cheese Truffle” pizza, a white pizza with mozzarella, ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano and fontina cheeses over a roasted garlic Alfredo sauce. The restaurant makes both their pizzas and sauces in house. Slice of Vegas is also popular for their alcoholic beverages, which include their 60 different types of beers and specialty cocktails. One of their favorites is the “You Dirty Tomato” cocktail, a bacon-flavored vodka with Bloody Mary and a pepperoni straw: not for the faint of heart (or vegetarians).

     

     

    After leaving Slice of Vegas, we stopped next door at Fat Tuesday (comparable to Wet Willie’s in Miami) and had jello shots along with a 190 Octane drink, which contains 3 shots of EverClear grain alcohol. By the time we arrived at our next destination, we had a nice buzz going. Our destination was Liquid, a pool party at Aria hotel located on the Strip. The venue contains two luxury VIP pools, 8 grand private cabanas, each of which is equipped with a 40” flat screen TV and mini fridge.  The entire property is internet-ready, so you can relax on one of the chaise lounges or day beds that line the 1,200 square-foot pool. There is also a restaurant that offers pool side dining with a menu prepared by Chef Brian Massie.

     

     

     

     

    That evening, we dined at Strip House, located at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Strip House is a fine dining experience that offers an innovative menu with sultry interior designs by David Rockwell. For appetizers we had the lobster bisque, mac ‘n’ cheese, and truffle spinach. Each was flavorsome and expertly baked. I chose the 2 pound shelled lobster with butter sauce as my entrée, which needed no help from side dishes. My companion chose the “Crisp Skin Scottish Salmon” entree, adorned with artichokes, pancetta, fingerling Potatoes and basil sauce. Perhaps the icing on the cake was literally their famous 24-layer chocolate layer cake, which we had for desert. According to the manager, they’ve sold 10 tons of the cake since its opening 5 years ago. The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for a romantic date, with original 1900’s black and white nude photos adorning the sexy blood-red interior.

    

     

     

     

     

    Our last day in Vegas (Sunday) was an explosive culmination to our vacation. We spent the day at Rehab, a pool party located at the Hard Rock Hotel. I nicknamed the event, “the Coachella of pool parties” because of its immense popularity, including it being featured as its own reality show. Rehab takes place during the summer months, and features an A-list performer (Nelly performed at our weekend’s event) every Sunday and packs around 3,200 patrons each event. Chris Brown performed during the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and the property usually gets around 4,700 patrons during the holidays. Resident DJ’s, Wellman and Shift play a range of music from house to R&B and Hip Hop.

     

     

     

     

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 912

• Well worth the premium over th Well worth the premium over the budget cruises!

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:
    We stayed on the Indochina Sails Premium boat in a deluxe cabin on the 2nd Floor, doing the 3 days/2 nights tour.
    
    
    Firstly, I really recommend doing 2 nights instead of 1 - the full day out is relaxing and interesting, and less 'touristy' than the 1 night tour. And don’t worry about sea sickness – the water in the bay is very calm, and the boat moves really slowly.
    
    
    
    The boat itself is beautiful, in perfect condition with a lovely lounge and dining area and a great sundeck on top. Our cabin had a large and comfortable bed, with a jacuzzi bath and separate rain shower. The room was spacious considering it is a cabin on a boat! It has a small balcony, and although there is no space to sit out on the balcony we didn't mind this because the sundeck is so nice and has better views. We had a large suitcase and had no problem keeping it in our cabin. There is a cupboard with a safe. They even provided flip flops in the cabins! I really liked the decor on the boat - dark wood, comfy chairs and loungers, lots of big windows inside.
    
    
    
    The food was great quality - either set menu or big buffets were served. On the first night, we found the food to be excellent - grilled chilli squid, BBQ ribs, baked stuffed crab and lots of other fresh seafood, salads, meats, rice and noodles. The second night it was slightly different but almost as good. Breakfast and lunch was also really good quality. We did have to pay extra for drinks but I am fine with this as I don't drink a lot of alcohol so don't want this included in my price. They did a wine tasting session in the evenings, and a happy hour from 9pm so we took advantage then and tried the cocktails. The staff are really friendly and helpful, giving out free water to everyone before each of the excursions.
    
    
    
    The full day out for the people staying 2 nights was the best. There were only 10 of us staying 2 nights, so we were transferred to a smaller day boat (also had a nice dining area, sun deck etc.) where we first went swimming and kayaking (they chose a swimming spot that had no jelly fish or litter, it was lovely), showed us some caves, took us to a floating fishing village (there is some litter in the water around the fishing village, but this is not something the boat company can control) which was really interesting, and to a pearl farm. And finally some more swimming. It was a relaxing day, and the set lunch they served us was amazing. The staff on the day boat were so fun and friendly, and also told us lots about life in the fishing village.
    
    
    Considering the quality of the food and service, and the beautiful condition of the boat and cabin I felt this trip was worth what we paid for it, even if it is not as cheap by comparison to other things in Vietnam.
    
    
    About the Itinerary, please visit http://www.indochinasails.com/en/itinerary.html for more information.
    
    
    Supported by Indochina Sails - The most luxury and safest cruises in Halong Bay

    
    

    INDOCHINA SAILS

    Hanoi Office

    Add: 27 – A6 – Dam Trau Quarter – Hai Ba Trung District – Hanoi – Vietnam

    Tel: +84 – 4- 39842362

    Fax: +84 – 4 – 39844150

    Email: info@indochinasails.com

    Website: www.indochinasails.com
  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
  • Views: 220
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• The Beauty of Halong Bay The Beauty of Halong Bay

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:
    For generations of visitors arriving by sea in North Vietnam, the geological marvel known as Halong Bay has been their first introduction to this remarkable country. The weathered limestone Karst pillars can be seen at several locations across southern China and northern Vietnam, but Halong Bay is the only place where they emerge from the sea. The bay received its name –“Bay of the Descending Dragon” – from a mythical dragon – Long in Vietnamese- that was assigned by the gods to protect Vietnam from invaders, and it spat lumps of jade into the bay, which grew into islands to protect the coastline.
    
    A Rocky Wonder
    The 3000 limestone outcrops harbour a variety of species of flora and fauna. Over 200 species of fish and 450 species of molluscs call Halong Bay home, and the environment helps sustain a unique community of fishermen and their families. Halong bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its celebrated biodiversity is subject to several ecological studies. Lucky visitors might see some of the unique species, including the Horseshoe Crab (TachypleusGigas), a truly amazing living fossil which has not evolved significantly in 450 million years.
    An Unforgettable Backdrop
    Rising spectacularly from the mirror-like Gulf of Tonkin, these islands create an atmospheric backdrop for a cruise on a traditional junk, past the many small fishing villages, and mooring for dinner (locally caught) and prepared by on-board chefs. The tours can run for up to 3 days to allow visitors a chance to explore this remarkable environment. The Chinese-style junks are equipped with traditional boom sails and modern engines, and all have 5-star accommodation and cooking facilities. It is possible to purchase fish from the floating fish market and have it cooked for you on board.
    
    Cave of Surprises
    For a supplementary payment it is possible to rent a tandem kayak to allow visitors to explore the pillars more closely. The archipelago is full of caves and grottoes with amazing stalactites, many of which are big enough to explore on foot. Centuries of waves and tides have hollowed these caves out of the porous limestone. Sung Sot Cave, known as the Cave of Surprises, is by far the largest cave, and the most suitable for exploration.
    A National Treasure
    The fragile marine environment has led the Vietnamese government to set up a national park area in the south-west part of the archipelago, known as Cat Ba National Park. This is the home of one of the most critically endangered species of primate, the Cat Ba Langur. Visits are possible, and the limestone pillars of the Cat Ba National Park are best accessed with a guide, as an unfamiliar visitor may have difficulty locating the trails.
  • Blog post
  • 11 months ago
  • Views: 323
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• Enjoy the Heaven on peace in t Enjoy the Heaven on peace in this Chennai Hotels

  • From: shankerghij
  • Description:

    Chennai is one of India’s leading cities and also the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is located on the Coromandel Coast off Bay of Bengal and Chennai is India’s second largest port city. Chennai is one of the leading economical, cultural and educational centers in South India. The city is the sixth most populous city in India and the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the country.
    
    Chennai has always been an important place since old times and an integral part of various South Indian kingdoms. So various tourists come to this place from every nook and corner of the world to explore its several tourist attractions. A traveler traveling to Chennai has a lot of options and he can easily get accommodation in Chennai Hotel with Luxuries Facilities. Chennai has a rich tradition of showcasing great hospitality to guests and visitors from across the world. The city is also famous for offering rice based delicacies like pongal, thosai, idli, sambar, vada and filter coffee.
    
    There are various Chennai Hotels with Luxuries facilities where guests can enjoy world class facilities and feel right at home. These hotels may have the five star hotel, four star hotel, three star hotel etc. Here you can enjoy highly classy contemporary facilities and amenities that are provided for a luxurious stay. The services and hospitality will vary in these hotels according to the star category. The Park, Taj Club House, Trident Chennai and Taj Coromandel are the leading hotels in Chennai.
    
    Guests can also easily find Budget Hotels in Chennai all over the city. There are a lot of options that are available to travelers that include guest houses, lodges and home stay facilities. These budget hotels are the ideal staying option for the tourists because you will get very much standard facilities within a budgeted price. Some of the famous Chennai Budget hotels are Abu Palace Chennai, Sea Shell Residency, Hotel Cine city, new Victoria etc are the famous budget hotels in this south Indian metropolitan city.
    
    So plan your trip to this metropolitan city where you can enjoy various tourists attractions as well as soothing beaches and also mesmerized your trip completely with enjoying the extravagant services by the experienced hotel staff. So make your trip so much memoriable by staying in this hotel and capture a lot of remarkable collection of memories in your bag.

  • Blog post
  • 11 months ago
  • Views: 464
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