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Santa Maria Bay - Baja Califor Santa Maria Bay - Baja California

From: aniaborto
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3 weeks ago
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Herradura Bay Herradura Bay

From: gmaso
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Coastline of Herradura Island looking northeast into Herradura Bay. Marriott's Los Suenas Resort is just to the left of the photo.
4 weeks ago
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sujee

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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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4 weeks ago
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Surfin' the North Shore Surfin' the North Shore

From: kentonmain
Description:

Waimea Bay ... North Shore ... Oahu
2 months ago
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Vacation Itinerary - Puerto R Vacation Itinerary - Puerto Rico

From: travowl
Description:

Dear Diary,

The awesomeness that is 'US' :P

EEEEEEEEE!! I am super excited!! Our trip to Puerto Rico gets closer and closer every day. Just three more weeks and I am off to a week of sun, sand and hopefully bikinis (still working on that.) The fact the DJ cooks fucking amazing food doesn’t help me in losing weight in any way. Anyways, this will be an epic trip. We are going snorkeling, scuba-diving, zip lining and to top it off, we are camping out on the beach. Imaging waking up listening to the waves hitting the shores in the morning with the cool wind making whoosh whoosh noises.. Ahhhhh..blisss..Ohh that reminds me..I need to pack my yoga mat. Looking forward to do some beach yoga.

I had to time this trip very precisely. With my PTO of 4 days and a national holiday (Good Friday) this will be a 9 day long trip. Also to maximize our stay there, I booked tickets late evening Friday and late morning Sunday. So here is the itinerary:

Friday 22^nd March – Flight out of San Antonio at 7pm and will reach San Juan at 5 am the next morning.

Saturday 23^rd March – Land at San Juan and pick up rental car and drive to Luquillo Beach to set up camp. Our goal for this day is to just relax and do some snorkeling. Based on my online research Luquillo Beach is apparently a very good beach to snorkel since the water isn’t too rough.

Sunday 24^th March – Visit El Yunque rain forest and Zip line. Explore the forest as much as we can. Take some awesome pics and Zip Line through the trees.

Monday 25^th March – Take the ferry from Fajardo to Culebra beach and go scuba diving at Flamenco Beach. The company that comes highly recommended is Culebra Divers. Spend the day scuba diving and at the beach and head back to town to eat lunch at Barbara- Rosa’s. In the evening take ferry back to Fajardo and drive back to Luquillo Beach.

Tuesday 26^th March – Pack up camp and leave for Ponce. Spend the day there and drive to Lajas in the afternoon and at night drive and set up camp at Anasco.

Wednesday 27^th March – Drive to Cumuy Cave and take the tour and in the afternoon take the trip to Arecibo.

Thursday 28^th March – Pack up camp at Anasco and drive back to San Juan. Explore San Juan and check into hotel (Yes, we did take 2 nights hotel since we wanted to wine and dine for the actual day of our anniversary)

FRIDAY 29^TH MARCH – ANNIVERSARY DAY!! Spend time together J

Saturday 30^th March – Check out of hotel and drive to Fajardo. Explore Fajardo during the day and take the bio bay kayak trip in the evening. Return to San Juan airport at night and drop off the car and take flight back to San Antonio L

Sunday 31^st March – Flight back to San Antonio.

Yes, I know I skipped the the mountains in this trip but we still have 3 more weeks to plan this out. Maybe we will squeeze it in somehow, but as of now here is the plan. And with flight, hotel, car and our expenses, this trip shouldn't cross our budget of $3000. Lets see if we can make it :)

Safe travels!!

M
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2 months ago
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Adventurous Encounter with Cap Adventurous Encounter with Cape Town

From: Brianmcquillan
Description:

Spectacularly decked with natural beauty the city of Cape Town is a perfect melange of sophistication, hospitality and luxury. The local population is well known for its hospitable nature that imparts it a towering presence on world tourism map. Thousands of tourists from different corners of the world board Cape Town flights ticket to catch a glance of its incredibly scenic surroundings.
Being more than a city with scintillating beauty, Cape Town wears another hat as an adventure destination. Brace your brave heart inside embark on a rewarding adventure spree.
Cable Car ride to the top of Table Mountains:
Your cable car journey to the top of Table Mountains is going to be one of the best experiences of your life. It is advised to keep some warm clothes with you as temperature on the top of mountain is not the same as the ground.
Climbing Table Mountains:
Climbing Table Mountains is also an adventurous activity most visitors want to indulge in. The climbers can take Platteklip Gorge route which is easy to access.
Visit to Cape Peninsula:
Make a trip to the Cape of Good Hope through Simon's Town and the African penguin colony at Boulders. Never forget to go to Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park.
Swimming:
The destination is good for those with a love for swimming. The beaches on the False Bay side are hit-it-off with the swimmers.
Surfing
Surfing is also an added attraction of Cape Town. Muizenberg is an ideal place for first time surfers.
In addition, Cape Town also offers snorkelling and kite surfing options. Feel excited, wake up adventurer in you and board a flight to Cape Town from London to reward yourself an experience of lifetime.
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2 months ago
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Boston Weekend Breaks - A Perf Boston Weekend Breaks - A Perfect Escape from Routine Life

From: Brianmcquillan
Description:

Traditional yet contemporary, historic yet state-of-the-art, the capital of New England, Boston is an epicentre of education, arts and sports. Fondly nicknamed as the Hub of the Universe, the Athens of America, the city well justifies these epithets bestowed upon it. The city steeped in history, magnificent architecture and several educational institutions of global repute compels globetrotters to catch flights to Boston to explore this mid-sized magnanimous city.
What started as a homesteading community became a hub of social and political change. Seasoned travellers often take Boston Weekend Breaks to get a rejuvenating experience at its plethora of sports, walking, shopping, nature tours and festival options.
Things to Do: Footloose in Boston
» Visit Museums:
The city of Boston is splashed with a good number of museums that provide an authentic peek into the history and culture of the city. Museum of Art, Museum of Science and Harvard Museum of Natural history are few examples.

» Art galleries: Discover art Aficionado within you
Weekenders inclined to art, can head to Axelle Fine Arts Galerie and Panopticon Gallery where there are surprises in attendance.
» Event Calendar:
The event calendar of Boston remains abuzz with a activities as the city celebrates a number of events including Boston Pride, Boston Marathon and Independence Day among other things.

» Pure indulgence:
The city of Boston offers some unmatched option of recreation. You will feel truly serenaded while visiting Boston Pops Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra.
» For Sport enthusiast inside you:
Whether you are a football fan or Baseball buff, the city has some options that you can’t resist. Fenway Park, the oldest basketball stadium in use, is home to Boston Red Sox while Gillette Stadium and Harvard Stadium are famous football grounds.

The city even scores better on the parameter of shopping options.
Keep your accommodation and dining worries at bay as there is no dearth of accommodation and dining options. You just book the flights to Boston from London and grace this land with your arrival.
This content is syndicated from - http://www.zimbio.com/Boston/articles/AUzOZ4aG7Zd/Boston+Weekend+Breaks+Perfect+Escape+Routine
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2 months ago
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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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2 months ago
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Indochina Sails Recommends Tip Indochina Sails Recommends Tips for Female Travellers When Stay in Vietnam

From: indochinasails
Description:

The International Women's Day is coming soon. On this occasion, Indochina Sails - the most luxury cruise & safest in Halong Bay sending to all women over the world love and wishes your day is as unique and special as you are!

Vietnam is a peaceful country and female travelers certainly do not face any particular safety issues. Yet, it should be noted that women in other countries, especially in the West, enjoy so many freedoms, some are just in dreams of Vietnamese girls. Indochina Sails would like to suggest some simple tips to women travelers should follow to ensure their safe and fantastic trips in Vietnam.

# 1

When it comes to clothing, it is advisable to follow the local way of dressing. Vietnamese people do not dress traditionally or religiously in their daily life, so you do not have to worry about putting on something exotic or awkward. However, Vietnamese women, especially those in the countryside, dress quite conservatively and modestly and tourists should try to do the same. Accordingly, leaving your showy stuffs home would certainly help you to integrate more easily into the community. Besides, when visiting holy places and national monuments, you should avoid wearing shorts and tatty beer T-shirts, even in hot days.

# 2

Female solo travelers are likely to become prey for pick pockets, bag snatchers and frauds. Petty crime is becoming less common in Vietnam, mainly taking place in crowded areas such as markets, bus stops, rails station and no-go areas although most vacation spots in Vietnam are considered as safe places for traveler. Yet, basic precaution should be undertaken. It is necessary to pay attention to your luggage and other bags at all times. One of the best ways to work the issue out could be considering staying at higher end hotels and always leaving your valuables and your essential things such as your passports, your visa and your credit cards in the hotels and avoid bringing too much money with you when going out.

# 3

If travelling alone, you are likely to be bombarded with questions about your marital status, your home, your family or in brief, your personal life. Expect curious look if you are over thirty and still single or you have been married for 3 years without a kid. It could be a bit annoying to you after a while, but take it easy as it is just part of Eastern culture. Otherwise, in order to end those conversations before they go too far, you could wear a wedding band or tell a lie about a made-up husband, if you want to avoid flirts - which are rather uncommon in Vietnam.

# 4

Friends in Vietnam do not hug or kiss each other as greetings. Therefore, to not create any misunderstanding for your local male friends, it is wise to not show any kind of close manners like that. As a solo traveler, surely you should leave a copy of your itinerary with a trusted friend or relative and keep in touch with them at regular intervals.

Be alert and aware and sensitive of your surroundings, surely you will enjoy your vacation in Vietnam.

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
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2 months ago
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Little School Little School

From: spurdog
Description:

Juvenile Yellow Goatfish check me out. Margate Bay- Bonaire, N. A.
2 months ago
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Take A Seat Take A Seat

From: Donna Carroll
Description:

Tropical setting in Key West Florida just waiting for someone to enjoy.
3 months ago
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Hiking along Tiger Leaping Gor Hiking along Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan

From: Lux
Description:

People who love the outdoors hiking all know that the Tiger Leaping Gorge is famous for its risk. On the canyon’s sides, mountains are standing high.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is a canyon on the Yangtze Riverupper stream---the Golden Sands River, located 60km north of Lijiang, Yunnan. It is about 15km long. The canyon is located between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain with a series of rapids and steep 2000m cliffs.’s

It has Yulong to east with snow capped throughout the year. Silver Peaks insert to the sky with absurd rocks on the mountainside. Old vines coil and wind here.

So, for I who like the outdoors, it is sure a spots that could not to be missed, even it was raining. When coming to Yunnan in the rainy season, you should prepare for the rainy weather.

How can the long and slim gorge withstand the raging water in the river?

Turbulent Jinsha River runs through the Shigu town--- the first Yangtze River bay, and makes a sudden U-turn northward from the cracks between the Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and forming of the world's most spectacular Grand Canyon.

The narrowest part of the canyon is the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is said that a tiger stepping on the huge rock in the river can skip the Jinsha River.

Most tourists who come to Tiger Leaping Gorge will visit the Upper Tiger Leaping Part, so, for avoiding the crowded tourists we chose to start our hiking from the middle part of the gorge.

The hiking of middle gorge is from the Zhang Laoshi Lodge. Before we started hiking, the old women in the lodge asked us 10 CNY each one as passing fare, as the path was constructed by her family.

Just hiking half way, there is another old woman stopped us to ask for another 5 yuan for the passing fare. She said started from here, the way was built by her family.

After the hiking of the middle gorge, looking back to see the way we passed, it was seemed no as hard as imagine.

When passing the upper gorge, we saw lots of tourists, so we did not climb down to the bottom of the gorge; instead we looked down and find the scenery more momentum.
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3 months ago
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Morning Dream Morning Dream

From: Donna Carroll
Description:

Picture taken just after daybreak in Key West Florida. The resort Ibis Bay Beach Resort is a great location with the old time atmosphere of a tropical resort updated. Many rooms with a waterfront view which is worth the additional cost.
3 months ago
Views: 380

Tips for many Visiting minorit Tips for many Visiting minority villages in Sapa

From: acitvetraveasia
Description:

Behind Halong Bay, Sapa is the second most favourite spot for almost travelers when arrive Vietnam.

With the unique climate in Sapa, you are always be put in the frequent rain storms as well as cloudy condition so you need prepare for your happy trekking!
For many people, one of the highlights of travelling in Sapa is the experience of visiting minority villages.

If at all possible, it’s preferable to visit the minority villages as a part of a small group, ideally four people or less, as this causes least disruption and allows for greater communication. There is a whole debate about the ethnics of cultural tourism and its negative impact on traditional ways of life.

Most villagers are genuinely welcoming and hospitable to foreigners, appreciating contact with Westerners and the material benefits which they bring.

Village etiquette

Behavior that we take for granted may cause offence to some Ethnic minority people; remember you are a guest. Apart from being sensitive to the situation and keeping an open mind, the following simple rules should be observed when visiting the ethnic minority areas.

Dress modestly, in long trousers or skirt and T-shirt or shirt.
Be sensitive to people’s wishes when taking photographs, particularly of older people who are suspicious of camera; always ask permission first.

Only go inside a house when invited and remove your shoes before entering.
Small gifts, such as fresh fruit from the local market, are always welcome.

owever, there is a view that even this can foster begging, and that you should only ever give in return for some service or as a sign of appreciation for hospitality. A compromise is to buy craftwork produced by the villagers-most communities should have some embroidery, textiles or basketry for sale.

As a mark of respect, learn the local term of address, either in dialect or at least in Vietnamese, such as chao ong, chao ba.

Try to minimize your impact on the often fragile local environment; take litter back to the towns and be sensitive to the use of wood and other scarce resources.

Growing and using opium is illegal in Vietnam and is punished with a fine or prison sentence; do not encourage its production by buying or smoking opium.

Trekking practicalities

Foreigners are now permitted to stay in minority villages, which has opened up to the possibility of trekking, and created a small industry focused on Sapa.

You can arrange a tailored individual programme through a tour agent; it is important to ask for a guide with a good level of English who is familiar with the villages and the minorities’ culture traditions.

Note that it’s not a good ideal to turn up at a minority’s village and expect to find accommodation; you host may find themselves in trouble with the authorities and there’s also a growing problem of petty crime, particularly around Sapa. Far better to make arrangements beforehand with someone who know the current situation. If you go with local guide, you are also less likely to cause offence and will probably have a more interesting time.

It is very important to ear the right clothing when walking in these mountains; strong boots with ankle support are the best footwear, though you can get away with training shoes in the dry season. Choose thin, loose clothing-long trousers offer some protection from thorns and leeches; wear a hat and sun block; take plenty of water; rain coast and carry a basic medical kit.

If you plan on spending the night in a village you will need warm clothing as temperatures can drop to around freezing, and you may want to take a sleeping bag, mosquito net and food, though may be provided on organized tours.

Finally, dogs can be a problem when entering minority villages, so it is a good ideal to carry a strong stick when trekking, and always be watchful for the poisonous snakes that are common in this area.
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3 months ago
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Halong Bay – How to Choose you Halong Bay – How to Choose your Junk

From: indochinasails
Description:

Halong Bay, Vietnam is AMAZING and completely worth the time and effort to plan. Before going, do put some time and effort into choosing what tour you do, as this will make a big difference to whether you come back raving about your trip or warning others not to make the mistakes you did.

Know what you want

There are literally hundreds of boats floating around Halong Bay every single day, catering to all interests and budgets. But to find the one that caters to you, you need to know what it is you are looking for.

1. How much do you want to spend?

Everyone's budget is different. Remember you are going to be stuck with it/on it, spending a little bit extra for a bit of comfort, good food, is probably worth it.

A tip: If you like a bit of luxury, consider upgrading.

2. How long do you want to go?

There are basically two options here: 2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 nights. If you do go for 2D/1N, be aware that you will spend less than 24 hours actually on Halong Bay. The first day you will make the four hour trip from Hanoi and arrive at the boat after 12 noon, after spending overnight on board, you will then disembark at around 11 am before making the four hour trip back to Hanoi while asking yourself why you didn't go ahead and do the 3 day tour. Mostly, the 3 day tour does the same itinerary as the 2 day tour, with an extra full day added in the middle where you will get the whole day exploring some of the further out areas, away from the tourist hordes.

3. How many people on the boat?

In general, up to 30 people is good

4. What do you want to eat?

It may sound silly, but you are going to be stuck eating what they give you for two or three days. The quality of the food will largely be determined by your budget; however there is quite a range of options depending on the boat. Some are predominantly buffets, however there are others that serve you individual courses, or even ones where you can choose your main course from a menu. This is especially important if you have special dietary requirements.

5. Where do you want to go?

In broad terms there are two basic options: Halong Bay (to the west) and Bai Tu Long Bay (to the east). Both are spectacularly beautiful, however, Ha Long Bay has more boats giving you more options, whereas Bai Tu Long Bay has less boats making it less busy and less crowded. If you go to Bai Tu Long Bay, you will miss out on seeing some of the more famous caves but you might get to visit some more untouched caves. Most boats provide a description of where they go on their website so check it out.

A third option is a tour that spends one night on Cat Ba Island. These tours are generally less expensive than the other options, however, be careful to check out not just the boat but also the accommodation offered on Cat Ba to make sure it fits your requirements.

6. What's included?

Do you want to go Kayaking? If so, many boats charge extra. Does the price include transport from Hanoi and pick up from your hotel? Also, depending on the boat there may be extra activities offered on board such as cooking demonstrations or squid fishing. It's worth finding out exactly what's offered and what extra charges there will be.

Do your research

Most boats have a website so check it out. Also, look for reviews from others about the boat you are looking for. For some reasons, a lot of people seem to post reviews for the wrong boats, so read carefully. Also beware of suspiciously well or suspiciously bad reviews, fake reviews are not unheard of.

A travel agent can be very helpful. Make sure you tell them what's important to you and then ask for recommendations. If you've found some boats yourself, contact them to find out if there's anything you should know. In particular, agents will know the age of most of the boats and the size of the cabins. They can also get extra information from the boat for you if needed.

Last, but not least, after doing your research, whatever you decide and whatever happens, enjoy the experience. No matter which boat you choose you will be in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Booking

Booking early. Of course there are some good deals offered to last minute customers, but booking early will give you a better chance of getting the boat you want. The popular boats do sell out.

Make any special food requests. (Keep in mind that most boats offer a predominantly seafood menu so if you don't like fish and seafood speak up now.) Also be clear about what you can eat (e.g., no seafood but fish is fine, or no seafood and fish but meat is fine). Ask for a quiet cabin, that is one that is away from the generator and restaurant.

If you are thinking of what to do on your next holiday to Vietnam? Try Halong Bay cruising with Indochina Sails, one of the boats which is at the luxury end of the market. For more detail, please refer to http://www.indochinasails.com/
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3 months ago
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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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3 months ago
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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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