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Sabtu, 10 Agustus 2013

Rarotonga Island - Travel guide

The locals refer to Rarotonga Island as Raro and of the several Cook Islands, Rarotonga is well known as the most populous one. Most travelers to Rarotonga enter the island through the Rarotonga International Airport which offers daily flight connections to Auckland. The entire island comprises of several villages and it is the main township in Avarua. The main village on the island is Avarua and it is the most populated place here. The main tourist place in Rarotonga is Muri that has scattered lagoon and other great apartments. Aroa village boasts of a great beach and a well protected lagoon. These villages are quite tiny and will take you no more than 20 minutes to walk around. You can easily watch to the beach, store and an ATM and with slow traffic, you can catch a good view of all the things here in a simple way. During times of low tide, you can as well take a beach walk which is always great.



The main sport in Rarotonga Island is Rugby and there are several rugby stadiums located on the island where you can always go out to see a game especially at National Stadium. The botanical Maire Nui Gardens are very nice and you will find samples of different plants and fruits that grow on the island. The gardens also have a café where you can buy some coffee as well as home made focaccia and quinche. You can also try the amazing pineapple cheesecake. 


Scuba diving in Rarotonga Island especially close the reef is quite a wonderful and breathtaking experience. The tropical waters are quite warm and very inviting. There are many dive operators where you can easily book yourself a dive with good equipment and tank boat. Wrecks are available in Rarotonga, lots of fish and small caves. You can also take home a wonderful experience of diving with the whales and you can also go for snorkeling at Black Rock. There are also several events held on Rarotonga Island like Te Maire Maeva Nui which is a cultural festival of dancing and music held annually and attracts performers from Rarotonga Island and nearby islands. A canoeing festival known as Vaka Eiva is also is one of the most exciting and fun festivals you can ever visit.



Rarotonga offers a great spot for snorkeling where you can even see the corals and tropical fish in the calm beaches. However, you should avoid rocky beaches as there are several sandy beaches and lagoons that assure you even a much better experience. You can as well go trekking into the bush where you will encounter many exciting challenges along the way. Rarotonga Island also offers a great destination for windsurfing especially in the Muri lagoon despite the fact that winds are not as strong as such. If you have a private yacht, you can also explore some of the islands that are uninhabited like Suwarrow and Takutea but it is advisable that you don’t go there without a local guide.

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Jumat, 09 Agustus 2013

Virgin Islands - Travel Guide

Virgin Islands are characterized by a mountainous, rugged and hilly terrain and the area experiences occasional earthquakes from time to time. Recently, the Virgin Islands have been characterized by hurricanes and frequent floods and severe droughts. Saint Croix is the largest Island on Virgin Islands. The more relaxed by stunningly beautiful island of Saint John houses a tiny town, several resorts and the Virgin Islands National Park that covers almost two thirds of the territory. The most populated and liveliest island is Saint Thomas which as serves as the capital. Notable holidays observed in Virgin Islands are the Transfer Day when US gained control of the territory from Denmark and the Emancipation Day. 



The Buck Island Reef National Monument is one of the key destinations on Virgin Islands that were established with the aim of preservation of marine gardens. The Christened National Historic Site was built to preserve five historic structures and there a national historic park at Salt River Bay that houses large mango forests, submarine canyon and coral reefs. Virgin Islands is well served by a reliable bus service and taxi services and visitors can still rent scooters and cars to tour around the island. 



The Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument is made of submerged lands and it is definitely worthy some few minutes of your time. There are many galleries in Virgin Islands where you can buy fine pieces of art. Virgin Islands is duty free meaning that shopping is not an expensive activity and you can find numerous items ranging from gold and diamond jewelry to tanzanite and rums along other items that you might be looking for.


Driving in Virgin Islands is on the left and you need to be careful when driving around. While traffic might not be very heavy to give you a hard time as such, you need to be careful not to hit pedestrians and cyclists on the way. Also, despite the fact that Virgin Islands are relatively safe, visitors are advised to be very cautious at night. Currently, the problem drug trafficking and related crimes have become quite popular nowadays. While tourists have never been targets of these crimes, they are nevertheless easy to prey on and most of the thieves usually take advantage of this to rob tourists. Even some restaurants are not safe and if you have to travel at night, it is highly recommended that you call a taxi. 



Tourists are also not safe at the secluded beaches like Salt Pond Bay and must never leave their valuables unattended. Even though there health risks on the islands are rare, it is also important that you are a little cautious especially when drinking water or eating at the restaurants. However, Virgin Islands are like a paradise and you definitely don’t have to worry about that. The greeting system followed by islanders in Virgin Islands follows time of the day and greeting people is customary. All in all, Virgin Islands islanders are very hospitable and friendly to tourists and you can expect to take home a memorable experience.

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Kamis, 08 Agustus 2013

Sint Maarten - Travel guide

Sint Maarten is shared between the French and the Dutch. Compared to Saint Martin, Sint Maarten is quite small and it has its capital at Philipsburg. The island is recognized as an independent state but it is still within Netherlands kingdom. Sint Maarten was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his voyage to West Indies in 1493. Ranging from Simpson Bay to Orient Bay and others, Sint Maarten is a perfect tourist destination for anyone interested in life on the beach. However, there are plenty of other options besides the shore. There are some visitors who will spend their entire day on the streets just bargaining with store owners and street vendors while others will spend their evenings in the casinos and nightclubs especially at Dutch side. Just like any other destination with a vibrant night life, visitors in Sint Maarten are advised to stay cautious. 




Sint Maarten Island is a home for some well reputed gamblers and casinos here are many than you might possibly imagine. Since gambling is a legal activity in Sint Maarten, casinos here are always buzzing with activities but you should be careful as a tourist if you are tempted to gamble. In fact, the island is famously referred to as the Caribbean Vegas and most of the good casinos are located at the Dutch side. The biggest casino is Yoyale that houses several bars and some great dance spots. 



Nightlife in Sint Maarten is the liveliest at the Caribbean Islands. The island simply delivers to your expectations at night especially in Philipsburg. There are also happy hours and nightly events held at the beach restaurants and bars that are also great. Evening action in Sint Maarten is just awesome and you can get more information at their tourist office or your hotel.



Sint Maarten is an exceptional place to go shopping and apart from the resort boutiques, other shopping places on Sint Maarten Island are found in the capital especially along the Front Street that is regarded as the soul of the city. In addition to being a free port, there are also no local taxes on sales which means that items are pretty cheap here and you can expect to find the lowest prices here of all the Caribbean Islands. When shopping for jewelry and other items, try to bargain for better deal.



For active tourists traveling to Sint Maarten, it is advisable that you sail into the waters or go hiking or mountain biking at the hills. Most visitors really like sailing and tracks for biking activities are clearly mapped out. For those interested in beaches, you can go swimming at Simpson Bay or just relax at Plum Bay. These beaches are awesome destinations for diving and snorkeling and some are actually swimsuit optional. The Maho Bay is preserved for vacationers even though it doesn’t offer a relaxing atmosphere. Thanks to its close location to Prices Juliana airport, you can bring your camera along and take photos of the planes as they land. 
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Rabu, 07 Agustus 2013

Saint Martin - Travel guide

Saint Martin Island is on the Caribbean and it is just a small land mass. It has its capital city as Philipsburg which is used as a docking port for most of the ships. The other cities are Marigot ad Grand Case city that is notable for its rather excellent restaurants and tourist facilities. Saint Martin is controlled by the Dutch and French even though there is no physical barrier to demarcate either of the territories. The border features numerous signs and monuments. Tourism is the main activity on the island. Presently, the island is becoming a reputed property market featuring new constructions consisting of high rise flats. Almost every person on Saint Martin Island speaks English even though Dutch language is also widely used. 




One of the first places that you must visit in Saint Martin is the butterfly farm where you can enjoy a great stroll among the highly colorful butterflies protected under tented mesh. For a cheap price, you can enjoy a very fun outing on the island. The Pic du Paradis refers to the highst elevation point on Saint Martin Island. This point has tow great viewing points that gives you fantastic views over the entire island. However, due to the step road leading to this point, it is best visited in a 4 wheel drive. It is nevertheless situated in a highly isolated area but you can always have a tour or excursion organized for you by the friendly locals. 



The main attractions in Saint Martin are the beaches and you can expect to spend much of your time lying and having a great time. In total, the island has no less than 37 beaches featuring great hotels. Also, you will find dotted cafes and beach bars all over where you can catch Caribbean and European inspired dishes and frozen cocktails as well. The Orient Bay comprises of a marine reserve that offers water sports like snorkeling. Most of these beaches are perfect places to go sun bathing and swimming but Philipsburg has far much better and clean beaches. You can find private and secluded beaches that provide fun to everyone. There are tourists who come to Saint Martin due to the clothing optional resorts and beaches as you already know, not all of them offer this option. 



Maho bay beach is the most famous beach in Saint Martin and its close location to the island makes it a perfect place to be. Saint Martin Island is also credited as being one of the best places you can go for shopping on the Caribbean and you can expect to find better priced products. You can find unique items such as spices and souvenirs as well as French wine. Restaurants in Saint Martin are more than 300 and you can expect to find a range of options to choose from offering Chinese, Mexican, American and vegetarian dishes among other cuisines. Vacationing on the Caribbean islands requires that you use common sense when it comes to your safety and Saint Martin is not an exception either.

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Selasa, 06 Agustus 2013

Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba - Travel guide

Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba islands are in Caribbean in the eastern side of Central America and border Venezuela to the northern sides. These islands are administered as special municipalities but are integrated fully in Netherlands. The islands experience a tropical marine climate and are largely characterized with a few natural resources and scant vegetation. At the northern parts of Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba, the islands have been converted into a park while most of its southern areas are well known as salt harvesting fields. Bonaire Island presents itself as a river less and a flat island that is best known for its world class diving spot. 



Bonaire Island is largely visited by tourists interested to see wild Iguanas, the Washington Slagbaai National Park, the Disused Slave Shelters, salt flats, rock art and flamingoes. In addition, there is a wide range of exciting things to do at Bonaire just like in the rest of the two islands such as scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, kite boarding, windsurfing, sea kayaking, bird watching and sailing. Saint Eustatius boasts of having a dormant volcano known as The Quill which is a notable hiking spot for tourists. 



However, despite most of the upper parts being designated as parks, they have fairly limited wildlife resources. Nevertheless, expect to be met by some few Iguanas and many goats, chickens and cows aimlessly roaming all over the place. Locals in Saint Eustatius are known to be extremely friendly to tourists and waving and greeting them is always a great experience as they will respond gracefully. 



Saba Island is referred by many as ‘unspoiled Queen’ thanks to its well protected eco system. However, not being a reef island makes Saba lack sandy beaches which are a key characteristic of most of the islands on the Caribbean. Rather, it is largely dominated by rocky shores and cliff faces. Its vibrant and highly diverse ecosystem makes it the most visited island of the three. Besides, Saba is a place to get a unique experience as a diver. Tourists can visit any of the small villages including the Hells Gate and St. Johns village. The Windward side comprises of a large village which houses most of the tourist attractions and shopping places not to mention that it is the most preferable village for accommodation. 



The mount scenery is a highly alleviated area and the best place to go for hiking expeditions. You will pass old ruins as you follow the hiking trails and you can always get a well marked place to see the well marked and maintained hiking trails. Wall dives offer a humorous experience where sea creatures hide and live. Just like other Caribbean islands, it is essential that you watch out for your safety as you visit the Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba islands especially when hiking. Some hikes are known to be very difficult and comprise of treacherous trails. There is also slippery moss and mud that you need to watch out for. Also, due to drug tracking activities in Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba islands, you should observe the normal safety precautions during your visit.

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Sabtu, 03 Agustus 2013

Melville, Johannesburg - Travel guide

Melville is a trendy suburb lying on the western side of Johannesburg in South Africa. Melville is very popular thanks to its lively nightlife and the trendy, inviting coffee shops. For a longtime, this suburb has been regarded as Johannesburg’s cultural hub and the neighborhood is amazingly vibrant and attractive due to its upscale coffeehouses and trendy shops selling everything you might want to buy. Restaurants in Melville are just exciting and offer unique servings which make the location a perfect place to taste different tastes and a wide range of other foods. You might be surprised to note that a number of the most popular South African restaurants and bars have Melville as their home. They offer cocktail selections where people just sit on the comfortable sofas and just watch life going by in the streets.


Melville is quite peculiar in its own right and it is a pleasantly exceptional place to be. It is located very close from the popular Park City. The neighborly atmosphere of Melville suburb is an amalgamation of both commercial and residential properties which mingle together at times. In fact, it is not a surprise to find yourself settling down mistakenly in a beautiful private home only to find yourself wandering in between the waitresses. The Seventh Street is the main street in Melville which acts as a setting for a local television show. It is one of the best places to spend a lazy afternoon just wandering around as you explore the secondhand antique dealers, bookshops and possibly visit a body piercing cosmetic salon. If you want, you can as well sit comfortably at a pavement of one of the superb caves and just enjoy watching the people passing by. 


Melville boasts of having some very nice homes. Most of which dates back in 18th century and have overtime been changed to charming guest houses and Bed and Breakfast sleep-ins. These places are very popular for foreign travelers. There is still an exquisite and beautiful reserve in Melville known as Koppies Nature Reserve sitting at the northern parts of this suburb. The nature reserve is quite spectacular and protects Highveld vegetation in addition to numerous archaeological Iron Age and stone settlements including iron furnaces. 


Melville is located very close to two universities which are University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg which also make the area livelier than you can imagine. In fact, the increasing popularity of Melville is largely attributed to the fact that many students use it as a general hangout and meeting point. This has led to the development of trendy clubs, theaters, pubs and restaurants largely to support the night life. Due to the large number of people in Melville especially the students, accommodation facilities are largely strained and a little bit expensive. This is also the case with local items that make shopping relatively expensive. Nevertheless, Melville is undoubtedly a unique, trendy and lively suburb that gives any tourist a promise of an unforgettable and entertaining holiday experience.

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Kamis, 01 Agustus 2013

Lusaka, Zambia - Travel Guide

Located in Lusaka Province, Lusaka serves as the country’s capital city. This cosmopolitan city is also the largest and most populous in Zambia. Unlike in the past where visitors had first to fly to Johannesburg, travelling to Lusaka has of late become quite easy as there are low cost flight connections through Middle East and many African countries. Lusaka and the country as a whole have some notable attractions that have increased the number of tourists to this destination over the couple of years. Soweto Market is a modernized market that seems to sell almost everything ranging from used clothes to beans. There are also traditional medicines in the market as well as engine spare parts and bicycle repair mechanics.



The Anglican Cathedral in Lusaka is a concrete, elegant building featuring stained tall glass windows. Visitors can attend a Sunday morning service at the cathedral and join the locals in worship. The Henry Tayali Gallery is showground in the city that contains local art exhibitions where you can buy professional and unique pieces of work. The Munda Wanga Environmental Park houses a sanctuary, botanical garden, Wildlife Park, environmental educational centre as well as a recreational village. This park receives more than 50, 000 tourists every year and it aims at informing people about natural heritage and environment. There are some animals at the park like baboons and others which are caught during illegal pet trading activities in Zambia. The Lilayi Lodge is a wildlife ranch located in Lusaka where you can enjoy a game drive as you see the animals in the wild. There are excellent hosts and restaurants at the lodging and Sunday buffets are simply awesome. 



The National Museum in Lusaka is located along the Independence Avenue which is definitely worthy a visit. It houses amusing collections of art pieces as well as an awesomely engaging exhibition covering the colonial history of Zambia, witchcraft and village life. Old cuttings of newspapers give the museum an interesting glimpse. Exploring the city of Lusaka is an interesting thing to do whether it is in the diverse suburbs or at the informal settlements. You can always get a map at the tourist information centre that will help you explore the city better at the shopping areas and in the market. However, ensure that you don’t carry your valuables around but leave them in your hotel room. 



The Parray’s Game Ranch is a fantastic place to visit for great game drives, playground and swimming. You can see some zebras and other herbivores such as Kudu. The Chaminuka Lodge is located just near the airport and has amazing facilities and a lodge. This park is privately owned and has many antelopes, zebras, giraffes, elephants, hyenas and elephant. While Lusaka has been a relatively safe place for sometime, it has of late been plagued by increased crime rate making it a dangerous place especially in certain suburb areas. Pick pocketing in Lusaka is very common and you will need to be very cautious especially when strolling in the town.

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Rabu, 31 Juli 2013

Lome, Togo - Travel Guide and Travel Info

The city of Lome in Togo used to claim to be the West Africa Paris and a visit to the city might somehow prove it. Even though quite a lot has changed and happened in Togo particularly Lome, the city still features broad boulevards, craft markets, the palm fringed beaches as well as an amazing night life. Being the largest city, Lome serves as the capital centre of Togo, a status it acquired back in 1897 when Togo was occupied by German colonialists. In 1975, Lome hosted the Lome convention where an agreement was signed between 46 African, Pacific and Caribbean states and European Economic Community. Alfao is the major border crossing point for Ghana where foreigners can obtain a two weeks visa Lome international airport offers direct flights to/ from Paris and Casablanca.



Getting around the capital is best done in motos which are found in abundance and are a cheap transport option to almost any destination in the city. Rental car agencies are available all over the city and you can get a car for touring around town and even going to the beach down in Bea and Kodjoviakope. Tourist attractions in Lome are honestly not many and apart from the beaches, the other set of attractions you can expect in the city are the markets, the Grand Market is big and has a 3 stores large hall. Here, you can buy almost everything ranging from green lemons, red peppers, travel bags, combs, traditional medicines and other remedies. Togo National Museum is found in Palais du Congres which contains numerous collections of musical instruments, jewelry, pottery, dolls, pottery and other objects showcasing traditions and arts. 



Local street foods are many where you can get a wide range of foods being served. For budget travelers, a plate or pate or rice is a must taste. Currently, Lome is experiencing an increased number of Lebanese restaurants where you can get cheap but delicious foods. Chinese restaurants in Lome are about two with one in Adigame and the other one at Kodjoviakope. You can enjoy great meals as you relax by the beach as the restaurants serve steaks, deserts and salads. Other restaurants that you should consider trying are the La Belle Epoque, Marrox Grill and Alt Munchen.



Night life in Lome is just crazy and you will find local Lomeians dressings in the many discotheques and bars. Dance clubs featuring western styles are many especially in the downtown but can be quite expensive. If you want to relax, there is a great beach just near the Ghana border where you will encounter the pretty cold Castle Milk. However, ensure that you get out of the beach before nightfall as beaches have been noted to be quite dangerous especially at night. You can as well taste local drinks where there are several local brews that brew millet beer. Budget sleeping hotels are quite decent and have a sink, shower and a bed such as Hotel Bellevue and Hotel Cote Sud that also has excellent food selections.

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Jumat, 26 Juli 2013

Marigot, Saint Martin - Travel guide

Marigot is located on the island of Saint Martin that is split between Saint Martin Island at the French and Sint Maarten in Dutch territory. Other cities on the island neighboring Marigot are Philipsburg which is the major dock for most of the cruise ships and also capital for Dutch side as well as the Grande Case city where you will find some of the excellent restaurants on the island. Marigot city is just a small land mass sitting on the island and the capital ‘city’ of French side of Saint Martin Island. You will find several signs and monuments in Marigot trying to demarcate Saint Martin from the other Dutch territory. Tourism in Marigot is largely supported by the fact that there are no restrictions of movements for the tourists and locals on either side live peacefully with one another. 


Presently, Marigot is undergoing through rapid developments that has transformed the city into one of the most visited areas on the Island. Time share buildings have promoted tourism in Marigot in a major way. Most of the locals speak English and communication shouldn’t be a major problem as such. Being a city located on an island, the obvious tourist attraction in Marigot are beaches. 


Honestly speaking, there are so many beaches in Marigot and most of them have nice hotels that assure you a mind blowing experience. Additionally, the city appears to be dotted by cafes and bars especially along the beaches which attract many tourists as week. On the beach, you can undertake obvious water activities like snorkeling and some little bit of swimming and diving. Sun bathing at the beach is not an unusual thing as the city has some of the clearest waters in Saint Martin.


Another major reason why you might consider visiting Saint Martin is due to Marigot Market. Mostly held on both Friday and Wednesday mornings, the Marigot market assures you an authentic experience of life on the island. In the early morning hours, you will be met by fishermen bringing their haul of fishes after spending the night fishing in the waters. Later along, the market will be filled with vegetable and fruit sellers and spice vendors as well. The air is simply filled with some tropical scents from the spice and you can expect an experience like no other. 



For shoppers, there are many decorative items and jewelry sold by local artisans which you can buy if you don’t prefer the perishable stuff. There are t-shirts and hats as well as other items that you can buy and take home. After you are done with shopping, just enter a nearby Marigot café and get ready to be spoiled by their wide selection of cuisines and drinks. The paradise peak offers nice views of the entire Marigot city even though you won’t find signs of how you can get there. Nevertheless, it is the best place in Saint Martin to go for hiking trails. Fort Saint Louis monument also offers great views but expect to be ripped off as a tourist.

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