Many people believe that in the 21st century Earth doesn’t hold too many secrets, and anywhere worth discovering has been discovered, but in the rarely visited region of Indonesia called West Papua, there is a place that has been recently found to have one of the most ecologically diverse marine environments on the planet.

Raja Ampat is a group of islands, an archipelago, consisting of about 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals which is located on the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsular, just off the island of New Guinea.

The thing that makes Raja Ampat so special is that it is believed to possess the richest tropical marine diversity on the planet. It is a very special place which is not only home to a great wealth of marine life, but is stunningly beautiful as well.

It is known that the archipelago has at least 1,309 different species of fish; 537 coral species; and about 700 mollusc species. When you dive amongst the reef here it is possible to see large schools of fish, and also of sharks.

One of the reasons why Raja Ampat is thought to be so rich is because the island chain is situated at the confluence of the Pacific and Indian Oceans where coral and fish larvae can be more easily shared between to two oceans, adding to the abundance of life.

The area is still difficult to reach, involving a long flight to the city of Sorong, and then many hours by boat to reach the islands. The tourism infrastructure is not yet ready to cope with large numbers of visitors, but new environmentally friendly developments are beginning to take place.

There are four main islands in the group: Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo.

Currently the Raja Ampat Tourism Association is preparing five major Tourism Villages that will be introduced as part of its efforts to preserve the nature of local cultural life. Each village will be designed according to its own unique culture and will have guests accommodation. One reason for the establishment of these villages, is to allow the local people to become self reliant in earning a decent living whilst simultaneously preserving their ancestors inheritance.

To further help protect the area, the Raja Ampat Regency Government has introduced a tourist fee which comes with a waterproof tag so that it can be carried at all times, even when visitors are swimming or diving.

Due to its remoteness, Raja Ampat is still in relatively pristine condition, and it is to be hoped that all of its diversity can be preserved. Chances are that the region will never attract too many throngs of tourists, but that is a good thing because importing the crowds and providing facilities for them may just ruin the very environment that visitors are hoping to experience.

Thailand has many beautiful islands, some of which are more accessible than others. Although the more popular islands, such as Phuket and Koh Samui, offer a vast range of accommodation choices, entertainment and activities, if you really do want to get away from it all, choose an island that is less well known, and you can guarantee it will be more relaxing.

One such island is Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand.

If Koh Tao does seem a little off the beaten track it’s because it’s a place where no one used to want to go. Political prisoners used to be sent to the island where they were sentenced to a form of open detention.

These days, the island is something of a magnet for divers, and most of the facilities here are geared towards catering for the diving community.

One of the reasons for Koh Toa’s popularity is that is has almost perfect conditions for diving; very few currents and some incredibly good dive sites.

One of the most popular activities if freediving, which means that you dive sans scuba gear or snorkels, but by simply holding your breath and seeing for how long you can stay underwater.

Freediving sounds dangerous, but it can be a lot safer than scuba diving as you are not breathing in compressed air, so there is no chance of getting the bends.

One of the best Freedive schools on the island is Apnea Total, which is the first freediving school in South East Asia. The instructors are all very experienced, and teaching ultra safe freediving techniques is a priority.

One of the major issues with freediving is learning how to control both your breathing and your state of mind. Learning to hold your breath is not as easy as you think, and there can be a tendency to panic once you stay under for a long time, which leads you to losing your technique.

At Apnea Total you are taught how to prepare for a freedive, it is not simply a case of ducking your head under the water and taking pot luck; and how to make the most of your experience.

Another technique is to learn how to use a large monofin, which resembles a mermaid’s tail, to help you glide through the water smoothly, to better observe the coral and marine life.

Whilst you do spend much time in the water, you also spend quite a lot of time out of it, in which case, you can rent a private hilltop villa from Casas Del Sol, where there are five luxurious self-contained villas perched atop a hill, giving you ample opportunity to relax whilst you search the coast for your next perfect dive spot.

Railways were invented in England at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and it was because of railways that humans were able to travel at speed for the first time, and to haul large loads over land for long distances.

It is therefore fitting that the world’s largest railway museum, the National Railway Museum, should be headquartered in England, in the city of York. It’s a museum which regularly receives over one million visitors each year.

Today the museum has expanded to house its collection in two different locations, at the original premises, which occupies a former locomotive depot near the centre of York, and at Shildon in County Durham.

As you would expect for a country that has more than its fair share of rail enthusiasts, The NRM occasionally puts on a display that is truly spectacular, and in the year when the Olympic Games are to be held in London, the National Rail Museum will be showcasing the best of historic British rail.

Britain’s biggest celebration of trains and railways takes place this June in York. Railfest 2012 will bring together more than 30 record-breaking locomotives that have made their mark on rail history for being the fastest, largest, strongest, first, last or oldest.

It truly will be a spectacular occasion for those who have an interest in trains.

Record-breakers on display will include Mallard, the fastest steam locomotive at 126mph; the newly restored Flying Scotsman, the first locomotive to reach 100mph; Tornado, the newest mainline steam locomotive in operation; and Ffestiniog Railway’s George England 0-4-0STT Palmerston, the oldest steamable narrow gauge locomotive, which will be joined by FR carriage No.15, the oldest operational bogie coach in the world.

During the festival visitors will be able to climb inside drivers’ cabs, ride on trains large and small and examine rarely-seen vehicles like a sailing train, snow ploughs and leaf blowers. There will also be a wide variety of miniature locos and toy train displays.

The National Railway Museum contains within its collections imore than 100 locomotives, 250 items of rolling stock and thousands of other objects from posters and tickets to uniforms and silverware.

The Railfest is not an annual event as the last one was held back in 2004 when it attracted more than 60,000 visitors.

As the event is very popular, this year the NRM will open on a couple of evenings after the bulk of the crowds have left, and limit the number of visitors so that the true enthusiasts can enjoy the locomotives without the threat of the thronging masses getting in the way of those perfectly positioned shots.

If you have any interest whatsoever in any or all of the Abrahamic religions, that is Judaism and those religions that have Judaism as their basis, then Israel is a wonderful place to visit to see how these religions had their genesis; and to discover why the followers of these religions, which have a common God and many similar beliefs, have difficulty fraternising with each other today.

Whatever your beliefs, there can be no denying that Masada, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, is a place that is certainly worth visiting.

Masada, which is Hebrew for “fortress” sits perched atop a hilltop peninsular overlooking the Dead Sea.

As with many places of interest in this part of the world, Masada has a history of violence. In the case of this particular fortress, it was the home and battleground of a group of Sicarii Jewish rebels who refused to accede to Roman rule, and who, instead of submitting to the Romans, committed mass suicide in 73AD. That was the story that was passed down through history, thanks to its telling by the writer Josephus. Archaeological excavations in recent years have failed to find any evidence of a mass suicide, but don’t let that deter you from visiting Masada.

Whatever its true history, Masada is still an inspiring place to visit.

Located about one hour by road from Jerusalem, and close to the city of Arad, is a very imposing site. Although much of Masada was destroyed, there has been a lot of archaeological activity there since the 1960s, and today it is very visitor friendly.

The cliffs on the east edge of Masada are about 1,300 feet (400 m) high and the cliffs on the west are about 300 feet (91 m) high; the natural approaches to the cliff top are very difficult.

Many people prefer to enhance their Masada experience by walking up the Snake Path, which begins at the Dead Sea Highway, but for those not inclined to make the strenuous trek there is a cable car to the top.

Originally built by King Herod, Masada is a remarkable engineering feat, and is complete with a number of cisterns which drew water from desert wadis.

When the Romans invaded Masada they built a massive embankment which rose up the cliffs western face, and is still in place today.

The fortress contains a synagogue, palaces, bath house, storerooms, houses and even a swimming pool. It is a remarkable testament to humankind’s ability to conquer the land and to stick up for our principles in the face of adversity.

There’s nothing like a good ghost story to further chill a cold night.  Canada is revered for its cold nights, but it also has its fair share of haunted hotels which help guests get into the spirits.

British Columbia doesn’t miss out on its ghoulish delights. The mischievous ghost at Victoria, BC’s whitewashed James Bay Inn is said to be none other than Group of Seven painter Emily Carr, who died here back when it was a hospital run by nuns. Guests report phones ringing for no reason at ungodly hours and the distinct feeling of being watched. Carr’s deathbed was in what’s now the bar bathroom, so freshen up fast and pre-order stiff drinks, in case you need to forget what you see in the mirror.

Over in Saskatchewan it’s reported that a friendly old fellow in a gray fedora roams the banquet level of the Delta Bessborough, a majestic riverside castle in Saskatoon; which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary. The ghost smiles graciously at those he meets—usually after dark. He seems so real that guests don’t always realize he’s an apparition unless they mention him to staff, who will nod wisely and share their own tales of encounters. One theory is that he’s a former employee who died by falling seven stories into the lobby; there’s a crack in the marble floor where he allegedly landed. Watch that first step, it’s a doozy!

You can’t really go past Banff to ffrighten the wits out of you.  If you don’t run into Sam the Bellman at The Fairmont Banff Springs, a deceptively fairy-tale-like Rocky Mountains resort in Alberta, you may well get your supernatural fix from the Blushing Bride. Sam first: He’s kind of a dream ghoul, helping guests who’ve lost their keys and pressing elevator buttons for overburdened bellhops. You’ll know him by the 1960s uniform. The Blushing Bride is the ghost of a young lady who fatally tumbled down a grand staircase (which is fortunately closed to visitors today) on her wedding morning in the 1920s. She panicked after her veil caught fire on an ornamental candle. This one’s your standard scary-lady-in-big-white-dress spook – but she’s a little under-groomed.

Originally posted 2010-10-28 10:19:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Any city that is located on the Chili River deserves to be a hot destination, and Peru’s second largest city Arequipa, although little known outside the country, certainly deserves a visit.

Arequipa is called “the White City” for one very good reason, many of its buildings are constructed from a white volcanic rock called sillar. The buildings in the city do indeed glisten white in the sun, and their colour embellishes them a certain distinguished and imposing presence.

Volcanic rock is an abundant material in and around Arequipa, as the city is surrounded by three volcanoes: El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. It is a true mountain city, sitting at an elevation of 2,335 m (7,661 ft).

Although the sillar rock is an attractive stone it has its practical purposes also as earthquakes are a reasonably common phenomenon in Arequipa and the sillar seems to be able to absorb most of the tremors making it a relatively safe building material.

The city’s architecture is considered to be so important that the historic centre has been declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mainly because it best represents the integration of the Andean culture and the Spanish colony, evidenced by its majestic architecture adorned with a mix of Andean and Spanish elements.

One of the most interesting buildings is the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa which was originally built in the 17th century, gutted by fire in the 19th century and destroyed by an earthquake soon after. It has been rebuilt, and suffered some damage in the 2001 earthquake. It has since been rebuilt to its former glory and is now home to the largest pipe organ in South America.

There are many museums and art galleries within Arequipa, with the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries being one that is definitely worth visiting. This museum focuses on high altitude finds and the Inca Empire. Exhibits here include mummies and the artefacts that were found in their tombs. The main attraction is the body of the young girl known as ‘Juanita’ or the Ice Maiden of Mount Ampato. This pre-Columbian mummy is believed to be in the best state of preservation of any mummy in the world.

Outside of the city, one of the main attractions is the Colca Canyon, which is one of the deepest on earth, plunging to a depth of 10,725 feet (3,269m) and is more than 100 km in length, double the depth of the Grand Canyon; although, its walls are not quite as steep. The journey to the canyon itself is spectacular. Travellers pass through rugged terrain dotted with volcanoes and believed to be inhabited only by llama and their cousins the vicuna.

Arequipa has a reputation for being a cultural city and is the home of Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize of Literature. Many visitors to Peru go only to Cuzco and Machu Picchu, but it is definitely worth adding Arequipa to your itinerary when you do visit Peru.

I have to admit having a soft spot for the P&O ship Oriana because many moons ago I used to work for P&O and the Oriana was my favourite ship.

The Oriana of today is a newer version of the ship that I knew, even though it doesn’t seem to be as sleek as its predecessor.  What she does do, though, is combine modern maritime technology with a beautiful sweeping shape and those lovely wooden decks which give you a reason to promenade.

Because she is British there is little of the glitz that Americans expect.  Instead, Oriana boasts a writing room, library and card room; it caters for those with sedate tastes.  If that sounds boring, then you’ve never indulged in a thrilling game of bridge, which can be far more absorbing than a cartoon character getting in your face many times too often.

Oriana is a beautiful vessel on which to cross oceans, and she is slated to undertake a voyage across the Pacific, beginning in Sydney and ending in San Francisco.

To make the voyage more enjoyable, Oriana is taking the long way around, heading first south to New Zealand’s Milford Sound, then rounding the South Island to dock near Christchurch.

She then visits the capital Wellington and Auckland before finally heading east towards the America’s.

Oriana will also visit Bora Bora in French Polynesia, and the port of Papeete in Tahiti, before crossing to Honolulu, then completing the leg to San Francisco.

This is a voyage for those who truly love the sea and who quite enjoy being well out of sight of land.

The voyage is scheduled to depart Sydney in February, 2012.

Originally posted 2011-04-28 12:45:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

I had to make a quick trip from Perth to Albany in Western Australia, so took the quickest, most direct route which is the 410 kilometre-long Albany Highway.

This road, which connects Western Australia’s capital city of Perth with its oldest European settlement of Albany was originally built using convict labour in the 1850s which, because there were no cars around then, was little more than a dirt track.

There have been some improvements over the years, so that these days it is quite a good road. One slight problem is that a great many trucks use the highway and as it is quite hilly in parts you can sometimes sit behind a slow moving truck for quite a while before getting the opportunity to overtake.

Given that the Albany Highway is one of the major roads in Western Australia, and that it connects two of the most important cities in the state, it passes through very few towns.

Once you leave Armadale, and hence the Perth metropolitan area, it is 132 kilometres to the next town, which is Williams. Williams is a town of just 400 inhabitants, so by the time you slow down to drive through the town and speed up again after leaving its outskirts, you have used up only about 2 minutes of your entire journey.

The next community of any note is Kojonup, 96 kilometres south of Williams. It is slightly larger, with just over 1200 people living in the shire, and the town is much larger than Williams, but still relatively small.

104 kilometres south of Kojonup is Mount Barker, which has a population that is about four times bigger than Kojonup. It is also where many of the Great Southern wineries are located, so is a good place to stop is you wish to sample a local drop.

The distance to Albany from here is just 53 kilometres, but the scenery is also quite grand as when you look to your left, whilst heading south, you see the Stirling Ranges, which contain some of Western Australia’s highest mountains.

From Armadale to just north of Williams you pass through mainly bushland, and south of Williams you pass through some of the richest farmland in Western Australia, and the scenery is quite stunning.

Unless you are travelling during peak holiday season, the journey is often done without encountering too much traffic. Despite the time it takes to drive the Highway, about four and a half to five hours depending on the Perth traffic, it is actually quite an easy drive, as you can just put the car into cruise control and let it do most of the work.

At least three Asia-based airlines are either limiting or withdrawing their flights to Europe.

Indonesia’s Garuda used to have quite a good network of flights to Europe but now flies only to Amsterdam, and the airline has just announced that it is going to cut its number of services there.

The Taiwan airline China Air has also announced that it will be limiting its flights to Europe, and the Malaysia-based budget airline Air Asia X is abandoning flights to Europe altogether after having serviced both London and Paris.

All three airlines have said that their decisions are based on both an increase in taxes in Europe and on the price they pay for fuel there. Each airline is increasing its number of flights to different ports in the Asia Pacific region where, they say, conditions are much better for the airline business.

The two main European currencies are the Euro and the British Pound, both of which are expensive when compared to the US Dollar and most other currencies. This means that if you are a non-European visiting the continent, your currency doesn’t buy all that much when you get there and, when compared to values elsewhere, what you do get for your money is usually far less than what you would pay elsewhere, especially for food and accommodation.

Take the issue with accommodation, for instances. Not only are European hotels, and I include British hotels in that description, outrageously expensive for fairly basic facilities, but service is often astonishingly bad. That is not to say there are not some hotels that are a pure delight but, on average, service in Europe is poor for the price that you pay, compared to other regions in the world.

Several cities in Italy have introduced a hotel room tax with which to slug tourists. Italy isn’t doing all that well financially, and you would think that by attracting tourists to visit, the authorities would benefit from all that foreign currency that is spent there, and which does actually aid employment. But, no, the way to encourage tourists, apparently, is to tax them harder than you have before.

The European Community has now introduced an Emissions Trading Scheme which will impact on the costs that airlines will have to pay to negate the level of pollution created by aircraft. Naturally, the airlines will pass any increase onto their customers, thus making it more expensive to fly into and out of Europe.

The British Government has revised its Air Passenger Duty for flights emanating from Britain. It is a four-scaled system with those flying the greatest distances paying the highest taxes. It may be a great money spinner for the Government, but a pretty poor option for anyone else.

New destinations are opening all the time these days, and with great values still to be had in North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East attracting greater numbers of visitors, and Africa and South America becoming more accessible with new tourist infrastructure being built, there is plenty of competition for the tourist dollar.

There are some great places to visit in Europe, but there are also great places practically everywhere these days, usually at a price that is better than anything you’ll find in Europe.

With the European economy struggling somewhat it is a good time to get some bargains when travelling there. One sure fire way to take advantage of Europe’s financial predicament is to save as much as you can whilst you are travelling through Europe, and one of the better ways of advantaging your own pocket is to invest in a Berlin Welcome Card when visiting Germany’s capital.

There are many facets to the Berlin Welcome Card, for instance, it is also a travel card which entitles the cardholder to travel free on Berlin’s public transport system. There are over 200 attractions which participate in the BWC scheme, ranging from museums and palaces to city tours, river cruises, restaurant meals and even theatre tickets and they generally offer discounts of between 25-50%.

There are eight different cards from which to choose, and they vary in regards to duration, ranging from 48 hours to 5 days, location: you can also include visits to Potsdam, which is located 24 kilometres southwest of Berlin, and you can also add on a Museum Island which allows the holder three consecutive days of free visits to the five famous museums (Ancient National Gallery, Ancient Museum, Bodemuseum, New Museum and Pergamon Museum) of the Berlin Museum Island.

They are many discounted guided city tours available too. The offers of the Berlin Welcome Card partners span from historical city tours and night tours to special art and cultural tours to underground tours or sight jogging.

A great way to see Berlin is from its rivers and canals. From March to October, the shipping companies of Berlin offer various tours of the city as well as its surrounding areas, and if you possess any nautical skills you can hire your own boat with the BWC.

In order to best utilise the card you should do some forward planning, remembering that there is a time limit on your card from the time that you use it for the first time. Fortunately, you do get a Visitor’s Guide included with the card, so you are able to make informed decisions about the type of experiences which best suit you.

The Berlin Welcome Card can be purchased online prior to your arrival in the city. You can also purchase the card after you arrive in the city at the Berlin Information Centres, many hotels also stock the card, as do public transport ticket offices, onboard BVG buses and from ticket machines.

If you are travelling with young children, then the Berlin Welcome Card offers additional savings because an infinite number of children up to and including 6 years of age can travel for free.