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The Very Best of Thailand

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Thailand is well-known for its tropical beaches. You could say there is a beach for each day of the year and a palm tree for every minute of the day. The scenery is simply breath taking but the question is, “What are the best beach in Thailand”. Unfortunately with so much to choose from this can be a daunting task. However we have managed to put together a summary of what we consider is the best of Thailand.

Patong Beach in Phuket: This is very first tourist location in Thailand and as a result is today’s most developed resort. The beach area is about 3 kilometres long of white sands and turquoise waters with plenty of tropical palm trees. Water sports are readily available and at night you can enjoys the liveliest clubs in the whole of Thailand.

Railay Beach in Krabi: This is the place where you will find stunning white sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs, lookout points, caves, caverns and hidden lagoons. But the best thing is it s all walking distance. Raylay is located in Phra Nang peninsula separated from mainland Thailand.

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Ley: This madly imposing setting beats all others in Thailand and is fair to say in the whole world. In case you did not know it, this beach was made famous by the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo di Caprio. If you have not seen this movie yet let us just says that Phi Phi Leh will make you feel really proud of planet Earth.

White Sand Beach, Koh Chang: White Sand Beach (Haad Sai Kao) is a beautiful sandy beach at the northern end of Koh Changs west coast. It is about 2.5 kilometres long and lined by rocks, over-hanging palms and broad-leaved trees.

Lamai Beach in Samui: Here is yet another animated night destination, where vivid lights, bars and entertainment await you. During the day, enjoy the sound of waves crashing on the shore and charming views of long tail vessels constantly cruising the beach.

Kata Beach in Phuket: Due to its fairly small size, Kata has a cozy feel about it and is great for families. There are quite a few shops, restaurants and bars around Kata Centre and between Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Kata is perhaps the best compromise between the hectic pace of Patong and some of the quieter beaches on Phuket.

If you requiere further information about the best beaches in the world please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the best beaches in Thailand.

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Top Beaches in Australia

Friday, March 25th, 2011

If you will you would find hundreds of excellent beaches in Australia and most of them rank top in the list of best beaches in the world. In this article we have picked the top 5 or 6 beaches and hopefully it will help you make up your mind as to where to go in Australia.

Bells Beach: Located 100 km south-west of Melbourne in the locality of Victoria this beach is simply heaven for enthusiastic pro and amateur surfers. This beach is considered by many connoisseurs as the capital of the surfing world. This beach was also featured in the final scene of the film Point Break with Patrick Swayze.

Bondi Beach: Bondi beach is highly regarded for its great sandy beach, as well as its surfing sports. It is a modern and trendy coastal resort located only 7 kilometres from Sidney. The resort is backed by beautiful parklands, where you can relax, play games or take a walk.

Cable Beach: With 10 miles of immaculate white sands bordering tropical turquoise waters, Cable Beach is celebrated as one of the best in the world. The sunsets are breath taking as the sky sets alight when the sun touches the horizon. Cable Beach is located Broome western Australia.

Whitehaven Beach: Whitehaven Beach is a definite “must-see” in the Whitsundays. The crystal clear aqua waters and pristine silica sand of Whitehaven stretch over seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island , the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. It defines nature at its best and provides the greatest sense of relaxation and escape.

Palm Beach: Television viewers especially in Australia and the UK will be very familiar with Palm Beach, location for the mythical village of Summer Bay where the hit TV series Home and Away is located. The waters are tranquil with a small shallow beach ideal for a quick dip. Palm Beach is the perfect spot for a picnic.

If you requiere further information about the best beaches in Australia please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the World best beaches

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Best Beaches In United Kingdom

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

UK’s clearest beaches and the best locations for swimming in the ocean are exposed in this article, with 150 destinations awarded special status. Read through a list of the top beaches in Great Britain.

Blackpool Sands, Devon: Just around the corner from Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands is known for its clear waters. Backed by heavily wooded cliffs, this crescent-shaped beach is one of the prettiest in the area.

Llanbedrog, Gwynedd: This 16km walk from Llanbedrog to Chwilog forms part of the Llyn Coastal Path in north Wales, a 146km route from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. The path, which opened last year, is Britain’s newest long distance path, and 75 per cent of the walk is beach.

St Bees, Cumbria: The ancient village of St Bees has one of Cumbria’s most popular rural beaches. It is also the start of the scenic coast-to-coast walk, a challenging but very popular 300km route linking St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Yorkshire coast.

Bournemouth, Dorset: Bournemouth’s seafront is among the busiest and best resort beaches in the country and has a Quality Coast Award. The central stretch of beach, around the pier, attracts thousands of visitors every day in peak season. Go-ahead management has made it one of the safest, cleanest, most enjoyable beaches on which to lay your bucket and spade.

New Quay, Wales: Set at the southern end of Cardigan Bay, New Quay is a small picturesque but popular seaside destination for the whole family. The village and surrounding area features, expansive safe sandy beaches, coastal walks and also its family of Bottlenose Dolphins, that remain here throughout the year.

Sennen Cove, Cornwall: Sennen Cove is a small hamlet with a few small shops and caf?s, a pub and some galleries. The scenery is beautiful and there are several very enjoyable cliff walks from the cove including one of about a mile to Land’s End. Whitesands Beach is one of the cleanest in Europe with plenty of space for both swimming and surfing.

West Sands, Scotland: The West Sands has gained world fame from the movie “Chariots of Fire”. In the opening scene, as the British Olympic team is training, they run along the West Sands. Sadly the movie wrongly credits the scene to Broad Stairs, Kent.

If you requiere further information about the best beaches in the world please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the World best beaches.

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Sea Jellies in the Gulf of Mexico

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Sea jellies, also known as jellyfish, jellies or Medusozoa, are a form of marine life that can survive in both fresh and saltwater. They are free-swimming, meaning they do not swim with purpose in a particular direction, but rather they rely on ocean currents and the availability of prey. Jellyfish do not have a brain or central nervous system. Instead they detect touch by means of a network of nerves located in their epidermis. Some species have organs that are light sensitive and can even tell the difference between up and down. However, generally sea jellies are blind and instinctual only.

An ocean bloom or swarm is a huge congregation of jellyfish all brought together via ocean currents, increasing temperature, oxygen concentration and a large availability of prey. Because of their unique ability to thrive in oxygen-depleted waters, sea jellies thrive when other marine life cannot. Theses swarms can feed on plankton without any competition, furthering their populations. Rising ocean temperatures caused by global warming has seen the advent of more swarms than usual in ocean waters all over the world. It is important to note that ocean blooms draw jellyfish of all varieties, from the Portuguese Man O’War to the Box Jellyfish.

When ocean blooms occur near popular dive sites or beaches, they can adversely impact those who enter the water. With a huge increase in the number of jellies in the local waters, there will be an increase in stings on swimmers. When a person is stung by a sea jelly, millions of minute ’spikes’ from the tentacle pierce the skin and inject a venom. There are some jellyfish whose venom has no effect on humans, others cause a slight sting, while still others can cause acute pain. Some of the more infamous are the Box Jellyfish and the Irukandji.

The Irukandji jellyfish is deceptive in size. The ‘bell’ measures about .20 of an inch and the tentacles stretch as long as two and half feet. Its stingers are located all over the bell and the tentacles. These jellyfish have no color, are clear and extremely hard to spot. The actual sting from an Irukandji is not too bothersome, it is the effects of the venom that produce the most discomfort. Symptoms include sever muscle cramps in the limbs, back and kidney pain, burning sensations on the face, headache, sweating, vomiting, raised heart rate and blood pressure, and temporary dementia. Victims need hospitalization, however the treatment is only symptomatic. Irukandji are not typically found in the Gulf of Mexico. They are predominantly in the waters off all coasts of Australia.

The Portuguese Man O’War, also known as a Bluebottle, is not actually a jellyfish but is often referred to as such. It is actually colonial organism made up of millions of tiny individual creatures, all with a specific purpose and attached to each other. They are so integrated that they cannot survive without each other and therefore make up a perfect whole unit. Unlike the Irukandji, the Bluebottle is easier to spot in the water as its tentacles stretching down into the water are a bright blue. The bell head actually works like a bladder, keeping it afloat. Being stung by a Man O’War is a painful experience. The tentacles leave long red welts on the skin, and if they occur near a lymph node the pain can be more severe. Death as a result of Man O’War stings is rare, and usually related to a severe allergic reaction to the venom. Common jellyfish sting treatments such as vinegar or mustard are not recommended for Man O’War wounds. The Portuguese Man O’War can be found in the Gulf of California, in waters around Hawaii, the Mediterranean Sea and in the Gulf of Mexico.

The jellyfish (or jellyfish looking creatures) of the Gulf of Mexico are not as bad as the media will have everyone think. The deadliest species (Irukandji and Box Jellyfish) do not even live in those waters and the Bluebottle is easily spotted. So go swimming, go diving, go snorkeling – have fun!

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Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

There are roughly 49 species of sharks living in and around the Gulf of Mexico. Many keep to the deep waters of the ocean floor, feeding on the creatures found at such depths. Other species frequent the mid-range depths, but prefer to stay far from shore where small prey is abundant. There are a few species of sharks who choose to hunt the waters close to land and can be a nuisance to humans. Here, we will take a respectful look at these sharks, their behavior and how to avoid meeting them.

Bull Shark

The Bull shark can also be referred to as the Zambezi shark and the Nicaragua shark. Bull sharks are very large, growing up to eleven feet in length – although females grow larger. They can weigh over 500 pounds, thus their given name as ‘bull’. Their bite force has been measured at 1250 pounds per square inch. They are common in shallow warm waters along coasts and in rivers. The most notable characteristic of the Bull shark is its ability to tolerate fresh water, accounting for its common presence in rivers. Typical behavior for a Bull shark is aggressive, erratic movements and unpredictable choices of food. They will eat almost any living thing, even venomous jellyfish normally deadly to marine life. The Bull shark does pose a threat to humans, mainly because it dwells in shallow waters and is territorial – killing anything that enters its territory. It is thought that Bull sharks are responsible for the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916, which was the inspiration for Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws.

Great White Shark

The Great White Shark is also referred to as Great White, White Pointer, White Shark or White Death. Males measure about the same as Bull shark, eleven feet, but females have been documented at 16 feet. However there are reports of Great Whites being seen at a length of 20 feet. Their body is long and thick with a white belly. The teeth of the Great White are some of the largest in marine life, measuring up to six inches long. Adding to the immensity of their power is the bite force, documented at 4000 pounds per square inch by the University of South Wales in Australia. The one characteristic of the Great White that sets it apart from other large sharks is its habit of ’spy-hopping’ or lifting its head above the surface of the water. They do this regularly, possibly because of their very curious nature. The curiosity of Great Whites may be why they attack humans. Many biologists speculate that the Great White is simply ‘tasting’ the person to see if they provide enough energy (fat) for a meal. According to their biology, the Great White’s digestive system is not appropriate for digesting a human body as we contain too many bones. Any fatalities that occur as a result of a Great White attack are purely due to blood loss.

Tiger Shark

Tiger sharks are named as such for their markings when viewed from above. They can reach a length of up to 16 feet, but are typically around the ten foot range. Colors of Tiger sharks can cover quite a range, from blue to green to white or even a light yellow. Unlike other species of sharks, the Tiger shark has excellent eyesight. Their jaws are large and terminal, allowing for feeding on marine life such as sea turtles and whales. In fact, Tiger sharks have been documented as feeding on the dead carcasses of whales and other creatures. The Tiger is able to swim slowly, quietly and with their coloration can be very adept at catching unsuspecting prey. They like to frequent shallow waters, both in rivers and harbors. Hawaii has a lot of trouble with Tiger shark attacks, but in the Gulf of Mexico it is not so common – perhaps because of the presence of Bull sharks.

Considering the thousands of people frequenting the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico each year and the relatively low instances of shark attacks, it would be fair to say the chances of meeting one is rare. In any case, it would be prudent to avoid situations that could cause an encounter. For example, sharks like to hunt at dawn, dusk and during the night. Do not go in the water at those times. Sharks can smell and are attracted to human blood, urine and vomit so don’t go in the water if you have an open wound or need to relieve yourself. If you are in the water and you see a shark, exit the water quickly but calmly as they are attracted to sudden movements and commotion. If a shark attacks you, punch and poke the eyes and gills – those are sensitive areas. Sharks are not as bad as the media would have everyone believe, they just need to be respected and avoided.

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Ear Injuries That Each and Every Scuba Divers Need to Know

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

One of the most typical complaint that most scuba divers experience is ear pain, which may happen at any point of diving endeavors. This just isn’t a basic condition that must be ignored for the reason that it may possibly lead to permanent loss of hearing especially if there’s severe injury or damage in the ear.

Trauma within the middle ear is one of the typical injuries that scuba divers may possibly encounter. It is also known as as barotitis media, which is often caused by middle ear squeeze condition. It may possibly occur if the pressure of the middle ear aren’t equalize on descent. Included inside the symptoms of this condition are feeling of fullness and diminish in hearing or a total loss of hearing. Consulting a physician may possibly assist you to get well.

Yet another condition will be the rupture of the ear drum. As you know the ear drum or tympanic membrane is really a thin membrane situated between the middle ear and ear canal. The ear drum primarily blocks water or some foreign objects from entering the middle ear. A number of the symptoms of this condition are ringing sound within the ear, reduction of hearing and immediately after scuba diving a bloody discharge may perhaps happen. Consulting a physician might be the very best factor to do if these symptoms occur.

Inner ear barotraumas is also an additional injuries caused by scuba diving. This could happen if the diver over equalize the ears when diving. As an example a forceful Valsalva technique is extremely popular trigger of this condition that may perhaps have an effect on the inner and middle ear. It’s also called the oval and round windows.

A number of the symptoms of this condition are ringing sound, vertigo, nausea and loss of hearing. This is regarded as to be essentially the most dangerous injury that might take place to the ear because if untreated, it may result in the permanent loss of hearing. In the event that these symptoms may well happen it can be extremely important to consult the physician suitable away to steer clear of any significant condition that may possibly happen.

Lastly, in case you are planning to be a scuba diver, it really is rather critical to know the issues that you must avoid and follow your trainer. Don’t do the forceful Valsalva technique. Should you find it tricky to equalize, rise up on some meters. Stay away from performing this activity of you might have cold or condition that could cause congestion.

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Scuba Vacations At The Red Sea

Monday, March 7th, 2011

If you are interested in learning SCUBA diving travel to the Red Sea and do it in some of the clearest, warmest waters of the world. You can learn to dive in around 4 days and enjoy the breath-taking flora and fauna of one of the best areas for diving in the world.

Anyone from 8 to 80 can learn how to dive. You don’t need to be a great swimmer or incredibly fit. You do need to be healthy and will need to fill out a medical declaration, but not every medical condition excludes you from diving and many dive centers cater for handicapped divers.

Some people think they might be claustrophobic in the equipment or nervous underwater. If this is the case try an introductory dive or short course which can count towards a full Open water certificate. On successful completion of a course, you will receive a card which you can present to any center in the world to show you are qualified.

There are hundreds of centers in the resorts offering a range of courses to become a SSI, PADI or BSAC diver. These are the main organizations that promote and regulate the industry. Whatever you native language you will be able to find an instructor who is fluent, or even from your area. Students and instructors often form a bond which lasts many years and hundreds of dives.

The larger schools in the Red Sea have websites where you can pre-book your package, or you could book through a specialist tour agency. Discounts are available in resort as well on equipment hire, tuition and books, so there are many ways to save money whichever you choose.

For fantastic scuba diving travel to the Red Sea is easy with international links from many countries in Europe and the Middle East. Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh and Taba airports are your link to the glorious flora and fauna of one of the world’s most celebrated area for underwater exploration and adventure.

Kilani Stephens is a certified divemaster and world traveler. For more information about scuba diving travel, visit www.thetravelerscompass.org

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Devil’s Throat at Punta Sur

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Punta Sur is the southern most point of island of Cozumel, located just off the eastern coast of Mexico. Cozumel has been a popular eco-tourism destination for many years, especially for its balnearios, scuba diving and snorkeling. Punta Sur is unique in that it is part of the Parque Punta Sur, an ecological park covering 247 acres of land and water on Cozumel. The beaches are protected to allow sea turtle eggs to have a safe area for hatching, as well as the lagoons and low forests located slightly inland. Additionally, the reef system, located just off the southern point of the island, is part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park.

Cozumel has an ancient history, which is now fiercely protected. Near Punta Sur is Caracol, a Mayan site that was dedicated to the worship of Ixchel, the Jaguar Goddess of Midwifery and Medicine. The Mayans built the monument not only for worship but also as a warning system for hurricanes. It is construct in such a way that when winds reach a particular strength and blow through the structure, there is a loud whistling sound. The Celarain lighthouse sits right on the top of Punta Sur, overlooking the protected beaches and reefs. A small nautical museum is set close to Celarain and tells the history of the Mayans on Cozumel.

Devil’s Throat is part of a stretch of coral reef just offshore from Punta Sur. It is an underwater cave that begins at a respectable depth of 80 feet and then drops off sharply to 135 feet. The entrance to Devil’s Throat is so narrow that it can cause many experienced divers to become stuck. The tunnel continues at an almost vertical angle through the reef and opens up into an underwater cave referred to as the Cathedral. The cave got its name from an unusual sponge formation in the shape of a cross. With the cross located at the roof of the cavern, and when the sun shone down through a tunnel it lit the cross from behind almost as if on purpose. However, the phenomenon no longer exists as Hurricane Emily destroyed the cross.

Should you be planning a trip to Cozumel and have a desire to swim Devil’s Throat, be aware that it is a dive reserved for advanced scuba divers only. While it is considered a ‘must dive’ experience, the depth and angle of areas in the dive make it exceptionally dangerous. Many experienced and even some advanced divers have almost drowned or been lost at Devil’s Throat. Standard safety stops are not sufficient, longer or more frequent breaks are necessary. A qualified and very experienced guide who knows every inch of Devil’s Throat is vital, as well as a dive computer and underwater lights for each person.

Swimming through the tunnel of Devil’s Throat is reported as an incredible experience, even if you don’t make it to the Cathedral. The creatures crawling the reef are things most people only see in an aquarium or on the nature channel. Sea turtles, sharks, anemones and colorful varieties of fish are everywhere just waiting for you to discover. As global warming progresses, the coral reefs are dying off, slowly but surely. Fifty years from now those creatures may not be there, even Devil’s Throat may be lost. Visitors who visit Cozumel will be witnessing some of the most majestic seascapes in the world and hopefully taking home with them a renewed sense of preservation over the environment.

Devil’s Throat got its name for a reason. If you are not an advanced diver and have not taken the appropriate precautions to prevent decompression, then the cave can swallow you up. Inexperienced divers will not be able to manage their movements or their air, becoming disoriented, forgetting to make decompression stops. Divers without a guide may become lost in the tunnels and never find their way out. Be prepared, properly outfitted and properly guided in your exploration. Don’t let yourself be lost in the Devil’s Throat!

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Most Beautiful Beaches in Brazil

Friday, March 4th, 2011

In this article you will find the very best beaches in Brazil. A country with well over 8000 km of coast line surely counts most of the beaches that top the best ranked beaches in the world. White sand, warm turquoise seas and stunning landscapes are a treat for your eyes and soul and there is nowhere else in the world with so much abundance of natural beauty.

Alter do Chao Beach: Located in the mouth of a river running from the heart of the Amazons, Alter do Chao Beach is one of the least known beaches in Brazil however experts agree on its beautifully stunning natural attributes. But be careful when you choose to go because if you arrive in between April and September you will find no beaches at all since the after the rainy season it will all be covered by the river.

Fernando de Noronha Beaches: Those who have been lucky enough to visit this very special place has described it a Heaven on Earth. 200 miles off the north-eastern coast of Brazil lies a mountainous archipelago made up of 21 islands, the National Marine Sanctuary of Fernando de Noronha. With its crystal-clear water and rich marine life, the archipelago is a heavenly retreat for underwater pleasures.

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: One cannot even think of a beach on Brazil without the world famous Copacabana first coming to mind. Located within the city confines of Rio de Janeiro, this four kilometre strip of beach serves up an animated menu of activities and sights as lengthy as its coastline.

Ipanema Beach: This beach is all about the beauty of the human body and it is mainly known for its song the Girl from Ipanema. This song was inspired by the beauty of a local girl. Today, most girls from Ipanema want to show how beautiful they are. This drives the hottest bodies of Rio de Janeiro and all around the world.

Santos Beach Gardens: Visiting the Santos Beach Garden is about experiencing the largest beach garden in the world. Where else would you find a beach that gives you access to seven kilometres of summer sand and wonderful landscape? You can find three-kilometre or even five-kilometre beach garden, but you won’t find anything as large as a seven-kilometre summer loving beach garden.

If you requiere further information about the best beaches in the world please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the World’s top beaches.

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The top beaches in Cuba

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

If you were given a map of the Caribbean and pointed your finger with your eyes blind folded you would probably end up pointing at a beautiful beach. But there are certain spots that are known for having the best beaches in the world. Below there is a list of the best beaches in Cuba.

Playa Sirena and Playa Para?so: These two beaches are located in Cayo Largo del Sur, a small island about 45 minute flying from Havana, Cuba. These beaches enjoy a vast stretch of glistening, fine white sand, bordering the clear Caribbean Sea. There’s a simple beachside restaurant on Playa Para?so, and not much else here — and that’s a large part of their charm.

Varadero: This location has one of the top beaches in the Caribbean. Crystal clear water and white sand beach makes Varadero top spot for tourists and domestic travellers. There are many resort ranging from 2 to 5 star plus properties so you have a choice for picking one that fits your needs and budget.

Playa Ensenachos and Playa Mgano: Located on the tiny islet of Cayo Ensenachos, these two awe-inspiring protected crescents of sand drop off very softly into the sheltered crystal clear turquoise water, allowing you to wade 200 m or more out into the calm, crystal clear waters without the water getting much above your waist.

Cayos Coco and Guillermo: These tiny cays off the north coast, separated from the Cuban mainland by a long man-made causeway, are tucked into shallow waters that flow into the Atlantic. There’s barely a sign of the ‘real Cuba’ but what you do get is stunning, unspoiled beaches, excellent diving, and a full contingent of watersports.

Guardalavaca: By anybody’s standard this is one of the prettiest resort areas in the Caribbean. Guardalavaca is located in Holguin province in the eastern side of Cuba. Guardalavaca is a hot spot, but not overheated like Varadero. The area is blessed with lush tropical vegetation, brilliant white sands, and clear turquoise waters.

If you requiere further information about the best Cuban beaches please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the world top beaches.

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