Luxury Cruise

By Chris Sims

 As outdoor enthusiasts spend more and more time in our backcountry, a handful of skills become more and more essential. All of these skills are easy to learn and add considerably to the overall enjoyment of spending time out-of-doors. The key word here is enjoyment. In order to enjoy ourselves, we must be comfortable with ourselves and our surroundings. This is especially true in the backcountry. So let’s talk about life skills that, when mastered, will lead to heightened enjoyment as we find ourselves off the beaten path.

Understanding basic first-aid is paramount. This life skill is needed whether you enter the backcountry or not. If you haven’t taken both a first-aid class and a CPR class lately, what are you waiting for? Accidents happen, be prepared. The American Red Cross offers both classes all the time.

Backcountry travel requires a basic understanding of how to navigate. Whether you prefer to use a map with a compass or with a GPS, learn how to find your way around. Getting lost is bad. Fear of getting lost can be worse. Classes for map reading, compass use and GPS use are readily available in most communities. Check local libraries, community colleges or orienteering clubs. On-line classes are readily available as well.

How are you at tying knots? This too is an easily acquired skill. Nothing is cooler than needing to use a rope and actually knowing how to use it. Whether you are tying off a tent stake or repelling over a cliff, being able to use the right knot at the right time is important. Learn how to tie a bowline, sheet bend, rolling hitch and timber hitch, to name a few. Many books and websites are available with pictures and instructions.

To start a fire, only two things are needed-heat and fuel. Whenever you visit the backcountry, always be sure to carry both heat and fuel. Heat is easiest to carry in the form of waterproof matches or a weather proof lighter. Fuel is tougher to carry although starter fuel such as lint and mineral oil shouldn’t be too difficult to carry. Nature provides an abundance of fuel if you know what you’re looking for. Whether rubbing sticks together (yuck) or using waterproof matches (yea), be sure you know how to start a fire before you start your journey. There are many ways to start a fire and you should find at least three of them that work for you. You can find lots on-line regarding this life skill.

The most enjoyable way to experience our backcountry is the “low impact” way. You’ve most likely heard the phrase “leave only footprints, take only pictures.” If we take good care of our wilderness areas, not only will we be able to enjoy them our entire lives but our descendants will have the opportunity to enjoy them too. There are many organizations actively educating outdoor enthusiasts as to the best way to “low impact” recreate. Two very popular organizations are Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace.

Knowing these five life skills will provide you with the confidence to fully enjoy your time in the backcountry. Once you’ve mastered these skills be sure to pass them on to your friends and family.

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Read about swamp hibiscus and perennial hibiscus at the Hibiscus Tree website.

Menjangan Island in Bali

By Rebecca Smith

 Menjangan Island is part of the West Bali Nature Reserve, a protected reserved area that encompasses 780 square kilometres. The name Menjangan means deer. Visit Menjangan during dry season and if you are lucky you might encounter the deer crossing the sea to migrate to Bali Island! Manjangan Island can be reached by car in about an hour.

In this isolated island, no buiding is allowed, only 3 simple eating place and public toilet for tourists. You can say that this place is really isolated.He Heaven for those who love nature and get away from it all! No shop, Restaurant or even any attraction nearby.

Menjangan Island is said to be one of Balis best diving and snorkelling site. There are a few dive sites to choose from at Menjangan with good conditions and excellent exposure to the underwater world. The island is surrounded by a wide variety coral reef; very rich and colourful From hard coral to soft coral, from soft pink, blue to green, orange and many more. Very beautiful scenery that the earth can create! The coral characterised by deep drop offs of up to 60 metres and by complex rock formations.

Menjangan Island is occupied by natural reserves, from sheer drop offs to 60+ metres, small caves, sandy slopes and a beautiful blue green lagoon.

The underwater world has a big collection of fish! There is clown fish, goat fish, batfish, snapper, sweetlips, angelfish and fusiliers. Unusual collection of fish like Frogfish, Pipefish, many interesting Nudibranch, Scorpionfish, Lionfish, leaf scorpions, crocodilefish and Cuttlefish can also be spotted. There are even tuna, shoals of jack-fish, batfish, angelfish, seahorses, sea turtles, and sharks, especially off the outer corners of the island! Of course it is not only fish that can be seen in Menjangan, there are also dolphin, whaleshark, mantarays, giant barracuda, Napoleon, potato cod! It is said that during the rainy season is the best time to have a chance to see manta and the baby (7mtr) whaleshark. Wow.. what a wide variety of Marine ecosystem!

The island is surrounded by mountains and islands! Inside the deep water and on the surface, the stunning beauty of nature can be seen! Aint we lucky to be born in this world??

Imagine after diving, enjoying nice food and then rest in hammock while enjoying the beauty of nature. It is truly a bless!

Menjangan has a wreck, name Anker. The name comes from a heavily encrusted anchor, which sits at about 6m on the top of the reef nearby. Anker is old wooden ship wrecks, which is believe to be more than 100 years old. There are glass and ceramic and is completely inhabit by soft coral, and it is excellent place to meet turtle and sharks!

On average, there about 100 divers visit the island each day.

The only accommodation near Menjangan strait is Mimpi resort Menjangan Bali. This Bali hotel is located adjacent to the Bali Barat National Park. The resort is design in Balinese style. Guests will have a choice of rooms at the Mimpi Resort Menjangan Bali including terraced rooms or courtyard villas. There are a total of fifty four accommodations available at the hotel. Amenities available in the guestrooms include private gardens or terraces, private swimming pools or Jacuzzis, thatched roofs and room service. The hotel can be book and compare the price at discount hotel and the description and picture can be found in hotel deals on www.discountworldhotel.com

For those who does not do diving or snorkelling, you can enjoy the sea ecosystem by you own naked eyes! The water is so clear that you can see it with your naked eyes! Menjangan island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches.

There is this article that I recently read on the The Jakarta Post that mentioned: The beauty of underwater coral reefs and the ecosystem around Menjangan Island, is on the brink of destruction as the practice of fish bombing carried out by local fishermen is on the rise. Hope that further action is taken by the government to protect such nature beauty.

Make sure you visit travel blog like www.noholidaynolife.com before travelling to dig up more information.

Rebecca Smith is consultant who loves travelling and share experience about discount hotel and experienced in building calling cards website

Your Source For Luxury Cruise Lines And Travel Destinations

Understanding common courtesy in cruising

By Chris Sims

 You don’t need a Miss Manners at sea to know there are some basic, common sense rules of etiquette for cruising. No, there is no handbook on it, but the key words here are “common sense.” For some less thoughtful folks onboard, taking a vacation means taking a break from using their brains.

Picture a cruise ship like a floating village or small town at sea. As with any unfamiliar place you go to, you should get to know the lay of the land, so to speak. No one is going to be just like you; people from all over the world, from different cultures and religions are sharing the same floating space as you are. Everyone should learn how to live in harmony for this short stay so that all of you will have the best vacation possible.

Some cruisers have been to their share of ports and know what to do. However, newbie’s need to pay some attention to their surroundings. Read the literature about the ship’s activities. And if there is any doubt about something, ask a member of the cruise ship’s personnel. Now, let’s talk about some of those unspoken shipboard “rules:”

Cool it with the complaints - You are on vacation! Nothing is more unattractive than a grown-up whining like a child over something like waiting in line. You know that saying “When in Rome?” Well, it is your vacation. No worries, no deadlines, no being late to anything … you’re on a ship and nothing on board is going anywhere. Say hi to the people next to you; challenge someone to a game of paper, scissors, rock to break up the monotony.

Respect the Dress Code Guidelines - Cruise ships will often post some clothing guidelines for dinner or live entertainment for that day. If you don’t follow the guidelines, you will not be thrown off the ship. However, you would feel mighty uncomfortable wearing your Bermuda shorts and flip flops to a semi-formal dinner or dance.

Say so long to the seat savers and line cutters- It is a bit exasperating to take the time to arrive at a decent hour to catch the next lounge act only to have a sea of coats draped over chairs and no bodies in the seats. And line cutters, shame on you. It is one thing for you to stand in line and have your spouse join you after a quick trip to the rest room. It is a whole new ballgame letting in your twenty newfound friends from the poker tables cut in line.

No hogging of the gym equipment/hot tub/lounge chairs/computers, etc. - There are possibly several thousand other people who at some point want to use stationary bike or hot tub privileges. Be mindful of others who are discreetly waiting without complaint for their turn.

Designated smoking areas - There are specific areas just for smokers on board. Do not be selfish and light up at the dining room table while others are eating. Here’s a big clue: if you see ash trays, you can light up.

These unspoken rules sound perfectly logical don’t they? Yet, some cruisers forget themselves in their quest for a good time and other people suffer for it. If you are unsure of something, ask. Let your common sense rule. And don’t worry, it won’t get in the way of your good time.

Want to find out about hibiscus coccineus and hibiscus meaning? Get tips from the Hibiscus Tree website.

discount luxury cruises

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.