Exploring All Mexico Has to Offer

When searching for an exotic honeymoon, Mexico is always a great place to begin.  Many spectacular places await your visit with open arms including Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.  The year round warm weather, beautiful beaches and tranquil environment has all the ingredients for a highly relaxing getaway.

The warm weather makes these places ideal for people looking to kick back and relax on the beach.  Given how popular tequila is in Mexico, margaritas are absolutely phenomenal here and accompany any traveler on this exotic excursion.

Aside from the beautiful beaches, there are many other phenomenal attractions that lead people to Mexico.  One of the most widely know attractions is called The Arch at Lands End in Los Cabos.  The picturesque backdrop is absolutely stunning.  In fact, this landmark is one of the most photographed things on the island.

Another great aspect of The Arch is the many seals that congregate along the rocks.  It’s quite a spectacle seeing the mass seals all in one place.  Be sure to bring your camera with you to capture the once in a lifetime moment!

One of the most popular activities for people to do in Puerto Vallarta is take part in the Canopy Zip Line tours.  If you have never experienced the thrill of zip-lining, then you certainly will not want to pass up this opportunity.  Soaring high above the canopy is such an adrenaline packed adventure that you will be telling stories of the experience for many years to come.

The local culture is also a huge perk of visiting these places.  The friendly people of Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos always extend an open invitation and make tourists and honeymooners feel very welcome.

Those looking to take a honeymoon or vacation should definitely look into everything the great country of Mexico has to offer.  As described, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos are two of the most popular places to visit, however, Mexico is home to many other great destinations.  There is one thing certain for all who visit and that is they come home with a dark tan, a deeper appreciation of the culture and a lifetime full of great memories!

Southern Caribbean Cruises

Its finally time to book that summer cruise you have been dreaming of all winter. The sunny skies, warm water and frozen cocktails are just a few months away but before you finalize that booking however, give some thought to choosing a Southern Caribbean cruise instead of the typical Western and Eastern itineraries offered by most cruise lines. Why?, you ask. Well, places like Mexico and the Bahamas can be quite hot in the summer. Temperatures can easily reach the upper 90′s and there isn’t much of an ocean breeze to cool you off.

Some of the best summer cruises head to places like Aruba, Dominica and Curacao deep in the Southern Caribbean waters where trade winds and year round average temperatures of 85 make this the summer paradise you were dreaming about.

Aruba and Curacao are part of the ABC Islands and are located just off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba has some of the friendliest islanders you will ever meet along with smooth white sand beaches, casinos, curious rock formations and great little bars to grab a locally made Balashi Beer.

Curacao is probably most known for its pastel painted buildings along the harbor in Willemstad and the the blue liqueur named after the island and made from fruit grown on the island but the island is also home to great diving, world class kiteboarding and like Aruba, friendly Dutch inhabitants.

Probably the most overlooked cruise port in the Caribbean is Dominica and that is a shame because it very well could be the best cruise destinations around. You aren’t going to find your white sand beaches and frozen drinks here but what you will find is a lush tropical paradise of rain forest, waterfalls, volcanic mountains and underwater sulfer springs. If you are an adventure traveler, this is the place for you.

No matter where you choose to cruise this summer you are sure to have fun, even in the 90+ degree places, it still beats work. Just be sure to take a look at the three ports mentioned above and the other islands of the Southern Caribbean such as Antigua, Tortola and the British Virgin Isles.

Things to Consider when Buying a Travel Journal for Kids

What are the things to consider when buying a travel journal for children? At first glance, all travel journals look similar – whether meant for grownups or for children. They all have personal information pages, postcard address pages, checklist of things to take, and itinerary pages. But on a closer look, a travel journal for kids is very different. And it should be. It should be designed to enough to grab the children’s attention. It should have colorful and attractive cover as well as inside pages. It should be such that children should be inspired to write and draw on its pages as soon as they lay their eyes on it.

Besides being attractive, a children’s travel journal should also have plenty of pages and spaces to write, draw, paste picture and insert souvenirs without being too large and heavy. Yes, that’s right. Too large and heavy are features that should be completely avoided. The journal should have prompts wherever necessary to guide the children, but not too many of them. Too many prompts can stifle the children’s creativity. There should be ample blank space for them let their creative streak run amok.

Below are some of the things to consider when buying a travel journal for children. Exactly which you will look for will depend on the age and temperament of your child, as well as the kind of trip you are taking.

  • Is it colorful and attractive? If it is too plain, you child may never take it out of his/her bag.
  • Does it have daily pages to fill in details for each day? This will appeal to many children and encourage them to write each day.
  • Does it have enough pages for the duration of your vacation? This is important if you are going on a long vacation. Most journals assume a vacation of less than a month.
  • Does it have planning pages to write out their plans for the holiday? This can be a great way to get your child interested in the journal right from the beginning.
  • Does it have pages to write down their thoughts about the trips and/or places, people and things they have seen?
  • Does it have enough but not too many prompts?
  • Does it have pages to write about their research?
  • Does it have enough pages to draw the things and places they have seen?
  • Does it have spaces for pasting photos, tickets, stamps and other things?
  • Does it have one or more pockets for souvenirs and mementos?
  • Is it sturdy enough to last many years? A travel journal should be sturdy enough to last as a momento, as well as to stand up to the rigours of travel!

The answer to most of the above questions should be ‘Yes’ when looking at a travel journal for children. However, it’s highly unlikely that a single journal will have all of these features, nor will you probably need them all for the same trip or the same child. The Kid’s Trip Diary is my pick for the overall best travel diary for kids, but it won’t suit everyone. The important thing is to have some idea of what you are looking for, and then make a decision based on the options available.

You can read more about preparing for your trip with kids at narrating kayoz goes travelling with kids, from travel journal reviews to travel stroller reviews to getting passports for babies.

Kakadu National Park – Australia’s Hidden Eco-Gem

The animal and plant life in Kakadu National Park is some of the most unique and diverse in the world. The various terrains within the park and the existence of different ecosystems have formed sub-climates that can support many different types and flora and fauna. Classified primarily as a tropical savannah, the Kakadu Region has wet and dry seasons and as such, the plant and animal inhabitants of the park are some of the most resilient and adaptable species in the world.

Spanning over 19,000 square kilometers, the park contains over 280 bird species, 60 mammal species, 50 freshwater species, 10 000 insects species, and 1700 plant species. Depending on where you are in the park, you can expect to see various different habitats.

The rockier, “stone country” areas have less vegetation, as they are prone to the extremes of the wet and dry seasons. Here, ‘resurrection grasses’ grow, which are able to withstand the both the extreme heat and the sopping wetness of the monsoon season. Few animals can endure the open elements of the stone country, but tucked into the walls of these cliffs are creeks and gorges where strips of monsoon rainforests have developed. Animals like the chestnut-quilled rock pigeon, short-eared rock wallaby, black wallaroo, and ghost bat are abundant around the rock shelter sites of Ubiir and Nourlangie. Other animals more seldom seen in this area include the giant cave gecko, the brilliantly hued orange and blue Leichardt’s grasshopper, and the Oenpelli python, one of Australia’s longest species. These species flock to the rainforest areas as the rock walls and trees species like the Allosyncarpia evergreen and Sandstone pandanus act as a canopy along the rock escarpment and rainforest floor.

Kakadu’s hills and basins feature many plants and animals specific to the park, as 2500 million year old volcanic has created a habitat unlike any other. This is the place to see colorful birdlife native to the area like the hooded parrot, the endangered Gouldian finch, red goshawk, and the black-breasted buzzard. The antilopine wallaby can be found on the ground amongst the abundant plant life that grows on the banks of the banks of the water like the freshwater mangrove and the Silver-leafed paperbark tree.

Much of the same plant life grows all over the park near its waterways, as paperbarks and mangroves thrive in damp conditions. In Kakadu’s tidal flats mangrove roots are a breeding ground for a number of fish, while the drier roots on the banks house groups of flying foxes. Crocodiles and mangrove monitors can often be found waiting for fallen prey at the base of these trees.

In the floodplain and billabong areas the outlying paperbark trees and fresh water mangroves house a varieties of birds such as the kingfisher, white-bellied sea eagle, and the native Jabiru.  Throughout the coastal wetlands, banyan figs, mangroves, and paperbarks also act as a refuge for waterfowl like herons and cormorants during the wet season.

The floodplains, billabongs and tidal flats host many of same creatures and plants. A wide variety of waterfowl can be observed, along with some species that are indigenous to Australia like the magpie goose, and the whistling duck.  Here in the wetlands there is also the seasonal arrival of migratory birds from Northern Asia.

Along the shores of both fresh and salt water sources are a number of turtles, such as the snake-necked, flat backed and pig nosed turtles, as well as variety of water snakes and pythons. Most famous in this region though are the fresh and salt-water crocodiles found throughout the park.  Many Kakadu tours offer breath-taking opportunities to get up close and personal with Kakadu’s crocs. Sharing the waters with the crocs are several species of fish including the barramundi and catfish, along with one of Kakadu’s most peculiar residents, the Dugong, or sea cow.

The most active variety of plant and animal species in Kakadu lives in the Savannah woodland’s or ‘lowland’s which cover almost 80% of the park. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise as the diverse array of birdlife seems endless; red-collared lorikeets, parrots, several types of cockatoos, doves, blue-winged kookaburra, barking owls, and a variety of kites are just to name a few. Wallabies and dingoes can be seen during the day, while nocturnal animals like foxes, small tree marsupials, and the black-footed tree rat, remain out of view until well after dark. Reptiles are very common in this region and include several varieties of snakes (mostly pythons), and lizards, including giant lizard species like the Frill-necked lizard and Gilbert’s Dragons.

Hearty trees like eucalyptus and bloodwoods, along with tall grasses characterize the plant life in this area as they can survive on stored water from the wet season well though the dry season. During the dry season many of these shrubs flower, along with wildflowers.

How To Tell Your Parents You Want To Go Backpacking

Are you about to plan a huge backpacking trip to Europe or Asia? Have you let your parents know about it yet.

It’s only natural for parents to show a little concern and be just that little bit worried when you head off into the world for the first time, I know mine were. Here are a few hints and tips to help the whole process of letting your parents know about your plans to travel the world go smoothly.

Dropping The Hint

If you already know you’re planning to go ahead with a trip after you finish school or whatever it may be, start dropping a few hints on the subject. Let them see your interest in traveling and other cultures and places, say that one day YOU would like to travel the world and see these things for yourself. Drop a few hints that you may be interested in taking a break after high school or university to travel.

Just ease them into it before you blast them with, ‘Okay, I’m off for a year to Europe. Bye!’.

Showing Your Passionate

Let them see your PASSION for traveling. You want to go backpacking, so it’s obvious that you’re interested in seeing new places and experiencing new things, let that passion shine through whenever you talk to them. Let them see you animated and excited about the trip and the places you will be going to. That enthusiasm is going to be hard for them to ignore!

Do you have an interest in writing or photography? Traveling and backpacking can ONLY benefit and expand that interest if you want it to – let your parents see that!

Give Them Role Models

Did your teacher or one of your parent’s good friends do a similar trip when they were younger? Well, look how great it turned out for them!

Show them some role model figures to you that have done something similar in the past and let your parents see how it benefited them.

Let Them See You Know What You’re Talking About

Show them you have some common sense, and that you’ve done a bit of research into the whole matter. Are you planning to work overseas? What countries do you want to visit? Do you know what sort of visa you are going to need?

What is your plan for money (if your plan was to ask them to fund your whole trip, you’re going to need to broach that subject at some point) – show some initiative and that this is something important to you.

If you do all of this and discuss all of these points, your parents should be more than happy to see you off on your big backpacking adventure!

Being a younger traveler myself, I’ve been through all of this before. Don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy the whole planning process and the anticipation and build up to the trip will be something you remember for years to come.

This was a guest post from Tom at Active Backpacker – if you’re planning on backpacking through Europe or just after some general backpacking, check out his website: ActiveBackpacker.com.

Canary Islands

The Canaries and Azores have been a familiar name to travellers for many years, on the route from Western Europe south round Cape Horn to the Far East. They provided the discoverers of the New World with a last taste of home; they saw merchants and traders bustling back and forth to Africa, India and South America, and now they’re on the tourist map. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are favourite holiday spots for North Europeans, yet many people forget that there are five other islands: La Palma, Hierro, Gomera, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Between them these seven islands provide such a variety of attractions, from snowy peaks to sun-baked beaches, great cities to tiny hamlets, sophistication to utter simplicity, that the visitor is spoiled for choice. Will it be Playa de las Americas, with sun and sand and shining white hotels? Or the university town of La Laguna, so dignified and assured of its place in history? Or the peaceful national park of Las Cafiadas, high in the mountains? And all this in just one island.

What the Canaries have in common is an extraordinary volcanic beauty, a superb climate, and a continual stream of surprises, scenic, historical, geological, cultural. Though they are all part of Spain, some islands seem more like splinters from North Africa whereas others recall places as far apart as Scotland and tropical Central America. Gran Canaria is called ‘a miniature continent’, because of its diversity of landscapes and attractions, while Lanzarote looks like something on the moon.

This is the island-hoppers’ paradise. So much to see, so easy to get there. If there’s a problem, it’s a sweet one, how to drag yourself away from one place to visit the next. No wonder Pliny called the Canaries ‘the Fortunate Islands’.

The seven main Canary islands and nine Azores Islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo,  lie off the north-west coast of Africa, forming a rough W shape in the Atlantic Ocean, 300 miles east to west. The nearest land is Cape Juby, westernmost tip of Morocco, while Spain is 600 miles to the north-west.

Ubon Ratchathani Thailand

If you are on vacation in Thailand and got tired of the beaches and the sales people – constantly addressing you – Ubon Ratchathani is an unstressed and warm experience, and the city has many new and exciting things to give you. Ubon Ratchathani is filled with tourist places. Here you will find parks, waterfalls, monuments, temples, museums and many more.

Ubon has a magnificent culture heritage, and keeps it. Festivals are held year after year and the residents of Ubon Ratchathani put their heart and soul into it. Every year the Ubon candle festival takes place in the city, and everywhere you see the local people work on candle sculptures and preparing for the big parade. Also the Songkran water festival in april is celebrated here. Ubon Ratchathani is one big water park for 3 days when everybody meet downtown the big water fight. A very refreshing experience the hot period where the temperature can go as high as 45 degrees Celsius.

Even though Ubon Ratchathani has preserved its old Thai culture it still is a very modern city. The transport infrastructure is convenient and fast, with both tricycle, tuk tuk, bus and taxi to get you around the city. Ubon is also well connected with every major city in Thailand, using VIP busses, trains and flights. You will find shopping centers, cinema complexes, bowling centers, and many other things that will support a modern lifestyle. Actually the biggest Toyota car dealer in Thailand is placed in Ubon Ratchathani. Well worth a visit too.

Even though the city of Ubon Ratchathani has plenty of historic sites to fill your day, the vicinity of the city also has a lot to offer. Several national parks are only an hour away, offering both beauty and history. The Pha Taem national park alone covers an area of 340 square kilometers. The park history dates back several million years, seen in its rock formations and rock pillars, and it gives a stunning view over the Mekong river.

Next time you want to experience something new and exciting in Thailand, try Ubon Ratchathani.

Holiday in Haad Rin

I live in Japan and one of the most commonly heard stated benefits of living in Japan for an ex-pat is the fact that you can take your holidays in Thailand. My wife and I have been doing just that for over 10 years. Each trip to Thailand we try and check out a new beach. This year we decided to give Haad Rin in Koh Phangan a go.

The choice of Haad Rin came about because a friend of ours was going to be in Thailand at the same time and he was keen to go to the Full Moon Party.

After an overnight bus journey from Bangkok followed by 2 hours on a ferry we got to Thongsala in Koh Phangan. Most of the taxis were going to Haad Rin. I had read that it was the most popular tourist place on the island and this was quickly confirmed when we arrived in Haad Rin. The small town was bustling with people. The streets were lined with bars, restaurants and shops. There is a strong commercial feel to Haad Rin compared to the other beaches we’ve visited in Koh Phangan which tend to be just a small collection of bungalow resorts and a couple of shops.

Because it was nearing the full moon we had problems finding a place to stay. Everywhere on Haad Rin Nok beach was full. Eventually, we found a hotel near the quieter Haad Rin Nai beach called Phanganburi Resort and Spa. We got the cheapest bungalow but were still shocked that it cost $125 a night. We were used to paying no more than $30 for bungalows in Koh Phangan.

The main beach at Haad Rin was good. It had soft sand and the swimming was good. The beach tended to get busy in the afternoon. By early evening one of the bars would fire up their sound system to draw the full moon crowds.

The same was the case in the town. There were lots of places offering DJ music, pizzas and happy hours to get the punters in. Despite the wide selection of restaurants in Haad Rin we didn’t find a place that was particularly memorable.

On the night of the party our friend arrived. He couldn’t get a place to stay for love nor money. In the end he just left his stuff in our bungalow and the 3 of us went to the party.

I thought I would hate the Full Moon Party but I ended up quite enjoying it. We found a place playing drum and bass and we stayed there most of the night. It was amusing watching the never ending parade of fluorescent painted bodies dancing, drinking and passing put on the sand. It was hedonistic to say the least.

The next day we checked out and had an argument about ‘minimum stay requirement’. In the end we bargained them down to half the price. The 3 of us took a boat up to Than Sadet and spent a blissful week on a virtually deserted beach. The bungalow was $30 a night.

My Experience of the Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan

The Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan is at the top of many young people’s list of ‘must do’ things when they consider their itinerary for a journey to South East Asia. The area is rich in culture and has some of the friendliest people in the world. South East Asia holds Ankor Watt, the Golden Triangle, the Plain of Jars, Bangkok and a superabundance of beautiful natural scenery.

It is thus with a sad fatalism that I speak to 20 somethings starting their tour of S.E Asia and hear them rave with excitement about the prospect of going to the Full Moon Party in Haad Rin.

Yes, I’ve been a couple of times to Asia’s biggest beach party. Normally, I’m dragged along with a group of people keen to experience the crowds and ‘buzz’ of the big event. When you are staying in Koh Phangan unless you stay at one of the remote beaches such as Than Sadet, Haad Khom or Plaay Laem it is hard not to know that a ‘FMP’ is kicking off soon. The whole island seems to brace itself for the invasion of party goers and their cash that the completion of the moon signifies.

In the early days of the Full Moon Party the police largely ignored the event. The crowd at these parties was a good mix of people and the prices for Haad Rin rooms were much more reasonable. With fame comes press attention and inevitably police came from all over Thailand and even the UK to bust hippies on the beach.

Despite the heavy policing of the event all manner of drugs are still taken. Plenty of young people find themselves in a world of expensive trouble because of drug taking at the FMP.

The only constant about the Full Moon Parties has been the music. It remains mostly derivative Goan trance that people in New York and London stopped listening to over a decade ago. Most of the DJs at the Full Moon Party remain a small group of Thais and ex-pats with zero interest in varying the music or getting in big name DJs.

While the FMP is a good night out and a great opportunity to meet new people and go wild on a beach it is not actually a ‘rave’ or music event. It is more an orgy of drunkenness played out to an outdated sound track.

Guide to Lipa Noi Beaches

Lipa Noi is a stretch of white sand beach on the west coast of the famous Thai island of Koh Samui. The beach is just south of the principal town of the island, Nathon. Lipa Noi does not have the same international reputation or the number of visitors as such beaches as Chaweng, Lamai and Bophut. It is nevertheless a great beach and ideal for people looking for a quiet beach that is still near plenty of amenities and facilities.

The beach at Lipa Noi is fringed with coconut palms and is suitable for swimming. Unlike other beaches on Koh Samui the seabed is free from dead coral. The sea only gradually gets deeper and so Lipa Noi is a good choice for children. Lipa Noi is blessed with a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

On the beach there are a few resorts, restaurants and bars. At night there isn’t a party scene. The most popular restaurant on the beach is undoubtedly Big John Seafood. People come from all over the island to enjoy the fresh and well prepared seafood.

There are a few mid-range resorts in Lipa Noi all with their own swimming pool that offer rooms with air-con, hot water, TV and fridge. The Little Pearl Family Resort and The Lipa Lovely Resort have rooms starting from $30 a night.

For those looking for luxury there is the Kanok Buri Resort and Spa. It has well appointed private villas some of which feature Jacuzzis and swimming pools. Room rates at the Kanok start at $60 and go up to $500 a night.

Wellness courses are provided by the Samui Dharma Healing Center. This is a center with accommodation that focuses on Buddhist principles, controlled fasting and meditation. For those looking to detox and deepen their understanding of spiritual matters the center is recommended.

Lipa Noi has a tranquil atmosphere perfect for those who want a relaxing beach holiday. And if bright lights or shops are needed then Nathon and its markets and shops is only 10 minutes away by car or motorbike.