Over the past 350 million years sharks have dominated the oceans of the world. The fiercest predators in their domain, sharks have earned their reputation as the hunters of the sea. Humans have become fascinated by them and have a healthy combination of fear and respect for these beautiful creatures.
South Africa, more specifically Cape Town, is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best destinations worldwide for experiencing sharks, especially Great White sharks, at close proximity. The population of sharks is unparalleled elsewhere, and the locations are so accessible and in close proximity to land, that you are virtually guaranteed to witness numerous animals engaging in what they were born to do.
The Adventure of a Lifetime
Shark cage diving and surface viewing has become increasingly popular within the adventure tourism industry over the past decade. It is the experience of a lifetime being able to witness these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Each year thousands of people travel the globe to see and dive with the 400 species of shark in our oceans. Each year they undertake this adventure with apprehension and excitement and each time return with a passion and deep seated respect for these fascinating creatures.
Once up a time, it was only the older people who chose to spend their vacation by taking a cruise. This has changed now. No matter, whichever walk of life, one is, each and every one of us wants a break from the humdrum of every day life and the drudgery of work; a cruise offers a fantastic getaway from this, and now cruise lines offer a wide variety of options and programs which are suitable to one and all.
Celebrity Cruises are a new treat, which are offered by Cruise Lines. The time spent cruising on these luxury lines will surely make you feel like a celebrity. Plenty of time to indulge yourself by way of massages, or just lounge about or swim, maids and butlers waiting on you, and to top it, catering of a very high standard, all go to make this a trip you will completely enjoy.
Very often a cruise has been a turning point of one’s love life, for those who are single. Cruises which are customized for singles plan activities, which combine relaxation with socialization. They ensure that there is a balance of the number of men and women onboard. There is every possibility of meeting your dream partner, failing which you would anyway have made great friends with whom you can have a good time.
For those which children, a cruise is a great way to spend the vacation. Theme Cruises are available from Disney and other similar companies which offer fun with the cartoon characters and also a wide range of activities for you and your children far removed from just swimming. Your children will be having a good time while you will get some quality time with your spouse, without having to worry about them. At the end of the day, programs, which include the whole family, will be there before the perfectly enjoyable day ends.
While such theme cruises are great for people with smaller children, an adventure cruise would be ideal for those with older children. Visiting and exploring new regions and cultures will definitely be exciting for both you and your children, who could easily imagine themselves to be great adventurers. Such cruises can be taken to visit places anywhere in the world, be it in the wine country of California or the rainforests of Costa Rica or even the Antarctica. You could be hiking in a national park or exploring the ruins of the Incas in Mexico. After all these exciting adventures and outings, you can get back on board the ship and relax, for the cruises are tailored to have a balanced combination of adventure activities and relaxation.
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Getting outdoors is a must if you want to live a fruitful life. Catching something while you are out enjoying life, however, will ruin a good time.
Getting outdoors is good for your health, mind and spirit. Whether you are going for an epic hike, climbing half dome or just doing some fishing, you have to keep in mind that the great outdoors is a wild place. Part of this wildness is bacteria and such things that can make you sick. To avoid ruining your day or trip, you need to take some basic precautions.
The most obvious recommendation is to wash your hands frequently. This is particularly true before you prepare food or eat. Bacteria exist naturally in the environment and some of the little bugs can really throw your body for a loop. When washing your hands, try to use an anti-bacterial soap to get them extra clean. To avoid messes, liquid soaps in small bottles are usually the way to go. Try to use natural, biodegradable soaps so you don’t pollute the streams and ground around you.
As odd as it may sound, cleaning your feet is critically important as well if you are going to be taking a multiple day trip. Cleaning should be done at least once a day. New socks should also be used each time. Taking these steps will let you avoid the much dreaded athlete’s foot. It can also help reduce the risk of blisters. If you do get blisters, definitely clean them to avoid infections. Infected blisters are painful and will definitely ruin your trip.
Finally, keeping peace in your group is important. Brush those teeth! Nothing sours a trip, pun intended, like dragon’s breath. There is little chance a dirty mouth will turn into some serious illness, but the people in your group will definitely appreciate the effort.
If you take basic steps, you can minimize the chance of ruining your time because of health problems. Wash those hands, clean those feet and brush those teeth!
The small town of Pai is not like any other town you may visit in Thailand. It has developed a unique and distinct character of its own, which is based on atmosphere rather than any special attractions. It has a remote location, not far from one of Thailand’s most northern towns, Mae Hong Song, and next to the huge wilderness of the off-limits Shan State in Burma.
The town itself is situated in a mostly dry and flat area that looks similar to many other rural farming areas in this part of Thailand. Getting here is part of the fun as the narrow road winds over the top of some beautiful mountains. The forests are lush and dense, the temperature is cool and the vistas are truly breathtaking. Arriving in Pai makes you feel as though you have escaped the real world.
Pai attracts many different types of people, from new age travellers through to those looking for some peace and relaxation. It’s a far cry from the pollution and noise of Bangkok, or the upmarket hotels and commercialism of Phuket. There are none of the expensive and lavish resorts found elsewhere in Thailand.
The riverside bungalows here are the perfect place to stay and provide you with everything you need. The basic facilities and laid-back service are all part of the appeal, and the lack of development in the town has helped retain the chilled out reputation it has.
But don’t be fooled in to thinking that there isn’t anything to do in Pai. There is a good choice of activities offered by numerous agents in the town including enduro motorcycle excursions, white-water rafting and trekking. If you don’t want to be part of an organised group, then you can do your own thing by visiting Pai Canyon or by making a trip to the waterfall in the northwest of the town.
Another popular option is to rent a motorbike and cruise along some of the roads in the valley. The more adventurous might want to try some of the challenging off-road trails nearby. If, however, you just want to relax, then you won’t be disappointed either. It’s also worth taking the time to call in at the small elephant camp located a short distance from the town, and at the hot springs which are a great place to head to on a chilly winter morning.
Pai has a steady flow of visitors during the dry winter months when the weather is at its best. During the monsoon rains, tourist numbers drop and it’s usually the backpackers that keep businesses ticking over. The town also has a small group of expats that have escaped their stress-filled lives in their native countries for something completely different. They somehow manage to get by with the odd bit of work and are happy to blend in with the local lifestyle.
Pai isn’t a place solely for foreigners as the Thais also are regular visitors. University students in particular enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and bohemian atmosphere, and they also benefit from the cheap lodgings and restaurants. Regular tour buses on their way to Mae Hong Song often call in for a brief stop.
If you have a limited amount of time and it’s your first visit to the area, then it’s a great way to experience this part of Northern Thailand. There is an established ‘loop’ that takes you to Pai, Mae Hong Song and returns to Chiang Mai via the southern approach and the impressive Doi Inthanon National Park.
There has been a steady rise in visitor numbers in Pai over the last several years, mainly due to its presence in various guide books and its establishment on the backpacker trail. The local people have benefited in many ways as they continue to build restaurants, bars, guesthouses and set up tour agencies. Fortunately, none of the international hotel groups have bought land or property in the area, so it retains a small town feel.
However, the old grass airport nearby has recently been paved, so it seems unlikely that Pai will retain its special appeal forever. If you’re planning a visit in the near future, then you will surely enjoy the relaxed and laid back pace of life, beautiful scenery, traffic-free roads and the wide choice of great bars and restaurants.
Often in Northern Thailand, Andrew Bond always enjoys visiting Pai. He specialises in digging up the right websites to help with his travel adventures, he advises; 1stopchiangmai.com/backpackers/pai/ 1stopchiangmai.com/backpackers/pai/ 1stopthailand.com 1stopthailand.com
