Posts Tagged ‘gold coast’

In the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa lies a small archipelago of four islands and islets. Although closer to Africa, the islands are part of the Republic of Yemen. The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra and three smaller islands known collectively as The Brothers Abd al Kuri, Samhah and Darsa.

The islands were separated from the mainland so long ago that much of their flora and fauna has evolved here, making the islands of great ecological importance. Due to their geographical isolation, the islanders have also had little outside influence, and arriving on Socotra is like stepping back in time.

The culture on Socotra is very different from the ways of the modern world. Until the airport was built in 1999, the only way to get here was by boat, and during the monsoon season the strong winds and high seas made the island inaccessible.

Most Socotris still live without electricity, running water or a paved road. Until 1990 the island still had a barter economy, and even today most people in the mountainous areas still live in caves. The main island is a little over 130 km (80 mi) long and around 35 km (21 mi) wide.

Socotra is a place of contrasting landscapes, with the turquoise lagoon at Qalansiya and the white sand dunes at Ras Moroi, the flower-filled alpine meadows of the Haghier Mountains and the desolate cave-riddled plateau of the interior. Rising to over 1,500 m (4,921 ft), the Haghier Mountains loom over Hadibo, the island’s capital, and dominate the skyline.

The red granite peaks are peppered with silver lichens which grow thickly on the bare rocks above the tree line. Streams bubble down from the misty heights, teeming with lively fish and freshwater crabs. Limestone plateau spread east and west, providing alkaline soils for the iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree for which the islands are famous. The locals collect the blood-red resin, known as cinnabar, from the tree by making incisions in the bark.

In the ancient world, it was used to enhance the colour of precious stones and glass, and as a pigment in paints, and had various medicinal qualities. The long isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique endemic flora and fauna.

There are no fewer than 300 plant species, 113 insect species, 24 reptile species and six bird species that can be found nowhere else in the world. Botanists rank the flora of Socotra among the ten most endangered island flora in the world, and steps are being taken by the government to protect this unique and spectacular habitat.

Looking for great family holidays? For Bali holidays and Vanuatu holidays contact Flight Centre for unbeatable deals on family holiday packages.

South of Cuba in the heat of the western Caribbean, the three Cayman Islands are the visible summits of the Cayman Ridge, an underwater mountain range which drops suddenly into the 7,100 m (22,000 ft) Cayman Trench, separating them from Jamaica.

Grand Cayman is by far the largest. The Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are mostly a wilderness of fruit trees, orchids and cacti where tranquility and an authentic West Indian culture are the main attractions. Just 145 km (90 ml) to the southwest, Grand Cayman at first resembles nothing so much as a transplanted American urban nightmare.

The capital, George Town, and Seven Mile Beach, its renowned local playground, are full of condos, resorts, satellite dishes and mini-malls. The streets teem with bankers and the faceless suits of the institutions that have made it the world’s fifth largest financial centre.

Five days a week, cruise liners decant up to 22,000 tourists, joining the millions each year whose holidays have given the Cayman Islands the eighth highest GDP per capita in the world.

George Town is so busy, loud, and determinedly up for it, you feel the privateers and pirates of former times have merely put on modern dress in their eagerness to empty your wallet.

In the small towns and villages outside George Town, the atmosphere changes immediately. Grand Cayman’s true self is African-European, deeply Christian, conservative and church-going (there are lots of churches).

The locals are openly friendly and well-mannered, laughing and hospitable. Isolated by the central mangrove wetlands -3,440 hectares (8,500 acres) of lush forests, emerald green parrots and bright orange frogfish, the mainspring of the complex ecology that maintains both the turtle grass and shrimp mounds of North Sound Marine Reserve, Rum Point typifies Grand Cayman at its best.

Looking for cheap airfares, cheap domestic flights or cheap international flights? Make sure you visit or call Student Travel for great flight and holiday packages.

As the weather starts to cool off in the States, many may be looking for a vacation escape. The Gold Coast in Australia may be the answer to your prayers. With warm weather and white sandy beaches, it is the perfect retreat from the winter blues.

Of course the weather is only one reason to travel to Australia, which provides beautiful scenery and gorgeous sites year round. The temperature in Australia is moderate all year, which means no matter when you visit you will have great beach weather. There is an added benefit of going to Australia during our winter, since you get to experience the great summer climate in Australia, and you also get to avoid the cold here, but really any time of year is a great time to visit.

No more tanning booths in the winter time just plan a vacation to the Gold Coast, and you will enter paradise. Surf or snorkel the days away and party all night long, in Surfers Paradise you will find some of the most incredible nightlife and sun and surfing by day. These regions of Australia contain perhaps some of the most incredible beaches in the entire world.

Australia is more then just beaches, and fun in the sun, though. There is also the Outback, the rainforests, rural areas and of course gorgeous cities to see. You can lay in bed listening to the sound of the ocean, or head to theme parks that are fun for the whole family. There are so many things to see and do in Australia, that after your first visit you will absolutely want to keep coming back.

Whether you would prefer the popular tourist areas, with their modern resorts and landmarks, to something more secluded and scenic, Australia offers it all to you. You can do everything from visiting art museums, to visiting amusement parks with rides and games, from shopping in the major cities, to exploring the rain forests. And for you golfers, Australia has some of the most gorgeous golf courses you will ever see in your life. Remember, no trip to Australia is complete without visiting the countrys Gold Coast region. This tropical region is the perfect place to escape the approaching cold weather.

The Gold Coast is stretches for 70km over the Australian land and is made up of the rolling waters of the Pacific Ocean and breath taking white sandy beaches. Gold Coast is the most beautiful place that you will ever witness, in all the world.

Nestled along the shoreline are some incredible towns that can make for a fun day trip down the coast. A trip down the coast is great fun and with the moderate temperatures of this region you will find that any time of year is a good time to visit. The following are just a few of the towns you can visit as you make your way down the Gold Coast.

Coolangatta: Perhaps the area with the most incredible beaches on the entire coast, Coolangatta is located at the south end of the coast at the mouth of the Tweed River . There are a few other towns in this region as well, such as Tugun, Bilinga, and Currumbin, but Coolangatta is a must see.

Surfers Paradise is known for some of it’s major tourist attractions. These attraction include internationally renowned surf beaches, World Heritage listed hinterland national parks, and many theme parks. It is the perfect Gold Coast region for families and surfers.

Main Beach is just north of the bustle of Surfers Paradise, yet offers a peaceful and tranquil environment, while keeping you close to many Gold Coast attractions. Tedder Avenue,has wonderful cafes, fabulous international restaurants and local shopping boutiques.

Southport is known as the central business district of the Gold Coast. It is an up and coming tourist area that is full of places for original boutiques and shopping malls. This area also offers many delicious meals at their incredible cafes and restaurants.

Gold Coast Hinterlands is the remnant of an ancient volcano. There is a spectacular waterfall that cascades through the roof of a cave, which is home to Australia’s largest glow worm colony. Become one with nature by exploring walking trails, lookouts, sparkling rock pools, or bird watching in the subtropical rainforest.