Like it or hump it at tourist mecca

FROM my balcony at the Noosa Crest Resort, I cannot hope for a more spectacular view across Noosa, Laguna Bay and the Noosa River. It has been years since I visited this tourist mecca nestled between the crystalline waters of Noosa Sound and the national park.

Our double-storey villa has a distinct Mediterranean feel. It sports uneven terracotta tiles, wrought-iron railings and Tuscan-style pottery and furnishings.

I fold back the entire top-storey glass doors to draw in the view. Out on the private balcony are sun lounges and an extensive barbecue area. Not far away, a rooftop swimming pool, spa and sauna glitter. It is the perfect spot to hole up for a weekend, but it's not to be. I have the family in tow, and this weekend is all about Noosa with kids.

We start our adventures at the end of Noosa Crest's private boardwalk, where stand-up paddle surfing is taking off. The traditional Hawaiian sport promotes balance, strength and fitness. Chris de Aboitiz and Grant Cunningham have the only surf school in Australia dedicated to it.

We join their free demo day, held on the second Sunday of every month from 7am to 9am at Noosa Lions Park. It's a family affair. Even the dogs are invited, catching a ride on the front of boards. My kids are eager to hit the water and, equipped with paddle, board and a little instruction, are off to discover the calm waterways, learning to manoeuvre, turn and control their craft.

I sense that our instructor Chris, who once worked on Waikiki Beach, could cut a mean wave. But he enjoys the tranquil ripples of the Noosa River. "Many surfers also enjoy this sport," he says. "It's great for cross-training, and it brings together core strength and balance."

There's also a delicate balance between exercise and the stomach, so after some excellent fun and fitness we head to Noosa's Hastings St, where fine food abounds. The famous precinct is undergoing a $10 million makeover, due to be completed by July 2008, so we dig deep to see what we can find.

Sure enough, the chic and the hip are all still tucked into sidewalk cafes, sipping glasses of vino. The Massimo ice cream and gelato shop fights for best treat among fresh juices and rich baked delights.

Noosa restaurateur Jim Berardo says few places in the world have the ability to offer both "paddock to plate" and "sea to plate".

"The amazing synergy between grower, fisherman, primary producer and chef has made Noosa Australia's leading regional culinary destination," he says. The main road through nearby Noosaville is also lined with restaurants. Indeed, the new edition of Lonely Planet Australia gives Gusto's Riverfront Restaurant, Noosaville, the thumbs-up, saying: "It trumps Noosa's classy competition with effortless style, superior service and breezy water views."

We couldn't agree more as we dined on the likes of seared Hervey Bay scallops, Mooloolaba prawn and garlic ravioli and barbecued baby veal fillets. The service is top shelf, and my daughters giggle at the charming waiter who calls them "Madam".

Back in Hastings St, we park the car and hit the beach. There is also a line-up of holiday shopping to be explored -- hats and sunnies, a new surfboard, flowing resort wear and surfer-chic swimmers.

But the kids don't put up with this for long, eager for a camel ride along the quieter Noosa North Shore. Dave and Lyn Madden have operated Camel Safaris since 1989, winding their camel trains through melaleuca-lined bushland and out on to the huge expanse of sand and ocean of 40 Mile Beach.

Our camel, Menindie, rolls his large rubbery lips and presents a set of yellow teeth. We jump on his back and stroke the coarse hair between his ears, but are rudely rewarded with a jerking from side to side as he gets up clumsily from his knobbly knees.

From here on it's smooth sailing. We set a leisurely pace through shady bushland and on to the beach, enjoying views of seashells, coloured sands and distant Noosa. This area has so much to offer the family: koalas and scenic walks through Noosa National Park, surf and still water activities, boats to hire, ferries to catch, markets to explore, mountain bikes and kayaks to conquer.

By the end of it, you may be exhausted and sitting on your paddle, but you will be happily grubby: it's standard procedure to get dirty on a top-notch adventure.

Coronado Beach California

Just over the bridge from San Diego is a small, tree-lined beach haven known as Coronado. The "island," as many locals call it, is really a peninsula connected to the mainland by a neck of land named the Silver Strand. Coronado is about a mile from downtown San Diego and is linked to the city by the Coronado-San Diego Bridge. Crown City, as it is called (Coronado means "crowned one" in Spanish), regards itself as a friendly, small town of wide leafy streets lined with Victorian homes and Californian bungalows ... and regards San Diego as somewhere else.

Along with the amicable, small-town atmosphere and near-perfect weather, Coronado proudly touts itself as a car-optional environment. The island is small enough to walk almost anywhere it's only a mile from the San Diego Bay side of the peninsula to the ocean and the Coronado 904 Shuttle (fare is $1) loops past most of the hot spots. There are also 15 miles (24 kilometers) of relatively flat paths fit for both cyclists and skaters and even more miles of bike routes along city streets.

The emblem of Coronado is the Hotel Del Coronado a Victorian pleasure dome that instantly turned Coronado into a beach resort when it opened on the oceanfront in 1888. Other resorts followed, but today the military, not tourism, represents Coronado's largest industry. The North Island Naval Air Station, site of America's first military flying school, occupies the entire north half of Coronado, and Navy SEALs train at the Naval Amphibious Base on the south end of town.

 For well over a century, Coronado's beaches have been its fortune. The main beach, Coronado Central Beach, stretches 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) behind the great houses along Ocean Boulevard. The morning crowd here includes the SEALs who run along the beach. Later in the day swimmers, bodysurfers, boogie boarders, sand sculptors, tide poolers and, from December through February, whale watchers all take to the sand and sea. North Beach attracts surfers in the morning, and at the extreme north is Dog Beach, where leashless canines can frolic in the surf.

Other beaches include Silver Strand State Beach along the road connecting Coronado to the mainland, where fire rings are provided and overnight RV camping is welcome. Coronado also offers less-crowded beaches. Glorietta Bay Beach is a grassy park and playground with a small sandy beach, and there is a vest-pocket patch of sand beside the wooden pier at the Ferry Landing Marketplace that's a good bet for a barren beach.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha in Kerala. This sanctuary sprawls over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spanning over 77sq. kms, at an altitude of 450 - 748m above sea level.

The beautiful Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu - extending to 33 sq. km, adds to the beauty of the sanctuary. A luring lake, a majestic arch dam across two hills, the rich flora & fauna and wandering and playing herds of elephants and gaur are sights that charm you to this captivating canopy of tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The fauna population here includes Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar.

Sightseeing at Idukki -

The Fauna : Among the mammals, Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes can be seen.

The birds population include - Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher etc also inhabit the place in large numbers.

Idukki Arch Dam : Idukki arch dam is the world's second and Asia's first arch dam, constructed across the Kuravan and Kurathi hills. 550 feet high and 650 feet wide, the dam lies close to the Cheruthoni Barrage. To its west is the Kulamavu Dam. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located closeby.

Best Season to visit : The best time to visit Idukki is between October and April.

Reaching Idukki -

Air : The nearest airport is at Cochin 132 km away.

Rail : The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, 133 km away.

Road : Idukki can be reached by mortable roads from most parts of Kerala.

Elephants at Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Basic Guidelines -

Please enter the Park only after taking the necessary permits and follow all the rules.

Drive slowly in the Park. In this way you can see, observe and enjoy the most, without disturbing the wildlife.

Respect the wild animals and maintain a safe distance from them. Remember, you are in their home and they get first priority.

Switch off your car stereo or transistor. The quieter you are, the more the chances of your seeing wildlife.

Wear dull-coloured clothes. Bright colours alarm most wild animals and they flee.

Dont carry guns or other weapons. Feel free to shoot with a camera instead.

Do not smoke or light campfires in the forest. Accidental fires can destroy this wonderful jungle in no time.

Dont get off your vehicle at any point in the Park except where its allowed. This is for your own safety and the safety of wildlife.

Help keep the park pollution-free. While inside the park, please put your entire non-biodegradable litter (tin cans, plastic, glass bottles, metal foils etc.) into the bag provided and dispose of it on your way out.

Keep to the specified roads and trails. Driving off track you may trample growing trees and cause disturbance to resting animals and their youngs.

Top Vacation Places To Visit In Rajasthan

Rajasthan is famous all over the world. It is the most charming state with the capital Jaipur, Pink City of India. There state is endowed with myriad tourism options that are worth exploring on Rajasthan tour. The prime Rajasthan tourism that never fails to appeal tourists from all over the world are Heritage Tourism, adventure tourism, wildlife tourism, cultural tourism, etc. with myriad and eye catching attractions, Rajasthan the royal state of India never fails to fascinate its visitors.

Drenched in the royal grandeur the royal state of India offers its visitors and vacationers wonderful opportunity of fascinating tourism and memorable holiday experience. The eye catching monuments, beautiful landscapes, exotic flora and fauna, rich culture & tradition, colourful festival and great hospitality steal the heart of tourists. Tourists can grab the beauty of Rajasthan and its royal grandeur by exploring the magnificent cities and the eye catching beauty they have preserved till date. Travel to any place in Rajasthan and the magnificent attractions will leave you spell bound with its magnetizing look.

There are myriad fascinating monuments in Rajasthan showing the richness of the state in tourism and culture. Travel to any part of the state and you will exquisite palaces, alluring forts, magnificent monuments, marvelous temples, frescoed havelis and lot more fascinating attractions. Monuments, palaces and forts are considered to be the eminent tourist attraction in Rajasthan. You can explore the beauty of the magnificent forts, havelis and palaces by travelling to the famous cities of Rajasthan. There are several splendid cities in Rajasthan but the most popular ones visited by tourists all the year round are Jaipur- Pink City of India, Udaipur- Lake City of India and Jaisalmer- Princely state of India.

The city is endowed with fascinating tourist attractions that never fails to steal the hearts of tourists with their look. Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Rambagh Palace, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Albert Hall Museum, Jain Temple, Ram Niwas Garden, Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh fort are the prime attractions of tourists in Jaipur. Come and explore the attractions of Jaipur that are off beat that other cities of Rajasthan.

Udaipur famously known as the City of Lakes is the eminent tourist attraction of Rajasthan. The city is gifted with innumerable royal attractions that steal the heart of tourists. Udaipur has always fascinated its visitors with its grandeur look and the beautiful landscape. Some of the prime attractions of tourists in the city are Jag Mandir, City Palace, Sajjangarh Fort or Monsoon Fort, Fateh Sagar Lake, Pichola Lake, etc. The most wonderful experience beside the city tour is the mesmerizing boating over the glittering water of Lake Pichola. Tourists can enjoy boating in the Pichola Lake and explore the beauty of the lake in splendor.

Beside Jaipur and Udaipur, Jaisalmer the Golden state of India is quite offbeat then other cities of Rajasthan. The city lies in the heart of Thar Desert and holds royal attractions that never fail to lure visitors. Eminent attractions of the city are Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisisar Lake, Nathmalji Ki Haveli, Patwon Ki Haveli, Bada Bagh and many other royal attractions. Beside these attractions Jaisalmer is also the popular destination of Rajasthan desert tour. Visitors can enjoy memorable camel safari on the gleaming sands of Sam Sand Dunes. It will be the wonderful experience on can enjoy on their trip to Rajasthan

Fewer tourists visit Britain

One million fewer tourists visited Britain during the three months to September, compared with the same period last year, as sky-high prices, poor airports and bad weather deterred people, official figures showed.

Overseas visitor numbers fell by 10 per cent to 9.25 million  the largest quarterly fall since the fall out of September 11, 2001, when American tourists numbers ground to a halt. This time, the weak dollar, rather than terrorism, is behind the fall in numbers.

Added to this, is Britains increasing reputation as an unexciting, troublesome destination, compared to more exotic places in Asia.

Elliott Frisby at VisitBritain, the Government-backed agency that promotes the country to tourists, said: The exchange rate is seriously starting to bite for many North Americans. Visits from that region are predominantly driven by price, and many Americans are choosing to stay at home.

Tour operators and analysts also cite Heathrow hassle and the increase in air passenger duty as contributors to the fall, with this summers airport delays and dire weather all helping to persuade visitors to travel elsewhere.

The emergence of China, Turkey, India and other exciting locations competing for international visitors is another factor.

Competition is hotting up and people want to go to new destinations that have got the 'brag factor where you can take the photos and come back home and tell all your friends. Britain just doesnt have that, said Mr Frisby.

My view is that Britain is not boring at all. Yes, it is expensive compared to many other countries, but it is a great place and the tourist facilities have all improved enormously in recent years  the cafes, restaurants, attractions, the transport links. Everything is getting better.

Kerala India tour packages

Kerala India tour packages come in with great discounts and pledge to ensure the ultimate satisfaction that a tourist might be willing to have during a tour. Get yourself set to experience the immense beauty of India through India tour. The Kerala India tour packages that are available range from famous temple towns of South India to the pilgrimage places. Wildlife and other adventure spots are also a greeting to the eye, at affordable prices.

Some of the famous Kerala India include visit to Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary; Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist shrines and other places that are of a pilgrims delight; backwaters and the Ayurveda centres of Kerala; beaches of Goa; Ajanta and Ellora caves; camel safaris in the golden sand of the Thar Desert and an awe-inspiring tour around the largest state of India - Rajasthan through the Rajasthan tours. Some of the tour packages also provide health tours as well as cave tours along with other amazing surprises. The coastline of the country holds a lot of opportunity for holiday seekers. The special packages that take the tourists to the coastlines of India, greet them with the best of tropical beaches in the world. Tours from Gujarat to the Islands of Andaman and Lakshadweep are enthralling and rejuvenating. The unity and the diversity of the various cultures that exist in the land add fervour to the beauty of the beaches. While there are some beaches that provide the right environment for lovers, there are others that are located right in the middle of the city and are great picnic spots for children as well as adults or families. Some of the beaches that have been great picnic destinations for years have today, evolved into beach resorts that specialize in providing amazing accommodations ranging from budget to luxury.

The Kerala tour packages come with an added advantage: Ayurveda tours. These tours give complete relaxation to both the mind as well as body: exactly what most of us desperately look for while touring. The Ayurveda tours include ayurveda centres that provide a blend of rejuvenation and relaxation through massage therapies along with treatments that are capable of tackling issues of fatigue, dull skin and weight management. The golden triangle tour packages come with amazing discount features and comfortable travel. Though it primarily covers only three states, it serves the right purpose when it comes to providing a complete picture of the cultural diversity and rich heritage of India. It brings to the tourists, some of the most vibrant and premium museums that display antiques that are of great pride and honour to India. The three cities are a mixture of both the old as well as the new. Therefore, they appeal to all kinds of people; irrespective of whether they are traditional or modern in their outlook. Experience the true essence of staying in some of the most beautiful places in India through the amazing Kerala India tour packages

Cemeteries as tourist attractions

The idea of a cemetery as a place to visit in the course of a vacation, may not exactly resound with Jamaican sensitivities, but Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, has raised an interesting idea: making the May Pen Cemetery a tourist attraction.

The fact is we're not a 'cemetery people', despite our penchant for elaborate funerals and mourning rituals. One of the famous sightseeing spots of Europe, for instance, is the Pre Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, wherein lie some of the world's most celebrated artists and artistes, from centuries past up to contemporary times. In other places, where celebrities are interred also, some tourists do find it interesting to visit the site as part of the experience of another culture.

But is our May Pen Cemetery ready for that? Most Jamaicans associate the area with inner-city neglect which we seem unable to put right. It has been said that members of some of Jamaica's older families were interred at May Pen in the days when it was the major site for burials in Kingston.

It is posited also that the history of such families and the context of the times in which they lived could be presented in a way to attract visitors who like that sort of thing. Would that be enough of an incentive, however?

There are practical considerations which would have to be dealt with. It is not just the physical state of the cemetery which has to be improved, but the environs which surround it.

Mayor McKenzie is no stranger to the condition of the Spanish Town Road and adjacent communities. He knows, even more than most, the extent of the urban decay and blight which will require more than wishful thinking to reclaim and bring it to a standard which would make visitors, as well as locals, feel enough at ease to go in the cemetery. Perhaps, with time and effort, such an idea could bear fruit, but it certainly is not a short-term fix.

The current effort to clean up and attract public support for May Pen is but one of many in a series of several such drives. It has been tried before. As he makes yet another go at it, this time using prisoner labour, Mayor McKenzie would do well to use his considerable leverage to put in place systems for continuity in the ongoing maintenance of the cemetery.

It is only when the facility can be accorded respect by our own people that we will have the confidence to indicate to others that we regard it as an important part of our national heritage and thus worthy of being an attraction.