Travel Ideas

Australia’s Fraser Island ? Escape Forever

by: Glenn Murray

For all its conveniences, modern living leaves a lot to be desired. We spend our days enduring the ever-increasing pressures of work, the city?s oppressive unfriendliness, the daily commuter grind and the aggressive reality of impatient road-ragers.
Is something missing?
Unfortunately, work is a reality for most of us. So too is city and suburban living, dreary weather, pollution, traffic? But it doesn?t have to be all there is to life. Try something that puts you in touch with who you really are. Try something elemental. Try something that soothes your soul.
Try Fraser Island.
Fraser Island isn?t just an island paradise. It?s a unique and luxurious combination of Australia?s rich natural heritage, its earthy roots, its wholesome majesty, and its refreshingly simple essentials. It?s a chance to touch the fine sands, to drift in the temperate water, to bask in the sun that seems all yours? It?s your chance to partake of a life that most Australians have forgotten.
Spend a week on and in turquoise waters, a week without shoes with the sand between your toes, a week fishing and perhaps living off your catch. Your perspective can?t help but change.
It?s not a mere fleeting appreciation. It?s something you take with you.
Fraser can help remind you that you?re not your job. How important are the forms and the filing, the meetings and memorandums? You can learn a lot about yourself when you take away all the things that don?t matter.
And really? is there any better way to experience this epiphany than in paradise?
Fraser Island certainly is a paradise, no matter which way you look at it. At the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and a short boat ride from Hervey Bay in South-East Queensland, Fraser is 124 km from tip to toe and 16 km across the middle. At 163,000 hectares, it?s the world?s biggest sand island.
Of course, that doesn?t mean it?s all just sand. Not by a long shot! The whole island is laced with crystal clear fresh water streams, and deep midnight blue fresh water lakes. In fact, with over 40 fresh water lakes ? it?s home to half of the world?s known ?perched? lakes. It also boasts a dazzling diversity of plants and animals (including Australia?s purest strain of dingo), and an amazing variety of spectacular landscapes, from 120 km of non-stop tropical beach to dense and towering rainforest, weathered headland to ochre gorge, inspiring cliffs to wandering dunes, eerie mangroves to wind-blown salt pans.
What?s more, you have your choice of accommodation, so you can choose your own level of ?communion with nature?. From 4? star luxury resorts to rental retreats to motels and units, right through to the good ?ole campsite. Whether you?re a sucker for a bit of pampering, or you?re perfectly at home with a tent and a campfire on the beach, Fraser is a great provider.
And great accommodation is just the start? The island boasts average temperatures of 29?c in summer and 22?c in winter, so it?s no surprise that outdoor activities feature prominently on the agenda. Adrenalin addicts and dedicated sunbathers alike will appreciate the vast range available. From sunrise to sunset (and beyond), there?s always something for everyone. The only problem is choosing! Fishing, 4-wheel-driving, eating, sailing, bird-watching, bush-walking, swimming, eating, whale & dolphin-watching, shipwreck exploration, eating, beauty therapy, massage, lazing in the sun, eating, beach volleyball, tennis, cricket, eating, canoeing, sailboarding, snorkelling, eating? And needless to say, a few quiet drinks might make their way onto the agenda as well?
With so much to offer, it?s no surprise that the Fraser Island was originally known as K?gari ? or ?Paradise? ? by local Aboriginal peoples.
Fraser Island certainly is ?paradise for everyone?!
Four Wheel Driving
Being a sand island, the only mode of land transport is 4WD. Of course, for many visitors, that?s the main attraction. 4WD enthusiasts from all around the world visit Fraser Island to pit themselves and their vehicles against the rugged terrain found all over the island. From the hard-packed seashore to the shifting dune to the forests of the interior, Fraser Island is the ideal 4WD location.
Don?t be scared though ? it?s not all about extreme driving for experts! Whether you?re an novice, or you just prefer a more leisured pace of life, you?ll find a much more sedate satisfaction in one of the many organised 4WD tours offered around the island. Or if you just want to get out on your own, you can hire a 4WD for a day, and indulge in a bit of quiet exploring.
No matter which option you choose, though, there are a few ?ground rules? you should observe. Remember the dangers of driving on the beach. The further you adventure from the shoreline, the softer the sand. The softer the sand, the more likely you are to get into trouble. Generally speaking, keep your speed down, and remember you?re in a World Heritage listed environment? so be careful.
Fishing
No island holiday would be complete without a lazy day or two spent fishing. Beach fishing is the big drawcard for Fraser Island. And with 150 km of ocean beach to choose from, why wouldn?t it be? Middle Rocks, Sandy Cape, Waddy Point, and Seventy Five Mile Beach are just a few of the choice locations available for you to finally get the better of ?the one that got away?.
The famed ?tailor run? occurs on the eastern (ocean) side of the island between July and October each year. In the angling world, this time ? known as ?tailor season? ? is a much anticipated event, with huge schools of big fish working the beaches. But if you can?t make it between late winter and early spring, rest assured, tailor season is just one date to mark in your calendar. The western side of Fraser has been known to reward the odd angler with a fine bag of bream, whiting and flathead.
Angler?s Advice
Pick the fish you?re after, and take advantage of the handy hints below to make the most of your fishing trip.
Fish: Tailor

Bait: Pilchard, 3 hook gang, lure

Timing: Late July to October

Location: Eastern Beaches

Fish: Dart

Bait: Pippies or worms

Timing: All year

Location: Eastern Beaches

Fish: Bream

Bait: Flesh strips, mullet gut, fowl gut, pippies

Timing: May to September

Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west

Fish: Whiting

Bait: Worms, yabbies, pippies, prawns

Timing: All year

Location: Low tide on the east, creeks on the west

Fish: Flathead

Bait: Live baits, pilchards, lures

Timing: All year

Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west

Fish: Jewfish

Bait: Whole mullet, tailor fillets, beach worms

Timing: May to September at night on the full moon, low or high tide

Location: Deep gutters and rocky outcrops

Of course, many more varieties are there for the taking, including mackerel, tuna, and reef fish. And if you?re not indisposed to a bit of sea fishing, you can book a berth on one of the larger boats launched to take advantage of the red emperor, coral trout, maori cod and parrot to be found off the Continental Shelf and local reefs.
Water Sports
As you?d expect, Fraser Island plays host to a vast array of water sports. Whether you?re after a lazy drifting afternoon ? cocktail in hand, or an invigorating workout, there?s a water sport for you. All fitness levels (and energy levels!) are catered for.
Ease yourself into the aqua-life with a refreshing dip at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Surrounded by pure white sandy beaches, the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie are without doubt amongst the most idyllic to be found. Alternatively, exercise your imagination with a visit to the ghostly shipwreck of the ?Maheno?, then submerge yourself in the crystal clear waters of Eli Creek.
Fraser Island sits on a huge reservoir of fresh water, and is home to numerous spectacular fresh water lakes, including some perched high above sea level. You have your choice of over 40 lakes? Lake Wabby, Champagne Pools, Basin Lake? to name but a few. Clearly, Fraser Island is amply equipped to pamper even the fussiest fresh water connoisseur.
For something a little more strenuous, why not hire paddle ski or canoe and paddle yourself up Dundonga Creek. It?s generally a 1 hour round trip, so by the time you return, you?ll be ready to settle back into some more relaxed pastimes.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Every year from August to October, you can book a berth on a whale watch cruise. Enjoy a fantastic half day of sun, salt, and ocean breezes while keeping your eyes peeled for Fraser?s famous migrating humpbacks.
The annual humpback migration is truly an awesome spectacle. Family pods take a well earned rest in the waters west of Fraser Island after travelling 5000 km from the icy waters of the Antarctic. The sight of a 15 tonne (that?s the weight of 11 elephants!) adult female humpback rearing out of the ocean is absolutely awe-inspiring.
And don?t worry? if your holiday doesn?t coincide with the migration, you can still catch a cruise questing for dolphins, dugongs, turtles and the odd Indo Pacific Humpback.
Speak to your hotel or resort for information about organising a whale or dolphin watching cruise. Alternatively, contact Kingfisher Bay Resort and ask about their tours.
Tips & Reminders

Access to Fraser Island is via vehicular barge or catamaran
4WDs only on Fraser Island (there are no paved roads except in resorts)
Don?t feed or pet the dingoes (or any other animals)
No domestic animals allowed
Most activities on the island can be enjoyed individually or as part of a booked tour group
You?ll need permits to 4WD or camp
4WDs can be hired on the mainland or on the island
Don?t leave food unattended
All but the hardest sand can be unpredictable and perilous for a 4WD
High and low tide gutters around dawn or dusk are best for fishing
If four wheel driving, take a good map and a tyre pressure gauge

For further information about all aspects of Fraser Island, including accommodation, hire guides, and barge booking details and timetables, see http://www.boxatrix.com/.
How Much?

Accommodation - Prices vary from approximately $4 per night if you?re camping right up to $850 per night for the VIP room at the 4? star luxury of Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Permits - A 4WD vehicle permit will cost you $31.85. Camping permits are $4 per person per night or $16 per family per night. Children under 5 are free. To purchase a permit or obtain detailed information, call the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service at Rainbow Beach on (07) 5486 3160.
Vehicular Barge Access - Barges operate daily from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. Tickets start at $82.20 return per vehicle per driver. Extra vehicle passengers will cost $5.50 each. Several barges operate with different destinations on the island. Most require bookings.
4WD Hire - Rates start at around $90 per day for a Suzuki Sierra, up to $130 per day for a Landrover Defender (depending on the duration of hire).
Flights to Queensland - Qantas offers return flights to Hervey Bay via Brisbane from $407 departing Sydney, and from $527 departing Melbourne.

About The Author

Glenn Murray heads advertising copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com for further details or more FREE articles.

by: Ryan Larson

Fishing in Jamaica is part of a dream vacation for many. There are many excellent fishing spots, as is evidenced by Jamaica?s international popularity as a fishing destination and tournament site. Deep-sea fishing trips are easily chartered, as are fishing tours of the region. As an island nation, fishing is important to the local economy, a part of the local culture. Thus, the savvy visitor may be able to arrange to do his fishing outside of the usual tourist spots, and instead enjoy a few of the places known and loved by local fishers.
Suzie-Q Deep Sea Fishing Charters operates out of Falmouth, which is close to Montego Bay, offers both 8-hour and 4-hour charters for up to 12 people. There are a wide variety of fish available in the fishing region, including blue marlin, white marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo, black-finned tuna, yellow-finned tuna, skipjack, kingfish, mackerel, and sailfish. Reservation must be made 48 hours in advance, and rates are $500 for 4 hours with up to 8 people, $900 for 8 hours. $30 per extra person, up to a total of 14, will be charged.
Jamaica Deep Sea Adventures, found at the Port Antonio marina, prides itself on the fine equipment it provides for its fishers. One of the special items is a chair designed specifically for supporting the fisher while he is struggling with large fish. Fishers can expect to be dropping their lines up to 6,000 feet into the beautiful salt waters that are home to numerous species of fish, including barracuda, tuna, and marlin.
Montego Bay is home to No Problem Fishing Charters. They offer half day charters for $360 and full day charters for $690. Also in Montego Bay are Pier One Marina, where chartered fishing excursions can be arranged, and North Coast Marine Charters, which operates out of Half Moon Hotel and Wynham Rose Hall Hotel.
Families will enjoy using Salty Angler Fishing Charters of Montego Bay, because children are welcomed and beginner?s lessons are readily available. It should be noted, however, that this is catch and release fishing only. They have a variety of fishing experiences available, including open water fishing, coastal fishing, night fishing, fly fishing and light tackle fishing.
At the Lost Beach Resort, located in Negril, a different sort of fishing trip can be arranged. For a fee, a trip with a local fisherman can be set up. Fishers will accompany the local fisherman in his wooden skiff and fish by line or by pot. It is a fascinating experience and a wonderful way to learn a bit about the local culture.
Near Treasure Beach and also around Port Antonio, small wooden boats can be chartered or rented for hand-line fishing. As with most fishing expeditions in Jamaica, the local hotels can help to locate and arrange the most suitable fishing experience.
Jamaica has a broad range of fishing opportunities, from adventurous and exciting to relaxing and peaceful. Tours and charters are not only for the sports fisherman, but also can be enjoyed safely by families. Jamaican waters draw fishers from all over the world, and for good reason. Each fishing day has the potential to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

About The Author

Ryan Larson
This article provided courtesy of http://www.fishing-vacation-guide.com
support@arundel.net

by: Richard Chudy

As Forrest Gump would say, you never know what you?re going to get.
Not too many things get me more excited than the prospect of hooking and landing big fish. The mere thought of setting the hook on a 300 pound marlin, hearing the scream of the drag as the fish pulls off line and watching the acrobatic leaps that follow really gets my heart pumping. Fortunately for me, a two and a half hour flight and a 30-minute drive is all it takes to find myself in the ?billfish capital of the world?. What more can a sport fisherman ask for?
Well, for starters, variety. Just like biting into a randomly selected piece of chocolate, when you set out the trolling lures here in Los Cabos in search of the next big one, you just don?t know what it will be. Different seasons bring different possibilities as does different sides of the Baja peninsula. The diversity of game fish here never ceases to amaze me and even a slow day on the water offers the opportunity to see some of the oceans greatest creatures. Whales, porpoise, sea turtles and bat rays that often school by the hundreds and perform what almost appears to be a choreographed routine of synchronized jumps. On a spring trip to Cabo in late march of this year, my partner Dolores Peralta and I had another opportunity to experience the diversity of life in these nutrient rich waters.
Jacqueline ?Jacquie? Lee, owner of Guerita II, set us up for two days of fishing with Captain Efren Beron Zamora and crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza. Efren has a lifetime of experience as an angler, guide and captain and has a love of the ocean that rubs off on crew and passenger alike. The Guerita II is a tournament rigged 34-foot Crystaliner equipped with everything the avid angler could need or ask for _ Shimano Tiagra 50 wide LRS & Penn International reels, Shimano Black Steel IGFA rods and an outstanding selection of lures, this wide-beamed fishing machine boasts top-of-the-line electronics to help get you on the bite fast.
We arrived at the docks at 6:30 in the morning, a little late for Captain Efren?s liking as he planned on running out about 30-40 miles in search of warm, blue water where he hoped to put us on striped marlin and tuna. While waiting on our arrival Efren had already loaded up on live bait from the pangeros that supply the fleets and with no delay, we were on our way. Winds this time of the year can be unpredictable and on this day, the winds helped build a fairly large swell. We motored our way out to sea on a bumpy but dry ride to the fishing grounds. Once he found the water conditions that best provided the chance for large billfish, he switched driving positions to the tall tuna tower while Alfredo began to set out our spread of lures. Purple and orange Zukers set out at the fifth wake behind the boat, trolling feathers in pink and white and Mexican flag patterns on the third wake and a dark colored Marauder set close to the boat.
A few hours passed as we crisscrossed areas where colder water met warmer, Efren?s eyes trained on the surface scanning for signs that fish were near ? circling and diving birds, the tail of a marlin cruising for its next meal, a pod of porpoise balling bait. None of the usual signs appeared until Efren?s eagle eyes spotted a feeder, a marlin actively working the ocean surface. A quick turn of the boat and a punch of the throttle controls placed us in the perfect position to present our spread of lures to the fish. The marlin took notice and struck one of the lures back at the fifth wake. The jigstrike started our adrenalin flowing and we scrambled to the deck to ready for a battle. The marlin let loose the lure just as Alfredo cast a live bait back to entice a bite. After a few tense moments, the marlin took the bait, the reel left in free spool in order to give it time to fully take the bait. Flipping the reel into locked position followed by three to four strong and sharp lifts of the rod tip set the hook on a good sized striped marlin.
Dolores took her position in one of the two fighting chairs mounted on the stern and within seconds the marlin was giving us a show. Several vertical leaps and violent shakes of its broad head and the fight began. The key to landing marlin is the hook set. Everything depends on whether or not the hook was in the right position when the hook set is made. Many times, the marlin takes the bait only partially and the hook never pierces the mouth fully when the set is made. Unfortunately, this was one of those times. Shortly after the first series of jumps was made, a second series began and on this series the hook was thrown and the fish was lost. Spooked by the encounter, the marlin sounded and was soon nowhere to be found.
We continued on in search of another marlin, my turn in the chair coming next. A short while later, a starboard reel started to scream. Nothing was visible on the surface so the likelihood of it being a marlin was slim. From the strong pull and speed of the fish, we thought it would be a tuna and sure enough it was. The fight lasted only 5-10 minutes and soon we had a twenty-pound yellowfin on deck.
The trolling continued and for several hours and we had nothing to do but occasionally switch out lures and scan the horizon for signs of life. Efren spotted a true prize in the form of a swordfish. While these great eating game fish can be found here most of the year, they prefer colder water so spring is generally the best time of year for this sought after species. Although the sword made a turn towards our spread and a live bait was cast directly in front of it, this fish was apparently well fed and no matter how appealing the presentation, it would not take the bait or strike a lure. As they say, that?s why they call it fishing and not catching. The balance of the day produced only suntans and relaxation.
On our second day on the Guerita II, we arrived at 5:30, determined to beat Efren and Alfredo to the boat. Once again, Efren had made it to the boat well before us and once again, he had already baited up. If I didn?t know better, I?d say he must have slept on the boat just to make sure we wouldn?t arrive before him! We headed out, stopping off to check in with the port authorities to present our manifest and fishing licenses. A recent change in fiscal policies keeps the revenues from fishing licenses within the state where the activity is taking place. This restructuring has apparently heightened the diligence of officials responsible for ensuring that everyone on a boat possesses a valid license, even those not fishing. Makes sense that if you get to keep the money, you?re more likely to make sure everyone is playing by the rules and buying their licenses. Those that did not have licenses in hand were sent back to the docks to get them or there would be no fishing that day.
This day we decided to switch to the Sea of Cortez side of the cape and concentrate our efforts on some of the in-shore species that Los Cabos waters offer up. One of the benefits of a pre-dawn start is the experience of viewing some of the most spectacular sunrises you?re likely to find anywhere in the world. The skies here light up with all the colors of an artists canvas with the endless reflection of the ocean surface. Everything is bathed in reds, oranges and yellows and the sky appears to be on fire. The sight alone makes the trip worthwhile.
The Guerita II cut through the calmer waters of the Sea of Cortez with ease by benefit of the natural windbreak that the East Cape coast provides. We set out a mix of CD 4 Rapalas in a sardine pattern and started to work the underwater ledges and rock piles in search of sierra or Spanish mackerel, dorado or tuna. We ran across pods of porpoise working bait schools to the surface. These working pods often hold schools of tuna just below that pick off bait from the edges of the bait ball but today, we found just the porpoise. Off in the distance, Captain Efren spotted surface activity and turned the Guerita towards it.
Within minutes we were surrounded by thousands of Humboldt squid. Denizens of the northern most portion of the Sea of Cortez, these alien looking creatures have slowly made their way down to the southern tip of the Baja in recent years. With tentacles reaching up out of the water like some kind of extra terrestrial meat eating flower, we watched in awe as they fed on floating red crab. Just about anything we tossed into the water was immediately engulfed by the toothy tentacles of the squid and with constant pressure and slow pumps and reeling, we brought them to the gaff.
Legends abound about the ferocity and strength of the Humboldt squid and while many of these tales are true ?fish stories?, there is ample credible evidence of the potential for injury and even death from these marine cephalopods. Recently, a Discovery program featured an in-depth study of the Humboldt squid in the Sea of Cortez. During times of agitation, such as when these animals are being fished by fleets of pangeros who make a significant share of their income from the sale of the tasty beasts, they can and do become very aggressive. One pangero spoke of his encounter with the squid with fear and respect. While working a large school, he lost his balance and fell into the water. Within seconds, several five to six footers locked onto him and began to pull him under, all the while biting into his flesh with their impressive and powerful beaks. He managed to free himself and make his way back to the surface and into his panga, scared and exhausted. The scars that he showed tell the tale all to well. He also told of others that did not fair so well, never making back to the surface.
While events like those have occurred, the squid are usually no more than curious about visitors to their domain. It is the frenzied activity caused by fishing these creatures that creates the aggressive and often cannibalistic behavior. Divers have been able to get up close and personal with the Humboldt squid when no fishing pressure was present, all without being attacked or harmed in any way. The aggressive behavior and flashing of colors associated with a feeding frenzy brought on by fishing pressure is simply not a normal occurrence, but more a reaction to the situation at hand. You need not fear the squid but make sure to stay away from the business end. Tentacles with hundreds of toothed suction cups lead to a bird-like beak with incredible power. Ink on the other hand can reach you from astonishing distances as my partner, Dolores, can testify.
While fighting a squid estimated at about fifty pounds, she experienced the jet blast of a Humboldt squid firsthand. As the squid was gaffed, Alfredo jumped off to the side leaving Dolores directly in the path of what seemed to be gallons of ink shooting from out of the squid. In a split second she was covered head to toe in the slimy, dark liquid. Being the trooper that she is, she laughed it off, wiped herself clean and tossed her line back out to catch another one. By that time we had been joined by over a dozen other charter boats and pangas and everywhere you looked, people were battling these impressive animals. Great fun, an awesome sight and great table fare was the end result. We left the spot having boated 3 squid and cleaning the ink from the deck of the boat.
Our next area of focus was just a few hundred feet from shore working the reef structures that line the coast. Catching eight to ten pound sierra on light tackle is an experience I recommend highly. We picked off a few sierra and even landed a small mako shark before we called it a day and headed back in, all the while amazed at the beauty of the azure blue and turquoise green waters of the Sea of Cortez.
So if you are one to enjoy the ocean and the surprises that such a aquatic paradise promises, fishing the waters of the Pacific ocean and the Sea of Cortez in Los Cabos is a dream come true. Finding the right boat and crew is of the utmost importance in ensuring a successful and memorable charter. When it comes to making that choice, we can?t recommend Jacqueline Lee?s Guerita II and the knowledge and hospitality of Captain Efren Beron Zamora and crewman Jesus Alfredo Espinoza enough.
To book your trip, visit their site at www.gueritasportfishing.com or call 011-52-624-143-4465 and tell them Cabo?s Best told you all about them.

About The Author

Richard Chudy is the author and co-owner with Dolores Peralta of CabosBest.com, a travel information portal for Los Cabos, Baja Sur, Mexico. An avid and frequent Cabo traveller, he brings his travel experiences to the web for others interested in exploring all that Cabo has to offer.
Copyright 2005 CabosBest.com
caborich@cabosbest.com

Fish Creek House - Making Montana Memories and a Dream Come True

by: Cid and Dan Busarow

WHITEHALL ? Cindy Buscarow fulfilled a childhood dream when she moved to Montana last May. Another dream was reached two weeks ago when she and her husband, Dan, opened Fish Creek House, a bed and breakfast just outside of Whitehall.
“When I was young I always told my parents I wanted to live in Montana,” said Cindy, known as Cid. Living in New York and later California, Cid didn’t know how that would quite happen.
Dan, a partner in a computer business and gunsmith, and Cid, a bi-athlete, came to Bohart Ranch near Bozeman to compete in the running and shooting competition and fell in love with the area. The search was on for property in Montana. For Dan, he was returning to his roots. He lived in Malta until he was five.
The couple found a beautiful log home located on forty acres with gorgeous views of the mountains and a stone’s throw from Fish Creek.
The house was purchased and a large renovation started.
“We’d drive up from California every month to see how the progress was going,” said Cid.
During one of their trips, they took a hike down to the creek and when Cid looked up at the log home nestled in the hills, the name Fish Creek House came to her.
With the renovation complete and the licenses involved with a bed and breakfast approved, Fish Creek House is officially open for business.
The couple looks forward to sharing their home with guests, and those with horses as well. A new barn and round pen have been built for the couple’s horses and although they are not offering trail rides, guests are welcome to bring their own horses and board them in the new facilities.
“We want accommodate people who arenature loving. We’ll make you feel like part of the family while you’re here,” said Cid.
One of Dan and Cid’s specialties is shooting and plan to host shooting clinics for enthusiasts.
Another specialty of Fish Creek House will be the food. They offer a gourmet breakfast for their guests and with their own personal greenhouse, the vegetables will be organically grown on site.
The inn offers two guests suites, each with a private bath, a large living room with a stone fireplace, a library and a sitting room, complete with a microwave and a fridge. Fish Creek House is also a place where the active businessperson can stay in touch. They offer wireless internet in each of the rooms and are considered a “wifi hotspot.” The Buscarow’s have quickly introduced themselves to the local Chamber of Commerce. They have offered their services to build a website for the Chamber and are in the process of doing so. They are also community minded business people and have used custom made Montana pieces in their guest rooms.
“The beds were made by the Amish,” said Dan. The couple also uses local artwork to adorn the rooms.

About The Author

Dan and Cid are anxious to help their guests plan their ultimate vacation and can be found on the web at www.fishcreekhouse.com. They can be e-mailed at info@fishcreekhouse.com
Cid has varied experiences from careers in custom software programming, marketing, farming and horticulture.
Cid has also worked in business development and with her twin sister formerly owned a catering company, Sibling Revelry. An avid hunter and fisherman,husband Dan is a certified NRA instructor developing shooting programs for 4-H clubs and is a gunsmith.

Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

by: Helen Palmer

We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.
You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail.
Most of the beaches, which stretch around the coastline are long with white sand. On some of the beaches like Muizenberg you’ll find lifeguards, so they are safe to surf from.
Other beaches, like Boulders Beach, you’ll find plenty of animals. On Boulders beach it’s the African Penguins that live there. Beware, they can be rather smelly and they do bite if you get too close to them, but don’t let that stop you diving into the water to swim with them. The penguins appear very tolerant of their fellow human sunbathers and are quite happy to live harmoniously with us! Let’s face it, where else can you get an experience like this?
Seals and fish life abound, which in turn brings the bird life. Whilst sitting on the back verandah of the house we constantly see the more common birds such as Turns, Black-Backed Seagulls, Cormorants, but great excitement happens when the African Pelicans come to visit. Huge jumbo jets of birds, serenely floating along like the QE2 in full sail!
The African Pelicans seem to like to come to visit during the evening time at dusk, staying all night on the sand bank just across the water. It’s almost as if they come for an overnight or weekend stay. Obviously like the Hilton to them.
Other visitors that we love to see on our lagoon are the Egrets, Herons and Oyster Catchers. Wonderful wading birds, all with their own characteristics, which you could sit and watch all day long, just wading up and down, dancing their flirty dances to attract the fish, or at least confuse the fish sufficiently for the bird to suddenly dip its head and peck the fish straight out of the water and into it’s gullet.
Beaches with facilities, life and people, beaches without anything except for the birdlife. The choice is yours. Often you can find beaches not far away from the hubbub and find not one soul upon it, real desert island stuff.
Spectacular scenery is also the norm for Cape Town beaches. Just think of the bay of Cape Town with it’s flat-topped mountain in the background. The whole of the bay is infact, one long sandy beach, stetching for miles around Table Bay.
Next time you’re thinking about taking a beach holiday, take a look at Cape Town - you’ll not be disappointed.

About The Author

Helen Palmer is the author of the website www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, whose family’s love of Cape Town was spawned some 30 years ago, when her aunt moved there to live. Regular visits and a genuine love of travel persuaded Helen to share her passion.
helen@magical-cape-town-vacations.com

Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

by: Helen Palmer

We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.
You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail.
Most of the beaches, which stretch around the coastline are long with white sand. On some of the beaches like Muizenberg you’ll find lifeguards, so they are safe to surf from.
Other beaches, like Boulders Beach, you’ll find plenty of animals. On Boulders beach it’s the African Penguins that live there. Beware, they can be rather smelly and they do bite if you get too close to them, but don’t let that stop you diving into the water to swim with them. The penguins appear very tolerant of their fellow human sunbathers and are quite happy to live harmoniously with us! Let’s face it, where else can you get an experience like this?
Seals and fish life abound, which in turn brings the bird life. Whilst sitting on the back verandah of the house we constantly see the more common birds such as Turns, Black-Backed Seagulls, Cormorants, but great excitement happens when the African Pelicans come to visit. Huge jumbo jets of birds, serenely floating along like the QE2 in full sail!
The African Pelicans seem to like to come to visit during the evening time at dusk, staying all night on the sand bank just across the water. It’s almost as if they come for an overnight or weekend stay. Obviously like the Hilton to them.
Other visitors that we love to see on our lagoon are the Egrets, Herons and Oyster Catchers. Wonderful wading birds, all with their own characteristics, which you could sit and watch all day long, just wading up and down, dancing their flirty dances to attract the fish, or at least confuse the fish sufficiently for the bird to suddenly dip its head and peck the fish straight out of the water and into it’s gullet.
Beaches with facilities, life and people, beaches without anything except for the birdlife. The choice is yours. Often you can find beaches not far away from the hubbub and find not one soul upon it, real desert island stuff.
Spectacular scenery is also the norm for Cape Town beaches. Just think of the bay of Cape Town with it’s flat-topped mountain in the background. The whole of the bay is infact, one long sandy beach, stetching for miles around Table Bay.
Next time you’re thinking about taking a beach holiday, take a look at Cape Town - you’ll not be disappointed.

About The Author

Helen Palmer is the author of the website www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, whose family’s love of Cape Town was spawned some 30 years ago, when her aunt moved there to live. Regular visits and a genuine love of travel persuaded Helen to share her passion.
helen@magical-cape-town-vacations.com

by: Gustasp Irani

My first glimpse of Tangalooma?s famous wild dolphins was from the boat that ferried us to Moreton Island 75 minutes from Brisbane, Australia. They arched their black silken bodies out of the water as though to greet us as we docked at the island?s main pier. I was down at the pier later that night for an up close and personal meeting with these friendly sea mammals; a group of eight that frolicked in the floodlit waters as they waited for the party to start.
Along with the other guests of the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort, the only one on the island, I trooped down to the beach, picked up a fish in each hand from a bucket and stepped into the water. Immediately a dolphin swam up to me. Large, gentle eyes looked into mine; pleading to be fed. I bent over and held the fish in the water and the dolphin gratefully accepted my offering in its smiling mouth. And then lingered on a while, I like to believe to say thank you, before swimming out and repeating the ritual with the next guest who stepped up to feed it.
The wild dolphins that visited this little outcrop every day of the year to bum a snack and say hello to us, their distant cousins that lived on the land, was only a fraction of the thrills that Tangalooma had to offer its guests. Over two days in this island paradise, I would snorkel with schools of colourful fish, scuba diving within shipwrecks, ride All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) across sandy banks and even go tobogganing down desert dunes.
Indeed, still recall the moment I lay flat on my stomach on a plank at the summit of a sand dune and looked down the treacherous plunge ahead of me. The moment of panic, however, had passed. I had already committed to the tobogganing run and focused my attention on doing it right. I grasped the front of the plank and lifted it off the sand and made sure that my elbows and feet were well up in the air so that they did not get scraped as I raced down the dune.
?Let it rip?? Alcester, our Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort tour manager and guide queried. ?Let it rip!? I responded. The next moment I was tearing down the face of the dune. I don?t know what speeds I reached, but it seemed like over 100 kmp and with the ground whizzing under me, no more than a foot from my face, it was both terrifying and exhilarating. When eventually I came to a complete stop at the bottom of the dune I stayed still on the plank, savouring the thrill of the ride. A little later I was trudging up the dune for one more zany run down its slope. It was the culminating highlight of the island safari which started with a drive through dense native forests that emerged onto a bleak desert in the middle of the outcrop.
Back at the resort I checked in at the resort?s dive unit and kitted up ? tanks, wetsuit, the works ? for an underwater adventure. A little boat ferried us to the dive site at the far end of the island where the rusted superstructure of sunken vessels spooked the sky above the water. Soon I was swimming with fellow divers around battered hulls of ships resting upon the seabed and admiring the new marine ecosystem of colourful coral and tropical fish that had evolved around these ghostly galleons. I felt my pulse start to quicken when Lea, our dive leader and my diving buddy, led us into heart of one of these wrecks. Sensing my apprehension, she held my hand while we swam through an underwater passageway. I emerged from the ordeal with the sense of elation that comes from having confronted my worst fears and survived.
The rest of the dive was a visual delight. Soft coral swayed to the rhythm of the currents while brilliantly hued fish in amazing shapes and sizes waltzed around us in this bizarre underwater wonderland where life flourished in the midst of ancient wrecks.
That evening I slowed down the pace of the adventure and lazed around in the shallow of one of the many swimming pools that dot the property. I lay in the water and congratulated myself for following up on the lead I found on Traveljini.com. I was browsing through the site looking for something in India ? Traveljini.com is the leading travel portal in the country ? when I noticed that it was offering a close encounter with wild dolphins package in Australia. Before I knew it I was hooked; curiosity turned to desire and desire to compulsion. I had to get to Tangalooma. Now that I was here, it was all Traveljini.com promised it would be and more.
Later that evening I was down by the floodlit pier to interact with the Tangalooma bottlenose dolphins once more. The ranger attached to the Dolphin Research Centre assured us that the feeding ceremony accounted for only around 20% of the dolphins? diet and that they had to depend on their own hunting instincts to catch fish in the open seas. According to her the contact between dolphin and humans on this island goes back a long way to the time when the two cooperated to catch fish. The dolphins would herd schools of fish towards the shore where the aborigine would catch them in their nets. Once the catch was hauled in, the local fishermen would throw back a part of it into the water for the dolphins to feed on.
The next morning I shifted back into high gear when I mounted an all terrain vehicles (ATV), a modified four-wheel motorcycle with a souped up engine, and went speeding down a deserted beach before heading for a dusty rollercoaster ride over sand dunes that waved over the island. It was a fitting finale to an adventure that lifted me to zany heights and gifted me with peaceful and quiet moments; an adventure during which I had the good fortune to be part, if only briefly, of the legendary bonding between humans and dolphins.

About The Author

Gustasp Irani

25 years of experties in Travel writing..currently working for traveljini.com

seo@traveljini.com

by: Chere Deshayes

In today’s high-stress world, a visit to a spa can provide a much needed renewal for your mind, body and soul. If you don’t have the time and/or money to head to the nearest spa or resort, consider creating your own. Experience the benefits of a day at the spa by creating a near-professional spa in your own home. Here are some ideas for transforming you bathroom into a relaxing spa retreat.
SPA TREATMENTS
Widely used in spas, bath salts or salt scrubs made with sea salts are wonderful for their detoxifying properties. The Romans, Greeks and other European cultures have long believed in the benefits of healing through bathing in hotsprings.
SPA TOOLS
If you’re giving yourself a body treatment, have a body brush, loofah or sponge within easy reach. One of the best ways to revive skin is to exfoliate before you get in the shower. The ancient spas of Japan were known for their dry brushing techniques. Gently brush your body using circular motions with a soft body brush, starting at the feet and working your way up. This light brushing technique removes dead skin cells while stimulating circulation.
DRY OFF
Pamper yourself with classic and elegant spa garb - a luxuriously thick white terrycloth robe. If you don’t have a robe handy, find your fluffiest, softest towel. For an unmatched toasty treat, heat your robe or towel in the dryer before using.
MOISTURIZE
Water from the bath has a drying effect on the skin. To make the most of your skin replenishment, keep a special body lotion for spa days - one with an aroma that you enjoy.

About The Author

Chere Deshayes is the president of Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in handcrafted bath and spa products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com.

chere@bathplantation.com