NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!

Australian readers: READ ON…

In my quest of looking for the best travel deals around, I found Expedia offering a chance to win 5 free holidays in the next 5 weeks! If you book your travel with Expedia in the next 5 weeks, you’re automatically in the draw to win your booked holiday completely free! It’s not common for Expedia to offer such a competition for a free holiday, so I thought I’d share it to anyone reading my travel blog and hopefully they can avail of the Expedia promotion!

Don’t miss out! Offer expires 26th September 2010.

On another note, here’s a deal I was informed for my Singaporean readers:

I was told Zuji is offering its WORLD ON SALE, with travel deals as low as S$133! With great deals to destinations across Asia, Australia/NZ, Europe, America, you will be sure to find a trip that won’t burn your bank balance! Visit Zuji now on this link:

Fabulous Skiing Down Under

New Zealand is known for its adventure sports, and particularly in skiing. Many people who come down to the Southern Hemisphere winter would generally go to New Zealand to try out the white powder on the slopes, many of them offering a fantastic scenery. The biggest attraction with New Zealand ski fields is the quality of the snow and the price. It has one of the cheapest ski lift passes in the Southern Hemisphere, and the snow is more consistent and deeper than some of the ski fields in Australia (and this is according to many people, so Aussies, please don’t take offense.. ).

I had my first taste of snowsports in the South Island, as I was living in Christchurch for 5 years. Christchurch was an excellent base to numerous ski fields around the Canterbury region. Though, having said that, I did learn my skiing  in Wanaka, when I went with a bunch of friends and stayed in a cottage for a week just to go skiing. There is so much variety with the different slopes and fields around, that it is totally worth to come skiing in the South Island of New Zealand.

I’ve only been to a few ski fields in New Zealand, but here is a list of my favourite ski fields in the South Island of New Zealand:

1.) Mt Hutt

This is probably one of my favourite ski fields in the South Island. Mt Hutt only 90 minutes away from Christchurch, and has the best facilities amongst all the ski fields in the Canterbury region. It’s also the biggest skifield in the Canterbury area, and offers a wide range of ski runs for the different levels of expertise. Being someone in between a beginner and intermediate, I’ve managed to find an enjoyable run, mainly traversing along the long green run called “Highway 72″. If you are ever going to ski in Christchurch, I would say this is the best ski field in terms of variety, accessibility and facilities that is also close to Christchurch.

2.)Porter Heights

Porter Heights is actually the closest ski field from Christchurch. It claims to be only 80 minutes away from the city. Porter Heights started out as a club field, but has now been developed into a full-size ski field. The facilities at Porter Heights have now improved since I first visited back in 2003. They have replaced their pommers with T-bars, but they have yet to install a chair lift. The field in Porter Heights is not as big as Mt Hutt, and it is more catered to intermediate to advanced skiers. There is a tiny beginners run, but otherwise, not much option for those still learning to ski or snowboard. Nevertheless, it’s a great option for those who love to challenge themselves with blue and black runs.

3.) Cardrona

This is the ski field where I actually learned to ski. Cardrona is a 40 minute drive from Wanaka. It offers a great range of green and blue runs, as well as a wide variety of black runs. Cardrona is actually one of the bigger ski fields in New Zealand. It even has a snow park where people who are into freestyle skiing can have a go at the half pipes and jumps. Many freestyle skiers and exhibitionist display their talent here, and some World championships have taken place in the snow park.

4.) Treble Cone

Treble Cone is a 30-minute drive from Wanaka, and offers a great view of Lake Wanaka and the Mount Aspiring National Park. This is the nearest ski field to the town of Wanaka. Treble Cone has a decent stretch of learners and green runs, but it has a better selection of black and blue runs than Cardrona. Most advanced skiers prefer Treble Cone over Cardrona, but those who want an easy but fun time on the snow tend to go to Cardrona. Facilities are fantastic in this ski field. I also learned to ski in this ski field, though I only managed to do a lesson.

There are other ski fields like Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown, but I haven’t yet explored them. A lot of tourists who come to the South Island to ski would go to Queenstown, and hence, would have tried skiing in either Coronet Peak or Remarkables. I’ve generally avoided Queenstown during that time, as it can be too crowded and accommodations can be overpriced. Christchurch maintains good value for money as a base for skiing, and there is more variety in terms of ski fields.

Ski season in New Zealand generally starts on the 2nd weekend of June and finishes on the 3rd weekend of October each year. I hope you can venture out to the South Island of New Zealand for the ski season, be it this year or the next!

Getting There:

If you’re coming from Australia, you can fly direct to Christchurch from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast, and direct to Queenstown from Sydney. Check out great deals for your flights and accommodations with Expedia or Zuji. Christchurch is the main gateway to the South Island, and has direct connections to Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Tokyo and Fiji.

Auckland – City Of Sails

Auckland

It’s the largest Polynesian city in the world, and it’s often called “City Of Sails”. Auckland is the biggest city of New Zealand, and holds one-third of this nation’s population. It has a very proud maritime history, having hosted 2 America’s Cup events and being the home base of the first America’s Cup team outside the US to win the championship and defend it. Most people who arrive into New Zealand would land in Auckland and explore a little bit of this harbour city before moving on to lush New Zealand countryside and the spectacular views that this great country has to offer.

Many people don’t spend enough time to explore this city to know it well enough. I haven’t lived in Auckland, but I had the good fortune of having visited this city a few times and seeing different parts of it. There’s definitely more to it than the Skytower and the harbour. Here’s my list of places to explore outside the CBD of Auckland:

1.) Devonport

Devonport

This seaside suburb is on the North Shore area, across the harbour from the Auckland CBD. It offers great views of the city over the harbour, and a nice seaside promenade to stroll on. There are also a few unique and quirky shops and cafes around its centre. You can have good coffee or high noon tea at one of its cafes, or just have a relaxing stroll through its main centre. There’s a great view of the harbour if you go up to the top of Victoria Road. The best way to get to Devonport is via ferry from Auckland CBD, near the Viaduct Basin on Quay St.

2.) Parnell

New Zealand’s oldest suburb, Parnell is just a stone’s throw away from Auckland CBD. The quaint Victorian-style houses along Parnell Road have been converted into boutique shops and cafes, and have become the creative quarters of Auckland. One place that I love visiting is The Chocolate Boutique. Being a choco-holic, I can’t resist stopping by this delectible shop. A number of boutique and upmarket shops offer great shopping to those who love to shop. Some of New Zealand’s top designers have a shop in Parnell. You can take a bus from Auckland CBD and in 10 minutes, you will reach this interesting suburb.

3.) Mission Bay

Mission Bay, Auckland

This seaside suburb of Mission Bay is only a 10-minute drive from Auckland CBD. It has great beaches that is close to the city centre and has lots of cafes and restaurants. Across the water, you have a view of Rangitoto Island. I always love coming to this suburb, especially on a nice sunny day. It’s possibly Auckland’s answer to Bondi Beach in Sydney in terms of proximity to the city and the lifestyle (though admittedly, it is not quite as good as Bondi). Regardless, it is one of the best places to explore while in Auckland.

4.) Ponsonby

Another one of the suburbs near Auckland CBD that has great options for restaurants and cafes. Ponsonby is one of the trendy suburbs in Auckland, and the young and hip love to be in Ponsonby. Nightclubs also abound, and the party continues here at night.. The arts scene is alive, and many upper-middle class people reside in this suburb. Ponsonby Road is the heart of all the activity in the suburb. Apart from the trendy and upmarket shops, Ponsonby has some historical heritage, as this has been one of the first areas to be settled in Auckland.

5.) Remuera and Mt. Hobson

Mt Hobson, Auckland

Remuera is another suburb that is close to the city, and can be accessed by bus or train. Over the years, many affluent Aucklanders have resided in this suburb and has become synonymous around the country for its wealthy population. A few well-known New Zealanders like Sir Edmund Hillary live in this area, and you can get the sense of the affluence from the big houses and manicured lawns around. On Remuera Road, you will find an entrance to Mt. Hobson, a park that offers great views of the city and out to the harbour and Rangitoto Island. On the other side of the hill, you will see the view towards One Tree Hill.

6.) One Tree Hill

One Tree Hill

Views from One Tree Hill are like no other in Auckland. It offer great views of Rangitoto Island, Auckland CBD, and all the way to the southern part of the city. This volcanic peak is an important place for Maori, as it used to hold a Maori pa (fort) when the European settlers arrived. There was a tree planted on this site, hence the name One Tree Hill. However, that tree became the subject of attack by Maori activists who protested on the injustices done to the Maori people, and the tree was eventually chainsawed by the activists. Today, an obelisk with a bronze statue of a Maori warrior stands on this site, and offering magnificent views of Auckland city.

Visiting Auckland? Download Lonely Planet’s New Zealand – Auckland Region (Chapter)

Vivid Sydney is over, and it won’t be on again til the next year. This may be delayed, but as promised, here’s the next instalment of photos for Vivid Sydney 2010. I will be making this post brief, so you can enjoy more of the photos from this colourful festival of lights. Make sure you try and catch next year’s Vivid Sydney event and book your next holiday to Sydney with the world’s largest travel booking website

Sydney Opera House

While the Sydney Opera House is one of Sydney’s most recognizable icons, there is more to Sydney than this distinctive landmark. Explore the beautiful harbour city of Sydney, and it will definitely leave you wanting to stay.

Have a Fabulous Journey ahead!

Expedia.com.au Top 10 Destination: Sydney

Vivid Sydney – The Sydney Opera House Comes To New Light

It’s one of the annual events in Sydney, and it draws attention to its star attraction. The Sydney Opera House comes alive with vibrant colours and funky motifs as the Vivid Sydney festival begins. This year, they have more unique

motifs projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House, with great animation and light displays. The Vivid Sydney festival is a celebration of light, music and artwork, but has been more focused on the light projections and displays that it puts out on the numerous historical and iconic buildings around Sydney CBD.

In continuation to my post on Staycation, I decided to write something about my current home city, Sydney, particularly this very colourful and inspiring festival of light displays. I’m a keen photographer as well, and one of the

things I love to do is play around with my SLR camera and have fun creating shots using different techniques. Hence, I’m putting out this post to show you what I’ve taken with my SLR camera for Vivid Sydney 2010:

Up Close – Sydney Opera House

Opera House in Purple

Blur in colour - Vivid Sydney

Flower Power - flowers on the sails

Playing with light - my rendition of Vivid Sydney on image

Funky lights at the Sydney Opera House - Vivid Sydney 2010

Sydney Opera House Lights from a distance

More photos to come on Part 2 of Vivid Sydney 2010. I hope you enjoyed my work through the lens.

Travel Booking Website Recommendation:

See Vivid Sydney and have a relaxing city break in Sydney. Book Your Journey With Expedia here!

Check Out Your Own Backyard

For most people, when thinking of a great holiday, they would almost always think of a place somewhere far, somewhere exotic, and somewhere that requires flying or taking a boat. Many people dream of that nice exotic island, or those vibrant cities far afield that they forget about what’s around them. If you’re one of those people, then you need to think again about your holiday plans.

I have been guilty of this myself. I’ve always looked for somewhere distant, somewhere different from what my usual is. The funny thing is that the places I have lived in are all dream destinations of other people from other parts of the world, and yet, I took it for granted. Now, here’s one term I have learned pretty much in the recent times. It’s called Staycation.

What Is Staycation

Staycation is a term that became popular in the last 2 years since the global financial crisis have made people become more conscious of their spending. It’s made of the combination of the words “stay” and “vacation”, and it effectively means taking a break just within your home town or a short drive from where you live. When I heard of this term, I thought, this is very appropriate for many people who take their own city/town/country for granted as I have. It’s only been in the recent years that I have come to realise what I’ve missed out!

My Staycation

When my friends ask me about the Philippines, the country I grew up in, I can tell them a few things about it. I’ve been to a few places around my home country, but still not enough for me to say I’ve travelled all over the Philippines. Especially not when I get to meet some adventurous young foreigner who would tell me they have been to Batanes (a remote island in the very northern part of the Philippines that is only accessible for 2-3 months in a year due to severe typhoons hitting the island), or dived in the Tubbataha Reef (one of the best diving spots in the world – according to many divers), or holidayed in Palawan and I have not been to any of those.. And this is considering I grew up in the Philippines and spent 22 years of my life there! I started to get embarrassed when I get asked about certain places in my home country.

I realised then on that I need to check out my own backyard. I started doing this when I was living in New Zealand. People have been telling me that I grew up in practically a tropical paradise, but I never appreciated it so much. Maybe partly because growing up, my parents never let me go to obscure but wonderful places in the Philippines, but that is another story.. So, when I was living in New Zealand, going anywhere outside of the country can be quite expensive due to the distance of New Zealand from anywhere else in the world. It was a perfect time for a Staycation.

I’ve since moved to Sydney, Australia, and I have taken any chance I get to explore the area and the country. Since then, I have been to Port Stephens, did the Grand Pacific Drive, and enjoyed what has been claimed to be the World’s whitest beach in Jervis Bay. Further afield, I’ve visited Melbourne a few times, and had a chance to visit Darwin, on the Top End of Australia. I’ve also been to the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Adelaide, but I have yet to write about them. With all these trips around Australia, it made me truly appreciate what a wonderful country I live in, and how fortunate I am to be living in this place.

So, if you think travelling is too expensive for you, think again! When was the last time you explored a town or a National Park 2 hours drive from your place? Or even somewhere 30 minutes away? Travelling doesn’t always mean you have to go very far to see the world. Start from your own backyard and do a Staycation. You will be glad to have stayed and vacationed in your nick of the woods..

Happy Staycations ahead!

Sponsored Links:

Buy 2 Get 1 Free From Lonely Planet! Fulfill Your Staycation and Pick Up a Lonely Planet Guidebook Today!

Calm Waters And White Sand Beaches

Australia is blessed with so much great beaches and clean waters that it is often hard to choose which beach to go to. One thing that is common with the beaches here in Australia is the huge waves that a lot of surfers enjoy. Having a calm, quiet swim is something of a novelty with Australian beaches (as are those beaches that don’t have jellyfish – or stingers, as they call it here in Australia – or crocodiles) .

In saying that, I’m sure there are still a number of nice bays and lagoons that have calm waters where people can swim in, and it is something I would endeavour to look for. One such area that offers that is Port Stephens in New South Wales. Port Stephens is only a 3 hour drive north of Sydney along the Pacific Highway, and is close to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley region. One interesting fact that got me confused with Port Stephens was that I thought Port Stephens was a town. I soon discovered that Port Stephens is an area or region with a few towns and villages in it, the biggest one being Nelson Bay!

The myriad of bays and beaches in Port Stephens itself makes for a difficult decision on which one to go for. After surveying the area, a few beaches stood out for me. One particular beach was Shoal Bay. Shoal Bay is a 10-minute drive from Nelson Bay, and is one of those beaches that have calm waters where people can swim in them. What’s great about Shoal Bay is that it has a few restaurants, pub, cafes and shops, yet it is not a crowded and as busy as Nelson Bay. The beach on Shoal Bay is also fantastic, and definitely worth checking out.

Another great beach to check out is Salamander Bay. It has white sand beach and the waters are also calm enough to have a relaxing swim in the sea. Next to Salamander Bay is Soldier’s Point, where you will find a marina full of awesome boats and yachts. On the marina is a restaurant that offers reasonable food and a good view of the sea.

Stockton Sand Dunes

Tin City - stockton sand dunes

One highlight for me when going to Port Stephens is the sand dunes that stretches from Stockton to Anna Bay. The Stockton Sand Dunes stretches to 32 kms along the coast, and goes as far inland as 9km in certain parts. The sand dunes offer a desert-like environment, and is quite unique to this part of Australia. There are sand hills where you can do sandboarding and slide down the slopes of the sand hills. The Stockton Sand Dunes is also one of the film locations for the 1980s movie “Mad Max” starring Mel Gibson. One of the scenes from the movie features the small settlement in the area called Tin City, which was built by a small group of labourers during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The settlement is unique in that no one is allowed to buy any of the properties there or develop anything in the area. All the existing structures have been passed down from generation to generation.

Australian Shark and Ray Centre

On our trip to Port Stephens, we were unfortunate enough to have caught the wet weather. Instead of spending a lot of time by the beach as we initially intended, we merely skimmed and had a look at the beaches and then had to find alternative activities in the area to amuse ourselves. One great place to go, especially if you have kids is the Australian Shark and Ray Centre. At the Australian Shark and Ray Centre, you can hand-feed the sharks and ray inside the huge tanks where they keep them. The sharks and rays have been tamed in that the barbs of the sting rays have been cut off, and the sharks don’t have the huge sharp teeth to bite anyone. If you’re one of those people who are afraid of sharks, this will definitely challenge your fears. It certainly challenged me, and I didn’t think I was up for it, but I did feed those so-called monsters of the sea!

The Pelicans

pelicans

You will notice while going around the beaches that there are a number of pelicans around. They are such cool birds! I love their huge beaks and calm disposition. I thought it is worth noting this, although you will notice along the East Coast of Australia, there are pelicans around in some of the beaches as well.

If the weather were nice to us, we could have enjoyed more of the beach and the calm waters in the area. I would definitely recommend checking out the area especially during the summer when it’s nice and warm.

Here’s to more Fabulous Journeys ahead!

Stockton Dunes Sand Boarding

World’s Whitest Beach?

World's Whitest Beach

If you thought you saw the whitest sand in the world somewhere in the Caribbean, Asia or the Pacific, perhaps you ought to read this. It’s not quite in any of the tropical paradise that most people would associate a nice white sand beach to. I never thought that a world record existed for the World’s Whitest Beach or World’s Whitest Sand, but it apparently is in the Guinness Book of World Records. I really wonder I recently came back from a short trip over Easter, and this is how I found out about the record. As you can tell, I love spending time on the beach. My dream is to own a house by the beach, where I can just walk out of my backyard and step into some fine white sand beach. Thus, I was extremely curious when someone told me about the world’s whitest beach!

The Road To Whitest Beach In The World

View from Stanwell Tops, Grand Pacific Drive

I visited the Jervis Bay area to check out what most people who visited the area have been raving about. Jervis Bay is in the South Coast of New South Wales, roughly a 3-hour drive from Sydney. The drive from Sydney to Jervis Bay along the Grand Pacific Drive is very scenic and definitely worth doing. This stretch of coastal road starts from Stanwell Tops in the Royal National Park and goes through the city of Wollongong, Kiama and Shoalhaven. The views from Stanwell Tops are magnificent, and you can see the Seacliff Bridge clinging on to the craggy coast from a distance. A stop at Wollongong is also worth taking, with its nice beach, old lighthouse and a very relaxed town.

Driving further south from the Grand Pacific Drive is still quite scenic. A hour away from Wollongong is a nice quaint town called Berry. The town has a very colonial feel to it, with old buildings converted into shops, boutiques and cafes. It’s worth stopping for a coffee and just walk around the small town.

Where In The World Is The World’s Whitest Beach?

Now, back to the topic (well, I was leading up to it anyway). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world’s whitest beach (or the world’s whitest sand) can be found on Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Hyams Beach is one of the many beautiful white sand beaches in Jervis Bay. My friends and I didn’t get to stay at Hyams Beach, but we managed to get a place at Callala Beach. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Hyams Beach, and has white sand that is similar enough to Hyams Beach. The only problem with Callala Beach is that from time to time, they get a lot of seaweed that gets washed up on its shores, and the seaweed then starts to rot and turn the beach into black! My friends and I were unfortunate enough to have witnessed this, and thus made us feel disappointed with this beach. However, by the looks of the postcard photos and online photos of Callala Beach, it does look like a nice white sand beach. It’s just a shame that our timing was bad and we didn’t see it on its best day.

World's Whitest Beach - Hyams Beach

Because of our disappointment on Callala Beach, my friends and I decided to check out Hyams Beach, as one of our other friends have told us that it is an awesome beach. We arrived there on a gloomy day. The sky was overcast, but it wasn’t raining. Despite the dark clouds that covered the sky, the beach was so white that it was kind of glowing with its whiteness! The sand was very compact, and has this cornstarch or cornflour texture to it. It’s not the finest sand that I’ve felt, but it definitely looks like it is the whitest I’ve seen so far.

How they have measured the “whiteness” of the beach is something that still baffles me. There is no degree of measure for the whiteness of a beach, but having the title “World’s Whitest Beach” gives Hyams Beach its claim to fame. It’s not a widely known beach around the world, and being inside two National Parks, the Jervis Bay National Park and Booderee National Park, the beach has been spared from commercialisation. Hyams Beach is a long stretch of beach, and a small portion of it has some residential units and holiday homes. This is the great appeal of the beach, as there are not that many people around every time (unless if it is school holidays or during the summer). It’s very clean, and the waters are just crystal clear.

So if you are in search for the whitest beach in the world, perhaps check out Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay, just 3 hours south of Sydney.

To more Fabulous Journeys!

Sponsored Ads:
Expedia.com.au – Sydney 48hr sale – Stay 2 nights, Save 50%!

Expedia.com.au – London Holiday Deals Flight + 5 nights from AU$1741!

Expedia.com.au – Visit Adelaide, Australia’s Wine Capital & find hotel deals starting at AU$79!

Expedia.com.au – Hawaii Hotel Deals – Rates from AU$110!

Expedia.com.au – Auckland Hotel Deals – Rates from AU$80!

All In A Small Island

There are only very few places in the world where you get nice beaches, lush rainforests, exquisite waterfalls and a variety of hot and cold springs all in one island. Camiguin is one of them. Many people from outside the Philippines may not know where this island is, especially since this is not one of those at the top of the list for tourist brochures. Some who have been to the Philippines would have heard of this island, and to those who managed to visit, many have said it’s paradise rediscovered.

The first time I went to this island in 1996, the island was just starting to become recognised in the Philippines as the next tourist destination. The roads were still not very developed, and hardly any decent infrastructure were in place. I recently went back after nearly 15 years, and the island has now been improved to make it more tourist-friendly. The sealed road network now covers the entire island, and there are even smaller roads inland that can cut through to some of the villages in the interior. They now have more accommdations available, coverage for mobile phones, internet, and a more organised public transport.

Camiguin – Location And Getting There

Camiguin is situated in the southern part of the Philippines, between the main island of Mindanao and the island of Bohol in the Visayas. The island sits northeast of Cagayan de Oro City, the city where I grew up in the Philippines. It’s an easy 2-hour ferry ride from Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin. In my recent trip there, I found that they have reinstated the once-defunct service between Cagayan de Oro and Camiguin, and now travels at least once a day in each direction. It makes travelling to the island much easier, as Cagayan de Oro is a major hub and centre in the northern part of Mindanao, and it is where you can get flights to from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The Best Bits Of Camiguin

Camiguin is more than just your tropical island with a white sand beach. With so much to offer, here’s a list of the best places to see on the island:

White Island

Perhaps the most popular attraction of Camiguin, White Island is not actually an island. It’s a sandbar that lies just off the coast of Camiguin island. What makes it fascinating is its nice powder white sand that changes shape every single day depending on the tides. There are days that the sandbar is so tiny that you only have enough space to fit literally 10 people on it, and days that it looks reasonably sized that you can walk on it from end to end in 15 minutes. The waters are also crystal clear, making it very enticing to go for a dip.

Katibawasan Falls

This falls is one of the few around the island, but it is perhaps the grandest looking and most accessible of the waterfalls in Camiguin. It’s 76 meters high, and has a nice pool at the bottom of the falls where people can take a dip. The water can be a bit cool but it’s such a refreshing treat to the tropical heat of the island.

Guiob Church Ruins & Sunken Cemetery

Concrete cross - Sunken Cemetery

There are a few volcanos on Camiguin island, some being dormant and one other still considered an active volcano. Though there hasn’t been any eruptions for a while, Camiguin had suffered a devastating eruption from one of the now-dormant volcanos in 1871. This eruption had quite a huge impact that it destroyed much of the island and buried and sank some of its towns. One specific area that sank is the Sunken Cemetery. A huge cross has been erected as a reminder of the eruption that nearly wiped out the island. Nearby is the Guiob Church Ruins, another reminder of the devastation that occurred in 1871.

Ardent Hot Springs

This may not be a natural wonder, but it comes from a natural source. Having many volcanoes, Camiguin naturally has a lot of geothermal activity and resources. As a result, the Ardent hot springs came about to utilise the water from a natural hot spring in the area. Ardent is now a developed resort, and though it has somewhat become commercialised, it still offers a great place to soak up and enjoy the soothing hot spring waters.

Mantigue Island

This is another island just off Camiguin island and a proper island. It is a 20-minute boat ride from Camiguin on a motorised bangka (a local outrigger). It offers a nice white sand beach and has a marine sanctuary. The island is considered a nature park, and is home to some native birds and bats. It’s a great place to check out. Snorkelling on the marine sanctuary is very rewarding, with colourful fish of all shapes and sizes swimming around.

These are what I thought would be the best places to see in Camiguin. Of course there are more spots, but some of them are not as good as these ones. I hope you have enjoyed this post. Please spread this to your friends.

2010 Is Here!

Happy New Year to all readers of my blog! A new decade begins in the 21st Century! 2010 will be an exciting year for me. I have more travels planned, and I get really excited thinking about where I will be going this year! But before I get carried away with talking about my travel plans for 2010, I’d like to share with you some of the photos I took of the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks.

This is my third consecutive year of watching the fireworks by the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the fireworks display here is during New Year’s Eve! Each year is a different theme. Last year, it was more aboriginal themed, and this year, it is more of “awakening the spirit”. I suppose this has a lot to do with the recent financial crisis which has affected the overall mood of people, especially those who have invested in the markets.

The photos I focused on was mainly the 9PM fireworks, as I had a great view of the harbour from a friend’s balcony in Milsons Point. Check out some of the images of the Sydney NYE fireworks for 2009 below:

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - First shots

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - more 9PM fireworks at the harbour

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - Up close

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - sparkles

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - more 9PM fireworks

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - about to finish

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - to the finale of the 9PM fireworks

Sydney NYE 2009 Fireworks - the smoke after the 9PM fireworks

Happy New Year! - the Harbour Bridge comes alive

More midnight fireworks from the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge is lit up!

More snippets of the Sydney NYE firework 2009

Sydney is definitely in one of the top 10 locations in the world for New Year’s Eve. The amazing fireworks by the beautiful and picturesque harbour and the numerous parties happening all over the city makes it just a cut above the rest. Even if I have spent my third year watching the fireworks in Sydney, I never grew tired of it, as it is just simply superb.

Come and see the fireworks spectacle here in the New Year in Sydney!