Category Archives: Things To Do

World’s Best Wreck Dives: The Top Ten

Posted on by

The list of best wreck dives in the world, as voted for by our readers. How many have you dived? All the wrecks but one are in warm water. The cold water representative is at Scotland’s Scapa Flow. Most of these wrecks are notable not just for being wrecks, but also for the amount of sea life they attract. Let us know what you think of the list, and tell us your favourites.

 

 

 

 

 

See also the best 100 dives and top 10 dives in Europe.

The Yongala, Australia
The Yongala is a shipwreck off the coast of Queensland. Full of life you may see manta rays, sea snakes, octopuses, turtles, bull sharks, tiger sharks, clouds of fish and spectacular coral.
The Yongala sank during a cyclone in 1911 killing 122 people, a racehorse called Moonshine and a red Lincolnshire bull. She had no telegraph facilities and so could not be warned of the weather ahead. In 1981 the Yongala was given official protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. The ship is 90 km southeast of Townsville, 10 km away form Cape Bowling Green. 109 meters long, the bow points north and the ship lists to starboard.

Thistlegorm, Egyptian Red Sea
You’ll need to do this more than once to explore more than a tiny part of the wreck.
Thistlegorm is Gaelic for Blue Thistle. A British vessel, it was attacked from the air and sunk in 1941 whilst carrying a cargo of war supplies: rifles, motor bikes, train carriages, trucks. A big wreck – 131 metres long. Currents can be strong, and in different directions at the surface and at the wreck.
The Thistlegorm is in the Strait of Gobal, north of Ras Mohammed near Sharm El-Sheikh.

USS Liberty Glo, Bali, Indonesia
The Liberty lies on a black sand slope, almost parallel to the beach and is only 30 m offshore. She lies in 9-30 m of water and is totally encrusted in anemone, gorgonians and corals. The wreck is 120 m long and is pretty broken up so you can’t entery it, but you can still see the guns, toilets, boilers, anchor chain and such like. It is a lovely dive site, possibly the world’s easiest wreck dive.

President Coolidge, Vanuatu
Originally a large, luxury, liner, the President Coolidge became a troop carrier during the war. She sank after hitting mines. The wreck now lies on its side between 17 and 70 m, bow to stern. The President Coolidge is fully protected by law and both it and the surrounding seabed has been designated a Marine Reserve. The wreck is huge and needs several dives to do it justice.

The Zenobia, Cyprus
The MS Zenobia was a roll-on roll-off ferry which launched in 1979 and sank in 1980 on her maiden voyage. No lives were lost. She lies on her side, outside Lanarka harbour. The dive starts at 16 m with a maximum depth of 42 m. Another large wreck, with plenty of sea life, demanding several dives.

Hilma Hooker, Bonaire Lies on the sandy bottom of a beautifully reefed slope. Big, big wreck with sponges, pristine coral, terrific sea fans and loads of fish. A dive with something for everyone.

Wreck of the Bahama Mama, New Providence, Bahamas
Once a party cruise ship which was sunk in 1995. A very good place to see sharks up close. Plus it is a lovely little wreck on the edge of a reef with shoals of other fish

Umbria, Sudan
A huge spooky castle of a wreck covered by corals loaded with 36000 aircraft bombs, cars, wine bottles and so on. The site is visited by manta rays, whale sharks and, at night, tiger sharks. You’ll probably be alone on the wreck due to the small numbers of divers visiting Sudan.

Rainbow Warrier, New Zealand
In 1985 the French sank Greenpeace’s flagship, the Rainbow Warrier, to stop her interfering in a nuclear test. Jewel ananomies, are stunning, and the wildlife abundant including large rays and often dolphins and sharks.

Blockship Tabarka, Scapa Flow, Orkney
In the north of Scotland many ships were sank during both wars as part of coastal defences. These are known as “Blockships”. Tabarka was one of the last to be sunk and is upside down with numerous entry points. Covered inside with marine life: anemones, lobsters, starfish, urchins, wrasse…this is an easy penetration dive. Light streams into the hull through the many access and exit points. Wonderful dive

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Copyright SCUBA Travel – http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/
* Reprinting permitted with this footer included.
We are happy for you to copy and distribute this newsletter, and use parts of it on your own web site, providing the above copyright notice is included and a link back to our web site is in place.
Photos copyright Tim Nicholson, Graham Collins and Agsftw.
Previous editions of SCUBA News are archived at http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/news.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
Great travel deals around the world

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Driving in Italy

Posted on by

Driving in Umbria

 

 

 

 

 

Lamborghini Murciélago coupé

Italy’s automobile history is long and glamorous, with A-list car manufacturers including well-known names such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.
The timeless styling of Italian cars can often be attributed Pininfarina, an Italian design house, which has been responsible for creating the looks of many famous super-cars.
The iconic Alfa Romeo Spider is the work of Pininfarina as is the Maserati Birdcage which took its inspiration from new, futuristic ideas rather than re-working features from past classic models.
With such an impressive automobile history, there really is no better place to think of for a driving holiday than Italy.

The region of Umbria in particular has diverse countryside, perfect for enjoying long drives along winding roads which pass rows of olive trees, vineyards, pretty villages and Aleppo pine groves. Furthermore, the Apennines provide beautiful mountain terrain, equally perfect for exploration.

Jean Paul Sia from the Umbrian Tourist Board says “Away from the big crowds, this small piece of land blends art, food, nature and culture in perfect harmony. Driving is a wonderful way to get to know this fascinating region”.

For the ultimate driving holiday rent your favourite Italian car, whether it is a dependable Fiat Grande Punto or a flashy Lamborghini Murciélago coupé, and relax as you soak up the fantastic sights of Umbria.

Car Driving Guide for Italy

  • If you have a UK issued driving license, you do not need an international driving permit to drive in Italy.
  • You must be over 18 to drive in Italy
  • Keep right and overtake on the left
  • Trams and trains have right of way
  • Seatbelts are compulsory for both front and rear seats, failure to comply with this rule can result in fines for both the driver and the passengers
  • Vehicles approaching from the right have right-of-way at crossings

Speed limts for

  • Urban areas is 31mph (50kmph)
  • Minor out of town roads 56mph (90kmph)
  • Major out of town roads 68mpm (110kmph)

It is compulsory to carry a spare tyre, triangle and reflective safety jacket
Third-party insurance is compulsory
Tolls are levied on the more popular motorways
In urban areas, horns are only used for emergencies
It’s compulsory to use dipped headlights during the day on two-lane motorways.

Article by Stephanie Sheehan

A final word. These are the laws for driving in Italy but with the Italian’s reputation and my own experience including driving in Rome I would add this side note.
(Not to be taken seriously):
To drive like the Italians and be able to keep up with the traffic flow: –
“Put your foot to the floor, ignore everyone else, and don’t worry about the dents.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
Great travel deals around the world

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Paris Nightlife

Posted on by

Bars

Ice Kube is one of the coolest bars in Paris, literally. Kept at a refreshing -12C, you will be given special coats to wear to keep the frost-bite at bay. For a fixed price you half an hour in the bar and four tasting cocktails. Find it near the La Chapelle metro station and be sure to make a reservation as it gets booked-up quickly!

Do you enjoy reading while drinking your wine? Then La Belle Hortense could very well be your new idea of heaven. Named after the novel by Jacques Roubaud, this cosy bar/bookshop is the perfect place for a rainy Paris afternoon – perch on one of the bar stools or make yourself comfortable in the back room.

For a special occasion or just a good meal followed by some classy cocktails then the Mezzanine Bar at Alcazar is the place to go. After a delicious dinner downstairs, head upstairs for cocktails and champagne overlooking the bar below. DJ’s play until late from Wednesday to Sunday and you can have the set menu for dinner

 

Clubs

There are underground clubs and then there is Showcase. In an old naval hangar beneath the Alexandre III bridge in the Champs Elysees, you will find this glamorous club overlooking the Seine where you can hear the very best in house and electro music. If you are used to partying until dawn then you might be able to stay up until the club starts serving brunch on selected mornings.

If you’re determined to do some celeb spotting in Paris the VIP Room is one of your best bets. This exclusive club is strictly on a reservation only basis and you will need to dress to impress! Open from Thursdays to Saturdays from midnight until 6am, 

Live Entertainment

If it is a show you’re after then where else springs to mind than the Moulin Rouge.

 

Dinner on one of the small round tables, adorned with the red lamps that are synonymous with the windmill, followed by the Féerie show will be an unforgettable evening in Paris. See the jewelled, feathered dances and enjoy the sumptuous menus at this famous windmill if you want to experience traditional French cabaret.

Is jazz is more your thing? Then head to New Morning near the Chateau d’Eau metro station. Eat, drink and be merry and start your night off at this atmospheric club. Gigs begin at around 9pm, so get there at about 8 if you want to eat before.

Find out more about Paris city breaks with lowcostholidays.com here.

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Surprising Hot Spots

Posted on by

4 Cleveland Hot Spots That You Might Not Have Expected

One might not think of Cleveland Ohio as a tourism spot but there are some surprising hot spots that are must-sees. It’s time for a road trip to Cuyahoga County to visit four surprising and interesting attractions and yes, they’re in Cleveland.

1. Bradstreet’s Landing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Flickr rittyrats

Only five miles from downtown Cleveland is a local favorite but it’s not a secret. Bradstreet’s Landing is a six acre park with a 600 foot long fishing pier right on Lake Erie. Locals fish here but perhaps its most exciting offerings are the serene picnic areas and the 125-foot sand beach.
Swimming isn’t allowed but you can launch sailboats and windsurfers as long as you avoid the local fishers. The pier itself is handicap friendly and fishermen lore is sure to please those who interact with the locals. Not surprisingly, you may hear may old wives tales on your jaunt to this destination. Many also say this is a place to find a bench under a tree and just reflect.

2. Thirsty Parrot Sports Bar


 

 

 

 

 


.

.

.

.
.

Flickr BekiPe

If you have Cleveland Indians Tickets the Thirsty Parrot sports bar is right across the street from Progressive Field and is the party spot before and after all Indian games.
The bistro style menu includes burgers, sandwiches and soups and it’s full of popular appetizers from cheese sticks to wings. Drink specials are always abundant and the hot spot of this sports bar is the outdoor patio. Dress is casual and it’s hard to miss with its blue tent overhangs and a Caribbean style look.

3. Marjorie Rosenbaum Aviation Plaza


 

 

 

 

 


.

.
Cleveland National Air Show

This free to the public outdoor museum hosts airshows and is a fun Cleveland destination for the entire family. Opened in 1997 it’s located in downtown Cleveland within walking distance of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
From 1964 the plaza site has been home to the longest running air show in America. Beyond the air shows, guests can browse the plaza wall and legend plaques for aviation history. From 1929 to 1949 the plaza hosted the National Air Races and there is memorabilia there from aviation legends like Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.
You can’t miss the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom jets located right in the center of the plaza and the planes are painted in traditional U.S. Navy Blue Angel and U.S. Air Force Thunderbird colors.

4. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Flickr compujaramey

No trip to Cleveland would be complete without a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in downtown Cleveland on Rock and Roll Boulevard. The 150,000 square foot museum boasts seven floors of music history and four theaters.
The Hall often hosts free public events and offers a variety of exhibits that are constantly changing. There are entry fee discounts for seniors and kids and the museum makes for an all-day event.
The list of inductees is vast at 701 people (279 bands) and they also offer a “Rent the Rock” feature, great for corporate parties.
Cleveland does have its hot spots and each of these are guaranteed to inspire, have tons of fun with friends and learn some history along the way.

Anthony Alexander is a freelance writer, journalist, author, and an organizer of words and thoughts. He is a diverse writer who captures moments and converts them into literary works. He is passionate about sports, traveling, and life.

 

Resources:
.
http://www.clevelandairshow.com/foundation/plaza.html
.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Ohio/Cleveland-845026/Off_the_Beaten_Path-Cleveland-MISC-BR-1.html#tip=1021683

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Giant Panda Bear of China

Posted on by

Get to know the Giant Panda Bear of China
……… by China Odyssey Tours

China’s National Treasure
The giant panda, regarded as one of China’s National Treasures, is on the verge of extinction. Today there are fewer than 1,000 giant pandas living in the world. The giant panda is the symbol of eco-environmental conservation. Visitors to China can see this reclusive animal in Sichuan Province’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. We hope, with their cute faces, unusual beauty and grace, giant pandas can bring visitors to China pleasure and enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


panda climbing the tree
.

Living Fossils
Paleontologists have discovered fossil remains that indicate that over 8 million years ago ancestors of the giant panda were living in China.  That is the reason why the giant panda is has been called one of China’s “living fossil” by historians.
The giant panda’s lifespan in the wild is unknown, but in captivity they average more than 20 years. Due to the constant expansion of human activity, the habitat of giant panda has been gradually shrinking and they are now only found in the southern part of Gansu province and northwest part of the Sichuan basin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


twin pandas

Plump and Lovely
The giant panda looks quite plump. Its body length is about 160 to 180 centimeters, and weighs 80 to 125 kilograms. The giant panda’s colorization is simple but elegant. Normally, the giant panda is very gentle and reclusive, like a shy lady. When the panda meets strangers, it often covers its face with its palm, or lowers its head to hide its face. After giving birth however, a female giant panda can be very aggressive using her teeth and claws to protect her infant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

confused panda
.

Recluse in the Bamboo Forest
Giant pandas live alone and scattered, rather than living in herds.  Because of this, the giant panda is often called “the recluse in the bamboo forest”. They do not move too far from their home base, and live their entire lives in a small area. The giant panda can eat at anytime, and sleep in any place. They have a truly easygoing lifestyle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


red panda

Best place to see panda
Over 80% of the world’s giant Pandas live in Sichuan Province, China. The best place to see panda is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, which covers an area of over 359,000 square meters and it is now under expanding for an area to over 1,999,000 square meters.
As the first ex-situ conservation project for giant pandas, this base has not only dedicated itself to giant panda conservation, but has also endeavored to combine natural scenery and man-made landscapes to create wonderful and humane living areas for giant pandas, red pandas, and other Chinese endangered animals.
This panda research breeding base appears to be a beautiful landscaped park. Luxuriant bamboo grow everywhere around the base.
Here 15 pandas live a protected life, where visitors can view them eating, sleeping or playing. Visitors can also learn more about this precious species in the giant panda museum.
The panda hospital can also be visited, where there is a 7,000 square meter educational space for the foreign and domestic visitors. In these learning areas, visitors will come to know more about the work being done to preserve this lovely animal.
There also has a project that you can even hug the cute panda.

Check more Giant Panda Pictures here
Take a private Chengdu Tour to see the giant panda with China Odyssey Tours, a leading China tour operator. Enjoy more with flexible itinerary.

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Hotels Spring Sale – 40% Discount

Posted on by

Hotels.com – Easter / Spring sale

Easter / Spring sale – Save up to 40%
Book dates: 19 Feb – 28 Apr Travel dates: 19 Feb – 6 May

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
Great travel deals around the world

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It

Liveaboard Diving

Posted on by

Called by Jacques Cousteau “The Aquarium of the world” the Sea of Cortez offers a huge diversity in sea life, from playful sea lions, hammerhead sharks, to the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark.

 

 

 

 

 

The Baja Peninsula

Long and deserted, the contrast of the pristine blue ocean and the unique living desert make the peninsula of Baja California one of the last frontiers for the lovers of nature. Endemic plants and animals witnessed for thousands of years the isolation of this land, inhabited only for nomadic tribes that left no signs of culture but only rupestrian paintings of unknown origin but considered now as heritage for the humanity. Later, still nomadic tribes known as Guaycuras, Cochimies and Pericues, roamed the coasts in search of food and shelter, walking into extinction at
the end of the 18th century.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.
Sea Lion

With beautiful year-round weather, The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, has everything you could want from a vacation.  Pichilingue Bay gives access to the most beautiful islands and beaches for snorkeling expeditions where you mix with playful Sea Lions and all kinds of tropical fish. Schools of dolphins and the occasional transient whale are also found in this area.  Marina Pichilingue is strategically located for fishing, kayaking, sailing, diving, snorkeling and any other water activity of your choice, as well as hosting boats up to 75ft long.  The highlight of your visit could be a liveaboard dive trip to the unspoilt islands of Socorro and Guadalupe to see the Great White Sharks and huge Manta Rays.

..

 

 

Great White Shark

Located in the Pacific Ocean 200 miles off the coast from San Diego and Tijuana, Guadalupe Island is one of the best locations in the world to see Great White Sharks, not only because of its constant shark sightings but because of the fantastic clear waters, where you can expect 20-30 meter visibility.  Live aboard scuba dive trips to Guadalupe Island provide endless opportunities to see and photograph these magnificent and misunderstood creatures from the safety of specially constructed cages.  Among a number of regular scheduled trips, “Educational and Research Trips” are organized with lectures and information by a Shark Expert from the Shark Research Institute.

 

 

 

 

Manta Ray

Known worldwide as the “Mexican Galapagos” Socorro Island is a great place to dive. This group of volcanic islands attract large concentrations of fish, whale sharks, Great White Sharks, Sea Lions and the biggest Manta Rays you can ever dream with.   Socorro island is found approximately 240 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a remote location where only long range boats s can go, making it an uncrowded and unspoilt place to dive, This fact, along with the preservation efforts of the Mexican Navy base on site, makes it a dream place for divers from all around the world.

For more information on Live Aboard Diving Trips … http://www.seaescapeliveaboard.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!.

Email, RSS Follow
Pin It