0 Around Lombok on a Motorbike

By : Peter Vasilou

Ever felt like just getting away from it all? Heading off to a tropical island, climbing on a motorbike and setting off with the wind in your hair? Imagine -nothing between you and the landscape but the open road. Well, we've found the perfect place and it's not as far off the beaten track as you might imagine. A visit to the Indonesian island of Lombok is an enchanting diversion from its faster-paced big sister, Bali. Holidays to Lombok will show you a different side to Indonesia. The landscape is just as beautiful; the people are just as gentle; and the beaches are just as inviting. But there's something just a little bit special about Lombok...

Separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait, the island is easily reached by boat in a few hours, or, if you're in a hurry, by plane. Perilously close to perfection, Lombok is relatively unspoilt in terms of tourism. The people of Lombok still live a traditional way of life and are a little quieter and more restrained than their neighbours in Bali. Holidays in Lombok will engage you in a lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Not here the busy nightlife and shopping scene; Lombok is suited to those looking for a more organic holiday, enjoying simpler, nature-based activities.

Everything on Lombok moves on island time, and a wonderful way to move along with it is to rent a motorbike and set off with the freedom to choose where to go and where to stop. Even if you haven't got long in Indonesia, a perfect idea is to combine a two or three day trip over to Lombok with your Bali holiday. Once you've arrived, all that's left to do is get on your bike, feel the breeze - and ride! Here are a few spots you won't want to miss on your way.

Kuta Beach

Not to be confused with the Kuta Beach you'll visit on your Bali holiday, Lombok's version is also great for surfing, but even more renowned for its wonderful diving opportunities. With long white expanses of beach stretching on for miles and craggy cliffs rebuffing the turquoise shallows; the romantic landscape of Kuta will set the scene for the rest of your journey.

Desert Point - Bankgo Bankgo

About a three hour ride from Kuta around the rugged peninsula to the South West tip of Lombok, Desert Point is a surfer's Nirvana. Magic happens as the reef, the surf and the wind meet to create what has been described as the world's best wave. Surfing here has none of the frenzy you will encounter on a surfing holiday in Bali, but this break is definitely for the pros only. It has been said that some hardened surfers have given up their sport after riding the wave at Desert Point, as they know they can never again match the experience.

Senggigi


Heading up the western side of the island, the ride along the Senggigi Coast is nothing short of spectacular. Long stretches of road are flanked by the open sea on one side and views across rolling hills to the majestic volcanic Mount Rinjani on the other. Stop off and scramble down to a sheltered cove for your picnic lunch and a quick dip in the warm ocean.

Mount Rinjani

Lombok's piece de resistance, and undoubtedly one of the most impressive landmarks in Indonesia, Mount Rinajni is an awesome sight. Even from a distance you can see the many waterfalls which scar her slopes and form natural irrigation channels to the cropland below. It can be appreciated from its base, but if you wish to tackle the ascent, set aside some extra time for the three day trek.

The Gilli Islands

While you'll have to leave your bike behind for a trip across to these idyllic islands, the journey won't take too long. Famed for their dazzling white beaches, these three jewels studded in a turquoise sea are surrounded by a coral reef teeming with marine activity. Life on these islands is typically slow-paced, and they are the closest thing to a deserted island you can find without being shipwrecked!

Peter Vasiliou is a Bali holidays, specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering Bali holidays as well as holidays to other destinations in the Far East; the Indian Ocean, Cuba and the Caribbean, Egypt, Southern Africa, Italy & the Mediterranean, Canada, Australia and the Pacific. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

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Detail: Around Lombok on a Motorbike

0 Guides To Traveling Around Indonesia And Hotel Puncak Guide

By: Jack Andee

If you have more time for your Indonesia holiday, travel overland from Jakarta to Yogyakarta via Bandung  for the Bogor Botanical Gardens, tea plantations, the Lembang Fruit market and the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano and Ciater Hotspring. From Yogyakarta heading further inland leads into the heavy teak forests and moist rice paddies, and finally to Mount Penanjakan, that is said to have one of the beautiful sunrise displays in the world. When you make it up for the sunrise you should keep on, over an unusually placed sand sea, to Bromo Volcano. From there Surabaya Airport is a few hours drive and from there you'll be able to catch a flight ticket to Denpasar, Bali.

Indonesia vacation Extras and Indonesia's Wildlife

If your Indonesia holiday is about seeing the jungles and meeting some of the unique wildlife, and not the colourful marine life, then Camp Leakey, a rehabilitation facility for orphaned orangutans, built into the Tanjung Puting National Park, or the Komodo Dragon island can be worth factoring into your Indonesia journey itinerary.

Indonesia's Traditional Cultures

If stories of the old cultures and lifestyles still thriving in Indonesia's highlands have beguiled you in National Geographic, then go to the long houses around Lake Toba, or spend some time in one of the communities in the Baliem Valley - also a prime hiking destination, the Mentawai Islands or the Jayawijaya Mountains, during your Indonesia holiday. Some of these communities you'll be able to visit for a day by walking in to their villages, but some you are able to arrange to stay in: a pretty unique experience in comparison to the city lifestyle of Jakata's population.

Each one of these highlights cam be blended with hours or days on the beach for the perfect, individualized Indonesian holiday cocktail -- one of those exotic, colourful ones you drink out of a whole piece of fruit like they assist in the beach bars here.
 

If you have more time for your Indonesia holiday, travel overland from Jakarta to Yogyakarta via Bandung for the Bogor Botanical Gardens, tea plantations, the Lembang Fruit market and the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano and Ciater Hotspring. From Yogyakarta heading further inland leads into the heavy teak forests and moist rice paddies, and finally to Mount Penanjakan, that is said to have one of the beautiful sunrise displays in the world. When you make it up for the sunrise you should keep on, over an unusually placed sand sea, to Bromo Volcano. From there Surabaya Airport is a few hours drive and from there you'll be able to catch a flight ticket to Denpasar, Bali.

About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on hotel puncak, then visit www.hotelbandung.net to find the best advice on bandung hotels for you.

Detail: Guides To Traveling Around Indonesia And Hotel Puncak Guide

0 Places to see Around Niagara Falls. Things to do.

There is a lot of stuff to do in Niagara Water Falls. One can get amuse by the Niagara Falls beauty, but also can have amazing fun getting around the falls. Most visitors' first view of the Falls, from the Canadian side of the river, is at Queen Victoria Park, along the Niagara Falls Parkway. This grand, royal garden provides the perfect vantage point for experiencing both the nightly illumination of the Falls and the summer fireworks displays. The Falls are illuminated, every evening until approximately midnight and there are Fireworks over the Falls, Friday and Sunday nights in the summer months. 

Niagara Parks offers a Great Gorge Adventure Pass, that includes access to the Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk, and the Butterfly Conservatory, a one-day WEGO pass and discounts for other attractions. Pass components do not have to be used on the same day. In general, it takes about 6 hours to complete the main attactions on the pass. One way to use the pass is to do the Maid of the Mist and Journey Behind the Falls on one day, and use the one-day WEGO pass to do the White Water Walk, Butterfly Conservatory/Botanical Gardens, and Aero Car (all of which are near each other, but farther from the Falls) on the second day.

• Maid of the Mist - A boat that takes tourists to the foot of the falls, where you can better appreciate their thunder and spray. Runs April-October. Boats depart every 15 minutes and the ride is 30 minutes. Line-ups for this attraction can be quite long, try later in the day (1 hour or so before the last boat leaves) for a shorter wait. Many people use their digital cameras to take pictures, but they will get wet. Waterproof disposable cameras are offered for sale before boarding.


• Journey Behind the Falls - This is an interesting attraction to consider in lieu of Maid of the Mist (or when Maid of the Mist isn't operating). Although popular, the lines aren't nearly as long for "Journey" as they are for Maid of the Mist, and therefore may be a better option on crowded days, or for those traveling with small children. Ponchos are provided, as the Journey still offers participants the chance to feel the "spray" of the Falls, from portholes opening behind the Falls themselves. An informative guided tour that still provides some--but not all--of the thrills of the other attractions. Open year-round except 25 December. Whilst this attraction remains open during winter, often some of the viewing points are in-accessable due to snow build up.


• White Water Walk -  A 1,000-ft (305 m) boardwalk beside the rapids. Open seasonally.


• Whirlpool Aero Car - Cable car ride over the Niagara Whirlpool. Open March - November.


• Marineland Theme Park - Dolphin, sea lion and walrus shows, and numerous exhibits of interesting and unique marine animals, including killer whales, beluga whales, and black bears. For an additional fee, you can feed some of the animals, including the beluga whales. Also offers a variety of amusement park rides, such as Sky Screamer, billed as the world's tallest three-tower ride, which elevates riders high enough to see Niagara Falls.


• Skylon Tower - 520-ft (160 m) tower that has an observation deck and revolving restaurant with a great view of the falls. There are arcade games in the base. Summer hours 8AM-midnight, winter 11AM-9PM.


• Niagara Skywheel - Ferris-wheel-like, with air-conditioned/heated pods and views of the Falls and surrounding skyline. 10-minute ride.


• Clifton Hill Amusement Area - A hill, and a street, full of exciting and fun tourist attractions such as wax museums, Ripley's Believe it or Not, haunted houses, and gift shops.


• Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens - It is 9 km/6 mi north of the Falls. Open daily year-round, dawn until dusk. 100 acres of 20th century themed gardens, a magnificent arboretum, as well as North America's largest butterfly conservatory. At their best in the summer. Free admission.


• Butterfly Conservatory - 9 km/6 mi north of the Falls, within the Botanical Gardens). Over 2,000 butterflies in an enclosed garden - great photo ops. Open year-round except 25 December.


• Brick City - Tremendous Lego city built entirely by one man.


• Floral clock - A clock made entirely of flowers.


• Queenston Heights Park - This park includes the Brock and Laura Secord Monuments. It is also an end point of the Bruce Trail, which winds it way northward over 800 km (497 mi) to Tobermory.


• Winter Festival of Lights - Area around the Falls. A 5 km/3 mi route along the Niagara Parkway featuring over three million sparkling tree and ground lights and over 120 lighting displays.


• Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours - Niagara Glen departure point (approx. 8 km/5 mi from the Falls). The tours operating from Niagara Glen use the JetDome boat, which is enclosed and keeps you dry as the boat navigates the whitewater rapids. For the more traditional 'gets-you-soaking-wet' jet boat tour, you will need to use the Niagara-on-the-Lake departure point. Apr-Oct.


• Helicopter tours over the Falls and surrounding area are available from a number of operators. Niagara Helicopters Limited, 3731 Victoria Ave, +1 905 357-5672, weflyyou@niagarahelicopters.com, is one option.


• Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, 6380 Fallsview Blvd, +1 888-FALLSVU (toll-free). A Vegas-style Casino.


• Casino Niagara, 5705 Falls Ave (near Clifton Hill), +1 905 374-3598 or +1 888-946-3255 (toll-free). The old but nice casino.


• Greg Frewin Dinner Theatre, +1 866-779-8778, tickets@gregfrewintheatre.com. Illusionist Greg Frewin presents his Las Vegas style magic show.


• Get married: The City of Niagara Falls issues marriage licences at the City Clerk's Office, 4310 Queen St, +1 905 356-7521 ext. 4283. The fee is $100. There is no waiting period. No ceremonies are performed at City Hall. Niagara Parks has information about weddings, receptions, and wedding photography near the Falls.


• If you're on your honeymoon, you can get an Official City of Niagara Falls Honeymoon Certificate from the Niagara Falls Tourism Office, 5400 Robinson St.


• Fallsview Indoor Waterpark - This is Niagara Falls Indoor Water Park at 125,000 square feet. The water park features 16 slides, up to six stories high, full-size wavepool and outdoor year-round pool. The Fallview Indoor Waterpark is directly connected to the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls - Fallsview Hotel and the Skyline Inn Niagara Falls.

Also, don't forget the wine tours. Niagara Falls has recently boomed with vineyards due to the increasing popularity of ice wines. If you've never tasted these, they alone are worth the time. They are thick and sweet much like the muscats and ports, but without the afterbite. They are processed in freezing temperatures in very early morning hours and only with "approved" grapes.

For more Details on Niagara Falls visit Niagara Water Falls. Honeymoon Capital of the World.

Detail: Places to see Around Niagara Falls. Things to do.