Sunshine Coast & Bribie Island - Australia

Sunshine Coast

Discover the beautiful and diverse natural wonders of this stunning region. With over 100 kilometres of sparkling beaches, picturesque national parks and rolling hinterland, the Sunshine Coast offers something for everyone.

From cosmopolitan Noosa to the quiet, relaxing surrounds of Coolum, from the family friendly beaches of Caloundra to cosy rainforest hideaways in the hinterland, no matter what holiday experience you desire, you can find your own space on the Sunshine Coast. Tantalise your tastebuds with an excellent array of dining experiences. Award winning restaurants, beachside dining and hinterland cooking schools showcase the region’s fresh locally grown produce and seafood.

From designer label clothing to boutique shopping, art galleries to quirky handmade arts and crafts, you’ll find it all on the Sunshine Coast.

Bribie Island

Naturally beautiful, Bribie Island and its surrounding waters is a true showpiece of the Moreton Bay area. Bribie is the northern-most of the islands in Moreton Bay and is the only island connected to the mainland by bridge, allowing traffic to flow to and from the island easily.

A haven for those seeking a sea change, young families, water sport enthusiasts and nature lovers, Bribie offers a compact range of experiences for all age groups. Extensive national parks, (some with camping facilities) a choice of surf beaches or calm protected beaches, some of the best fishing to be found, and a good range of restaurants and accommodation make Bribie an ideal destination for a short break or day trip.

The ecologically important Pumicestone Passage, formed by the channel which runs between Bribie Island and the Caboolture coastline, is a protected marine park and safe haven for dugongs, turtles, dolphins, incredibly diverse birdlife and an extensive network of mangrove swamps. The Bribie Island Ferryman offers excellent tours of the Pumicestone Passage with fascinating commentary along the way. The picturesque foreshore at Bongaree is an excellent spot for a family outing with lots of picnic facilities, ample shady areas, boat ramps and calm water for kiddies to splash around in. It's easy and inexpensive to hire small boats on Bribie.

This is a great way to explore the Pumicestone Passage and surrounds at leisure. For the more adventurous, head over to the eastern side of the island to Woorim Beach which is one of the closest patrolled surf beach to Brisbane. This is a popular spot for swimmers and board riders. You can even learn to surf at the surf school located here. Or just enjoy the surf view from the Surf Club on the foreshore.

Uluru - Ayers Rock, A Must See in Australia

Uluru is one of Australia's most famous landmarks and is the country's most visited site. The mysterious red monolith is the weathered peak of a buried mountain range and rises some 430 metres from the desert and has a perimeter of about 9km (5.5 miles). The red colour of Uluru is due to iron minerals in the surface rocks oxidising with the air.

As the name Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park suggests, the park is the location for both Uluru AND Kata Tjuta which is now the preferred name for the Olgas which are another unique rock formation 30Km from Uluru. Ayers Rock is roughly at the centre of Australia, and is about 1800km from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth.

Travelling to Uluru - Ayers Rock

Most people choose to fly to Ayers Rock and Qantas have direct services to Connelan Airport which is a short drive from Ayers Rock Resort. Alternatively you can fly with Virgin Blue to Alice Springs and then transfer onwards by car, coach or Qantas Air shuttle to Connelan Airport. It takes about 4 1/2 hours to drive to Ayers Rock if you hire a car at Alice Springs.

Alternatively the Alice Springs to Yulara Bus and the return Yulara to Alice Springs Shuttle Bus also operate. They depart Alice Springs at 7am from selected hotels: Alice Springs Resort, Rydges Plaza Hotel, Outback Inn Resort and Territory Inn. A popular tour from Ayers Rock is to Kings Canyon and Alice Springs .

Driving through the Outback and remote or isolated areas of Australia is not recommended for the unprepared or inexperienced.

Source: auinfo

Malaysia - Cameron Highlands Attractions

Sam Poh Chinese Temple

Sam Poh Chinese Temple sits on top of a little hill in Brinchang town. The temple is fenced in by a bright yellow wall that stands out against the green of the lush mountain background.

Sam Poh Temple is known for its peaceful and tranquil ambience that seems to be prevalent the minute visitors walk through the temple gates. Many visitors of all races and religion visit the temple to find some peace and quietness.

The temple grounds are quite pretty with colourful flowering shrubs and a pond where bright orange koi fish dwell. From the hilltop there is a good view of the little town below and the mountains that dwarf it.

Cactus Valley

Cactus Valley has a variety of cactus plants for display and for sale. Some of the cacti are more than half a century old. There are several varieties of cacti and the visitor will truly be amazed at how beautiful some of the plants are.

In addition to cacti the nursery also has lots of orchids and roses. It is a pleasant way to spend part of the morning walking among beautiful plants while enjoying the cool weather. You can’t miss Cactus Valley, located on a hill slop in Brinchang town, because a huge model of a cactus plant marks its entrance.

Rose Centre

Rose Centre is located in an area called Green Cow and is the biggest rose centre in the Cameron Highlands. Over a 100 varieties of roses are grown here on terraced slopes. The centre has beautified the area by placing sculptures, pergolas, fountains and paved pathways throughout the grounds.

Rose Centre is also home to several other types of flowers like the Lily, Gerber, Lady Shoe and many more. There is a lovely view of the surrounding area from the top of the centre. Visitors can buy plants and cut flowers at ridiculously cheap prices at the centre.

Kea Farm Market

Kea Farm Market is one of many markets that can be visited at the Cameron Highlands. The market sells all sorts of farm produce including vegetables, fruits, plants and cut flowers. The stalls line either side of the street for kilometres and the vendors openly call out to you to come and have a look at what they are selling.

The deeper into the market you go the cheaper the price is, so visitors should spend some time at this enchanting market. There is a smaller market at Tringkap where prices are cheaper but the market there does not offer the variety that can be found at Kea Farm Market.

Butterfly Farm and Butterfly Garden

Butterfly Farm and Butterfly Garden are both within walking distance of each other but have the same experience for tourists; butterflies, and many of them.

These places are not for those who are afraid of insects because the minute visitors enter the enclosures they find themselves in the middle of many butterflies.

If the fragrance is sweet smelling to the butterflies the insects will even alight on visitors. The rare Rajah Brooke butterfly can be seen at both the Butterfly Farm and the Garden. Both places also have souvenir shops at the end of the butterfly walkways.

Tea Plantation

Tea Plantation tea plantations take up a lot of acreage at the Cameron Highlands as it has the perfect climate for growing good quality tea bushes. Both Bharat and Boh have plantations here that are open to visitors.

There are usually scheduled tours that will take visitors through the plantations where they will see women with baskets on the backs plucking tea leaves. Guides will explain how good quality leaves are recognised and provide the visitor with much interesting information.

They also allow visitors a peek into the tea factories where the leaves are processed and packed and ends with a stop at the tea shop where different types of tea can be sampled and bought.

Spooky Destinations for Halloween

October is a wonderful time to visit strange and unusual places. Below is guide to spooky places to visit on or around Halloween! When visiting or investigating any spooky place be sure to obey all local laws and always respect the privacy of land owners and residents. Always get permission in advance to enter private property. Never trespass on, take anything from or damage anyone's private property. Always show respect!

Six Flags Parks in United States and Canada

As well as children's activities, this chain of amusement parks has lined up a list of adult Halloween tricks and treats, including the "Creepy Coffin of Fear." Lie in a coffin filled with meal worms -- and stay there at least one minute.

Universal Studios, Hollywood, California

Three of the big screen's most infamous horror icons, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger and Leatherface, from "Friday the 13th," "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," will each appear in his own labyrinth of carnage. In the new "House of Horrors" mazes, Universal's most notorious monsters will descend upon guests as they navigate vampire lairs, cannibal caves and psycho film slashers.

The Haunted Adventure, Toronto, Canada

Take a walk in the Black Cavern through hallways narrower and darker than a barn with surprises to ensure you run out screaming. Visitors can also try the Howling Hayride, Murder Motel, the Haunted Barn with The Black Hole and the Terror Trail Trek. No one aged under 8 is admitted.

Street Parades in New York and Vancouver:- Parade of Lost Souls - Vancouver, British Columbia

Dating back to 1985, this Vancouver parade held on October 27 this year is organized by the Public Dreams Society and tries to maintain a more traditional outlook on Halloween -- as the Day of the Dead and All Saints Day.

Street Parades in New York and Vancouver:- New York's Halloween Parade, New York

New York's 34th annual Village Halloween Parade on Oct 31 at 7 pm is billed as the nation's largest public Halloween celebration, attended by more than 2 million people.

Great Halloween Grave Dig, Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania

Thought to be the world's only vampire hunt, this is a four-hour treasure hunt/car rally through the woods that eventually leads you to Gruesome Graveyard, the burial site of Count Miniescule. The Grave Digger's Ball tops off the night.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

Terror Behind the Walls is set in a supposedly haunted site with props, high-tech lighting and custom-built electrical effects creating the illusion that walls of metal bars and cell doors are electrified in five separate haunted houses in the prison complex.

Festival of the Dead, Salem, Massachusetts

Organized on the site of the legendary 17th century witch hunts, the Festival of the Dead includes scouting a local graveyard for spirits with a team of ghost hunters and an "authentic seance."

Camp Blood, Carrollton, Georgia

A walk through a pine forest will never be the same after a visit to Camp Blood where visitors will encounter those who live near the swamp as well as some chainsaw wielding psychos.

Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

The park has ramped up its Howl-O-Scream event with guests wanting more frightening events. "The Neverafter" is a village dedicated to the macabre where visitors are stalked through two haunted mazes -- Deadtime Stories and Tormented Tales.

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What to see in Changchun, China

Puppet Regime Imperial Palace

Located at northeastern part of Changchun City, the Puppet Regime Imperial Palace covers 120,000 square meters. It was the palace of Puyi, the emperor of Qing Dynasty, who ascended the throne for the third time to become the puppet emperor of the Japanese-created state of Manchukuo. In 1934, the puppet regime was renamed the "Manchu empire" with the reign title of "Kangde." On March 1 of the same year, Pu Yi came to power and made his residence the imperial palace, which was divided into the outer and inner palaces, with the former as the living quarters for Puyi and his family, while the latter was where he conducted his political activities.

Changchun Movie City

Tucked away among green trees by the side of Kuanping Bridge in urban Changchun, the movie city was built in 1987 for movie goers, movie shooting, and recreation. It boasts the Film World and the panoramic cinema, and a new-tech exhibition district. On its 29 hectares of land are arranged a block of Beijing-style courtyard houses, a horse racecourse, a shooting range, an outdoor dance ground, an ancient construction district; a minority ethnic group district composed of buildings in the style of Korean, Mongolian, and Manchu ethnic groups; an entertainment district made up of ancient castles and strange caves, and an ancient animal world; a district providing catering and shopping services; and a sound control center.

Changchun Bore Temple

As the largest temple in Changchun City, Bore Temple was approved by the State Council as a key site under state protection. Off the northeast corner of Changchun's People's Square, an imposing, ancient-Chinese styled gate leads visitors to the Banruo Temple (Banruo si), the biggest Buddhist Temple in Changchun. Bore Temple was built in 1932 and was renamed as Huguo Bore Temple in 1934. It is although not traditionally old (construction only began in 1921), is a perfect example of Buddhist architectural structure. The temple boasts a total space of nearly 15,000 square meters and is filled with beautiful halls and garden settings.

Changchun Cultural Square

As the largest open area in Changchun City, Changchun Cultural Square is located at the center of the city, covering 20.5 hectares. It is the second-largest in the world (after Tian'anmen), and was to be the site of a Japanese palace. The main north-south road runs from the center of Xinminzhu Street to the main building of the square, the central axis line being 420 meters long. In the north is an open-air music forum, with the 10,000-square-meter front square of the main building traversing the east-west main road. The roads are laid with granite stones, creating a natural, solemn and steady impression.

Nanhu Lake Park

Located in the southwest of Changchun City, Nanhu Lake Park covers 220 hectares of land, composed of a lake 93 hectares and 130 acres of surrounding parkland. Being the largest park in Changchun, it was established in 1993. There is an island in the center, with an arch bridge connecting it with the bank, and a pavilion and three bridges. In the park, there are many kinds of trees and shrubs, covering 50 percent of the park, including coniferous trees, broad-leaved trees and fruit trees. During the winter it freezes to a depth of more than a meter and fishermen cut holes in the ice in order to cast their lines.

Jingyue (Clear Moon) Pool Park

The Jingyue (Clear Moon) Pool Park extends 200 square kilometers and located 12 kilometers away from the southeast of Changchun proper. It is famous for its reservoirs and the local people extol Jingyue (Clear Moon) Pool Park in Changchun as "Sparkling Emerald Pearl" and regard it as a "sister" to Taiwan's Riyue Pool. Inside are Jingyue and Yutain towns, the Changchun Cinema City, and 119 mountain peaks. There are 100 square kilometers of cultivated land, 10 square kilometers of forests, and 4.3 square kilometers of water. Jingyue Pool was so named because the pool looks like a crescent moon after a dam was built to retain water.

Changchun Botanical and Zoological Garden

Changchun Botanical and Zoological Garden, with more than 200 kinds of animals and 81 kinds of plants, is home to forest and lawn, a small artificial lake, large lion and tiger mountain, monkey mountain, zebra house, sea horse hall, aviary, medium-sized house for various beasts, amphibious animal house, small snake house, abies holophylla, spruce, white birch and willow. The animal district is located in the east of the garden, with the animal house arranged according to the evolutionary period, exhibiting some 200 kinds of species.

Source: china-tour.cn

Local Sights & Attractions in Coromandel

Mercury Bay

Mercury Bay is an outdoor paradise offering pristine beaches, sportfishing, boating and wilderness treks in the tranquil surroundings of New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula. Included is world famous Hot Water Beach and native kiwi habitat.

Mercury Bay - Historical Museum

The Coromandel Peninsula's most visited museum with exhibits dating from 800-950 AD. Kupe Maori Artifacts, HMS Buffalo (sunk 1840), Kauri and Gum Industries, Dairy Factory, early settlers records and photographic collection. View the 35 minutes video "Twelve Days-Captain James Cook in Mercury Bay".

Coromandel Town - Historic Places

Coromandel has a rich stock of surviving buildings of heritage significances and although 'boom and bust' in nature, gold mining was the dominant industry for 34 years from 1868, and this is reflected in the Register of Historic Places.

Coromandel is now rapidly growing as a popular tourist destination and is know internationally for the production of marine-farmed green lip mussels for the export market.

Although some of the buildings illustrated are open to the public many are private homes. Please respect privacy at places not open to the public and view from the road only. Private residences are marked as such with (Private) by the address.

Coromandel Gold Stamper Battery

Your friendly guides are totally committed enthusiasts who bring this important part of Coromandel's history to life. You will be amazed at the awesome power of water that is used to crush gold-bearing rock into sand. Watch it happen. Experience the life of early New Zealand from a time when these hills pounded to the sound of mining.

Driving Creek Railway

The only narrow gauge mountain railway in New Zealand, Driving Creek Railway is a really wonderful 1hour round trip through beautiful native forest. The railway has taken 27 years to build.

Rapaura Watergardens — Tapu

En route Thames Kuaotunu the Rapaura Watergardens is a perfect place to break your journey. A leisurely walk through native bush brings you to the cascading waterfalls known as "The Seven Stairs to Heaven".

Butterfly and Orchid Garden — Tararu

Just north of Thames is the Butterfly and Orchard Garden. Take the time and enter this little wonder world, full of the most beautiful butterflies. New Zealands first tropcial butterfly and orchard garden.

Icecream Kuaotunu

After a day at the beach, golfing, riding or fishing, it's nice to stop at the Kuaotunu Store for a real Kiwi ice cream. Try the Hokey Pokey.

Waiau Waterworks

Fun for children, even more fun for adults! Where whimsical wonders are worked by water. Bring your togs and have a swim in the swimming hole.

Arts and Crafts

The Coromandel is the home of many wonderful artists and crafts people. A visit to Lloyd Franklin is a must. Lloyd is a brilliant craftsman, making hand forged knives, these knives really sit nicely in the hand. A must for every cook.

Source: kaeppeli

Discos, Music, Dance & Parties in Goa

Famous Goa Bars & Nightclubs

At Calangute, roughly where it creeps into Baga beach, Tito's is Goa's longest-running and most famous bar and nightclub. There are many other bars in the area, but none come close to Tito's. In south Calangute, Club Antoos is a late-night haunt, and there are a couple of chic, new 'Mumbai-style' music bars with discos in Candolim. Further inland, at Saligao, Club Westend is a party place with raves a couple of nights a week.

In a spectacular hilltop location in Arpora, Club Cubana is something different again - a late night bar and club (with swimming pool) where you pay an entry fee and all drinks are free. An Anjuna, Paradiso is undoubtedly Goa's most awesome club - a huge terraced place with several levels overlooking the beach. It attracts top Goan and international DJs.

Goa Nightlife in South Goa

In south Goa, nightclubs are mostly limited to the five-star resort hotels, which all have their own discos, bars and sometimes gaming rooms. As you'd expect, these are mainly frequented by hotel guests - well heeled Indian and foreign tourists - but they're open to any reasonably dressed patron. The Leela Palace and Holiday Inn Resort in Mobor, and the Goa Renaissance Resort and Club Mahindra in Varca are worth checking out, if you're staying in the vicinity.

Panaji also has a couple of nightclubs in the Campal district that are popular with local students.

Music & Dance

Some of the larger hotels and more upmarket restaurants lay on live music, which is usually Western and often good. Goan artistes give surprisingly authentic renditions of Western pop songs and are much in demand as entertainers in other parts of India.

A good place to see local live acts is at the Saturday night markets in Baga and Arpora. Ingo's Saturday Nite Bazaar, between Baga and Anjuna, features everything from rock fusion bands to jazz and Goan folk music.

The best place to catch a performance of Indian classical music and dance is at the Kerkar Art Complex in Calangute every Tuesday evening, or at the Kala Academy in Panaji. The Pop, Beat & Jazz Music Festival, held at the Kala Academy in February is the best opportunity to see performances of all types of music.

Rave Parties in Goa

As much as the average Goan would hate to admit it, one thing that has made this tiny state famous is the all-night, full-moon rave parties that took root here in the hippy days almost 30 years ago. The parties, mostly staged around Anjuna and Vagator, evolved and developed into mainstream events attracting hardcore European and Israeli ravers gyrating to the distinctive Goa Trance. Over the Christmas-New Year period organisers manage to get around the laws banning loud music after 10pm, but at other times the plugs regularly get pulled on parties - much to the relief of the locals.

Cruise the Mandovi by Night

Another thing you could be doing is taking off up the Mandovi on a party cruise. There is music and dancing and food and drink are in the ticket price, and you have lovely views. If you want something a lot quieter and fancier, the super Solita, Sucheta Potnis' luxury yacht, is a lovely way to spend an evening, floating down the quiet Mapusa River past the Salim Ali Sanctuary at Chorao and the villages of Salvador Do Mundo and Brittona. The cruise also takes you down the Mandovi, past the bright lights of Panjim-Miramar on one hand and the quiet beauty of Reis Magos and Aguada on the other.

Source: goa-holidays-and-hotels