Bali Travel Article: Beach life in Bali is pure fun in the sun

As the temperature gets chillier in many Northern Hemisphere countries, tropical destinations such as Bali seem all the more attractive. With their bona fide friendly nature and ingenious for hospitality, the Balinese make the island an even more popular destination to beachcombers in search of sun, sand and surf.

Bali also has a variety of beach options to suit every kind of traveler. There are the popular surf spots of Kuta and Legian, the luxurious and private shores of Nusa Dua, the chic and romantic Seminyak beach and the beautifully serene locale of Sanur.

Says seasoned traveler Ganesh Manickavasagar, Director of D’Casting Company, “Bali is one of those locations where you really feel an affinity with the environment. The picturesque beaches, charming people and traditional culture combine together to create a unique experience that really is unmatched by other tropical destinations.”

With its clean break waves and lengthy golden shore, Kuta has been a favourite among surfers since the 1970s. These days, the area is something of a tourist Mecca, offering a prime nightlife and entertainment scene in addition to its vast Array of beach activities and hotels. The area is also brimming with shopping options, with everything from branded luxury clothes and accessories to bohemian beach wear.

The Kuta town and surrounding suburbs are suitable for all types of tourists including seasoned solo surfers, young groups of friends, couples and families. It is an epicenter for surf, sun and fun – but not necessarily peace and quiet. There are number of great hotel options around Kuta beach and the suburbs of Legian such as Santika Beach Hotel, The Rani Hotel and Spa and Legian Beach Hotel.

“Bali is my favorite holiday spot. I’m from Sydney and love surfing back home but Bali has a different, more laid back feel. I love the food, the people and Balinese culture. Also, you cannot get a beach massage Balinese style at such a cheap price back home; they’re sublime!” says frequent Bali traveler and customer service manager, Natalie Brooks.

Not far from Kuta town is the trendy Seminyak beach. Quickly earning a reputation for being a sleek, boutique hotspot, Seminyak has a first-rate swimming beach and a number of designer accommodation and fine dining options. The Resor Seminyak Resort & Spa or the opulent Oberoi Hotel can be good options among the top group.

The luxurious beach cove of Nusa Dua is a favorite among those traveling to Bali, because of its calm, tranquil atmosphere and inviting turquoise waters. It is a perfect place for romancing honeymooners but also for those with a passion for underwater life – there are good diving and snorkeling spots to be found in this area.

Closer to Denpasar, the quiet beach of Sanur is a pleasant alternative to the highly developed and more popular beach spots of Bali. Everything at Sanur moves at a leisurely pace, and guests can experience a more traditional Bali, with local fishermen bringing in their catch of the day and the soothing sounds of the nearby temple, offering a unique atmosphere.

Things to Do for Easter

Introduction.

The period of Easter is a particularly joyous one in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere. This time of year usually marks the end of the dreary winter, with the budding of new flora, and emergence of fauna from their hibernation. Man is not left out of this sense of renewal. Men, women and children change their outdoor clothes, from the heavy suffocating wool to the lighter linen and cotton. Easter is that time of year when children stream out of the front door squealing, squalling and running round the garden. The more enterprising ones among them bring out their bicycles and pedal down the street, calling on their neighborhood friends to come out and play.

Preparation for Easter

One of the novel traditions of Easter in the West, apart from the religious ceremonies that attend this period, is the Easter egg Hunt. A few days before Eater day, there is a general cleaning out of both the home and the barn. Piles of disused furniture and equipment, used clothes and rags, are brought out to be sent to the incinerators. The house frontage and garden are given a face lift. Dead leaves flowers and twigs which had survived winter are raked, pilled up and burned. Inside the home, shuttered windows are opened to let in fresh air. The living room really comes alive. The floor is vacuumed clean, the chairs tables and other furniture given a shine and polish.

Special Meals for Easter

The kitchen takes on a life of its own. Special meals are usually prepared for Easter day. In most countries of Europe and North America a major component of any special Easter meal is the ubiquitous chicken egg. In traditional Christian homes, the previous forty days before Easter had been a period of deprivation and austerity in protein consumption. The period of Lent is usually one of fasting with the conspicuous absence of animal protein like beef in the meals served during the Lenten forty days. Maybe to make up for the shortfall in protein intake, while at the same time avoiding any food containing blood, the bloodless chicken egg comes in handy. All kinds of menus containing eggs are presented on the dining table.

Easter egg Hunts.

The Easter egg is a dyed or decorated egg, traditionally associated with Easter. The decorated Easter egg first started as a simple art of just painting a boiled chicken egg with red color. The preparation of the Easter egg has gone through a lot of metamorphoses to now include an elaborate process, which include embedding of sweets into egg shaped candy. Easter egg hunts have become a major part of Eater Monday celebrations in North America, Europe and some far-flung places like Australia and New Zealand. The British, who colonized these last two places as outposts of their now moribund empire, took their tradition along with them.

The Easter egg hunt is one such tradition. On Easter evening the lady of the house, prepares her brightly colored eggs a few days to Easter, or maybe just got them off the shelf in a grocery store. She then packages them in foil or other suitable wrappers. Off to the garden she goes to hide them in some shrubs or under her rose bushes, while her kids are asleep. The following morning the children of the house and their invited friends go in search of the precious eggs. The more you find, the more you eat or keep. For more Easter articles, supplies and products go to

http://www.religious-easter-service-supplies.com/

Visit the Australian East Coast: Melbourne, Sydney Brisbane

Sydney: the stunning city on water

Sydney has so much to offer from the breathtaking Blue Mountains to popular hang out Bondi Beach. Sydney city centre is cosmopolitan and has many attractions including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. This is one of the most attractive cities in the world.

Transport: how to get there and around:

There are direct flights to Sydney from many international destinations. Sydney airport is serviced by 40 airlines including British Airways, Qantas and Virgin.

Once in the city you can enjoy getting around on the easy to navigate bus and rail system. If you prefer to drive, it is cost effective to hire a car, the roads are clearly signed.

Weather: the seasons of Sydney

The climate in Sydney is mild throughout the year. The seasons are: Summer December to February, Autumn March to May, Winter June to August and Spring March to May.

The seasons are opposite to the northern hemisphere making Sydney a great get away from the cold weather.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Sydney.

Attractions & Events: best attractions in Sydney

• The Annual Road Bash from the Variety Club starts on the 5 August 2007 from Garden Island.

• Lyric Theatre at Darling Harbour is showing the iconic Musical Priscilla the Queen of the Desert

• Winter season begins at The Sydney Opera House see www.sydneyoperahouse.com for more information.

• For equestrian lovers, there is an amazing show at the Horseworld Stadium every weekend called El Caballo Blanco, with choreographed horses.

Melbourne: city of culture and lifestyle

Melbourne is the city for living, it has fabulous art galleries, shopping, bars, restaurants, live entertainment and plenty of culture. World famous sporting events are held here – The Melbourne Cup horse race and the Grand Prix.

Melbourne has an international airport which serves direct flights from many major cities. Navigating the city is straight forward with a choice of rental car, bus and taxi. There is also a tram network which is an attraction in itself.

There is wide range of hotels in Melbourne to choose from, all budgets are catered for. A useful information point for accommodation and attractions is the Travellers Information Desk in the arrivals lounge at International Airport.

Melbourne is a great place to explore, the city is set on River Yarra and is only a few hours drive away from Victorian Alps visited in winter for skiing.

Brisbane: beautiful, tropical climate

Brisbane is relaxed and friendly and a wonderful place to visit all year round due to fantastic weather. The summers are long and hot and the winters mild, perfect climate to enjoy some of the best beaches in Australia and the world.

Getting to Brisbane is easy with the domestic and international airport. The city and airport are accessible by train, shuttle bus and taxi. Another city nestled on a river, you can take a relaxing trip on the Brisbane River ferry to tour the sights.

You can find plenty of accommodation within Brisbane and surrounding areas. hotels in Brisbane cater for all tastes and budgets. From the North to the South of Brisbane there is a stretch of beautiful coastline attracting plenty of holiday makers. As well as the beach, there are small islands for visitors to explore.

For a fun filled day out be sure to hop on a shuttle bus to one of the cities famous theme parks. Brisbane is proud to give you Steve Irwin’s Zoo, Dreamworld, Seaworld, Movieworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild and much more.