When choosing a holiday destination, a number of things are taken into consideration: the amount of money you’re ready to spend, the free time you have and the time of the year when this trip will take place. These are, as it always turns out the night before departure, the easy questions – it’s the hard ones that make you crazy: how much clothes and sunscreen to take with you, do you need another pair of shoes, should you buy another bathing suit. But, when it comes to picking which exotic island you wish to visit, pay attention to its history, geographic location, climate, local customs and activities to enjoy. Here are some details concerning the very beautiful and exciting island of Koh Samui.

Location

Over the course of the past several years, this island has gained much popularity and has been attracting a constantly rising number of tourists every year. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise knowing how exotic and cared for it really is, but also bearing in mind that its unique location has a lot to do with this rise of attraction. Being on the eastern coast of Thailand’s Malay Peninsula, Koh Samui is this country’s second biggest island, but its population of about 63 thousand is drastically outnumbered by the annual arrival of tourists which surpasses one and a half million every year. What most of them find extremely interesting are not just the sandy beaches, corals, coconut and palm trees, but also the island’s central part – this tropical jungle hasn’t been fully explored yet and therefore attracts those of more adventurous spirit who aren’t satisfied with being on the beach the whole time.

History and Climate

Even though it has been inhabited for over a thousand years and present on world maps since the 17^th century, Koh Samui hasn’t gained international notice until quite recently. Only in the past several decades has it been connected to the aforementioned peninsula and, due to established roads, can it see economic prosperity, positive changes in the cultural and environment spheres. Much of the island’s fame within international tourism today is owed to the warm climate that is present all year long. With only one dry month, Koh Samui is, despite being in a predominantly tropical monsoon climate region, relatively dry and much more pleasant than the rest of the country. Moreover, the temperatures are always between 29 and 33°C, so it’s actually possible for those who rent a place in paradise to spend the entire day on the beach.

Activities

Speaking of the beach, here is the fun part about Koh Samui – the activities you can enjoy on this beautiful island. First of all, there is the standard offer present in all similar places worldwide – swimming, diving, snorkeling, deep sea exploration around the coral reefs, jet skiing, etc. – but have in mind that it’s the environment and surroundings that separate this place from all the others. It’s not too hot nor is it too humid, so the conditions for a full day in the sea are quite perfect. However, for those who are into something else, there is the already mentioned exploration of the jungle in the central region of the island, with hiking, climbing and mountaineering. Finally, if you are in the festive mood and want a bigger celebration, there are several festivals held in Koh Samui and they cover different ranges of activities, from buffalo fighting and parading, to sailing and triathlon and even cultural and art activities.

Finally

Thailand has been in the top ten tourist destinations for the past several years on the global level and actually a runner-up in the Asia and Pacific region, right after China. Many of its visitors spend time in Koh Samui and have a strong tendency to return to this “paradise island” soon after leaving and relive the days of fun and games in a great climate.

Are you interested in experiencing something truly amazing next summer?

When most people go on holiday they usually end up doing the same boring thing year after year, which involves visiting a traditional tourist destination and spending their time sitting around a swimming pool all day.

You don’t have to keep repeating the same process on a constant basis because there are a whole world of opportunities ready for you to explore.

Sailing Around The Croatian Islands

Sailing around the beautiful Croatian islands has become a lot more popular in recent years and it’s showing no sign of declining.

Part of the reason is because people want to experience it again, but they also get the word out and it attracts a new crowd hoping to relish in the delights each island has to offer.

Sailing from island to island offers so much because each of the islands contains its own special qualities. We’re going to look into the top 5 islands you’ll experience and we will talk about what makes each one stand out.

Brac

Brac is known for its great food and along with traditional Dalmatian dishes they also have a lot of unique culinary dishes you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a food lover’s paradise and after eating in a few restaurants you won’t want to leave.

One dish in particular that is always appreciated is the Brac lamb. The reason it tastes so good is because the lambs haven’t yet had a chance to taste grass. They are served up after only being fed by their mother’s milk and if you look into this it dates back to ancient times.

Hvar

The island of Hvar is rich in history dating back thousands of years. As you’re exploring you can’t afford to miss visiting the Stari Grad plain. It’s a land division so well-preserved it’s been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the olden days there were violent clashes breaking out all over the place, so you’ll get to see the walls and fortifications the local inhabitants built as a defense system to keep them safe from the dangerous uprisings that were occurring during the 16th century.

Losinj

The natural environment on Losinj is only something you can appreciate when you see it with your own eyes. It boasts thick pine forests that have been around for centuries. If you want to do something a little more exerting you can follow the walking trails while trying to see how many of the 1200 plant species you can spot.

The air quality will refresh your lungs and the waters surrounding the island are extremely clean. They’re trying their hardest to protect anything from compromising the delightful natural resources you’ll get to encounter on your trip.

Mljet

You can’t go on holiday without relaxing over a few drinks at night. Mljet might be the perfect place to do it because the wine from the local vineyards tastes great. Even if you’re a wine connoisseur you won’t leave disappointed.

It’s said the island still probably looks the same as it did when Odysseus arrived on the shores thousands of years ago, so as well as drinking the wine you’ll want to make sure you take a stroll through some of the many vineyards scattered around.

Rab

A holiday is never complete without a trip to the beach and you won’t need to go far to find a luscious beach you’ll have all to yourself. It’s the best place to go swimming as the sea surrounding the island is as clean as can be.

Sandy coves are scattered all over the place, but if you don’t just want to lie down to catch a tan you can visit some of the rocky and pebble beaches too. There is even a nudist beach on the island for those interested in something wilder.

You Won’t Regret Your Trip!

Try to find someone who didn’t enjoy sailing around the Croatian islands and you’ll be looking for a while. If you do decide to try something out of the ordinary you’ll treasure your memories forever.

Right now is the best time to go because the islands are going to get even busier in the future and it’s always better to stay ahead of the curve. There is also plenty more to see, but I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the main features each island has to offer.

Tahiti is a heaven on earth located in the South Pacific and it is the largest island of 118 others that make up French Polynesia. Tahiti and the islands in its vicinity are referred to as the Society Islands which include Tahiti, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine and Moorea. French Polynesia also goes by the name of Tahiti and its black and white sand beaches are the closest you will ever be to paradise, at least in this life. Apart from the pure enjoment of the nature and culture of the archipelago, the Society Islands offer a number of activities you can take part in.

Tahiti

The capital of Tahiti is Papeete and it is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful beaches. The main beach in Papeete is the Bain Lot Beach. The waves of this area are an interesting phenomenon, as they break in both directions due to steep shores and underwater currents. This is why it is also called the ‘ins and outs’ beach. Here you can enjoy golfing right next to the shoreline and a variety of water sports too, such as swimming, sail boarding, snorkeling and more.

Bora Bora

The island of Bora Bora is located 230 miles northwest of Papeete and is famous for its incredibly wonderful white sand beaches. One of them is Matira Beach, which is about 1.5 miles long and it is the best public beach in Bora Bora. It is excellent for swimming or just enjoying the vivid colors of your surroundings. Some of the other heavenly beaches on the island are locations for luxurious Bora Bora resorts, which offer glorious holiday experiences such as staying in magical overwater bungalows.

Huanine Nui and Huahine Iti

These islands may have the most beautiful beaches and beach resorts in all of Tahiti. They are connected by a small bridge and surrounded by a coral reef. Avea Beach is one of the most extraordinary resort beaches in Huanine. Imagine yourself swimming in a lagoon with trees hanging above you as you float carelessly all day long. It is suitable for swimming at any tide and stretches to the coral reef which is a perfectly safe location for snorkeling.

Raiatea

The name of this island literally translates into bright sky. Its beach resorts and spas are also worthy of a visit, especially if you want to vacation in style. There are not many long stretches of sand on Raiatea, but you could explore its nature and find perfect little spots under the bright sky for yourself and your loved ones. Raitea is also believed to be the birthplace of Polynesia, which can be seen by the remains of many temples and holy places. You can explore its jungles or its shoreline and one thing is certain, you will not be disappointed.

Moorea

Moorea is located 11 miles northwest of Tahiti and  that is why it is very convenient to visit it from Papeete. It is considered to be the most beautiful island in the whole world and an attractive destination for young newlywed couples as well. Its stunning nature and the fact that it is shaped like a heart are pretty strong reasons to spend your honeymoon on Moorea, wouldn’t you agree? One of its lovely beaches is called Temae Plage Publique and it is a continuous stretch of white sand with a stunning view overlooking Tahiti and the lagoon. Other than swimming, you can also enjoy various other activities such as surfing, diving or snorkeling. If you don’t enjoy water sports, you can always go hiking or horseback riding.

Tahiti is definitely a paradise on earth and it is waiting for you to discover and experience its amazing scenery, beaches and people. See you in heaven!

Where is Point Nepean?

Point Nepean marks the southern point of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula and the eastern entrance to Port Phillip Bay. It has a rich history and played an important role in shaping the early settlement, quarantine and defence of Victoria.

My family and I had a recent power-break weekend away where we stayed at the very comfortable Oceanic Apartments in Sorrento and spent the Sunday exploring Point Nepean. We were extremely fortunate with the weather given it is still winter but the sun did shine and only a gentle breeze meant it was very pleasant walking weather.

We parked the car near Gunners Cottage and walked from Point Nepean Cemetery, Observation Point, Cheviot Hill Stop to Fort Pearce where we boarded the bus to the Fort Nepean. (Our feet had had enough walking!). We passed pristine beaches (above) and reminders of the war history of the area (below). The sign on the gate is a warning for unexploded bombs beyond!

We spent a good hour at Fort Nepean exploring the military forts and tunnels and the photo below is showing the very tip of the peninsula, the heads (opening to Port Phillip Bay) out to Point Lonsdale in the distance.

Lonely Planet East Coast Australia (Travel Guide)

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Point Nepean

One Great Reason to Visit Point Nepean

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the stunning views across the bay to Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and the heads.

Point Nepean by Cycle Atlas

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Official Point Nepean National Park