Mag Park

Posts Tagged ‘tropical’

Magpark – Hawaii is the most recent of the 50 US states and is the only state made up entirely of islands. It occupies most of an archipelago (series of islands) in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental US, southeast of Japan and northeast of Australia. Hawaii’s natural beauty, warm tropical climate, inviting waters and waves and active volcanoes make it a popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists and volcanologists alike. Due to its location in the mid-Pacific, Hawaii has North American and Asian influences along with its vibrant native culture. It has over 1 million permanent residents along with many visitors and military personnel. Its capital is Honolulu on the island of O’ahu.

Here is a breakdown of the major islands and their nicknames:

Hawaii – The Big Island

Maui – The Valley Isle

Kaho’olawe – The Target Isle

Lana’I – The Pineapple Isle

Moloka’I – The Friendly Isle

O’ahu – The Gathering Place

Kaua’I – The Garden Isle

Ni’ihau – The Forbidden Isle

As it is a major tourist and mid-Pacific stopover point, Hawaii tends to suffer from some of the same tourist attraction clichs as other major vacation spots. If you aren’t interested in the grass skirts and flower garlands then there may be a few other ways to spend your time exploring the natural beauty of the islands.

If you are interested in hiking, Kauai has an awesome canyon – Waimea Canyon accessible from the south of the island. On the north shore there is a hiking trail along the Napali Cliffs. And if you do go to the Kauai north shore, the Kileaua lighthouse is an amazing spot to witness the Hawaiian seabirds, Pacific seals and rugged ocean scenery. The best hike on the big island is the Ka-hau-a-Le’a Trail. It’s a tough trek through rainforest that ends abruptly as you encounter a lava-damaged space. This is a glimpse of the active volcano from a side that most people never see. Be warned though, that the road that leads to the trailhead is treacherous and it is not recommended that you leave your vehicle unsecured.

Bird-watching in general is an excellent pursuit if you happen to have access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle and are willing to put some mileage on your boots. Haleakala on Maui has an amazing old-growth with flowering trees just before the summit. It is easily accessible and there are tons of bright native birds in colorful foliage. Haleakala is not just the volcano summit or a bicycle coast downhill – there are a number of supernatural sights to appreciate for just a few more steps around the bend.

If hitting the links is your thing, a cross section of golf facilities is located in Central Maui, from exclusive golf clubs and spas to the basic county-run municipal course. On the road to Hana, in Spreckelsville, is the Maui Country Club, the only private country club on the island. It is open for play seven days per week but the public can play only on Mondays. Walking is allowed. This course is the oldest golf facility on Maui. It opened for play in 1925, and has nine holes, so it is played twice and is very well maintained.

Some other recommendations include:

Travelling to Volcano National Park where every evening a host of people (tourists and locals alike) will trek across the lava field to watch the lava glow at dusk.

Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay — It cannot be reached via road, so you need to take one of the boat tours to get there. This is on the west coast not far south of Alii Drive.

The Kona Brewing Co. has the best pizza on the island and home-brews their beer (this is in Kailua-Kona).

The waterfalls in and around Hilo are a sight to see, especially if there has been recent rainfall.

The islands of Hawaii are home to a large population of people. If none of these ideas strike your fancy, you could always try asking one of the locals what they like to do – maybe a day at the beach shucking clams isn’t such a bad idea? Often the point of an exercise isn’t so much what you do as who you do it with, so making some local friends will definitely improve your options! In a setting as glorious as the Hawaiian Islands, anything off the beaten trail is likely to be more beautiful than any average day in the city.

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Magpark – You know that Jamaica is an island in the Greater Antilles. It is 234 kilometers long and 80 kilometers at its widest point. It lies in the Caribbean about 150 kilometers south of Cuba. It is named by the Arawakan-speaking Taino inhabitants, meaning the “Land of Wood and Water,” or the “Land of Springs.”

Regardless of when you visit, the tropical climate and warm temperatures of Jamaica essentially guarantee beautiful weather during your vacation. The average temperatures in Jamaica range between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August are the hottest months and February the coolest. Temperatures in Jamaica generally vary approximately 10 degrees from summer to winter. As Jamaica is a relatively small island, it is surrounded by lush tropical beaches on all sides. This makes it one of the most popular tourist and vacation destinations in the world.

Doctor’s Cave Beach was named for a physician who donated his beach property to form a swim club; the property was once accessible via a cave that was later destroyed by a hurricane. It’s a place full of history, not the least because this is the strip of sand that helped put Montego Bay on the international tourist map. The beach is located in the heart of MoBay and maintained by the Doctor’s Cave Beach Club, a membership club that charges an admission fee for use of the beach. It’s a small price to pay, however, for access to a great beach that’s right off Gloucester Avenue with a new clubhouse with changing facilities, the Groovy Grouper beach bar, and other amenities.

If it’s a deserted beach you have in mind for your Jamaican vacation, Treasure Beach is the place to go. This south coast beach community, known as much for fishing and farming than tourism, offers a great opportunity to mingle with ‘real’ Jamaicans far from the tourist hordes. Try Jake’s Hotel, which is part of the Island Outpost chain and located oceanfront. Expect to find unpopulated sands, private coves, and laid-back resorts, dining and nightclubs.

The longest beach in Jamaica remains one of the island’s best. First developed in the 1960s, Seven Mile Beach is lined with resorts but maintains a touch of its free-love spirit with a number of designated areas for nude sunbathing, including at the Hedonism II resort. Harassment by vendors selling everything from hair-braiding to marijuana can be a negative at this beach, however.

If you’re in Montego Bay and looking for a more sedate beach experience than you’ll find downtown, head east to Rose Hall Beach. If you’re staying at one of the luxury beachfront resorts here, such as the Iberostar, Half Moon, the Hilton Rose Hall, or the Ritz-Carlton, then this glorious strip of sand is right outside your doorway. If not, you can access this strand at the Rose Hall Beach Club, which has a restaurant, beach bar, and live entertainment, among other amenities.

Boston Bay Beach, located in the somewhat faded tourist town of Port Antonio, is known for having some of the best jerk stands and surfing in the country. The beach is frequently by locals and tourists alike.

If you are looking for that terrific swim, you will find it in Port Antonio at Blue Lagoon. Lie out in the sun on one of the floating docks and get good and hot. Then dip into the cool, spring-fed waters and enjoy the swim.

If you are in the area of Runaway Bay, check out Puerto Seco Beach, which looks out on Discovery Bay. Its name means “dry port,” and it was purportedly so named by Christopher Columbus, who came to the island in search of fresh water but found none.

Surfers love Boston Beach where equipment is plentiful. The beach of Long Bay are said to offer the most consistent waves on the southwest coast. Swimmers should be careful as the current may be strong.

For families with young children there are several beaches in Jamaica known for their gentle waters that lack the strong currents and undertows found in other areas. This makes swimming safer. Among the best of these are the Walter Fletcher Beach in Montego Bay, San San Beach and Blue Lagoon Beach in Port Antonio and Dunn’s River Beach, located in Ocho Rios.

Jamaica is a lovely island nation with approximately 200 miles of beaches. There are beaches to suit every taste, ranging from family oriented to nude sun bathing. They are peaceful, natural surroundings with pristine white sands and full service from the resorts. There are beaches perfect for active water sports and others known for their active social scene. Planning will help make the best choice. Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses and tanning lotion as it is always sunny in Jamaica!

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