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Big, brash, bright and loud, Las Vegas is the undisputed gambling capital of the world. No matter what your feelings are about gambling and big cities, this neon lit, desert monument to the ingenuity of the human race simply has to be seen once in a lifetime.

Although it is popular to flight directly into Las Vegas, driving into the city on interstate 15 highlights what makes this oasis in the desert unique. Its location in the vast Mojave desert can only be grasped from afar. The great basin opens up in front you with the distinctive Vegas skyline rising up from the desert floor. Once the city has a hold of you it does everything in its power to not let you go. Take a stroll down the strip, the main part of Las Vegas boulevard where all of the mega casino resorts are located.

There is so much to see and do in the city besides gambling that you really need a few days there to take it in and even then you will have only scratched the surface. However if you are there on a fleeting visit and only have 2 or 3 days, make sure you get to New York, New York casino and hotel where the famous Empire State Building and the iconic statue of liberty are recreated. Also situated at this resort is a terrifying roof top roller coaster that will have you screaming.

The Egyptian themed Luxor at the north end of the strip is a massive black pyramid guarded by a white Sphinx while the Venetian boats a working replica of the canals and bridges of Venice . Another mind boggling casino hotel is the world famous Caesars Palace, host to many of the world heavyweight boxing championships. These days however you are more likely to see international stars like Celine Dion perform their hits.
The cloak of night lets this desert city come to life. Countless slot machines, roulette wheels and card tables see feverish activity and a staggering amount of cash changes hands. On average every visitor to Vegas leave about $350 lighter.

If gambling doesn’t tickle your fancy there are lots of free attractions to keep you occupied. Top of the list is the extraordinary Freemont street experience in the revamped downtown north of the strip. This pedestrianized street is coverd by a 422 meter long arched canopy that houses more than 2 million coloured lights. These lights put an an amazing animated show for an hour every night at 8pm, much like the amazing light show you see in Hong Kong (view here).

For a good view of the city head up to the unmistakable stratosphere tower. At the top of this 108 story spike is a revolving restaurant and the world`s highest fairground rides, not for the faint hearted. You will either love or hate Vegas but you wont be indifferent and if you fall in love you can always have an Elvis themed wedding for less than $100.
This might be the biggest gamble of all.

For offers to Las Vegas Visit Vegas Baby Vegas!

Check Out The FrEmont Street Experience HERE

Istanbul is a unique part of the world where East meets West and where European culture is fused with Asian culture. You can see examples of this all over the city, from the spicy aromas which come from the Grand Bazaar and the splendid mosques encircling Sultanahmet but then contrastingly when you reach Beyoglu you can shop in some of the West’s most fashionable stores. Crossing the divide is an edifying experience as the clash of Western culture with Eastern culture is suddenly revealed.

The city has evolved greatly during its eventful history and with this its name has changed three times from Byzantium, to Constantinople to its present day name of Istanbul. Istanbul is located along the Bosporus strait off the Sea of Marmara. Because of its location on the frontier of Asia and Europe the city has been a conquest of great civilisations from both the East and West. Throughout its existence the city has been occupied by the Persians, Byzantines, Romans and Ottomans. The has led to the city having many renowned rulers such as the Roman Christian emperor Constantine and the most influential one of all on the city’s present day condition the Ottoman emperor Suleiman the magnificent who ruled from 1520 to 1566.

Suleiman presided over the construction of some of the city finest structures today. The Topkapi palace makes a big impression on every visitor especially when you enter it via the towering Imperial gate beside Hagia Sophia. A walk through the palace offers beautiful views of the Bosporous and the Sea of Marmara as it stretches along an overlooking hill. Seraglio point is situated at the end of the fourth court has the best view of this scenery and believe me you will not regret queuing after you have captured a glimpse of the Mecidiye Pavillion. Don’t forget to see the luxurious underground rooms of the Harem where the sultan’s wives and concubines once resided. The majestic Imperial Treasury is also well worth a glance. If you are an admirer of stonework or simply a fan of Indiana Jones the inscriptions on a series of stone tablets scattered around the first court’s inner wall is worth a look.

The elaborate gardens just outside of Topkapi take you to the remarkable Sultanahmet mosque. Its towering minarets and spectacular domes are a sight to behold. A humbling and calming experience awaits those of you who take your shoes off and enter the mosque’s shaded inner chamber. The mosque is a place of prayer so treat it with respect and obey the signposted rules of prayer times. You will notice as you walk around the mosque’s interior that much of the surface’s tiles are blue and this is why it is known as the blue mosque.

Hagia Sophia is a heavily tiled masterpiece across the square which is a must see for every visitor. This building has evolved from being a church to a mosque to a museum. The building was constructed almost 1500 years ago between 532 and 537 by Byzantine emperor Justinian. It features one of the world’s largest domes and as a result I think it would be a wise move to visit it early in the day to avoid the huge midday crowds.

The Grand Bazaar is a paradise for all of you shopaholics out there. This is a striking forerunner to our modern day shopping malls today. In Istanbul you will notice locals trying to sell you everything from pots to novelty cigarette lighters to intricately woven kilims. However the Grand Bazaar offers a more luxurious shopping experience and is evidence of the city’s rich trading history.

The Suleymaniye mosque lies past the university. This was build by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in 1557. Amazingly the mosque has more than two hundred windows and the interior space is one of the most impressive from all of Istanbul’s enormous compilation of mosques.

The Galata Bridge has a booming street market along with teams of fishermen. Barely a space is to be found along the upper tier as the fishermen try to capture some of the Golden horn’s abundant fish stocks. Cafes, bars and seafood restaurants are to be found along the lower tier. While these businesses ply their trade here it remains a peaceful spot and ideal for quietly observing the ferries sailing along the shores.

The penultimate phase of your trip to Istanbul should include a visit to the imposing Galata tower which was built in the 14th century. A stone stairs and an elevator give you access to its summit where you can enjoy a gorgeous view of the sun going down over the minarets, and soak in the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. A memorable journey is waiting for all who visit. You can visit Istanbul during the 12 months of the year but it is extremely warm during the summer. True to most places the main attractions are quieter and easier to visit earlier in the day. You reach nearly all of the attractions by foot but prepare to get in shape as the city is quite hilly.

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The northern territory of Australia is the wildest part of a mainly wild country. The wilderness up here is untamed and could be as close as you can get to a natural paradise. Kakadu is an amalgam of beautiful wetlands, wild creatures and ancient Aboriginal mythology. The park is vast nearly the same size as Switzerland. As such the best way to see as much of this beautiful park as possible would be to go on a four wheel drive safari around Kakadu.

The park is located a couple of hundred kilometres away from the nearest major city of Darwin but can be accessed easily via the Stuart Highway. The park is situated in the region of the South Alligator river system. The park has largely remained untouched by western civilisation and is a site to behold. It is a humbling experience to witness just some of the 1600 plus plant species, 300 bird species, 5000 Aboriginal rock art sites and the numerous crocodiles which reside in the park. It reminds us that Australia was doing just fine before the arrival of us Europeans on its shores. The park acts as a retreat from our hectic modern day living routines.

Conveniently for us sightseers Kakadu’s infrastructure is excellent. The places in the park are very reachable from the main park road, including the unmissable rock art extravaganza at Nourlangie rock an outlier of the Arnhem Land escarpment. The gallery lies in a succession of caves and shallow rock – shields this huge, flat topped sandstone outcrop. You should follow the trail in reverse and view it from Gunwardewarde lookout first for an improved appreciation of the rocks fantastic location.

Nourlangie rock presents a collection of conserved artworks. These artworks include tales about human creation which aborigines refer to as dreamtime and other ancient paintings dating back as far as 20000 years as well as paintings which were completed as recent as the 1970s. Major importance is awarded to the Anbangbang gallery. Namondjok – one of the human races creation ancestors is painted alongside a strange white skeletal figure – the lightning man otherwise known as Namarrgon upon the base of a boulder overhead.

The most impressive sites are to be found on the four wheel drive safari. Barramundi gorge or Maguk is situated down a lengthy narrow sandy track where emus, kangeroos and staccato-songed kookaburra birds are only a few of the animals on display here. The atmosphere is hot and humid and the revitalizing pools would be worth a dip if it were not for the crocodiles residing in them.

Another lesser known place which is unmarked on maps and largely forgotten by other guidebooks is Graveside Gorge. This is one of the most beautiful places in the world to swim with a two tier waterfall feeding the gorge with lush water. The gorge is encircled by red, rock walls; it can be entered via a gorgeous trail which is decorated with termite mounds which are almost cathedral like in appearance. These plants possess tough palm-like leaves which have a lifespan of up to 2500 years. The toughness of the plants is evidenced by the fact they have already survived two periods of mass extinction on the planet.

There is an alternative to viewing Kakadu from the land. You can boat on Yellow Waters, which is an immaculate wetland forming part of the South Alligator rivers’s flood plain. Sea eagles, jabirus and magpie geese gather on grassy areas while among the mangrove swamps crocodiles lie in waiting. The crocodiles have been around since the dinosaur era and no matter how reassured you were about the safety of your boat you will tense up as they slither by in the surrounding water. There is one certainty to take from your trip to Kakadu and that is it will definitely leave you more in tune with nature.

Darwin is served by many of the commercial airlines such as Quantas and Malaysian airlines. You can get a wealth of information at www.australia.com. Few hotels exist around Kakadu but Odyssey safaris from Darwin run tented camps in the park. Bring plenty of water and sun protection on any hike as the heat here is excessive. Take heath of no swimming warnings as crocodiles are as deadly as they look. If you heath this advice your journey to Kakadu will be an enjoyable one.

Frozen in Jamtland`s winter wonderland, the fir forests, ice lakes and gentle mountains around Klocka make it a little known nirvana for dog sledding. With the chilly temperatures and vigorous activity that come as standard with this amazing activity, it is only fair to treat your tired body to a traditional Swedish sauna and an icy plunge in the plunge pool at the end of the day. Dog sledding is massive fun and be warned the mere sniff of a sled outing is enough to send these beautiful, intelligent and characterful dogs howling a jumping around ready to go.

It is impossible not to admire and be won over by the enthusiasm, strength and good nature of these Huskies. The problem is not teaching these dogs how to pull, its how to teach them to stop. As you wind your way through forests in the winter sun, which never rises very high above the horizon, you will feel the power and exhilaration of being pulled across the snow by your trusty dogs. Temperatures are regularly below freezing so wrap tight.

The scenery around here is breath taking and distant mountains like Sylarna and Bunnerfjallen plunge into lightly fir forested vallies. The dogs love running here and even before the last crumbs of fire toasted sandwich have been devoured, their tails start to wag in anticipation as they stretch their powerful legs. As you return home in the fading afternoon sun, it seems like the pack is at last tuned into the thoughts of just about any novice musher.
Only the lure of a relaxing hot sauna can inspire such breakneck speed on the journey home.

• Klockas dog sledding season runs from Dec – late April depending on conditions

The best views of the Taj Mahal are to be seen across the Yamuna river, and the journey over to the Taj itself is enchanting. The most efficient way to get across is the boat but I would advise any cultural enthusiast to take a cycle rickshaw through the village of Kathchpura as you can feel more immersed in the Indian ambience of the place. This way you will pass the local villagers in their small dwellings going about their daily business such as making roti for lunch a wheat based bread or the children playing their own little games along the streets. You feel as though you have suddenly been absorbed into a whole other world.

Like most of the world best views, the Taj Mahal is best seen at dawn. The Taj reflects the morning colours of misty blue and purplish ping and orange of its white stone walls eventually the Taj take on a blinding white colour in the searing heat of the Indian midday sun. In fact the colour of the Taj seems to transform so I often that I would recommend you visit it many time at different times of the day on different days just to experience the different moods of the Taj depending on the instance you pay visit to it. It is well worth it especially as it is free although you will have to pay to enter inside.

The Taj is in itself an architectural tour de force. The building itself is sat upon a marble podium surrounded by a marble minerats on either side. The minarets lean out slightly which may seem slightly odd but in fact this was a sensible decision by the engineers of the building in order to ensure they do not collapse on the Taj itself if a violent earthquake were to hit the area.

Every face of the Taj has a beautiful enormous arch enscribed with religious writings from the Koran along with beautiful carving of flowers.

The surroundings of the Taj are formal but laid back in a huge garden complex with extravagant pools of water guiding your journey up to it from the main gate. As you enter the Taj may seem close but as you walk towards the Taj you understand the shear scale of the garden complex as it takes you much longer to reach the building than you initially would have estimated.

The Taj would be a perfect place to visit on a honeymoon with its romantic history. It was built originally by the great Emperoror Shah Jahan with the purpose as serving as a sepulchre for his favourite wife – Mumtaz. Many Historians believe he had planned to build a similarly gargantuan structure across from the Taj in Black marble as his own crypt but one can not be sure. However in recent years the remains of ancient gardens have been discovered on the supposed site of where this large dark crypt was supposed to be to support this theory.

Agra is accessible by plane or fast train from new Delhi. If you like your comforts the Amarvilas hotel in Agra is a must with all the views of the Taj you could possible want. If you are on a budget the the streets of Taj Ganj once home to the craftsmen who constructed the Taj offers good cheap accomadation. Other sights to see here include the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri a few hours away and the Fort at Agra itself which also has excellent views of the Taj.

Check out India Holidays from Travel247

I was recently lucky enough to witness the splendour and majesty of the 1.2 billion dollar “Allure of The Seas” sailing from the Everglades in Miami.

The Allure is offering 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise and 7 night Eastern Caribbean voyages for 2011.

Before I speak about the ship I must comment on how easy the entire check in process is. I got to the port about 2.30pm and was in my cabin 45 mins later! My luggage was scanned prior to boarding by very pleasant, friendly security personnel. I queued at the check-in desk for about 15 mins before I was attended to. The check-in procedure was very straight forward and I had the option of taking my luggage to my stateroom or availing of the porter service. I opted to take my baggage with me. Definitely my holiday started once I arrived at the port as all the staff were upbeat and friendly!

ACCOMMODATION

I had an ocean view balcony cabin which was quite spacious. The decor is quite simple; no crazy colours and not over the top – very simple and stylish. The bed, bed linen and pillows are all of the highest quality and I slept like a log for three nights!
All rooms come equipped with a flat screen tv and free movies. All the latest releases and old classics are available. I would say at least 50 movies to choose from. Internet is also available in the staterooms. There is even a docking station to charge and play your Ipod and your mobile phone. The TV will show you all pre-booked entertainment, your meal settings and the charges on your account.

I also had a look at the inside cabins which overlook Central Park. They are equally spacious and the views of the park are impressive. Ideal for people watchers!

DINING
There are 13 complimentary dining choices everything from the “Boardwalk Dog House” serving the tastiest hot dogs to “Johnny Rockets”. There are 11 additional specialty restaurants that you need to pay for.  We dined each evening in the main dining room and I found the food only average; it was quite bland and the choice and presentation is not inspiring On the flip side the food available during the day was very varied and I was spoiled for choice. They even have a a donut shop and  the “Cupcake Cupboard” which offers freshly baked cupcakes!! $2 a cake but they are “melt in the mouth delicious”! This ship also has the first at sea – Starbucks!

ENTERTAINMENT
The Allure has plenty to offer and you really are spoiled for choice! The headline piece is “Chicago” the musical which was excellent. They also have Blue Planet which is an aerial acrobatic show – this was the highlight for me. It was truly jaw dropping! Also available is “Oceanaria” where the audience witness an underwater civilisation come to life! Some of the swimmers involved in this show were past Olympians! Also available is a live comedy club, a jazz bar, ice skating shows, a great nightclub open until 6.00am (I only lasted till 5!!).  In addition there are 13 other bars or lounges to choose from! They even have the “Rising Tide” bar which moves slowly up and down between deck 5 and 8!

Up on deck 14 & 15 you have the pool and sports zone. There are so many sun loungers and all are well placed so you are not on top of your neighbour. There is the most amazing beach pool with a sloped entry area which simulates the ocean shore with lapping waves! Also up on deck is two Flow Riders and the only zip line on any cruise ship.
Reccommend to your clients to have a “Miami Vice” coacktail whiil relaxing in the Caribbean sunshine and listening to a live reggae band  – total heaven!!

DUTY FREE & SHOPPING
EVERYONE bought on board because the prices were so ridiculously low! Some of the shops include Guess (I bought a Guess watch for $90 and priced it online and it was $250!!) and Coach stocking stylish wallets, handbags, jewellery and shoes. I was told that you could save up to 60% on high street prices!

OVERALL
This ship is ENORMOUS but I have to say it has a very personal feel to it. The ship can  accommodate over 6000 passengers and on my voyage we had close to 4000. The ship never felt busy and you always felt like there was only a few hundred on board. There is lots for kids to do and it’s families I would recommend for this ship. There is a carousel, the flowrider, mini golf,  H2O Zone, rock climbing wall, zip line, youth programmes for kids 3 to 11 and for teens 12 to 17. There is a kid’s arcade, ocean theatre, teen only night club and much more. Allure have teamed up with Dreamworks Animation so kids get to meet characters from Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda up close and personal during a spectacular parade along the Royal Promenade. There were hundreds of kids on board and they seemed to love the experience, children will not get bored on this vessel!

The ship has two main areas; The Central Park which is the first “living park” at sea! It’s quite surreal because during the day you hear the sound effects of birds singing and at night you have the sound effects of crickets and owls!! Central Park is very tranquil and beautifully designed, it’s also home to many of the specialty restaurants. It’s very romantic at night and ideal for couples!
The other area is the Boardwalk with it’s own handcrafted carousel, two rocking climbing walls and lots of dining choices.

The ship literally has everything, you can even get Botox injections in their “Vitality at Sea Spa”!   It is a stunning piece of workmanship and with only 7 nights itineraries available you will be hard pressed to see even 50% of what this ship has to offer.

There is nowhere in the world that offers the array of shopping opportunities that New York City does! Here in Ireland with an economic recession hanging over us, consumer confidence at an all time low, overpriced electrical goods and clothes and every euro buying you nearly $1.60 shopping in New York is better than ever! There is no better time to take a City Breaks to the city that never sleeps.

The most popular option is a four-day weekend but it’s best to arrive prepared.

Decide where you want to shop in advance and make sure your hotel is well positioned. The more chic, smaller hotels are found Downtown (below 14th Street) but as you won’t be spending much time in it, base yourself in a large, cheaper hotel in Midtown, so you’ll be within walking distance of the big department stores on Fifth Avenue.

Remember too, cabs are relatively cheap. An average trip from Midtown to Downtown will cost around $10 so you can zoom between shops all over Manhattan for the price of two large Starbucks coffees.

Even with the cold wind blowing New York City is transformed into a winter wonderland — from the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre to the Christmas window displays at Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, there are endless Christmas sights to enjoy during the holiday season in New York City. Start your Christmas adventure and book Cheap Flights online.

For guys the best place to go for gadgets is the “Apple Store”. There are two iPod emporiums in New York, one in Soho (103 Prince Street, 212 226 3126; www.apple.com) and one on Fifth Avenue (767 Fifth Avenue, 212 336 1440) where a giant glass cube covers the elevator that takes you down to the underground store.

Save yourself a mint and get that Christmas iPod stateside!

Avoid Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s and head to New York’s chicest department store, Barney’s (660 Madison Avenue, 212 826 8900). Here the store’s own label, which makes excellent classics, is currently on sale. Saks Fifth Avenue is also a good place to head to for mid-season sales – much of its clothing collections are usually 40% off. Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue; 212 753 7300) is second to none for cosmetics.

If it’s high street you’re after there are two chains to make a beeline for, mainly because we don’t have them in the Ireland: Banana Republic (a higher-end version of Gap; www.bananarepublic.com) and Club Monaco (Prada look-alike clothes at high-street prices; www.clubmonaco.com). Store locations are dotted around the city.

Woodbury Common is a discount shopping “mall” about an hour north of the city (498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley, 845 928 4000; www.premiumoutlets.com), with factory outlets and designer discount stores selling past-season clothes. The “village” consists of 220 stores including MaxMara, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Fendi and Gucci, all selling clothes at clearance prices. New Yorkers don’t like to pay full price for anything, no matter how rich they are and fans of the outlet refuse to buy clothes anywhere else. Be prepared to rummage.

A good one-stop shop for make-up is Sephora, which has 11 branches over the city and is set up like a supermarket with each aisle devoted to one brand. Stock up on American products such as Bliss Spa, Laura Mercier, Mac and Benefit – the cult product Benetint is half the price it is here!

With Christmas literally around the corner we have an offer for 4 nights stay including flights & Accommodation, Ex Dublin. Click Here for Details.

Price Fr.€942

Happy shopping!

With so many world-known attractions, famous museums and skyscrapers there is always plenty to do in New York. However, sightseeing in New York City with children might not be the easiest or the cheapest thing to do. Here are some great places to take your kids that won’t cost the earth.
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
This museum is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world and is a great place to introduce and explain to children the meaning and purpose of art. Audio guides designed for children are available as well as a free family activity guides. Admission and guides are free however some guides require reservations so book before you go.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is popular with school groups and tourists up to the age of 8 years and offers interactive, educational and ‘hands on’ activities. Admission prices start from $7 per child, admission for children under 1 is free.

Central Park Zoo
A visit to the zoo is ideal for animal lovers who want a taste of wildlife in New York. The Tisch Children’s Zoo offers visitors a variety of interactive activities for children including being able to pet the animals, climbing activities and entertaining performances. Admission prices cover entrance to both zoos and prices start from $7 per child. Under 3’s get free entry.
Central Park Heckscher Playground
For fun when it’s a little warmer, visit the oldest playground in Central Park. Children of all ages can enjoy this restored playground that includes large sandboxes, watery canals and fun climbable rocks free of charge.

Central Park Ice Skating
If you’re visiting in winter, ice skating at the Lasker and Wollman rinks is a fun activity suitable for children over 4 years. . These famous rinks, featured in countless movies are very popular and a memorable way to spend an afternoon. Prices start from $5.50 per child.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This colourful, memorable parade takes place annually and features marching bands and the balloons of every popular character from children’s’ television programmes while employees parade in fancy dress. This is a three-hour event that is held on Thanksgiving Day.

If you are planning a trip to the Big Apple with children, be sure to look for the best deals on hotels in New York and make sure it is family-friendly or alternatively, look around for hostels and cheaper accommodation on offer.

Written by Rebecca Kelly of Simonseeks.com.

Links:

best deals on hotels in New York to http://www.simonseeks.com/accommodation/hotels/united-states/new-york/new-york-city

Simonseeks.com to http://www.simonseeks.com

Today Shandon Travel is launching its brand new BeaconSouthAmerica website. Our new site is dedicated to providing the best service, price an knowledge when it comes to Travel and Holidays in South America. Our dedicated staff in our South America department are all very well travelled and have a vast knowledge on destinations throughout South, Central America and Cuba, and are on hand to put together a personalised, tailormade holiday for you.

The intineraries in our tailor made section of the site are all itineraries that our staff have put together for customers in the past. Although you can do any of these exact intineraries they are only a guide, Our staff can tailormake any itinerary to suit you.

Travel to South America is an experience like no other, this continent is truly amazing. From barron deserts and lush tropical forests to bustling cities and glacial cover mountains there something for everyone.

At Beacon we offer a very personalised service and truly love what we do. We want to share our experience with you and and put together a holiday that really shows you how beautiful this continent really is, a holiday that you will remember forever.

On our new site, we dont only give you itineraries and offers, our new site will bring you on a journey through this wonderful continent. Check out our videos and useful info on each destination under “Helpful Info” section on each country. See the tour around the different countries on the homepage and marvel at some of the amazing pictures on each tailor made itinerary and Group tour. Visit www.BeaconSouthAmerica.com

We hope that you will enjoy our new site and that you find something that will spark your imagination and bring this amazing continent to life.

As I had extended my stay in Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia I was now under pressure to get to Airlie Beach. Queensland. This was the embarkation point for my three nights sailing the Whitsunday Islands. I boarded a Greyhound bus in Cairns, Queensland for an eleven hour journey southwards along the Bruce highway. This was to be my first experience of the long distances in Australia holidays. I was excited by the challenge but also had to do it to get to Airlie beach on time. I very quickly realised that the bus driver was very tired of the happy travellers smiling at him as we handed over our tickets. He barked the same instructions to every passenger about not standing over the white line, sitting in the seat allocated & to drink only water. We weren’t ten minutes into the journey when the AC broke down. The driver & a garage tried to fix it & because of schedules our diver was irate decided to keep going without AC in 34 degrees Celsius. I think I was delirious by the time I got to Airlie Beach however, the sight that greeted me when I stepped off the coach was a horseshoe-shaped, sandy beach backed by palm trees swaying in the wind, while the full moon shimmered on the water. I was transfixed again by nature & could see the funny side to my coach trip plus I knew my fiends would get a great kick out of me regaling them about what had happened.
The next morning I boarded the Pacific Sunrise, which is a 33 metre restored Fijian Trader which is elegant with plenty of spots to get away for a bit of solitude. She only takes 17 passengers with five crew including the owner Dan.
The food was of a very high standard, the drinks well priced & we all dined together around a communal table. There was a French couple on honeymoon, a Welsh Family, an English couple celebrating their 30th Wedding anniversary, Australians seeing part of their own country for the first time & myself the solo traveler. Everybody mixed well & we had fun after dinner sitting on deck under the moon-lit night sky.
We did a bush walk on Whitsunday Island & climbed high to get a stunning view of Whitehaven beach. We spent the afternoon playing rounders on the fine, dazzling white sand which is 98% pure silica. It’s pure beach lovers paradise!
The Whitsundays are fringed by the Great Barrier Reef & they took us to some special spots for snorkeling of course followed by more food. Here I was introduced to Tim Tams & of course I was hooked!

We spent the rest of our time sailing around many of the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays. The skipper would bring out the charts & show us his plot for the following day. On the last night the wind whipped up & as the seas became rougher I felt very rough. Much as I love the water & boats it turns out I don’t have sea-legs!
As the Pacific Sunrise cut her way through the waves back into Airlie beach we raced with some of the other boats that sail around the Whitsundays.

We all said our goodbyes & promised to keep in touch which of course we have not, I boarded another coach which was bound for Hervey Bay & I couldn’t help wondering what kind of personality this driver would have….

Click Travel Australia for more information