Travel and Leisure Articles

When it comes to sailing, there are all kinds of things to learn how to do. How you go about learning will depend on your particular style. For example, I am not patient enough to take classes, and have always relied more on the written word and on-the-water trial and error than on more formal modes of instruction. Here are examples of ways you can acquire the skills you feel you need:

Take courses.

Community colleges, marine chandleries, Coast Guard Auxiliary, boat shows, and a number of other enterprises offer seminars, workshops, and courses on a variety of topics related to cruising. If you learn best in a classroom or group environment, check out resources in your area.

Get one-on-one instruction.

Hire a sailing instructor. Look over the shoulder of a diesel mechanic. Talk to a sail maker. If you learn best through individual instruction and consultation, there should be any number of experts available that you can hire, exchange services with, or otherwise remunerate in return for instruction on a particular topic. Read everything you can get your hands on. Some people learn best through the written word. There are scads of books out there about every topic pertinent to cruising, so if you enjoy learning by reading, there is plenty of resource material available. Check out FineSailing.com for endless sources of information.

Learn on the water.

There are those who learn best by doing. Boat handling skills in particular are probably best mastered in situations. Which leads me to the next ‘preparing to prepare’ topic.

Getting Out on the Water

Find ways to get yourself and your partner onto the water, either separately or together. No matter how much you learn from books and courses, on-the-water experience is a great way to really solidify your skills. This will also help you decide if being on the water is worthy trying as a lifestyle.

Go with friends.

If you have friends with boats, go out with them. If you don’t have a boat yourself, this will give you time on the water. If you do have a boat, this will expose you to different boat characteristics and equipment.

Charter a boat in your home waters.

If you are within easy reach of a body of water, charter a boat of the type or types that you are considering cruising. Vary the amount of time, the kind of boat, and the nature of the weather that you go out in. Charter a boat in faraway waters. Consider taking boating vacations in other parts of the world. Besides exposing you to different types of boats, this will put you into different environments and weather patterns.

Participate on a racing crew.

If you live in an area with an active racing community, either or both of you can join a crew (I question whether you and your spouse would want to be on the same crew, but that’s up to you!).

Many coastal cities and town have ‘Beer Can’ races during the season that are a little bit more laid back and convivial than the mainstream racing events; these are best to participate in if you don’t want to be a blood-n-guts racing competitor.

Copyright (c) 2004 Kerry S. Mason

About The Author Kerry S. Mason is the webmaster for FineSailing.com, the Internet’s #1 resource for sailors, boaters, fishermen and anyone who enjoys the water. Be sure to visit his entire archive of articles at… http://www.finesailing.com/articles/.

A cruise vacation may be the most luxurious trip you ever take. Cruise bargains offer gourmet cuisine, 5 star service, Vegas style events, and the chance to explore many exotic cultures. But when looking for cruise bargains, a few hidden surprises can spoil your trip. The Caribbean 5 night cruise you saw advertised sounds like a cruise bargain, but is it really?

If you haven’t booked a cruise previously, you may be shocked to learn that your actual price has several elements. Usually published fares and ads don’t show the hidden extra costs. This generates more interest in the specials, but in reality many are not true cruise bargains once the complete cost is totaled.

Look for these hidden gotchas once you have embarked on your cruise bargain:

Drink Charges

The cruise bargain industry has moved toward pay as you go pricing to extract small fees throughout your time onboard. Expect to shell out for alcohol, of course, but also soda, espresso, and even bottled water on a lot of cruise bargains. The unlimited soda plan is advisable if you like soft-drinks, and certainly for kids, as you will save. Make sure to bring a water bottle and fill it up onboard to minimize beverage charges.

Spa Services

When you think of a cruise bargain do you imagine a Swedish massage on the sunny lido deck? You can definitely fulfill your fantasy, but you know it will cost you extra, right? How about a manicure for formal night? For many, spa treatments are synonymous with cruise bargain luxury, but you will pay premium prices for the service. However, if you book your spa treatment on a day when the ship is in port, you could get a significant discount, since most cruisers will be in town seeing the sights.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are group trips when the ship is in port. The number and variety of events is mind-boggling with trips for every activity level, budget, and interest. The good is that these excursions may well be the highlight of your cruise bargain. The bad, however, is that shore excursions can really blow your budget if you don’t exercise a little restraint. Prices range from a budget-friendly $25 all the way up to $300 or more per person depending on the events offered.

Again, shore excursion fees are added to your shipboard tab for convenience, but watch out for the surprise bill that is always more than you expected at the end of your cruise bargain. Instead, try to select just a couple of activities that you really want to do badly. You will get more bang for your buck doing one really memorable excursion, than if you picked two cheaper ones that were just so-so.

Be careful about extra expenses once you are onboard or your cruise bargain will start to look like a rip-off. Cruises offer an astonishing selection of no-cost entertainment, so don’t feel like you have to pull out your wallet to enjoy your voyage.

Get Your Free Trip Now Cruise Travel Deals is passionate about helping the average Dick & Jane travel without breaking the budget. Our motto is affordable cruise vacations for everyone. Continue your education on cruise bargains and pick up your COMPLIMENTARY 3 day vacation, just for visiting. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CJ_Anderson

Whenever I encounter a person who loudly proclaims “I wouldn’t be caught dead on a cruise ship!!”, my response is “boy, do I have a cruise for you!” I steer them towards small ships.

While the behemoths make the news - “bigger is better!” - small cruise ships carrying 200 and fewer passengers deserve special praise. They are perfect for those seeking an up-close look at nature, the most exotic itineraries, unspoiled ports where the big ships can’t visit and greater camaraderie with other passengers and crew. Aboard these ships you frequently find guest lecturers and very knowledgeable staff offering indepth information about the unique flora, fauna and marine life outside the ship.

But the main reason for taking a small ship is discovering the few remaining places on earth untouched by tourism; many of them are only accessible by small ship. For example, interested in visiting Greenland? Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyage) visits the island plus both the North and South Poles. Cruise West will take you to the Bearing Straight as well as small villages dotting Alaska’s coastlines. Whale watching in the Sea of Cortez aboard a Lindblad ship is an upclose experience, especially when viewed from a Zodiac.

Top Small Ship Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines. Cruising regions include historic New England, the Hudson River, Antebellum South, Chesapeake Bay, great rivers of Florida and the coast of Maine. The America-flagged fleet includes four vessels, the American Star, Eagle, Glory and Spirit, all carrying fewer than 200 passengers. Aboard each cruise are “enlighteners” - naturalists, historians and other experts - who also lead shore excursions. Most cabins have private balconies with television, several lounges and an all-American crew.

Cruise West. Founder Chuck West began offering Alaska cruises in 1946 and the company has grown steadily ever since. While best known for its Alaska itineraries, today Cruise West also offers small ship cruises in the California wine country, Japan, Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, the South Pacific, China and Viet Nam. The all-American crew is energetic and knowledgeable, the cruising style casual and personal. The largest vessel in the fleet of nine ships carries only 138 passengers. The cruise line has top notch expedition leaders who lecture aboard ship and lead shore excursions.

Lindblad Expeditions. Lars-Eric Lindblad set out with his first expedition in the late 1950’s and his son Sven-Olaf Lindblad runs the operations today. Lindblad and the National Geographic Society partnered to create some of the best, most exotic cruises on earth lead by top professionals. Cruising regions cover the entire globe, from Alaska to Antarctica, Europe, the Nile River, Central America and South America. Ships include the 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer and Endeavour, Sea Bird and Sea Lion, Polaris, National Geographic Islander, Sea Voyager, the elegant tall ships Sea Cloud II and Panorama, the River Cloud, Triton (a Nile river boat) and Lord of the Glens for visiting Scotland’s locks.

Hurtigruten. Formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyages, this cruise line has grown from Norwegian coastal ferries to hearty expedition cruises in Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica plus a world cruise with stops in exotic ports of call, including Antarctica. There are nine ships in Hurtigruten’s fleet, all modern and comfortable, with lounges, cafes and a restaurant. Theme cruises include a killer whale safari, opera, folklore and culinary cruises, and stays at the Alta Igloo Hotel made completely of ice.

Pearl Seas Cruises, a new cruise line with its first ship under construction, will offer “luxury adventure” sailings aboard a 200-passenger unnamed vessel, scheduled to enter service August, 2008. The 105 staterooms range in size from 302 to 580 sq. feet, all with private verandas. In 2008, the ship will visit the Canadian Maritimes, Eastern Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and Panama Canal.

Silversea Cruises has purchased the former World Discoverer and is refitting and renaming it Silver Dawn. The ship’s capacity has been reduced from 175 to 132 passengers and specialty restaurants added. Silver Dawn is slated to enter service in June, 2008 with cruises to Iceland and the Arctic.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2008. All rights reserved.

Anne Campbell is a journalist who has been covering the cruise industry for 15 years. She is editor of Cruising From New York (http://www.cruisingfromnewyork.com) and ShipCritic Blog (http://www.shipcriticblog.com). Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_L._Campbell

If you’re getting ready to tie the knot, you might be trying to decide where to go for your honeymoon. There are so many options available that you may be feeling bewildered. But not to worry! We’ve done the work of finding the best honeymoon destinations for you - from a romantic cruise to Hawaii to an excitement packed theme park vacation in Florida. We polled over 300 newlyweds and found out where they went, what they did, and what they liked and disliked so that we could present to you our top five honeymoon destinations.

1. Cruise to Hawaii: It’s pretty obvious that even more romantic and wonderful than a trip to Hawaii is a Hawaiian cruise! Most of the newlyweds loved their cruise to Hawaii, citing the following as the best features of their Hawaiian honeymoon cruises: the reasonable price, the vast array of activities to participate in aboard a cruise, and of course, the romance.

2. All-inclusive Hawaii resorts: This is now a better option than ever because the cost of all-inclusive tropical resorts has fallen to be lower than ever before. A survey of newlyweds raved about the service, food, and many different activities on their recent Hawaii honeymoon to such resorts in Hawaii. The newlyweds also responded positively to the fact that they had pre-paid for the entire Hawaii vacation and didn’t have to spend anything at all once they were there.

3. Florida: Perhaps Florida isn’t the first place that comes to mind when considering the perfect honeymoon vacation destination, but many newlyweds have chosen it because it’s so affordable, often due to package deals, and it also has excellent dining choices. There are wonderful opportunities for a fun honeymoon at one of the theme park property resorts where luxury, activity and fun are all in one place.

4. Paris: For honeymooners with a bit more to spend, why not tour romantic Paris? Several of our newlyweds gushed about how much they enjoyed the sightseeing, eating in sidewalk cafes, visiting the Eiffel tower, and touring the French countryside. Since Paris is alive with excitement night and day, active honeymooners particularly enjoyed their vacation destination.

5. Mexico: Honeymooning in Mexico in a cabin on the beach is very affordable, and newlyweds can enjoy telling memories of peaceful relaxation in the sand, gorgeous scenery and fantastic meals and shopping, all enjoyed without breaking the bank.

There are hundreds of potential destinations, and deciding between them can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. Have no fear - we’re ready to help you narrow down your honeymoon choices. A cruise to Hawaii is a no-brainer. If there is anything more fantastic and romantic than a trip to Hawaii, it would be a Hawaiian cruise! All-inclusive Hawaii resorts are now a better option than ever because the cost of all-inclusive tropical resorts has fallen to be lower than ever before. Hawaiian honeymoon cruises are the best way to spend your honeymoon. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Gentry

Many people long to own their own boat and there is something about man and water that has us longing for the sea. Currently, boat prices are down 8% in many places from 2004 prices and Projections say another 3% expected and analysts are talking 7-11% less than 2004 prices or even more. Why have boat prices sunken so low?

It seems that folks cannot take second mortgages as easy due to real estate calamity. Yacht sales companies complain that they have cut prices and staff to adjust to the fewer sales stating some boats are selling at 1998 prices now and expect a further drop. Perhaps if you have the money, it is time to invest in that boat of your dreams now or in the near future.

Yacht sales companies on the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts all report severe drops in sales, taking the prices right down to the bottom with them. Great time to buy a boat of your dreams and yet not a very good time to sell a boat unless you are trading up and thus it is all relative really. When will boat prices recover ask many marine enthusiasts? Probably not soon, some even wonder if they will recover in their life times.

One Marina sales woman confided in me that, she is getting out of the business, “It’s Dead” she said. Another who runs a Boat Sales/Auction website tells me that advertising sales have picked up, but not much is moving and nothing is moving for the asking price. Economists wonder if this is just one more Industry Sector that the Housing Crash will take down with it. If the Democrats take office, some in the industry are considering throwing in the towel. What say you?

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

I have been on five cruises in my lifetime so I would hardly consider that to make me the cruising guru. Compared to some people I have met and talked to, my five seems like child’s play compared to the 20 to 30 they have been on. That is a whole lot of cruising!

Nevertheless on the cruises I have been on I found there are certain things I like to do and I make sure I get them done. Maybe you are the same when you go on vacation, and if you aren’t take a look at these three suggestions the next time you go on a cruise to enhance your vacation fun and experience.

BINGO

Sure when you hear the word bingo you probably think of a weekly function for local older folks in your town that head to the church recreation hall to win some cash. However on a cruise ship, bingo is a ton of fun. At the beginning of the week the crowds are small but by the last day as long as the jackpot still stands the bingo hall is absolutely filled. Why? Because the jackpot grows into the thousands of dollars. On one cruise vacation I was on a woman won over $7,000. It was enough to pay for the entire cruise and them some. It is a bit pricey, so if you are going to play and only have the budget to play once, do it on the last day to go for the jackpot.

WINE TASTING

I am not much of a wine person but my wife is and on a cruise ship they offer wine classes. So normally I tag along with her and I can tell you I have learned quite a bit. It still doesn’t make me a connoisseur of wine but I do know more now then I ever had. Some cruise ships charge a nominal fee of $5 for the class while others offer it free and then try to sell you wine at the end of the demonstration. Either way it is fun and you never feel pressured into buying anything.

ART AUCTION

Every ship I have been on has an art auction. I never realized how popular the activity was until I started seeing the rooms filled with people bidding on art from vendors I personally never heard of. Although I have never bought any art myself I have sat in on a couple of auctions (mostly for the free wine & cheese) and can say that if you are an art person, one of these auctions is definitely for you. The people there were excited when they won, and the energy in the room is incredible. Even if you are not an art person, sit in on one and you are sure to enjoy yourself.

These are just three of the endless things you can do on a cruise ship. I chose these three because they are different then what you could get on other vacations. The next time you go on a cruise give them a try. You never know you might win the jackpot, become a wine expert or learn a thing or two about art or auctions.

About the Author: Mr. Tucker is an avid writer on a variety of topics. You can read more of Mr. Tucker’s articles by visiting: Triond.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_A._Tucker

Some vacations are just more fun than others!

There will be very few times in your life when you are completely free. Free from cares, responsibilities, chores, deadlines, timetables, ringing phones or demanding voices. It’s time to start planning for such a vacation and you feel overwhelmed by all the choices.

You may be looking for a place the whole family can enjoy. Perhaps a romantic vacation or a place to meet people. At the same time you want great value for your money. Seem like an impossible task? Then maybe you haven’t considered cruising.

With so many destinations and so much to do on today’s cruise ships it is becoming a very popular alternative to more traditional vacations. Hold on a minute, you might be thinking, I thought cruises were not for me.

Not anymore. Dance clubs, sports facilities, live entertainment, movies, classes, casinos and supervised children’s activities are just a few examples of how cruise ships are catering to people of all walks of life.

One of the main benefits of cruising is it’s all inclusive nature. The cost includes all the meals, 24 hour room service, cabin and entertainment just to name a few. Once you’re on board you’ll be amazed at the variety of activities and land excursions to choose from - or you can choose to do nothing but lounge on the deck.

Get ready to be pampered in a safe and relaxing environment. The high quality and worry free environment will make it a true escape from the “real world”. And what other vacation hotel lets you go to sleep at night and wake up to a new country at your front door every morning?

Enjoy fine dining every night at your reserved table. Go ahead, taste several appetizers. Try more than one soup. If you can’t decide between two salads, have both. Every night indulge yourself with such international entrees as Beef Wellington and Duck a l’Orange.

And never say no to desserts that can include such masterpieces as Baked Alaska. Every meal is an event designed just for you. So satisfy your every craving, and then walk out of the dining room without ever paying a bill.

Oops, eat too much? Staying in shape is easy. Every floating resort has a spa facility featuring state of the art gym equipment and aerobics classes. And you’ll love jogging on deck in the fresh sea air. Then relax, have a massage, steam or sauna or just a dip in the swimming pool.

If you think you’re always surrounded by other guests, think again. On your ship it’s easy to find a quiet corner to contemplate the sea, read a book from the library, hold that intimate conversation or just count your blessings.

Whether you’re a newlywed or celebrating your 50th anniversary, you’ll feel the special magic of being on a cruise ship miles out to sea. Which isn’t to say singles won’t enjoy a sea going vacation. As a matter of fact they’ll have a blast.

Whether you love musicals, hard rock, country or big band you’ll find ships playing your song. In the showroom you’ll cheer the Vegas-style revues. Don’t plan on deep conversation in the high energy dance club; save your talks for the friends you’ll meet at the sing-along piano bar, or for each other as you stroll along the deck before turning in.

Nothing on earth compares to the value of a cruise vacation. Because on a cruise one low price covers just about everything. All your meals are included. Almost every shipboard activity is included. Even the entertainment is included.

Compare that to most land vacations when you’re constantly faced with the added expenses and hassles of reservations, valet parking, buying theater tickets and searching for things to do.

Can you afford a cruise? Absolutely!

And what land vacation can take you from one exotic destination to another while you dance and dine or dream the night away!

Sid Kaplan

http://www.cruisevacationsguide.com

Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is Cruise Vacations Guide which offers advice and tips to those look to create memorable cruise vacations. Shore excursion and land tour information is also provided. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sid_Kaplan

What makes a Power Catamaran the best option for rough-condition boating and fuel efficiency?

1. All power catamarans have less hull resistance in the water as you are not plowing through waves with a wide bow, this accomplishes both greater fuel efficiency and overall performance at sea.

2. The expanded deck area of the relatively rectangular design allows for more room and load level capacity.

3. Turns are flatter versus the leaning action of a monohull, which Improves stability as you are not pivoting on the centerline of the hull.

4. The footprint is wider, which negates the effects of rolling seas.

5. The shallow draft of the catamaran design also allows access to areas that traditional hulls can not reach.

Power Catamarans have emerged as the intelligent alternative as more and more consumers discover their advantages.

Lagoon LP44

Based on the well-designed hull and deck of the Lagoon Power 43 and it’s proven success in the US market.

LOA 42′9″

Displacement 11.2 T

Beam 23′

Draft 21′1″

Lagoon LP43

A boat genuinely designed for the private owner, with a modest size and a reasonable price tag.

LOA 42′9″

LWL 39′1″

Beam 21′1″

Draft 43′11″

Transcat 42

Provides the answer to your holiday expectations, of getting away from it all and gentle living.

LOA 42.15′

LWL 35.92′

Beam 17.52′

Draft 3.6′

Transcat 48

The Transcat 48′ satisfies the demands of our owner’s in the spirit of the “Long Range Cruiser”.

LOA 48.78′

LWL 42.65′

Beam 21.6′

Draft 4.03′

Cumberland 44

The best of the power catamaran type- she will be the standard that all others will certainly follow.

LOA 44′

Displacement: 9T

Beam 21.5′

Draft 3.94′

Maryland 37

With its 1000 miles in range, you just cannot resist the pleasures of river cruising or the call of the sea.

LOA 36.6′

Diesel 300 gal

Beam 16.7′

Draft 3.5′

Powerplay 1480

High bridge deck clearance, voluminous hulls and freeboard, in addition to a cockpit and aft deck area.

LOA 48′

LOD 48′

Beam 23′

Draft 3′3″

Powerplay 1650

The first 1650 was created for a client who required a sleek gamefishing boat, capable of 30 knots plus.

LOA 54′

LOD 54′

Beam 24′

Draft 3′

Cat-A-Foil

Challenging the traditional view that a power catamaran should be wide and square.

LOA 57′ 8″

Beam 17′ 8″

Draft 1M

Sunchaser 60

Sunchaser Power and Transport vessels come standard with the HYSUWAC hydrofoil system.

LOA 65′

LOD 65′

Deck Area

1,200 sq.ft.

Sunreef Power 60

The Sunreef Power 60 is designed to first class yacht building standards: finishing, functionality, and quality.

LOA 60′

Displacement 30 T

Beam 26.57′

Draft 3.44′

Sunreef Power 67

The Sunreef 67 is meant for demanding owners seeking comfort, speed, and above all autonomy.

LOA 67′

Displacement 33 T

Beam 30′6″

Draft 4′

For additional information, please visit www.catamarans.com.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Padilla

When I left readers in Part Two of this odyssey around New Zealand and Australia, I was talking about the zealous fruit police and canines in Zed. The best way to see both countries is by a combination of ship and bus tour. The cruise that we took can be replicated by similar cruises on Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Princess.

As we left Zed’s Picton headed across the Tasman Sea, we gathered our thoughts about New Zealand. Much of the country is pastoral, orderly, and quite pleasing to the eye. Traveling around by bus, you see tidy houses, huge herds of sheep and cattle, timber farms, very well utilized land, kiwi plots, wineries, graceful coves, brilliant flowers, fruit stands with the most glorious, juicy, crispy, and crunchy apples and pears-everywhere a prosperous looking, lush and lavish countryside and a sturdy yeomanry. Or perhaps to be politically correct we should say yeofolks or yeoguys.

Even the dogs seem unusually happy and friendly. One big, lovable honey-colored golden retriever insisted on clambering aboard the bus with us, and I think he would be in the States with me now, by my side, if his mistress hadn’t dragged him away. An American urban pit bull would become seriously dysfunctional and neurotic in Zed as would his master.

Oddities showed up: we saw deer and ostrich farming. The people were very wary of betting the family farm on sheep alone. Prices for lamb meat and wool products have had a tendency to dip precariously and often. One sees horses wearing blankets in the blazing sun to protect them from the powerful rays of the sun which get through the very thin ozone layer in that part of the world. Small children wear desert type hats which have long hoods on the sides and the back to protect them from the murderous sun.

The people seemed to be drifting away from their British customs and traditions, forging their own identity distinct from Britain’s or America’s, sort of a neo-Asian blend of various strands including Polynesian, and an Anglo-Saxon Orientalism. The people were far more aware of Asian trends and economic realities than the American tourists were. They were more attuned to the economic headlines coming out of Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Beijing than they were of financial news of New York and London.

One night at a bar on the ship crossing the Tasman Sea, I was talking to a retired Aussie naval officer from Darwin on the northern tip of Australia. He expressed very genuine fears about mainland China’s long-term expansionary ambitions and said there was a real fear in Australia among many about China as a military threat as well as an economic one.

I was ready to dismiss his misgivings as the result of the scotch he was imbibing until a retired officer from the Kiwi forces seconded his opinions and said that there was also a faction in New Zealand that saw China’s one billion and growing population as a bona fide threat. Incidentally both countries have tightened their immigration policies considerably. Even though both could sustain larger populations, they have no intention of doing so.

Both New Zealanders and Aussies go completely mad over rugby, cricket, and soccer-football and love to gamble. The electronic poker machines you see in all the pubs are called pokies.

Our ship took off from Picton in New Zealand for Tasmania, the island off the southeastern tip of Australia. The three days on the Tasman Sea exposed us to very rough swells with much pitching and heaving, rocking and rolling, tossing and turning and considerable barfing by most of the passengers and a goodly number of the crew. It was to have been a placid, restful interlude in a busy schedule of sightseeing, but it turned out to be for many, the voyage from hell and back.

Tasmania is the land of the Tasmanian devil, a vicious little rodent that eats carrion. The agricultural riches seen in New Zealand were again in evidence on the island. Rich farmland produces apples, potatoes and grapes. A man from upstate New York said Tasmania and New Zealand were just like where he came from, the land of appleknockers, hicks, and hayseeds.

Our first stop in Tasmania was the city of Hobart where we stayed overnight. The city has a very attractive waterfront area lined with sidewalk cafes and restaurants, and a big Antarctic exhibit building. It has a pedestrian street in the shopping area, and late in afternoon it’s loaded with school kids just like the malls in the States. The countryside outside of town is comely and bus visits in and outside of town are well worthwhile.

We departed from Hobart at 5:00 a.m. and arrived in Port Arthur at noon for a five hour visit. We took a tender ashore. Port Arthur is a great historical site but also a disturbing place to visit because of its melancholy past.

In the 1780’s England started transporting its criminal element to Australia. Port Arthur started as a timber station in 1830 and during the 1830’s it began serving as a penal colony, often for Australia’s harder cases. It was closed down as a prison in 1877 and over time became a tourist attraction.

It sits in beautiful bay; it’s a very attractive, sylvan place with green fields. On the slopes around the bay are the old brick buildings, some restored and some merely ruins. You see the old prison cell blocks, the chapel, a house for a lone political prisoner, little cottages for officials, the governor’s house, and a number of other buildings which serviced the community.

It resembles a college campus that no longer is in use-a beauty of a place, but a beauty with an edge to it, because over ten thousand inmates had been confined there over the years. Tranquil, well kept up with lawns cut, bushes trimmed, it’s a delight to the eye.

There’s an exhibit building that depicts life in the penal colony. One small cellblock was for the worst offenders, where they were subjected to psychological punishment in a dehumanizing, demeaning atmosphere. In the so-called “Separate Prison” prisoners wore hoods and their keepers wore horrific masks at times and an order of silence was imposed. Some of the horrific masks can be seen in the museum on the grounds.

On April 28, 1996, in this of all places, a deranged man went on a killing rampage in the town and in the surrounding area; he ended up murdering thirty-five people. It’s almost a fitting place for a mad gunman to choose for a modern desecration, a former hard-time prison, because no matter what the present beauty of the place, it has a haunted feeling of the ghosts of prisoners. None ever escaped from the prison and lived; bodies would be found later in the woods. The forlorn boys’ prison and graveyard sits accusingly on a little island out in the harbor.

After the visit most tourists feel more somber and reflective because through the guides and museum and the “Port Arthur Experience” they come to realize how tragic were the lives of the inmates. It is difficult to imagine such a peaceful and relaxing place having such a sad past. You will find an outstanding website for the site at portarthur.org.

Our last stop in Tasmania was Devonport on the island’s north coast. It has interesting tourist attractions including a narrow gauge railroad, a maritime museum, and an aborigine center. Ferries take off from here for Melbourne, Australia, though we stayed aboard our cruise ship for the trip to one of the Down Under’s largest cities.

Next stop: Melbourne

John (Jack) Rooney’s latest novel is “Last Passage to Santiago,” a suspenseful travel-thriller that has romance, infidelity, and a kidnapping. His first book was the thriller “Nine Lives Too Many” featuring his series detective Denny Delaney pitted against the arch-terrorist Felix the Cat. That was followed by a chill-packed sequel “Clawed Back from the Dead.” Rooney’s book about India, “The Daemon in Our Dreams” was a blend of the naturalistic and the paranormal. In “The Rice Queen Spy” he presented the life story of a British secret operative who was “outed” and later went on to live an openly gay life while thumbing his nose at the bureaucracy that had betrayed him. The author’s work schedule includes a new Delaney effort. He was born and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts (Classical High and American International College), went on to receive a master’s degree in English from Columbia University, and finished course work for his Ph.D. at N.Y.U. He has written book reviews, and feature and travel articles for newspapers and magazines. He served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman in Times Square and Vienna, Austria, and in cities in U.S. Army AWOL apprehension. His website is http://www.senneffhouse.com. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_F._Rooney

More and more people each year are choosing to take an ocean going vacation, whether this is in the form of a cruise or a sailing trip there is no doubt that this is one of the quickest growing vacation sectors currently. The popularity of the cruise holiday has been growing for the past 10 years or so ever since the introduction of bigger and better cruise ships which now resemble something more a kin to a floating entertainment palace, but following fast on its heels is the growth in popularity of the private charter yacht vacation. The popularity of these vacations has sprung up on the back of the cruise holiday where people have taken, and fallen in love with cruise holidays and taking a vacation at sea but want to try something a little more relaxing and different. If you are looking to taking an ocean going vacation this year and privately chartering a yacht what should you be looking out for when booking your vacation?

Privately chartering a luxury yacht for your vacation can be a great experience and can create an unforgettable vacation for you and your family but you will need to do a fair bit of research and planning before you book if you want to make the very most of your vacation. Choosing the destination for your vacation is just the start of the planning, as well as this you will need to make sure that you charter your yacht from a reputable company who adhere to all rules and regulations that are set down by the authorities to ensure that your private yacht charter is both sea worthy and that the crew are experienced and fully trained. Most private yacht charter companies will have a website that will show all of the relevant certificates and qualifications that the company and crew have received and these are easy enough to research on the internet to ensure that they are bonafide.

When you find a private yacht charter company that you are satisfied with you should then start to look at the destinations that they sail to and what options you have open to you. Where you can sail to and from will depend greatly on the length of your private charter and the length of your vacation. A private charter yacht will generally only sail during the day time and will anchor up at night restricting the distance that can be covered, as long as you bear this in mind when booking then you can plan your trip accordingly.

Once you have chosen your private yacht charter company and settled upon your destination it is time to choose the yacht that you would like to charter. Yachts come in many different sizes and types and the one that you choose may depend greatly on the amount of people who are coming on the vacation with you. There are generally three popular types of private yacht charter available, the standard wind powered sail yacht, the motorized power yacht or the multi hull yacht such as the catamaran or trimaran. The sail yacht is the more traditional way of sailing but the distances that you can cover are governed by the winds during your vacation, the powered yacht is noisier but guarantees you will get to go to everywhere that you want to as this is the quickest form of sailing and finally you have the multi hull yachts which can either be powered by sail or motor but have the added advantage of giving a smoother ride through the water as the additional hulls give the yacht more stability in the water. There are pro’s and con’s for each yacht and it depends on personal preference as to which one that you charter.

A private yacht charter ocean going holiday may seem like a once in a lifetime experience for many people but the beauty of a private yacht charter vacation is that it can be very cost effective as the more people that go the cheaper it can get if the cost of the charter is divided up. Unlike a hotel where you pay for the rooms that you use with a private yacht charter you are paying one price for the yacht for the duration of the holiday.

So there you have it, if you want to experience the thrill of sailing and visiting exotic destinations but want to try something a little different than a cruise holiday why not look at taking a private yacht charter vacation with your family this year, you could be in for a pleasant surprise.

For more info on private yacht charter [http://www.marmaris-fethiye-yacht-cruises.com/Yacht/Yacht_charter/Private_yacht_charter] please visit our site - www.marmaris-fethiye-yacht-cruises.com [http://www.marmaris-fethiye-yacht-cruises.com] Please feel free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to our site Harwood E Woodpecker. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harwood_E_Woodpecker