Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is an area in the southern part of Bali, Indonesia, known as an enclave of large 5-star resorts. It is located 22 kilometers from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, and administered under Kuta South District. Nusa Dua means two islands (nusa 'island', dua 'two'), because there are 2 islands in the bay of Bali Tourism Development Corporation area. On the southern side lies Peninsula Island, and on the northern side lies Nusa Dharma Island, which is smaller but shadier, and which contains the Pura/Temple Nusa Dharma.

Geger Beach is located in Sawangan, about 3 kilometers from the southern area of Nusa Dua. The sea here is calm, so farmers grow seaweed here and tourists swim here.

Water Blow is a spot where a giant splash of sea water occurs resulting from waves hitting a rock. It is located in Indonesia Tourism Development Centre (ITDC) area.

Tanjung Benoa

The Peninsula of Tanjung Benoa, with the village of Benoa in the foreground and Nusa Dua in the background.

Immediately north of the Nusa Dua enclave is the peninsula of Tanjung Benoa, which includes cheaper hotels as well as Benoa village. A multi-denominational area, it includes a mosque and Chinese and Hindu temples in close proximity to each other. Much of the beach's sand was eroded away following the mining of the nearby barrier reef for construction materials.

Benoa Port, also located here, was previously for yachts and small ships. In December 2012, it became Benoa Cruise International Terminal's turnaround port, serving as both embarkation and debarkation point for cruise passengers. As turnaround port, tourists can arrive or leave Benoa Port by either plane or cruise ship

On December 26, 2012, 

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Back in Manokwari ,we called Yoris who is listed in the LP . Met him and went on a birdwatching tour with him. He was not , in our opinion,a good guide . He was expensive and didn't know any of the few birds that we saw. We were not impressed. To give Manokwari its due, it is the base from which to explore the Arfak Mountain area which is renowned for its birdlife. I have just read another report on T Adviser and see a man called Charles Roring does guiding in that area . Looks as if it would be fantastic

The motto of the story is - if you want to go birding in Papua with a local guide, set it up before you go, as that is where we came unstuck. But when we left home in July, we didn't even know if we would end up in Papua !

Anyway ,we finally made it back to Sorong after 5 days of flight issues. and got met by a representative of the Raja Ampat Dive Resort . He took us to the ferry terminal where the boat was about to set off for Waigeo island - our destination.

The boat trip took 3 hours and then we were transferred to the resort by speedboat.

The resort sits right on an idyllic beach with clear clear water , and great snorkelling right off the beach .

The resort is owned by the government and was not cheap - It cost as much as if we were divers, but still cheaper than the private resorts. But the service was shocking - they had no coca cola, or any other soft drinks - let alone beer . Then when they did get some it was a constant battle to get them to keep it chilled.

The accommodation was very nice- a big bungalow just metres from the water. We had resident KusKus in the trees in the gardens and many many gorgeous birds.

we went out snorkelling a couple of times with the dive boat but found that the snorkelling was not as rewarding as we had found in other places. Not because the marine life is not there, it is one of the BEST dive areas in the world, but the reefs are shallow and have strong currents flowing across them which makes snorkelling less easy.

Anyway we found there was a road at the back of the resort which provided amazing birdwatching potential . So every morning for the week we were there we got up at dawn,5 a.m, and set off . We had some fantastic finds, like a Red Bird of Paradise pair just feeding nonchalantly in a tree by the roadside !! We had planned to make a special boat trip/ trek in search of these while we were there , and there they were , just for us .

Then we found out from the manager that there was a quite a colony of Wilson's Bird of Paradise - the little fellow with vibrant colours who clears a bower ., quite near to the resort. He showed us where and we sat in 2 different hides, several times and had great sightings of several birds of the species. It was a fantastic week , and if we were to go again , same thing applies, - we would find out about a good local guide , but doubt we would go through one of the expensive tour companies , because the birds are there, everywhere, and not at all hard to find .

Our time in Papua was over and we had done and seen more than we had ever imagined. What a great adventure and still a place untouched by mass tourism

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This is a picture of me when in bali
bali amazing place, this is not a promotion but this is the fact that I get when I was in Bali, not all my images blog input in this, I hope you liked my picture.
thank you

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The famous Island of Gods is a place where every sight can be considered divine. The island has them all: a real variety of mountainous and volcanic landscapes, a unique mixture of a rough coastline and sandy beaches, friendly and welcoming locals and impressive cultural habits. It is said that the hotels in Bali are even among the most luxurious in the whole world. Here are some of the best beaches you can find on the island.

Bali has many great beaches for all kind of visitors. If you want to swim, surf or just catch the sun, Bali has the perfect beach for you. The best period for enjoying Bali’s amazing beaches is the dry season, from April to October. During the wet season, though, you might experience heavy rains and dirty beaches, especially on the West Coast. 

Kuta Beach

This is well known for the long sandy beach, the varied types of accommodation and for the great waves that made Kuta the number one destination for all the experienced Australian surfers. The surfing mecca of Bali is also known for the fine restaurants and most of the people recommend the seaside cafes in Kuta for admiring the sunset.

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Without doubt Fuerteventura has some of the most impressive beaches in the whole of Europe.

There is such a vast expanse of sand here. From the Golden sand dunes of Corralejo in the north to the miles of flat beaches in Jandia in the south. This makes Fuerteventura an ideal destination for the beach lover.

These are the beaches that charm thousands of tourists to this beautiful island every year.

Naturist Beaches

Almost all of the beaches outwith the resorts can be considered unofficial naturist beaches

Blue Flag Beaches

Blue Flags are awarded each year to European and South African beaches that meet certain standards.

There are several Fuerteventura beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag. As this can change from year to year to find out exactly which beaches check out the Blue Flag Website.

The Standards The award of a European Blue Flag beach is based on compliance with 27 criteria covering the aspects:

1) Water Quality

2) Environmental Education and Information

3) Environmental Management 

4) Safety and Services

Some criteria are imperative (i) whereas others are guideline (g). All imperative requirements have to be fulfilled, and in addition a maximum number of guideline criteria.

All Blue Flags are only awarded for one season at a time.

If some of the imperative criteria are not fulfilled during the season or the conditions change, the Blue Flag will be withdrawn.

For more and current details go here www.blueflag.org

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Arpoador is mostly known for being one of the best metropolitan surf spots in Rio de Janeiro. The rock outcropping creates stable left breakers up to 7–10 feet high (wave face measure, as Brazilians do).

Given its metropolitan location, crowds are ferocious and competitive. Given the fact that waves start to break against the rock on a good day, and that a strong riptide along the promontory creates a quick re-entry, the take-off point is very small and only locals (or visiting professional-level surfers) have a shot at it.

Sunset : During some time around midsummer it is possible, from Arpoador, to see the sun setting over the sea, a rare event on the generally eastward-facing Brazilian coast. In these occasions crowds gather around the place and cheer when the sun disappears.

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Hawaii has been long known as one of the best surf spots in the entire world. Beach and water lovers blend electrifying physical activity with seaside relaxation creating a fantastic vacation combination. The beauty of Hawaii surfing is that it appeals to every ability, from neophytes to the most skilled professionals. Beginners have a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to lessons. To surf Hawaii lessons come in really handy and can make a mediocre experience into an unforgettable one. Several Oahu resorts, Big Island resorts, Maui hotels and other exemplary hotels in the islands employ surfing professionals offering several types of lessons from week-long group camps to private instruction.

The best surf spots in Hawaii vary from season to season as wind directions change. Oahu's North Shore features a number of beaches with the best Hawaii surfing conditions of all the islands in the winter months. Each winter the rugged coastline serves up massive and imposing ocean surf. The island storms take credit for generating giant swells as they make the long journey from the northern Pacific Ocean to pummel reef breaks on the northern coastline. From May through October surfers head to the south shores of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Beach for the best summer surf.

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Since the early 1990's surfers from around the globe have been visiting the Mentawai islands to experience untouched rainforest and superb waves. More than a dozen "worldclass" reefbreaks exists making it one the most surf infested regions in the world. Most spots host mechanical perfection and vary in intensity for all level of surfer, making it an ideal surf vacation location.

Indonesia is such a great place for surf. It has got the classic waves, the crystal clear warm water and the balmy days. What more could anyone want. The Mentawai islands are a relatively new surfing location, having only been surfed since the early 90's. Although the main island has loads of spots probably the best way to surf the Mentawai islands is by boat.

Our good friend the South Indian Ocean produces the swells that have the islands pumping from March through to November at 6-12ft, and the cyclone swells keep the surf rolling in throughout the remainder of the year. You go to Mentawai, you get surf! The calm winds ensure that the swells that do arrive are always of a high standard. 

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Bali is part of the Indonesian archipelago of 18,700 islands and lies approximately 8°C south of the equator. The majority of the population of Bali are (Balinese) Hindu, a unique mixture of Hinduism & Buddhism. The unique religion and culture of the Balinese people is one of the reasons the island remained an oasis of peace and calm throughout the chaotic times in Indonesia since the fall of the Suharto dictatorship in 1999 and has helped sustain the spirit of the island during the last few years as Bali and the Balinese people have suffered their own turbulent times of unbelievable sorrow and the resulting economic hardships.

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