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Borneo's Turtle Island Parks
"Sustainable EcoTourism"
by
Walter Rajah
Copyright © Exploration Borneo Tours 2003

Turtles normally arrive on the islands after dusk. While waiting for the sun to set and the arrival of these turtles, there are many activities that you can explore. The tropical white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and tanning whilst the crystal clear water is fantastic if you fancy snorkeling or watching the beautiful sea lives and corals. The park is also a great spot for a BBQ picnic under the long hours of golden sunshine. You can also wander around the island to witness how many turtles have arrived in the island the previous few nights as these turtles leave their marks on the sand.

The Park Rangers will inform you after the first sighting of incoming turtles. You will be escorted to the nesting turtle by the rangers to watch the eggs being laid. Clutches of freshly laid eggs are then excavated and transplanted to the protected turtle hatchery (see pic), with minimum delay, to ensure that other wild predators, mainly monitor lizards, do not eat or destroy them. After a period of incubation, the eggs will hatch and the hatchlings will be released to the sea. The release of hatchlings is normally done early morning or night and is done at various locations on the islands again to avoid wild predators. When the hatchlings are released on the shore, they scatter in all directions and instinctively head for the sea. Once they enter the water, they are washed ashore by the incoming waves, but after a few attempts they swim strongly out to the sea. The hope is for these hatchlings to survive the rough sea and to one day return to the Turtle Island Parks.

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History goes hand in hand with hospitality! Enjoy the traditions of food, culture and architecture in a Portuguese Pousada. From the castles and convents of the Historical Pousadas—to the rural atmosphere of the Regional Pousadas.

Our visit to a Pousada in Sagres found us at the end of the world—

Forteleza do Beliche is situated in an old fort—on Sagres promontory near the Cabo São Vincente lighthouse—the most south western point in Europe. The Fortaleza is one of the smallest in the Pousada group with only four bedrooms. There is a terrace with panoramic views out across the ocean and a first class restaurant.

In the days of Infante D. Henrique—also known as Prince Henry or Henry the Navigator—this area was known as the end of the world. The Americas had not yet been discovered. By tradition when sailors pass this lighthouse, they drink a glass of port having first raised the glass to Prince Henry.

One wonders what Henry would have thought of the claim that the fortress is thought to date from the sixteenth century as it is shown in a drawing made when the region was attacked by the infamous English pirate, Francis Drake.

Prince Henry's mother was English with his grandfather being the Duke of Lancaster or, as he is usually known in England, John of Gaunt.

In Portugal, Henry the Navigator is known as Infante de Sagres which translates as Prince of Sagres. His 15^th Century Navigation school nearby provided the impetus to the voyages of the Portuguese Discoverers. A stone compass set into the ground, with a diameter of 43 metres was used for training the young seamen—navigation skills. This centre of excellence attracted the best mariners in the country—enabling the Portuguese discoveries of the Atlantic Islands, Brazil and the route around South Africa to the Far East. The school itself was destroyed by the wave that followed the Lisbon earthquake of 1755.

This dramatic spot is a haven for bird life—especially during the migration period. Stand on the end of the world and watch the sun sink into the rushing Atlantic waves. Look out over the ocean—and you can see why it was thought that the earth was flat!

Find value as well as comfort and charm. Travel through Portugal, from seaside through valleys to mountain ranges, Pousadas welcome you at every stage of your trip. Part of a network of more than 40 establishments, Portugal's Pousadas are synonymous with leisure and culture. Enjoy the rich variety and the best traditions of the regions where they are located. Appreciate traditional regional hospitality and cuisine.

Regional Pousada

2 – Valenca do Minho – São Teotonio
5 – V. Nova de Cerveira – D. Diniz
3 – Geres/Canicada – São Bento
7 – Viana do Castelo – Monte Santa Luzia
12 – Braganca – São Bartolomeu
8 – Aares – Sta. Maria do Bouro
4 – Guimaraes – N. Sa. da Oliveira
6 – Guimaraes – Santa Marinha
16 – Alijo – Barao de Forrester
1 – Marão – São Goncalo
19 – Mesão Frio – Solar da Rede
17 – Almeida – Senhora das Neves
23 – Murtosa/Torreira – Ria
9 – Belmonte – Convento de Belmonte
14 – Caramulo – São Jeronimo
11 – Manteigas – São Lourenco
15 – Vila Pouca da Beira – Convento do Desagravo
26 – Condeixa-a-Nova – Santa Cristina
18 – Monsanto – Monsanto
27 – Ourem/Fatima – Conde de Ourem
25 – Batalha – Mestre A.F. Domingues
24 – Castelo de Bode – São Pedro
47 – Marvão – Santa Maria
22 – Obidosos – Castelo
53 – Crato – Flor da Rosa
49 – Sousel – São Miguel
41 – Elvas – Santa Luzia
54 – Arraiolos – N. Sa. da Assuncão
33 – Queluz/Lisboa – Dona Maria I
45 – Estremoz – Rainha Santa Isabel
55 – Vila Vicosa – D. João IV
32 – Pamela – Pamela
44 – Evora – Loios
31 – Setubal – São Filipe
56 – Alcacer do Sal – D. Afonso II
48 – Torrão – Vale do Gaio
51 – Alvito – Castelo de Alvito
52 – Beja – São Francisco
50 – Santiago do Cacem – Quinta da Ortiga
43 – Serpa – São Gens
46 – Sta. Clara-A-Velha – Santa Clara
61 – São Bras – S. Bras de Alportel
62 – Sagres – Infante
63 – Sagres – Fortaleza do Beliche

Our 3 day package prices vary from $155 per person—based on double occupancy. These include—

• Two nights accommodation
• Breakfast daily
• Three days economy manual car
• Hotel tax and service charge

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Carmen or Aida!
Verona, Italy

Unique opportunities for discovery... Experiences for a lifetime...

Life Breaks...$1599

Included Highlights—

• 8 Days / 6 Nights
• 4-star hotels in Rome and Padua
• Breakfast daily
• 2 lunches
• 3 dinners
• 2 hot and cold buffets
• Extensive sightseeing
• Plus tickets to either Aida or Carmen
  at the Arena of Verona (Reserved Seating)

Act now for this once in a lifetime opportunity! Come and see either Aida or Carmen performed live at the extraordinary Arena of Verona, the largest open–air theatre in the world. June, July and August departure dates currently available. 8–day itinerary including 3 days in Rome. Rate is per person based on double occupancy. Airfare available. Restrictions apply. Reserve now—

 

Wineries,
Rail & Road!
Vancouver – Kelowna – Banff – Jaspar

Experience the wonders of British Columbia's world-renowned wine country while on your way
to the Canadian Rocky Mountains...

• 6 nights accommodation
• VIA Rail's "Silver & Blue" service,
  Jasper – Vancouver
• Mid-size rental vehicle
• Daytripper winery tour with lunch,
  Banff Gondola, Upper Hot Springs,
  Brewster Snocoach

Wander along our mountain tracks! Add the freedom of a Discovery Drive to the romance of your rail journey. Explore the wild beauty of our mountain parks. Ride a gondola to the top of a mountain. Unwind in a mineral pool. Walk on a glacier—it's all here. Fill your eyes with beauty.

From Vancouver, head east across the fertile Fraser River Valley region in your rental car. Enjoy the scenic drive to the interior of BC and the wine country of Kelowna.

Welcome to Wine Country! Experience the wonders of the winemakers art as you explore four local wineries. As the ideal wine valley, the Okanagan is known for its picturesque wineries that overlook Okanagan Lake. The climate and setting of the Okanagan Valley provides the perfect conditions for wine grapes. The quality of grapes grown here produce some of the best wines in Canada and are known throughout the world. Taste and Enjoy!

Enjoy your drive from the Okanagan Valley into the Rocky Mountains. You will cross over Rogers Pass and through the Kicking Horse pass on your way to Banff.

Explore the wonders of world-famous Banff, a scenic alpine town. It's a centre for arts and entertainment, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Visit the Cave & Basin National Historic Site. Luxuriate in the mineral waters of the newly-renovated Upper Hot Springs. Ride the Banff Gondola for a 360^o look at Banff and the Bow Valley.

The Banff Gondola transports you to an elevation of 2,281m (7,486 feet) above sea level—to the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Canada. You have an unobstructed 360^o view of incredible Rocky Mountain scenery. At the summit, three outdoor observation terraces provide stunning views of distant, ancient landscapes. For the adventurous—trails along beautiful mountain ridges reveal panoramic views.

Drive to Jasper via Canada's most spectacular mountain highway—the Icefields Parkway. Stop and explore. Take pictures. Enjoy the peaks, valleys, waterfalls, glaciers and turquoise lakes.

The Columbia Icefield is located in Jasper National Park. The Icefield the largest sub-polar body of ice in North America—is one of the reasons why the United Nations declared Canada's four Rocky Mountain Parks—World Heritage Sites. The Icefield covers 325 square kilometres with solid ice up to 350 metres (1150 feet) deep. Take in the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier from your Snocoach!

Leave your rental car in Jasper. Board VIA Rail's "Silver & Blue" service, an afternoon departure, for your overnight journey to Vancouver. Trains have been part of the Canadian psyche for over a hundred years. At the turn of the century, rail travel was the first choice for travelers and adventurers, and it's still true today. Nothing beats the romance, the relaxation, the sheer luxury of rail travel. Experience the rugged Canadian West. You will travel along the tranquil North Thompson River, on the Interior Plateau with its sagebrush and Ponderosa pines, then along the rugged Fraser Canyon past Hell's Gate. A classic rail trip that will have you spellbound!

Make your reservation now—

 

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Soft Scuba
"The Soft Scuba Adventurer"

We are back! We have refocused our scuba operations. We offer you even better service. Your diving and accommodations cost you about the same—whether you use our services or our competitors'. We simply give you better service. We want your repeat business to other dive adventure destinations. When we work together, you receive customized service. We "mother hen" a little. You deserve your best-possible underwater adventure. We want you back with us again...and again.

All dive and accommodations cost about the same. Let's talk about airfare. Airfare can vary considerably. Many times, if you reserve with sufficient lead time, we can get the lowest fares through bulk air contracts. We always compare our bulk fares with what our wholesalers offer. Oftentimes, wholesale fares are lower than bulk air! We also make use of the leading Internet technology available. Our FareBeater^® Engine sometimes beats our wholesalers! For your FREE consumer report about how much FareBeater^® fares are lower than those offered by Orbitz^®, Expedia^® and Travelocity^® visit—

FareBeater^® Engine beats Travelocity®, Orbitz®, and Expedia® by up to $341 per ticket!
Yes, you may use it!—test fly it and compare!

We specialize in Caribbean and South Pacific destinations. We are currently researcing dive adventure destinations the Mediterranean. Explore the following URL. For other Mediterranean URLs visit our archives. [Click on URL at the end of your eZine.] Meanwhile, explore—

Gomera Dive Resort

 

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Dive Micronesia!
Truk Lagoon, Palau, Yap, Guam,
Kosrae, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Pohnpei, Ulithi, and Bikini

Micronesia comprises a vast area in the South Pacific. Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon, Palau and Yap are very popular dive adventure destinations. Discover new Micronesian dive adventure destinations—Bikini, Guam, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Saipan, Tinian & Rota, and Ulithi. Many WWII Pacific Campaign battles were fought throughout Micronesia. Well-preserved wrecks are "artificial" reefs over half a century young. Overgrown with great variety of sealife! World-class diving!
Diving—You travel from around the world. Experience Micronesia's most valuable treasure...it's coral reefs and spectacular wrecks. Visibility often exceeds 100 feet. You have a choice of islands. Enjoy drift diving, shallow and deep wreck diving and greater variety of colorful sea life. Marine biologists have discovered more species in Micronesia than in any other part of the planet.
Entry—You need a Passport—and a return or ongoing airline ticket.
Weather & Water—Enjoy your best conditions from January through May—which is low season as far as prices are concerned. Water temperature remains ~84 deg.F. year round. Visibility is usually over 100 feet.

 

Micronesia Dive Adventures

Photo by: Fred Altrieth–12/2000

You travel all that distance...you want to dive more than one island. We offer you many "specials"—depending upon when, where...and... how long. Explore your options. Make some plans. Get back with us. We will customize your best deal—we guarantee it! Fin over now—

 Photo by: Fred Altrieth–12/2000

Visit Micronesia destinations in pictures.
Subscribe and download your FREE eReport—
"How to Enhance Your Dive Adventures"

Soft Scuba— Voice: (941) 331-2086 Fax: (208) 955-7705 Email us now: We offer you more Dive Adventure Destinations. Visit us now!— Soft Scuba

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Stay current with Your One-Stop Information Center!—Your Air! Your Hotel! Your Car! Your Cruise! Your Complete Travel! Above! Over! Through!...and...Under!— Subscribe to "Psssss.....t! Your Flight To Quality webZine"—Psssss.....t! Subscribe Me Now and receive your FREE eGift