The Hotel world is changing and for the first time it finds itself in the impossible position of having to provide comfort and luxury whilst also satisfying the discerning eco-aware customer.
You see it had to happen eventually, recent studies suggest that the classic hotel is regarded as a kingdom of wastage where the average visitor abandons its well-crafted ecological habits in favour of a careless "I paid for this" attitude. The average guest would check-in to a hotel and immediately forget to turn lights off when not needed or would leave the tap running or even the TV on when not in the room, all things that at home seemed to be more obvious.
As time has gone by, it seems that the onus has fallen onto the hotels themselves to teach and be more in tune with the environment so that in time the guest attitude would change.
Whilst this is true of the inner city industry, in the same timeframe the world has seen an explosion of eco lodges and hotels carefully placed in the most ecologically interesting places on the planet from mountains to jungles and in these a new breed of traveller is enjoying the beauty of nature in the knowledge that their stay is not impacting on it.
Of course with this new-found interest a whole selection of lists and online guides have appeared to try and show the interested public where these new hotspots of eco-entrepreneurship are located. My favourite at the moment is www.ecohotelsoftheworld.com
About the Author
A modern day traveller!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Easy Tips to Make Your Cruise More Enjoyable!
Are you getting ready to take your first cruise or are you cruising for the first time in awhile? What an exciting time! Let these easy tips help you be more prepared:
Don't try to smuggle in liquor or wine in your suitcase. They almost always find it and you'll be embarrassed. It will also hold up your luggage from being delivered to your room when you arrive. If you want to take your favorite wine, just let them know when you embark. They'll fill out some paperwork, take the wine, and charge you a $15 uncorking fee when they bring it to you at dinner.
Don't pack more than you can comfortably carry or roll. You're going to want to take advantage of quick "check out" and leave when the ship docks instead of waiting for someone to transport your luggage. Don't over pack. For a 7-day cruise, take 4 nicer outfits for dinner and 4 casual, comfortable outfits for daytime. If you like to sun yourself, you'll spend a lot of time in a bathing suit and cover up.
Speaking of dinner outfits, rarely will you see people dressed up anymore. A nice pair of capris with attractive sandals and a pretty blouse, or a shirt tucked into a pair of khakis, is appropriate. Casually elegant is the look you want!
All ships have professional photographers on board. Consider before leaving home if you want to take advantage and have some family or personal portraits made. If so, take the appropriate clothing. Speak to the photographer and arrange sittings. They're very accommodating. The quality is excellent but a lot more reasonable than most photography studios on shore.
Take a shawl and a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt, even if you're visiting the tropics! Windy days on the ship can be very cool and the theaters and lounges where you'll attend shows are usually cool.
Attend the shows! They're usually wonderful! Don't avoid a show because juggling, for instance, isn't your thing. You'll be thoroughly entertained and will laugh until your side hurts! The entertainers are professionals.
Take walkie-talkies if you have people with you that you want to keep in touch with or find on the ship. Your cell phones probably won't work and the roaming charges won't be economical.
If you like to spend time in the sun or at the pool, you may want to consider taking an extra beach towel from home. The ship will provide one per guest but not extras. Some ships will provide an extra one with a $25 deposit. They're very protective of their towels.
The food on board is usually delicious but the biggest complaint is that it's not warm enough. Anytime you're carrying your food outside to eat, grab two plates and cover the plate of food with the extra plate to transport it. This will help some but the food cools quickly.
Follow these easy tips and you'll have a grand time! Bon voyage!
About the Author
Gail M. Davis is the author of the weight loss advice site www.easy-weightloss-tips.com. For more tips on weight loss visit our site today!
Don't try to smuggle in liquor or wine in your suitcase. They almost always find it and you'll be embarrassed. It will also hold up your luggage from being delivered to your room when you arrive. If you want to take your favorite wine, just let them know when you embark. They'll fill out some paperwork, take the wine, and charge you a $15 uncorking fee when they bring it to you at dinner.
Don't pack more than you can comfortably carry or roll. You're going to want to take advantage of quick "check out" and leave when the ship docks instead of waiting for someone to transport your luggage. Don't over pack. For a 7-day cruise, take 4 nicer outfits for dinner and 4 casual, comfortable outfits for daytime. If you like to sun yourself, you'll spend a lot of time in a bathing suit and cover up.
Speaking of dinner outfits, rarely will you see people dressed up anymore. A nice pair of capris with attractive sandals and a pretty blouse, or a shirt tucked into a pair of khakis, is appropriate. Casually elegant is the look you want!
All ships have professional photographers on board. Consider before leaving home if you want to take advantage and have some family or personal portraits made. If so, take the appropriate clothing. Speak to the photographer and arrange sittings. They're very accommodating. The quality is excellent but a lot more reasonable than most photography studios on shore.
Take a shawl and a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt, even if you're visiting the tropics! Windy days on the ship can be very cool and the theaters and lounges where you'll attend shows are usually cool.
Attend the shows! They're usually wonderful! Don't avoid a show because juggling, for instance, isn't your thing. You'll be thoroughly entertained and will laugh until your side hurts! The entertainers are professionals.
Take walkie-talkies if you have people with you that you want to keep in touch with or find on the ship. Your cell phones probably won't work and the roaming charges won't be economical.
If you like to spend time in the sun or at the pool, you may want to consider taking an extra beach towel from home. The ship will provide one per guest but not extras. Some ships will provide an extra one with a $25 deposit. They're very protective of their towels.
The food on board is usually delicious but the biggest complaint is that it's not warm enough. Anytime you're carrying your food outside to eat, grab two plates and cover the plate of food with the extra plate to transport it. This will help some but the food cools quickly.
Follow these easy tips and you'll have a grand time! Bon voyage!
About the Author
Gail M. Davis is the author of the weight loss advice site www.easy-weightloss-tips.com. For more tips on weight loss visit our site today!
Discover Kuta Lombok
The first time I came to Kuta, Lombok I had mixed feelings as its reputation around Lombok wasn't so spectacular. I was pleasantly surprised to find a friendly and happy little community at one of the most scenic places on Lombok.
Witnessing big reef breaks, and having been told about strong currents, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, concerning the diving, but I thought to myself, "Ok, now let's see". Crossing the bay on one of the little local outrigger boats we came to a massive sheer cliff, and dropped into one of the most amazing underwater sceneries that I've ever seen. Descending down along a steep slope lined with massive, coral rich, boulders we were joined by Giant Trevally and massive Grunts. Descending down towards where the big shadows were moving about, I was amazed by the abundance of macro life and huge lobsters we encountered on the way. At around 30m, we realized that the shadows we seen from above were huge potato groupers zipping in and out of the many crevices. As we continued on, a slight current carried us toward the mouth of the bay, and as we slowly ascended to around 15m a giant school of Mobula rays darkened the sky above us. They just wouldn't stop circling, and it seemed like the school had no beginning or end. As we continued ascending we went right through the school of Mobula, and they weren't at all bothered by our presence. On the contrary, it seemed more like they were enjoying the sight of the "strange creatures" they had encountered. Up until this day I've had plenty of great diving around Lombok, but this day ended for me with a huge smile on my face and a certainty that this is the place to set up a new dive shop in South Lombok.
In this area of South East Lombok, the water conditions are variable and occasionally subject to rougher seas. Nevertheless the dive sites are well suited for divers of all levels. The reefs are very intact, and apart from the many colorful reef fish, there is an abundance of macro life, crabs and lobsters to be found, and the chances of seeing turtles and white tip reef sharks are fairly high. You are also likely to sight blue spotted stingrays, cuttlefish, scorpion fish and more while diving this in this underwater paradise. Kuta, Lombok offers a great variety of possibilities for new discoveries as well as pristine reefs!
From Kuta it's easy to take daytrips to all of the pristine dive locations around Lombok. Whether you want to experience Sekotong, Gili Trawangan, Belongas Bay or the not so well know dive sites of East Lombok, the local dive shop there specializes in organizing these dive daytrips and caters to your wishes in a professional manner. On these daytrips you can enjoy good service, the landscapes of Lombok, and visit the best dive sites around the island.
In Kuta one will find many activities to pass the time. Rent a boat and cruise around the bay, go horseback riding, rent a bicycle and explore the area, play beach volleyball and of course excellent diving. Kuta also presents itself very welcoming, and you'll find many small restaurants and cafes with tasty international and Indonesian food. It's a place where you can let yourself be spoiled by the friendly and open population.
http://www.DiveZone-Lombok.com
About the Author
George - living on and diving around Lombok.
Witnessing big reef breaks, and having been told about strong currents, I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, concerning the diving, but I thought to myself, "Ok, now let's see". Crossing the bay on one of the little local outrigger boats we came to a massive sheer cliff, and dropped into one of the most amazing underwater sceneries that I've ever seen. Descending down along a steep slope lined with massive, coral rich, boulders we were joined by Giant Trevally and massive Grunts. Descending down towards where the big shadows were moving about, I was amazed by the abundance of macro life and huge lobsters we encountered on the way. At around 30m, we realized that the shadows we seen from above were huge potato groupers zipping in and out of the many crevices. As we continued on, a slight current carried us toward the mouth of the bay, and as we slowly ascended to around 15m a giant school of Mobula rays darkened the sky above us. They just wouldn't stop circling, and it seemed like the school had no beginning or end. As we continued ascending we went right through the school of Mobula, and they weren't at all bothered by our presence. On the contrary, it seemed more like they were enjoying the sight of the "strange creatures" they had encountered. Up until this day I've had plenty of great diving around Lombok, but this day ended for me with a huge smile on my face and a certainty that this is the place to set up a new dive shop in South Lombok.
In this area of South East Lombok, the water conditions are variable and occasionally subject to rougher seas. Nevertheless the dive sites are well suited for divers of all levels. The reefs are very intact, and apart from the many colorful reef fish, there is an abundance of macro life, crabs and lobsters to be found, and the chances of seeing turtles and white tip reef sharks are fairly high. You are also likely to sight blue spotted stingrays, cuttlefish, scorpion fish and more while diving this in this underwater paradise. Kuta, Lombok offers a great variety of possibilities for new discoveries as well as pristine reefs!
From Kuta it's easy to take daytrips to all of the pristine dive locations around Lombok. Whether you want to experience Sekotong, Gili Trawangan, Belongas Bay or the not so well know dive sites of East Lombok, the local dive shop there specializes in organizing these dive daytrips and caters to your wishes in a professional manner. On these daytrips you can enjoy good service, the landscapes of Lombok, and visit the best dive sites around the island.
In Kuta one will find many activities to pass the time. Rent a boat and cruise around the bay, go horseback riding, rent a bicycle and explore the area, play beach volleyball and of course excellent diving. Kuta also presents itself very welcoming, and you'll find many small restaurants and cafes with tasty international and Indonesian food. It's a place where you can let yourself be spoiled by the friendly and open population.
http://www.DiveZone-Lombok.com
About the Author
George - living on and diving around Lombok.
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