Have Fun on Vacation But Do Remain Skeptical

March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A visit to the Pacific Islands or any tropical climate for that matter is a trip of a life time. However, there are dangers to be aware of while on vacation. Not the dangers of forgetting your passport or not bringing enough cash to buy each friend and family member a bottle of run, but the dangers of potential harm, While most people stay on a resort when visiting the tropics, some people prefer instead to see the sites on their own and get a true feel for what life is like on the island. Here are some precautions to take when mingling amongst the native population.

1.) Picture Takers- When tourists visit tropical islands, there are always natives looking to get some of those tourist dollars. One way they do this is to offer to take a picture of you and your significant other in exchange for a tip. This is typically fine, however there have been many reported instances of the picture taker making off with the camera as they pretend to take your photo. Furthermore, if they approach with an accomplice, they could take your belongings that you had temporarily set down in order to pose for the picture. Do not accept the invitation in remote areas where there is no assistance around in the event of a theft.

2.) Be Prepared to be Offered Drugs- Indeed, if you are on a tropical vacation it is more likely than not you will be offered drugs at one point or another. Locals know that you can’t take marijuana or other drugs on the plane with you so they offer to see them to you on the island. It is best not to respond to the offer at all or soundly but politely reject the offer.


Filed Under: Attractions, Islands Tagged With: , ,

Partying in the Pacific Islands

February 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

here are many popular tourist destinations in the Pacific Islands. Perhaps none is more popular that Beachcomber island however. Known as party island, there is simply a reputation here that is well earned and uncomprmised. Many travelers from different places will make a short pit stop to the island simply because you haven’t really partied until you hit the island. Here are just a few of the great thinks you’ll find of Beachcomber island.

1.) Large Island Feasts- It’s geenrally all you can eat when you are on the island. Often a large pig will go round and round on a spit as meat us carved off and enjoyed. Naturally, there is a variety of native fare available as well and by the boatload. Partiers on the isalnd are known for mixing lots of food with rum and other strong alcohols and partieing from the day time all the way to the next morning.

2.) Water Sports Galore- Bring your scuba diving equipment and for the more novice divers, there is equipment to rent for a small scurity fee. Scuba diving is the most popular ater sport but ther eis also snoekeling available as well as jetski and waterskiing opportnities.

3.) White Sandy Beaches- If your desire is to just relax on the beach, a place known as party island might not be the best choice for you. However, after an all night party, even the most hardcore partygoers are going to need a break. Pull up a chair in the water right next to them and grab your sunglasses and sunscreen for a relaxing time. It likely won’t be much longer before everyone is ready for another cocktail and the party begins again.

This island has a reputation as the best party island in the area. If your goal is to party, this is simply a place you must visit. Accesories are availbale on the island and best of all, there won’t be any non-partiers to stand in the way of a good time.

Filed Under: Islands, Travel & Tourism Tagged With: , ,

Spending Time in the Pacific Islands

February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Pacific Islands, or the South Pacific Islands as they are otherwise referred to offer some of the best in aquatic entertainment. This large group of islands are located in tropical waters just to the east of Australia. As major storms pummel the northeast of the United States during harsh winter month, the Pacific Islands offer and ideal vacation destination for those looking for some heat. Here are just a few of the activities the Pacific Islands provide:

1.)Snorking- The white sands are bested only by the water, which is clear blue and provides an excellent site for snorkeling. Bring your gear and examine the ocean life in pristine waters.

2.) Golf- Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world is visible on the front and back nine as you golf in the Pacific Islands. Play the game you love while enjoying an incredible view.

3.) Diving- Whether you are an experienced diver or a newbie requiring a little instruction, you will not be disappointed with the diving opportunities available to you. Indeed, you will dive down and see ocean life as never before in the clear water of the Pacific Islands.

4.) Canoeing and Kayaking- You don’t even have to get wet to enjoy the beautiful water of the islands. The islands provide for ideal paddling channels as you take in the view of the surrounding scenery. Rentals are available at all island resorts and are typically available either by reservation or on a first come first served basis.

There is no shorttage of reasons to visit the South Pacific Islands, especially if you are making a trip during the winter time. Indeed, a trip to these warm and beautiful islands will not be one you will regret.

Filed Under: Islands, Travel & Tourism Tagged With: , ,

The pacific islands forum meeting

December 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Australian Pri...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The pacific islands forum meeting was held in Port Vial,Vanuatu. Held in the month of August this meeting invited the top leaders of the pacific. A lot of steadfast arrangements were made for this event by the government of Vanuatu. The country did well to make the event a grand success, considering that it had before this event celebrated its thirtieth independence day.

Topics of discussions revolved around the climate changes in the pacific islands, and its security concerns. Challenges that were being wrestled by the islanders was brought to the spotlight. The Pacific Plan was a new proposal that was discussed extensively.

The Pacific plan is a multipurpose strategy to look into issues faced by the inhabitants of the islands. It offered inventive strategies to overcome challenges by greater regional cooperation frameworks. A number of pioneering start offs was envisioned in the pacific plan. All these initiatives were directed at providing development across all regions of the pacific islands.

Strong growth, good policies, and sustained economic activity drivers were identified. Issue related to poverty and unhygienic living conditions came under the scanner. To improve living standards the forum leaders developed a strategy that combined employment opportunities with emphasis on education.

The main aim of the pacific islands forum has always been to work in unison to support the cause of welfare of the people of the pacific islands. This is done by bringing together the different governments and enabling cooperation and bilateralism.

From the forum members, Australia and New Zealand stand prominently as economically developed countries. This is a good thing for the other countries in the Pacific Islands. Australia and New Zealand are great markets for the island countires to market their goods. Also, Australia and New Zealand have supplied their troops to maintain peacekeeping activities in certain island countries of the Pacific.

India has been a dialogue partner. So is China. A lot of other countries are dialogue partners in the forum as well.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Pacific Islands Ethnic Museum

December 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Pacific islands are some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Close to 30,000 islands are known to fall in the pacific island list. Pacific islands lie in the Pacific Ocean, which is a vast ocean starting from North America, covering Asia, and finally Australia.

The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum opened on October 15, 2010.With its main aim to educate people about the culture, tradition, and mystery of pacific islands, this museum will houses all relevant artifacts. Considering that certain islands of the pacific ocean had no one visiting it for centuries, until lately, there definitely is a lot of mystery left that is unexplored. This is the area where the museum will delve into to get more historical discoveries.

Some islands have colorful cultural backgrounds. Aspects of such cultures can be brought to the museum. Given the fact that there are close to 30000 islands, one can imagine the kind of cultural, and biological diversity that might exist. And the museum has a lot of potential in documenting those evidences by way of showpiece specimens.

The museums chief had started of the process of putting together a museum in the 1990s iteself. At that time the museums founder travelled and met with the chiefs of the tribes that resided on these islands. By doing this a lot of information was taken, and this paved the way to the opening of an art institute in the micronesian islands in the 1990s. A point to be noted is that the pacific islands are structured into three distinct entities namely, polynesia, melanesia,and off course micronesia.

Apart from showcasing art,the Pacific Islands Ethnic Museum will also offer background information. Visitors will be highly enriched in their knowledge about these islands from the background information. The museum will help people understand how geographically dispersed islanders live their lives. It will offer a glimpse of how human beings in general adapt to living in geographical isolation.

Filed Under: Attractions Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Shanghai World Expo: The Pacific Islands Pavilion

November 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Expo 2010 in Shanghai, 2010. The largest expo ...
Image via Wikipedia

In the month of July 2010, the Shanghai World Expo witnessed a combined effort of the countries of the pacific to set up a stall. The stall was the Pacific Islands stall, and was architected in a blue hue, in accordance with its touristic stature.

The event was half-a-year long. It also was the year of the event that saw the Pacific Islands pavilion welcoming its one-millionth visitor. Truly, given the number of people visiting the stall, it seemed that the Pacific Islands exposition stall generated the maximum interest. After all, people are always intrigued by the sun, sand, sea, and serenity. Given the fact that the world still has to know more about the nations in the Pacific Islands, this was the perfect opportunity to throw some more light on them.

The Pacific Islands exposition stall served as a platform for the constituent nations to tell people about their countries. By doing so it generated a lot of touristic interest. People initially are always concerned about issues related to travel time, terrain, and culture. They are also wary about things related to security of tourists. The exposition stall served the purpose of educating tourists on the capabilities of the nations in handling all these things with ease.

Fourteen nations cooperated with each other to set up the Pacific Islands exposition pavilion. Here, instead of one single stall to represent the Pacific Islands nations, multiple stalls were setup to represent individual nations of the Pacific Islands.

The six months time of the exposition was enough for the nations of the Pacific Islands to tell the world much about their respective countries. In coordination with their foils back home, they generated a lot of prospective and potential customers. Trade, travel, and other activities received a boost. Certain island nations came with their own set of uniqueness and identity. This in itself was a great attraction for the avid traveler. This event successfully promoted the Pacific Islands.

Filed Under: Islands, Travel & Tourism Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Pacific Islands wants lower tourist carbon-prints

November 21, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Greenhouse emissions are the chief and foremost culprit of global warming. Greenhouse gases are atmosphere-based and puncture the Ozone layer; the protective shield of protective gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouses gases are emitted from the Earth’s surface. The main components of greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, and methane. Both are destructive components. They greatly increase the Earth’s temperature several folds.

A way to control this is to control the production of carbon dioxide and methane. The Pacific Islands have realized this fact and are working towards to control the carbon dioxide output from tourism related activities. By embracing clean technology the Pacific Islands seek to impose a paradigm shift in the region.

The Greenlight Technology Group, a clean technology vendor is partnering with the governments of the nations in the pacific islands to come out with an action plan. An initial run was conducted in the Fiji. Air conditioners were modified with clean technology components, and refrigerators were fitted with clean technology temperature regulators. Another initiative was to use gas to generate power, instead of using fossil fuels to do so.

This group has forged strategic alliances with non-profit volunteering agencies involved in renewable energy resources to form a think tank of sorts. They are working with governments of some countries to provide a solution that will sustain clean technology initiatives, and thus lower carbon emissions.

A recent report noted that countries that adopted initiatives to reduce carbon emissions from touristic activities in their regions had the highest touristic appeal. This report has further strengthened the case towards adoption of clean technology in the nations of the pacific islands.

By upholding steps to lower carbon emissions, pacific island nations will look to make long term benefits. A lot of cost saving can be made. Fossil fuels will make way for gas-based power generation systems. Air conditioners, refrigerators and other electronic equipments will benefit from clean technology components, by emitting less carbon and becoming more efficient.

Filed Under: Travel & Tourism Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Fantastic Fish!

November 16, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Get ready to meet two of the luckiest people on the planet: Andrew and Marit Miners are lucky to be alive, and living on a fabulous limestone karst in the Pacific Islands. Their grass-thatched, solar energy and wind powered home, faces atolls that lead to the horizon of turquoise waters and periwinkle skies. Schooling fish pass them by each morning as they commute by row boat, and sometimes a dolphin or two. Are they dead in heaven, sharing a success story of hard work and proper living that leads to paradise? No, the Miners are not dead: they have made their paradise a reality.

By speedboat, the nearest settlement is West Papua, which is four hours across choppy waters. The Misool Eco Resort was the brain child of Andrew, who convinced his wife and forty friends to invest in his dream of a far away resort that would make Bangkok seem as exotic as a Wal-mart. With the funding of dear friends, and the support of his formerly prosperous wife, Andrew moved to remote waters. So remote, in fact, that from Bali it takes two days of constant travel to arrive.

Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, has the highest concentration on the planet of marine bio-diversity. This is a fact recently discovered by scientists, who had been too busy oohing and awwing over the Galapagos Islands to notice anything else.

Wood from fallen trees was used to build the eco-friendly resort, with biological waste-fertilized gardens. There are nine elegant cottages on the water, as well as a diving center and a restaurant. Who could notice the worldly attractions when, from a cottage window, anyone can see reef shark, barracudas, stingrays, octopus, and bumphead parrotfish? This island paradise is worth the two to three day trip in each direction. Memories of pygmy seahorses, scorpion fish, and carpet sharks will warm the hearts of visitors for years after a visit to the resort of Raja Ampat.

Filed Under: General, Islands, Pros Tagged With: , ,

Electricity services will receive a boost in Marshall Islands

November 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The Coat of arms of the Marshall Islands
Image via Wikipedia

Electricity services will receive a boost in Marshall Islands, thanks to support from the Asian Development Bank, and Japan. The poor people of Marshall Islands will now have prepaid access to electricity which might not have been possible before.

Marshall Islands is a country in Micronesia, which is a part of the Pacific Islands. It is located close to the equator. The government here functions in a parliamentary-presidential combination mode. In the past ten years, the general domestic product of Marshall Islands has grown over a percent. The country has faced severe drops in tourism and other economic activities.

Due to recession, and lack of funds available in Asia, very fewer investments took place in Marshall Islands. There was also a severe drought that affected agriculture and allied activities. It has to be noted that the World Bank commended Marshall Islands as being the most inexpensive hiring and firing employer. But it scored low on winning investments and converting them into long-term contracts.

Now the situation is seeing a change with the a grant of close to two million dollars from the Asian Development Bank to Japan for investing in the Marshall Islands. This fund is from the Poverty Reduction Fund of the Asian Development Bank. Helping poor people in the Marshall Islands get access to uninterrupted electricity is the aim of the fund.

A survey will be conducted to determine the demographics. Households that are below poverty line will be identified. Majuro, the capital of Marshall Islands, will be targeted in the initial phase of the survey, but the survey will move on to other regions as well.

Marshall Energy Company will employ prepaid meters that will enable the people to better manage their electricity utilizations. The power generation unit will have an innovative concept to supply it the fuel. Copra producers will be engaged to produce a combination fuel. The combination fuel will have coconut oil as one component, and diesel as the other.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Islands Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Pacific Islands Forum Education Ministers’ Meeting

November 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (center...
Image via Wikipedia

The Pacific Islands education ministers’ meeting was held in Papua New Guinea, in the month of October 2010. The ministers’ meeting was held to take the education initiatives as enumerated in the Pacific Education Development Framework further by constructive actions.

Important ministers met to discuss educational initiative taken by the individual governments in the Pacific Islands. The meeting raised a lot of applause for Papua New Guinea’s initiative in the education space. The government of Papua New Guinea had offered scholarship to meritorious students. The forum members felt this was a great act to emulate by other countries in the Pacific Islands as well.

Acknowledging the fact that education was now the mainstay of the region, the forum ministers gave education the indispensability status that it should have always had. They felt that the development of the region was sustained of the basis of how much knowledge and skills the citizens of the country had. And this is only possible through sustained education programmes that supported meritocracy and inclusiveness.

The meeting was a perfect setting for the ministers to urge other members to work as a cohesive unit in successfully implementing the education framework. The Pacific Education Development Framework’s main aim is to incubate, and nurture the core values and sensibilities related to education. It aimed to provide children the necessary foundation and support to get access to primary education.

Realizing the fact that children of today are the custodians of the country tomorrow, the ministers lay a blueprint for implementation of the education framework. They felt that the education framework will help the youth participate in the development of their countries, maintain their cultural systems, and live enriching lives.

A plan was introduced to implement the education framework. The plan focused on things like an initial survey to assess the levels of literacy, followed by mapping educational initiative with the needs of the country, and then taking efforts to reach set educational goals, through coordinated action.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts