Kimberly Fisher's Blog, page 235

Books: Loose Diamonds…and other things I've lost (and found) along the way

 

I LOVED this book. Amy Ephron is the girl you want as your best friend. Quietly humorous, classy and the voice of reason. I have heard of Ephron before, but have never picked up one of her books. She IS the great writer that everyone says she is. She will capture your attention in her 18 short stories that range from her love affair with Saks 5th Avenue to her mother's quirky dinner table habits to living and growing up in LA. Perfect beach/travel leisure read!

Filed under: books, california Tagged: books, cali, reading

Travel: Friday Photo

One of my favorite trips has been to Antigua, Guatemala. This shot was taken on the grounds of one of the most spectacular hotels I have ever stayed in, Casa Santo Domingo. Every day the staff places parrots around the grounds, and at night the grounds, which include musuems and a chapel, are covered with hundreds of tea lights. Nothing short of amazing. -KF

Filed under: friday photo Tagged: friday photo, travel

Travel Guest Post: Honeymoon Like an A-Lister

 

The rich and famous certainly know where to relax after their big day and are renowned for celebrating their nuptials in style. Here are five incredibly luxurious honeymoon locations, perfect for the jet-setting couple.

 

Arizona

Follow in the footsteps of Beyonce and Jay-Z by heading to Arizona for a week or two of marital bliss. Check into the prestigious Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort overlooking the Paradise Valley and enjoy some alone time together.

Retreat to the luxurious Sanctuary Spa for Asian-inspired treatments and classes, play tennis, go hiking or simply relax by the stunning pool. Enjoy award-winning cuisine by Food Network star Chef Beau MacMillan before heading to the bar for happy hour and a toast to your new life together. This wonderful resort reportedly costs $2000 dollars a night, but if you have the cash it is definitely worth it.

Bora Bora

Escape to Bora Bora in the South Pacific and unwind after your big day like movie star Nicole Kidman and her partner Keith Urban. Check into St Regis Bora Bora's 13,000-square-foot Royal Estate which reportedly costs $15,000 a night and enjoy all the luxuries of this great resort including three bedrooms, two living rooms, a chef's kitchen, dining room, private swimming pool, office and a spa area with a sauna, hammam (Turkish bath) and whirlpool. A wonderfully romantic retreat, this really is the perfect honeymoon destination.

 

Tahiti

Live like a celeb and jet off to the luxurious island of Tahiti just like American Idol winner Carrie Underwood and her hockey player husband Mike Fisher. Treat yourselves to a lavish break at Le Taha'a Resort and relax in an over-water suite with a glass bottom floor costing around $1,000 per night. Soak up the sun; take long, relaxing walks along the beach; and even check out the exclusive beachfront huts, where Mrs Underwood and her hubby found time to unwind.

 

Seychelles

Why not celebrate your special day like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and enjoy your honeymoon in the Seychelles. Chill out on the luxurious beaches before taking a helicopter to North Island and checking into the exclusive North Island Hotel just like actress Salma Hayek and her billionaire businessman husband Francois-Henri Pinault. Spend quality time together amid beautiful surroundings and make the most of this luxurious retreat which has just one villa which comes with your own  personal chef, plunge pool and spa. The ultimate experience, rates reportedly start at £10,367 in the low season, however, despite the expense you may never want to return home.

Mexico

Pack your bags and fly to Mexico like singer Seal and model Heidi Klum. Stay at Jalisco's spectacular El Careye's Resort and start your married life as you mean to go on. Surrounded by tropical rainforests and beautiful beaches the resort really is a slice of heaven and a great place for romance. Enjoy the lagoon-style pool located between the hotel and the ocean and admire the well-manicured grounds. Sit back with a glass of guava juice and savour every minute at this spectacular destination.

Celebs really do know how to honeymoon, so if you have the money, why not celebrate your marriage at one of the best destinations in the world?

Celebrity Honeymoons was produced by Ally Biring on behalf of Hotel Club; providers of luxury 5 star hotels in Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

 

 

Filed under: adventure, arizona, guest post, honeymoon, luxury, Mexico, tahiti, travel, travel planning, weddings Tagged: bora bora, celebrities, honeymoons, Mexico, Tahiti

Travel Guest Post: 4 Top San Diego Attractions

When travelers arrive in San Diego they see a beautiful coastal city with contemporary architecture and palm trees. The downtown area has a business district, many restaurants and cafes, museums, and shopping opportunities. Mountains and desert are on one side of the metropolis and the Pacific Ocean is on the other side. Here in Southern California the weather is mild. Cool mornings with fog give way to balmy afternoons with occasional rainfall. The region is a popular place to live and a getaway destination because of the near-perfect weather and the city itself with all it has to offer.

4 Best Places to Visit:

Balboa Park – No trip to San Diego is truly complete without a visit to this lovely and vast public park, a complex campus of gardens, playgrounds, grassy open areas, museums and a clock tower. The attractive buildings are all done in Neo-classical Spanish style architecture. Many public events happen in this park in the evenings and on the weekends. The famous San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park as well.

La Jolla – On the north side of town beside the sea, La Jolla is a high-end community with expensive homes, boutique shops, and intimate cafes. The area is also a wonderful place to explore the coastline with coves, rock formations, and cliffs banking the ocean. The Birch Aquarium located here has pretty fish and a large kelp tank. Then, man-made Children's Beach is home to a colony of harbor seals and many people visit to observe the seals.

Old Town – The authentic town begun centuries ago is San Diego's historic district. A great place for a day trip, the town has curio and boutique shops, restaurants and cafes, museums, canons dating back to the 1800s, and historic homes. People perform as historic figures and give in-character presentations telling about the start of the city long ago.

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park – Possibly the country's top zoo, the San Diego Zoo spans over 100 acres of land with natural animal habitats and exhibits. At least, an entire day is needed to see the zoo. Many animal programs and shows take place. The zoo has rare animals found in no other zoo in the world. The Safari Park spans some 1800 acres of naturalized land in San Pascal Valley of the north-eastern part of the city. Visitors motor through and watch free-roaming animals.

Bio: Rob lives in San Diego, and shares his knowledge with you. He also works with cash for cars San Diego. A company that purchases cars for cash.

Filed under: adventure, california, guest post, travel, travel planning, travel tips, travel writing Tagged: balboa park, california, san diego

Travel Guest Post: Visiting Healthy New York City

Living in NYC almost like a dream come true, great people, great parties, great clothes, great shoes, great manicures, great pizza, great restaurants… But it's not exactly the place where you think you can find healthy food. Here is an alternative to all fast food restaurants: salad bars! No need to break the bank to watch your figure in NYC.

What exactly is a salad bar?

A salad bar is one of the easiest ways to catch up on your greens or have the exact portion of vegetables you need daily. Usually it is a buffet where you can make you very own salad; choose the dressing you like and the exact quantity of each component.  Most of them have the same regular components which are lettuce or similar, and many raw sliced vegetables, croutons, etc. Some salad bars are more creative and feature other cold meats (ham, chicken, bacon); eggs, cold pasta, beans, etc. And if you think veggies won't do for you, they usually sell soups, yogurts and fresh fruits and pastries.

This concept was introduced over 60 years ago in Illinois, in Springfield. It started developing in the 60s with the creation of many salad bar restaurants. What we know as the all-you-can-eat veggie buffet was in fact featured in Chicago by Rich Melman's restaurant with over 40 different items.

How does that work?

There are different types of salad bar, some of them let you put whatever you want in your salad, some of them let you take as  much as you want as many times as you wish, and some charge by weight. I think it really depends if you want, either enjoy your veggies on the go or sit down and enjoy a healthy meal hanging out with friends.

Where to go?

I love NYC because it is a city where you can do pretty much everything. And there is nothing like a big bowl of veggies after a long day of shopping or a crazy night in the Big Apple. There are many great places to go to depending on the neighborhood you're at.

Here are four great places to find good salad bar at different prices.

The Deli on Madison

420 Madison Ave, New York 10017

This is a small place that can compete with any other great restaurant on Madison. They offer more than the regular sandwiches you can find in a deli. They have a cozy and comfy room upstairs where you can sit and enjoy the food they prepare daily.

The Amish Market

731 9th Ave, New York 10019

This is more than a market, apart from all the different fresh products they sell, they have amazing salads, sandwiches and hot dishes. For $6,99 you can get a pound of whatever you like. This is the perfect place to come for a quick lunch or just grab a bite and maybe bring some of their delicious products home with you.

Lifethyme

410 Ave of the Americas, New York, 10011-8416

This is one of the best organic markets you can find in NYC.  They serve amazing vegan and vegetarian hot or cold meals. Coffees, power drinks, smoothies and fruit juices are also vegan and organic, same for their muffins, cookies, cakes and pies. This is the ultimate health food store.

The City Bakery

3 West 18th St, New York 10011

Now this is the kind of upscale salad bar NYC has to offer. This is the place where you will avoid long lines and find something light, simple and good in Union Square. Not only do they have a large variety of salads, but also hot dishes including fish, pasta, etc. They also serve great sweet treats that will satisfy any sweet tooth, which is where it got its name from. This multi floors venue is the ultimate salad bar in this busy district.

Salad Bars have become my favorite places to eat in any country; NYC has some of the best I've tried. Convenient, cheap and welcoming, these are the perfect alternative to the regular quick bite you usually grab, but with more vitamins.

About the Author: Lisa is an avid traveler and blogger for Apartime.com who provides vacation rentals in New York City.

 

Filed under: guest post, health, holiday, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: healthy eating, nyc, salad bars

Travel Guest Post: Last Chance to See 3 Endagered Destinations

As every year passes, the world opens up a little further. More people go further to discover places undiscovered by their friends and family, bringing tourist revenue to regions that would once have never even considered a tourist industry possible. But as new pages are written in the industry journal, there are those on which the book is very nearly shut.

The problem is, a lot of tourist activity actually makes the book close that much quicker. The title of this article should not be taken as a call to action, but neither should it be taken as a condemnation for visiting such places. Tourism can be a force for good: it brings money, infrastructure and interest to places that would have otherwise remained undiscovered. The challenge is merely establishing a level of sustainable tourism.

The Valley of the Kings

Over 500 years, the royalty of several Ancient Egyptian dynasties were buried in the valley of the kings. For most of the next 3000 years, most of the tombs remained undiscovered. But tourists defacing the tombs have been a problem even as far back as the Ancient Greeks and Romans: names carved in their respective languages litter the tombs of kings a thousand years before their time.

Though modern-day tourists are generally more respectful of the 63 confirmed tombs known in the Valley of the Kings, their number causes gradual damage. Between Four and Nine Thousand people visit the tombs every day. And the mere fact that the fragile tombs are now open to atmospheric processes against which they were sealed for thousands of years is enough to put them into a spiral of deterioration.

Recognising the significance of the tombs both to the human history and local tourist revenues, the government now expects visitors to proceed single-file and quietly on their tour of the tombs (with lectures forbidden inside). Because even harsh light sources can damage the complex murals, taking photographs inside the tomb will usually result in you being ordered out of the valley. The authorities rest tombs periodically. But even despite these measures being taken, it seems likely that, in time, tourist activity will ruin this important historical resource.

The Maldives – Rising Sea Leve

The Maldives don't do 'tropical paradise' in half measures. Over one thousand incredibly beautiful coral islands sitting in the northern Indian Ocean, with an amazingly diverse coral reef and a temperature that barely dips below 24 celsius. Yet, a modest rise in sea level could entirely obliterate all that stands above the sea: the highest ground level in the entire republic is only 2.3 meters (7 foot 7 inches above sea level). The average height is just 1.5 meters (4 foot 11 inches).

Regardless of your views on the origin of global warming, the fact is that sea levels are rising year on year, and a rise of just 20cm could destroy settlements and infrastructure. So should you rush on Maldives Holidays for a last chance to see this stunning destination? It's a case of 'keep calm and carry on'. The Maldives are unlikely to be gone within our lifetime, and with the population increasingly dependent on tourist money, it would be equally unethical to stop visiting.

Riga – Stag Parties

Drunken stag parties in Eastern Europe are something of a modern rite of passage for the people of western Europe. Air Travel to these nations is available through budget airlines and accommodation is often very affordable. Then of course, there's the drink, which costs about half the price, before you consider the almost legendary appeal of neat vodkas and other spirits among groups of young men. Eastern Europe and Vodka have the same tough-guy image, and what better way to give the groom one last night of freedom than by pummelling him with machismo until he cries like a little girl.

Popular stag destinations in Europe include Warsaw, Prague, Krakow, Bratislava, Budapest and Riga. And though the parties bring a lot of money to the local economy, they also bring a lot of added grief. Stag Parties are part of a larger western European trend towards disrespectful holidaying, anything that spoils the classical, historical appeal of a fantastic European destination. Riga is a good example, a beautiful capital of a newly independent country that prioritized the renovation of its historical buildings to attract tourist money, only to end up as yet another short-haul retreat for rowdy groups of men.

And whilst certain western European nations have a reputation for vandalism and violence, there is a far greater chance that the problems will happen at the expense of the travellers. Riga's local mobs operate bar scams and reports of muggings, thefts and a general attitude of exploitation have been the subject of comment in the past.

The result is that Riga is fast becoming an amazing town which is less and less desirable for those who want to enjoy it for what it should be: a stunning old town and showcase of the architecture and culture of the eastern Baltic.

Steph Wood is a copywriter, blogger and traveller who works for Tropical Sky UK, who offer mauritius all inclusive holidays and good deals on other top locations.

Filed under: adventure, travel, travel planning, travel tips, travel writing

Travel Guest Post: 10 Incredible Money Saving Travel Tips

 

Vacations are great when it is time to rejuvenate the spirit and add some excitement to a fairly humdrum life. We need a break from the working life and crave adventure and excitement. Of course, this "adventure and excitement" comes with a price tag. Many people are worried about penny-pinching on vacations. The truth is that you can have a great vacation and save money at the same time.

 

1. Research the destination and create a budget

Make a plan when it comes to the destination and budget. Create a list of all the places that you want to visit and look up prices and calculate how much it is going to cost to see everything. Also decide how much you will spend on food, traveling, souvenirs, and emergencies.

 

2. Dine for fewer dollars

Many people make the mistake of spending a majority of their budget on food. It is a mistake that can be avoided if you do research on restaurants in the area. If you have small children, find restaurants where kids eat free or at a reduced cost. There are many great coupons offering two-for-one discounts or a percentage off an entire meal. If you are going to be out sightseeing most of the day, buy items to make your own lunch.

 

3. Use peer to peer car sharing websites to rent a car at 80% cheaper than traditional agencies

It may sound expensive, but renting a car is a smart idea. You have flexibility in determining when you want to travel and you are not at the mercy of public transportation and high taxi fares. There are many professional peer-to-peer car rental companies available these days and they will save you loads of cash. If you are visiting Australia, check out DriveMyCar Rentals. It is a great service that works to promote and facilitate private car rentals, earning money for the car owners whilst saving money for the car renter.

 

4. Use hotel comparison websites to find the best priced hotel

Use hotel comparison websites to find the most affordable option. Plug in the destination, check-in and check-out dates, the number of rooms, and the number of people, and the website will give a list of all the available hotels and the price. These websites also list what is included with your hotel stay.

 

5. Pack light and smart

Over-packing can lead to big headaches. Many airlines have strict requirements about how much a bag should weigh and how many bags a person can check in. If your bag weighs more and/or you have over the number of bags per person, you will be paying hefty overage fees. As well you do not need to bring your own shampoo, conditioner and body soap when staying at the hotel. Even if the hotel does not have it, it is an item that can be bought anywhere.

 

6. Book flights early and use airfare aggregator websites

While it is possible to find travel deals last-minute, it is not easy to predict if the flight you want will drop in price. If you know where and when you want to go, buy a ticket. Book flights at least one month in advance. The longer a person waits, the harder it is to get a lower price because prices climb as seats fill up. Check out airfare aggregator websites to find the best priced flight. Not only do they not charge processing fees, but they look at all airline and travel websites to find the best deals.

 

7. Hit major vacation hotspots during the off-season

Although summer is peak season for most destinations, great deals are to be had if you choose to go during the off-season. October is a great time to head to the Caribbean islands, Mexico and Florida if you do not mind a little rain. For European destinations, look into September and October. Take a trip to your favorite ski resort between late November and early December. When you travel off-season, flights are less expensive, hotels are available, and lines to get into attractions are not as long.

 

8. Keep track of what you are spending on extras

It is easy to forget that the little things do add up. If you do not pay attention, you will easily blow a large part of your budget on unnecessary spending. Do you really need the shot glass that said you visited the Bahamas? If you want to get souvenirs, check out a local dollar store selling mementos. Do all shopping on the last day to further make sure you do not spend too much.

 

9. Check out all-inclusive resorts

To avoid the shock of all the money you spent on hotel stay, entertainment, and food, look into all-inclusive resorts. While the price tag associated with staying at an all-inclusive resort may seem high, when you factor in room, board and entertainment, it can be a steal.

 

10. Find a package deal on airfare, hotel stay and car rental

Vacations are extremely expensive when you factor in paying for airfare, hotel stay and car rentals. Luckily, there are a number of great travel websites providing package deals for all three, delivering big savings. Always keep this rule of thumb in mind – the more items you bundle together, the more money you are likely to save.

 

Kristy writes for Drive My Car Rentals a new peer-to-peer car rental community, where you can save up to 60% on the cost of traditional car rental companies. Whether you're seeking short or long-term car hire DriveMyCarRentals.com.au have something for everyone.

Filed under: travel, travel planning, travel tips

Travel Guest Post: Russian Roulette; Don't Gamble with Your Safety When Traveling Abroad

All of us have at least one distant land that has made its way onto our bucket list.  Perhaps you want to see the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, or Angel Falls before you shuffle off this mortal coil.  And many of us travel outside our country of origin not for pleasure, but for business, globe-trotting for a company that operates on a multinational level.  Whatever reason you have for visiting and exploring foreign lands, you need to be aware of the fact that laws, customs, and cultures differ from place to place, and there are always those amongst the populace willing to take advantage of the unwary traveler abroad.  So if you want to protect your property (and yourself) while jet-setting, get your head out of the clouds and observe a few tips about staying safe when traveling.

Learn a few phrases.  You don't necessarily have to be fully immersed in the language of the land you're visiting (especially if your office predominantly speaks your language or you have a translator on hand).  But it behooves you to learn a few common phrases for a couple of reasons.  If you get lost or go out on your own, you may need help from someone who doesn't speak your language.  Also, it shows that you're interested in the place and people you're visiting, unlike most obnoxious tourists.  And when you need a bathroom, directions, or a cab ride you'll be glad you learned to say a few things.
Explore customs and laws.  When you travel it's a toss-up whether cars go on the right or left side of the road.  Knowing this could save you from a lot of trouble.  In some countries certain people are expected to dress modestly, or refrain from acting affectionately (and there may be laws pertaining to this behavior).  And then there are social mores like phrases and hand gestures that are unacceptable or foods that should not be consumed.  While the natives may not expect you to adhere to all of these, foreign as you are, they will almost certainly appreciate an effort on your part not to flout their laws and traditions.
Get a guide.  There's no better way to keep your nose clean and enjoy your trip than to hire a guide to shuttle you around, show you the hidden byways of a city, and give you a running diatribe on everything the culture and the country have to offer.  This person can give you tips on sightseeing, shopping, and food while passing along historical and cultural information that may interest you.  Although you might be keen to explore on your own, you could be a lot better off with someone who speaks the language, is familiar with the territory, and has an onus to keep you safe.
Keep money and I.D. hidden.  A money belt is something that every traveler should use.  Losing your money is not so bad.  Even credit cards can be cancelled (although you're really better off carrying traveler's checks, which are insured).  But when you lose your ID (a passport, for example), you're going to have a pretty rough road ahead when it comes to returning to your country of origin.
Know where the embassy is.  If all else fails, getting yourself to your country's embassy can be a valuable failsafe.  Not only can they protect you from harm (and sometimes prosecution), they also understand the laws of international travel, which they can use to your benefit.

There's no need to play roulette with your safety.  By doing some homework, paying attention to your surroundings, and doing your best to stay out of trouble you're going to ensure that you have a fabulous time traveling abroad, no matter what the reason for your visit to a foreign country.

Author: Carol Montrose

Filed under: travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: travel, travel safety

Travel Guest Post: Fitness Holidays

From Tenerife to Turkey we all enjoy a good holiday to recharge the batteries and generally relax. However by doing so we also seem to gain weight that our fresh tan cannot disguise, this leads many of us to spend endless hours in the gym trying to get back into shape once we return home. However there is a new craze which is becoming more popular with holiday makers in the form of fitness holidays. These luxury getaways are spread throughout the world and offer the chance to take part in fitness activities, eat right and relax in the spas.

As a little treat, let us take a look at some of the most popular fitness holidays which are available across the world:

Europe:

There are many resorts in Europe which include beautiful countries such as Spain, Cyprus, Turkey and Italy. One of the most popular destinations is situated in Albir on the east coast of Spain; The Sha wellness clinic attracts many celebrities and managed to land the prestigious Condé Nast 2010 award for having the best thermal and natural spa. The clinic has many an expert in nutrition, fitness and general well being and has attracted the like of Demi Moore and Gwenyth Paltrow in recent times.

Asia:

Visit Asia where the spas and culture are completely different to anywhere else in the world.  India plays host to many of these spas and clinics which are renowned for their simplistic unique approach to relaxation. The SwaSwara found just south of Goa is the perfect relaxing getaway and probably one of the calmest, tranquil places on the planet, everything has been carefully planned in this resort to provide ultimate relaxation -even the buildings are natural earthy colors which helps install a natural feeling of peacefulness.

Africa:

The African continent is the perfect contrast to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy lifestyle. The country offers many safari holidays which can be a once in a lifetime experience as well as opportunities for a few weeks in an unspoilt paradise. Fundu Lagoon is typical of the rustic resorts which are present within Africa; it provides many activities such as windsurfing but focuses on its relationship with nature which enhances the whole experience.

Caribbean:

Known for the people's relaxed attitude and outlook on life the Caribbean maybe an ideal place for a wellness holiday, the numerous Islands provide destinations which are simply beautiful and the laid back atmosphere clearly rubs off on people who visit this area of the world. A luxury wellness holiday which has been gaining a bit of a reputation is that of Parrot Cay, one of the Turk and Caicos Islands, the islands in nature are low in population and in fact only 8 of them are inhabited out of 40! Parrot Cay is a wildlife enthusiasts dream with great bird life and amazing coral reefs and is said to be one of the best diving experiences in the world.

This is just a little snippet of the fitness holidays which are available throughout our planet. The popularity of these destinations is growing and wellness holidays are not just for celebrities any longer. So if you want to skip some hours in the gym and come back from your vacation in better shape than you left why not try one of these popular resorts.

Author: Saul Malpass

Filed under: adventure, europe, fitness, guest post, holiday Tagged: aftrica, Asia, europe, fitness holidays

Travel Guest Post: Exploring Fraser Island

Fraser Island, a World Heritage spot since 1992, is a unique island off the south coast of Queensland, Australia. Recognized as being the world's largest sand island, it also is designated the Queensland biggest island and the largest on Australia's east coast.Its sand has amassed on volcanic rock layers for over 750,000 years, and the island has diversity in its natural environment- with tropical forests, woods of eucalyptus and mangrove, swamps of wallum and peat, dunes of sand and moors on the coast.

It is home to an assortment of plant and animal life- mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Dingoes are an endangered animal on the island but are also placed in the dangerous category. Visitors can view 300+ varieties of birds as well as 25 kinds of mammals and see Humpback whales on special tours that sail from Hervey Bay.

Fraser Island is a well-liked holiday destination and can be accessed by ferry or by chartered flights. The ferry can be taken from Urangan Boar Harbor to various points on the island or by a charter plane from Maroochydore Airport.

A visitor must use a four-wheel drive for traversing the island and must have a permit for the vehicle which is attained at DERM and at Rainbow Beach. Several companies have vehicles for hire to rent. Tourists may also board tour buses on the island.

Driving is the most pleasurable approach to view Fraser Island. Most visitors should plan on three days to see most of the sites. So select a campervan hire or plan to check into island hotels.

Several companies rent out 4WD with jeeps that seat from two to 8 people, There are budget tours, self-directing sightseeing, or guided trips.

Driving becomes more challenging in the dry period because the sand roads are difficult to maneuver. The easiest time to drive is after it has rained because the sand becomes more solidified. So with that in mind, the better option might be to go on a tour. And if the tour is longer, the tour group is usually smaller.

Fraser Island gained its World Heritage designation because of its native traditions. Known for its outstanding splendor of white beaches and colorful crags of sand, many fresh water ponds and lakes all surrounded by beaches.

Primeval tropical forests flourish in sand beside creeks and in heights of 200 meters, the highest in the world. The wallum moors are sources of growth and environmental importance and are known for the wildflowers growing there in the spring and summer months.

The huge sand dunes and cliffs of many colors of sand are the most extensive and show the greatest development of time in shoreline dunes. And they are still changing, showing the changes in climate and sea level over thousands of years.

Frazer has a diversity of sites for the visitors both natural and man made.

Lake MacKenzie, with its clear blue water and white sands, is the premier lake to visit and one of the most well-liked sites. Lake Wabby has green colored water and is about 30 minutes from the beach. The walk out from the lake will lead hikers to the rainforest. Visitors sometimes body board into the lake. The only available restrooms are found at the beginning of the walk.

Indian Heads is the rocky projection at the north side of the primary beach. After climbing to the pinnacle, view sharks, turtles, rays, and dolphins in the ocean.

Eli Creek is a freshwater stream located in the middle of the beach. Swimmers can glide or stroll down the water. The depth of the water fluctuates but usually only gets about waist high. A board walk skirts the edge of the creek.

Champagne Pools, located north of Indian Heads, are a safe place in which to immerse in sea water. They take their name from the foam that remains when the sea water enters the pools.

Maheno Shipwreck dates from 1935 when a decommissioned ship, the Maheno, was pushed onshore by a storm.

The Great Sandy Strait, which divides the island from the Australian continent ranks in significance of Wetlands as it includes uncommon ferns, mangroves, sea grass and supports thousands of shore birds and rare turtles and butterflies.

Fraser Island is a fishing paradise. One of the most frequent fish wanted is the tailor found on both the island and along the coast of Queensland as well as jewfish, golden trevally and silver bream. On the calmer western waters, anglers go for whiting, flathead and bream. The choices of baits include pilchards, bloodworms, yabbies, pipi, and sandwords. One word of warning, Fishing is forbidden in the creeks and lakes on the island.

Trekking is another option for the outdoors-minded person. One favorite hiking trail is the well-maintained Fraser Island Great Walk which is 90 km in length. Shorter walk example is to start in Kingfisher Bay where the ferry drops off passengers and walk to Lake McKenzie, camp for the night and then return.

Fraser Island visitors have two choices of accommodations– resort hotels or camping.

The island has three resorts. Eurong Beach Resort, with a variety of room costs, is located on the south part of the main beach on the eastern part of the island. Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, on the west side of the island, is more upscale, thought is has less expensive huts, plus dining and pubs. Sailfish on Fraser, situated at Happy Valley, provides two bedroom apartments.

Fraser Island has campgrounds which differ in features and accessibility. The primary organized camping areas are Dundubara Campground, Waddy Point, Central Point Tents, and Cornwells Break which allow large group camping. Campers must have permits for camping and vehicles.

Have fun exploring Fraser Island and share your impressions in the comments!
Natasha Tasha is a travel blogger from Australia. Her favorite form of travel is camping trips, and she writes travel reviews for Discovery Campervan Rental. She also writes travel journals and guides for several travel blogs.

Filed under: adventure, australia, guest post, holiday, outdoors Tagged: australia, fraser island, outdoors, travel