MANALI + TERRY | Newlyweds Backpack Round The World

Top 5 | Romantic Places in Europe

Manali — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:45:59 +0000

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, we thought that if romantic break is on the cards, then any place in Europe cannot be beaten. There are so many destinations that are perfect for a honeymooning couple (backpacking or not)and although these are mainstream cities, the energy and buzz surrounding these ancient and gorgeous cities can’t be compared!

Paris should definitely be at the top of everyone’s list of romantic destinations, cliche but true. Activities such as taking a river cruise down the Seine, soaking in the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower or seeing all that the Palace of Versailles has to offer are perfect for those who want a taste of French culture. Of course, don’t miss the delectable treats in the bakeries and cafes while you are exploring.

Venice is another popular romantic destination, particularly for honeymooners. This Italian city is renowned for gondola rides and buildings that have not changed in centuries. Ditch the map and get lost in the narrow alleyways, there are always hidden gems to be found and the best restaurants and cafes are off the main tourist trail.

Another capital city on the must-see list is Rome. The Italians can create a romantic atmosphere like no other and there are plenty of attractions to see while there. Opting for a rental car for travel options means that the countryside around the city can be explored, giving couples on a romantic break the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

With a large number of Greek islands to choose from, the country should be an obvious choice. The island of Santorini is particularly popular for romantic breaks and is a fairly small island. Local crafts are popular with shoppers and a traditional piece of gold jewelry makes the ideal gift for a loved one.

The city of Bruges in Belgium is perfect for a weekend break. It dates back to the medieval period and canal boat rides are one of the best ways to see all that the city has to offer. As a small country, Belgium can be easily explored with the help of a rental car; cities such as Brussels and Liege are within easy reach.

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Taking Europe by Train :: A Eurail Story
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Top 5 | Luxury Hotels in Canada

Manali — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:26:58 +0000

Canada is an outdoor haven for adventure lovers young and old and we love it! However, after a full day’s worth of adventure, sometimes you want to spoil yourself, put your feet up and relax in luxury.

Tourists can enjoy staying in a fully equipped hotels within easy reach of the country’s top adventure destinations in the following places:

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, British Columbia: Located in the center of Whistler Blackcomb, this hotel is in one of the greatest ski resorts Whistler has to offer. The hotel provides access to in excess of 8,000 acres of ski terrain.

Post Hotel, Alberta: The Post Hotel is perched at 1,500 meters amidst the Banff National Park. Canada’s largest skiing area is just minutes away from the hotel.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts and Spa, British Columbia: Located in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, this luxurious eco-resort is situated in the perfect location for horse riding and boating.

The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Ontario: The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel looks over the scenic Lake Ontario. The lake is the ideal spot on which to boat.

Lazy Bear Lodge, Nord-du-Québec: The Lazy Bear Lodge offers cozy log cabins to adventure seekers visiting Hudson Bay. The hotel offers polar bear sightseeing tours.

Enjoy all that Canada has to offer and more!

Top 10 Hotels in Canada for Adventure Lovers

Canada is an outdoor haven for adventure lovers young and old. Tourists can enjoy staying in fully equipped hotels within easy reach of the country’s top adventure destinations. The top ten hotels for adventure lovers are:

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, British Columbia

Located in the center of Whistler Blackcomb, this hotel is in one of the greatest ski resorts Whistler has to offer. The hotel provides access to in excess of 8,000 acres of ski terrain.

Post Hotel, Alberta

The Post Hotel is perched at 1,500 meters amidst the Banff National Park. Canada’s largest skiing area is just minutes away from the hotel.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts and Spa, British Columbia

Located in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, this luxurious eco-resort is situated in the perfect location for horse riding and boating.

The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Ontario

The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel looks over the scenic Lake Ontario. The lake is the ideal spot on which to boat.

Lazy Bear Lodge, Nord-du-Québec

The Lazy Bear Lodge offers cozy log cabins to adventure seekers visiting Hudson Bay. The hotel offers polar bear sightseeing tours.

Emerald Lake Lodge, British Columbia

This stunning hotel, located near to Yoho National Park, provides hikers with easy access to the Iceline Trail, which leads to the beautiful Emerald Lake.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta

Alberta’s deluxe Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge grants close proximity to the ski slopes found in Jasper. The hotel is home to an award winning 18-hole championship golf course.

Bella Coola Mountain Lodge, British Columbia

Tourists staying in the rooms and suites of this Central Coast of British Columbia hotel can partake in a spot of bear watching on their vacation.

Blue Water Acres, Ontario

This lakeside resort, sited near Algonquin Park, enables guests to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities including fishing, dogsledding, cycling, kayaking, sailing, golf and snowmobiling.

Grande Rockies Resort, Alberta

Situated in Canmore, this resort is up in the mountains and is close to Canmore Golf and Curling Club and Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. This fully equipped hotel is popular with golfers.

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Lake Taupo | New Zealand :: Queenstown of the North Island
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Scotland Review | Affordable Vacation Spots

Manali — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:26:40 +0000

Making your holiday affordable, or even virtually free, is easier said than done for many people.
However, with a little insight, such a vacation can be just around the corner. There are numerous ways
to save money when it comes to an affordable holiday in Scotland. When you factor in budget
place to stay with free things to see and do, any family holiday can suddenly be remarkably less
expensive.

Scotland is a popular tourist destination, which is great news for those traveling on a budget.
Heading to a popular tourist destination means competition for companies, which provides
plenty of options and opportunities for consumers. When you’re looking for a budget place to
stay in Scotland, think location. Although city centers were once the preferred place, the suburbs
and private resorts have since become the fashion. This means that families can often get great
deals on centrally located places to stay, which is a perfect way to cut back on expensive taxis.
Staying central allows travelers to walk with ease to nighttime entertainment, restaurants and
main attractions, as well as utilize public transport. Picking up a great hotel deal can be made
even better for those who take advantage of additional savings, such as voucher codes.

One of the most obvious attractions to enjoy in Scotland is the nature and wildlife. The country
boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK with a vast array of animals, flora and
fauna along with its rugged landscape. This haven for nature lovers can literally be enjoyed for
free by simply taking a short journey.

Outdoor activities are an excellent way for the entire family to get out and enjoy the best of
Scotland. No matter where in the country you are, you will surely be able to find affordable
activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking and golf. Scotland is also well known for its
great trout and salmon fishing opportunities, especially along the River Dee and River Don in the
Aberdeen region.

There are more than 2,000 palaces and castles dotting the Scottish countryside. They range from
lavish royal residences to historical ruins. Of course the most visited is Edinburgh Castle, but
others worth a visit include Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace.

It may surprise you that many major cities across the globe still over free entrance to exhibition
buildings, and Scotland is no exception. In Edinburgh, for instance, visitors can take in a host of
free places during their visit. Enjoy the Royal Scottish Academy and The National Galleries of
Scotland, which comprises the National, Modern and Portrait galleries in three separate buildings
across Edinburgh. Other free exhibitions include the National Museums of Scotland in Edinburgh,
and scenic things such as Arthur’s Seat Volcano. Don’t forget that strolling through public garden
areas is always free and enjoyable!

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Top 5 | Romantic Places in Europe
02 February 2012 11:45 AM | 36821 CommentTop+5+%7C+Romantic+Places+in+Europe2012-02-02+18%3A45%3A59Manali
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Top 10 | Whale Watching Destinations

Manali — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:35:55 +0000

Whale watching can appeal to people of all ages. Seeing these magnificent animals up close in their natural environment is an experience of a lifetime but where are the best places to go to see these amazing animals?

Below, Travel Supermarket takes a look at ten of the best whale watching locations around the world:

1 – If you want to stay within the UK to see a whale, then a visit to Scotland could provide whale sightings along with lots of other wildlife. The Isle of Mull and the Isle of Skye are excellent places to spot basking sharks, minke whales, dolphins and porpoise. The rocky islands and beaches also offer visitors chances to see puffins, golden eagles and sea eagles along with many other birds. The middle of June to the latter part of September is the best time to visit.

2 – If you don’t want to travel too far to see some whales then the Azores could be ideal. The Azores are home to over 20 species of whales between the months of April and September every year. The species you can see here range from spotted and striped dolphins, orcas and blue whales. In 2009, a northern bottlenose whale, a rare sight, was seen in the Azores.

3 – Close to the Azores, the Bay of Biscay on the Northern coast of Spain is home to Risso’s dolphins, pilot, fin and killer whales. The most sightings appear in August and the Picos de Europa in the Cantabrian Mountains is a great place for hiking and wildlife spotting.

4 – Slightly further afield, the north east coast of Iceland is home to a fleet of fishing boats that have been converted into tourist whale watching ships. If you are lucky, then one of these boat trips will reward you with sights of blue and humpback whales along with the more common sightings of white beaked dolphins and minke whales. In Husavik, the main port area has a whale museum with many different displays of whale skeletons and the different species found in the Icelandic waters.

5 – If you want to see killer whales, then a trip to the coast of Norway is one of the best locations in the world to observe them in the wild. The Lofoten Islands, in the Arctic Circle, are one of the best areas to see them. If you go between October and January, an hour’s boat ride out to sea will reward you with many sightings. This is the period when herring shoals are migrating through the waters and the killer whales are feeding on them. A trip at this time of year may also reward you with a sighting of the Northern lights.

6 – Alaska and the area of the Glacier Bay National Park, Point Adolphus and Chathan Strait is the stretch of water where every year, thousands of California grey whales migrate through, heading south for the summer. The best way to see whales off the coast of Alaska is to take one of the many cruises along the coast, where you will see other marine wildlife and birds.

The best two whaling lodges in Alaska are located in Angoon and Ketchikan and are called the favourite bay lodge and the lodge at whale pass. There are many different species of whale that can be seen from the lodges themselves, including porpoises, orcas and humpbacks.

7 – At the other end of the American west coast, California is another great whale spotting location. Grey whales and dolphins are predominately found in the Sea of Cortez and other bays along the Californian coastline. Grey whales in this area can often follow tourist boats and you may see blue whales in the same area.

From the Californian town of Point Reyes along the coast to Santa Barbara, you will be more likely to see humpback and blue whales and the occasional sighting of dwarf sperm whales has also been recorded in this area of water.

8 - Further afield, a trip to the New Zealand’s south island and the town of Kaikoura is a must for all whale lovers. The waters off the coast are where cold and warm currents come together and the rich nutrients in the water are forced to the surface of the deep water. Sperm whales and several species of dolphin are regularly sighted in this area. If you are lucky, you may also see the Hector dolphin, which is only found in New Zealand and is the world’s smallest dolphin.

9 - The South African coast between Durban and Cape Town is a 1200 mile whale migration route. If you want to stay in one location that offers the best chance of seeing the most varieties of whales, then Hermanus is where you should base yourself. Whales can often be seen close to the shoreline and the months of June to November are when the majority of whales are passing through.

Hermanus is also home to an annual whale festival. Apart from the stunning coastline, the inland scenery has plenty to offer in this area and hiking is a popular pastime. Hermanus can offer you an insight into South African culture and the wildlife of the area all in one stay.

10 - The grey whales that are travelling south from Alaska to the Baja Peninsula pass the west coast of Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island is home to several whale watching lodges and the King Pacific lodge has its very own whale guide who can show you the best places to see the passing whales. From Vancouver Island, you can view minke and humpback whales as well as the grey whales.

Vancouver Island is also home to a lot of other wildlife including porpoise, sea lions, seals and a multitude of marine birds. There are also plenty of opportunities on Vancouver Island to go fishing, hiking, sea Kayaking and take wildlife trips where you may be able to see bears and if you are lucky, you could also see killer whales and orcas off the coastline.

When deciding which of the above holiday destinations to visit in 2012, you’ll need to consider your budget and the species of whales you wish to see. Another thing to bear in mind is that no matter where you choose to visit, it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll get to see any whales. Thankfully however all the above locations have scenery, marine life, birds and other great visitor attractions that will make the trip well worth the effort even if you don’t get to see any whales!

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M & T Holiday Giveaway | 100 free postcards!

Manali — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:35:18 +0000

We’re very excited to partner with UPrinting.com this month to give away a free set of 100 postcards to one lucky reader! You can use these to send to friends and family all 2012 to document your adventures. Also, if you love taking travel photos, these could be a great way to share the gorgeous shots and travel memories!

Who can enter: US residents 18 years of age or older

What you can win: The winner will receive 100 custom postcards, 5″ x 7″ in size on 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Front Only Printing. Print turnaround time is two business days.

When entries close: 5pm Eastern Standard Time on December 30, 2011

Where we will announce the winner: On our Facebook page by January 5, 2012 at the latest and by email to the winner

How to enter: Just follow these simple steps…

1. Tweet including this postcard printing URL http://www.uprinting.com/postcard-printing.html

Example: I want to get a chance to win postcards from @manaliandterry and @UPrinting. Check http://www.uprinting.com/postcard-printing.html! #manali

NOTE: Make sure to use the FULL URL (http://www.uprinting.com/postcard-printing.html) and not use any URL shortening tool for the tweet. Twitter will automatically shorten the URL for you.

2. Become a fan of our Facebook page by pressing the ‘like’ button.

3. Leave a comment below (be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win) to let us know you “liked” and/or “tweeted”!

Each comment will be assigned a unique number and the winner will be chosen using a random number generator

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting.com, no monetary compensation was given and we will receive postcard printing service for hosting. See information about available postcard size and free postcard templates on UPrinting.com.

Good luck !

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A European Holiday
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M & T’s Top 11 of 2011 | Great Wall of China

Manali — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:21:57 +0000

Of all the adventurous things we conquered, the 10 Kilometers that Manali and I hiked from Jinshanling to Simatai is definitely one of the most memorable! Be sure you avoid the tourist trap that all foreigners are led to which is the restored section of the wall, completely restored and leveled out with plenty of hawker stands selling trinkets.

We took the cable car ride up to the starting point, but you can also hike up which will add to your total journey. Also, when you embark on the hike, ensure you take plenty of water, although there is plenty to purchase along the way from hawkers, and even cold beer! Hiking shoes or at least tennis shoes are highly recommended. Whatever you do, no flip-flops! The Jinshanling side is the most original, having escaped so far extensive restoration efforts, proving it that much more interesting. As you approach the Simatai end, widespread restoration has taken place, making the trek a bit easier, some say similar to climbing in Northumberland.

We paid 260 RMB per person, which included transportation from our hostel to Jinshanling and back to our hostel from Simatai. The bus trip was 3 hours each way, with a short 10 minute break in the middle. This proved to be a great value after we looked around a bit. Lunch was also included, but you are advised to pack a sack lunch if you’re not a big fan of traditional Chinese. Not included is the additional 95 RMB per person of Great Wall entrance fees and bridge crossing, so make sure you bring that along with you during your trip or you may be sleeping the night on the crossing!

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M & T’s Top 11 of 2011 | Guilin, China
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M & T’s Top 11 of 2011 | Beaches & Islands of Thailand

Terry — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:38:47 +0000

Thailand beaches are really relaxing and although similar, there are a few things that stand out in each that could make or break your beach time.

Ko Samui :: The east coast of Samui has the busiest and most developed beaches, lined with resorts and bungalows. The party beach is Chaweng, lined with restaurants and shopping. However, if you’re looking for a quieter time, check out Lamai beach which still has a decent amount of activity, but slows down close to midnight rather than 3am. Some really nice upscale resorts, including the Four Seasons, are on the west side of the island but are rather secluded if you are looking to meet people and bar hop.
Recommendations :: If you get a motorcycle, drive around the island, see some of the local villages and check out the vast coconut fields in the middle of the island, over 2 million coconuts are exported to Bangkok each month!

Also check out Canary Wharf apartments in London when you’re there next!

Ko Tao :: A small clean island hugely filled with divers, surrounded by stunning waters and colorful corals and tropical fish. Lodging can tend to be expensive if you are not diving, but the diving is some of the best quality and cheapest in the world due to the competition. It’s easy to walk the entire island and if you are not diving, the beaches are all yours during the day!
Recommendation :: Ban’s Diving Resort www.amazingkohtao.com

Ko Phangnan :: This is the true party island and is bumping every night with raves until dawn. Although the full moon party is the most popular, the locals have every excuse to throw a celebration and take your money, so have promoted Half Moon parties, Black Moon parties, Pre full Moon parties etc. Be prepared to be pushed, spilled on and shoved by drunk 18 year old Europeans.

Phuket :: Very commercial island and one of the most popular, with entire beach strips covered with restaurants, bars and ‘ladyboy’ / transvestite shows. Largely populated with tourists from all countries and a throng of US military soldiers passing through. Patong beach is the most popular and very common looking, compared to some of the smaller Thai islands. Lots of activites available from diving in the nearby Similan islands to jetskiing and eating delicious fresh seafood.
Recommendation :: “Recommendation :: Visit Simon’s Cabaret with world famous dancing ladyboys who look spectacular! For a top notch but inexpensive place to stay, check out Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club. Each suite is loaded with fantastic comforts like balconies, kitchens, laundry rooms and large living spaces.

Ko Phi Phi :: One of the more famous islands due to the movie “The Beach” being filmed there with Leo diCaprio. The island itself is dirty, crowded and touristy, with young Brits promoting the party of the night and happy hours of buckets of potent punch well into the night, so sleep is not a priority here. However, you can find some awesome snorkeling on neighboring islands (Maya Bay, Long Beach and Monkey Beach) and gorgeous white sand beaches on Bamboo Island, a short boat ride away. The limestone cliffs are also a sight to be seen.
Recommendation :: Check out the food stalls near the local market, serving up hot and fresh Thai dishes each night. Mr. Sammy’s restaurant was delish and some of the proceeds go to the Tsunami relief fund.

Ko Lanta :: This chilled out, quiet, slowly developed island was one of our favorites. Great, low crowd beaches and slow paced life really allowed us to relax and have no worries in the abundance of beach front bungalows. Long Beach is one of the more popular beaches with beach front restaurants and reggae bars. Sala Dan, the port area has cheap souvenir and clothes shopping as well as activity sign ups.
Recommendation :: Check out the national park at the tip of the island for amazing water and sunset views, also Ao Mai Phai has a great bay and spectacular cliffs.

Ao Nang, Krabi :: A resort town filled with souvenir shops, western chain restaurants and Swedish families. We truly felt as if we were in Europe! An extremely clean and well equipped town for a quick rest, you can also find ample with organized tours of mangroves, limestone cliff jumping, windsurfing, fishing and diving.
Recommendation :: Take a short motorbike or taxi ride to the National Park area where you can swim through caves and grottos and beaches are spotless, backed by lush forests.

Rai Lei, Krabi :: Tiny beach peninsula, a short boat ride away from Ao Nang, is a mecca for adventurous rock climbing. The water on the east and west sides was dirty and polluated from the dozens of boats alongside the beach and was definitely not fit for swimming. Phra Nang beach (Cave beach) was by far the sweetest spot with pristine beaches, hidden caves and swim through cliffs.
Recommendation :: Watch the sunset from Sunset Beach. Duh.

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M & T’s Top 11 of 2011 | Things To Do In Shanghai

Manali — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:33:11 +0000

1. Shanghai Museum: First of all it’s free which is always nice. The museum also provides great insight into Chinese culture and history. It is conveniently located near People’s Square, Nanjing Road and Renmin Park.

2. Walk Nanjing Road (especially east of People’s Square): Nanjing Road is the tourist haven, and this pedestrian street caters to that face like no other place we saw in Shanghai. Lots of opportunities for shopping, and people watching. Once the construction for Expo 2010 is completed you can walk eastward all the way down the river and The Bund.

3. Take In A View of The Bund & SWFC Observatory: The Shanghai skyline is relatively well known, and the view is spectacular from the world’s highest observatory. The SWFC (Shanghai World Financial Center) also houses the world’s highest hotel.

For other accomodation recommendations, visit Scottish Cottages for awesome deals!

4. Visit Food Streets like Wujiang Road: You want find scorpions on sticks, but there is a good variety if you are adventerous and don’t mind a little trial by fire. Food from most places seem safe to eat, but be wary. Hopefully streets like these will continue to be around in some form, but apparently gentrification is taking its toll.

5. Yu Gardens and Bazaar: One of the best places (Yu Gardens) we found for a little room to stretch our arms and bask in relatively quiet surroundings after walking the streets of Shanghai for a week. Will cost you 40 RMB per person, but interesting and expansive gardens. The surrounding bazaar offers tons of shopping, and is another big tourist haven, evidenced by the many tour buses collected down the street.

6. The Bund Observation Tunnel: We did not have a chance to do this, but seemed like an interesting experience. 20 RMB one way or 30 RMB roundtrip, the tunnel should offer excellent views of The Bund and waterfront. Wait until Expo 2010 or after as the endless construction barricades should be down by that time.

7. Explore French Concession Area: Never found this name used locally, but guidebooks referred to it constantly. Collection of western oriented bars, restaurants and hotels. The area is also home to most foreign embassies, and the difference in architecture of the area is quite obvious.

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M & T’s Top 11 of 2011 | Things To Do In Sydney

Manali — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:27:53 +0000

Sydney | Australia :: Things To Do In Sydney from Newlyweds Travel The World on Vimeo.

A walkable city with an extensive network of trains, subways and buses, the main attractions in Sydney can be seen in a mere few days. Australia’s oldest and biggest city (4.5 million people) offers sun, sand, surf, sailing and skyscrapers. Like many large cities, Sydney is extremely diverse and offers great food, art, nightlife, parks, beaches and any activity you crave, so you can easily spend weeks here. Some highlights from our trip include:

Darling Harbor / Circular Quay: Street performers occupy every corner of this touristy area, but most are professional and worth watching! You can also catch an IMAX flick here, snack on some fish and chips and just hang out and watch the sailboats flapping in the breeze.

Sydney Opera House: The iconic symbol of Sydney is worth seeing from the outside and even better if you can catch a performance there.

Royal Botanic Gardens / Macquaries Point: Picturesque view of the harbour bridge and opera house from this wonderful, lush park. Perfect for a picnic or stroll to feed the “wild” cockatoos!

Sydney Fish Market: Although not as large as the Tsujiki Market in Tokyo, this is the second largest fish market and auctions take place everyday at 5am. The freshly fished seafood (clams, lobster, shrimp, fish filets) are worth the long lines for a quick fresh lunch!

Taronga Zoo: Although we didn’t go to the zoo (we were waiting for the wildlife in Tasmania), we heard that the Taronga Zoo is amazing and worth visiting, especially if you have children and aren’t traveling to other parts of the country. Where else would you be able to see koalas, kangaroos, dingos and wombats all together?!

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: A spectacular walk with breathtaking cliff views of the eastern coast of Australia. Some parts are newly paved which makes the walk painless for all. You can also take a dip in the cool ocean or the plethora of public pools along the way! Bronte Beach was our favorite. For last minute getaways, check out golfing at Costa Del Sol!

Hyde Park: Similar to central park in New York, this park is well located and used by all to lounge in the sun, enjoy some lunch during their work break. Also, check out the impressive ANZAC war memorial and catch some of the free concerts during the summers.

Paddy’s Market: A great place to buy cheap souvenirs and fresh produce! It felt like we were back in the markets of Thailand with all the hustle and bustle!

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M & T’s Top 11 of 2011 | GBR Pro Dive Live Aboard

Manali — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:10:04 +0000

We have nothing but great things to say about Pro Dive in Cairns! The three day live-aboard was nothing short of professional, entertaining and enjoyable. Although a packed schedule, we never felt rushed and the crew definitely made it their mission to be attentive to all the divers and ensure the experience was ‘once in a lifetime’.

The meals were hearty and delicious, the afternoon cake was the best (I have a severe sweet tooth), dive briefings were thorough, and the facilities were great.

The first question that comes to mind on a live aboard is, “Where will I sleep?”. We were not disappointed, and after the first night, adjusting to the rolling of the sea, we were fitter than US Navy sailors.

We rarely went into our rooms unless we were changing into dry clothes or sleeping, and there was plenty of room to spread out and relax.

We met some great people from all over the world and even squeezed in some games of Pictionary and Spoons! We heard all about the cottages in Yorkshire, which we’ll have to check out next time!

How did we know we were going to dive that day? Sure, a schedule was posted, but we loved lulling about until one of the dive staff yelled out, “It’s dive time!”. My days afterward, just don’t feel as good, without that beckoning call. At the notice, we prepared for a briefing and then down the stairs to mount up with our gear.

The only regret about the whole experience is that it ended too soon! Thanks Pro Dive!

Details: $600 per person + $45 reef tax for 11 dives and 3 day / 2 night live-aboard
Address: 116 Spence St, Cairns, Queensland – www.prodive-cairns.com.au

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