Enjoying the Two Australias

If you haven’t visited Australia before, there may be surprises. You can see things that don’t exist anywhere else in the world: pre-historic forests, unique animals, and the world’s oldest living culture. Over a dozen World Heritage Sites: “have cultural or natural value to the common heritage of humanity.” You will also find a modern world. It has glamour, high technology, a fast-paced lifestyle, and indulgent recreation. Australia can give you the best of both worlds.

The Great Barrier Reef:

The world’s largest coral reef system includes over 2,900 individual reefs. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, stretching more than 1600 miles along the Queensland coast. You can sail, ride glass bottom boats, snorkel or scuba dive to experience unforgettable multi-colored coral landscapes and marine life.

Greater Blue Mountains Area:

New South Wales’ largest wilderness area has deep canyons and cliffs. The Wollemi National Park, boasts two pre-historic coniferous pine forests, left over from the Continent of Gondwanaland. Wollemi pines have survived more than 110 million years. Come here and bushwalk back in time.

The bush and Aboriginal culture:

The archeology inclined, can visit Riversleigh, Queensland's most famous fossil site. Kakadu National Park holds a wealth of Aboriginal cultural artifacts. In Daintree, Rainforest, you’ll learn Aboriginal culture from Wujal Wujal people, in a 135 million year old rain forest.

Native birds and animals:

Coastal Islands of Phillip, Kangaroo and Ningaloo Reef, are ecological havens. Pelicans, sea lions, koalas, wallabies, bandicoots platypus, abundant bird life and fur seals find homes there. Daily, at dusk, thousands of little penguins waddle home from foraging for food. Brave people come to the reef, to swim with huge Whale Sharks. In Tasmania, you can visit Bonorong Wildlife Center to espy Kangaroos, Koala, Tasmania Devils and Wombats in their habitats.

Modern Australia:

"When in Rome do as the Romans" couldn't be more relevant than joining the fun-loving Australians in their favorite pastimes. Australia is a jet set playground that features some of the most stunning modern architecture you can find. Sydney Opera House, a Pritzker Prize, architectural masterpiece, is a must for the sophisticated visitor. It is a multi-venue performing arts center, with top artists and their own productions. The center sits on the bay near the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens. Try to see both.

Glamorous Casinos are in every major city:

There is world class gaming with Australian 2005 World Series of Poker champion Joe Hachem, the Australian poker championship and the Aussie millions. For other people, casinos have poker machines, locals call “Pokies.“ Playing pokies has become such a local pastime that pokies are in clubs and most pubs all over Australia. You can stop by and join the Aussies playing Pokies.

Australia’s historic prisons:

History is important to the country. Eleven prisons have been restored for guided tours: One in Tasmania even has an active theater re-enacting a prisoner’s story. Fremantle prison has the best remaining example of convict transportation.

Adelaide Central Market:

Not just a flea market, Adelaide is the largest outdoor produce market in the Southern Hemisphere. Even if you just enjoy local fruit while looking for souvenirs, it’s worth a stop.

Beaches and more:

Australia is a beach and surfer’s paradise. Quicksilver Pro-Surfer Championships are every February. Jet Ski’s and windsurfing abound. Aquatic recreation is on rivers, and beaches. You can hot air balloon, over national attractions in Canberra or your favorite beach. The only thing sure about visiting Australia, is that with so much to see and enjoy, you must come back again.

Take A Princess To Bali

Bali is a beautiful island located in the middle of the Java Islands of Indonesia. Its main claim to fame is its pristine beaches, summer weather and many cultural and sightseeing locations. Apart from beaches and religious monuments, Bali can also boast of some of the friendliest locals. However, by far the biggest attraction of Bali is water and water related activities. Being an island this makes sense. Scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, sail surfing, sailing and taking a cruise ship in around the area, are some of the most popular activities in Bali. Taking a cruise with stop at Bali is a relatively new attraction and one of the primary cruise companies that offer Bali cruises is Princess Cruises.

The most popular time to take a cruise to Bali is during summertime, or from May to September. Besides being vacation time for most people in the world, the other reason is because the weather in Bali is the most manageable during this time of year. Princess Cruises offers starting points from several cities in Southeast Asia to go on a Bali cruise. However, Singapore is perhaps the most popular place to start a Bali Cruise vacation. If you are starting from Australia, then Perth is the city to start a Bali cruise on aboard Princess Cruises.

So once you arrive at Bali, what is there to do? As mentioned before Bali is a picturesque and beautiful land that offers just about every type of entertainment for even the most discerning traveler. Hiking, biking, cycling, mountain climbing, elephant safaris, rafting, camping, and sightseeing are all available in Bali. As far as sightseeing is concerned some of the most popular places to visit are Kintamani, Tampak Siring, Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Besakih. After seeing all these monuments and temples, you will have a better understanding of the unique Balinese culture and history.

Going on an elephant safari is one of the unique attractions as far as Balinese vacations are concerned. Not many places offer this type of unique transportation. There are many tour operators that offer this type of journey. There are many places in the world that offer great surfing and diving experiences, but few can match Bali. Some of the beaches here offer the best surfing spots in the world! In fact, surfers from around the world converge to this place to take advantage of some of the best waves.

The good news is that all this can be enjoyed once you reach Bali on a cruise ship. However, when you take Princess Cruises, the journey itself is as fun as the destination. Princess Cruises has always been known to be one of the most family friendly cruises. Onboard amenities rival those found in a five star hotel. Bali holiday packages are also given for families. Once vacationers reach Bali, there are holiday packages given for people traveling with their families. This includes accommodations as well as sightseeing trips to places such as water parks and zoos.