Oceania Archives - Page 3 of 6

April 21, 2013 by Arlene

April 2013 Festivals Around the World

Festivals have always been an activity of great pleasure. As time goes on more and more interesting and exciting festivals have popped up around the world. From beer to wine, to medieval reenactments, to flowers, to music to food and much much more. April 2013 is no exception for hosting the most fun and interesting festivals of the year. Check out the list below and book your flight soon to get in on the memorable action!

Festival infographic

Infographic Source: Flight Centre, April Festivals from Flight Centre

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Photo by David Atkinson Images on Flickr

April 15, 2013 by Arlene

For the Art Lovers: Melbourne Makes its White Night Debut

Established in St Petersburg, Russia, White Night is an arts festival that, as the name suggests, runs continuously through the night. There are a number of cities across the world that host their own variation of the festival based on the original concept.

Places such as Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Leeds, Rome, Tel Aviv and Paris all play host to their own White Night events. Big news has emerged this year, as Melbourne has entered into the world of the White Night festival by hosting their very own version of the Russian arts extravaganza.

What Is The Purpose Of White Night?

Designed to encourage Melbourne residents and Australians across the country to get involved in the arts (either as spectators or actual artists), the white night festival included sculptures, dancing, art, design and live bands. In total there were over 100,000 people who made it to the city for the all night long festival.

One of the drawbacks to such a large number of people turning out in force for the event, meant that at times you might have had difficulty seeing what was happening. Not only did this hamper many people’s actual enjoyment of the event, but they may not have got to see an artist or a band they specifically turned up for. Many people made the wise decision and did not rush out to take part in the festivities until much earlier on in the morning, when a lot of the large crowds had disappeared.

No Longer Silent In The Library

One place that attracted a lot of attention was the state library that was playing host to very soft acoustic singing and harp playing. Many people remarked that it was beautiful and strange being in such a noisy library, contrary to the normal rules applied to sound within such an establishment. Other places dotted around the city had been turned into interactive, real life art pieces.

Some of these places had lights that danced against walls while performance artists acted out. Because Melbourne is already famous around the world for its street art, it felt as if the city had been elevated to a higher level than many of the other events, in terms of art appreciation at least. If your appetite has been whet by Australia and this once a year event, then one of the best ways to get to Melbourne is by booking online through cheapflights.co.uk. Not only do fly to all the best destinations down under, but they also offer the best prices too.

Vibrant Melbourne

Everywhere you looked, you saw art of some kind or another; whether it was a statue, a painting or acoustic bands playing their own melodies – it really made Melbourne feel like the most alive city in the world. Judging by the success of its debut foray into the world of white night, there is a strong sense that this won’t be the last time the city opens its doors for a long and extensive festival.

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Photo by frankzed on Flickr

April 15, 2013 by Arlene

Discovering New Zealand’s Individuality

When considering where to go on your next getaway, consider venturing to the gorgeous landscapes and amazing oceanic islands of New Zealand. There’s more to see and do here than probably anywhere else on the planet, and the cuisine is one of the finest in the world. New Zealand remains relatively undiscovered by thousands of travelers who are unfamiliar with the natural splendor of this magnificent country.

Take a look at these unique activities in this island paradise.

New Zealand Boat rides at Sea

Numerous boat rides and oceanic excursions are available to suit all types of budgets. Incredible bays and sounds are just bursting with aquatic sea life in New Zealand. Dusky dolphins are extremely acrobatic and they race alongside boats performing high back flips and other amazing feats. You can see newborns swimming alongside their mothers, and as they swim so close, you can actually look them directly in the eye. Orcas and other species of whale can also be seen and make for an incredibly memorable vacation.

Penguin Wildlife Preserves

The marine life in New Zealand is spectacular, to say the least. There are one of a kind nature preserves here where visitors walk quietly through camouflaged trenches that weave their way in and out of Penguin nests, allowing visitors to get extremely close to these wonderful creatures.

The penguin couples mate for life, and they take turns guarding their homes and chicks as their mate hunts for food. They take turns in this fashion – one guards while the other hunts and returns with food. It’s a strong family bond and viewing it up close and in the wild is absolutely stunning.

Every evening shortly after sunset, the penguin colony makes their way towards the shore from the deep ocean waters. You can watch the colony from the provided shelter as the little creatures splash and break the surface in an array of jumps and dives. It’s amazing how they navigate their bodies through the strong ocean currents, before making it to shore for the next phase of their journey, which is getting up the steep embankment to their nesting site where they’ll spend the evening together. This nightly occurrence is simply incredible for those that have never witnessed such an awe-inspiring site.

Sheepherding

Be prepared to stop for a herd of sheep crossing the road as this is a common occurrence in New Zealand. There’s more sheep here than in any other country, and watching them be herded by dogs or helicopters is a sight that you must see ‘live’ and in action. It’s a one of a kind experience that’s unique to the country.

It’s exciting to watch a sheepdog or collie jumping into action when they see a straying young lamb. These amazing animals just spark into life, round up the lamb and bring it safely back to the herd.

The dogs operate on hand signs and whistles that are inaudible to humans, so the dogs communicate with their masters on a high level, and with a high degree of intelligence. Watching them at work is a unique experience and a dying art form that’s been a tradition in New Zealand for decades. Collies are extremely highly regarded working dogs in this country as well, and statues have been erected in their honor.

Photo by andrew_suzanne on Flickr

April 1, 2013 by Arlene

Five Magnificent Places In The World For Deep Sea Diving

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When determining the next place to cross off of your wish-list of destinations to visit, then you really must consider one of these six magnificent places in the world for deep sea diving.

The Galapagos Islands

Certainly one of the most spectacular places on our magnificent planet has to be the Galapagos Islands. Made famous by the research of Darwin, the Galapagos offer views into ocean life and aquatic species that exist at no other place in the world.
Many of these creatures have evolved to be well-suited for the exact conditions present here on the islands. Being that the islands are quite a distance from any other mainland, unique species have evolved here that exist nowhere else in the world. The animals and ocean life on the Galapagos Islands have never learned to fear humans. This allows for spectacular viewing opportunities that can only be found here. You will see animals and sea life acting in their normal behavior, unaffected by human activity, and in their natural surroundings; A once in a lifetime experience.

Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef

If it’s the Manta Rays that you’re wanting to see, then you will be left in total and complete awe of these amazing creatures as they glide effortlessly through the aqua blue waters of Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef. During the Winter months, the massive manta rays are known to populate the area. This small island contains just one resort and one airstrip, so be prepared for a slower paced lifestyle here. The deep sea diving that can be found at Lady Elliot Island will rival any other location on the planet. The reputation of The Great Barrier Reef speaks for itself, and you won’t be disappointed.

Cayman Islands

The historic volcanic activity of the prehistoric past at Cayman Islands has helped to create one of the most exquisite of all the underwater environments. The Cayman trench has forged tremendous vertical walls that stretch as far as the eye can see. The Trench is the premier feature of the Cayman Islands which encompasses Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, and the infamous Grand Cayman Island. One of the features that make the Cayman Islands unique to any other is the unparalleled underwater clarity that make these islands perfectly suited for deep sea diving.

Bay Islands, Honduras

Groupers, Creole, and a wide variety of marine-life swim through the deep blue currents of Half Moon Bay Wall. Here, an underwater tunnel takes divers through a dazzling display of sea sponges, sea fans, black coral, and amazing sea creatures of all types. There is also a deep fissure named Mary’s Place. During the right time of day, Mary’s Place might become illuminated with moving streaks of sunlight that appear to dance through the water. At other times of the day, Mary’s Place can have an eerie and ominous feeling. In any case, these underwater drop-offs and ever changing coral make scuba diving here an experience of a lifetime.

Hawaii

How can we have a top six deep sea diving list and not mention Hawaii? As you relax and enjoy luxurious Maui Villas, take advantage of all the island has to offer during your vacation. Known for its popular scuba diving destinations, Hawaii has many unique diving sites that can be reached year round. One particular feature that makes diving in Hawaii so spectacular are the night dives that are available here. Arm yourself with a flashlight and dive into the dark waters of the sea. When you turn the flashlight, plankton becomes attracted to it which attracts manta ray and other underwater ocean life. This make for the most unique underwater spectacle that many never get the opportunity to experience.