Corfu, an island off Greece’s northwest coast in the Ionian Sea, is defined by rugged mountains and a resort-studded shoreline. Its cultural heritage reflects years spent under Venetian, French and British rule before it was united with Greece in 1864. Corfu Town, flanked by 2 imposing Venetian fortresses, features winding medieval lanes, a French-style arcade and the grand Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant in West Asia. This fantastic Cruise covered the highlights of the Greek Islands as well as Ephesus and Istanbul in Turkey - AMAZING!
Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Tioman Island lies off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the South China Sea. It's a nature reserve, ringed by beaches. The area is known for its dive sites, which have corals, sea fans and sea sponges, as well as shipwrecks. The island is covered in tropical rainforests, home to butterflies, lizards and monkeys. On the east coast, the Juara Turtle Project is a hatchery that protects and studies sea turtles. Perhentian Islands are beautiful tropical islands in the South China Sea on the east coast of Malaysia. It is a perfect getaway with spectacular pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, rich marine life, and a great variety of things to do.
Dunedin is a city in New Zealand, at the head of Otago Harbour on the South Island’s southeast coast. It's known for its Scottish and Maori heritage, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and a large student population. Hiking and cycling trails crisscross the dramatic landscape of the adjoining Otago Peninsula, home to colonies of albatross, sea lions and rare yellow-eyed penguins. Te Anau is a town on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Te Anau Caves feature a limestone grotto of glowworms and an underground waterfall. To the southwest, the Kepler Track winds through beech forests, glacial valleys and mountains. Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life. Boat tours are a popular way to explore. The Kepler Track is a 60 km circular hiking track which travels through the landscape of the South Island of New Zealand and is situated near the town of Te Anau.
Fiji is famed for its intense tropical beauty. Trent had the privilege of celebrating his 5th birthday with the Fijian Villagers. We were aboard Captain Cook's cruise boat and travelled to Robinson Crusoe island. Magnificent scuba diving and welcoming locals. We enjoyed a traditional kava ceremony with delicious lovo. Kava is a mildly narcotic and sedative drink made from the root of the yaqona - when presented with the kava you clap and yell "Bula" (Fijian for Hello) and drink in one gulp followed by three more claps and yelling "Ma-tha!". You then feel marvellously serene ... no doubt why Fijians serve kava to settle arguments or to make peace between Villagers!
