Cruise Ship Destination Port - Things of Historical Interest in Nassau

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Things To See In Nassau

One of the ports that many cruise ships have as part of their itinerary is the Bahamian town of Nassau. It is a small place but there is plenty to see here. If you choose to get off your cruise ship and want to take a walk around the area, you will discover that there are some great historical monuments to see. Here are just a few of the sites that you will see that are within walking distance from the harbour.

The first thing you will want to do is to pick up a free map from the Port Authority Building. This is the building that everyone has to walk through that opens out into Nassau. All the points of interest are highlighted on these maps for your convenience.

Things of Historical Interest in Nassau

Queens Staircase

If you follow the map and walk along Elizabeth Avenue you will find yourself at one of the main sites of historical interest in Nassau. This is called the Queens Staircase. This is a set of stairs that were cut into the limestone hill by slaves. Sixty six stairs were created which lead up to Fort Fincastle, the fort that was used to protect the island from foreign invasion. Sixty five of the steps now remain. They are very narrow and very steep but you are sure to feel a sense of achievement once you have climbed up them all.

Fort Fincastle

Fort Fincastle is a ship shaped structure that was completed in 1793. It was constructed by Governor Lord Dunmore and overlooks Nassau, Paradise Island and the eastern approaches to the island of New Providence. The design of the Fort was created so that potential enemies would think that it was a large ship from a distance which would hopefully deter them from attacking the island. There are several cannons that have survived over the centuries including two 12 pounder cannons and one Howitzer.

Fort Fincastle used to serve as a lighthouse until 1817, when a new lighthouse was built on Paradise Island. You can take a short guided tour which lasts about 15 minutes and costs only $1. Once you are inside you will see the fantastic views of the town. On a lovely clear day, you will be able to spot your cruise ship in the distance and produce some wonderful landscape photographs.

Water Tower

Opposite Fort Fincastle you will see the Water Tower. It is 126 feet tall and is known as the highest point in Nassau. This is also a great place to see spectacular views of the whole city. It was built in 1928 as a water supply reservoir for the surrounding area.

Once you have spent a little bit of time taking in these historical buildings, you can choose to return to the Queens Staircase and head back down the stairs. This also provides a great photo opportunity. You can then take a look at the wonderful crafts that have been hand made by the sellers in the area. You can pick up artwork, bags and hats that have been hand woven and even statues hand crafted from wood.

Cruise Ship Destination Port - Things of Historical Interest in Nassau

Five Must Do Things in Vancouver British Columbia

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Vancouver is an incredibly vibrant, multicultural city experiencing tremendous growth in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Considered one of the world’s most livable and beautifully-situated cities, Vancouver offers a wealth of interesting experiences for the curious visitor. Here we present a few old favorites for travelers to enjoy, as well as one or two places off the beaten path for the curious adventurer.

1) Canada Place

The first stop for anyone coming to Vancouver should be to walk along the spectacular promenade of Canada Place at Waterfront Station. Constructed as the Canadian pavilion for the World Expo 1986 and now housing the city’s Convention Center, a stroll around Canada Place allows the visitor to take in the beautiful harbor of Burrard Inlet, with its vista of snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, and the modern glass towers of Coal Harbour nearby.

Canada Place also showcases the dynamism of Vancouver’s economic might and place in the global market. The inlet seethes with container ships bound outward to China and parts beyond. In the summertime cruise ships from the world’s major lines dock along the pier en route to Alaska. Floatplanes taking off for the wild natural coves of the Inside Passage and helicopters departing for Vancouver Island augment the energetic scene.

It was here that the Canadian Pacific Railway completed the transcontinental railway in 1889, bestowing on Vancouver the nickname of ‘Terminal City’. Since then Vancouver has changed from being the ‘end of the line’ and is now considered the ‘Gateway to Asia’ and the Far North. It’s a perfect introduction to the city of Vancouver and shouldn’t be missed by the curious traveller.

2) Spanish Banks

For another perspective on the city ride out the beaches at Spanish Banks, on the north shore of Point Grey. In summer with the tide out, the golden sands of the lovely beaches seem to stretch out to infinity. The water remains shallow and warm with the tide in during the hot months, but at any time of year the view remains breathtaking, with the tall modern condominium towers of Vancouver sparkling in the distance like shards of light within the green jade bowl of the mountains beyond.

Treat yourself to a visit at the Jericho Sailing Association and share an enormous platter of nachos served up on the delightful terrace. From your commanding perch you can watch boating hobbyists and windsurfers at play on the water or see stately craft from the nearby Royal Vancouver Yacht Club pull up their sails. Further inland, Ultimate Frisbee players sprawl out on the green fields and tennis courts attract some of the city’s best players.

The area of the park was once a seaplane base and military camp during the Second World War and now contains a youth hostel, with a local community centre and theatre. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic or just to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and well worth the visit.

3) Sushi in the West End

Vancouver is world-famous for its venerable Chinatown and the hundreds of restaurants contained therein. The city has been a home for Asian immigrants since the construction of the railway in the 19th century. Those who braved the voyage to the ‘Gold Mountain’ brought with them culinary traditions that have enlivened the palates of generations of Vancouverites. In addition to Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean neighborhoods Vancouver once had a thriving Japantown along East Hastings, now sadly in decline.

These days, thousands of English language students from Japan and Korea have turned the area along west Robson Street and Denman into a miniature Tokyo or Seoul. One of the best ways to sample some of the city’s delights is to visit a few of the many restaurants offering affordable and delicious all-you-can-eat buffets of sushi and sashimi.

Shabusen restaurant at the corner of Burrard and Robson is a great place to start, with its wide selection and wonderful Korean barbecue specials on the weekends, when you can cook spicy marinated chicken, beef and pork at your own personal brazier. Another great stop is Tanpopo restaurant near the corner of Denman and Davie streets, with its wealth of fresh wild salmon, tasty gyoza dumplings, salty spinach ohitashi salad and a marvelous outdoor patio where you can watch to world go by at nearby English Bay.

Be prepared to leave both restaurants perfectly satisfied as you continue your exploration of the multicultural feast that is Vancouver.

4) Nightlife in Gastown

For a night on the town Vancouver has a lot to offer the adventurous. The Granville Street strip is where revelers head to dance and drink the night away under the flashing neon signs of the heritage Orpheum and Vogue theaters at such bustling nightclubs as Republic, Tonic, and Ginger 68, to name but a few.

Gastown along Water Street is where the first European settlement was created back in the old lumber camp days and the locale saw one of Vancouver’s first saloons opened up by legendary ‘Gassy’ Jack Deighton in the late 1800’s. On the cobbled streets one may find some excellent watering holes that continue the tradition set by Vancouver’s pioneers.

Close to the original site of ‘Gassy’ Jack’s own Deighton Hotel is the charming Irish Heather Bistro, home of the best pints of Guinness in the city. In the rear, built into the snug walls of the old city jail, is a cozy glassed-in patio that hosts live Irish and Scottish music most nights. The ‘Heather’ boasts a progressive menu which combines old pub standards together with modern flair.

For a more raucous scene try the Blarney Stone pub across the street. A genuine Irish dance hall crammed with University Students on the weekends, the Blarney Stone is known throughout town as a wild and rowdy place to make new friends and have a good time. There’s free foosball tables on the upper level and be prepared to hoot and holler along with the fiddles and drums all night long.

These are just a few of Vancouver’s many active hotspots. Recommendations for music venues, concerts and movies can be found in the entertainment section of the free weekly cultural paper ‘The Georgia Straight’, found everywhere downtown. Pick one up and you won’t fail to find something for every taste.

5) Sports in the City

Vancouver boasts several professional sports franchises and a history of excellence. In 1915 the Vancouver Millionaires hoisted up the renowned Stanley Cup on the ice at the old Denman Arena, the first indoor artificial-ice hockey rink in North America.

Since then the city’s teams include the locally-beloved Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and defunct Vancouver Grizzlies of the NBA. The 1994 and 2000 Grey Cup Champion British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League play at BC Place Stadium, site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Throughout the year there is always a game on somewhere for fans of every sport and every budget.

Some of the best fun can be had with Vancouver’s minor league teams. The Oakland Athletics affiliate Vancouver Canadians of the Single ‘A’ NorthWest Baseball league play in a jewel of a ballpark at Nat Bailey Stadium near Queen Elizabeth Park. It’s a fun afternoon of baseball in a lovely pastoral setting for young and old alike that will often end with music and fireworks, or a visit by the mayor.

If Canucks tickets are too expensive or difficult to find a great alternative in the winter are the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. This young team plays at the historic Pacific Coliseum on the grounds of the P.N.E. fairgound and come off a championship 2006 season.

Vancouver is also seeing a resurgence of interest in soccer, notably with the resurrected Vancouver Whitecaps. The team was champion of the North America Soccer League in 1979 during the height of ‘soccernania’ in Canada and the United States, winning the Soccer Bowl in New York City that year. They currently play at Swangard Stadium close to a Skytrain station in Burnaby and there is talk of a new downtown stadium in anticipation of Vancouver hosting the 2007 U-20 World Cup.

Stanley Park is named after the Governor-General of Canada who donated the Stanley Cup to hockey and the city waits for its next championship and the eyes of the world in 2010 for the Olympics. With so much to do and see, a visit to Vancouver is more interesting than ever. It’s a chance to share the excitement and enjoy the hospitality of this ‘City of Tomorrow’.

Five Must Do Things in Vancouver British Columbia

Top Seven Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas

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Cabo San Lucas is becoming a sought after vacation destination, and that’s a fact. It’s popularity is steadily increasing. Cabo San Lucas offers something for every vacationer, including: private secluded getaways, beachfront weddings, nightlife and activities. In this article I am going to discuss the top seven things to do in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo. If you are planning a vacation to Cabo, the activities listed below are all a must do!

Diving in Sea of Cortez

Cabo San Lucas is a unique diving destination because the Sea of Cortez is located between temperate waters and tropical waters. The Sea of Cortes is one of the world’s unique ocean environments. It is considered to be the biologically richest body of water on earth, supporting over 800 marine vertebrates species. Diving in Cabo is famous for it’s “sand falls”. The sand falls are actually streams of sand that fall over the underwater canyons. They create sand rivers and this is extremely interesting to see. The nutrient rich waters make for a spectacular population of fish from small inshore fish to large schools of jack, tuna, dolphin, and “sportfish” such as dorado and marlin. There are migratory visits from whales and hammerhead sharks. A fortunate scuba diver may also encounter manta rays, and even whale sharks in the plentiful waters of the Sea of Cortez. It is critical to the success of your dive to plan your dive at the right time. The Sea of Cortez sees good weather conditions June through November. Prior to June, the Sea of Cortez waters temperature is quite cold. If you are not interested in diving you could also snorkel. There are diving and snorkeling tours available. Snorkeling would still allow you to see most of the inshore fish and some of the beautiful coral.

Horseback riding on the beach

Horseback riding for is available for all levels of riders at several stables in the Cabo San Lucas area. There are trail rides in which you are accompanied by a guide. Trail rides can vary from a desert ride, to a beach ride or, in and about beautiful rock formations. Either way it is a great way to see much of Cabo San Lucas’ scenery. Horseback riding is also available for the whole family, with younger children riding with adults. For those of you who are horse lovers you can see pure Andulsian horses at:Cuadra San Francisco Stable.

Whale Watching

Whales pass several hundred meters off of Cabo San Lucas’ shore every year. The best time to see whales are between January and March, when the gray whale migrates. There are several ways to whale watch in Cabo San Lucas. There are boat tours that offer whale watching. Boats of varying size carry the hundreds of whale watchers out to see these marine mammals as they visit our peninsula in their annual migration, every year. It is not uncommon at this time for a curious whale to come close to a boat. Although no trip can guarantee whales, the odds are definitely in your favor. The smaller the boat the better your chances are of getting close.

Have a drink at Cabo San Lucas’ most famous club

The Cabo Wabo cantina is Cabo’s most famous club, owned by Sammy Hagar. If you are in town at the same time as Sammy is, you might even get to watch one of his impromptu performances. If you are not that lucky, you can still enjoy the atmosphere the Cabo Wabo has to offer and live music on most nights. The Cabo Wabo also offers a menu filled with American and Mexican food to feed your hunger.

Hike through the desert

You must be especially careful when hiking in Cabo’s desert lands. You will need twice as much water as you normally would. A trek through the desert is absolutely spectacular. Desert hiking is best in the winter, with the temperature being around 70. It is possible to hike the desert in the summer but, you must go in the early morning. It is dangerous to hike alone, and best to hire an experienced guide from the area, just incase you get lost. The desert offers incredible rock formations, unique vegetation and wildlife native only to this region. Hiking can be for all ages and hiking in Cabo’s desert is something that you will remember. There are also other hiking and natural history tours which include fossil fields, challenging hikes into the Sierra de la Laguna and day trips to old mining ghost towns.

Bird Sanctuary

Close to downtown San Jose Del Cabo is the San Jose Estuary and Bird Sanctuary. In the sanctuary you can find about 200 species of exotic birds which include egrets, herons and brown pelicans. You can rent a kayak to experience this sanctuary. Sunrise and sunset are the most scenic times to visit; however, if you are an avid bird watcher and want to see species and identify them, you may want to visit during daylight hours. There is a also an information center to answer any of your questions. Admission is free at the San Jose Estuary and Bird Sanctuary.

Visit Lover’s beach.

Lover’s Beach ( also known as Playa Del Amor) is another must, but to get to this beach you’ll need some kind of boat or kayak as the beach is not accessible by land. It is possible to hire a water taxi at the marina. Lover’s Beach is surrounded by towering rock formations and is hidden behind Cabo San Lucas’ landmark arch, El Arco at Land’s End. Be careful swimming here, the powerful waves and currents of the Pacific make swimming quite dangerous. You can view where the Pacfic and the Sea of Cortez meet. Lover’s beach offers many spectacular views.

Top Seven Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas

Travel - When Bad Things Happen

We all know that sometimes bad things happen to good people too, and we’ve all heard the famous line, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry” from the Robert Burns poem, “To a Mouse.” Today, we say, “Stuff happens.” Have you ever noticed that the unexpected and the unplanned also seem to happen at the worst possible time and usually when we are on what is supposed to be a fun vacation?

The above paragraph makes an excellent case for getting travel insurance. Stuff does happen. People do get sick, and accidents do occur. A travel insurance policy will not keep bad things from happening, of course, but it can make it much easier on the traveler when they do happen.

Travel health insurance is a temporary health insurance policy that provides coverage to people only while they’re on vacation or traveling between destinations. Travel health insurance can work either together with or independent of regular major medical coverage. Travel health insurance policies are usually offered to people who are using a travel agent, booking a cruise, or going on a package trip.

There are many options offered in travel health policies. All travel health insurance policies are not created equal, and it is important that travelers take the time and put forth the effort to read the fine print. You don’t want any nasty little surprises when it comes to travel health insurance if you need to use the benefits, you already have enough problems.

The cost of travel health insurance is rather low, and the option of taking travel insurance is usually offered by travel agents and cruise lines as an addition to a package price. Travelers who do not use travel agents or are not taking cruises, however, can purchase travel insurance on their own.

Travel - When Bad Things Happen