Pyay travel guide, Burma

Pyay (most often pronounced Pyi) is a riverside town that forms a convenient spot to break the western route between Yangon and Bagan. Boasting a quite spectacular pagoda, a collection of ancient ruins, some relaxed riverside scenery and, for the more adventurous, a series of impressive cliffside carvings well outside town, Pyay is certainly worth an overnight stay if not two nights for those with the time.

Pyay's most impressive attraction is the Shwesandaw Paya, with a glittering gold-covered stupa at its centre. With four entrances at its cardinal points, we found the best approach was to walk to the western one from the riverbank. The views from the summit are all-encompassing from the bridge over the river to the south across to the northern reaches of town.

Further afield, the ancient ruins at Thayekhittaya have been described by some as "Bagan lite". The ancient site was the capital of a Pyu kingdom from the fifth to ninth centuries (until it was sacked and left in ruins by the Bagan king Anawratha in the 11th century. Today, aside from a small museum on site, the remains are scattered across a sizeable estate that doubles as not only an archeological site but also a living, working farm community. Generally the ruins are less spectacular than at Bagan, but you can easily lose a half-day here.

The third prime-time attraction visited from Pyay is the cliffside carvings at Akauktaung. These can be visited on a long half-day trip from Pyay as the trip involves a two-hour each way motorbike ride followed by a 30-minute boatride along the Ayeyarwady river. The cliff carvings are impressive -- more so than the photos may have you think, and if a trip here fits in your budget and timeline, we'd say it is well worth it. The rural scenery en route to the site is also very rewarding.

Pyay town itself is bustling but perhaps a little boring. There's a pleasing riverside area you can walk along with a couple of bars well placed to take in the sunset, a small night market and a considerably larger morning and wholesale market to the north of town (also along the river), but overall the main reason for staying here is the above mentioned attractions.

Orientation
While Pyay town is a bit of a sprawl, the centre of the action that will be of interest to foreign travellers is quite compact. East-west running Bogyoke Street bisects the town, through the clocktower and then the Aung San statue, with Lanmadaw being the main north-south throughfare and Strand Road running along the riverfront.

Shwesandaw Paya can be seen frequently from around town, but it sits just to the north of the clocktower. The best approach though is from the river, one block north of Bogyoke Road. All the accommodation options listed are within a 10-15 minute walk of the train station.

We've been advised there are now ATMs in Pyay, including one by the lobby of the Lucky Dragon and at least another one on the main road, somewhere opposite the Pagoda.

Internet cafes are dotted around town and you'll find the post office a block south of the night market, between Lanmadaw Street and Strand Road.

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Ngwe Saung Beach travel guide, Burma

Ngwe Saung is a near endless stretch of whitish sand and bluish waters found on Burma's Bay of Bengal coast just south of Chaung Tha. It's a beach for serious beach lovers -- that is, those who seek a beautiful beach and nothing more as there's nothing much else to do.

The resorts located in Ngwe Saung are very spaced out, with certain areas having an almost deserted island feel. At the time of our visit in June 2013, many of the resorts were closed and undergoing major renovations and reconstruction of rooms that are sure to be pricier than those found in nearby Chaung Tha.

Take a long walk along the coast and you're sure to run into the Kyauk Maumghnama Pagoda ('brother and sister rocks'), twin pagodas set upon boulders located on an especially photogenic area of the beach. Locals riding archaic bullock carts and cows who seem to enjoy sunbathing as much as us are a few of the other sights to be seen along Ngwe Saung beach.

Accommodation options on Ngwe Saung range from a few flashpacker options to fancy resorts with swimming pools and private beach villas. It's being developed as a beach for honeymooners and couples seeking a quiet romantic getaway.

Small restaurants serving traditional Burmese cuisine such as mohinga are scattered throughout Ngwe Saung, with a few offering seafood and Chinese cuisine with English menus located near the bus station. It's a small town that's especially sleepy during rainy season, so options are quite limited.

Having a few drinks in your resort's restaurant is the only form of nightlife that exists, so don't expect any beach parties or wild nights.

The Ngwe Saung twin pagodas are located towards the southern end of the beach – a good place to take some photos and enjoy a stroll along the beach. An elephant camp is located on the road to Pathein – trips cost 10,000 kyat per person. Our receptionist told us of a tour to a local fishermen's village for 15,000 kyat – but was unable to elaborate on exactly what this involved. Tours can be booked in town or at your resort.

A good way to spend a few hours is to hire a bicycle and take a ride to town. It'll give you a good chance to interact with the locals, rather than just being cooped up in your private resort.

Bring books, sunblock and your bathing suit – the beach is the main attraction.

Ngwe Saung is easily accessible by bus from Yangon or Pathein.

Orientation
Ngwe Saung beach is very long and you'll most likely need a moto-taxi or bicycle to go anywhere outside of your resort. The going rate for one-way rides anywhere in the vicinity is 1,000 kyat. The north end of town is home to the bus station, internet cafe and a few restaurants with menus advertised in English.

From there, a long road that runs parallel with the beach extends to the south, with the resorts located on the beach side and a few small restaurants, petrol stations and rudimentary convenience stores found across the street.

A rundown fishermen's village is located on the northern part of the beach. You'll likely see plenty of fishermen and their families casting large nets into the water. It's a sight to be seen, and a much different atmosphere than that of your resort.

Like nearby Chaung Tha, Ngwe Saung is very underdeveloped. With an expected increase in tourism, the situation is changing rapidly. We're told that Ngwe Saung will have electricity in the next year or two. For now, the resorts rely on power generators that are turned on in the evenings.

ATMs are nonexistent in Ngwe Saung so bring enough cash with you to last the duration of your trip. It's good to have a good mix of dollars and kyat, since you'll pay for your room in dollars and incidentals in kyat. Otherwise, the hotels will give you a poor exchange rate -- it's highway robbery.

WiFi is rare and was very slow at the one place we found offering it to the public. Decent connection speeds are currently only available at the expensive resorts, so plan according.

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Mandalay travel guide, Burma

Storied Mandalay was founded in 1857 and was the last independent royal capital of Burma (Myanmar); today it's arguably the cultural centre of the country with a good swag of sights to see.

In 1885, a successful British invasion meant Mandalay fell under colonial rule. Then the Japanese occupied Mandalay from 1942-1945, when a part of the city and most of the 19th-century-built royal palace was destroyed by Allied bombings. Today, a rough estimate of a third of the population in Mandalay is Chinese, many of whom immigrated since independence in 1948. Many destroyed properties were purchased by the Chinese, and their presence has been somewhat controversial in the rebuilding of the central city.

The final two kings of Burma called Mandalay Palace home; pagodas scattered across the city host iconic statues, and relics that may be older than Mandalay itself have been brought from all over Asia. Groups such as the Shan, Indians and Chinese live all over the city, but are also clustered in certain areas, lending a feel of growing "towns" – Chinatown, or Little India, for instance – though nothing quite so definite just yet.

Mandalay is still finding its place in the newly opened Myanmar, but at a slower rate than its big brother Yangon. Budget guesthouses are mostly all on the west side of town, with the main cluster near the southwest corner of the palace moat. The east side of the city boasts some scattered, reasonably priced accommodation, but mostly high-end hotels, and local guesthouses that are still forbidden to host foreigners.

Due to its location in the north, a diverse array of food is available and it can be extremely tasty if you find the right spots. No one should go through Mandalay without the experiences of eating at a Burmese teashop, a Shan buffet, a Chinese restaurant and an Indian chapatti/roti street stall. There are not as many street stalls as other places in Burma, but most of the restaurants still keep the local prices, which makes it cheaper than Yangon.

Nightlife is nearly non-existent, with few beer stations being open past 23:00 and Western bars numbering: one. For the best collection of beer stalls and tea shops open past dinner time, Diamond Plaza has a surrounding concentration of both, with most of them lining 77th Street.

Sights and activities are spread throughout the city and a map is a must. Most hotels and guesthouses have their own versions, which can be decent or absolutely horrible, or they sell a generic one for US$1. Gold Yadanar Hotel has one of the better quality maps with a good list of hotels, restaurants and sights around the city, while Mandalay City Hotel has a good map on plain paper that has a slightly different list.

The famous pagodas, payas and relics are dotted across the streets of the city as well as its outskirts; royal structures and Mandalay Hill are to the north. Since very little will be close to your accommodation, visiting multiple sights in a day can be strenuous and time consuming. We found it best to befriend a taxi driver who will give you a good day rate -- about US$25-30 -- and to split the fee with friends for a good tour around the city plus wherever the driver may suggest.

Mandalay is also known for its surrounding ancient cities such as In-wa (Ava), Mingun, Sagaing and Amarapura. These places not only host their own sights, but can be a great escape from the traffic and bustle of Mandalay. Around US$35-40 a day will get you a local taxi-tour guide and if you're lucky a history buff to show you all the best spots.

Most of the must-see sights in the city can be seen in one to two days with good transport. The surrounding ancient cities are open and beautiful, but one full day can give you a healthy tour of the outlying area, whereas two full days may cost more than it's really worth. With so many other amazing places to see in Myanmar, we suggest putting aside just two to three full days here.

Orientation
To the north of Mandalay's city centre lie the palace grounds, around 1.5 kilometres square and surrounded by a towering brick wall and vast moat. From there, a giant grid of streets extend outwards, home to an estimated one million people and fewer than five sets of traffic lights.

Almost every street is numbered, with east and west running streets being from roughly 5th Street to 40th Street, and north and south-running streets being from roughly 60th Street to 90th Street. Street numbers get higher as you head south and west.

To the west of the city centre runs the Ayeyarwaddy River, with scattered jetties lining the north-south bound waters. The main Gawein Jetty is off 35th Street. Mandalay airport is 35 kilometres south of the city, or about an hour's drive, and the train station sits near the middle of the city on 78th Street, just south of the palace moat.

There are three bus stations in Mandalay. The main one is Chan Mya Shwe Pyi Highway bus station (Kywe Se Kan) and is 10 kilometres (about 45 minutes) south of the city centre and buses depart here for Yangon, Bagan, Taunggyi, Inle Lake, Kalaw, Pyay and even Mawlamyine and Myawaddy. Pyi Gyi Myat Shin bus station is on the east side of the city centre on the corner of 60th and 37th Streets, where buses depart for Pyin Oo Lwin, Hsipaw, Lashio and Muse. Thiri Mandala bus station is west of the city centre on 23rd Street, just west of 88th Street. Here you can catch buses to Monyar, Shwebo, Mogo (with permission) and Pakokku.

ATMs are becoming a more common sight. CB Bank currently has the most machines: one on 78th Street between 27 and 28; one near the clock tower on 26th Street between 84 and 86 and one on 32nd Street, between 83 and 84. There is an ATM in the airport; a couple of them around Diamond Plaza, which sits on 33rd and 78th Streets, and one at New Star Jewelry on 78th Street between 32 and 33.

As for money exchanges, be aware that the black market is no longer a good option. We highly recommend changing at banks, established moneychangers or at the airport. Most CB Banks can change money, along with Sedona Hotel on 68th Street between 26 and 27 Streets, and at Mahar Myat Mhuni Pagoda on 82nd Street near BoBaHtoo Road.

Internet has become more common at guesthouses and hotels and a few restaurants, such as BBB, Vcafe and Hunters Café and Bar, now have WiFi. Internet cafes are still scattered and possible to find, but no matter where you are, do not expect a good or reliable connection.

As far as medical services go, we still advise that if an ailment can wait to be treated elsewhere, wait; but if you find yourself dealing with something that can't wait:

Mandalay General Hospital is on 30th Street, between 74th and 77th Streets and has local prices with local conditions. T: (02) 21041
The City Hospital (Myodaw) is on Theik Pan Street between 65th and 66th Streets. It is more expensive and you should expect to pay upwards of US$100 for most visits. T: (02) 66851. http://www.cityhospitalmandalay.com
Mandalay Children's Hospital is on the corner of 30th and 74th Streets. T: (02) 21508.

Contact the Central Police Office at (02) 36869/39635 or in an emergency call 199.

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Hpa-an travel guide, Burma

Though Hpa-an is officially the capital of Kayin (or Karen) State it has the feel of a country town and indeed is a relatively remote settlement, with a total population of around 50,000. But it's the market centre and transport hub for the surrounding region and what it lacks in size it makes up for in bustle and this vibrant, friendly little outpost is well worth a visit.

The market is great, the waterfront area picturesque, there's a couple of half decent places to stay and eat and a handful of fascinating sites to visit within easy reach of town. The population is as you'd expect: a mixture of ethnic Karen and Burmese with Sino-Burmese traders and foreign visitors still something of a rarity.

Hpa-An is tucked away in the centre of some spectacular limestone ranges not far from the Thai border but is only a five-hour or so drive from Yangon and a mere hour on a decent road to Mawlamyine. Furthermore, with the opening of the Thai/Burmese border at nearby Myawaddy, the town has suddenly become less remote and we expect tourist traffic to increase in the near future. If you're in this part of the country don't miss it -- this is a great little town and to which its well worth dedicating a couple of days.

As with the accommodation Hpa-An's eating choices are rather limited. There are plenty of coffee shops and noodle places near the market but for something more consistent the best bet is the excellent San Ma Tau Restaurant on Bogyoke Street. A little way out of the centre -- a 15 minute walk or a taxi ride it is well worth making the effort to get there. The Burmese curry house's claim to fame -- and it is something of a local institution -- is that your curry selection comes with no less than 10 free side dishes including vegetables, dips and chutneys. For a 2,500 kyat curry that's a great deal. Open all day but don't leave it too late in the evening or there won't be much left!

Orientation
Hpa-an has one of the most picturesque settings of any Burmese state capital lying along the south bank of the Thandwin or Salween River and with limestone outcrops surrounding the town on all sides. Opposite town, across the river is Hpan Pu Mountain, and to the south is the spectacular Zwegabin, sacred mountain of the Karen people and which features on the state flag.

The town centre is set back slightly from the riverfront and comprises a compact network of narrow old streets around the central market area. Three main routes lead out of town: highway 58 heads south to the bridge and continues westwards to Thaton and Yangon; keeping straight on at the bridge will eventually lead you to Mawlamyine and highway 58 going east runs to Myawaddy and the Thai border. Most of the town's newer buildings lie on these arterial routes including the town's newer accommodation options, some of which can be a fair distance from the centre.

The riverfront is sedate compared to those of other river port towns such as Mawlamyine or Pathein; there's a couple of temples from where you could add a foreground stupa to your sunset over the river photos, a small park area where locals gather in the evenings for football games and a slightly half-hearted attempt at a promenade along the Salween which is crying out for a bar... could someone please set a nice one up? Then Hpa-An would be just about perfect.

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Nyaung Shwe travel guide, Burma

Set among the mountains of the nation's Shan State, Nyaung Shwe is best known for being the gateway to Inle Lake. This is the country's second largest lake and features floating villages, gardens, various tribes nearby and fishermen who row with their legs. It's a gorgeous area and deserves its distinction as one of Burma's must-see travel destinations.

The town itself is pleasing too, being quite rustic with a small-town feel, and featuring its own ancient pagodas said to be from the 17th century. Horse-drawn carriages are still a popular means of transportation used by the locals; you'll have plenty to do in the area, and bikes available for hire will allow you to explore much of the countryside. A large winery, hot spring pools, villages, markets and pagodas are just some of the area's main attractions.

Many travellers come to Nyaung Shwe from Bagan, one of the country's other must-see destinations. It's a 6.5 hour trip, relatively short for this country. Another option for getting here though is via a three-day trek from Kalaw. You'll get to see several mountain villages, a variety of plants and birds, all set upon the misty blue mountains of the Shan State.

A channel connects Nyaung Shwe to the lake and is a few kilometres in distance. Given its nearness to the lake, an explosion of development in the area is to be expected; we're told that land prices have skyrocketed. Some new hotels are being built and many of the current ones are conducting renovations. The people of Nyaung Shwe are very hopeful for a coming surge in Burmese tourism. At the moment, 14 resorts are located directly on the lake and developers are pushing for more -- something that we hope doesn't happen.

A few negative aspects have arisen as a result of the anticipation of increased tourism. Population relocation of some tribespeople has occurred and there are several strategically placed 'workshops' that contain workers creating items not traditionally produced in the area (umbrellas, clothing, jewellery and cigars, available for purchase of course). Of course, you can skip the workshops.

If possible, spend at least three nights in Nyang Shwe but four would be ideal. The lake tours (that include visits to the workshops) take an entire day. We opted for a half-day tour that included visits to floating villages, floating gardens, outstanding views of the fishermen and surroundings and a trip to an old fish-farming centre, which was a perfect place to watch the sunset.

A bike trip to the Red Mountain Winery, run by a Frenchman, is an excellent way to spend a few hours or can be part of a full-day bike tour. The wine is outstanding, not just for being Burmese, and the restaurant is inexpensive and offers the best views that we've seen in the country thus far.

A five-day rotating market occurs around Inle Lake. Check with any tour agency when and where it's next on; we're told that the best is the Hmawbe Market. Very few tourists visit and you'll see men and women from the Pa'o tribe, in their black robes and colourful headwear, trading items including animals such as water buffalo and cows.

Being at a higher elevation than destinations such as Yangon and Mandalay, the weather in Nyaung Shwe is much cooler. Many of even the higher-end hotels don't offer air-con because it's so unnecessary. This will allow you to spend your entire day out and about if you choose, with no need to seek refuge indoors during the middle of the day.

With the lake's stunning natural beauty, a trip to Nyaung Shwe is essential if you visit Burma. The scenery, food and activities will surely make the time fly by. The people are incredibly hospitable and you'll likely find yourself staying longer than originally expected.

Orientation
Yone Gyi Street is where many of the town's travel agencies and restaurants are located. It cuts through the northern part of town and leads to the canal. If you stay in a hotel on or near this street, nearly everything is accessible by foot. Many choose to rent bicycles to get around and they are readily available throughout town for 1,000 to 1,500 kyat per day.

KBZ Bank, home of the town's ATM machine that was working at the time of our visit, is located on Lan Ma Taw Street just off of Yone Gyi.

Just about every hotel offers WiFi to guests. If you need to use it outside of your hotel, it's available at several of the restaurants including The Golden Kite and The French Touch.

Mingalar Market is located on Yone Gyi Street in the centre of town. You'll find the night market a block to the south from there.

Travel agencies are located on just about every block in Nyaung Shwe. With so many options it pays to shop around. We liked Thu Thu Travel Agency [T: (081) 209 258, thuthua79@gmail.com]. It's run by Thu Thu and her niece Yin Yin. They both speak excellent English, are very knowledgable about the area and were happy to answer all of our questions.

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Mawlamyine travel guide, Burma

"By the old Moulmein pagoda lookin' lazy at the sea…," wrote Rudyard Kipling on his 1889 visit and we reckon probably not a lot has changed since in this very sleepy, yet absolutely charming town. Moulmein, officially renamed Mawlamyine, was in former times the British capital of Lower Burma, and is now capital of Burma's Mon State and even officially weighs in these days as the country's fourth largest city (after Yangon, Mandalay and Nyapitaw), though it seems to be barely a city and certainly not large.

Yes, there is the occasional newer concrete construction, notably a truly hideous line of shophouses along the waterfront, but there's few buildings over three or four storeys high, a plethora of Victorian period architecture, a couple of the country's most venerable mosques and of course all Kipling's splendid old pagodas.

The waterfront is lively, with fishing boats and passenger ferries departing and arriving from all points, and a couple of great markets, but otherwise it's a delight to just wander the quiet, tree-lined streets wondering which buildings would have been around when George Orwell was part of Mawlamyine's police force.

Mawlamyine is situated some 300 kilometres southeast of Yangon on the southern side of the mighty Salween, overlooking the river's scenic estuary and Gulf of Martaban. It's very much the gateway to the long narrow ribbon of southern, peninsular Burma wedged between the Tenassarim Ranges to the east forming the Thai border and the Andaman Sea and Indian Ocean to the west.

There's a great feel to this cosmopolitan little town. Watch the world go by from market tea shops, check out the sunsets from waterfront cafes, look lazy at the sea from ancient hill-top pagodas and meet what we reckon are some of the friendliest of the country's inhabitants; this can easily keep most visitors happy for a couple of days plus quite a few visit-worthy sites are located within easy striking range of town.

We found enough good and varied cafes and eateries to keep you going for a few days too but nowhere's perfect -- and Mawlamyine's downside is a rather pitiful accommodation choice.

Orientation
The layout of this town of some 300,000 people reflects the country's geography in these parts, which is to say long and thin, and stretching north-south along the coastline. The sea -- the Gulf of Martaban -- forms the western limits and the Salween River (spanned by the spectacular Than-Lwin Bridge) prevents Mawlamyine expanding northwards, with the central and oldest part of the town being sandwiched between the sea and a range of low wooded hills atop which sit the string of famous old pagodas.

Strand Road runs along the busy waterfront with three more parallel roads behind it: Lower Main Road, Baho Street and Upper main Road. Much of the commercial and market areas are concentrated along Lower Main Road while the Upper version already has a suburban feel to it, with larger old villas and colonial period administrative buildings set among trees and with lanes leading off upwards to access the hilltop pagodas.

Behind these low hills spreads the newer part of town, which includes the train and bus stations. At present it's still limited in size but development is afoot, with new industrial zones and shopping malls planned. Beyond the Rangoon-Dawei railway line paddy and rubber plantations stretch off to the eastern horizon, where the spectacular limestone hills of Hpa-an can be seen.

Mawlamyine certainly stretches a long way down the coast to the south, but the central district which contains most of the sites visitors would be likely to visit is relatively compact and much can be done on foot. The town's low on traffic, high on greenery, has plenty of old buildings scattered about and makes for a very agreeable spot for a wander.

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Kaiteriteri Beach, Nelson, New Zealand

This website provides helpful information about one of New Zealand’s most popular tourism destinations and holiday parks, Kaiteriteri Beach. Famous for its golden sands, camping facilities, outdoor activities and high sunshine hours typical of Nelson weather it is the ideal spot for family holidays all throughout the year.

Check out the menu links above for more info, or look below for updates about the latest news and events at Kaiteriteri and the region’s renowned tourist attraction, the Abel Tasman National Park.

Kaiteriteri Beach is often known as the Gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, but with such a stunning beach right on the doorstep of the local beach campground offering 4 star accomodation right next to the Shoreline Cafe and Restaurant it is a New Zealand holiday destination in itself.

Also functioning as a start point for many of the kayak and boat cruise operators that tour the Abel Tasman coastline, Kaiteriteri is a common favourite as a base for backpackers and those camping in and exploring the park.
When you’re booking your next holiday or looking for places to visit in the Nelson region come and visit!

For a list of attractions and things to do at Kaiteriteri Beach, plus our local kayak, sailing, boat cruise sightseeing tours and shuttles that operate from the beach, see our page:  Things To Do

If you’re planning an event or activity at Kaiteriteri that people should know about, get in touch with us so we can help spread the news.

Source: http://experiencekaiteriteri.co.nz/

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Lake Baikal, Russia

Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science.

Justification for Inscription

The Committee inscribed Lake Baikal as the most outstanding example of a freshwater ecosystem on the basis of natrual criteria (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x). It is the oldest and deepest of the world´s lakes containing nearly 20% of the world´s unfrozen freshwater reserve. The lake contains an outstanding variety of endemic flora and fauna, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science. It is also surrounded by a system of protected areas that have high scenic and other natural values. The Committee took note of the confirmation of the revised boundaries of the site, which correspond to the core areas defined in the Baikal Law (excluding the five urban developed areas). It also noted that the special Lake Baikal Law is now in its second reading in the Duma. Finally, it noted concern over a number of integrity issues including pollution, which should be brought to the attention of the Russian authorities.

Long Description

Lake Baikal in south-east Siberia, the deepest lake in the world at 1,700 m, contains 20% of all fresh running water on the planet, making it the single largest reservoir. The lake contains an outstanding variety of endemic flora and fauna, of exceptional value to evolutionary science. It is also surrounded by a system of protected areas that have high scenic and other natural values. The basin supports a variety of plant and animal species, a number being endemic; the most notable of which is the Baikal seal, a uniquely freshwater species. The great variety of plants in the basin is determined by its climatic asymmetry: the western part is occupied by light coniferous forests and mountain steppes; in the eastern part pine forests predominate; and the north is covered by deciduous forests. The formation of the geological structures in the basin took place during the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras and there are a number of significant geological features. Various tectonic forces are still ongoing, as evidenced in recent thermal vents in the depths of the lake.

The lake itself is the centrepiece of the site and its largely unseen underwater features are the core of its value to both science and conservation. Baikal is one of the most biodiverse lakes on Earth, with 1,340 species of animal (745 endemic) and 570 species of plant (150 endemic). In the forests surrounding the lake there are an additional 10 threatened species along with the full complement of typical boreal species. The evolution of aquatic life that has taken place over this long period has resulted in an exceptionally unique and endemic fauna and flora. As the 'Galápagos of Russia', the lake is of exceptional value to evolutionary science.

The landscape surrounding the lake basin, with its mountains, boreal forests, tundra, lakes, islands and steppes, is exceptionally picturesque. The Baikal region has some 1,200 historical, archaeological and cultural monuments of which 1,000 have state protection. A number of these are considered sacred. There is also a mix of distinctive cultures in the region and an interesting human history.

However, there are serious threats to the biotic communities at Lake Baikal and there is a danger that its unique ecosystem properties could be lost. Various steps are being taken to address these issues of integrity with strong support from all levels of government and the Russian public.

Source: hc.unesco.org/en/list/754

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Bottom Bay, Barbados

Bottom Bay

Tucked away on the south coast, past the Crane Beach and Sam Lord's Castle is Bottom Bay, a wide expansive beach with smooth rolling waves riding onto the shore.

The beach is semi enclosed by high coral cliffs, providing a panoramic view of the south shore. The scene is completed by the presence of tall palm trees that add to the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of the bay.

Always a popular picnic spot, it is also becoming a popular place to live and a number of homes are being built on the tops of the cliffs overlooking the beach and ocean. People who live there report spotting turtles and whales in the waters below the rocks.

Bathing here is not recommended, as the waves are very strong, and great care should be shown by those who choose to do so.

Source: http://barbados.org/botbay.htm#.VKI21l4BQ

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Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii, United States

The Nā Pali Coast State Park encompasses 6,175 acres (2,499 ha) of land and is located in the center of the rugged 16 miles (26 km) along the northwest side of Kauaʻi, the oldest inhabited Hawaiian island. The Nā Pali coast itself extends southwest starting at Keʻe Beachextending all the way to Polihale State Park. The na pali (high cliffs) along the shoreline rise as much as 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above thePacific Ocean. The state park was formed to protect the Kalalau Valley.

Although inaccessible to vehicles, this coast can be enjoyed over land by hiking or in a helicopter, and from the ocean by kayak andpaddleboard. Charter tours are available on rigid-hulled inflatable boat or catamaran, originating from Port Allen and Hanalei Bay. TheKalalau Trail from the end of Hawaii Route 56 (called the Kuhio Highway) provides the only land access along the coast, traversing 11 miles (18 km) and crossing five major valleys (and many smaller ones) before reaching Kalalau Beach at the base of Kalalau Valley. Side trails along the way lead to waterfalls in the valleys above.

To the east of the state park is the Hono O Nā Pali state Natural Reserve. It was established in 1983, and then extended to over 3,578 acres (14.5 km²) in 2009. Hiking trails and hunters roads have access to the sharp ridges from Koke Road (route 550) in Waimea Canyon.

Location: Trailhead for Kalalau Trail at end of Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) in Ha'ena State Park; Kalalau and Miloli‘i Valleys also accessible by kayak from May 15 through September 7. Nu‘alolo Kai accessible for day use by commercial boat tours or by private boats.

Description: The Na Pali Coast is a very special place. The pali, or cliffs, provide a rugged grandeur of deep, narrow valleys ending abruptly at the sea. Waterfalls and swift flowing streams continue to cut these narrow valleys while the sea carves cliffs at their mouths. Extensive stone walled terraces can still be found on the valley bottoms where Hawaiians once lived and cultivated taro.

The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access to this part of the rugged coast. Originally built in the late 1800s, portions of the trail were rebuilt in the 1930s. A similar foot trail linked earlier Hawaiian settlements along the coastline. The trail traverses 5 valleys before ending at Kalalau Beach where it is blocked by sheer, fluted cliffs (pali). The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush valleys. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapi'ai and Kalalau. The first 2 miles of the trail, from Ha’ena State Park to Hanakapi’ai Beach, make a popular day hike.

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Phu Quoc Island travel guide, Vietnam

Sitting back in a hammock, looking out over the quiet surf, you may wonder why more people don't know about Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island. It gets almost none of the press of those islands over in Thailand -- and yet with its rugged jungle, squeaking white sands and sparkling cobalt waters, it more than matches them. Sadly, with a brand spanking new international airport and progressive visa-exemption scheme, this is slated to change in the coming years.

Drive around the island and you can feel the winds of change. Roads are being widened, green construction fencing snakes around future building sites and some of the beaches seem to be getting a bit more crowded. The development isn't all bad. The paving of roads means the northern and southern ends of the island are much more accessible and it is possible to drive from one end of the island to the other in an hour or so. Also, electricity cuts are less frequent and WiFi is pretty much standard everywhere.

The island is at a crossroads. While the days of snaring a $20 beachside bungalow are over, reasonable accommodation can still be found. While some large resorts like Vinpearl take up large swaths of beachfront property, the island's beachline is relatively untouched on the northeast and northwest. We have a bad feeling that it won't stay this way for long, so we suggest you head here now before it morphs into the next Phuket.

The island has something for everyone -- really! Ringed by more than a dozen bays and beaches, some yellow sand, others brilliant strips of white, with an archipelago of islets off its south coast, a jungle-covered interior and a handful of fishing villages, there is enough to do for a longer stay than you may be planning. Accommodation on Phu Quoc encompasses a full range of options from affordable backpacker guesthouses through to fancy beach resorts and hotels.

The best time to visit Phu Quoc is from November to March when the temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius with not a hint of rain in sight – indeed, this is peak season. April to June is the dry season, when temperatures rise but it still stays relatively dry. If you go during July to October, expect rain as this is when the monsoon drenches the island.

Ideally, plan to spend anywhere from a few days to a week on Phu Quoc. Some travellers do nothing more than the daily bungalow-beach-restaurant-beach-bungalow circuit for days on end -- for couples in particular, Phu Quoc is a favourite. While there are some sights to check out around the island, with good weather, it's hard to justify leaving the sand.

If feeling adventurous, head out on a snorkelling trip, explore one of the many islands off the southern coast, or rent a motorbike and just go exploring. While prices drop during the monsoon, the island either turns into wet sand or red mud. Fair weather can still be had – but don't expect it.

Many make Phu Quoc their final stop in Vietnam, only to find that a couple of nights just aren't enough. As a result, flights are changed and itineraries are revised -- so take it from us, allow a few extra days on Phu Quoc.

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Ho Chi Minh City travel guide, Vietnam

As cyclo drivers rest easy below vast neon billboards, the emerging Vietnamese middle class -- mobile phones in hand -- cruise past draped in haute couture on their imported motorcycles. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City -- Vietnam's largest and most exciting city.

How things have changed from the sleepy days pre-16th century, when the Khmer fishing village of Prey Nokor was established on a vast swampland. Saigon's origins date back to the early 17th century when the area became home for refugees fleeing war in the north. Towards the end of the century, once the population was more Vietnamese and Cambodia’s kingdom waning in influence, Vietnam annexed the territory. Over the following decades Prey Nokor developed into the Saigon the French found when they conquered the region in the mid 19th century.

Within a very short time the French began to leave their mark on the city. Some of the best hotels in Saigon are within grandiose colonial buildings overlooking gorgeous boulevards dating back to Saigon's heyday as the so-called Paris of the Orient. For the French, Saigon became the capital of Cochinchina, an expansive region encompassing parts of modern-day Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Through the next 100 years, they extracted as much as they could from the region -- much of it passing through Saigon's ports. Often cruel and thoughtless, French rule remained over the city and Cochinchina until their exit from Vietnam following their defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

When the French opted out of Vietnam to avoid recognising the Communist victors, they left the south under the care of Emperor Bao Dai who had made his capital there in 1950. Subsequently, when Vietnam was officially partitioned, the southern government, led by Ngo Dinh Diem, kept the capital at Saigon. And there the southern capital remained, throughout the topsy-turvy period of the American war. Then, as America's role in Vietnam's pains drew to an end, Saigon swelled to the eyeballs with refugees fleeing troubles to the north -- just as Prey Nokor once did.

When the South finally fell to Northern communist forces in 1975, what remained was a paltry shadow of its more grandiose self. The following year the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in honour of the late leader of North Vietnam himself. Despite this, many still know the sprawling town as Saigon, and the name still refers to central District 1.

The Communist victory was followed by widespread repression and re-education. The economy buckled under a heavy hand from the north as entrepreneurial spirit was almost all but stamped out with the Chinese trading class particularly hard hit. Simultaneously, Saigon's elite and pretty much anyone else with the means did their best to get out of the country, and through the late 1970s and early 1980s, Vietnam's "boat people" were featured in media worldwide.

Through a policy of industrial privatisation known as doi moi in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the country’s economic leash was loosened and Saigon has never looked back. With a very young, increasingly well-educated population, the city has gone from strength to strength. Today, children of party bigshots slide through the heaving traffic in gleaming, chauffeur-driven Bentleys, and the general population looks more to neon shrines for direction than to Uncle Ho and the old guard.

Towering developments now pierce what was once a very low-key skyline. Five-star hotels and international shopping chains have replaced dowdy government guesthouses and empty shelves. Along with the fancier pickings, Ho Chi Minh City has an excellent budget guesthouse scene and some of the best cuisine in Vietnam, from cheap street eating to salubrious haute cuisine. A renewed interest in the arts has stimulated the art scene and many galleries and museums are slowly being spruced up. For a tourist there is a lot to do in Saigon.

And once you're done with the city, use it as a base to explore the surrounds: head out to the tunnels at Chu Chi, the Cao Dai temple at Tay Ninh or jet off to the sublime Con Dao. Then there's the entire Mekong Delta to explore. How much time have you got?!

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