BEAUTIFUL one day. Perfect the next. And clean as a whistle.The Strand Beach, a 2.2km stretch of sand minutes from the heart Townsville, has won the title of the nation’s cleanest beach for the second time in five years.The north Queensland spot beat a field of hundreds, including finalists from six states, at the Keep Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge awards in Sydney last night.Judge Chris Tola said The Strand was everything a winning beach should be, and proved environmental plans to protect it were working.”The Strand’s infrastructure ensures every aspect of this beach, from the catchment to the reef, is in the best condition possible,” he said.”The dedication to ensuring an enjoyable seaside experience for locals and visitors alike is coupled with an enthusiastic and active commitment to Townsville’s environment.”Mayor Les Tyrell said he hoped the award would draw more tourists to the site enjoyed by thousands of residents each day.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the award showed how communities could work together to protect valued environmental assets.”This award is a testament to the success of the local government and the community in working together to achieve environmental, educational and cultural outcomes for residents and visitors,” Mr Rudd said in a statement.The Strand – which took out the national cleanest beach title in 2004 – also won the 2008 award for protection of the environment.Tathra Beach, on the NSW south coast, scooped two awards for Environmental Action and Community Action, while Scarborough Beach in Perth won two awards for Litter Prevention and Resource Recovery.
Category Archives: Out and About
Mount Bonnell is one of the most historic as well as highest parks in the area, and has been a popular spot for hikers, nature lovers and campers since the mid-1800s. The “mount” for which the park is named is a natural limestone formation and the park is also called Covert Park and is situated alongside and above Lake Austin, and offers panoramic views of the lake and the city from its numerous cliffs overlooking the lake and hills below.Mount Bonnell has been considered one of Austin’s most well known tourist attractions for years too, and is one of the first place new University of Texas students visit when arriving in Austin, given its notable and historic reputation, frequently by word of mouth from one generation of students to the next.Mount Bonnell is located in northwest Austin in the Highland Park neighborhood and is accessible from Mount Bonnell Road near its intersection with Ranch Road 2222 and Balcones Drive, and its peak is 780 feet above sea level, the second highest elevated point in Travis County, behind the Jollyville Plateau.According to legend, the highest point was called Antoinette’s Leap two centuries ago, when a maiden leaped to her death after the capture and killing of her fiance by Native Americans. The name Mount Bonnell came from George Bonnell, who was a prominent Austinite in the mid-1800s and who was active in Travis County affairs. Bonnell was the publisher at the time of a local publication called the Texas Sentinel, now defunct, and was a visitor to the park.Another interesting feature near Mount Bonnell is the West Austin Antenna Farm, or WAAF, which is a broadcasting facility that can be seen from atop Mount Bonnell and which is comprised of fifteen television and radio towers that broadcast for various local stations, the KXAN tower being the tallest structure in Travis County. The WAAF is located at Loop 360 and Westlake Drive, near Mount Larson, which is directly across Lake Austin from Mount Bonnell and can be seen very clearly form the lookout point atop Mount Bonnell with its sparkling lights. The Antenna Farm includes a very high camera which captures views of the city for various news programs and other media outlets.Mount Bonnell was dedicated as a park on July 15, 1938, by Frank Covert, and an engraved stone with its name sits atop the pavilion area at the top of Mount Bonnell, with paths leading to and from it through the flora and fauna. There are numerous trails throughout the park, and many are surrounded by cacti, sage, wildflowers and other vegetation.Many of the trails, especially those that traverse up and down the hills, have natural steps made from exposed rock. There are also a 100 man-made step path that leads from the base of the hill, where the main entrance is located, to the peak and lookout points at the very top of the mount, and is a fairly steep hike, but access to the top can be gained by a less direct but more gentle climb just north of the main entrance.The park is open from 5:00am to 10:00pm daily and admission is free, but it is important to wear comfortable shoes and beware of insects, ants, and snakes, as they are common in the area. Glorious views of the Austin skyline can be seen, especially at night, and the U.T. Tower looks particularly regal and majestic from the top, so come dressed appropriately, heed the warnings and stay away from the edge of the cliffs, and enjoy Mount Bonnell, one of Austin’s many wonders!
Spectacular sunsets, golden beaches, palm fronds swaying in the breeze, aquamarine waters, glorious sunshine… a tropical island vacation destination can be all that and more.So, if you are looking for tips on choosing a tropical island vacation destination, here are a few for you to check out:
The Maldives: If taking long walks on a serene beach, snorkeling in blue, crystal clear waters, swimming, and relaxing in the comfort of a luxury hut in an island resort are your idea of bliss, then a tropical island vacation to Maldives is just the right thing for you. Situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka, the Maldives comprises of a group of islands. Regarded as the flattest islands on the planet, with less than 10 percent of the whole area being land, only 200 of the 1100 islands are inhabited. Out of these, 87 are owned by private island resorts. Apart from exploring the beach and relaxing luxuriously, you can also make a trip to Male, the capital of the Maldives and check out the city mosque, local and fish market, for a flavour of the local lifestyle. Or rent a Dhoni, a traditional type of fishing boat, and take a trip around the island. Or get an aerial view of the island via a helicopter tour. Night fishing and diving are some of the other things you can do here.
Grenada And Carriacou Islands, West Indies: Situated in the West Indies, Grenada and Carriacou provide an experience of Caribbean island life, without being as touristy as the other islands here. Grenada, which is also referred to as the spice island because of the abundance of cloves, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg and ginger available here, the aroma of which permeates the air, is relaxed and laid back. With Carriacou, the smaller of the two, being even more so. Here you will experience incredibly beautiful beaches, marvelous waterfalls, and fabulous natural beauty, along with activities like diving and snorkeling. Great places to peel off all the hassles of everyday life and soak up the divine sunshine.
Maui: Also known as the Valley Isle, Maui, an island of Hawaii, is a speck in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, and yet has the potential of offering visitors looking for a tropical island vacation experience a plethora of memorable moments such as floating weightlessly in the waters as rainbow hued tropical fish swim all around you, visiting the Haleakala, a dormant volcano looming on the horizon, exploring the tropical jungle on the road to Hana, watching the endangered sea turtles making their way to their nesting sites located in a wildlife sanctuary, watching a waterfall thundering down into a tranquil mountain pool, and exploring a whaling boat belonging to the 19-century.
Mauritius: Located a little north of the Tropic of Capricorn, is like a green emerald dropped in the middle of a turquoise blue ocean, the waters of which wash the coastline, turning them into spectacular white coral beaches, surrounded by a barrier reef. Streams and rivers flow down the mountain ranges, some of them part of a nature reserve comprising of ancient forests where wild boar, monkeys, and deer dwell, along with a number of rare species of birds, like the Mauritian Kestrel. The reefs that surround Mauritius have created lagoons where you can snorkel and swim safely to your heart’s content, along with coming across gamboling dolphins. Anybody venturing offshore, into the iridescent lagoons, is touched by enchantment!
The medieval town of Ivrea, near Turin in Piedmont,Italy comes alive in February. Its historic carnival commemorates the rebellion of the people against a tyrant who ruled the town in the middle ages. It gives a new twist to Italian cuisine by culminating in the symbolic – and messy – Battles of the Oranges.The one and only Orange Battle in .
During the carnival the streets are lit up and filled with the scent of oranges. And regional specialities are served in the streets – particularly fagioli grassi (fat beans). These are enormous pots of beans, boiled with sausages and pork rind. They’re served free. Other speciality dishes include cod with polenta, and delicious carnival pastries. Italian wines on offer include white Erbaluce, sparkling Barbera and sweet Passito di Caluso.
The Carnival of Ivrea draws on legends of the 12th-century. It’s said to be the only Carnival in the world that has a real plot and tells a story featuring idealised and historic figures – rather than carnival characters.
The Carnival of Ivrea mixes fact and fiction. It had its origins in the middle ages, when a tyrant Raineri di Biandrate became lord of the town. In 1194 the people, rebelled against his cruel regime – and destroyed his castle. He was later replaced by another tyrant, the Marquis Gugliemo of Monferrato – and the people rebelled again. Over the years they’ve become merged into one ‘baddy’ and their downfall is celebrated in the Battles of the Oranges – which take place in the town squares. Those who throw oranges from carts symbolise the tyrants’ guards – and those on foot, the rebels.
The story goes that Raineri gave himself the right to sleep with any bride on her wedding night: jus primae noctis. Legend has it that he got his punishment when Violetta, the beautiful daughter of a miller, refused to sleep with him, cut off his head with a dagger and showed it to the people gathered beneath the castle walls. She’s known as the Mugnaia – and is the heroine of the carnival.
So why oranges? Well, originally the people threw beans. However, around the 19th century girls began to throw oranges – a precious fruit that isn’t native to Ivrea – at boys they fancied. And if the boys liked them – they threw an orange back. Today it’s a contest, with rules and town teams.
All the different districts of the town used to celebrate the Carnival of Ivrea separately – and the mock battles sometimes turned violent. So when Napoleon took control of that part of Italy in 1808 he declared there could only be one event – and the organisers had to wear Napoleonic army uniform. The French influence is celebrated in the carnival today – and if you want to avoid the flying oranges you wear a red hat, like a French revolutionary.
The carnival begins in January but starts in earnest early in February every year. A torch-light procession leaves the Town Hall with the Mugnaia and orange-throwers. After that the battles commence in the town squares. The main battles are on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of February – with the final battle on 5th February.
Beautiful whites sands and cool turquoise bluish green waters are not the only factors that makes Brazilian beaches the most loved all over the world. Brazilian beaches have a lot more in store for you than well…just a beach! At any time of the year, you can find yourself getting a gorgeous suntan or partying the night away. has a plethora of beaches that can turn anyone into a beach bum! Long coastlines dotted with pretty café’s and long hours spent trying out water sports makes the Brazilian beaches a most sought after destination amongst all beach lovers. Read on to know more about Brazilian beaches and the different kinds of things each coastline has to offer.
Brazilian Beaches: Beach Lover’s Paradise
Copacabana Beach:
This Brazilian beach is a hot spot especially for the New Years evening. Copacabana is located in the southern area of Rio de Janeiro. The beauty of the Copacabana beach is enhanced with the historic forts that are seen at this Brazilian beach. Copacabana also draws a reputation for being known as one of the best beaches in the world. A fun time at Copacabana beach would mean loads of fun in the sun with fun games such as volleyball. This beach volleyball has made its mark since the year 1930. Besides, it is not only the beaches; Brazilian bikinis are a permanent feature at the Copacabana beach.
New year celebrations at this beach bring together people of various nationalities at one point. This is the time when fireworks, music and dance go on till the wee hours in the morning. This beach is also the official place for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Copacabana beach also has plenty of restaurants and diners for all the foodies out here.
Ipanema Beach:
Located in the Southern area of Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema beach has a curious mixture of different cultures. This beach like all Brazilian beaches offers white sands and loads of games and fun! A walk down the sandy shores would reveal people playing games such as beach volleyball, football etc. Swimming is also one of the popular activities at this Brazilian beach. Although the Ipanema beach is also known as the family beach, one interesting factor you can note here is one particular stretch that is known as the Gay Beach and also has a flag to denote the same. At this beach, you can find the traditional drinks such as cachaca and the Caipirinha along with beer that is sold almost everywhere.
Pipa Beach:
The Pipa beach is located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. Pipa attracts people because of its fine white sand and cliffs that offer a gorgeous view of the place. Pipa has a vast number of fine restaurants nightclubs that are run mostly by foreigners. This beach offers a more cosmopolitan crowd.
Ponta Verde Beach:
This beach is located in Maceió in the city of Alagoas. Ponta Verde also remains to be the most frequented beach of Brazil. This beach remains to be a popular spot because of the reefs, which contain tiny ponds that form during low tides. This is also most frequented because of a certain part of land that projects out of the sea. This land is covered entirely with a green cover.
Toque Toque Grande:
The Toque Toque Grande beach is located in the city of Sao Sebastiao in Brazil. Although Grande means big in Portuguese, this beach is barely 300m long. The Toque Toque Grande island is quite uninhabited by people. This can prove to be an ideal location for those wanting some isolation and have a love for scuba diving.
Jericoacoara Beach:
This beach is known for offering some of the most spectacular views in Brazil. It is located around 300 kms from Fortaleza. This Brazilian beach is ideal for those who are looking for something different out here. It also proves to be an ideal spot for surfing.
These are just a few Brazil beaches mentioned out here! One thing is for sure, Brazilian beaches are one the most beautiful and hippest spots across the globe!
THIS years Burning Man festival in the received a record attendance, despite many revellers experiencing a bare bum blasting of sand.More than 49,599 people attended the week-long Nevada desert festival, known for its radical self-expression of art, music .However, the attendance could have been higher had many partygoers not been chased away by a sand storm, which occurred before the festival’s explosive climax.US Bureau of Land Management officials said the crowd stood at 36,260 at noon Sunday after thousands of participants had headed home. However, event organisers said they were still able to go ahead with the traditional torching of its 40-foot signature effigy, complete with fireworks and music.
MORE than a million revellers packed the streets of west London as masquerade floats entertained party-goers at the Notting Hill Carnival, ’s biggest street festival.Massive crowds danced and clapped in the streets to Caribbean music and steel drums, while colourful masquerade floats moved through Notting Hill, with several stalls selling Caribbean food a short walk away This year’s carnival was themed “Welcoming the World”, while the floats had themes including “Back From Space”, “Tutti Frutti Sweeties” and “Creatures Of The Earth”.I have watched the Notting Hill Carnival go from strength to strength each year to become an internationally acclaimed event,” said London Mayor Boris Johnson.”Nothing beats the sounds of the steel pans, the aroma of delicious Caribbean food and the dazzling colours of the costume parade.”Michael Williams, marketing director for London Notting Hill Carnival Ltd said that more than one million people attended the festival, though London’s Metropolitan Police estimated that a total of 850,000 revellers visited the street carnival over the two days.The carnival did not go entirely without incident, though – 165 people were arrested for a variety of offences, including 54 drugs-related crimes, as well as 22 arrests in connection with possession of weapons, in addition to another 110 arrests.
Vanuatu – Independence Day
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is some 1,750 km (1,090 mi) east of northern Australia, 500 km (310 mi) north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and south of the Solomon Islands. The archipelago is of volcanic origin.
Vanuatu was first inhabited by Melanesian people. Europeans began to settle in the area in the late 18th century. In the 1880s France and the United Kingdom claimed parts of the country and in 1906 they agreed on a framework for jointly managing the archipelago through a British-French Condominium as the New Hebrides. An independence movement was established in the 1970s, and the Republic of Vanuatu was created in 1980.
Peru – Independence Day
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Peruvian territory was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing.
Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Its geography varies from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes mountains and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. It is a developing country with a medium Human Development Index score and a poverty level around 40%. Its main economic activities include agriculture, fishing, mining, and manufacturing of products such as textiles.
The Peruvian population, estimated at 28 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua or other native languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.
Egypt’s Revolution Day
