Escape To The Beaches Of Pangasinan

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Are you looking for a place to escape to, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life? Well, arent you the lucky one! Theres a gem of a place somewhere north of Manila that offers sanctuary to those individuals looking for a quiet solitude. And that place is none other than Pangasinan.

Pangasinan is a province of coastal villages and lovely beaches. Located 250 kilometers (or 5-6 hour drive) north of the Philippines busy capital, the place is picture perfect for weekend getaways as it provides a refreshing break from the madness of city life. Although primarily known for its most famous tourist attraction, the Hundred Islands National Park, Pangasinan has a lot more surprises to offer. And the beaches in this coastal town are among those surprises. Indeed, they never fail to amaze local and foreign tourists. Among the provinces charming beaches are the following:

Abrak Beach.

Just a few minutes drive from Bolinao town proper, Abrak is a beautiful and secluded beach that offers affordable rental beach huts (at 500 PhP) for those who are on a budget. For visitors who want to spend a day or two frolicking by the beach, there are also several resorts available in the area.

Arnedo Beach.

Also located in the town of Bolinao, Arnedo Beach is a must for surfers looking for surfing facilities with reasonable fees. For those who want to relax, there are also quite a few resorts around the place. One of the popular ones is the Rock Garden Resort.

Colibra Island.

Known also as Snake Island, this island beach in Dasol boasts a magnificent shoreline with crystal clear waters perfect for recreational activities such as diving and snorkeling. Prepare yourself to get a mean tan, though, as the island offers no shade, except for a few coconut trees planted in the area. Visitors can reach Colibra Island by boat from Tambobong Beach, which is about 20 minutes away.

Tambobong Beach.

Tourists looking for some quiet time alone can enjoy their privacy here in this beach located in a quaint fishing village in Dasol. Tambobong White Beach Resort offers affordable accommodation, with the amenities being very simple and basic compared to other upscale resorts. But at least you get to take pleasure in your own personal retreat, so whats not to love in this place?

Tondol Beach.

Located in the town of Anda, Tondol Beach is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Luzon. The best time to visit is during low tide as it isnt that extraordinary when its high tide. Nevertheless, the place is still considered one of the best in the region.

Local and foreign tourists, especially those who prefer an outdoor travel destination other than the more popular ones like Boracay, are welcome to spend their vacation in these charming Pangasinan beaches.

If you are wondering, getting to Pangasinan is easy. From Manila, Pangasinan is accessible by bus going to Alaminos, one of the provinces four cities. From there, public transportations can take you to the different villages that lead to these beaches. However, since these destinations are not yet fully commercialized, transportation options are quite limited. There are not so many tricycles and jeepneys that ply some of the routes so you may have to wait for available rides. You dont have to worry though, because your patience is sure to be rewarded upon setting foot on these beautiful beaches of Pangasinan.

Breaking News, Crime And Antisocial Behaviour In Welsh And English Seaside Resorts

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The coastal crime map from Penmaen-mawr to Morecambe was analysed for ‘Antisocial Behaviour’. In all resorts, anti-social behaviour was the dominant crime. The best and worst holiday resorts are identified, data for reducing crime is also considered. The data used is from ‘Police Crime Mapping’ for the 3 month period Sep Oct Nov 2010 was compared with the same period in 2009. Within a short time of publication, statistics often become ‘out of date’, these were the latest figures available when this article was submitted. The results of data from holiday resorts along hundreds of miles of coastline stretching from Morecombe to Penmaenmawr can be seen below:
Rhyl 30
Blackpool 25 Approximately the same as Bournemouth
Brighton 12 – 14
Colwyn Bay 12 – 14
Morcambe 12 – 14
Llandudno 8.7
Penmaenmawr6.1
Conwy 4.1
Prestatyn 3.1
With the exception of Rhyl, every seaside resort is the same as or better than Bournemouth. Most holiday resorts along this coastline are either as safe as, or safer than Brighton.
All of the smaller holiday resorts were found to be low crime areas, as were many of the bigger ones; Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Prestatyn and Llandudno. Each of these was found to be either as good as, or better than the benchmark (Brighton). Most resorts along this coastline have very low crime figures, just two examples are Rhos-on-Sea and Penrhyn Bay; they are simply too numerous to mention. It is easier to identify the relatively few resorts that are shown on crime maps as being worse than the benchmark.
Preliminary Conclusion: Rhyl has a problem, but every other North Wales seaside resort is the same as, or better than the benchmark. Some of these resorts have the added attraction of a pier and many have sandy beaches. There is a false perception that some North Wales holiday resorts have deprived housing, tenants on benefit and are high crime areas. This is not true, in one particular case the blame is clearly attributable to cllrs who have given misinformation to the local press. One councillor (who was the Town councils representative for regeneration) compared a part of the seaside town to Beirut. Local press printed this as ‘breaking news’ in their newspapers (part of a group of papers with over 600,000 readers in North and Mid Wales, W. Cheshire and North Shropshire).
It is thought that the most important statistic is the crime detection rate. Most people will think twice if they think they will be caught and then prosecuted. A seaside resort which has one of the best is Colwyn Bay. Holidaymakers to Colwyn bay will not be surprised as the Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), and other Police officers are both high visibility and very approachable. A statistic of questionable value is the percentage figure that crime has been reduced by, this figure can be misleading. A problem with this statistic is that it is harder for good area that has previously reduced crime to reduce it further by any significant amount. An example is Conwy, where an average of only two people per thousand suffered anti-social behaviour.
It only needed an average of 1 extra person over this same period to cause an increase in crime of 50%.
Blackpool15% reduction in antisocial behaviour
Rhyl8.2%reduction in antisocial behaviour
Colwyn Bay1.8%reduction in antisocial behaviour
Llandudno1.5%reduction in anti-social behaviour
Conwy79.5% ***increase in*** antisocial behaviour
Along the whole of the Welsh and English coastline from Penmaen-mawr to Morecombe, only Rhyl has a worse violent crime rate than Bournemouth. Rhyl 9.2 per 1000, Bournemouth 7.5 per 1000 Blackpool 6 per 1000 All other resorts the same as or better than Brighton. Crime detection rate in Colwyn Bay are around 54% and it is ‘one of the safest’ towns in Britain.
Conclusion
With just two exceptions (Blackpool and Rhyl), all the seaside resorts in North Wales and the North West are safer (or the same as) Brighton for the anti-social behaviour. Crime mapping statistics would be better if detection rates were included. Seaside resorts with high detection rates (e.g. Colwyn Bay) would benefit from publication of these statistics. The possible reasons why Rhyl has more problems than surrounding areas will be covered in a separate article. When Rhyl was in its heyday, it had a pier that was over 2000 ft long and lots of associated attractions. These included diving competitions, pier shops, kiosks, bands, steamer ships, Pierott troupes, slot machines and a Pavilion Theatre. The pier was demolished in 1973 and Rhyl has gone downhill ever since.

Hurghada Property Investment Increases In Popularity

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Hurghada property will surely be remembered in history as one of the greatest investments of recent times, and given the current levels of investment throughout the region, it seems as though the next few years will become a defining time for this beautiful part of the Red Sea coast.

Hurghadas tourism industry is still in its infancy; however it is growing at a phenomenal rate, with an increasing number of low cost and budget airlines now offering flights into the new international airport. With property throughout the region is still exceptionally well priced, especially given the increasing demand for tourist accommodation, it is understandable that a large number of overseas investors have purchased in this popular tourist resort.

This rapid expansion and growth being experienced in Hurghada is not without its problems, and with the exception of the international airport, large parts of the surrounding areas are in need of infrastructure investment. However, with the Egyptian government keen to capitalise on the regions growing tourism industry, it is likely that the federal investment in the region will continue for the foreseeable future.

Hurghada is a unique prospect in that respect, because tourism the tourism infrastructure (hotels. Accommodation, resorts) and property investment are all having to grow at the same time, their growth is becoming interlinked. The property investment opportunities that currently exist in Hurghada are very much aimed at becoming a part of the tourism infrastructure, which can only benefit the investors in the long run. Things like apartment hotel investment products, hotel room investments, and resort property investments are all far more common than villas or apartments for sale in Hurghada.

Put simply: because tourism is growing so rapidly, the tourism industry has been forced to work directly with the construction industry.

However, rather than just build resorts to serve the tourism sector, the construction industry players have sought to maximise their revenues. Thus, they are building resorts, and selling the properties within those resorts to earn the first wave of revenues. The properties then come back under their management, which means that they and the tourism industry players get a share of the revenues.

This all sounds like property investors are getting the raw end of the deal, but in reality the opposite is true:
Because of Hurghada’s immaturity it is less common for people to be seeking out their own rental accommodations, they are mostly coming in through tour operators and such like, because that is where the availability is. Therefore, for private property investors to maximise their rentals, it is far better for them to own a managed resort or hotel property than something outside of that system.

Inside the system, the massive tourism growth coupled with the low prices of property is making strong rental yields commonplace in Hurghada. In fact many of the properties currently for sale in Hurghada come with rental yields guaranteed as an integral part of the overall purchase package.

Savusavu The Top Destination for Fiji Island Resorts

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Astonishingly, there are more than 300 islands that make up the nation of Fiji. Even more amazingly, there are a further 500 islets or atolls scattered between those islands creating an enomous archipelago. While millions of tourists come to Fiji every year looking for the perfect Fiji island resort, with such a large number of islands to choose from finding the ideal vacation spot can be extremely confusing!

Many visitors arrive at the main international airport in Fiji at Nadi. Nadi is a fast growing city and is surrounded by many high quality resorts and hotels just a short distance from the airport. This is a sensible economic decision for many travels who choose a Nadi resort for their vacation – but when you come to Fiji you come to ‘get away from it all’. And that’s really what you should do.

Domestic flights within Fiji are short and inexpensive and if you want to create a Fiji holiday you’ll remember forever, think about choosing a Fiji island resort that takes you deeper into the heart of Fiji. The further you get from Nadi, the closer you’ll come to the true spirit of Fiji. You’ll discover a culture of fun loving people who are eager to share their beautiful slice of paradise with you, and you’ll be invited in with true Fijian hospitality. If you want to experience the best of Fiji, board a flight to Vanua Levu – Fiji’s northern island.

Just a short flight from Nadi, you’ll arrive at Savusavu on Vanua Levu, a beautiful old-fashioned kind of paradise. Unspoiled by the hundreds of visitors that line the beaches around Nadi, Savusavu is situated along a beautiful bay with excellent diving, snorkeling and swimming experiences to be had right at the doorstep of your private bure. Surrounded by 100 year old coconut plantations and rainforest covered mountains, the beaches at Savusavu lead you down to crystal clear waters containing an entire other world of wonders and treasures.

There is an almost endless array of activities available in Savusavu including diving, snorkeling, kayaking, golf, tennis, biking, hiking, rainforest and waterfall treks, hot springs, fishing, sailing and surfing – not to mention exploring the cultural side of Fiji with village visits, traditional markets, lovo and meke events and the wonderful shops of Savusavu. Local black pearls are farmed and harvested in Savusavu with excellent opportunities to for you to purchase a rare and special Fijian souvenir. In additional to all that, one local resort also runs yoga retreats with classes held on Fiji’s only yoga shala – a beautiful platform built on the side of a mountain with fantastic views over the bay.

While there are many Fiji island resorts to choose from, if you’re looking for a Fiji vacation that gives you a relaxing hide-away far from the pressures of every day life, then you really must consider a Savusavu resort for your holiday. There are a number of excellent Savusavu hotels, guesthouses and resorts to suit every budget, so what are you waiting for? Fiji’s hidden paradise awaits you.

Lux Island Resorts To Host First Maldives Underwater Festival In May 2012

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Photography enthusiasts will be able to dive beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean as LUX* Maldives launches the first Underwater Festival from 14th and 20th May, 2012.

Fans of diving and photography will be able to take part in a series of workshops, courses, and introductory sessions during Maldives holidays. Award-winning photographers will run numerous underwater courses that will allow visitors to experience free-diving and fluo night diving.

The General Manager of LUX* Maldives and avid free-diver, Dominik Ruhl, explained: This time its all about water. We wanted to draw the curtains of the underwater world to our guests by giving them the unique opportunity not only to dive some of the most beautiful dive sites on the planet, but also to meet the experts of the sea and learn how to bring these treasures home.

The luxury resort recently opened a Marine Biology Centre on the island which is dedicated to protecting whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll waters and this years festival allows tourists to learn more about the underwater world throughout their holidays in the Maldives.

The festival will feature leading marine experts including the French multi-award winning underwater photographer, Pascal Kobeh, who will take part in the festival as a member of the judging panel and a coach.

Kobeh commented: I started shooting underwater pictures while I was a diving instructor here in the Maldives; I havent stopped since then, and it became by profession. It brought me here today with the same passion I had ten years ago and I am very excited to join the festival.

While enjoying holidays to the Maldives at the resort, attendees will have the chance to take part in interesting and informative workshops with LUX* Maldives resident marine biologist, Chiara Fumagalli.

There will also be documentaries about the oceans diverse marine life, underwater films, and news about the ongoing research on the whale sharks at the Marine Biology Centre.

The festival will also allow participants to try free diving sessions with Jean-Jacques Mayol, the founder of the free-diving Team Mayol and son of free-diving legend Jacques Mayol.

Photographers booking Maldives holidays at the resort can experience the underwater world at night by taking part in fluo-diving excursions. Divers use a set of special filters on their masks and torches, which enhances a unique diving experience at night.

Festival-goers will have the chance to win several prizes during the week-long event and the best photographs will be submitted to the judging panel with a top prize including a five-night stay at one of LUX* Islands Resorts Mauritius, La Reunion or Maldives hotels.