Phoebettmh Travel

(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea

Ōkunoshima (大久野島?) is a small island located in the Inland Sea of Japan in the city of Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is accessible by ferry from Tadanoumi and Ōmishima. There are campsites, walking trails and places of historical interest on the island. It is often called Usagi Shima (ウサギ島?, "Rabbit Island") because of the numerous wild rabbits that roam the island; they are rather tame and will approach humans. Despite its size, the island played a key role during World War II as a poison gas factory for much of the chemical warfare that was carried out in China.

(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea

After the war, the poison was disposed of and the laboratory animals were set loose. With no natural predators native to the island, they quickly spread and now there are hundreds of tame rabbits roaming around.

(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea

Cute, adorable, cuddly, sweet and lovable; you're likely to run out of adjectives while trying to adequately sum up this odd occurrence taking place on the Japanese island of Okunoshima.

(Japan) – Let’s travel to Rabbit Island Ōkunoshima in the Inland Sea

There is an estimated population of 300 rabbits on the island today. And, of course, that population is continuing to grow. The island is now also becoming something of a tourist destination as people from all points in Japan come to see the feral rabbits. Tourists bring cameras to take photographs and video cameras to film videos of the endemic creatures frolicking about.

(Wikipedia, Atlas obscura, Digital Journal)

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking

Mustang (from the Tibetan mun tan (Wylie: smon-thang), meaning "fertile plain") is the former Kingdom of Lo. It now forms part of north-central Nepal, bordering China on the Tibetan plateau between the provinces of Dolpo and Manang. The culture is Tibetan Buddhist.

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking

Mustang, or Lo as it is known by the inhabitants, is a mysterious high plateau tucked behind the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs in north central Nepal. The area is actually the top of a watershed, the headwaters of what becomes the mighty Kali Gandaki River, which then runs southward through the world's deepest gorge. In the rain shadow of the huge Himalayan peaks, though, this area is dry and windswept, ruggedly sculpted and mostly devoid of vegetation. The region offers dramatic and unique geography for those who only have seen the more familiar green, forested landscape of the rest of Nepal.

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking

With a cultural history that is as intriguing as the landscape, Mustang has piqued the curiosity of many Himalayan adventurers, and only recently was it opened for limited visitation. Historically a vital trading route between Tibet and India, the trail into Mustang is lined with the fascinating remains of forts that served as tax collection out posts. Settlements in Mustang were fortified, a testament to its turbulent history. More recently, in the late 1950s and 60s, the area was a center for Khampas, guerrilla's who were trained and armed by the US C.I.A. to resist the Chinese Army's occupation of Tibet.

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking

There are records that outline events stretching back to the eighth century, and from the writings of the Tibetan poet Milarepa it is known that the unique form of Buddhism called Sakyapa has been practiced here since 1073. This form of Buddhism lacks the more familiar metaphysical aspect; it is more worldly and practical, perhaps in response to the unforgiving environmental pressures in this area.

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking

Throughout recent decades, the Nepalese Government had maintained total restriction on visitation to this area. The democratic change of government of 1990 and the increasing international pressures for a more open Nepal have coincided to remove these restrictions. Since 1991, limited visitation has been allowed, providing the trekking party meets strict environmental requirements and pays a substantial amount for the entry permit. These conditions limit the number of visitors, minimize their impact, and generate revenues needed for future conservation efforts in this region.

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking

The Mustang Trekking route stays mostly on the valley floor, though it may traverse the ridge during the occasional rainy period, which raises the level of the river. The horses provide uphill assistance, but must be dismounted for descending. Without substantially high passes (nothing over 5.000 meters) this is not too physically demanding as a trek, and it has the added advantage of a very long season, due to the lack of monsoon rains or high pass crossings.

(Nepal) - Mustang Lo Manthang Tiji Festival

Mustang's capital "city" is Lo Manthang, a magical place imbibed with centuries of rugged history. Set on a broad plateau, the town deserves its name, which translates from Tibetan as "plain of inspiration". The Raja, or King, lives in his palace in the center, while the four major temples form the corners of town. Lo Manthang and the surrounding area are usually savored for a day or two before heading back down toward Jomosom.

(Nepal) – Mustang Trekking - Lo Manthang - capital of the kingdom mustang

(Wikipedia, Green Lotus Trekking)

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

The Geirangerfjord is located in the southwestern part of the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Fjord Norway, approximately 100 kilometres from the town of Ålesund.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

The deep blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush, green vegetation.

Top things to do and see

1. Cruise and sightseeing trips on the Geirangerfjord

2. Kayaking on the Geirangerfjord

3. The famous viewpoints Ørnevegen (the Eagle Road), Dalsnibba and Flydalsjuvet

4. Mountain walks to Skageflå and Knivsflå mountain farms

5. Geiranger Fjord Centre

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

What to do and see

Fjord cruises

Experience the fjord and waterfalls such as Brudesløret (the Bridal Veil) and De syv søstrene (the Seven Sisters) from one of the many available sightseeing trips. You can take the ferry between Geiranger and Hellesylt, the longer ferry trip between Geiranger and Valldal, the one-and-a-half-hour sightseeing trip on board M/S Geirangerfjord Sightseeing, the Geiranger & Norway in a nutshell trip or the Fjord Experience trip.

Geirangerfjord Safari

FjordGuiding offers sightseeing trips in open RIB boats on the Geirangerfjord.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

Ørnevegen (the Eagle Road)

Ørnevegen (the Eagle Road) is the name given to the steepest stretch of road up the mountain side from Geiranger towards Eidsdal on the road rv. 63. The road turns through 11 hairpin bends up from the Geirangerfjord to the highest point 620 metres above sea level.

At Ørnesvingen you can take in the magnificent panorama over Geiranger, the fjord, De syv søstrene and the alpine farm Knivsflå.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

The famous viewpoints of Dalsnibba and Flydalsjuvet

Dalsnibba (1,500 metres above sea level) and Flydalsjuvet are among the absolute favourite attractions in the area. Experience calm, raw nature and clean air combined with astonishing views.

Geiranger Fjord Centre

Offers a unique and rewarding insight into the history, the colourful people and the fabulous natural scenery of the Geiranger area. Geiranger Fjord Centre lies approximately one kilometre from the centre of Geiranger.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

Hiking and walking in the Norwegian fjord landscape

Choose between short easy walks or summit hikes offering you the most stunning view. Hiking is a must for everyone visiting the area. There is a wide variety of trails, all marked and with good maps available.

Many people who want an easy trip choose to walk along the fjord (2.5 kilometres) to the small place Homlong on the south side of the fjord. Here you will find a small, cosy café with great home-made food.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful nature in the Geirangerfjord area, you can drive to Westerås Farm (four kilometres from the centre of Geiranger). From there you have easy walks to view points or to the glorious Storseterfossen Waterfall where you can walk behind the waterfall.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

Kayaking on the Geirangerfjord

Get close to nature. Kayak rental is available in several villages along the Geirangerfjord, and in Geiranger you may join Coastal Odyssey for a guided kayak tour.

Fishing

There are fantastic fishing opportunities in the area. From fishing in the fjords, easily accessible rivers and lakes in the lowlands, to multi-day hikes in the mountains with a fishing rod in your backpack. Read more about fishing in the Geirangerfjord area and Trollstigen.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

What to do and see in the Geirangerfjord area

The Herdalssetra Mountain Farm

At this idyllic summer farm you may experience the manufacturing of goat milk cheese and caramels. And of course also meet the animals – goats, cows and sheep. Herdalssetra is located in Norddal within the UNESCO World Heritage Area.

Trollstigen Mountain Road

This road is one of Norway's most dramatic and most visited attractions. The mountains that encircle Trollstigen Mountain Road are enormous.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

Rafting down the Valldøla River

Feel the adrenalin rush in your body. Join a rafting trip on the Valldøla River in the village of Valldal.

Skiing

In winter, the region offers superb skiing experiences. Try skiing from the summits at around 1,500 metres above sea level down to the blue fjord. You can combine it with skiing at Stranda Ski Centre, Norway's powder paradise with fjord view.

During the summer you can go skiing on the Tystigbreen Glacier beside the scenic old Strynefjell Road. The popular Stryn Summer Ski Centre opens approximately at the end of May or beginning of June, depending on how much snow there is. Stryn Summer Ski Centre is located 50 kilometres (a one-hour drive) from Geiranger.

(Norway) – Visit The Geirangerfjord

Where to stay

Hotel Union Geiranger

Enjoy a stay at the family-run Hotel Union Geiranger which is situated on a hill just above the centre of Geiranger. From the hotel there is a fantastic view of the fjord and mountains.

Hotell Utsikten

From Utsikten Hotel & Restaurant you have a stunning view of the Geirangerfjord.

Juvet Landscape Hotel

This "landscape hotel", winner of the Norwegian Tourism Award in 2010 (Reiselivsprisen) aims to be different from other design hotels in that it showcases the nature that surrounds it rather than focusing on its own architecture. Stay at Juvet and you can almost feel the spray from the Valldøla River on your face.

Hellesylt Youth Hostel

For those on a budget, stay at Hellesylt Youth Hostel in Hellesylt at the outer part of the Geirangerfjord.

Facts about the Geirangerfjord

- Length: 15 kilometres

- Depth: More than 600 metres

- The Geirangerfjord is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site The West Norwegian Fjords. This World Heritage site includes two separate areas: The Geirangerfjord area and the Nærøyfjord area. Together they make up an area of 1,227 square kilometres, of which 107 square kilometres is covered by sea.

- The Geirangerfjord is visited by 150 - 200 cruise ships and more than 700,000 tourists each year

Getting to the Geirangerfjord and around

You can travel by car, bus or boat to the Geirangerfjord area. Travelling to the Geirangerfjord by car is a seven to eight-hour drive from Oslo, five to seven hours from Bergen and five to six hours from Trondheim. Read more about getting to the Geirangerfjord area.

(Visit Norway)

(Solomon Islands) – So Solomon, So Different

The Solomon Islands are a collection of nearly one thousand islands in Oceania that form a sovereign country. They lie to the east of Papua New Guinea in Melanesia and cover a land area of 28,400 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi). The country's capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

Solomon islands

With 300+ days of perfect weather, the Solomon Islands is a traveller’s paradise. Get active & trek to the top of waterfalls and volcanoes, or take it easy and relax under the shade of palm trees as you lie in a hammock with a cocktail in hand.

Solomon islands - Solomon map

Solomon islands

Explore the hidden paradise of this Pacific archipelago comprising of 992 islands; there is so much to see and do in the Solomon Islands - from the diver’s paradise of diverse marine life, to the wild interiors of local village treks.

Solomon islands

Things to see and do in Solomon Islands

Explore the wildlife

Visit the main islands of Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, New Georgia, San Cristobal and Santa Isabel. They are up to 200km (120 miles) long and up to 50km (30 miles) wide. The wildlife on the islands is of great interest, consisting of a mixture of introduced and indigenous species. Most islands are populated with a range of reptiles (including turtles), as well as marsupials such as flying foxes (fruit bats), phalangers and opossums.

Solomon islands

Go diving

Much of the best land-based diving located in the Western Province on or near the islands of Gizo (the capital of the Western Province) and New Georgia. Well-known dive sites in the area include Munda, on the Roviana Lagoon, 15 minutes by plane from Gizo; and Uepi Island, on the north side of New Georgia, across the famous Marovo Lagoon. Diving tours to the numerous WWII wrecks are also possible.

Solomon islands

Go fishing

Try a spot of fishing in the well-stocked waters. Enquiries may be made at the Point Cruz Yacht Club, which welcomes visitors.

Solomon islands

Guadalcanal

Go on an excursion around Guadalcanal and other islands. Popular tours include the battlefields of WWII, the Betikama carving centre, and Alite and Laulasi villages on the island of Malaita, where shells are broken, rounded and, after further working, strung together. They are used to denote status and as gifts and items of barter in inter-tribal deals. The strings of shells can be worn as bracelets, necklaces, belts and earrings.

Solomon islands

Honiara

Head to Honiara, the capital on Guadalcanal, which has a museum, botanical gardens and Chinatown. There are relics of WWII in and around the town, and notice boards indicate major battles and incidents that took place during the battle for Guadalcanal. Villages and scenic drives are within easy reach.

Solomon islands

Tropical rainforests

Head out on an educational tour to the tropical rainforests that cover most of the archipelago and dormant volcanoes with the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau. Exotic orchids, ferns and palms are widespread and butterflies are abundant. There are more than 70 species of reptiles. A variety of trees and shrubs have been introduced along with fruits and vegetables.

Solomon islands

Volcanic islands

Explore the 900 volcanic islands and coral atolls spread across the blue tropical waters. The superb marine life makes the islands an excellent destination for swimming and cruising.

Solomon islands

(World Travel Guide, Visit Solomon, Wikipedia)

(Estonia) – Welcome to Tallinn City

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, only 70 km (43 mi) south of Helsinki. At the historical and medieval heart of the city is the hill of Toompea, covered in cobbled streets and filled with medieval houses and alleyways. The lower town spreads out from the foot of the hill, still protected by the remnants of a city wall. Around the city wall is a series of well-maintained green parks, great for strolling.

(Estonia) – Welcome to Tallinn City

The city's old town has been astonishingly well preserved and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, it is now in better shape than ever, with the bigger roads converted into fashionable shopping streets reminiscent of Zürich or Geneva. Especially in summer, the Old Town is packed with tourists, with the traditional daytrippers from sister city Helsinki increasingly supplemented by Europeans taking advantage of cheap flights.

(Estonia) – Welcome to Tallinn City

Tallinn's atmospheric Old Town is an enthralling hodgepodge of medieval streets and spires. It's a small city, and the tourist areas are safe and easily explored on foot. Buy a Tallinn Card if intending to use buses, trolleys or trams. For a look into Tallinn's past, visit Rocca-al-Mare Open Air Museum's typical rural Estonian taverns, windmills and watermills, see the onion-domed 1900 cathedral or join the bustle in historic Town Hall Square. St. Olav's spire was once the tallest in the world.

(Estonia) – Welcome to Tallinn City

Attractions

Like most cities with an eight-hundred-year-old past, Tallinn is a patchwork of historic areas. The city's pride and joy is without a doubt its Medieval Old Town, but equally enchanting is the Kadriorg district, a throwback to the time when Estonia was ruled by the Russian Tsars. Other areas of Tallinn are perfect for those who want to get a glimpse of Soviet-era life, or just want to spend time in the great outdoors.

(Estonia) - Tallinn City - Fat Margaret tower

(Estonia) - Tallinn City - Tall Hermann tower

Some of the attractions that the Old City has to offer are Fat Margaret and Tall Herman, these are two towers, the first one being short and stout while the second one being the tallest in Tallinn and part of the city’s medieval fortifications. Alongside these you will find here the Maritime Museum as well as the Art Museum and the Dome Church.

(Estonia) - Tallinn city - Church - St Nicholas Church

(Estonia) - Tallinn city - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

One other major point of interest is the Kadriorg Palace, built in 1736 for Peter the Great it features wonderful wooded grounds as well as a small cottage which houses the Peter the Great Museum. In a somewhat similar vein you might want to travel a bit west of Tallinn and visit the Estonian Open-Air Museum, this is where you will encounter rebuilt traditional homesteads and trade houses of old Tallinn. With a bit of lucky you’ll see a street performance of folk music or dance.

(Estonia) – Welcome to Tallinn City

When the sun goes down and you’re tired from all that sightseeing it is time to experience the city’s varied culinary offers and as far as food is concerned you will find pretty much everything possible from Indian and Mexican restaurants to the more traditional eateries.

(Estonia) – Welcome to Tallinn City

The city also has a series of popular nightclubs as well as beaches, despite its northern location, so there is something for everyone in Tallinn.

(Estonia) - Tallinn city - Toompea Castle

(Estonia) - Tallinn city - Tallinn festival

(Wiki Travel, Trip Advisor, Tourism Tallinn)

(England) – Visiting Hampton Court in London

For almost 200 years, Hampton Court Palace was at the centre of English court life, politics and national history. Its most infamous resident was Henry VIII.

Today Hampton Court is an easy day trip for all visitors to London.