Tropical Regions

The Rediscovery of Africa

Aug 31st, 2011
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mystic south africa The Rediscovery of Africa

Mystic South Africa
Gayle Ullman
22 in. x 36 in.
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Little over a hundred and fifty years ago a young scots surgeon named Mungo Park, more dead than alive from months of quenching travel, rode through Saharan sand and thorn into the remote city of Segu on the upper reaches of the river Niger.

“Looking forwards,” he would write, “I saw with infinite pleasure the great object of my mission — the long sought-for majestic Niger, glittering to the morning sun, as broad as the Thames at Westminster, and flowing slowly to the eastward.”

Ever since Ptolemy, sixteen centuries before, men had written on maps that the Niger flowed to the westward. Arabs of the Middle Ages, true enough, had known the middle course of the Niger for what it really was; but Europe, newly considering Africa in times of mercantile expansion, could be sure of nothing of its geography but the outline of the coast, and a little, here and there, of the obscure lands beyond.

“The course of the Niger, the places of its rise and termination, and even its existence as a separate stream are still undetermined,” declared the prospectus of the African Association, founded in London in 1790 for “Promoting the Discovery of the Interior Parts of Africa,” and it resolved that one of its explorers “should ascertain the course, and if possible, the rise and termination of that river.”

Mungo Park perished on the Niger before he could plot its course to the sea, but others followed. Within seventy years or so the main geographical facts were fixed and clear upon the continental map, and one misconception after another was corrected, one zone of ignorance after another filled with detail. African discovery took its place among the triumphs of the nineteenth century. The geographical myths and legends disappeared; in place of these, mapmakers could record the knowledge of sand and swamp, forest and savannah, snow-capped mountain range and bracing highland that the discoverers had won.

A similar process of discovery is now occurring, about a hundred years later, in the field of African history. Historians and archeologists — British, French, African, Italian, Belgian, American — have embarked on journeys of historical discovery that parallel the geographical ventures of Park and Clapperton, Caillié and Barth, Livingstone, Stanley, and so many more. What the nineteenth century achieved for the geography of Africa the twentieth is well towards achieving for its history; and once again the truth these pioneers are finding has proved, often enough, the reverse of what the outside world had generally believed.

Thus the chart of African history, so lately bare and empty and misleading as the maps once were, begins to glow with illuminating detail. Bearded monsters and “men whose heads do grow beneath their shoulders” begin to disappear; and humanity, in all its smallness and its greatness, begins to emerge. And it begins to be seen, if fleetingly and partially as yet, that the writing of African history is not only possible and useful, but will be as well a work of rediscovery — the rediscovery of African humanity.

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Vintage Black & White Oahu Photo Art Print – Hawaii Photos

Aug 28th, 2011
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vintage oahu Vintage Black & White Oahu Photo Art Print Hawaii Photos

Oahu, 1955
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Between the Pacific and the Koolau mountains stretches all 15 miles of Honolulu. The luxury hotels of Waikiki and the smart downtown Fort St Mall shopping and business center are only a part of this varied cosmopolitan city. Chinatown, between Nuuanu Avenue and River Street, is a colorful mixture of sailors’ bars, tatoo parlors and dives and genuine Chinese restaurants, laundries and curio shops. In contrast the surrounding hills are very elegant residental suburbs. Diamond Head, with its famous crater, is at the Eastern end of Waikiki. In the center of town, in a park oasis, is Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil. The building is an exuberant structure built by the merry monarch, King Kalakuan, who used to play billiards and poker in the basement. The gilded thrones (replicas) are covered with Chinese brocade. Hawaii’s first church, Kawaiahao Church, built of coral blocks, was the royal chapel.

Sunday services are in English and Hawaiian. A fascinating memorial to the men and women responsible for bringing Christianity to the islands are the Mission Houses (across from the City Hall) built in New England style and kept as museums with original domestic and personal momentos. Bishop’sMuseum, on Kalihi Street, has a wonderful collection of Hawaiian art, culture and religious relics and also houses a Planetarium. The Academy of Arts embraces both oriental and occidental art and has some rare masterpieces. Limousines can be rented for tours of Honolulu. Tours are arranged to pineapple canneries, woodworking shops, sugar mills and perfume factories. Daily visits can be made to Liana of Waikiki (419 Waiakamilo Road), to watch flower oils being extracted.

Bimini Sunset Art Print

Aug 13th, 2011
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bimini sunset art print Bimini Sunset Art Print

Bimini Sunset Art Print
Susan Bryant
38 in. x 19 in.
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Bimini Island (Bahamas)

Bimini is the westernmost district of the Bahamas composed of a chain of islands located about 53 miles (81 km) due east of Miami, Florida. Bimini is the closest point in the Bahamas to the mainland United States and approximately 137 miles (209 km) west-northwest of Nassau. The combined population for the islands is estimated to be about 1600.

The largest islands are North Bimini and South Bimini. The District of Bimini also includes Cay Sal Bank, more than 62 miles (100 km) further south, which is geographically not a part of the Bimini Islands but a separate unit. North Bimini is about seven miles (11 km) long and 700 feet (210 m) wide. Its main settlement is Alice Town, a collection of shops, restaurants, and bars surrounding a single road known as “The King’s Highway”.

South Bimini houses an airstrip, South Bimini Airport, and offers a quiet alternative to the slow bustle of North Bimini. There is a small community of homes on South Bimini known as Port Royale. For many years, South Bimini tourists were limited to boaters because there were few accommodations other than private homes.

The ocean surrounding the islands is considered to be one of the world’s top big-game fishing spots. Because Bimini is close to Miami, Florida, many American anglers go to the island by boat to fish or to enjoy the local nightlife. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular activities, as there are many shipwrecks in the area, such as the wreck of the SS Sapona, which ran aground in 1926 during a hurricane. The top of the ship is exposed to the air while the bottom half is submerged. Parts of the wreck were stripped over the years and some of the wood was used in the construction of the Compleat Angler Hotel and bar on North Bimini.

Haiti Map Poster Print – Haiti Travel Posters

Jun 21st, 2011
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Haiti was once one of the most productive countries in the world but the soil became exhausted, too many trees were chopped down and the land was eroded. Now the Haitians are trying to get agriculture back on its feet, but apart from many poltical ups and downs, the economy contains extremes of rich and poor. Coffee is the main export, but the low rates paid to local labor means that light industry, geared to the American market, is growing; they make or assemble brassieres, baseballs and simple electronic equipment. The tourist industry is growing too.

haiti map Haiti Map Poster Print Haiti Travel Posters

Map of Haiti, Caribbean
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Vintage Hawaii Surfing Travel Advertisement Poster

Mar 24th, 2011
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Surfing Scene Waikiki Hawaii Vintage Hawaii Surfing Travel Advertisement Poster

Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Scene, Waikiki, Hawaii
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Most of the people who have been to Hawaii never went to Hawaii. They went to Honolulu, on Oahu, just the doorstep of a whole set of fabulous islands. And most of the people who haven’t even started to go to Hawaii think of it as surfboards, leis, macadamia nuts and pineapple punch, a kind of tropical suburb of Los Angeles. But Hawaii is much, much more than all these things.

Spewed up by a volcanic cataclysm from the Pacific bottom a million years ago, Hawaii is still one of the world’s greatest, though safest, volcanic non-stop shows. There are strange birds and animals, a variety of different islands, scenic wonders and moods to choose – from the brash excitement of Honolulu or Oahu to quiet beauty of an old whaling town on Maui. There’s a fascinating history to get involved with, from the arrival of the Polynesian outriggers when Charlemagne was still writing the map of France, to the visit of Captain Cook who called these the Sandwich Islands; the story of the missionaries from New England, and the one of the King and Queen who died of measles on a visit to London in 1824, the ingenuity of Mr Dole in establishing the pineapple on a big scale, the sadness of Pearl Harbor and, finally, the happy assumption of Statehood in 1959. It’s quite a history book. And quite a collection of peoples – Polynesian, European and Americans.

Bali: Island of the Gods

Feb 16th, 2011
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bali ulun dane temple Bali: Island of the Gods

Ulun Danu Temple, Bali, Indonesia
Jecan, Gavriel
12 in. x 16 in.
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Find your center on an island so spiritual it’s become known as “Island of the Gods.” The warm, spiritual essence that writer Elizabeth Gilbert discovered here and celebrated in Eat, Pray, Love has been native to Bali for centuries. It’s one of 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago—and the only one on which Hindus form the majority (93 percent). Even more striking is the fact that there is a spiritual celebration here nearly every day.

Three Hindu temples at the Besakih (the Mother Temple of Bali) survived a 1963 eruption that destroyed nearby villages while missing by mere yards this terraced complex atop volcanic Mount Agung. The event is still considered a miracle by locals, who arrive in regular procession; they balance offerings on their head and climb the steps to the sound of mantras, jingling bells, and the sharp flutter of umbul-umbuls (ceremonial Balinese flags).

Anyone interested in exploring the inner self might like the Nirarta Centre, an 11-room hotel set amid rice terraces and gardens that holds daily meditation sessions. After finding your center here, channel your energy into jungle treks, scuba diving, and big-break surfing along beaches of fine white and volcanic black sand. Exhale against a backdrop of rice paddies and Impressionist sunsets that illuminate the Indian Ocean.

Palm Trees Posters – Exotic Palms Artworks

Dec 22nd, 2010
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exotic palms art print Palm Trees Posters Exotic Palms Artworks
Palm Trees Posters – Exotic Palms Artworks by made_in_atlantis
Large format posters printing from zazzle

Tropical Palms – Exotic Island Palm Tree Blue Sky
There was a time when traveling in the tropics was undeniably a health hazard. Modern medicine and hygienic control has put a stop to all that. Provided you adhere strictly to your own personal hygiene rules, there is, as a general rule, very little harm upsets are the most common cause for complaint, more often than not caused by a slight change in diet. If you want to play safe, drink bottled water (avalable all over) and avoid damaged fruit. In the tropics doctors recommend that you drink at least four pints of liquid a day to prevent dehydration. And do take care in the sun – start your sun tanning in easy stages and don’t forget you can sunburn very quickly in the tropics, even when the sky is overcast.

Exotic Palms – Hawaii Sky – Pop Art Palm Trees and Sky – Tropical Island Exotic Palm Trees, Beach, Clouds & Clear Blue Sky – Exotic Islands Posters Prints

Secret Beaches of Phuket, Thailand

Dec 14th, 2010
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phuket poster Secret Beaches of Phuket, Thailand

Phuket Poster
36 in. x 24 in.
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Framed   Mounted

Phuket’s beaches are world-renowned and tourists flock from across the globe to visit the famous beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so that many people complain these beaches have lost their charm. They say Phuket can no longer claim to be an idyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are too crowded. Sun loungers line the entire length of the beaches, sometimes in rows three or four deep. Jet skis, banana boats and parasail boats plough through the water while vendors ply their wares up and down the beach. They say Phuket is finished as an island getaway destination and only caters to the party crowd.

These people have not spent enough time exploring Phuket. There are more than 40 beaches around Phuket Island and there is something to suit all tastes. If you want a beach with good holiday facilities but not too crowded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang all have good hotels and restaurants yet do not draw big crowds. If you really want to get away from the crowds then Nai Thon and Mai Khao beaches in the north of the island are usually very quiet.

Still all these beaches are well known in Phuket and firmly in the tourist travel guides. In this article, we will look at some beaches that still remain undiscovered to most tourists. We will not even include Laem Sing or Yanui in this list. They are both charming beaches but they have become well known and usually have plenty of visitors. Some of the following beaches are not even known to many of Phuket’s residents. These are Phuket’s secret beaches. (If you want more details about how to find these beaches see our Phuket Beach Guide.)

Banana Beach

This beautiful beach is in the northern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a lovely two-hundred meter strip of sand, studded with rocks in the middle and ringed with trees. It is a good swimming beach and there is some great snorkeling. There is no accommodation and just a single beach restaurant with a handful of sun loungers at the southern end.

There are usually only a handful of visitors at this beach. The majority of them arrive by longtail boat from other beaches but in fact, you can see the beach from the coast road above and there is a trail down.

Pansea Beach

Right at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is beautiful and peaceful Pansea Beach. There are two up-market resorts here yet the location retains its refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or Kata Island depending who you believe) which shelters the shallow bay from waves so it is always calm. The waters are too shallow for swimming and when the tide is out you can walk to the island. It is a great beach for paddling and ideal for children to play. There are no refreshments here so it is a good idea to bring a picnic.

Pon Beach

This secluded little beach is in the headland north of Patong. The locals know it as Nai Yair Beach. It is amazing how few people find this beach considering it is located so close to the hordes at Patong. There is nothing here but a couple of rural shacks and a few grazing cows. It is a sandy beach but not good for swimming due to the rocky seabed. There is some good snorkeling.

There are usually a couple of locals renting sun loungers and selling refreshments. They can also provide you with a small barbecue to cook your own. There may be a small charge for crossing the private land to reach the beach.

Paradise Beach

In the headland south of Patong, there are two beautiful beaches that remain relatively unspoiled. They are not as undiscovered as the other beaches we mention on this list but still a break from the heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise Beach. Right at the tip of the headland, you can reach it by road (track) or boat.

It is a beautiful beach with overhanging trees. There is no accommodation but there is a restaurant and there are plenty of sun loungers. The beach is not the best for bathing due to the rocky seabed close to shore but there is some excellent snorkeling. There are usually plenty of people around but still it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Freedom Beach

You can only reach this stunning beach by boat. It is in the headland south of Patong all the way around and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still it is well worth the boat ride with fantastic bathing and snorkeling.

There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of sun loungers under the trees. The locals take great care of the beach and it is always pristine. Plenty of people do make this a day trip from Patong but the beach is never crowded and again it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

Nui Beach

This beach is most known for how difficult it is to reach by land. Located between Kata and Nai Harn, the only way to reach it by land is down a two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to traverse in a car. You can just about do it on a motorbike but it is better to walk or let one of the locals take you down on their ATV for a small fee.

It is also known as the most expensive beach in Phuket because you have to cross private land to reach it and they charge 250 baht for the privilege. This fee does get you a sun lounger and drink. When you do arrive, it is a beautiful secluded spot with good swimming and snorkeling. There is a rustic restaurant overlooking the beach but no accommodation. It is never crowded.

Ao Sane Beach

This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai Harn Beach. You need to go through Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club’s car park to reach it but they do not stop you. There is a restaurant here and some budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a few people around but it is never busy.

It is actually a series of three small beaches split by little rocky headlands. None of them is good for swimming due to rocks and corals close to shore. There is some excellent snorkeling.

Laemka Beach

This little beach is at the southern end of Phuket between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not signposted and a little difficult to find but a beautiful spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort are nearby but still the beach remains quiet. It is one of the few southern beaches where you can have a swim and there are nice views out to the southern islands.

Ao Yon Beach

Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach. This is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. Although it is well developed with residential property, there are no hotels or restaurants by this beach. It is home to Phuket Yacht Club and there are always plenty of boats moored in the bay.

It is a beautiful stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is usually very quiet and a real getaway.

Exotic Vacations with a Limited Budget

Dec 14th, 2010
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budget travels Exotic Vacations with a Limited Budget

Are you fed up with going on the identical boring family vacation year in year out? Are you wanting to travel somewhere exotic this coming year, except your vacation budget is somewhat limited? Lots of people have the perception that exotic vacations are solely for the affluent and celebrities or for people that have money to waste, but you’d probably be amazed by how many exotic vacations are offered for those, just like you, with a limited vacation budget. Outlined in this article we are going to show you a duo of exotic vacation spots in South America that are excellent for spicing up your next holiday.

Santiago, Chile

If you’re planning to visit South America, you just must make time for a stop in historic Santiago, Chile. Santiago is positioned at the bottom of the majestic Andes Mountain range and in close proximity to amazing beaches. Perhaps the most important thing about Santiago is that it’s a particularly affordable destination. Santiago is central to some of the grandest hotels in South America, with hotel prices covering anything from $50 to $100, along with a great deal to see. In Santiago, you’ll definitely prefer to stay a number of nights while you’re there.

Santiago, Chile is surely an exotic vacation which possesses scores of museums and art galleries together with local, open-air shopping and exceptional architecture. Countless restaurants and cafes dot the Chilean landscape, featuring mouth-watering local cuisine and tasty cocktails to assist you to unwind and take it easy.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

In past times, exotic vacations to Buenos Aires, Argentina were certainly not affordable, but the latest economic troubles in this country have prompted many Argentinean resort operators to reduce their prices in order to bring in far more tourism. And it has worked, too. Today, travelers going to Argentina can simply manage on less than a hundred dollars per day and soak up everything that this magnificent metropolitan vacation spot has to provide.

Buenos Aires offers white, sandy beaches and wonderful scenery that’s ideal for the explorer inside your group, but there may be no question that this populous city is most widely known for its incredible, non-stop nightlife. Excellent for young travelers hoping to party, Buenos Aires features a huge selection of tasty local restaurants and music-filled nightclubs where dancing and partying rages the whole night.

The South American cities of Santiago and Buenos Aires are only two illustrations of exactly how you can certainly stretch your vacation budget this season and still find something to do unusual. If an exotic vacation is exactly what you’re after, South America should truly be on your list.

Vintage Travel: Pacific Line, Caribbean Cruise

Dec 11th, 2010
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pacific line caribbean cruise Vintage Travel: Pacific Line, Caribbean Cruise

Pacific Line, Caribbean Cruise Framed Art Print
20.375 in. x 26.375 in.
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