2/25/09

The Bahamas

The Bahamas

The Bahamas
The Bahamas

The Bahamas
The Bahamas


Geography

The Bahamas are an archipelago of about 700 islands and 2,400 uninhabited islets and cays lying 50 mi off the east coast of Florida. They extend for about 760 mi (1,223 km). Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited; the most important is New Providence (80 sq mi; 207 sq km), on which the capital, Nassau, is situated. Other islands include Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, and San Salvador (or Watling's Island).

Government

Parliamentary democracy.

History

The Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants of the Bahamas. Columbus's first encounter with the New World was on Oct. 12, 1492, when he landed on the Bahamian island of San Salvador. The British first built settlements on the islands in the 17th century. In the early 18th century, the Bahamas were a favorite pirate haunt.

The Bahamas were a Crown colony from 1717 until they were granted internal self-government in 1964. The islands moved toward greater autonomy in 1968 after the overwhelming victory in general elections of the Progressive Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Lynden O. Pindling, over the predominantly white United Bahamians Party. With its new mandate from the black population (85% of Bahamians), Pindling's government negotiated a new constitution with Britain under which the colony became the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became an independent nation.

An Emerging Economy

Once heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing, the Bahamas has diversified its economy into tourism, financial services, and international shipping. While the nation enjoys a per capita income that is among the top 30 in the world, there is a big gap between the urban middle class and poor farmers. In addition, the nation is vulnerable to hurricanes, which regularly inflict serious damage.

Hubert Ingraham became prime minister in May 2007 after his Free National Movement, an opposition party, won parliamentary elections.

2/4/09

Phuket Beach

Phuket Beach
Phuket Beach
Phuket Beach
Phuket Beach

Phuket Beach
Phuket Beach

Phuket Beach
Phuket Beach Thailand

Few islands can boast of such an abundance of sandy beaches and clear waters as Phuket. The winding coastal roads along the west coast of this 540-square-km island offer stunning views and easy access to some of the world's finest beaches.

Whether one wants to sample the frenetic pace of Patong or find solitude on a remote stretch of sand in the north, Phuket's beaches have it all for the sun seeker. The monsoon rains of May-October can bring unpredictable swimming conditions, so heed the posted flag warnings.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki beach

Waikiki beach
Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki beach

Waikiki beach
Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach Sunset

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Waikiki is no longer a paradise just for the upper-crust. More than 100 years have passed since Waikiki was the exclusive playground of Hawaiian royalty and their chosen friends. Now, cheap hotels and package tours allow just about anyone to visit. These days, however, the playground is of a different sort. From throbbing nightclubs to quiet parks, from gentlemen long-boarders to the lions at the zoo, Waikiki has something for everyone. One can walk from one end of the island to the other in 20 minutes, but 20 days is not enough to experience all Waikiki has to offer.

It all begins at the yacht harbor where every boat imaginable, from sporty, racing numbers to salty-dog blue cruisers, lines the water. It is here where Hawaiian canoe clubs train and stately yachts strut their stuff. Next door, the Hilton Hawaiian Village stages hula shows to welcome the weekend and blasts fireworks visible from miles away. The beach is wide, the water is safe and any beach toy imaginable is available to rent.

However, not enough visitors find time to visit the other end of Waikiki, where 200 acres of parkland wrap around the base of Diamond Head Crater and there's always a quiet spot in the shade. This is where the locals come to jog in the park, swim at Sans Souci Beach or barbecue dinner with family and friends.

Between these two extremes, the seven-tenths of a square mile that make up Waikiki are packed with hotels, theaters, restaurants and shops and crowded with executives, backpackers, families and hookers, who collectively speak every language under the sun. Late-night revelers cross paths with dawn-patrol surfers, and another day begins on one of the world's most famous strips of sand.


Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro

Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach

Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach

Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach

Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach

Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach Brazil
Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Trendsetting Ipanema, the place made famous by the '60s song to bear its name, has a long tradition of dictating beach chic to the rest of the world. The beach was, after all, a launching pad for the skimpy tanga bikini, the once-popular crocheted G-string for men, and the unforgettable (if only we could forget) dental-floss bikini.

As expected, the two kilometers of white sand - and the bodies strewn along them - are the star attractions here. Yet the name Ipanema also refers to the surrounding neighborhood - a compact, easily navigated mixture of upscale shops, frenetic nighttime hot spots and hip restaurants. First-time visitors will want to stroll down Rua Vinícius de Morais - a strip lined with bars, shops and restaurants, including the famous Garota de Ipanema Bar (originally called the Velloso Bar). It was here that Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Morais penned the lyrics to "The Girl from Ipanema." On Sundays the Hippie Fair offers wares from area craftsmen and artists. And at night, the young and young-at-heart head to Rio's Baixo Farme and Baixo Quitéria, southside streets jammed with bars and Cafés.

Maunday's Bay, Anguilla

Maunday's Bay
Maundays Bay

Maunday's Bay
Maundays Bay

Maunday's Bay
Maundays Bay
Maunday's Bay, Anguilla
Once a secret hideaway, Anguilla has come into its own as a Caribbean hot spot for Hollywood starlets and honeymooners alike. But don't let Anguilla's popularity scare you away: it is certainly well deserved, as proven by this island's beautiful beaches, posh resorts and overall laid-back charm. There are 33 beaches on this 16-mile stretch of island, and the best part is that they are all open to the public. This is truly a dream for beach hoppers looking to check out a few sandy shores before settling down on one. One of the most popular beaches is Shoal Bay, a 2-mile strip of pearly-white sand on the Atlantic side that has a convenient equipment rental on site for visitors. Rendezvous Bay is another gem, renowned for its stunning seascape and shallow, family-friendly water. With the powdery beaches and tranquil atmosphere, most visitors will find it hard to peel their bodies off their beachside lounge chair. However, there is plenty to explore both on land and under the sea. The island's coral reefs provide snorkeling fans with the perfect backdrop of vivid coral gardens, bright schools of fish and low-gliding stingrays. At Stoney Bay Marine Park there is a sunken Spanish ship dating back to the 18th century that is an underwater treasure trove for scuba enthusiasts. But, really, if you just want to pull that beach chair under a palm tree and spend the day staring out at the azure waters, no one is going to argue with that.

Veince Beach, California

Venice Beach
Venice Beach

Venice Beach
Venice Beach

Venice Beach
Venice Beach Sunset

Venice Beach
Venice Beach Sunset

Venice Beach, California

Let's begin by making one thing perfectly clear. No beach in the world is like Venice Beach. Sure, other beaches have sand, surf and sunshine. But they do not have a three-ring urban street circus, complete with philosophizing artists, trash-talking hoopsters, preening weightlifters, barefoot sand sculptors and unclassifiable scores of freaks.

I don't use the word "freak" lightly. I grew up in Southern California and have seen my fair share of weirdness. But never have I seen a wilder, more vibrant assortment of creativity and craziness congregated as densely in one place as I have seen at Venice Beach. All of this frenetic activity happens on Ocean Front Walk, a three-quarter-mile concrete boardwalk with stores, fast food spots, flea markets and artists. (What exactly constitutes "artistry" - sword swallowing, playing electric guitar while rollerblading, spontaneous screaming - is something for you to decide for yourself.)

Whether you pump iron and tan at the open-air Muscle Beach weight pen, watch (or if you dare, play) hoops on the blacktop courts that inspired "White Men Can't Jump"or simply stroll the boardwalk, Venice Beach promises an experience you will never forget ... or repeat elsewhere.