Island Vacation Tips – www.island-vacation-tips.com

Fun Facts About Dominica – The Nature Island of the World!

photo credit: Shayan (USA)

Welcome to Dominica – Land of the Sisserou Parrot!

Eco-tourism in Dominica

Did you know- One of the most attractive natural wonders for visitors to the Island is the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from being home to abundant rainforests and wildlife, this park boasts the second-largest boiling lake on Earth. However, the Island has other amazing landscapes: for example amazing beaches, waterfalls, rivers, old towns, and spectacular mountains.

The coastline of Dominica is also rich in marine life. Finally, about 70 percent of the Island consists of protected rainforests, one the highest of the world’s developing countries, along with Suriname and Gabon.

Democracy in Dominica

Did you know – The Island has had more than 30 years of democratic governance, a great example in the Third World, where there are few democratic states. In the meantime, it also has one of the most peaceful societies in the Western Hemisphere.

Geography of Dominica

Did you know – The Island of Dominica, shaped like a tobacco leaf, is located in eastern Caribbean (Americas). The Commonwealth of Dominica, has an area of 300 square miles ( 754 km2),making it the 188th -largest country on the planet (between the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of Tonga).

This English-speaking country is made up mainly of mountains and rainforests, while much of the rest of the Island is covered by spectacular beaches. There are many lakes and rivers. Finally, Dominica should not be confused with the Dominican Republic, a Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean.

Rosseau

Did you know -  Rosseau is the capital city of the Caribbean Island. Most of Dominica’s population lives in the capital.

Wild Birds of Dominica

Did you know- The Island is home to one of the continent’s greatest varieties of birds, including bananaquits, grey kingbirds, red-neckeds, frigatebirds, siffleurs, barn owls, brown pelicans, yellow warblers and plumbeous warblers. The Sisserou Parrot – Dominica’s national bird– is one of the several species of exotic birds that can be found in the tiny island of Dominica. This exotic bird is one of largest parrots on the planet.

Human Development in Dominica

Did you know- The year 1997 was a great year for Dominica. Why? Because of its exemplary democratic system and its education and social welfare this English-speaking Island ranked 41 of 175 countries and territories in the United Nations Human Development Index. Since then, it was a great victory for the developing countries, especially those in the Caribbean.

Jerome Romain – A National Hero

Did you know- By the mid-1990s, surprisingly, Dominica’s athlete Jerome Romain won the bronze medal in the triple jump -with a fantastic jump of 17,59 metres- at the IAFF World Championships in Sweden (Goteborg). He also earned a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

International Organizations in Dominica

Did you know- At the end of 1978, the Island joined the United Nations. In addition, Dominica is one of the 53 Commonwealth countries. On the other hand, it also belongs to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Population of Dominica

Did you know- The Commonwealth of Dominica has an estimated total population of 72,660 people (as of July, 2009).

The Margaret Thatcher of the Caribbean!

Did you know- By the early 1980s, Mary Eugenia Charles made international headlines when she became the first woman to be elected Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, at a time when women could not expect to win a democratic election in the Third World. During this period of time, only had four female leaders on Earth: Iceland ( Vigdis Finnbogadottir), India (Indira Gandhi), Margaret Thatcher (Britain) and Dominica.

At the same time, she was the first black female to win a democratic election in the world (by the mid-1970s, Madame Elisabeth Domitien had been named Prime Minister by Centroafrica’s dictator Jean-Bedell Bokassa). Under her leadership, Dominica became a democratic state on the Caribbean, a region which has been plagued by dictatorships. Throughout most of the next decade, she was a campaigner for the environment on Dominica.

Historically, the Island’s Prime Minister Charles was one of the Caribbean’s most influential leaders. After Charles became a leader, more than five women have been elected leaders on the Caribbean: Barbados (Nita Barrow, 1991-95), Bermuda (Jennifer Smith, 1998-2003), Haiti (Ertha Pascal Trouillot, 1990-91), Jamaica ( Portia Simpson-Miller, 2006-07), Netherlands Antilles (Maria Liberia Peters,1984-86 & 1988-94), and Puerto Rico (Sila Calderón, 2001- 2005).

Author: Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women’s rights, among them “History of the Women in America” and “Famous Americans”.

photo credit: quintanomedia

Tags:   Caribbean Islands · Caribbean nations · Dominica · English-speaking Islands · Morne Trois PitonsNo Comments.

photo credit: Surreal 85

We have just visited Mauritius Island in the Indian Ocen for the first time and can agree uppon the following account of Mauritius:

Mauritius Island and Its Attractions

Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean can be considered as a unique destination in the world with complete visitors attractions.

Many of the beach hotels operate a club house with practice nets and a store room for guests’ golf equipment.

The Gymkhana Club in Vacoas – A Mauritius golf course

This is the only private club with an 18-hole golf course. A new golf course has been created on Ile Aux Cerfs and others are being planned in other parts of the island.

Casinos in Mauritius

This is another one of the island’s attractions and is catered for on a lavish scale by some resort hotels, which offer a variety of tables (roulette, blackjack, etc.) as well as “one-armed bandits” or fruits machines.

Horse Racing in Mauritius

Of outstanding interest for visitors is Horse Racing, at Champ de Mars in Port Louis. The race course is one of the oldest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The season previously ran from May to November, but as from the year 2010 it runs from March to December. Among the main meeting held is the Mauritian derby, the Maiden Plate, run in mid-September.

photo credit: Avinash Meetoo

The greatest resource of Mauritius is its people …

Royston Ellis poet and writer reports, “Visitors to Mauritius come first as tourists and stay in beach hotel. On their second visit they rent self-catering accommodation. On their third visit they stay with a Mauritian family. They then feel at home.”

There are many who believe that the greatest wealth of this island-nation is its people, the descendants of immigrants from many continents, with an amazing blend of cultures, whose hospitality has been acclaimed as “legendary and spontaneous.”

This is one reason why the tourist, whether from Africa, India, China, Europe or anywhere in the world can always find the island a piece of his own world he can relate with. The number of tourists visiting Mauritius has been increasing year by year. Here too the Mauritian record is impressive.

Not surprisingly, many visitors who have adopted Mauritius as their holiday home claim that they feel more intensely alive here than anywhere else, that they relate with other people on a much more personal level than even back in their own home countries, that they end up discovering important things about themselves that they were not aware of.

Testimonies which only go to confirm the truth of what poets and visionaries have affirmed that Mauritius has been built according to the scale of the man, a place where the man is not dwarfed by the sheer size of the country and the immensity of his natural environment, a place where he can come into his own, where he can be a man among other man.

Author: Valirie Seneque, a retired air hostess, has been a professional hostess for Air Mauritius for several years. She has travelled throughout everywhere around the world and her experience has helped her to publish many tourism articles in the national print magazine, and her web site at http://www.mauritravel.com/articles.php?id=207

Tags:   attractions · casinos · golf course · Mauritius1 Comment

One of the best beaches in Mauritius - a sandy beach with clean water.

photo credit: Surreal 85
It is renowned as an upmarket winter sun destination, and any luxury holiday in Mauritius will inevitably focus on the beaches. They remain the island’s greatest attraction, seemingly endless stretches of white sand and turquoise sea that prompted Mark Twain to comment that “you gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

If you are on holiday in Mauritius, the only challenge you’ll find is in choosing between the many beaches on offer! Whether you want the hustle and bustle of one of the island’s “party beaches” or a more secluded place to relax, you are sure to find a place to suit your needs – here are five of the finest beaches to visit whilst on holiday in Mauritius…

Ile aux Cerfs Beach

For a very different experience away from the crowds, catch a boat over to Cerfs, a small island just off the east coast of Mauritius. The Ile aux Cerfs beach runs almost around the entire coastline, and the quiet beaches provide the perfect place to relax on a luxury Mauritius holiday. You can catch a boat to the island from Pointe Maurice, and if you are on holiday in Mauritius the island is well worth paying a visit to.

Trou aux Birches Beach

Trou aux Birches, located on the island’s popular west coast, is the ideal beach for a family holiday in Mauritius. The gorgeous beach itself is complemented by the local attractions – the excellent aquarium and Hindu temple are great places to visit with your family, and the stunning sunset provides the perfect conclusion to a day spent lounging on the sands.

Pereybere Beach

The deep waters at Pereybere beach make it perhaps the best beach for swimming on the island, and the calm surf make it perfectly safe for families. It is popular with young people on holiday in Mauritius and is something of a party beach, so those looking for peace and quiet could struggle here. But for the best snorkelling swimming and a vibrant atmosphere, it has hard to better Pereybere.

Flic en Flac Beach

Visit the bizarrely named Flic en Flac (Dutch for flat and free land) on the west coast of Mauritius, and you’ll be treated to one of the best sunsets on the island. Flic en Flac is picture perfect, with powder white sand and a deep blue lagoon, but recent developments of apartments and condos mean that it is relatively well populated. Still, if you don’t mind the crowds, Flic en Flac remains one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius.

Paradis Beach

This beach remains fairly exclusive to the guests at the Paradis Hotel (it is hard to get to unless you are staying at the hotel) but if you choose to take a luxury holiday in Mauritius here, you’ll be in for a treat – this beach truly lives up to its name. With rocky mountains looming over the flawless beach and a golf course located a stones throw away, this is the beach of choice for those who like to relax in style.

Author: Claire Bryant is a Mauritius holiday expert for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering [http://www.key2holidays.co.uk/mauritius]Mauritius luxury holidays, as well as trips to Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, Egypt, the Far East, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

Tags:   best beaches · holiday in Mauritius · indian ocean · Mauritius beaches · Mauritus IslandNo Comments.

To avoid sea sickness on a cruise vacation is very important to be able to enjoy the cruise fully. Even if your cruise ship visits many islands and you get on firm land, a rolling ship isn’t fun. The feeling of sea sickness can stay for hours after you enter the firm ground of an island or a beach. To avoid sea sickness during sailing could help you a lot to get the most from your expensive cruise vacation.

photo credit: srgb
To avoid sea sickness is also important when you join cruises in smaller boats.

A Guide to Cruise Vacations – How to Deal With Sea Sickness

Cruise vacations are a great way to get away from reality and to experience something that you wouldn’t experience on a regular land vacation. A common question that is asked when planning a cruise is “will I get seasick”? Many people can go a whole trip without experiencing motion or “sea sickness”. However, about 3 percent of people who take cruises do experience this and are crippled by it for the entire trip.

Most ships today have underwater stabilizers on each side of the hull which counteracts against the rolling motion that causes sea sickness. Also, the majority of cruises travel through warm and calm waters which dramatically reduce the amount of “up-and-down” motion that you typically experience in harsh conditions. Here are some ways to deal with this annoying problem when you start to develop symptoms (usually nausea and vomiting).

When you notice that the ship is starting to roll, take a walk on the ship’s deck. Your knees are a form of stabilizers and your muscle memory will start to battle and counterbalance against the ship’s motion. People refer to this as developing your “sea legs”.

A breath of fresh air is always a good treatment to counteract motion sickness. When you start to feel nauseous, go outside and let the cool breeze hit your face. If this doesn’t work, try and ingest some citrus fruits like oranges and lemons.

Take only small meals so that your stomach is not extremely full. Many people make the mistake of eating too much in hopes that a full stomach will balance their nausea. However, the opposite is true. When walking on the deck, focus on looking up and maintaining balance by keeping a focus point.

Lastly, if none of these tips help, you can always take a little dramamine. Dramamine is a sedative that helps relieve motion sickness. Some side effects are dry mouth, blurred vision and drowsiness.

Kim Chi is an avid cruiser and would like to share free information about cruise vacations. He has a beginner’s guide on everything you need to know to start planning your own Cruise Vacation .

I would like to add that to stay outdoor and to keep your eyes fixed on the horizon has often helped me to stay free of sea sickness. To take a nap during a shorter period of potential sea sickness can also help to get over the problem for some time.

On the other hand if your ship is going into tough weather for longer time take some medicine as prevention of sea sickness. The doctor on board the cruise ship should be the best professional to handle sea sickness for the passengers on board.

More about cruise vacation here.

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Naturalism is a way to appreciate the beauty of nature by slipping into the naturalist attire. This lifestyle has gained huge popularity among adults. Hence, people head towards the nude cruises to taste the spice of the naturalist lifestyle. These cruises are famous hot spots for couples and lovebirds. The place gives you the opportunity to make several friends and indulge into various relaxing and adventurous activities.

Hence, if you are a newly married couple, then the nude cruises will be an ideal place for your honeymoon. Every couple wishes to visit a place that gives them liberty to enjoy and explore new things about each other. Hence, you can learn about the mental and physical aspects of your sweethearts.

You can take a long walk on the deck and share your life experiences with your friends and spouse. However, if you are really romantic at heart, then you can arrange a romantic dinner on the deck and follow up with some intimate moments in your private cabin.

Moreover, you’ll be provided with excellent facilities that will spice up your vacation at the nude cruise. You’ll be provided with well equipped rooms with seaside view, king-size beds, Jacuzzis, spas etc.

You can also enjoy a fun-filled swimming session with your sweethearts or you can indulge into an erotic body massage at the massage center located on the nude cruise. Hence, I can assure you that this will be the most romantic vacation of your life.

Nowadays, you don’t need to search for a travel agent to book your tickets. Just log on to an online travel portal and browse through various travel destinations to select the most appropriate nude cruises for yourself.  So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and treat your sweethearts with a highly romantic naturalist vacation.

Author: Max William is a connoisseur of traveling and entertainment. He loves journeying far and wide in the quest of experiencing different lifestyles and gathering information about the best places to eat, drink and stay in different nude cruises, naked cruises and lands.

Tags:   cruise · nude cruises · sailingNo Comments.

Video about the biological background of conservation in Hawaii compared to the situation in Australia and North America.

Video about conservation in Hawaii compared to Australia and North America

The keynote presentation at the 2007 Hawaii Conservation Conservation
by Michael Soulé (Environmental Studies, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA) on

“Is Island Conservation Fundamentally Different from Continental Conservation?”

photo credit: RKHawaii

Professor Michael Soulé says about his presentation in Hawaii:

Conservationists don’t need reminding that context must be considered and somehow dealt with in doing conservation work in real places.

There are several kinds of context: geographic context (e.g., climate, topography, biogeography), economic context (e.g., poverty levels, income disparities, investment in women’s education), political context (e.g., civil rights, political access, freedom of the press, fair elections, rights and sovereignty of indigenous peoples), and culture context (e.g., religion, literacy, corruption, diversity, history).

As biologists, we are best able to consider the biogeographic and scale issues. For example, it may be informative to compare the conservation visions and challenges of large continents versus small ones, or compare continents to islands. I will compare the conservation challenges in three places that span such a range.

These are
(1) mainland North America;

(2) the island-continent of Australia; and

(3) the archipelago of Hawai‘i.

I will discuss how these three places differ with respect to

• (a) threats such as exotics/ferals and future “invasibility,”
• (b) history such as extinction episodes in pre-history and in recent history,
• (c) sensitivity to climate change,
• (d) the kinds, scales, and relevance of dispersal behaviors and adaptive evolutionary potential for different taxa, and
• (e) the role of large, highly interactive species in maintaining biological diversity.

Tags:   conference · conservation · hawaii · videoNo Comments.

Beach Vacation Packing List

photo credit: savingqueen_com

Planning a summer road trip where you’ll hit a lot of beaches along a coast? You’ll need a beach vacation packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything.

You’ve got lots of options as far as what coast and where on it you will travel, but your beach vacation packing will need to change depending on the temperature where you’re going. A coastal trip up to Maine is very different from a trip along the coast of Southern California.

Ready to hit the road and enjoy some fun in the sun?

Beach Vacation Packing List: General Stuff/Any Climate

Maps and printed out directions for your route. Get a GPS system if you can – it can be a great help if you get lost or just want to find something, like a pizza place.

Printed out hotel confirmations/reservation information for anything you’ve booked for your trip.

Both a first-aid kit and a roadside emergency kit including a flashlight with fresh batteries. Get AAA if you don’t have it- not only is it great for roadside assistance and other issues with your vehicle, most hotels offer discounts to AAA members.

Every kind of charger you need for your cell phones, digital cameras, etc. Load up anything that requires batteries with fresh ones so you don’t have to waste time on your trip stopping to buy them.

Clothes for every day of your trip, sleepwear, underwear and socks. Pack no more than three pairs of shoes (pick ones that will go with almost everything) and make sure one pair is a good pair of walking shoes.

All toiletries and other grooming materials. Put things that might leak in plastic sealable bags. Don’t forget any prescriptions you might need.

Swiss Army knife or all the tools it includes – a small knife, corkscrew, bottle opener, and scissors.

Rain ponchos for those occasional rainy days.

Two coolers, one large one for your trip (filled with snacks, meals and beverages), and one smaller one to tote to the beach.

Big blanket for when you’re cold or to use as a picnic blanket/beach blanket. Pillows if anyone in your group likes to nap.

A pair of sunglasses for everyone in the group.

For those who need glasses and contacts, pack them along with all the necessary drops and cleaning fluids.

Beach Vacation Packing List: Hot Climate

Bathing suits – at least two. Bring just one and it will always be cold and damp when you put it on. Plus, you’ll need to wash it regularly, making it even slower to dry.

Woolite/gentle soap for washing bathing suits.

Beach towels – two for each person. Why? Just like bathing suits, towels don’t always dry as fast as we’d like them to, so having an extra is essential.

Sunscreen, aloe gel, and other sunburn remedies. Bring some, but don’t stress about having all that you need – all of these items are readily available in any drugstore.

Hats are a good idea – you’d be amazed at how burned your scalp can get, even with a full head of hair.

Sandals and flip-flops for the beach.

Beach cover-ups/outfits for each day and a fresh outfit for every evening. If you want to minimize clothes, just pack a fresh t-shirt/top for the evening.

Sweatshirts, sweaters, and light jackets for cooler nights.

One or more sun umbrellas unless you know that every beach you’ll be visiting offers rentals. No matter how much sunscreen you slather on, it’s rarely enough for a whole day in the sun and playing in the waves, so sitting in the shade of your umbrella can make all the difference.

Large beach bag with lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen of all SPF’s, napkins, and cash for concession stands. Put some hair elastics in the bag for anyone with long hair so that they can pull it back when it’s hot or windy (or both).

Lots of reading – books, magazines, and newspapers. This is a trip where you really get a chance to read (assuming you’re into reading).

MP3 players with headphones/Earbuds.

Disposable cameras. Never bring your digital camera (or laptop) to the beach because the salt air will gum all the parts up and destroy it.

Inflatable toys/mattresses and boogie boards for playing in the waves. Other beach games are also great to bring along.

photo credit: Vagabond Shutterbug

Unless you enjoy swimming in freezing cold water, you’ll only need one bathing suit. If you love a brisk swim among the icebergs, you’ll need two and you’ll also need to bring a bottle of Woolite/gentle soap for washing your suits.

For the occasional invigorating dip in the ocean, pack one large towel for each person.

Pack a lot of layers when selecting your outfits. T-shirts, light pullover/fleeces, heavy sweaters, jackets, shorts, jeans and other long pants are all items you can bring and then layer depending on the weather. The temperature can change frequently during the day so plan accordingly.

Pack lots of socks – from thinner cotton ones to thicker warm ones.

Sunscreen – make sure to wear this even if you’re not spending all day on the beach. As you’ll probably spend more time engaged in other activities, it’s unlikely you’ll spend enough time in the sun as to end up with sunburn, so you can probably skip packing the sunburn remedies.

Sneakers and socks will probably be used more than flip flops, which most people will find too cold.

If you’re planning to hike some of the northern parks, pack hiking boots, thick socks, and a compass. Make sure to bring your cell phone in case you get lost. Grabbing a trail map (and sticking to marked trails) is the best way to avoid getting lost in the first place.

It’s a good idea to figure out one activity for every day above and beyond the beaches, which will only take a small amount of time to visit as it will be fairly cold. Whether you’re exploring local sights or participating in outdoor activities and sports, you’ll be sure to have a really fun vacation.

Now you’ve got everything you need for a wonderful summer road trip!

Copyright 2009 Tara Waechter

Tara Waechter owns http://www.planning-fun-road-trips.com – a website that covers every aspect of road trip planning including mapping tips, packing lists, road trip games and songs, trip ideas, recipes, tools, and in-depth articles. Tools offered include a road trip budget calculator and a printable checklist of to-do’s to handle before you depart on your trip.

Tara has traveled extensively in the United States as well as abroad, and has learned the knowledge she passes on in her website through the “School of Hard Knocks”. She is also an office manager and meeting and event planner. She resides in Cary, North Carolina with her husband, Ash.

Tags:   beach vacation · packing checklist · Vacation Tips1 Comment

A new and free guidebook to Lanzarote of the Canary Islands is out now

Planning a holiday in Lanzarote of The Canary Islands?  Or simply want to find out more about this unique Canary Island?  Then download the new edition of Lanzarote Guidebook – the free, in-depth tourist guide to the Island of Fire.

Lanzarote Guidebook is researched and written by long term island residents.  Which means that it provides readers with the real inside track to the island.  And it is published every quarter.  Ensuring that information is always accurate and up to date.

The new Spring 2009 edition is packed with useful information for visitors.  Along with some fantastic pictures of the island from local photographer James Mitchell.  And can be downloaded fast and for free at www.lanzaroteguidebook.com

Lanzarote Guidebook contains comprehensive information about all of the island’s resorts, towns and places.  Including maps, restaurant and accommodation recommendations and sightseeing tips.  As well as detailed information about where to find the best beaches on the island. An introduction to the works of the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique.  And a guide to all of the islands many attractions.

In addition Lanzarote Guidebook contains a handy Essentials section.  Providing useful information on details such as bank opening times, hiring a car, driving on the island, duty free allowances, shop opening hours and a list of emergency contact numbers.

This indispensable guide is published in a handy and portable A5 format and is distributed free to tourists on the island via car hire companies, hotels and private villas.

Visitors to the Lanzarote Guidebook website will also find even more in-depth and detailed information about the island online.  Where they can catch up on all of the latest island news, check live weather reports and use in-depth climate information to work out when best to visit. The site even features a Tourist Advice Line, which allows visitors to ask specific questions direct – along with interactive island maps.

Lanzarote Guidebook also features a large selection of over 300 apartments and holiday villas.  Along with links to the leading low cost flight operators to the island.  Enabling visitors to construct their own holiday online.

Nick Ball provided us with this travel news story.

Note

I visited Lanzarote with my family for a number of years ago. Lazarote is a very special island for vacation because of its attractive and special landscape, the focus on matching architecture and because of its very dry and sunny climate, close to the African continent. Find more articles about Lanzarote and the Canary Islands, CLICK HERE.

Soren

photo credit: cle2050

Tags:   canary island · Canary Islands · guidebooks · Lanzarote · tourist guides1 Comment

Diving at Banda Island – Spice Island

Banda Islands lie in the middle of nowhere in the wide open and deep Banda sea. Banda Islands are a group of total ten volcanic islands and part of Maluku Province. Banda Islands are also known as Spice Island, due to their production of world’s only source of spices nutmeg and mace in the middle of 19th century ago.

But nowadays has lost their name as spice Island. The Banda Islands offer stunning tropical scenery and some of the globe’s most pristine, biologically diverse coral reefs. This mass of Banda Islands rise through lapping shores of Sulawesi Island to the west, Alor Island to the South and Papua Island to the east.

The seas around Banda Island are site of the famous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and colourful fish darting through the crystal clear waters. It is considered to be one of the finest diving paradise in the world. Big pelagic fish and tiny mandarin fish are abundant in Banda waters,due to the nutrient rich waters seems to effect the size of creatures dwelling among the coral.

Highlight among reef walls are the presence of large marine Life, like reef fish, sharks, turtles, ray, lobsters. Interesting diving sites around Banda Islands are Sonegat, Lontor Island, Batu Belanda, Hatta Island, Keraka/crabs Island, Sjahrir Island, Gunung api and Ai Island. Ai Island is the best diving site. Both north west and south west of Ai Island are ringed with flawless coral walls. Banda Islands can be reached by plane or by boat

Author Anto Kasan – EzineArticles Expert Author

Tags:   Ai Island · banda island · banda islands · Batu Belanda · coral reef · diving · Gunung api · Hatta Island · Keraka/crabs Island · Lontor Island · Maluku sea gardens · Sjahrir Island · Sonegat · spice islandNo Comments.

photo credit: ideonexus

A Taste of the Islands

The conch is a single-shelled marine mollusk, or sea snail. There are a number of varieties of this mollusk, including the hawk-wing, milk, rooster-tail, fighting, and queen, or pink, conch. The variety that is especially enjoyed as food here is the queen conch. It bears the Latin name Strombus gigas and is principally found in warm waters from Florida to Brazil.

The queen conch has a large spiral-shaped shell with a wide flaring lip, the adult varying in length from eight to ten inches [20 to 25 cm]. Visitors usually pronounce it “konch” and are quite surprised to hear the locals say “konk.” However, either way is acceptable.

Capture and Uses of the choch

As a youngster, Basil recalls going out on a boat with his father in search of conch. “My dad used a large cone-shaped bucket with glass at the wide end along with a long pole with two hooks at the end. He would dip the glass-bottomed bucket in the ocean so he could look down and locate the conch. As he held the bucket with one hand, he used the other to hook the conch with the pole and pull it into the boat.”

The popular method today is for a diver simply to go down and bring the conch up by hand. When diving in deeper waters, he may use a snorkel or if he has a government permit, an air compressor.

To extract the conch, a hole is made at the base of the shell. A knife is then inserted through the hole to nudge the conch to the entrance of the shell so that it can be pulled out. The conch has four main parts: the head, the internal organs, the mantle, and the muscular foot. Attached to the foot is a single brown horny plate, or operculum. A tough skin covers the foot, which is the part that is eaten. The skin and all inedible parts are cut away, leaving the sweet, white meat.

Conch is an excellent source of protein. It continues to be highly regarded for its therapeutic value. Many people recount experiences of remarkable improvement in their health after a diet rich in conch.

Today there is a thriving industry in conch-shell jewelry. The shell, with its pink flaring lip, is beautiful and very popular among shell collectors. However, the biggest use for conch is in pleasing the palate. Over the years, innovative cooks have come up with a variety of tasty ways to prepare this delicacy.

Mouth-Watering Treat with conch

In the days before refrigeration was common here, conch was preserved by drying. First, it was tenderized by being beaten with a mallet. The meat was then hung in the sun for a few days or so to dry, or cure. Before it was cooked, the meat was soaked in water for a few hours to soften it. Many still enjoy the flavor of conch preserved in this way.

A favorite with locals and visitors alike is conch salad, which might be called conch sushi. Yes, the conch is eaten raw. The meat is cut out of the shell, and bite-size pieces are combined with celery, green bell peppers, hot peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Salt, fresh lemon, and orange juice are added.

If you shudder at the thought of eating raw seafood, there are many recipes in which conch is cooked. A word of caution, though. When cooking conch, first tenderize it with a mallet. If you don’t, the conch will be tough and rubbery.

Conch can be steamed, stewed, jerked, grilled, cracked, made into burgers, cooked in rice or soup–the list goes on and on. Conch fritters and chowder are often served as appetizers. Basic recipes for preparing these dishes have been passed down from one generation to the next. So when you visit the beautiful isles of the Bahamas, do not return home without sampling conch. It will give you a real taste of the islands.

Sandra, a local wife and mother, describes how she prepares delicious cracked conch: “First, tenderize the conch thoroughly. Then coat it with flour that is seasoned with salt and pepper, and dip it in egg batter. Fry the conch in hot oil until golden brown. Drain it on paper towels, and add lemon juice.”

Conch prepared this way is usually served with French fries and lots of catsup or with peas and rice. Cracked conch may also be eaten with tartar sauce. Frozen conch is often exported, so you may be able to find conch in your area. Why not try it? You just may like it.

Author: Flor Ayag

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photo credit: Donnay

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