Satish asked:

Treasure hunting is a rather contagious pastime. For some, it can become an

obsession (in the best sense of the word!). People worldwide are fascinated with the hobby of treasure hunting.

Coming across a valuable item in your treasure hunt can be a real thrill. Even an

item that may not have monetary value could be personally attractive to the right hunter.Part of the thrill is in the chase; not knowing what you may find lends a sense of mystery and intrigue to the treasure hunt.

In years past, a treasure hunt could have been a very dangerous quest. Pirating

was rampant, with several competitive and devious hunters often after the same prize. Quite often, the myth or rumor of a valuable buried or sunken treasure led to bloodshed and fighting between hunters.

Before airplanes became the preferred method of worldwide travel, those in

search of life in a new land would travel by ship to their new destination. As it could take months to sail from one continent to another, passengers were unsure if they would even return to their home land. They would pack up all of their worldly possessions to take with them to the ‘new world’. One might pack several trunks of furs, coins, jewelry, dishware, and other valuable goods to take with them to their new life.

These ships laden with valuable items were prime targets for pirates.

Ships were always on the look out for pirates that may try to board and rob, or

even kill, the passengers onboard. While this high seas robbery is certainly not

called treasure hunting, it demonstrates just how vulnerable these ‘treasures’ were. People traveling away from home were not only vulnerable to theft while sailing; these pirates had no qualms about robbing a ship after a natural disaster struck.

Ships sailing far from home had to endure terrible storms, barrier reefs,

extremely high waves and more as they slowly made their way from one point to the next. Unfortunately, many ships succumbed to the dangers they faced, and sank.

Before GPS and radio, it was really anyone’s guess where they ship may have gone down. Tales and fables would develop about the location of the sunken ship and its possible contents. For example, if a royal family member or businessman was on board, one might assume that quite a bit of valuable merchandise sank with the ship.

If the ship was not immediately located, an air of mystery would develop around

the tale as it was passed down through generations of curious people. Those will the

resources and desire would undoubtedly go in search of the ship in an effort to recover some of the ‘treasures’ on board. These expeditions were treasure hunts in the truest sense of the word!

A treasure may also be something that a person unfortunately lost. Of course, if

you find a valuable item, you should make every attempt to return it to its rightful owner. But in most cases, the owner is never found, leaving the treasure hunter as the new owner. We’ll discuss great places to find this kind of treasure a little later on, but some items that you could expect to come across include watches, rings, coins, or necklaces.

Other treasures may have been worthless when they were disposed of, but have

now become so rare or desirable that they have increased in value. Arrowheads from battles past; carvings; certain stones, etc can all prove to be valuable finds.

Before there were designated garbage dumps, unwanted items were often buried or simply thrown into the bush. Over time, these items were long forgotten. However, finding a rare dish, for example, that can be traced to a certain crafter or era could be a real treasure.

Some treasures may have absolutely no monetary value at all, but could be very

sentimentally valuable to the right person. Old family photos, a favorite teddy bear, or a letter from your first love would all be great treasures to find. It would rare to stumble across a sentimental treasure unless you were specifically looking for it, but it can happen!

Whatever your reason for treasure hunting; whatever you are searching for, you

are sure to find a few surprises along the way! Treasure hunting is truly a hobby for anyone to enjoy.

Gold Panning

Roderick Eime asked:




Committed adventure cruiser, Roderick Eime, shares some insight on one of the fastest growing travel sectors.

Flick through the pages of any magazine or newspaper and you’re confronted with an overflowing smorgasbord of cruise travel possibilities. If this explosion of romantic ocean-going itineraries leads you to think cruise travel is on the up, then you are right. Cruising is on a rocket. But look closer and you’ll find, sometimes tacked on the end of a larger ad, adventure possibilities you may never have dreamed of.

Sure, everybody knows the irresistible, fairytale allure of the South Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean, but what about the frozen reaches of the Antarctic, the wilds of the Kimberley or the tiny atolls of Melanesia? Within this huge category of ‘cruising’ there exists a sometimes overlooked subset generally referred to as “adventure and expedition cruising”.

Once almost a secret society among wealthy adventurers and well-heeled thrillseekers, this type of travel has ignited the imagination of those looking beyond regular, packaged products. Travel marketers and advertising pundits are calling this emerging genre “experiential and transformational” travel where the journey is all about delivering uplifting and life-changing experiences.

Ships plying these waters can vary enormously too. They range from luxury pocket cruise-liners, replete with every creature comfort and a “quick response” crew ready to fulfill your every whim, through to refurbished ex-Soviet spy vessels. These Russian vessels are the ones largely responsible for opening up the frozen extremes of our planet and include mighty icebreakers and hardy oceanographic ships built to operate in the most challenging conditions.

At the softer end, vessels like the Australian-based Orion and Oceanic Discoverer, world-travelling Seadream I and II and Seabourne are examples of ships constructed to deliver a high, even opulent, level of luxury and still retain the flexibility and versatility of an expedition yacht. Orion, for example, not only cruises the rich tropical backwaters of PNG and the Kimberley, but ventures to the most remote reaches of Antarctica, well below the ‘circle’ and into the exclusive realm of Emperor Penguins and historic explorers.

What is ‘Expedition Cruising’?

The term ‘expedition’ has been more recently attached to cruise products in an attempt to give them a romantic, out-of-the-way appeal. The danger is that the original, authentic expedition cruise concept is being diluted and misconstrued.

A true expedition cruise consists of a voyage plan and itinerary that has inbuilt flexibility and redundancy. In the capricious Antarctic waters, all activities and sight-seeing is weather and ice dependent. Passengers are reminded of this time and time again and it is quite common for completely unscheduled landings to take place in fallback planning. The same exists in tropical waters.

As weather, currents and tides play out in the dense South Sea archipelagos, an expedition leader and his/her captain must ‘massage’ the itinerary constantly to capitalise on emerging opportunities and avoid those closing out.

If you are a devotee of the well-managed, big cruise ship experience, you may find adventure and expedition cruising unsettling. Others will crave that element of the unexpected.

A proper expedition vessel is more than just a smaller ship with zodiacs piled up on deck. A true expedition vessel is designed for the intended conditions and equipped to deliver the experience upon arrival, whether it be weaving through disintegrating pack ice or creeping past vivid coral atolls.

Passengers aboard expedition vessels have come to expect expert guides and lecturers to help them interpret the rich cultural and natural histories these exotic destinations deliver. Academics, researchers and authors are common both as lecturers and passengers, adding to healthy discussions and enrapturing dinner conversation.

Examine your intended product carefully and ask lots of questions, your consultant will be able to answer them.

Popular Adventure Cruising Destinations

Antarctica

This iconic destination is the epitome of the adventure destination. Sailing “off the map” and to areas only discovered within the last hundred years, makes Antarctica the must-do itinerary for all serious expedition cruisers.

Expeditions to the Great Southern Land take several forms. The simplest are short itineraries of perhaps a week to ten days to the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia at the very bottom of South America. More ambitious journeys will be by icebreaker, way below the Antarctic Circle to places like McMurdo Sound and Commonwealth Bay.

Companies offering Antarctic itineraries include Adventure Associates, World Expeditions, Orion, Explorer and Heritage Expeditions.

The Arctic

A perfect complement to your southerly expedition, a trip to the Arctic can be as simple as a cruise to Iceland or Greenland or as heroic as a nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole itself.

Recent tales about retreating glaciers and thinning ice pack have created some urgency for visitors to this region as they attempt to see the great Polar Bear in its diminishing natural environment.

Apart from the North Pole, the great North-West Passage across the top of Canada is a true odyssey only a few will ever experience.

Companies offering Arctic expeditions include, Quark Expeditions, Oceanwide, ecruising.travel, Peregrine and World Expeditions

The Galapagos Islands

Charles Darwin’s evolutionary playground is a great drawcard for those with a penchant for warmer climes. A short flight from Ecuador, most visitors will spend about a week cruising amongst the many islands in this unique archipelago.

Following in the footsteps of David Attenborough, visitors will discover the crazy wildlife that makes this place so special. The sinister marine iguanas, the fierce land iguanas, the delightful giant tortoises and the many strange birds and plants make this place a naturalist’s wonder.

See Ecoventura or www.igtoa.org for a list of accredited oprators.

The Kimberley and Top End

The rugged and remote regions of Western Australia’s Kimberley and NT’s Top End were the ideal choice for expedition cruising in our region. Incredible rock formations, abundant birdlife, rich Aboriginal culture and weird natural phenomenon like the horizontal waterfalls attract thousands of visitors every year. Most cruise companies book out a year ahead, such is the popularity of this northern region.

True North, Orion and Coral Princess are the acknowledged experts in the Kimberley.

Papua New Guinea

Often the subject of bad publicity, the sublime islands of the Bismarck and Solomon Seas exhibit none of the rough lawlessness found elsewhere on the mainland. Expedition cruise companies are falling all over themselves to create itineraries in this region and the PNG Tourism authorities are extremely supportive of these initiatives.

New Ireland, New Britain, the legendary Trobriands and the mighty Sepik River are the key destinations on most itineraries. The wild frontiers of PNG, so close by, perfectly fit the description of “transformational” travel.

The growing list of operators include True North, Orion and Coral Princess.

Others:

Tasmania

Consider the supremely relaxing Gordon River cruises that explore the incredible and remote UNESCO World Heritage areas of Western Tasmania. Currently no overnight products are available, yet day trips leave regularly from Strahan.

See Orion for comprehensive live-aboard itineraries

Amazon

This huge river can accommodate cruise ships many hundreds of miles upstream. See the disappearing Amazon Basin jungles, visit remote indian tribes and mourn the vanishing landscapes.

For a wide range of vessels and options, see Adventure Associates

Russian Far East

Several companies are experimenting with itineraries in the area immediately north of Japan through to the Bering Strait in Siberia. Characterised by isolated ecosystems and volcanic activity on the western perimeter of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, these voyages will always be exclusive.

Heritage Expeditions, Aurora and Quark offer exclusive itineraries in this seldom visited area.

Great Barrier Reef

Another threatened eco system, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef has attracted millions of visitors over the years and continues to do so. Be quick, the reef will never be as good as it is now.

Coral Princess Cruises of Cairns deliver the widest range of Great Barrier Reef itineraries. Captain Cook Cruises are also prominent in the region. Further south, Fantasea Cruises operate from the Whitsundays.

New Zealand

The brilliant scenery and harbours all around New Zealand are attracting adventure cruise companies with ambitious itineraries, including Coral Princess’s semi-circumnavigation and Bay of Islands products.

Orion will join Coral Princess operating in New Zealand beginning 2008.

Expedition and Adventure Cruise Operators

Here is a selection of vessels and itineraries within easy reach of Australia or New Zealand, often by simple domestic airline link.

Company: Captain Cook Cruises

Website: www.captaincook.com.au

Company: Orion Expedition Cruises Pty Ltd

Website: www.orioncruises.com.au

Phone: 1300 361 012

Company: Coral Princess Cruises

Website: www.coralprincess.com.au

Phone: 1800 079 545

Company: North Star Cruises

Website: www.northstarcruises.com.au

Telephone: (+61 91921 829

Company: Fantasea

Website: www.fantaseaammari.com

Phone: 1800 662 786

To the Four Corners …

Company: Lindblad Expeditions

www.expeditions.com

Company: Quark Expeditions

www.quarkexpeditions.com

Australian Rep: Adventure Associates

Company: Explorer Cruises

www.explorer2cruises.com

Australian Rep: ecruising.travel

Company: Ecoventura

www.ecoventura.com

Company: Heritage Expeditions

www.heritage-expeditions.com

Company: Oceanwide Expeditions

www.oceanwide-expeditions.com

Company: Polar Quest

www.polar-quest.com

Here is a list of some of Australia’s most experienced and respected companies:

ADVENTURE ASSOCIATES Pty Ltd

Level 7, 12-14 O’Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

GPO Box 4414, Sydney NSW 2001 Australia

Ph: (+61 2) 8916 3000 – Fax: (+61 2) 8916 3090 – Toll Free (Australia) 1 800 222 141

Web: www.adventureassociates.com

Aurora Expeditions

TELEPHONE +61-2-9252-1033

FAX +61-2-9252-1373

FREECALL (within Australia) 1-800-637-688

EMAIL auroraex@auroraexpeditions.com.au

Website: www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

182 Cumberland Street

The Rocks, NSW 2000

ecruising.travel

Level 9

64 Castlereagh Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Web: www.ecruising.travel

1300 369 848

Peregrine Adventures (with offices or reps in most states)

380 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel 1300 85 44 44 (within Australia) or +61 3 8601 4444 (outside Australia)

Fax (03) 8601 4344

Email websales@peregrineadventures.com

Website: www.peregrine.net.au

World Expeditions (with offices in most states)

Level 5, 71 York St,

Sydney NSW 2000

Toll Free. 1300 720 000

Email: enquiries@worldexpeditions.com.au

Website: www.worldexpeditions.com

Andri Irawan asked:


Adventure vacation is preferred by more and more people nowadays regardless of their ages and preferences because it offers a new kind experience. It is not the usual vacation that just offers the usual routine but something that can people explore seemingly limitless possibilities of fun and exposure.

Today, more and more people opt to bring their family members when going out on a vacation because they know that everybody no matter what their genders and ages are can enjoy the trip. But, this can be fully successful only if the adventure vacation package that has been chosen includes a list of activities meant for all ages.

There are many vacation providers out there ensure that families who are looking forward to an adventure vacation can get what they are looking for. Most of the adventure vacations that are fit for all ages are those that include water activities, tour to wildlife, and mountains and caves to be explored.

These activities are proven to be enjoyable for teeners who are just having their first taste of freedom and for parents who have not been able to experience such activities for a long time.

Since these activities strip people off the modern culture that they have used to, these will make the family members closer because of the bonding time that has been spent. 

Great adventure vacation site

United States is one of the best places to go on an adventure vacation because its nature offers various sites where water and land activities can simultaneously be held. But, among all the places where families can go on an adventure vacation, the Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the best.

Before adventure vacation has gained its popularity, the Grand Canyon in Arizona has been popular to so many families and their generations. This is because the place has its innate beauty where culture, history, and nature are woven together to create a wonderful combination.

The highlight of the ultimate adventure vacation is reaching the Canyon’s rim where one can be overwhelmed by its vastness and natural beauty. Since the Canyon can only be reached through the Colorado River, the family members will also enjoy traveling a watery path that provides a magnificent venue of the water as its moves forth and back the canyon’s walls.

The trip through the Colorado River will also provide a magnificent view of the awesome geological treasure of the place. Aside from taking a peek in the wonderful geological marks of the Canyon, side hikes, magnificent bodies of water, and amazing scenery will greet each member of the family. With these amazing experiences unfolding, no member of the family can resist it.

An adventure vacation to the Grand Canyon will include a trip from the Whitmore Wash to the Lake Mead. This trip will give the people on vacation greater views of the Canyon while experiencing pleasant rapids in the upstream. The watery trip will let the people on vacation to float through Hurricane fault zone, down to the Lower Granite Gorge, to the Grand Wash Cliffs, and finally off to the Lake Mead.

The adventure vacation in the Grand Canyon will also include a trip to the Bar 10 Ranch, the oldest working cattle ranches in the state. The ranch is one of the most places that visitors look forward to because it offers a wide range of activities perfect for everyone.

These activities include hiking, skeet shooting, horseback riding, and even ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) for riding.