Marshall Islands: The Ultimate Island Hopping Getaway

In the north of the Pacific Ocean is a sprawl of 1,156 islands and islets surrounded by teeming coral reefs. Although first discovered by the Micronesians, the Marshall Islands was named after a British captain in 1788 following an expedition. It acquired a rich history of occupants starting with European explorers, the Germans in the late 1800s, the Japanese, and finally taken over by the Americans during the Second World War. It became a self-governed island country in 1986, and it is officially named the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The archipelago is now a bustling tourist destination, popular with divers and sea farers.

The capital is called Majuro which is a large coral atoll roosted around 64 Pacific islands called Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. This is the jumping off point of tourists as the international flight from Hawaii lands here. While in the capital, one can already frolic at the nearby pristine beaches. Lora beach is close to the airport, costing only $2 by bus. Although near the city, Lora beach has maintained the clean turquoise water. Not far from the beach is Eneko Island, surrounded by shimmering waters that changed from aquamarine to navy. Eneko is secluded and it offers ultimate privacy for vacationers. It is also lush with large fruit trees so visitors are not baked under the sun all day long. Snorkelers can also experience swimming with large schools of fish that do not seem to mind human presence in the water.

Another popular destination is the Bikini atoll. It was made famous when the area was used as a site for Operation Crossroads by the U.S. military in 1946. It was also the testing venue for the U.S. military's nuclear weapons in the wake of World War II. Now it's a Unesco World Heritage Site. Sunken ships are still at the bottom of the ocean, along with the crater that the hydrogen bomb testing produced more than almost 70 years ago. It is a wonderful underwater destination for divers and the atoll is drawing more submerging tourists each year. The untouched reefs seemed to have been trapped in time which is a haven for snorkelers. The same coral beauty lies around Arno atoll. It is also home to a pearl farm and reasonably priced accommodations. Visitors love biking through the lush jungles or just relax on the beach. This atoll encloses three different lagoons, each with a distinct marine offering.

Enamored by the islands' natural beauty, tourists usually have difficulty leaving behind the Marshall Islands when it's time to go home. Learn more about the amazing spots this Island has to offer and get travel guides in Travelingeast.com

Article Source: Heather_J_Scott

Adventure Travel in Malaysia

Malaysia travel guide packed with tips and advice and useful information on activities and adventures. Find out what you need to see and do find out and what's hot right now. This is a one stop travel destination guide so you can plan your travel adventure with ease.

Malaysia activity and adventure holidays include history, culture, walking. climbing, trekking, sports, water activities, cruises, wildlife and nature. All travel tours provided direct by specialist local and responsible tour operators. Go direct, save money and give something back.

Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia, has many options available for the adventure traveler. Depending on what activities you enjoy, Malaysia adventure holidays can include diving, exploring caves, hiking and rock climbing. The county of Malaysia is divided by the South China Sea, so it is important to decide where you want to spend your time, Peninsular Malaysia or Malaysian Borneo, so that your entire vacation is not spend traveling between the two areas.

Many Malaysia adventure holidays include a visit to the Taman Negara National Park. This jungle is home to many endangered species. Explore the area on your own, or hire a guide to increase your odds of seeing some of the rare wildlife that make their home in this jungle.

Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and worth a trip to see the spectacular geographic formations in the park. In addition to cliffs, forges and other unique rock formations, Gunung Mulu is home to some of the most spectacular caves in the world. The Sarawak Chamber is the largest known natural cavern in the world, while the Clearwater Cave contains the world's largest underground river.

If you are more interested in physical activities than exploring, visit the Batu caves near Kuala Lumpur, a series of caves and cave temples where you can try your rock climbing skills. For more adventure on the steep terrain of Malaysia, try your hand at paragliding off the slopes.

For individuals who are more at home in the water than on land, Malaysia provides many interesting diving options along the shoreline. The area around Pulau Sipadan in renowned for its diving. The expansive series of coral reefs that make up the island, or atoll, create an impressive home for a diverse population of sea creatures and plants. The entire island sets on top of an extinct volcano.

Whether you plan to spend most of your holiday on land or water, make sure you schedule time to try a new activity. With the many choices available in Malaysia, you may find a new favorite.

http://www.puretravel.com/Guide/Asia/South-East_Asia/malaysia

Article Source: Julie_Bowman