Bali, Indonesia is home to many spectacular beaches. There’s also a variety of water sports available, such as snorkelling, sailing and fishing. Many tourists favour Dreamland Beach which is on the Bukit Peninsula. This beach has easy public access and sports beautiful views from the hillside cliffs. You can find Bali delicacies at five star restaurants along the boardwalks or opt for the some simple dining of warungs. You’ll find the prices very reasonable and certainly have enough left over to stop at one of the many souvenir stands. Another popular beach in Bali is Padang Bai Beach. With great prices, Padang Bai is a great choice for adventurers on a budget. Small bamboo dwellings, called losmens, are available for rent along the beach. Since Bali is a diver’s haven, marine dives are offered off of Padang Bai. Swim with the Oceanic Sunfish and search for seahorses in these beautiful waters.

For seclusion in unspoiled waters, Bai Dai Beach on Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam is said to be the up and coming “Phuket”. This beach is a hidden gem of the Asian waters, at least for now. Long Beach is located on the west side of the island and stretches for five miles from Doung Dong Town. Some areas are empty while others are crowded with hotels. The road to Long Beach is narrowly lined with the shade of banana trees that lead to the clear blue sea. The coconut lines and villas add a quaint feel to the beach. This beach is known as a sleeping beauty, so don’t expect a lot of activity. The locals are quiet and dozens of fishing boats anchor there to sell their seafood. The best place to shop is the local market in Duong Dong. It’s a busy market with boats loading and unloading their good. Here you’ll find the locals in their conical hats selling everything from fruits to pearls.

There can be little doubt that Asia has an incredible range of beautiful beaches.  As an added bonus, travellers to these resorts can earn rewards points on an American Express card while they spend.  At the Amex India official site, you can find out which card best suits your requirements and start earning points today. ]]> http://www.besttropicalislands.com/the-tropical-beaches-of-asia/feed 0 http://www.besttropicalislands.com/phuket http://www.besttropicalislands.com/phuket#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:23:24 +0000 admin http://www.besttropicalislands.com/?p=109 Phuket, Thailand has become one of the world’s best tropical destinations, renowned for its white sand beaches and crystal clear, turquoise waters. Whether lounging on the beach, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or any other myriad of beach activities tickles your fancy, Phuket has it all. Luxury resorts and high end accommodations dominate the island, but even a budget backpacker can find a place to enjoy on Phuket.

Quick Facts
Capital: Phuket City
Population: 321,802
Size: 543 square km. (209 square mi.)
Power Outlets: 220V, 50Hz
Official Languages: Thai
Currency: Thai Bhat
Time Zone: UTC +7
Calling Code: +66

Weather: The climate in Phuket is tropical with consistent average temperatures. Highs average highs of 29-33C (84-91F) and lows of 23-26C (73-79F). Rainy season is May-October and dry season runs November-April.

Cost and Budgeting in Phuket
Phuket is more expensive than most of the rest of Thailand, with the island covered with expensive resorts, hotels, and restaurants. While it is still possible for a backpacker to visit Phuket, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make it on a shoestring budget. One can get by on $30-$35/day, but street food, limited activities, and less than favorable accommodations will be the norm. It is more realistic to set aside at least $50/day for Phuket, more if you plan on eating on out or enjoying the activities that Phuket has to offer.

Phuket History
Phuket was a major point of interest for traders along the India-China trade route in the 17th century. Tin and rubber were the main source of trade for the people of Phuket. Indian, Chinese, Arab, Malay, and Portuguese traders exchanged goods for tin and rubber, and in the 1680’s, the Dutch, English, and French competed with each other for Phuket’s rich source of tin. The French gained control of Phuket for several years before being overthrown and expelled from the island following the Siam Revolution of 1688. In 1785, the Burmese attacked Phuket but were fought off, with the island becoming the center of the tin producing southern provinces of Thailand. The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami destroyed much of the western coast of Phuket, killing 250 Thai people and tourists, with at least 1000 illegal Burmese workers also perishing. Almost all of the major west coast beaches suffered extensive damage, but the majority were back up and running a few months later.

Phuket Culture
Phuket’s residents consist of a variety of religious and cultural groups, ranging from Buddhists, Muslims, Thai-Chinese, and sea-gyspies. The majority of the rural population are Muslim and speak a unique dialect that is even difficult for other Thais to understand. The economic boom from the tourism industry has many of Phuket’s residents living quite well, comparable to those in Bangkok.

Things to see and do in Phuket
Ao Band Thao: home to mega resorts and a picturesque 8km long crescent shaped, white sand beach
Hat Kamala: one of the prettiest beaches and hardest hit by the tsunami. There are newer resorts on Kamala that can provide a good deal
Patong: the largest resort beach that is most popular and most crowded. If you’re looking for nightlife, look no further than Patong, sometimes described as next Pattaya. Take that for what it’s worth.
Hat Nai Thon/Hat Nai Yang: quiet and secluded on the northwestern coast of the island in Sirinat National Park. Lost of space and quiet, especially during the week.
Hat Surin and Pansea Beach: described as “the next big thing” in Phuket. Some top end resorts mixed in with other, more affordable options. Getting more and more crowded.
Kata Beach: busy, clean, beach with lots of tourists. Good for surfing and nightlife. If you want to sleep, stay at nearby Karon beach, just a short cab ride from Kata.
Karon: second most developed beach behind Patong. Developing rapidly, but still has a sense of isolation. Not far from Kata Beach, which has more of a nightlife.
Nai Ham: one of the least crowded and least developed beaches that is located on the southern end of the island.

Kalim Beach: Small beaches just north of Patong

You can also take part in many other activities on any of Phuket’s beaches. Surfing, swimming, sailing and yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea fishing are just a sampling of the activities available to tourists visiting Phuket. Rent kayaks on any of Phuket’s main beaches and paddle out to sea. If you want to get out for some exercise, get away from the beaches for a while to experience day hikes to several waterfalls located on the island. If you want to vary your activities, you can always check out the Phuket Aquariam in Cape Panawa, FantaSea, also known as the Disney Land of Southeast Asia, the butterfly farm, and the Chalong Temple.

Phuket Geography
Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the south in the Andaman Sea. 70% of the island is covered in mountains. The highest elevation is Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Canes) at 529 meters. The total area of the island is 570 square km. and it lies 862km (536mi.) south of Bangkok. Phuket is 48km. (30mi.) long and 21km. (13mi.) wide, and has many islands that lie to the southeast. Several coral islands lie to the south, with the Simian Islands to the northwest and Phi Phi to the southeast.

Weather: March to June are the summer months in Boracay, temperatures range from 28 to 38 degrees Celsius. The rainy season is between July and October and November to February has pleasant winds, cool nights, and occasional rain showers.

Cost and Budgeting for Boracay
Boracay is a very cheap island and you can get by on a budget of about $20 USD per day.

Boracay History
Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956. Formerly undiscovered, it wasn’t till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay, and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s. Over the last decade, the island has become a spot for package tourists and Boracay has been developed into what it is today.

Things to See and Do in Boracay
White Beach- This is what most people are here for. Not only is it a lovely stretch of powdery white sand, it’s also the commercial center of the island. There is lots of room to on the beach. You can rent a reclining chair from one of the vendors who are happy to keep you filled with food and drinks.
Puka Beach- On the northern tip of the island, Puka Beach is what most people expect of a tropical island: white sand, azure water, and emptiness. This is where locals gather the small puka shells for some of the jewelry. The sand is more coarse than on White Beach. The water tends to be a little rougher on this side of the island but it is much quieter.
Baling Hai Beach- This is a quiet little cove just north of Diniwid Beach and you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and dining in a relaxed, peaceful environment. There are some fantastic views from the clifftop restaurant. Baling Hai is often included as a stop-off on an island boat tour.
The Bat Cave- The Bat Cave is home to many giant fruit bats and locals will be more than happy to accompany you there for a fee. To get there, you go on a short hike through the forest to the mouth of a cave, which drops down at a very steep angle. There are bats in the cave, but down at the bottom of it in the dark, and unless you have a flashlight or are there at dusk, you won’t see them.
Hire a Motorbike- Hire a motorbike to explore the other side of the island for better snorkeling and fewer people. If you hire them for a few days, you will get a discount.
Take a Boat Tour- Take a boat around the island for only a couple of hundred pesos for the afternoon. Lunch is usually included.
Ride a Horse – Get off the beaten path and experience native villages and scenery. All levels of experience are catered to.
Scuba diving- For those interested in diving, there are approximately 20 Dive Centers along White Sands beach. Cost is typically $33 per dive which includes hire of all equipment. There are 25-30 dive sites within 10-15 minutes speed boat ride from the beach, suitable for beginners up to advanced level. Dives range from ‘Angol Point’ (10m), through ‘Crocodile Island’ (22-25m), a straightforward wall dive, up to ‘Yapak’- a deep wall dive suitable for only the most experienced divers due to strong currents. If you can’t dive, you can always go snorkeling!
Kiteboarding- Boracay’s Bulabog beach is known as the best kitesurf destination in Asia. The season runs from November through to March with onshore winds varying between 18-30 knots.
Massage/Spa- Get pampered at the resort spas or get a massage by one of the many people offering them on the beach.

Boracay Geography
Boracay Island is located in the Western Visayas island-group of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers. Boracay is a typical tropical island in that it has white sand beaches, palm trees, and a bit of interior jungle. The uniqueness of Boracay comes from it’s long beaches. Well, maybe that is not really unique but Boracay is still beautiful and shares many similarities to other tropical islands in Southeast Asia.

Quick Facts
Capital: Male
Population: 370,000
Size: 298 sq. km.(115 sq. mi)
Power Outlets: 230V 50 Hz
Official Languages: Divehi
Currency: Rufiyaa
Time Zone: GMT +5
Calling Code: +960

Weather: The best time to go is during November to May, when the weather is cool and dry. June through October has more rain and hotter weather because of the monsoon season.

Cost and Budgeting for the Maldives
The Maldives are not cheap destination and the country has no real budget accommodation. Aside from the capital, there are no hotels in the Maldives. A typical week in the Maldives can cost US$2,000 per couple. The cheaper resorts usually start at around US$75 per day per person in the low season. At most resorts, a double room will cost at least US$100 per day. Diving costs vary but are around US$350 per week.

Cash is not needed on the resorts as everything is charged to your room. Tipping is discouraged in the Maldives and most resorts will add a 10% service charge.

Maldives History
The first settlers of the Maldives were fishermen from the coasts of India and Sri Lanka. Buddhism was brought to the Maldives and became the dominant religion in the Maldives until the 12th century. Although governed as an independent Islamic state from 1153 to 1968, the Maldives were under British protection from 1887 until 1965. After independence in 1965, the sultanate continued for another three years but in 1968, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by a republic.

On December 26th 2004, the Maldives were devastated by a tsunami. Only nine islands escaped any damage, while fifty-seven islands were seriously damaged. Fourteen islands had to be evacuated and six were wiped out. A total of 108 people, including six foreigners, died in the tsunami.

Maldives Culture
The Maldivian ethnic identity is a blend that reflects the peoples who settled on the islands. Maldivian culture is derived from a number of sources. The Maldives are mostly Muslim nation and is very conservative. The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi but English is used widely and taught in government schools.

The islands have a class system. Status is based on many factors such occupation, wealth, Islamic virtue, and family ties. Most members of the social elite are located in Male with the lower class in the outlying islands or working on the resorts. 

Things to Do and See in the Maldives
Scuba Dive/Snorkel- The Maldives have some of the world’s dive sites. Around all the islands are amazing reefs where you can see a plethora of fish. For those who don’t dive or want to learn, there’s still a lot of wildlife to see from the surface.
Dive Fish Head- One of the world’s most famous dives with steep sides supporting multiple levels supporting sea fans, fish, and beautiful coral.
Dive the Banana Reef- This protected marine area has a bit of everything: cliffs, caves, brilliant
coral, big predators, and all the reef fish you could imagine. It is also a great place to snorkel.
Dive the Maldive Victory- This cargo ship sank in 1981 and now sits between 15m (49ft) and 35m (115ft). The ship’s structure is almost intact and provides a home for abundant new coral, sponges, and large schools of fish.
Beach Activities- There are a number of beach activities to do from parasailing to kayaking to jet skiing.
Pamper Yourself- These all inclusive resorts feature wonderful spas, health centers, tennis courts, and kitchens. Order some top class cuisine, pamper yourself in the spa, get a massage, or some good exercise. You are in paradise- treat yourself!
Eat with the Locals- Male has some excellent restaurants where you can try the local food for local prices. It’s a good change from the resort food and a chance to try the local cuisine.

Maldives Geography
The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, rising 2.3 m above sea level. Most islands in the Maldives have a protective coral reef around them. This acts as a natural barrier against the sea protecting the islands against storms. A layer of humus six inches forms the top layer of soil on most of the islands. Due to excessive salt in the soil near the beach, vegetation is limited to a few shrubs, flowering plants, and small hedges.

Quick Facts About Bali
Capital: Denpasar
Population: 3 million
Size: 5,632.86 km2 (2,175 sq mi)
Power Outlets: 127/230V 50Hz
Official Languages: Indonesian
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8
Calling Code: +62

Weather: The island of Bali is always warm, humid and tropical. April-October is the dry season on the island and November-March is the rainy season.

Cost and Budgeting for Bali
Like the rest of Indonesia, Bali is very cheap. For those on a budget, US$20 a day is enough to cover your expenses. For those looking for better accommodation and more activities to do, you will need US$40-50 per day. If you spend anything more than that, then the you will be able to do anything you want. Moreover, Bali has a large upscale market and there are many luxury Bali hotels that will cater to your every need. Furthermore, Bali has a lot of activities so if you are planning on doing more than just sitting on a beach, add US$10 per day to your budget.

Bali History
The island of Bali was first settled around 2,000 BC. Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Hindu culture, beginning around the 1st century AD as people from that region began to settle the area. The first European contact with Bali was by the Dutch in 1597. Dutch expanded their political and economic control over Bali in the 1840s. In the late 1890s, struggles between kingdoms on the island were used by the Dutch to increase their control.

In 1946, the Dutch made Bali as one of the administrative districts of the new Republic of East Indonesia, a rival state to the Republic of Indonesia which was proclaimed and headed by Sukarn. Bali was included in the Republic when the Netherlands recognized Indonesian independence on December 29th, 1949.

Bali Culture
Most of Bali’s population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, formed as a combination of existing local beliefs and Hindu influences from mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia. Religion as it is practiced in Bali is a composite belief system that embraces not only theology, philosophy, and mythology, but ancestor worship, animism and magic.

Bali Hinduism adopted the animistic traditions of the indigenous people. This influence strengthened the belief that the gods and goddesses are present in all things. Every element of nature possesses its own power. Balinese Hinduism is deeply mixed with art and ritual, and is less closely preoccupied with scripture, law, and belief than Islam in Indonesia. Ritualizing states of self-control are a notable feature of religious expression. This has made Bali famous around the world for vivid expression and ornate, graceful dancing.

Things to See and Do in Bali
Relax in a hot spring-There are several hot springs on Bali and they are a great way to relax after a long day of surfing.
Pamper yourself at a spa- Bali is paradise for spa lovers and all sorts of treatments are widely available, but the Balinese lulur body scrub with herbs and spices is particularly popular.
Get married- Balinese wedding have been getting increasingly popular in recent years. The exotic tradition, ceremonies, music customers, and the tropical settings are very appealing. Full wedding services are widely available in Bali and there are about ten wedding chapels in Bali if you want a tropical wedding.
Scuba dive/Snorkel- Bali is surrounded by extensive coral reefs and has many amazing dive sites. There are a few wrecks around the islands too. If diving if not your thing, you can always snorkel.
Learn to surf- Bali is a surfer’s paradise with some of the best waves in the world.
People flock to the beaches to hang ten. The southern coast around Kuta and Nusa Dua are the primary draws. Beginners will find the gentle waves on Kuta. You’ll find surf instructors lounging around the beach; a one hour lesson will cost you around USD $10.
Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan- Located in the northern part of the island, this important Hindu-Buddhist temple was founded in the 17th century and is actually built on small islands.

Bali Geography
The island of Bali is 3.2 km (2 mi) east of Java, and is approximately 8 degrees south of the equator. The highest point is Mount Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Mountains cover center to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the easternmost peak.

The island of Bali is surrounded by many coral reefs Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black sand. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot.