The Top Beach Resort In The Turks And Caicos Providenciales Island

Some research into The Tuscany Resort on Grace Bay, Providenciales Island Turks and Caicos to see if it would be a good choice for your Caribbean Vacation

Looking for a Turks and Caicos Resort on Providenciales, then look no further than The Tuscany Resort on Grace Bay.

It is the newest build, and so is at the end of the line, which makes it calm and peaceful compared to other resorts. There are 30 luxury suites, in this extremely private luxurious boutique resort.

The Tuscany Resort has been described as completely unbelievable, and so well thought out that it never seems to be crowded.

The suites in this gorgeous Turks and Caicos Resort are all 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, so they are perfect for families or groups of friends. It’s especially good for a group of friends because each bedroom has its own bathroom They are all beautifully decorated and equipped including a huge kitchen, a laundry room, and a very large well screened patio which opens off the large dining and living area, and is designed to give a floor to ceiling panoramic view of Grace Bay and the incredible turquoise sea that lies beyond it. Having said that it is important to avoid the first floor doesn’t have a view. Best of all try to get a suite on the fourth floor, and another tip is to avoid the middle suite because they are darker, and also you need to request a room on the outside of the building.

The décor of the suites are quite incredible with a tropical theme. The sun loungers, more chaise longues really give you the perfect end to the perfect day, with a glass of wine gazing at the Reef as the sun sets in an amazing display of different colours.

You won’t need the air conditioning, because of the cool breezes coming in through the doors.

Although the Tuscany resort has no restaurant you will find plenty within a short walking distance and in your suite you have everything you will need for a truly remarkable Turks and Caicos Resort Vacation.

One of the best things for many people is the fact that you can get massages in your room from Spa Tropique, just a phone call away. It could be a great way to spend the day, by going down to the beach for a swim, up to your suite for a massage, and then back to the beach again!

As to be expected in a high quality Turks and Caicos resort the pool is great, and the temperature is about right. Because the beach at Grace Bay is so nice you could well have the pool almost to yourself much of the time. It would however be a shame not to go to the beach, and you needn’t worry about be hassled by hawkers and vendors because it is illegal on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The beach and the water are so very clean it is amazing, so clear that you can see the fish in the water from the beach.

There are lots of restaurants to choose from close to the resort, varying from shacks to high quality high priced places, but excellent food to suit every palate and pocket.

The Tuscany Resort is a new kid in town, with a fast growing reputation, and if you want a quiet relaxing Turks and caicos Resort On Providenciales Island on Grace Bay then why look further than here?

For more information go to http://www.caribbean-vacationspots.com/categories/Turks-and-Caicos-Islands/

by: Gordon Steven

Rantau Abang Turtle Hatchery

To halt the decline of the number of the Giant Leatherback Turtle, an endangered species, hatchery work is being carried out at Rantau Abang. Approximately 60 km south of Kuala Terengganu, Visitors would lay in wait quietly from midnight to dawn to watch the memorable sight of these Giant Leatherbacks laying their eggs. These giant turtles, up to 2.5 meters in length and sometimes weighing more than 375 kg is indeed a phenomenal sight to behold. Rantau Abang is one of only six places in the world visited by these turtles, from the months of May to September.

The Terengganu Government has made it an offense for anyone to collect or sell turtle's eggs except those authorized or licensed to do so.

Nature in Sarawak Part 3

Fort Margherita

Constructed in 1878, it was recently renovated and converted into a palace museum. It is a building of love, named after the wife of the second White Rajah. The fort commands a breathtaking and strategic position along the Sarawak River. Its location was deliberately chosen to overlook the long straight stretch of river approaching Kuching. Now a palace museum, it houses a rare collection of Royal Regalia and historical paraphernalia.

Luconia

The South Luconia Shoals is one of the finest locations to dive. It is as good as the most pristine areas of the Great Barrier Reef. It is suitable for both the novice diver and the veteran with large areas of shallow flat reef, as well as drop-offs that have healthy corals to well below 120 feet. It also lies in the center of biodiversity for coral reefs, and as such contains hundreds of different tropical fishes and corals.

The Kuching Mosque

The Kuching Mosque is one of the city's most important landmarks, with its idyllic riverside location and its multiple gilded cupolas. Although a relatively modern building (1968), its design is faithful to traditional Islamic architecture. It is set in an ancient Muslim cemetery on the site of an old wooden mosque. The mosque and its grounds are open to visitors, but they are asked to dress respectfully and to not enter the mosque during prayer times. The Kuching Mosque previously functioned as the State Mosque but this role has now been taken over by the splendid new State Mosque across the river at Petra Jaya, which has an unusual modern single cupola design. Another interesting mosque can be found in Gambier Street. It is completely hidden away by rows of shophouses. This mosque originally served the Indian Muslim community in Kuching and is the oldest in the city.

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Nature in Sarawak Part 2

River Safari

Skrang River Safari : Skrang is about 232km from Kuching. It is an exciting destination for visitors who wish to see and experience life in a longhouse, once the homes of notorious pirates and head hunters. Visitors would be able to experience the traditions and customs of the Dayak Ibans by spending a night in a longhouse. Traditional dances and music are the highlights of the evening entertainment. During this evening entertainment, you will be served with "tuak", a specially brewed rice wine. The journey into Skrang takes about 5 hours by road, followed by 1 1/2 hour of motor-propelled longboat journey along the Skrang River.

Lemanak river Safari : Lemanak is a tributary of the main Batang Lupar River. Being 220km from Kuching, it can be reached by a 5 hour road journey. The journey passes through scenic countryside, rubber and pepper plantations, padi fields, and sago palms. This is followed by a an hour of a motorized longboat ride penetrating the tropical rainforest through meandering streams. An overnight stay here, like that of the Skrang River Safari, gives you a glimpse of life in a longhouse and its people. Cockfighting and jungle trekking are among the highlights of this trip.

Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Unlike in a zoo, the Orang Utan (wild man of Borneo) at Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre are set free in a 740 hectare forest reserve. Here, the Orang Utans and other native animals are nurtured to readapt themselves to the jungle life and to once again live in the wild. A half-hour leisurely stroll on the specially built plank-walks from the entrance of the Rehabilitation Centre gives you a golden opportunity to observe these orang utans, as well as view various species of trees and tropical fruit trees from the rainforest. It is sheer delight to watch these charming and entertaining Orang Utans during feeding time as well as their childlike antics.

Sarawak Cultural Village

On a 17 acre site at the foothill of Mount Santubong, fronting the South China Sea is the Sarawak Cultural Village, which exudes the typical warmth and hospitality of the state. Here, you have the opportunity to share the arts and crafts, games, food, and music of the seven major cultures of Sarawak. At a modern theater, the visitor can see performances of multicultural dances and lots of bamboo (bamboo musical instruments, bamboo carvings and even a bamboo bridge). You are taken into the world of "longhouses", drums, and gongs. You are taught to use the blowpipe (the weapon of the jungle nomads) and you get the opportunity to see the women work on their intricate beadwork.

Copy from www.malaysiabanner.com

Nature in Sarawak

Affectionately dubbed as the "Land of Natural Wonders and Friendly Hornbills", Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia spanning 124,000 sq. km. A land of many rivers, rolling terrain, and majestic mountains, Sarawak has also been described as a "Land of Superlatives". It has the country's longest river, the world's largest flower (the Rafflesia), the world's largest cave passage and natural chamber, and evidence of the earliest known existence of man in Southeast Asia. Complemented by the rich cultural heritage of the diverse ethnic communities of Sarawak as well as the many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, this state offers an unfailing appeal and challenge to those seeking thrill and adventure amidst nature!

Sarawak's history is one of heroic adventure and romance, piracy and rebellion. It is a story of brave tribal warriors intensely protective of their respective territories, engaging in fierce battles to protect their domains. It is the story of a young British, James Brooke, who had set off for the Far East in search of adventure. And as fate would have it, he ended up establishing a despotic, though benevolent rule over Sarawak for more than a century, and was known fondly by locals as the "White Raja". It is a story of a nation that saw itself make a sudden leap from being a small British colony for a brief period to being one of the more dynamic, progressive, and bustling business and tourist destinations in Asia Pacific.

Yet despite all the changes that it had undergone through the centuries, it has retained the qualities that never fail to charm and enchant those who chance a visit here. Its charming rustic riverine towns, historical sites and buildings speaks of its colorful and enchanted past while its charming people, who may have adopted modern lifestyles in the midst of modern amenities and conveniences, retain the much cherished qualities of warmth, hospitality and friendliness.

Getting There and Moving Around

By Air : Kuching is connected by air to a number of regional capitals like Singapore, Manila, and Hong Kong. Malaysia Airlines also operate daily flights from Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, regular flights connects Kuching to other major towns. Charter planes and helicopters are also available.

By Sea : Major ports are serviced by ships from the Peninsula although more catered for cargo purposes. Boats are a major form of transportation because of the states' vast network of rivers.

By Road : Car rental and taxi services are available in all major towns. However, visitors should note that the taxis are not operated by meters, thus a fare should be negotiated before embarking on your journey.

Malaysia's National Parks and Preserves

It would be difficult to overstate the attraction of Malaysia for anyone who appreciates the natural world. Its primal forests, ranging from shoreline mangrove to mountaintop oak, are of the sort that most of the world now knows only in myth. Although Malaysia's size is similar to that of Norway, natural trees and forests cover almost three quarters of the land, an area equivalent to almost the entire United Kingdom. One can walk for hundreds of miles in Malaysia under a continuous canopy of green, marveling at an abundance of plant and animal species equaled by no other location in the entire world. A single half-kilometer plot of land in Borneo's lowland dipterocarp forest, for example, may well contain more than eight hundred different species of trees alone, a stunning degree of variety that pales, however, in comparison to the profusion and diversity of flowers, birds, ferns, and insects.

This endlessly varied environment also shelters a host of the world's rarest and most remarkable animals: the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Clouded Leopard and Malaysian Tiger, the Sun Bear, the Monitor Lizard, and the Orang Utan, or "man of the forest," are just a few examples. Malaysia's forests are also home to Southeast Asia's highest peak, as well as to the world's most extensive and capacious natural caverns. The forest itself is one of the most ancient on the planet, far older than the equatorial forests of the Amazon or the Congo. It has for tens of thousands of years been the home of nomadic forest peoples, and ancient civilizations have flourished as well as disappeared in its vastness. Legends abound, and archaeologists have only just begun their efforts here. Equally exciting discoveries are now being made by genetic biologists, who have begun searching the wealth of life in Malaysia's forests for new medicines with which to combat AIDS, cancer, and many other illnesses.

And that is only the forest. Malaysia's offshore islands are of legendary beauty. For millenia, Pulau Langkawi and Pulau Tioman have been sought-after havens of peace from the turbulent outside world, a tradition that is evidenced today by their international status as holiday destinations. Pulau Sipadan, a small oceanic island off the eastern shore of Borneo, rises in a sheer column more than six hundred meters from the seabed. Completely encircled by sheer drop-offs and walls, Sipadan is one of the world's foremost dive sites.

In order to safeguard its precious natural heritage, Malaysia has set aside many areas as parks and wildlife reserves. Together with natural forest management, conservation of wildlife, birds and marine life, nature reserves have been established through a network of protected areas. Almost one and a half million hectares of conservation areas are protected by legislation.

Besides the many splendid sights in Malaysia's National Parks, visitors can enjoy an exhaustive tour of thrills and spills during their visit--boating through swirling rapids or between emerald green islands, stalking big game and fly-fishing for giant carp, bird-watching, mountain climbing, spelunking, swimming in placid river waters, or camping amidst giant tropical trees.
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Travel Tips

Currency

The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM, which is equivalent to 100 cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 sen and RM1. Currency notes are in RM1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorized money changers throughout the country.

Airport Tax

An airport tax of RM5 and RM40 is charged upon departure for all domestic and international flight passengers respectively.

Telephone

Local calls can be made from public phones, whether coin or card operated. International calls can be made from phone booths with card phone facilities or at any Telecom offices. Most hotels are equipped with IDD services with a minimal service charge.

Tourist Police

Visitors who encounter unforeseen problems and difficulties can seek the Malaysian Tourist Police Unit for assistance. They often patrol tourist spots and will render assistance, as well as safeguard tourists' security.

Business Hours

The country runs on a normal eight hours a day system with Saturday as half day and Sunday as a day of rest. In the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days. Department Stores and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tipping

Tipping is not a way of life in Malaysia, but is fast becoming one.

What to Wear

Light, cool, and casual clothing is recommended all year round. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, ties, or long-sleeved batik shirts whereas women should wear dresses.

Water

It is generally safe to drink water straight from the tap, but it is safer to drink boiled water or bottled beverages.

Medical Services

Medical services are available in most towns at government hospitals and private clinics. Non-prescription drugs are available at pharmacies, as well as supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers.

Local Touch

Food hawkers selling traditional and local delicacies make up the everyday scenes in big or small towns throughout the country. One can try "teh tarik", a smoothened, creamed tea, and "roti canai", a fluffy pancake prepared by a local person of Indian Muslim ancestry. Spicy Malay food, such as "nasi lemak" and various kinds of Chinese noodles are also popular. People from all walks of life frequent these food stalls.

As Malaysia is a multi-religious country, various Muslim mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, and Christian churches can be found almost anywhere. Despite the many changes and developments in the cities and big towns, Malaysia has many "kampung" (villages), jungles, beaches, and rice fields. Many houses in the "kampung" are built on stilts. Batik cotton fashion is popular in Malaysia . It can be used for casual wear, as well as formal functions.