Bunaken Sail

Bunaken Sail

Ever fancy yourself being a mermaid? Being able to swim along with other creatures of the sea , moving to the rhythm of the waves? In the Bunaken Marine Park, you will encounter a real “mermaid”, and you can also get a glimpse of sea life here.

Bunaken is an 8.08 km² island in the Bay of Manado, situated in the north of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bunaken forms part of the administrative city of Manado , capital of North Sulawesi. The marine Park around Bunaken is part of the National Park that also includes the ocean around the island of Manado Tua – or Old Manado, Siladen and Mantehage.

Within the Bunaken Marine Park, visitors can see various strange and colorful marine life along its sea bed. To reach this park, you can take a motorboat. The journey from Manado takes around 40 minutes. Entrance fee is 25,000 rupiahs per person per visit.

Baluran National Park

Baluran National Park

This park is a forest preservation area that extends about 25.000 ha on the north coast of East Java. The location is in Sumberwaru village, Banyuwangi district, Situbondo (on the east border of Java Island). You can enjoy the panorama of savannah and mount Baluran (inactive volcano) in the center of area that becomes habitat of many exotic animals such as wild pigs, deer, peacocks, wild chicken, some species of monkeys and also bulls as the protected animals in the area.

You can enjoy the amazing scenery of the forest and do the safari activities in the wild life and feel the magic of the forest. This park is so unique because 15 km from the main entrance, you can find a beautiful white beach called Bama Beach, here in the habiat of coral reef, fish and mangrove.

You also can observe hundreds species of birds such as hornbills, peacocks and bulbuls. If you like to observe the tropical forest vegetation, the park is a heaven for many species of trees, plants and flowers such as pecan nut trees, Maja, Gadung, Java tamarind trees and mount Widara.

Affordable Travel - How to Have a Great Vacation Without Going Broke

Affordable Travel - How to Have a Great Vacation Without Going Broke

I have two weeks of vacation each year. My goal for at least one of them is to have the kind of trip that gets me away from my life and lets me forget the password to my work computer. Travel is a bit of an obsession for me. And a potentially costly one, which is why affordability is always important. Over the years, I have picked up a few tips that have allowed me to indulge my passion without going broke.

1. Research-Thorough research is the single best money saver around. Part of what I love about my trips is the planning and plotting that goes into them ahead of time. Once the destination is chosen, I devote a few hours each week to learning everything I can about wherever I am going. Get your PhD at the University of Google.

2. Book Early-Most of the truly great deals disappear quickly. From airfare to hotel reservations, planning in advance can save you hundreds. For people with extra flexibility in their travel days, waiting for potential last-minute bargains may be worthwhile, but many do not have the luxury of leaving transportation and lodging plans to chance.

3. Membership Discounts-Oftentimes, professional or personal affiliations will offer discounted rates on cars, hotels, or attractions. While it may seem obvious that some car insurance companies would have deals on car rentals, you may be surprised to find that your membership in a work association or professional certification group has benefits as well. Take the time to check them out.

4. Cost Compare-Never jump on the first rate quoted. Always check the airline's website for rates on the same flights that are offered through Orbitz, Expedia, or other discount ticket site. For hotels, consider need versus want. My only requirements for a hotel are that it be clean, safe, and close to what I want to see. While spa and concierge services may be nice, if staying in a hotel that offers them means a bigger dent in my vacation budget, it is not worth it. Plus, most of the high-end hotels charge for breakfast. Why pay for that when so many offer it for free nowadays?

5. Calculate Transportation Costs-Renting a car is not always the way to go. Public transportation can often be cheaper, especially if you are staying somewhere within a short cab ride or walking distance of everything you want to see. It will also save the hassle of parking and dealing with rental return counters. Most hotels in all price ranges have shuttles that will take you to and from the airport. Spend your money enjoying your vacation instead of renting parking space.

6. Reward Programs-Airlines, hotels, credit cards. Everyone has a reward program these days. For the fiscally-disciplined, charging monthly expenses on a miles-earning visa then paying the balance in full each month is a fantastic way to earn free airfare. Most chain hotels offer free stays after a few paid nights, and programs like Southwest Airline's Rapid Rewards offer achievable and usable free flights. Always read the fine print. Good programs exist, but restrictions may apply and being informed is your best defense against unwelcome surprises.

7. Skip the Souvenirs-Easier said than done for some people, but I see every knickknack as a dent in my travel budget and lost space in my suitcase. Your friends and family do not need t-shirts from every place you visit, even if they are 3 for $10. Save your money and take pictures. Lots of pictures. Transfer to a thumb drive when you get home to view on your laptop or digital frame. Play on a loop so you can relive your adventures anytime you want. Of course there will be some things that you really cannot live without, but if you are not buying every single thing you see you will feel good about the occasional splurge.

8. Make it a Priority-Travel brings so many great things to my life that I do what I can to channel every extra penny I have in its direction. People get intimidated by what they assume will be out of control costs. Look into it and run the numbers. You may be surprised to see that something as simple as cutting down on the takeout and the Starbucks will, in time, allow you to plan a getaway to remember. All it takes is a little research and a willingness to be flexible with the extras. A simple change of scenery even a few short hours from home can do wonders. Get out there and make it happen!

Patti Gallagher is the owner of EverydayTravelCafe, a website dedicated to exploring vacations and getaway opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. http://www.everydaytravelcafe.com

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