Top 7 links: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Tips For Buying a Kayak

Tips For Buying a Kayak

Have you ever thought about trying the magnificent experience of gliding your way through the smooth and sleepy waters of the ocean? Ever thought about the thrill of maneuvering a sleek boat through choppy rills and rivulets, gushing rivers and bubbling streams? Do you dream of a sport that takes you outdoors in the sun, water and lush, green foliage of forests, that will not only challenge and test your skill, but also take you to faraway places you hadn't dreamt of? If you do, then kayaking, with its combination of unspoiled natural surroundings pitted against technical expertise, is the ultimate sport for you. An important part of the expertise, of course, comes from first taking lessons in a hired kayak, and eventually, in choosing the right one to buy. An inappropriate purchase can cost dearly on the high seas!

Choose your kayak keeping in mind the focus of your mainstay kayaking interest as kayaks are made to specification for the differing intensities in water mediums. There is a special kayak for the torrents of white-water rafting and another for the bobbing and surfing of sea kayaking. For the gentle forays of river kayaking, there is a touring kayak. Sit-on kayaks are also on offer. Explore all possibilities and options before you make your choice.

If you’re a beginner you’ll want to buy a kayak that is shorter than a kayak for the more experienced boater. This is because shorter boats are easier to handle than longer ones. A sea kayak will come in lengths from 10 to 22 feet. A kayak meant for white water will generally be 9 feet long or less. Once you become more experienced at kayaking you’ll want to have a longer kayak, since long kayaks are more suitable for fast paddling and for tracking.

Having determined the right size of your kayak, the next step is to ensure that it "fits right". Your purchase is an important one and it is imperative that it meets all your personal requirements. You should therefore first test the seat, shifting around in it, adjusting the backrest, footrest and seat leverage, making sure you achieve optimum comfort levels and that it "feels right". Remember that you're likely to spend long pleasurable hours in this kayak!

When you’re looking for a kayak to buy you should also bring along your spray skirt to make sure that it fits any boat that you’re considering. You don’t want to buy the kayak only to find that you now need to buy a new spray skirt.

Don’t forget to take a look at the advantages of different hull sizes. A shorter hull that is made of plastic is good if you’re just starting out as a sea kayaker. You may like the way a wooden hull looks but it requires a lot of maintenance and you won’t want the worries of damage if you’re a beginner.

The key thing about kayak buying is that like every other important purchase, it ought to be done in consultation with an expert, well versed in the art of kayak buying, thereby leading to the incredible and memorable experience and thrill of kayaking.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com Melody Veloce is the webmaster and operator of SPB Kayak, a web site which focuses on how to select a Kayak to meet your needs

Halong bay kayaking

By: Halong travel tours

Halong bay kayaking 3 days
Detailed itinerary

The area immediately northeast of Halong Bay is known as Bai Tu Long Bay and is the focus of our special itinerary. Hundreds of islets rising from the clear waters, long sandy beaches beckon, grottoes and lagoons entice the visitor - an area relatively underdeveloped and unpolluted by the tourist trade

Day 1: Hanoi - Halong bay

08.30 approx

Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up.
Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos.
Comfort break.
The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 1/2 hours. noon approx Arrive Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.

Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.

Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef.
Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.

Afternoon While we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin. Early afternoon arrive at Vong Vieng floating fishing village

Drop anchor.
Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community.
Disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See at first-hand what life is like living on the water. We are proud of our working partnership with, and support of, this community.
Back on board The Paloma we head towards Halong Bay.
We drop anchor in the calm waters surrounded by islets

Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches.

For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa.

Early evening
Back on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.
Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.
Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight.After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars.

Accommodation and overnight on junk.

DAY 2 : Halong bay - Lan Ha bay - Halong bay

06:30

For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.
Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay or have an early morning swim.

Breakfast, coffee or tea is served.
After breakfast transfer from The Paloma to a smaller boat which will take you to one of the more remote and secluded parts of the Lan Ha Bay waters and islands.

Our guide will take you on a kayaking tour of the waters. There is no better way to discover the lagoons, the coral reef, beaches and limestone peaks.
Or sunbathe on one of the secluded beaches, go swimming.

During the morning our chef and crew prepare a special BBQ lunch on the private beach (depends on the weather). After lunch we discover Ho Ba Ham Islet in Lan Ha Bay which borders the Gulf of Tonkin.

Our local guide will take you on a tour of the local community, Van Gia fishing village and lagoons.

16:00 Back on board The Paloma, take time to refresh and relax.

Early evening Enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.
Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area.

After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go night fishing or take a late night swim under the stars.

Accommodation and overnight on junk.

Day 3: Halong bay - Hanoi

06:30
For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.

Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim.

Breakfast, coffee and tea and served.

After breakfast we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves including Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) cave, Coc Ngoi (Toad) cave and we drop anchor at Surprise (Sung Sot) Cave.

Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

10:00 am Back on board. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store.

An early lunch is served.

12 noon Return to the shore and disembark from The Paloma as our crew say farewell.
ransfer to minibus or private car and return to Hanoi.
Arrival back at your hotel approximately 16:30/17:00Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com Halong bay kayaking |Halong kayaking
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