GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA

Reason to visit

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, home to an incredible diversity of sea life. It's the largest coral reef in the world, covering more than 345,000 square kilometers. But lately, the reef is losing more and more of its living outer layer. That's according torecent research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Looking back to 1985, scientists found that thenumber of living polyps has declined from more than 25 percent of the reef's surface to just under 14 percent. Most of that loss has come in the last decade or so in areas where humans live closest to the reef.

The problem is the number of challenges facing the reef. There's coral bleaching due to the hot temperatures induced by human-caused climate change. There's our sewage and agricultural runoff flowing into the sea. There are even outbreaks of coral-chomping starfish, aided and abetted by human activity. Not all is lost. The relatively pristine northern end of the reef shows that coral could recover, given the chance. For that to happen, we all will have to do more to combat climate change.

Location 

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometers (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN labeled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world.^[8] The Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland.

A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as fishing and tourism. Other environmental pressures on the reef and its ecosystem include runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. According to a study published in October 2012 by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985.

The Great Barrier Reef has long been known to and used by the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and is an important part of local groups' cultures and spirituality. The reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions. Tourism is an important economic activity for the region, generating over $3 billion per year.

Ways to get there

AIRPORT
There are no direct flights to the Great Barrier Reef, but Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) and Jetstar (www.jetstar.com.au) do fly from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney & Melbourne to Hamilton Island and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast). For flights from London, either go to Cairns or Brisbane, and from there you can travel by water taxi or seaplane to your island destination.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK
(0844 493 0787; www.britishairways.com) flies from London, via Brisbane, to Cairns; Qantas (020 8600 4300; www.quantas.co.uk) flies directly to Cairns; and Garuda Airlines (www.garuda-indonesia.com) offer seas return ticket to Cairns, via Bali.

Austravel (www.austravel.com) offers tailor-made package holidays to most islands, including Heron, Lizard, Dunk and the Whitsunday Islands. Tailor Made Travel (www.tailor-made.co.uk) has an 'Australia Naturally' brochure, which features personalised packages to the Great Barrier Reef and all around Australia.

In general, visiting the Great Barrier Reef is far from cheap, but most resorts do have cut-rate deals. Resort reservations made through local airlines or Qantas can produce savings, particularly in the cost of round-trip transfers, which are often not included in the resort rate and vary wildly. For last-minute travellers, standby packages are often available; travel agencies in Arlie Beach specialise in these: try Whitsunday Travel Centre (www.whitsundaytravel.com.au). When making reservations directly with a resort, ask about special deals and discounted rates.

Things to do

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Cruise

The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is apparent as soon as you set your eyes upon it; however, put your head under the crystal-clear water and you'll be immediately exposed to the astounding array of beautiful life forms that dwell just under its surface.

A snorkeling trip will allow you to escape into this new world full of surprises, and a cruise that will take you to the magnificent Outer Reef to a spacious activity platform permanently moored at a wonderful site will serve as the ideal springboard for guests of all ages – swimmers and non-swimmers alike – to enjoy a day of discovery. You can snorkel directly from the platform and instantly find yourself among stunning coral gardens and colorful marine life – or you can take part in the Eco talks, reef presentations, board an air-conditioned semi-submersible for views without getting wet, and enjoy morning and afternoon teas along with a delicious gourmet lunch.

Outer Reef Snorkeling Cruise

Port Douglas provides another natural departure point to experience the joys of the Great Barrier Reef, and the Outer Reef in particular is in its own class; brimming with vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life, it makes for one of the best snorkeling destinations in the entire world.

This cruise will take you aboard a speedy, wave-piercing catamaran all while in air conditioned comfort to the highly regarded Agincourt Reef – a jewel-like ribbon reef on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef proper that showcases a series of unsurpassed coral formations, colorful marine creatures and an outstanding level of underwater visibility. A spacious activity platform awaits that allows you to participate in a huge range of reef activities including snorkeling and diving, semi-submersible viewing, fish feeding presentations and much more.

Green Island Day Trip

Green Island is a stunningly beautiful coral cay that lies approximately 45 minutes off the coast of Cairns via catamaran that has existed for around 6000 years, and today acts as home to over 120 native species of plants and colorful bird life – a true nature lover's paradise in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. A true paradise for nature-lovers, this day trip to Green Island includes snorkeling as well as an informative glass bottom boat tour that will allow you to fully explore this lovely island destination.

Many additional inclusions are provided within the package, such as the use of the island's great swimming pool and an Eco island walk to discover some of Green Island's distinctive rain forest flora. A range of restaurant and cafe-style lunch options along with additional activities including scuba and helmet diving, para sailing and scenic helicopter flights are also available upon request, making the day as involved or laid back as you choose.

Hot Air Ballooning

The great heights that hot air ballooning will send you to will provide amazing views not only of the Great Barrier Reef itself but also the incredible natural surroundings that make up the geography of this tropical north Queensland region.

Ascend into the skies above Cairns and experience the sheer wonder, romance and silent serenity of the far north QLD bush land, golden sand beaches and stunning azure waters. After you've experienced the reef and the rain forest up close, a hot air balloon ride is the next best thing to do at the Great Barrier Reef – a breathtaking experience that cannot be missed!

Whitewater Rafting

Pristine rain forest, crystal-clear rivers and breathtaking scenery are just a few of the reasons to take a whitewater rafting trip on the beautiful Russell and Barron Rivers, located just a short distance inland from the Great Barrier Reef. As some of the most popular rafting destinations in the world, these two great waterways offer unequaled chances for an affordable, exciting and exhilarating day out.

A series of different rapid courses ranging from grades one to four ensure that there is something available for people of all experience and skill levels, and most packages also include a relaxing picnic lunch. All rafting trips are guided by skilled guides who will show you the best ways to negotiate the rapids while maintaning a premium on safety so that you can simply enjoy the feeling of excitement without ever feeling a true sense of danger. Whether travelling as an individual, couple, or group, whitewater rafting near the Great Barrier Reef is an experience that will serve to make you feel more alive!

Low Isles Sailing Cruise

Set sail for the Low Isles of the great barrier reef – a true tropical island paradise – that combines ideally with the inherent romance of sailing aboard a luxurious 30m sailing catamaran on this Low Isles Sailing Cruise. One of the true jewels of the Great Barrier Reef, the Low Isles are an idyllic series of unspoiled islands that provide a perfect microcosm of what the Reef and its surrounds are all about.

Mooring in a calm, picturesque lagoon, a huge range of reef activities await to be participated in including glass-bottom boat rides to view the wide array of marine life, snorkeling over the colorful coral gardens filled with turtles and brilliantly vibrant fish, guided beach walks, or simply relaxing on the beach or on the decks of the boat while soaking in some sunshine – taking time in the middle of the day to enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch.

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flight

Flying from Port Douglas aboard a helicopter and heading out over the reef is one of the best ways to gaze down through the surface of its pristine, transparent waters to witness the coral and other marine life from directly above. Helicopter rides offer a vantage point of the Reef rarely seen by most people, as hovering at low altitudes allows you to witness the wonders that leave beneath from close up.

Once we reach your destination we'll land for a hot and cold tropical buffet lunch and give you the chance for a snorkeling adventure, underwater observatory, or semi-submersible viewing session to witness the reef from an under-the-surface perspective.

Explore the Daintree Rain forest

The amazing blues of the ocean that blankets the Great Barrier Reef is not the only visually incredible display on offer in the region; look inland and you'll soon come across the vibrant greens of some of the oldest and most beautiful rain forest in the world – the ancient and World Heritage-listed Daintree Rain forest. Regardless of whether you choose to divide the day between the reef and the rain forest or spend your time exploring this wondrous green ecological playground, the Daintree will doubtlessly leave an impression on you that will last a long time.

Brimming with wonderful wildlife and lush surroundings that make this area of far north QLD one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, you'll find some of the last vestiges of the most ancient rain forest where a combination of primitive animals, plants and an indigenous culture still thrive to this day.

Take a Seaplane Flight over the Whitsundays

Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef on one side and 74 tropical islands that lie in the calm waters of tropical north QLD's Coral Sea, the Whitsunday Islands lie midway along Queensland's coast. A huge number of spectacular destinations can be found within this island chain, including Heart Reef, Hardy Lagoon and White-haven Beach, and there are few better ways to gain an appreciation for their beauty than by a scenic seaplane flight that will take you directly above these natural marvels.

Travelling at varying altitudes and the ability to fly close to the ocean's surface means you'll be able to soak in the incredible colors and textures of the Whitsundays and the Barrier Reef in the span of half a day, with numerous different options available that each emphasize a different aspect of this stunningly beautiful Australian archipelago.

Recently dubbed The Best Beach in Australia, White-haven Beach is an emblem that embodies what everyone's image of the Great Barrier Reef is all about. With its pristine white silica sand clashing beautifully with the surrounding vibrant blue waters, it's not hard to see why White-haven is such a highly regarded travel destination. Be sure to take some time to simply absorb the beach - it's the perfect excuse for some down time among the cavalcade of water sports and other activities you'll no doubt be otherwise occupying yourself with - by picking up a handful of the finely-grained sand and feeling it run through your fingers.

Various tours are available that will take you to White-haven Beach and offer different itineraries, and the majority offer a comprehensive look at all aspects of not just the beach but its surrounding islands and diving/snorkeling spots as well. Stretching out over a fairly substantial expanse of around seven kilometers in total, White-haven is not just some little pocket of beach that happens to be picture-perfect; it's a true, expansive beach that is large enough to ensure that even in peak seasons you'll likely still be able to garner a sense of solitude.

The beach is rarely overcrowded, and those visiting the Great Barrier Reef are advised to get their visit in quick as the beach's increasing worldwide fame and reputation may lead to its conditions beginning to deteriorate in the near future. You can book a full day cruise to White-haven by clicking the link below.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, UNITED STATE

Reason to visit

It's an oft-repeated statistic that the glaciers at Montana's Glacier National Park will disappear by the year 2030. But Daniel Fagre, a U.S. Geological Survey ecologist who works at Glacier, says the park's namesakes will be gone about ten years ahead of schedule, endangering the region's plants and animals.

The 2020 estimate is based on aerial surveys and photography Fagre and his team have been conducting at Glacier since the early 1980s. A more standardized measure of what's happening to a glacier comes from arduous documentation of its mass, which requires—among other techniques—multiple core samples.

Fagre is concerned about ecological implications of glacier melt. A lot of our sensitive and rare plants are associated with the edges of glaciers. At first, retreating glaciers will expose more growing area for plants. But eventually plants will crowd the area, and reduced water could cause drying and die-offs. And as glaciers retreat, the streams they feed can become intermittent.

Location

Glacier National Park is a national park located in the U.S. state of Montana, on the Canada–United States border with the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The park encompasses over 1,000,000 acres (4,000 km²) and includes parts of two mountain ranges (sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains), over 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants and hundreds of species of animals. 

This vast pristine ecosystem is the centerpiece of what has been referred to as the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem", a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 square miles (41,000 km²).^[3]
The region that became Glacier National Park was first inhabited by Native Americans and upon the arrival of European explorers, was dominated by the Blackfeet in the east and the Flathead in the western regions. Soon after the establishment of the park on May 11, 1910, a number of hotels and chalets were constructed by the Great Northern Railway. 

Ways to get there

By train

If you have the extra time and want to see more of the country, the train is a good alternative for traveling to Glacier National Park. Since much of the early development of the park was led by the Great Northern rail company, the railroad is an integrated part of the park's history (and vice versa). Amtrak's Empire Builder train service runs from Seattle and Portland through northern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to Chicago. The Empire Builder westbound arrives in the evening, the Eastbound train arrives in the morning, daily at the three stations serving the park. Travelers should arrange accomodations and/or waiting time accordingly.

By plane

Visitors to the park may fly to Glacier Park International Airport near Kalispell, Montana (IATA: FCA) (25 mi/40 km from West Glacier). It's possible to rent cars at the airport or take a shuttle (inquire first before making reservation to a particular airport if you do not wish to drive). Also, the destination of Missoula, Montana (IATA:MSO) is possible, though an additional 120 miles (190 km) must be driven. If you live near Los Angeles, San Francisco or Phoenix, there are non-stop flights to Missoula, so, unlike Kalispell, you won't have to connect.

By car

From the East: Take I-90 freeway to about 8 miles west of Missoula, then exit at US Hwy 93 north (Exit #96). In Kalispell, turn right at US Hwy 2 East (Idaho St.) From there it's 32 miles to the West Glacier entrance. OR, if you're approaching from North Dakota on US 2, it's a straight shot to Glacier Park. Heading west on I-94 across North Dakota, the shortest route to Glacier is exiting at Glendive to Montana highway 200s to Circle, then north on Montana 13 to east of Wolf Point, then west on Montana 25 to Wolf Point, then US 2 to Glacier Park. If coming from the South (Great Falls) or East (Havre) and your destination first is Waterton Lakes National Park, the fastest way is taking US 2 to Cut Bank, and then going north on Montana secondary 213 to Del Bonita, where it becomes Alberta highway 62. At the "town" of Del Bonita, Alberta (2 miles from the border) turn west on Alberta secondary 501 and go to Cardston, and then directly to Waterton Lakes on Alberta highway 5. This is signficantly faster than US 2/89 via Browning.

For East Glacier there are various routes including the I-15 Fwy (see From the South below). However, from the freeways, East Glacier via West Glacier is about the same time and distance. The best route for those wanting to avoid Montana's freeways and save over 250 miles is to follow I-94 just inside Montana from North Dakotaand exit #211. State Hwy 200S becomes 200 (no turns) and later becomes shared with US Hwy 87. On the west side of Great Falls where the highway merges into the freeway, take I-15 North for 12 miles and Exit #290 in Vaughn. On US Hwy 89 go 105 miles to Browning in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. At the museum, turn left and take US Hwy 2 into East Glacier. (If using I-90 you can join this route via Billings. Follow State Hwy 3 at Exit #450, which is later shared with US 12 & 191. Turn left at the end of the highway at "Eddies Corner" and follow as above going to Great Falls.)

Don't underestimate the huge size of the state of Montana (550 mi/880 km wide). Glacier Park is actually closer to Seattle than it is to far eastern Montana.

From the West: Take I-90 freeway to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (Exit #12, turn left) on to US Hwy 95. Where US Hwy 2 and 95 split north of Bonners Ferry, turn right to get US Hwy 2. From there, it's 167 miles to the West Glacier entrance. Don't forget to set clocks an hour ahead when entering Montana.

A slightly more ambitious (though fully paved) short cut is to stay on the I-90 freeway up to St. Regis, Montana (Exit #33). Then turn left on State Hwy 135 and go 21.6 miles, left on State Hwy 200 for 8.3 miles, right on State Hwy 28 for 46.7 miles, and left on US Hwy 93 in Elmo on Flathead Lake. In Kalispell, turn right at US Hwy 2 East (Idaho St.) This is a very scenic route along the Clark Fork River and Flathead Lake (which both contain all the waters of Glacier Park west of the Continental Divide) with farmlands in between. However, gas (petrol) and other services are limited between the freeway and Elmo.

Note: Using Hwy 200 east from Sandpoint, Idaho is not recommended, as all north-south connections with US Hwy 2 in between Libby and Kalispell are NOT paved! There's just no quick and easy way to get through the Cabinet Mountains beyond 15-20 miles from the Idaho border.

From the North (Canada): If first visiting Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, take Canada Hwy 2 south to the junction of the Crowsnest Hwy 3. Then go west (towards BC) 43 km and turn left at Pincher Station on Canada Hwy 6 for another 50 km. Turn right at the junction of Hwy 5 to enter the park. Upon leaving to get to Glacier, make two right turns just after exiting the park, and follow Canada Hwy 6 for 22 km to the U.S. border. This becomes State Hwy 17; turn right in 23 km onto US Hwy 89. The first park entrance is Many Glacier in 7 km (just after Babb).

Note: The international border is closed overnight between Waterton and Glacier, so via Cardston is only way in (see below). Bring US/Canadian pasport, passport card or enhanced driver’s license. If bypassing Waterton, take Canada Hwy 2 south to Cardston and cross the U.S. border. This becomes US Hwy 89. The first park entrance is Many Glacier 17 km from the border.

From the South: Take freeway I-15 North to Shelby, Montana (Exit #363) and turn left onto US Hwy 2. From there it's 70 miles to East Glacier. A short cut would be to exit I-15 in Vaughn, Montana (Exit #290) and take US Hwy 89 to Browning in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. At the museum, turn left and take US Hwy 2 to East Glacier.

By foot

The Continental Divide Trail, a 3,100 mile United States National Scenic Trail, has its northern trailhead in Swiftcurrent Campground, accessible by car from Babbon Glacier Route Three. An alternate route starts from the Apikuni Trailhead, also located along Glacier Route Three. This trail exits the park at Marias Pass to the south and runs south along the Continental Divide to Mexico.

Things to do

1. Biking - Bicycles are restricted to bike paths, roadways, and parking areas. Check the National Park Service's Glacier website for path, and road closures. Bikes are forbidden on trails. Bicycle rental is not available in Glacier National Park. It is possible to bike the length of Going-to-the-Sun Road, but the park limits bike access during peak traffic hours since many portions of the road do not have shoulders. The best times of day to go are the early morning or late afternoon. Although it is easiest to bike the road from east to west, be prepared for a steep elevation gain as you approach Logan Pass and cross the Continental Divide from either direction.
2. Boating - Boat tours are available at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Rising Sun, Waterton Lake, and Lake McDonald. Personal motorized boats are permitted on some of the park's lakes, but usually limited to 10 hp motors.
3. Camping - There are several dozen backcountry campgrounds along the trail system, as well as frontcountry campgrounds available to motorists and RVers.
4. Winter Activities - Park visitors during the winter (approximately December - April) may explore the park using skis or snowshoes. Some trails may be closed due to avalanche or snow-related hazards, and visitors should check conditions with a ranger before departure and check out after return.
5. Fishing - Glacier is famous for its great trout fishing. Fishermen may fish without permits and can keep any fish they catch (except bull trout), but are advised to clean fish carefully: throw entrails into water far from shore, as the smell of fresh fish will attract bears.
6. Hiking - Over half of the visitors to Glacier National Park report taking a hike along some of the park's 700 miles of trails. Hikers can purchase topographical maps, trail guides, and field guides at visitor centers. Guided day hiking and backpacking treks are available. Check the National Park Service's Glacier website for more info.The Trail of the Cedars, Huckleberry Mountain, Hidden Lake, Sun Point, and Swiftcurrent Nature Trails are hiker friendly and have signs that dot the trails to help hikers. The Trail of the Cedars is wheelchair accessible.
7. Horseback riding - Most of the park's trail system is open to horses. Guided trips and horse rentals available at Many Glacier, Waterton Lake, Two Medicine, Rising Sun, and Lake McDonald Lodge.

GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR

Reason to visit

Three years after their inclusion on the World Heritage in Danger list, the Galapagos Islands have emerged on the other end, having made significant headway against the threats of "invasive species, unbridled tourism, and over fishing." However, the same isolation that made the islands a "living museum and showcase of evolution" also makes them intrinsically vulnerable to the environmental pressures of tourism and the constant threat of invasive species.

Best known for unique animal life, such as the land iguana and giant tortoise, the Galapagos are a point of pilgrimage for wildlife lovers. But our presence changes the landscape: In the islands' relatively short history of human settlement, it's estimated that about five percent of the Galapagos' species have become extinct. It will take the continued efforts of Ecuador's government to preserve the Pacific archipelago that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

The location

The islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 973 km (525 nmi; 605 mi) off the west coast of South America. The closest land mass is that of mainland Ecuador, the country to which they belong, 926 km/500 nmi to the east.

The islands are found at the coordinates 1°40'N–1°36'S, 89°16'–92°01'W. Straddling the equator, islands in the chain are located in both the northern and southern hemispheres, with Volcán Wolf and Volcán Ecuador on Isla Isabela being directly on the equator. Española Island, the southernmostislet of the archipelago, and Darwin Island, the northernmost one, are spread out over a distance of 220 km (137 mi). The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) considers them wholly within the South Pacific Ocean, however.^[3] The Galápagos Archipelago consists of 7,880 km²(3,040 sq mi) of land spread over 45,000 km² (17,000 sq mi) of ocean. The largest of the islands, Isabela, measures 2,250 sq mi/5,827 km^2[4] and makes up close to three-quarters of the total land area of the Galápagos. Volcán Wolf on Isabela is the highest point, with an elevation of 1,707 m (5,600 ft) above sea level.

The group consists of 18 main islands, 3 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets. The islands are located at the Galapagos Triple Junction. The archipelago is located on the Nazca Plate (a tectonic plate), which is moving east/southeast, diving under the South American Plate at a rate of about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) per year.^[5] It is also atop the Galapagos hotspot, a place where the Earth's crust is being melted from below by a mantle plume, creating volcanoes. The first islands formed here at least 8 million and possibly up to 90 million years ago.^[6]

While the older islands have disappeared below the sea as they moved away from the mantle plume, the youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed, with the most recent volcanic eruption in April 2009 where lava from the volcanic island Fernandina started flowing both towards the island's shoreline and into the centre caldera.

Ways to get there

First destination is go to mainland Ecuador. Whether you’re traveling from the United States, Europe or anywhere else, you should book an international flight to Guayaquil or Ecuador’s capital, Quito. 
The Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil (GYE) receives flights from U.S. cities of Miami and New York, European cities of Amsterdam and Madrid, and major cities of Central and South America.
Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito (UIO) receives flights from the U.S. via Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and New York; from Europe via Madrid and Amsterdam; and from many major cities in Central and Southern America. You should expect to arrive in Ecuador at least two days before your Galapagos Cruise begins and catch your international flight home at least two days after your stay in the Galapagos.

Once you have your flight to mainland Ecuador, getting to the Galapagos Islands is easy. Located nearly 1,000 km (600 miles) off of Ecuador’s coast, the best way to travel is by plane, as traveling by boat can take at least three days. Whether from Quito or Guayaquil, there are several flights daily that take passengers to the archipelago. You can land on Baltra Island or in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. TAME and AEROGAL are two airlines that operate these routes. LAN will soon have flights to the Galapagos as well. If you are flying from Quito, you will most likely have a short stop in Guayaquil on your way to the islands.

Reserve your Galapagos tour before you purchase flight tickets to ensure correct dates. Check with your Galapagos cruise or tour company for advice on booking your flight to the Galapagos including optimal arrival times to the Islands according to cruise plans.

Things to do

a) Sail around the archipelago on a luxurious catamaran.

b) Relax on the stunning beaches of Isabela Island.

c) Snorkel with sea lions, turtles and schools of rainbow coloured fish.

d) Stare eye-to-eye at a scaly but serene land iguana.

e) Visit the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Centre on Santa Cruz.

f) Hike to the second largest caldera in the world on the Sierra Negra volcano.

g) Visit Tortuga Bay, home to thousands of marine iguanas.

h) Explore the primitive pirate caves on charming Floreana, the least developed of the inhabited islands.

i) See giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

j) Go bird watching on a remote, uninhabited island.

What's most remarkable about Galápagos's wildlife is how little they fear humans -- and why would they, since they've never had to worry about predators. Young sea lions will show off their best moves as you snorkel among them; mockingbirds will peck at your shoelaces; the blue-footed boobie will perform its famous two-stepped mating dance right under your nose.

An astounding number of unique species thrive on these 19 small volcanic islands (plus about 40 islets); boat travel is

essential to view them all. At the Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, visitors can get an up-close view of the gentle giant tortoises. 

Santiago's rocky tide pools are home to rare fur sea lions and many beautiful heron species; Española has albatrosses and blue-footed boobies; in Fernandina there are vivid marine iguanas and flightless cormorants; Isabela is home to Galápagos's penguins (the world's only tropical penguins); Genovesa has frigate birds and red-footed boobies.

CARTERET ISLAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Reason to visit 

Rising sea levels are eating away at the Carteret Islands, and their inhabitants' way of life. Neil Tweedie and Roland Hancock spent a week learning about the world's first climate change refugees. Rising seas, caused by global warming, have for the first time washed an inhabited island off the face of the Earth. The obliteration of Lohachara island, in India's part of the Sundarbans where the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers empty into the Bay of Bengal, marks the moment when one of the most apocalyptic predictions of environmentalists and climate scientists has started coming true. According to the EPA, global sea level has risen by eight inches since 1870. This change is already affecting many low lying islands that have had to adapt. Some populations are moving to higher areas, or are trying to buy land from other countries to migrate its citizens, and some have even developed new ways of farming to protect their agriculture.

2007 estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change's most conservative estimates suggest that global sea level will reach increase 8 to 16 inches above 1990 levels by 2090. The National Academy of Sciences predictions from 2009 suggest that by 2100, sea level could increase by anywhere from 16 inches to 56 inches, depending how the Earth responds to changing climate.

The location

The location is too small and cannot seen through on map. It is in Papua New Guinea islands located 86 km (53 mi) north-east of Bougainville in the South Pacific. The atoll has a scattering of low-lying islands called Han, Jangain, Yesila, Yolasa and Piul, in a horseshoe shape stretching 30 km (19 mi) in north-south direction, with a total land area of 0.6 square kilometers and a maximum elevation of 1.5 m (5 ft) above sea level.

The group is made up of islands collectively named after the British navigator Philip Carteret, who was the first European to discover them, arriving in the sloop Swallow in 1767. As of 2005, about one thousand people live on the islands. Han is the most significant island, with the others being small islets around the lagoon. The main settlement is at Weteili on Han island. The island is near the edge of the large geologic formation called the Ontong Java Plateau.

Ways to get there

The only ways to get Carteret Island is with water transportation such as ship, boats and so on. The island are too small and does not have other transportation services on the island. It can be the one of the undeveloped place in the earth. 

Things to do 

We cannot found any place that have many activities to do as in the developed country. One of the reason we visit Carteret Island  is due to the undeveloped of the place and the people on the island are waiting for us to save them. These easy-going and peaceful people have lived on these islands for thousands of years. They have developed a strong culture with dances, music, games, local shell money, navigation, fishing,  and agriculture. They have interacted with their environment and each other in a sustainable and peaceful way. Their island is an integral part of who they are. We can enjoy the unpolluted air and beach at Carteret Island with the friendly islanders. 

BANGKOK, THAILAND

Reason to Visit 

Bangkok is also one of the world’s most popular exotic destinations, but also one of the places that could disappear due to global warming. The city is already sinking due to its too heavy urbanization on its too soft underground as well as the excessive pumping of groundwater. The location also makes the city exposed to floods, especially in the monsoon season. All these factors could send Bangkok underwater before the end of this century.

The location

Bangkok is located in Central Thailand, stretching from 13.45 N to 100.35 E. With an overall area of 1,569 sq km, it is the 68th largest province of the country. The most prominent geographical characteristic of the place is the Chao Phraya River that flows for 372 km, caressing the length of city. The presence of Chao Phraya is also the main reason behind the extensive canals (both natural and artificial) and passages that interlace the various districts of the place. Due to the canals and waterways, Bangkok has earned the epithet of 'Venice of the East'.

As previously mentioned; the many canals and water passages of Bangkok, along with Chao Phraya, highly contribute to the beauty of the place. However, there are many hitches or disadvantages that these various ducts and inland waterways pose. Due to their presence and the city's low altitude - of mere 2m (6.5 ft) above the sea level, Bangkok becomes susceptible to severe floods. Occasionally, after heavy rainfall, the water in canals and the river spills and floods the banks.

Even though Bangkok ranks 68th among the 74 provinces of Thailand, in terms of its size, it nevertheless has the highest population and the greatest population density in the whole country. The place is encompassed by Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan in the south, Nakhon Pathom in the west, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Nayok in the north and Chachoengsao in the east. Most of the nearby provinces find inclusion in the metropolitan area of Bangkok. The shoreline extends for a length of 4.4 km.

Ways to get there

Bangkok is well connected by air to the rest of the world and there are two airports in the city. The Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 25 kilometres east of Bangkok and the Don Mueang Airport located 24 kilometres to the north. Most international and domestic airlines operate at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is linked to the city by buses, taxis, and Airport Rail Link, a high-speed train service into downtown Bangkok.

Bangkok is well connected by rail to the rest of Thailand and to neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos. The main railway station of Bangkok is the Hua Lamphong Railway Station where trains from neighbouring countries and other parts of Thailand operate. The Thornburi Train Station (formerly known as Bangkok Noi Station) serves for local or nearby travel.

Buses to and from other parts of Thailand including Pattaya, Krabi, Phuket and Ko Samui and also to neighbouring countries operate in Bangkok. There are three major bus terminals in Bangkok; the Northern Bus Terminal, also known as Mo Chit, the Eastern Bus Terminal, also known as Ekkamai and the Southern Bus Terminal, also known as Sai Tai. A word of advice; book your bus tickets directly at one of the three public bus terminals and avoid travel agents and private buses, which are not the most reliable.

Things to do

a)Cruise the "Venice of the East"

Visitors often regard boating as their most rewarding city experience, even though the ‘Venice of the East’ label barely applies any longer, since most Bangkok canals have been lost to road-building. Yet khlongs still thread through the Thonburi west bank and branch into the plantations of Nonthaburi, stretching on throughout Thailand’s Central Plains, connecting rivers, rice farms, towns, temples and floating markets (see Floating markets beside).

Exploring the waterways requires some strategy. The rule to bear in mind is that the longer you spend, the greater the value and rewards. A half-day enables you to see the mostly urban canals of Thonburi, now heavily scarred by concrete flood barriers, because this delta instinctively wants to overflow. A full day takes you upriver and into a rustic canalscape barely modernised – though riparian lifestyles are changing fast.

b) Wat Suthat

Brahmanism predated the arrival of Buddhism in Thailand and its rituals were eventually integrated into the dominant religion. Wat Suthat is the headquarters of the Brahman priests who perform the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May. Begun by Rama I (King Phraphutthayotfa; r 1782–1809) and completed in later reigns, Wat Suthat boasts a wí·hăhn with gilded bronze Buddha images (including Phra Si Sakayamuni, one of the largest surviving Sukhothai bronzes) and incredibly expansive Jataka (stories of the Buddha's previous lives) murals. The wát also holds the rank of Rachavoramahavihan, the highest royal-temple grade; the ashes of Rama VIII (Ananda Mahidol, the current king's deceased older brother) are contained in the base of the main Buddha image in the wí·hăhn .

Wat Suthat's priests also perform rites at two nearby Hindu shrines: Thewa Sathaan (Deva Sathan), which contains images of Shiva and Ganesh; and the smaller Saan Jao Phitsanu (Vishnu Shrine), dedicated to Vishnu.

The spindly red arch in the front of the temple is Sao Ching-Cha (Giant Swing), as much a symbol of Bangkok as Wat Phra Kaew. The swing formerly hosted a spectacular Brahman festival in honour of Shiva, in which participants would swing in ever-higher arcs in an effort to reach a bag of gold suspended from a 15m bamboo pole. Many died trying and the ritual was discontinued during the reign of Rama VII (King Prajadhipok; r 1925–35). In 2007 the decaying swing was ceremoniously replaced with the current model, made from six specially chosen teak logs from Phrae Province in northern Thailand.

The temple is within walking distance of the klorng boats' terminus at Tha Phan Fah.

c)The Train Market (Maeklong Train Market)

Passenger trains pass through this risky market 8 times a day for almost 30 years….located in the smallest province in Thailand, Samutsongkram, only an hour drive away from Bangkok (on the way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market), you will get a breath-taking experience that you will never forget!!! 

t’s a real way of thai lifestyle…very unique for tourists , but it’s just a common fresh market for Thais in the area..You will get to see (and smell!)  a great variety of goods, vegetables, fruits, meat, unusual stuffs, fish, frogs, tuna, shark, mussels, fresh lives, dried seafood, sweets, curry, flowers sold along the way…Only 300 meters long  on the real train tracks..you will be entertained with the real atmosphere of  local businesses going on…some friendly and moody vendors..thai shoppers who don’t really care even when the train’s approaching…They just wanna shop till the last minute the train comes! Some lost tourists who don’t know which direction or how further to go…or some strangers who don’t really know that they are walking on the active train tracks!

d) Massage

Most people who visit Thailand have a to-do list of things that they want to experience, and Thai massage is always very close to the top of that list – it’s right up there with temples, pad Thai and elephant rides. With so many massage options available to visitors, it can be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. Unlike Western massage styles, the Thai massage focuses on pressure points. Treatment often begins with the feet and gradually moves upwards towards the head. Rhythmic compressions and manoeuvres are methods employed in order to relax and realign energies in the body. Varying amounts of pressure are applied to energy lines along the body in accordance with the Ayurvedic principles of balancing one's energy.

You can’t really walk down a street in Bangkok without coming across a massage shop, they really are as ubiquitous as 7-11. The massage shops are usually spread over several floors. On the ground floor you will find a row of chairs and footstalls where you will sit if you request a foot massage. Upstairs will be a series of mattresses separated by curtains that are used for Thai massage, and you get to put on some fancy pyjamas that make you look like a 19th century labourer, so the massage therapist can bend and stretch your limbs easily. Because there are so many in the city, it would be impossible to pick out a selection of the very best, so it’s more a case of common sense. Often smaller hotels will be able to make recommendations too. Most massage shops will speak basic English and prices will be advertised outside the shop; on average it costs 200 baht for an hour’s Thai massage.

Most of the hotels in Thailand are provided massage services too, but it is more expensive than the local massage shops.