The Most Beautiful Boat Journey In The World

Are you searching neverland? Something on the lines of a mid-summer night's dream... Fasten your seatbelts folks for we are taking you on a journey of a life time! Get ready for a spectacular splash!

The Lonely Planet travel guide has named the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, known as Hurtigruten in Norwegian, as the most beautiful boat journey in the world. Passengers enjoy a panoramic view of the Norwegian fjords and may experience the midnight sun during the northernmost stretch of the journey.
Lonely Planet is a recognized purveyors of travel information. In its new book, “Lonely Planet Bluelist,” it designates the Norwegian Coastal Voyage as the world’s best boat trip. The Norwegian trip is ranked higher than such adventures as an excursion in Vietnam’s Halong Bay and an Amazon River cruise in South America.The round trip includes fabulous fjords and islands, midnight sun, a medieval monastery and art nouveau cities.Norwegian Coastal Voyage ships have plied Norway’s coast since 1893. Today there are 11 vessels in all, carrying some 550,000 passengers a year. The journey lasts 11 days, beginning in the west coast city of Bergen and ending at Kirkenes in the far north. Along the way the ships make 34 stops; passengers who do not wish to see the whole stretch may board for parts of the journey.

Hope you enjoyed this pictorial journey with us in the land (and waters) of the mid-night sun!

India's Beautiful Sailing / Water Sports Destinations : Part II - Lakshadweep Islands

Part II of our posts on India's very own sunbathed yachting destinations tells us about none other than our favorite - Lakshadweep Islands.


Formerly known as the Laccadives, the Lakshadweep Islands- `Million islands’- may be somewhat inaccurately named, but are undeniably beautiful. In fact, the Lakshadweep islands, which lie in the Arabian Sea, are actually only 36 in number- a series of atolls and open reefs of which only 10 are inhabited.


In the Lakshadweep Islands among the most popular sites for water sports are Bangaram which is the only island accessible to foreigners and Kadmat. Both have extensive facilities for snorkeling, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, swimming, windsurfing and parasailing. Bangaram, especially, has a wonderful coral reef, with an abundance of marine life- everything from angelfish, clown fish, stingrays, hawkbill turtles and green turtles to sturgeons. Minicoy, the southernmost isle of the Lakshadweep group has a large lagoon which is good for swimming. Further north at Kalpeni Island has sea suitable for kayaking, sailing and swimming.


In Kadmat training courses in snorkelling and scuba diving are conducted by the deep-sea diving institute.Tinakara, Valiyakara, Cheriyam and Suheli are few of the other sites which are being developed as tourist centres and consequently are also acquiring the necessary infrastructure for sea sports.


TOURISM

Seeing the beauty and the potential of Lakshadweep as a tourist hot-spot, the Government of India has started promoting Lakshadweep at a rampant pace. As part of that, they have set up a webpage on Lakshadweep and its offerings.

At the same time, Superstar cruises has it on their map for their various offerings.

SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET THERE...

Agatti Aerodrome on Agatti Island is currently the only airport in Lakshadweep. Indian Airlines, the state owned carrier, serves Agatti and flies to Kochi on the mainland. Also, from April 2007, a private carrier, Kingfisher Airlines, has commenced flights to and from Agatti. Kingfisher connects Kochi and Bangalore to Agatti. The other islands are linked by a helicopter or boat service.

Do let us know when to tie our backpacks and see you there...

India's Beautiful Sailing / Water Sports Destinations : Part I - Andaman And Nicobar Islands

The 3000-odd islands which form the archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar group lie in the Bay of Bengal. A rather idyllic destination, with clear blue seas, colourful coral reefs, golden beaches, coconut palms and aboriginal people who are among the most isolated in India. While the Nicobar islands are off-limits to foreigners, the Andamans are not, and have some good facilities for water sports.



Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is home to the Andaman Water Sports Complex, where there are facilities for a very wide range of activities, from those which require little skill to those for which you’ll need to have prior experience. The water sports complex hires out glass-bottomed boats, rowboats, bumper boats, surfboards, kayaks, paddleboats and other equipment. Other areas which are suitable for water sports within the Andamans include Havelock Island, Corbyn’s Cove (for windsurfing and swimming) and Cinque Island, which is known for its stunning coral reefs- perfect for snorkelling.



In Port Blair the Andaman Scuba Club conducts training courses in snorkeling and scuba diving. Port Blair has regular air and sea connections to Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam and Chennai. Port Blair, which offers a fairly comprehensive range of accommodation options, is linked to the other islands of the group by ferry.

Boating Regions: India Quenches the Mariner’s Thirst

The water sport of sailing is like an idyllic cruise where you can play with the winds, cross seas and get to know nature in a better way. The adventure of boating and sailing has ample scope on the seas of the Indian sub continent. If you have a fantasy of sailing on translucent waters, encompassing isolated islands, then India makes a perfect destination to quench the thirst of a sailing enthusiast.
Sailing also provides an experience to get to know the culture and traditions of the people living near the seacoast. Summer months are the ideal time to try out sailing and as India is endowed with a tropical climate, the Indian tropical summer becomes the best time to go on a boating and sailing expedition.

Sailing and Boating Regions in India

India has some of the foremost backcountry watercourses, extending up to 16,000 km. Sailing has an edge over other water sports, as not much skill is required to sail a boat and can be accessed at a very reasonable price - a most thrilling sport for your entire family. The golden sandy beaches along the coastline of India and the lakes in the northern region offer excellent facilities for water sports. Kovalam in Kerala and Goa offer sailing adventures throughout the year. There are numerous beach resorts and water sports clubs in Goa that offers training in all kinds of water sports.


Sailing in Mumbai

The western state of Maharashtra extends along the coastal line of the Arabian Sea, with the districts of Mumbai, Raigarh and Ratnagiri offering easy access to the sea and ideal location for boating. The water sports center of Mumbai facilitates all kind of water sports, like Boat sailing, Para-sailing, Water Skiing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Jet boats, Wind Surfing and Rowing.

Sailing in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
The state of Tamil Nadu facilitates many water sport activities at the Tarsha Sports Complex along with sailing and boating venture like - Double Tube rides, Banana Boat Rides, Speed Boat Rides, Paddle Boat Ride and Para-sailing.
Kerala offers some of the most awe-inspiring backwater cruise, drive past the remote villages indulging in the making of coir products or taking up a journey for fish catching. Alappuzha (Alleppey) in Kerala is famous for its backwater charms and the world famous, 'Nehru Trophy Boat Race' held every year which is a great source of attraction among its visitors.

Sailing in Andaman / Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands

The Andaman / Nicobar Islands have been on every sailor's wished itinerary. Boat sailing, exploring of the seashores and spear fishing are some of the other water sport options, where these islands become an outstanding opportunity. Lakshdweep Islands have also got an edge over water sports activities. Water sport institutes with tourist huts is functional at Kadmat and Kavaratti Islands. The institute provides facilities for Scuba Diving, Sailing, Snorkeling. The southernmost isle of the Lakshadweep group, Minicoy has a grand bay that is ideal for sailing, Kalpeni Island also has seas suitable for sailing.