If you’re looking for a nature-filled vacation this year, North Sulawesi, is the place to go.The sparkling blue waters host two of the best places to go diving in Indonesia, and there are verdant national parks hosting primates found nowhere else on Earth.Add to that a handful of top hikes and quiet beaches, and you can see why North Sulawesi is well worth exploring.Best visited from March to October, now is the perfect time to pack your bags and discover this true Indonesian highlight.Slow down and sink into the sands at Lembeh’s stunning beachesEvery holiday should start with relaxation time, and where better to slow down than on Lembeh Island.This forest-covered island has a number of undeveloped beaches to discover; dotted around the coast and disappearing into clear turquoise waters.Why not take a day or two to stroll the island, sink into the sands and listen to the sounds of nature all around you.Your soul will thank you for it. Lembeh’s Pantai Kahona is a … [Read more...] about Eight great reasons to visit North Sulawesi right now
Fishing boat destination sinks
They fled Venezuela’s crisis by boat
GUIRIA, Venezuela: A taxi dropped Maroly Bastardo and her two small children by a cemetery not far from the shore in northeast Venezuela. She still had time to change her mind.Eight months pregnant, Bastardo faced forbidding choices in a nation whose economy has collapsed. Give birth in Venezuela, where newborns are dying at alarming rates in shortage-plagued maternity wards. Or board a crowded smuggler's boat bound for Trinidad, the largest of two islands that make up the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Her husband, Kennier Berra, had landed there in February, found work and beckoned her to join him.Bastardo's mother, Carolina, begged her to stay.Neither Bastardo or her children could swim. Barely three weeks earlier, 27 people had gone missing after a migrant boat went down in the narrow stretch of water separating Venezuela from Trinidad. The 20-kilometer strait, known for its treacherous currents, is nicknamed the Dragon's Mouths.But the 19-year old hairdresser was … [Read more...] about They fled Venezuela’s crisis by boat
Buying a yacht? Here are some things you need to know
Select members of media, including The Jakarta Post, were invited to the Singapore Yacht Show by the organizer Verventia to view the showcase. Here is the report. When looking for your next cruiser of the seas, your bank account is the only limit when it comes to custom yachts – but plenty of models across the price and size range are available. The wide selection of builders and models mean your personal taste and needs can and will dictate your options. Those into fishing might consider Florida-based Boston Whaler’s lineup, claimed to be unsinkable in even the roughest waters, while those feeling opulent might opt for Sanlorenzo’s 126, with a fully customizable cabin furnished by high-end Italian brands. If you plan for your yacht to match your supercar, there’s the Pininfarina-designed Princess R35, with its twin 430-horsepower Volvo V8 engines and full carbon fiber hull optimized for performance. However, there are certain trends that come into factor … [Read more...] about Buying a yacht? Here are some things you need to know