5 Amazing Tranquil Islands!!
by Jonny Blair
I've thought about all the random islands I have been on my travels and decided to narrow it down to lists, starting with a top 5 tranquil islands. These places really exist and you can go there to relax away from the world. All the places I write about are places I have been to. I wanted to include Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland on this list but I haven't actually been there yet so it will have to wait. These are just quirky, odd and remote. So tranquil, so relaxed. And totally bereft of skyscrapers.
1. Cuverville Island, ANTARCTICA:
OK so I start with the magic of Cuverville! Where? I hear you say. This remote and tranquil island is white. It's in Antarctica. It's cold and you can hike to the top for some awesome views. It's hard to put into words exactly how spectacular Cuverville is. It's a small island. It just has immense views. Views over a harbour of snow, ice, water, penguins and the ship you arrived by. If you get on an Antarctica cruise check if Cuverville is included on the itinerary (if not, you'll probably find another tranquil island just as amazing!).
Where Is It? - Somewhere off the Gerlache Strait in Antarctica. When you book your Antarctica trip you can check the itinerary but ultimately whether you land there or not will depend on weather conditions and the captain and crews decisions. Don't fret if you don't land on Cuverville, you will go to a different island just as magical - there are lots of islands in Antarctica!
2. AUSTRALIA: Bruny Island, Tasmania:
Bruny is so remote you will love it. Tasmania itself is fairly isolated nevermind this wee island off the south east corner. Here you can see penguins and white wallabies - a rare breed. You can also pop into Australia's southernmost pub for a beer. And head to "The Neck" for an awesome sunset view. The rural charm of Tassie is on display here, you'd be a fool to miss it's disconnected tranquility.
Where Is It? - South East tip of Tasmania. To get there head to Kettering and get the ferry across. They sail during the daytime only so if you miss the last one you'll be stuck on Bruny. That won't be a bad thing - I spent a night there and loved it.
3. Sark in the CHANNEL ISLANDS:
The island of Sark is amazing. It's as tranquil, isolated and old fashioned as they come. There are no cars here. It was Europe's last feudal state. It has its own parliament and prison. The population is around 6,000. Once you step onto the island of Sark, you are stepping back in time. You can grab a beer, enjoy the views or just cycle around this island. I was lucky enough to see all the Channel Islands while working on the Cross Channel ferries.
Sark might well be a country, it might also be part of the UK. It has its own postage stamps and can you believe it once fielded a proper international football team (well they didn't score any goals and conceded 70 in their only 4 international matches). You'll arrive by boat and then a tractor arrives and you hop on and head up the hill to the main street. Highlights are the amazing view, the old fashioned main street, the odd capital of La Seigneurie and Little Sark - a small adjoining island where bikes are even banned! Hire a bike to get to the entrance though. You have to love Sark!
Where Is It? - It's near an island called Brecqhou in the Channel Islands. Your best bet to get there is hop on the Bon Marin de Serk mini ferry which leaves from Guernsey's St. Peter Port. Aeroplane isn't an option though there is a small landing strip and a helipad in case of emergency. Private boat could be an option.
4. HONG KONG: Tai O, Lantau Island:
I needed an Asian representative in this mini list, due to the fact I live in Hong Kong made me go for the 'tranquil' Lantau Island in the west part of the Kong. Hold on there's an airport here, how on earth can it be tranquil?? No problem, head away from the airport to the amazing fishing village on stilts - Tai O and you will love it! Dolphin watching,hikes, waterfalls, boat cruises and stuff you didn't even know was here. You'll totally forget you are even in Hong Kong! Try some quality seafood and walk past the locals in the fishing village on stilts. Traditional yet tranquil, a super spot for a getaway from a skyscraping metropolis.
How to get to it - Go by bus from a bus stop near Tung Chung MTR station. Alternatively you can catch a bus from Mui Wo , which has a direct ferry to Hong Kong Island.
5. CHILE: Cape Horn/Cabo De Hornos:
I simply cannot leave Cape Horn off this list despite the fact I didn't actually step on it. My budget wouldn't stretch that far. Our ship however sailed right up close to it. Cape Horn, is basically the end of the world! It's the southernmost liveable part of the planet on the south tip of Tierra del Fuego in Chile. In reality the islands further south are Diego Ramirez Islands, but nobody lives there. You can actually get onto Cape Horn, as travellers such as Michael Palin have done. I was just passing by to say hello. As remote and tranquil as they come. Except for the rock boat ride...
Where Is It? Tierra del Fuego, Chile.It's pretty much hard to get to as it's the furthest south point of liveable land on the planet. There's a rule that ships cannot go within 13 kilometres of it on stormy days. We went within a few kilometres as we were lucky and got to see the horn up close. If you have the money you can contact the Chilean Naval authorities and probably organise a landing, but I have no idea of the cost. Your trip to Antarctica might pass by it like mine. If not you can get a boat trip from the south of Argentina or Chile and check if they can include a trip up close to Cape Horn in the itinerary. I feel happy that I was able to see it that close.
Happy travelling and don't stop living!
To find more articles similar to <a href="http://tinyurl.com/arw26lr">5 amazing tranquil islands</a> check out Jonny Blair's mega global travel, work and lifestyle website called <a href="http://tinyurl.com/d739bzx">Dont Stop Living</a> .. Check here for free reprint license: <a href="http://www.uberarticles.com/home.php?id=1747844&p=68737">5 Amazing Tranquil Islands!!</a>.
---------------------------------------------------
You are receiving this because you signed up for it on 2012-04-22 from IP 114.79.13.119
To fine-tune your selection of which articles to receive, just login here:
http://www.uniquearticlewizard.com/bloggers/
using your username:
To unsubscribe please use the following link:
http://www.uniquearticlewizard.com/unsubscribe.php?mail=wisatanusantara3.alankoesumah@blogger.com&code=d48035f43fb1db56998290ec5232b52c
---------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment