Driving around Langkawi, Malaysia

A nice way to see Langkawi, Malaysia is to rent a car and drive around the island at your own leisure. Car rentals are reasonably priced and the island is linked by a network of nice roads with ample signage.

A good place to start your sightseeing tour is Kuah, where you'll find the tourist information centre. Grab all the brochures and maps you may need and you're ready to go.

Near the tourist information centre is the harbourside's parklands that house the Dataran Lang and Lagenda Park — the former a landscaped square with a concrete statue of the Langkawi eagle, and the latter a 20-hectare park commemorating the island's legends in sculptural form.

Heading west from Kuah takes you to countryside surrounded by paddy fields. Let the road signs lead you to Makam Mahsuri, the grave of the island's legendary heroine. Being the island's most popular legend, this tomb/shrine is to Langkawi what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.

Going back to the main road will lead you to Pantai Cenang, the island's longest stretch of beach. This beach has the highest concentration of accommodation providers, ranging from budget chalets to five-star resorts, and is therefore the liveliest spot.

Laman Padi, a "rice museum," is also located in Pantai Cenang for those interested in all aspects of rice farming. The Underwater World, a large aquarium with a fascinating collection of marine life, is further down the same road.

From Pantai Cenang, take the route to the airport. A go-cart racing centre is situated along the way for those who are game to participate. Past the airport is the small town of Padang Matsirat, where  the Beras Terbakar, or "Field of Burnt Rice," is located. Legend has it burnt rice still appears, the remnants of an 18th-century crop torched by villagers to prevent invading Siamese troops from taking it.

From the Padang Matsirat junction, follow the signage to Pantai Kok, a picturesque stretch of beach some say is the finest in Langkawi. You will come across a red Thai-style structure along this road used in the film Anna and the King starring Jodie Foster.

Built as the Summer Palace for the Siamese monarch in the story, the structure has since been turned into a tourist attraction. The admission charge is a bit steep, but the place itself is well maintained and worth a visit. Cultural performances also are carried out at regular intervals here.

Beyond Pantai Kok is Burau Bay, the other contender for Langkawi's most beautiful beach. Burau Bay is actually a cove flanked by the mysterious peaks of Gunung Mat Cincang. Two resorts sit on both ends of the cove: the Burau Bay Resort and the Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort, both built to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Further up from Burau Bay, you will find the waterfalls of Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells), a playground of fairies, according to local folklore. Only fit and enthusiastic outdoor-types should try the 30-minute hike up the falls, though.

Backtrack from Telaga Tujuh and turn towards Datai Bay, where "250 million-year-old rainforest meets the sea," or so the brochure claims. Two of Langkawi's most luxurious resorts, the Datai and the Andaman, are nestled among trees in seclusion here. A breathtaking golf course and a spectacular waterfall are also in the vicinity.

The coastal road along Datai will also lead you past the Ibrahim Hussein Museum and Cultural Foundation, a showcase for Malaysia's most famous artist, and a crocodile farm where the main attraction is a deformed croc.

Moving up the north coast, you will find Pasir Hitam, the Beach of Black Sand, where the sand is streaked in black, and Kompleks Budaya Kraf, a complex of traditional Malaysian crafts such as batik, silverware and pottery.

At Padang Lalang turn right for Tanjung Rhu, a beautiful beach with shallow lagoons and vast sand flats during low tide. You can also hire boat rides here to mangrove forests and the legendary caves nearby.

Head west on the main road back to Kuah and you will past Air Hangat Village, a cultural centre around a natural hot spring, and the Galeria Perdana, a museum devoted to Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Mahatir's collection of gifts.

Besides attractions on Langkawi, you can go island hopping to the neighbouring isles, each with their own coves of crystal-clear waters, snorkeling spots, eerie caves and fascinating folklore.

Top on the list of must-see islands are: Dayang Bunting, the archipelago's second-largest island, with a freshwater lake in the centre; Singa Besar, which houses a wildlife sanctuary; and Payar, a marine park teeming with corals, fish and baby sharks.

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Universal Studios Japan

If it weren't for Snoopy, and the Mos Burger and Ganko Sushi restaurants along the road from JR Universal City Station, visitors to Universal Studios Japan might think they had stepped out train of the onto the back lot of Universal Studios in Florida or Hollywood.

Universal Studios Japan Attractions

The similarities between the Universal Studios parks are striking, with the same shark surging out of the water at Amity Pond, the same bicycle trip across the moon in the ET Adventure, the same Jurassic Park T-Rex chasing pathetic little rafts over a 25-foot waterfall, and of course, the same Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, complete with a moving Statue of Liberty head.

The Water World stunt show gives visitors a taste of life on Earth post-global warming, and Shrek 4-D lets visitors enjoy having the sensation of Donkey spitting in their faces, and unseen creatures crawling all around them. Mist sprayers in the seats and moveable rubber tubing are the real culprits.

The theme park experience unique to USJ is its Snoopy Studio. The Japanese people are hooked on cute, and the Peanuts gang takes cute to the nth degree. Snoopy even has his own roller-coaster adventure: Snoopy's Great Race.

Visitors to USJ Japan, especially during school vacations, are advised to arrive early and pay extra for an Express Pass Booklet, which will entitle them to go to the head of the line for either four or seven of the most popular rides or attractions: ET the Adventure; Terminator 2 3-D; Jurassic Park the Ride; Hollywood Dream the Ride; Back to the Future the Ride; Jaws; and the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman. On peak days, the waits for some of these rides can approach three hours, and the Express Passes sell out quickly.

Accommodations Close to Universal Studios Japan

The Sheraton Hotel Miyako Osaka is a deluxe hotel located in the heart of Osaka offering its guests the peacefulness of traditional Japanese hospitality, yet is only five kilometres from all the fun and excitement of USJ.

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ショッピングモールへ行こう！

Did you know Malaysia is home to some of the largest shopping centres in the world? My wife recently discovered Malaysia boasts three of the world's 10 largest shopping centres. 

In her Japanese post entitled, "ショッピングモールへ行こう！," she takes a look at some of Malaysia's shopping hotspots, including One Utama Shopping Center, Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid. You can read her post in Japanese on Travel Wire Asia. 

This article was part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.

この記事を読んでマレーシアへの旅行について更に詳しく知りたい方はマレーシア観光局ウェブサイトをご覧ください。

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リトル・インディア — マレーシアの旅の隠し味に

Here's another post my wife had published on Travel Wire Asia. The post's Japanese title, "リトル・インディア — マレーシアの旅の隠し味に," roughy translates as, "Little India — Malaysia's Secret Spice." In her post, my wife explores Kuala Lumpur's Little India district.

Located in Brickfields, just south of KL's city centre, the streets of Little India burst with excitement. The scent of spices wafts through the air. The clothing shops reveal a rainbow of colours. Bollywood music floats up and over the sound of the traffic. The area truly is a feast for the senses.

If you're dining on a budget, Little India is a great place to sample Indian cuisine. The most popular dish is banana leaf rice. Fold the banana leaf inward after you finish eating, because it means you enjoyed the meal. Folding the leaf outward means you didn't enjoy the meal. 

Little India is close to KL Sentral, home of Kuala Lumpur’s main train station and the biggest in southeast Asia. 

This article was part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.

この記事を読んでマレーシアへの旅行について更に詳しく知りたい方はマレーシア観光局ウェブサイトをご覧ください。

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Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

One of the most interesting places to visit in Asia is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and its Petronas Twin Towers, or KLCC. These magnificent structures stand 458 metres tall and have 88 floors each. The foundation of the towers stretches 120 metres underground.

The towers themselves are made primarily of reinforced concrete and steel with a glass facade. Construction on the towers was finished in 1996.

Visitors are allowed to go to the 41st floor to see the sky bridge. From this vantage point, you can see the park below and, on a clear day, the area surrounding Kuala Lumpur.

To get to the sky bridge, you need to buy a pass. These passes are given to about 1,400 people every day, and usually are all distributed before noon, so arrive early to ensure you manage to get one.

The Petronas company is the one and only tenant of Tower 1; the second tower, called Tower 2, is available for rent to other tenants. Accenture, Bloomberg, Boeing, IBM, Microsoft, Reuters, and a large number of smaller firms all call Tower 2 home.

At the base of the towers, there is a shopping plaza called Suria KLCC. It has a large number of stores featuring all kinds of merchandise. On the fourth floor, you will find the petroleum development centre.

Just outside the plaza is the KLCC Park, which has jogging paths, a wading pool, and a children's playground. It also has a large water fountain with built-in lighting that puts on a fantastic show as the water blasts high into the air.

Getting to the Petronas Twin Towers is easy — take the Putra train right to the towers.

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Get Intimate with Asia: Travel to Korea

South Korea is one of the smaller nations in Asia, with a size comparable to the state of Indiana.

What it lacks in size, though, it makes up for in culture, history, cuisine and its generous and welcoming society.

A little background before you travel to Korea

The Korean peninsula has been stuck between a rock and a hard place, namely Japan and China, for most of its existence. The region was prosperous under the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla during the first four centuries AD, until the Mongolians raided the land and built an empire.

The 16th century brought the end of the Mongolian Empire and the beginning of a massive game of tug-of-war between China and Japan over the strategic landmass. After World War II, Korea finally broke free from Japan, with the USSR managing the North, and the United States occupying the South.

Today, the North and South are two sovereign nations separated by a demilitarized zone. South Korea is officially known as the Republic of Korea and commonly referred to simply as Korea.

Seoul has soul

Despite the fact Seoul was largely burned to the ground during the Korean War, the northern part of the capital city is still home to hundreds of spectacular palaces and shrines. The Chosun Dynasty's Gyeongbokgung Palace is a 5.4-million-square-foot landmark with a 500-year history and stands among the remaining four palaces in Seoul. You need an entire day to explore the regal palace in all its magnificence.

The Jongmyo Royal Shrine is a perfect next stop, because it was where the Chosun Dynasty worshipped. On the first Sunday of May each year, a traditional memorial ceremony is held at the shrine, with all the grandeur of the occasion 500 years past.

The southern part of Seoul is the commercial centre of the city and boasts a fascinating blend of traditional and hyper-modern architecture. It is also home to World Cup Stadium, intricately weaving shopping streets and even an amusement park, Lotte World. Make sure to visit the city gates, and then venture beyond into the strikingly lush and green landscape to travel Korea more personally.

When to travel to Korea

Korea has a temperate climate, which results in heavier rain in the summer months and a drier winter. Winter is white and snowy all over Korea, and the ski season from November to March is extremely popular.

There are 13 ski resorts in South Korea. After a day on the slopes, it is common to relax in one of the many spas with natural hot spring baths. Summer is extremely crowded and very wet in Korea. For milder weather, it is best to visit Korea in the spring or fall.

Traveling to South Korea any time of year, however, is sure to be a rewarding experience, regardless of the weather.

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Top 10 things to see in Kyoto

When people first consider a holiday in Japan, their thoughts usually turn to Tokyo. There's nothing wrong with Tokyo, of course, but there is a lot more to Japan than the bright lights of its world-famous capital.

Kyoto, for example, is the historical and cultural capital of Japan and boasts a fine mix of urban sprawl and cultural gems. Indeed, Kyoto was home to the Japanese imperial family from 794 to 1868, when the emperor decided to relocate to Tokyo. Kyoto is also one of the few major Japanese cities to avoid the destruction of air raids during World War II.

Here are the top 10 tourist attractions Kyoto has to offer:

Heian Jingu

This Shinto shrine is famous for having the largest torii, or gate, in Japan. The shrine was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto, and is dedicated to Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei.

Gion

Gion is the district of Kyoto renowned for its geisha houses and is the best place to see geisha and maiko going about their everyday business. Gion was built in the middle ages, but due in part to some areas being declared a national historical preservation district, some of the architecture and entertainment remains similar to how it was when first established.

To clarify a popular misconception: geisha are not prostitutes, and Gion has never been a red-light district.

Kinkakuji 

The most striking feature of Kinkakuji —and where it gets its name— is from the gold leaf that entirely covers the top two tiers of the pavilion. It is a stunning site and one Japanese holiday makers cannot help but associate with Kyoto.

The temple sits next to a pond, allowing a shimmering mirror image of the structure to be viewed by all who visit. Although the gold leaf covering makes the temple extremely valuable, its value is not entirely monetary, but also spiritual: within its walls, it houses relics of the Buddha.

Ginkakuji 

Listing this directly below Kinkakuji is slightly misleading, because while the aforementioned temple's golden covering makes it a somewhat ostentatious monument, this temple is comparatively minimalist. This is because while the original plan was to make this temple a silver accompaniment to its golden cousin. The plan was never carried out and Ginkakuji remains a delightful example of minimalism and restraint.

The temple itself is a simple two-story building, but its beautiful appeal is found in the serenity of its two gardens. The first is a pond garden composed of rocks and plants with the aim being to grant a different perspective from every angle.

The second garden includes two carefully sculpted sand mounts that offer a sense of perfect serenity.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto's imperial palace, Kyoto Gosho, was once the home of Japan's imperial family, but when the capital moved to Tokyo in 1868, the rulers followed. The structure has burned down on many occasions and the present reconstruction was only built in 1855.

The complex itself is encased in a long wall and is made up of several halls, gardens and gates. Although the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa were held within this palace's main hall, the current emperor was inaugurated in the Tokyo imperial palace.

Kiyomizudera

Kiyomizudera, or "pure water temple," is one of the most famous temples in Japan. Founded in 780 by one of the oldest sects in Japanese Buddhism, the temple is a Unesco world heritage site.

Located in the wooded hills in eastern Kyoto, the temple offers a fabulous view of the city from its wooden terrace. The spring below the terrace is said to have water with healing properties and is the reason the temple has its name.

Fushimi Inari

Inari is the Shinto god of rice, and foxes are supposed to be his messengers. For that reason, the Fuhimi Inari shrine features many fox statues. The many orange tori gates make for an unforgettable experience, but if you can manage it, visiting the shrine in the evening is a must — the dim lights and sounds of the wildlife make for a delightfully atmospheric walk through the shrine's tori gates.

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple is considered the most important Zen Temple in Kyoto, and the literal translation of its name is "heavenly dragon temple." The building started out as a private villa of Emperor Go Daigo, and was later converted after his death to a temple in his memory.

Legend has it a Buddhist priest had an uneasy dream where a dragon rose from a nearby river, making him believe Go Daigo's spirit was uneasy and a temple should be built to appease him.

The temple has been damaged by fires eight times, though the last instance was over 150 years ago. As a result, the current incarnation of the building is only 100 years old, but the garden is one of the oldest in Japan, dating from the 14th century.

Ryoanji Temple

The Ryoanji temple has been designated as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The name means "temple of the peaceful dragon" and it belongs to the Myoshinki school of the Rinzai branch of the Zen sect. The garden itself is regarded as one of the most pure examples of Japanese culture. Perfect in its simplicity, the garden consists of clay walls, raked sand and 15 rocks.

Enjoy Sabah's eco-treasures

Adventure seekers flock to Malaysia's Sabah State to climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in southeast Asia, or go scuba diving at Sipadan, one of the world's best dive spots.

Sabah is located on the northern tip of Malaysian Borneo, the world's third-largest island. Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu, is a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Singapore.

Known as "The Land Below the Wind," Sabah boasts some of nature's most breathtaking wonders. It has the world's oldest rainforests, and lots of sandy beaches, tropical islands and colorful coral reefs.

For nature lovers and shutterbugs, Sabah is also the place to come face to face with a diversity of wildlife in their natural habitat, such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sea turtles and, if you are lucky, the world's largest flower, rafflesia.

Forests and hot springs in Sabah

If you don't like to climb mountains, you can still enjoy the sights and sounds around Mount Kinabalu — just drive to Kinabalu Park, only two hours from Kota Kinabalu. The park is Malaysia's first Unesco World Heritage Site. It encompasses Mount Kinabalu and covers an area larger than Singapore.

From the park's headquarters, take a stroll on one of the hiking trails and enjoy the serenity, fresh air, tiny creatures and flora along the way. Go on a guided tour if you want to identify what you see. Include Poring in your itinerary if you want to try the jungle canopy walkway and hot springs. It is about 40 km from Kinabalu Park headquarters.

Sabah is also home to the rafflesia, the largest flower in the flower, but it is difficult to see because it takes nine to 15 months to bud and only blooms for about a week.

Rivers and monkeys

If you want to see wildlife, try a river safari, such as Klias Wetlands, 20 km from Kota Kinabalu. Bear in mind, however, that a river safari is not a zoo, so don't expect the animals to perch on tree branches for you to gawk at as your boat sails by.

But, if you look hard enough, you will spot them. You can see monkeys, birds, fireflies and crocodiles. Bring along your binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens. And don't forget your poncho because you never know when it might rain.

Sand, sea and seafood 

In less than 20 minutes, you can hop from city to coral life — that is how close the nearest snorkeling and diving sites are to Kota Kinabalu.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, for example, features five islands surrounded by extensive coral reefs. You can take a short boat ride from the mainland or check into one of the island resorts for an idyllic escape.

And to refuel what you have lost from all that swimming, sea walking or lazing around, hop over to Manukan Island for a delicious barbecue buffet lunch under the shade of the coconut trees.

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The tastiest fruits in Malaysia

Malaysia is home to some delicious tropical fruits. Some of the tastiest fruits in Malaysia include: mangosteen, starfruit, pulasan, jackfruit, rambutan, mango and dragon fruit.

Mangosteens help prevent cancer and heart disease. The skin is reported to be the healthiest part of the fruit.

Starfruit is available all year long in Malaysia, and is often used for decorations. Starfruit is also a good source of potassium, fibre, vitamin C and copper.

Pulasan is also only grown in Malaysia. This fruit, sometimes confused with the rambutan, is normally grown between August and September, and December and January. The fruit's skin tastes like a sweet grape.

Jackfruit is also grown only in Malaysia. Jackfruits are large, so one fruit can feed many people. Jackfruits are low in calories and contain large amounts of potassium and vitamin A.

Mangoes are grown all over the world. The chok anan yellow mango has a very sweet taste. Chok anans are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Chok anans are also an excellent source of dietary fibre, protein and amino acids.

Pitaya, also called red dragon fruit, is grown on a cactus. This fuchsia-coloured tastes somewhat like a kiwi. Pitayas contain many antioxidants and are an excellent source of vitamin C.

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マレーシアのテーマパーク・ベスト５！

Here in Japan, amusement parks are big business. There are Ferris wheels on department store roofs. Tokyo has Disneyland and Disney Sea, and Osaka has Universal Studios Japan. 

Malaysia also has its fair share of amusement and theme parks, as my wife discovered in her recent Travel Wire Asia post. Written in Japanese, the post shares five of the best theme parks in Malaysia.

You can check out the post, entitled, "マレーシアのテーマパーク・ベスト５！," on the Travel Wire Asia website.

This article was part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.

この記事を読んでマレーシアへの旅行について更に詳しく知りたい方はマレーシア観光局ウェブサイトをご覧ください。

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マレーシアの温泉でリフレッシュ

Hot springs are big here in Japan. There are countless hot springs, or onsen, all over the country.

Although not as common as in Japan, hot springs can also be found in Malaysia. My wife took a look at a few of Malaysia's more luxurious hot springs in a recent post on Travel Wire Asia.

You can check out the Japanese post, entitled, "マレーシアの温泉でリフレッシュ," on the Travel Wire Asia site.

This article was part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.

この記事を読んでマレーシアへの旅行について更に詳しく知りたい方はマレーシア観光局ウェブサイトをご覧ください。

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マレーシアお祭り事情

My wife wrote another post for Travel Wire Asia. This one's about some of the bigger festivals Malaysia has to offer.

Malaysia has many rich and colourful festivals, such as Thaipusam, Chinese New Year's and Deepavali. You can read more about them in the Japanese post on Travel Wire Asia, マレーシアお祭り事情 .

This article was part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.

この記事を読んでマレーシアへの旅行について更に詳しく知りたい方はマレーシア観光局ウェブサイトをご覧ください.

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マレーシアのレンゴン渓谷でタイムスリップ

That Japanese title translates roughly as, "Malaysia’s Lenggong Valley Takes You Back in Time." It's a blog post my wife wrote as part of a project about Malaysia.

The Lenggong Valley recently became Malaysia's newest Unesco world heritage site. It was interesting to discover the Lenggong Valley and its rich history, dating back thousands of years. 

If you'd like to learn more about the Lenggong Valley, you can check out the original Japanese post on Travel Wire Asia: "マレーシアのレンゴン渓谷でタイムスリップ。"

This article was part of a publication for Tourism Malaysia. If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more about travelling to Malaysia, please visit the Tourism Malaysia website.

この記事を読んでマレーシアへの旅行について更に詳しく知りたい方はマレーシア観光局ウェブサイトをご覧ください。

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Some Asia travel tips

Asia occupies a quarter of the earth's land mass, and spans several time zones. Having a single travel guide for all of Asia is virtually impossible, but here are some basic travel tips for Asia's more popular destinations:

Vietnam
The country's recommended tourist spots are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which are both modernized. All tourists in Vietnam, except Thai and Philippine nationals, need a tourist visa before entering the country. Healthwise, malaria is prevalent in Vietnam, so it would be best to bring insect repellant with you.

Indonesia
Aside from the usual prohibition of narcotics and deadly weapons, radio cassette players are banned on the island of Bali, a prime tourist spot in Indonesia. Any object with Chinese characters written on it is also prohibited in Bali.

Thailand
Thai people are religious and loyal to the monarchy. You often see pictures of the king around the cities, so never make fun of him.

The Thai also consider the head as the highest part of the body, whether spiritual or physical. Refrain from touching anyone on the head, and try not to point at anything with your foot.

Malaysia
It's best to bring light, cool clothing to Malaysia. You'll usually find food stands in the cities selling local delicacies, such as "teh tarik," a creamed tea, and "roti canai," a type of pancake.

Malaysia also has many religions, so you'll see a variety of Christian churches, Muslim Mosques, and Buddhist and Hindu temples.

Philippines
The Philippines has 7,107 islands and islets; beaches are the main tourist spots in the country. There are several museums and historical landmarks in Manila, the country's capital. Boracay Island boasts white sand beaches.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a key destination for many travelers. It is located in eastern Asia, near China and the South China Sea. Formerly leased to Great Britain, Hong Kong was officially returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong is known for its unique energetic vibe, its wonderful food and beautiful skyline.

General Tips
Each country in Asia has its own currency. Although upscale establishments will accept U.S. dollars, there are few of these around. It is best to have your money changed at a local bank. Some hotels also offer money changing, but usually at a lower exchange rate.

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Churchill, Manitoba: Polar Bear Capital of the World

Are you a wildlife enthusiast looking for something a little different? Then, a trip to Churchill in northern Manitoba, Canada is just the thing.

Indulge yourself in a little retro luxury with a sleeper ticket on VIA Rail’s Hudson Bay, a 2-day and night trip from Winnipeg to Churchill. The indulgence is worth it, since the destination, Churchill, is a no-frills sub-arctic town. 

Churchill, with a permanent population that fluctuates between 800 and 1100, is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World. The town, sitting between the Churchill River and Hudson Bay, is on the polar bears’ annual migration route.  

Peak season for polar bear sighting is from mid-October to mid-November each year. Polar bear viewing is best done by arrangement with one of the many tour operators in Churchill who will take you out in a tundra buggy, vehicles specially designed for the safety of people, polar bears and the local tundra.

Manitoba’s beluga whale population also migrates to the Churchill River and Hudson Bay every July and August. There are about 20,000 belugas living in the area, and about 3,000 of them summer in the river estuary to give birth. Visitors have a chance to view, and, with many tours, swim with, these beautiful creatures.

Bird-watching enthusiasts should try to make the trip to Churchill sometime between mid-June and mid-July. According to the Churchill Northern Studies Institute, birdwatchers can expect to see about 100 species over the course of a four- to seven-day trip.  

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A drive through North Dakota

You might think there isn't much to North Dakota, but that is part of the state's charm. It is a small state, with a sparse population, but with a lot to see.

The people in the small towns are part of the quaint charm of North Dakota. Visit any small town  from Jamestown, where you can see the world's largest buffalo, to Devil's Lake, where a trip to the local feed lot can be a learning experience.

Another thing about North Dakota is each small town has festivals each summer, complete with booths, street dances, and arts and crafts. You can visit each of these in small towns, such as Minot, and you can get a glimpse of what real small-town North Dakota life is like.

You can also check out the state's cities, such as Fargo and Grand Forks. These cities offer you a wealth of interesting things to see and do, and you will be able to see many different attractions, such as museums and other historical sites.

Shopping is also big in North Dakota, and on any given day, farmers from the small towns make their way to the larger cities to shop.

History is big in North Dakota, too. Historical landmarks all over the state give you a look into the lives of settlers, and you can learn what life on the prairies was really like just by visiting the small-town museums.

Driving is the best way to get through North Dakota, and it is worth it because if you are driving, each time you come to a small town with a local attraction, you can stop and check it out. Many of these attractions are not on maps and are not in tourist guides; the best things about North Dakota are those you discover yourself.

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