This post is for those who want to explore the waters to meet the sea’s interesting creatures or simply feel the thrill of diving into the deep.

Here are some of the best dive sites that we know of:

Thailand

There are several excellend dive spots in Thailand. Arrange a dive at the Andaman Sea just by the border between Burma and Thailand. You will have a good encounter with water wildlife at the less visited diving sites. While at Koh Bon, you may come up close and personal with the whale shark which makes it its feeding grounds. Another famous site is the Richelieu Rock which is a good experience for expert divers with its slopes wrapped in corals plus the macro sea life thriving in the area.

Gili Islands

The isles of Gili is part of Indonesia. This is a diving hot spot for a good reason. The waters and the reefs provide wonderful sights. It is also a lot cheaper than the more crowded Bali.

Bikini Atoll

This is a shipwreck paradise near the Marshall Islands which is midway between Honolulu, Hawaii and Australia. The diving sites here are not yet much explored so you will have great undocumented finds in the area. The name of the place might sound a bit familiar since the Bikini Atoll was once a testing site for atomic bombs during the 1950s. It is also the resting place of the USS Saratoga which is longer than the famous sunken Titanic.

The island does not have any inhabitants because of the contamination it suffered but the Bikini Lagoon boasts of great marine life. Diving into the Bikini Atoll maybe a wish come true for divers but it may also come very pricey.

Sipadan Island

This diving site off the coast of Malaysia is teeming with sea creatures. You will see schools and swarms of barracuda, horse eye jacks and other fish. You will be able to come close with giant sea turtles here since they are familiar with humans. There is also a high chance of shark encounters in Sipadan. At the reefs of Kapalai and Mabl, you might be able to spot some rare fish, nudibranchs, and sea wasps.

Bismarck Sea

If you are a diver who is addicted to sea slugs, sponges, corals, and the micro side of sea life, you will enjoy the marin triangle between Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. Getting to the dive sites at the Bismarck Sea might be a tough deal but the diving experience will make all the effort worth it. The best time to dive will be at night and you will encounter sponge crabs, scorpion fish, squat lobsters, and sea horses.

Boracay

This beach paradise in the southern portion of the Philippines offers more than its white sand beach and wild parties at night. It also boasts of a very abundant and colorful reef system. This is another hot spot in Southeast Asia.

Little Cayman Island

This part of the Caribbean still has a lively environment spared from pollution and overdevelopment of the region. The place is very small but its northern shore offers a great diving spots like the Jackson’s Point and the Bloody Bay Wall which has a drop of about 7,000 feet. The water is very clear and quite relaxing. Going to this site does not come cheap though.

Egypt

The blue waters of the Red Sea boasts of spectacular dive sites like the Ras Mohammed, Thislegorm, Sharm El Sheikh, and Shaab Abu Nuhas.

Great Barrier Reef

Should we say more? It is the longest reef system in the whole planet and the amount of corals and sea life is also unimaginable. Make sure you visit the Great Barrier Reef if you are heading to Australia.

Maldives

Dive into the waters of Maldives between May and September and there is a very high probability that you will be able to see manta rays. Go to the north or south atolls and you will be able to log encounters with sharks, schools of fish, and sea turtles. Maldives is still considered as the best dive spot of the Indian Ocean.

When you go on a cruise, you may hear the cruise director that you can expect some extra pounds when you hit the scales after your journey. During the cruise, there will be tons of eating and drinking.

How about a challenge? How about losing some weight while you are on a holiday cruise? Well you do not really have to deprive yourself of all the fun and all the food. Losing at least three pounds instead of gaining them during a week long cruise is actually possible. Here are some weight loss practical tips while on a cruise:

Visit the gym

You do not have to do your regular workout regimen but you can do some variations of your cardio and strengthening routines. You can also tap the personal trainers on board so they can guide you which will be best while you are on vacation. They might ask you to hit the treadmill, do some rounds on the weight machine, and maybe some sit-ups or aerobics.

Engage in the available outdoor activities

If the weather permits, make most of the available outdoor facilities. Jog around or walk around the promenade. Join the family in a round of mini golf or swim a few laps on the pool. Some cruise ships even have walls that you can climb, ice rinks, trampolines, and surfing machines.

Always use the stairs

The key to losing some weight is to keep your body moving. Instead of the easy way up and down using the elevator, opt for the stairs. The stairs will help you burn some calories. Visit the deck. Visit the top deck. Go to the casino. Go to the club. All stairs, please.
Eat healthy

You will see a lot of yummy stuff on the menu and on the buffet table, but remind yourself that you cannot give into everything your taste buds desire. Enjoy the food but moderate the craving. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and iced tea might be unlimited but you will be better off with fresh juice, fruits, and vegetables.

Take lots of Water

It might help if you will drink a glass of water before hitting the buffet table. This is a healthier choice over the discount cards for unlimited soda drinks.

Easy on the alcohol

A few glasses of wine during the trip is not bad. It may be healthy in fact. A bucket of your favorite beer while lounging in the pool area or shots ’til you drop during parties is a not good. Like what doctors say, everything in moderation.

Walk a lot when your ship docks

When you hit the port, walk! You can burn a lot of calories if you will brisk walk to the places you want to visit. A mile of walking can actually burn you around one hundred calories. Imagine how it will be like if you walk around town while completing your shopping list.

Paris.

Romance.

You see different letters and you hear different sounds but they actually mean the same. A Paris holiday is perfect if you want to experience great food, a sophisticated lifestyle, and a breath taking romantic getaway with your partner.

Choosing the best Paris hotel is really a tough task since there are so many great choices. You can go for something modern, something historical, something chic, or to a Paris budget hotel. We listed some of the best known romantic Paris hotels for you:

The Five Hotel

This Paris hotel will really give you a unique experience like no other. This is a design hotel inside and out and the perfect words to describe their concept– scintillating, magical, romantic! The rooms have a modern and classy color schemes which makes good use of glass and optic fibers. You may find the rooms a bit small but the price is budget friendly as well.

Hotel De Banville

The Hotel De Banville is right in the heart of the distinguished Paris residential areas near the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. If you and your partner would love to explore the history of the city of lights, the location of this hotel in Paris is ideal. You will be near beautiful parks, theaters, restaurants, and shopping centers. This hotel blends the 1930′s charm with the modern day amenities keeping It very simple yet very elegant.

Hotel La Belle Juliette

This Paris luxury hotel is at the center of Sain Germain des Pres. Staying here means you will be a few steps away from the most luxurious fashion boutiques in Paris. This accommodation offers extreme comfort, very warm atmosphere, and an ambiance for some romance.

Hotel Saint James

This Paris hotel is located in the quiet neighborhood on the western portion of Paris near the Bois de Bolougne and a few hops from the Arc de Triomphe. It is considered as the only chateau hotel in the city of romance. The hotel has its own library, a number of conference rooms, and health facilities making it ideal for those travelling for either pleasure or business. The junior suites in this very classy hotel gives you a great view of Paris, fountains, and gardens.

Four Seasons Hotel

This romantic hotel is located along the George V just some steps from the Champs Elysees. You will enjoy the time in Paris with your partner in this district full of restaurants, theaters, and luxury shops. It is a property considered as a palace with eight storeys following the Hausmann design lines. The interiors and the kind of luxury living it offers reflects the times of Louis XVI.

Jays Paris

The building was built back in 1850 but was refreshed in 2006. This modern, luxury Paris hotel is a few minutes away from major landmarks in the city of lights. The staff is the true gem of this hotel and they will be more than willing to help you make your Paris holiday most enjoyable.

Hotel Hilton Arc De Triomphe

Relax in the spa and enjoy Paris food at Le Safran. Cap the night with some drinks at the art deco Purple Bar. Hold hands and enjoy the greens and colors of the Andalusian Patio or maybe discover what Paris can offer. You can start with the Champs Elysees which is just a few minutes away.

Shangri-La

The structure originally served as a private home of the grand nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. This Paris hotel is close to the Trocadero in the 16^th arrondissement of the city of Paris. Open your eyes and you might be in a room where you can see the world famous Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, Les Invalides, and Seine River. The hotel boasts of the biggest rooms in all of Paris and gives guests a chance to have a few nights of living in Paris in their own exclusive home.

Win a trip to South Africa with Great Hotels of the World's new photography competition
Great Hotels of the World (http://www.ghotw.com) launches a brand new photography competition today giving budding photographers the chance to win a luxury holiday to South Africa. To celebrate the launch of their new Pure Lifestyle Collection websites (http://www.purehotelscollection.com) Great Hotels of the World in association with Amateur Photographer Magazine (www.amateurphotographer.co.uk) are offering one lucky winner and a guest a seven night holiday to South Africa comprising the following:

• Four nights' accommodation in a luxury suite in The Sandton Sun Hotel (http://www.ghotw.com/sandton-sun) in Johannesburg including breakfast

• Two sea whisperer massages

• A romantic dinner for two

• VIP check-in at the hotel's business suite

• Return airport transfers

• VIP amenities

As well as…

• Three nights' accommodation at The Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (http://www.ghotw.com/sabi-sabi)

• Return airfares from Johannesburg to the Sabi Sabi Private Airstrip

• All meals

• Safari activities

• Sundowner drinks and snacks

• A luxurious treatment at the hotel's Amani Spa

To be in with a chance of winning, entrants need to submit a photo that fits into one of the nine themes below. The editor of Amateur Photographer Magazine will choose one finalist from each category by. The public will then be able to vote for the winner.

The competition closes on 24th April 2011. Entries can be submitted via Flickr or by email. For full details on how to enter and terms and conditions please visit http://www.ghotw.com/competitions/photography.aspx.

The Themes:

1. What love looks like – The most romantic pictures that will give us that warm fuzzy feeling!

2. Good Enough to Eat – The best food photographs to make us go mmmm…

3. Just do it! – The best outdoor action shots that inspire us to leave our desks and get the adrenaline pumping!

4. Pure relaxation – Photos that capture feel-good moments of pure indulgence.

5. My weekend in a photo – Capture the essence of your weekend on film.

6. Appreciationof the past – Photos that encapsulate the beauty of years gone by.

7. Just married – Beautiful wedding photos to make us smile.

8. Hole in one – Photos of passionate golfers and beautiful golf courses.

9. Art in your heart – Capture what art means to you in a photo.