Sports And Recreations

Sports and Recreations

2011-06-07T21:29:00.000-07:00

Visitors looking for an uncommon Caribbean experience can explore the 22 hiking trails managed by the National Park Service within Virgin Islands National Park . The woodland trails winding through subtropical vegetation can be challenging, especially if your trail takes you to the summit of Bordeaux Mountain, St. John's highest peak. The famous three-mile Reef Bay Trail takes hikers through dense forests, plantation ruins, and rock outcroppings marked by well-preserved petroglyphs. After touring the island on foot, visitors may also tour the island's scenic roads in a rented automobile or bicycle. Two-hour safari bus tours and taxi tours are available as well, narrated by guides well-versed in West Indian folklore and in the history and natural wonders of St. John.
Wa
ter Activities
Snorkeling on St. John is an ideal way to discover the beauty of the island's coast. Trunk Bay 's snorkeling trail provides underwater plaques describing the marine life found in the area. Cinnamon Bay is another popular snorkeling destination. Snuba, a unique activity available on St. John, combines the techniques of snorkeling and scuba diving without the heavy dive gear and extensive training courses. Personalized instruction, equipment, and guided underwater tours are all provided. Snuba divers can reach depths of up to 20 feet to discover the wonders of the aquatic world. No prior experience is required. Fishing, sailing, scuba diving, and windsurfing are also popular; rental equipment and guides are available for all skill levels. For more pedestrian pursuits, you'll find that our dozens of famous, secluded beaches are exactly what you need.
Virgin Island National Park

You can't visit St. John without experiencing the Virgin Islands National Park. The park sprawls over most of the island and its surrounding waters. The famous Reef Bay Trail takes hikers through dense forests, plantation ruins, and rock outcroppings marked by well-preserved petroglyphs. Winding through subtropical vegetation, 22 additional nature trails offer spectacular views.
Trunk Bay

One of the world's most photographed beaches and the most popular on St. John, Trunk Bay also offers an exciting underwater snorkeling trail. Underwater signs identify the various types of coral and aquatic life that inhabit the area. Snorkeling equipment is available for rental.

Cinnamon Bay

Cinnamon Bay's beautiful beach includes a National Park campground offering equipped cottages and tents, as well as basic campsites. Kayaks, windsurfing equipment, snorkeling equipment, and mountain bikes are also available for rental. Snorkeling is especially popular. A nature trail, sugar plantation ruins, and wild donkeys are some of the other attractions along the beach.

Sports and Recreation

2011-06-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

Besides cultural attractions and historical sites in Beijing, there are also many interesting sports and recreational activities that you can take part during your Beijing vacation. No matter you are travelling with kids or you prefer to discover more about the nature beauty of Beijing, Beijing has lots to offer.

Children Activities

It is completely a false if you think that Beijing which is rich of cultural and historical attractions is not suitable to be a destination for trip with children. There are many attractions in Beijing which can guarantee happy hours to both you and your child.

1. Beijing Aquarium

Beijing Aquarium, the largest inland aquarium in the world is a great place to visit for families with kids. The main draw of this aquarium is a three million-Littre tank which contains marine species from almost every ocean in the world. The dolphin show as well as the performance of sea lions is the most popular shows in this aquarium.

2. Beijing Amusement Park

There are some destinations in Beijing which are most suitable for youngster as well as children where can guarantee them happy for hours. Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park and Happy Valley are two best recommended destinations for this purpose. No matter you prefer more on the theme of dairy tales or the excitement of X-Games attracted you more, you will definitely able to find a theme which suits you the most here.

Outdoor Activities

There are plenty of outdoor activities throughout Beijing city. You might probably find that most of the interesting outdoor activities will bring you outside the urban areas. If you are interested in participating in gentle forms of exercise, there are a numbers of great parks which is worth for a visit and have a gentle stroll. Cycling on the other hand could offer a range of paces to suit those who see a leisurely afternoon spot of fun to serious fans of the sports who can cycle through the entire city.

1. Cycling

There are still many Chinese people who prefer to take on bicycle as their mean of transportation. So, if you would like to enjoy the great outdoor in Beijing, please consider on hiring a bike and go around Beijing by this environmental friendly way. Bicycle on the road is not a problem here as there are bicycle only restricted routes here to ensure your road safety.

2. Martial Arts

Chinese martial arts as a part of Chinese traditional cultures are very popular and widely practice among Chinese people. There are many different styles and techniques involved in Chinese martial arts. Physical fitness is one of the important parts of Chinese culture. Thus, Taiji, as one category of Chinese martial arts, is widely practiced by people of all ages especially in early morning. It involves a series of slow, relaxed movements with the mind concentrated and the body following through. Visitors who are interested to learn or to join them are always welcome.

3. Ice-skating

The severe weather during winter months in Beijing has therefore outcome a benefit to travel industry here. There are many places for you to spend your time if you are enjoying ice-skating. Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace, Beihai Park and Houhai Bar Street are some well known destination for ice-skating to be recommended.

4. Kite-flying

Kite-flying is a traditional activity among Chinese. Whenever you feel breeze blowing, you will be able to find kites flying in the sky. Chinese kites are normally colorful and well-decorated with innovative designs. They are available in a variety of shapes, from as simple as a square to 20 ft centipedes or dragon. The unique designs of kites are not the only criteria within the competition among the kite-flyer, but also how long they can keep them aloft. Normally there are kites for sale especially at the place where kite-flyer are most probably to fly their kites. If none of the kites suit your requirements, then it is possible for you to purchase the materials and make your own kite too.

5. Hiking

Hiking and trekking at national park or countryside of Beijing such as Xiangshan (Fragrance Hill), Beijing Badachu Park, as well as Hongluo Temple is a great experience to get closer to the nature and get you exercised while enjoying your Beijing vacation. All of these hiking and trekking sites are famous recreational destination among locals in Beijing. Besides having the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking scenery on top of the hill, you may also visit the temples or old building which was situated on the hills. Hiking trails are well-organized but you can also get a park’s map in hand for your own cautious.

Sports and Recreations of Kerala

2011-05-27T02:41:00.001-07:00

Kerala can boast of a long and colourful tradition in sports from very early times. The people of ancient Kerala addressed themselves to the needs of the body as well as the mind alike. From very early times, great attention was paid to the development of physical culture and martial art forms. The Kalaries of Kerala were the centres where the youth of the land were given physical and military training. Till the eighteenth century Kalaries functioned vigorous, and perfected one martial art called Kalaripayattu.

Among the martial arts of Kerala, special mention may be made of the Parisakali of the Mappilas of North Malabar, the Velakali, the Valeru and the Kunteru, and the Njaninmelkali patronised by temple authorities, the Margamkali and the Parisamuttu of the Christians were the most popular, over the above the Kalaripayattu. Today most of these are defunct.

In addition to the above martial arts, a good number of sports and games were played by the people of Kerala. The Onathallu or Kayyamkali was a kind of boxing. Talapandu was a kind of foot ball. Kill kali was a special sport popular in Trivandrum. Children specialised in certain games such as kut-tiyum kolum, Vattukali, Kallukali, Thi-ruvatirakali, Unjalattam, Ninthal, and Kolattam. Of these Kolattam and Thi-ruvathira kali are very popular even today and they are noted for rhythmic movements and team work.

Kerala has the distinction of opting for western sports and games (in the place of indigenous games) with the establishment of the British power. Cricket was the earliest game to be tried in Kerala. A cricket club was organised in Tellicherry in 1860. Football, Volleyball, Hockey, Tennis and Basket ball are the most favourite games played in Kerala. Shuttle badminton, Volleyball and Foot ball have snatched off quite a few distinctions at the university level. The state has been the venue of All India Foot Ball Tournaments. The Chackola Gold Trophy at Trichur, the Sait Nagjee Football Tournament at Calicut and the G.V. Raja Memorial Football Tournament at Trivandrum are the most important. Besides, the state has a good deal of sports organisations and clubs, which provide facilities for indoor-games also.

The State Sports Council was formed in 1954. It is the advisory body to the government in matters relating to sports. The Council functions solely on the grants provided by the State Government which amounted to about 58,150,00 in 1984-85.

Some of the glorious names in the history of the sports in Kerala need mention. Ivan Jacob, K. Reghunathan, Suresh Babu, Yohannan, Muralikut-tan, K. Premachandran are prominent figures. However, women outshine men in the field of athletics. Angel Mary Joseph, P.T. Usha, M.D. Val-samma, Shiny Abraham have carved out a niche for Kerala in athletics. The 80s have a real "golden age" for the fairer sex.

For the last few years Kerala has been on the fore-front in football. Kerala boys and girls have shown their skill both at the national and the international levels. Masters like Jimmy George, Johnson, Udayakumar etc. are Kerala's shining gems in the field of volleyball. Kerals's pride in the field of Basketball was held high by stalwarts like Muhammed Iqbal, Sam Joseph, Captain Rajan ect., while Vimalkumar, George Thomas, Jesse Philip took Kerala to unprecedented heights in Shuttle, Badminton. Sam Kristudas, Joseph, C.Y.A.Remlaa made their mark in Ball badminton, Wilson Cheriyan, Joseph Chavara, Jayakumar etc. are promising youngsters in the field of swimming. Keralites have had their say in sports and games like the Chess, the Kabadi, Weightlifting, Shooting, Tennis and Table tennis.

In spite of the remarkable progress which Kerala made in other fields, she has failed to produce any worthy name in cricket. Future may however, hold out possibilities even of cricket.

Other Recreations

Kerala has the pride of place among the states of India by virtue of some of her art forms like Kathakali, Kuthu, Kutiyattam and Ottam thullal. Kathakali is so popular that Kerala is known the world over through this art form. A detailed didscussion of these amusements will be given else where. A few other arts are given below. Patakam is an art form in which the actor narrates puranic stories. Harikatha is a musical discourse which is very popular. Both these are performances conducted in the precincts of temples. Kurathiyattam involves singing of stories of Siva and Parvati in temples.

These apart, Kerala is famous for several recreations like Pavakuthu (shadow play), Purakali, Marathukali, etc. Aksharaslokam is a scholastic passtime in which poems are sung in relay. However it must be pointed out that with the coming of radio and cinema most of these arts are beginning to lose their popularity in Kerala.