Tourism

If you are planning an outing with your newly wedded better half or even with your family it is always better to assess a couple of factors before commencing your journey. The selection of the place plays a pivotal role in the kind of place you are visiting and the related expenses that your pocket is going to afford. It is always wise and rational to opt for a place which can offer you a wide variety of facilities and amenities accompanied with panoramic and awe-inspiring landscapes of natural beauty without any substantial adverse effect on your domestic budget. When all these components are contemplated collectively there are two tourist and travel destinations which provide all these features under one roof. One is known as the heart of the Atlantic where as the other is the Elysium of Asia the Turks and Caicos Islands and the other is the ultimate resort for tourists from all over the world Bali.  We are going to analyze both these tourist locations in greater detail one by one on components which hold immense importance from a tourist perspective.

Location
The Turks and Caicos Islands comprise of over 40 islands out of which only eight are inhabitated. The island is located 550 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, just below the Bahamas chain and just to the east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti.). From a technical and geographical perspective Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the Atlantic sea and must not be included in the boundaries of the Caribbean Sea. The island has a total population of over 30,000 people whereas it welcomes over 20,000 people from different parts of the world on annual basis. The influx of these tourists serves as an economic backbone for the infrastructure development that takes place in the island.

Weatherclimate
The climate of the place generally remains warm with average temperatures ranging between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees Celsius) from June to October, and sometimes reaching up to 30 degree Celsius especially in months when the summer is at its zenith. From the beginning of November till the month of May, the temperature of the place generally shows a temperature range of 80 to 84 degrees (27-29 degrees Celsius) and this is the peak period for tourists flocking the island from different parts of the world. On the other hand water temperature of the sea remains between the ranges of 74 to 78 degrees (23-26 degrees Celsius). Accompanied with this is the constant trade wind which helps in maintaining a healthy and comfortable environment. It is worth mentioning that tourists must reshape their arrival programs on this place during the start of June till the end of November as during these months the level of hurricane invade the coast of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Accommodations
Any tourist location if fails to offer quality accommodations to its visitors in the form of attractive hotels, resorts and restaurants in other words does not hold the degree to be labeled as a quality tourist location. If Turks and Caicos Islands are considered under limelight in this context any tourist visiting this place will not disappointed. According to a survey report released in 2007 showed that the place welcomes over 264,887 visitors which were only 87,000 back in 1996, the reason accounting for such an astronomical rise in the arrival of tourists can be attributed to the phenomenal development that has taken place on the island in making new resorts and hotels for tourists. Resorts, hotels and restaurants present in this part of the world offer its visitors an extremely diverse variety of conveniences, state-of-art facilities that actually redefine the concept manifesting contemporary luxury and opulence. With all kinds of major and minor facilities available within your vicinity you enjoy the opportunity of taking advantage of ultra modern amenities offered nowhere else in the world.  Many hotels and resorts work with HYPERLINK httpwww.turksandcaicostourism.comscuba-diving--page.htmldive  tour operators so that hotel and dive packages can be created and modified to your requirements.  To mention a few features that are readily available at the disposal of the visitor include golfing, scooter, golf cart, car or bicycle hire can easily be made for you as well as all water sports and excursions.

In addition to this some hotels and resorts also provide the facility of spa and in-house to give their visitors a more relaxing, pleasing and comfortable well-being. Irrespective of the fact whether you choose an all-inclusive, resort suite condo, private villa or inn, most hotels offer wonderful dining experiences. The place offers nearly HYPERLINK httpwww.turksandcaicostourism.comrestaurant-guide--page.html70 local restaurants throughout the islands. Visitors coming here are encouraged to go and explore the local and international cuisine while in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  With the passage of time government of the place realizing the enormous revenue generated by the tourism sector for the smooth running of the economic engine has been pumping capital for greater development of lavish resorts and hotels. Upscale resorts mainly target affluent category of people whereas for the mediocre class of people visiting the place a cruise ship has been constructed which provides them an ultimate recreational experience. It is also important to mention here that Turks and Caicos Islands have the one of the longest coral reefs in the world, making it a premier diving destination. In recent times a resort named Turkoise has been developed in the island with the help of French Village Company Club Mediterranae (Club Med).

The development which has taken rampantly in this part of the world has attracted numerous Hollywood starts like Ben Affleck, Zack Efron, Vaneesa Hugdges, Bruce Willis and Eva Lingoria.

A place which is the home to the most panoramic and breathtaking hues from inviting water and vibrant coral reefs accompanied with world class hotels, spas, and restaurants you would only wish that this place was your permanent residence.

Attractions
Apart from the development that has engulfed hotels and resorts, concentration has also been shifted to the progress of attractions that would glue visitors coming to the place. At governmental front the first serious effort in this respect came forward when on the 31st of January 2008 the government of the Turks and Caicos signed an indenture with the Indy Racing League to organize and host the Turks and Caicos Grand Prix which was supposed to take place in February 2009. The effort was considered a breakthrough as it served as an enticing factor for tourists to visit the place. In concomitant to this efforts were also taken to restructure the 18-hole golf course, Provo Golf Club which was made in 1992 to raise its standards and facilities so much so that it organized and hosted the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship from 1999 till today.

Apart from this emphasis has also been laid in promoting cultural and tradition oriented events in the place such as the annual Turks and Caicos Cultural Festival which has been a landmark of the place since 2003. From last few years many internationally recognized artists and singers have also been attending the events organized here some of which include starts like Alicia Keys, Micheal Bolton and Billy Ocean to mention a few.

Transportation
Main gateway to acquire access into the premises of the Turks and Caicos Island is the Providenciales International Airport. Even though there are five airports, one on each island, five have paved runways whereas two runways of the airports are unpaved. The length of the highway spanning the entire island is 121 km out of which 24 km is paved whereas 97 km is unpaved as a result of which traffic density on the 24 km is much higher. Major international ports present in the territory are Grand Turk and Providenciales whereas there is complete absence of significant railway tracks on the island.

Currency
Official currency used in the Turks and Caicos Island is the US Dollar. Most of the hotels, restaurant and taxi services readily accept travelers cheques which can easily be cashed from banks. ATM facility is also available whereas apart from this credit cards and cash services are willingly offered by banks present in the territory.

Location
If our next destination is entitled as the Asian Elysium it would not be incorrect. Even though small in size Bali is one of the most mesmerizing and entertaining tourist spots on this planet. Tourists coming here can travel the whole coast in a single day but it is the diverse and mouth watering cuisine, virescent rice terraces, pulse-pounding surf, enchanting temple ceremonies, mesmerizing dance performances and ribbons of beaches that are just some of the images people cherish most about this tourist haven.

Located in the south west of the island rich Indonesia this island is in close proximity to places like Bulelang and Banjuwang, Bali is the place where tourist get the opportunity to redefine terminologies conceptualizing
opulence and natural magnificence.

Weatherclimate
Like the weather in most parts of the country climate in Bali is normally wet and moist while dry season is mainly experienced in the months of April and October when daily temperatures usually reach maximum levels. Monsoon season initiates between November and March with January and February being the wettest months in which minimum temperatures are recorded.

Average temperatures recorded in the place are above 30 degree Celsius during the entire year which shows a fall till 24 degree Celsius in the months of June, July and August and this is considered idyllic time to visit this place. Similarly it is also important to have a familiarity with the annual rainfall distribution of the place before planning your trip to Bali.

It is important to note here that the highest level of rainfall is recorded in the beginning and conclusion of the year that is in the months of January, February and March where rainfall is recorded to be 300mm, 290mm and 270mm respectively. A similar pattern takes place takes place at the end of the year in the months of November and December where rainfall is recorded at levels of 150mm and 300 mm respectively.

Accommodations
When in Bali it is useless getting worried about proper and convenient accommodation because the place offers you the opportunity to take the pleasure of a highly majestic living.

Numerous hotels and resorts which include Amed Hotel, Kuta Bali Hotel, Sanur Hotel and Tanah Lot Hotel to name a few offer its visitors all kinds of facilities which will make their tour to this place unforgettable. In addition to this all these places offer additional amenities like spa, golf course and sauna which serve as a bonus attraction for tourists. With mouth-watering cuisines present at the hotels to satisfy your appetite accompanied with extreme hospitality offered by the service staff of these place makes Bali a place where dreams do transform into a cherishing reality. In addition to the names of the hotels stated above name of a few more are provided below

Attractions
One thing that you will never fatigue about in Bali is the number of attractions that it holds to captivate its visitors. Even though the island is small in size but as the saying goes that big things come in small packages becomes a classic example to describe the situation of Bali which despite of its small size has innumerable places to offer for tourists and their amusement. Some of the famous places without which the trip to Bali will be known as futile include The Arts Centre which can be regarded as a cultural bastion manifesting the culture and traditions of Indonesia. Completed in the year 1976 it is a place which has the largest and most complete in a series of cultural centers built throughout the archipelago by the Indonesian Government over the last decade.  Along with this three different cultural centers are also present which host stages and different plays related to Indonesian culture. Bataun is famous for its cultural dance performances, wood carving and paintings.

Candi Dasa is one of the rampantly developing tourist destinations in east Bali, though it still offers an escape from the irritation and free from the hustle and bustle of the more populated tourist areas. You will find lots of hotels, losmens and restaurants here. You can also hire boats for snorkeling.

Balis story of attractive sites cannot get completed without Densepar, the capital city of Bali which is also known as the fortress of community temples called Pura. One is the Museum called Pura Jagatnatha which is dedicated to the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. The statue of a turtle and two dragons (prevalent in all temples) signify the foundation of the world.  Other attractive sites and places to visit in Bali include
Celuk
Goa Gajah
Jatiluwih
Gunung Kawi
Jimbaran
Kintamani
Transportation

Moving around in Bali is not as tough as in The Turks and Caicos Islands as tourists or visitors coming to the place have a wide variety of transport medium that they can choose from depending on their range of affordability and convenience priorities. Choosing a boat is a more contemplative option in Bali over other modes of transport as it allows you to enjoy the natural glamour of the scenic landforms present in the island.
Public Ferries charge 28,000-18,000Rp on adults and children it travels without a break between HYPERLINK httpwww.lonelyplanet.comdestinationRedirectoratlasId356556Padangbai and Lembar on HYPERLINK httpwww.lonelyplanet.comdestinationRedirectoratlasId356595Lombok. Motorbikes cost 85,000Rp and cars cost 550,000Rp go through the weighbridge at the west corner of the HYPERLINK httpwww.lonelyplanet.comdestinationRedirectoratlasId356556Padangbai car park. Depending on conditions, the trip can take three to five hours. Boats supposedly run 24 hours and leave about every 90 minutes.

Another convenient service of transport used by most tourists when in Bali is of bus. Special buses are made for tourists that are known as tourist buses and are designed with the purpose and objective of providing tourist with a thorough insight about the major locations of the island. Fares are reasonable for example, HYPERLINK httpwww.lonelyplanet.comdestinationRedirectoratlasId356553Kuta to HYPERLINK httpwww.lonelyplanet.comdestinationRedirectoratlasId356554Lovina is 100,000Rp. Do make sure to book your trip at least a day ahead in order to confirm schedules. It is also important to understand where Perama buses will pick you up and drop you off as you may need to pay an extra 5000Rp to get to and from your hotel. Public buses which are actually larger minibuses are also available for tourists and operate between specified terminals known as bemo. With the increasing rise in population and traffic density these buses are now famous for their long waiting time.

Currency
The currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah. One American dollar equals 9,026.60 Rupiahs.

Conclusion
The assessment provided above discussed factors which makes both places an ideal place to spend time either with your family or your life partner, in recent times many things have changed. Rising terrorism threats have coerced governments to make stringent law and order enforcing policies to curb any possibility of any criminal activity. Bali is a place which has particularly been affected by this social evil, following a destructive bomb explosion in a resort in the year 2002, the inflow of tourists has been experiencing a decline, moreover due to looming internal threats and instability tourism sector could not develop in Indonesia as it was supposed to. In the contemporary context of events it is better to choose which is immune to all such threats and that is Turks and Caicos Islands.