Escape for the Weekend

The United States of America is the fourth largest country of the world, whose territory covers eight time zones and consists of three parts: main continental part, Alaska and Hawaii. The USA consist of 50 states, which are equal sub-federal entities. Each state has its own constitution, legislative, executive and judicial authorities. Names of most of the states derive from the names of Indian tribes and kings of England and France.

On the vast territory of the USA you can find nearly all types of climate. General temperature background is rather even. In summer in most regions the temperature varies from 22°С to 28°С. However the difference between northern and southern states is relatively small. Winter in most of the country is rather mild – the average temperature in January varies from -2°С in the north to +8°С in the south. In any season in the USA you can find a region with weather conditions comfortable for leisure. Swimming season in the north and in the middle of the Atlantic coast lasts from June to August-September, though the water is also acceptably warm in May and October. In Florida you can swim throughout the year (the average temperature of water is rarely lower than +22°С even in winter months), however from July to September it is rather hot there (+36-39°С) and very humid, and from June to November there are often tropical hurricanes. In the southern part of the Pacific coast it is better to swim from April to October. In Oregon and Washington summer temperature of air and water can noticeably lower, in winter atmospheric temperature varies from -6°С to +4°С, and water temperature is about +4°С. Climate in Oregon is rather dry and warm (maximal temperature in summer seldom exceeds +30°С, and average winter temperature is about +2°С). Northwards, in Washington there are two distinct climate zones – westwards from the Cascade Range on the Pacific coast and in Seattle it is seldom hotter than +26°С in summer and colder than +8°С in winter, whereas the eastern part of the state has vividly warmer summer and colder winter. The central mountain regions can be visited throughout the year; in the southern part of the Rocky Mountains it is too hot in summer, so it is better to plan a trip for spring or autumn. On the western sides of the Rocky Mountains and in the east of California it is too hot in summer, whereas the seaside part of California has rather comfortable weather conditions in this time of the year. There are no seasonal constraints for visiting Los-Angeles. August and September are the hottest months (+24-30°С); January and February are the coldest (about +12°C) and the most humid months but in any season the ocean breeze softens the weather and makes it more comfortable. The Hawaii can be visited all the year round, just keep in mind that on the windward eastern coasts it is warm and humid throughout the year, and on the leeward western and south-western coast it is dry and much hotter.

If you need to exchange currency, you can do it only in the offices of large banks and in their branches, situated in the international airports and the sea ports. Work schedule of different banks is different, but in the whole they work since 9.00 am till 3.00-5.00 pm from Monday to Friday. On one weekday – most often on Friday – banks work till 6.00 pm. Some banks are open on Saturday too, but only till afternoon. While travelling round the country it is recommended to have at least one credit card, as many agencies inquire advance payment by credit card or inquire its number, even if the payment is in cash. Non-cash transactions are extremely widespread in the USA. Credit and debit cards of the largest international payment services (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro, Discover and others) are used everywhere, virtually in all restaurants, hotels, shops, filling stations, slot-machines and terminals, even in the country. Automatic cash terminals are literally in every corner.

In the USA there is no single hotel classification corresponding with the European five-star system. Superior Deluxe and Deluxe (D) approximately correspond with the European 4+* or 5*; Superior (S) - 4+* or 4*; First Class (F) - 3+* or 3*; Moderate First Class (M) - 3,5-3* and Tourist Class (T), or Inexpensive, - 2*. Arrival and check-in usually take place after 3.00 pm, checkout – before 11.00 am (check-in before and check-out after this time are paid for as an extra day). For check-in at the hotel you should have an identification document with your photograph. The rate of a double room is virtually the same as the rate of a single room. They usually add the tax (up to 12.5% depending on the state) and touristic duty (it also varies depending on the state) to the room rate. However, all possible duties, added to the price of the room according to the state legislation, can level up the price for 20-30%.

For mobile communication it is better to buy a local prepaid SIM-card. Price per minute will depend on your service provider and the tariff of you card – the higher is the nominal, the cheaper is a minute of talk. You can buy a SIM-card nearly in every supermarket.

The largest and the most important airports of the USA:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL);

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD);

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR);

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP);

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX);

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW);

Denver International Airport (DEN);

McCarran International Airport (LAS);

Honolulu International Airport (HNL);

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Domestic flights are the most efficient and the most popular way of travelling for short and long distances inside the country. In the USA airplanes are ordinary means of transport, which differs from a car only by its speed. Railway communication is very unpopular in the USA. Relatively few people prefer travelling by train because the cost of train tickets is often equal to the cost of air tickets. Buses are the second most important means of surface transport next to private cars. As for intra-urban transport, taxi is very popular, moreover, in all large cities of the country: New-York, Washington, Boston, Dallas, Huston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Los-Angeles and others there is subway.

Dive sites

Washington

It is considered that this state has the best dive sites along reef walls among places with cold water. Dive sites in Puget Sound: Day Island Wall, Point Defiance and Waterman's Wall. The world, you find under water, amazes. There are neither bright corals nor brisk tropical fish, but the quantity and the size of the inhabitants of this place boggle the imagination. Here you can meet fish long as a man, giant crabs, and starfish. Conglomerations of big starfish among white and orange anemones – each is half a meter high – leave a lasting impression. The role of reefs is fulfilled by any solid objects – stones, concrete blocks or piles of autotyres. All that is covered with carpet of anemones and starfish, and inhabited by fish and crabs. Near Seattle there is the most famous sea reserve – the Edmonds Underwater Park, created on the site of unfinished docks. Later sunken barges and boats were added, and all that got covered with anemones inhabited by crabs, shrimps, starfish, octopuses, fish and many other creatures. Underwater bluffs and piles of volcanoes, where you can find a giant octopus, also deserve attention. In Washington it is allowed to feed sea animals, and where there are a lot of divers, congers quickly get used to swimming out of their holes and taking pieces of fish or urchins from the hands of people.

California

Santa Catalina Island is famous for its crystal water and rich underwater world. Torqua Springs is one of the best dive sites among algae and is popular with fanciers of recreational diving. The most popular diving place in Avalon on Catalina is the park, situated behind the Casino. Under the water you can see huge shoals of small fish, bright orange fish, big rockfish, dolphins, morays, sea bears, lobsters and other sea animals, which are so used to divers that approach to them without any fear. On the bottom you can find sleeping angel sharks; the algae are inhabited by a lot of fish, e.g. leopard shark, sea lions. Besides natural inhabitants of this place on the bottom there is the memorial plaque for Jacques Cousteau, and a bit farther you can see the frame of a sunken ship.

Anacapa Island – a part of National Park of Channel Island (the main sea treasury of California) – is considered to be the best place for diving in moderate climate: the water temperature here is not lower than 12-13°C and visibility is about 12 meters. The peaks of underwater rocks are distinguished by various specimens of flora and fauna. Here you can also meet a sea lion or a seal.

Point Lobos suggests dive sites to every fancy: shallow-water reefs, vast fields of algae at great depth, pointed underwater peaks and vertical bluffs, caves and sandy creeks with the greatest diversity of starfish in the whole state. Here there are a lot of specimens of sea fauna: from seals, sea lions and otters to rays, rockfish and codfish.

Big Sur is a region of California’s central coast. Big Sur, with its steep coastal ledges and open creeks, is a real underwater paradise, unaffected by civilization.

Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the best dive sites in the world. The most popular islands are Kauai, Maui, Oahu and Hawaii. But professionals also like Lanai, Molokai and Niihau. More than 50 certified dive-clubs work in Hawaii.

The most visited dive sites on Hawaii Island: Cavern Point, Place of Refuge, Kailua Pier, Pine Trees and Red Hill. In the coastal waters there are a lot of sea turtles, dolphins, whales and famous giant devilfish. Kon’s coast is well-known by its caves, lava tubes and giant volute of tiger cowry. On Kauai Island you can visit Kee Lagoon, Tunnels Reef, Cannons in the northern part of the island and Sheraton Caverns, Oasis Reef in its southern part. Diving here is interesting for labyrinths of volcanic tunnels, overgrown with corals and inhabited by white tip sharks and eels, Hawaiian monk seals and big shoals of dolphins. Islands Maui and Molokini with their black corals and shoals of tame fish are the most popular of the Hawaiian Islands. Honolua Bay, Olowalu and Five Caves as well as the neighborhood of Molokini crater are also interesting. Here you can often meet giant sea turtles, zebra eels, sharks and arrowhead fish. Oahu Island attracts divers by sunken ships. The most popular dive sites are MV Mahi(remains of sixty-meter tanker), Makaha Caverns (two underwater pipes), Paliea Point (underwater rock, covered with corals), Tha Sea Cave (underwater cave), Koko Craters (landscape, formed by streams of lava), Corsair Plane Wreck (American military aeroplane), Fantasy Reef. The underwater world here is diverse and beautiful; it is inhabited by green Hawaiian turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish, a lot of eels and other tropical sea animals.

Texas

Jacob’s Well is the most popular dive site among thrill-seekers. It is situated northwest of Wimberley and is one of the biggest artesian wells. It looks like an ordinary pool as its diameter is only four meters, but its depth is about forty meters. Divers love exploring the well. It has four caves, situated one after another at different depth and connected by corridors. The most explored is the first cave, located at a depth of 10 meters. Sun rays penetrate into it, light it up and give opportunity to admire its inhabitants. The next cave lies at a depth of 24 meters and has a narrow entrance; the third cave looks like a small room with loose gravel on the floor. The forth cave is the least explored one. Its entrance is very narrow and complicated, its bottom is covered with limestone which makes the water turbid, and so it is nearly impossible to find the way out.

Alabama

In the south the state is washed by the Gulf of Mexico, so you can dive everywhere where there is access to the sea. In Alabama they address the issue of restoring the coast and reefs of the Gulf of Mexico. There are programs of creating artificial reefs out of overage cars and tanks at a great depth for experienced divers; and a project of an underwater park “Poseidon’s Playground” for young divers and beginners. The most popular dive site in Alabama is Pelham quarry. Its average depth is 30 meters, and visibility is about 7.5 meters in summer and 15-30 meters in winter. The underwater world is represented by large amount of fish, jelly-fish and turtles. There are also a lot of sunken objects: fire engines, cars, lorries, school bus, sailing vessel, cutter and concrete pipes with diameter of more than 2 meters.

Florida

The most popular place for diving in the USA is the coastland of Florida. It is interesting both for newcomers, as the coastal waters are rather shallow and the corals’ beauty can touch everyone's feelings, and for professional scuba divers who can find here a lot of various diving places. The most popular ones are Molasses Reef, famous for its weak current, picturesque relief and caves, and rich underwater world; Biscayne National Park, situated in the south of Florida (its most part – up to 95% -- is located under the water, and the rest of the territory is covered with mangrove forest). Miami is the main resort not only in Florida but it all the USA. Key features of diving in Miami are artificial coral reefs (ones of the best in the world) and lots of sunken ships. There are ten dive-sites with artificial coral reefs: five of them are situated between Miami-Dade and Key Biscayne and the other five are between Key Biscayne and Monroe. The best one is located at a depth of 130 feet 2 miles eastward from Sunny Island. Wrecks in Miami are captivating: about 30 sunken ships, 3 oil platforms and a couple of sunken American tanks.

New York and New Jersey

There are more than 300 wrecks and more than 100 dive sites in the coastal waters of these states. The underwater world is very diverse. These places will be interesting both to experienced divers and to beginners. In the waters of so called Wreck Valley you can see sunken cargo ships, British and American warships, cruise liners and German submarines.

One of the most mysterious countries is lost in the Pacific Ocean between New Caledonia and the Fiji Islands. Till 1980 it was called the New Hebrides but after getting independence it changed its name to Vanuatu, which means “Our land”. Vanuatu is a republic located on 83 islands. It is mysterious because the local people, consisting of primitive tribes, have lots of incredible legends about the populating and dividing these territories. The most interesting one is about Black Island – the abode of the ancestors’ souls which didn’t leave the human world. They helped wizards to win the war by turning their boat into a huge shark, which swallowed the enemies. The Vanuatu people seem to be stuck in the Stone Age: they do not have electricity; they walk around naked and often use products instead of money. Even Port Vila (the capital) looks as the least known cities of developed countries! Nevertheless Ni-Vanuatu (inhabitants of Vanuatu) are the most happy people. Statistically every fifth person here has never worked. What for? Food grows on trees all the year round, so people can do nothing daylong and they enjoy their life. Moreover, prices in Vanuatu are low – if you drop in “Mom’s Market” you will be able to have a perfect lunch for only two dollars. Tips are not accepted here. You should worry about vaccination against typhoid unless you are going to eat only in top-of-the-range restaurants. Official languages are Pigin, English and French. Most of these islands are notable for their damp tropical climate; rain period starts in January and lasts till March.

Vanuatu depths are meant for diving – water transparency is from 30 to 50 meters which allows seeing hundreds of sunken ships of the Age of Exploration. On one of Vanuatu islands 50 meters away from the shore there is an underwater post office. Having bought a special waterproof envelope in advance, divers can drop a letter into the box or give it to a duty postman, sitting at the counter in a diving suit.

There are 31 airports in the country, but only 3 of them have hard-surface runways.

International airports of Vanuatu:

• Bauerfield Airport (VLI)
• Santo-Pekoa International Airport (SON)

Diving in Vanuatu. Most popular places:

• Malampa Province, consisting of three main islands: Malakula, Ambrym and Paama. (It also includes a number of smaller islands –Uripiv, Norsup, Rano, Wala, Atchin, Vao and the volcanic island of Lopevi)
• Penama Province, situated on islands Ambae, Maewo and Pentecost.
• Sanma Province, occupying the territory of Espiritu Santo Island located approximately 2,500 km northeast of Australia and the territory of Malo Island.
• Tafea Province, situated on islands Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango, Aneityum.
• Torba Province, occupying the territory of islands Torres and Banks.
• Shefa Province, including the islands of Epi and Efate and the Shepherd Islands.

Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south.

Venezuela is home to around 26 million people. They speak mostly Spanish (the official language), but Indian dialects are also very common. The total area of the country comprises 912 sq. km. The capital of Venezuela is Caracas.

The national currency is the Bolívar fuerte. Most credit and debit cards are widely accepted. You can exchange money in banks or in currency exchange counters, and all over the country there are ATMs which hand out only Bolivars.

Venezuela is truly a country of nature wonders: here you will find the highest waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls and the second longest river in South America, the Orinoco, as well as the longest coastline to the Caribbean Sea. More than forty per cent of Venezuela’s territory is occupied by reserves and protected areas.

Those who are fond of outdoor activities will like skiing in the Andes, whose highest peaks are covered with snow all year round; climbing Mount Roraima, the highest of the Pakaraima chain, whose flat-top mountains are said to be some of the oldest geological formations on Earth; and hiking in various national parks of Venezuela: the Parque Nacional Ciénagas del Catatumbo, where you can enjoy the magical natural phenomenon of forked lightning storms over the surface of Lake Maracaibo; the Parque Nacional Mochima, which includes hundreds of offshore islands and islets and which is ideal for snorkeling, swimming, diving and fishing; and the Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, inhabited by nearly six hundreds of exotic bird species.

Being in Venezuela you should not miss an opportunity to visit Merida, a big city, situated at the bottom of the highest point in the Andes Mountains in Venezuela: Pico Bolivar. Merida boasts a plenty of excellent parks, museums that exhibit unique works of art, and other interesting sights and attractions. This city is also famous for the longest cable way in the world, which leads to the top of Espejo. During this amazing cable car ride you will see incredible views of Caracas, the capital of the country, though to enjoy this beautiful city to the full extent you will have to go along its streets. This bustling and vibrant city full of great historical and architectural monuments is ideal for exploring the customs and history of the country. In the Museum of Caracas you will learn much interesting about the times when Venezuela's people fought for their freedom. Nature enthusiasts should take a tour of the National Park of Sierra Nevada, where you will see both dense green forest with its amazing wildlife and the snowy peaks of rocky mountains.

Those who like magnificent beaches, vibrant nightlife and duty-free shopping will be glad to visit Margarita Island, which is often called the "island of orchids" due to its amazing flora with many flowers, favorable climate, long white-sand beaches and azure water. On the island there are several nature reserves, which are inhabited by parrots, flamingos and other rare birds. There are also ancient man-made monuments: castles and palaces, squares and churches.

Airports

General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport (BLA)

Jacinto Lara International Airport (BRM)

La Chinita International Airport (MAR)

Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport (PMV)

Josefa Camejo International Airport (LSP)

Juan Vicente Gómez International Airport (SVZ)

Arturo Michelena International Airport (VLN)

Diving in Venezuela

Due to the longest coastline in the Caribbean, numerous beaches, islands and cays, Venezuela is a perfect place for diving. The water temperature is very comfortable – around 24-29 degrees Celsius

Vietnam, the complete official name - the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochina Peninsula. To the west it is bordered by Laos and Cambodia, to the north - by China, in the east and south – by the South China Sea. The total area of the country is about 333 thousand square kilometers; the population is 90.6 million people. The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi. The official language is Vietnamese.

Vietnam's terrain is mostly covered with mountains, hills and forests. The climate of the country is highly various due to the topography.

The national currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). You can exchange currency at banks (but keep in mind that most banks accept only clean and not torn banknotes). ATM’s network is rather developed. Outside the country the Dong is not accepted (only in Cambodia and Laos), so do not forget to exchange all dongs left before leaving Vietnam.

In this ancient country you will find stunning landscapes and superb beaches, vibrant modern cities and tranquil traditional villages.

Those who are interested in archeology, architecture and history will praise My Son Sanctuary, amazing temples built for Hindu ceremonies in 4-14th centuries; numerous historic monuments of Hue, the former imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty; charming historic architecture of Hoi An’s Old Town, whose age is about two thousand years; the imperial citadel of Hanoi, containing various artifacts from 6-20th centuries. Nature lovers can enjoy its beauties and wonders in the Halong Bay, where there are around 1600 islands, creating truly surrealistic scenery, shown in many films; in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which occupies about 2 thousand square kilometers of tropical rainforest and contains underground rivers and about 300 various caves; on the beaches of Mui Ne, where you can go sand-sledding on the slopes of red and white dunes. In Mekong Delta, often called Vietnam’s rice bowl, you can see how local farmers create a real agricultural miracle. And do not to listen to traditional Vietnamese music, try delicious street food, buy some craftworks in street markets, ride on an elephant and take a boat trip along one of leisurely Vietnamese rivers.

Airports

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), the largest airport in the northern part of the country and the main airport serving Hanoi.

Da Nang International Airport (DAD), an important gateway to access central Vietnam, located in Da Nang.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), the largest international airport in Vietnam.

Diving in Vietnam

Throughout a year divers from all over the world come to Vietnam to take pleasure in its azure waters. And leave the country with strong desire to come again and again.

The best-known dive destination in Vietnam is Nha Trang, loved by tourists for coral pillars and pyramids.

Off Whale Island you can see amazing coral gardens and 40-meter deep walls. The marine life is diverse, though you will hardly meet here sharks or whales, despite the name of the island.

In the waters of the Con Dao Archipelago, a thousand hectares of which are occupied by the National Marine Park, you can find a lot of sea turtles, which are highly protected here. You will also see here plenty of bright corals, inhabited by various fish, including endangered dugong.

The marine park Cu Lao Cham consists eight islands, inhabited by 4 species of lobster, 84 species of molluscs, 155 species of corals and about 200 species of fish.

The water temperature is 21-25 degrees Celsius. There are almost no currents in the coastal dive sites which makes them ideal for beginning divers.

Zambia, the complete official form is the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in South Africa. It shares borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, Angola to the west. The total area of the country is almost 753 thousand square kilometers; the population is more than 14 million people. The country's capital and largest city is Lusaka. The official language is English.

The climate of the country is tropical. The terrain of Zambia mostly consists of plateaus with a few hills, mountains, and river valleys.

The national currency is the Zambian kwacha. Money can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. The majority of hotels, restaurants, and the bigger shops accept credit cards. ATMs are available within all major cities and towns. Zambia is one of the most beautiful, diverse and friendly African countries. Its amazing nature and eclectic culture attract many tourists from all over the world.

Some of the tourists come to visit the famous Zambia’s national parks, covering a third of its territory: South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue, where you can see abundant wildlife: lions, rhinos, elephants and giraffes. In Kasanka National Park you can become a witness of an impressive event – bats migration in November and December.

Some are longing to see the Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall on the Earth. You can not only watch this natural wonder but also go whitewater rafting, river boarding and abseiling.

While Canoeing Zambezi River you can meet crocs, elephants and hippos, and enjoy gorgeous wild landscapes.

In Zambia you can also take part in walking safari or bush camping and get an experience you will never forget.

Zambia boasts the longest fresh-water lake in the world (and the second deepest!) – Tanganyika Lake. It is inhabited by 350 species of fish, the majority of which are endemic.

Another lake, Kariba Lake, is often called Zambia’s French Riviera. Here you will find spectacular views, perfect fishing and boating opportunities, as well as gorgeous beaches.

It will be also interesting to see the cities – Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Livingstone and others, as Zambia is the most urbanized African country, and its cities are actively developing.

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), situated near Livingstone.

Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), located in Lusaka.

Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA) located in the city of Ndola.

As Zambia has no outlet to the sea, the only diving possible here is fresh-water diving in the lakes.

In 800-meter-long Lake Kashiba you will find great biodiversity and crystal-clear water. On the sides the depth of the lake comprises 100 meters, but no one knows how deep it is in the center, which makes it a diving challenge.

Lake Tanganyika offers great variety of fish species, perfect water visibility, big underwater outcrops and steep drop-offs.