Top Sights to See in St. George Utah by Anna Poelo
So what is there to see in St. George, Utah, and makes us want to fly in and stay in a St. George hotel for a week or two? There are many actually. St. George is the favorite hub of Southwestern Utah, and has even earned the nickname “Utah’s Dixie,” given when the Mormon pioneers were growing cotton in the warm climate years ago. Over the years it has also pulled in a lot of tourists and visitors with its natural sights and fast economical growth.
The Zion National Park is among the wondrous tourist attractions of St. George. The national park actually covers a great area over the stat of Utah, but it is St. George that offers the nearest and most convenient gateway to the park. The city is also within easy driving distance to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Bryce National Park, and the Cedar Beaks National Monument. For all our national park excursions, it is best to stay at St. George.
Aside from the national parks, there are also the state parks to visit. There are many popular Utah state parks in St. George. Sand Hollow is one of the most popular state parks in the state. It is also one of the newest, and yet it has already attracted many people. It offers a place of fun and relaxation with its services of boating, water sports, fishing, sandy beaches, camping and picnic, and sand dunes where you can ride ATVs.
We can play a lot of golf in St. George. The city is known to be Utah’s golf capital, after all. Naturally it can be said that the best golf courses can be found here. Golf Digest is especially very popular. The golf courses in St. George are all outstanding and unique as it is set against the red canyon walls and black lava rock. We can get many beautiful views of the red rock desert country just by playing golf.
Another attraction to look forward to is the Tuacahn, which is the Mayan word for “Canyon of the Gods.” The Tuacahn Amphitheatre and Center for the Arts is found under the shadows of 1500-foot red rock cliffs and is like Broadway in the desert. This outdoor theatre is indeed spectacular with its red rock cliff background. The theatre company also features Utah’s finest actors to entertain us all.
Also popular with the tourists is the Dinosaur Walkway. The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is still quite new and is in its early stages of scientific study and development. But the area has already become famous because of the dinosaur tracks preserved in the slabs of sandstone from the Moenave Formation. These are some of the oldest and best-preserved tracks in the world. We are able to see the tracks of three-toed dinosaurs of long ago, and will also be able to see skin prints and impressions from tail drags and swimming movements.
There are many more attractions in St. George, Utah. As a powerhouse for many spectacular rock formations and natural wonders, it is no surprise that many would want to enjoy a weekend of relaxation, fun, and adventure here. So go ahead and make that reservation at a St. George hotel, and enjoy Utah’s hub to the fullest!
About the Author
This article was written and submitted by Anna Poelo. Visit Utah and stay at Holiday Inn Hotel – St. George Hotel – the finest hotel resort in Utah.
Gyotaku Fish Prints by … KECHENENY (CATCHING-ANY?)
If you ever need a quick depth sounder when ice-fishing, you can make one with a small bobber and bell sinker. Just attach the sinker to the bottom line retainer of the bobber and the hook or lure to the top retainer. This makes it easy to find the water
Our introduction to Vietnam wasn’t quite what we anticipated. Arriving in Hanoi from Bangkok we jumped into our transfer van expecting to be raced hazardously through the streets to our hotel. Instead, we meandered along at a mere 30 kilometres an hour. Exactly which side of the road we should have been on was not entirely clear- but we were too busy admiring the Vietnamese countryside to worry about oncoming traffic. Our driver probably thought our faces were stuck to the lens of our cameras as we snapped away at the glittering emerald rice fields and marveled at all the tall, skinny houses, decorated in yellows, blues, pinks and reds, that punctuated the paddy fields.
A guided walking tour of the old quarter helped us become acquainted with the quaint streets and cobblestone paths of Hanoi. The streets are named after the main product sold on them, so there is Tin Street, Silk Street and Bamboo Street etc. We had a fascinating day and finished it off with a great meal at a local restaurant.
The next day we headed off to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the body of Vietnam’s former leader is laid out in a glass casket. The atmosphere here was in direct contrast to the rest of the city and was exactly how we imagined a Communist country to be. There was no talking or hands in pockets, definitely no cameras and you had to remain very sombre. If you happened to forget the rules, armed guards berated you before allowing you to continue!
After Hanoi we flew to Danang. Business class costs only a little more than economy so if you have the choice, pay a little extra to get superb seats, and access to free internet, food and drink in the business class lounge. Our destination was Hoi Ann – which is about 35 kilometres south of Danang, an interesting hour’s drive away. Hoi Ann is the place to shop because it’s so cheap. Every shop has mannequins outside adorned in coats, suits or dresses. You go in, tell the shopkeeper what you want and they measure you, take a small deposit and tell you to come back the following day. With an offer like that – how could you not overspend? Hoi Ann is also known for its ceramics. We purchased far too many bowls and teapot sets. The last thing we bought in Hoi Ann was a new suitcase, jammed to breaking point with our purchases (the suitcase was later weighed in at 35 kilograms).
Saturday is a great day to visit Hoi Ann’s Old Quarter – no-one is allowed to drive a motorbike or a car. The lack of traffic meant we felt like we were wandering around in another century. It was a marvelous opportunity to take a really good look at the houses and the streets.
While in Hoi Ann we took a day tour to My Son Holy Land (pronounced Me Son). This imperial city was built during the Cham dynasty (between the fourth and twelfth centuries) and the religious relics, towers and temples connected to each other in complicated red brick designs, are a beautiful sight. On the way back to the airport we stopped at Marble Mountain and walked up the huge marble steps for an amazing panoramic view of the Danang area, then carried on to China Beach. After the hike up Marble Mountain we would have loved to jump into the beautiful blue water but as time was short we had to settle for a paddle.
The Lonely Planet guidebook has some good advice for a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis. It says “eventually you will have to cross the road – survival tip: walk slowly across the road so drivers can see you and go round you”.
While this seems very straightforward, I’m sure my life flashed before my eyes numerous times while we negotiated this city.
The following day our newly found friend (and fantastic tour guide) Trung took us out of the city to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels (where the Viet Cong were hiding underground during the Vietnam War). Initially we thought it was going to be a “get there, go in the tunnel, get out” kind of thing. But it was much better and took all morning to see. We wandered around the trails and were shown camoufl aged entry points to the tunnels and booby traps. In the distance we could hear rapid AK47 fire (a tourist can pay $US1 to shoot a round). Some of the party were brave enough to go into the tunnel – I went to look at the entrance to size it up, so to speak.
I quickly decided there was NO WAY they were getting me into a hole so small you were almost crawling through it! So I waited at the exit, 30 metres down the track until the other tourists reappeared from the dark. They couldn’t believe the Viet Cong lived down there it was just so small – and it had been made bigger for tourists! The Cu Chi Tunnels were definitely a highlight of the trip.
Our third day in Ho Chi Minh was a free day and Trung’s day off, but he wanted to show us more of the city. He suggested we hire motorbikes and go to a water park, then fishing. Before we could think too hard about what driving a motorbike in a city with 3.5 million motorbikes would be like, we said yes! What an experience. For the fi rst 20 minutes, I thought “give me the Lethal Weapon ride at Gold Coast’s Movieworld any day” – and I wasn’t even driving! That day we learnt perhaps the only road rule – toot and merge.
Our time in Vietnam was sadly coming to an end; the last night was spent in Chau Doc on the edge of the impressive Mekong Delta and the gateway to Cambodia, which can be reached by a four-hour speedboat ride.
We were completely blown away by Vietnam; it truly is a fantastic travel destination. We always felt safe, it was very inexpensive and the food is delicious – it is not as spicy as Thai cuisine and there are a lot of dishes to tempt those with a more adventurous palate. Fussy eaters like me can also enjoy Vietnamese food, and we found some of the best Italian we’ve ever eaten and delicious hamburgers too! The local beer is great, and can be purchased for less than NZ$1 a bottle.
Vietnam – a beautiful country with an interesting history, more photo opportunities than you can shake a digital camera at and populated by some of the nicest people you could possibly meet.
in the know
The journey
Fly to Hanoi via Singapore – flights depart daily from Auckland and Christchurch. Daily fl ights are also available via Bangkok from Auckland.
Pillow time
If you enjoy travelling independently, our ‘Highlights of Vietnam’ tour from $1089 per person twin share is a great option. On this seven-night tour you’ll travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (tour also operates in reverse) visiting Hue, Marble Mountain, China Beach, Danang, Hoi An and the Cu Chi tunnels along the way.
Feast it up
If you enjoy Asian style food then Vietnam’s tasty dishes will surely impress. While closely related to Chinese cuisine, Vietnamese food is quite distinct and each region has its own specialty. In the north, the food is generally quite mild, central Vietnam is where you’ll taste some of the country’s hottest food, while in the south the food is more infl uenced by the French colonial era.
Inside information
Time your visit to Hoi An to be there on a Saturday or Sunday night as traffic is banned from the old town, all the street lights are turned off and the locals hang lanterns to create a truly magical atmosphere. Some useful Vietnamese expressions: Hello: XIN CHÀO (pronounced Sin-djow) Thank you: CÁM ÓN (pronounced Cam-urn) Delicious: NGON (non)
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef – Thit Bo Nuong
Tender slices of beef, marinated in lemongrass & sesame, then grilled or BBQed.
Jo Seagar, ambassador for Hospice New Zealand, will share one of her favourite recipes from around the world.
For the marinade -
2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed & the white parts finely chopped & crushed or you can use 2 teaspoons of lemongrass paste from a jar.
2 – 3 cloves garlic, crushed (1 teaspoon)
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 red chilli, deseeded & finely sliced
2 tablespoons Vietnamese or Thai fish sauce
grated rind & juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
500g lean beef, sliced from a rump steak
2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds. These can be dry toasted in a pan or the microwave.
cellophane noodles to serve
Place the marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor. Run the machine, adding a little water as necessary to make a runny paste. Cut the meat into thin slices, cutting against the grain. This is easy to do if the meat is really chilled, almost frozen. Place meat in a bowl and cover with the marinade paste, making sure the meat is well coated. Marinate for at least an hour but it can be longer – even overnight.
Soak bamboo or fi ne wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes before using. Thread the meat on the skewers in and out like sewing. Lightly spray the grill or BBQ plate with oil. It is best not to cook over the direct BBQ fl ame as the skewers can burn. Cook for about 1 minute over high heat.
About the Author
Niki works for House of Travel’s Corporate Team. She has a passion for travel and her holiday time always involves seeing somewhere new.
[Runescape] Barbarian Outpost Power-Fishing with Mousekeys & Urns (75K+/hr)
The Best Fishing Spots in the Smokies by Bob Foster
With nearly 700 miles of fishable waters within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, no matter what your species and stream, your rod and reel will feel tugs. The fish population moves around each year, so the type of fish you seek and when you come determines your prime fishing spot. 53 species of fish swim in the park waters, and brook and brown trout thrive here all year round. Here are five of the most recommended places to catch these fish and have an adventure in the great outdoors.
1. The Little River: The ever-present throngs of locals and tourists make this the most popular fly-fishing spot in the park. The mountainous and forested scenery isn’t bad either and since the Little River is one of the largest streams in the Smokies, both roadside fishing and elevated fishing, after a couple miles of hiking the Little River Trail, are available. This river near Elkmont, Tennessee has some of the best angling for rainbow and brown trout. The prime fishing location is where The Little River meets the Fish Camp Prong. Surrounded by flowers, boulders, and waterfalls, both easy and challenging fishing areas run down the river. The “Y” of the Prong water warms so much during the hot summer months that the rainbow trout flock into the large, deep pools near the gorge that can be difficult to fish and navigate
2. The Horseshoe: If you want to fish for rainbow trout, you must go to this one-mile loop that follows the stretch of the Upper Abrams Creek flowing out of the Cades Cove Valley. Many locals fish here as well, to try to catch some of the booming trout population. You can access The Horseshoe from the Abrams Falls Trail, which runs parallel to Abrams Creek (one of the larger Park streams) most of the way. Take caution, though, because the Horseshoe is notorious for extremely slippery rocks. It will take at least a day to fish the entire loop.
3. Porters Creek: New anglers can test their ripe skills on the smaller trout that live in the calm pools of Porters Creek, a little-fished area of the Great Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This isolated area has easy fishing during the summer months, when the best trout swim two to three miles from the river’s berth, but the first few miles of the stream remain too warm for the fish.
4. Cataloochee Creek: Since the most popular fishing areas are near the roads, check out this remote area in the northern section of the park. Although it takes awhile to find (about an hour’s drive from Gatlinburg), once there, the water is extremely accessible. Cataloochee Creek also offers the elusive smallmouth bass to patient anglers, and because the Cataloochee Creek hides these waters and open fields, it’s requires less skill to fish here than in other areas of the Smoky Mountains. In addition to the rainbow trout, elk and other wildlife inhabit this picturesque area of the park, isolated by the surrounding 6000-foot peaks.
5. Hazel Creek: For multiple-day fishing trips, you must go to Hazel Creek, a fishing area famous for satisfying even the most cynical angler. What makes Hazel Creek so sought after? Well, it’s only accessible by shuttle boat from the Fontana Lake Marina in the North Carolina side of the park or after a long hike from the tourist spot Clingman’s Dome. But your efforts won’t go unrewarded, as large (and surprisingly colorful!) brown, brook, and rainbow trout swim in both the large and small streams that feed into Hazel Creek. No matter what your skill level, you can fish here. And, with so many campsites along the bank, it only makes sense to stay overnight or make a weekend fishing trip out of it with your buddies or family. At Hazel Creek, you’ll want a rod capable of throwing big flies if needed, but soft enough to handle leader range as well.
No matter what trout, stream, or location you seek, most locations within the park remain stocked at or near the capacity for fishing all year long. Remember, you must get a license from either Tennessee or North Carolina before fishing in the park. And, if you need more help or education, a local fly-fishing school offers guided fly-fishing trips that include day and overnight excursions.
Consider renting one of the many beautiful Gatlinburg cabins with your friends or family, you can cook up what you caught right there!
About the Author
Bob Foster became an expert on this part of the country as a child. Bob turned that childhood expertise into a profession managing a business that specializes in rentals of Gatlinburg cabins and Pigeon Forge cabins
Hazel Creek Backcountry Fish Camp with R&R Fly Fishing
