Page 40 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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BEACHES

ABOVE Picturesque Nungwi in Zanzibar, with its clear, bright-blue water and elegant dhows
RIGHT Lone bather in the calm, shallow sea at Palawan, the Philippines

NUNGWI, ZANZIBAR The twinkling sapphire water of the Indian Ocean tempts you PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES Palawan, an island province comprising one main island and
on the long, hot drive to Nungwi, which lies on the northernmost tip of Zanzibar. But thousands of smaller islets and outcrops, is located between Mindoro in the Philippines
it’ll be worth the uncomfortable journey; the sand is so fine it squeaks between your and Borneo in Malaysia. It is an area of extraordinary natural beauty, its sloping white-
toes as you walk and the calm water off the beach stretches out to a wide coral reef. sand beaches slipping down into still turquoise waters, and towering forested cliffs
Most visitors are happy just to kick back on the beach, watching from beneath a shady jutting dramatically into the ocean. The main island is long and narrow, and surrounded
palm as fishermen cast their nets from wooden dhows. But if you want a change of by coral and limestone offshore reefs. With over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of coastline here,
scene, visit nearby Stone Town, with its winding streets and eclectic architecture. you are bound to find your own little piece of paradise.

DAYMER BAY, CORNWALL, UK Pretty CORONADO BEACH, SAN DIEGO, CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY, USA Visitors always fall in love with Cape May, a resort with a
Daymer Bay lies in a sheltered position at CALIFORNIA, USA Swimming, volleyball, lovely, blustery beach met by the cool waters of the Atlantic, and rows of Victorian town
the mouth of the Camel Estuary, and is a and kite-surfing are the popular activities houses that recall a bygone era of vacationing on the coast. The town was settled by
great place for swimming and windsurfing. on this wide stretch of sand. Crowds fishermen and whalers in the mid-19th century, and it became a popular resort for city-
Walk along the nearby coast path from gather here to watch fiery-red sunsets dwellers on summer weekends. This is still the case today, though the area has remained
Polzeath to St Enodoc, passing the church and, from January to March, the gray remarkably unspoiled. Beach-goers come here to relax on the sand, try their hand at
where poet John Betjeman was laid to rest. whale migration south to Baja California. sailing, and watch dolphins playing in the gentle surf.

MATIRA BEACH, BORA BORA The lush DON DAENG ISLAND, LAOS Sit sipping EMERALD BAY, PANGKOR LAUT,
island of Bora Bora, which juts impressively coconut milk on the sandy, quiet beaches MALAYSIA Just off the west coast of
into the South Pacific, is fringed on the of this river island, beneath steeply rising Malaysia, in the Straits of Malacca, lies the
south and east with white sandy beaches. mountains. Don Daeng, on the Mekong, picture-postcard island of Pangkor Laut.
Matira, with its shallow turquoise water is an enclave of traditional culture, where On its western shores lies Emerald Bay, a
protected by an offshore lagoon, is locals go about their work fishing, flawless white-sand beach, with bowing
undoubtedly the most scenic of these. farming, and weaving. Staying as part of palms and tepid green waters. Trace
Stop at one of the beach bars to try the the community is a highlight; local turtle footprints in the sand and watch
delicate local poisson cru – raw fish families put guests up in their homes and crabs scuttle across the beach from one
marinated in lime and coconut milk. serve up steaming portions of fresh fish. of the comfortable sun loungers here.

ESSAOUIRA, MOROCCO The laid-back GRAYTON BEACH, FLORIDA, USA MORNE ROUGE, ST GEORGE’S,
charms of this small coastal town attracted The Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast stretches GRENADA Pretty Morne Rouge is one of
a hippie crowd during the 1970s, and for 200 miles (320 km) and boasts lovely the most secluded beaches in Grenada.
today pulls in backpackers and windsurfers. white-sand beaches, freshwater lakes, and There is plenty of natural shade beneath
Essaouira is known for its 6-mile (10-km) undulating dunes. Grayton Beach, a broad palms here, and the water is warm, calm,
beach, popular with locals for barefoot sweep of quartz-white sand lapped by and shallow. Boss Reef, 2 miles (3 km)
football and evening strolls. The town calm, warm Gulf waters, regularly features offshore, is popular with snorkelers, but
also has a lively fishing port. Spend a day high in rankings of the nation’s top otherwise there are few activities on offer;
in the medina here, or walking along the beaches. Grayton Beach State Park offers it’s a place to relax. The nearest town of
ramparts overlooking the bay. nature trails, hiking, biking, and camping. L’Anse aux Epines is only a short walk away.

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