Facing Difficulties / Problem

source; Google Image

I faced a really difficult situation two years back when I was finding ship for my cadetship. Being a self-paid cadet is not same as being a sponsored cadet. As a self-paid cadet I had to find Ship by my own to collect my 12 months seatime. Nowadays it is not easy to find companies which employ cadets, even if they employ, all their ships are occupied. So you need to wait for your turn to sign on.

I was at home for 6 months after completing semester 1 & 2. Applied like a mad man, every day, every night, every week. Got two interviews, nothing came of it - "we will get back to you soon", trust me, they will never!!! usual story I guess. I started to work part time in a Petrol station. Low pay but it was better than staying home and the best part was I no more need to ask for pocket money from parents.

 

source; Google Image

finally after 6 months I got into an interview and YES!!! I made it. Completed my 12 months seatime onboard and now I"m back at ALAM doing my final semester. Hopefully will get my COC and sail again very soon.

Cant really offer any good advice but what helped me was to make the effort of making my self more presentable and confident in interviews although it can be pretty damn hard not to be desperate after a long stretch of unemployment. So how I faced this part of my life was by staying current in my skills, network and show confidence even when I feel defeated. Also put in the work to find the oppurtunity, don't use a lay off as a vacation. But  I have also given myself a break, one day I had enough, so I allowed myself a day to just wallow in self-pity, then start new the next day. Oppurtunity wont find you, you have to find it.

source; Google Image

source; Google Image

Global Maritime Regulatory System

Shipping is perhaps the most international of all the world's great industries - and one of the most dangerous. It has always been recognized that the best way of improving safety at sea is by developing international regulations that are followed by all shipping nations.

source; google

Quality shipping means promoting the highest standards of health, safety and environment protection, with these requirements covered under;

1) SOLAS (Safety of life at sea)
2) STCW ( Standards of training, certification,and watchkeeping)
3) MARPOL (Marine pollution)
4) MLC (Maritime labor convention)

these are also called as the four pillars of IMO

1) SOLAS

source; google

The word SOLAS is an abbreviation and SOLAS full form is “Safety Of Life At Sea”, an international maritime treaty, also known as SOLAS Convention or International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which establishes the least safety measures in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships.

IMO SOLAS 74, the last adopted revised convention of 1974, includes a number of regulations under different SOLAS chapters, which deals with safety precautions and safety procedures starting from the construction of the ship to real emergency like – “Abandon Ship”.  The convention is updated to meet the safety norms in the modern shipping industry from time to time.

2) STCW

source; google

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 was adopted on 7 July 1978 and entered into force on 28 April 1984. The main purpose of the Convention is to promote safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment by establishing in common agreement international standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.

STCW Convention chapters

Chapter I: General provisions

Chapter II: Master and deck department

Chapter III: Engine department

Chapter IV: Radiocommunication and radio personnel

Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships

Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions

Chapter VII: Alternative certification

Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping

The STCW Code

The regulations contained in the Convention are supported by sections in the STCW Code. Generally speaking, the Convention contains basic requirements which are then enlarged upon and explained in the Code.Part A of the Code is mandatory. The minimum standards of competence required for seagoing personnel are given in detail in a series of tables. Part B of the Code contains recommended guidance which is intended to help Parties implement the Convention. The measures suggested are not mandatory and the examples given are only intended to illustrate how certain Convention requirements may be complied with. However, the recommendations in general represent an approach that has been harmonized by discussions within IMO and consultation with other international organizations.

3) MARPOL

source; google

MARPOL is the main international convention aimed at the prevention of pollution from ships caused by operational or accidental causes. It was adopted at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1973. The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a number of tanker accidents in 1976–1977. The 1978 Protocol was absorbed into the parent Convention and the combined instrument entered into force in 1983. In 1997, a Protocol was adopted to amend the Convention and a new Annex VI was added, which came into force in May 2005. The technical requirements of MARPOL are included in six separate Annexes:

Annex I—Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil

Annex II—Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk

Annex III—Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried in Sea in Packaged Form

Annex IV—Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships

Annex V—Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships

Annex VI—Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships

4) MLC

source; google

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is an International Labour Organization convention, number 186, established in 2006 as the fourth pillar of international maritime law and embodies "all up-to-date standards of existing international maritime labour Conventions and Recommendations, as well as the fundamental principles to be found in other international labour Conventions".[2] The other "pillars are the SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL. The treaties applies to all ships entering the harbours of parties to the treaty (port states), as well as to all states flying the flag of state party (flag states, as of 2019: over 90 per cent).

The convention consists of the sixteen articles containing general provisions as well as the Code. The Code consists of five Titles in which specific provisions are grouped by standard (or in Title 5: mode of enforcement):

Title 1: Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a ship

Title 2: Conditions of employment

Title 3: Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering

Title 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social security protection

Title 5: Compliance and enforcement

Leadership Traits

THE PERSON I ADMIRE



Talk about the person that I admire so much, a lot of names run through my mind. My mother, sister and some good friends. I even wanted to write about Gal gadot, the lady that made my eyes pop out and she is my love at first sight among the hollywood celebrities. But then , I was surprised the name that came to mind was Mr Lee Kuan Yew - a political leader.

It then dawned on me that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had a bigger impact on me than I had thought.

source: The Strait Times

The truth is… Lee Kuan Yew is a rare leader that Singapore was fortunate to have. More than the achievements, he’s won our hearts because he’s so genuine. He is who he is, and he stands by what he says. His no-nonsense style of governing and speech may have attracted both fans and haters, but I admire his guts for saying what he thinks is right.



Some of LKY’s quotes:

• “What are our priorities? First, the welfare, the survival of the people. Then, democratic norms and processes which from time to time we have to suspend.” – 1986 National Day Rally
• “Please remember we do not pretend to be virtuous. Hypocrisy is not a feature of Singapore’s leadership.” – 1971 closing speech to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
• “If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.” LKY’s retort to a BBC article in 2000 about how the ban on chewing gums will take a toll on creativity.
• “I always tried to be correct, not politically correct.”, The Wit and Wisdom of Lee Kuan Yew
• “I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There’s nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life.” - LKY 

PERSONNEL TRAITS AND SKILLS THAT MADE HIM A GREAT LEADER

1. His clear vision. He planned and led with deep conviction.

source: The Strait Times

Since Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965 — an event Mr. Lee called his “moment of anguish” — he had seen himself in a never-ending struggle to overcome the nation’s lack of natural resources, a potentially hostile international environment and a volatile ethnic mix of Chinese, Malays and Indians.


“To begin with, we don’t have the ingredients of a nation, the elementary factors: a homogeneous population, common language, common culture and common destiny. So, history is a long time. I’ve done my bit.

2. His resilience and tenacity. This helped him persist through some of the toughest days.

source: The Strait Times

Lee had gone through his toughest period when Malaysia chose to separate itself from Singapore. Him shedding tears on public television marked one of the most historic moments in Singapore history.


However, he never gave up, strengthened his resolve and continued to believe that he could develop Singapore into what he envisioned it to be.



3. His innovative approach. It transformed Singapore into a first world country which it is today.

source: The Strait Times

Zainuddin pays tribute to Lee’s strength of character, saying he did not waste his time moping over the separation but instead drew strength from it to create his vision of a Singapore that is “better and stronger” than Malaysia. He says Lee realised that vision by making sure that Singapore achieved developed-nation status before Malaysia would. He credits this to Lee’s creativity and innovative spirit.

4. His strict "iron first" governing. It earned him the position of a feared but respected leader.

source: The Strait Times

He was criticised for his iron-fisted rule, forcing several opposition politicians into bankruptcy or exile, and once invoked Machiavelli in declaring: "If nobody is afraid of me, I'm meaningless."

Lee led Singapore from a colonial backwater under British control to one of the world’s most thriving financial centers, and he did so with a tight grip on power.

Lee was both admired for Singapore’s efficient government, economic growth and safe streets — and feared for having jailed political rivals for decades without trial and for cracking down on protests and the press.

5. His incorrupt nature. This played a big part in shaping Singapore into one of the least corrupt countries in the world.

source: The Strait Times

“He presented to the world a Singapore that is bersih, cekap dan amanah (clean, efficient and trustworthy) under an administration that is tough against corruption and scandal.”

In a policy intended to remove the temptation for corruption, Singapore linked the salaries of ministers, judges and top civil servants to those of leading professionals in the private sector, making them some of the highest-paid government officials in the world.

6. His honesty. He was known for a sharp tongue and he was fearless when speaking his mind.

source: The Strait Times

Lee Kuan Yew had a strong opinion about most anything. As he once said, “I have been accused of many things in my life, but not even my worst enemy has ever accused me of being afraid to speak my mind.”

This was one of his key strengths.

 “The disciplined clarity of his thought and expression was one of the primary sources of the influence Lee wielded, disproportionate for the leader of a small country like Singapore. His views were valued because they were unvarnished and gave a fresh and unique perspective. He said things that leaders of much larger and more powerful countries may well have thought and may have liked to say, but for one reason or another, could not themselves prudently say. And so he made Singapore relevant.”

7. His loyalty and devotion to his wife, a charming contrast to his strict demeanor

source: The Strait Times

The love story between Lee Kuan Yew and his late wife Kwa Geok Choo is a beautiful and touching one. Their marriage of 63 years was steadfast, and the late Ms Kwa’s sickness towards the end of her life brought out the softer side of Lee Kuan Yew that not many have seen before.

~Today, we bid goodbye to a great leader, a visionary  and a wise man who but left a great legacy behind~

Introduction To Management (ORGANIZING)

    Organizing is about using the plan to bring together the physical, financial and other available resources and use them to accomplish the organizational goal. If your goal were to increase sales, you would look at the plan and decide how you can split the money you have to execute the plan on. This is also about arranging the finances, ensuring the right equipment is used and appointing the personnel to the specific tasks.

    The organizing role relates to the overall structure of the specific level of management. Through arranging the tools you build the framework for daily operations. This function is closely linked to the management hierarchy.The top-level managers will coordinate the teams below them, while the lower-level managers must partially take orders from the managers above for successful organization.Organizing is a vital part of ensuring the company/department is able to function effectively and it concerns the day-to-day activities.

SOURCE: GOOGLE

Why is organizing essential?

Though research without a plan it might be difficult, an organization may not be able to function without planning. The function is important, as it ensures the operations have structure. You are mindful of the tools and you ensure that they are used in a way that best helps the business / company achieve its goals.

Organizing in terms of finances can guarantee that you don't waste money on functions that don't deliver the right results. If you don't assign the right people to do the right work, you could be hurting profitability

You assure operational efficiency and structure by organizing the resources. The company's day doesn't begin in chaos, with people trying to figure out what they should be doing. Organizing is putting the plan into action.

Ressources would not necessarily work towards the organizational targets without coordinating. While you may still have the team performing tasks, the tasks for the situation may not be the correct ones.

SOURCE: GOOGLE

SOURCE: GOOGLE

SOURCE: GOOGLE

How to organize?

If done effectively, organizing tends to follow the pattern listed below and the steps:

-Identify and classify activities-

The move is fairly straightforward, as you already have a strategy. Your goal is to identify the various roles, processes and activities required to attain the goals. These would be the roles the team members would have to perform, the different tasks each role would have to perform and the specific processes the tasks would include.

-Assign the duties and resources–

Once you’ve identified the above, you would begin organizing the resources. You would assign the specific tasks for the persons you feel are the most qualified and provide the resources to the processes, which most need them.

-Delegate authority and create responsibilities–

Managers shouldn’t behave like dictators. While the power is concentrated on you as the boss, this does not mean that you should have all the authority. You might want to ensure that the person in charge of the team has the authority to make decisions in order to get the marketing campaign to work properly. You need responsibility devolution, as it can ensure that the plan works effectively.

-Co-ordinate authority and responsibilities–

You also need to coordinate it, as well as delegating authority, to match the overall functionality of the organization and goal structure. For instance, you might want to share the responsibility of organizing price reductions with two people, each having the ability to respond to supplier queries. Furthermore, if you have other managers above you, teamwork is crucial.

SOURCE: GOOGLE

SOURCE: GOOGLE

7 Ketua Gangster Wanita Paling Terkenal Di Dunia

Kita serba maklum kalau sebut berkenaan kongsi gelap, jenayah, atau pengedaran dadah, golongan yang banyak terlibat dalam gejala ini semestinya adalah golongan lelaki.


Tetapi jarang kita tahu bahawa penglibatan wanita dalam jenayah kongsi gelap juga tidak kurang hebatnya. Mereka kebanyakan terpengaruh dengan pasangan, mempercayai dan kesetiaan terhadap suami mereka yang juga ketua kongsi gelap menyebabkan wanita seperti ini terjerumus dalam kancah jenayah dan kekerasan.

1. Judy Moran (dipenjara 2009-sampai sekarang)

source; selendangmaya.com

Judy Moran 70, lahir pada 18 Disember 1944 adalah ketua kumpulan kongsi gelap ‘Moran’ yang terkenal di Melbourne, Australia.

Judy adalah isteri kepada John Leslie, seorang dadah yang terkenal di Sydney. Leslie ditembak mati pada tahun 1982 dalam konflik berkaitan kongsi gelap di Sydney.

Hasil perkahwinan dengan Leslie, mereka dikurniakan anak bernama Mark Moran juga seorang ahli kongsi gelap dan akhirnya terbunuh pada tahun 2000.



2. Xie Caiping (dipenjara, 2009-sampai sekarang)

source; selendangmaya.com

Di bandar Chongqing, kerajaan China melaksanakan tindakan keras terhadap jenayah terancang. Sebuah operasi besar-besaran telah dilancarkan dan menangkap hampir 1.500 penjenayah, yang semuanya berada di bawah pimpinan Xie Caiping.

Sebagai ketua, Caiping menjalankan pusat perjudian haram dan merasuah anggota polis untuk mengelak dikenakan tindakan.

3. Sandra Avila Beltran (dipenjara 2007-sampai sekarang)

source; selendangmaya.com

Beltran lahir dan dibesarkan untuk menjadi “Godloh” Mexico. Pakciknya adalah pengedar dadah di mexico.Dia mendapat julukan “Ratu Pasifik kerana dia menjadi orang tengah antara kartel Valle del Norte colombia dan kartel Sinaloa, dan membantu mengembangkan laluan rahasia perundingan dadah di sepanjang Pantai Pasifik Mexico.

Sandra sendiri dipenjara ketika menghadapi tuduhan jenayah terancang dan pencucian wang.




4. Rosetta Cutolo (dipenjara 1993-sampai sekarang)

source; selendangmaya.com

Kecewa kerana ahli keluarganya ditangkap polis, dia menyambung lega kongsi kongsi ini dengan meneruskan perniagaan milik keluarga mereka. Dia menjadi senarai suspek paling dikhendaki di Itali, kerana dia termasuk ahli keluarga Raffaele Cutolo, Nuova Camorra Organizzata (NCO), yang paling digeruni gangster di Itali.

Setelah menyerang balai polis Itali pada tahun 1981, dia menghabiskan 10 tahun sebagai buruan sehingga akhirnya menyerah diri.

5. Maria Licciardi (dipenjara, 2001-sampai sekarang)

source; selendangmaya.com

Dari tahun 1993 hingga 2001, Maria Licciardi adalah ketua keluarga Licciardi dan gangster “Capo di Tutti Capi” dari Napoli.

Di bawah pimpinannya, keluarga Licciardi menjadi lebih terancang, dan lebih menguntungkan dalam segala usaha mereka. Perniagaan yang paling menguntungkan yang diusahakan keluarga

Licciardi adalah pelacuran di Camorra.

6. Maria Chata Leon (dipenjara 2010-sampai sekarang)

source; selendangmaya.com

Seorang ibu 44 tahun dengan 13 orang anak mungkin kedengarannya tidak terlalu malang. Namun berbeza dengan Maria Leon, dia menjadi pengedar pengedar dadah dan ubat obat yang menguasai timur laut Los Angeles. Dia menjalankan perniagaan ini demi memberikan pendidikan untuk anak-anaknya.

7. Griselda Blanco (Kali terkahir dipenjarakan pada tahun 1998)

source; selendangmaya.com

Ketika berumur 11 tahun, dia menculik anak orang kaya yang tinggal berdekatan dengan harapan mendapatkan wang tebusan. Ketika orang tua dari anak yang diculiknya menyatakan tidak mahu memberikan wang tebusan, dia terus menembak mangsa itu.

Setelah pindah ke New York dari colombia di era 70-an dan memulakan kariernya dalam penyeludupan dadah.

Setelah berhijrah ke Miami, dia menjadikannya sebagai kota kokain. Blanco diyakini telah mendalangi lebih dari 200 pembunuhan sepanjang kariernya. Pada tahun 1988, dia ditangkap oleh DEA ​​di California dan menghabiskan 16 tahun di penjara.

Life of a SAILOR !!!

I will give you a first-hand account on the life of a sailor. 

Sailing experience varies in line with the size and nature of the vessel and her voyage.

I will tell you 'what is it like' to sail as a navigating officer on a 398 metre foreign-going container ship.

1. How do they feel while always being surrounded with water?

To be honest, it's an absolute bliss. Every single day I come up on the bridge and take over my watch to witness beautiful seascapes of serene oceans. It's a wonderful feeling waking up in the morning to find ourselves floating on a gargantuan piece of steel in the middle of nowhere. A freedom we experience at sea. A moment when we realise we are out and away from all the civilisations and societies that tell people what to do and how to live.

source; Quora.com

source; Quora.com

source; Quora.com

I always love ocean cruising significantly more than coastal navigation for many reasons and the above is undeniably one of it.
During coasting, the story is different. We see lands, mountains, islands en-route. Over and again we come across a lot of ships, barges, yacht and fishing boats resulting in traffic situations that demands cautious navigation. We encounter situations like this time and again.  

source; Quora.com

 2. With very little variety in life, doesn't they get bored?

Not really. We really don't have the opportunity to get bored and we simply don't have the time either. On a normal day at sea, I do two 4-hour watches (morning and evening) on the bridge.

I spend 2 hours (not every single day) to take care of any monthly or weekly checks or the maintenance of any life-saving appliances. The rest of the time I'm off from work and indulge in relaxing and recreating myself with the whatever I have. It's limited, but trust me, it's good enough. These are the things we do onboard.

• Work out at the Gym. (Yes, we have one)
• Read books. (We have a library)
• Use internet. (We have free internet onboard, 24/7)
• Watch movies. (We have a TV saloon and a big collection of movies)
• Socialise with ship mates.
• Play video games. (We have an Xbox)
• Play indoor games. (We have table-tennis, foosball etc)
• Enjoy the sumptuous meals. 

Once in a month, we have a barbecue party alongside the ship's miniature swimming pool and play a few common games with all the ship's crew.

We have zero-alcohol policy and there is no chance to get drunk on board, unless we choose to get sacked. Sailors drinking rum with breakfast might have sounded coherent a century back, but not any more. It's just another fallacy.

During port-stays, we get to go ashore gaining a chance to wander the place and spend some quality time ashore. A well-rewarding break.


 3. How are the dangers in their life (pirates, storms) and how frequently they face it?

• Storms and rough weather conditions.

We are very well planned on our voyage. We have highly accurate weather reporting systems and software that helps us to foresee rough weather conditions, receive storm warnings and other sea conditions to prepare well in advance. We simply don't get into a situation that we are not able to handle. We have stabilisers on-board which are designed to reduced the effect of rolling and pitching under extreme circumstances.

Despite the above, I have experienced pretty hostile sea conditions with high rolling and pitching which makes it really difficult to work and even to get a sleep without rolling from one side of the bed to the other.

source; Quora.com

source; Quora.com

• Piracy

I have transited the Gulf of Aden, near the coast of Somalia numerous times. These are identified as High-risk areas and we observe strict anti-piracy measures to make sure we are safe. Over the years, with the initiation of IMO, Anti-piracy organisations and with the help of the naval forces of several countries, the piracy activity in the Somalian coast, Red Sea and Indian Ocean are reduced to absolute minimum. Navy ships and helicopters are monitoring the area continuously. Anti-piracy cells are keeping a close watch.

From our side, we perform the following.

a) Extra watches and look-outs are posted.

b) Anti-piracy drills are conducted. Gears are rigged and kept ready to use.

c) Anti-piracy offices are informed and we keep reporting our position every 4 hours.

d) Some vessels have armed guards on-board.

4. How do they control the feelings that they are always away from their family?

As a trainee (cadet), I did contracts of 6 months at sea. I found that it's quite a long stretch to be on-board and normally by the last month I am tired and demotivated, just looking forward to go back home.

Presently, I have contracts ranging between 4-5 months with 2.5 months leave. For me, this works well. It's a good period of time when we spend time working not for too long and not for too short.

However, leaving behind our loved ones and the constant feeling of missing out on them is an irrefutable fact and are often considered as the not-so-bright side of sea-fearing. But I don't completely agree with it as we have several options to stay in constant touch with our family and friends.

• Internet

We do what everybody else does. We talk to them on Skype. Video-chat when needed. Use the social networks to stay connected with friends. Read news online to stay updated with current affairs.

• Satellite Phone

We use satellite phones (15 USD for 30 mins) to make phone calls to anywhere on Earth, in any case of emergency or if the internet decides to slow down occasionally.

• Family Carriage

We are privileged to carry our wife/girl-friend (also husband/bf for female officers) and kids on-board (when not transiting high-risk area). Many of the top-tier shipping companies offer such family carriage where the wife/girl friend of the sailor can accompany them at sea. The family get the opportunity to be with their partner and roam around in ports and sail on ships for free.

---

Seafaring is not an easy job, and it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Despite the comfort, amenities and privileges provided by the employers, life is always unpredictable at sea and we always work and hope for the best. 

A sailor's life is always demanding, challenging and adventurous and that's the beauty of it.

15 Truly Amazing Places To Visit Before You Die

1. The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

source: feedpuzzle

Source: feedpuzzle

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest collection of coral reefs in the world, spanning over 1,400 miles. It’s so large that it can be seen from space, and it’s among one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. It is the place to go diving, offering a one-of-a-kind display of underwater life.

2. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

As the only one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World still largely intact, the Pyramids of Giza are definitely worth a visit. Dating back to around 2,560 BC, the Great Pyramid of Giza stood as the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.

3. Stonehenge, Amesbury, England

Source; ehow

Source: ehow

Lots of mystery surrounds Stonehenge, and contrary to those who believe it’s just a pile of 25-ton rocks, it’s actually a beautiful sight. Book a guided tour to visit the center, and at sunset, enjoy the stunning glow of the setting sun between Stonehenge’s pillars.

4. Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

This massive salt flat–the largest in the world–spans a massive 4,086 square miles. Formed by several ancient lakes, this salt flat becomes so reflective in the rainy season that it’s used to calibrate satellites. It’s effectively the world’s largest mirror and a breathtaking sight.

5. The Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Carved over thousands of years by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is a sight to behold that one simply can’t fathom without being there. The massive rock walls span for over 200 miles.

6. Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA

Source: lifehack

Source; lifehack

The Antelope Canyon in Arizona is a picturesque series of crevices you wouldn’t believe wasn’t a photography trick until you checked it out yourself. The way water carved out the crevices millions of years ago–coupled with the manner in which the light hits each wall–makes the rocks appear different colors, creating a dazzling display.

7. Easter Island, Rapa Nui, Chile

Like Stonehenge, no one really knows the story behind the 887 Easter Island “moai” statues. Even so, they offer visitors a great adventure. Plus, travelers can enjoy other Easter Island adventure options, like hiking and scuba diving.

8. Reed Flute Caves, China

Today, the Reed Flute Caves are highlighted by multicolored lights, turning the 240-meter-long cave system into a stunning experience. As one of China’s most popular attractions for over 1,200 years, it’s worth the visit to view these incredible stalactite, stalagmite, and pillar formations.

9. The Great Wall of China, China

This massive, man-made wall stretches thousands of miles long. Not only does the marvelous structure leave many visitors scrambling to pick up their jaws knowing it was made by human hands, but it’s atop a mountain ridge that delivers awe-inspiring views of the area.

10. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Source; lifehack

Source; lifehack

This area is among one of the most beautiful in the world, with crystal clear waters, lush green scenery, and stunning waterfalls.

11. Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China

This incredible collection of rock formations is one of the most amazing worldwide. The rainbow rock features were created by sandstone and mineral deposits laid down over 24 million years ago.

12. The Great Blue Hole, Belize

Off the coast of Belize, divers find a submarine sinkhole called The Great Blue Hole, where the water is 407 feet deep. It’s over 980 feet wide and can easily be seen from above.

13. Redwood National Park, California, USA

The combined Redwood National and State Parks span over 133,000 acres across California’s north coast. These parks are home to the tallest growing species on Earth, the redwood tree, which can grow to be well over 300 feet tall.

14. Yellowstone National Park, USA

Source; lifehack

Source; lifehack

Yellowstone National Park spans over three states and features a variety of sights you don’t want to miss. This collection of hot springs and geysers will truly have you amazed. Some of the more popular areas in the park include the Old Faithful geyser and the Mammoth Hot Springs area.

15. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is the poster child of the iconic tropical paradise. This island sits 143 miles northwest of Papeete, in the South Pacific, and features the extraordinary turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and beautiful greenery you’d hope to find in the tropics–only it’s more fantastic than you can imagine.

#traveltheworld