Many who have visited have been in awe of what we have to offer in the way of beautiful beaches, wildlife sancturies, the vastness of 'The Outback' etc.

Every State and Territory has something different and unique to offer, especially Queensland.

Ah! Queensland - and in particular the Tropical Far North where I have the Great Barrier Reef at my front door and Tropical Rainforest for my backyard!

But Alas! Every now and then tragedy strikes. Our headline news right around the country - 1/10/08 - 'HUNT FOR MANEATER'.

The search is on for monster croc., about 6 meters long that authorities think has taken a man near Cooktown.

So, if you decide to visit us, take the time to find out where the dangers are and heed the warning signs. Local authorities will be only to pleased to give you information.

Everyone is welcome, whether you are from Interstate or Overseas.

Enjoy your holiday - Be Smart - Stay Safe!

The brilliant and dazzling white coral sand beaches of Caluya were one can found various species of sea stars and urchins entice in the reefs of the island.

Caluya is very famous for their sought-after delicacy, the “tatus” or coconut crab (Birgus latro). A nocturnal creature with strong pincers and has known for its ability to crack coconuts in order to eat the contents. They usually burrow in coral rock and thick undergrowths. The meat of this crab is enormously appreciated, just like lobster and other crabs.

Coconut crab locally known as tatus; a nocturnal creature known for its ability to crack coconuts by using its pincers

Your trip maybe not complete if you don't try to eat the raw or briefly cooked exotic urchins locally known as “tirik” (Tripneustes gratilla). A rounded-spiny herbivore comes in various colors and species living on the vast coral reefs of the island. The five strips roe or gonads resides within the structure of the urchin, in a yellowish or orange substance resembling into a firm custard has a great tangy flavored after taste and it is also considered as aphrodisiac.

Pincushion urchins abound the coral reefs of the island. The tangy five strips custard like roes or gonads edible part of the urchin; it also considered as aphrodisiac

Wide plantation of seaweeds is very famous in the island. Various kinds of edible seaweeds, locally termed as “tambalang” are abundant in the area. Most of the locals are engaged in the seaweed farming. The fresh and dried seaweeds are very marketable in the local market and exported in nearby islands and provinces.

Seaweed farming is the main livelihood of the locals in the island.

Other profitable activities include mining, copra making, fishing, farming, raising livestock, native and shell crafts making.

The Island is three-hours away from Centro Weste Port in the Municipality of Libertad and five hours travel time from Lipata Seaport in Culasi via a ferry boat. The island has several safe docking places; the Masanag Pier during the habagat season; Tonggo pier during the amihan season and Dapdap Pier in Semirara Island. One can also ride on small cargo and commercial passenger vessels plying regularly the Culasi-Libertad-Caluya-Semirara-Mindoro routes.

It is a country that has been blessed with many tourist attractions, its ministry of tourism was created in the 1970's to encourage investment in this sector. Tourist attractions include amongst others; wildlife parks, highlands, lakes, Mankon Fondom (kingdom) and museums.

Despite government's efforts over the past decade to boost the sector, its growth has been hampered by poor infrastructure and mis-administration. However, this has not deterred foreigners from visiting the country's attractions.

Tourists Climbing Mount Cameroon

One of the main sites that attracts many foreigners and nationals alike is "Mount Cameroon" also known as "Mount Fako". It is situated in Buea, in the Fako division of the South West province of the country.

It measures 4100 kilometres, the highest point in Central Africa and the second highest point in Africa after Mount Kilamanjaro in Kenya. The mountain rises from the coast through tropical rainforest to a bare summit which is cold, windy and occasionally brushed with snow.

The Mount Cameroon forests are under threat from uncontrolled forest exploitation and encroachment for agricultural production. A population of approximately 350,000 people live within its immediate vicinity, around half of this population live in the urban settlements of Limbe and Buea.

The Bakweri, Bomboko and Balundu people traditionally live on and around the mountain, together with the coastal Bimbia clans; the livelihoods of these people are directly or indirectly supplemented through the harvesting of the forests resources such as timber and non-timber products such as removing bark for medicines, gathering wild vegetables, collecting rattans for making furniture and hunting.

The mountain has erupted six times in the previous century, the latest recorded eruption was in March/ April 1999. During the eruption, the lava flow destroyed farmlands in localities found on the slope of the mountain such as Bakingili, Batoke and Upper farms.

In local folklore the God of the mountain is known as Efasah Moto, it's believed to be composed of two halves, i.e. man and stone; it is also believed that it takes care of people by providing them with water, shelter and food during their journey up and down the mountain. Visitors are allowed to harvest what they can consume while on the mountain but are not allowed to take away anything provided by Efasah Moto. Belief in the God provides an interesting cultural link to ecotourism and sustainable use of resources.

Apart from individuals or groups who go for excursions on the mountain, there is an annual international race that is organised by the Government known as the "Mount Cameroon Race of Hope". The initiative was started in 1995 by the company that brews Guinness.

The race usually brings together hundreds of athletes with scores of them coming from abroad. The starting point of the race is the Molyko Omnisport stadium and participants pass through upper farms, huts 1,2 & 3 before reaching the summit and returning back to the starting point. Participants are divided into male and female categories, they are then further sub-divided into professionals, youths, and amateurs.

The first winner of the male category usually takes just over four hours to complete the race while that for the female category usually takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Prize money is in the region of two thousand pounds.