Most recently made famous as the U.S. State from which Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house, Alaska is much more than a tool of foreign policy. In fact, immersing yourself in Alaska’s extraordinary nature and getting to see all the diverse wildlife to which it is home, you would be forgiven for doubting foreign policy, politics, or any other complicated human relationships exist. An Alaskan guided tours is truly about discovering the home of some of the most intriguing and beautiful animals and animal habitats on the planet.

The whales have to be the stars of the show in Alaskan waters. From Belugas, Humpbacks, Minke, and Gray Whales to Killer Whales (as known as Orcas), and whether by small cruise, sea kayak, or boat, this is sure to be some of the most magical wildlife watching imaginable. Marine life tours are often combined with glacier tours, such as in the Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward. Out on the water you can see wildlife phenomena like Humpback Whales ‘bubble-netting’. The whales blow out bubbles, herding small fish into balls, so that they can feed on them. Teeming with wildlife, the waters are home to dolphins and porpoises who make neighbors to their whale companions.

Back on dry (if very lake-filled and snowy) land, Alaska is home not only to Brown Bears (both Grizzlies and Kodiak varieties) and Black Bears, but also to Polar Bears. Black Bears are smaller than their brown counterparts but more widely scattered over Alaska; their excitable curiosity leading them into local towns, camps and garbage bins. Tours by 4×4 through Denali National Park or by seaplane from Anchorage and through lake-filled Katami National Park are some of the best ways to enjoy seeing bears in gorgeous natural habitat.

Perhaps the most thrilling bear sighting would have to be that of the Polar Bear. Polar Bears can be seen in the Kuskokwim Delta and on St. Matthew and St. Lawrence Islands. No longer hunted, but still under threat from global warming, Polar Bears are perhaps the most elusive and thrilling of all Alaskan wildlife.

In the same depths of the treeless arctic tundra and mountains, you can find Caribou or reindeer, out on their migration routes or familiar calving grounds. Caribou can travel up to 50 miles a day once they decide to migrate. They have an in-built compass-like sense of direction, much like birds, which makes it well worth taking an Alaska guided holiday in order to catch up with them, at the same time as enjoying sightings of whales and bears.

The Alaskans have had to come up with some innovative ways to get around their vast, arctic, snow-country. Whether you go by bush plane, sea plane, sea kayak, cruise, 4×4 or snowmobile, it’s not only larger animals to be seen. There’s also the chance to get acquainted with American Dippers, Bald Eagles, Harlequin Ducks, Ospreys, and countless other kinds of birds. The rivers are no less full than the skies, with salmon, pike, trout, and char easily spotted also. These environments make for a sumptuous background to the big names of Alaska – the whales, the bears and the caribou.

Author: Zoe Sutherland is a trainee human rights lawyer.  When feeling less serious she sees plays, travels in South America and Europe, enjoys music and good food with friends, and plays guitar (badly) …..@zoe_sutherland

Photo Credit: The whale tale and mountain are our own.  The bear photo is courtesy of the The State of Alaska Tourism Information Website.  The Reindeer is kindly provided by flickr user peternijenhuis through a creative commons license.

Thanks to Zoe for today’s post.  If you’re an adventurous traveler interested in writing for IShouldLogOff, contact us at info [at] ishouldlogoff.com or check our submission guidelines.

[Note: We went to Kauai for our honeymoon, but missed most of the nightlife.  These places sound fantastic! Life music, cocktails and a Hawaiian breeze?  What could be better! ]

Say aloha to Kauai, home to some of the most glamorous and lively bars and clubs in the whole of Hawaii. With stunning mountains and beautiful beaches too, Kauai is undoubtedly one of the Pacific’s gems.

Bar Acuda in Hanalei is the perfect start to any evening out. Renowned for fabulous Tapas and wine, this is one of the most popular sports with locals. For something a little more upbeat head to Trees Lounge in Kapaa. With live music every night, local art hanging from the walls and delicious martinis at happy hour, this place is not to be missed. To enjoy a martini or Hawaiian cocktail with a view of the sunset, The Seaview Terrace in Koloa is the place for you. Sip on your drinks and enjoy the local appetiser, ‘pupu’ whilst you witness the traditional torch lighting ceremony take place as the sun goes down. The name may not enthuse you but Stevenson’s Library in Koloa is the most fashionable bar on the island. Hardwood bars, antique pool tables and lovely views of the ocean all make the library the height of sophistication. But such sophistication comes at a price; $45 dollars for a glass of port anyone?

The restaurants of Hawaii can be just as memorable as the finest bars. Roy’s Poipu Bar and Grill in Koloa, Kauai serves some of the best steaks and seafood dishes around. With an extensive cocktail and mojito menu to match their fantastic cuisine, your night is sure to be far from dull. The Plantation Gardens Restaurant and Bar in Poipu provides another fine dining experience. Fresh produce, handcrafted cocktails and views of the beautiful, surrounding gardens all give this place the thumbs up.

Live music is certainly not in short supply on Kauai. The Happy Talk Lounge at Hanalei Bay Resort is the perfect venue to chill out and listen to some local talent. For something truly loud, not to mention wild, head to the Tradewinds nightclub in Kapaa. With a relaxed open air atmosphere and plenty of cocktails, it’s no wonder that this place is so popular. If you’re feeling brave why not try their world famous Oyster Shooter? Picture this: an oyster placed in a shot glass smothered in homemade cocktail sauce, all topped off with chilli pepper water. Yum…

It’s hard to know where to start your perfect bar crawl in Kauai. With so many diverse and atmospheric places to go, you’re utterly spoilt for choice. Just don’t go too heavy on the oyster shots…

Author: Imogen Nation

Thanks to Imogen for today’s guest post.  If you’re interested in guest blogging for IShouldLogOff, email us at info [at] ishouldlogoff.com. Thank!

As we swam over the reef I suddenly caught a glimpse of the statue’s hand. I never would have expected to see a statue underwater, let alone in a coral reef, but there it was. A large statue of Jesus cemented to the ocean floor, rather unusual I’d say.

John Pennekamp State Park protects the third largest coral reef in the world, part of the National Marine Sanctuary. Off the coast of Key Largo, it’s a relatively quick boat ride to get out to the reefs and get snorkeling.

From the bronze and aptly named Christ of the Abyss statue to the incredibly colorful coral and fish, the snorkeling at Dry Rocks didn’t disappoint. We saw an incredible variety of fish, from snapper to grouper to angelfish and even a barracudda. The most amazing without a doubt though were the fan corals which seemed to be delicately blowing in the current. There’s even a turtle on the reef and two small kids from our boat swore they saw a nurse shark (their Dad was somewhat less sure on their sighting…)

Perhaps the best part of the snorkeling trip was becoming a classmate of the school of fish. Swimming amongst them, we were able to control the movements of the entire school, making these little one inch fish swim around the reef. Words can’t really explain how cool it was, hopefully the video is better.

If you can’t see it on your browser, watch it on Youtube Here!

The reef ranges from very shallow to deep, so there’s plenty of space for all snorkelers. When we arrived at the reef in the mid-afternoon the place was full of snorkelers, but by late in the afternoon we were the only boat left there.  The quick story about the statue is that it was placed there in the 1960s after being donated to the Underwater Society of the America’s.  It’s a bronze replica of an original Christ of the Abyss located off the coast of Italy.

IF YOU GO: John Pennekamp State Park is a little over an hour from Miami. It’s an easy drive down U.S. 1. You’ll find the State Park at what’s considered the upper keys, just south of Key Largo at Mile marker 102. Entry into the park is per person, when we went it was 4.50 per adult for the first two people and .50 each adult there after. Snorkeling tours leave three times a day and are $29.50 per adult, including the boat ride, but not including snorkeling equipment. All equipment can be rented, but we picked our own gear up before we went. There are showers and changing facitilies at the park as well as lots of picnic areas, beaches and even a snack stand.  They also rent kayaks, paddleboards and canoes and sell a glass bottom boat tour for those that don’t want to snorkel.

This post was sponsored by lowcostholidays.com. With a great range of flights, accommodation and transfers you can be sure to find your perfect Florida holiday.