For any sports car enthusiast and rally aficionado in the Asia Pacific region the 2012 International Rally of Whangarei is a must attend. The occasion will take place from 30th March to 1st April making it the sixth year that the occasion has been based in this particular township.

The best of the best rally racers from not just New Zealand but from all over the Asia Pacific and even other parts of the world gather to this northern most town of Whangarei to take part in this happening. It will also be the opening round of motor sports rallying not only in this country but also in the region of Asia Pacific. The event will feature a number of world renowned champions making this race a star studded occasion that is sure to pump up the adrenaline and also rev up its intensity. The participants come from a number of countries such as Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan, New Zealand and India. There will be more than 20 teams vying for the prizes and some of the best rally teams from the country will also take part in the race.

Parallel to the occasion there will also be a number of events that are held featuring racers such as autograph signing sessions, and even the racers taking a street tour. The occasion will commence with a festive start and the whole city will be in high spirits during this season due to the excitement and buzz of activity.

For those who are keen on the rally scene it will surely be a great opportunity to catch the action here during the occasion and get up-close to a number of world renowned players and their talents. For visitors to the city, there are a large variety of New Zealand hotels to choose from. Those who book early can make use of the various great New Zealand hotel packages at establishments such as Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ. It is one of the finest hotel chains in the country providing unmatched facilities and service for their guests to have a relaxed and memorable time.

Maldives is the place where sun, sand and surf meet to create a delightful slice of heaven. While the country is home to various sites for tourists to visit, such as the Hukuru Miskiiy and the National Museum, Maldives remains more popular for its beaches and its water related sports and activities. There are numerous adventure water sports available on the island, and the professionals that conduct them make even the most daunting activity seem easy to novices.

Parasailing is an adventure water sport involving a high speed boat and a giant parachute. The participant is buckled into a parachute that is attached to the boat. As the boat speeds away, the rider is borne aloft. Some places provide the option of taking off and landing on the beach, while other places give riders the option of doing the takeoff and landing on the boat itself. Usually two people can go at a time making it a terrific activity for couples. Parasailing is one of the most exciting adventure sports available on the island. While speeding high above the turquoise ocean is exhilarating, the quiet and solitude at those heights make it a very serene and tranquil experience.

Parasailing also provides spectacular aerial views of the beach, and one can catch glimpses of long stretches of beach, palm trees and endless blue ocean. While parasailing is quite popular, it is hardly the only option. Maldives has some of the best diving spots in the world, and visitors should not pass up the chance to go scuba diving here. There are many other water sports that one can enjoy here such as surfing, jet skiing etc.

There are plenty of operators that offer the facilities for water sports and tourists can look to their Maldives resort for guidance when it comes to choosing one. There are also many Maldives luxury hotels that provide such facilities and staying at such a place can cut down a lot of hassle. The Anantara Dhigu Maldives is one resort which provides guests with facilities to go diving, parasailing, kayaking, jet skiing, wind surfing etc. The resort also has an excellent spa where guests can relax after a long day of activity.

Dragon boats are long, wooden (traditionally teak) crafts that are manually powered, and they originated in southern China’s Pearl River delta region. The boats are usually colourfully decorated for special occasions such as celebrations or contests. Dragon boat races have been held for over two thousand years, and were extremely popular in rural areas of China. It was in 1978 that dragon boat racing was introduced to Singapore, when the country was invited to take part in the Hong Kong Races. Following the event in Hong Kong, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) arranged the country’s first ever dragon boat race in the same year.

That competition in Singapore was open to only local races with only twenty five teams taking part. The SSC has held many races since that inaugural event in 1978, and the sport has steadily grown as a prime attraction. Now the annual Singapore World Invitational Dragon Boat Races has evolved into one of the most anticipated events in the aquatic sports calendar. The event featured only two foreign teams in 1979, but now attracts over a dozen foreign teams each year.

The dragon boat races take place in remembrance of the Chinese poet and patriot, Qu Yuan. The Warring States period (475- 221 BC) was an exceptionally dark time in China’s history, and it is then that Qu Yuan jumped into a river so that he would not have to witness his nation falling into the hands of fraudulent leaders. People set out on dragon shaped boats to rescue him, all the while beating gongs and tossing rice dumplings into the river to distract the River Dragon, but it was to no avail.

After all these years, drums and rice dumplings are still a staple at the races. The dragon boat race is usually held around late June or early July. For more information contact the Singapore Tourist Board or visit their website. Tourists planning on viewing the races should plan well in advance. As it is a popular world event, accommodation gets a little tough to come by during the races. Staying at hotel apartments Singapore, such as La Residenza Serviced Suites, is a terrific alternative to staying at a crowded hotel. It is an ideal accommodation choice, offering luxury serviced apartments Singapore just a stone’s throw away from the country’s top tourist attractions.