Monthly Archives: July 2017

Oceania is a name used in geography for the region made up of Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and several other island nations in the surrounding area. Some people call this part of the world Australasia instead.

The term "Oceania" does not have one single agreed definition. In politics (United Nations etc) it includes Australia and the nations of the Pacific from Papua New Guinea east, but not the Malay Archipelago or Indonesian New Guinea.

The widest definition of Oceania includes the entire region between continental Asia and the Americas, including islands in the Pacific Rim such as the Japanese archipelago, Taiwan, and the Aleutian islands. On the other hand, the Oceania ecozone includes all of Micronesia, Fiji, and all of Polynesia except New Zealand.

Sometimes, people use the term 'Oceania' to include only the Polynesian and Melanesian islands in the Pacific Ocean, as separate from Australasia.

For these reasons, it is not correct to say that Australasia is part of Oceania, because what is meant by 'Oceania' is not clear. Australasia has an exact definition in biogeography and geology. Australasia includes New Zealand, Australia (including Tasmania), and Melanesia, New Guinea, and the islands just north and east of Australia. All these are south-east of the BaliLombok line. This is known as the Wallace Line, after Alfred Russel Wallace.

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Oceania - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oceania Cruises Cruise Destinations

Cruise with Oceania Cruises to exotic, historic and alluring destinations all over the world. Featuring longer itineraries, incredible extended overnight stays in the most intriguing destinations and the capability to visit smaller ports-of-call, Oceania really focuses on immersing each passenger in the destination. Discover unique cultures and special people in Africa. Kick back and soak in the tropics during a cruise to the Caribbean or South Pacific. Enrich your body, mind and soul with a voyage to the Mediterranean or Northern Europe. Choose Oceania Cruises, and anything is possible. Your World. Your Way.

Views of the African wilderness will inspire you during a cruise to Africa, where youll be accepted by a kind and giving people with open arms.

Step away from your everyday life to embrace the beautiful wildlife and scenery that Alaska has to offer on an Alaska cruise vacation.

Explore the best of Asia with Oceania Cruises from ancient shrines and towering temples to quaint villages and peaceful gardens.

Be bold and try new and exciting things like exploring the Great Barrier Reef and learning the sport of cricket during a cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

Delight in the sunshine and explore the rich culture of the Caribbean with Oceania Cruises.

Travel through an intimate region full of fresh food and wine with a Mediterranean cruise vacation.

History. Beer and wine. Medieval art. Those are just a few features of a cruise to Northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Sail through history when you traverse the incredible Panama Canal with Oceania Cruises.

Buenos Aires stunning culture and the raw natural beauty of Costa Rica are amazing parts of a cruise to South America.

Sail away to a paradise full of clear blue ocean waters, hot sunny days and sparkling island sunsets with a South Pacific cruise.

If you love the peak of fall when the leaves change colors and the scenery paints the perfect picture, take a cruise to Canada and New England along U.S. Atlantic coast.

With the increased length of a Grand Voyage or a full World Cruise, youll find more time to explore the most special historical attractions around the world.

Sail around the world in style with Oceania Cruises. With a handful of ships Oceania has itineraries leaving from ports across the globe. In Asia there are cruises from Papeete in the South Pacific and Hong Kong in China. In Europe, London, Copenhagen, Venice and Athens are key ports. Of course the Caribbean is always a popular itinerary with many of their itineraries leaving from Miami. If you are interested in an Oceania Cruise speak with one of The Cruise Webs expert consultants, who can walk you through their itineraries and find a perfect match for your vacation criteria.

With Amsterdams beautiful canals and an open attitude youll find no shortage of interesting attractions in the capital of The Netherlands.

The mild temperatures in Auckland enhance an outdoorsy cruise destination. Tour the many beaches, hike beautiful mountain ranges or just wander Aucklands city streets.

For decades Bali has lured visitors with its beautiful beaches, forests and mountains and a culture that is devoted to the arts.

A visit to Bangkok is a must as this city has a unique blend of old and new world attractions to keep visitors both enlightened and intrigued.

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

Beijing is quickly modernizing with new buildings going up daily, but the city retains its historical importance with sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.

Get a taste of some of the best cuisine in Spain when visiting Bilbao as well as discover some amazing beaches, museums, restaurants and shops.

Barbados, where the weather is impeccable, the beaches are beautiful and the food is fantastically fresh.

Buenos Aires is a charming European style city with the perfect combination of new world characteristics mixed with old world history and culture.

The historical port city of Callao welcomes visitors with great beaches, rich history and open arms.

See the beautiful sights of Cape Town, South Africas most visited city, which offers cruisers natural beauty, plentiful wine, historical significance and a sense of peace.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Copenhagen is a delightful city with some of the worlds most interesting places, like the longest pedestrian street and one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

Dubai is a modern city that people from all nationalities flock towards to indulge in designer clothes, fancy hotels and the high life.

Dublins streets are filled with interesting stories and charming people, including a long, celebrated line of writers. Cruise to Dublin and youll find something interesting around each corner of this Irish jewel.

One of the worlds most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.

Honolulu, with its near perfect weather every day and beautiful mountains and tropical landscapes, is a destination not to be missed.

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city.

The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.

In Miami, youll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and youll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

Experience the life of the rich and famous with a trip to the glamorous spots of Monte Carlo in the tiny constitutional monarch of Monaco.

Montreal combines Old World style and New World cosmopolitan inspirations, along with a French culture, for a beautiful all-encompassing city and cruise destination.

Mumbai is a bustling city where youll find packed trains, towering skyscrapers and a vibrant population that continues to grow.

Take in the incredible art scene of New York City, expand your cultural horizons in the citys diverse neighborhoods and marvel at the architectural wonders.

Enjoy the great outdoors in Oslo, the beautiful and spacious capital of Norway, where the city includes lakes, forests and lots of history.

This picture-perfect island is everything you ever dreamt of, from lush greenery inland and perfectly clear turquoise waters to the scent of gardenia from the coconut groves.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

Reykjavik was just a small village until seeing a major expansion after World War II, but this popular cruise destination still offers a small town feel different than any other European capital.

Rio de Janeiro, one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, has numerous activities for every desire. Cruise to Rio for the Carnival celebrations, natural environment, beautiful beaches and famous landmarks.

Situated on the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is known for its near perfect weather, beautiful beaches and abundance of activities.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the City by the Bay has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

Known as The Emerald City, Seattle is a beautiful, luscious city with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Shanghai is the cultural and economic center of East Asia and is drawing more and more attention from all over the world as it is becoming a renowned international metropolis.

Southeast Asias most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into Englands culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

Whether looking out into the citys waterways, ancient castles or modern buildings, youll always have a great view when cruising to Stockholm, Sweden.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

In the province of Nova Scotia, you will find Sydney, a port city on the scenic Cape Breton Island.

Tokyo is a dazzling city where you might be overwhelmed at first by its modernity but will find lots of interesting subcultures in its various neighborhoods.

Valparaiso, the oldest city in Chile, is a beautiful urban town full of old Victorian homes and cobbled stone streets bordered by the Pacific Ocean and steep hills.

Whether its your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore.

Experience the serene, romantic splendor of Venice, but dont forget to check out its wonderful museums and neighborhoods located off the Grand Canal.

See Japanese history in person as you discover Yokohama, Japans biggest port city, where the country was first opened to outside trade after more than 200 years of seclusion.

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Oceania Cruises, 2017 and 2018 Cruise Deals, Destinations ...

SINGAPORE Unbeaten over four games, the Singapore mens floorball team were just one match away from being crowned champions at the inaugural Asia Oceania Floorball Cup (AOFC) on Thursday (July 6).

Unfortunately, the Singaporeans just could not get past the final hurdle at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, as the top seeds were upset 8-4 by hosts Thailand in the final.

Gold medallists at the 2015 SEA Games, and ranked 17th in the world, Singapore were tipped to clinch the winners trophy after storming into the top two with an unbeaten record of four wins in as many matches.

Previously known as the Asia Pacific Floorball Championships, the 1st AOFC saw participation from eight teams in the region: China, Iran, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand.

The tournament alternates between the mens and womens competition each year.

Drawn into Group A, the Singaporean men hammered Iran 16-0 in their first group match, before notching two more wins over China (13-0) and the Philippines (14-1).

A match-up against South Korea the second-highest-ranked team at world No 18 did little to stop the dominant Singapore side, as they routed their rivals 11-0 to march into the final against hosts Thailand.

Both teams had last met in the SEA Games mens final two years ago. Singapore won that encounter 9-0 but there would be no celebrations for the Singaporean floorball players this time.

Up against the lower-ranked Thai side (22), the Republic quickly found themselves on the back foot early in the contest, as Thai forward Jimmy Holmstrom fired in a long-range shot in the third minute to claim the lead, 1-0.

Teammate Alexander Rinefalk made it 2-0 minutes later, and while Singapore responded with a goal from Nicolas Siew in the 15th minute, the Thais claimed victory in the first period (3-1) with a late strike from Sattaya Phoosinoi.

While Team Singapore forward Tristan See added two more goals in the second period, the Thais did not relinquish their lead, closing the period at 5-3.

The third and final period was a tense affair for both teams, but the Thais finally exacted revenge for their 2015 loss, winning the match 8-4 to claim the AOFC trophy.

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Thais upset Team S'pore in Asia Oceania Floorball Cup final ... - TODAYonline

July 6, 2017

Handball By Simon Keslep

A fourteen member handball squad is all set to attend the 2017 International Handball Federations Oceania championship later this month. The IHFs Oceania championship is scheduled to be held on the 31st July-05th August in Cook Islands with current champions Tahiti vying to defend their title while New Zealand and Australia will be expected to put on a challenge. PNGs U20 Handball team manager Clarence Paling said earlier this week that the team is preparing well and looking forward to obtain good results at the championship. Bulk of the players in the team including Geran Sani who attended a handball tournament in New Zealand in 2014 will be likely to lead the debutants in the team. Our aim at this championship is to use the experience gained at the first tournament appearance and improve on our placing, said Paling. Paling further elaborated that players are working on basic defense and offensive strategies despite having a short period of preparations. This week has seen the boys picking up on areas of improvement and we will be finalizing our squad by this Sunday, said Paling. Securing training facilities is also another contributing factor towards having the team being moved from the Sir John Guise Indoor sports complex and now sharing courts with basketball and volleyball at the Taurama Aquatic Centre. We are planning to roll out handball school based development programs starting in October till November to schools within NCD, Eastern Highlands, West New Britain and Autonomous Region of Bougainville and then to other provincial centres, said Paling. The U20 Handball team will leave for the IHF Trophy U20 Oceania Regional championship on the 28th of this month.

Day three of electrifying basketball action at the National Basketball Championship cooled off on a high last night at the Taurama Aquatic Centre.

Nominations for the 2017 BSP PNG National Mens Snooker Titles are now open.

Not only is the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) National Championships for men and women a stage for players and coaches to shine, its also a platform for referees and score bench officials to advance their skills.

Day three of electrifying basketball action at the National Basketball Championship cooled off on a high last night at the Taurama Aquatic Centre.

Nominations for the 2017 BSP PNG National Mens Snooker Titles are now open.

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Handball team set for Oceania tourney - POST-COURIER

PHOTO: Lorenna D'Amore Nogueira and Henrique D'Amore Nogeuira in front of Oceania Cruises' Insignia. (photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises)

As someone who began cruising before I was even two years old, I was tickled by the recent news that a 4- and 6-year-old were just recognized by Oceania Cruises as the "Youngest World Cruisers whilenearing the end of the lines 180-day Around the World sailing.

Lorenna D'Amore Nogueira and Henrique D'Amore Nogeuirawill respectively finish up on the Insignia in Miami, Florida Thursday, July 6 with their parents30-year-old mom Drielle D'Amore Nogueira and 32-year-old dad Diego Castilho Nogueira.

They began their journey from the same port on January 6, 2017.

Before returning to their home in Brazil, the family spoke in a press release of their time onboard with great fondness, affirming my own appreciation for cruising as a young child. For me, I learned so much more about the world from traveling it than I ever did while merely reading about it in history books

Lorenna and Henrique have experienced 36 countries on six continents in a relatively short span of time.

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In fact, Drielle is a teacher, who said how wonderful the opportunities are for better perceiving international history, culture and people: This [experience] will definitely make a difference when studying, learning and understanding matters in school. How much they have learned on this trip will be uncovered in the future, when some subject will remind us all of what we saw and lived during this time.

One might wonder how these children (and I)were ever able to be away from shoreside school for so long without missing out on traditional curricula. In my case, teachers entirely bought in on the chance that I had to experience and learn firsthand from the world. They happily provided lesson plans that I could bring along to stay up on my studies while abroad.

In many instances, I would actually come back to my classroom to discover that I had proceeded further along the schedule than my peers had.

Its fantastic how children are sponges absorbing everything around them. The diversity encountered (on this cruise) will certainly help them grow with less prejudices because they met so many people from different cultures, Diego added.

READ MORE:Throwback Thursday: The Evolution of Cruise Kids Programs

I look back on all of my cruises, realizing how each made the world a much smaller place in my mind. There certainly is a variety of people and cultures throughout, but were all far more similar than we are different.

Conflicts only begin to seem petty as travels ultimately bring people together in harmony.

You could say I had a great deal many teachers throughout the world, all who left a lasting impact.

Of course, travel is also just fun, and its wonderful to see the children agree. The youngest,Lorenna, said, I like to go off the ship and see the cities. I love the chef when he makes brigadeiro (a Brazilian pastry) for me like for my birthday! I loved my party birthday on the ship.

Meanwhile, Henrique already understands how cruising is a perfect sampler of the world: I like to visit the different countries, but sometimes I wanted to stay longer and we donthave time. But it's cool; I already know the places that I want to go back to!

Indeed that is one of the greatest benefits of a cruise; you can discover your favorite places and return to them for an extended time later.

READ MORE:Why Letting Kids Cruise for Free is a Great Idea

Drielle, however, had the biggest praise of all for cruising when she concluded, We love this experience and think it should be mandatory for every human being, as personal growth.

I couldn't agree more.I learned about the world growing up and traveling on cruise ships, my education has by no means drawn to a close. Every sailing I take to this day is an opportunity to learn something new. Its never too late to expand your mind or your horizons.

Lorenna and Henrique should be applauded for their early endeavors, but any of us at any age can follow in their footsteps.

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Commending Oceania's Youngest World Cruisers - TravelPulse

Capel artist Val Hornibrook took home the Oceania Award in Mandurah's Wearable Art Showcase last month, for her piece "Coral Bleaching".

Capel artist Val Hornibrook said her piece was inspired by the devastating images of the bleached coral caused by global warming. She took out the Oceania category at Mandurah's Wearable Art Showcase. Photo: Elle Borgward.

Capel artist Val Hornibrook has been awarded for her environmentally friendly and awareness-raising art piece featured in the Wearable Art Mandurah Showcase performance in June.

Ms Hornibrook won the first place prize for the Oceania category, presented by the Sebel Mandurah, for her piece titled Coral Bleaching.

Her artwork was one of only 40 handmade garments showcased during the performances, which were chosen from 114 entries as part of the Wearable Art Mandurah competition.

She was one of just 12 winners across the different categories, includinginternational entries from Romania, Switzerland and New Zealand, and nationally from Alice Springs, Darwin, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland.

Ms Hornibrook said she was motivated by the terrifying and pressing aspects of climate change to make her mesmerising Coral Bleaching piece

My inspiration came from the devastating images of the bleached coral caused by global warming, she said.

The increased temperatures of the oceans has had a catastrophic effect on the reefs, not only on the Australian coastline but worldwide.

The impact of prolonged rising water temperatures and the corals inability to cope, it expels the living algae in its tissues, and causes it to turn completely white which results in what is known as coral bleaching.

First introduced in 2011, the Wearable Art Showcase Mandurah presents spectacular wearable creations in a highly entertaining stage performance, complete with professional theatre, dance and music.

Two incredible performances recently took centre stage on June 10 and 11 to sell out crowds who enjoyed the extravagant,revolutionary, provocative creations on the body.

WATCH: Judging day from theWearable Art Mandurah Showcase 2017. Video byBright Yellow Productions.

City of Mandurah deputyMayor Darren Lee said the Showcases were a feast for the senses.

From the incredible garments, the lighting, the music, to the dancers and performers, Wearable Art Mandurah delighted the crowds, and keeps getting better and better year after year, he said.

The City is proud to present such an event that nurtures and encourages local artistic talents and those from afar. We have some outstanding artists and designers in our community and beyond, and its great to see their hard work showcased and promoted in this way.

Congratulations to the designers, the models, the dancers, the organisers, sponsors and everyone behind the scenes for putting this amazing event together.

A selection of the garments from the Showcase will now be exhibited at the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery and Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah (CASM) from August 4 to September 3.

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Capel's Val Hornibrook wins Oceania Award for Mandurah's Wearable Art Competition - Bunbury Mail

Oceania has been eliminated from Riot's League of Legends Rift Rivals tournament.

The event gathers 41 teams from 13 regions into five groups ("rifts") for inter-region battles.

Thanks to their Oceanic Pro League Split 1 performances, LG Dire Wolves, Legacy, and Sin were chosen to represent Oceania in the competition's purple rift in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

There they joined Southeast Asia and Japan, and the initial round robin stage between the three regions saw Japan go 5-1 to advance straight to the rift final.

Oceania and Southeast Asia then prepared to square off in a King of the Rift format semi-final, wherein the bottom seeds from each region battle, the winner stays on to challenge the next highest seed, and so forth.

There, Oceania third seed Sin defeated Southeast Asia's third seed Mineski and second seed Ascension Gaming, before finally being eliminated by top seed Gigabyte Marines.

"An experience I will never forget and no matter the result this is something I will remember till the day I die, the guy who always had fun!" tweeted Sin jungler Brandon "Juves" Defina, who hinted earlier that Rivals could be his last big tournament.

Sin support Jake "Rogue" Sharwood added, "I think that was the best I've ever played in my life, and it was all on a world stage. It's amazing how far we've come, Juves."

Legacy then stepped in, but both they and Dire Wolves were eliminated by Gigabyte, ending the tournament for Oceania.

"Disappointing is the only word to describe the end to our rift rivals run," tweeted Legacy mid-laner Brandon "Claire" Nguyen.

Southeast Asia and Japan will battle for purple rift supremacy tonight at around midnight local time.

Dire Wolves, Legacy, and Sin are all 3-0 in Split 2 of the 2017 OPL. The competition resumes next Saturday (July 15), with Legacy taking on Team Regicide, and Avant Gaming facing off against LG Dire Wolves.

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Oceania falls in semis of LoL Rift Rivals in Vietnam - Gameplanet