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It seems as though we can’t get enough of the
underwater world at the moment. Whether you want to sleep with the
fishes or have a submarine massage, travel beneath the waves or get a
culture fix with sub-aquatic art, someone, somewhere can deliver just
that. There are underwater hotels and homes under development in several
locations and, opening this month in Istanbul, the world’s first
submerged intercontinental subway. It is the perfect time, then, to
check out underwater wonders around the world.
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Marmaray tunnel
Go To Turkey - Until recently, Istanbul residents and visitors have been
getting from one side of the Bosphorus to the other via boat or bridge.
Now, though, there’s a third option, thanks to the opening of the
Marmaray tunnel. Due to be inaugurated tomorrow, 29 October (to coincide
with the 90th anniversary of the founding of the republic), the new
underwater tunnel is not only the world’s deepest immersed tube tunnel,
with sections up to 60m below sea level, but will also carry the first
underground train in the world to connect two continents. |
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Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada
Simon Rogerson - In 2006, the Caribbean island of Grenada became home to
the world’s first underwater sculpture park, when the British
eco-sculptor (and former scuba-diving instructor) Jason deCaires Taylor
lowered a series of statues onto the seabed. The aim: to create a new
artificial environment for marine life suffering from the after-effects
of Hurricane Ivan. The effect? Surreal. In Vicissitudes, a ring of
children holding hands face out into the ocean; in Lost Correspondent, a
man sits at a desk tapping away on his typewriter; and in Grace Reef a
group of prone female figures is sometimes visible, sometimes not,
depending on the whims of the drifting sand around them. |
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Cancún Underwater Museum, Mexico
Jason deCaires Taylor - Four years after creating the underwater
sculpture park in Grenada, Jason deCaires Taylor was at it again, this
time transforming the seabed off the shores of Cancún in Mexico. The
Cancún Underwater Museum is now home to 500 of his life-sized statues,
gradually (and fairly eerily) transforming as nature gets involved,
adding drifting seaweed hair here and a coral carbuncle nose there. Not
keen on diving several metres down to see them? A new visitors centre,
which opened in September, houses replicas of 26 of the most popular
sculptures. |
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Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Plenty of spas have overwater treatment rooms where you can look down at
the fish below. At Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives they go one better: the
resort’s Lime spa also has the world’s first underwater rooms.
Decor-wise, think white and serene, with elegantly floaty fabrics and
soft cushions, but nothing to distract from the cool blue views on the
other side of the windows. Bliss out with a coconut oil massage, then
chill out post-treatment, sipping a spa cocktail and grazing on island
fruits while you watch the tropical fish flitting among the swaying
corals outside. |
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Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, Florida
Florida Keys Calendar - Crazy underwater events are clearly a Florida
speciality. If you’ve ever felt that carving the annual Hallowe’en
pumpkin somehow wasn’t quite challenging enough already, head for Key
Largo and have a go at doing it in full sub-aqua gear instead. During
the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest in October, competitors head 30ft
below water in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, pull out
their diving knives and set about carving their jack-o’-lanterns on the
sea bed. The prize for the winners? Another diving trip, of course – but
without pumpkins this time.
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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Conrad Maldives - Many restaurants come with a sea view – but none to
match the one you get at Ithaa. In this small but perfectly formed
undersea eatery at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, you’re surrounded by
clear glass on all sides, so as you’re tucking into your (delicious)
meal, there’s nothing to interrupt the all-round views of fish, turtles
and – cue major excitement! – rays swimming past. You may just have to
quell the odd pang of guilt about tucking into grilled reef fish or
lobster carpaccio within sight of their relatives. Not so much a meal as
an experience – and a slightly mind-blowing one at that.
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Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Kempinski - Given its never-knowingly-understated reputation, it should
come as no surprise to find that the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi
doesn’t confine itself to providing guest facilities on land – it has
ventured out into the warm, clear waters of the Arabian Gulf too. Just
off the private sandy beach that stretches the length of the property,
the hotel has created its own little underwater sculpture garden, where
snorkellers can discover a whimsical collection of sunken mermaids,
horses, pirates and more, complete with resident reef fish darting in
and out.
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Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Atlantis The Palm - Book into the Underwater Suites (Neptune and
Poseidon) at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai, and you could be forgiven for
feeling slightly disoriented when you draw the curtains in the morning.
Woah! Fish! In these aquatic-themed suites, floor-to-ceiling windows
look out into the Ambassador Lagoon, an 11-million-litre underwater
exhibit designed to recreate the mythical lost world of Atlantis. No,
they don’t come cheap – but you do get unlimited access to the Lost
Chambers Aquarium and Aquaventure Waterpark thrown in, along with a host
of other goodies from dolphin encounters to daily head, neck and
shoulder massages.
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