Annual boat party
Boats are not only used for the seas. The latest phase is using boats for having casual or elaborate parties. People who live in areas that don't have access to natural bodies of water always enjoy the chance to attend a party out on the water. When opportunity arises to go on a boat whether it be a day in the sun on the sea or a night cruise under the stars, the average person will jump at the chance. Owning a boat is a luxury for most, so attending a party on a boat is a special treat.
Planning for a party takes much thought, imagination and preparation. If you want to hire a party planner for such an event, it will certainly make things easier for your. But it's also something that you can do if you take in consideration all the details involved in making the party a success.
Choosing a Theme for Your Boat Party
To get started you should consider selecting a theme. Picking a theme depends on how much of a budget you have to work with. An affordable theme would be a card party (Black-Jack or Texas hold’em, with a Karaoke night); this would enable friends to get together and enjoy a night of gambling at sea. This type of party is inexpensive and casual. The need for decorations for such a party is minimal. Green felt can be used for covering a table and a simple boom-box can be used for Karaoke. If you feel food for the party may be over your budget, you can ask your guests to bring an item. This is a great way to kick-back and enjoy yourself without a huge expense.
Selecting a more elaborate theme can be more expensive. Keep in mind when working with a budget, the more exotic the theme, the higher the cost will be. If you choose a Hawaiian, Iron Chef, or Titanic theme, the decorations and elaborate foods will bring the cost up. The expense of different types of food to fit your theme can diminish your allocations quickly. Decorations can add up quickly also. Because of this, try to be imaginative with decorations. Some decorations you might purchase can be made easily by yourself and will probably come out better.
Depending upon your theme, invitations should be sent out accordingly. For a casual party a simple phone call, e-mail or online invitation would be appropriate. A privately mailed invitation is appropriate for a formal party, or for a theme party where your guests would have to dress accordingly.
Following Safety Rules and Regulations
Most importantly, the guest list must be held to the appropriate number for safety rules and regulations. Because the party is at sea and not on land, the motto “the more the merrier” does not apply. Boat usage must adhere to local laws. You have to make certain you have the proper amount of life jackets on board for each guest. Each guest should be aware of where the life jackets are kept and abide by the laws of the sea. Fire extinguishers must be close to the food area, especially if you are using small burners.
Safety, as always, should be a huge factor when inviting your guests. The boat cannot be overcrowded with people. For safety purposes, the boat should be well lit. Decorative lights on the boat can serve beneficial for both safety and creating a party mood for your guests. Inexpensive lights can be strung along side the boat depending on the theme for selected.
To make your party a huge success, creating a time-line is just as important as keeping to your budget. Since the boat can get filled up quickly, and there might not be as much room as you would like, managing your time is essential. Before your guests arrive, all decorations and preparation of food should be in order. Having the tables set-up, food all ready to be put out or placed on small burners before the guests arrive will be an efficient use of your time.
Most importantly, an inspection of the boat should be first on the list. Make sure the boat is in mechanical order, navigation maps on handy, all safety devices are checked and ready for use. After planning your time line and everything is in order, you can be assured you can sit back and enjoy being with your guests.
With the proper planning, your party will go smoothly and your guest will have a great time!
About the Author
Jane Warren is an avid outdoor water enthusiast who enjoys swimming, diving, boating, ski tubes, and anything else related to outdoor water sports. Out of this love of water sports, Jane started the website TowableTubesDirect.com, where she provides information and reviews on watersports equipment including towable tubes. She also provides articles reviews on boating items that contribute to safer water activities, including Garmin Marine GPS units, and tips for water sport safety
When a body of water is inland, not part of an ocean, deeper than a pond and fed by a river, it is classified as a lake. Usually created by rifts, tectonic shifts and ongoing glaciations—often found in basins or along mature rivers—they’re some of the most beautiful nature-made landmarks on earth. See for yourself: Whether dotted with mineral accumulations, cascading down mountains or home to a rare breed of flamingo, each of these 10 lakes is definitely worth veering off course for.
Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
Sixteen cascading bodies of water called the Plitvice Lakes are divided into upper and lower basins by dams made of moss, algae and bacteria. The surrounding setting is heavily forested and home to a multitude of animal life, including brown bears, eagles and approximately 140 bird species. In varying colors of azure, green, gray and blue, the lakes make up the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 for its “outstanding natural beauty.” Photo courtesy of Travel-2-Croatia.com.
Laguna Colorada in Bolivia
Speckled with white borax isles, the Laguna Colorada—also referred to as the Red Lagoon or Red Lake—is a shallow salt lake in southwest Bolivia. Red in color due to sediments and pigmented algae, it attracts a rare Chilean breed of feathered flamingo friends that feed on bacteria at the bottom of the lake and thrive amidst the protected habitat. Photo courtesy of Ian Cowe via Flickr.com.
Dead Sea in Jordan and Israel
This landlocked lake in Southwest Asia, which sits at the lowest dry-land elevation on the earth’s surface, is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean—making it one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. Its closed drainage system, which allows no outflow (water levels are balanced by evaporation or seepage), creates conditions too harsh for animals to survive in, thus its name. However, the Dead Sea is believed to have powerful health benefits for humans due to the mineral content, lack of pollens and allergens, reduced solar radiation and higher atmospheric pressure. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Spotted Lake in Canada
In Osoyoos, British Columbia, there is a 38-acre natural phenomenon called Spotted Lake—though some still refer to by its Native Indian name, Klikuk. Containing one of the world's highest concentrations of minerals, including magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium sulfate, the lake’s mud is used by residents of Okanagan Valley to heal aches and pains. As summer progresses, the lake dries out and its pools of minerals form white, pale yellow, green and blue circles. The lake is on private land, and is therefore not publicly accessible, but can be viewed from a nearby highway. Photo courtesy of Rammed Earth via Flickr.com.
Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru
Lake Titicaca boasts three major physical distinctions: It’s located on the border of Peru and Bolivia; it sits at the highest point above sea level of any lake in the world; and is, by volume, the largest lake in South America. Though it’s fed by rainfall, melted water from glaciers, five major rivers and 20 small streams, water doesn’t flow out as easily as it does in. Nearly a closed lake—with just one single outlet at the Rio Desaguadero—the majority of its water input is balanced out by evaporation. Photo courtesy of Adam Jones, PhD, via Flickr.com.
Pitch Lake in Trinidad
Pitch Lake, the biggest nature-made deposit of asphalt in the world, is located in La Brea, Trinidad. Not just a beautiful landmark, the body of water—which is spotted with several isles of asphalt—is a main source for cement export companies, and is used in both Trinidad and Tobago to pave roads. Attracting nearly 20,000 visitors a year, the lake is thought to be located over two tectonic fault lines in the Caribbean Plate, resulting in an inlet for oil—which, after lighter components evaporated, left behind the weightier asphalt. Photo courtesy of Frank Julien Felix via Flickr.com.
Five-Flower Lake in China
Jiuzhaigou Valley is a nature reserve in southwestern China known for its waterfalls and lakes. The preserve’s prized possession is the Five-Flower Lake—the most awe-inspiring of all of its bodies of water. Its vast color palette (azure blue, blackish green and light yellow) is caused by calcium carbonate as well as hydrophytes, which also leave the water crystal-clear. From above, visitors can see fallen tree trunks scattered across the bottom, laid out in a magnificent maze. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Lake Nakuru in Kenya
Protected within the borders of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, Lake Nakuru—which means "dust” or “dusty place" in the native language of Maasai—boasts an abundance of blue-green algae, which attracts a myriad of pretty pink flamingos. Pollution and drought continue to destroy the avian feeding ground, forcing the flamingos to relocate to nearby lakes; however, boasting over 400 resident bird species, it still remains one of the greatest bird-watching spots on earth. Photo courtesy of Mircea Giurca via journeyetc.com
Kelimutu Crater Lakes in Indonesia
Atop a stratovolcano in Flores—one of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia—sit three crater lakes: Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake). Each lake is distinct in appearance, chemical makeup and historical sequence of color. Typically green, red, black or blue, each lake’s hue is controlled by changes in external conditions (though neighboring villages have their own myths revolving around immersed souls of the deceased). Their colors are most apparent in the morning, as the sun shines on them from above. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Boiling Lake in Dominica
Bubbling with grayish-blue water, the Boiling Lake—located in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park on the Caribbean island of Dominica—is the second largest hot spring in the world. Approximately 200 feet wide, the lake experiences dramatic fluctuations in activity and is only accessible by foot. Fun fact: In 2007, Canadian adventurer George Kourounis crossed the lake for Angry Planet, a Canadian reality-based television show. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Color is how the human eye perceives the reflection of different spectrums of light. We perceive color just as we perceive taste: sublime, exquisite, horrible and delicious. It provokes us, it enchants us and our whole world revolves around it. Everything from the clothes we wear, to the foods we eat are determined by color. It’s only fitting then, that we explore some of Mother Nature’s most colorful works.The kaleidoscope of colors presented in this series of spectacular lake images, encapsulate the incredible natural beauty of enclosed expanses of water.
1. Turquoise and Blue Lakes >
2. Green and Yellow Lakes >
3. Purple and Red Lakes >
4. Token Sunset Lake Pics >
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