If you have already seen the "Big 5" or are looking for adventure, or perhaps have always held a fascination for sharks, then South Africa has just the thing for you: Diving with the Sharks! Sharks are arguably one of the most evolved and feared predators of the ocean. From the smallest sand shark to the enormous whale shark, they are sleek, muscled, and extremely agile. With menacing row upon row of teeth, sharks are capable of sensing the blood of an injured animal from over a kilometre away, making them the most feared creature beneath the waves.

There are several tour operations offering travelers the opportunity to meet a Great White Shark face to face. It’s quite an education and of course a thrilling experience.

The approved cage is made of a frame of 20 mm stainless steel covered by 200x200x4mm welded stainless mesh. The cage remains afloat with about a foot floating above water at all times. The cage is securely attached to the boat with thick ropes which prevent it from sinking or drifting away. The bottom of the cage typically lies about 8 - 10 feet below the surface. The cages should have a solid lid which is closed once everybody is safely in the cage.

The low season starts approximately at the beginning of October and typically lasts until the end of January. The high season starts approximately beginning of February and lasts until the end of September. The white shark becomes more active as the winter months approach especially after a storm has passed. However unpredictable weather plays a major role from July to October. Overall, the best month for good weather, as well as shark activity is April to June.

You do not need dive qualifications to participate - snorkel gear & wet-suits are usually provided by the tour companies. Generally you will only snorkel in the cage, as tour operators prefer not to use scuba equipment which produces a lot of noise and bubbles under the water, and keeps the sharks from coming close.

If the cage is not for you, you do have options: watching from the boat is spectacular and exciting as sharks often come very close to the boats & will sometimes emerge above the water in pursuit of prey. Tour boats often have bait out, & sharks will follow the bait right up to the boat, and sometimes lie right next to the boat chewing on the bait. This allows for some incredible photo or video opportunities. There are plenty of shark-related expeditions available from diving trips to boat trips and aquariums.

For divers, the choice is massive. There are wreck dives, shore dives, open water dives and more. One of the more intriguing shark diving experiences is offered by the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town as well as the Durban Aquarium, where you can dive into the shark tank in the aquarium in the company of six Ragged Tooth Tiger sharks!

Halong Bay is due east of Hanoi. It is at the center of a larger zone that includes Bái Tử Long Bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà islands to the southwest. Translated literally, “Halong” Bay means “Descending Dragon” bay. When you visit, you will know why.

Hạlong Bay is said to be one of the 33 most beautiful bays of the world. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), its main draw is the interesting rock formations that jut out from the bay. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. The limestone has evolved over some 500 million years, shaped by weather and the wet, tropical environment.

Through a local tourist agency in Hanoi, my wife Trish and I booked an overnight week-end package to Cát Bà Island. The trip by bus takes about four hours. During the summer, many Vietnamese retreat to the beach at Cát Bà , and we’d heard good things about the place.

On Saturday morning, we trekked to the tourist office bright and early, and the bus arrived in Halong Bay in time for lunch. Perfect by my calculations! After lunch, our group of 30 (some Vietnamese, some French, some Japanese, and some Swiss) clambered aboard a boat for our venture out into the bay. We visited some caves and enjoyed a slow, peaceful cruise. Time flew.

Before we knew it, the sun had gone and we began to wonder why we had not yet returned to Cát Bà. When we looked back to ask the captain, we saw that we were towing another boat----bigger than ours. This other boat had lost its engine so we were towing it to Cát Bà. But the extra draw slowed our speed significantly. Instead of a leisurely, slow chug, we had reduced to a speed that barely stopped us from listing.

As a result, when we got back to Cát Bà, it was pitch black, and our boat did not have any lights. One of the crew simply hopped to the bow with his flashlight. Problem solved. Occasionally he’d shout “STOP,” and then we’d see a large boat looming out of the darkness in front of us. The captain would throw the engine in reverse, and we’d only narrowly escape colliding. He’d navigate around the obstacle, then push the boat back up to proper ramming speed. Eventually we navigated the harbor (safely), found lodging, and made the return boat trip back the next morning.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Although the cruise was good, in my opinion the highlight of any trip to Halong Bay is the food. The seafood is fresh and stunning. Along the bay there are floating restaurants that have cages with crabs, lobsters, oysters, shrimps, clams, and several kinds of local fishes. The waiter will show you the different animals, all alive, and you choose your menu. They cook the sea food, and serve it on the spot. Order one of the local beers, and enjoy your meal. A unique experience and some of the freshest seafood you can get.

About the Author: Alexander Koff is the Chair of the Global Practice of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, a full service law firm founded in 1933. The firm has six offices with over 150 attorneys. Alex lives in Baltimore with his wife, Tricia, and their two children.

If you aren't able to make it to Vietnam, here is a great dish you can make to bring a little of Vietnam to your table! Eat it by the water or in a cave for that Vietnamese adventure feel! Serves 4 and it's so easy to make

• 24 to 36 cockles, or Venus or razor clams
• 1 teaspoon Vietnamese chili-garlic sauce
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 3 ounces fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 scallions, root ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch-long pieces
• 1 bunch cilantro, stems removed

Preparation: Put the cockles, or Venus or razor clams, in a bowl and fill with water to cover. Place in the refrigerator and allow to soak for 30 minutes. Drain and repeat twice more.

Heat the oil in a wok over high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and then stir-fry until fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Add the mollusks, chili-garlic sauce, and fish sauce and stir-fry until well mixed. Scatter the scallions and cilantro on top, cover, and cook until the mollusks open, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve hot.

PLEASE NOTE: Disgard any mollusks that do not open during the cooking process as their freshness cannot be guaranteed. Be sure mollusks are thoroughly cooked before eating. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of food borne illness. The best way to prevent food borne illnesses is to avoid raw meats altogether. Unless you know exactly where the seafood came from and how it was handled, you are at risk.

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical service personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders.

• Hepatitis A and B
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis
• Rabies
• Influenza
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Pneumococcal
• Yellow Fever- if coming from a country where yellow fever is present
• PPD Test
• Japanese Encephalitis

Also, take precautions against drinking the water and make sure your food is thoroughly cooked. Most of these vaccinations are routine for citizens of the USA and you have more than likely been adequately vaccinated for some, but it is important to see a travel medicine specialist to be sure you are prepared with the proper vaccinations and information to stay healthy in Vietnam.