Author: auburn

Mountain Biking in Abu Dhabi

The raw masculinity emulated by the rugged terrains of Abu Dhabi makes this the perfect spot for the real rush of adventure. The endless desert vistas adorned with an occasional camel or sheep farm is among all activities perfect for mountain biking. As you ride through rough conditions you can experience not just an authentic dose of unspoiled adventure but you also have an opportunity to enjoy a glimpse of the nomadic version of the Emirati lifestyle. So get yourself a hardy mountain bike and soar through the endless jagged plains of the capital city of the UAE.

Mountain Biking in the UAE is so popular that it is one of the many activities offered in Abu Dhabi’s annual adventure challenge. Despite being a must do activity in the city, packages are not readily available and even maps for this purpose is scarce. If you want to mountain bike for a personal rush of adventure, hire or purchase a bike and all the necessary accessories to go with it. Here there are no maps so you will have to learn to make use of the GPS to find your way around. The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is one of the many luxury hotels Abu Dhabi has that provides ample information with this regard. It really helps to have information readily at hand to plan your perfect mountain biking adventure.

Although many head over to the Al Hajar Mountain Range for off road adventure, it is not necessarily the best spot for Mountain biking. Nirvana for the mountain biker is the terrain that lies between the desert sand and the high mountains as it provides the perfect fast flowing single track with infrequent rocky steps and the real challenging climbs, all with a firm base which provides the much needed grip for those knobbly tires. The way down from the hills offers the euphoric experience that makes you want to stick your legs to the side and ‘wheee’ in delight.; the whole package is real adventure packed with plenty of fun.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Great Night Spots in Colombo

Like big cities around the world Colombo offers a selection of clubs, pubs, lounges, bars and casinos spread throughout the city with a concentration in the Fort area and down Galle Road and Duplication Road. The bars and clubs in the Fort area are usually part of big hotels. However exciting new venues appear to be changing the city’s night time scene. Cinnamon Red Colombo one of the newest business hotels Colombo in the heart of Colpetty is located close to where the action is.

Although many night spots are still the traditional dim indoor venues crowded with people, the culture is changing somewhat with many night owls preferring to sit out in the open on rooftops of the latest lounges that offer gorgeous city views, informal seating and innovative cocktail mixes. Some venues also offer open cobblestoned areas where pub crawlers can sit on wooden chairs and enjoy drinks, listen to live music, dance if they want to and have their pick of food from the restaurants around. The high point of many city clubs are the special events held throughout the year featuring music for dancing, good food and drink. Ladies nights and other promotions draw the crowds. The city pubs are not to be out done. Some of them have promotions during the weekends that attract a full house and some have always been more popular than others. Some pubs have created an interesting ambience, offer specially designed cocktails and are popular with people who enjoy a quiet drink and chat with friends. Pub crawlers can also head down to the Mt Lavinia beach to enjoy food, drinks and dancing on the beach. Colombo also has a series of restaurants cum bars that are frequented by local tipsters although no live music and dancing is available here and they are not the usual ‘night spot’. Some of these are now classified as dodgy bars and are part of a popular nighttime city tour. Night spots routinely start at around 10 pm and continue into the wee hours of the morning.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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River Cruising in Bentota; explore the exotic mangroves of Bentota

Bentota, a coastal town in the South of Sri Lanka, is situated on the mouth of the Bentota River. Its unique location makes it an attractive tourist destination because not only are you able to enjoy the immaculate beaches of Bentota, more adventurous visitors may enjoy exploring the mangroves along the Bentota river. Bentota is home to a number of other attractions such as the famous Turtle Hatchery, the Kande Vihare Buddhist Temple, and the Brief Gardens. When in Sri Lanka do not pass up a chance to visit this unique location while staying at a luxury hotel. Sri Lanka may be known for its beautiful beaches but the natural beauty of the mangroves are breathtaking. The mangroves are widely believed to be one of the last pristine wetlands in Sri Lanka.

A number of hotels offer packages for travellers; whether you require a boat to go deep sea fishing, or cruise along the Bentota River, hotels such as Saman Villas Bentota will accommodate you. These tours can be for a few hours or can span the course of a day, including a traditional Sri Lankan lunch in a secluded village along the banks of the Bentota River. The guides are well versed with the wildlife of the area and will be ready to answer any questions you have.

During the river cruise, expect to see an abundance of exotic flora and fauna, monitor lizards, a wide variety of river birds and possibly even crocodiles. Not only is the Bentota River ideal for river cruises, a number of hotels and companies offer water sporting activities such as jet skiing, sailing and banana boating. These are ideal for the thrill-seeker looking to spice up their holiday however those who seek a more relaxed holiday can relax on one of the many tranquil beaches in Bentota.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Submarine Tour; come face to face with exotic creatures living in the famous Maldivian reefs

99% of the island nation of the Maldives consists of water and while the lure of its pristine beaches may be what brings most tourists to the Maldives, it is not the only attraction that can take your breath away. While the Maldives is known as a divers paradise because of the rich variety of sea-life in and around its reefs, this may not benefit visitors that are not divers. However the Whale Submarine, Submarine tour will remedy this as there are no skills required to witness one of nature’s most majestic dive sites.

When looking for accommodation in the Maldives, villas are a viable option for budgets of all types. Hotels such as Adaaran Hudhuranfushi have a number of luxurious ocean and beach villas that won’t break the bank. While at your resort, you may book your submarine tour at the reception desk, online or even at the ticketing office in Male. The submarine tours are conducted every 90 minutes, with the first tour starting at 9am, and ending with the night dive at 8pm. The entire tour, including the waiting time before the dive and after, will take approximately 3 hours.

The submarine tour begins with the state-of-the-art submarine diving up to 25 feet beneath the surface where a number of reef fish and coral can be seen. After this the submarine dives to 40 meters below the surface, stopping near a big cave which has a number of species living inside. Depending on a number of factors such as the current and weather, the tour may take you through an ancient shipwreck or even a shark feeding area. The powerful exterior lights of the submarine light up the sea floor during the night dive, where guests can see sleeping manta rays and even sharks.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Jungle Tales

Phra Taew is a forested mountain range in the north of Phuket with a central peak rising 450 meters, the highest point on the island. Still in pristine condition, it is an excellent example of a rain forest in South East Asia. The forest is both a recreation area and a class room that can impart knowledge on the fragile eco system and how best to preserve it. The fauna here include a herd of barking deer, bands of monkeys and gibbons released into the wild from the nearby Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre, wild boar, small mammals such as the Malayan Black Giant Squirrel, amphibians, reptiles and many species of migratory and native birds. The flora comprises of tropical evergreen trees, bamboo, palms and ferns. Bang Pae waterfall is its most prominent water feature. The pools it forms are popular with hikers seeking to cool off. Hikes to Khao Phra Taew Wildlife Park can be planned from Anantara Phuket Villas, a popular Phuket beach resort.

The wildlife park has a 600 meter and a two km easy to follow hiking trails from Bang Pae waterfall to Ton Sai waterfall. Visitors keen on a wildlife experience can hire a guide at the information centre near the Bang Pae waterfall or set off on their own. Although the trail is not arduous some scrambling over fallen trees and rocks are involved. As the trail goes up the mountain visitor will observe a change in the flora. The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand or WARF also offers several hiking options. These treks include the services of ecology lecturers and trackers and offer the best ways to see its fauna and understand its flora. The hikes are categorized as a Soft Jungle Experience which is a half day hike, Nocturnal Life a night trip, gibbon trekking day trips and overnight camping trips. Having the services of a tracker is the best way to see wildlife during daytime. Night trips offer opportunities to see a range of amphibians, reptiles and several small nocturnal creatures.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Explore Mui Ne’s Natural Wonders on a Tour of the Red and White Sand Dunes

Travellers in search of a luxury resort in Mui Ne will be more than pleased with the stylish Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa. Offering guests a resplendent hideaway with spa facilities this cozy rest is the ideal base for holidaymakers.

Tipped to be one of Vietnam’s most intriguing tourist attractions the red and white sand dunes of Mui Ne are a geological anomaly that is worthy of exploration. Frequented by locals and travellers alike this captivating stretch of sand dunes have expanded to become one of the most popular tour options in central Vietnam.

Located on either side of a massive lake the White Dunes are situated the farthest from Mui Ne city centre and is considered the most arid area in all of Southeast Asia. Dubbed Bau Trang in the local tongue the White Dunes is a miniature desert with the Lotus Lake serving as its only body of water. Lotus flowers gaze up from the water source that is anything but a mirage and creates a sharp contrast with the sandy confines of its location. A series of cafes are pine trees are on hand to offer shade and refreshments as well as a quiet space for picnics, if one should so desire.

The Red Dunes on the other hand are easier to reach and is located close to the touristic heart of Mui Ne. Littered with small slopes and red hued sand the venue is a hotbed for local photographers and videographers who use the venue’s rich, textured landscapes as the back drop for music videos and the like.

Visitors can take a jeep tour across both dunes or opt for a more eco-friendly bike tour or motorbike tour and explore the area in its entirety with guides providing valuable information on the venues. Sledding activities are also popular at both dunes with sleds for adults and children available for rent nearby. Visitors can also go for a swim at Lotus Lake and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from a different vantage point.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Camping in Yala

The combination of the best of land and sea makes Yala one of the most sought out tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. The city of Yala is the location of the famous Yala National Park; a wild life sanctuary that is known for its highest leopard concentration in the entire world. No one leaves Yala without desperately desiring to spot a leopard but that unfortunately, is not always easily. When you begin your wild life excursion on a safari jeep into this national park, you will likely come across an array of different exotic species; even elephants are found here in plenty. But its leopards however, are usually hidden and require a little bit of planning in order to be spotted.

It is perhaps this desperate desire to spot these ferocious creatures that makes camping so popular in Yala. One of the factors that increase the chances of spotting a leopard is choosing the right time in the day to begin the leopard hunt. Since leopards are nocturnal and will most likely go to sleep once the sun comes up, experts believe that the best time to spot a leopard is just before sunrise. To be up and about and into the national park by this hour, it is pivotal to choose a hotel by the side of the Yala National Park. The Secret Hotels have recently opened a branch in Yala which is not only located at almost the entrance of the park but also offers luxury camping services as well.

Camping with the Secrets Yala is an experience truly worth indulging in. With picture perfect stretches of land that boasts a roaring beach on one side and an exciting wild life park on the other, one can never be more closer to the best of nature. While you indulge in this raw and authentic camping experience, rest assured that your safety and comforts are well taken care of. This is indeed the finest version of camping there is.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Enjoy Sunset Hand Line Fishing Excursions in Paradise Archipelago Maldives

Travellers on the lookout for luxurious Maldives hotels with villa accommodation will be more than pleased with Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Offering guests the best in contemporary amenities in a tranquil setting this beachside resort is one of the finest rests in the region.

Maldives is a group of 1190 islands famous for its clear blue seas, white, sandy beaches and perhaps as a holiday destination that one simply cannot afford to miss on a tour of Asia. Although many enjoy snorkeling and sunbathing and engaging in various water sports activities in this holiday Mecca a vacation in the Maldives would be incomplete without trying one’s hand at the traditional form of hand line fishing.

Also known as bottom fishing or legering, night fishing, this method of fishing is available in many of the archipelago’s divine resorts. As an ancient form of fishing, it is fishing method in which the bait is put on a hook and dropped to the bottom of the sea with a weight. The line is pulled back up a little from the sea bed so that it does not get entangled in the corals littering the ocean floor. Then it’s a matter of waiting and enjoying a breathtaking sunset or a starry night sky while anticipating a tug at the end of the line. The day’s catch is cooked for the fisherman and consumed by the fishing party according to local custom.

As many forms of commercial fishing is forbidden in most islands in Maldives, hand line fishing is one of the most common forms of fishing available in the Maldives in addition to pelagic fishing and reef fishing.

Hand line fishing is most often carried out in small boats named Bokkuraas. Three to four people can ride in these boats for the duration of a 4 to 5 hour trip. Different types of bait ranging from live bait to fish waste are used to catch different types of fish. These tours are organized by many of the resorts and hotels in Maldives to let tourists enjoy an ancient method of fishing still in practice today.

Maldivians made their livelihood from the sea. Passed on from generation to generation the traditions of the fisherman can still be experienced by an outsider. All those who experience fishing in the Maldives for even one day will come to learn of the respect and love locals have for the sea and the delicate balance that must be maintained for the survival of man and nature.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Kayaking in Miami Beach

Miami is a pulsating beach holiday destination offering a range of unparalleled adventures. Accommodation in South Beach Miami is of excellent standards and Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach is one exceptional hotel in South Beach Miami. It is a well known fact that the scenic Miami Beach offers plenty of opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. You have the options of either taking part in a naturalist guided tour or paddling solo. If you go kayaking in the evening you might get the chance to witness a breathtaking sunset or even catch a glimpse of dolphins gleefully frolicking in the Biscayne Bay. With many parks that rent out canoes and kayaks, indulging in this fun water sport has been made extremely convenient.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Scuba Diving in Bentota

It is a well known fact that Sri Lanka has been blessed with varied natural assets. If based at a Bentota resort you will possibly get to indulge in a range of leisure activities that no other place in the island can offer. AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa is known for offering elegant Bentota hotel accommodation. Popularly referred to as Sri Lanka’s water sports hub, Bentota offers ideal sites for Scuba diving, water skiing, kite-surfing, windsurfing and more. Among its dive sites, Canoe Rock is a highlight while South Reef and Hundirangala are also worth mentioning. You even have the option of hoping aboard a boat and embarking on a deep-sea-fishing trip.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+