Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Few things can beat a quick bird’s eye view of Cambodia and now one can even experience something like a bird’s flight over the lush green paddy fields, the lofty buildings of ancient temples and their scattered ruins, the strips of lake that bears upon it a floating village and so much.  With so much to explore in Cambodia, the SkyVenture Microlights is something any traveler would greatly appreciate.

This service of scenic flights over Cambodia’s most attractive landscape is offered by the SkyVenture Microlights in Siem Reap. With such different stretches of scenery to be viewed in Cambodia and so much differences in people’s tastes and choices, it is not surprising that there are about six options of flights to choose from.

Observe the magnificence of the ancient Roluos group of temples with tall square towers built of bricks and arched gateways known as ‘Gopuras’with the ‘Red flight route’. Picture the beauty of the Tonle Sap Lake as it meanders its way along, studded with water lilies and bearing upon it the well known floating village and on its banks the silted houses which all speak of a lifestyle of a fishing village that has blended so well with the river.  While this can be enjoyed with the yellow route, the green route affords the luxury of witnessing the ancient temples as well as the lush green meadows and paddy fields lying beneath you like a carpet and sweepingly ruffled by the breeze as you soar above them like a bird.  The ‘see it all’ flight is the ultimate extending for half an hour and is a fine blend of natural scenery and ancient temples and ruins as well as the beauty of lakes and fishing villages.

After the exhilarating experience of soaring over the breathtaking view of Cambodia, come down to heaven as you set your foot into a luxury hotel Siem Reap.  Tinged with the undeniable grace of Raffles hospitality, the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is as renowned for its hospitality as Angkor for its ancient temples.  Sprawling over 15 acres of picturesque gardens, the hotel bears its visitors up upon a cage elevator in the lobby to their comfortable rooms above.  With its modern comforts merging seamlessly into the soothing background and scenery, this is one Siem Reap hotel that embraces you with heartwarming hospitality and gift you with memories for a lifetime.

In recent times Kalpitiya has become a hot spot among the tourists visiting Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya lagoon and the beach have become the most popular tourist attractions in the area. This fascinating archipelago is mostly covered with mangroves and it’s a paradise of migrating birds. With the combination of rare sea creatures and an extensive coral reef, the marine life of this coastal belt is breathtaking. The Dutch fortress, the church and the Dutch ruins boast the archaeological value of the area. If you want a comfortable ride to Kalpitiya in a Sri Lanka car hire, Malkey Rent A Car will guarantee you the best journey beating the other Sri Lanka car rental companies.

 Experience thrill, excitement and all the wild adventure with the Panda Enduro Tours; an exciting package of off road activities. A favourite among locals and tourists alike the Panda Enduro Tours is designed to give you the time of your life. Catering to the beginner and the expert, regardless the age, gender and taste preferences, you are sure to enjoy the Panda Enduro Tours.

The Panda Enduro Tour is packed with all sorts of riding experiences that range from dune riding to beach riding to trail riding, all exciting in its own special way. There are different types of tour packages each to suit your taste and desire. If you just want to try it out, you can go for the one hour package but if you are full blown rider you can indulge in the multi day all inclusive tour. Each and every tour in Panda Enduro is exclusively off road, but be rest assured that these tour packages give special importance to international safety standards and ensure riders have the most up to date safety gear for their particular kind of sport. The Tour package operates on a range of different trails and this too depends on how well versed one is in the world of bike riding. So do not hesitate ask the professionals at Panda Enduro and enjoy a one of a kind riding experience whether you are a beginner or a professional.

Apart from off road riding, Mui Ne has some other remarkable sporting activities as well. The city has some interesting trails for hiking and running that are usually on the agenda for the devoted rider. Further you can also explore the spectacular golf courses in the city and try out some of the interesting water based activities that range from swimming, snorkelling, diving to motorized water sports.

Wind down in the Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, a truly luxurious and comfortable Vietnam Hotel that gives you all the state of the art amenities that makes it a haven for the wild rider. So set off to relax in this resort in Mui Ne and gear up to explore the rest of this amazing city.

With a significant portion of the country covered in dense vegetation, the island of Sri Lanka is the ideal destination for eco-tourism. The tropical island is home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna. Nature lovers will come across a number of rare and enticing birds, magnificent elephants and mischievous monkeys. The island is a global biodiversity hotspot and is home to quite a large population of endemic animals. With large forests throughout the country, eco-tourists will have plenty of options, Yala being one of the more popular ones.

The Yala National Park is the 2nd largest national park in the island and is the country’s most widely visited sanctuary. In 1900 the area was first designated as a wildlife sanctuary, and only became a national park thirty eight years later. The park is located in the Uva and Southern Provinces, and is quite close to the city of Hambantota. With an area of nearly four hundred square miles, the park is divided into five blocks. Only two of them, the Ruhuna National Park (also called block 1) and the Kumana National Park, are open to the public.

The national park features several different ecosystems and plays an important role in the conservation of aquatic birds and the Sri Lankan Elephant. In fact, it is one of seventy Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. There are well over two hundred species of birds residing in the park, of which six are endemic to the country. In addition to this, the park is home to over forty different types of mammals, and boasts one of the largest leopard populations in the world.

There are three wildlife sanctuaries and six national parks in close vicinity, so tourists planning on exploring the island’s jungles will find Yala a fitting starting point. The local infrastructure, more specifically the Yala hotels Sri Lanka are admirable. The Chaaya Wild Yala offers some of the best accommodation here. This Yala hotel borders the sanctuary and is designed to harmonise with its beautiful surroundings. Evoking images of olden day safaris, the hotel is a terrific place to stay.

Takou Mountain, one hour away from Mui Ne Beach, Vietnam is a popular tourist attraction among hikers.  Those who are interested in hiking usually climb the mountain and the ones who are not interested could take the cable cars which glide across the lush green rainforest exploring the exotic environment. Tourists can visit the ancient Takou Mountain pagodas but the main attraction of the place is the reclining Sakyamuni Budhha Statue with the eyes turned down to the earth which symbolizes Lord Buddha’s immense compassion fell upon the mankind. It is considered the largest statue in Vietnam Hotel accommodation is not rare in the area but if you are looking for a well- appointed Resort in Mui Ne one of the best available is Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa.

For most, Bali is a destination for complete relaxation; basking in the warm sun, indulging in the glorious beaches and turquoise ocean waters, relaxing spa treatments, and enjoying the country’s cuisine. But it is also a destination for experiencing thrilling adventures such as white water rafting.

Bali offers several options for white water rafting each with its own unique style of adventure provided through rapids ranging from class II to III, and depending on the weather even class IV or V rapids are available. But the best and the most easily accessible rafting experience is offered by the Ayung River. Located close to most of the tourist centres, the Ayung River provides some of the best white water experiences.

There are various service providers with whom one can join for this amazing experience. Rafts, lifejackets, other safety equipment, and even a pilot are provided by these service providers. The run through Ayung River is generally a 9.6 kilometre stretch of river which takes you through the most wonderful natural setting; rainforests, ravines, paddy fields, spectacular waterfalls and even dramatic drops – a ride through the best of Bali with added amenities of thrill and fun!

This stretch of river navigates through thirty three rapids ranging from class II and III, and there will be professionally trained pilots to ensure that you safely navigate them and also enjoy the ride. The journey is generally about two hours and depending on your service provider and package you can even arrange for a relaxing meal afterwards. Most of the packages also include hot water showers and changing rooms to make one decent after the rough ride. Rafting enthusiasts are recommended to wear light clothing, strapped sandals, and sunscreen. Also remember to bring a change of clothes. 

Most of the Bali resorts and hotels will be more than pleased to arrange your Ayung River rafting for you. You can either book this in advance through the Internet or even make arrangements once you get to your place of lodging. Most travellers prefer Uluwatu hotels and guesthouses due to the easy access they provide to all the great attractions in the island. For luxury accommodation options in Uluwatuwa try the Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa. 

A perfect blend of white sandy beaches, warm sunshine and soft breezes, Maldives is an ideal destination for a romantic tropical vacation. It is a collection of stunning coral islands located in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. The people of the islands are of the Muslim faith and thus visitors will encounter mosques in the capital city, Male. However the resort islands are quite independent and function only to make your stay a memorable and comfortable one. The tourism industry is the main contributor to the Maldivian economy and so has complete support from the local government. The people of Maldives are very friendly and will make you feel at home right from the airport and also in the resort of your choice.

Kitesurfing is an extreme sport which has expertly combined elements from surfing, paragliding and gymnastics into one. For a kitesurfer Maldives is definitely the place to be. With favourable wind, water and warm weather the country offers an ideal location for this exciting water sport. One can find the necessary equipment in most of the resorts and they will also take visitors on a boat to the beach of your choice. Even if you are new to kitesurfing most of the resorts will provide you with an instructor so that you can give it a try and experience the amazing adrenaline rush of the sport. Maldives is an island paradise where you can simply forget the world and enjoy the sun, sea and surf in a spectacular world of your own.

The food in Maldives can be quite spicy for the untrained taste buds. However most of the resorts have skilful chefs who prepare delightful international cuisine as well. When in the country, visitors will be treated to some mouth watering fresh sea food dishes. Apart from tourism the fisheries industry still remains an integral part of the Maldivian economy. 

A Maldives hotel will welcome you with a warm smile and treat you with world class service. Maldives Island Resorts usually take up the whole island and operate as an independent entity in that particular island. Naladhu Maldives, meaning beautiful island is a place where you can relax, unwind and enjoy your holiday with fine dining, a spa and a variety of aqua sports including kitesurfing.