Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Learn About Sharks

The traveler is indeed spoilt when holidaying in the Maladies for it presents a surfeit of activities to do and one such activity not to go amiss is the Shark watch Program. With their razor sharp teeth and astonishing speed burst that can accelerate to a 50 km per hour, sharks are the deathliest predators of marine life. Without their existence in the waters, the entire marine life would collapse which in turn poses a serious threat to human subsistence and sustainability making their continued existence vital for our survival. Today Maldivian authorities pull at all stops to save the endangered species of sharks. While it is on extreme prohibition to shark fish, there are many Shark watch programs that has embedded to the whole ‘’Maldivian experience’’. One can find shark watching prospects at almost any of the coastal regions of Maldives and the mesmerizing waters of this part of the Indian Ocean is home to a 37 different species of sharks.
Common to find are the Patrollers, one of the friendliest and interesting sharks to watch as they scurry about in the warm waters of this tropical archipelago of the Indian Ocean. Maldives Resorts that are just a hairbreadth away from the ocean is ideal positioning for the visitor who fancies a cool refreshing dip in the waters at any given time of the day. Anantara Kihavah has some of the best Villa in Maldives that come with a private infinity edge pool and their own stretch of stunning white beach for those who want a quieter getaway.

Enthralling Bangkok Crocodile Farm

The Bangkok Crocodile Farm will draw the interest of anyone interested in these fascinating reptiles. The farm aims to promote the breeding of crocodiles in captivity so as to preserve these creatures which have become threatened in the wild. At the farm visitors will be able to see sensational spectacles like crocodile wrestling and trainers placing their heads in the crocodiles’ mouths. Other attractions include camel and elephant rides, the Monkey Playground and riding paddle boats on the farm’s lake. 

Selective visitors who desire a quality service apartment in Bangkok will be pleased by the Somerset Park Suanplu Bangkok. These fine Bangkok apartments offer excellent accommodations and service.

Take a leap

Skydiving or Parachuting is an exciting sport that many people increasingly participate in. Of course if the thought of throwing yourself out of a moving airplane or hot air balloon terrifies you then this sport is clearly not for you. However there have been many people who have an aversion to the thought but still tried it once to get it off their bucket list. Most of these people come back for the experience again as the thrill and adrenaline rush you feel when free falling down to the ground can never be explained to your satisfaction.

Andre Jacques Garnerin was the first to make a successful jump from a hot air balloon in 1797. Since then the art of parachuting and the parachutes themselves and their mechanisms have gone through tremendous developments, making the sport an even safer one. Sky diving has been used as a method of safety for air force personnel as well as to bring them to the fighting field during wars.

Today skydiving is a recognized sport with many national, regional and international accredited organizations and affiliations.

In Tokyo skydiving has become increasingly popular not just with the locals but also those from across the globe. The stunning views of commercial Japan, with its paddy and rice fields surrounding the cities and the distant view of Mount Fuji is itself worth the jump. The drop zone in Tokyo – the place where skydivers take off from and hope to land – opens at around 8.30am and closes at sundown.

Those wishing to skydive here are required to submit their details and date on which they hope to make the jump at least one week ahead as permission needs to be obtained from the government. However this permission is easily given so sky divers have nothing to fear.

If you are visiting Tokyo – be it on business or leisure – take time to visit the drop zone, familiarize yourself with the process and maybe take a bold step and sky dive before your holiday is through. If looking for luxury hotels in Tokyo from which to base yourself then consider one of the many Peninsula Hotels in the city. With its long tradition of offering the very best in comfort, facilities and service, these are some of the legendary hotels in Tokyo.

Watersport in Bali an encounter to Remember

Breathtaking tranquil blue sea water minus the waves is the ideal tonic for water sport activities. Bali is known to possess scenic white sandy beaches in abundance and many water sports centers along its beaches offering a wide array of marine sport activities to choose from. Some of the well known beaches for water sport are Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kuta, Uluwatu, and Jimbaran. Popular water sport activities include parasailing, fishing, glass bottom boat, banana boat, jet ski, fly fish, snorkeling, diving etc. These fun water sport activities are reasonably priced to fit the budget of many a visitor.  The various types of water sport activities available to the visitor do not require pre acquired specialist skills. The experienced local guides will guide the visitor and explain the various points including safety which one must be aware of when taking up these water based adventures. Incidentally, Bali attracts surfers in plentiful, as Bali is blessed with some of the finest surfs in the world.

For the water sports enthusiasts, parasailing is an exciting prospect. One does not need any experience to indulge in parasailing. However it will be a cake walk for the thrill seeking enthusiast.  In parasailing, you are hooked on to a Parasail which mimics a parachute, and towed by a power boat. The moment the power boat drives off you’ll be flying like a bird and lifted into the air where you’ll see amazing scenery of the sea and the surroundings.

Snorkeling is another much sought after activity where one can indulge in experiencing the unique perspective of the beautiful coral underneath the ocean together with many species of fish and unique aquatic marine life. There are experienced snorkeling guides to guide the visitor on the most scenic spots under the sea and generally will take 60 minutes to explore the stunning under sea life. Riding on a Jet Ski is a fun, hair on your face activity that’s a hit among most tourists. The power, the adrenaline rushing through you as you control the motion of the jet ski, dominating the crystal blue waters underneath, the wind gushing through you, it is pure exhilaration. You can also Water Ski which uses power boat to pull the Water Ski at high speed creating a sensation that is top notch. If you want to go back in time to the years when you were a care free kid, this Banana Boat ride is bound to remind you of that time. When you sit on top of the jelly mould like humongous inflated craft, shaped like a banana, sandwiched between the water, the real thrill ride begins when the Banana boat which is towed by a power boat catches up speed to the amazement of all. Fly Fish is a recently introduced sport activity that is gaining in wide popularity. It is a high speed sport where a power boat pulls a small flat boat made out of rubber at high speed and resembles flying fish, jumping on water.

Enjoy the pleasures of Bali’s at Anantara Seminyak Bali located in a scenic beachfront property. Enjoy the rustic sea breeze, gusts of wind enveloping through coconut palms and the endless vista of breathtaking sunsets. Anantara Seminyak Bali is a Bali resorts like no other with fashionable restaurants and cafes, trendy night life. Those looking for a high quality Bali Resort with up to the minute facilities in a modern setting where one could experience water sport activities, relax and indulge in the culinary delights with a glimpse of Historical charms, should definitely try this hotel.             

Experience One of the World’s Best Dropzones at Skydive Dubai

Tipped to be one of the most revolutionary sky diving operators in the world, Skydive Dubai takes this exhilarating adventure sports among the clouds to truly soaring heights. Offering sky diving enthusiasts young and old unmatched opportunities to tandem jump, canopy pilot and formation sky dive like never before this one stop sky diving hub is home to one of the most awe-inspiring dropzones in the world as well.  

Housed within a state-of- the- art facility in the centre of Dubai city the Skydive headquarters occupies its own peninsula flanked by its own private stretch of beach property. Some of the facilities on-site include a gear shop, cafe, a massive indoor creeping and packing region; debrief room and showers in addition to a gift shop and restaurant. Offering breathtaking views of The Palm the dropzone  which employs turbine aircrafts for all drop offs also offers helicopter and Caravan drops in addition to dives off Pilatus Porters and  Twin Otters.
Regardless of the nature of the sky dive, jumpers are guaranteed spectacular views of one of the globe’s most geographically stunning quarters with The Palm and World Islands ranking supreme among the highlights.  Aerial views of the Dubai marina, the Burj El Arab and the world’s tallest structure Burj Khalifa are also on offer for jumpers and camera flyers on a dive off the dropzone as all of these landmarks can be photographed in one shot by quick shutterbugs.

Professional coaching and training are also provided by Skydive Dubai which has on staff a group of skilled instructors that have completed 220,000 jumps overall. The free flying and wing suit coaching crew are equally impressive having taken part in aerial displays at red letter events around the world.

Video and photographic recordings of the jumps are also available to jumpers as souvenirs or valuable coaching tools for future use. The tunnel coaching sessions are also recorded on video so jumpers can fine-tune their skills before taking to the skies.

Travellers in search of Dubai luxury hotels should look no further than the Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai for all their accommodation needs.  Ideally located, this luxurious rest is one holiday hotel Dubai counts among its finest accommodation providers.

Thrilling Hua Hin Canopy Adventures at Secret Falls

Canopy adventures over the Secret Falls in Hua Hin, Koh Samui is an experience that will never be forgotten. In this unique attraction the participants glide from one tree house to another along sturdy cables, above the verdant jungle canopy. Six individual cable rides are offered with more than 500 m of thrilling adventure, providing sensational views over the waterfalls. No experience is needed to enjoy this experience.

Visitors looking for a quality Samui hotel will find an ideal rest in the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui. This fine Samui resort provides excellent accommodations and attentive hospitality.

Arabian Adventures Day Tours

Ready to unravel the mysteries of the desert? Looking for a relaxing drive around the city? Arabian Adventures is the no.1 ranking tour guide operating in Qatar. Now carrying more than 5,000 passengers each year, it started off in 1987 by a freelance tour operator named Hassan Hijji. Its experienced staff and modern vehicles offer professional services to cater to every whim of its passengers while staying within their budgets.

The desert, with its soft and warm sand stretching out into the horizon to join the wide expanse of blue sky is one of Qatar’s main attractions. Covering large areas of land this experience one should not miss. Arabian Adventures offer half-day tours, full day tours and even overnight desert safaris. One can choose between a rocky bumpy ride and a smooth drive over the yellow sand dunes in their 4 WD vehicles driven by well experienced Qatari guides. For the more adventurous, a night spent in the cool isolated darkness of the desert, surrounded by the scrumptious smell of a roasting barbecue in one of their Bedouin style tents, equipped with modern necessities but retaining its traditional aura is an experience like no other.

They also offer a drive around Doha, Qatar’s capital city, a sightseeing expedition that covers all major locations of the city in a comfortable vehicle accompanied by skilled tour guides. Another tour Arabian Adventures offer away from the norm is the cruise in a traditional wooden dhow on the tranquil waters of the Arabian Gulf. One can simply relax aboard the dhow with a shisha for company while enjoying the panoramic view of the Doha skyline, dance to the seductive tunes of Arabian music or wade into the blue waters and work a tan on the beaches of Saflia Island. A visit to Shahaniyah, the largest herd of Oryx in their natural habitat can be followed with a visit to the camel races and a ride on these traditional desert vehicles top off the Heritage tour with a traditional cup of Arabian tea or coffee. One is transported back in time during the tour of northern Qatar, an expedition through the remnants of the old cities include a stop at the beaches of Al Khor, a picturesque location sought after by tourists.

For those looking out for a comfortable stay at a Doha luxury hotel, look no further than the Millennium Hotel Doha. It offers exemplary service and is one of the leading Doha Hotels.

Rock Climbing in Chiang Rai, a delight for the enthusiast

In a nation as active and vibrant as Thailand it is not surprising that rock climbing has gained a strong following amongst locals as well as foreign visitors. In recent years Chiang Rai has gained renown as a premier location for the sport, with numerous challenging venues for the professional, keen amateur or even the complete novice. The excitement of rock climbing once experienced will never be forgotten.

Astute travellers selecting amongst Chiang Rai hotels will be pleased by the Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand, an outstanding hotel in Chiang Rai which offers excellent accommodations and service.

Hajar Mountains Oman

Located in the northeastern part of Oman, the Hajar Mountains are the highest range of mountains in this eastern Arabian Peninsula. It is home to a rich biodiversity including varied plant life which encompasses endemic varieties. Pomegranate, olive, fig and apricot trees grow in the area, while the Hajar Mountains are also known for its range of bird and animal life. The Egyptian Vulture, Mountain Gazelle, the endemic Arabian tahr, Oman Rock Gecko and Jayakar lizard are among the species found here. Also worth visiting is the nearby town of Misfat Al-Abriyeen which features houses made from mud-brick which are located right on the cliff. Those visiting the region and in search of a luxurious Oman beach resort can stay at Millennium Resort Mussanah. Overlooking the Gulf of Oman, this Muscat hotel offers the very best in accommodation and service, ideal for leisure and business travellers alike.

Enjoying a Family Day Out at Shenzhen Safari Park

Located along the banks of Xili Lake, Shenzhen Safari Park offers an unforgettable family day out amidst stunning natural beauty. The site is home to over 300 animal breeds including endangered varieties who roam around in unrestricted enclosures. Spread across 120 hectares, Shenzhen Safari Park features China’s famous Pandas along with Siberian tigers, bears, Asian elephants, wolves, giraffes, lions and kangaroos to name a few. Not to be missed is a chance to see the unique ‘tiglon’ which is a cross between a male tiger and a lioness as well as ‘ligers’, a cross between a male lion and a female tiger. The park also has a number of performances held at such venues as the Elephants and Tigers Show Hall, the Sea lion Performance Hall and the Circus Hall. A show that features around 300 human performers and about 1,000 animals is a not to be missed performance. 
Ideal for those in search of a spacious and well equipped Shenzhen long stay apartment, Ascott Maillen Shenzhen makes a great base for business and leisure travellers. These Shenzhen serviced apartments also offer guests access to such leisure facilities as an indoor heated swimming pool and a sauna.