Author: Sumaira Narayan

Kandooma Thila Diving Site

Located close to the South Male Atoll is a popular site with divers: the Kandooma Thila, with an exciting descent and abundant marine life that is sure to be a treat to capture from behind the lens. It’s best if you check into one of the fine Maldives resorts that will make this dive happen with all the logistical details taken care of, from setting you up with diving equipment to a dive guide who will walk you through the process for optimum safety. One of the best luxury hotels Maldives has on offer is the Kurumba Maldives which specializes in organizing all manner of underwater excursions for a truly unforgettable vacation. Venture into the tar-drop shaped Kandooma Thila and discover another world of underwater delights. Heralded as one of the most exciting dives in the South Male Atoll, its western and northern section afford the most stunning views, toping at 16 metres. Jack corner, the northwestern niche, features a cave at a depth of 23 metres chock full of soft coral, populated by dreamy-eyed trevally, startling red bass, elegant tunas and fearsome barracudas. On the western corner, you’ll encounter several large rock outcrops carpeted by brightly-hued soft corals. Keep your eyes peeled for reef sharks and eagle rays, and the site’s highlight: large green turtles peacefully swimming along the reef’s edge.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Mount Li Xi’an –a panoramic wonder

Nature lovers should heed the clarion call sounded by Mount Li, which forms part of the scenic Qinling Mountains in Xi’an, which boasts a proud and impressive history that is worth exploring when you’re in the region. Secure some quality Xian accommodation while you’re at it, in the form of the Citadines Central  X’ian which features a stellar array of service apartments Xian has to offer its leisure and business visitors. The Mount Li National Park is perfect when you have a day free for a spot of hiking and scenic sightseeing in the great outdoors of the Xi’an province. Mount Li is a superb option, as it towers 1,256 metres in height and spans over 20km across. Assuming the stance of a stallion poised to take off at a gallop, it is unsurprising that the mountain is a steady feature of many postcards and other scenic captures of Xi’an’s landscape. A hike through the area will reveal an intriguing array of ancient buildings, foremost amongst them is the Laojun Palace as well as the remains of the Huaqing Palace Court, which was the primary place of worship for Lao Zi, who founded the Taoist school of thought. You will also come across Bingjian Pavilion, famous for the “Xi’an Incident” of December 12, 1936, when General Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng had the president arrested by the army in order to convince him to unite the country to fend off the Japanese invasion. Once you reach the summit of Mount Li, you will be treated to a majestic panorama of the Xi’an landscape unfolding before you that makes it one of the eight scenic spots in the region popularly believed to “shine like a beacon in the evening sunlight.”

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Bird watching in Turks & Caicos

Renowned as one of the Caribbean’s favorite bird gazing holiday hubs, Turks and Caicos truly packs a punch when it comes to the sheer number of winged inhabitants sheltered within its tropical confines. Regarded as a location where birders can observe the stunning creatures that call this wondrous island home in their natural habitat, there is no finer venue for bird watching in all of the British West Indies than the verdant landscapes of this picturesque island.

Salt Cay is the self-proclaimed bird watching heartland of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and is deemed so due to its meager human population and vast reserves full of salt flats and forests of mangroves. These environmental factors make Salt Cay ideal for bird watching activities and nature excursions as the peace and quiet required for the popular pastime are a given in this idyllic corner of the islands. Visitors can spot migrating birds on their way towards the Bahamas as well as native bird life in the salt flats of the Cay. Highlights include the Yellow Throated Warbler, Mangrove Cuckoos, Bahama Mockingbirds, Bahama Woodstars, Blue Grey Gnatcatchers, and the Belted Kingfisher. Mourning Doves, Great Blue Herons, Smooth Billed Anis and Pink Flamingos are also crowd favorites at the venue in addition to White Cheeked Pintails, American Coots, Black Necked Stilts, Western Sandpipers and American Oystercatchers.

Other bird watching locales in Turks and Caicos include the Northwest Point National Park in Providenciales. Blessed with picture-perfect shores and coastline pelicans, varied seaside bird varieties are also commonly found here while other highlight birds occupying the marshes and mangroves surrounding the park’s two saline ponds include Greater Yellowlegs, Ospreys, Sanderlings, Bank Swallows, Tricolored Herons and Reddish Egrets. Roseate spoonbills, West Indian Whistling Ducks and Yellow Crowned Night Herons are also among the species that call this sanctuary home.

West Harbour Bluff’s covered beaches and hilly terrains on the other hand serve as a lush home to White Tailed Tropic Birds, King Fishers, Brown Pelicans, gulls and Yellow Crowned Night Herons while the Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve’s mud flats boast Bananaquits, Great Egrets, Antillean Nighthawks, Green Herons and Thick-billed Vireo as well as American Kestrels, Ruddy Turnstones and terns. The 3-mile-long coastline of Frenchman’s Creek National Park is another treasure trove for birders as the area is infested with Willets, Antillean Nighthawks, Reddish Egrets and Yellow Crowned Night Herons.

Travellers in search of the best health and wellness Retreats in Shambhala should look into the COMO Shambhala as an option for all their accommodation needs. Regarded as a premier wellness retreat for holidaymakers and corporate visitors, this stylish rest pulls out all the stops when it comes to a relaxing vacation.

Hiking in Inwangsan Mountain

Translating to “Benevolent King Mountain”, Inwangsan Mountain enjoys a reputation as one of the most spiritual locations in Seoul, as well as a hikers’ haven guaranteed to put a spring in your step as you sprint up and down this heady hill. It is the perfect site to host a day trip from your stylish service apartment Seoul has to offer its business and leisure visitors, especially if you invest in one of the finest Seoul serviced apartments featured at the centrally located Somerset Palace Seoul. Be prepared for an outdoor excursion of kingly proportions with a hike up Inwangsan Mountain, home of the Benevolent Stone King and his noble companion, the tiger; both of whom are visible as rocky manifestations rising from the lush verdure of the mountain. The best place to start your trek is from the Sajik Tunnel or even Sajik Park, which affords a straight run to the peak of the mountain, affording some of the most stunning views of the Seoul skyline. Follow the castle path, which will take you past some spectacular stretches of scenic beauty, so make sure your camera is locked, loaded and ready to capture those memories that’ll last a lifetime and be the envy of all your facebook friends. The sacred ambiance of the site makes it a popular option for those of spiritual inclinations to meditate a while on the myriad sacred rocks peppering the mountainside. The hike to the tippy-top will take a little over an hour, and hikers are advised to bring along plenty of water to keep you hydrated – especially if you start later in the day. In addition, depending on the weather, make sure you pack a few options of warm clothing just in case it gets a little nippy towards the evening.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Bull fighting in Oman

The origin of bullfighting dates to the Matadors of ancient Spain (on foot) and later the Picadors (on horseback), and its inception in Oman is believed by many to be traceable back to Spain. It is a riveting and exciting encounter solely undertaken by men who pit three spate varieties of bull against each other to secure bragging and “prize bull” rights. The best way to soak up the bull fights and other cultural attractions during your stay here is to check into a luxury Oman hotel which is what you will discover at the Al Wadi Hotel Sohar. With elegant interiors graced by warm hospitality, this stellar choice of all the Oman hotels on the market is sure to beckon your interest. Held bi-monthly on a Friday, the bull-fights of Oman are charged with excitement and anticipation – not so much for the bovine participants as much as for the human instigators. Four different wilayats – Shinas, Sohar, Liwa, and Saham – take turns to host these events that draw huge local crowds eager to see a roster of around 30-35 bulls lock horns and grapple for victory. Spanning around 10-15 rounds, with the prize of the winning bull increasing with each win, the final price can be as high as OMR 2,500 (USD 7,000), although there is no set minimum or maximum. The shouts of the crowd, the mounting anticipation in the air, and the palpable emotion of the animals as they grapple under the encouragement of their owners make bull fighting in Oman a thrilling sport for those that enjoy this spectacle.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Presenting an elegant silhouette against the mundane Guangzhou skyline of skyscrapers are the airy spires of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, one of the most majestic enclaves of Christian worship to be found in the city. This magnificent spiritual monument is one amongst many enchanting sites that decorate Guangzhou’s landscape, and a range of quality serviced apartments Guangzhou has to offer its many visitors await your perusal. Perhaps the Ascott IFC Guangzhou may charm you with its chic interiors and central location, which make a Guangzhou serviced apartment here an ideal choice for corporate and leisure visitors. The Sacred Heart Cathedral, also known as the Shishi Sacred Heart Cathedral occupies a prominent position on the north bank of the Pearl River, right in the heart of the lively and legendary Haizhu district. It was founded in 1863 and brought to completion in 1888 to coincide with the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which gives it its name. Composed entirely of granite, this impressive edifice is also known as the “Stone Cathedral”. When viewed from across the street, you will feel transported to Catholic bastion of Rome, such is the elegant air of the cathedral. After you enter through the arched doors, your breath will be taken away by the soaring pillars that meet at the lofty ceilings above. The beautiful stained glass windows decorating the walls of the cathedral present a multi-hued glimpse into some of the most iconic moments framing Christian lore. Beloved by local Catholics and international visitors, the cathedral is a stunning historical landmark that must be experienced at least once when your travels bring you to the city.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Nomad Safaris Queenstown

New Zealand is synonymous with beautiful rugged landscapes, as any faithful fans of the Lord of the Rings movies will attest. Nomad Safaris Queenstown offers you the opportunity to venture into these scenic locales in person, and checking into some quality Queenstown hotel accommodation will let you immerse yourself in the scenic glories of this unique country. Try the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront as the elegant offerings of this stylish Queenstown resort will make your stay in NZ’s “adventure capital” truly memorable. Explore the pristine landscapes Peter Jackson so artfully captured in the Lord of the Rights movies, courtesy of Nomad Safaris Queenstown – your gateway to some exciting excursions in the New Zealand wild. The company’s specialised tours of the magnificent NZ back country will take you right to some of the spectacular filming locations featured in the movies. You’ll also get to embark on historical adventures galore, as Nomad will transport you to the abandoned gold mining towns of Macetown and Shippers Canyon, saturated with the ambiance of once-thriving communities in the “wild west” of New Zealand. Travel down the same rustic roads used by the early pioneer settlers in the area, and be transported to another time and place. Featuring a stylish range of professional 400cc vehicles, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with some of Queenstown’s most visually stunning spots, so book your own Nomad Safari adventure today.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Vaadho Caves

Plunge into the northernmost section of the South Male Atoll and discover an underwater kingdom brimming with wonders: the Vaadho Caves. Explore these fascinating reaches of ocean from a prime Maldives resort that will provide you with all the necessary information and support for a successful underwater adventure. Consider the Velassaru Maldives whose seamless blend of the chic and natural makes it an ideal Maldives island hotel to host your ocean excursions. Embark on a 60-minute boat ride from Bandos out to sea, which will bring you to the Vaadho Caves, a must-see sight if you’re a dedicated spelunker of the unknown underwater. After a rapid dive of about 30 minutes, you will come face-to-face with some of the most splendid denizens of the deep who flicker in and out of sight as they play in the coral reef. Be prepared for a visual feast, as the corals emit an enchanting glow that lends them an other-worldly air against the semi-darkness of the ocean floor. You’ll encounter these illuminated wonders either in small bunches or large swatches of neon colour that will mesmerize the eyes and entrance the mind. Blink and you’ll come nose-to-nose with a vibrant collection of marine life, including the Napoleon Wrasse, Eagle Rays, Big Jacks and White-tip Reef sharks to name but a few players on this oceanic stage. You’ll also encounter immense schools of bright blue Fusiliers charging through the water as well as the puckered Oriental Sweet Lips approaching you for a closer look. For a visual and experiential encounter that has no equal, heed the clarion call of the Vaadho Caves when your travels take you to the Maldives.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

Google+

Kiteboarding in Koh Phangan

Koh Phanang is indeed one of the prime locations for this much-enjoyed water sport that thrives on superb winds for its best outcome and enjoyment. Indeed, the thick coral reefs protecting the area from frothing waves, and the shallow waters make it a kite surfers paradise. Ergo, it is no wonder that this golden beach in Thailand is considered to be among the best sites in the world for this exciting water sport.

Accordingly, numerous instructing schools and services have sprung up to cater to the eager and enthusiastic beginners as well as more practiced performers. Among these, it is comforting to find world-class schools as well as shops selling highly standardized equipment that are needed to pursue this fascinating sport in the safest of conditions. Most travelers find the instructors extremely friendly and easy to get along with and the lessons are of such calibre as to be easy for the learner, thus prompting a quicker learning curve. The strong winds that the area experiences during the year present the ideal conditions for kite surfing. The site of the kites flaying against the sky as their riders gallantly surf below is a common and pleasant site in this coastal area of Koh Phanang. It is definitely one of the beaches in Thailand that offers this superb variant of water sports, thus distinguishing itself slightly from the cluster of lovely tropical beaches that are confusingly numerous in this country.

Even when it comes to heavenly residential options that take your breath away from the moment you step in, Koh Phangan resorts are ahead of many others in creating the perfect ambience of holiday mood that appeals to any vacationer, young or old. With just steps away from the sea and yet nestling quite closely with lush plantations, one finds the Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa whose numerous suites are an example of fine architectural and interior designs, with strong but earthly colours merging to create unique indoor spaces. With its distinct architecture, its superb location and world class services, this venue stands ahead of the rest of Koh Phangan hotels and is a venue where time stands still for many a traveller as they soak up the prime luxuries offered to them so charmingly within such elegant interiors.

Rock Climbing In Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a city located in Northern Thailand and is typically visited by tourists interested in stopping by the Golden Triangle (the border formed by Thailand, Laos and Myanmar). However, Chiang Rai is no mere transit town and visitors will find plenty of places to see and plenty of activities to occupy their time. Popular attractions in the city include the Bandaam Museum, the Wat Klong Wiang, the Wat Ming Meuang, the Haw Shan Art Gallery and the Cultural Hall Museum.

Tourists looking for some outdoor activities to do while in Chiang Rai can try rock climbing. The Boomerang Adventure Park is probably the most popular place for the activity. The park is situated roughly three kilometres from the city and is a fun way to spend a day. The park is not just for the outdoorsy types, and even those who have not gone rock climbing before may be able to do so here. The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 7 pm.

In addition to scaling these sheer rock edifices, one can also take part in Frisbee golf, try out zip lining, spelunking and even go on some scenic hikes. A typical trip here may start with a trek to the Three Bears Cavern, where one can explore a few caves. Visitors can then try slack line or tightrope walking (with a safety tether), and then go rock climbing at the Boomerang Park before zip lining on lines that are about 160 metres long. The equipment used is well maintained and all activities are conducted by experienced personnel. Access to the park’s facilities is reasonably priced and visitors are sure to leave with the satisfaction of money well spent.

Tourists looking for luxury Chiang Rai Hotels can try the elegant offerings of the Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand. This stylish option of a Hotel Chiang Rai has to offer its visitors is situated amidst a lush jungle and offers guests awe-inspiring vistas of Laos and Myanmar. The hotel also offers a series of excellent services; this includes jungle trekking and mahout training. Guests are also sure to enjoy visiting the hotel’s elephant camp where they can come face to face with Thailand’s revered gentle giants.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+