Natural | The Adventure Travel Site

Parigi Waterfall in Bekasi

As an attraction most tourists are unaware of, the Parigi Waterfall in Bekasi City is perhaps the area’s best-kept secret in spite of it being compared to a smaller incarnation of Niagara Falls.

Visiting the Waterfall

Despite its location in the city, the Parigi Waterfall remains a hidden attraction in Indonesia’s Bekasi region. Those based at HARRIS Hotel & Conventions Bekasi or any other Bekasi hotel, however, can book a tour of this charming cascade that’s wide in shape and is thus compared to the iconic Niagara Falls.

Best Time to Visit

It is important to time the tour of the Parigi Waterfall as the locale is best explored during sunny conditions as the water discharge of the cascade can be too dangerous for visitors during the wet season. Photography enthusiasts will find the venue a stunning backdrop for their social media posts and holiday photos as the massive rocks and the wide waterfall is a visually arresting sight.

No Swimming

Although there is a natural pond at the base of the fall, it is not suitable for swimming or bathing due to the murky nature of the water.

Reaching the Falls

Backpackers and travel enthusiasts who are based at the heart of Bandung City will find that the journey to the Parigi Waterfall takes nearly three hours to complete as it is located 138km away from the city. Others may wish to stay over at Bekasi or the nearby Cikiwul Village and visit the falls at their own leisure. Located on the Purbaleunyi Highway, one must venture down Raya Pantura Street to reach the waterfall.

Tangkuban Perahu in Bandung

Located approximately 25 kilometres from the Bandung city centre is a volcano that’s dubbed the Overturned Boat by locals due to its strange shape. The active volcano is a fascinating geological site in the area.

Reaching the Volcano

Those who are based at FOX Harris Hotel City Center Bandung or any of the best hotels in Bandung will find that driving to Mount Tangkuban Perahu is the easiest way to reach the venue on weekdays. The entire journey will take no more than an hour and a half as the volcano is located approximately 25 kilometres away from the heart of the city.

Tour Options

Rental cars and organised tours to the volcano are available through local tour operators while those who wish to use public transport methods can head to the Bandung’s Minibus Terminal to find minibuses heading to the volcano.

At a Glance

Tangkuban Perahu holds the distinct honour of being the only crater in Indonesia where visitors can drive right up to the rim of the crater. The strange shape and structure of the volcano set it apart from other famous lava spewers in Indonesia and Southeast Asia as the mountain truly does resemble a boat that’s been overturned.

Geological Impact

Although the beauty of Tangkuban Perahu cannot be denied, the volcano has had both positive and negative impacts on the Parahyangan Highlands also known as the Land of God. The volcanic activity in the area is directly linked to the fertility of the soil in the hills, which has made the area rich in nutrients and ideal for crop cultivation.

Sigiriya and Dambulla in one day

Sri Lanka is a country blessed with the best of cultural and historical aspects. Sigiriya and Dambulla are two main attractions located very close to each other that should be visited while you are there.

Sigiriya

This is an architectural marvel done by King Kasyapa over 1500 years ago. But, believe it or not, the irrigational networks and engineering skills still amaze the world! It’s a rock fortress that has everything including swimming pools, audience halls, and gardens.

Dambulla

Dambulla is one of the most ancient cave temples in Sri Lanka. Inside these caves, you find many historical paintings and Buddha Statues that date back several centuries. It’s a temple in the country that has a mind-relaxing vibe.

What else to be covered?

If you have some more time left, you can also try out the Pidurangala Cave Temple. Since all these attractions are located closer to each other, you have the chance to cover all of them in one go.

Holidaying in Sigiriya

Cover both Sigiriya and Dambulla in one day and choose to spend the night at one of the Sigiriya hotels. There are many great options including Aliya Resort.

A Simple Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations to visit in South Asia and the unique wildlife you can spot here plays a large part in all that. In many ways, Sri Lanka offers some of the best safari experiences in all of Asia – so, here’s a look at some of the key forest denizens that make exploring Sri Lanka’s wilds so exciting.

Sri Lankan Leopards

The Sri Lankan leopard is the top predator here in the island’s wilderness and it’s quite an elusive sighting too. National parks like Yala and Wilpattu are your best bet if you want to try your hand at spotting one in the wild.

Sri Lankan Elephants

The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest subspecies of Asian elephants found in the world. These massive pachyderms are most concentrated in a select number of national parks. At locations like Minneriya, they gather is huge super-herds that can be quite the sight to see up-close.

Sloth Bears

The sloth bear is definitely one of the stranger forest denizens you’re likely to spot in the wilds of Sri Lanka. This is a species of bear that specialises in eating insects and is characterised by a long snout and thick shaggy fur that’s black in colour.

Blue Whales

If you’re staying by Sri Lanka’s coastline, perhaps at one of the Bentota hotels on offer such as the Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, you might have a chance of spotting blue whales off the coast. These gigantic marine mammals are actually the largest living organisms ever to have existed!

Unusual Things to Do in Kandy

Kandy is one of the most amazing places to visit in Sri Lanka and is known as the cultural capital of the country. Here are a few things you can try out to experience the city better.

Image credit- Unsplash,
Kirsty barnby,CC0

Visit the Temple of The Tooth Relic

Yes, this is the most iconic attraction here and it doesn’t really seem like an unusual thing to do. But ever thought of visiting in the evening? There are special rituals being carried out on some days after dusk, so you can inquire with your hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka before your visit.

Visit a spice garden

Ask around and you’ll find your way easily to the spice garden. It is usually one of the free things to do here in Kandy. You will come across plants like vanilla, cocoa, citronella, turmeric and much more.

Take the train to Ella

So, one of the most scenic train rides in the world would be the ride from Kandy to Ella. Try your best to hitch a ride and check out Ella as well.

Visit a gushing waterfall

If you stay at a hotel like Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy, the sound of the water will reach your ears no sooner you step out. Go on a tour and explore this wonder of nature, Hunas Falls.

Catch a Glimpse of Leopards in Yala

Though Yala is loved for over 44 species of mammals, its leopard population is what attracts many tourists here. Many wildlife enthusiasts – be it foreign or local – don’t forget to go on a safari at this national park while they’re holidaying at a Yala hotel.

Overview

Yala National Park is the most visited of its kind in Sri Lanka. It’s divided into five blocks but only the first and the last are accessible for visitors. Block One is the most popular as it is home to around 40 leopards.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Yala National Park is the dry season of the country. February and March are considered the ideal months to visit should you wish to spot leopards.

Don’t Evade Personal Space

Choose to go on your safari with responsible and eco-minded drivers and guides. Plan to get the services of reputable companies such as Cinnamon Wild Yala that emphasises the well-being of animals over photo opportunities.

Identify Leopards

Lepoads yala national park | Image via Flickr

Just like fingerprints of humans, leopard spots are unique for each leopard. Experienced guides might be able to point out leopards by their names and describe their behavioural patterns.

Pigeon Island: Dive into the Marine World of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two main marine national parks, and one of them is the Pigeon Island National Park in Trincomalee. Exploring coral reefs and diving as you wish are all possible here!

It’s a Marine National Park

This important marine national park has two islands (the Small Pigeon Island and the Large one). The large one is considered the most important because it’s fringed by the coral reef.

Explore the beaches

The best thing about the beaches here is that they are very shallow. It’s safe to explore the beaches, and if you want, there are shops from which you can get safety jackets for rent.

Diving experiences

The best way to explore the waters is by snorkelling or diving. Don’t worry about the equipment as there are many diving schools to offer you their services.

Getting to Pigeon Island

If you have made plans to stay at one of the Trincomalee hotels the likes of Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, getting to Pigeon Island is not at all a difficulty. It’s located just 1km away from Nilaweli Beach.

Exploring the Ruins of Ancient Carthage

Found in present-day Tunisia, Ancient Carthage has a rich history and though many of its once grandiose structures are in ruins, this UNESCO World Heritage Sites still offers much to discover.

Archaeological Park

Amongst the key sites in Ancient Carthage, the Archaeological Park offers insights into the city’s history including when it was under Roman rule. Within easy reach of properties like The Residence Tunis by Cenizaro, this site is home to graves from the 5th century BC, an underground burial chapel, Roman cisterns and more.

Baths of Antonine

Dating to the 2nd century AD, these ruins of an expansive Roman bath complex overlooking the Mediterranean is also worth visiting from a Tunis hotel. While only several columns and the foundations are to be found, you can imagine what it would have been like in the days when Romans used these baths.

Theatre & Roman Villas

Overlooking the ocean and constructed on a hillside, this ancient Roman theatre offers a captivating sight on Avenue Reine Didon. Nearby, is a park in which one can see ancient Punic shaft graves as well as the restored 3rd century Villa des Volières, which features fragments of sculpture and lovely views from the terrace.

Carthage National Museum

A great place to learn more about Ancient Carthage, the Carthage National Museum showcases key artefacts that were found at the historical sites and ruins. You can get a clearer idea of what the city would have been like as well as view a wide range of exhibits from sarcophagi and jewellery to sarcophagi.

Mozambique Wildlife Safari

Mozambique isn’t the typical urban country where high-rise buildings are all you see. The country and its people are very much in tune with nature ad attempt to protect their wildlife. This is exactly what makes a safari here so exciting.

The abundance of wildlife

The Limpopo National Park in Mozambique is one of the most impressive parks which has been merged with South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Now wildlife in the two regions roams free. A safari here is one of the top things to do in Mozambique.

Gorongosa National Park

This was the regions most abundant national park in the 1960s. But once the civil war began, animals were poached for ivory and meat. Now projects have begun to bring the park back to its former brilliance and visitors get to see it all.

Moving to water

When it comes to wildlife, Mozambique is also blessed with rich marine life. There are many diving and snorkelling opportunities available to witness it all.

Tours and places to stay

Now that the country has recovered from the civil war, there are many hotels belonging to large chains like Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas that have decided to set up here. They may even organize your tours.

Nuwara Eliya’s Top Attractions

Little England is the name given to Nuwara Eliya. You will at once see why when you visit this town because the buildings you see in this area, the climate, and everything else is very much similar to an English setup.

Image credit-Unsplash,Egle Sidaraviciute,CC0

Nuwara Eliya Water Falls

Nuwara Eliya is an area blessed with beautiful waterfalls. Glen Falls, Lovers Leap, and Ramboda Falls are just some of them. To witness the beauty of some, you will have to hike a little, but the views are astonishing!

Tea Bluefield Tea Factory

This region has a lot of tea estates, from where the world-famous tea brand ‘Ceylon Tea’ was originated from. During your tour, head to the Bluefield Tea Factory and enjoy an impressive cup of tea after a detailed factory visit.

Horton Plains National Park

Although this National Park is located 30km away from the city, it is worth a visit. You will find the World’s End here at the Horton Plains. It’s a bit of a long hike, but you are sure to enjoy it!

Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya?

Since it’s a very touristy area, you don’t need to worry about options for accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. Hotels such as Galway Heights are available with world-class services to welcome you for a blissful holiday.