Category: Miscellaneous Adventures

Wadi Tiwi

If you’re in the mood to commune with nature and explore the natural wonders of the Omani landscape, the Wadi Tiwi is a splendid gorge that has been carved into the mountains, flanked by soaring cliffs and runs down into the sea. Explore this and other features of Oman when you make your base at one of the stunning Oman hotels in the city of Muscat, such as the Al Wadi Hotel Sohar. With a central location and welcoming hospitality, this Oman hotel is sure to please you. Escape the bustle of the city and head to Wade Tiwi, which is home to a charming array of traditional desert villages that are framed by lush expanses of date and banana plantations, with bubbling streams meandering through the landscape. Close to about five kilometers into the gorge, you will encounter the idyllic community of Harat Bidah, featuring quaint dwellings of another age and towering walls of stone. If you fancy a drive that will give you an inspiring adrenaline rush, five kilometers out of Wadi Tiwi will bring you to the village of Mibam, which is located at the end of a rough stretch of road (used here loosely), and is the perfect excursion into the Omani wilderness if you’re coming in on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Christmas in Bali: A Tropical Christmas

As December draws near, the spirit of Christmas seeps into people’s hearts with shopping malls decorated in Christmas colours: red and green, the sidewalks slippery with frozen snow and a general feeling of excitement in the air. Traditional Christmas celebrations will involve decorating a Christmas tree, leaving out cookies and milk for Santa, hanging of stockings on the chimneys and of course, cradling cups of hot chocolate in an attempt to insulate oneself from the cold. While this form of Christmas has its own intrinsic charm, opt for a different experience this December and make your way down to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate your own tropical Christmas.

Although the main demography of Indonesia is composed of non-Christians, Indonesia celebrates Christmas as a holiday with pomp and splendour. Similar to decorations done in Europe, Balinese shopping malls too resort to decorating the interior with the traditional Christmas colours and the exterior with sparkling, bright lights creating an feeling of excitement and thrill.

The best way to kick-start your Christmas in Bali is to first do your Christmas shopping as gifts are sold only until stocks last. Once your Christmas shopping list is ticked, tourists can opt to partake in the general spirit of Christmas by taking a walk around the city, exploring the markets and the malls, and perhaps singing a few rounds of some carols as well. Celebrating Christmas in Bali is just as exciting as celebrating it in a cosmopolitan European nation, excepting the cold climate for resorts, hotels and clubs organise a series of parties, Christmas events and more to celebrate the holiday.

Depending on which beach resort in Bali you opt to reside in, you may be lucky enough to enjoy a true feast during the Christmas week. If you opt for a hotel in Nusa Dua, you may be able to enjoy special Christmas foods and traditional deserts as well as complimentary eggnog. Enjoy your tropical Christmas to the fullest by opting to stay at a hotel the calibre of Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali which is a hotel that will cater to your every need during this special holiday season and deck your vacation with unforgettable memories.

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+

Flying Down the Dunes

Sand boarding and skiing has added a whole new dimension to two sports once limited to areas with snow. Once adrenaline junkies found that snow boards and skis could be used on smooth sandy surfaces with the same effect there was no stopping them. Now there are several keen followers of these sports who regularly sand board and ski where there are impressive dune formations. Towering sand dunes in the Liwa Oasis bordering the Empty Quarter in Abu Dhabi are popular both with sand boarders and sand skiers.

Where ever there are dunes or a considerable build up of sand there are sand boarders who want to swish down their sides and experience an adrenaline rush. Sand boarders ride across or down a dune with their feet strapped to a board although some daring and more experienced types ride without the straps. Unlike snow boarders sand boarders don’t have the advantage of being taken to the top of a dune by a lift. They generally have to clamber up the dune themselves or use an ATV or a dune buggy. Sand boarding is enjoyed by enthusiasts throughout the year in desert climates where there is plenty of sand and of course dunes. The board used for sand boarding is much harder than a snow board and it has to be waxed prior to use to make the board glide. On steeper dunes snow boards are also used.

Abu Dhabi’s sand dunes towering several hundred meters above the surrounding area are ideal for sand skiing enthusiasts. Novice sand skiers are advised to start on the smaller slopes prior to attempting the 300 meter high Liwa dunes. Other than in the cooler months the best times to both sand board and ski are the early mornings. A thick layer of sunscreen, light clothing covering most parts of the body and sun glasses is advised when taking to these sports. Additionally it is better to have basic lessons on how to stay up and fall properly and safely before attempting the dunes. Children too can try but on the lower slopes and a plastic sledge will afford them a great deal of pleasure flying down the ‘nursery slopes’.

On Sir Bani Yas Island just off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara not only offers an extraordinary location but some of the most luxurious guest rooms, suites and villas from where guests can explore the beautiful natural environment around this Abu Dhabi resort. Food is one of the experiences here where guest get to taste a variety of local and international cuisines, the other is the amazing landscape which can be enjoyed via kayaking trips, mountain biking, trekking, on safari and on horseback. As one of Abu Dhabi beach hotels guests have access to several water sports among which are special diving and snorkeling packages.

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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Drive Jebel Hafeet

Towering high over the plains of Al Ain, the Jebel Hafeet stands proud as the tallest peak in the entire Emirate. There is a rugged beauty about Jebel Hafeet; its surface red and raw is the evidence of its endurance. The chiselled edges of the Jebel Hafeet gives it sheer majesty, the mere sight of which will leave you in awe and will give you an authentic taste of the desert side of the United Arab Emirates.

The Middle East in general is known for its excellent roadways, the United Arab Emirates in particular tops this list boasting fantastic automobiles and smooth carpeted roads. Driving is such a pleasure in the UAE and the blissful desert scenery in the outskirts of the city is a real pleasure to savor. One fantastic location to experience the bliss of driving is the Jebel Hafeet. The Jebel Hafeet rises just over 1200 meters above sea level and has winding roads that adorn all sides of the mountain. The best part about these mountain roads are that they are wide and comfortable to ride on. The many bends that come with this road makes a drive to the top of Jebel Hafeet both fun and adventurous.

The Jebel Hafeet is exotic; every inch of this mountain has beauty to savour. It is built out of craggy limestone that has stood tall over millions of years weathering the harsh climatic conditions of the desert side of UAE. The many rains and scorching suns have shaped Jebel Hafeet to what is today a symbol of artistic magnificence in the UAE. In addition to all its beauty the mountain is also a historically significant location. It holds the heart of the world’s past and several important fossils have been discovered here including over 500 ancient burial tombs that date back over 5000 years.

Once you reach the top of the mountain you will be rewarded by unmatched beauty, sceneries that will take your breath away and magnificent bird’s eye views of Al Ain. After an adventurous day at the peak, come home to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. This Abu Dhabi resort is the finest of all the Abu Dhabi beach hotels.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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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.

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Top 5 Water Sports in Maldives

Surrounded by the cerulean waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the best destinations in the world to enjoy a thrilling array of water sports. Of course the best way to experience these exciting activities is to stay at a Maldives resort which provides its guests the opportunity to take part in these water sports. Featuring a water sports centre, Anantara Dhigu Maldives is one such option worth considering and offers luxurious accommodation in Maldives as well.

Kick-starting this list of top 5 water sports in Maldives is snorkelling. This fun activity can be enjoyed by young and old alike and gives one the chance to see the vivid underwater world that lies beneath the waves. Diving offers more underwater adventure and will bring you into contact with colourful marine and coral life. There are plenty of water sports that also provide some truly adrenaline pumping thrills; waterskiing gives you the chance to skim the waves at great speeds, while windsurfing lets you harness the power of the wind and take a breathtaking ride at sea. Rounding off the list of top 5 water sports in Maldives is parasailing which provides unique views of the islands as you soar above in the sky!

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Fauna and Flora in Maldives

Tipped to be one of the most pristine archipelagos on the planet, the picturesque collection of islands that is the Maldives is no ordinary tourist attraction in Asia. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes and sunny weather conditions all year round, this honeymooner’s hub is also a diver’s Mecca and a beach lover’s dream come true. Naturalists and nature lovers also have much to discover within the captivating confines of these islets as the archipelago which is made up of more than 1000 islands, offers a diverse marine and land ecology complete with land animals and flora as well as marine fauna and plant life.

With its sandy beaches synonymous with swaying palms and fragrant frangipanis, the plant life in the Maldives boasts attributes that are found in most paradise islands around the world. Swaying coconut trees and palm trees are a permanent fixture while eucalyptus, mango trees, and Pandanus trees are also part of the landscape. More than 20 species of sedge and grass are found here along with forest laden with Terminalia cattappa and Hernandia nymphaeifolia vegetations. Banyan trees, breadfruit trees and the Hibiscus tiliaceus are some of the taller flora species found on the islands that are renowned for its tropical jungles and dense Scaevola serica and Pemphis acidula vegetations.

Wildlife in the Maldives on the other hand includes flying foxes, snakes, garden lizards, and giant fruit bats while the archipelago is also home to more than 100 bird species as well. Highlights include parakeets, seagulls, koel birds, water hens, noddys and herons although what lies beneath the Maldivian islands are decidedly more intriguing that what lies above ground.

A diving expedition is akin to exploring a mammoth aquarium as the crystal clear waters of the islands are home to more than 1,000 fish species. Highlights include whale sharks, manta rays and white-spotted sharks while unicorn fish, Moorish idols, and dolphins are also known to inhabit Maldivian sea beds. Stingrays, flutemouths, rock cods and butterfly fish are also frequently spotted by divers in addition to trumpet fish, angelfish, blue-stripe snappers, parrotfish, turtles and oriental sweetlips. Home to more than 200 varieties of coral, the underwater vegetation in the Maldives is dominated by blue, white and pink corals as well as mushroom corals, stylophoras, giant gorgons and fire corals.

Visitors on the lookout for idyllic Maldives island resorts should look no further than Naladhu Maldives for all their accommodation needs. Offering guests a resplendent rest amid breathtaking surroundings this Maldives hotel is suitable for both holidaymakers and corporate clients.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Wild Elephant Sanctuary

Be enthralled by the sheer majesty of wild elephants when on holiday in Xishuangbanna, China. Take in the pageantry of the surroundings fields and mountains as you lie in wait for these truly marvellous creatures. Select a hotel Yunnan has to offer out of which Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa would be a good bet as it is found near such attractions. Enjoy the luxuries of such a hotel in Yunnan that will put you in the mood for a day of adventure and fulfilment.

The area’s native species of wild Asian elephants can be found roaming the plains of the Mengyang nature reserve. Regarded by many as being the last surviving sanctuary in the country that preserves such a species, Mengyang nature reserve also provides travellers with breathtaking panoramas of Sancha River and its nearby streams and tropical rainforest.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Al Hoota Cave

Nestled in the district of Al Hamra and found near Jabal Shams, Al Hoota Cave is one of the most enthralling experiences that travellers will enjoy when holidaying in Oman. It is also known to be the only show cave in the Gulf which is accessible to tourists. Choose a Muscat hotel in the vicinity which will be your base from where you can head over to Al Hoota Cave. Oman hotels such as Al Falaj Hotel will put you in the mood for a riveting journey that will lead you to uncovering a wealth of treasures and secrets that have warmed the hearts of many.

Adorned with two lakes that form an integral part of the ecosystem of the cave, one can also encounter a rich variety of endemic species that call Al Hoota Cave home. These include water beetles, bats, anthropods and molluscs and a whole lot more. The main lake is 800 metres long and possesses the ‘Garra Barreimiae’ which is a rare species of blind fish that swim in its waters. The cave is made of limestone which was dissolved by acidic water while its columns have now been softened by the steady flow of water in it.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Sail a Dinghy in Veitnam

Learning to sail a simple Dhingy is often the first lesson of sailing one has. Vietnam with its variability of weather and sea has perfect weather conditions to learn this exhilarating sport. Dinghy sailing is also known as the ideal sport to promote team work and physical, mental health hence is used as team building activity by many corporates.

There are several places close to Mui Ne Village that have Dinghy training centers and a range of internationally and regionally raced classes and certified instructors. This sport also promotes team skills, survival skills while also letting riders relax with friends and family at leisure. There are individually tailor-made courses offered in Mui Ne in line with National sailing requirements and most of these courses offer hands on instructions. These programs are enjoyable and emphasize safety and good seamanship. From how to balance the boat to steering, upwind tacking downwind and Jibing, everything is taught during the course.

Head over to the coastal town of Mui Ne and try your hand at this amazing sport , or if you are a veteran at it ,Mui Ne offers the best weather conditions and readily available gear to enjoy the sunny skies and gorgeous waves while you sail away at leisure. Ride the waves with all your might as you enjoy the exotic country of Vietnam, and its inherent natural beauty.

There are many a Vietnam hotel located close to the Dinghy sailing venues. These offer the ease and conveniences of indulging in this exciting sport a stone’s throw away from luxurious comforts. These hotels also have navigators who are able to advice you on how to get started if you are new to the sport and provide you with a wealth of information on sailing.

Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa is a luxury resort in Mui Ne that offers star class luxuries within an authentic ambience. With well-appointed rooms that look over the beautiful southern coast of Vietnam, Anantara offers an unforgettable experience within its tropical retreat. Watch Mui Ne’s beautiful sun set with the wind in your hair while you go Dhingy Sailing in Beautiful Vietnam and retire by evening to the Legendary Anantara services.