Category: Miscellaneous Adventures

An Exhilarating Experience

The tropical climate in Maldives makes it the perfect destination for sea swimming, diving and soaking up the sun. Not many are aware that apart from these activities Maldives is one the best locations to see whales. It has been recognised as one of the top five places for viewing such marvels of nature. There are several species of whales that roam around in the ocean surrounding the Maldivian islands. Short fin pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, Cuvier beaked whales, False killer whales, Melon-headed whales, Blue whales and even species such as the Sperm whale and Killer whale can be found in Maldivian waters. From what has been recorded there are around 23 species of these creatures and dolphins surrounding the islands. It is difficult to see some of the larger species such as the blue whale because it shies away from humans.

Maldives has a group of these species that are hard to find in any other region. The Dwarf sperm whale, Tropical bottlenose whale and the Melon-headed whale have been spotted in the ocean surrounding Maldives. The best way to see these creatures is to pay for a cruise or a safari boat. The boats get quite close to these animals and you could see them dive and then rise above the sea level. It is fascinating to watch them as most of the animals travel in enormous schools and you can watch them swim right in front of you. The most commonly seen species during a trip is the pilot whale. If you are not familiar with the different species don’t worry yourself too much about it. There are expert guides on board in each of the trips and they are sure to inform you about the varieties that you see.
The trips are guaranteed to entertain you with some amazing views of these gentle giants, but you may not see much of the bigger species as they are harder to find and most often swim in deep waters. If whale watching is part of the Maldives itinerary then one should stay in a Maldives resort. The types of hotels that one should look into are Maldives bungalows that have some great offers on these tours. For luxurious accommodation, amenities and value-for-money deals book a room at Anantara Veli Maldives.

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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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.

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Batu Bolong Temple

For those holidaying in the west of Tanah Lot, a trip to the enchanting Batu Bolong Temple would go a long way in completing an unforgettable escape in Bali. Perched on a volcanic rock that leads out to sea, this Hindu temple is easily accessible from any of the luxury villas in Bali. From all of the luxury villas Bali has to offer, Alila Villas Soori will captivate you and put you in the mood for a trip to this popular destination.

Be enthralled by the stunning sunset by evening or the beautiful turquoise waters by day when visiting the temple. A feature of the temple is that the rock on which it is situated on possesses a giant cavity which adds to the ambience. Batu Bolong Temple comprises of a small yard and faces Bali’s most scared mountain; Gunung Agung.

Deep Water Diving in Kathu

One of the premier destinations for deep water diving, Kathu in Phuket provides an unforgettable adventure beneath the waves. Look to combine diving excursions with health retreats Phuket has to offer, letting you find peace for mind, body and spirit. Thanyapura is one such option and features holistic wellness that combines perfectly with the active lifestyle Asia is known for.

Diving enthusiasts can head to Kathu where one can find colourful coral reefs and vibrant marine life amidst the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. Pa Tong town is an ideal base from which to set off on your diving adventures and lets you truly explore Phuket’s fascinating marine world. Plan a trip to the Similan and Surin National Marine Parks which offer plenty of diving fun, while not to be missed is a chance to head underwater and visit Richelieu Rock. The Koh Racha Islands are also known for dive sites worth exploring. On your excursions you may come across such marine life as blacktip reef sharks, lionfish and fusiliers to name but a few of the species that inhabit these waters.

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+

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park, which is in the catchment of the Minneriya reservoir built in the 3rd century CE, is synonymous with the Sri Lanka elephant ever since it was observed that a large number of them congregate here to graze during the dry season. This event has been identified as the largest seasonally recurring wildlife phenomenon in the country. The importance of the area around the Minneriya reservoir to wildlife was recognized as far back as 1938 when it was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1997 it was upgraded to a Wildlife Park.

Other than the elephants the park is home to a diverse range of wildlife including the Sri Lanka leopard, the Sri Lanka sloth bear, the purple faced langur, the toque macaque, two species of deer and the gray slender loris that are among the 26 species of mammals, both large and small that are found here. The park has also been identified as an important bird area in Sri Lanka with 160 species of birds being spotted around the reservoir. They range from large populations of water birds to migrants and residents and include flocks of pelicans, jungle fowl, cormorants, grey herons, babblers, parrots and bulbuls among others.

Pythons, water monitors and crocodiles are among the 25 species of reptiles that inhabit the park. The park’s other denizen’s include nine species of amphibians, 26 species of fish and 75 species of butterflies.

However the other wildlife pales in comparison to the elephants that can be easily spotted and are in a large group. The ‘Gathering’ as the congregation of elephants here is now called, are elephant herds from Matale, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa districts that come to graze on the succulent grasses and enjoy the water of the reservoir from mid July till end October. The elephants usually come out of the surrounding jungle in the cool of the evening and it is indeed one of the most amazing sights to see them trickle out until they form into quite a large herd said to number 400 sometimes. This is a rare opportunity to observe them in the wild and in endearing family groups.

Whether it is viewing elephants or any other wild life, the natural beauty of the park is part of the amazing experience at Minneriya National Park.

Stay at Hotel Sigiriya in the shadow of one of Sri Lanka’s famous cultural sites and in the heart of the dry zone, home to many of the country’s wildlife. This prominent hotel in Sigiriya provides guests with spacious, comfortable accommodation and a host of modern facilities and amenities including relaxing Ayurveda spa treatments that make a stay here enjoyable. Stay at such conveniently located hotels Sigiriya to have unforgettable cultural and nature experiences.

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. Google+

Island Hopping Maldives

Maldives is a country with more than thousand coral islands. When holidaying in Maldives, island hopping is one of the exciting activities that you can embark on as it lets you make the most of your journey. It is always great to have a comfortable Maldives island resort to get back to after a tiring day out in Maldives. Kuramathi Island is one of the best options available as it is known for its elegantly designed Maldives villas. If you are planning on an island hopping tour, do not forget that it is one of the best ways to explore the beauty of Maldives during a holiday. Every island of Maldives boasts of a unique atmosphere and you can explore its breathtaking landscapes, lush vegetation and pristine beaches as well as you can visit many resorts scattered across the Indian Ocean by taking up on an island hopping tour. During an island hopping tour, you can also engage in many outdoor sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling and jungle trekking to make it an action-packed day out.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+

Bird’s Nest Stadium

Famed as one of the world’s most iconic sporting arenas ever built, the Bird’s Nest found in Beijing, China played host to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Looking for the perfect Beijing hotel experience? Then a stay at the Grand Millennium Beijing which offers a host of Beijing hotel deals will be your base from where you can explore this engineering masterpiece.

Built in 2003, the stadium was officially unveiled in 2008 to showcase sport’s most popular festival. The stadium gets its name from a grid formation that resembles the interwoven branches of a bird’s nest. Following the Olympics, the stadium was used for a friendly football match between the English Premier League’s Birmingham City and Beijing Guoan in 2010 while the stadium is scheduled to host the 2015 World Athletics Championships.

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+

Trekking Sri Pada (Adam’s peak)

Explore the spectacular island of Sri Lanka from up above, in an air taxi Sri Lanka has to offer. Cinnamon Air is a renowned Sri lanka air taxi service provider, making your holidays more exciting. Soaring amidst the enchanting landscape of southern Hill Country, Adam’s peak, locally known as Sri Pada, has long been sparking the imagination of many. Rooted in history and shrouded in myths, this majestic mountain is scared site for devotees of various religious faiths. Thousands of pilgrims as well as hikers and trekkers arrive here during the well known six months season. However due to the large crowd arriving here during this period, one way of avoiding this congestion is to visit during the off-season.

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. Google+

Wutong Mountain

Absorb the essence of a riveting holiday amidst the natural beauty of Wutong Mountain. Bordering Luohu and Yantian in Shenzhen, China, Wutong Mountain rises to an impressive 944 metres above sea level and is the highest peak in the area. If you’re in the area, look for serviced accommodation Shenzhen has to offer. Ascott Maillen Shenzhen with its well appointed Shenzhen serviced apartments will prove to be an ideal option of lodging.

Go on a picnic with the family or simply take a trek along any one of the hiking trails that will lead you to this iconic attraction in Shenzhen. Be greeted by lush greenery and enchanting streams that surround the mountain that serves as an important source of the Sham Chun River. When you reach the summit, you can enjoy scintillating views that pan out towards Hong Kong.

 

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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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.