Category: Miscellaneous Adventures

Heritage

Mihintale is famous as the place where in 247 BCE King Devanam Piyatissa met the Buddhist monk Mahinda, the son Emperor Asoka of India on a full moon day on the month of Poson changing the religious orientation of the country forever. Mihintale is a 300 meter peak in a range of four mountain peaks on the Anuradhapura – Trincomalee road.

While Mihintale is close to the hearts of Buddhists because of its religious implications, it is also a very important archaeological site containing some of the country’s most ancient historical remains. According to Fa Hsien a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited Mihintale in the 5th century, it was the site of a monastic complex of 2000 priests. The remains of monastic buildings and stupas scattered about the hill seem to bear this out. The pieces of archaeological interest start with the 1840 steps cut into the rock face leading to the top of the hill. It is said that the steps were specially designed to suit the sedate gait of the monks. The ‘Aradhana Gala’ a rocky prominence on the hill is said to be the site on which Mahinda and his disciples stood during the encounter with King Devanampiyatissa. A cave on the side of the hill is supposedly the place where Mahinda rested and meditated. The most impressive antiquity at the site is the bubble shaped 45 meter high Mihintale Maha Seya built around the 10th century. Artistically, Kantaka Chethiya may be the most important monument here. Dating back to 119 BCE it has examples of some of the country’s earliest sculptures and paintings. The highest point at Mihintale is Eth Vehera considered part of an inner temple. The best views of the whole Mihintale complex are from here. Another set of important remains are those of the hospital complex at the bottom of the hill, thought to be one of the most ancient in Sri Lanka. The main structure is built round a central courtyard and the remains adjacent to it have been identified as a medicine store, clinic, steam bath, the refractory and an herb grinding stone. Kaludiya Pokuna is the largest of the storage reservoirs around Mihintale. Around it are remains of a bath house, meditation spaces, walled caves and two dagobas. The landscaping here is distinguished by the fact that the boulders around are incorporated into the buildings. The rock caves in Rajagiri Kanda, a hill with large boulders opposite the Kaludiya Pokuna dates to the 3rd century BCE. At the top of the boulder strewn hill is a large cave with several compartments with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Another interesting part of the ancient remains is that of a vihara adjoining the alms hall with an inscription setting out rules and regulations of the monastery and payments to various categories of staff. The remains of an assembly hall in the vicinity appears to have been constructed as an open sided pavilion and those of a refectory has two stone canoes thought to have been receptacles for rice and porridge.

Shanti Travels Sri Lanka, an experienced travel organization, offers some of the best Sri Lanka tour packages that has been put together to reflect the cultural and ecological diversity of the country. Holiday packages Sri Lanka offered by the agency includes some of the country’s best known hotels close to iconic heritage sites, wildlife parks and pristine beaches.

Alas Kedaton at Kukuh Village, Tabanan

Set amidst lush woodlands and home to an ancient temple, Alas Kedaton at Kukuh Village in Bali offers an enchanting getaway and lets you experience the island’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Those in search of luxury villas in Bali which to use as a base to visit such sites can consider Alila Villas Soori. Featuring some of the finest luxury villas Bali has to offer, this well placed property lets you enjoy the very best the island has t offer. Situated around 4 km from Tabanan town, Alas Kedaton is home to an enchanting forest where you will find troupes of macaque monkeys and even bats. When you visit the site make sure to head to the old temple that has been covered by moss, lending to its charm. There is also an art market near the temple which lets you enjoy some art shopping too when visiting this sacred site.

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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A day at Dhangethi Island

One of the most elegant and contemporary Maldives Island Resorts that you would find is the Maafushivaru Maldives. This Maldives resort is breathtakingly beautiful and offers an impeccable accommodation service compared to other resorts in Maldives. Apart from enjoying the natural beauty of these islands spare some time to explore and witness the normal lifestyle of the friendly Maldivian people.

One of the best places for this is the Dhangethi Islands. All the government offices, business centers, schools and normal houses are located within this island. This is the third largest populated island of Alif Dhaal Atoll. You would see that the major source of income of the locals in the island is fishing, apart from this handicraft, boat building and carpentry some of the occupations of the citizens. Spend a day with these amazing people and get to know their ways of living in this beautiful country!

Marine wildlife in abundance in Maldives

The Maldives islands as a land base is quite minimal and previously uninhabited islands too have now been developed in order to sustain the growth of visitors to the island nation. As a result land based wildlife is fairly limited. Those that are present are largely water related.

However when it comes to marine wildlife there is certainly no other place quite as satisfying nor as photographic as what lies beneath the waters off the beaches of Maldives.

On land whilst there are a few goats and cats, dogs and pigs are not allowed on the island for religious reasons. There are also two species of lizards and geckos as well as two species of snakes. There are quite a number of species of birds however most are migratory who fly in from Europe during winter. Some types of heron, terns, hens and crows are island based.

A significant display that is a sight to see is when a large group of birds simultaneously sweep down onto the water in pursuit of fish. In fact many fishermen base their catches on this display.

Under the waters however sharks, dolphins, rays, tuna, coral fish of every shape, size and colour can be found in and around the island waters at different times of the year, according to weather and current conditions.

A visit to the Maldives should most definitely include a couple of days journeying to various islands, snorkelling and scuba diving in the waters as this will provide you with the most colourful and breathtaking impression Maldives has to offer. The best part is that all this is possible not too far from the comfort of your Maldives Resort and assistance and service in this aspect can be obtained easily from almost every resort.

A Maldives Luxury Hotel is easy to find and accommodation options are numerous. Most offer a full gamut of services including safaris around the islands, and all water sport related activities. Cocoa Island Maldives is an inspirational resort that is well matched to meet your every comfort and luxury requirement. So indulge yourself this year in Maldives.

Explore Sapodilla Hill

Known for their stunning natural beauty, idyllic beaches and azure waters, the Turks and Caicos Islands provide a truly intimate coastal getaway. There are many sites of interest to be seen here and one such place that warrants a visit is Sapodilla Hill from where you not only enjoy panoramic vistas but discover a part of maritime history as well. This site can be found on the island of Providenciales and those in search of Turks and Caicos hotels here can consider Regent Palms Turks & Caicos. One of the leading Turks and Caicos resorts, it is ideally situated right near the famed Grace Bay Beach and is a perfect starting point to your island excursions. If you love an outdoor adventure then make your way west of South Dock and up Sapodilla Hill. Looking out across the picturesque Sapodilla Bay, the hill also features several rocks where you can see some fascinating carvings. These are in fact names of sailors who having been shipwrecked here made these carvings. Some even believe there are codes hidden here which can lead the way to a secret treasure! Of course even if your hunt for hidden fortune proves unsuccessful there is always another kind of treasure you can find here; the site of a magical sunset!

Explore the Wonders of the Desert

Doha is the capital city of Qatar, and is also Qatar’s largest and most urban city. Serving as the seat of the government and an important financial trading centre of the region, Doha’s economy depends solely on petroleum and its rapidly growing tourism industry. Doha’s distinct Middle Eastern culture and wide range of cultural, historical and recreational attractions have further established it as a popular tourist destination.

Vast areas of Doha are deserts or arid lands, yet these deserts have been put to good use with Doha offering its visitors a chance to go on desert safaris. The deserts of Doha have many fascinating and magical features which make them ideal places to embark on an exciting safari in the sands. This completely unique experience in the deserts promises to be a truly memorable experience!

Desert safaris are either full day or half day excursions, both of which are loads of fun. A typical safari to the deserts of Doha start with a 4×4 ride into the desert which usually involves racing through the sands and bashing through sand dunes! The vehicle then stops at the magnificent desert beach which faces the Inland Sea, one of the only two places in the world where the ocean meets the desert. This beach offers visitors a chance to have some fun on the beach or just unwind in the Arabian waters. Half day desert safari’s end somewhere towards the evening, however full day safari’s then continue with the lighting of a bonfire and setting camp under the beautiful cloudless skies of the desert. The magical scenery, the blissful silence of the desert, and the exotic Arabian charm of the desert all combine to make the night a truly unforgettable experience. Many hotels offer safari’s to the desert, so go ahead and explore the wonders of the desert through a desert safari.

Set in close proximity to several key business and leisure districts of the city is the Kingsgate Hotel Doha, a luxury Doha Qatar hotel. Belonging to the prestigious Millennium Group of Hotels and Resorts, this 5 star hotel Doha offers accommodation in a range of tranquil and plush rooms and suites. Apart from the warm hospitality and excellent service, the hotel also offers exquisite dining facilities, business services, and other recreational facilities to make your stay all the more memorable.

 

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.

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Bingin Beach Uluwatu

If you love the feeling of riding the waves surrounded by stunning coastal landscapes as the sun shines brightly on your back and the wind blows freely in your hair, then Bingin Beach is definitely worth heading to the next time you are in Bali. This well known surfing point can be found in the Uluwatu area and avid surfers in search of Bali luxury villas in the region can stay at Alila Villas Uluwatu. Featuring elegant Bali resort villas, this property enjoys a cliff top location amidst truly breathtaking vistas. Once you have settled in, get off to an early morning start and make your way to Pecatu Village where you will find surfers from all over gathering at Bingin Beach. While accessing the site might take an effort, the views you will come across are certainly worth it. The huge waves one will find here are ideal for seasoned surfers and the months between April and August are considered the best time for surfing here. Best of all it is an excellent place to just get away from it all as you paddle along the waters on your board, in search of that perfect wave!

Excursions in Kuala Lumpur

A traveller to Kuala Lumpur will find numerous things to do and choosing a centrally located hotel in Bukit Bintang is essential to make the most of your holiday. A Kuala Lumpur hotel such as Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur is an excellent choice in this regard. The city can be explored in many ways among which, taking an excursion is a must. You can choose among a day tour to Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, a historic tour of Malacca, a night tour including visits to the Central Market, KL Tower and more. Exciting boat rides and food tours are also available for those interested.

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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Ravana Falls

Named after a popular Sri Lankan legend as depicted in the epic tale of Ramayanaya, the Ravana Falls cascades majestically, sprawling itself generously over an area of more than 82 ft. Bandarawela Hotel is one of the best hotels Sri Lanka located quite close by to this location and one can easily seek accommodation in this charming hotel Sri Lanka while exploring the vicinities. The amount of local legends that enrobes these falls is truly astounding. It is believed that it is here within a cave located in the heavy wilderness surrounding the falls that King Ravana had hidden Rama’s queen Sita. The cave now known as the Ravana Cave as well as the waterfall forms part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary while it is also said that Queen Sita had bathed in a rock pool that accumulated water that falls from this waterfall. Located in the Ella area which derived its name from the number of waterfalls that one could catch a glimpse of in the area, the drive up to the Ravana Falls itself would indeed be quite a treat as the area is well known for the scenic beauty of its surroundings.

Diving in Maldives

Blessed with truly wondrous marine bounty, the Maldives is one of the best destinations in the world to enjoy a thrilling diving adventure! To enjoy the best of what these islands have to offer in terms of underwater exploration it is always best to stay at a Maldives resort which offers diving tours and excursions. Such Maldives resorts are offered by Adaaran who have a number of properties that let you enjoy the sun, sand and surf. Since the seas around the Maldives consist of clear waters, it is the perfect place for diving. Home to more than 3,000 coral reefs and over 1,000 fish species, these ocean waters are teeming with life. Butterfly fish, dogtooth tuna, fusiliers, sweetlips, manta rays and even sharks are among the many species one may come across. Lion’s Head, Middle Point and Banana Reef are among the many dive sites worth exploring, while not to be missed is a chance to head to the submerged wreck of the 110-metre Maldives Victory cargo vessel near Hulhule Airport Island. If you still want more, there is always the opportunity to embark on a night dive where a whole new world beneath the waves will open up for you!