Scuba Diving in Koh Samui

Samui is an island with an area of 228.7km populated mainly by the log established Buddhist populace; the Chao Samui. The people of this country are quite easygoing as they belong to various religions and races, making this location a cultural melting pot. As a result, the island moves from celebration to celebration, guaranteeing any visit a colourful one. The island attracts around 1.5 million tourists yearly on account of its beautiful beaches, densely populated coral reefs, and magnificent hotels. 

Diving in these beautiful waters is a lovely way to enjoy the natural resources of the island, but it is also an activity that requires proper training and preparation. Luckily for visitors, Samui plays host to numerous diving schools with a handful of heavily awarded diving schools which provide the most comprehensive diving education. There are various services available from short courses for those who wish to qualify as quickly as possible and explore the waters and more advanced courses for veteran divers seeking higher diving qualifications. The lessons coupled with the scuba gear might be a bit pricey, but in the end, they become the keys to the beautiful underwater kingdom of Ko Samui.

The coastline of Ko Samui is a treasure-trove of discovery for the adventurous tourist who is in search of rare sea creatures such as the reclusive and magnificent whale shark, as well as numerous species of triggerfish and sea turtle. Of all the spectacular sites for diving available, Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock are perhaps the most noteworthy diving sites; a notion supported from the scores of experienced divers that have explored its beautiful depths. Apart from the various fish that visit the coral reefs, the reefs themselves vary enormously from one diving spot to the next. This variation of coral, for example from hard to soft, creates different environments for divers to experience a wide variety of marine life.
Ko Samui’s coastal beauty requires time and patience in order to be fully appreciated. More so, if one lacks the qualifications necessary for diving then time is needed for even the most elementary course to be satisfied. As such, one should choose a Koh Samui resort that is close to the beach and is steeped in luxury. A Chaweng hotel such as the Anantara Lawana, Koh Samui, provides guests with plunge pool rooms, and balconies capturing the beautiful scenery of the island, which serves to provide such guests with a very rewarding island experience. Accordingly, it is among the finest providers of such luxuries on the entire island, making sure to keep guests comfortable throughout their stay.

Surfing in Bali

Whether it is soaking up the tropical sun, drenching in the glistening sea, or riding the Antarctic waves, Bali is an irresistible combination of adventure and relaxation.  Days at Bali are like sunny days borrowed from the very heavens, where under the expansive blue sky, one can enjoy the most perfect swells that rise from the Antarctic and come frolicking this way as if to lure the bold and the adventurous to conquer its changing and challenging dimensions.

Among the many things that make Bali holidays a once in a life time experience, surfing plays a huge role. This island of Indonesia sits on a very snug spot on the Antarctic, embracing the southern swells from the Antarctic and has both its south east and west coasts generously scattered with surf spots.

The best month of the year for surfing is considered to be July.  However the period between April and October are supposed to be the best for the west coast considering the direction of the wind. The world famous Kuta Beach is indeed one of the most crowded areas for surfing simply because of its ideal conditions with great surfing waves that even beginners can master. What is more, its sandy beach is littered with affordable and great eating venues and accommodation and has a colourful night life plus easy access to the heart of the city and the international air port. If one wants to get away from the crowds and learn surfing, the Padang Padang beach is the perfect place for a beginner with good surfing conditions and a host of instructors who are familiar with the local conditions to guide you through the experience.

For the more experienced surfer, the Uluwatu beach is a fabulous choice.  The beach even boasts of a few exotic Bali resort villas that thrive on the breathtaking scenery of this coastal stretch. Stroll down the reef hill and come upon this ravishing beach where the swells are claimed to be hollow and fast and huge waves arise from a rocky bottom. Alila Villas Uluwatu is a cluster of villas that are ranked high among the Bali luxury villas available. The resort takes in some of the most breathtaking views from the beach with its position upon an elevated plateau. The interiors exude the Bali inspired, timeless elegance while a sense of serenity seems to surround the entire venue, including the pool and bar on the cliff top and its Warung style restaurants that serve sheer gastronomic delights.

Desert Safaris

Desert safaris are a highly popular activity in Abu Dhabi. Attracting both locals and tourists alike, one has the option of choosing their means of transport through the vast desert. Whilst choosing a camel ride is more ideal for sightseers, the adventurous can opt for wadi bashing or dune driving in the emirate. These desert safaris lead you though the majestic sand dunes followed by a memorable evening of buffet dinner accompanied by a performance from beautiful belly dancers. Travellers can choose one of the Abu Dhabi resorts to spend their holiday in the emirate. Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is an ideal choice in this regard, ranking among the finest Luxury Abu Dhabi Hotels.

Sail Away to Paradise in Breathtaking Koh Samui

Ranked among Asia’s top sailing destinations, seasoned water sports enthusiasts deem Thailand’s Koh Samui the country’s premier hub for water-based activity with good reason. Blessed with vast expanses of emerald hued oceans dotted with paradise islands, sailing fans will hardly find a finer venue to engage in their favourite pastime. Whether catamarans, speed boats or yachts are your preferred vessel, local boat charter operators will provide avid sailing fans a wide variety of cruise options to choose from. Visitors can select either a fully crewed or bare boat sailing excursion across magnificent landscapes blessed with sunny skies, crystal clear waters and breathtaking scenery that is only found in this idyllic holiday hideaway in Thailand. Ideal for boating all year round, visitors can sail and discover the Koh Samui Archipelago which spreads out over 50 square miles of open seas with more than 80 stunning islands dotting the landscape.
The area offers slightly challenging sailing conditions during the day, while night time conditions are largely calm. As an “off the sailing radar” venue, Koh Samui sail excursions are unhindered and un-congested unlike other popular sailing destinations around the world; this lets visitors castaway at all times of the day to diverse locations such as Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. 
The Malay Peninsula in southwest Koh Samui is a popular mountainous region that is perfect for leisurely sailing excursions as it is shielded from harsh wind conditions that sometimes plague other coastal areas of the region. One can explore the ‘Five Islands’ off the south-western shorelines or step over to Koh Taen coral island where seclusion and privacy are found in abundance. The island is also a snorkelling hotspot while sunbathing and swimming are other popular activities available to sailing tours dropping in for an afternoon. The breathtaking beaches of Koh Madsum are another hotspot and the area is renowned for vibrant marine life and corals and pristine coastlines where picnicking is an absolute must.
Travellers in search of a luxurious Samui resort should look no further than Anantara Bophut Koh Samui. Located on a stunning beachfront on the Gulf of Thailand, this Samui hotel also boasts spacious living spaces decorated in traditional Thai decor.

Snorkelling in Maldives

Owing to the abundance of marine life which exists in the waters surrounding the islands of Maldives, it makes for an ideal destination for snorkelling. With colourful coral reefs and over 700 aquatic species, this underwater world offers plenty to marvel at.  One of the simplest ways of taking a glimpse of these marvellous creatures, snorkelling is an activity suitable for the whole family. Some of the interesting marine species you may get to see include fusiliers, wahoo, mating octopus, butterfly fish, sweetlips, jacks, trevally’s and dogtooth tuna. Travellers seeking to stay at one of the Maldives bungalows, will be delighted to find Anantara Veli Maldives, which is a Maldives resort boasting elegant accommodation options and excellent service.

The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne

The vast expanse of pristine white sand, unsullied by human feet, stretch out into infinity, seemingly merging in the distance with the clear blue sky overhead. In the wee hours of the morning, the sky receives the rosy blush of the peeping sun that is mirrored well on the white sand below. These sand dunes off the coast of Vietnam are yet another magnificent creation on the face of the earth and offer a breathtaking scenery of sunrise and sunset such as never before witnessed from any other corner of the world.
Mui Ne is a coastal town located in the south-eastern part of Vietnam in the Binh Thuan province. The fame of its exquisite beach stands to compete with the famous sand dunes of Mui Ne that are a tourist magnet in itself. From shimmering gold to pure white, there is a considerable variation in the dunes themselves and smaller red dunes are also to be found still further away. The best way to reach the dunes would be by jeep although it is not impossible with a motor bike.

The best times to visit these sites, in view of scenery as well as from avoiding the heat and sun exposure would be early mornings or evenings. One needs to be well equipped with water as well as sun protection and should have adequate fuel in the tanks of your vehicle as the distance is always more than predicted.  The dunes which are reminiscent of Arabian sands are a great place for sand sliding. While the white sand dunes appear deserted, the red sand dunes usually are crowded due to its easy accessibility by public transport. There is a place among the trees at the white dunes for a snack or a drink. A trip usually includes a visit to the fairy springs as well as the red sand canyons.

Any traveller passing this region can visit Hanoi, and find shelter in a renowned serviced apartment Hanoi. An apartment like Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi can make a huge difference to your trip to this part of the city simply through its strategic location and its array of premier services. Being one of the reputed Hanoi apartments near Daeha Business Center, it definitely adds a lot to its attraction as a residential option for tourists and business travellers. With well furbished, refined living space, these apartments ensure a grand and comfortable way of living in an unknown city with strange familiarity.

Caves in Krabi, an insightful tour of Krabi’s spiritual history and culture

 Mystical, spiritual and mesmerizingly beautiful, local folklore narrates the magnificent limestone caves of Krabi. These caves display some of the most intriguing crystalline architecture and is home to beautifully crafted images of Lord Buddha and other spiritual items of worship. Deep within are collapsed caverns known as Karsts. Inside the Karsts are natural lagoons opening up to the heavens accessible only at low tides that seep through the endless tunnels of the caves. Among many Krabi Resorts an exemplary choice of stay is the Anantara Si kao Thailand . This Krabi Resort Hotel consists of lavish hospitality to ensure a memorable stay.

Wilpattu National Park

The beautiful island of Sri Lanka is famed for its amazing collection of flora and fauna. For all nature enthusiasts craving for some fantastic eco-tourism, the Wipattu National Park is a definite must visit attraction. Famed for its exciting leopard population, this protected area offers one of the most intriguing adventures amidst all the amazing things to do in Sri Lanka.

“Willu Pattu” is literally translated to ‘Land of Lakes’ and the park is named as such due its large collection of ‘Willus’ or natural lakes which make excellent habitats for crocodiles, buffaloes and other species. It is also a haven for a number of endangered populations which includes sloth bears, Asian elephants, water buffaloes and the Sri Lankan leopard. There is also a perfect array of bird and reptile species such as the painted stork, beautiful jungle fowls, owls, eagles, gulls, common cobras, Indian python, a number of turtle species, crocodiles and many others. Wilpattu National Parks stands as one of the oldest parks in the island which was recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1905 and was upgraded to the National Park status in 1938.

Among other things, the Wilpattu National Park is a historic place with a cultural significance. In the ancient books of Mahavensa there are records that in the year 543 BC a prince named Vijaya came ashore at Kudrimalai Point (translated to Horse Point), married the famous Kuweni and founded the now majority Sinhalese race. Today the park stands as a popular tourist attraction as it houses a fantastic collection of flora and fauna over a total area of 131,693 hectares making it the largest park in the whole of Sri Lanka.


Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for fantastic eco-tourism and has a number or beautiful relaxing spots throughout the island. The Wilpattu National Park is located somewhere in between the historic city of Anuradhapura and the city of Puttalam and would fit right in on a fulfilling tour of Sri Lanka. Stay at Club Palm Bay Marawila to enjoy the best of both worlds. With excellent service and picturesque surroundings, this is one of the best Marawila hotels and is also one of the finest beach hotels Sri Lanka proudly boasts as its own.

Scuba Diving In Samui

Offering a unique sightseeing adventure, scuba diving In Samui provides a fascinating journey beneath the waves and into a breathtaking underwater world teeming with marine and coral life. The Gulf of Thailand which is close to Samui offers plenty of diving opportunities, while experienced divers should check out such sites as the National Marine Park, Sail Rock and Koh Tao. Those who are inexperienced will find PADI courses available that offer scuba diving training. Those looking for a Samui hotel near the beach and which offers scuba diving can stay at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui. This luxurious Samui resort also offers a wide range of other water sport activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Bali’s magnificent volcanoes

Bali is a beautiful island that is one of the 33 provinces that make up Indonesia. The island’s main source of income is the tourism industry and as such, possesses a multitude of attractions in order to entice every kind of visitor into experiencing their rich culture and scenic beauty. 
This charming island’s primary religious majority is Hindu and its history, culture, and architecture has been heavily influenced by this majority. Many temple ruins are scattered across its area such as the temple Pura Taman Ayun. This beautiful place greets tourists with a moat of lotus flowers and surrounds itself on three sides with a water garden. Moss grows on the temple’s faded and chipped walls and provides a very pleasant ambiance for the culturally and aesthetically conscious tourist.  In addition, the Tirtha Empul temple is Bali’s most revered temple because of its holy water, which Hindus use for purification. This temple attracts many tourists to its door because of its historical and cultural significance as well as its splendid structure and beautifully adorned gardens. These temples are merely a few of the many architectural wonders available to those who wish to delve into Bali’s rich culture. 
Apart from Bali’s manmade constructs, there are also the scenic wonders such as Bali’s white sandy beaches and its tremendous volcanoes that are available to visitors. Various tours are available that take tourists to the main volcanoes such as Mount Agung, which is still active and is used by both casual visitors and veteran mountain climbers. Two routes have been constructed, one from Besakih which makes its way up to the western peak, and the other route which begins from Pura Pasar Agung, near Selat and continues to the southern peak. The climb is quite long often with an overnight camp, so acquiring a guide form either Besakih or Pura Pasar Agung would be advisable.
 
Once the climb atop the volcano is complete, visitors can visit restaurants and the villages that habituate the craters. Upon the climb down one would naturally long to relax for either a brief respite or perhaps the rest of one’s stay on the island. There are numerous Bali resorts that are available.  The Uluwatu hotels are quite luxurious and serene in arrangement, and none epitomize this design ethic more than the Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa. This ideally located and ingeniously designed hotel and spa provides the perfect place for one to unwind after the long trek. In addition, one can organize further excursions via the hotel and experience even more of what Bali has to offer.