Tag: Attractions

Dehiwala Zoo- One of the Oldest Zoological Gardens in Asia

The capital city of Colombo is a metropolitan city, and is the economic and business hub of the country. Given this perception, tourists travelling to the country may be reluctant to explore Colombo as they may feel that there is not much to see in the city. This perception is grossly unfounded for Colombo, though being the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, boasts of a location close to the ocean, and hosts a number of attractions that tourists will be thrilled to visit. While those who wish to reside in a resort close to the ocean can do so at the Mount Lavinia Hotel without having to make their way down south, tourists looking for places of interest will find the National Museum, Galle Face Green, Independence Square, the Old Parliament and the Colombo Zoo within remarkably close vicinity to one another.
Those who wish to explore the endemic wildlife of Sri Lanka, and do not have the time to make a visit to one of the National Parks such as Wilpattu or Yala, which are located several hours outside the capital, the Colombo Zoo can provide a glimpse of insight. This Zoo located in Dehiwala is home to over three thousand animals and marine species and is open to the public and tourists.
The National Zoological Gardens were opened in 1936 and is geared towards conservation and research, while enabling and enhancing the knowledge of the public of various animals. While travellers may be surprised to learn that this particular zoo is one of the oldest of its kind in Asia, the Zoo consists of a Butterfly Garden, a Bird Park and a number of species such as jaguars, lions, elephants and bears. The Zoo also has an array of performances such as elephant and sea lion performances in addition to several educational programmes.

 

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

The Morne Seychellios National Park- Your Dream Destination

The archipelago that is the Republic of Seychelles is a nation adorned with natural wonders, ranging from breath-taking rocky-beaches to mesmerizing rainforests. Seychelles and her one hundred and fifteen plus islands have been captivating visitors from around the world for centuries. The nation’s unique landscapes combined with the incredibly lush and diverse range of species that inhabit her many islands. The most interesting factor that contributes to the beauty of Seychelles that her land was completely un-inhabited until of fairly recent times, which is why the island has some of the most beautiful and unspoiled sights the region has to offer, and one place that is most breathtaking above all, is the Morne Seychellois National Park.

In addition to all her natural wonders, if you’re looking for an international visit to this iconic land, there is many a hotel Seychelles has to offer with unique and exotic locales such as Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino.

Coming back to the topic at hand, the Morne Seychellios National Park is situated on the highest point of all the Seychelles islands, on the island of Mahe. Not only is the park the highest in the country, it also by far the largest, covering more than twenty percent of the entire landmass of Mahe. The park contains an extensive list of trails that can be explored through either half-day or full-day excursions. Although marked-routes and maps are plentiful, the best way to explore the Mahe Park is through a guided tour, where an expert will escort you to the best spots within the park to experience both all her panoramic sights and her living wonders.

So if you’re looking to an escape into a world of dense rainforests, serene beaches and magical creatures look no further than the Republic of Seychelles and the glorious Morne Seychellois National Park.

 

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Amira Ghaffoor ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. If you see Joanna James enchanting many readers, do know it’s her.

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Asah Waterfalls

The island of Pulau Tioman, sitting off the east coast of Malaysia, enjoys hot and sunny weather during most of the year. The monsoon season brings heavy rain and large waves from October until January; this is when the surfers alight in Tioman. Resort properties offer discounted rates and operate at low capacity. Between May and August, when rainfall is minimal, is when the tourists arrive in crowds.

The mountains, lush foliage, warm climate and ocean views make it a great destination for a relaxing holiday. Tioman Island is known for the beautiful waterfalls that make up a big part of the natural beauty of the island. The most famous of the waterfalls is Asah Waterfall; it is also referred to as Mukut Waterfall because it is in the vicinity of the village of Mukut. Visitors can opt to stay overnight at the Berjaya Tioman Resort, located on the island’s sandy shores with the towering mist covered mountains beyond, to soak up the tranquillity of this beautiful island.

Hiking to the top of Asah Waterfall is an option if you remember to bring along the appropriate footwear. The walk is long and can be challenging for some but the scenery is breathtaking. Listen to birds calling and admire the trees and vines as you climb to the top. If you are in luck you may even see monkeys and other wildlife along the way. There are strategically located shops and rest spots for climbers to survey the landscape as well as get a drink and catch their breath. The residents of Mukut Village are friendly and welcoming, they are also happy to sell food and souvenirs to tourists who want a snack or to pick up a memento of their trip.

 

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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Things to do in Yala

Wildlife is undoubtedly one of the biggest assets that the paradise island nation of Sri Lanka flaunts. From the many wildlife parks and reserves spread throughout the country there is none other that is as acclaimed as the Yala National Park. Best known for its wide variety of animals and also for having one of the highest leopard densities in the world, Yala presents a range of activities for those ardent explorers.

Now before you set out to quench your wanderlust in Yala, its imperative that you find a comfortable accommodation among the plethora of hotels in Yala Sri Lanka. Almost hidden in the verdant jungle land, is The Secret Yala by The Secret Hotels, a premier hotel that’s conveniently just 10 minutes away from the park.

After settling down, it’s time to set off and explore! The Yala Safari undoubtedly tops the list of the many things to do in Yala. Parked near the entrance to the park are many safari jeeps you can hire. The best time to enter the park is when the park opens just after 6:00am or after 4:00pm when animals resurface after taking cover from the sun. During your safari you will get to see a wide range of truly remarkable creatures such as elephants, sloth bears, colourful peacocks, wild boar, massive crocodiles, endemic and migratory bird species and of course Yala’s crowning glory, the magnificent Sri Lankan Leopard.

Pay a visit to ‘the hill of the quiet mind’- Chiththala Pabbatha or the Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya that’s situated deep within the Yala National Park. This ancient Buddhist monastery houses number of rock caves, pagodas, chapter houses and ponds. The walls of these caves are adorned with many beautiful paintings.

Take a stroll along pristine sands to relax and stretch your legs. The primary beach spot in Yala that’s open for public was once the location of a bungalow that was tragically wiped out by the 2004 Tsunami along with its occupants. Today, as you stroll through the beach you can see the remnants of the devastation the monument built to honour them.

 

 

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Melissa Somawardana, concealed under the name of Kanya Mae, writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+

Diving in Tioman

Coral reefs are the underwater equivalent of rainforests, but unlike their earth-bound counter-parts, coral reefs are extremely rare, and account for only 0.1% of the ocean’s surface area. Out of this tiny percentage, over ninety percent of coral reefs are located in the Indo-Pacific region. This is why it is no surprise that one of the most popular diving hotspots in the world is considered to be in the area surrounding Tioman Island, a small landmass located thirty miles off the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula. There is many a Tioman resort that has capitalized on the wondrous coral reefs that surround the island and offer a variety of diving programs. One such resort is Berjaya Tioman Resort that is truly noteworthy for their sheer scale of dive programs.

There are up to twenty dive sites for a visitor to choose from, such as Renggiss Island, Golden REef and Tiger Reef. Each of these sites is teeming with a variety of life, ranging from countless varieties of coral fish to turtles. Divers can further discover the beauty of sub-marine wonders beneath the seas surrounding the Tioman Island by discovering the incredible rock formations that indulgent with soft and hard varieties of coral.

The variety of diving courses available at the Tioman islands is as diverse as the coral and creatures that surround them. The courses range from basic open-water classes, to advanced open-water classes, as well as night-time dives. Safety is paramount and all of these courses are certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructiors, also known as PADI. If coral reefs and underwater life do not interest you, then perhaps the dozen plus shipwrecks that are a staple of the diving tours might. The Tioman Island also has a dense rainforest for visitors to explore. So if you happen to be in Malaysia, take a trip to the Tioman Island and witness sights that are truly one of a kind.

 

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Highlights of the Purple Mountain in Nanjing

Approximately three hundred kilometers up the Yangtze River from Shanghai is Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province. It is the second largest city in Eastern China. Nanjing served as the nation’s capital through the early part of the Ming dynasty and again in more recent times during the twentieth century. The city today, is one that is forging ahead as an industrial hub, however there is much history, culture and art that would interest leisure tourists to Nanjing. Hotel properties range from top tier luxury resorts to budget options for the economical traveller.

Among the many attractions around Nanjing is the Purple Mountain. It is located about a half hour’s drive from Baijia Lake, around which many of the region’s best hotels can be found, including Citadines Baijia Lake Nanjing. The Purple Mountain is a sacred location that has much significance in Chinese history. It is the final resting place of emperors and outstanding heroes that hailed from over ten dynasties. The mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen, the first president of the Republic of China is located here; as is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty on Meihuashan Mountain, to the west. The Purple Mountain Observatory can also be found nearby on Tianbao Mountain. Much of China’s modern astronomical study is carried out here. There is also a strong belief that this is where you must visit if you want to wish upon a shooting star and have your wish come true. A number of famous cultural relics also dot Purple Mountain and the surrounding peaks.

The two best times to visit the Purple Mountain are during spring and autumn. Plum blossoms on Meihuashan Mountain are in full bloom in spring, while the red leaves on Qixia Mountain create a fiery glow in autumn.