Tag: Entertainment

The Kalutara Basket Centre

Sri Lanka, an island nation located in South Asia just south of India, is a blissful tropical haven. Also known as the ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination known for its wide variety of attractions. Sri Lanka is best known for its golden sandy beaches, picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, renowned archeological sites, and leisure attractions, making it an ideal destination for a colorful and memorable vacation. One of the most pleasant and attractive beach hotels in Sri Lanka is Citrus Waskaduwa.

Kalutara, a district in the Western Province of Sri Lanka just south of Colombo, has a reputation for being home to one of Sri Lanka’s most innovative weaving and handicraft cultures. Thus, it is no surprise that one of the best places to buy unique baskets, hats, souvenirs and other handicrafts is the Kalutara Basket Centre. Boasting authentic locally manufactured and handmade items, the Kalutara Basket Centre offers a host of unique items for day to day use and collectibles that you will never find anywhere else!

Located in the heart of the Kalutara city, the Kalutara Basket Centre has served as a platform to showcase the skills and talents of the local craftsmen. Almost all the items at the basket centre are made of natural materials. As the name itself suggests, the Kalutara Basket Centre is best known for its woven baskets. Using palm fronds from which there is no yield, the craftsman are able to weave thin strips of the palm frond to create a rather sturdy and durable material from which baskets can be made. You will find all manner of baskets at the Kalutara Basket Centre, as well as many locally manufactured hats, bags, and kitchenware, all with unique designs. Thus, the Kalutara Basket Centre is a great place to visit to appreciate the craftsmanship of local craftsman, and to buy some great souvenirs to take back home.

 

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

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Hiking in the Seychelles

Seychelles is renowned for its natural beauty and is a major tourist attraction. Swimming, diving, snorkeling and hiking are very popular leisure activities and the conditions in Seychelles are very conducive to indulge the.
As a holiday destination, Seychelles is par excellence and beach resorts in Seychelles are a plenty, and most like theAVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa come equipped with pristine stretches of beach and access to nearby private
Mahé, Praslin and La Digue are the main tourist islands tourist islands and have great walks and hiking trails. The best time for hiking in the Seychelles is June-September.

Mahé has a number of great hiking trails. Anse Major is along the rocky northwestern coastline of Mahé and leads to the beach of the same name. This trail is not too difficult and the beauty of the Anse Major beach makes the hike worthwhile. Cassedent is a trail that leads to a wide granite mountain top with fantastic 360 degree views . This is fairly long and is an ascending/descending trail through screwpines,a palm marsh and endemic trees. The trail ends at a natural waterfall. Dans Gallas is a trail with panoramic views and the top of the trail offers a glorious view covering Beau Vallon Bay ,North Mahé ,the eastern coast down to the airport with the Victoria area right down below.

Glacis Noire is on Praslin Island and this trail leads to a hilltop overlooking the East coast of Praslin Island and also offers a great view La Digue and the surrounding smaller islands. This trail has many plants endemic to the Seychelles including the famed Coco de Mer . Vallée de Mai is one of Seychelles UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is thought to be the original Garden of Eden by some. Approximately, 6000 Coco de Mer trees flourish here.

On the island of La Digue a hike through Bellevue will unravel the beauties of the island and the more energetic hikers should make it up to the tip of Nid Aigle. Another worthwhile area to hike or ramble through is the Union Estate Park.

 

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+

Exploring Little Rome of Sri Lanka

Situated just 20 minutes from Sri Lanka’s international airport is the coastal town of Negombo. It is predominantly a catholic area, dotted with many ancient Roman Catholic churches, thus garnering it the title Little Rome of Sri Lanka. The town is well worth exploring for its ancient religious remnants from the Portuguese era as well as religious monuments of modern times. Negombo is also well known for its stretch of easily accessible beach and quite easily has one of the highest concentrations of beach hotels in Sri Lanka. A place to check out if you’re hoping to spend some time in Negombo is Amagi hotels. One of their hotels is situated close to the Negombo lagoon and provides a good base to explore this culturally rich town.

Catholic influence of Negombo dates back to Portuguese colonial era and religious relics of this era are still here to be explored. Among Portuguese era Roman Catholic churches, St. Mary’s Church built in 1874 is situated in the heart of Negombo, is the biggest cathedral in Negombo adorned with ceiling paintings of frescoes, as well as alabaster statues of various saints. It is one of the few larger cathedrals in Sri Lanka. The other famous church in Negombo town is the Grand Street Church, also adorned with ceiling paintings and statues.
Among other places to explore around Negombo is Thalahena ChurchEast of Negombo.This Barbara Church, dedicated to St.Barbara was built in 1889andenshrined here is a statue of Saint Fatima brought by Portuguese to Talahena. This church is believed to have miraculous healing powers. Bolawalana St. Mary’s Church constructed in 1557, featuring Gothic style architecture during Portuguese rule is the oldest church in Negombo area. St. Philip Neri Church, St.Stephen’sChurch and KatuwapitiyaChurchare some of other holy sites and small Christ and Maria images found at street corners, worth visiting while exploring “Little Rome of Sri Lanka”- Negambo.

 

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+

Thrilling wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka

One of the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world, Sri Lanka, with its many wildlife parks and forest reserves, sets the stage for a wildlife adventure like no other. It gets better – Sri Lanka also boasts one of the highest rates of biological endemism in the world!

With so many wildlife safari/exploration options available, planning your adventure can indeed be an ardent task. The most popular national park in Sri Lanka is Yala, located on the southeast of Sri Lanka and bordered by the Indian Ocean. It is also the largest, spanning over 320,000 acres. In Yala, hotels and camping sites are a plenty. However, for a true adventurous stay, opt for camp-centric accommodation such as the ones provided by Wild Trails Yala.

Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary back in 1900 and a national park in 1938. It is made up of forests, grasslands, tanks and lagoons and is divided into 5 blocks. Two of these blocks are open to the public. A thrilling safari through Yala showcases leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, crocodiles and over 35 other mammals. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds.

The oldest national park in the country is Wilpattu. It spans over a large region in the northwest up to Anuradhapura. The park encompasses quite a few cultural heritage sites as well. The area is crisscrossed with lakes, grasslands and shrubbery and is home to elephants, sloth bear, water buffaloes and spotted deer. A few leopards are found in Wilpattu as well.

Udawalawe is Sri Lanka’s premier national park for elephants. It is located surrounding the massive Udawalawe reservoir, bordering Ratnapura and Moneragala districts. The park has an elephant population in excess of 500, along with other mammals such as sloth bear, deer and jackals. Minneriya, Wasgamuwa and Gal Oya are some of the other popular national parks in the country with the former being world famous for its ‘elephant gathering’, a phenomenon unique to Sri Lanka.

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 Surf Trip to Arugambay- Ride the Wave

The island of Sri Lanka is blessed with numerous beaches around it, whether you want to lie on the beach or take on a bit of adventure there is always a place to do so. One such place that’s great for surfing is Arugambay on the Eastern coast Sri Lanka. If you’re wondering how to get to this surf heaven there are many options such as going by bus, train or an air taxi Sri Lanka. The latter is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way among the three and one of the leading providers of this service is Cinnamon Air

. Operating from various points in Sri Lanka this air taxi service offers affordable and convenient domestic flights. They take off and land in natural waters in the island.

Arugambay is on one of the top ten surf points in the world. The best period to plan a trip to this part of the country is between May and November. Due to it’s location the area is predominant of right-hand point breaks. The three main points are, “The Point”, “Pottuvil Point” and the “Crocodile Rock” which can be accessed from the main line of hotels in half an hour by tuk. There are also other points around one and half hours away and can be accessed by boat. Another advantage for Arugambay with regard to location is that unlike many other tourist hot hubs, Arugambay stays shielded away from the North Western and South Eastern monsoon. The monsoon affects most other areas at least for half the year.

Apart from the great reputation as a surf destination, there are a variety of things on offer in this coastal village. There are a rich diversity of birds and wildlife, beautiful landscape and there have also been ruins of ancient Buddhist temples found from areas around here. One such excavation is the “Muhudu Maha Viharaya”. If you are out looking for some adrenaline rush out in the waters there’s no place other than Arugambay!

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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Safari World Zoo and Park

All year round thousands of tourists make their way to Thailand for various reasons. The country blessed with beaches and exciting landscapes and architecture remains a magnet for tourists. There is always varying activities for all groups of tourist who come here. The capital Bangkok remains one of the buzzing and vibrant cities in this region and you can find many a luxury Bangkok City Hotel to suit your accommodation requirements. Among them, one that has been highly recommended is Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok that is well located to keep you safe from the hustle and bustle of the city but at the same time conveniently located minutes away from the many attractions such as the Grand Palace.

One of the concerns for families travelling with children is to find enough and more activities to keep them happy and occupied. Bangkok has plenty of activities and attractions for the entire family. One such place is Safari World. Consisting of two parks, one being the Marine Park and the other being the Safari Park opened its doors to the public in 1988. If you’re against the zoo concept but would still like to be up close to the animals this is an excellent place to be. The park is divided into the two sections as mentioned above. The safari park allows visitors to access in their own vehicles or get on board a bus operated by the park. The Marine Park operates on a more traditional zoo model where there are shows as well as food stalls for the entertainment of the visitors.

The open air safari park allows animals to roam freely, however, there are few restrictions. What you can find here are, zebras, camels, antelopes, rhinos, tigers lions among many others.

 

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.

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Surfing in Uluwatu

When the coast is a glorious sight and the waves differ between fierce and timid, you know that you ought to be in one of the best surfing destinations in the world. Uluwatu is located on the south-western tip of the Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia and is on the bucket list of many experienced surfers. After all, Uluwatu is among the top five surf destinations in the world. While surfing is a major attraction in the area, so are the luxuries afforded by some of the region’s world class accommodation options such as Alila Villas Uluwatu. Waking up in these Uluwatu villas is a privilege in itself. Situated precariously on a cliff top plateau, these villas ensure a delightful view of the sea and also hypnotize visitors to such an extent that they walk to the coast, surfboard in hand!

In case you take baggage on your surfing expeditions, the ideal solution would be to leave them in the safe hands of those in charge of one of the restaurants along the coast. Your belongings will be neatly packed into a basket, while you surf away. Of course, you must consider having a delicious meal in the restaurant of your choice when you return.

Ascertaining if the conditions of the sea suit your skill-level is crucial. If you are an intermediate surfer, on days when there is a low tide and the waves are big, you must certainly reconsider surfing. Instead you can stay on the shore and relax while nibbling a snack. Don’t be disheartened, your day is sure to come soon. Make the tide chart your constant friend, and also talk to those around you about the conditions of the sea. If the chart indicates that the tide is more than a metre, you can joyfully head down to the cave and paddle out to sea. It is sure to be an exciting day for you.

Always aim to reach the cave once you are fatigued, however if you don’t manage to do this, fear not! The currents will take you to safe shores. You will only have to endure an adventurous walk back to the charming villas.

 

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+

Start Your Adventure Journey in Maldives with Diving

The pleasant cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, known as the Republic of Maldives is blessed with spectacular natural beauty and is endowed with a relaxing atmosphere that is more than conducive to taking some time off from one’s busy and hectic schedule. Thousands of tourists that flock to the Maldivian isles in their pursuit of pristine beaches and tropical sun are scarcely disappointed because residing in a Maldives resort hotel is sure to cater to your every need.

Maldives embodies the true spirit of having a ‘holiday in the sun’, and whether you seek adventure and excitement during your vacation, or a quiet and peaceful getaway, these isles will not disappoint. For the adventurous tourist, there are a multitude of water sports on offer, and diving is possibly one of the best ways to begin exploring the wonders of the marine world that resides beneath the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. While the North and South Atolls are both renowned for their exquisite diving sites, holidaymakers residing in a resort in the South Male Atoll such as the Anantara Veli Maldives Resort & Spa will have the opportunity to explore ‘kandus.’ The eastern reef of the Atoll alone is home to over six kandus, or channels, that are ideal for diving as they attract a myriad of marine life that come to feast on nutrients brought in by the channel.

For the lucky few, Cocoa Thila can offer one of the best diving experiences in the South Male Atoll for this particular site, on a day with a moderate current, is frequented by grey reef sharks, sweetlips, groupers, snappers and eagle rays. However, for those who wish to dive to see grey reef sharks, the Embudhoo Kandu channel is the best.

While diving in the South Male Atoll has its own attractions, divers who wish to explore the abundant coral life in Maldives should make their way to the North Male Atoll, which hosts some of the most pristine and beautiful coral reefs in the world. All in all, diving in Maldives, whether it is sharks or coral reefs that you seek, is an experience worth having.

 

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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