Month: February 2012

Sri Lanka the beautiful island nation is filled with beautiful treasures just waiting to be discovered. No matter your quest in this part of the world, you can be rest assured that you may find just what you are looking for. Looking for a cultural experience where you can explore your spirituality? The island is replete with a multitude of locations to sit back and relax. Looking for some ultimate pampering and indulgence, Sri Lanka offers many ways and means of doing so, the choice is yours to make. The beautiful beaches of the island are by far its biggest draw. Blessed with a bounty of nature and goodness, there are few groups actively working to protect the nation’s inheritance.

The Sea Turtle Project in Bentota is among the many initiatives small groups on the island and across the world are carrying out to secure the existence of sea turtles. This conservation project began in 1993, and today has grown to become a popular Bentota tourist attraction as well. Visitors are able to come and see baby turtles and depending on the season and time of day can watch them being released in to the ocean. This centre in Bentota has branches in Rewaka and Kalpitiya as well. There are five different species of Sea Turtle to be found along the coast of Sri Lanka – Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Green Turtle and Hawksbill.
Whilst in Bentota there are several activities that the tourist can partake in. Popular tourist activities would include water sports. Those who enjoy water sports will find that the area offers just about every kind imaginable. Such water sports as surfing, wind surfing, body boarding, jet skiing, water skiing, diving, swimming, banana boating, deep sea fishing and so many others can be experienced.

When looking for a Bentota hotel for your next holiday to the island, there are many to consider. Bentota hotels are well equipped to meet the needs of the tourists arriving in the country. Avani Bentota Resort is a new addition to the range of hotels on offer and provides a beautiful garden setting that overlooks the beach.

Maldives is known all over the world for its pristine white sand beaches and aqua marine waters as well as year round sunshine and idyllic tropical weather. As a result of all these factors, it is visited by people from all over the world be it for a family holiday or a romantic couples getaway. Amongst the most popular activities here are water sports.

The country has water sporting activities that are suitable not just for adults but also for children and the young at heart! The many hotels and resorts as well as businesses that cater to tourists who visit the country for a bit of adrenaline pumping activity, offer a host of water sports facilities ranging from sailing, banana boat riding, kite surfing, jet skiing, knee boarding, wind surfing, wake boarding, waterskiing, big game fishing, snorkeling, mono skiing as well as glass bottom boat rides, dolphin cruises and a wide variety of other activities.

Among these activities, this island nation is famous for waterskiing as the tranquil shallow waters and smooth surfaces are perfect for this type of sport. Most of the hotels and resorts have their own motor boats and also skis which can be hired on an hourly basis.  The wind in your ears and the sheer speed at which you are gliding over the turquoise sea around these tropical islets would indeed provide an exhilarating experience for anyone who opts for waterskiing. This exhilaration water sport is not just for those who have experience and even beginners can easily and quickly learn how to enjoy skiing along the sea!

Most Maldives Island Resorts provide assistance and coordinate water sporting activities for their guests and have the necessary equipment, trainers and guides or have contacts with companies that provide these facilities. Those in search of a Maldives hotel that will provide you both a luxurious and a comfortable holiday amidst palm trees and turquoise waters along with such water sport facilities as waterskiing can stay at Naladhu Maldives. It offers a perfect setting to unwind and relax in after an exciting day enjoying the many sports and recreational facilities that this island nation has to offer.

Located on Lake Erie’s eastern shores, the city of Buffalo in the state of New York offers visitors a fascinating and fun holiday experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The Buffalo Zoo, the Herschell Carousel Factory Museum, the Walden Galleria, Shea’s Performing Arts Center and Albright-Knox Art Gallery are among the attractions one will find here. However, what makes Buffalo one of the most popular destinations in the region is the fact that it is only around 20 minutes from the spectacular natural wonder, Niagara Falls. Those wanting to do more than just observe the falls can take a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour that offers a truly unique holiday adventure and an unforgettable Niagara experience.

Inaugurated in 1992, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours have become one of the world’s most well known whitewater tours. Travelling across the Niagara River Gorge rapids at breathtaking speeds, the specialized jet boats provide a safe and secure experience that takes passengers to such thrilling sites as the Niagara Whirlpool and the Devil’s Hole Rapids.

The fast flowing water, cross currents and imposing waves that are hallmarks of the rapids provide the perfect backdrop for this high speed adventure. With its fleet of state of the art vessels equipped with a triple turbo diesel water jet system, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours ensure that passengers enjoy the thrill of a lifetime which in no way puts their lives at risk. The tour has three departure locations, with two of them being Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls that can be found on the river’s Canadian side. Lewistion, New York provides passengers with the opportunity to depart from the United States.

Thrill seekers planning to enjoy this adrenaline pumping activity can either embark on the ‘WET JET’ tour or try the ‘JET DOME’ tour. The ‘WET JET’ tour offers an exhilarating ride on the rapids that true to its name leaves passengers thoroughly soaked! Those wanting a more ‘dry’ experience can take the ‘JET DOME’ tour which features its namesake, Jet Dome boats that have special pneumatic doors which open up and offer spectacular views of the surrounding Niagara Gorge and the famous Whirlpool.

Those in search of a hotel in Buffalo New York that makes an ideal base for business and leisure travelers alike can stay at Millennium Hotel Buffalo. This modern Buffalo hotel stands adjacent to the famous Walden Galleria Mall and is only a short drive away from Niagara Falls.

Take the opportunity to visit the villages of Tenganan and Truniyan deep in the mountains of East Bali, the home of the Bali Aga said to be the original inhabitants of the island. See these isolated villages that had been cut off from the rest of Bali for a very long time and view an ancient civilization at work. Stone walls right round the villages kept intruders away. The only access was through four gates placed in each direction. With an ancient social system still in place individual property rights are not recognized here. The layout of all houses in the village of Tenganan follow a similar pattern with a flight of steps leading to a courtyard around which lie the sleeping quarters, kitchen and the store houses. A small space is set aside for a shrine where departed spirits may rest when they visit. The most surprising aspect is that the village of Tenganan is one of the richest in Bali owning huge tracts of fertile agricultural land that gives them abundant harvests, more than enough for their needs. This is also the only place that a dialect of the Balinese language is used.

Known for their special cloth dyeing and weaving techniques, the Bali Aga turn out complex tie and dye and double weave ‘ikat’ or ‘gerinsing’ cloth. Tenganan village is the only place that this complex weaving and cloth dying technique is practiced. The predominant colours here are red, neutral and black. With a deeply ingrained belief in the supernatural permeating every strata of society, the cloth is believed to have supernatural properties and is used in religious rites.

Tall, fair and slender in appearance the characteristic feature of the Bali Aga is their filed and blackened teeth. The superstitious say that they bring down the spirits of their ancestors through sacrifice and the bodies of their dead are left in the jungle to be carried away by spirits. They are ruled by a council of elders who also officiate as priests.

Among the many festivals and rituals of the Bali Aga is ‘mekare kare’ or ritual combat where participants use the serrated edges of pandan leaves to draw blood. These ritual fights are held during temple festivals and participants are well fortified with rice wine and fermented palm toddy beforehand. Those who draw blood first are the victors. Combatants defend themselves with wicker shields. All wounds are treated with traditional medicines.

Experience the incomparable beach location and the lavish, well appointed luxurious suites at Anantara Seminyak, Bali that sets the tone for a wonderful tropical holiday. Added advantages at these exceptional Bali resorts are their many excellent guest services that include pampering and soothing spa treatments at a wonderful rooftop location, some of the best dining options on the island with views to match and plenty of leisure activities to chose from; all ingredients that make up a wonderful holiday experience facilitated by this one of a kind Bali resort.

The active visitor will find a multitude of outdoor activities to be enjoyed in Manila. Amongst these sightseeing is naturally a highlight in this historic city with prominent sites including the Malacanang Palace and Museum, Cultural Center of the Philippines and San Agustin Church. Shopping is a popular diversion in Manila with an array of merchandise on offer. Sports enthusiasts will not be at a loss as there are many sporting facilities in the Philippine capital.
Discerning visitors desiring a quality Manila hotel will be pleased by The Heritage Hotel Manila, an excellent hotel in Manila which offers well-furnished accommodations and attentive service.