Month: November 2012

The Thames Barrier- A fascinating modern attraction

The Thames Barrier is one such modern attraction, and is especially interesting as it is a piece of architecture that will protect the city of London from flooding. The construction of this barrier was completed in 1982. It took eight years to build and cost over a 1000 million GBP. It is known to be the largest flood barrier, which is movable, in the world. It is 520 metres wide and is located on the River Thames at Woolwich.

The need for such a barrier arose from the results of the 1953 floods. In 1953 due to heavy rainfall more than 160,000 acres of farmland got flooded and 300 people drowned. This prompted the authorities to take action to solve any further threats from flood water.

This particular design as a barrier was selected out of 41 proposals, as this unique design provided answers to all the problems: it had minimal interference with the natural river flow, headroom for ships were not restricted, and most importantly it is artistically very pleasing.

It comprises four gates; each as tall as a five storey structure and 61 metres wide. Each has its own ‘hydraulic power packs’, which are electrically powered and provides individual operation to each of the gates. When the gates are fully open they set against the river bed providing an unobstructed river. The gates can also be raised above the waters when they require maintenance work.

This piece of great engineering and architecture has come in handy over 60 times since its construction, when they had been raised to prevent the city from flooding. If you are visiting the location take either the river or the road. River boat from Greenwich or Westminster is ideal for a closer view. But if you are interested in a more in-depth experience try going by road to visit the visitor centre.

London also features various other attractions. As for lodging options, there is a range available: from a luxury hotel, London B&B, to budget hotel, you can take your pick. A London boutique hotel with luxury amenities is ideal for a romantic getaway. If you are looking for a great location and luxury accommodation options you may want to try The Halkin London.

Muscat Adventures

Muscat in Oman is an exciting city that has of late really made its mark on the tourist industry. Planeloads of holiday makers fly to this city every year for a taste of Arabian culture merged with an adventurous and an exciting twist. Enjoy the rolling golden sands and sparkling blue ocean in an ambience that echoes true Arabia. Taste the unmatched Arabian Cuisine and feel the kiss of the sun. Whatever you want to do, Muscat offers you a plate full of unmatched surprises.

For those of you craving for an adrenaline kick Muscat certainly has an array of truly exciting activities to fulfill those wild fantasies. Muscats spectacular landscape that combines the sand and the sea makes the perfect backdrop for authentic adventure. There are so many fantastic activities to try from and there are centers especially set up to make sure you have a spectacular time. Take the Muscat Diving and Adventure Center; this is one location that makes sure you have a fabulous time trying out whatever your heart desires. The best part above all is that with the assistance and guidance you receive in this place, you need not even worry about any training or experience, just a good fitness level and a keen adventurous spirit is enough for you to soar up in the sky. The Muscat Adventure center caters to all types of thrill levels that range from the armature to the pro. Here you can choose activities like the giant abseil, Rock climbing, Sea Kayaking, Canoeing, Scuba Diving and the Wet Wadi Walks. You can even try hiking up 2400m on Jebel Akhtar. There is a fascinating list of things to do and only visiting Muscat will give you an authentic insight into all the fun you can have in this exciting city.

When touring the Middle East hotels are found in abundance. For the ultimate holiday experience in Muscat or anywhere else in Middle East choose the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East. This group, famed as one of the finest UAE hotels, has all the luxurious amenities making it live up to its glorious reputation in every way.

Trekking in South Goa

Goa is a city in India that has become a splendid location for tourists and which offers a wide range of fun filled activities. Goa being a beautiful city surrounded by wonderful beaches offers you some thrilling land adventures as well. Trekking and hiking up the rough and tough mountains is something that the fun loving travelers must try out. It’s not an easy excursion and definitely unwise for the fainthearted. Goa will put forward to you many things like rock climbing, river crossing, rappelling when it comes to trekking. It is sure that you adventurers are certainly going to love it and will be an unforgettable memory as well. Goa is a region that is rich in greenery giving you spectacular sights and lifetime experience while on your trekking expedition.

The best time to go have fun trekking and hiking in Goa is during the months of October to December where the climate will be perfect for your journey. The usual trekking along the Goa district would be Sahyadri hills, where trekking is going to be simply delightful where you will get to witness the lush foliage and breathtaking views of faraway lands. Kalen Rock in Sanguem, Dudhsagar waterfalls in the vicinity is the other places that give you wonderful trekking opportunities. At Sahyadri Hills you would also get to have fun with the Tarzan swings and the monkey bridges that are put up by the authorities which are really enthusiastic.

In the Goan Hills you are sure to have your best trekking experience ever so you can give a try out to the Tyrolean traverse or Jummaring to have an exciting change from the usual tramping. You would find many tourists coming in to trek and hike along green mountains of Goa and to experience the natural vegetation and the scenery up the hills. To experience the true ambiance of Goa it would be a wise idea to choose a Beach resort in Goa to have a comfortable and luxury holiday. Alila Diwa Goa is a splendid Goa Resort that promises you great holiday deals with absolute comfort and entertainment.

Desert safaris in Abu Dhabi: Discover the adventures among the sand dunes

A dessert safari is indeed a must item of one’s trip to this region where one of the world’s most famous dessert offers its limitless possibilities to the adventure seeking traveller. There are so many agencies offering flexible and cost effective ways of doing a safari as to fit your budget as well as your preferences and peculiarities. There are so many ways to drive into the wildness of sand at Abu Dhabi. While a 4wheel vehicle allows you to experience the thrill of driving around aimlessly and furiously without worrying about any dangerous encounters, the camel ride holds up a tough competition as another unique experience and as the most authentic and ancient way of riding in the dessert.

There are many different kinds of Safaris including morning rides for those who fear the darkness and evening safaris and overnight safaris for those who love it. The overnight safari indeed feels like a romantic escapade as you set up camp under the moonlight, surrounded by nothingness or rather the vastness of the empty dessert. Experience a sumptuous buffet dinner with exotic Abu Dhabi dishes and complemented well by BBQ as well as Shishahh tobacco and sweet desserts. An amazing dinner like that can only be distracted by the performance of a group of belly dancers who offer this alluring item that is well known in Abu Dhabi. While the night is a time for solitude, delicious food and performances, the afternoons are for adventures. Sand bashing and sand skiing offer an exciting prospect while dune bashing can be pretty addictive as you take on what seems like roller coaster ride over the dessert.

Take refuge in an Abu Dhabi resort and rejuvenate yourself after your adventures in the outdoors. Indeed there are places like Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara which enjoys an excellent location and offers an oasis of Middle Eastern delights from many luxurious conveniences to mouth watering delicacies, fulfilling the five star class quality in every turn of its snug interiors and every morsel of its food. From among the many Abu Dhabi beach hotels, this one stands apart with an excellent reputation that just keeps growing over the years.

 

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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Explore Under the Sea in Caribbean

The Caribbean conjures up scenes of paradise found where pristine beaches and palm laden lands lie interspersed on an azure canvas that is as delicate as it is breathtaking. As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations for honeymooners and beach lovers this intriguing corner of the world has always been a hotbed of activity for water sports lovers all year round as the Caribbean oceans are also regarded among the world’s finest surfing venues.

Littered with stunning rock formations, abundant marine life and ancient shipwrecks, what lies beneath the Caribbean waters is just as intriguing as what lies above with rainbow-hued species and breathtaking corals occupying a submerged wonderland. One need not be an experienced diver to explore this captivating fantasyland under the sea as the tour operators in the Caribbean offer visitors a number of ways to get up close and personal with the brilliant marine heritage of the country.

A glass bottom boat excursion is often described as one of the easiest methods to explore the Caribbean sea bed as one need not even know how to swim to view the spectacular scenes of multihued coral lying beneath the surface. The glass bottomed ocean vessel takes visitors across several islands of the Caribbean in a cruise that can last up to several hours. The Atlantis Submarine is also on hand for more adventurous visitors and a typical tour takes passengers hundreds of feet beneath the ocean surface across much of the Caribbean including Grand Cayman, Aruba, St. Thomas, Barbados and Cozumel.

Helmet diving is another unique way to explore the underwater surface as anyone aged 5-85 can don the special helmet and climb down to the ocean floor using a ladder to walk among schools of fish and corals that lie between 10-12 feet below the waves. Avid snorkelers and scuba divers can also take a tour of the underwater wonderland the old fashioned way with diving gear rented from innumerable rental services on the beachfront and via hotels. Courses on scuba diving and snorkeling are also available at many hotels and diving schools in the islands.

Travellers on the lookout for an award winning hotel in the Caribbean should look to the COMO Hotels and Resorts conglomerate for all their accommodation needs. As a luxury hotel group with a number of elegant establishments all across the Caribbean, seasoned travellers could hardly imagine more eclectic spaces to spend their valued vacations.

Wat Naphrameru

Located close to the Klong Muang banks, Wat Naphrameru is an ancient temple that can be found in Ayutthaya. A great way to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya and its many temples is by taking a Bangkok cruise tour such as those provided by Anantara Cruises Thailand. These Bangkok cruises let you experience the country’s rich heritage on traditional style barges and feature luxurious accommodation. Constructed in the early 16th century, Wat Naphrameru is still used as a temple and is where one can find a remarkable statue of Buddha. Dating back to 1505, this famous statue is adorned in gold leaf and is definitely worth seeing when in Ayutthaya. The temple also witnessed such significant events as the signing of a peace treaty in the 18th century between the king of Burma and King Maha Chakkraphat.

The Peak

It is a necessity that a visitor to Hong Kong should feel deprived if he doesn’t get a chance to go to The Peak. Ascend on the tram at sunset to this towering mountain and its looming view stations and enjoy the city being played on with many brilliant hues as sunlight dips into a fury of colours before converting into the dark of the night where the electric lights take over and spill out their own magic pattern against the velvety darkness.
Known as the Victoria peak or even more simply as The peak, this tall mountain is placed on the western part of the Hong Kong and captures a stunning view of the rest of the city, especially the view over the Victorian Harbour. The peak tower contains the sky terrace which is another excellent location to capture the best scenery. There are more great places to take an eyeful of scenery at Lions view Point pavilion as well as Lugard Road Lookout. The peak circle walk is an excellent way of taking in different angles of the view through a casual stroll while the peak galleria offers a viewing gallery that is as superb as the rest.

The Peak tram journey that takes you up on the ascent to the peak is as great as the end point, reminding you of the caption of success being a journey and not a destination. This famous funicular train ride offers an incredible experience as you get to glide past the tallest sky scrapers of the city and watch them disappear into the distant through your window as you ascend the peak. Dedicated to this excellent mode of transport that has survived for no less than a century is the Peak tram gallery that has stories to tell of the tram and its memorable incidents. The tram leaves for the peak from Garden road and can provide an amusing journey upwards. However, today the tram can be replaced by a taxi or even a car to reach the top.

Descend from the dizzy height to enjoy some of the more earthly luxuries that Hong Kong can offer within the premises of a reputed Hong Kong hotel. A prime location close to major shopping areas, theme parks and other attractions as well as a range of suites and rooms to please the most discerning traveller and memorable culinary preparations will leave a visitor very much content if not delighted with his choice at Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong. This Wan Chai hotel Hong Kong has in store for you is indeed a superb way to experience Hong Kong and its attractions with the most delightful comforts and services as found anywhere else in the world.

Diving with Whale Sharks in Samui

The Samui Archipelago is located off the southern side of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand. It provides some of the best diving options as it is sheltered from the open ocean. Due to this the waters here are also calmer and warmer, providing excellent conditions for exploring what lies beneath. With the range of spots on offer it is the perfect destination for novices as well as advanced and more experience divers.

The other excellent condition the Samui Archipelago offers in terms of underwater explorations is its clear and consistent visibility. Due to this it is a popular destination amongst those keen on underwater photography and video filming the colourful and vibrant sea landscape.

The beauty of the Samui Islands extends from deep under the ocean up to the glorious skies. Above the surface, kissing the great tropical sun filled air is a paradise awaiting exploration: beaches, coves, mountains covered with greenery, all what you’d want to experience during a vacation. Under the surface there are more treasures to be explored. The waters are packed with ocean life: reef sharks, barracudas and other colourful tropical life swims about in abundance. The vibrant coral reefs and fascinating rock formation adds a wonderful backdrop. But most importantly you will have a chance of meeting one of the largest fish in the ocean: the whale shark.

The Samui Archipelago is an ideal spot for viewing these imposing creatures of the deep. On average, a whale shark grows to around 12 metres, though larger specimens have been spotted. While they are passive by nature, watching them glide beneath the ocean is sure to have your heart racing and provide a truly thrilling holiday experience that will last a life time. From March to October is generally considered the best period to view whale sharks.

Koh Samui features a range of PADI certified establishments providing dive equipment as well as guidance. If you are looking for accommodation, most offer their own dive facilities. Koh Samui resort, guest houses and budget accommodation can be booked through the Internet. If you are looking for a Chaweng hotel with luxurious comforts and a wonderful setting, Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui is an excellent option.

 

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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Exploring the Best Beaches in Samui

Staying at a Koh Samui resort by the beach, such as Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui, is an ideal way to experience the island’s scenic coastal beauty. This Chaweng hotel is ideally placed on the Chaweng Beach itself and lets you spend lazy days soaking up the sun and having fun in the sand and surf. Chaweng Beach is popular for surfing and its nightlife, while there are a number of other beaches on the island worth visiting; Bophut Beach with its palm fringed shores, the laidback Lamai Beach, Choeng Mon Beach with its picturesque bays and Big Buddha Beach from where you can take a boat to Koh Pha Ngan island and experience the thrill of a Full Moon Party!

Kite Boarding and Wind Surfing

In Melbourne, those who love water sports are really at an advantage. The many beaches found in this city have just the right amount of waves to make activities like kite boarding and wind surfing ever so tasteful and popular.

Kite boarding and wind surfing are two activities that fall in the ‘high thrill’ category of water sports. Despite requiring quite a bit of skill it can be undertaken by anyone after a little bit of brushing up with professionals. The best part of Melbourne is that you can also get plenty of centers which provide a quick training which enables one to indulge in these sports.

A day out at the beach is a fantastic way to relax in Melbourne. Beaches here are clean, fun and perfectly safe to go for a swim or indulge in the array of water sports available. There are different spots known for different thrill levels. Whether you are an amateur or pro you can get a fun and fulfilling dosage of both kite boarding and wind surfing in Melbourne.

The city of Melbourne has so many other outdoor fun activities and water based activities to indulge in. Diving and snorkeling are also on the list and so is jet skiing and cruising. The beaches serve perfectly for a dip or a splash and make a sought out hang out spot that comes particularly alive during the weekends. The kids are busy building sand castles while the parents feel the kiss of the sun; a really perfect way to cleanse oneself from the week long stress of work.

When visiting Melbourne choose a comfortable and classy to hotel to fully enjoy your stay here. There are many beautiful places to see and things to do in the city and having a good Melbourne accommodation to come home to is of pivotal importance. Of all the places, the Melbourne hotels are the best as they ensure a luxurious and comfortable stay. And even in hotel names if you are picky for the finest, choose The Langham Melbourne. This 5 star hotel has all the royal amenities that would make you want to stay longer and longer in this hotel.

 

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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