Month: August 2014

Diving Safaris in the Maldives

One of the hottest spots on the planet for diving safaris, the Maldives provides countless hours of underwater exploration for intrepid divers looking to uncover the secrets of the deep. A convenient option would be to stay at a Maldives resort such as Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa Maldives which not only offers half and full day diving safaris, but also gives guests access to the Aquafanatics Diving Centre where one can get PADI certification too.

Diving safaris in the Maldives generally offer well trained guides who will accompany you on your adventures beneath the waves. Apart from day safaris, there are also overnight trips that take place on what are known as liveaboards that come with accommodation too. Amongst the well known dive sites in the country are Girifushi Thila, Lion’s Head, Kuda Haa and Banana Reef, while wrecks such as the Maldives Victory are popular as well. On your excursions you can expect to see a wide range of colourful coral along with a fascinating variety of marine life including spotted eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, tunas, butterfly fish, blue-striped snappers, gray reef sharks and manta rays. Such safaris help you truly appreciate the stunning marine biodiversity of the Maldives.

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+

PADI Scuba Diving Courses: For the Bold and Brave at Heart

Maldives is a premier scuba diving destination in the world, with a reason. The clear waters and the perfect weather conditions combine to create one of the safest and best places in the face of the earth to practise the fascinating sport of scuba diving. The bonus on offer is certainly the rich and vibrant marine life the seas of Maldives is teeming with, giving one breathtaking vistas to gaze at while gliding under water. As you stay at luxury Maldives hotels such as Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas take time to experience the breathtaking delights of scuba diving to enjoy a holiday to remember. Further put your holiday time to best use by enrolling in a PADI Scuba Diving Course to gain a skill that you will proudly possess for the rest of your life.

Maldivian waters are smooth and immensely beautiful and are more so when experienced up close while scuba diving. The sensation you will enjoy as gravity loses its power over you and you float in the eerie silence as fish swim by unafraid will make you fall so much in love with the sea that you will wish for sure to return for more. Scuba diving, a sport that is not reserved for the professionals and wildly dashing, can be experienced even in the tender years of 10 provided that a good health backs up the enthusiasm.

Maldives offers ample opportunities to engage in the sessions of a PADI Scuba Diving Course given the plethora of water sport centres that fringe the beaches. Some of the many hotels that are found in Maldives also offer courses to those who wish to learn so the opportunities for learning are certainly immense. When booking sessions always keep your timelines as well as budgets in mind and make sure you select packages and courses that can accommodate both. Several theory classes will also have to be attended to gain a title in the sport so keep your holiday diaries well planned and ready once you decide to embark on this blissful journey.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Beach Reef Snorkelling in Abu Dhabi

The warm waters of the Persian Gulf coast are ideal for enjoying a spot fun in the sun with reef snorkelling in Abu Dhabi. Reef snorkelling is a wonderful way to enjoy the colourful marine-life that thrive in these waters and is offered at many 5 star hotels in Abu Dhabi. Those seeking luxury comforts in rustic settings should check out the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi.

Located right on the beach of Sir Bani Yas Desert Island the hotel is surrounded by the rugged beauty and wildlife of the desert hinterlands. Inspired by Arabic fishing villages the resorts eco-friendly design takes you back to Bedouin times amidst modern luxuries. Enjoy a stay at any one of the well-appointed one bedroom villas, one bedroom pool villas or two bedroom Anantara Pool villas. Reef snorkelling is one of the fascinating and popular leisure activities one can enjoy here.

Abu Dhabi is well known for its warm waters boasting temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to very low tide movements the visibility levels of Abu Dhabi’s seas span a depth of 15 to 30 feet making snorkelling a favourite pastime.

The colourful coral reefs that thrive in the warm waters are home to many species of marine life. Expect to spot the famous Hammour, sailfish, seahorses, eels and sea-anemones. A lucky few have spotted dugong and manatees.

The endangered Hawksbill Turtle too is native to these waters while exploring a shipwreck from Discovery Island or touring other desert islands are additional bonuses to be enjoyed.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Had Chao Mai National Park

Covering 231sqkms of Trang provinces infamous coastline Had Chao Mai Marine National Park is home to an abundance of marine life and some endangered species. Staying at a Trang Resort is your best bet for touring the park and enjoying the powdery white beaches of Trang. Offering luxurious family accommodation is the Anantara Sikao Thailand Resort and Spa.

Located on the Andaman coast the luxurious hotel offers modern comforts amidst Thailand’s lush coastlines. Ideal for all holidaymakers the well-appointed 139 rooms, suites, pool villas and family rooms are great for relaxing in when you are not out snorkelling, diving or pampering yourself at the spa. Located right next to Had Chao Mai National park the hotel provides easy access to many other attractions.

Drive along the Andaman coast and drink in the pristine beauty of Trangs white sand beaches and quaint fishing villages. The marine park declared a protected reserve in 1981 is home to mangrove, beach, evergreen and limestone forests which stretch to the mountain tops.

Dotted with beautiful forested islands of Koh Muk, Koh Wan, Koh Chueak, Koh Pling, Kho Chao Mai and Koh Meng the park is 60% water where coral reefs and sea-grass beds thrive, offering shelter to Dugongs, prawns and fish.

The Chao Mai Cave to the south of the park, accessible by boat is a must see for its many chambers, floor to ceiling pillars and beautiful spring located on one of the top chambers.

Pass through a connecting cave and you can enjoy the white sand beaches of Had Yongling and Had Sang while ‘Moragot’ (Emerald Cave) on Muk Island accessible by swimming up in low-tide is so called for its emerald coloured pool. Discover much more as you explore exotic Had Chao Main Park.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Amazing Mountain Biking Tour in Thailand: To get up close and personal with the land

When visiting the land of endless summers, the things to do and things to see will indeed be immense that it certainly will take your very breath away. The opportunities to find allurement and excitement are truly endless here in Thailand, with beaches to explore, sights to see and friendly, warm locals to meet. While staying at a centrally located hotel Hua Hin has such as Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa take time to explore the land of sheer beauty, and discover all her hidden secrets as you take on a mountain biking tour.

The plethora of transportation methods and modes that are available in Thailand will help you explore various facets of the place that will fill your heart with blissful delight. However nothing will beat a cycling tour on the least trodden and secret pathways of the land that lead straight to choicest adventures. Discoveries are to be made here and adventures are to be had here, and the best way to enjoy an adventure and discover things that you knew not of is to take a mountain biking tour in Thailand.

As you travel on your two wheels you will see sights that the rest of the tourist world will never see. You will meet people and make connections that your friends back home will never enjoy. The lip smacking Thai cuisine will be savoured to your heart’s content, as you visit the secret places of the land that are forever hidden from the eyes of the common tourist.

Once you contact a local service provider, you will have a choice of selecting from a wide variety of packages, each catering to unique needs. If you choose to travel with a party, you can easily do so, and explore the wonderland with friendly strangers who will be equally enthralled as you, as each fascinating discovery is made. Alternatively you can travel by yourself if you wish, and enjoy an adventure that no one will ever know of. Opportunities are limitless and options are immense here in the blissful land of Thailand that invitingly lies, waiting to be discovered and loved.

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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Touring an Arabian Wildlife Park

The Sir Bani Yas Island is the largest island that belongs to the Emirate Abu Dhabi. It is a treasure-trove of wonders that boasts entertainment at its finest along with an array of natural attractions. In addition to the blissful white sanded beaches that border this island, the Sir Bani Yas is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, the largest park of its kind in the country.

Occupying over half of the Sir Bani Yas Island, the wild life park is a must do for all those visiting the island. Authentic Arabia complete with the wild life is brought to life at the Sir Bani Yas Wildlife Park as it is home to a number of animals indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula. The endangered Arabian Oryx, the Sand Gazelle and Mountain Gazelle are among the Arabian treats available at the park. As the park boasts an authentic wild life setting the many inhabitants of the sanctuary are free to roam about here and even successfully multiply in numbers. If you are staying at the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi, you can get the hotel to organize a perfect wildlife excursion just for you. These resorts Abu Dhabi has goes one step further in ensuring guests have a holistic tour in their holiday destination.

Over 10,000 animals call the Arabian Wild Park their home and these include a number of hyenas and cheetahs as well adding a touch of excitement to your wildlife excursion. Apart from the wildlife, the park offers a series of fun and adventures activities such as, nature trails, mountain biking and exclusive outdoor dining experiences that enable visitors to maximally enjoy the wild side of Sir Bani Yas. Although the Arabian Wildlife Park is all fun and entertainment on the outside, it is in its essence created to conserve the true treasures of Arabia.

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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Sunset Hand Line Fishing; experience a traditional Maldivian way of life

For centuries the people of the Maldives have survived off the sea and fishing has been a way of life that has been handed down from generation to generation. The fertile reef system surrounding a number of Maldivian islands makes it a hotspot for avid fishermen looking to catch exotic fish such as sail fish or red snappers. As most forms of commercial fishing is deemed illegal in the Maldives, hand line fishing has proven to be a life line of the Maldivian people, for whom fish is a dietary staple. Resorts such as the Anantara Veli, Maldives or a number of Maldives bungalows offer visitors a chance to try their hand at this time honored tradition.

The most common form of fishing in the Maldives is hand line fishing, or more popularly known as the hook and bait system. This is where the baited hook is dropped to about a foot above the reef, perfect for catching reef fish which are abundant in the Maldives. A number of resorts will even offer to cook up your catch for dinner that day so you can fully enjoy the spoils of your expedition.

It is tradition for hand line fishing to be carried out either on the resort itself, or visitors can rent traditional Bokkuraas that seat up to 3 people. This vessel is the traditional boat of choice used by the Maldivians when hand line fishing and can be rented for a few hours. Hand line fishing is usually carried out in the evening however if the boat departs from the resort early enough, visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of the majestic Maldivian sunset in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Such a breathtaking view is sure to be classified as the experience of a lifetime.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Moon Stone Mine

The south of Sri Lanka is so much more than its pristine coastlines and rich colonial history for even the Ceylon gems are part of this remarkable stretch of land. Precious and semi precious, the gems of Sri Lanka has received worldwide acclamation ever since it landed on the engagement ring of the late Princess Diana. Throughout the island there are several mines with a variety of famous gemstones. The mines in Sri Lanka make an interesting attraction since it provides an opportunity to explore the process of gemming from extracting the rock to polishing it to the sparkling stone that it eventually becomes.

Many tourists visiting Sri Lanka choose the south thanks to its fine collection of Sri Lanka beach hotels. If you are staying in one of the Ahungalle hotels a visit to the moonstone mine is an absolute must do. Moonstones are semi precious gems that feel cool and smooth and glows like a moon when polished. The highest concentrations of moonstones are found in the south of Sri Lanka, somewhere between the towns of Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa. A little moonstone factory has been setup in this location where you can learn everything you need to know about a moonstone. You can even visit a moonstone mine here which is about 6 or 7 m long and watch the entire process from filtering out the stones, cutting them up to polishing them making them all shiny and ready to be sold. Moonstone mining is still performed in a traditional manner. Although machines suck out the water most of the digging is done by hand. Nearly 50 to 100 rough moonstones are mined each day but not all of them are of a saleable quality.

By the side of the factory is a small visitor center where you can learn about the gems in Sri Lanka. If you have taken a liking towards these stones there is even a gift shop where you can purchase anything from jewelry to souvenirs all with your favorite gemstones embedded in them.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Whale Submarine Adventure

Submerged 120 feet below sea level, the view of the Maldives from this angle is truly epic. Maldives is one of those holiday destinations that boast some of the most exotic underwater scenery. A holiday in this paradise on earth can never be complete without basking in its aquatic Eden. To absorb this picturesque perfection many opt to snorkel and dive but today’s fad is to enjoy underwater Maldives while staying completely dry; if you are wondering how, step into a Whale Submarine and prepare to have the time of your life.

There are several fascinating Maldives excursions ever available to satisfy the throngs of tourists who holiday in this destination every year and nearly every adventure has something to do with the sparkling blue. The Maldivian ocean is a treasure-trove of wonders. If you are staying at the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, you will have a range of opportunities to indulge in the many epic wonders that the waters behold but among all its attractions, the Whale Submarine adventure tops the list.

Since Maldives is a renowned destination for sighting rare aquatic animals, it also happens to be one of the top five destinations for whale watching. As you plunge deep into the Maldivian paradise in a passenger submarine that boasts all the state of the art comforts, the sight of a mighty whale passing by you would be that cherry on the top that seals your holiday experience. It is not only whales that will get you shrieking in excitement; for your submarine will cruise past ferocious sharks and massive manta rays ensuring you are at the edge of your seat at all times. Painting a picture with vivacious colors, the many exquisitely shaped corals and fish are truly a sight not only for the aqua lover but for those who enjoy basking in blissful scenery as well. Your ride under the Maldivian ocean will be the most unique experience you can ever enjoy in the Maldives.

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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Mountain Biking in Abu Dhabi

The raw masculinity emulated by the rugged terrains of Abu Dhabi makes this the perfect spot for the real rush of adventure. The endless desert vistas adorned with an occasional camel or sheep farm is among all activities perfect for mountain biking. As you ride through rough conditions you can experience not just an authentic dose of unspoiled adventure but you also have an opportunity to enjoy a glimpse of the nomadic version of the Emirati lifestyle. So get yourself a hardy mountain bike and soar through the endless jagged plains of the capital city of the UAE.

Mountain Biking in the UAE is so popular that it is one of the many activities offered in Abu Dhabi’s annual adventure challenge. Despite being a must do activity in the city, packages are not readily available and even maps for this purpose is scarce. If you want to mountain bike for a personal rush of adventure, hire or purchase a bike and all the necessary accessories to go with it. Here there are no maps so you will have to learn to make use of the GPS to find your way around. The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is one of the many luxury hotels Abu Dhabi has that provides ample information with this regard. It really helps to have information readily at hand to plan your perfect mountain biking adventure.

Although many head over to the Al Hajar Mountain Range for off road adventure, it is not necessarily the best spot for Mountain biking. Nirvana for the mountain biker is the terrain that lies between the desert sand and the high mountains as it provides the perfect fast flowing single track with infrequent rocky steps and the real challenging climbs, all with a firm base which provides the much needed grip for those knobbly tires. The way down from the hills offers the euphoric experience that makes you want to stick your legs to the side and ‘wheee’ in delight.; the whole package is real adventure packed with plenty of fun.

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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