Devil’s Peak Hong Kong

File:Devil's Peak, Hong Kong.JPG
Mk2010, Devil’s Peak, Hong Kong, CC BY-SA 3.0

There is nothing better that working up those calves, feeling the burn in the gut, trekking miles up a mountain and reaching that vantage point just to feel as if you are on top of the world. If you are busy away in the East on business and just want to take a break or if you have become the kind of modern trekker who loves a bit of outdoor adventure, hiking up Devil’s Peak in Hong Kong is the ideal activity for you!

While adrenaline junkies will not find the hike that challenging since it takes only one to one and half hours, there is no putting a price on soaking up the sight of the Kowloon skyline and filling up your lungs with fresh air at an elevation of 222 metres.

If you are planning to enjoy the indulgences of hotels in Kowloon, Hong Kong, try lodging at properties that cater to all types of travellers and which are centred amidst all the action and entertainment such as Dorsett Mongkok, Hong Kong. Even though this metropolis is one of the busiest, if you are looking for that laidback yet active getaway, a hike up Devil’s Peak is worth considering.

Hiking up Devil’s Peak is not merely an active pursuit. Since the area was once garrisoned by the British Army during the late 1800s, you can still see the remnants of some age-old batteries during your walk. As you move further up the peak, you will be awed by the staggering views of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon harbour front. For complete immersion of Hong Kong’s natural beauty, you ought to experience that silver screen worthy perspective atop Devil’s Peak.

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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Fun Activities to do in Kalutara

Image Credit: AVANI Kalutara Resort

While Sri Lanka’s south coast has many towns and cities along its shoreline that have become quite popular amongst locals and tourists alike, there is a quaint locale that one can tend to overlook while on your travels. The idyllic town of Kalutara with its iconic temple which towers above the townscape as you drive across the main bridge is a super spot for some fun in the sun, lazy days on the sand and frolic in the surf. There are plenty of fun things to do in Kalutara and since it is only around an hour and a half from Colombo, it makes a great place for a day trip as well.

As with most south coast locales, one of the highlights here is the golden, soft sandy stretch of beach. A perfect place for working on that holiday tan which will be the envy of all once you get back, the beach area here is ideal for everything from chilling out on the shore to building sandcastles with the kids. Ideally, look to find accommodation right along the beach itself and options such as AVANI Kalutara Resort are worth considering if you want to spend lots of time by the ocean.

If you are the active type, you can always try kayaking on the local river known as the “Kalu Ganga”. It’s a great way to get a feel of the area and get a workout at the same time! There are more water sports to be enjoyed in the lagoon area too. For more adventure look to head to the historic mansion called Richmond Castle. Constructed during the time of British colonial rule, this fascinating structure retains its old world charm even though it may have lost some of its grandeur over the many decades.

For a change of scenery, plan a visit to Thudugala Ella Falls. You will have to head a bit inland to the Thudugala Estate, located in the village of the same name, in order to get to this waterfall. In the heat that radiates throughout the country during certain months, Thudugala Ella Falls and its natural pool, in particular, is the ideal spot to cool off and enjoy time surrounded by nature.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Why you should try snorkelling

Snorkelling | Image Courtesy: I.DeSouza , Great Barrier Reef , CC BY 3.0

Maldives islands are one of the best places you could visit for an exotic holiday. The pristine sand and the lush green palm trees surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean will definitely be a welcoming site. Maldives places to visit and things that you can do are not limited for anyone who visits the islands. The beautiful ocean itself provides an ample amount of activities that you can do while holidaying in the Maldives.

Water sports and activities around water are very famous in the Maldives. Even if you are not much into adventure, you should not miss the opportunity of exploring the beautiful waters around you. Snorkelling is one such safe and easy way to get a glimpse of the world underwater. Most hotels in Maldives, including Adaaran Prestige Water Villas provides their guests with an opportunity to go snorkelling.

Snorkelling is for everyone, you do not need to be good in swimming for this, the life jackets that you will be wearing will keep you afloat while you explore and experience the world beneath you. With a little equipment and a few minutes of practice, you will be able to witness a mind-blowing world. There will be beautiful corals that are home to many underwater species, bright coloured beautiful fish schools will be swimming past you and if you are lucky you might come across turtles that will be swimming along. Learn about marine life through the first-hand experience and enjoy every bit of it.

While you connect with nature in a different perspective rather than what you usually see in the land, you will get many more benefits out of snorkelling as well. Snorkelling has its health benefits both physically and mentally. Snorkelling in the pristine waters will calm your mind and relax you also while strengthening your muscles, improving your cardiovascular health and much more.

Capture some cool photos using an underwater camera and take home memories that would last a lifetime.

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

Beginners guide to windsurfing

windsurfing
Windsurfing | Photo via Pixabay | CC0 Public Domain

With its clear water, agreeable wind conditions, and lagoons which surround many of the coral islands, the Maldives has earned itself a name as a windsurfing hot spot. The sport has slowly grown over the years to become a much loved Maldives tourism attractions, with several resorts ideally situated, such as the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, for instance, to provide ample conditions for guests interested in trying windsurfing. The best time to try windsurfing is during the wet season, between May to October, when the weather conditions are much windier.

Windsurfing is a combination of sailing and surfing – because of the ability to be pulled at high speeds across a great distance, unless experienced, the activity should never be attempted without an instructor nearby. When the sport first began, windsurfers reached modest speeds, and only close to the shore. Nowadays, with more developed sailboards, windsurfers can reach a speed of up to 40 knots and cover great distances over sea.
A basic sailboard has a board and a sail rig. Steering is done, much like a normal sail, by moving the sail to adjust with the wind. The practice is similar to sailing, in terms of technique. A beginner will start on a large board with a small sail. Once skill with activity increases, the board size can be reduced, while the sail size can vary based on weather conditions. Because windsurfing is more aligned with sailing than surfing, learning to windsurf takes longer than other water sports.
Once mastered, windsurfing has several sub-disciplines to choose from, these include freestyle, big wave and course racing, to name a few. One of the best things about this sport is that it can be enjoyed at any age. As long as you have an experienced instructor to guide you, accidents are rare.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Bangkok river cruise
Bangkok River Cruise , Photo by eGuide Travel via Flickr, (CC BY 2.0)

In Bangkok and wondering what to do next? Well, instead of taking your family or significant other out for dinner on the town, why not take them out for a lovely meal out on the waters of Thailand’s main river, the Chao Praya! Tours along the river are operated both by independent operators as well as by tourist hotels and resorts. If the one you are staying at doesn’t organise ones of their own, ask them to help you find a trusty independent tour operator to take you.

These cruises along the river usually include stopovers at popular tourist attractions such as the Grand Palace complex and Wat Arun which look positively radiant at night, all lit up! The fare on offer is typically delicious local Thai cuisine which is offered buffet style to passengers. The great views of the illuminated capital against the back drop of a dark night sky can be observed as you cruise along the river. This creates a great ambiance befitting of a romantic date night or even a relaxing evening out with friends and family.

Most of the independently organised river cruise tours include some sort of a shuttle service between the embarking point and your accommodation, especially if your accommodation is somewhat of a well-known one. Even if you aren’t staying at a resort, and are instead residing at one of the service apartments in Bangkok, give the tour operator a ring to see if they can provide roundtrip transfers from your location to the vessel as part of your package. If, for example, you are lodging at a riverside apartment complex such as Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok, many independent tour operators are likely to have you on the list of places to which they offer pick up/drop off facilities. So make a booking for a little river cruise the next time you’re in Thailand’s capital and craving for some good food, great views and one hell of a time.


Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, 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+

Submarine diving in Maldives

The latest buzz in Maldives is Submarine diving. This activity is fun and a great way to explore the colourful world of life under the sea in Maldives. Tourist attractions on the islands are somewhat limited, but the biggest attraction and most popular is definitely the colour reefs and diverse variety of marine life.

If you’re not a fan of swimming or not even strong at the activity, but desperately want to explore the treasure trove of the ocean, then submarine diving is the perfect activity! Submarines can usually hold a total of 50 people and descends to a depth of 150m, while stopping at depths of 25m and 40m.

Sites like The Maldives Travels have a list of places you can visit while on the islands and more information on the islands if you need to do more research before booking your trip.

The submarine diving tour is believed to be the first and largest deep diving tourist submarine in the world.

While on your tour, you’ll be able to see lion fish, anemone fish, butterfly fish, parrotfish, sea turtles, sting rays, manta rays, eels, giant groupers, grey reef sharks, white tip and black tip sharks and even whale sharks!

lion fist
Lion Fish By Alexander Vasenin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The further down you dive, the more exotic the species you’ll come across. On your dive, you will be able to see ship wrecks and coral reefs.

Submarine dives even happen at night for those who are interested in looking at sea in a different view. Some of the corals species that you’ll be able to see are the brain coral, staghorn coral, rose coral, star coral and many others.

Underwater Maldives Colors Corals Trip Color
Underwater Maldives Colors Corals , Photo via Maxpixel, CC0 Public Domain

Submarine diving is also great for those travelling with children, as it’s a great way to show the little ones what life under the sea looks like, without worrying about their safety and the ability to swim!


Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

The Magnificent Geopark in Langkawi

Langkawi sky bridge
By Flickr user “The Dilly Lama”  [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons
Langkawi is an archipelago that features more than a hundred different islands. The main island, also named Langkawi, was given the status of ‘World Geopark’ by UNESCO. The status of geopark is misinterpreted by many, but the title is only given to a place of scientific importance in regards to archaeological, scientific, ecological and cultural reasons as well. These islands have become a renowned tourism destination and there is an incredible amount of eco-friendly things to do in Langkawi as well as a range of hotels and resorts to choose from such as the Berjaya Langkawi Resort.

One of the best points that garnered Langkawi’s reputation as a geopark are the various rock formations that are to be seen. These formations are in turn surrounded by dense jungle, which hasn’t changed much in more than a million years. An immense load of the flora found in the geopark is exclusive to Langkawi. The Mangrove Rivers that snake through the Langkawi landscape contain an abundance of exotic life, ranging from aquatic creatures to various species of birds.

The MachinChang Mountains are one of the most notable aspects about the geopark. These rock formations are ancient, and were formed more than five-hundred-million years ago. This mountain range was the very first section of what is now South East Asia, to rise from under the oceans. The oldest section of this formation is Teluk Datai.

The Dayang Bunting Geopark is the second largest island of the entire chain. The island is famous for a massive lake that is situated in the heart of the dense forest. The lake was the result of a colossal limestone cave that collapsed. The lake is regarded as a spiritual place due the legend associated with it, where a divine maiden buried her dead child here and blessed the lake with fertility.

If you’re looking for a breath-taking voyage into nature, then Langkawi is a definitely a place worth thinking about.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Trails Leading to Adam’s Peak

 

Adam’s Peak, commonly referred to as Sri Pada by the local populace, is one of the most sacred places on the island. Each of the major religions present within the island has their own beliefs about the nature of the mountain, especially in regards to the footprint-shaped formation that is located at the summit. It is one of the most essential experiences involving Sri Lanka destinations which are bound to be a part of packages offered by any vacation provider the island has to offer such as Aitken Spence Travels.

The footprint is the hallmark of the mountain, and the name is derived from a belief that Sri Lanka was once the biblical land of Eden and the first man was the one who caused the footprint. The Buddhist majority of Sri Lanka believes that the footprint belongs to the Lord Buddha and is a mark of his visit to Sri Lanka after being invited by the god that resides over the mountain.

There are various trails which can be utilised to reach the summit of the mountain, and the most popular of which is the Hatton-Nallathanni route. It is also the shortest since it starts off at a fairly high elevation, reducing the required distance. For the most demanding experience, there’s the Ihala-Maliboda trail where the majority of the trail is through thick jungle. Venturing through this trail will also require you to cross a number of lakes, which are known to contain flash floods. The initial eight kilometres of the Ihala-Maliboda trail are through very isolated terrain.

The ideal season to visit Adam’s Peak is from December through till May. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there are night tours that can be arranged as well for those looking to scale the mountain after sun-down. Regardless of what time you choose, scaling this mountain is an essential experience if you find yourself in Sri Lanka.

Adams Peak, Sri Lanka
Adams Peak, Sri Lanka, Img. Src;[Aitken Spence Travels]
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Flight Experience at Bangkok

Looking for ways to have fun indoors while in Bangkok? During days where there are less than stellar weather conditions in play, a visit to the mall might be one of your best bets for a day full of fun and unexpected surprises. Head down to the Gateway Ekamai Shopping Centre and check out Flight Experience Bangkok; a fully-fledged flight experience simulator smack-dab in the middle of a shopping mall! The Gateway Ekamai shopping mall is quite accessible both via road and via Skytrain, with the closest stop being the Ekkamai BTS Skytrain Station. If you are staying at a boutique hotel in Bangkok like the many found in the Sukhumvit area such as Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18, a trip to the mall by road should take you around twenty minutes or less. Once you get to the mall, go up to the second floor of the shopping centre to find your destination.

Flight Experience Bangkok boasts two separate flight simulators and offers an unbelievably authentic flying experience for patrons aged five and upwards! Although the half-hourly and hourly sessions do cost a pretty penny, they are comparatively cheaper to similar counterparts in European countries and in the land down under (i.e. Australia). So it’s worth forking out the dough for such an experience during your Thailand holiday as opposed to one in a western country. For those of you who have always dreamed of piloting an aircraft and being at the helm of a plane that is of a similar size to the Boeing 737, this is your chance to live out your dream, minus all the pesky requirements involved in actually going out and working towards getting a pilot’s license. Or for those who do plan to do exactly that one day, this is a great opportunity to get a taste of flying and confirm that it is a career path that you would actually like to commit to.

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James 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. Google+