Month: March 2013

Things to do in Sathorn

Much like the rest of the province of Bangkok in a commercial sense, the district of Sathorn in Thailand is full of high rise buildings, entrepreneurial ventures and industrial activity. However, for those who want a taste of traditional Thai ways of life, the village of Thonburi across the Chao Praya River is an ideal location. The tilt hooded rickety abodes that sit along the Khlongs or canals, the long tail boat rides and merchants moving to and fro in barges can be experienced in an atmosphere unseen in other parts of Bangkok.

The land of Siam as it is referred to in ancient chronicles has been a strong Buddhist nation, hence pagodas, shrines and temples are a common sight in any district. The unique shape of the Wat Yan Nawa temple in Sathorn makes it well worth a visit. The temple is designed in the style of a Chinese Junk or sailing vessel and serves the purpose of reminding the younger generations of the olden day mode of transportation as well.

Further in line with its Buddhist roots, the largest park cum gardens is named after the birth place of Buddha; Lumbini. The Lumpini Park, with a slight local twist given to the name is an all in one leisure hub, where some stroll lazily with their iPod humming to them, some cycle vigorously, others engage in aerobics classes and some practice Tai Chi.

For the food connoisseurs there are some fabulous dining experiences in store as well. The Vertigo and Moon Bar is sky high on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel building. Unlike the name suggests, if you suffer from vertigo the dizzy height and open air atmosphere might be overwhelming.

A luxury hotel group would find Sathorn a lucrative commune to operate from due to the set up. The fine vacationing atmosphere in Sathorn makes tourism an unavoidable aspect of the city therefore it is no surprise that many an award winning hotel is located in the vicinity. Thus, you will find that the COMO hotels and resorts are a remarkable alternative to home while you are in Sathorn.

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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Enjoys the Joys of Angling on a Sport Fishing Vacation in Maldives

Tipped to be one of the most breathtaking fishing venues not only in Asia but in the world at large the island archipelago of Maldives is a dream come true for angling enthusiasts across the globe. Blessed with sunny skies and azure oceans that stretch on for hundreds of nautical miles the island collective is a globally recognized fishing hub frequented by seasoned anglers and sport fishing enthusiasts all year round. A veritable hotbed for diverse marine species fishing fans will find wahooos, marlins, sailfish and swordfish among the many varieties of game fish up for grabs.

Those who wish to engage in traditional “Pole and Line” fishing method can head off on a conventional fishing vessel used by Maldivian fishermen for generations known as a Dhoni. Some of the prized catches include dogtooth tunas, marlins, giant trivially, red snappers, yellow-fin tunas, wahoos, sail-fish, dorados and barracudas. Fly fishing enthusiasts will also find plenty to write home about on a fishing excursion in the Maldives as the shallow sandy banks around islands provides the perfect conditions to secure catches using sea worms as well as artificial bait fish.

Trolling is another popular sport fishing method used in the country. Typical catches on a trolling trip include marlins, dogtooth tunas, dorados and sailfish which are caught using bait such as flies. Reef casting is another frequently used sport fishing method in the Maldives. A reef casting tour of Maldivian oceans yields barracudas, rainbow runners giant travallys and rainbow runners. Night fishing excursions are unique to the Maldives and are reserved for angling enthusiasts with a flair for adventure and intrigue. Traversing the outer fringes of the atoll reefs once the sun goes down is also a tranquil experience despite the thrills of finding snappers, squirrelfish, jacks and emperors at the end of one’s line.

Travellers in search of a luxury Maldives island resort should look to Adaaran Prestige Vadoo for all their accommodation needs. Offering guest a breathtaking hideaway in Asia’s paradise archipelago this Maldives resort offers guests an unforgettable holiday complete with all contemporary amenities and facilities.

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. Google+

Great Getaway

Experience a beach without hordes of foreigners and the noise and bustle that goes with it. Bang Saen beach 85 km south of Bangkok, a sleepy town during the week but full of locals getting away from hectic city life during weekends is one such place. Easily reached from Sukhumvit Road Bangkok’s main thoroughfare, Thais find it a convenient place to take a break.

In addition to the wide swath of sand, the palm tree lined boulevard along the beach provides plenty of space to take a walk enhanced with nice views over the water. Swimming and wave riding is as popular as banana boat rides and surfing the waves on rubber rings that can be rented at site. Watching beach volleyball matches, viewing intriguing sand sculptures by local and foreign artists, flying kites, walking on the boardwalk to enjoy fishing or just gazing out to sea, taking a ride on a fishing boat or viewing sunsets are other activities that can be enjoyed on the beach from time to time. Renting a beach umbrella and a deck chair under the palm trees to people-watch is another way to spend a relaxing day. Another great reason to visit Bang Saen beach is to see the Bang Saen Speed Festival in November when some of the fastest cars around can be seen whizzing on the roads along the beach. This is also the time when some of the best seafood is available in the city. The beach is also a popular destination in April when Thais come to enjoy Songkran and splash each other with water.

In addition to the fun activities, beach front restaurants, lively bars and informal eating places under umbrellas serve scrumptious fried fish, crab and papaya salad, fruit, steamed fish cakes and all manner of Thai delicacies and beverages at great prices. Go to Bang Saen and experience a beach where Thais congregate and which is geared to wholesome family fun. Even the nightlife is different here. It caters to Thai day trippers and overnight visitors. Bar hopping listening to Thai pop can also be a fun activity.

COMO hotels and resorts are committed to providing luxury vacationing in a sustainable manner. The award winning hotel collection of this luxury hotel group offers a beautifully designed range of urban hotels, island getaways, adventure retreats and a wellness resort in well selected locations around the world. They are known for their cool and contemporary designs blending both eastern and western elements, light filled interiors finished with natural materials, specially prepared menus with wellness in mind and holistic Asian inspired spa treatments for body and soul.

Bangkok street food

The Luxury Hotel Group, COMO Hotels and Resorts offers luxury travel experience to its guests. To give a personal touch, this Award Winning Hotel chain always blends local culture and modern accommodation facilities in their properties. While absorbing all the beauties and wonders in the city try some unique Thai street food.

Pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodles dish), and Pad Khee Mao or drunken noodles are some of the popular street food noodle dishes that visitors may come across. Rice is also a major choice, where visitors get the option to choose from a wide variety of dishes. Apart from this Tom Yum soup and Thai salad are also must try street dishes in Bangkok. Try these Thai style dishes to make your Bangkok vacation more worthwhile.

Samui Oyster Farms

The island of Koh Samui is just one of many that belong to Thailand. It is home to a few amazing beaches (Lamai and Chaweng Beach being the two most popular), has an active night scene, and a plethora of cultural sights to visit. While visiting this island one should make sure to stop by the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo Ko Samui, Wat Khunaram Ko Samui, Samui Butterful Garden/Insect Museum and the Secret Buddha Garden. Those who want to take a trip out of the island can try visiting Koh Pha Ngan, Khao Lok, Pattaya, or Surat Thani.

The most interesting thing to see in Surat Thani are the oyster farms. The Surat Thanii region is famous for producing oysters that are above average in size and one can find many small oyster farms in the area. These farms are usually found lining the estuaries of the Tha Thong River and the Kradae Canal. Oysters grow naturally in the brackish waters that are typically found in estuaries. It is possible for one to visit these farms and see how they operate. One can also hire a boat to watch the oysters being harvested.

Samui is undoubtedly one of the best vacation spots in Thailand and has excellent infrastructure due to its popularity. While the island has well-made roads, especially when compared to the other islands, the public transport system is not as well developed. Instead one has to mainly rely on taxis and songthaews (minivans that take many passengers)- one should always remember to negotiate a price before getting in. Another option of getting around is by renting a motorbike.

When it comes to lodgings, one has plenty of choices. Travellers who only want to experience the very best in luxury accommodation can try a hotel in Samui like the Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui. The Koh Samui resort is located on a pristine stretch of the Chaweng Beach and offers elegantly decorated rooms complete with all the best modern amenities. Finding good bars and restaurants will not be a difficulty in Samui. There are plenty of good places, especially in the touristy areas.

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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Mudchute City Farm

Filled with skyscrapers and busy streets, London is known as one of the most modern cities in the world. Allowing people to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a moment lies the Mudchute City Farm in London’s East End. Bringing green living to the city, the farm has become a favourite spots for Londoners to get away for a few hours.

Spread over 32 acres in the Isle of Dogs, Mudchute Farm is one of the largest Inner City farms in Europe. Open fields and rolling plains welcome visitors to the property that hosts hundreds of animals. With the bigger animals like donkeys, goats and sheep grazing in the fields and enclosures, the smaller animals like chickens and birds are kept in buildings open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to approach the animals to learn about them. Pet’s Corner holds the cute and cuddly creatures that visitors of all ages will love to pet.

Special encounters can be arranged with advanced booking and the equestrian centre offers lessons for all levels of riders. Rare British breeds and llamas and alpacas from South America can be seen here ranging free, and come around feeding time to help the staff feed the animals. Volunteers are always appreciated for farm to youth work. The organization also allows events to be held on the premises, especially children’s parties that will be more memorable with adorable animals to entertain them.

Promoting biodiversity in the city, the farm’s surroundings give homes to a significant number of wildlife. Birds, butterflies, moths and other woodland creatures can be seen aplenty and the wildflowers that grow in the meadows attract many animals in the season. A newly opened kitchen lets the people enjoy freshly cooked organic food from the farm in a quiet country setting.

Though it would seem a hundred miles from the city, Mudchute farm sports great views of London. Surprises like this can be easily found during your stay at a luxury hotel London and its sophisticated charm is captured at the Halkin London. The complimentary mix of the modern and traditional is sure to make your stay at this London boutique hotel memorable.

Christmas in London a magical experience

The Halkin London is one of the best Luxury Hotel London which offers contemporary accommodation facilities and award-winning cuisine. This London Boutique Hotel is the best place to relax if you’re in London. During December when the year is ending and Christmas is coming the climate gets colder and the excitement warms up in the hearts of the people.

Roads decorated with shimmering lights and Christmas decorations hanging in each and every corner make the city magical. Snow covers every possible inch on the ground and the tops of the buildings spreading like a white sheet which adds more charm to the festive season. You will find good bargains in the stores this season with amazing offers. Christmas Markets in the UK can be found in all sorts of locations selling Christmas related goods and foodstuff. Visit London in during Christmas and experience the amazing feeling.

Snorkelling In Maldives

The archipelago of Maldives, which is situated in the Laccadive Sea, consists of over one thousand islands. The islands are quite unusual in that they are completely made up of coral. It is believed that the islands were formed when volcanoes in the region were overgrown with coral. Eventually the volcanoes sank back but the coral remained forming the famous holiday destination called Maldives. The extensive network of coral found around Maldives act as a home to a wide variety of exotic and colourful sea creatures, and no trip to the country can be considered complete without visiting some of these aquatic denizens.

Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities in Maldives. As the waters around the islands are very clear and are full of life, it provides a perfectly acceptable alternative for those who do not want to go scuba diving. While snorkelling one will come across giant turtles, clownfish, butterflyfish, oriental sweetlip, parrotfish, angelfish and maybe even a shark or two. Although one will definitely come across an eclectic collection of fish, sightings of whale sharks and manta rays are not all that common in shallow waters. As for those who want to experience the archipelago’s vast oceanic bounty, scuba diving is the way to go. After all, Maldives does have some of the best scuba diving spots in the world.

In addition to snorkelling and scuba diving, one can try out a whole range of water related activities here. The shallow waters found in certain regions form the ideal spot for beginners to try out the whole range of water sports on offer. The long list of options include parasailing, surfing, jet skiing, kayaking, kite surfing and water skiing. One can choose from the many operations that are dedicated to water sports, or one can merely pick a hotel that already comes with such facilities.

As a popular holiday spot, the tourism industry in Maldives is highly developed. A good Maldives resort, such as the Cocoa Island Maldives, offers more than just accommodation. The Maldives luxury hotel also has an excellent restaurant, a divine spa and the facilities for numerous water sports.

The Maldives Victory Day in November

An intimate private Maldives Resort the Cocoa Island Maldives is a magical accommodation facility that offers overwater suites providing the guests a unique experience. Because of this beautiful accommodation setting many tourists are attracted to this Maldives Luxury Hotel. With all the luxury facilities and the divine cuisine this surely adds more spice to the paradise of Maldives.

Maldives has been an independent and free country since 1965. In 1988 a group of terrorists which comprised of Sri Lankans and Maldivians attacked the capital Male and the president’s Office and other government buildings. This attack was defeated in the end by the government of Maldives at a cost of 11 civilian and 8 soldiers’ lives. This day is marked as victory day in the Maldives and is still celebrated on the 3rd of November.

‘Diyaluma Falls’ a natural beauty

The Bandarawela Hotel lies on a magical environment where the mountains touch the clouds while covering itself in a green carpet of tea plants. One of the leading Hotel Sri Lanka, it offers its guests comfortable and modern accommodation facilities that also make it one of the top Hotels Sri Lanka. Enjoy a hot cup of pure Ceylon tea and relax yourselves by absorbing all the beauties and comforts that the nature offers.

Among the different places and sceneries to visit while in Bandarawela, the Diyaluma falls should top one’s list. Diyaluma means “rapid flow of water” in Sinhalese, this waterfall is considered as the second highest waterfall in the country. It is capable of mesmerizing anyone with its beauty. There are many folk stories based on this beautiful falls, which shows how much it is interrelated with the normal life of the people.