June, 2013 | The Adventure Travel Site

Happy Valley

Among the diverse attractions in Shenzhen, there is Happy Valley. It is in fact a chain of amusement parks around China and the initial setting was in Shenzhen which was opened in 2002. Ever since then there have been four similar establishments set up with the latest set up to be opened in 2013.

Happy Valley at Shenzhen spans a massive area of more than 86 acres, and there are nine themed areas in the park. They range from Gold Mine Town, Cartoon City, Typhoon Bay, Playa Maya Water Park , Mt. Adventure, Shangri-la Woods, Happy Times, Spanish Square and Sunshine Beach. As the diverse names suggest, the attractions in these various parks are vastly different from one another providing a wide variety of adventure and fun activities for the visitors to choose from.

One of the biggest attractions here is The Playa Maya Water Park. It is open for five months of the year and there are a number of popular rides. They include, Snow Mountain Flying Dragon, Mine Coaster, Wild Elfin, Bullet Coaster and Baby Coaster. While some of these rides were there from 2002 itself, some were added in 2008 and in 2012 giving more great experiences to the visitors to this place.

It is truly a fun place to be with so many happy people screaming and shouting in joy and pure happiness. Whether one is in this part of the world with family or friends it is a great way to have a wonderful and a memorable time during a holiday.
There are lots of residential areas around the park, thus making it possible to visit this place for a fun filled weekend getaway for both the locals and the tourists alike. It is also well connected by public transport too.

Therefore, even those tourists who are in this city on for a longer period and staying at various Shenzhen serviced residence, can come here for some family time with the kids. Since there are several residential areas which are located close by to the park, many who live in diverse Shenzhen serviced apartment collections visit here. For those who are looking for a similar place with all the comforts of home away from home, there is Somerset Garden City Shenzhen.

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. Google+

Trekking In Oman

Tourists with a love for the outdoors will definitely enjoy trekking around Oman. The country contains many interesting trails and trekking is the best way to explore the country’s rugged landscapes which are otherwise inaccessible. The trekking period runs from November to May, with the best time being from October to April. The climate is a lot cooler during this time. However, those who want to explore trails at higher altitudes should be able to do so anytime of the year without too much trouble from the heat.

During most trails, one is likely to come across diverse landscapes so one need not worry about scenic monotony. With trekking becoming a popular tourist activity in Oman, the government has taken several steps to ensure that it is easier and safer to do. Recently, trekking routes were marked with signposts and graded according to difficulty. Not only can trekkers decide on a route based on how easy it is to complete, the signposts will be very useful in navigating these routes.

Grade 1 routes are easy, Grade 2 routes are for those in good shape, while the Grade 3 routes are for seasoned trekkers. To make the activity easier, one should wear comfortable clothing, shoes and a hat. Bring along some food and plenty of water. Camera buffs should not leave their cameras behind. Some of the most popular spots for trekking include the Grand Canyon, the Jabal Shams, Samhan Mountain, the Bandar Khayran Reserve, the Jabal Hareem Fossils, and the Snake Canyon.

Tourists who do not want to miss any of the action should try to stay at a hotel in Oman that provides a lot of facilities. The Desert Nights Camp offers a myriad of activities such as desert trekking, sand boarding, dune bashing, and even camel safaris. It is one of those Oman hotels that is completely surrounding by desert giving it a secluded feel.

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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Guests will get to sleep in tents fashioned after those used by the Bedouins. Although the tents look pretty simple from the outside, they contain all the amenities one would expect of a top hotel and guests can live in style and comfort.

Skiing and Snowboarding in Queenstown

Winter sport junkies have a host of excitement to look forward to in New Zealand’s adventure capital of Queenstown. It is one of the country’s best locations for skiing and snowboarding and adrenaline-seekers looking for a quality Queenstown hotel have a thrilling array of choices. To relax and unwind after an exciting day of pounding the powder, the Millennium Hotel Queenstown offers stylish modern comfort that is a prime example of the best luxury hotel Queenstown features. Skiiers of all abilities will love the snow at Coronet Peak, which features a variety of slopes from the gentle bunny slopes for beginners to the rolling backcountry runs, and long, groomed ski trails. The Remarkables ski area offers a fun environment for family-friendly skiing, as 30% of the slopes are rated beginner-level, and ensure soft, dry and cold snow, ideal for shredding. Djs and live bands are also featured, and families can enjoy some fun inner tubing in between time on the slopes. Adrenaline junkies will find their nirvana in the form of heli skiing, perfect for those who are chasing the ultimate alpine adventure in the New Zealand wilderness, available through Alpine Heli Ski, true professionals in the field of winter sports. Snow Chaser is another great resource to tap into for those wanting the ultimate guided snowboard/ski experience. They know the terrain well and employ experienced local guides who know the New Zealand ski landscape like the back of their hand for that ultimate personal touch in snow adventuring. They arrange everything, from equipment rental and ski passes to heli skiing, cat skiing and snow mobile tours. No matter what your passion, visit New Zealand’s adventure capital for the best experience in some fine kiwi powder – bar none!

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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World Chocolate Wonderland

The word chocolate always brings a sweet memory to mind to anyone who hears it; this may be a special moment or the delicious taste of chocolate or something similar. So for all the chocolate lovers throughout the world, Shanghai brings you a truly new experience by presenting you the World Chocolate Wonderland. A much better world than what people have seen at the imaginary Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

This is the first theme park of this sort in China. This can be easily visited while on a sightseeing tour to the Bird’s Nest, where the Olympic Games were held. Everything in this special park is made of chocolate, where great craftsmanship has been needed along with great patience. The creators have added more ingredients to make the carving process easier. As a result, mind-blowing creations like a replica of the Great Wall of China, which is 12 meters long, has been erected. Apart from this, a replica of the famous Terracotta Army, which comprises five hundred life-sized figures can be witnessed by the visitors while exploring the attraction. Car lovers wouldn’t be disappointed either; there is a massive BMW that has taken two tons of chocolates to create. Enjoy a life-sized car that is made out of a totally delicious cocoa compared with all the metal and mechanical ones that we see day-to-day.
Shopaholics! There would be many interesting creations such as shoes, handbags and many more ornamental creations from chocolate. These would look so real that it would take time for anyone to figure out that these are not real products. The temperature of the entire park is controlled to protect all these beautiful creations from melting. It is said that this park is 20,000 metres long and has taken 176,000 lbs chocolates for creation. This would definitely be compelte paradise for a kid and it might be the same even for an adult. Also, while walking through the aisle, the guests would get the option to get to know all historical data about chocolate and its impact on different cultures of the world.
After exploring every inch of this wonderful location, return to your preferred Shanghai Serviced Residence. The Somerset Xu Hui Shanghai is one of the most convenient Shanghai Executive Apartments that one can come across in the city. The modern facilities and the spacious and comfortable rooms would be a perfect location to unwind and relax after an exhausting day.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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An intriguing landscape of of karst caves and murals

Drift through the limestone archways as they stand in their own rugged but protective stance, enclosing you in their giant arms and secluding you and cradling you in a mysterious nook. Glide across the waters that appear deceptively thick and green as they take on the shade of the clusters of trees above them while under the bright and shiny sun, they turn lustrous and crystal clear. The Krabi experience of Kayaking is a retreat into nature’s own seclusion with a historic backdrop of limestone caves and their engravings and murals to intrigue one with their complexity at an era so by gone.

Being on a Kayak is indeed not only the best way to explore the waters around the Ao Luk, Ao Thalane and Koh Hong island but it is also the most nature friendly option as these create little noise and pollution. Most hotels offer guided tours with the option to rent Kayaks together with tourist guides who have a lot to explain when it comes to the limestone caves and their murals. The scenery is simply spectacular and with dramatic Karst topography and the caves among which the famous Big Headed Ghost cave is the most decorative cave that contains paintings as old as 3000 years. A drift thorough the Anaconda cave can be a mysterious adventure as you glide in almost darkness listening to the ripples and the drips that maintain their own watery melody in the dark . There is so much flora as well as fauna to be explored and identified, from thickly grown kind of mangrove swamps to the kingfishers and hornbills to the bright coloured crabs on Hong Island. One can also go snorkeling or for a simple dip in the water at selected place where the water is cold and the currents can be quite deceptively strong or better still pay a visit to a fish and oyster farm.

The Krabi resorts are just as privileged by nature to possess some strong landscape as a backdrop that provide a strong attraction to the tourists. Anantara Si Kao Thailand is located on the pristine sands of the beach with the ravishing view of the Andaman sea in front while it is close to other attractions like national parks, country clubs and golf parks. Reachable by land or even boat, this Trang resort is made closer to the world by the Trang air port and also the Krabi international air port that is a mere 1.5 kilometres away.

Fish Head in Maldives

Fish Head, Mushi Mas Mingili Thila or Shark Point is a pinnacle dive site in the North Ari Atoll that is among the best places in the world to see sharks. The “thila” or pinnacle is flat topped and rises sharply from about 35 meters down from the ocean floor stopping about 10 meters short of the surface. It features a stunning underwater landscape of caves and overhangs, among which is excellent coral growth supporting a huge variety of marine life. As it is only 80 metres wide, divers can swim around it in one dive if the current is not too strong. The reef’s popularity increased after it was declared a protected marine sanctuary in 1995. With the subsequent increase in marine life, it is now among the top ten dive sites in the world.

The main attraction here is sharks, particularly grey and white tip reef sharks that gather in large numbers. Sixteen are known to be resident in the area. Other pelagic species frequenting the thila include hump head wrasse, eagle rays, giant trevally, barracudas and a Napoleon wrasse measuring 1.5 meters in length. Schools of bat fish and hordes of fusiliers are found at shallower depths. The thila rises steeply and around 25 to 30 metres, its walls feature caves, overhangs and ledges covered in a profusion of sea fans, anemone and black coral. Divers usually float around at 15 metres to obtain the best possible views of the underwater landscape and marine life. As sharks can be spotted here in the up-current part of the reef unlike at other shark dive sites, divers can observe them from many secure locations without getting in their way. This is one of the best spots to observe shark behavior such as exposing their teeth to cleaner wrasse, resulting in some of the best photos of marine life in the Maldives being shot here.

As an all-year diving destination, Fish Head is most suitable for intermediate divers. A surface balloon attached to an ascent/descent line is recommended to mark the dive spot due to the presence of a large number of water craft and also because of unpredictable currents. The best way to dive here is from a liveaboard boat as otherwise it involves a rather long journey by boat to get here. Experience the best of the Maldives with a little help from Naladhu Maldives. Stay in a selection of spacious, beautifully appointed villas and houses that have to be some of the best accommodation among Maldives Island Resorts to enjoy the natural beauty around. Enjoy relaxing days with your every wish taken care of, whether it is rejuvenating spa treatments, dinners under the stars, water sports or excursions to the nearby islands. Take advantage of the special offers to enjoy this very special Maldives Hotel that considers pleasing their guests of paramount importance.

Jakarta Nightlife

In the bustling and lively capital of one of Southeast Asia’s most provocative cultural locales, Jakarta serves up an intriguing array of nightlife for the curious tourist and the party-hardy crowds. But first you’ll want to land a suitable Jakarta hotel as a base before you venture out to scour the local nightlife. Try a hotel in Jakarta such as the unique Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta which offers stylish interiors and a central location, which puts you in the midst of some great nightlife options! Jakarta is to bars what Seattle is to Starbucks; you’ll find one on every corner. Out of the range of options available, there are a few intriguing locales that guarantees a fun night out. For good food and a great atmosphere, check out the Social House that’ll give you a great view on Plaza Indonesia’s junction. The place fills up with celebrities and models during the weekends, so you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the country’s elite set! Blowfish Bar & Nightclub is one of the most popular nightclubs among the higher echelons of the city, featuring great music and a stylish Italian restaurant, Puro, in case you fancy a bite. The Hard Rock Café is next door to the Plaza Indonesia at the X Centre and it’s a great place to catch some stellar live music over a few drinks. Check out the Kempang district’s 365, which prides itself on having the best booze in the neighbourhood. With courteous staff, fabulous music and a chic young crowd, you’re sure to have a good time. Kempang also offers a stylish bar nearby at the Monaco, featuring superb local bands live on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, following by a DJ blasting up some thumping beats. And when you’re tired out from the partying, pay a visit to the Dim Sum Fesitval, a neat little enclave of restaurants open 24/7 and is a great and laid-back place to relax after a late night or even during the day.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Jungle Trekking in Bali

Bali is one city known for its amazing natural wonders. It is adorned by Gods most spectacular artwork and throughout the world it has been renowned as the haven for quiet relaxation. All those adventure lovers headed towards Bali, Jungle Trekking is a must indulge in activity. It is an exploration of authentic Bali; a city adorned in timeless beauty. It is an opportunity to bask in the raw beauty of this place while you hike up narrow paths, steep mountains and dense forests. Through Jungle Trekking you can enjoy the best of adventures and the best of Bali.

There are several locations where trekking is popular. The most famous one happens to be Mount Batukaru. In this nature reserve you can enjoy an array of chirping birds; some endangered and some endemic. In addition to the exotic species you can find breathtaking sceneries here. At a staggering height from sea level you can enjoy panoramic views of the Bali countryside. The Trek over here is more like a nature walk and is not that intense when it comes to energy but nevertheless the insight you can get in Balinese culture is adventurous all the same! Lake Tamblingan is also another interesting location when it comes to jungle trekking. This is a completely undisturbed region which boasts an array of medicinal plants. A Balinese guide will give you excellent insight into the use of such herbs. You can also enjoy a ride in the traditional dugout canoe. Then there is the Melangit River that boasts exquisite views of blocks of rice fields. This location has a sacred significance and one can find many historical temples here as well. The waters of the river that cascade down a breathtaking waterfall are considered to be holy as well.

Bali has an array of nature’s finest wonders. It is a relaxing location that is best experienced with a relaxing Bali resort. There are several Bali Resorts to choose from. But nothing tops the Anantara Seminyak Bali. This Bali Resort is simply spectacular in a nut shell. The ambience reflects the serenity outside your windows and you are sure to fall in love with the place.

Boat Trips to Hat Chao Mai- Marine Park

The Hat Chao Mai is a Marine Park that boasts beauty just as it does species. It is a protected region in the city that nature lovers almost always fall in love with. It houses an array of endangered species some of which you would have never seen before. This atmosphere combined with the gentle beach side breeze and the unspoilt scenic appeal makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

The Hat Chao Mai was proclaimed a marine national park on 14 October 1982 and it spans over the two districts; Kantang and Sikao. The coastline itself runs for around 20 km of which 5km is made up of crystal white sand beaches set amidst beautiful limestone hills and caves. In addition to its magnificent scenic appeal the park boasts historic significance as well. Most of the caves found here actually belonged to the prehistoric era and certain human remains from that period were found here as well.

There is an array of beaches that makes up for the land based attractions of the park. The names include Pak Meng, Chang Lang, San Beach, Yao Beach, Yong Ling and Chao Mai Beach. All can be rather easily accessed by car. The park also consists of 7 other islands and features the Marine Natural Study Center. The islands are spectacular in beauty and are to be accessed by boat. The boat trips to the islands are a highlight of the Hat Chao Mai Marine Park. The water perfectly clear and sparkling makes an excellent base against the most exotic skyline giving one the perfect backdrop for the perfect boat trip. With the park names of endangered species includes the rare black necked stork, wild pigs, pangolins, macaques, pacific reef egrets, and several dugong can also be found.

There are several good resorts scattered across Krabi but if you are looking for the best of the best choose the Anantara Si Kao Thailand. This Trang resort is absolutely fantastic in everything it offers and actually leaves you craving for more. Known as one of the top Krabi resorts, Anantara is one of the prominent hotel chains in the world.

Hua Hin Elephant Camp

Hua Hin remained a tiny coastal town with pretty beaches and relatively no noise as compared to Thailand’s all famous Pattaya. It was found by King Prajadhipok in the 1920s who decided to make it sort of a royal getaway town. The king who was so taken up by the quiet beauty of the town built Klai Kangwon literally meaning far from worries in Hua Hin in 1928. From 2007 it has become the official residence of the current king and is not open to the public.

As a Kingdom of Thailand it has many traditions that they still hold on to and its vibrant culture and history makes a colourful spectacle for any tourist. From ancient times elephants have played an important role in Thailand. Used mainly for transport, they had the ability to carry heavy loads and also travel across varied terrains without much difficulty.

Like the rest of the world, with modernization this means of travel was discarded for automobiles. However, during ceremonies one can still witness elephants take their place. 60kms west from the town of Hua Hin is the beautiful Pala-U waterfalls, located just 3 kms away from this is the Hua Hin Elephant Camp.

Once you arrive here you are introduced to the majestic creatures and even allowed to feed them bananas. Then you can get on atop the elephants and go for a ride as they lumber ahead guided by experienced mahouts. While the mahout will be seated right ahead on the neck of the elephant, you will have a wooden bench to accommodate yourself. It is important that all riders pay heed to the advice of the mahout as elephants are animals that when disturbed or frightened can go on a rampage. As part of your ride you will be given the opportunity of watching the elephants finish their morning ritual of bathing, carrying lumber and also ride back to camp where lunch awaits you.

Being the vacation site for royalty means there are plenty of Hua Hin hotels available in the region. If you would like to be treated like royalty and pampered in luxury, then check out Anantara Hua Hin Thailand Resort. It is a popular hotel Hua Hin has to offer and lets you truly enjoy your stay.

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+