Month: June 2013

Feeding catfish at Thewet Pier

Bangkok is one of the major tourist destinations in Southeast Asian and boasts many exotic wonders to draw in tourists by the millions each year. It is home to the beautiful Chao Phraya River, which harbours an exciting array of attractions on the river banks that are a delight to explore, especially via a Bangkok cruise tour. Step aboard a century-old rice barge made from solid teak restored to a splendid river boat offered by Anantara Cruises Thailand and be transported back in time on the water as you discover the many enchanting sights courtesy of one of the finest Bangkok cruises available. Encounter the wonders of the Dusit district en route, and you can even interact with the wildlife as you step off and discover Tha Thewet Pier, which is a famous locale for feeding the numerous catfish that flourish in the area. Visitors can purchase bags of bread pieces or whole slices to treat the catfish, and this is an activity enjoyed by both locals and foreigners. If you’re in the Dusit district and want to explore the area further, there are a range of attractions that are a welcome breath of fresh air from the tourist traps located in the inner city. The Thewet Flower Market is the perfect place to pick up a set of unique flowers and plants as it offers an exciting collection of exotic blooms. Located close by on Khao San Road is the Wat Indraviharn temple,  which houses one of the tallest Buddha images in Thailand, standing 32 metres tall. The Wat is also a treat to experience and its detailed murals are exquisite to behold. The Dusit district is a unique little cultural enclave ideal for visitors not wanting to tread the beaten path, and who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

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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Abu Dhabi Archery

Abu Dhabi is a splendid emirate that forms part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it is home to a fascinating array of activities for the cultural and curious tourist. If you wanted to try your hand at archery, there are a range of clubs as well as a spa resort Abu Dhabi features that offer visitors the chance to channel their inner archer. The Anantara Al Yamm which provides its guests with premium accommodation at its beautiful villas in Abu Dhabi also offers lessons and equipment for visitors to try out this long-cherished Arabic tradition. For those serious archers dedicated to the sport, the Abu Dhabi Archers Group provides a community of support for archers looking to get into the field, or serious shooters. Top archers can take part in the Top Archers Competition, which targets top archery dogs to crown champions on the range. The group does not have official status yet; however, it does provide the opportunity to gather and practice at the Al Forsan Archery range, which offers ten lanes and the best equipment to try one’s luck at a distance of 5 to 60 metres, depending on preference and ability. The range also offers Re-curve and Compound bows if archers do not have their own. The range provides arm guards, releases and tabs too, so head on down for a practice round or two!

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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Moon of Pejeng

Bali is one of Indonesia’s most vibrant and culturally rich islands. It sees millions of visitors every year, all clamouring to participate in, partake of and appreciate all the festivals, shopping, beaches, entertainment and surroundings. A unique town for the adventure-seeker is Ubud, and lodging comes in the form of eclectic Ubud accommodation such as the Alila Ubud Bali whose elegant interiors and stylish amenities are a treat to experience. Of the many accommodation options, it is a superb Ubud hotel that pampers guests with warm island hospitality. Bali is home to many ancient and intriguing artefacts, of which one is the Moon of Pejeng, otherwise known as the world’s largest single cast bronze kettle drum in the world. It is the biggest surviving relic derived from Southeast Asia’s Bronze Age period, and is considered to be a highly sacred monument to the local people. It is believed that the drum was used in early rituals for rice cultivation. It is 186.6 metres in length and the dynamo of the tympano is 160 centimetres in diameter. It is housed at the Pura Penataran Asih Temple in the Petauan River Valley, which is where complex rice irrigation first started in the country, originating in South Bali. The drum is almost two thousand years old and was constructed by the Dong Son people. It is the largest and most complete example of the Pejeng drums found in Bali and Java and is a fine spectacle of the country’s illustrious past to behold.

 

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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