Month: January 2016

Thrilling wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka

One of the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world, Sri Lanka, with its many wildlife parks and forest reserves, sets the stage for a wildlife adventure like no other. It gets better – Sri Lanka also boasts one of the highest rates of biological endemism in the world!

With so many wildlife safari/exploration options available, planning your adventure can indeed be an ardent task. The most popular national park in Sri Lanka is Yala, located on the southeast of Sri Lanka and bordered by the Indian Ocean. It is also the largest, spanning over 320,000 acres. In Yala, hotels and camping sites are a plenty. However, for a true adventurous stay, opt for camp-centric accommodation such as the ones provided by Wild Trails Yala.

Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary back in 1900 and a national park in 1938. It is made up of forests, grasslands, tanks and lagoons and is divided into 5 blocks. Two of these blocks are open to the public. A thrilling safari through Yala showcases leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, crocodiles and over 35 other mammals. The park is also home to over 200 species of birds.

The oldest national park in the country is Wilpattu. It spans over a large region in the northwest up to Anuradhapura. The park encompasses quite a few cultural heritage sites as well. The area is crisscrossed with lakes, grasslands and shrubbery and is home to elephants, sloth bear, water buffaloes and spotted deer. A few leopards are found in Wilpattu as well.

Udawalawe is Sri Lanka’s premier national park for elephants. It is located surrounding the massive Udawalawe reservoir, bordering Ratnapura and Moneragala districts. The park has an elephant population in excess of 500, along with other mammals such as sloth bear, deer and jackals. Minneriya, Wasgamuwa and Gal Oya are some of the other popular national parks in the country with the former being world famous for its ‘elephant gathering’, a phenomenon unique to Sri Lanka.

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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A Surf Trip to Arugambay- Ride the Wave

The island of Sri Lanka is blessed with numerous beaches around it, whether you want to lie on the beach or take on a bit of adventure there is always a place to do so. One such place that’s great for surfing is Arugambay on the Eastern coast Sri Lanka. If you’re wondering how to get to this surf heaven there are many options such as going by bus, train or an air taxi Sri Lanka. The latter is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way among the three and one of the leading providers of this service is Cinnamon Air

. Operating from various points in Sri Lanka this air taxi service offers affordable and convenient domestic flights. They take off and land in natural waters in the island.

Arugambay is on one of the top ten surf points in the world. The best period to plan a trip to this part of the country is between May and November. Due to it’s location the area is predominant of right-hand point breaks. The three main points are, “The Point”, “Pottuvil Point” and the “Crocodile Rock” which can be accessed from the main line of hotels in half an hour by tuk. There are also other points around one and half hours away and can be accessed by boat. Another advantage for Arugambay with regard to location is that unlike many other tourist hot hubs, Arugambay stays shielded away from the North Western and South Eastern monsoon. The monsoon affects most other areas at least for half the year.

Apart from the great reputation as a surf destination, there are a variety of things on offer in this coastal village. There are a rich diversity of birds and wildlife, beautiful landscape and there have also been ruins of ancient Buddhist temples found from areas around here. One such excavation is the “Muhudu Maha Viharaya”. If you are out looking for some adrenaline rush out in the waters there’s no place other than Arugambay!

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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Self-Guided Walk in Abu Dhabi

A booming tourist destination in the Middle East is Abu Dhabi. Competing with its fellow Emirates, it still has managed to be in the forefront in terms of tourism. One of the best ways to explore and make the most of a city is to stroll around it; one’s self is the best tour guide. When considering Abu Dhabi as your next holiday destination, one of the key questions that pop up in one’s mind is accommodation during the stay. Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is an excellent choice to stay while here as this beach resort Abu Dhabi is located on the famous Sir Bani Yas Island the hotel is nothing but a symbol of luxury, offering many indoor as well outdoor activities to complete the exotic vacation.
A self-guided walk in Abu Dhabi should be able to cover most of the important landmarks in the city. One of the places to make a stop would be the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, an iconic landmark that has 82 impressive white domes.

Bainunah Roundabout Fountain is one of the other pit-stops worth making, located on the Bainunah Roundabout by the Zalamat Garden the fountain is considered both breathtaking and miraculous and perfectly complements the surrounding.

Abu Dhabi Corniche is yet another exciting place to explore on a walking tour. The 6-kilometer-long road is a not to miss when visiting Abu Dhabi. This is considered to be the border of the city and has many gardens along the way.
There are many other interesting landmarks and attractions in this beautiful Middle Eastern City for you to explore.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.
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Safari World Zoo and Park

All year round thousands of tourists make their way to Thailand for various reasons. The country blessed with beaches and exciting landscapes and architecture remains a magnet for tourists. There is always varying activities for all groups of tourist who come here. The capital Bangkok remains one of the buzzing and vibrant cities in this region and you can find many a luxury Bangkok City Hotel to suit your accommodation requirements. Among them, one that has been highly recommended is Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok that is well located to keep you safe from the hustle and bustle of the city but at the same time conveniently located minutes away from the many attractions such as the Grand Palace.

One of the concerns for families travelling with children is to find enough and more activities to keep them happy and occupied. Bangkok has plenty of activities and attractions for the entire family. One such place is Safari World. Consisting of two parks, one being the Marine Park and the other being the Safari Park opened its doors to the public in 1988. If you’re against the zoo concept but would still like to be up close to the animals this is an excellent place to be. The park is divided into the two sections as mentioned above. The safari park allows visitors to access in their own vehicles or get on board a bus operated by the park. The Marine Park operates on a more traditional zoo model where there are shows as well as food stalls for the entertainment of the visitors.

The open air safari park allows animals to roam freely, however, there are few restrictions. What you can find here are, zebras, camels, antelopes, rhinos, tigers lions among many others.

 

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Melissa Somawardana, concealed under the name of 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.

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Bird Watching in Sri Lanka

The beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka is not only home to just 20 million people but to a lot of other beautiful living beings that add to the beauty of this paradise. Among them are the birds that decorate the clear blue skies of the island. It is regarded as the paradise for all the bird watching enthusiasts. Sri Lanka Bird watching tours are a popular activity for those bird-loving tourists who come to the island. One of the pioneers in organising such tours is Nkar Travel House. They offer specialised bird watching tours in various parts of the island to suit the various needs of tourists.

The tropical climate and the exotic landscape of the Indian ocean island make it a heaven for bird lovers. There are around 427 different species of birds in Sri Lanka. Out of which 23 are endemic and around 200 are migratory. They make their flight from India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe to escape the weather and for various other factors. The best time to engage in bird watching is to arrive in the island during the later part of the year. The month of December has been declared as the National Bird watching month.

The best places to engage in bird watching are spread across various parts of the island. There are some dedicated bird sanctuaries in various parts of the island. Some of them include, Kumana National Park, The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Sinharaja Forest, Kitulgala Forest Reserve, the Bodhinagala Sanctuary, Kandalama Bird Sanctuary and Udawatte Kele among many others. One of the highlights about the avifauna in the country is the presence of a mixed species flock, which adds more excitement to the whole experience.

Apart from bird watching for those wildlife enthusiasts, there are many national parks across the island worth checking.

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Diving in Doha

Doha is the capital city of the State of Qatar and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. The city is renowned for the wide range of shopping, dining and luxury accommodation settings it offers tourists. However, an often underrated attraction in Doha is the amazing diving opportunities it serves.

Due to its popularity among tourists in Doha, hotels you can choose from vary in price, service and luxury. For a fine mix of all three, consider staying at the Banana Island Resort, Doha, by Anantara. It places within close proximity to leading dive centres in the region as well.

The city is home to seven popular dive sites, all of which are accessible via PADI certified dive instructors from a number of centres in the region. The Old Club Reef (OCR) and New Club Reef (NCR) are both situated close to the Mesaieed sealine, about half hour away from Doha. The former is an artificial reef and is approximately 16 metres deep. NCR is about 20 metres deep. OCR and NCR are both rich in marine life and home to resident fish types such as Arabian Blue Angel Fish, Sergeant Major, Groupers, Batfish, Barracuda, Spangled Emperors, Twobar Seabream and much more. Other similar dive sites that immerse you in the regions rich marine life are the Inland Sea and Eel Garden.

Fans of wreckages are in for a treat as well. The Pericles Shipwreck of Al Ed-Al Gharbi is 35 metres deep. Here divers get to see an enormous sunken shipwreck with plenty of exploration opportunities. Its massive propeller is sure to leave you in awe. The Al Ed-Al Sharqi sea line, about an hour and half from the city, boasts of another huge sunken shipwreck called the MO Wreck. About 25 metres deep, this wreck is also home to some beautiful fish species.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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Hua Hin elephant camps and trekking

A mere two hundred kilometers from Bangkok, on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, you will find Hua Hin. Resorts of the luxurious kind, upscale condominiums and holiday homes all offer spectacular ocean views. This beach side town has become a popular holiday getaway for both locals from Bangkok and tourists. Hua Hin was even a favourite vacation spot for the Royal Family in the 1920’s. It was once a quiet fishing village; today there are multiple housing developments, golf courses, shopping malls and hotels like the Anantara Hua Hin Resort but the town has managed to hold onto much of its old world charm.

Elephants have been a part of Thai history for centuries. They were used for transportation of people and goods, they were made to assist in construction and even participated in cultural and religious rituals. Today, elephants have become almost redundant as a mode of transport but in Hua Hin you will have the rare opportunity to visit an elephant camp make a trip on elephant back. These tours also offer the experience of meeting the elephants, petting and feeding them.

The jungle tour consists of a wooden seat placed on the elephant’s back. It is in this seat, fitted with a hand rail that riders will sit. The mahout sits up front, on the animal’s neck. He will direct the elephant on the course. An hour’s trip will show you elephants bathing, how they are used for logging and guests will be offered refreshments. It is wise to carefully follow instructions of the mahout, as elephants are large beasts that can be very dangerous if angered. In recent times there has been much scrutiny into the welfare of elephants and controversy surrounding elephant rides. It is worth conducting your own research prior to visiting these attractions, in order to make an informed decision.

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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Island Safari

Koh Samui was once a sleepy remote location, home to only a quiet fishing community; today, Thailand’s largest island is a popular holiday destination. It attracts travellers of all descriptions. Accommodation on the island ranges from beachside bungalows to luxury resorts. Koh Samui is famous for palm-fringed, white, sandy beaches, coconut groves and rugged rainforest. It stands apart from Thailand’s big cities with the frenzied activity that is usually expected. However Koh Samui is known for its raging after dark activity. Chaweng Beach, on which you will find Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, has a party atmosphere and is well known for its cabaret shows.

To explore the mountains of Koh Samui in style take a Land Rover tour and get ready for an adventure. Several tour companies now offer full day or half day trips that take you off road and bring you up close and personal with the highlights of the island. You can expect to see: the famous Grandma and Grandpa rocks located on Lamai Beach; Luang Pordaeng, the mummified monk which is a sacred local relic; Wat Phra Yai or Big Buddha Temple that houses several shrines and statues; the twelve meter tall golden Buddha statue that is the most celebrated landmark in Samui, it can be found on Big Buddha Beach on the northern coast of the island but can be seen several kilometers away. Stunning views await as you drive high into the mountains, along sea cliffs and then into low valleys, like Nuns Valley with its rural villages.

You can pick a tour depending on your interests. Some companies will transport you to and from your hotel and you can expect a tour guide who will explain the attractions and experiences. Refreshments and a traditional meal maybe provided, depending on the type of tour. Animal shows using baby elephants, crocodiles and monkeys are also offered on some itineraries but welfare of the animals is often questionable and in most cases, best avoided.

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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River & Wildlife Experiences in Zambia: The Adventure of a Lifetime in South Luangwe

Africa is a land that is synonymous with adventure and wild-life, and there is no better way to experience the glory of an African wilderness quite like a safari, and there is no safari quite like a Zambian safari in South Luangwa. The Luangwa region is iconic for its spectacular scenery and wild-life amidst an unforgiving and rugged wilderness. Despite this, the safaris in Luangwa are renowned for providing a comfortable voyage into some of the harshest yet most beautiful terrains of Africa.

You can enjoy your stay in Luangwa in a variety of ways, one is by spending it at one of the area’s many lodges in the heart of the wilderness, if you wish to venture even deeper, the accompanying professionals will set up a camp for you to intimately experience the African wilderness. If the first two options are a tad too extreme for you, there you can go for a luxury hotel such as the Victoria Falls Hotel Zambia by the renowned Anantara Hotels, Resorts Spas where you can comfortably enjoy the river and wild-life experiences in Zambia amidst five-star luxury.

The safari providers in the area have decades worth of experience as well as recognition and will uncompromisingly provide you the best, and safest, experience you can hope for. The South Luangwa National Park encompasses almost ten thousand square kilometers and plays refuge to over four hundred species of birds and more than sixty different species of mammals. Leopards, Elephants and Crocodiles in particular are known to gather in large numbers in South Luangwa Park. The dry season from April to October is the best time for a visit, since the rivers dry up and the animals wander towards the lagoons where water is plentiful.

So if you seek a safari adventure like no other, head on to South Luangwa for a voyage you will surely cherish for a lifetime.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.
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Nature and Wildlife Walks in Abu Dhabi

In the 21st century, the Middle East is known well for its abundant and thriving oil industry, which has contributed to the development of the region in the last fifty years. One country that has benefited greatly from this discovery is the United Arab Emirates. Located in the Middle Eastern region, the United Arab Emirates is composed of seven Emirates, namely, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Given the present perception of the Middle East, many would be surprised to know that the emirate of Abu Dhabi was a haven for wildlife prior to its rapid development due to the discovery of oil in the mid-twentieth century. This natural heritage is evident in the name Abu Dhabi as well, which literally means ‘Father of the Gazelle’, as well as Sir Bani Yas Island which is a reputed wildlife reserve in the United Arab Emirates.

Hotels in Sir Bani Yas Island are scarce with given the status of the island as a bird sanctuary in addition to a wildlife reserve. Therefore, for tourists who wish to reside on the island itself, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi can be recommended.

The emphasis placed on preserving and conserving wildlife in the emirate extends to initiatives outside the United Arab Emirates as well and the emirate has, on multiple occasions, organised events to raise awareness or protest against certain global initiatives in the form of wildlife walks. One such wildlife walk took place in March 2014 at the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre to raise awareness about Canned Hunting, a practice predominantly in South Africa where lions are bred for the industry and hunters are given the opportunity to shoot them in closed enclosures, and to protest the practice.

Abu Dhabi places great importance on such initiatives and encourages tourists to visit their wildlife reserves in the least disruptive manner possible as well.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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