April, 2016 | The Adventure Travel Site

Explore Coral Reef Hikkaduwa

Take a trip to Sri Lanka’s much loved South Coast. The main roads run along the coast offering spectacular views of palm fringed beaches and the Indian Ocean. You will pass quaint, up and coming beach towns along the way. Make a stop at the country’s most popular party beach, Hikkaduwa. Hotels line the beachfront along with quirky bars and eateries. It is also known for water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, and for the less adventurous, glass bottom boat rides. To experience the Ocean right at your doorstep, stay at Citrus Hikkaduwa.

Hikkaduwa Beach is a long sandy stretch and its biggest attraction is its main shallow fringing reef that runs from close to the fishing harbour four kilometers to the south. The sea is calm and shallow; the reef is easily accessible and close to the shore. It is the main reason for Hikkaduwa’s popularity as a diving and snorkelling destination. The best time to explore the coral reefs around Hikkaduwa is between the months of November and April. During these months the sea is at its calmest and the clear waters help with good visibility.
The stunning reef is home to a host of marine creatures of all colours and shapes. Less obvious to observers but just as important is the role the reef plays in protecting the coast from sea erosion. There are plenty of coral species that make up the reefs of Hikkaduwa. You will find as many as sixty species of hard coral. Boulder type coral and encrusting corals are present along with large stands of Montipora corals and small stands of branching Acropora corals. The rising sea water temperatures that were recorded in 1998 damaged a significant amount of the coral along Hikkaduwa’s reefs but today, scientists have found evidence that new corals are forming.

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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Adventures in Juara, Tioman

The island of Tioman is always an alluring place to visit, offering picturesque scenery and many interesting things to do that will capture the interest of the active visitor. There is only one sizable village on the eastern coast of the island, Juara; however you will have the opportunity to engage in many engrossing adventure activities here. As you enjoy these adventures stay at a quality Tioman resort such as the Berjaya Tioman Resort. At this charming getaway you can enjoy the best this island has to offer.

You will find that Juara boasts an appealing stretch of beach featuring palm-lined shores, soft white sands and shimmering clear seas. From this stretch of beachfront you will have the opportunity to indulge in a number of water sports. Visitors can engage in swimming and snorkelling amidst the splendid coral reefs of the area, which is sure to be an enthralling experience. You will also have the opportunity to go canoeing in the waters of the area. Diving and sea fishing are other water sports that you can enjoy in Juara. Divers will find a diving centre which features certified instructors and the necessary equipment.

Many visitors choose to walk from the town of Tekek to Juara which is always a captivating experience as you will pass through a picturesque stretch of natural scenery. Visitors will encounter cascading waterfalls and plenty of interesting flora and fauna including monkeys, lizards and attractive flowers and plants.

From Juara you will have the opportunity to explore the nearby jungles by hiring a boat with a guide. You will experience the majesty of the mangrove forests with their denizens such as giant lizards, butterflies, rodents and snakes. You may also undertake a boat excursion to the well-known Mukut waterfalls. Another unusual experience in the environs of Juara would be to visit the local turtle sanctuary which is dedicated to the preservation of the threatened local turtles.

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+

Parasailing at Benoa Bali

Travelling to the lush and exotic island of Bali is on most peoples’ bucket list. There is a wide range of things to do here to make your holiday fun and memorable, from swimming through turquoise waters to partying the night away in one of many leading nightclubs in the city. Most travellers will of course spend time on the stunning white sand beaches and tackle some of the water sport activities available year round.

Almost all the Bali Beach Resort and hotels, such as the Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa for example, provide packages for adventurous excursions, among those, parasailing on the beach. You can also find several independent operators located around the beach that offer parasailing and other beach activities. Parasailing is definitely one of the most popular water sport activities in Bali, successfully combining the thrill of speed with an altitude that delivers panoramic views of sparkling azure waters and palm fringed beaches. And unlike diving or surfing, you don’t need training if you’ve never tried it before. Even though many people consider parasailing to be an extreme sport, it is actually very relaxing and safe.
There are two ways to enjoy parasailing in Bali, depending on the instructor and his equipment; you might be harnessed to a vehicle that speeds along the beach or to a boat that takes you out past the shoreline before sending you up. Some operators allow groups of two to three people to be attached to the harness at once while others strictly keep to one per parachute. The entire experience can last from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your operators plan. Either way, all you have to do is get strapped in, sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience!

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
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Penang Street Art

You may think art is something that can only be seen in art galleries or museums, but sometimes it can also be found all around us. In today’s busy cities full of metal and steel structures however, it is hard to spot “art” and one can often get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. That’s why a trip to Georgetown in Penang is so rewarding. Here amidst the laidback old world charm of its streets and alleyways you will find unique artworks and murals that have become a part of the city’s landscape.

Penang Street Art as it is known cannot be found in any gallery, but is rather painted on buildings and walls around the city. In fact, some are so cleverly done incorporating real objects, you may not at first realise that they are indeed works of art! There is no one place to see these murals and paintings and it is often a nice surprise to turn a street corner and see a larger than life depiction of everything from kids to cats! Ideally look to stay at a centrally located property so you can easily walk around and explore the city. One option would be Georgetown City Hotel belonging to Berjaya Hotels & Resorts from where you can set off on your street art adventures.

Many of the well known street art pieces in Penang have been done by Ernest Zacharevic as part of a 2012 project called “Mirrors George Town.” Of course other artists have also contributed to the growing street art landscape in the city and the old town area in particular is a hub of such works.

So what are some of the popular creations? Undoubtedly one of the most well known is the “Kids on Bicycle” depicting a girl cycling and a small boy (presumably her brother) holding onto her for dear life enjoying the ride of his life! A unique feature is that the bicycle they are riding is an actual bike welded into the wall. It is a great place to pose for a picture and become a part of this art. Here’s a handy hint; since these paintings have faded a bit, try wear something not too bright so you can “blend” into the street art when taking a picture.

On you adventures around Georgetown you may also come across a painting of a boy on a real motorbike against the backdrop of a wooden door as he looks slightly worryingly behind him; on the adjoining wall is an artwork showing a small boy taking what looks like his pet dinosaur for a walk! Also worth seeing is what is sometimes called “Kung Fu Girl” which is a huge painting of a girl seemingly balancing herself on her hands that are placed on either side of two actual windows on the wall.

Cat lovers will love the fact that their feline friends are also featured as part of Penang street art. The collection which is known as “101 Lost Kittens” includes a gigantic painting of a cat referred to as “Skippy Comes to Penang,” one titled “The Real Bruce Lee Would Never Do This” which shows the martial arts legend in his famous mid-air kicking pose and a cat seemingly flying through the air and just to ensure there is poetic justice, a painting of a martial arts cat kicking a minion!

You never know just what kind of mural or drawing you may come across so just make sure to have your camera or phone handy to capture those street art moments.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
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How to plan a visit to Lunuganga

Lunuganga is an estate owned by late Geoffrey Bawa. He was a world-famous architect who made an illustrious career in Sri Lanka. Lunuganga estate is what inspired him to come up with most breakthrough architectural designs. If there is any Sri Lankan building that has an allure for you that should probably have been designed by Bawa. Lunuganga estate today stands as an exotic garden with its house grandly overlooking the Bentota River. This garden without doubt would remind you of a countryside estate in England. This is a must visit if you have an eye for inimitable architectural designs.

What to see in Lunuganga
In fact Lunuganga has countless things to see and experience. Apart from that architecturally marvellous house built by Bawa and the lakeside garden, Lunuganga has a lot more on its 15 acres. As you walk on, you will take comfort on the properly maintained lawns. Its awesome spread of frangipani flowers adds much flavour to the estate ambience.
Just like Geoffrey Bawa retired into this idyllic paradise after his illustrious career of designing Sri Lankan Parliament and other significant buildings, you can also retire into this paradise. Just take some time to be still and take ample time to explore what the Lunuganga offers you.
The estate has a plantation house that can accommodate about nine guests in one go. This is an ideal place if you are travelling with family. But you need to make an advance booking, before you reach the place.
As you walk along the suites, you will be greeted by an assortment of art and antiques. The gallery room is especially interesting.
Plus, there are boat trips available. The boat trip comes with the bonus of bird-watching tours. You can choose to watch birds or simply chill out. Or simply relish that moment with your favourite book.

Handling the weather
Lunuganga is located in Bentota. It means that you are travelling to a wet tropical zone. The zone is usually warm throughout the year. The temperature will be slightly higher around November. So it is good to have some cotton clothing ready for the journey. Since the weather is humid and hot, have a few bottles of water ready. As for water, it is always wise to buy bottled water before you reach Bentota. If you travel between June and July, that is the south west monsoon period. You will experience an even more dry and sunny atmosphere.

Accommodation
Before reaching Lunuganga, you can book one of the hotels in Wadduwa. There are enough of them providing you ample facilities. Finding a hotel in Wadduwa or in the vicinity won’t be a hard task, as there are plenty of them. Taprobana Wadduwa, for one, would offer you a comfortable stay before you begin the journey to Bentota. When you settle down in Wadduwa, you are within close proximity to Lunuganga, Bentota.

Travel
There are several transport options: bus, rented car, taxi and threewheeler. It takes some time to reach Bentota if you travel straight from the airport. If you have already settled in a Hotel in Wadduwa, you can get them to arrange hotel transport. It will be a little pricey project depending on its complimentary benefits. A little less expensive as well as more convenient option could be to hire a taxi to reach Lunuganga. If you are a little familiar with the local environment, you can opt for public transport. Reach Bentota, then you need to take a trishaw to get to the estate. That is a less expensive option, but you need to be familiar with the local setting. If you are not familiar enough, then that’s a risky game.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Steeped in history, The Victoria and Albert Museum was first founded in 1852. This imposing landmark in London is situated on thirteen acres of land. The halls and passages that constitute the museum have a gamut of history to offer its visitors. It is impossible to take in such a lot of history in one visit. You might have to visit the museum more than twice to absorb every little bit of art and history. Multiple visits to the museum would not be cumbersome when temporarily residing at The Halkin by COMO, London. You can gain the complete London-experience when staying at this London boutique hotel.

The curators of the museum have a great vision! This is made apparent in the sections into which the museum is divided. Let’s take a sneak peek into this grand, unforgettable museum.

Displaying an astounding amount of arts and crafts from Britain’s rich history are The British Galleries. Be drawn into art from Tudor and Stuart Britain, Georgian Britain and Victorian Britain. Undoubtedly, the styles differ and reflect the politics and concerns of the times.

Changing trends and flashy jewellery are displayed in the sections dedicated to Fashion and Textiles and The Jewellery Gallery. Power and Royalty glare in the faces of visitors, while more artistic clothing and jewellery are also on display. The sections function as a runway in Britain’s fashion history.

The Ceramics and Glass Collection is also expansive. It showcases 80,000 objects from every continent. It is an implication of Britain’s imperial prowess and the manner in which influences from around the world continue to impact the ex-Colonial power.

Inspired by Britain’s good old days as an Imperial power, is the section dedicated to Asia, India and Islam. This collection is incredibly impressive and is one of the largest collections of its kind.

There is much more to discover at The Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s best to unravel the other secrets on multiple visits!

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

Snorkelling in the Western Coast Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka, nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean is known by a number of epithets. Fondly called the ‘Resplendent Isle’, the ‘Small Miracle’, and ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ and so on, these epithets embody the essence of Sri Lanka. When in Sri Lanka, the diversity of experiences that can be had is immense and depending on whether you vacation on the coastal belt or the central highlands, everything from the climate to the sights and sceneries will change. Therefore, those who wish to engage in water sports or snorkelling in Sri Lanka should certainly endeavour to reside in the vicinity of the beach.
Whereas the Eastern coastal belt is considered by many to be pristine, untouched and home to immense natural beauty, those who wish to reside closer to the capital of the island should opt for accommodation on the Western coastal belt. While a Mount Lavinia hotel would certainly allow tourists to transit from the International Airport to their holiday accommodation in a fairly short period of time, a much better experience awaits those who opt to snorkel away from Colombo. This should not however discourage travellers from choosing to explore the wonders of the marine world on the Western coastal belt, for this area boasts a number of stunning diving sites. Some of these include Hikkaduwa, a coastal town with a thriving nightlife, Weligama and Kirinda as well.
However, the time of year during which one visits the island is an important factor to consider when going snorkelling in Sri Lanka. This is because of the monsoon seasons that affect the Eastern and Western belts differently. When visiting Sri Lanka from November to April, snorkelling on the West Coast is a splendid option for the waters are at their calmest during this time.

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

Rest and Relax.Mount Lavinia Hotel

With benefits such as letting 2 children stay free and excursions to a sea turtle hatchery on offer, this is an ideal choice amongst Sri Lanka hotel deals for those planning a family holiday. This super deal at Mount Lavinia Hotel features great rates and also includes free high tea, 20% off on a couples massage and nanny service on request.

Offer link: //www.mountlaviniahotel.com/offers/rest-and-relax.html