Kung Krabaen Bay Nature Centre

Kung Krabaen, Chantaburi province, Thailand| Img. By Sean.hoyland (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Kung Krabaen, Chantaburi province, Thailand| Img. By Sean.hoyland (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Nature lovers will find themselves richly rewarded with Bangkok tourist places when they venture out of the city and into the province of Chanthaburi. The Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre, also known as the Kung Krabaen Bay Nature Centre, offers a stimulating experience for nature enthusiasts and conservationists. Due to its distance from central Bangkok, it is recommended to find accommodation in Chanthaburi when planning your visit. Options include resorts such as the Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao Chanthaburi.

Open from 6.30 am to 6 pm every day, the Kung Krabaen Nature Centre was founded in order to conduct research into Chanthaburi’s mangrove ecosystem. The most remarkable feature of this centre is the 1600 metre long trail built through the coastal area’s mangrove forest. The wooden walkway is dotted with small pavilions allowing visitors to rest or simply absorb the ambience of the towering mangroves. The curious will be happy to know that there are many information sites along the way providing details about the flora and fauna in the area. There is much to see at Kung Krabaen bay as the mangroves provide haven to a variety of aquatic organisms, such as horseshoe crabs and mudskippers. The mangrove forest is also home to many water birds, macaque monkeys and civet cats which often emerge at low tide to search for food. At the end of the walkway, a pavilion projecting out into the bay offers visitors a scenic view of the mangrove forest and the river; a marvellous parting gift!

More adventurous visitors have the option to get even closer and hire a guided kayak to travel through the mangroves. Travellers are taken through the mangrove shaded waterways, almost at eye level with the animals in the area. Lucky visitors may also get the opportunity to see traditional fish and crab capturing methods used by the locals. It must be noted, however, that kayak tours are subject to the tide and prevailing weather conditions.

 

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. Google+

Travel Around Sigiriya -There’s Much More to See Here Than That Famous Fortress

Located in the central highlands of the paradise nation called Sri Lanka, is a town that gained quite an international reputation. Sigiriya, as it is named, is a wanderer’s delight. Why? Let’s find out!

The Eighth Wonder of the World

Eighth Wonder of the World | Image Credit - Wikimedia Commons, CC By SA 3.0
Eighth Wonder of the World | Image Credit – Wikimedia Commons, CC By SA 3.0

A sight of pure magnificence. Built during the 5th Century, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is an impressive creation by the wayward King Kasyapa who committed patricide to gain the throne for himself. The fortress has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site due to being “one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning”. Its international fame has resulted in throngs of crowds visiting the little town every year as well as the rise of many boutique hotels in Sri Lanka such as the Water Garden Sigiriya. Such hotels are also offering special tours that will take you through the highlights of the Sigiriya Fortress such as the Mirror Wall, the gorgeous frescoes, the water gardens and the gigantic lion’s paws which give the fortress its name.

An ancient Buddhist Monastery

The Pidurangala Monastery is located on the Pidurangala Rock which stands just a few kilometres away from Sigiriya. According to the ancient scriptures, when King Kasyapa was looking for a spot to build his fortress he found Sigiriya which was at that time occupied by Buddhist monks in meditation. He moved the monks to the nearby Pidurangala Rock and as a form of compensation for taking their former home, built a monastery there.

A Jumbo Spectacle!

Love elephants? Then this is your chance to see them in all their glory in the wild! The Minneriya National Park is located just 20-30 minutes away from the rock fortress. Why visit? Not only is the wildlife reservation placed among the top important bird areas in the country; but it’s also the venue for one of the most renowned of natural phenomena- the spectacular Minneriya Elephant Gathering!

Take A Glimpse Into The Past

Take a step back in time and find out the amazing history of the ancient citadel and the country at the amazing Sigiriya Museum. It features an excellent diorama of the Sigiriya fortress and offers a thorough overview while explaining its cultural importance.

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

Google+

Whale Watching in Mirissa -Have a Whale of a Time!

At up to 29.9 metres in length, the Blue Whale is said to be the largest animal to have ever existed in the world. Seeing these magnificent creatures is a must at least once in a lifetime. So head over to Mirissa in Sri Lanka, and feast your eyes on this glorious beast!

Where?

mirissa beach aerial view
Mirissa beach aerial | Photo by dronepicr , Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The coastal hamlet of Mirissa is tucked away in the south of Sri Lanka, in the Matara District. It’s close to three hours away from the Bandaranaike International Airport so you will have to come prepared to stay in Mirissa. Accommodation won’t be a problem as there are plenty of options ranging from budget hotels and hostels like those by Yoho Bed to even luxury resorts should you want to splurge a bit.

How?

Mirissa Whale Watching
Mirissa Whale Watching | Photo by kwan kwan , Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

There are quite a number of whale watching tours available in Mirissa but do your research first, read up on reviews and find out what is best, because it’s very important that you go with a trusted service provider in order to avoid any scams or worst, accidents. The most trusted option would be to go with the Sri Lanka Navy, they offer tours that cost US$ 60 for foreigners (US$ 30 for kids). A typical tour would last for up to 4 hours.

What to Take?

Sunscreen
Sunscreen | by Tom Newby Photography, Flickr , (CC BY 2.0)

Sunscreen! Make sure to apply it way before you set out. And take care to also take a hat and some sunnies. Since you’re gonna be stuck on the boat for four hours at sea, best to pack a few snacks too. Some tour agencies offer this as part of the package but it’s always best to take some food of your own. And most importantly, if you’re prone to be sick at sea be sure to take medication for it.

And Finally, What You’re Going to See!

Blue Whales

blue whales
Andreas Tille, BlueWhaleWithCalf, CC BY-SA 4.0

It’s said that the waters around Mirissa are rich in plankton, a kind of micro-organisms which the whales feed on. Because of this, marine biologists believe that there is a resident population of blue whales resulting in constant sightings, especially during the peak season between November to April.

Sperm Whales

Sperm Whale
Sperm Whale , Amila Tennakoon, Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

and…Dolphins!

Mirissa,_whale_watching,_dolphins
Arian Zwegers, Mirissa, whale watching, dolphins (6782232766), CC BY 2.0

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

 

Whale Watching in Mirissa -Have a Whale of a Time!

At up to 29.9 metres in length, the Blue Whale is said to be the largest animal to have ever existed in the world. Seeing these magnificent creatures is a must at least once in a lifetime. So head over to Mirissa in Sri Lanka, and feast your eyes on this glorious beast!

Where?

Mirissa | Image Credit: Surf Forecast
Mirissa | Image Credit: Surf Forecast

The coastal hamlet of Mirissa is tucked away in the south of Sri Lanka, in the Matara District. It’s close to three hours away from the Bandaranaike International Airport so you will have to come prepared to stay in Mirissa. Accommodation won’t be a problem as there are plenty of options ranging from budget hotels and hostels like those by Yoho Bed to even luxury resorts should you want to splurge a bit.

How?

Whale Watching | Image Credit: Do Packup
Whale Watching | Image Credit: Go Packup

There are quite a number of whale watching tours available in Mirissa but do your research first, read up on reviews and find out what is best, because it’s very important that you go with a trusted service provider in order to avoid any scams or worst, accidents. The most trusted option would be to go with the Sri Lanka Navy, they offer tours that cost US$ 60 for foreigners (US$ 30 for kids). A typical tour would last for up to 4 hours.

What to Take?

Whale Watching Mirissa | Image Courtesy: Southern Whale
Whale Watching Mirissa | Image Courtesy: Southern Whale

Sunscreen! Make sure to apply it way before you set out. And take care to also take a hat and some sunnies. Since you’re gonna be stuck on the boat for four hours at sea, best to pack a few snacks too. Some tour agencies offer this as part of the package but it’s always best to take some food of your own. And most importantly, if you’re prone to be sick at sea be sure to take medication for it.

And Finally, What You’re Going to See!

Blue Whales

Blue Whales | Image Courtesy : Steuart Holidays
Blue Whales | Image Courtesy : Steuart Holidays

It’s said that the waters around Mirissa are rich in plankton, a kind of micro-organisms which the whales feed on. Because of this, marine biologists believe that there is a resident population of blue whales resulting in constant sightings, especially during the peak season between November to April.

Sperm Whales

Sperm Whales Mirissa | Image Courtesy:
Sperm Whales Mirissa | Image Courtesy: Blue Whale Mirissa

and…Dolphins!

Dolphins in Mirissa | Image Courtesy : Lanka Leisure Travel
Dolphins in Mirissa | Image Courtesy : Lanka Leisure Travel

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Surfing in Ahangama

Image Credit | Cantaloupe Levels
Image Credit | Cantaloupe Levels

The tropical island of Sri Lanka; complete with soft sands and sunny beaches are the perfect setting for your island vacation. Ahangama is located about 20 minutes from this quiet town of Unawatuna, a popular tourist destination on the island, so if you’re staying at a hotel such as Cantaloupe Levels, you can easily get to Ahangama! With a number of options for a hotel in Unawatuna, you’ll be able to find one to suit your specific budget and style.

Most parts of Ahangama beach is known to be ideal for experienced or intermediate surfers as the waves are quite large and regular, but there are some parts of the beach which are perfect for beginners. With many surf schools and surfing camps around, you can get your beginners lessons before heading out to ride some amazing waves in Sri Lanka!

If you don’t have your board, there are plenty of surf rental spots around the golden shores where you can rent a good sturdy surf board to cruise the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean. When you’re done surfing, make sure to hydrate and fill your belly up with some island delights. King coconut is known to refresh and replenish instantly and is the best thing to indulge in after an exhausting day of paddling out to the big blue and riding the warm waves. With many restaurants in the area, you can also grab a quick bite to eat or make your way back to your hotel for some rest and relaxation.

The beaches in southern Sri Lanka are best known for being popular with surfers and snorkelers. Therefore if you’re looking for a relaxing activity after a day surfing, rent a pair of snorkels and explore the colourful variety of marine creatures swimming around the lively reefs in the south.

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

Google+

Windsurfing in Maldives -It’s just you, the board, the sail, and the wind

Goldi64 at the German language WikipediaWales WindsurferCC BY-SA 3.0

The Maldivian isles are by far one of the finest of holiday destinations to retire to either with family or your best mates. A range of leisure activities ranging from surfing, wakeboarding to even deep sea fishing can be enjoyed throughout one’s time here.

Blessed with warm, temperate waters and constant gusts of winds from all the right directions one could hardly conceive of a more appropriate environment to engage in windsurfing than the Maldives. The period between May and October is considered windsurfing season in the country as wind conditions pick up after the rains. With windsurfing, you catch the wind as you sail and glide across the lagoon. You have boards and sails on offer in Maldives, but you need to know your basics. Once you land in Maldives you will find a plethora of water sports centers that offer various services. Even the hotels will have very good facilities that will enable you to enjoy a memorable and safe time in the lapis lazuli waters. Check with the Maldives luxury resort you are staying in; some of these resorts such as the COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives have experts to will train you to master windsurfing. Windsurfing professioanls have different strategies and tips to stay balanced while in the activity. One-legged sailing is one strategy, which will shape up your fitness.

More experience thrill seekers engaged in windsurfing in Maldives may want to consider visiting this island between the months of October and May while beginners will find almost any time of the year ideal for this sport. May to October is considered the monsoon season so you can expect to find consistently strong winds that will propel you at great speeds.

 

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi

Image Credit: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

The camels are seen free roaming while driving around one of Middle East’s popular cities among tourists. Camels trekking is often regarded as a must do to enjoy the complete experience of Abu Dhabi desert holidays. Camel treks are offered by private tour operators as well as hotels in Abu Dhabi. One such hotel is Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara which offers two daily camel treks one at sunrise and one at sunset.

Camels are gentle animals and the treks are often done in small groups. There is a handler for the camels and a guide who would take part in the tour. The sitting and standing motion of the camels requires one to hold on tight to them as they can be quite quick.

The journey on these gentle giants through the sand dunes can be truly mesmerising and will help one understand why they are referred to as “ships of the desert”. The back and forth movement, as well as the side by side sway, all depict the movement of a ship. It is not only a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the sand dunes but also to learn quite a bit about these magnificent animals. Camels are animals that can go about a month without water! They can often store up to 120 Litres of water. However a misconception among many is that they store water in their humps, but this is not true. The humps store fats if they don’t eat over a period of time their humps start to reduce and this is because they use up the fats.

However, the guests on the treks will be provided with adequate water and refreshments at the summit of a dune where they can enjoy the sunset and snap away!

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.

Google+

Snorkelling Trip to Khai Island

Angelique800326Snorkel-xel-haCC BY-SA 3.0

Khai Islands are located about 10 km from Phuket. Comprising of three small islands; Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui, each island is blessed with an abundant number of marine life. The sands at Khai Islands are picture perfect – almost as if popped out of a postcard, with white soft sands and clear blue water that allures you from the moment you set your feet down. The waters around each island are safe and ideal for swimming and snorkelling and the white sandy beaches are best for relaxing and basking under the warm glow of the sun.

If you’re staying at a Phuket resort, you must take a traditional long tail boat ride to the Khai Island for a snorkelling adventure. Some accommodation providers such as COMO Hotels & Resorts, offer day time excursions for those who wish to explore the beauty of marine life living within the warm tropical ocean waters. A boat ride from Phuket should take on average 45 minutes to Khai Islands. A planned tour will first take you to Khai Nui which is surrounded by the colourful reefs that are teeming with fish like eels, clownfish, giant clams and many more. After you spend a couple of hours exploring and snorkelling here, you’ll be transported to the second island known as Khai Nok. This island is the best place to buy some fresh seafood, which will then later be grilled on a BBQ, as you unwind and relax with a chilled beer or a refreshing cocktail by the side of the beach. You can also rent jet skis and go for a spin on the azure waters around the islands. Khai Nai is the largest island of the three, while Khai Nui is comparatively the smallest.

Tourists who spend the day snorkelling here are advised not to feed the fish and leave as little a mark as possible so as not to damage the natural environment and its eco system.

 

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+