July, 2019 | The Adventure Travel Site

Things to do in Saudi Arabia

Heir to its rich history, Saudi Arabia extends through most of the northern and central Arabian Peninsula. Religion, tribalism and untold wealth are the three elements that have fuelled the country’s history. Here are a few places you can visit when in Saudi Arabia.

Masmak Fortress

This large structure was built around 1865 and looks like it’s right out of a movie. If you’re interested in going through highlights showcasing Saudi Arabia from the years 1912 to 1937, the diverse galleries found in this site exhibit maps and photographs.

Al Shafee Mosque

One of the finest mosques in Jeddah, the historic Al Shafee mosque is named after one of the four great imams of Sunni Islam. The mosque is made according to the Ottoman style, as seen by the impressive minaret. The building also dates back to the 16 century but has been beautifully restored and maintained.

Ithra

20 minutes from Ascott Corniche Al Khobar is where you’ll find this world-class cultural centre. The one of a kind building resembles a space station and is home to a number of things such as; a cinema, exhibition galleries, a library, a museum and a theatre. When you’re at one of the many Al Khobar apartments, take time off to visit this iconic building.

National Museum

One of the finest museums found in the Middle East, this state-of-the-art museum is situated in Riyadh. Inside of this building, you’ll find eight informative galleries different aspects of Saudi Arabia, such as culture, art and history.

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

Hiking in the Hills

You can experience a different side of the country that is a far cry from the sun and surf of its world-class beaches by going into the mountains. At 2,000 m above sea level, Ella Rock is 5 km from the town and one of the most picturesque stretches of rolling moorland in the hills.

Ella Rock | Image Credit : A-wiki-guest-user, Ella Rock near waterfall, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Right Path

There are several trekking trails in Ella and not all of them are clearly marked so it would be beneficial to do some thorough research on which trails you plan to use on your hike. Hiring a tour specialist such as Nature Odyssey would ensure that you get to see all the hidden treasures and be guaranteed to make it safely up and down the slope.

Railway Stations Frozen in Time

An independent hike would take approximately 3 – 4 hours beginning and ending at the Ella Railway Station which, in itself is an image from a postcard, frozen in its colonial elegance. Trekking in Sri Lanka from such locales can take you through a myriad of beautiful locations, both man-made and natural, that are usually overlooked.

Through the Tall Grass

You can walk up the tracks to the next station, Kithal Ella and turn left at the 166 ½ marker. After a while, you will come to a footbridge crossing and a fork in the road. Take the path to the left. Traversing past a tea plantation and a narrow stretch of long grass will bring you to the interim viewing point.

Bird’s Eye View

After that, it’s a straight road to the top. The whole world spills away into the distance as far as your eye can see. A bird’s eye view of paradise awaits

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+

Exploring the Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka

Looking to take a ride on Sri Lanka’s wild side? Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve anything dangerous, but rather a thrilling safari at the Wilpattu National Park home to some exotic wildlife!

Image credit-Thimindu Goonatillake from Sri Lanka, Gallus lafayetii -Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka-8, CC BY-SA 2.0

Making the Journey

Located about 30 km from Puttalam, Wilpattu National Park can be found on the island’s northwest coast. While you can plan a visit here by yourself, another option would be to enlist the services of tour specialists the likes of Silvertree Travel which offer visits to Wilpattu as part of their packages.

The Distinctive “Willus”

One of the key features of the park is its natural lakes or “willus” made up of rainwater. These lakes are a part of Wilpattu’s delicate ecosystem and attract a range of animal and birdlife too.

An Exciting Safari

Going on a safari in Wilpattu National Park will be a definite highlight of adventure tour packages in Sri Lanka since it lets you see such diverse wildlife. Among the highlights are the Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan sloth bear and Sri Lankan elephant; but that’s not all, you may also see mugger crocodiles, Indian pythons, Sambar deer, purple-faced langurs, water buffaloes and Bengal monitors too.

Birds of a Feather

Birdlife abounds here with species such as the great egret, stork-billed kingfisher, Indian peafowl, Sri Lankan junglefowl and painted stork being spotted at the park. Due to its lakes, Wilpattu also attracts wetland birds including the whistling teal, white ibis and cattle egret. Bird lovers have much to look forward to!

Encounters with Sri Lankan Leopards

Did you know that Yala National Park has the highest density of leopards in a national park in the world? That makes it the ideal location to spot the Sri Lankan Leopard while on a safari.

Yala National Park

The 950 square kilometre Yala National Park can be found on the south-eastern coast and is the preferred location for a leopard safari in Sri Lanka. You can visit this reserve on an eco-friendly adventure tour offered by the likes of Nature Odyssey. If you’re lucky, you will also spot jackals, elephants, deer, monkeys, sloth bears, water buffalos, land and water monitors and over 200 species of birds.

Sri Lankan Leopards

The Sri Lankan Leopard is a dapper russet yellow big cat with dark spots and is the largest subspecies of leopard in the world. At roughly 78 kgs, the males are 30% larger than females and are found throughout the country in various habitats. While leopards are considered nocturnal, it is common to spot them in the early mornings or late evenings.

An Endangered Beauty

However, the leopard count in Sri Lanka has fallen to 250 animals due to poaching and fragmentation of habitat. The Sri Lankan Leopard has been listed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as endangered.

Big Cat Conservation

The Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT) is working together with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation to study the leopard and aid in its conservation. It is hoped that with a concerted effort the leopard population will once again thrive in Sri Lanka

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+

Encounters with Elephants in Sri Lanka

The country’s largest land mammal, ‘Elephas maximus maximus’ or the Sri Lankan elephant is an endemic and iconic animal that is worth seeing in its natural habitat. Here are some insights into this majestic creature.

Ideal for Safaris

Featuring one of the world’s highest Asian elephant densities, the island offers plenty of opportunities to see these gentle giants up close. Most herds can be found in the dry zone national parks which are ideal for those looking to embark on an elephant safari in Sri Lanka.

The Gathering

No mention of elephants in Sri Lanka is complete without highlighting The Gathering; taking place at the Minneriya National Park, this wildlife spectacle sees 200 to 300 elephants gather in and around the Minneriya Reservoir! This generally takes place between August to mid-October and can be experienced on safaris organised by Cinnamon Nature Trails and other specialised tour operators.

Other National Parks

Of course, Minneriya is not the only national park for an elephant safari. The Udawalawe, Wasgamuwa, Yala and Kaudulla national parks, as well as the Hurulu Eco Park, also let you see these creatures in the wild.

Some Interesting Facts

• Elephants are strictly herbivorous
• They spend 16 to 18 hours per day eating
• A matriarch leads the herd
• The Sri Lankan elephant is between 7 to 10 feet in height
• From the male elephants in Sri Lanka, only around 5% have tusks
• Elephants have very good memories and can recognise humans or other elephants years or decades later; hence the phrase, “an elephant never forgets!”

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Malaysian Grand Prix Travel Guide

Sepang started hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1999 and it quickly became a success due to several factors which boosted its allure. Sepang itself is a city of many attractions and this is the reason why people flock to Sepang even though the Grand Prix is no longer hosted here. Want to find out more about Sepang?

1). Why Sepang?

The Sepang International Circuit offered views unlike no other when it came to vantage points of the race and also, tickets were amongst the cheapest found on the Formula 1 calendar. While you’re ticking off things to do in Sepang if you happen to be looking for accommodation, there are several options, like Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort for example.

2). Traits of The Track

The Sepang Circuit has offered for some adrenaline-inducing views with its wide, long straights that follow into tight corners which make for dramatic overtakes!

3). Deadly Weather

From 2001 to 2015 the races were consistently slotted in between March and April even though that is when the western monsoon came to town, bringing with it heavy rains which make for terrifying driving! Thankfully, this was later shifted.

4). Activities in Sepang

Take a break from the city, cars and head to GK Organic Farm where you will be taught how to select organic food! Or go to Flight Landing View, pull over and enjoy spectacular views of aircraft landing within close proximity!

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+

Putrajaya Challenge Park

One of Asia’s most extensive extreme park facilities, Putrajaya Challenge Park was open to the public in 2009 and is situated in a 30-hectare park in Putrajaya’s Precinct 5, accessible from any of the hotels in Putrajaya. It has three attraction divisions:

Rock Climbing

The indoor rock-climbing complex is situated within a 2,100 sq. ft. gymnasium. It’s trapezoidal climbing walls are up to 20 metres tall. The complex is divided into 6 zones; zone A Expert Bouldering Wall, Zone B Beginners Bouldering Wall, Zone C Expert Lead Wall, Zone D Top Roping Wall, Zone E Speed Climbing Wall, and Zone F Intermediate Lead Wall. There’s also a complex for children.

Skate Park and Thrill Park

The Skate and Thrill park have been designed for skateboards, inline skating, BMX biking, stunt biking and rollerblading. You can hire a bike at the location which has a concrete contoured area, a dirt track and slop style jumping. Entrance is free.

Mountain Bike Trails

The Mountain Bike Trail is 9.1 km and customised to suit the bikes. The trail is considered “very technical and one of the best in Asia” by mountain biking enthusiasts. The trail twists through a former rubber and palm oil plantation. They rent bikes as well as have 6 courses graded from easy to moderate and difficult.

When to Go

The Putrajaya Challenge Park is an 11-minute drive from Dorsett Putrajaya on the Jalan P5. The skating track and the biking trail are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and entrance is free, while the entrance fee for the Rock-Climbing gym is fairly reasonable.

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+

A Comprehensive Guide to Street Food in Colombo

In Sri Lanka, street food culture has existed for a very long time. It was developed as a necessity in Colombo as in some locations the population density was so thick houses weren’t equipped with cooking facilities. So, they took to setting up stalls outside on the street for everyone to go get their food from.

String Hoppers on Galle Road

The Galle Road is famous for street food and one famous dish that can be found here is string hoppers, a staple for both breakfast and dinner that is served with coconut sambol and curry. Try Green Cabin, for rumour, has it they are the best. Such hotspots can be found within a 4-10 minute drive from Cinnamon Red Colombo if you’re a foodie looking for where to stay in Colombo.

Samosa at the Pettah Train Station

Samosa|Via-Pixabay,Ashish_Choudhary ,CC0

At Pettah’s central station, samosas aren’t the only “short eats” (the equivalent of pastries to Sri Lankans.) On a walk through the station area you will find the best vegetable or chicken samosas in the country. There’s also beef if you need more bite in this fried triangle-shaped snack.

Pani-Pol in Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia

On the Galle Road beach stretch from Wellawatte to Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia a ‘must try’ is the pani pol – pancakes made from coconut topped in palm treacle and stuffed with coconut and sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, this one’s for you.

Kottu at Hotel de New Pilawoos

If you’ve wondered what the metallic beats that follow you through the streets of Colombo at night are, that’s a street vendor making your next order of kottu rotti. Kottu is made of rotti julienned and mixed together with eggs, meats, spices, curry, cheese and assorted vegetables. You can eat it anywhere, but branches of Hotel de New Pilawoos are particularly popular.

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The Story of Sigiriya

In Sri Lankan history, King Kashyapa I is known famously as the king who murdered his father and built a rock fortress in fear of retaliation from his brother. This story is just as fascinating as the attraction itself!

Staying in Sigiriya

Before reading on for more, do make sure you book a Dambulla resort or hotel in Sigiriya Sri Lanka that’s within easy reach of the rock fortress. Staying at properties the likes of The Paradise Resort & Spa make it convenient to plan a morning climb to the summit of Sigiriya.

The Tragedy of Sigiriya

Now back to the story! Kashyapa was the elder son of King Dhatusena, the warrior king who repelled Indian invaders and established peace in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. As he was not born of the royal consort as his brother Mogallana, Kashyapa was not the heir to the throne despite being the eldest.

Betrayed by Family

The king’s nephew General Migara instigated Kashyapa to usurp the throne. There was resentment between Dhatusena and the general, though the real reason is not known. This led to Kashyapa ordering his father killed in a murderous rage. And it was Migara that had King Dhatusena plastered into the wall of his irrigation tank.

The Aftermath

Kashyapa’s brother fled in terror and Kashyapa was devastated by his father’s death. He heard from Migara that Mogallana was amassing an army in India and that might have been what triggered Kashyapa to move his capital to Sigiriya; however, alternate stories say he was just trying to complete a project started by his father.

The End of a Legend

Mogallana did come back to claim his rightful place and had Kashyapa remained in his impenetrable fortress, he would not have lost the battle. But heeding Migara’s words, he came down to the plains to fight his brother. The story goes that something spooked Kashyapa’s royal elephant causing it to turn away from the front and Migara seeing this told the gathered soldiers that their king had fled. Kashyapa on seeing his army scatter fell upon his sword and died.

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+

Macau Travel Tips

Macau’s reputation has earned itself the nickname “The Vegas of China”! Did the destination pique your interest? Once colonised by the Portuguese, this city has turned out to be a wonderful option if you are more of a city traveller. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if plan to visit Macau.

Senado Square | Image Credit : Kounosu, Senado Square in Macau01, CC BY-SA 3.0

Travelling to and from the city

Travelling to and from Macau has been made easy since the 23rd of October in 2018 when the HZMB was introduced. This is one major bridge that connects Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macau. One can either opt to travel by private vehicles or take the 24-hour Shuttle service. Furthermore, if you want a more scenic route a ferry ride would be ideal too.

Where to stay

It would be wise to choose your stay according to the attractions you wish to see on your visit. The Ruins of St Paul’s and Senado Square are situated towards the older side of the city. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of Macau serviced apartments and other options. Places like Ascott Macau have special deals to make things easy.

Currency to use

Macau does have its own currency which is called Macanese Patacas (MOP). Although this is used, the Hong Kong dollar too will be accepted more frequently. The exchange rate between the two currencies stands at a ratio of 1:1.

Casinos

This is one of the main attraction of the city of Macau. The best part of it all is that you can sign up for free! It is important that you remember to bring along your passport though as it is necessary for registration. Sign up and test your luck!

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+