Best sights in Beruwala

If you are planning on a vacation to Sri Lanka anytime soon and will be spending a few days in Beruwala, here are a few places you must go to.

Beach, Birds, Dawn, Dusk, Hd Wallpaper, Nature, Ocean
Image by: Pexels via pixabay | CC0

The Beruwala Beach

Being a coastal vacation destination, the first place you will obviously visit is the Beruwala beach. Compared to the other popular beaches in Sri Lanka, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that this place is serene and not as crowded. If you are choosing to stay at 5 star resorts in Sri Lanka the likes of The Eden Resort & Spa Beruwala, then the beach is pretty close.

Brief Garden

Everyone who knows anything about architecture and designing would have heard of the Brief Garden way ahead of their trip to Beruwala, and for good reason too. The history attached to this place will blow your mind, and spending a day inside this beautifully curated work of art will be wonderful for your soul.

The Barberyn Island Lighthouse

If you are into photography and are on the lookout for great landscapes with a touch of history, this is where you must go to. This ancient lighthouse has a very royal feel to it and will take you back in time, the closer you get to it.

The Richmond Castle

Found near Kalutara, this castle speaks of the grandeur and style of days gone by. Artefacts that speak of the Sri Lankan history can also be found within these walls. This is yet another highly visited attraction in the area.

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

Why Sri Lanka is Ideal for Adventurous Travellers

Sri Lanka is the perfect vacation location for adventure-seeking travellers. There is plenty to do and most of it does not involve putting your life in mortal danger. Here are a few of the most adventurous experiences in Sri Lanka.

Wildlife Safaris

Sri Lanka has three major wildlife reserve, famous of which is Yala which is home to the largest density of Sri Lankan leopards in the world. There are also sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles and sambhurs not to mention the very many species of birds.

That’s only on land, at sea, there are all year round sites for dolphin and whale watching.

Picturesque Train Rides

The three major long-distance train lines; Colombo – Jaffna, Colombo – Kandy – Ella and The Southern Coastal Line are some of the most picturesque train rides in the world. Hang out of the open doors for the best views and some breath-taking photography.

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Chandimal Pathirage from Gampaha, Sri Lanka, Udarata ManikeCC BY 2.0

The Surf Party

The South and East of the country are not only packed with pristine beaches each more magical than the next, there are some great places to surf and really take on the waves. Surf all day and party all night for these beaches come equipped with a wild nightlife.

Two Men Carrying Surfboards Near Seashore

 

An Adrenaline Pumping Climb

Scale the beautiful blue-tinged mountains on a hike through the wilds or climb for the history and architectural wonder as it is in the case of Sigiriya and its rock fortress or Adam’s Peak; a holy site for all four major religions in the country.

There is plenty of adventure to be had and sometimes in the case of high-flying long-distance bus rides, you don’t have to go looking for it. Plan the perfect adventure in Sri Lanka with tour operators like Tangerine Tours.

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+

Green Jungle Park

If you are a person who likes to involve some nature activities in your vacation then visiting the Green Jungle park is a must.

About the park

What was once rubbish and garbage dump is now a beautifully preserved forest. With an amazing waterfall that acts as a backdrop to this park, the view here is nothing short of splendid. The conservation society in this area has shown how people can change nature for the better when they set their minds to it.

Location

The green jungle park is located about 30 kilometres away from the city and you have to travel south to access the area. If you are staying at the hotel in Luang Prabang the likes of Avani+ Luang Prabang you can get yourself a cab and also get the directions from the help desk.

Activities inside the park

Within the park, you will find that there is a zipline activity space that stretches out to about 900 metres along with rope courses and monkey bridges. Partaking in these would be fun for everyone in the group.

Zipline, Ziplining, Trees, Sport, Adventure, Forest

Food and drink

Within the green jungle park, you will also find that there is a cafe where you can have a few snacks and a cold drink after you enjoy the activities, look around the flower gardens, take a dip in the natural swimming pools and explore the produce market.

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

Penang Travel Guide

Penang is a perfect mix of different cultures where Chinese, Indians and Malays reside together. Penang has a population of 1.8 million and there’s plenty to keep you occupied! Here’s a list.

Image credit- Semi-auto2018 New Year Fireworks in George Town, PenangCC BY-SA 4.0

Blue Mansion

Also known as the most photographed building in George Town, this beautiful building was built in the 1880s. The 38 room and 228 window mansion contain several unique features, each explained through guided tours. You must listen to the story of Cheong Fatt Tze, the ‘rags to riches’ Hakka merchant commissioned the blue mansion for his 7th wife.

Penang National Park

15 minutes from PARKROYAL Penang Resort and easy to get to from any Penang hotel, the Penang National Park is Malaysia’s smallest national park. There are trails with varying distances, each serving gorgeous views of nature!

Butterfly Farm

For a completely beautiful and surreal experience, you mustn’t miss the Butterfly Farm! Over 15,000 free-flying butterflies together with 200 species of varying fauna, you get to learn all about butterflies and their lives.

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+

03 Day Itinerary to Seminyak

Sometimes even the backpackers and hardcore explorers simply need a break. Seminyak is the best place to rest and simply take a breather from all the adventuring you’ve been up to in the past few weeks. Here is how to both unwind and have a little fun for a full three days on this amazing holiday in Bali.

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Image by: Free-Photos  via pixabay | CC0

 

Getting there

Getting to Seminyak from Ngurah Rai International Airport takes just 15 minutes with a fixed taxi rate for better convenience. So, hop on one and get over! There are plenty of lovely places to stay, one of them being Katamama in the area.

 

Spend day one on relax mode!

After arriving at your hotel in Seminyak Bali, it’s time to just get out by the pool and probably laze about in the sun for a nice tan. A bit of surfing wouldn’t do you any harm either! Don’t forget to explore the cuisine available here for some refuelling. A session at the local spa is not a bad idea for some further relaxation.

 

A little more energetic on day two?

Rested enough and found some renewed energy for the day? That’s great if you are all up and ready to go exploring just a little bit. How about a horse ride to through the rice field? This is indeed a unique experience offering lovely views while on horseback. Later on, why not immerse yourself at one of the dive spots in Seminyak to explore the world underwater.

 

Visit the surrounding area on day three

If the wanderlust inside of you is just too much to keep you cooped up in your room for too long, then you might as well do some exploring. Visit the surrounding areas and maybe do a little shopping too. Another visit to a spa-like Bodyworks just because you deserve some pampering is totally fine! Head to a mellow bar for the evening to top it all.

 

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

SCUBA Diving in the Maldives

On land , the Maldives is everything; the perfect island paradise. It is all that and much more, underwater, with spectacular marine life and colourful coral structures. As such it has become a must-visit location for snorkelling and

Tchami, Maldives (32684393662), CC BY-SA 2.0

SCUBA diving enthusiasts.
Coral structures are abundant in the Maldives and a conscious effort is being made by hotels and resorts situated on the islands to preserve the corals and provide them with a rich habitat to thrive in.

Diving in the Maldives
Maldives diving is mostly done from liveaboards with the current acting as the anchor that drives you forward. It makes one great ride as the currents ebb and flow through the atolls and bring you in close quarters to all the wide varieties of fish. Diving facilities are often provided by resorts like Kandolhu Maldives.

Features of the Sites
There are two features at dive sites that scuba divers will encounter, and they are the pinnacles and current swept channels. If you are exploring the channels you will come across caves and caverns and are lush in soft coral.

The pinnacles are often found in atoll lagoons and shoot straight up almost breaking the surface. They are home to sessile life forms that act as a great base for sponges and soft corals. This, in turn, makes it the perfect habitat for crustaceans and schools of fish.
Swimming out from the reefs will bring you in close quarters of the pelagics which include eagle rays, manta rays and a great many species of shark.

 

A Family Trip to Doha, Qatar

Doha, Qatar is constantly developing, and even the tourism sector in it. People say the political situations can have changed the country’s overall aspect, but, no- it has done so little to halt the tourism sector for it’s ever blooming.

StellarD, Corniche Doha Qatar, CC BY-SA 4.0

Is it worth to have a family trip to Doha?
There are several 5 Star Hotels in Doha that offer family packages when you seek for your accommodation facilities. If you select Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli for your stays, remember the Superior Room has a king bed, twin beds and all that it takes to make your family happy.

Desert trips with family
A desert trip is a must to take if you go on a family trip to Doha. You can try some fun with dune bashing first and then go on a couple of camel rides during your desert trips with the family. This will be a good experience for the kids too.

What do kids have to do?
With kids, visiting the MIA playground is a fantastic idea. Also, don’t forget to pay a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art to which entrance is free to anyone. Wander around Souq Waqif with your family and enjoy some good shopping with all!

Getting around in Doha
Walking with kids is always the best option, but if it’s too far, you may also get a cab to get to the place where you want. Taxis in Doha are reasonable too so that either way will be fine!

 

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Doha

If you are planning to visit the stunning city of Doha, you really should include the sites which are described in the article below into your travel itinerary.

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Doha skyline | Francisco Anzola | Flickr

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is one of the most remarkable attractions in Doha. You will be able to take in the incredible sights of the region as you take a casual stroll along its winding pathways. The culture of the land is aptly displayed in every corner of this stunning destination. You will be able to reach it with immense ease as you stay at centrally located hotels in Doha Qatar. You can consider staying at hotels like Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli to make the most of your travel experience.

Al-Corniche

Al-Corniche is yet another fascinating attraction that really should not be missed when travelling in Doha. This magnificent seaside promenade stretches alluringly for several kilometres, offering breathtaking views of Doha Bay. It is a perfect place to spend a casual evening with your loved ones.

Falcon Souq

Falconry in Doha is incredibly popular. You can enjoy a delightful cultural experience as you visit the famous Falcon Souq in Doha. There is also a falcon hospital located in close proximity to the market which provides information about these beautiful birds.

Fanar
You will be able to learn interesting details about Islamic Arts at the famous Fanar, which is a beautiful spiral mosque.

 

 

Explore Koneswaram Kovil

The temple is known as Thirukonamalai Konesar and is what gave the city its name “Trincomalee.” It’s one of the most sacred medieval temples for the Hindu devotees. It sits atop Swami Rock, also known as Konamalai and has been referred to in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. During its golden age, it was known as the Rome of the Gentiles.

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Shamli071, Spiritual 16, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Ravana Connection

The Ramayana tells of the temple being patronised by Ravana the legendary king of Lanka and his mother who was a pious devotee of Shiva. Legend has it that Ravana was attempting to lift the temple and take it to his mother after she fell ill and could no longer visit the temple, but the god in anger made Ravana trip and he dropped his sword where it created the cut on the cliff face which is known to this day Ravana’s Cleft.

The Temple of a Thousand Pillars

The temple was said to consist of a thousand golden pillars and richly decorated thanks to the generosity of the Chola dynasties and after them the Pandayan kings. The temple contains carvings that date back as far as the 5th century.

The Colonial Desolation

The temple can be visited today with a short drive through Fort Frederick from any of the resorts in Trincomalee. However, the present temple was reconstructed recently after the old temple was shoved off the cliff into the sea by Portuguese invaders. Arranging a tour with a resort like Trinco Blu by Cinnamon will give visitors some background to what they will be seeing.

The Ancient City of Sigiriya

One of the most popular historic sites in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya was named a UNESCO Heritage Site and is a brief capital of a tragic king who ruled during the 5th century.

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Sevenryder, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

A Brief History

The fortress and city surrounding the rock was built around the 5th century by Kashyapa who became king after murdering his father as he had no legitimate claim for the throne being the son of a concubine even though he was the eldest.

He left the capital Anuradhapura behind for fear that his half-brother would seek revenge. He made sure the fortress was impenetrable with fortified walls, moats and a network of waterways that would flood the city and make it impassable.

When his half-brother did come, Kashyapa met him outside of the fortress in battle and died by falling on his sword. How it got to that is shrouded in mystery.

Sigiriya was lost to history after that and was only discovered in the early 1800s. Kashyapa’s rule though it lasted no more than 11 years made the city the spectacle it is today, even in ruins.

Tips to Remember

Sigiriya can be accessed from two small cities nearby; Dambulla and Habarana; each with a drive less than 30 minutes. The site belongs to the Cultural Triangle and is a celebrated area by both tourists and locals in Sri Lanka. Resort hotels have come up in the area to cater to the many tourists. One of the closer resorts is Habarana Village by Cinnamon.