September, 2019 | The Adventure Travel Site

Traveling the Maldives on a Budget: It’s Possible!

You may have always pictured the Maldives as an expensive tourist destination, but as per the current state, it is really not. Although Maldivian islands are the homes for many of the super-luxury resorts and private apartments, there are also inexpensive options for you to follow during your tour.

Go for good accommodation options

If you are searching for the very best resorts in the Maldives, you will have to forget the affordability factor. But, since Maldivian islands have been attracting budget travelers in bulk for the past couple of years, now there are good places to stay for reasonable prices, which you can try out.

Use local transportation modes

You may have to forget seaplanes if you are budget concerned. Always use local ferries that are available or even the boat services that are offered by local fishermen in islands. You have the option of speedboats, but they are expensive.

Find inexpensive excursions

Many resort properties belonging to chains the likes of Adaaran Maldives provide their visitors the excursion experiences. There is a saving you can make when you book an excursion through the hotel, rather than direct booking with a third-party service provider.

Take good food-at affordable rates

The best thing is that there are many Maldivian resorts that provide free breakfast options. For other meals, you may try restaurants on your island, but make sure you check their rates before you order your food.

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+

See the Best of Colombo in a Day

For starters, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, Colombo, has so much to see, you should ideally spend more than a day here! But, if you only have one day, here’s what to add to your itinerary.

Colombo Fort

A bustling area which offers some bargaining shopping too, Colombo Fort is easy to reach be you staying at a budget or luxury hotel Colombo has to offer. Within its maze of streets, you will find all manner of shops and pavement vendors selling everything from clothes and mobile phones to fresh fruits and sweets.

Gangaramaya Temple

To soak up some culture, head to the Gangaramaya Temple located near Beira Lake and around a five minute drive from Cinnamon Grand Colombo. This sacred Buddhist site features a mix of architectural styles and also has a fascinating museum with an eclectic array of statues and items given as gifts.

Independence Square

One of Colombo’s most popular spots for recreation and relaxation, Independence Square is also home to the Independence Memorial Hall which is worth a visit. You can spend time exploring the area, enjoying bike rides or indulging in some retail therapy at the adjoining Arcade Independence Square mall.

Galle Face Green

The ideal place to end the day, Galle Face Green is a public space beside the ocean where one can just unwind, fly kites or even have a family picnic. There’s a small stretch of shore if you want to get your feet wet in the waves, while you can also try some of Colombo’s famous street food here including “kottu roti”.

Best Attractions in Yangon

Yangon was once the capital of Myanmar, known as Rangoon when the country was Burma. It is a very interesting city which was in the background as a tourist spot compared to giant tourist pullers like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Today it is slowly coming into the spotlight and is an experience unlike any other. Here are some must-see sites in Yangon.

Shwedagon Pagoda

The Shwedagon Pagoda is the most important temple in Myanmar and is such a spectacular sight that can be seen from many angles of the city. The main pagoda is 325 ft tall and the entire temple takes over two hours to explore. The Burmese believe that the temples are over 2,600 years old.

Maha Bandula Road Night Market

The Maha Bandula Road Night Market is a bizarre and loud market that is always crowded and is a complete kaleidoscope of smells. You can try the local beer which is also called Myanmar and maybe try a fried insect if you feel like it. It is about 10 minutes by car from PARKROYAL Yangon.

Kandawgyi Lake

Kandawgyi Lake and Nature Park is a great place for a little quiet in a loud and boisterous city. If you’ve come out to explore the city from a hotel in Yangon Myanmar and you want to explore the Great Royal Lake you can spend some time in Kandawgyi. It is also a great place for a lunch or dinner stop.

China Town

Maha Bandula Road and other street food stalls are all situated in China Town making it the best place to grab a bite.

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

The Maldives Travel Guide

A Maldives vacation does not always have to be an expensive holiday that empties your wallet. To know how you can plan a great holiday, read on.

Image result for Maldives — Priyaflorenceshah, Gangway at Medhufushi Island Resort in the Maldives, CC BY-SA 4.0

Places to Explore

Once you land in the Maldives, you will probably go right to your resort island unless you choose to stay in Male. Many a beach resort in Maldives the likes of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives have their own island spaces and private beaches for your joy. At the end of your holiday, you could look around Male before you board your flight back home.

Things to do

Known for its wide range of water sports offered, Maldives is not short of activities for you to partake in while on a holiday there. From scuba diving to jet skiing, kayaking and dolphin watching, there are things to do for all kinds of vacationers.

Costs

The Maldives is quite an expensive place to holiday at, and you must keep in mind that food and drinks on the islands are imported and are, therefore, costlier too. To get the full benefit of a cheaper Maldivian vacation, try to visit during the offseason, as you will find more deals then.

Ways to Save

When booking accommodation, go for the full board packages including food as easting out when in the Maldives can be quite a costly adventure. You will likely get the same yummy Maldivian food right at your hotel buffet every morning.

In the Hills of Sri Lanka’s Tea Country

The city of Kandy, compared to other cities in Sri Lanka, still maintains a firm grip on its past of kings and traditions. It was after all, resilient, withstanding the onslaughts of the Portuguese and the Dutch finally succumbing to the British colonial rule with the expulsion of the last king.

The City in Rain

Kandy has a very tightly packed city centre despite being the second biggest city in Sri Lanka after Colombo. It is one of the cities that is navigable even when it is raining. The rain adds a sheen of mystery to the city and covers it in a comfortable and cold mist.

The Lake, the Gardens, the Palace

Staying at any of the hotels in Kandy Sri Lanka will put you in very close vicinity to the Kandy Lake which is a small man-made lake in the middle of the city with a very bloody history. You will also be able to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic which is set in the middle of the former palace and the expansive Royal Botanical Gardens which are about a 15-minute drive from each other.

Tea All Around

Stay at a hotel like Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and tour the many tea estates around the city. The tea museum and Loolecondera; which is the first estate in the country are places that should be part of any itinerary. Have a cup of tea and meet a planter to understand all the work that goes into making the perfect cuppa.

The Most Thrilling Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a dream destination for those who love wildlife and this island nation is home to sanctuaries where one can see truly exotic species living wild and free.

Leopard Safaris

Yala is undoubtedly the premier spot for leopard safaris in Sri Lanka. Such safaris are organised by local adventure specialists the likes of Nature Odyssey and give one a chance to see this majestic and endemic predator along with a host of other animals; these include elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles.

Whale Safaris

When it comes to safaris in Sri Lanka, wildlife tours don’t have to be only on land! The waters off the coast of areas such as Kalpitiya, Trincomalee and Mirissa are where one can spot sperm whales, blue whales and killer whales, not forgetting countless dolphins too.

Elephant Safaris

Many of the national parks in Sri Lanka are great for elephant safaris, though the most popular is arguably the Minneriya National Park and for good reason; from late June to September the park is where one can witness “The Gathering” when hundreds of elephants can be seen in and around the reservoir.

Birdwatching Safaris

While spotting birds may not be your idea of “thrilling”, it certainly can be; just ask those who have enjoyed birdwatching at the Kumana National Park! This bird sanctuary hosts thousands of migrating birds, especially from April to July. Spoonbills, herons, pelicans, egrets and little cormorants are just some of the species that can be spotted here.\

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

Most Thrilling Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to a variety of flora and fauna and thus the nation places considerable emphasis on protecting its fragile and pristine natural ecosystems. One of the best ways to explore its natural beauty is by joining Wildlife Safaris. Read on to know about few of them.

Safari in Srilanka | Amila Tennakoon | Flickr

Yala Wildlife Safari

Composed of light forest, brackish lagoons, and grassy regions, Yala is one of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after nature reserves. The national park is home to a plethora of mammals including the elusive Sri Lankan leopard that is endemic to the country. You could witness these magnificent creatures up close and personal by signing up for a safari here.

Wilpattu national park safari

This park is located in the northwestern regions of the island and it is home to a large population of Sri Lankan elephants. Visitors could also see a variety of antelopes, deer and rare animals such as the Sri Lankan sloth bear during their safari tour.

Ocean Safaris

Since the country is located in the middle of a whale and dolphin migration route, there are a lot of whale and dolphin watching charters around the country. Seeing these magnificent creatures up close and personal in their natural habitat is something that is worth spending money on and it is not that expensive either.

Other safari tour experiences

There are a lot more safari experiences that you can partake during your time in Sri Lanka; there are rainforest, marshland and river safaris. You can select between these experience by choosing a travel operator for your Sri Lanka Wildlife Tours the likes of Cinnamon Nature Trails who bring in these experiences as packages which also includes your accommodation as well as your meals.

Exploring Darling Harbour Sydney

Darling Harbour is one of the places that you must visit if you are ever in Sydney. It is the perfect cocktail of entertainment and leisure. It is where most of the conventions and exhibitions that are held in Sydney will be located at. There are some great restaurants, cafés and hotels like PARKROYAL Darling Harbour Sydney where you can chill with the whole family or take a stroll by the waterfront.

Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia, Dawn, Skyline — Image by: pattyjansen via pixabay| CC0

How to Get There

Getting to Darling Harbour is quite easy. You can take the ferry and get off at King Street Wharf which is closest to the Sydney Aquarium. You can also alight from Pyrmont Bay Wharf which will bring you close to the Sydney Convention Centre and Harbourside.The other way to travel would be through train getting off at Town Hall station to exit to Bathurst Street which is only a short walk bring you out to the Darling Quarter.
If you’d prefer to take the light rail, it makes a stop at several of the Darling Harbour stations on its way from Central Station in the CBD and Inner West’s Lilyfield.
There is a bus from the CBD where most of the hotels in Sydney are located. It would be a hassle-free way to get to Darling Harbour. As you can see there is no shortage of ways to get there.

Relax in the Garden

The Chinese Garden of Friendship which was created by Sydney’s sister city Guangzhou is one of those relaxing spots you can spend time exploring and chilling with your friends or family.

Go Shopping

The International Convention centre is perfect for shopping if that is your jam. It also offers spectacular views of the city skyline at night.

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+

A complete guide to the Cu Chi Tunnels

If you are planning your holiday at the Ho Chi Minh City or planning your post-conference tour during your official visit, allocating one day for a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels will be truly worth it! With numerous trenches and bomb shelters, the structure of these tunnels is complicated but quite interesting.

Cu Chi Tunnels | Image Credit : Jean-Marie Hullot, Cu Chi tunnels 001, CC BY 3.0

A bit from history

The construction of this tunnel which stretches all the way to the Cambodian borders started in 1948 during which there was a war against the French. Although the purpose of this was to have a smooth communicational method with the villages, during the American war, this was the home for Viet Cong guerrillas.

Tunnels that are open for you

Only two sets of Cu Chi Tunnels are open to the general public now- the Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc sections. If you have time, choose the entrance from the Ben Duoc section because from there you will be able to explore more of the countryside.

Getting to the tunnels

If you are from one of the Saigon Serviced Apartment– right after your business meeting, getting to the Cu Chi Tunnels is just a matter of sharing a taxi ride with your business partner. From properties, the likes of Citadines Regency Saigon, traveling to the tunnels will take around 1.5 hours but with a relaxing ride, you won’t feel too tired.

What can you do at the tunnels?

Other than exploring the whole area there are a lot more things you can do at the tunnels. Some of them include seeing the exhibits, shooting guns and of course having some good times with food and drinks.

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+