auburn | The Adventure Travel Site

Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

Situated about 23 kilometres from Siem Reap, the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is certainly a place that one is bound to enjoy! It is a definite stopover when on your tour to Angkor Wat. Learn a thing or two about the delicate little magical butterflies!

Image credit: Sneha Abhyankar via wikimedia commons

How to get there?

If you are planning on visiting the butterfly farm and are travelling from one of the Angkor Wat hotels, the place is just a 41-minute drive away from properties like FCC Angkor Siem Reap. The drive to the farm is pretty enjoyable. You will pass by little Cambodian villages where the road comes to life with basket weavers and palm sugar vendors selling their items.

Entrance fee

The entrance fee is not much, $5 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 12, children under 3 walk in free. It is best to visit in the morning hours as the butterflies are mostly out during this time. A trip to the farm on a rainy day though will be pointless.

The Banteay Srey Butterfly Farm

Guess you can say that this is where the butterflies come out to play! The guides here are well versed on the subject, however, their English might be a little difficult to understand. This farm actually exports butterfly pupae and hosts butterfly exhibitions in zoos all over the world!

The butterfly cycle

On your tour of the farm, each stage of the butterfly life cycle will be explained to you. The guide will also give you a glimpse of each stage of the cycle. Butterfly eggs, caterpillars and even cocoons have been put into climate-controlled containers. Furthermore, you can learn about the various types of Cambodian butterflies as well.

Pasikudah Excursions and Attractions

Almost all the tourists who have been to Pasikudah Beach will agree with the fact that it is one of the safest beaches in Sri Lanka- located in the Eastern province of the country. The scenic beauty that this beach holds is also priceless.

Pasikudah- in a gist

Pasikuda| Img by: anjana.sudam via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pasikudah is already a tourist destination in the country with many star-rated hotels the likes of The Calm Resort & Spa Pasikuda. Although the beach is 35 km away from the main city Batticaloa, since there are many Pasikuda hotels all the way, holidaying in Pasikudha is now not an issue at all.

Pasikudah Bay

Pasikuadah Bay is so unique and rich in its value that it was once proposed as a Marine Sanctuary as well. There are many scattered coral reefs fringed in the outer bay and it also has many other coral communities as well.

Batticaloa Lagoon

Although the Batticaloa lagoon is about 32km away from Pasikudah, it’s a must-visit before leaving the area, or the country. There are many islands within this bay such as Buffalo Island, Bone Island and Puliyantheevu Island which are connected with long bridges from the lagoon.

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is a little distant from Pasikudah, but this experience is very exciting. It’s one of the most interesting wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka and you will be able to see magnificent wild elephants all throughout your safari.

The History of Angkor Wat

The temples were originally constructed in dedication to the god Vishnu and then converted into a Buddhist temple circa the 14th century. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage that a lot of effort is spent on preserving for the future.

The Largest City in the World

Many guests that stay in Angkor Wat hotels and make sure to head over to see the ruins at sunrise. The city of Angkor was once the capital of the Khmer empire and contains hundreds of temples and was home to a population of over one million people.

The Architecture

Angkor Wat is 200 metres wide with a perimeter of about 3 miles. The moat is 4 metres deep and was probably constructed to make sure that the foundations of the temple remain strong.

Vishnu and King

Angkor Wat was built by Suryavarman II; a usurper who came to power after murdering his uncle. He venerated Vishnu and wanted to build the god a temple. Signs of devotion are all over the temple, some of them surviving till today.

Construction Techniques

If you are staying locally at a hotel like FCC Angkor Siem Reap, be sure to visit the temple at sunrise or sunset to get the best photos and really appreciate the construction techniques that were used centuries ago.

Reasons Why You Should Visit Sri Lanka

The tiny island nation is perfect with a tropical climate, incredible cuisines, sandy beaches and dramatic mountains. Here’s why you should be making a visit to the island sooner and not later.

Image by: eter van der Sluijs via wikimedia commons

1. Tropical Climate

The climate is warm and mild and balmy all year round and can get comfortably cold in the highlands. No matter where you are in Sri Lanka at whatever time, you will be comfortable.

2. Delicious Food

Sri Lankan cuisine is a delicious blend of spices and sweets that makes it a favourite among tourists. The distinct cuisine will be tasty no matter where you eat it; out at a street stand or in a luxurious hotel.

3. Rare Animals

The reason Sri Lanka wildlife tours are so sought after is due to the number of animals that you find on the island can’t be found elsewhere in the world. A prime example is the Sri Lankan leopard. Book a tour with a provider like Nature Odyssey.

4. Gorgeous Beaches

Sri Lanka has long been famous for pristine beaches. No matter where you are you will come across beautiful golden and white sands.

5. Whales & Dolphins

Most of Sri Lanka’s coastlines are prime sighting locations for blue whales, dolphins and other marine life.

The celestial temple of Angkor

Phimeanakas is a small, laterite Hindu temple and it takes the shape of a three-stepped pyramid. In addition to the temple, there are several things to see such as the pools which have been used for different tasks back in the day.

Entrance gopura

It’s the main entrance to the temple which consists of a gopura building. The building has a central entrance door and a single tower on top. Gorgeous indeed!

The 03 steep tiers

This pyramid temple is a popular attraction in the city, especially to the travellers staying in hotels in Siem Reap, Cambodia mainly because of its unique shape. There are three steep tiers of a diminishing size which have guardian elephant statues at each of their corners.

On top of the pyramid

You find a platform surrounded by small galleries on the top of this pyramid and at the centre of this platform, there are ruins of a small cruciform sanctuary.

The Phimeanakas stele

If you stay at hotels such as FCC Angkor Siem Reap during your holidays and are looking for some good options that will help you discover more about the history of the city, this attraction is ideal not only because the small temple takes an impressive shape; but also because you find treasures like the stele here, which reveals some wealthy information of a past king.

Most thrilling wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife is renowned globally, therefore it is no surprise that a vast number of visitors make sure they visit at least one of the national parks in this paradise island. Listed below are a few national parks for your itinerary.

Yala National Park
The most famous national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is situated in the south-east region of Sri Lanka and is the second-largest park on the island. Situated roughly 300 kilometres from Colombo, several Sri Lanka holiday packages, such as the ones offered by Tangerine Tours, include this popular wildlife park. You are sure to spot an excellent range of wildlife here in Yala!

Wilpattu National Park
Located 26 kilometres from Puttalam, the park covers 425 square feet of the coastal area. Wilpattu is also one of the oldest and largest national parks in Sri Lanka. You’ll find plenty of dense shrubbery and grasslands covering this park, with its main attractions being endemic sloth bears, leopards, barking deer and elephants.

Wasgamuwa National Park
Providing refuge to countless displaces wild animals, this national park earned its place in 1984. Here is where you’ll spot a large number of elephants if you’re looking to spot them. Bird watchers find this national park rather fascinating as well, as it is considered one of the best bird-areas in Sri Lanka.

Cruise Planning tips

A vacation on a cruise is a vacation that’s always well-spent. Many of us are little afraid to arrange a cruise holiday on our own because we think planning is a terrific process. No, it’s not! Just follow these simple steps.

Before everything, pick your destination and itinerary

First, plan the destination you are going to explore among the many options you have. If you select a Mekong River cruise for instance, as your next adventure, make sure you plan your itinerary that goes in hand with the cruise.

Then pick a Stateroom or Suite

The next big decision lies with the type of accommodation you need to stay on board. Cruises with agents like Mekong Kingdoms are considerate about the needs and wants of their travelers and help them pick the best for them.

Before you board, reserve the dining options

Before you board, make sure you reserve the entertainment and dining spaces too. If you like some wine or cocktails onboard, make sure you book your beverage package in advance too.

Basic packing tips

This is about planning your travel suitcase, finally. Make sure you have the basics such as sunglasses, medications, swimsuits, and clothing for different types of excursions all packed in your suitcase, together with the other things that you may need.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

With diverse birds and animals, Sri Lanka is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. There are several fully-fledged national parks and bird parks scattered around the island as well as sightings for marine life off the coast all year round. 12% of the country is dedicated to wildlife protection; from wet rainforests to arid plains.

The Birds
Thanks to a rich tropical climate Sri Lanka there are over 400 species of birds including 200 migratory species and 33 that are endemic to the country. There are plenty of bird watching hotspots dotted across the country as well as national bird parks. It truly is an ornithologist’s dream come true.

The Mammals
One of the most iconic experiences in Sri Lanka is seeing an elephant in the wild. It is a phenomenal experience and one that you should consider. Minneriya is possibly the best place, especially since the elephants gather at the edge of a man-made lake to socialise and swim.
Yala and Wilpattu National Park are great to spot many of the 102 mammals, 90 of which are indigenous to the island distributed across the diverse climate and geography of the island.

The Marine Life
With packages like Tangerine Tours, you can also book a safari into the sea to go whale watching or swimming with a dolphin or simply staking out on a beach to watch a sea turtle wander in to lay her eggs.

Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Make sure you add Minneriya National Park, Horton Plains, Yala National Park, Sinharaja Rainforest and Wilpattu National Park to your itinerary.

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+.

Top Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur offers plenty of adventures for the whole family. Here are some of the key attractions in KL well worth visiting on your holiday.

Petronas Twin Towers

Iconic and inspiring, the Petronas Twin Towers is a stunning modern marvel that spans a total of 88 storeys. When searching for the best hotels & resorts in Malaysia, do look to stay close to this attraction which offers amazing panoramas from the Skybridge that connects the two towers.

Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)

One of the most dynamic areas in the city, the Kuala Lumpur City Centre is where you will not only find the Petronas Twin Towers but a host of other attractions too. Within easy reach of many city properties including those belonging to Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, these sites include the Suria KLCC Shopping Complex, Petrosains, The Discovery Centre and Aquaria KLCC.

Jakub Michankow, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, CC BY 2.0

Bukit Bintang

One of the key areas for shopaholics, Bukit Bintang is home to some of the city’s most popular shopping hubs. Retail therapy abounds in this locale where you can shop to your heart’s content at malls the likes of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Berjaya Times Square, Fahrenheit 88 and Sungei Wang Plaza.

Central Market

One of the historic attractions in Kuala Lumpur, the Central Market dates back to the 1880s; within this heritage site, you will find a number of traders selling souvenirs, batiks, handicrafts, sculptures, artworks, clothing and more. It also has food stalls which give you a chance to sample some yummy local dishes.

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+

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island with a priceless variety, so as its wildlife- ranging from authentic birds, mammals like elephants and even colourful marine life. The safari parks and sanctuaries there have been designed in such a way that they give the best experiences to their visitors, and this is why you should allocate some time to admire the wildlife in Sri Lanka- once you visit it.

The Birdlife

During your tour in Sri Lanka, travel to Kumana, Yala, Horton Plains or even the Sinharaja Rainforest with Walkers Tours and enjoy the best of birdlife in the country. Discover the behaviours of the migrant species as well as the endemic ones.

The Mammals

As the country is blessed with a diverse climate, vegetation and altitude, there are different species of mammals extensively distributed in Sri Lanka. If you visit any national park here, you will be blessed to see mammals moving in herds in the wild so make sure you capture these rare moments as memories.

The Marine Life

During your tour in Sri Lanka visiting the beaches will obviously be one of your top priorities. Make sure you allocate some time to admire the whales, dolphins, whale sharks and marine turtles- which can be explored via excursions arranged as per your requirements.

The top attractions

While all the above-mentioned experiences are worth enjoying, there are also some super special sceneries that you won’t need to miss. The leopard at Yala National Park, herds of Elephants roaming at Uda Walawe National Park and the monkey population at Polonnaruwa are just some of them.

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+