Caliope Sage - The Adventure Travel Site

Langkawi Bucket List

In a country renowned for its natural beauty and scenic destinations, Langkawi stands out as Malaysia’s premier beach destination. From picturesque views to enthralling escapades, this little slice of paradise has got it all! Now if you ever find yourself vacationing here, these are the four things you want to tick off your bucket list.

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas or alternatively © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Langkawi Malaysia mangrove-Tour-Jetty-01, CC BY-SA 3.0

Island Hopping

Island hopping is one of the most popular activities to do in Langkawi. So much so, that pretty much all major Langkawi resort hotels will include it on their itinerary list – for example, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort. Here you’ll be travelling from one tropical paradise to another, exploring white sand beaches and mystical caves along the way.

Exploring the Mangroves

The area that surrounds the Langkawi beach is full of dense mangrove forests. This is a refuge for a variety of unique plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in Malaysia. By hiring a boat and a guide you can go on safari here and experience this fascinating ecosystem first-hand.

Going Snorkelling

It’s no surprise that the azure blue waters that lap away at the Langkawi beaches hide a vast reef of vibrant corals just waiting to be explored. There are even artificial reefs that have formed around old shipwrecks that are now teeming with life. So, grab your gear and go snorkelling if you’re ever here!

Reaching the Highest Peaks

Not every one of Langkawi’s attractions is centred around the Ocean – the Gunung Raya is the region’s highest peak and makes for an excellent hiking trip. The way up to the peak takes you through the dense rainforest that is full of vibrant characters like leaf monkeys and cheery songbirds. If you keep your eyes peeled you might even catch a glimpse of the majestic great hornbill!

A Handy Guide to Colombo

A cosmopolitan city beside the coast, Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and offers plenty to see and do. Here are some of the best places to visit and fun experiences that await.

Key Attractions

When it comes to sightseeing, there’s plenty to explore while staying at hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka; those interested in history and art can visit the Colombo National Museum and the National Art Gallery. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and nearby Seema Malakaya are two sacred Buddhist sites of interest, while the Independence Memorial Hall and the Viharamahadevi Park are popular attractions too.

AKS.9955, Seema Malaka side view 01, CC BY-SA 4.0

Beachside Getaways

For fun times by the shore, Mount Lavinia Beach in the city’s suburbs is a must-visit site. Located across from the property of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, this beach is popular for relaxation and recreation. Also worth heading to are Wellawatte Beach and Galle Face Green, a large public park beside the ocean.

Retail Therapy

The One Galle Face and Colombo City Centre malls offer lots of shopping and feature international brands such as Armani Exchange, Charles & Keith, Mango and Aldo. Majestic City and Crescat Boulevard are amongst the other popular malls in Colombo, while the Pettah market provides bargains galore.

Foodie Favourites

No trip to Colombo is complete without savouring delectable local cuisine. Here are some of the top dishes in Sri Lanka one can try;

• Rice & spicy curry (meats or veggies)
• Kottu roti (a stir-fried dish with cut up godamba roti)
• Hoppers (bowl-shaped crispy pancake)
• Samosa (deep-fried snack)
• Isso wade (deep-fried snack with prawns!)

Ji-Elle, Sri Lanka-Egg hoppers, CC BY-SA 3.0

Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Looking to spot wildlife away from restricting and often artificial zoo environments? Then plan a safari to Yala National Park in Sri Lanka and look forward to an unforgettable adventure!

Getting to the Park

The main entrance is in Palatupana which is around 305 km from the commercial capital, Colombo. While you will need a 4WD vehicle, the park does offer jeeps and guides too. When it comes to planning a Yala safari in Sri Lanka, wildlife tours are amongst the options worth considering since your transport and accommodation are taken care of.

Majestic Leopards

One of Yala’s main allures is the fact that it is home to the highest leopard density on the planet! Be it on special wildlife drives or photographic leopard safaris from tour specialists like Nature Odyssey, there are many adventures to see these majestic predators. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for such safaris.

Animal Highlights

Of course, as you travel around Yala be on the look-out to spot other wildlife too; you may see a sloth bear ambling along the road, elephants socialising in a herd, spotted deer leaping through the foliage, water buffaloes basking in the sun or mugger crocodiles in search of a meal!

Amazing Avifauna

Birdwatching enthusiasts have much to look forward to since Yala is home to endemic and migratory species. Having a guide or bird guidebook will help to identify these many varieties; they include the grey heron, great stone plover, painted stork, serpent eagle, Sri Lankan Junglefowl and the Sri Lanka grey hornbill.

Things to do in exotic islands in Seychelles

In Seychelles, you find three large islands, namely Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Out of all of them, Mahe is always the most special because there are so many activities you can try out when you are there.

Hitting the Beau Vallon Beach

Although there are more than 50 beaches on the island, Beau Vallon can be called one of the most touristy beaches. As there are many hotels close by this beach- the likes of Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino, it never lacks visitors who come there for activities like parasailing and even jet skiing.

Exploring Victoria – the capital city

Exploring Victoria can mean exploring the best of the island of Mahe. Say goodbye to the busy city life and just enjoy this destination, especially the Victoria Botanical Gardens that’s a lovely heaven of rare tropical flora.

Tasting the best of street food

It’s true that you get to enjoy all different cuisines from Indian to Spanish from your hotel in Mahe, but once in a while, try giving yourself a chance to taste some street food too. Visit Bazar Labrin on a Wednesday and have the best street food experience with live music and dancing.

Stargazing after a hike

If days are just so busy for you, release all your stress with a great stargazing session. Just plan a hike at night, and spend your night seeing the amazing star patterns on the sky.

The Most Instagrammable Attractions in Hong Kong

If you are looking for the most Instagrammable spots in Hong Kong, here are some sites well worth adding to your itinerary and which make for ideal sightseeing experiences too.

Mong Kok Flower Market

Vibrant bursts of colour and sweet aromas await at the Mong Kok Flower Market. Around a 15-minute drive from Park Hotel Hong Kong, this lively market features everything from potted plants to cut flowers of various hues with chrysanthemums, orchids, roses, tulips and more vying for your attention.

Choi Hung Estate

Easily one of the most famous spots in Hong Kong for Instagrammers, the Choi Hung Estate with its multicoloured basketball court and condos is not to be missed. Budget hostels and 4 star hotels in Hong Kong can be found within easy reach of this site, though try and get there early to avoid having to compete for the best vantage points!

Chi Lin Nunnery

Set amidst a modern cityscape, the Chi Lin Nunnery provides a fascinating contrast of east meets west. Featuring traditional wooden buildings and charming gardens, this sacred site is not only a great place to photograph, but also experience a sense of serenity. What’s more, entrance is free of charge too.

Tian Tan Buddha

Located on Lantau Island and 34 metres in height, the Tian Tan Buddha will inspire awe and have you clicking away! Also known as the Big Buddha, it is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong; this bronzed marvel can be reached via a climb of 268 steps and offers plenty of potentially great Insta stories.

The Hill Country Tour to Sri Lanka

If you think that Sri Lanka is only a tropical beach destination and has nothing more to offer you are wrong! Located in the central part of the country there lies a misty and hilly region which will certainly leave you speechless.

Overview

The Hill Country of Sri Lanka is certainly mesmerising! The region mostly consists of magnificent mountain ranges that are blanketed by lush greenery. There are also a plethora of tea estates which are also well worth visiting.;

A paradise for nature lovers

The region offers a myriad of attractions most of them will be a treat for nature lovers. Horton Plains, Ella, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Udawalawa National Park, Pinnawala Elephant sanctuary are some of the places you could visit to witness the glorious aspects of Nature in the central highlands.

For a relaxing getaway

One could also enjoy a relaxing vacation experience just by planning your stay at any of the many exquisite accommodation options that are located in the midst of the most scenic places in the country. Destinations such as Nuwara Eliya offers cool and very appealing climate and could also find good accommodation options along with lucrative Holiday Packages in Sri Lanka.

Planning your tour

You could plan a tour to this amazing region witnessing all of the attractions the hill country has to offer by signing up with a tour organizer. You could even create your own itinerary. Tour organizers the likes of Holidays by Design offer carefully orchestrated tour packages during which you get to visit amazing places of interests and stay at exquisite accommodation options at the same time.

Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+

Plan a Trip to Wilpattu National Park Sri Lanka

Embark on a journey to witness nature at its best and raw state, discover tranquillity as you wander through the wilderness at the Wilpattu National Park.

Image Credit- Rehman Abubakr, WilpattuNationalPark-April2014 (8), CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

Located 26 Kilometers north of Puttalam and 30 Kilometers west Anuradhapura, Wilpattu Sri Lanka is placed at the lowland dry zone in the north western region of Sri Lanka. It has a number of lakes and tanks supporting a variety of wildlife. It is also regarded as one of the oldest and largest nature reserves in Sri Lanka.

A bit of History

The park was designated as a sanctuary in 1905 and was upgraded to a national park in the year of 1938. Today it has become as one of the most sought over nature travel destinations in Sri Lanka.

Climate

The region receives an annual rainfall of approximately 1000mm and the average temperature fluctuates between 25-30 Degrees. The inter monsoonal rains during March and the north east monsoonal period from December – February are the main sources of rain and what makes this land thrive with wildlife.

The Experience

The reserve is home to an extensive range of flora and fauna, some of the species of plants and animals are endemic to Sri Lanka. Witnessing them up-close and personal will certainly be a worthy experience and you can make that happen by planning your tour with Cinnamon Nature Trails.

Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+

Surfing in Negombo

Negombo, a town situated in the North of the capital, Colombo is a tourist paradise as the south coast of the country. The breathtaking lagoon and the stunning Negombo beaches along with cultural sites make it a perfect destination to explore. The warm waters are ideal for surfers of all ages who are interested in exploring the waters.

Accommodation can be found at many budget hotels in Sri Lanka, however, even when travelling with a budget one ought to stay at places that provide convenient access to the beaches and offer comfortable lodging such as Hotel J Negombo. One of the great things about Negombo is that it is a surfing hub all year around. From amateur to most experienced surfers, the waves of Negombo can be a real treat. However, that being said, if you are planning to go windsurfing during January to March, the shore breaks can be a bit challenging and require some expertise. It’s always advisable to speak to the locals and check on the tides & undercurrents before you head out to explore the waters. Apart from windsurfing travellers can also go kite surfing during their visit to Negombo.

Surf schools and rental places can be found in Negombo for those interested in learning the ropes of surfing for the first time. These places will offer you the chance to rent out any type of surfing gear you need starting from wetsuits to boots and boards.

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+

Experience the Air balloon tours in Hunter Valley; floating above Hunter Valley

With over three decades of expertise in the hot air balloon business, Balloon Aloft has been recognized for the fact that it offered the very first “passenger balloon” tours in Australia. Over the years, it has been quite clear that the company has maintained its standards and remained as the leader in the market for the trade. The quality and the service offered by the organization have always been deemed highly.
Balloon Aloft has also been recognized with many awards since the year 1980. With the location conveniently placed a mere two hours away in the northern direction from the Sydney city, Hunter Valley is the best place for a picturesque balloon tour that will take you above sweeping scenery beneath. The fact that the tour starts early in the morning means that passengers are always made to feel fresh and enjoy a great start to their day of sightseeing, from a completely different angle.
The Hunter valley tours usually start at sunrise and will take the passengers over the beautiful areas of Pokolbin, Rothbury, Lovedale and Broke. The flights are usually timed for about one hour and are best followed up with a good and hearty breakfast. For most travelers who visit the city there are quite a few hotels and resorts in the area such as Cypress Lakes Resort and others that allow for a great dining at Oaks on Collins.
The daily hot air balloon tours that take place can be done for individuals or for corporate teams. The tours can also be done at a different level for VIP passengers and can be used for various celebrations as well. The scenery of the Hunter Valley locality and the refreshing experience can be the beautiful start of a vacation in Australia and can make for one of the best and most memorable stays of your life.

Air Ballon Tour,Hunter Valley - Australia, — Air Ballon Tour,Hunter Valley – Australia, Img. Credit:[Marysia Gunderson]

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+

What’s so good about Skydiving in Perth? For the Adrenaline Junkies

What is so good about sky-diving in Perth? Many travelers rave about sky-diving in this hot spot and the location garners hundreds of enthusiast from all over the world each year. Here’s why. Most of the veteran skydivers say that the best thing about the sport is that no matter when and where you do it, it alters your life drastically afterwards. It is supposed to give you an amazing amount of confidence in yourself that you could achieve the seemingly impossible. Sky-diving also embodies two of the great aspirations of the human race; flying and freedom. The culture around Perth is such that most of the people you meet during this experience will become your friends for life. There is also never a dearth of accommodation options with the many hotels and Perth hotel apartments around such as Citadines St Georges Terrace Perth and a number of others available in the city.
More interestingly, in Perth, you could choose to stay at the drop zone and people will just take you in. It does really happen in Perth and it inevitably paves the way for the best way of sightseeing and experiencing the local culture and lifestyle. Imagine looking at a new country or city from the sky, soaring through the wind, the experience changes the way you look at nature and compels you to enjoy your life so much more. Meeting the locals in Perth is also a great idea as it is said that they will tell you about what to do and what not to do while you are sky-diving. Most veteran sky-diving instructors have even said that the vast majority of their students that come in for a simple adventure end up with completely unexpected, career changes that see them happy for the many years to come.

Skydiving Perth — Skydiving in Perth, Img Src:[skydivingPerth]

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+