Catalina Forbes | The Adventure Travel Site

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud; Tales of Reincarnation

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud covers about 27 greenery filled acres of land which provides a serene home to over 600 long-tailed macaques. These monkeys are classified into 4 groups in accordance with the areas of the park that they occupy. The sanctuary is an eminent cultural and spiritual landmark that hosts about 10,000 visitors each month. The sanctuary is owned and operated under the leadership of the Padangtegal. The forest itself is sacred to the villagers and there are a few sacred sites located within the reserve that draws from the Balinese Hindu beliefs revolving around death and reincarnation. The Temple of Death, Temple of Cremation and Holy Springs Bathing Temple are among the few sacred sites inside. The area is also home to many Ubud Villas such as Alila Ubud Bali and many other lodging service providers that cater to the large crowds that visit the sanctuary on a monthly basis.
If you are wondering how monkeys fit into the life and death beliefs of Indonesia, the Ramayana epic gives you all the answers. The epic goes on to say that Sita the wife of Rama is abducted by the evil king Ravana. Rama is said to have enlisted the help of Sugriva and Hanuman who both resemble monkeys, to bring her back safely. Hanuman and Sugriva battle many antagonistic monkeys ruled by Ravana before they finally bring Sita safely home. The villagers, who believe in the religious lore, both love and hate the monkeys which they feed daily and revere. At the same time, their mischief which escalates to stealing household items of the villagers also turns the villagers’ reverence into malice when the monkeys attack and bite them, becoming a menace to the village.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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Explore the Mysterious Peaks in Beautiful Mauritius

Pristine beaches, lush green peaks and emerald green lagoons make up the tropical paradise that the island of Mauritius has become world famous for. A medley of contrasting colours, cultures and fragrances, the diverse landscapes of Mauritius make for an unforgettable holiday, whether it’s a family adventure or soul searching getaway.

Apart from the white sandy beaches and Mauritius Resort and luxury hotels that provide a selection of exciting water sports and other activities, like the InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort for example, another attraction here is the mesmerising peaks rising up in the distance and capturing the imagination of all who visit this wonderful island. The island is home to mountain ranges, isolated peaks and plateaus, all remnants of a big volcano which erupted millions of years ago. The jagged, mountains covered in dense jungle, invoke a sense of wonder at first glance. Despite appearances, the mountain ranges are not very high and for the adventurous travellers, it’s possible to go rock climbing and canyoning on certain peaks.

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The Mauritius Mountains are named according to their shapes e.g. Lion Mountain in the Grand Port Range was named by locals who likened it to the creatures shape while Montagne Blanche has been named after the greyish white colour of the rocks found on the mountain. Some mountains also important culturally and historically; the Le Morne Cultural Landscape, is a rocky mountain that extends out into the Indian Ocean and was used as a shelter by runaway slaves through the 18th and early years of the 19th centuries. Sheltered by the isolated and almost inaccessible precipices, the slaves formed settlements in mountain caves and on the summit.
The mountain was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the area around it is protected by law. Travellers can still visit and explore the historical Le Morne Mountain and many others like it with their own fascinating stories to tell. With everything from exotic beaches to thrilling mountain range expeditions, the island Mauritius is the perfect tropical paradise.

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

Cruising and Fishing in Abu Dhabi

Generally, a holiday in the Middle East entails camel rides, traversing through deserts over sand dunes, some shopping for electronics and recreation at theme parks. However, that may have been in the past; now with the advent of 5-star hotels Abu Dhabi, a plethora of opportunities are available for those who reside at Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara or any other luxurious accommodation. The capital city of the highly acclaimed United Arab Emirates is cosmopolitan, commercialized and advanced, yet it is also steeped in its own culture, thus offering a wide mix of options to tourists.

For instance, if you are more of a night creature, you can engage in the boat riding adventure under the star spangled sky in a traditional dhow where you will be served a lavish meal while you enjoy the Abu Dhabi skyline from the lulling waves or the expanse of water of the Gulf Sea. The quest in search of pearls is a great learning experience in addition to being a relaxing voyage over the waves for over one and a half hours. There is a competent guide who unravels the stories of the past with respect to pearl discovery and everyone is shown how a pearl is extracted from a natural oyster. There are special tours for fishing which usually commence in the wee hours of the day and such a tour typically requires four hours. There are mariners who will provide their expertise, equipment, boat and even the fishing bait should you make a hurried decision to go fishing.

One can choose between dhows, speed boats, and yachts depending on the type of journey and the occasion. The organizers of the sea riding facilities have a diverse range of services on offer including deep sea fishing, BBQs, swimming, snorkeling and even hosting birthday parties or wedding receptions on board. They also arrange team building activities followed by a camping trip for corporate entities.

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

Strive to Discover Amazing Natural Wonders in Mauritius -An assortment of sea, sand and everything in between

Mauritius, a lone island located in the Indian Ocean, boasts of world’s most picturesque and unique natural wonders – from sparkling waters to dormant volcanoes to culturally rich natural wonders, the island is a destination that fits the definition of word “amazing” in every way.
As an island, the waters of Mauritius is world renowned. If you are to stay at a Mauritius resort such as InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort, you will be lulled to sleep, woken up and constantly be accompanied by the soothing sound of waves kissing the shore; and be treated to a mesmerizing view of the Indian Ocean, sparkling with the rays of tropical sun on it.

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Venture inland and a plethora of wonders await you. Seven Coloured Earths, naturally occurring colourful geological phenomena that are also the most famous spot for tourists in Mauritius is one place you must visit. Located on the Chamarel plain, this is an area of sand dunes where sand is of seven distinct colours: red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. With the shifting wind, the coloured sand arranges themselves in captivating patterns, with different colours spontaneously settling in different layers. The dunes never erode, and this nature’s magic can be witnessed in a handful of sand from the dunes as well.
Plunging 300 feet into an opaque pool of cooling water, Chamarel waterfall was once called “paradise” Mark Twain. Surrounded by the lush vegetation of Black River Gorges, the waterfall is formed by St. Denis River. You are offered two equally captivating viewpoints to admire this cascading beauty: an upper deck located at Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Reserve, and the bottom of the waterfall where a plunge into cool ultramarine waters of a shallow pool with is also possible.
Culturally speaking, Grand Bassin, a natural pool formed at the crevice of one of Mauritius’s many dormant volcanoes is prominent. Hindus flock here in numbers, especially during Maha Siva Rathri festival, as it is believed to be connected to holy river Ganges. The area surrounding the Crater Lake is scattered with temples and statues, allowing a glimpse into a harmonious blend of nature with man-made structures.
Be it the sea, the sand or something else altogether that you seek for, Mauritius offers a unique and unusual assortment of natural wonders that can cater to any palate.

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

Self-Guided Walk in Abu Dhabi

A booming tourist destination in the Middle East is Abu Dhabi. Competing with its fellow Emirates, it still has managed to be in the forefront in terms of tourism. One of the best ways to explore and make the most of a city is to stroll around it; one’s self is the best tour guide. When considering Abu Dhabi as your next holiday destination, one of the key questions that pop up in one’s mind is accommodation during the stay. Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is an excellent choice to stay while here as this beach resort Abu Dhabi is located on the famous Sir Bani Yas Island the hotel is nothing but a symbol of luxury, offering many indoor as well outdoor activities to complete the exotic vacation.
A self-guided walk in Abu Dhabi should be able to cover most of the important landmarks in the city. One of the places to make a stop would be the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, an iconic landmark that has 82 impressive white domes.

Bainunah Roundabout Fountain is one of the other pit-stops worth making, located on the Bainunah Roundabout by the Zalamat Garden the fountain is considered both breathtaking and miraculous and perfectly complements the surrounding.

Abu Dhabi Corniche is yet another exciting place to explore on a walking tour. The 6-kilometer-long road is a not to miss when visiting Abu Dhabi. This is considered to be the border of the city and has many gardens along the way.
There are many other interesting landmarks and attractions in this beautiful Middle Eastern City for you to explore.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.
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Diving in Doha

Doha is the capital city of the State of Qatar and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. The city is renowned for the wide range of shopping, dining and luxury accommodation settings it offers tourists. However, an often underrated attraction in Doha is the amazing diving opportunities it serves.

Due to its popularity among tourists in Doha, hotels you can choose from vary in price, service and luxury. For a fine mix of all three, consider staying at the Banana Island Resort, Doha, by Anantara. It places within close proximity to leading dive centres in the region as well.

The city is home to seven popular dive sites, all of which are accessible via PADI certified dive instructors from a number of centres in the region. The Old Club Reef (OCR) and New Club Reef (NCR) are both situated close to the Mesaieed sealine, about half hour away from Doha. The former is an artificial reef and is approximately 16 metres deep. NCR is about 20 metres deep. OCR and NCR are both rich in marine life and home to resident fish types such as Arabian Blue Angel Fish, Sergeant Major, Groupers, Batfish, Barracuda, Spangled Emperors, Twobar Seabream and much more. Other similar dive sites that immerse you in the regions rich marine life are the Inland Sea and Eel Garden.

Fans of wreckages are in for a treat as well. The Pericles Shipwreck of Al Ed-Al Gharbi is 35 metres deep. Here divers get to see an enormous sunken shipwreck with plenty of exploration opportunities. Its massive propeller is sure to leave you in awe. The Al Ed-Al Sharqi sea line, about an hour and half from the city, boasts of another huge sunken shipwreck called the MO Wreck. About 25 metres deep, this wreck is also home to some beautiful fish species.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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River & Wildlife Experiences in Zambia: The Adventure of a Lifetime in South Luangwe

Africa is a land that is synonymous with adventure and wild-life, and there is no better way to experience the glory of an African wilderness quite like a safari, and there is no safari quite like a Zambian safari in South Luangwa. The Luangwa region is iconic for its spectacular scenery and wild-life amidst an unforgiving and rugged wilderness. Despite this, the safaris in Luangwa are renowned for providing a comfortable voyage into some of the harshest yet most beautiful terrains of Africa.

You can enjoy your stay in Luangwa in a variety of ways, one is by spending it at one of the area’s many lodges in the heart of the wilderness, if you wish to venture even deeper, the accompanying professionals will set up a camp for you to intimately experience the African wilderness. If the first two options are a tad too extreme for you, there you can go for a luxury hotel such as the Victoria Falls Hotel Zambia by the renowned Anantara Hotels, Resorts Spas where you can comfortably enjoy the river and wild-life experiences in Zambia amidst five-star luxury.

The safari providers in the area have decades worth of experience as well as recognition and will uncompromisingly provide you the best, and safest, experience you can hope for. The South Luangwa National Park encompasses almost ten thousand square kilometers and plays refuge to over four hundred species of birds and more than sixty different species of mammals. Leopards, Elephants and Crocodiles in particular are known to gather in large numbers in South Luangwa Park. The dry season from April to October is the best time for a visit, since the rivers dry up and the animals wander towards the lagoons where water is plentiful.

So if you seek a safari adventure like no other, head on to South Luangwa for a voyage you will surely cherish for a lifetime.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.
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Nature and Wildlife Walks in Abu Dhabi

In the 21st century, the Middle East is known well for its abundant and thriving oil industry, which has contributed to the development of the region in the last fifty years. One country that has benefited greatly from this discovery is the United Arab Emirates. Located in the Middle Eastern region, the United Arab Emirates is composed of seven Emirates, namely, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Given the present perception of the Middle East, many would be surprised to know that the emirate of Abu Dhabi was a haven for wildlife prior to its rapid development due to the discovery of oil in the mid-twentieth century. This natural heritage is evident in the name Abu Dhabi as well, which literally means ‘Father of the Gazelle’, as well as Sir Bani Yas Island which is a reputed wildlife reserve in the United Arab Emirates.

Hotels in Sir Bani Yas Island are scarce with given the status of the island as a bird sanctuary in addition to a wildlife reserve. Therefore, for tourists who wish to reside on the island itself, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi can be recommended.

The emphasis placed on preserving and conserving wildlife in the emirate extends to initiatives outside the United Arab Emirates as well and the emirate has, on multiple occasions, organised events to raise awareness or protest against certain global initiatives in the form of wildlife walks. One such wildlife walk took place in March 2014 at the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre to raise awareness about Canned Hunting, a practice predominantly in South Africa where lions are bred for the industry and hunters are given the opportunity to shoot them in closed enclosures, and to protest the practice.

Abu Dhabi places great importance on such initiatives and encourages tourists to visit their wildlife reserves in the least disruptive manner possible as well.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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Tandem Skydive Queenstown Skydiving

Queenstown is a small town in New Zealand with the heart and soul of a bustling miniature city. It sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu and is caressed by tall peaks on all sides. The natural beauty of the setting instantly captivates visitors. This much-loved destination is now gaining a reputation for its cosmopolitan restaurants and more than one luxury hotel. Queenstown is also building a vibrant arts scene, has top notch vineyards and five golf courses meeting international-standards. You will find the biggest crowds during the summer and winter months but there are things to see and do all year round.

Queenstown is known fondly as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’. This is where you go if your idea of a vacation includes jumping out of a plane, off a bridge or both! To get the most out of your travels become a member of the Anantara Vacation Club; reviews describe it as a timeshare concept upgraded to include all the bells and whistles.

Sky diving is on the bucket list of every adrenalin junkie. You will be decked out in a jump suit and given a safety briefing after which a small plane will take you up and away. Tandem sky diving requires you to be strapped to a qualified instructor, who will carry a parachute to make the jump. After a short, exhilarating free fall the instructor will deploy the parachute and you will both shoot up several feet into the sky. Finally, you will float back down to earth while enjoying the scenery. New Zealand is one of the most picturesque countries in the world so what better way to enjoy the view, than from the skies above? A video and photos of your thrilling experience can be purchased for an additional fee.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.
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Day ride with stylish quad bikes in Samui

Koh Samui in Thailand has long since been attracting holidaymakers. It has evolved with the times and remains a top pick among vacation destinations. Make a trip and you can expect to find in Koh Samui: 5 star resorts, long stretches of pristine beach, swanky restaurants, top of the line spas and ever popular beach bars. Despite adapting to meet the demands of the modern traveller, it has maintained much of its authenticity. Thailand’s largest island was once home to a quiet fishing community and was only visited by the odd backpacker. Today, it caters to budget travellers with simple beachside bungalows as well as luxury travellers who opt for accommodation at options such as Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort & Spa.

The island has recently discovered quad bikes. It is a fun and adventurous way to experience the sights and sounds. You will have the opportunity to power through the wilds of tropical jungles while birds call to you from the trees above and monkeys swing from branch to branch. You will also see magnificent waterfalls and magical places that are unspoiled and hidden away waiting to be discovered.

Quad bike tours are conducted for groups that enjoy the sport. You will be provided with a top of the range bike, which is sturdy and safer than a scooter or most other options available to tourists. Koh Samui has great weather ideal for outdoor activity and the varying terrain from flat beaches to hilly jungles offers up an invigorating challenge. The tours are led by experienced guides who are friendly and ready to assist new riders. There will be many amazing photo opportunities so remember to pack a camera and get set for the ride of your life!

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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