Author: Fritzjames Stephen

Longtail Boat rides in Dubai

Dubai has a reputation for offering its tourists an amazing array of experiences and attractions, and one of the latest additions is the Longtail Boat Ride to the Dubai Marina. Offering a sightseeing experience with a Thai twist, a Longtail Boat ride is sure to be highly memorable.

Longtail Boats

The longtail boat is a mode of water transport traditionally hailing from Thailand. The long and slender body of the boat is covered by a thick canopy and is powered through the waters by an engine at the rear. Apart from the canopy above, the boat is open on the sides, making it a perfect vessel for sightseeing tours.

Longboat Rides in Dubai

The Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, a popular Palm Jumeirah hotel, recently offered, for the first time in Dubai, sightseeing tours on longtail boats to enhance the experience of their patrons. Thus, visitors to the resort can climb aboard the beautifully crafted ‘Ruea Hang Yao’ longtail boat and head out along the coast of Dubai. The boat is constructed completely out of wood and boasts a predominantly oriental design – a nod to the Thai origins of longtail boats. The boat ride promises awe-inspiring views of Dubai’s spectacular and ever changing skyline. The boat ride costs AED 120 for a return trip and is fully worth the cost.

From the Palm Jumeirah to the Dubai Marina

The longtail boat ride starts from the Palm Jumeriah and goes along the coastline of Dubai to the scenic Dubai Marina. The views of the skyline of Dubai from the longtail boat are simply amazing and you will get a great opportunity of witnessing some of the beauty of the Palm Jumeirah itself, as well as several other reclaimed islands along the coast of Dubai. Make sure you take a camera along with you because you are definitely going to want to take a few pictures of this picturesque boat ride.

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+

Dubai Desert Wildlife

The camel is the most well-known creature to roam the desert; therefore it has earned an accolade for itself as the ‘ship of the desert’. Apart from endless golden sand, dry gusts of wind and desert palms very few images come to mind when picturing a desert. Boutique hotels in Dubai are usually packed with people who want to explore and learn about the actual topology, geology, and biodiversity of deserts. The hotels in the city promote desert treks; Desert Palm PER AQUUM is one hotel that does so, complete with guides, food, and vehicles included in the package.

The exploration of Dubai deserts would bring to earth the realities that are hidden amidst the sand and rocks. It is believed that in the past there were far more species of life that existed in the desert terrains of Dubai, but as the years passed some have become extinct while others are endangered. Some are seen so rarely that they even wildlife experts are unsure of their continuity as a species.

The existence of gazelles, oryx, and invertebrates in addition to the much spoken of camels has been confirmed. Arabian leopards have been spotted prowling around in mountainous areas where there is access to water while the hares that reside in this part of the world do not live in burrows but out in the open. Their beige fur acts as the camouflage and they survive easily from the wetness of the grass they consume. The tahrs and mountain gazelles occupy the mountainous regions with the leopards but only the tahrs squabble with the Arabian leopards for water as the mountain gazelles can do with or without for long periods of time.

The invertebrates such as snails, scorpions and spiders are common in the sand and fall prey to some of the larger animals. Yet, their population is always on the rise, unlike their larger counterparts who devour them.

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.

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Elephant Riding in Chiang Rai

 

Elephant Riding in Chiang Rai
Elephant Riding in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is one of Thailand’s most popular cities owning to the city being home to some of the most stunning archeological and historic attractions of Thailand. The natural beauty of the city, coupled with iconic landmarks such as the Wat Phra Sing, the Gate of Siam, and Wat Phra Kaeo, as well as other fascinating attractions such as the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar and the Hill Tribes Museum, visitors of the city are sure to have an amazing experience in Chiang Rai. One of the most recommendable Chiang Saen hotels is the charming.
There are many outdoor activities that one can engage while in Chiang Rai, and one of the most exciting activities is elephant riding. The city of Chiang Rai has a long history of rearing elephants, which are used in the day to day activities of the folk in Chiang Rai. With the boom in tourism, elephant rides became one of the most sought after activities, and today, elephant riding is one of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences you can have in Chiang Rai. This attraction has become so popular among tourists that a few Chiang Saen hotels the likes of the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort have given priority to promoting it and even including it part of their facilities.
Elephants are fascinating creatures, and riding on top of these majestic beasts while exploring the hidden beauty of Chiang Rai is truly amazing. There are many elephant camps in Chiang Rai which have trained elephants a top that you can ride. The elephant’s back in fitted with a carriage of sorts that has comfortable seats giving you maximum comfort while being able to observe everything from the top of the elephant, and thus giving you an unimpeded view of the beauty of Chiang Rai. You will go through luscious forests, shallow streams, winding pathways, and secluded areas, to give you an exotic and mesmerizing experience. Elephant riding in Chiang Rai is, therefore, a must-do thing, as it lets you interact with elephants and lets to explore the city like you’ve never done it before.

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+

Wild life at Bundala National Park

 

Bunadala National Park
Bunadala National Park | Image Courtesy : Deep South

Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean, known for its beautiful beaches, but do take a closer look to discover some of its other wonders. Sri Lanka, despite its size, is one of the best countries in South Asia to watch animals in the wild. And with the recently introduced air taxi, Sri Lanka is even easier to explore. The various different habitats have been converted into national parks to protect the species that they support. Visit the wilds of Sri Lanka to observe large herds of elephants, solitary leopards, shimmering peacock and more.
Bundala National Park is located in the Hambantota District; two hundred and fifty kilometres from the capital city of Colombo. The quickest way to travel the distance is by taking a flight with an airline such as Cinnamon Air to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. The park spans over six thousand hectares but is smaller and less popular than the neighbouring Yala National Park. The region is hot, dusty and dry. You will notice the surrounding areas are mostly flat with thorny scrubs for vegetation but the lagoons and interwoven waterways make for a picturesque view.
Bundala National Park is of international significance because the park plays host to several species of migratory birds. Over two hundred species of bird have been recorded inside the park some travelling from as far as Siberia. It is best known for playing host to flamingoes who make it their winter home; as many as two thousand have been sighted at one time. Other types of fauna include the timid spotted deer, the spirited grey langur monkey and the pangolin, which is a rare sight. The park also has twenty kilometres of beachfront that stretches from Kirinda to Hambantota, where sea turtles sometimes come to nest.

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+

Importance of Conserving Wildlife -A glimpse of Sri Lanka

Conserving Wildlife
Conserving Wildlife, Image Credit: My Sri Lanka Travel

Sri Lanka, an island located in the Indian Ocean, is considered a biological hotspot due to its multitude of ecosystems that co-exist harmoniously in a limited space. Although the country is just over 65,000 km2 in area, it is among the 35 bio-diversity hotspots in the world due to its high point endemism. Having the highest biodiversity in Asia, National Red List 2012 states that Sri Lanka is home to 2,936 species of fauna, 3,492 species of flora and 3,021 marine species. The country is also home to the largest animals in the world, on land and sea, elephants and whales. The wildlife aspect of the country is so rich that over 14% of the total land in Sri Lanka is protected under Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka. This remarkable ranking in nature’s treasures makes Sri Lanka a favourite tourist destination, which only raises the stakes in the importance of conserving the wildlife of Sri Lanka.

There are many threats to wildlife in the country, high rate of development prominent among them. Many of the developmental activities tend to take over or destroy the habitats of flora and fauna, which is a major problem. Another major threat is the high rate of tourism, where wildlife is being domesticated for the sake of financial gain among the locals. It is in this light that many animals are slaughtered to make mementos, and other animals are domesticated as a photo opportunity. If one happens to go on a Sri Lanka wildlife tour, one is likely to encounter animals such as elephants who, though in the wild, are accustomed to being fed by the tourists and have made it a photo op. activities such as these threaten the survival of wildlife, which needs to be preserved. However, there are many responsible touring companies operating in the country too. Mahoora Tented Safari Camps is one such endeavour, which is world’s only Carbon neutral safari camp.

Wildlife, no matter where they are, needs to be conserved. In the context of Sri Lanka, this is more important as a significant component of country’s social, economic and biological well-being is dependent on the wildlife of the country.

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.

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Wildlife in Maldives

Most countries have a certain kind of local wildlife that they are proud of, from the big game that roam Africa’s national parks to the majestic Bengal tigers in India; the Maldives archipelagos is no different, except here, you won’t need a 4×4 vehicle to admire the local wildlife as most of its located under the clear turquoise waters that the Maldives is famous for.

The waters surrounding the atolls have a worldwide reputation for spectacular diving that entices hordes of visitors to the country every year, and with good reason. There’s an enormous diversity of sea life, a vast formation of colourful coral reefs and over 2,000 species of tropical fish found in the waters surrounding the famed Resort Maldives islands.
The area is home to several indigenous varieties of mantra rays, sting rays and eagle rays, as well as many kinds of sea anemones and jellyfish. Most of the leading resorts located here, like the Kuramathi Island Resort Maldives include special diving and snorkelling excursions for guests to get up close the marine life and appreciate the beauty of these sea creatures.

It’s not uncommon to see schools of whales, dolphins and even the elusively timid whale shark, passing by or sea turtles like the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle and the leatherback turtle. Indigenous land mammals and reptiles are rare here and the most common birds in the Maldives are ocean birds.

Wherever you go, there’s always something or some creature that will captive your attention, whether it’s a school of fish in the shallows waters near the shore or whales in the deep blue seas further from the islands. Whatever it may be, one thing is for sure; the crystal clear water and beautiful coral, brightly illuminated by the tropical sunshine is truly an underwater paradise that is not to be missed.

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.
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Welcome to Dune Bashing in Abu Dhabi

A holiday to the world famous capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, isn’t complete until you hop in to a 4-wheel drive and steer your way through the enormous dunes that make up the desert expanse. With an abundance of high dunes and sand valleys, dune bashing is one of the Emirate’s most popular sporting activities.

For those who aren’t in the know, dune bashing is the practice of off-roading on large sand dunes. An experienced driver will drive a four-wheel vehicle straight up and over the dunes, sometimes letting the wheels leave the ground. Vehicles driven on dunes may come equipped with a roll cage in case of an overturn so don’t worry if you see one, it’s just for safety purposes. Adrenaline junkies are definitely going to enjoy the fast-paced action of these much-loved Abu Dhabi Excursions.

Due to the intense heat of the desert, dune bashing usually takes place in the early hours of the morning or late afternoon, to ensure the sand is hard enough to drive on. If you’re staying at a resort that is closely situated near the desert, like the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara for example, check if the resort can organise the dune-bashing excursion for you. It’ll be an easier, more reliable option that’ll take you straight from the comfort of your room to the dunes, minus the long drives out into the desert.

Alternatively, there are several licensed operators offering dune bashing packages that either come at a set rate or can be either tailor made to suit your needs, at a higher price of course. Most will combine dune bashing with a desert safari so once you’re done racing through over the dunes; you can sit back, relax and take in the stark beauty of the dunes and the indigenous plants that inhabit the desert.

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+

Parasailing at Benoa Bali

Travelling to the lush and exotic island of Bali is on most peoples’ bucket list. There is a wide range of things to do here to make your holiday fun and memorable, from swimming through turquoise waters to partying the night away in one of many leading nightclubs in the city. Most travellers will of course spend time on the stunning white sand beaches and tackle some of the water sport activities available year round.

Almost all the Bali Beach Resort and hotels, such as the Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa for example, provide packages for adventurous excursions, among those, parasailing on the beach. You can also find several independent operators located around the beach that offer parasailing and other beach activities. Parasailing is definitely one of the most popular water sport activities in Bali, successfully combining the thrill of speed with an altitude that delivers panoramic views of sparkling azure waters and palm fringed beaches. And unlike diving or surfing, you don’t need training if you’ve never tried it before. Even though many people consider parasailing to be an extreme sport, it is actually very relaxing and safe.
There are two ways to enjoy parasailing in Bali, depending on the instructor and his equipment; you might be harnessed to a vehicle that speeds along the beach or to a boat that takes you out past the shoreline before sending you up. Some operators allow groups of two to three people to be attached to the harness at once while others strictly keep to one per parachute. The entire experience can last from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your operators plan. Either way, all you have to do is get strapped in, sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience!

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.
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Alimantha Island

Maldives is sure to be on most people’s travel bucket list. The island’s surrounding waters are one of the main reasons for most of the tourist to make their way down to this paradise island. One of the reasons for many people to visit the island is to stay at an Maldives luxury hotel as the accommodation itself can turn out to be quite an experience. Among the various resorts that have come up here one that has managed to earn a reputation for itself among its guests is, Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives that offers 33 over water suites.

Alimantha is one of the government-sanctioned lists of dive sites in the Eastern part of Maldives. The surrounding waters of the island are an excellent place to go diving and explore the abundant marine life of Maldives. There are dive centres that organise full day as well as half a day tours into the Ocean. There are also night dives that are organised off the shore of Alimantha, which is a once in a lifetime experience. The reefs around the island are also a spectacular site not to be missed. Alimantha is often listed in the must visit places in Maldives. There are also water activities offered by the sports centre located on the island. Perfect for all those adrenaline junkies.

There are plenty of other places to visit while in the Maldives such as Hukuru Miskiiy which is the Old Friday Mosque located in the capital Male. As well as the national museum that is located in the capital. Apart from that sitting and watching the waters sweep the shore from your recliner itself is a great experience!.

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Bird Watching in Sri Lanka

The beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka is not only home to just 20 million people but to a lot of other beautiful living beings that add to the beauty of this paradise. Among them are the birds that decorate the clear blue skies of the island. It is regarded as the paradise for all the bird watching enthusiasts. Sri Lanka Bird watching tours are a popular activity for those bird-loving tourists who come to the island. One of the pioneers in organising such tours is Nkar Travel House. They offer specialised bird watching tours in various parts of the island to suit the various needs of tourists.

The tropical climate and the exotic landscape of the Indian ocean island make it a heaven for bird lovers. There are around 427 different species of birds in Sri Lanka. Out of which 23 are endemic and around 200 are migratory. They make their flight from India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe to escape the weather and for various other factors. The best time to engage in bird watching is to arrive in the island during the later part of the year. The month of December has been declared as the National Bird watching month.

The best places to engage in bird watching are spread across various parts of the island. There are some dedicated bird sanctuaries in various parts of the island. Some of them include, Kumana National Park, The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Sinharaja Forest, Kitulgala Forest Reserve, the Bodhinagala Sanctuary, Kandalama Bird Sanctuary and Udawatte Kele among many others. One of the highlights about the avifauna in the country is the presence of a mixed species flock, which adds more excitement to the whole experience.

Apart from bird watching for those wildlife enthusiasts, there are many national parks across the island worth checking.

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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