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Wildlife Holiday at Muthurajawela Wetland

In the stillness, water splashes against the boat as you drift gently along. A peculiar bird call carries across the breeze, sometimes answered in return by another bird, a unique form of communication that humans are not privy to. Suddenly in your line of sight, you catch a flash of brown; you scan the skies and then you spot it; a majestic Brahminy kite soaring through the air, wings fully expanded, surveying the territory below. The Muthurajawela Wetland offers such outdoor adventures, perfect for bird watching enthusiasts.

A saltwater coastal peat bog which is the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka, the Muthurajawela Wetland is a protected sanctuary and is rich in biodiversity. This wetland is within easy reach of the coastal city of Negombo known for offering both luxury and budget hotels in Sri Lanka. Amongst the budget options, Hotel J Negombo is amongst the choices one can consider and is a little over half an hour drive from the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre.

Located in between the Kelani River and the Negombo Lagoon, Muthurajawela is one of the island’s most important wetlands and is part of a habitat that encompasses more than 6,000 hectares of mangroves and marshland. Within this thriving ecosystem, one can find around 190 plant species and more than 200 animal species, of which bird species number more than a hundred.

One of the best ways to explore and experience the natural heritage of the Muthurajawela Wetland is to take a boat ride along the waters. If you are into bird watching make sure you have a field guide book or a knowledgeable friend or guide who can identify the different birds you may come across. Keep your eyes peeled for varieties such as cormorants, purple swamp hens, common moorhens, common redshanks, lesser whistling-ducks and white-bellied sea eagles. Birds aside, you may also spot toque monkeys, water monitors and saltwater crocodiles, among the other animal residents that call Muthurajawela home.

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

Nature Excursions in Wombarra -Explore & Fall in Love with Nature

Tucked away on the northern shores of Wollongong, New South Wales in Australia is a quaint little beach town that has much to offer for the nature lover. Meet cute-as-a-pie Koala bears, hike up to the beautiful Maddens Falls and relax away at the charming Wombarra Beach.

If you’re visiting Wombarra with the family, one place that you should definitely visit is the Symbio Wildlife Park. It’s just a 14-minute drive away from the town. Here you will find a wonderful assortment of some of the most curious and cutest of creatures from koalas to kangaroos, meerkats, emu birds and much more! Some of the celebrities of the Symbio Wildlife Park include Imogen the “sweetest, most adorable Koala in the world”; Cinta the Bengal tiger, Kesari the red panda and Boo and Lion, cheetahs brother who were the latest arrivals at the park. The park has numerous features and programs to enjoy and one of the most popular is the experience with the meerkats, who are said to “climb, nibble and snuggle their way into your hearts”. Then there’s the Keeper for the Day program where you can assist the zookeepers and get up, close and personal with the animals!

For ardent hikers, Maddens Falls is the destination to head over to when in Wombarra. The falls are situated within the Dharawal National Park, which is about 24 minutes away from the city. The stunning falls are the goal and the hike towards this is fairly easy that you can even go with your kids. The park is home to a curious collection of creatures such as the red wattlebirds, honeyeaters, golden whistlers, brown froglets and banjo frogs to name a few. A visit to Maddens Falls is always recommended during the spring time when the flowers are in full bloom or in April when the Madden falls are at their fullest.

Last, but never the least, is the beach! The Wombarra Beach is the ideal spot get away from all the stress and concentrate on relaxing. If you’re thinking of more than a day’s stay in Wombarra, accommodation is in plenty here. They can vary from hostels to hotels and the most exclusive of all, villas the likes of The Wombarra Beach Residence Holiday House by Emerald + Aqua Holiday Homes.

Have a picnic on the beach with your friends or family or go for a romantic stroll at sunset with your loved one- there’s plenty to do! One of the highlights of Wombarra Beach is the beautiful little rock pool that placed in such a way that it offers views of the waves on one side and the cliffs on the other. If you’re worried about sea swimming, the rock pool is ideal for you.

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

Safari in Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is located in the north central province of Sri Lanka and was marked as a national park in August 1997, after being designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The park is home to the ancient Minneriya water tank, which provides as the main source of life to its inhabitants. If you’re staying at a hotel in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, it’ll be easier to get to the Minneriya national park, due to its close proximity. Some hotels such as Fresco Water Villa will be able to organize safari trips to the national park.

The Minneriya National Park is famous and most ideal for spotting elephants. Elephants numbers in the park are known to reach up to 200 or more, and are usually seen grazing near the watering holes for long periods of time before returning back to the thick jungles during the night. The park measures to about 90 square kilometres and attracts visitors, mostly to watch The Gathering – where elephants cluster near the famous watering hole. The ideal season to watch these gentle beasts in their natural habitat would be between the months from May to September, as most animals, including the elephants would be seen grazing and munching on the new grass that has sprung up, following the dry weather. This season is also a great time to watch these friendly giants frolic, socialise and bathe in their natural habitat, and provides for great photo opportunities. Do keep in mind not to pollute or cause any loud disturbances – remember to respect the animals in the wild.
Visitors are advised to keep a keen out for other species that reside in the park such as wild buffalo, deer, birds, crocodiles, sloth bears, sambar and monkeys!

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

Ocean Drive -The celebrity Art Deco thoroughfare

The Ocean Drive is located about ten minutes from COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach. It is an iconic drive that is an ideal place to appreciate the history and architecture of Miami, as well as the glorious beaches represented by South Beach. A Miami hotel located on this stretch of the beach would, therefore, have the architectural attractions on one side, while the golden beaches would beckon from the other.

The architecture of the Drive dates back to early 1900s, where pastel was a big hit. You have the Beacon by Henry O. Nelson built in 1926, Waldorf Towers by Alber Anis built in 1937, the Colony Hotel and the Cardozo by Henry Hohauser (former built in 1936 and the latter in 1939), the Breakwater by Anton Skislewicz built in 1939, and the Cavalier by Roy F. France built in 1936. All these buildings are examples of Art Deco style, which is what the Ocean Drive is famous for. This is also known as the heart of Art Deco district and has made cameos in many films and TV shows including Dexter. There is also a popular culture of cabaret dance and singing in the district, with several bars being dedicated to the LGBTQIA community.

The best way to explore the Ocean Drive is to take a drive through the street, or a slow cruise through the blue waters. This is best done during the day as well as the night, as the sights during each time period is completely different from each other. Cycling down the Ocean Drive early in the morning or in the afternoon will have you mesmerised by the calling of the sea from one side while the other side will have a gorgeous tapestry of sunlight playing artist with the Drive’s architecture. In the night, it has more of an 80s movie feel to it, with neon lights lighting the way and the ocean’s invisible presence felt only through its chant.

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

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Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Arignar Anna Zooligical Park or AAZP for short also goes by the name Vandalur Zoo. Located as the latter name suggests, in Vandalur, Chennai, which forms part of the state of Tamil Nadu in India, this zoological garden is considered to be the largest zoo in the country, in terms of sheer size; Arignar Anna Zoological Park covers over one thousand and three hundred acres of land. When it was still situated at its former location, this zoo was renowned as the first public zoo in all of India.

Vandalur Zoo holds an affiliation with the CZA or Central Zoo Authority of India and is the second most important wildlife sanctuary in the state, the foremost being Mudumalai National Park. It contains over two thousand and five hundred plant and animal species within its borders. The zoos denizens fall under a vast range of categories in the animal kingdom. There are several species of mammals, reptiles, insects, amphibians, fishes and birds in the park, and quite a few of them are endangered too. Arignar Anna Zoological Park also houses around one hundred and thirty eight species of plants. Examples of some of the plant life you can find here are eucalyptus plants and cashew trees.

For those thinking about visiting the park, if you reside in one of the Chennai airport hotels such as that by the Turyaa Hotels & Resorts chain, you can make a day trip here as it will be under an hour’s drive away.
Once you get to the park, you are likely to see a whole host of animals ranging from hippopotami, camels and llamas, to bears, tigers and vultures. The park also hosts over fifty butterfly varieties. If you’re travelling with children, this is sure to be a favourite exhibit as they will be able to spot dozens of different kinds of butterflies, all displaying a wonderful mix of colorations and wing shapes.

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

Tips for Jungle Trekking in Habarana

Habarana is a quiet village in the central part of Sri Lanka with a small population, some jungle and a number of Sri Lanka resorts. The Sri Lankan hoteliers have been ingenious in selecting Habarana as a popular base station for sightseeing and touring; roads lead from Habarana to the eastern coast of Trincomalee, Sigiriya and Dambulla two cultural landmarks are within proximity and even the former kingdom of Polonnaruwa is accessible within about an hour’s drive. As a standalone destination, Habarana’s two greatest attractions are the jungle landscape and the serenity of an unpolluted township. Even at a location such as Cinnamon Lodge Habarana which is by the main road that connects Habarana to the rest of the country, there is much tranquility and freedom from the world.
The jungle treks are fascinating affairs which are typically for one night and two days. The jungles are not modified by man, hence one can experience very primitive ways of living under the shades of the tall trees amidst some shrubs and camping by a lake. There are many lakes, rivers and other bodies of water in and around the area, some of which have played a pivotal role in irrigating the country. Kayaks are thrown into these flowing streams to give every expeditor a taste of water adventures. Bird watching, jungle trails and learning to make Sri Lankan dishes are a part of the tour.
Generally, a BBQ is held in the night and the freshest of fish would be available for grilling. Simple camps are set up with a few tents and a small fire. An early start each morning helps as the humidity is very high in the afternoon in spite of the dense jungle. Being comfortably and appropriately dressed makes it much easier for everyone to enjoy the outdoor experience with a spot of climbing, wading and scrambling through. Since the facilities available have been kept to a bare minimum such that the natural feel is not lost, if there is any specific medicine or type of pillow or protection you require, it is best that the guides are informed or that you provide them for yourself while being respectful to the others who are joining you.

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

Madu Ganga Boat Safari -Discover Balapitiya’s Estuary

Sri Lanka is blessed with beautiful rivers and lakes that run through the country making it one of the most popular tourist destinations. The Madu Ganga or Madu River in particular is a river located in the south west of Sri Lanka which joins the sea at Balapitiya and is visited by locals and tourists all-round the year. Madu Ganga is complete with hundreds of little islands scattered through the river and plenty of Madu Ganga hotels, which are dotted along the river.

A boat ride along the river will take the keen explorer in between the mangroves, where travellers are advised to keep a keen eye out for crocodiles or water monitors! So be careful not to fall over! While on the boat safari, it is a great way to spot some wild fauna in Sri Lanka, like monkeys swinging from the trees or colourful kingfishers diving for their prey. As the surrounding islands are mostly wet and marshy, visitors are treated to a wide array of flora as well. The boat ride through the Madu Ganga usually lasts for a couple of hours, although be sure to watch as the sea water mixes with the fresh water, as the tides change. Many hotels in the area such as The River House Balapitiya offer guests boat rides along Madu Ganga.
The largest island known as MahaDuwa, or locally known as Maduwa, is home to a Buddhist monastery. This island is thus the more popular one for the travellers of the Madu Ganga. Worshippers flock to this island to offer flowers and prayers, while young monks excitedly display a 150 year old religious book, fringed by coconut palms which were believed to have held the Sacred Tooth Relic once.
The locals that live along the river are known to produce cinnamon and is therefore a great place to get some fresh, real cinnamon! The river is also a great source for seafood, in particular lagoon prawns! Big, delicious prawns are caught in traps, mostly after the sun sets.

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

Madu Ganga

Thinking of visiting the sleepy sea-side town of Beruwala to unwind and relax? You will certainly be spoilt for choice for a hotel in Beruwala. Opt for some old-fashioned sunbathing by the pool, a well deserved spa day at the Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara or many other such facilities and set sail down the panoramic Madu Ganga.
Madu Ganga is a River located in the South-West of the island which eventually meets the Indian Ocean at Balapitiya. It is also home to around twenty five islands which host human settlements. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in the cinnamon trade and make a living by peeling cinnamon and making cinnamon oil. The Madu Ganga, along with the Randombe Lake make up the Madu Ganga Wetland which was declared as such in accordance with the Ramsar Convention in 2003 possibly because the Wetland area boasts of 303 plant species as well as nearly two hundred and fifty species of vertebrae. Furthermore, it is believed that nearly twenty of plant species are actually indigenous to this particular area.
Because of its aesthetic beauty as well as its rich biodiversity, River Safaris of the Madu Ganga are presently being offered to visitors and travellers who wish to witness its immense natural beauty for themselves. During such a boat ride, patrons can expect to see numerous aquatic species and because there are numerous bird species in the area, it is an ideal activity for a bird-watcher to engage in as well. The River Safari lasts between one and a half to two hours. Guests can also opt to watch cinnamon peelers at work and even purchase cinnamon products as souvenirs.

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

Nature Trails in Habarana

Lankarama Temple | Image Courtesy : Orient Tours

Cushioned between Sri Lanka’s most prominent historical sites and exuberant nature, Habarana is a tiny town located in the Anuradhapura district. Its strategic location has made it a favourite among locals and tourists. Also, if you want to meet the royalty of Sri Lanka’s jungles – the elephant – Habarana is the ideal place for you. Habarana Village by Cinnamon is an eco-friendly Sigiriya hotel that has developed a lasting relationship with its surrounding nature. Such properties offer the ideal starting point to begin a nature trail.

Located in very close proximity to Habarana, the Minneriya National Park is a hotspot for elephant lovers. A knowledgeable guide and sporty jeep will take you on a mud strewn track, through a penetrable jungle. Wayward branches and tiny twigs fling tiny blows onto your face. However your eyes stay peeled to spot the undisputed kings and queens of the Sri Lankan wild.

Soon, the waters of the Minneriya tank glisten in the distance and the horizon is speckled with grey dots. Slight movements are visible even from a distance and on a close observation, you will notice that these female elephants show great maternal care as they guide their calves to safety. In order to avoid disturbing the animals, your jeep will be parked a safe distance away from the herds.

Tusker in Minneriya National Park |Image Courtesy : The Hungry Grape

A close and rather scary encounter with a lone elephant must also be anticipated. You would be truly fortunate to spot this majestic being, spending some alone-time rummaging through the jungle. Maintain your calm and be as least intrusive as possible, and the King will loosen his defences.

Visit Habarana for adventures with nature!

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

Explore the Great Barrier Reef; the 25 million year old gentle giant

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Img.Credit:[Szopen]

The Great Barrier Reef is the known largest living reef habitat in the world. It is made up more than 2900 separate reefs and well above 900 islands. These islands span for more than 2600 kilometres or 1600 miles in size. The area that the reef covers can be estimated as above roughly 344,400 square kilometres. This beautiful aquatic landscape is without a doubt the most exquisitely diversified ecosystem on the planet. The Great Barrier Reef that is aged at over 25 million of years is a beautiful home to more than 600 different species of aquatic organisms. In this there has been estimated to be, more than 1500 different varieties of fish, over 4000 types of molluscs and more than 360 different varieties of corals.
Once you go underwater you will be stunned by the brilliance of the colour differentiation that exists as well as the various textures and shapes. The hundreds upon hundreds of fish that live in the eco-system create complicated yet incredibly simple patterns with their graceful movements as they swim around the place that they call home. The many silent dwellers of the Great Barrier Reef include sea cucumbers, turtles, giant clams, starfish, snails, shells, anemones, eels, sponges, rays and much more.
Port Douglas is the nearest city and the leaving point to the reef and each day over 12 tours leave the port. It is a complete diving and snorkeling haven and the nature of the area is such that even a beginner could enjoy a fun and safe snorkeling session. There are many Port Douglas hotels such as the Oaks Lagoons among multiple others that cater to the accommodation requirements of the many travellers that travel to the area from across the globe in seek of a glimpse of this age old gentle giant.

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