Author: roland

To Climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala Rock

Located at proximity to one another, Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rock are almost identical rock formations renowned for their historic significance and natural splendour. Here is a guide to choosing which rock you should plan on climbing during your next trip to Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya

Also known as the lion rock, Sigiriya was once a fortress with a place on top of the rock. It was built by King Kashyapa to safeguard himself from foreign invasions, especially the one which was led by his own brother. The site today has numerous ruins of the magnificent edifices that once stood along with well-preserved remains of well-planned aqueducts, ponds, fountains and landscaped gardens. Due to the sites cultural and historic significance, Sigirya has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site

Pidurangala Rock

Located a few kilometres away and having a clear sight of Sigiriya, Pidurangala was once a monastery where the monks who lived at the site of Sigiriya were relocated. Like Sigiriya, Pidurangala also offers a stunning view of its surroundings which includes the view of Sigiriya as well. Piduarangala also has ruins and exploring it too offers you a memorable experience.

The climbing experience

Both of the rocks offer its visitors an enticing climbing experience but there are few differences in terms of the sceneries each of these sites offer and the ease of climbing them. Sigiriya has well-defined pathways with proper steps and rails to aid climbing and the climb is easy. However,Pidurangala has a bit of a challenging pathway which is comparatively tougher than to climb Sigiriya. But no matter which rock you choose to climb you will certainly enjoy a delightful climbing experience. If you are an adventurous person Pidurangala should be your choice. if you are looking for an easy climb with opportunities to see amazing artworks and remnants of an ancient chronicle Sigiriya must be your choice.

Getting there

Whichever the rock you choose to climb, you will have to start early in the morning or by late afternoon during when the heat and humidity will be tolerable it is also recommended that you plan your stay at any of the Dambulla hotels located in proximity the likes of The Paradise Resort & Spa for the day before you are planning your climb.

 

 

Thrilling Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Ever had the thrill of seeing regal leopards and majestic elephants roam free in their natural habitats? Such wildlife encounters and a whole lot more awaits at the Yala National Park!

Plan Your Safari
Located in the southeast part of the country, this park can be accessed via the gates at locations such as Palatupana and Katagamuwa. For a safari tour, Sri Lanka is best explored via 4WD vehicles and Yala is no exception. A little after 6:00am and again after 4:00pm are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.

Kings of Yala
The apex predator at the park is the Sri Lankan leopard; safaris here are very popular since it has the world’s highest density of leopards in the wild. Such wildlife drives can be organised by local travel specialists the likes of Walkers Tours as part of unforgettable excursions to spot these stealthy felines.

Other Wildlife
On your adventures in Yala, you mayobserve many other creatures too including elephants who may be gentle giants, but shouldn’t be disturbed! Keep watch to also spot sloth bears, water buffalos, spotted deer, toque macaques and mugger crocodiles. Part of the park encompasses the coast where sea turtles are known to visit too.

Diverse Birdlife
Equally impressive are the diverse bird species at Yala; one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, the park has recorded around 215 bird species. These includeendemic varieties such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl which is also the nation’s national bird.

 

 

Places to visit in Colombo, Sri Lanka

With crowds of buzzing people and vehicles moving in a huge rush, Colombo- the commercial capital of Sri Lanka is an ever-busy city. Have you explored some of these iconic places in this metropolitan city?

Galle Face Green Promenade
From any city hotel in Colombo, the Galle Face Green Promenade cannot be too far for an evening walk. If your kids are with you, take them too as they will love a kite flying session here, and also to enjoy some amazing street food.

Dehiwala Zoo
It’s the National Zoo of Sri Lanka spanning across 24 acres of land. If you are spending a family vacation at a hotel such as Mandarina Colombo Hotel, visit the zoo with your kids because they will simply love the birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals that you will find there.

National Museum
Sri Lanka is a country with a proud history. So, if you want to know some interesting facts about it, the best place to head to is the National Museum of Sri Lanka. It is a huge white painted building that has been constructed in 1877.

Viharamahadevi Park
Victoria Park was its old name and now is called the Viharamahadevi Park. It also has a kiddies’ zone where children can play, while you have a leisurely walk around the park.

Why You Will Fall In Love with Wellington

It isn’t a surprise that many people consider New Zealand to be a magical utopia and the Lord of the Rings movies have everything to do with that. But in most cases, the reality is far from how a country is depicted in movies. But can we say that about Wellington?

1. The Bays and the Beaches

The prettiest part of Wellington that you will see is the bay and the beautiful sapphire beaches. The best hotels in Wellington will take you straight from your room right into the breath-taking seaside.

No machine-readable author provided. Donaldytong assumed (based on copyright claims)., Wellington Oriental Bay, CC BY-SA 3.0

2. Hill City

The city is also built around many mountains, with huge hills that slope into the waterfront bringing you a view worth it all every time you look out of your room in Oaks Wellington Hotel or any other local resort you may be staying at. You get the best of both worlds.

3. Brunch & Coffee

Coffee in New Zealand is as delicious as coffee in Australia so make sure that you head out to a hearty brunch at any of the local cafés and ask for plenty of coffee.

4. Mt. Victoria

Everyone who visits Wellington must climb Mt. Victoria. If you want to see what the city looks like from the heavens and want to see plenty of greenery this is where you should go.

The Ultimate Weekend Trip to Port Stephens

Port Stephens is a fantastic pit stop on the way to the Pacific Coast or Sydney and is a place you should spend the day and make the most of it. Here’s how.

1. Set Your Alarm to See Dolphins

Set your alarm for the morning and leave your Port Stephens accommodation and head out to sea to catch a glimpse of the dolphins. If you can take a kayaking tour you can get even closer to the dolphins in the harbour.

2. Grab some Breakfast

Head back into Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort for a hearty breakfast. You can look over fantastic views of the beach in the morning light from your restaurant while you enjoy a delicious meal and some Australian coffee.

3. Hit the Road

Hire a car drive off into the desert at Worimi National Park to see the spectacular dunes. You can try some quad biking or sandboarding if you’re feeling adventurous.

4. Try Some Walking

In the afternoon, once you’ve had lunch and a little nap, head out to Tomaree National Park for some trekking with spectacular views of the dramatic Australian landscape as your reward.

5. Sunset Dinner

Finish off your day at Port Stephens with a sunset dinner of freshly caught seafood and a nice draft of cool beer.

Explore the National Parks in Khon Kaen

Those who love nature or outdoor adventures have much to look forward to on a visit to Khon Kaen; national parks in the province rich in flora and fauna offer unforgettable journeys of discovery.

Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park

The Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kham National Park features forest landscapes and a couple of sandstone mountains. Those visiting here from a hotel Khon Kaen has to offer can look forward to camping in certain areas while highlights include the Tat Fa Waterfall and the Ubonr at Reservoir for fishing and boating.

Nam Phong National Park

More exploration awaits at the Nam Phong National Park, ideal for an excursion from properties such as Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre. Set amidst mountains and views of the local dam, the site’s main attractions include the Hin Chang Si viewpoint and Famue Daeng Cliffs with its prehistoric paintings.

Phu Wiang National Park

If you love dinosaurs you are bound to love Phu Wiang National Park where you can see excavation sites showcasing findings of dinosaur bones! The Dinosaur Museum provides more insights into the prehistoric findings, while you can also enjoy hiking and visiting sites such as the Thap Phaya Suea Waterfall.

Phu Pha Man National Park

More nature expeditions await at the Phu Pha Man National Park known for its idyllic waterfalls and caves. The parkhas some key places of interest like the Phaya Nakarat Cave featuring intriguing stalactites and stalagmites, Lai Thaeng Cave with paintings depicting pre-historic life and the scenic Tad Fah Waterfall.

Explore Whistler Blackcomb

If you are planning to head to Whistler this summer and think that there is nothing much else to do there but ski and go snowboarding, you couldn’t be more wrong. There are plenty of other things to do so let’s find out what.

How to Get There
You can get up to Blackcomb through the Whistler Gondola or the Blackcomb Gondola, they’re both located at the foot of the mountain in Whistler village or Upper village. If you are staying in Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, you can go up on the Whistler Gondola.

Sightseeing Tickets
The Peak 2 Peak 360 experience comes in passes that can be either purchased ahead of time or at the ticket window. The tickets will cost $69 for adults and $62 for youth and seniors while small children aged 7-12 are charged $35.

Peak 2 Peak Facts
The gondola is considered the pride and joy of Whistler. The Gondola was opened to the public in 2008 and it costs 51 million Canadian dollars. It is the longest unsupported span for a lift of this kind and is also the highest lift in the world.

Alpine Hiking on Blackcomb
If you are staying at a Whistler hotel and plan to hike up the mountain instead, you can be guaranteed some beautiful views on the way. There are three trails of different difficulty levels.

 

Explore the Sacred Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh is a beautiful temple that also goes by the name of Tran Vu Quan. It is a temple that is dedicated to the worship of HuyenThien Tran Vu who aided the Vietnamese in the fight against most invaders. It has changed a lot in the last 10 centuries. Learn more right here.

An Introduction

The temple is located in the West Lake near the north gate of ancient Thang Long. It is very easy to find from a hotel in Hanoi, the likes of Pan Pacific Hanoi as it is considered one of the four antique towns of Hanoi and everyone knows where to find it.

The Unique Architecture

The temple is a great place to visit if you are one of those people who are interested in the architecture of Vietnam’s historic buildings. The temple was influenced by both the Taoist and Confucianist sects of Buddhism, something that is more apparent with the Nguyen Dynasty.

How to Get There

Getting to Quan Thanh temple is easy if you make your way to the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi. There are various modes of transport to get there, which we can discuss below.

Going byBus

The cheapest way of getting to Quan Thanh is by bus. Hanoi buses are common and fast and cost 7,000 VND. It’s a great mode of transport especially if you find it hard to find your way around the city.

Other Modes of Transport

Other modes of transport include the most expensive which is a chauffeured vehicle or taxi as well as motorbike rentals or the Hanoi cyclo.

 

Langkawi Sky Bridge Cable Car

Taking a ride on a cable car and then walking along the magnificent Sky Bridge is one of the best experiences to be had in Langkawi. So, if you’re touring through the area, here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic attraction.

Reaching the Cable Car

The cable car ride will take you up to a height of 2,300 feet above sea level! To take this ride, you’ll first have to reach the Oriental Village located on the northwest of Langkawi Island. If you’re staying at a prominent Langkawi resort– for example, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort – this should only take you a few minutes. The ride up can be a bit windy and chilly, so dress appropriately!

Riding to the Bridge

The ride up begins at the Oriental Village, and after a few minutes of gradual ascension, the cable car will begin to level out. From here, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of far-off mountain ranges and gorgeous waterfalls. The ride stops at the Sky Bridge where the grandest view awaits!

The View

The view from the Sky Bridge is truly breath-taking. The surrounding mountain ranges and forests combined with the cool mountain air will envelop you in a relaxing sense of tranquillity. You can walk along the bridge and reach the ‘forest deck’ for an even better view of the surroundings.

Photo Ops

Be sure to bring your camera along for the ride as there’s plenty of fantastic photo opportunities up here. The surrounding area is home to a myriad of endemic bird varieties, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!

 

 

Endless Shopping in Malaysia

The shopping scene in Malaysia is quite a comprehensive one, there’s an array of amazing locations to visit and peruse through. From expansive malls to charming street markets, here’s a guide on where to shop in Malaysia.

Pavilion KL

The Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur is where you want to be if you’re looking for fine fabrics, designer clothing or ornate jewellery. The location has over 450 retail shops for you to check out, and there’s plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area in case you work up an appetite.

Berjaya Times Square

If you want to have a truly Malaysian shopping experience, be sure to visit the Berjaya Times Square. This bustling section of Kuala Lumpur has over 1000 different shops for you to explore and experience. What’s more, some of the best hotels in Malaysia – such as the Berjaya Hotels and Resorts – are also found here. This means that visiting the location is trivial if you’re staying at one of them.

Low Yat

Low Yat Plaza is your go-to if you’re looking to get your hands on some electronics. This includes everything from heavy-duty PC parts to mobile phones and micro-gadgets. There are plenty of great deals for these items as well, so you should at least have a gander here.

Little India

If you want to be treated to the sights and sounds of India during your tour through Malaysia, be sure to stop by the Indian quarter – or little India as it’s called. You’ll find lots of fascinating items here for bargain prices as well as plenty of delicious street food.