roland | The Adventure Travel Site

The Culture of Saudi Arabia

The Saudi community is enriched by its unique customs and values that were unbelievably preserved through its journey towards modernisation. The uniqueness of Saudi culture stems from a civilisation that dates back to over one million years.

Language

Arabic, the official language of Saudi Arabia, is one of the oldest language groups in the world. It consists of a variety of dialects, one of which is the Gulf dialect. English is also a widely spoken language in the country.

Music, Dance & Poetry

One of the most prominent folk rituals in Saudi Arabia is the “Al Ardha,” which is considered as the country’s national dance. It is a form of a sword dance that is based on Bedouin traditions. The variety of folk music called “Al sihba” has its roots stemming from Al Andalus. Poetry took a significant place in the Saudi Arabic culture and was used as a means of preserving tradition, values, and history during the olden days.

Cuisine

Saudi Arabian dishes are similar to that of the other countries in the Arabian peninsula and display influences of Turkish, Persian, African, and Indian cuisines. Pork is not consumed, and other meats are obtained following halal rules. Delicious Arabian delicacies can be enjoyed during your stay at one of the Al Khobar apartments belonging to properties such as Ascott Corniche Al Khobar.

Festivals

The oldest of all the festivals in Saudi Arabia is the Janadriya Festival, which is the most traditional as well. It features camel races and strives to embrace other aspects of its proud heritage. Riyadh festival offers its visitors a shopping fiesta where they can shop for a myriad of things. The Saudi Food Festival is one of the longest-running food exhibitions in the country.

Elephant back safari ride in Habarana

Elephant Back Safaris in Sri Lanka is one of the most joyful leisure activities for a number of reasons. It is also a very rare experience that’s loved by westerners the most.

Why elephant back safaris are fun?

Rather than just holidaying in a Sri Lanka resort enjoying luxury, experiencing an elephant back safari is fun and exciting. You simply share some hours of your day with an elephant while exploring nature.

The experience

On one such safari, you can view the exotic wildlife from the back of a majestic elephant. You also get the chance to feed the elephant and see how it gets groomed after a bath, which is a rare sight to enjoy.

Why Habarana?

Habarana is one perfect transit point for herds of wild elephants who belong to Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. So, Habarana has become one of the locations that provide this experience in Sri Lanka allowing guests of nearby resorts the likes of Habarana Village by Cinnamon to have this firsthand experience.

The best periods

Water levels are good during the months of March and July; needless to say, this makes the best time for a safari!

The Lovers Leap

Trincomalee in Sri Lanka is already popular among tourists for being the destination housing the famous Hindu Temple ‘Koneswaram’. But that’s not the only attraction the city has, it also has the Lover’s Leap.

The location

The Lover’s Leap is located in the town of Trincomalee which is already a tourist destination in Sri Lanka. With many great resorts, the likes of Trinco Blu by Cinnamon this destination is winning hearts of many; and attractions like this make them fall in love with the name ‘Tinco’- over and over again.

The story behind it

One of the main stories about this cleft comes from Ramayanaya. According to it, this cleft is made by king Ravana and that’s why some people used to call it ‘Ravana’s cleft’ as well.

Another story about this place

Another popular story is that a lady named Francina Van Reed dropped herself into the sea from here after losing her loved one. There are, however, some arguments refusing this belief- but it is a story left untold and unconfirmed in the history of Sri Lanka.

General instructions for your visit

You may get to this place by taxi or a tuk-tuk from your resorts in Trincomalee. And as this cleft is just a few meters away from the Koneswaram Temple, so you may admire both of them at once.

A Fun Day at Kurrawa Beach

Ask surfers on Australia’s Gold Coast for the best beaches for surfing, and chances are they will include Kurrawa Beach in Broadbeach. However, this idyllic stretch of shore offers more than just great waves!

A Day at the Beach

Located in Broadbeach, Kurrawa Beach with its golden sands is an ideal place to unwind and soak up the sun. Of course, one of the best things to do in Broadbeach is to go surfing on the fab swells found here; novices can head to the Gold Coast Surf Academy which provides board hire and surf lessons.

Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club

The beach is home to the well-known Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club which hosts the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. Around an 11-minute walk from Avani Broadbeach Gold Coast Residences, this club also features a popular bar and bistro where one can enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment.

Active Beach Pursuits

Those looking for more fun things to do while at the beach can head to its boardwalk; it offers an excellent spot to go rollerblading and cycling which makes for ideal family activities too. You can even enjoy a leisurely stroll here and take time to appreciate the stunning coastal vistas.

Playground & Picnics

Families visiting Kurrawa Beach in Broadbeach can also make use of the nearby playground area which has a duck pond that little ones are bound to love. Additionally, there are picnic grounds which are sheltered and provide opportunities for one to have a BBQ before heading back for more fun on the shore.

Beomeosa (Temple of the Nirvana Fish)

The Beomeosa is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Buddhism in Korea and is among one of the country’s most well-known religious locations. Perched on the slopes of the Geumjeongsan Mountain, it’s a place of peace and tranquillity – one which is well worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.

How to Visit

The easiest way to get to the temple is via train. Accessing the subway shouldn’t be too much of a hassle if you’re staying at a hotel or at one of the serviced apartments Busan has to offer, such as the Citadines Haeundae Busan. Once you get off at the Beomosa Temple subway station, you can walk the rest of the way up to the temple.

Temple History

The Beomeosa Temple was first established in 678 under the decree of King Munmu, and it stood strong for a number of centuries. This changed when during the Japanese invasions that took place during the latter half of the 16th century – the invaders nearly reduce the temple to ashes. However, several notable Buddhist monks lead the renovation of the temple during the early decades of the 17th century – ultimately restoring the Beomeosa to its former glory.

The Landscape

Visiting the Beomeosa temple can be quite the treat, not only because of what the temple itself has to offer but because of the scenic landscape that surrounds it. In fact, the Geumjeongsan Mountain is known for its “Three extraordinary sites”. These include the rock peak behind the hermitage, a giant rock formation that resembles a chicken, and the legendary golden well that lies at the very peak of the mountain.

The Temple Treasures

Now, of course, there’s plenty to see at the temple grounds too. For starters, you’ll run into the magnificent Il Ju Mun, the impressive gate that leads to the temple which is meant to represent the boundary between the mundane world and the spiritual. Within the temple you’ll find an array of brilliant bronze statues that depict Buddhist monks – these all surround a magnificent Buddha statue that lies in the centre.

Traveler’s Guide to Sepang, Malaysia

Until the KL International Airport was built in Sepang, and several other projects such as the Sepang F1 racing Track and Cyberjaya came up here, it was known to be a sleepy town that was earlier into rubber plantation.

Getting in Sepang

Since there is an International Airport located here, you can now enter this city by plane. For the journey from the Airport to your Sepang hotel, it’s always better to hire a car and travel, as it’s safer and faster too.

Things to see and do

Sepang International Circuit which is located close to properties such as Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort is one main attraction in the city, that is never missed by tourists generally. In addition, there are also other places such as Bagan Lalang Beach which you can visit during your days there.

Craig, Sepang international circuit qualifying 2, CC0 1.0

Events in Sepang

In addition to the world-famous Sepang International F1 & Moto GP Racing, there are also some other events happening in Sepang. Thaipusam and the Chinese New Year are just some of them.

Keeping in touch is easy here

In Sepang, dealing with the internet is always easy and fast. You find Wi-Fi hotspots in almost all shopping malls and food courts. Buy a local SIM card and make local calls at cheap rates too.

A Complete City Guide to Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is relatively a small town, but for a small town like this in geographical terms, it has so much to see and do. French Colonial streets, temples and bustling night markets are just some of them.

When to go to Luang Prabang?

Between November to May falls the best time to visit Luang Prabang, and this is also the period during which every hotel in Luang Prabang gets fully booked with guest reservations. The weather is so pleasant at this time and is suitable for every sightseeing activity that you wish to undertake.

松岡明芳, Phou si Luang Prabang Laos プーシーの丘ラオス・ルアンプラバーン DSCF6777, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to get around?

As mentioned, Luang Prabang is a small town and you can simply get anywhere on foot. But if you are visiting any places outside, you can use a hired bicycle, Tuk-tuk or a taxi for your convenience.

What to see and do?

If you are staying at properties such as Avani+ Luang Prabang there are several places nearby that you can visit such as the Night Market, Mount Phousi Viewpoint and the Mekong River. In addition to that, you may also take a Lao cooking class or witness the alms ceremony to the monks.

calflier001, LUANG PRABANG MARKET LAOS FEB 2012 (6992417213), CC BY-SA 2.0

How about the costs?

An average mid-range traveller will have to spend around $80 as his daily cost including food, transport, sightseeing and accommodation costs. If you are a backpacker, you can actually settle for less.

Pala-U Waterfall of Hua Hin

If you thought Hua Hin was all about lazing around on golden beaches with azure waters, well, you were right! But that’s not all there is to it, Hua Hin is a place the ignites the spirit of adventure and Pala-U waterfall is definitely a must-see.

Location

This beautiful waterfall is surrounded by vibrant green trees looking picturesque with an earthy background. It is located in none other than the largest national park of Thailand, Kaeng Krachan National Park. The park is just 63 kilometres away from the city and is an enjoyable journey as well.

User: (WT-shared) Onyo at wts wikivoyage, Ngerdmau Waterfall, CC BY-SA 4.0

Entering the sanctuary unobtrusive

Arrive at the park and you’ll have to pay a sum of 400 baht to enter. You are sure to find an expereince that was certainly worth the price! The vegetation here is thriving and hues of green decorate the woods here. Try to spot the unobtrusive wildlife here. When it comes to things to do in Hua Hin, hiking this trail is simply unmissable.

Listen to the call of nature

Pala-U forest reserve is home to a lively ecosystem. The waterfall here has about 15 tiers and goes under the same name as the park. Of these 15 tiers of waterfall, tourists are usually encouraged to visit just the first 3 as the rest might be dangerous.

How about a stay?

The only way to experience nature even better is a stay over at the reserve. Now you might have already booked into hotels like Avani+ Hua Hin Resort in the city, but a comfortable stay is possible here as well. You can either pitch a tent or book one of the small houses available here.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Botswana

Botswana is one of the go-to locations for safari-goers. It’s home to all members of the famous Big Five, which include the lion and African elephant. It’s also a region steeped in ancient traditions and a culture based around the bush. Here are five locations you should visit if you find yourself here.

The Okavango Delta

Born out of the Okavango river and surrounded by the dry expanse of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is a fantastic location teaming with games. Here, during the flood season, a large portion of the land gets submerged under several feet of water, this presents the unique opportunity to go on safari via a traditional canoe or kayak.

Joachim Huber, Okavango Delta, Botswana (2675181510), CC BY-SA 2.0

The Gaborone Nature Reserve

Though comparatively small compared to most reserves, this park’s claim to fame is that it’s situated inside Botswana’s capital city. Many of Botswana’s resorts surround the park, making it remarkably easy to visit. For example, you can try your luck at the slots in the Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino and then take a short drive to view some wildlife – all on the same day!

Mokolodi Game Reserve

This is another park that’s located very close to the country’s capital. It is, however, significantly larger and home to a far wider variety of games. Rhino tracking is a highlight at this reserve where successful breeding programs have ensured the species’ continued survival.

The Kgalle Hill

A popular destination among rock climbers and hikers, Kgalle Hill is one of Botswana’s major landmarks. Visitors who make an hour’s climb up the hill will be treated with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area complete with a stunning sunset in the evening.

Great facts about Koh Samui

Koh Samui is indeed a tropical haven for most of the tourists visiting Thailand. This island has many entertaining features and here are just some of them.

Koh Samui has a privately-owned airport

Bangkok Airways do own an airport on this island and if facilitates daily direct flights to and from Koh Samui. This has made accessibility to Chaweng beach resorts much easier and faster as well.

There are two main landmarks on the island

Yes, there are many places to see in Koh Samui but, specifically, there are two, that visitors hardly miss. They are the Big Buddha statue and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks.

Maksim Sundukov, Big Buddha in Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), CC BY-SA 3.0

Chaweng is the heart of this island

Chaweng is known to be the most popular and liveliest beach you find on this island. To facilitate tourist requirements such as accommodation, dining, and nightlife, there are good options around Chaweng such as Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort that provide world-class services. It was a fishing community back then Today, this island is passing a tourist era, but back then Koh Samui relied on fishery and coconut cultivation.