Natural | The Adventure Travel Site

Kayaking in Tioman -Paddling Away in Paradise

Kayaking | Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Lying off the east coast of Malaysian peninsular, the stunning island of Tioman is a vacationer’s paradise with its many attractions and things to do. Kayaking is one of these.

Beginner or Pro?

It doesn’t matter as kayaking is as easy as pie! Excepting during the monsoon season which extends from late November to late February; Tioman is a haven for kayaking with its calm waters. You have the choice of either going on an adventurous kayaking expedition or just trying it out by the beach at your hotel in Tioman Island. The distances vary depending on your level of skill. But, don’t worry most of the hotels like Berjaya Tioman Resort Malaysia or even the diving centres; will have an instructor who will carefully take you through the steps of mastering kayaking. Once you’ve used to it, it’ll be quite a smooth ride as most of the kayaks available here are stable and comfortable.

Where?

For a truly memorable kayaking experience head over to the beautiful island of Pulau Renggis. This is said to be the ultimate destination for snorkelling in Tioman but kayaking is quite a breathtaking experience as well. The reason why it’s so popular is that the waters around the island are really shallow, crystal clear and teeming with fish of many colors and sizes. So if by any chance you tip and fall into the waters, you can make some new friends! LOL If you’re in luck, you’ll be able to meet some of the famous turtles who call Pulau Renggis their home like Fred and Dolly.

What to Bring

Before going on an kayaking adventure, don’t forget to take with you a pair of flippers, a mask, some snacks and of course, the kayak! 😀

Fishing anyone?

After a long day of kayaking, you’re bound to become ravenous. So why not catch your dinner while you’re on your kayaking trip? The waters surrounding Tioman has a no-angling zone but if you want to fish, you will be taken about 2 miles off-shore with kayaks and everything to fish! After all, that’s where all the big catches like giant sharks are anyways right? Just kidding! You’re the only one that’ll be hunting. However, to go kayaking in such deep waters, you must be a pro kayaker.

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

Wild Life In Yala

Sri Lanka, the stunning tropical island has plenty of wildlife that makes safaris the most thrilling experience! From majestic leopards to giant elephants, animal lovers will find paradise here!

Yala National Park

Yala National Park located in the south east of the country is the second largest and most popular wildlife park. Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1990, you’ll be able to spot many animals here!

Safari jeep

Tourism Yala National Park | Img. Courtesy: [By Adbar, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

There are a number of safari tour providers around Yala which visitors can make use of. However, as most Yala hotels offer wildlife safaris such as WildTrails Yala, it’s best to book with them instead – to avoid any unsafe or scam tours.

Mammals

File:Sri Lankan Leopard - Yala National Park — Sri Lankan Leopard – Yala National Park | Img. Courtesy: [By Thimindu Goonatillake from Denver, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Yala Park is most famous for spotting elephants and leopards. You’ll see herds of Sri Lanka’s magnificent beasts in the larger open plains of the park while leopards are often harder to spot and can usually be seen resting in the shade.

Birds

Eagle in Yala National Park | Img. Courtesy: [By Schnobby, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

You gotta have a hawk’s eye (pun well intended) when you’re at Yala Park. From the proud peacock to the island’s national bird; the jungle fowl, bird types are diverse and colourful!

Reptiles

File:Crocodile in Yala National Park| Img. Courtesy: [By Schnobby, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Yes, there are crocodiles and snakes. Plenty of them! Crocodiles can be spotted lurking the murky waters around the rivers and swamps.

Things to remember

File:Sign advising not to feed the animals | Img. Courtesy: [By Tess McBride, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]

Avoid making loud noises when you’re inside the park, as this will scare or aggravate the wild animals, especially since you’re in their territory. Don’t feed any wild animal nor throw your thrash out of the jeep!

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Kung Krabaen Bay Nature Centre

Kung Krabaen, Chantaburi province, Thailand| Img. By Sean.hoyland (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Nature lovers will find themselves richly rewarded with Bangkok tourist places when they venture out of the city and into the province of Chanthaburi. The Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre, also known as the Kung Krabaen Bay Nature Centre, offers a stimulating experience for nature enthusiasts and conservationists. Due to its distance from central Bangkok, it is recommended to find accommodation in Chanthaburi when planning your visit. Options include resorts such as the Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao Chanthaburi.

Open from 6.30 am to 6 pm every day, the Kung Krabaen Nature Centre was founded in order to conduct research into Chanthaburi’s mangrove ecosystem. The most remarkable feature of this centre is the 1600 metre long trail built through the coastal area’s mangrove forest. The wooden walkway is dotted with small pavilions allowing visitors to rest or simply absorb the ambience of the towering mangroves. The curious will be happy to know that there are many information sites along the way providing details about the flora and fauna in the area. There is much to see at Kung Krabaen bay as the mangroves provide haven to a variety of aquatic organisms, such as horseshoe crabs and mudskippers. The mangrove forest is also home to many water birds, macaque monkeys and civet cats which often emerge at low tide to search for food. At the end of the walkway, a pavilion projecting out into the bay offers visitors a scenic view of the mangrove forest and the river; a marvellous parting gift!

More adventurous visitors have the option to get even closer and hire a guided kayak to travel through the mangroves. Travellers are taken through the mangrove shaded waterways, almost at eye level with the animals in the area. Lucky visitors may also get the opportunity to see traditional fish and crab capturing methods used by the locals. It must be noted, however, that kayak tours are subject to the tide and prevailing weather conditions.

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+

Snorkelling Trip to Khai Island

Angelique800326, Snorkel-xel-ha, CC BY-SA 3.0

Khai Islands are located about 10 km from Phuket. Comprising of three small islands; Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui, each island is blessed with an abundant number of marine life. The sands at Khai Islands are picture perfect – almost as if popped out of a postcard, with white soft sands and clear blue water that allures you from the moment you set your feet down. The waters around each island are safe and ideal for swimming and snorkelling and the white sandy beaches are best for relaxing and basking under the warm glow of the sun.

If you’re staying at a Phuket resort, you must take a traditional long tail boat ride to the Khai Island for a snorkelling adventure. Some accommodation providers such as COMO Hotels & Resorts, offer day time excursions for those who wish to explore the beauty of marine life living within the warm tropical ocean waters. A boat ride from Phuket should take on average 45 minutes to Khai Islands. A planned tour will first take you to Khai Nui which is surrounded by the colourful reefs that are teeming with fish like eels, clownfish, giant clams and many more. After you spend a couple of hours exploring and snorkelling here, you’ll be transported to the second island known as Khai Nok. This island is the best place to buy some fresh seafood, which will then later be grilled on a BBQ, as you unwind and relax with a chilled beer or a refreshing cocktail by the side of the beach. You can also rent jet skis and go for a spin on the azure waters around the islands. Khai Nai is the largest island of the three, while Khai Nui is comparatively the smallest.

Tourists who spend the day snorkelling here are advised not to feed the fish and leave as little a mark as possible so as not to damage the natural environment and its eco system.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

The Magnificent Geopark in Langkawi

Langkawi sky bridge — By Flickr user “The Dilly Lama” [CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons

Langkawi is an archipelago that features more than a hundred different islands. The main island, also named Langkawi, was given the status of ‘World Geopark’ by UNESCO. The status of geopark is misinterpreted by many, but the title is only given to a place of scientific importance in regards to archaeological, scientific, ecological and cultural reasons as well. These islands have become a renowned tourism destination and there is an incredible amount of eco-friendly things to do in Langkawi as well as a range of hotels and resorts to choose from such as the Berjaya Langkawi Resort.

One of the best points that garnered Langkawi’s reputation as a geopark are the various rock formations that are to be seen. These formations are in turn surrounded by dense jungle, which hasn’t changed much in more than a million years. An immense load of the flora found in the geopark is exclusive to Langkawi. The Mangrove Rivers that snake through the Langkawi landscape contain an abundance of exotic life, ranging from aquatic creatures to various species of birds.

The MachinChang Mountains are one of the most notable aspects about the geopark. These rock formations are ancient, and were formed more than five-hundred-million years ago. This mountain range was the very first section of what is now South East Asia, to rise from under the oceans. The oldest section of this formation is Teluk Datai.

The Dayang Bunting Geopark is the second largest island of the entire chain. The island is famous for a massive lake that is situated in the heart of the dense forest. The lake was the result of a colossal limestone cave that collapsed. The lake is regarded as a spiritual place due the legend associated with it, where a divine maiden buried her dead child here and blessed the lake with fertility.

If you’re looking for a breath-taking voyage into nature, then Langkawi is a definitely a place worth thinking about.

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

Trails Leading to Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak, commonly referred to as Sri Pada by the local populace, is one of the most sacred places on the island. Each of the major religions present within the island has their own beliefs about the nature of the mountain, especially in regards to the footprint-shaped formation that is located at the summit. It is one of the most essential experiences involving Sri Lanka destinations which are bound to be a part of packages offered by any vacation provider the island has to offer such as Aitken Spence Travels.

The footprint is the hallmark of the mountain, and the name is derived from a belief that Sri Lanka was once the biblical land of Eden and the first man was the one who caused the footprint. The Buddhist majority of Sri Lanka believes that the footprint belongs to the Lord Buddha and is a mark of his visit to Sri Lanka after being invited by the god that resides over the mountain.

There are various trails which can be utilised to reach the summit of the mountain, and the most popular of which is the Hatton-Nallathanni route. It is also the shortest since it starts off at a fairly high elevation, reducing the required distance. For the most demanding experience, there’s the Ihala-Maliboda trail where the majority of the trail is through thick jungle. Venturing through this trail will also require you to cross a number of lakes, which are known to contain flash floods. The initial eight kilometres of the Ihala-Maliboda trail are through very isolated terrain.

The ideal season to visit Adam’s Peak is from December through till May. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, there are night tours that can be arranged as well for those looking to scale the mountain after sun-down. Regardless of what time you choose, scaling this mountain is an essential experience if you find yourself in Sri Lanka.

Adams Peak, Sri Lanka, Img. Src;[Aitken Spence Travels]

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Aquatic adventures in Sri Lanka

A holiday in Sri Lanka has so much to offer travellers seeking fun and adventure. Whether you are planning a sandy beach vacation at one of the beautiful beach hotels in Sri Lanka, such as the luxurious Amagi Hotels and Resorts, for example, or an exciting safari tour around the island, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. With so many beautiful beaches to choose from, it’s no wonder water activities top the list of sought after activities by visiting tourists. The West coast of the island is famous for its stunning beaches, coral reefs that are close to the shoreline; ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Coastal towns like Hikkaduwa, Ahangama and Weligama offer the best surfing conditions along the South-west coastline, with waves reaching as high as 6 feet. However, these areas are also popular tourist destinations and therefore generally crowded. If you’re willing to travel a longer distance to experience the great surf waves, head to the surfing paradise of Arugam Bay. Located on the east coast, A-Bay, as it’s fondly known by locals, is less crowded and offers world class surf breaks.

There are several coral reefs around the island that are located close to shore, which are perfect for snorkelling and diving. The top diving sites are Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, to the west and Trincomalee on the north-east coast. North of the international airport, are holiday destinations like Negombo and Kalpitiya. Negombo is great for fishing and boating whilst Kalpitiya, a peninsula bordered by the Indian Ocean and a lagoon, is a good spot for Kite surfing. Kalpitiya is also well-known as a prime location for whale/dolphin watching. For those who prefer leisure activities over extreme sports, southern towns like Bentota and Koggala offer water safaris along the lagoons, where tourists can view wildlife, try their hand at fishing and even take in a view lagoon islands.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Diving with Manta Rays in Maldives

Tipped to be one of the most exhilarating and unique underwater experiences on offer in the Maldives, diving with manta rays is not for the faint of heart. Though these gentle giants are in fact, one of the most docile marine species in the ocean, they do cut imposing figures especially when one interacts with them in their own turf. Available through a variety of Maldives villas and resorts with diving centres including the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and innumerable others, diving with manta rays is specifically geared for seasoned divers.

The Maldives is not only home to large schools of manta rays but is also one of the few diving hotspots in the world where spotting the large creatures is almost guaranteed due to their large local populace. Visitors who wish to experience a scuba diving excursion with manta rays will typically be transported to a site in the Indian Ocean such as Hanifaru where many mantas are known to feed during high tide. After the speedboat ride, divers will typically wait for high tide as the rising waves cause the manta rays to gather in one location to feed on plankton. Hanifaru is, in fact, one of the top diving destinations in the paradise archipelago and is especially well-known as a popular spot to witness manta rays as well as other marine creatures in their natural habitat.

Although manta rays appear fierce and imposing their nature is anything but hazardous to humans although divers must be careful when coming face to face and interacting with the creatures. Noticing the various patterns and spots on their bellies and skin has helped marine biologists and seasoned divers in the area to differentiate one manta ray from another. Diving fanatics who are based in the Maldives are certainly adept at interacting and recognising individual manta rays and also look to photograph them using underwater cameras. Tourists and those who are diving with the rays for the first time, however, should exercise caution and respect the distance between one’s self and the ray and enjoy the experience.

Stay Adventurous, Img. Src:[Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives]

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Safari Holiday in Yala

The Yala National Park which is also known as a leopard spotting hotspot is a must visit place on a safari holiday if you are a leopard lover. It is believed that Yala has the highest population density of leopards in the world. Local car rental Sri Lanka companies the likes of Casons Rent a Car not only offer vehicles that can be used to tour such parks, but tour packages too. Driving through the seemingly endless tracks in Yala witnessing the amazing wildlife and magnificent sceneries is definitely a rewarding experience.

The park is also famous for its large herds of majestic elephants that freely roam in the natural terrain. Besides leopards and elephants, the park is a thriving natural habitat for deer, buffaloes, sloth bears, peacocks, crocodiles and jackals. It is the home to a large number of mammal varieties and bird species too. This wild kingdom was once supposed to have been home to one of the greatest civilisations, believed to have existed more than 2000 years ago. Traces from that era still remain with dilapidated tanks reflecting a bygone time period where agriculture took centre-stage. Yala was named as a Sri Lankan National Park in the year 1938. It covers a massive area of land that consists of scrub areas, light forests, grasslands, lagoons and tanks.

Yala wildlife sanctuary is divided into five sections and two of them are opened for visitors while the others are reserved for animals as breeding grounds and places of rest. The park is connected with the Indian Ocean on one side which provides a panoramic landscape for nature lovers. The memorial of those who died during the devastating Tsunami that hit the park in 2004 can be seen by getting off the vehicles. The tanks seen in this epic wildlife reserve provide much-needed water during the extremely dry seasons for all animals and help to keep them sustained.

Yala National Park. Image Courtesy:[Kumendra Dharmadasa]

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

Bird Watching in Sigiriya

Of many things to do in Sigiriya, bird watching is a must do. As any bird watching enthusiast knows, one should always get an early start to see these feathered-folks at their best. The area surrounding the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a forest reserve and a great place to observe birds in their natural habitat. Many hotels in the area such as Water Garden Sigiriya offer their guests the chance to go on excursions to this UNESCO World Heritage Site accompanied by bird watching experts. Starting as early as 6 am, a walk to the sanctuary will allow visitors to spot a wide range of birds varying from kingfishers, eagles, hornbills, herons, cuckoo birds and much more. Bird watching in Sigiriya like in any other area should be done in smaller groups of like-minded people.

The key to a good bird watching experience lies on how patient you are, the skills of your local guide and your ability to stay still, without making any noise- as the slightest noise may spook the birds away and depriving you of a good opportunity to click a few pictures. Bird watching trek in Sigiriya allows one plenty of chances to photograph these vibrantly hued shy yet active species of birds. Both endemic and migrant bird species can be spotted in Sigiriya. Some of the birds that can be seen in Sigiriya include, Barred Buttonquail, Peregrine Falcon, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Drongo Cuckoo, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Crested Treeswift, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Rufos Woodpecker, and Golden fronted Leaf bird.

It can be a very interesting and a peaceful way to spend your morning hours in Sigiriya, observing the routines of these lovely bird species’ in their natural habitats.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+