Category: Land

Abu Dhabi Archery

Abu Dhabi is a splendid emirate that forms part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it is home to a fascinating array of activities for the cultural and curious tourist. If you wanted to try your hand at archery, there are a range of clubs as well as a spa resort Abu Dhabi features that offer visitors the chance to channel their inner archer. The Anantara Al Yamm which provides its guests with premium accommodation at its beautiful villas in Abu Dhabi also offers lessons and equipment for visitors to try out this long-cherished Arabic tradition. For those serious archers dedicated to the sport, the Abu Dhabi Archers Group provides a community of support for archers looking to get into the field, or serious shooters. Top archers can take part in the Top Archers Competition, which targets top archery dogs to crown champions on the range. The group does not have official status yet; however, it does provide the opportunity to gather and practice at the Al Forsan Archery range, which offers ten lanes and the best equipment to try one’s luck at a distance of 5 to 60 metres, depending on preference and ability. The range also offers Re-curve and Compound bows if archers do not have their own. The range provides arm guards, releases and tabs too, so head on down for a practice round or two!

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Moon of Pejeng

Bali is one of Indonesia’s most vibrant and culturally rich islands. It sees millions of visitors every year, all clamouring to participate in, partake of and appreciate all the festivals, shopping, beaches, entertainment and surroundings. A unique town for the adventure-seeker is Ubud, and lodging comes in the form of eclectic Ubud accommodation such as the Alila Ubud Bali whose elegant interiors and stylish amenities are a treat to experience. Of the many accommodation options, it is a superb Ubud hotel that pampers guests with warm island hospitality. Bali is home to many ancient and intriguing artefacts, of which one is the Moon of Pejeng, otherwise known as the world’s largest single cast bronze kettle drum in the world. It is the biggest surviving relic derived from Southeast Asia’s Bronze Age period, and is considered to be a highly sacred monument to the local people. It is believed that the drum was used in early rituals for rice cultivation. It is 186.6 metres in length and the dynamo of the tympano is 160 centimetres in diameter. It is housed at the Pura Penataran Asih Temple in the Petauan River Valley, which is where complex rice irrigation first started in the country, originating in South Bali. The drum is almost two thousand years old and was constructed by the Dong Son people. It is the largest and most complete example of the Pejeng drums found in Bali and Java and is a fine spectacle of the country’s illustrious past to behold.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Home to diverse cultures, diverse ethnicities and diverse religious beliefs, Indonesia has a rich heritage that is very much a part of the country’s identity. An ideal way to experience this culture in one location is by paying a visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah which showcases the range of customs and traditions followed by various communities. Located around 18kms from the city centre, this site can be found in East Jakarta and those in search of well placed Jakarta serviced apartments that can be used as a base can consider Ascott Jakarta. This modern serviced residence in Jakarta can be found in the lively shopping and business district and lets you enjoy the very best the city has to offer.

A miniature park with offers hours of fun exploration, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah showcases the way of life of people from the country’s 26 different provinces and features traditional architecture, dances, clothing and more. A miniature archipelago can be found in the middle of the site’s lake, while there are a number of sites of interest that can be seen here; the Pangeran Diponegoro Mosque, Arya Dwipa Arama Buddhist temple, Penataran Agung Kertabhumi Balinese Hindu temple, the Indonesia Museum and the Soldier Museum to name a few. The site’s Jasmine Garden and Bird Park are great places to unwind and the mini train that runs around the park, Imax theatre and the paddle boats on the lake also make this site an ideal place to visit with the entire family.

Kobar Island

Kuwait awakens a new vision of the Middle East. It is a budding blossom that is unearthing treasures from a land that is still a secret for many. For decades, it has only been known as a mere nation in the Middle East where families relocate for better fortunes, so much like many of the other Middle Eastern nations. Like the well established stretch of the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar not far behind, Kuwait too is stretching its wings and gaining momentum to soar in the sky. The two primary catalysts aiding its journey skyward are its diverse man power and the many bounties from nature.

Among nature’s finest spectacles is the renowned Kobar Island, a rather small island located in close proximity to Fahalel. It can easily be accessed from this point or from Adudhal Harbour by chalet. The Kobar Island is the quiet getaway that gives the nation of Kuwait its pride in scenic locations. The island is nothing short of spectacular and is unspoiled in every way. The grainy crystal sands and the sparkling blue waters make the beaches on the island oh so tempting. Once you delve in, coming out requires some strong will power!

The water has fantastic visibility, and snorkeling in this location is your ticket to a spectacular marine life show in the Middle East. The Arabian heat is a fact well known, but Kobar Island’s cool surrounding waters gives one the perfect setting to cool down in. Away from the city, the island has a quiet charm and an unconventional feel; so don’t feel shy, bring out your wildest spirit and enjoy a carefree day out at Kobar Island.

There are several charter stores where you can rent a yacht or a speed boat. This is the best way to get to the island and enjoy the array of relaxing opportunities in store. After an adventurous day out at the island, a popular Kuwait Resort to come home to is the Al-Jahra Copthorne Hotel & Resort. Known for its impeccable standards, it is one of the finest Kuwait hotels and is an ideal location for leisure and business travellers to the region.

Explore Horton Plains where nature is at its best!

Located in the lush green hills of the beautiful Nuwara Elita city is the Jetwing St.Andrew’s; one of the best Nuwara Eliya hotels that one would come across. This hotel in Nuwara Eliya would transport you back to hundreds of years; where you would still experience the old world charm and tradition in the service provided by them.

The Horton Plains is a magical place where you could visit during your stay at this beautiful city. This is a place where nature is at its best; as soon as you enter you would be able to see the land covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. Apart from the rich wild life in the area the main thing that captures the interest of this plain is the Worlds End. This is a steep cliff with a 870 m drop. Both locals and visitors flock in this area to witness this amazing piece created by nature. Make sure you come early morning when the fog is very less otherwise you would not be able to see anything through it. After this don’t miss the beautiful Baakers Fall. The silvery water falling down would be very soothing to watch. Take some time off from your busy life style and enjoy a few hours with nature!

Kicking up a Dust

Although Abu Dhabi at first glance seems all desert there are amazing natural destinations in the emirate that extend all the way to the Empty Quarter in the south and the mountains of Oman in the east where pristine waterfalls, cliffs lined with fossils and freshwater lakes are part of the environment.

Adventure travel in Abu Dhabi is all about getting to know the landscape and stretching the mind and in many cases the body to embrace exciting experiences. Late evening dune bashing trips or desert safaris to the Liwa desert is one of the best ways to experience the desert landscape in Abu Dhabi. Traveling in a convoy of 4x4s, travelers are offered a roller coaster ride over sand dunes and are taken to vantage points to see gorgeous desert sunsets. The trip include a visit to a camel farm, camel rides, dinner in a Bedouin style desert camp where guests get to sit around a campfire, smoke an aromatic shisha, partake of a traditional Middle Eastern meal and with no light pollution to detract from the experience, enjoy a sky thick with stars. Overnight camping experience in the desert can be added to dune bashing.

Wadi bashing, driving a 4×4 along rocky and dry river beds is another aspect of adventure travel in Abu Dhabi. This is one of the best ways to see naturally beautiful parts of a wadi such as waterfalls, animals in the wild and mountain pools among others. Another option would be to join one of the many 4×4 clubs and after a little training go dune and wadi bashing with family and friends. The massive dunes in the Empty Quarter offer awesome driving challenges and learning to navigate the dunes is one of the best adventure experiences around. Sand skiing on the 984 foot high sand slopes is another way to enjoy the desert landscape.

Camel racing is a popular local activity and adventure travelers can catch some of the action on race days in Shweihan and Liwa and see racing practices and camel paddocks at Al Wathba.

Traveling 140 km out of town to Al Ain is a must to enjoy the greenest parts of Abu Dhabi, the site of many oases, parks, tree lined avenues, museums, forts and an archaeological park. From here travelers can access Jebel Hafeet the highest point in the area and known for the mineral springs at its base and fantastic views of the sunset from the top. Wadi Adventure in Ain Al Fayda nearby has the regions first artificial white water rafting, surfing and kayaking facility. The 3.3 meter manmade surf wave here is the world’s most impressive. Its 1.7 km kayaking channel is the world’s longest.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara a calm and peaceful oasis is undoubtedly a lovely place to experience the desert landscape at its best. As one of exceptional luxury hotels Abu Dhabi, guests are offered a selection of spacious, well designed contemporary rooms, suites and villas added to which are services and facilities that complement the very special quality of the setting. Enjoy well selected traditional Middle Eastern, Oriental and International menus, relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments and a host of desert based activities that will make a stay at one of prominent Abu Dhabi hotels a real pleasure.

Al Wathba Camel Race Track

An oasis in the desert, Abu Dhabi defies all expectations. It is the largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is the ideal destination for tourists who want to learn more about the Middle East but want to do so in a somewhat liberal setting. The emirate has plenty of cultural and historical attractions. It also has a fair share of shopping malls and contemporary attractions, such as the Ferrari Theme Park. However, for tourists intent on learning more about the local culture and traditions the Al Wathba Camel Race Track is a great place to start.

At one time camels were highly valued for their usefulness. They were an important means of transport and provided sustenance in the form of milk and flesh, and while they are no longer relied upon in the same fashion, they are still prized animals beloved by the locals. The tradition of camel racing is quite old but has been kept alive through the ages and those who want to catch all the action can head over to the Al Wathba Camel Race Track.

The race track is open on Thursdays and Fridays and is located around forty five kilometres from the city. The races start early in the morning and those who want to witness the best camel racing should try to get to the track by at least 8 am. While the camels are the main attraction, first time visitors are probably apt to be more fascinated by the fact that robots are used instead of jockeys! The races are quite exciting with many people attending them each week, and tourists should try not to miss out on this interesting blend of modern technology and age-old tradition.

The local infrastructure is quite impressive and tourists looking for good Abu Dhabi hotels will have plenty of options. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi is a great place to consider when holidaying here. This Abu Dhabi city hotel is situated in one of the most scenic parts of the city. Guests of the hotel will be treated to stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the Capital Gardens.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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Outdoor adventures in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is home to a plethora of fun activities for members of the whole family. One of the best locales from which to experience this vibrant emirate is one of many villas in Abu Dhabi that cater to comfort and convenience. Of the many options for a spa resort Abu Dhabi offers, an excellent choice are the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Al Yamm Villas which provide a home away from home in the midst of a scenic island set in the shimmering azure waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Outdoor adventures are found aplenty in Abu Dhabi…the only problem is choosing which one to plunge into headfirst! How about a 4×4 adventure across the Arabian sands from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, for an afternoon and evening desert safari? Catch a splendid desert sunset and enjoy a tasty barbeque dinner around a campfire under the stars. On the way, why not get a beautifully intricate henna tattoo, go on an exciting camel ride and taste the sand firsthand with a thrilling sandboarding experience? And safariers will not want to miss the mesmerizing movements of a belly dance for a truly immersive Arabian Nights encounter. Or for nature enthusiasts, how about an adrenaline-bursting camel right? Except the summer and early autumn months, any other time of year is the perfect time to go “camel back”. Or rip out that rugged 4×4 for an amazing thrill ride of “wadi-bashing”. A wadi is a desert fixture that has been scooped out by flood waters, and its sloping sides provide the perfect course for 4-wheel drives from October through April. Dune-bashing is another exciting off-road experience, which will be an electric experience on Abu Dhabi’s slopes expansive and steep slopes. Or, for those wanting a wet n’ wild experience, kayaking in the mangroves is a fantastic way to go, as the natural swamplands provide the perfect setting for this water sport. The desert is home to many unique adventures so take your pick and just do it!

Nature and Wildlife Drives in Abu Dhabi

For many Abu Dhabi would only bring to mind deserts and cities, but there is definitely more to this Middle Eastern land than just that. Among the numerous things that one can do in this diverse land, there are Nature and Wildlife Drives in Abu Dhabi.

There are countless organizations that offer amazing drives across the deserts and other arid lands. There are especially designed 4wheel drives which will take visitors across various landscapes and closer to nature and wildlife. It is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime in this part of the world. Though many might not be aware, deserts are teeming with wildlife of its own. What is more, amongst the least expected animals who can be found freely roaming around the region, there are also amazing geological formations, and remnants of archeological sites of a time gone by.

Usually these tours take about two hours and the best time to go it either early in the morning or in the evening. So it is an ideal way for a family or a group of tourists to explore this region. There are generally jeeps which can accommodate about seven people, making it an ideal option for a small group or even a family, for bigger crowds countless operators have their own buses. Amongst the most popular regions to go on a tour of this nature are Arabian Wildlife Park and also beyond the Sir Bani Yas Island.

Make sure that you wear light and comfortable clothing that are close to nature and avoid bright colours. Don’t forget to take your camera and video as there might be unexpected findings in the barren land. Mostly there will be both indigenous and also other flora and fauna. So for those travelers who are keen to see more than the cities and the shopping malls this is definitely one way to explore the Middle East.

If one wishes to have a luxurious holiday at one of the Villas in Abu Dhabi, and get pampered at a Spa Resort Abu Dhabi, while enjoying the scenes, sights and sounds of this exotic land, there is Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi which is in close proximity to all these attractions and more.

White Cloud Mountain

Guangzhou is China’s third-largest city and visitors will find a diverse world of culture, comfort and great shopping in this 12-million-strong modern metropolis. Travellers looking for places to stay will not go wrong with a conveniently located Service Apartment in Guangzhou, an excellent base from which to explore and sample the city’s various delights. One excellent Guangzhou Serviced Apartment complex with modern amenities is the Ascott IFC Guangzhou. Located in the city’s central business district with a luxury shopping mall and international conference centre onsite, this well-appointed property is an ideal choice for business travellers and pleasure seekers alike.

White Cloud Mountain is Guangzhou’s most breathtaking natural landmark. Set in the midst of a quiet valley, it is a peaceful haven away from the chaos of one of China’s largest cities. The mountain boasts panoramic views of the nearby Pearl River and Guangzhou’s impressive sky line. It is one of the Guangdong province’s famous mountains for good reason, as it consists of more than 30 peaks and covers an area of 28 kilometres. There are three scenic spots that visitors should check out: Shanding, Shanbei, and Lihu. Lihu offers plenty of welcome shade and is the ideal spot to catch magnificent views of the lake. Shanbei presents the famous “Baiyun Songtao”, a breathtaking sight of Mount Baiyun’s pine waves caused by mountain wind. Take a cable car to Shanding, which opens up beautiful views of Shanding Park, Mingchun Valley, Nengren Temple and Jiulong Spring. A scenic oasis in the midst of China’s countryside, White Cloud Mountain offers soothing verdure when visitors seek a welcome break from the concrete jungle.