Melbourne Skydeck and The Edge Experience

The Melbourne Skydeck is found in the Riverside Quay and is a viewpoint like no other, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the stunning city skyline.

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Some facts about the Melbourne Skydeck

Since its opening, the Melbourne Skydeck has seen close to six million people passing through its doors. If you are staying at any of the apartments on Elizabeth Street such as the Somerset on Elizabeth Melbourne it is well worth taking a trip to take in the views.

The Vertigo Experience

While the name implies a horrifying experience, there is no real danger involved. It is a great opportunity to stand in front of a green screen and take a photo that looks almost as if you are falling off the building.

Visiting the Melbourne Skydeck

The attraction is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm so be sure to visit to catch a stunning sunset or take in the view as the city of Melbourne prepares for the night shift.

The Edge Experience

This is an activity that places you in a glass cube that sticks out from the side of the building and really puts you on the edge of your seat.

Visiting Yala National Park in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is renowned the world over for the incredible wildlife which lives within the confines of the park! Catch an exciting safari and witness the wild animals in their natural habitat. Here’s all you need to know before you go!
Best Time to Visit the Park
Whilst the park is open for the most part, it is considered to be “peak season” during the dry season. This runs from February to July, and it is during these months that the animals are drawn out the dense shrub to the watering holes in search of water.

Yala
Yala | Image via flickr

Where is Yala?

This national park is located in the southeast of the island and spills over to provinces – Hambanthota and Monaragala. It’s one of the largest national parks and covers an extent of over 130,000 hectares. The park in itself is quite remote and it’s best to hire a private vehicle to reach it.

Where can I stay?

Despite being in a remote stretch, many hotels have sprung up to meet the demand in Yala. Hotels, resorts, villas, or guesthouses, there are varied accommodation options to suit your budget in the area! A Yala hotel such as the Cinnamon Wild Yala is an excellent choice for those who want to stay in the comforts of a lovely hotel whilst also being close to the park entrance.

What can I see?

What won’t you see in Yala, is a better question! From tuskers and elephants roaming the plains to plenty of Sri, Lankan sloth bears ambling about, you’ll have front row seats to plenty of exciting encounters with some wild critters. The most exciting spotting is always the Sri Lankan Leopard, as it is one of the shyest big cats in the world!

Hiking in Penang

Penang, Malaysia is always a good idea! And an especially great idea if you are a nature enthusiast or an avid hiker. Here are some fun trails to check out if ever you visit Penang!

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Home Base

Where you base yourself when you’re on holiday is always a very important decision. Whether you’re travelling in a group or flying solo, serviced apartments in Bukit Mertajam, such as the Sky Residence Prai are a convenient and safe choice and are worth considering.

Penang National Park

This National Park, despite being the smallest in the country, has two very scenic and popular hiking trails. Both trails are challenging and rewarding, of which one is along the coast and the other takes you deeper and higher up into the jungle.

Youth Park

For families travelling with kids, the Youth Park is worth checking out, since it has plenty of trails, spaces and activities to keep the little ones entertained as well. The walking trail in this park takes you past the Botanic Gardens, the skate park to its summit which is at Penang Hill.

Teluk Bahang Eco Park

This 80-acre park in Penang is by far one of the best-maintained parks and is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. With over a dozen hiking trails and numerous footpaths, there are plenty of steps you can clock in at this Eco Park.

Spend an Adventurous Vacation in Sri Lanka

Regarded as an adventure traveller’s dream destination, Sri Lanka is an island full of possibilities for thrill-seekers. Here are some of the top adventures and excursions to enjoy on the island.

Safari Tours in National Parks

Wildlife fanatics and safari enthusiasts alike will find more than a handful of extensive national parks in Sri Lanka to get up-close and personal with creatures large and small. From the Yala National Park with its leopard and deer population to the elephant spotting hotspots known as the Udawalawe National Park and the Minneriya National Park, travellers can enjoy both daytime and night-time safari excursions into the wild.

White Water Rafting in Kitulgala

Those in search of frothy rapids and a rugged landscape in which to go white water rafting will find no finer alternative to Kitulgala’s gushing rivers. Countless local tour operators offer white water rafting packages for tourists and local day-trippers looking to get their feet wet in the heart of Sri Lanka’s rafting capital.

Kayaking in Dambulla

Tourists based at properties belonging to Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts or any other popular hotel chain should also take the opportunity to enjoy a kayaking excursion on Dambulla Lake. Allowing visitors to discover the flora and fauna of the area at their own pace, kayaking is a relaxing activity that lets one feel at one with nature.

Hiking in Ella or the Knuckles Mountain Range

Hiking in Ella
Hiking in Ella | Image via wiki media commons

Ranked among the best places to stay in Sri Lanka, Ella is also ideal for hiking and trekking activities. The naturally mountainous reaches of this hill station not only provides challenging hiking opportunities for nature lovers but also less arduous trails for beginners. The Knuckles Mountain Range is another fantastic playground for those who wish to enjoy a trekking excursion surrounded by waterfalls and other natural wonders.

Best Adventure Activities in the Maldives That Challenge the Daredevil in You

Adventurers heading to the Maldives may be surprised to find the sheer variety of thrilling activities on offer. Here’s a rundown of some of the country’s top activities for active visitors.

Catamaran Sailing

Although there are a great many sailing adventures accessible to visitors based at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives or any similar Maldives beach hotels, none are quite as exciting as catamaran sailing. Offering one the chance to sail across the azure blue waters of the archipelago on board a vessel that is not as easy to navigate as a modern-day yacht can prove to be the experience of a lifetime for those who dare.  

Parasailing

Those who wish to take to the skies and catch a glimpse of paradise from a unique vantage point should sign up for a parasailing tour of the coast. Available through a plethora of local tour operators and resorts, the thrill of being suspended above the waves is a feeling that is difficult to describe and replicate outside a beach paradise such as the Maldives.

Scuba Diving

Diving
Diving | Image via wiki media commons

Often listed among the best scuba diving hubs on the planet, no trip to the Maldives would be complete without travelling through the underwater caves, channels and shipwrecks that litter the seafloor of the archipelago. From HP Reef to Banana Reef and Manta Point, the large number of excellent dive sites makes this water sports activity a true adventure. The best time to visit the Maldives for a diving holiday is from December to March.

Kitesurfing

The idyllic lagoons of the Maldives are perfect for kitesurfing excursions for both seasoned surfers and novices.

Amazing Waterfalls around the Kalutara District – Discover Them Now!

The Kalutara district, which is just shy of Colombo is a sunny district with many hidden waterfalls, waiting to be explored and uncovered! Read on to find out more about the waterfalls which await you in this district.

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Hotels in Kalutara

The beauty of Kalutara is that while you might be based in a Kalutara beach resort such as the Avani Kalutara Resort, you’re never too far from some waterfalls. Especially if you’re visiting during the rainy season, you can expect to explore some gorgeous cascades replete with gushing water.

Makeli Ela Falls

This 10-meter-high waterfall is by far one of the more popular waterfalls in Kalutara. The backdrop of which are some rugged granite boulders. The contrast of the silvery cascade against this rustic backdrop makes this stunning location to photograph as well.

Ahas Boku Ella

This waterfall is at the end of a demanding albeit rewarding trek through the thicket. It’s a 30-meter fall which is named after the illusion of the water gushing in and through the sky, making it a must-see on the waterfall circuit of Kalutara.

Maha and Bala Ella

These falls are referred to as the sibling of waterfalls, due to their difference in size and their proximity to each other. Hike up the riverbank amidst the untamed yet pristine forest cover to reach these two falls. Bathing in the rock pools is safe as well but it’s always best to stay close to the banks.

Hiking the Highest Mountains in Langkawi – How to Explore Langkawi’s Soaring Mountains

Made up of 104 stunning islands laden with sandy beaches, Langkawi is also a hiker’s paradise thanks to its towering mountains laden with trails. Here’s how to hike the tallest peaks in Langkawi.

Hiking in Langkawi 101

Img via Pixabay

Hikers and trekkers heading to Langkawi should be aware that there are two big mountains with excellent hiking trails at their disposal. Named Gunung Raya and Gunung Machinchang or Mat Cincang, both mountains are best explored with a local guide. This is due to the fact that tourists based at Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa or any venue that ranks itself as the best resort in Langkawi should not miss out on learning about the local flora and fauna during the hiking experience.

What to Pay Attention To

Regardless of the nature of the hiking activities that one signs up for during a getaway in Langkawi, it is important to notice the wild monkeys that always seem to be popping up out of nowhere on the trail as well as the magnificent Great Hornbills that will sit atop treetops. Funny looking insects and bugs are also known to inhabit Langakwi’s hiking trails; they prove to be harmless but fascinating distractions.

What to Pack and Use on a Hiking Tour

The extreme humidity of Langkawi’s mountains should not be overestimated. This is why staying hydrated and bringing your own water is crucial. Apply plenty of mosquito repellent on your body to keep the pesky creatures away.

Gunung Raya

Those who wish to climb to the top of this 840-metre-high mountain must devote at least four hours to the endeavour as the total distance is no less than 8 kilometres.

Gunung Machinchang

Made up of a series of summits, the “sky trail” is the best way to hike up to this mountain where one also finds the Seven Wells Falls.

Bali – Jungle Swing Experience in Bali

When it comes to visiting places with a good view of lush greenery, one would normally think of hiking and being rewarded with a mountain view. But Bali offers a bit of a different experience with its collection of thrilling swings at the edge of cliffs.

Bali Swings

There is an amazing collection of swings here but mind you, it isn’t anything like the ones at children’s parks. These are thrilling and offer grand views of lush rice fields and forests.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills Swing

This place was literally built for those Instagram addicts looking for the best places to snap the perfect picture. This swing ride offers views of two beautiful lakes – Lake Tambingan and Lake Buyan.

Uma Pakel Swing

This swing is located in Ubud and overlooks the famous Tegalalang rice fields. The swing is not the only thing here, you also have the chance to take pictures in a giant bird’s nest.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace Swing

Tegalalang Rice Terrace Swing |Image via Unsplash

Set up in between 2 palm trees is this amazing swing that looks down on beautiful rice fields. The experience is more thrilling than ever. If you are looking for one of the best things to do in Tabanan, simply inquire at the front desk of your local hotel like Nirjhara for the nearest swings.

Victoria Nature Treks

Seek the bounty of treasures within these vistas of different shades of green by following the nature trails to delight your nature lover instincts.

Trail
Trail | Img via Unsplash

Crown jewel of Mahaweli

Offering an amazing view, the Victoria Dam and reservoir are indeed precious to the island providing the largest hydropower generation to the nation, the environs of this beautiful water body is a nature lovers delight and a favourite site to visit from your hotel in Kandy Sri Lanka.

Inviting fauna and flora

The trekking spaces are home to a variety of wildlife inviting you to catch a glimpse of them. Three distinct species of deer, a plethora of mongooses, over a hundred different species of avifauna, the porcupines and the master anglers, the fishing cats to name a few.

Araliya Trail

Soak in the beauty of the environs of the Victoria Golf Course, not too far from Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy. Try this short trek of roughly two hours. Trek on the outer ring of the golf course into a smaller forest area, emerge to a clearing featuring a viewpoint named “Araliya Deck”. Gaze at the panoramic view.

Mahaweli Trail

A longer trail up to three hours along a river branch of the reservoir. Listen to the gurgling of water, the rustle of the leaves, birds chirping and to crown this tranquil atmosphere, a view of wildlife to feast your eyes.

 

Night Golfing in Jakarta

There is no better way to spend an evening than to gather with friends on the greens of Jakarta under the city lights and enjoy the city centre golf course.

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More than just a sport

For many people, golf transcends sports and falls into the category of meditation. Alternatively, it can also just be a raucous good time that is perfect for relaxing with friends, family and colleagues.

Beyond the nine to five

The reality is that most people tend to play golf early in the morning to avoid being under the sun during the day. However, for those with day jobs, this is a rare opportunity so night golfing is an ideal alternative.

Pick your club

If you are a backpacker and staying at a hotel in Sudirman such as the HARRIS Suites FX Sudirman Jakarta, then you will find yourself in close vicinity to The Senayan National Golf Club.

There’s always a bite to eat

Always close at hand are various eateries that can provide a hearty meal for a hungry golfer!