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How to Spend a Wonderful Weekend in Port Stephens – Explorations to remember

If you have already made plans to spend your weekend in Port Stephens, Congratulations as you’ve made a wise choice. It’s going to be a scenic weekend.

Swim with the Dolphins

Who won’t fall in love with dolphins? So, why not take the chance and start your fun-filled weekend with a good swimming session with the dolphins. You’ll have to wake up a little early, but the experience is worth it.

Stockton Sand Dunes

These amazing landscapes are located with the Worimi National Park, and you can’t simply miss out on those! Hire 4WD for a greater experience.

Tomaree National Park

This is an epic experience. Take the 45-min walk to the summit and enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the harbour. Do not forget, you’ll find many koalas waiting to say hi to you on your way.

Enjoy seafood

Port Stephens is a heaven for those who love seafood. Try out the local oysters when you are here as they are at their freshest forms.

Do not worry about accommodation

Did you know that there are many great accommodation options here such as Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort? Check out the Port Stephens hotel deals online before you make your reservations.

Sigiriya and Dambulla in one day

Sri Lanka is a country blessed with the best of cultural and historical aspects. Sigiriya and Dambulla are two main attractions located very close to each other that should be visited while you are there.

Sigiriya

This is an architectural marvel done by King Kasyapa over 1500 years ago. But, believe it or not, the irrigational networks and engineering skills still amaze the world! It’s a rock fortress that has everything including swimming pools, audience halls, and gardens.

Dambulla

Dambulla is one of the most ancient cave temples in Sri Lanka. Inside these caves, you find many historical paintings and Buddha Statues that date back several centuries. It’s a temple in the country that has a mind-relaxing vibe.

What else to be covered?

If you have some more time left, you can also try out the Pidurangala Cave Temple. Since all these attractions are located closer to each other, you have the chance to cover all of them in one go.

Holidaying in Sigiriya

Cover both Sigiriya and Dambulla in one day and choose to spend the night at one of the Sigiriya hotels. There are many great options including Aliya Resort.

How to Ski

Seasoned skiers might make this sport look quite easy – but it’s no walk in the park! However, for those who crave adventure, mastering this sport shouldn’t be a chore but an adventure itself. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to try out this sport during your holiday at a Whistler hotel.

Learn the ABC’s

A skier is guided by the figures displayed on trail markers. For instance, you’ll find that an easy trail is marked by a green circle and a trail that should only be attempted by expert skiers is marked with an exclamation mark inside a black diamond.

Familiarize Yourself with the Basics

Skiing in Whistler Mountains |Image by Scott Hughes via Flickr

A skiing lesson is the best option to get into the basics of this adventurous sport. Some of the properties in Canada such as Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside are known to offer skiing lessons that’ll help you master the basics.

Make The Bunny Slope Your Best Friend

A first-timer to this thrilling sport will certainly need support during the first few trips down a hill. A bunny hill is where you’ll find ski lifts; a rope tow or carpet lift will let you ease into the sport with its support mechanisms.

Correct Skiing Postures

If you lean too far behind, you’ll find out that it becomes quite difficult to take a turn; you’d even lose control. Make sure that you keep your knees bent and your hands in front to maintain the balance needed.

Adventure Sports in Sri Lanka

With its sun-kissed beaches, tropical lagoons and pristine hill country, Sri Lanka is a bubbling pot of exhilarating activities. Discover some of the adventure sports offered by this tropical paradise.

Water skiing

Whether it be jet or water skiing, riding a banana boat or even windsurfing, Sri Lanka’s water activities are endless. Make the most out of your adventure by visiting travel websites like Truly Sri Lanka for information on the best destinations for water sports.

Ziplining

Ella is the epitome of adventure in Sri Lanka. Seek a different kind of sailing by heading to the Flying Ravana adventure park featuring activities such as quad biking, abseiling, and the ultimate highlight, ziplining. Sail through the air between two mountains, and amid the adrenaline rush, gaze at your picturesque surroundings.

Lagoon canoeing

A lesser-known water sport in Sri Lanka is lagoon canoeing. Paddle your troubles away at lagoons in Tangalle or Unawatuna and discover an array of fauna and flora.

Hiking

Experience first-hand the cool climes of Sri Lanka’s hillside by hiking through Horton Plains, Moon Plains or Knuckles Mountain range. As you do, be sure to take in the sights and spot a plethora of exotic flora and wildlife such as sambar deer, and if you are lucky, the stealthy leopard.

Surfing

With its challenging swells, the beaches in Sri Lanka are any surfer’s paradise. Arugam Bay features daring surfing feats, while Hiriketiya Beach and Hikkaduwa offer manageable waves ideal for beginners.

Travel Adventures in Sri Lanka

For many, Sri Lanka will always be a nation with stunning beaches, ancient kingdoms and lust wildlife. The memories made within this island are made for a lifetime of reminiscence.

Image credit- Unsplash,
Farhath Firows,CC0

The outdoor adventures

As a nation with diverse landscapes, Sri Lanka offers visitors a taste of adventure to match their penchant. From hot air balloon rides to rock climbing, there is something for everyone.

Beauteous beaches

The sandy shores of Sri Lanka are truly irresistible. All you need is a few beers and a good book, and you are set for an evening and sunset for the ages. Many hotels near Colombo, such as the Pegasus Reef, are great places for this.

Rich cultural heritage

From the ancient kings to the majestic ruins, they left behind, Sri Lanka is steeped in a thousand years of history. With various UNESCO World heritage sites such as the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, you can spend a month looking through Sri Lanka’s ruins.

Cuisines to delight

When visiting this island nation, the elegantly spiced and decadently prepared dishes that grace the lunch tables are a major highlight. Whether you are dining at a humble home or a fancy restaurant, you are in for a treat.

Best Mountains to Explore near Sydney – Get rewarded with peace of mind

Appreciate the great outdoors while you are in Sydney. You get the perfect chance to get closer to nature through this activity, and you can gain some self-satisfaction too!

Blue Mountains National Park (Mount Banks)

Mount Banks is surely for those who are interested in the beautiful views. Enjoy heavenly views of the Grose Valley while you are at the top.

Barrington Tops National Park (Careys Peak)

This is a World Heritage Site and known for the best that the Barrington Tops National Park has. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the Australian wilderness.

Linda Muldoon, Barrington Tops National Park, Honeysuckle Walk, CC BY-SA 4.0

Wolgan Valley (Donkey Mountain)

Reaching this summit will surely delight the adventurers out there! Expect to meet pagodas, canyons, caves, and rock orchids while you take your journey.

Burning Mountain

This is also known as Mount Wingen. 30 m beneath the mountain, there has been a fire for over 5500 years, and yes… now you see why it’s given the title ‘Burning Mountain’

Holidaying in Sydney

While you are enjoying all the beautiful harbour views from any Sydney Darling Harbour hotel the likes of Oaks Sydney Goldsbrough Suites, just decide to enjoy a hike or a stroll over these beautiful places.

Pidurangala rock hike in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Pidurangala Rock is one of the best-hiking destinations that Sri Lanka has to offer. The trek up is full of amazing sights to see and you get treated to an amazing view of the surrounding landscape once you reach the top – here’s a closer look at what this hike is like.

Image credit- Unsplash, Damien Cornu,CC0

The History

Pidurangala was first established by King Kashyapa – the same king who commissioned the famous Sigiriya Fortress found close by – and was to serve as a Buddhist monastery and holy site. Pilgrims from all across the kingdoms would make the trek up the mountains to offer tribute and receive blessings.

The Way Up

There are plenty of Sigiriya hotels in the vicinity – for example, the Aliya Resort Resort and Spa – that will include a hike up Pidurangala in their itinerary. Do keep in mind that the hike can be a bit challenging – granted the reward is well worth it.

The Pidurangala Temple

Before you reach the top of the rock, you’ll first come across the Pidurangala Temple. While most of the temple has now unfortunately fallen into ruin, the massive Reclining Buddha Statue still remains and makes for an impressive sight.

The View

The view from the top of Pidurangala is simply amazing – from up here, you’ll get a great look at the nearby Sigiriya Fortress and well the endless expanse of forests and distant mountains that spread around in all directions.

A Simple Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations to visit in South Asia and the unique wildlife you can spot here plays a large part in all that. In many ways, Sri Lanka offers some of the best safari experiences in all of Asia – so, here’s a look at some of the key forest denizens that make exploring Sri Lanka’s wilds so exciting.

Sri Lankan Leopards

The Sri Lankan leopard is the top predator here in the island’s wilderness and it’s quite an elusive sighting too. National parks like Yala and Wilpattu are your best bet if you want to try your hand at spotting one in the wild.

Sri Lankan Elephants

The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest subspecies of Asian elephants found in the world. These massive pachyderms are most concentrated in a select number of national parks. At locations like Minneriya, they gather is huge super-herds that can be quite the sight to see up-close.

Sloth Bears

The sloth bear is definitely one of the stranger forest denizens you’re likely to spot in the wilds of Sri Lanka. This is a species of bear that specialises in eating insects and is characterised by a long snout and thick shaggy fur that’s black in colour.

Blue Whales

If you’re staying by Sri Lanka’s coastline, perhaps at one of the Bentota hotels on offer such as the Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, you might have a chance of spotting blue whales off the coast. These gigantic marine mammals are actually the largest living organisms ever to have existed!

Must-Visit Amusement and Theme Parks in Gold Coast – Having Fun Under the Sun

The Gold Coast is one of the best locations to visit in Australia. There’s plenty of excitement to be had here – most notably, at the amazing amusement and theme parks on offer here. So, if you’re looking to have some fun times on the Gold Coast, here’s a look at where you need to be heading.

Dreamworld

If you’re staying at a Coolangatta resort – say, for instance, the Oaks Gold Coast Calypso Plaza Suites – be sure to make a quick trip to Dreamworld. This theme park has got it all – thrilling rides, water sports, and even some exotic wildlife!

Holoverse

Holoverse is a great place to visit with the kids and to test out some truly state-of-the-art technology. Essentially, you can interact with realistic holograms and play a number of AR games at the world’s first holographic arcade.

Warner Bros Movie World

This is perhaps the biggest and most popular theme park in Australia! It’s also home to the tallest, longest and fastest rollercoasters in the country – so, strap into your ride and let the adrenaline flow.

IFLY

IFLY is an indoor skydiving arena that lets you experience the thrill of skydiving without actually plummeting to the ground from up high. There are plenty of experienced instructors employed here as well, so you can take it easy and enjoy yourself here, knowing that you’re Insafe hands.

Visiting Jebel Akhdar – Exploring the Mountains

The Jebel Akhdar is a spectacular mountain range that rises high above the rugged landscape of Oman’s countryside. Full of hidden sights and quaint villages, a trip here can be quite rewarding for any adventurous explorer!

A Strange Name

The words Jebel Akhdar roughly translate to meaning “Green Mountain”. This is interesting as you’ll be hard-pressed to spot any greenery when you first arrive at the foot of the mountain range. Don’t worry though, the vast expanse before you has its own charm and you can even find lush orchards hidden all over the place.

Getting There

If you’re staying at a Salalah beach resort – say, for instance, the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara – you’re looking at a two-hour drive in order to reach the mountains. The rough terrain of the region means that it is quite remote and isolated – the perfect place for a quiet and relaxing trek.

Best Time to Visit

So, when exactly should you visit the mountains? Generally, you’ll want to target the months of March and April. Not only is the weather stable during this period, but it’s also when the damask roses of the region go into bloom!

Go for a Walk

The best thing to do here in the Jebel Akhdar is to slowly explore the villages, orchards, and gardens strewn across the mountain range. You can hire a driver to help navigate the narrow roads and to reach all the best spots.