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Tamborine Mountain

The Tamborine Mountain region has quite a rich history and is home to stunning national parks and rainforests. Read on to find out what you can do when you’re here!

High up in the skies!

If you’re up for a great start, you have the chance to witness the stunning sunrise from above the Tamborine mountain – Hot Air Balloon Scenic Rim takes you up into the sky, gifting you with awe-inspiring 360 – degree views of the landscape. After you’ve completed your things to do in Broadbeach, head over here, which is less than an hour away!

On top of the world!

Don’t miss out on the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk – which will give you the full idea as to how beautiful Mount Tamborine really is. You can wander among the treetops and follow the path that leads you to the cantilever that stands 30 metres above, offering sweeping views of the area!

Chase waterfalls

Make an early start from your hotel or apart-hotel such as Avani Broadbeach Gold Coast Residences and put on your walking shoes as you go exploring the waterfalls! There are several paths you can follow, so pick the one you feel like you’ll enjoy the most!

Korkut Tas, Curtis Falls Mt. Tamborine – panoramio, CC BY-SA 3.0

Best Ways to Get Around Doha, Qatar

If you are travelling to Doha, Qatar, and wondering how to get around, this brief guide will come in handy! Here are some of the options available to you.

Doha Metro | Image Credit : Asianchamp2, DohaMetroRedLine2019, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxis & Ride-hailing Apps

Transport via taxi is one of the most convenient ways to get around especially when the heat tends to be overwhelming! Those arriving at the Hamad International Airport can use metered Karwa taxis to easily access properties the likes of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli with are only around a 15-minute drive away. Additionally, ride-hailing apps such as Careem and Uber are also available.

Car Rental & Chauffeur-Driven Options

Alternatively, you can look to rent your own car at the airport which offers great flexibility, though it helps to plan ahead. Of course, you have the option of making use of chauffeur-driven services which are convenient when embarking from hotels in Doha on some extensive sightseeing.

Doha Metro

The newly developed and still expanding Doha Metro is a rapid transit system that came into operation in 2019. This service currently operates three lines (Green, Gold and Red) with the central interchange station located in Msheireb in the downtown area. Amongst the destinations served are the Corniche, Katara, Hamad International Airport and Souq Waqif.

Bus Services

Mowasalat Karwa operates state-owned buses which run along an extensive network that covers many parts of Doha. These air-conditioned buses generally run from five in the morning to midnight, while the main hub is the Al Ghanim Bus Station.

The History of Nuwara Eliya

There are only vestiges of it left in the town today, but Nuwara Eliya was once an uninhabited network of forests and meadows shaded by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Here’s the history you did not know.

The History
Though now you would be finding all kinds of accommodation in Nuwara Eliya, the city was born completely of British influence after it was discovered to have climates that were comfortable and agreeable to the colonial planters.

The City of Light
The area, which was afterwards named Nuwara Eliya, or “city of lights,” was first visited by John Davy in 1819.

The English Influence
The English were pleased to discover that the climate agreed with growing English vegetables and began to grow strawberries, lettuce and other produce that were consumed by the colonists.
This evolved into growing coffee which was later switched to tea. Both of these experiments were extremely successful. And resulted in the upcountry being dubbed “The Tea Capital of Sri Lanka.”

The Plantation Connection
Since the local populace refused to work on the plantations, the British brought labour over from India and settled them in slums on the estates. Today their descendants make up the demographics of upcountry Tamils who are different from the Tamil population in the North and East of Sri Lanka that was native to the country.
Today, Nuwara Eliya grows vegetables and tea but has evolved into a quaint and beautiful resort town. Resorts like Galway Heights are great places to spend a vacation.

Most thrilling wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife is renowned globally, therefore it is no surprise that a vast number of visitors make sure they visit at least one of the national parks in this paradise island. Listed below are a few national parks for your itinerary.

Yala National Park
The most famous national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is situated in the south-east region of Sri Lanka and is the second-largest park on the island. Situated roughly 300 kilometres from Colombo, several Sri Lanka holiday packages, such as the ones offered by Tangerine Tours, include this popular wildlife park. You are sure to spot an excellent range of wildlife here in Yala!

Wilpattu National Park
Located 26 kilometres from Puttalam, the park covers 425 square feet of the coastal area. Wilpattu is also one of the oldest and largest national parks in Sri Lanka. You’ll find plenty of dense shrubbery and grasslands covering this park, with its main attractions being endemic sloth bears, leopards, barking deer and elephants.

Wasgamuwa National Park
Providing refuge to countless displaces wild animals, this national park earned its place in 1984. Here is where you’ll spot a large number of elephants if you’re looking to spot them. Bird watchers find this national park rather fascinating as well, as it is considered one of the best bird-areas in Sri Lanka.

Adventurous things to do in Pattaya

If you are after some extreme thrills, then Pattaya in Thailand is the destination for you; from soaring in the sky to being hurled at breathtaking speeds, there’s never a dull moment here!

Skydiving

Enjoy the exhilaration of freefall from 13,000 feet on an unforgettable tandem skydiving experience at Thai Sky Adventures Co., Ltd. within easy reach of Travelodge Pattaya. As you feel the freedom of flight, not to mention speeds of up to 220 kph, you can channel your inner Superman or Supergirl!

Bungy Jumping

Equally exciting is bungy jumping at Xbungy – Pattaya Bungy Jump, one of the best places to visit in Pattaya for extreme sports enthusiasts. Reaching a height of 197 feet, it is the country’s highest bungy jump and provides an unforgettable adrenaline rush. Note: screaming optional during the jump!

Human Slingshot

Another attraction at Pattaya Bungy Jump is the Human Slingshot; you will be strapped to a full-body harness that will be stretched along silicon bungy cords till it reaches the point of launch… think of the Angry Birds concept! Once let go, you will be hurtled at rates of up to 150 kph as you are propelled back and forth at dizzying speeds.

Flyboarding

Moving from land to water, flyboarding gives you a chance to hover up to 15 metres in the air on a special board that is bound to make you feel like Iron Man (R.I.P Tony Stark). Once you get the hang of it, you can do some “tricks” and dive into the ocean and “fly” back up again; suffice to say you’ll love it (3,000)!

A Hiker’s Guide to Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Mountain Range

The knuckles mountain range lies in central Sri Lanka and is a popular spot for hikers. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the ideal location for those interested in hiking. Here’s more information for you!

Hiking the mountain range

Considered a rather tough hiking trail in the country, it’s best attempted by those who have a history of experience behind them. It’s best if you have a guide when exploring Knuckles Sri Lanka, hotels in the vicinity such as the unique Wild Glamping Knuckles as it’s easy to lose track of where you are!

Mini World’s End

Located south of the mountain range lies ‘Mini World’s End’, as the name suggests, is a 1,192-metre cliff offering the best views of the mountains. The trail begins at the Knuckles Conservation Centre and is roughly 1.5 kilometres in length.

Nitro Caves

Another popular trail is the nature trail leading to the Nitro Caves, a massive cave that hundreds of bats call home. This 11-kilometre trek begins at the Corbett’s Gap and takes roughly five hours to complete.

Tips

Although streams are aplenty, there is a high chance some of them may have dried up. Therefore, it is best to bring enough water bottles and re-fill them at every stream you pass!

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

With diverse birds and animals, Sri Lanka is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. There are several fully-fledged national parks and bird parks scattered around the island as well as sightings for marine life off the coast all year round. 12% of the country is dedicated to wildlife protection; from wet rainforests to arid plains.

The Birds
Thanks to a rich tropical climate Sri Lanka there are over 400 species of birds including 200 migratory species and 33 that are endemic to the country. There are plenty of bird watching hotspots dotted across the country as well as national bird parks. It truly is an ornithologist’s dream come true.

The Mammals
One of the most iconic experiences in Sri Lanka is seeing an elephant in the wild. It is a phenomenal experience and one that you should consider. Minneriya is possibly the best place, especially since the elephants gather at the edge of a man-made lake to socialise and swim.
Yala and Wilpattu National Park are great to spot many of the 102 mammals, 90 of which are indigenous to the island distributed across the diverse climate and geography of the island.

The Marine Life
With packages like Tangerine Tours, you can also book a safari into the sea to go whale watching or swimming with a dolphin or simply staking out on a beach to watch a sea turtle wander in to lay her eggs.

Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Make sure you add Minneriya National Park, Horton Plains, Yala National Park, Sinharaja Rainforest and Wilpattu National Park to your itinerary.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island with a priceless variety, so as its wildlife- ranging from authentic birds, mammals like elephants and even colourful marine life. The safari parks and sanctuaries there have been designed in such a way that they give the best experiences to their visitors, and this is why you should allocate some time to admire the wildlife in Sri Lanka- once you visit it.

The Birdlife

During your tour in Sri Lanka, travel to Kumana, Yala, Horton Plains or even the Sinharaja Rainforest with Walkers Tours and enjoy the best of birdlife in the country. Discover the behaviours of the migrant species as well as the endemic ones.

The Mammals

As the country is blessed with a diverse climate, vegetation and altitude, there are different species of mammals extensively distributed in Sri Lanka. If you visit any national park here, you will be blessed to see mammals moving in herds in the wild so make sure you capture these rare moments as memories.

The Marine Life

During your tour in Sri Lanka visiting the beaches will obviously be one of your top priorities. Make sure you allocate some time to admire the whales, dolphins, whale sharks and marine turtles- which can be explored via excursions arranged as per your requirements.

The top attractions

While all the above-mentioned experiences are worth enjoying, there are also some super special sceneries that you won’t need to miss. The leopard at Yala National Park, herds of Elephants roaming at Uda Walawe National Park and the monkey population at Polonnaruwa are just some of them.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

A Hiker’s Guide to the Hills of Kandy

The Knuckles Mountain Range is a dense forest-covered mountain range that is among the most popular and one of the toughest hiking trails in Sri Lanka. There are smaller, easier hiking trails like the one situated in the vicinity of Hunas Falls, which is also as picturesque and breath-taking. Here are some of the most popular trails and adventures.

Dothalugala Nature Trail

This trail winds along the Dothalugala mountain and provides some of the most beautiful views of the south side of the mountain range. The whole trail extends 5.8 kilometres and once the circuit has been completed, you will have made it a full circle around the mountain.

Mini World’s End

Named Mini World’s End because it too is a sheer drop of 1,192 metres like the World’s End at Horton Plains, this trail snakes across two other trails. Since it begins in the Knuckles Conservation Centre, you will need a permit to enter the reserve. If you are staying in a hotel in Kandy, you can ask for more information.

Nitro Caves

An eleven-kilometre path which begins at Corbett’s Gap and extends for 5 hours leads to the Nitro Caves which is a massive cave full of bats.

Duwili Ella Trail

Duwili Ella| Img by: Gayan Rajapakshe via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The most spectacular hike, Duwili Ella trail ends in a 40-metre waterfall deep within the forest. There is also a cave behind the waterfall which is what makes this hike most spectacular.

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

Adventure-Filled Activities in the Abu Dhabi Desert

It may seem foreboding, but the deserts of Abu Dhabi are enchanting indeed and offer the perfect backdrop to enjoy some truly thrilling activities.

Camel Trekking

What better way to explore this unique landscape than on a “ship of the desert” AKA the camel! The quintessential way to enjoy an Abu Dhabi desert tour, camel trekking gives you an idea of the traditional ways Bedouins travel and lets you take in magical sunsets too.

Dune Bashing

For more action-packed escapades, you can look to try dune bashing. Offered at desert resorts the likes of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, this activity involves being driven in 4WD vehicles by experienced drivers; they will take you on an exciting and speed-filled ride on the dunes you won’t soon forget!

Fat Biking

Pedal-powered adventures await for those who traverse the sands on mountain bikes that have been adapted to manoeuvre the sandy terrain. Featuring larger tires, and referred to as fat bikes, they provide another great way to discover the beauty of the desert.

Sandboarding

The desert can be compared to a sea of sand and the imposing dunes provide perfect slopes to enjoy some adrenaline-pumping sandboarding. The steeper the dune, the faster you can go and there are plenty of opportunities to surf your way down on a breathtaking ride!

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+