Category: Miscellaneous Adventures

Tel Moreeb

The deserts of the UAE not only offer visitors a chance to witness the sheer beauty of the barren landscapes that abound, but also take part in thrilling adventure sports too. Believed to be the tallest sand dune in the world, Tel Moreeb is one such desert attraction and can be visited while staying at a hotel in Abu Dhabi. When in search of accommodation Abu Dhabi has to offer consider the luxurious Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi which provides an ideal base for business and leisure alike.

Plan a trip to the desert area known as the Empty Quarter where you will find the imposing Tel Moreeb sand dune. Situated around 25 kms from the Liwa Oasis, Tel Moreeb is aptly referred to as the ‘Scary Mountain’ since it is more than 300 metres in height and features an incline of 50 degrees. A popular spot for motorsport enthusiasts, Tel Moreeb attracts those interested in quad bike and four wheel drive vehicle excursions. One of the best times to visit this area is during the event known as the Moreeb Hill Climb which takes place each February and which gives you a chance to see dirt bikes and other vehicles in action.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Happy Valley

How about leaving behind the monotony of work and stepping out for a well earned break? Well then think no further than the Happy Valley Shenzhen which is by far China’s most visited and enjoyed amusement park. Located in the Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Happy Valley can easily be reached by choosing a Shenzhen serviced apartment. Do consider a serviced apartment Shenzhen has to offer by staying at Somerset Garden City Shenzhen.

Covering an impressive 86 hectares, Happy Valley is made up of nine themed sections which include Typhoon Bay, Sunshine Beach, Mt. Adventure, Gold Mine Town, Spanish Square, Cartoon City, Playa Maya Water Park, Happy Times and Shangri-la-Woods. Opened in 2002, the park serves an array of exciting and absorbing rides that would make anyone want to come back a second time. Voyage through the dense forests of Mt. Adventure and arrive at ‘The Space Shot’ which will take you up to a height of 60 metres in the air where you can savour a few seconds of the surroundings before being hurtled down at an amazing speed. Take the little ones to Cartoon City where they are sure to be kept company by the numerous fairy tales on show. For jaw-dropping excitement, take on ‘Shooting the Chute’ which is the world’s highest fall located at Typhoon Bay.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Hike Through Puerto Rico Rainforest

While the Caribbean may be known for its sun drenched beaches and exciting water sports, islands such as Puerto Rico are also blessed with stunning rainforests, perfect for a hiking adventure. Before setting off on your outdoor excursions look to find accommodation that also lets you experience the very best the Caribbean has to offer. Staying at Turks and Caicos luxury resorts are definitely worth considering and Parrot Cay Turks & Caicos stands out amongst the available options. This Turks and Caicos beach resort is located on its own private island and provides an idyllic getaway by the sea.

Make sure to plan a trip to Puerto Rico where you can explore rainforests and discover the exotic wildlife of the Caribbean. One of the best areas to go hiking here is the El Yunque Rainforest which happens to be the sole tropical rainforest of the US National Parks. Perfect for jungle treks, this forested area is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna including numerous orchids and tree species. As you hike through the forest you may hear the sound of Coqui frogs, not to mention a variety of bird calls. There are many trails at El Yunque Rainforest, each offering a different path and a different journey of discovery. These trails include La Mina, Juan Diego Falls and the El Yunque trail which leads to a peak where one can enjoy awe-inspiring views.

Wadi Tiwi

If you’re in the mood to commune with nature and explore the natural wonders of the Omani landscape, the Wadi Tiwi is a splendid gorge that has been carved into the mountains, flanked by soaring cliffs and runs down into the sea. Explore this and other features of Oman when you make your base at one of the stunning Oman hotels in the city of Muscat, such as the Al Wadi Hotel Sohar. With a central location and welcoming hospitality, this Oman hotel is sure to please you. Escape the bustle of the city and head to Wade Tiwi, which is home to a charming array of traditional desert villages that are framed by lush expanses of date and banana plantations, with bubbling streams meandering through the landscape. Close to about five kilometers into the gorge, you will encounter the idyllic community of Harat Bidah, featuring quaint dwellings of another age and towering walls of stone. If you fancy a drive that will give you an inspiring adrenaline rush, five kilometers out of Wadi Tiwi will bring you to the village of Mibam, which is located at the end of a rough stretch of road (used here loosely), and is the perfect excursion into the Omani wilderness if you’re coming in on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Christmas in Bali: A Tropical Christmas

As December draws near, the spirit of Christmas seeps into people’s hearts with shopping malls decorated in Christmas colours: red and green, the sidewalks slippery with frozen snow and a general feeling of excitement in the air. Traditional Christmas celebrations will involve decorating a Christmas tree, leaving out cookies and milk for Santa, hanging of stockings on the chimneys and of course, cradling cups of hot chocolate in an attempt to insulate oneself from the cold. While this form of Christmas has its own intrinsic charm, opt for a different experience this December and make your way down to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate your own tropical Christmas.

Although the main demography of Indonesia is composed of non-Christians, Indonesia celebrates Christmas as a holiday with pomp and splendour. Similar to decorations done in Europe, Balinese shopping malls too resort to decorating the interior with the traditional Christmas colours and the exterior with sparkling, bright lights creating an feeling of excitement and thrill.

The best way to kick-start your Christmas in Bali is to first do your Christmas shopping as gifts are sold only until stocks last. Once your Christmas shopping list is ticked, tourists can opt to partake in the general spirit of Christmas by taking a walk around the city, exploring the markets and the malls, and perhaps singing a few rounds of some carols as well. Celebrating Christmas in Bali is just as exciting as celebrating it in a cosmopolitan European nation, excepting the cold climate for resorts, hotels and clubs organise a series of parties, Christmas events and more to celebrate the holiday.

Depending on which beach resort in Bali you opt to reside in, you may be lucky enough to enjoy a true feast during the Christmas week. If you opt for a hotel in Nusa Dua, you may be able to enjoy special Christmas foods and traditional deserts as well as complimentary eggnog. Enjoy your tropical Christmas to the fullest by opting to stay at a hotel the calibre of Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali which is a hotel that will cater to your every need during this special holiday season and deck your vacation with unforgettable memories.

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 hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Flying Down the Dunes

Sand boarding and skiing has added a whole new dimension to two sports once limited to areas with snow. Once adrenaline junkies found that snow boards and skis could be used on smooth sandy surfaces with the same effect there was no stopping them. Now there are several keen followers of these sports who regularly sand board and ski where there are impressive dune formations. Towering sand dunes in the Liwa Oasis bordering the Empty Quarter in Abu Dhabi are popular both with sand boarders and sand skiers.

Where ever there are dunes or a considerable build up of sand there are sand boarders who want to swish down their sides and experience an adrenaline rush. Sand boarders ride across or down a dune with their feet strapped to a board although some daring and more experienced types ride without the straps. Unlike snow boarders sand boarders don’t have the advantage of being taken to the top of a dune by a lift. They generally have to clamber up the dune themselves or use an ATV or a dune buggy. Sand boarding is enjoyed by enthusiasts throughout the year in desert climates where there is plenty of sand and of course dunes. The board used for sand boarding is much harder than a snow board and it has to be waxed prior to use to make the board glide. On steeper dunes snow boards are also used.

Abu Dhabi’s sand dunes towering several hundred meters above the surrounding area are ideal for sand skiing enthusiasts. Novice sand skiers are advised to start on the smaller slopes prior to attempting the 300 meter high Liwa dunes. Other than in the cooler months the best times to both sand board and ski are the early mornings. A thick layer of sunscreen, light clothing covering most parts of the body and sun glasses is advised when taking to these sports. Additionally it is better to have basic lessons on how to stay up and fall properly and safely before attempting the dunes. Children too can try but on the lower slopes and a plastic sledge will afford them a great deal of pleasure flying down the ‘nursery slopes’.

On Sir Bani Yas Island just off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara not only offers an extraordinary location but some of the most luxurious guest rooms, suites and villas from where guests can explore the beautiful natural environment around this Abu Dhabi resort. Food is one of the experiences here where guest get to taste a variety of local and international cuisines, the other is the amazing landscape which can be enjoyed via kayaking trips, mountain biking, trekking, on safari and on horseback. As one of Abu Dhabi beach hotels guests have access to several water sports among which are special diving and snorkeling packages.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Drive Jebel Hafeet

Towering high over the plains of Al Ain, the Jebel Hafeet stands proud as the tallest peak in the entire Emirate. There is a rugged beauty about Jebel Hafeet; its surface red and raw is the evidence of its endurance. The chiselled edges of the Jebel Hafeet gives it sheer majesty, the mere sight of which will leave you in awe and will give you an authentic taste of the desert side of the United Arab Emirates.

The Middle East in general is known for its excellent roadways, the United Arab Emirates in particular tops this list boasting fantastic automobiles and smooth carpeted roads. Driving is such a pleasure in the UAE and the blissful desert scenery in the outskirts of the city is a real pleasure to savor. One fantastic location to experience the bliss of driving is the Jebel Hafeet. The Jebel Hafeet rises just over 1200 meters above sea level and has winding roads that adorn all sides of the mountain. The best part about these mountain roads are that they are wide and comfortable to ride on. The many bends that come with this road makes a drive to the top of Jebel Hafeet both fun and adventurous.

The Jebel Hafeet is exotic; every inch of this mountain has beauty to savour. It is built out of craggy limestone that has stood tall over millions of years weathering the harsh climatic conditions of the desert side of UAE. The many rains and scorching suns have shaped Jebel Hafeet to what is today a symbol of artistic magnificence in the UAE. In addition to all its beauty the mountain is also a historically significant location. It holds the heart of the world’s past and several important fossils have been discovered here including over 500 ancient burial tombs that date back over 5000 years.

Once you reach the top of the mountain you will be rewarded by unmatched beauty, sceneries that will take your breath away and magnificent bird’s eye views of Al Ain. After an adventurous day at the peak, come home to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. This Abu Dhabi resort is the finest of all the Abu Dhabi beach hotels.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Kandooma Thila Diving Site

Located close to the South Male Atoll is a popular site with divers: the Kandooma Thila, with an exciting descent and abundant marine life that is sure to be a treat to capture from behind the lens. It’s best if you check into one of the fine Maldives resorts that will make this dive happen with all the logistical details taken care of, from setting you up with diving equipment to a dive guide who will walk you through the process for optimum safety. One of the best luxury hotels Maldives has on offer is the Kurumba Maldives which specializes in organizing all manner of underwater excursions for a truly unforgettable vacation. Venture into the tar-drop shaped Kandooma Thila and discover another world of underwater delights. Heralded as one of the most exciting dives in the South Male Atoll, its western and northern section afford the most stunning views, toping at 16 metres. Jack corner, the northwestern niche, features a cave at a depth of 23 metres chock full of soft coral, populated by dreamy-eyed trevally, startling red bass, elegant tunas and fearsome barracudas. On the western corner, you’ll encounter several large rock outcrops carpeted by brightly-hued soft corals. Keep your eyes peeled for reef sharks and eagle rays, and the site’s highlight: large green turtles peacefully swimming along the reef’s edge.

 

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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Top 5 Water Sports in Maldives

Surrounded by the cerulean waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the best destinations in the world to enjoy a thrilling array of water sports. Of course the best way to experience these exciting activities is to stay at a Maldives resort which provides its guests the opportunity to take part in these water sports. Featuring a water sports centre, Anantara Dhigu Maldives is one such option worth considering and offers luxurious accommodation in Maldives as well.

Kick-starting this list of top 5 water sports in Maldives is snorkelling. This fun activity can be enjoyed by young and old alike and gives one the chance to see the vivid underwater world that lies beneath the waves. Diving offers more underwater adventure and will bring you into contact with colourful marine and coral life. There are plenty of water sports that also provide some truly adrenaline pumping thrills; waterskiing gives you the chance to skim the waves at great speeds, while windsurfing lets you harness the power of the wind and take a breathtaking ride at sea. Rounding off the list of top 5 water sports in Maldives is parasailing which provides unique views of the islands as you soar above in the sky!

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Fauna and Flora in Maldives

Tipped to be one of the most pristine archipelagos on the planet, the picturesque collection of islands that is the Maldives is no ordinary tourist attraction in Asia. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes and sunny weather conditions all year round, this honeymooner’s hub is also a diver’s Mecca and a beach lover’s dream come true. Naturalists and nature lovers also have much to discover within the captivating confines of these islets as the archipelago which is made up of more than 1000 islands, offers a diverse marine and land ecology complete with land animals and flora as well as marine fauna and plant life.

With its sandy beaches synonymous with swaying palms and fragrant frangipanis, the plant life in the Maldives boasts attributes that are found in most paradise islands around the world. Swaying coconut trees and palm trees are a permanent fixture while eucalyptus, mango trees, and Pandanus trees are also part of the landscape. More than 20 species of sedge and grass are found here along with forest laden with Terminalia cattappa and Hernandia nymphaeifolia vegetations. Banyan trees, breadfruit trees and the Hibiscus tiliaceus are some of the taller flora species found on the islands that are renowned for its tropical jungles and dense Scaevola serica and Pemphis acidula vegetations.

Wildlife in the Maldives on the other hand includes flying foxes, snakes, garden lizards, and giant fruit bats while the archipelago is also home to more than 100 bird species as well. Highlights include parakeets, seagulls, koel birds, water hens, noddys and herons although what lies beneath the Maldivian islands are decidedly more intriguing that what lies above ground.

A diving expedition is akin to exploring a mammoth aquarium as the crystal clear waters of the islands are home to more than 1,000 fish species. Highlights include whale sharks, manta rays and white-spotted sharks while unicorn fish, Moorish idols, and dolphins are also known to inhabit Maldivian sea beds. Stingrays, flutemouths, rock cods and butterfly fish are also frequently spotted by divers in addition to trumpet fish, angelfish, blue-stripe snappers, parrotfish, turtles and oriental sweetlips. Home to more than 200 varieties of coral, the underwater vegetation in the Maldives is dominated by blue, white and pink corals as well as mushroom corals, stylophoras, giant gorgons and fire corals.

Visitors on the lookout for idyllic Maldives island resorts should look no further than Naladhu Maldives for all their accommodation needs. Offering guests a resplendent rest amid breathtaking surroundings this Maldives hotel is suitable for both holidaymakers and corporate clients.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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