Activities - The Adventure Travel Site

The Most Instagrammable Attractions in Hong Kong

If you are looking for the most Instagrammable spots in Hong Kong, here are some sites well worth adding to your itinerary and which make for ideal sightseeing experiences too.

Mong Kok Flower Market

Vibrant bursts of colour and sweet aromas await at the Mong Kok Flower Market. Around a 15-minute drive from Park Hotel Hong Kong, this lively market features everything from potted plants to cut flowers of various hues with chrysanthemums, orchids, roses, tulips and more vying for your attention.

Choi Hung Estate

Easily one of the most famous spots in Hong Kong for Instagrammers, the Choi Hung Estate with its multicoloured basketball court and condos is not to be missed. Budget hostels and 4 star hotels in Hong Kong can be found within easy reach of this site, though try and get there early to avoid having to compete for the best vantage points!

Chi Lin Nunnery

Set amidst a modern cityscape, the Chi Lin Nunnery provides a fascinating contrast of east meets west. Featuring traditional wooden buildings and charming gardens, this sacred site is not only a great place to photograph, but also experience a sense of serenity. What’s more, entrance is free of charge too.

Tian Tan Buddha

Located on Lantau Island and 34 metres in height, the Tian Tan Buddha will inspire awe and have you clicking away! Also known as the Big Buddha, it is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong; this bronzed marvel can be reached via a climb of 268 steps and offers plenty of potentially great Insta stories.

Explore Yala National Park

When it comes to viewing wildlife, few places in the world can match the thrills on offer at Yala National Park. The stronghold of the famous Sri Lankan leopard is the perfect stage for a daily myriad of action and drama that could rival any soap-opera!

How to Get There

You’ll have to make a choice on whether to travel through Kandy or Galle. Sri Lanka’s extensive, well-kept road systems will ensure that you’ll have a nice and relaxing drive regardless of your choice. You could also take the train from Peradeniya – which is just beyond Kandy.

Places to Stay

While there is an abundance of Yala hotels to choose from, picking the right accommodation can go a long way in making a good experience truly great. Properties such as Cinnamon Wild Yala are not only located close to the park but organise safaris too which adds to the convenience of enjoying thrilling escapades in the untamed bush.

The Adventures that Await

Experience a full day’s safari at Yala – marvel in the gentle majesty of great elephant herds, revel in the playful antics of a troop of langurs and if you’re lucky, hold your breath as a leopard patiently stalks its prey. You can also check out the ancient rock monastery of Sithulpawwa, a must-see if you’re visiting the park.

When to Visit

June to September remains the ideal time to visit as the temperature hovers around a comfortable 26.4°C. This not only makes embarking on a safari quite a pleasant endeavour, but it also greatly increases the chances of leopard sightings – after all, it’s comfortable for them too!

Malaysia: A Must-Stop Country for Shoppers

In addition to the adventure theme parks, temples and great dining options in Malaysia, you also find the best shopping spots that literally have everything. If you are a shopaholic looking for what Malaysia has got to amaze you, read on… you will have some great insights.

Petaling Street

When exploring the best of KL during your stay at Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort, make sure you explore this Malaysian shopping street in Chinatown too. From apparel, artificial flowers to electronics this place has it all.

Suria KLCC

It’s new and so modern. This is located in the all-time favourite Petronas Towers, which you don’t ever miss to visit during your KL diaries. Luxury brands like Gucci, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton can all be found here and if you are someone looking for branded items, this is the shopping mall to visit!

Berjaya Times Square

This is a 48-storeyed building, and most definitely one of the biggest shopping malls in the world, featuring more than 100 stores in addition to the various entertainment and dining options as well.

Mitsui Outlet Park Klia

One of the main things to do in Sepang if you are a true shopaholic is to visit the Mitsui Outlet Park Klia, which basically has a factory outlet concept. You will find all the upper-middle to high end off seasoned products here, which is ideal for those on a budget but who are also interested in purchasing branded items!

Complete Itinerary in Busan for 3 Days

Busan is a metropolis, a holiday resort and one of South Korea’s most prominent port cities all at the same time. If you are planning to explore as much of it as you can, allow us to recommend a 3-day itinerary to make the most of it.

Jagalchi Market

On the first day visit Jagalchi Market, which is the Busan’s number one fish market. You can try out the fresh seafood there as well as they will cook them and serve them for you in tiny food stalls at the market.

Gamcheon Cultural Village

The Gamcheon cultural village is one of Busan’s most famous tourist sites. There is an entire neighbourhood of houses in pastel colours with actual residents where you can walk around and take pictures. If you check into any of the many hotels in Busan, South Korea, they will recommend visiting Gamcheon.

Nanpo-Dong

Nanpo-dong is the quintessential Korean neighbourhood, with hotels and grand department stores, street food carts and the Lotte Observation deck which will give you grand views of the city.

Ken Eckert, Nampo-dong Busy Street, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seomyeon

On the second day, head to Seomyeon which is a great place to scout pretty and quirky shops. Afterwards, you can head to Shinsaegae Centum City which is the largest shopping complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Haeundae & the Temple

Haeundae is South Korea’s most famous beach which is a 40-minute drive from Avani Central Busan Hotel. Spend your third day relaxing on the beach and exploring the temples.

midnight.here, Haedong Yonggungsa, Busan, CC BY-SA 2.0

Complete Guide to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi with its whole list of world records for having the fastest rollercoaster on earth, the farthest leaning man-made tower and many more is a great destination to travel. And, here is a good guide if you want to have a great visit.

Best times to visit

From April to September, Abu Dhabi has the peak season during which all 5-star hotels in Abu Dhabi become occupied as a whole. August is the hottest month of the year and of course the best month to go for a swim.

Image Credit: Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara

Things to do when you are there

If you stay at a hotel the likes of Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara there are several things that you can try out during your stay without traveling much. Golfing, quad biking, water skiing are just some of the best and most exciting things you can do here!

Things to see and explore

Abu Dhabi Corniche, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District are some popular places to see when you have your days in this destination.

Alberto-g-rovi, Ferrari world-abu dhabi-2011 (11), CC BY-SA 3.0

Places to shop at

For shopping needs, Abu Dhabi has great places like Dalma Mall and Bawabat Al Sharq Mall and there are some good markets to visit too.

Jebel Shams of Oman

The Jebel Shams is one of the most beautiful places in the world that you can visit not only in Oman but in the whole world. It is part of the spectacular Grand Canyon of Arabia – the Al Nakhr Canyon.

Introduction

There are plenty of things to do when you go to the Jebel Shams which is what makes it a must-visit attraction for sightseeing in Oman.

Image Credit: Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

For Camping

The Jebel Shams is referred to as the Mountain of the Sun in Arabic because it is the first place that receives sunrise in Oman. It is a great place to go camping or if you’d like to talk to your local hotel like Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort for glamping options.

Stargazing and Night Photography

The Jebel Shams is a great place to go stargazing or for long exposure night photography. However, the conditions have to be great as well as it being a moonless night. Thanks to it being away from light pollution areas it can guarantee great shots.

Hiking

There are three major hike routes in the Jebel Shams which include the Al Nakhur Rim hike, Al Khitaym to Wadi Ghul hike and the Jabal Shams summit hike. The summit is not the highest point which is inaccessible due to there being a military outpost situated there.

Udawattekele in Kandy

The Udawattekele Forest Reserve is the historic royal park that crawls across the uppermost spine of the Kandyan plateau. It spans 257 acres and was once known as “Uda Wasala Watte” which means “the gardens above the palace.”

Senkada and Rajasinghe

Ancient records state that there was once a brahmin called Senkada who dwelled in the caves in Udawattekele and that was how Kandy got one of its older names; Senkadagala. The cave was visible on a walk through the forest reserve until 2012 when it collapsed in a landslide. The gardens were used as a pleasure garden by the kings of Kandy and were forbidden to the public.

Colonial Era

During the colonial era, the British used some of the lands to construct a garrison and pathways that today are used and disused trails through the reserve. On the south-eastern side stands an abandoned British garrison now overgrown. It was attacked by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe’s forces in 1803 and the British troops manning the garrison were massacred.

The Fall of the Kingdom

After the Fall of the Kandyan Kingdom, the forest was subject to human activity including clearing and logging. Its condition deteriorated until it was declared a forest reserve in 1856 and made a sanctuary in1938.

Important Part of the Plateau

The Kandy lake is fed from springs that originate in Udawattekele. It also carries out air purification thanks to its elevation and placement above the city. There are many a hotel in Kandy that are in close proximity to make it to the sanctuary in under a couple of minutes. The reserve is only 10 minutes’ drive from Kandy town so you can easily get to it from a hotel in Kandy that is comfortable and spacious like Kings Pavilion.
The forest is home to endemic trees such as Madatiya, Tel Kekuna and Ankenda. There is a dense spread of flora thus restricting sunlight from reaching the underground layer. Some of the species of creeper are over 200 to 300 years old.

The History of Angkor Wat

The temples were originally constructed in dedication to the god Vishnu and then converted into a Buddhist temple circa the 14th century. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage that a lot of effort is spent on preserving for the future.

The Largest City in the World

Many guests that stay in Angkor Wat hotels and make sure to head over to see the ruins at sunrise. The city of Angkor was once the capital of the Khmer empire and contains hundreds of temples and was home to a population of over one million people.

The Architecture

Angkor Wat is 200 metres wide with a perimeter of about 3 miles. The moat is 4 metres deep and was probably constructed to make sure that the foundations of the temple remain strong.

Vishnu and King

Angkor Wat was built by Suryavarman II; a usurper who came to power after murdering his uncle. He venerated Vishnu and wanted to build the god a temple. Signs of devotion are all over the temple, some of them surviving till today.

Construction Techniques

If you are staying locally at a hotel like FCC Angkor Siem Reap, be sure to visit the temple at sunrise or sunset to get the best photos and really appreciate the construction techniques that were used centuries ago.

Most adventurous hikes in South Korea

When 70% of the landscape of South Korea is mountains, it’ll be a loss if you don’t plan a hike or two during your days in this destination. You don’t necessarily need to be a hiker to have this experience if you have even a slight passion for adventure- this is something you should try out!

Seoraksan – the tallest and the prettiest

Seoraksan’s highest peak is Daecheongbonh which is about 5600 feet high. The treks will not exceed 3 hours for sure, and you will surely be rewarded with sensational views all the way.

Bukhansan- lungs of Seoul

If you are staying at a hotel near Myeongdong Station the likes of Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro, traveling to the Bukhansan National Park will take less than 1 hour, this is where you will find the Bukhansan Mountain.

Taebaeksan – where you can see snow flowers

This is a mountain that generally blooms in the winter and if you plan your hike during this season, you will be lucky to see tree branches sparkle with frozen snow!

Songnisan – the best for sight seekers

Songnisan is popular as one mountain range that has magnificent mountains. The best views are available if you plan your hike during the autumn season.

The Knuckles Forest Reserve

The Knuckles Mountain Range is located in the central highlands of Kandy and is a famous range of mountains that dissect the central province from the Matale District.

A Biodiverse Hotspot

The Knuckles are considered a biodiversity hotspot and are situated at 3000 ft above sea level covering an area of 21 hectares. The range has five peaks: Kirigalpoththa, Gombaniya, Knuckles, Koboneelagala and Dotulugala.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The misty mountains were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in in 2009 after being declared a climate reserve in 1873. It is one of two UNESCO World Heritage nature sites in the country and is home to many Knuckles Sri Lanka hotels.

Climate and Weather

The climate in the Knuckles can range from very hot to freezing cold. During the season of January to March, there are instances of reported frost on the higher elevations.

Distinct Features

The Knuckles massif separates the hills of the Dumbara valley in a deep gorge. There are many picturesque waterfalls and several hiking trails each with their distinct features. Wild Glamping Knuckles is one of the ways you can choose to spend a comfortable hike in the mountains.

The Forest Reserve Diversity

The reserve has a list of 1033 species of plants of which 15% are endemic to the region. There are 128 species of birds, 31 species of mammals and 20 species of amphibians.