Category: Activities

Rock Climbing in Hainan Island

Located off the coast of southern China’s Guangdong province is Hainan province, the smallest of all China’s provinces, but that does not impinge on the region’s cultural appeal. Its most popular tourist destination is the resort town of Sanya, located on the island’s southern coastal belt. Sanya is renowned for its balmy tropical climate, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in a range of fun outdoor activities for the entire family, such as swimming, snorkelling, surfing, hiking and rock-climbing.

Within Sanya is the popular Yalong Bay, which is the premier location to indulge in some quality fun in the sun, as it resides on the same latitude as the vibrant Hawaiian Islands of the tropical monsoon region. Boasting rolling emerald hillsides, pristine white beaches that extend for 7 glorious kilometres and a calm sapphire sea, it is a paradise on earth with multiple avenues for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Visibility of the sea reaches a depth of 8 metres, making it perfect for snorkelers to interact firsthand with the exotic marine life. Adventure seekers can also indulge in a bout of rock climbing, as the area offers an intriguing array of unique rock formations that are simply begging further exploration.

Within Yalong Bay itself are a couple of tiny islands with ample opportunities to scale exciting rock surfaces. Venture to the centre of the bay at Boar Island, and check out the enthralling arenas ripe for climbing. Dongzhou and Zizhou are two prime islands located to the southern area of the bay, while the western regions of Dongpai and Zipai afford fantastic views and topographies. Jinmu Cape and Yalong Cape are also great spots for some quality hiking and rock-climbing, so grab your gear and get climbing!

One of Hainan Island’s claims to fame is that it is home to the largest concentrations of butterflies in China, which has led it to be titled “Butterfly Kingdom”. Interested visitors can check out the colourful specimens numbering more than 2000 at the Sanya Butterfly Valley, which features an open air cage that allows you close interactions with the droves of multi-hued butterflies flitting all around you. Sanya Butterfly Valley also houses some of the country’s rarest butterfly species, such as the Peking Papilio.

After some quality relaxation on the beach or a day of exciting sightseeing and adrenaline pumping activity, choose a quality resort in Sanya for some ample rest and rejuvenation. An excellent choice comes in the form of the Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa. With its luxury interiors, contemporary amenities and services and a friendly staff brimming with hospitality, this Sanya resort is a choice option to host your next vacation.

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+

Travel to an Inhabited Island

Ever had fantasies of owning an island all to yourself? Maldives is perhaps the best place to make this dream come true even if it was for an hour or two. However, make sure you reserve a Maldives island resort to lodge in as you return from your island excursion, exhausted after your little adventure. Kuramathi Island harbours some of the most desirable Maldives villas designed to pamper its guests to the fullest, an ideal escape for the beach enthusiast in you. These lively lands chockfull of culture lay waiting to be explored, floating amongst the vibrant marine life that is typical of this part of the world. Nights are magical at these virgin corners, with only the starlight to be your guide.  Once in a while, tiny lights of phosphorescence gets washed up upon the shore, creating a fairy-like effect on the sands, embraced in plenty during the day. Embrace the colourful culture that is unique to the wonderful Maldives, roam among the locals and get a whiff of the spicy yet simple lives the Maldivians are famous for.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Rollerball Zorbing in Phuket

Spice up your holiday in Thailand by engaging in some zorbing or hill rolling aimed at giving you an adrenaline rush you’ve never experienced before. Whether it’s the sensation of being rolled over or rolling over your friends stretched out on the track downhill, this action packed experience is sure to leave you in awe. Of the many retreats in Thailand one should select Thanyapura which is a sports hotel Thailand that provides a complete rollerball zorbing experience for those in search of a thrilling escape.

Capture the beautiful vistas of Patong Bay as you descend the hillsides that are infested with sharp curves and smooth paths to add to the excitement of spending your holiday by bouncing in a giant plastic ball.

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+

Sanshan Islands

Suzhou is a major city in eastern China, located on the scenic Lake Taihu, with an impressive historical legacy that dates back more than 2,500 years. A beautiful city with a profusion of pagodas, gardens, stone bridges and canals, it boasts a delightful array of Suzhou accommodation and attractions ripe for experiential plucking. Visitors seeking Suzhou apartments will enjoy a stay at the Citadines Xinghai Suzhou offering luxury interiors and the ideal location close to many of the city’s attractions. When you fancy a break from it all, get on a bus or taxi and spirit yourself away to the enchanting Sanshan Islands, sitting pretty on the picturesque Lake Taihu, China’s third-largest lake that could almost double as a sea, as one cannot witness the opposing shore when standing on one side of the lake. Home to about 90 islands that all merit exploration, the San Shan Islands offer a unique allure in the form of a myriad paths that wind through forest and a few buildings. Visitors can even go orange plucking, so make sure you grab a few canvas bags to bring home a few kilos of the delicious fruit! The island is famous for its three hills, the largest of which has a pagoda on the summit, and a climb up there is worth the minimal effort for regular hikers to absorb the breathtaking panorama and tranquility from the top. There are a variety of charming little hotels on the island that can accommodate a meal or two, or you can help the local stalls by purchasing some refreshing juices or savoury snacks to fuel your island adventure. You can rent a bicycle cart for two and embark on your own adventure on the well-paved roads as well. The San Shan Islands present a charming alternative to the regular sightseeing options in the city, and it is definitely worth a visit. 

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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Stones You Never Knew Existed

Bangkok, the most popular and developed city of Thailand, is the capital of the country and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Home to over eight million citizens of Thailand, this bustling city and its unique culture are indeed rather extraordinary, thus attracting tourists from all over the globe. Bangkok’s diverse society, lively commercial street, cultural attractions, and thriving nightlife are some of its major highlights.

A rather strange, yet uniquely iconic, landmark of Bangkok is the Rare Stone Museum. Like its name suggests, this museum is dedicated to showcasing some of the most amazingly shaped and rare rocks and stones of the earth, as has been regarded as a rather intriguing experience. The museum houses a collection of over 100,000 unique stones and other artefacts, thus ensuring that you will have loads to see at the museum.

The Rare Stone Museum is located in the Pathum Thani Province and was established by Banyong Lertnimitr. The entire collection of the museum is privately owned by Lertnimitr who has acquired these unique stones and artefacts over the years. The museum was established in 1999, and ever since has been one of the most unique and fascinating museums in Bangkok. One can witness a large variety of various rocks and stones of different minerals, colours, shapes, and sizes, that are sure to leave you amazed that such stones even existed! One of the highlights of the museum is a rather interesting black rock that resembles two penguins kissing. Although the museum is predominantly dedicated to stones, one can also witness a range of other interesting artefacts such as old but stylish ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and other miniature objects considered to be of good luck in Thai culture. This museum is truly one of the most different yet spectacular landmarks of Bangkok, and therefore a visit to it is definitely warranted.

Overlooking the sparkling Chao Phraya River is the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa, one of the most reputed 5 Star hotels in Bangkok. Boasting the high standards and traditions of the Anantara group of luxury hotels and resorts, this Bangkok resort offers tranquil accommodation in a range of plush rooms and suites. The tranquilly of this resort is further complemented by the luxury facilities provided by the resort, which include the Anantara Spa, a host of exquisite restaurants, and many wellness and leisure services.

Bangkok Klongs

A lively and thriving cosmopolitan city, Bangkok is a stellar Southeast Asian locale that expertly caters to both leisure visits and corporate trips. Visitors to this splendid experiential haven should treat themselves to one of fine 5 star hotels in Bangkok especially one offering a stellar Bangkok resort experience for travellers seeking a welcome getaway in the tropics. You will find luxury interiors on the waters at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa which will make for an unforgettable stay. If you want an adventure that is off the beaten track and on the waters of Bangkok’s rivers, explore the offerings of Bangkok’s unique klongs. Other than making you giggle, the name is synonymous with floating markets and numerous tourist attractions set into the banks of Bangkok’s main rivers, as “klong” translates to “canal”.

Bangkok’s history has it crisscrossed with a variety of different klongs that has earned it the nickname Venice of the East”. The canals played an important role in Bangkok’s infrastructure as it was a point of commerce through the floating markets, and they were also used as transport routes. Modern-day Bangkok has seen these fascinating and iconic waterways filled up to make way for roads, but the city’s Thonburi district still retains its older klongs. Central Bangkok sees the Klong Saen Baeb, which is a major transportation route due to the city’s immense road congestion. Modern floating markets are mainly tourist attractions, and the most famous is the Damnoen Saduak market occurring every day until noon. So make sure you experience a part of this iconic feature of the Bangkok landscape.

Oriental Studios 2000

One of the most stylish and lively cities to grace China’s landscape, Guangzhou is an exciting area ripe for exploration. To fully soak in the spirit of the city, leisure and corporate visitors should consider service apartments in Guangzhou such as the suites offered at the Ascott Guangzhou. Featuring elegant interiors, a central location and the crème de la crème of Southeast Asian hospitality, these serviced apartments Guangzhou has to offer travellers are some of the finest in the city. Allow yourself to be transported to the world of movies and magic, with a visit to the famous Oriental Studious 2000, modelled after the popular Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. Featuring two movie sets that depict two different worlds, this theme park is a must-visit item on your Guangzhou itinerary. Lasting 15 minuts, these set shows will whisk you away into a world of cinematic wonder. Explore the world of China’s movies with a glimpse into Shanghai’s gangster era, captured through a variety of exciting stunts and live actors on wires as well as many movie tools such as springboards, falling facades and smoke and snow blowing equipment. The Shanghai show also boasts a line of chorus girls, gangsters, motorcycles and machine guns that will transport you back to the tough guy days of the 1930s. The second set is styled according to movies depicting China’s epic past, with lion soldiers who mimic battles whilst flying through the air in a dizzying display of acrobatic finesse. Although the shows aren’t in English, the sheer visual splendour more than makes up for it. When you’re exhausted by the action, the theme park grounds also features a Ferris wheel and lake, which offers boat rides for some welcome relaxation.

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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Nha Trang

Vietnam is a great place to explore for the traveller who wants to see Asia. There are many popular locations to go to and well known cities that many tourists travel to. Nha Trang is one of them. It is the capital of Khanh Hoa province and located by the coast. Thus, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. On the north it is bounded by Ninh Hoà district, on the south by Cam Ranh town, on the east by the South China Sea and on the west by Diên Khánh district.

The main attraction here are the beaches, and the mild mid temperature that lasts though out the year makes it a perfect place to go in the East for a beach holiday. Catering to the travellers who come here from around the world, there are a number of hotels and resorts, shopping areas, tourist attractions, eater parks and amusements parks established not only in the main land but also in the islands that are situated close by. The area is also well known as it is a stopover for the yacht races that take place every year. What’s more is that there have also been several cruise ships stopping by in this city.

For the tourist wondering what to do in Nha Trang, there are a diversity of things to do, go and see. With many islands located close by, it is possible to spend a day hopping from island to the other and seeing their unique beauty and make friends with the locals. There are also water sports such as snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, swimming the much more to do here.

Down Cho Dam Market there is even a tourist information centre which will provide holiday makers ample information on what to see and do in this place. If one wishes to enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dish of dinner or lunch there are great places serving amazing local food. One of the things that one must try out here is the bird’s nest soup, which is considered to be the best in the region. The traveller can explore this while staying at a Vietnam hotel or a resort in Mui Ne such as Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa.

Places to see in Hoi An

Hoi An is a charming little enclave of culture and history, nestled in Vietnam’s south central coast. Here you will encounter ample smiles, iconic history, and fun shopping for a delightful experience of Vietnamese culture. Hoi An accommodation options won’t leave you wanting for quality and visitors should sample a luxury Hoi An hotel in the region, one of which comes in the form of the Anantara Hoi An Resort. This elite riverfront property features luxury that expertly blends tradition with modernity for a world-class hospitality experience. Explore Hoi An’s world of eclectic attractions, which range from historically impressive to locally interesting. Hoi An’s old town is a UNESCO World heritage Site, as it is one of the best preserved examples of a Southeast Asian port of trading spanning the 15th-19 centuries. The site is best experienced via walking, and visitors will get the chance to witness the beautiful 18th century Japanese Covered Bridge, a splendid example of Japanese architecture, and the impressive Quan Kong temple, built in the early 17th century to honour a famous general of the Chin Dynasty. Shopaholics will be overwhelmed by the sheer choices of cheap shopping available in the city, especially concentrated in the areas of Hai Ba Trung, Phan Chu Trinh and Hoang Dieu.

But don’t be tempted to lavish all your spending money on one place; ignore the frantic pressure to buy and keep walking; you’ll find better alternatives elsewhere. Try and buy a unique item from each shop; a pair of pants from one, a skirt from another, for variety. You’ll also delight in the treasure houses filled with unique handmade pottery, jewellery, furniture, quilts, embroidered sheets, the list goes on. One intriguing option is Hoa Nhap Handicrafts, which employs local and disabled craftsmen and women who create some beautiful pieces. Hoi An is truly a unique locale home to an eclectic array of experiences that beg exploration.

Uncover the Wild Side of the Desert on a Kayaking Tour of Abu Dhabi

Often described as one of the Middle East’s premier holiday destinations, the desert landscapes of Abu Dhabi serve as the unlikely playground for kayakers from around the world. Offering kayaking enthusiasts a unique terrain to engage in their beloved sport while simultaneously discovering the country, the intriguing tours made available only recently in the desert heartland are some of its most attractive local excursion options. Home to more than 213 islands one could hardly underestimate Abu Dhabi’s potential as a kayaking hub in the region although its resources in this regard have only recently been discovered and explored by tour operators and tourists.

Blessed with 72 km2 of captivating coastlines littered with mangrove forests the kayaking excursions available in the country are mainly conducted in the marshy areas. Considered the second biggest ecosystem of natural mangroves in the Persian Gulf, only second to Iran, the vast landscapes crisscrossed with water channels affords novice and expert kayakers a wealth of experiences in one tour. A typical kayaking excursion can include up to four participants who can set off to the marshy waters equipped with plenty of sun block, drinking water and life jackets. Expert tour guides are on hand to navigate the labyrinth of mangroves on the coastline which are littered with local marine life and exotic bird species. The two hour excursion takes paddlers across breathtaking lagoons, steep channels and tree laden canopies in an eco-friendly encounter that lets one discover the hidden beauty of Abu Dhabi. Island tours are also available via kayak operators that delve in to the outer reaches of the tiny islets dotting the coastline. Chance meetings with dolphins, dugongs and even sea turtles are not uncommon in these parts where guests can also disembark to explore the inner landscapes of the islands laden with crab and other crustacean habitats.

Kayak fishing is another activity on board a kayaking tour of Abu Dhabi. Trawl fishing and bottom fishing are the two techniques used to fish on kayaks here although trawling is known to yield a larger catch.

Travellers in search of luxury UAE hotels will find plenty of elegant options with establishments under the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East group. Offering visitors a wide variety of Middle East hotels in various tourist Meccas across the region, this reputed name in hospitality pulls out all the stops when it comes to unforgettable desert vacations.

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+