Sprawled across 37 acres in the heart of the emerald isle’s southern coast, lies one of its most secluded nature reserves. Located along the road to Udugama this tranquil quarter of Galle in Sri Lanka is known as the Kottawa Rainforest Reserve and serves as one of the island’s most verdant lowland rainforests. Travellers to the region in search of luxurious Galle hotels can choose Jetwing Lighthouse for all their accommodation needs. Providing guests the best in modern amenities in the ‘Down South’ area of the island, this stylish rest is one of the finest Sri Lanka hotels on the coastal belt.
Relatively unknown to the visiting multitudes to the island, the isolated Kottawa Rainforest Reserve is well worth the visit for nature lovers in search of breathtaking natural beauty off the beaten track.
Displaying all the features of a lowland rainforest, the area’s vegetation mainly consists of wet evergreen trees that tower above the canopies of other plants that struggle to feed off the sun’s ray due to the dense foliage above. The lack of sunlight penetrating the lower reaches of the rainforest has lead to a great propagation of Dipterocarpus variety plants and other fern species which occupy the forest bed in addition to orchids that depend on large tree trunks for nourishment.
An impressive 170 species of trees are believed to inhabit the Kottawa Rainforest Reserve of which a hundred have been identified as those endemic to Sri Lanka alone. More than 80 non-endemic tree species are also found in the rainforest and have been labelled with their botanical name for easy identification. As a part of the Kottawa Kombala Conservation Forest which occupies an impressive 1,800 hectares, the Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum is a highlight for wildlife enthusiasts touring Galle; the Kottawa Arboretum showcases well over 70 species of winged beauties from all across the world.
The endemic bird species which have been identified to number around a dozen include the spot-winged thrush, yellow-fronted barbet, grey hornbill, brown-capped babbler and the Sri Lankan spurfowl. Stunning butterflies are another attraction at the venue as Tree Nymph, Birdwing and Blue Oakleaf butterflies are abundantly found here. Giant squirrels, purple-faced leaf monkeys and toque monkeys are also frequently spotted in addition to non-venomous Sri Lankan snake varieties and lizards.
Located on the Indian Ocean, just south of Sri Lanka, is the island nation of Maldives. Comprising of over 1,000 small islands, Maldives is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Asia owing to its beautiful tropical scenery, pristine coastal features, and thriving hospitality and tourist industry. It is also home to a variety of cultural and leisure attractions, making it a fun and exciting destination.
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Duolun Street in Shanghai was originally constructed in the early 20th century and went by the name of a long forgotten British missionary. It came into its own in the 1920s and 30s when the writer Lu Xun and other progressive writers of the time like Mao Dun, Guo Moruo and Ding Ling moved into the area gathering other similar literary types around them making the street a cultural and literary centre. Doulun Street was opened to the public as Culture Street in 1998 and is the place that people come to, to find links with China’s pre revolutionary cultural scene. Located north of the Bund the once lavish homes and shops in this 8 km stretch have been refurbished and cars have been banned so that it is now a lovely pedestrian area of bookshops, tea houses, antique shops, galleries and historic homes. The Duolun Museum of Modern Art is there as is a 1920s Christian church with upturned eaves, the old film café that shows Chinese movies of the 1920s and 30s, the League of Leftist Writers Museum with the hall where the league was founded restored to its original condition and a mid 1920s mansion of a fabulously wealthy Shanghai entrepreneur are all in the neighbourhood.
Located halfway between Queenstown and Wanaka in New Zealand, on the Cardrona Valley, the Cardrona Adventure Park guarantees fun for the whole family. With so many activities ranging from quad bikes, buggy and monster truck rides, visitors whether amateurs or veterans, will love the energetic experience of the park. There is something for everyone here. The park is open from 10.00 am to 5 pm every day, and all you need to bring along is sturdy footwear. Be dressed in appropriate clothes for the ride, and bring along your excitement of course!
With various rides catering to the skill level and physical abilities of participants, there is indeed something for everyone. Children and adults alike will enjoy the Cardrona experience. Children as young as six years can drive their own quad bikes, while most adults have a tendency to like the famous snow run experience.