Exploring the Ba Vi National Park

For those who love the great outdoors and nature, the Ba Vi National Park in Vietnam offers much to discover and here’s a look at what awaits.

Image credit-Pixabay,Thuy,CC0

Planning Your Trip

This site is around 50 km from Hanoi; serviced apartment options near the CBD like Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi make an ideal base for excursions to this attraction, about a 75-minute drive away. The dry season, from November to April, is generally the best time to visit and at the year’s end, many photograph wildflowers here too.

What to Expect

The Ba Vi National Park was once a French hill station and is known for its rich biodiversity, idyllic scenery and cool climate; no surprises it’s a popular place for weekend visits. A rich storehouse of flora including medicinal plants used by the Dao ethnic group, the site also has varied fauna from birdlife to flying squirrels.

The Three Peaks

The park is set amidst Ba Vi Mountain with three peaks of varying heights namely the Dinh Vua, Tan Vien and Ngoc Hoa peaks. They form a crest which at its tallest point is often shrouded in clouds adding to its enchantment. Not to be missed is a hike to the summit to visit the Ho Chi Minh Temple and take in the stunning vistas.

Other Highlights

There are lots of trails for hiking and trekking through forests or up mountain slopes where you will find sacred temples, an ancient pagoda, tranquil streams and hidden waterfalls. An ancient French church, a scenic pine forest, a cactus garden, an orchid garden and the Ngoc Hoa Cave are some of the other sites of interest here.

Travel Adventures in Ao Nang, Thailand – A Holiday of a Lifetime!

Ao Nang is known for its long and gorgeous Andaman coast and the fantastic diving opportunities that await just beyond it. Long-tail boat tours are also another highlight here.

kallerna, Macaca fascicularis Ao Nang 2, CC BY-SA 3.0

Four-island Long-tail Boat Tour

This is one of the most exciting things to do in Ao Nang. It’s where you can explore the best of Krabi in less than 7 hours. Visit the famous “Chicken Island”, named for its odd rock formation, and the lesser-known islands of Koh Tub and Koh Mor on this tour. Exploring the Phra Nang Cave Beach shouldn’t be missed when you’re on the Railay Peninsula.

Climb Ngorn Nak Mountain

While in Ao Nang, the hike up the Ngorn Nak Mountain will treat you to some of the best views around. This is the highest mountain in the Krabi region and is located approximately a 28-minute drive away from Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort.

A Day Trip to Krabi Hot Springs

While holidaying at one of the Ao Nang hotels, why not organise a day trip to Krabi Hot Springs. These natural “hot tubs” average 35-40°C and are full of mineral salts that offer a range of health benefits.

Hit the Monkey Trail

From one end of Ao Nang Beach towards Pai Plong Beach, you’ll find a trail with wooden flooring and rails. This is home to a large troupe of monkeys and offers incredible views of Pai Plong Bay.

Surfing at Seminyak Beach

Those who like to visit Seminyak beach and simply unwind may be missing an element of the experience that is priceless. Taking the time to catch a few waves will go a long way towards helping you have the best experience possible.

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Where is Seminyak?

This stunning destination can be found right in the middle of South Bali. It is well worth a visit as it is prepared to meet and the needs and amenities of travellers globally.

Finding the right accommodation

If you are looking for a Seminyak hotel, there are plenty to choose from such as HARRIS Hotel Seminyak Bali that will be able to offer you comfort and closeness to the ocean.

Pick the right time to surf

Surfing is a seasonal activity. This means that when people are travelling, they will need to keep in mind the season by which the surf patterns abide to catch the best wave. Seminyak Beach is a treat because the area tends to offer waves all year round.

Eating and drinking in Seminyak

Food is never going too far from reach when you are relaxing in Seminyak, with this tourist town being filled with sunset bars & eateries.

Scuba Diving in the Maldives – Under the Sea

The Maldives Islands are the perfect holiday destination for several reasons, of which scuba diving is one of the foremost! Read on to learn more about the incredible adventure which awaits you when you go scuba diving here!

Image by baechi from Pixabay

Do You Need To Be A Swimmer?

The short answer is no! Better yet, you don’t even need a PADI Diver’s licence. However, you do need to dive with a registered diving instructor. Most Maldives luxury resorts take away the hassle of organising your dives. Resorts such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences have their dive partners to ensure your safety and comfort are taken care of, as you take the plunge!

What You Can Expect

Diving is an exhilarating experience for novice and seasoned divers alike since no two dives are the same. You can expect to be awestruck by the world that is thriving just beneath the surface of the waves. From gorgeous reefs to a host of colourful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and harmless reef sharks, it is a whole new world under the sea!

Where To Dive

With over 26 atolls and over a thousand islands to choose from, this can be a really difficult decision to make! From Banana Reef in the Northern atoll which has its fair share of coral reefs and caves to the South Male atoll which has around six popular diving spots, which showcase the full range of marine life, there’s plenty of options for those keen on diving in the Maldives.

Top Attractions in Yala for an Unforgettable Vacation

The high density of leopards and popular activities such as safari tours, tented safari camping, fishing, and cultural excursions are some of the key reasons why Yala never fails to impress a vacationist.

Yala National Park

Without a question, Yala National Park is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts! This is because it allows safari tours, enabling people to discover wildlife species roaming freely in their own habitat. Witnessing creatures such as elusive leopards, elephants and even sloth bears can be a delightful experience to make one’s holiday at a Yala hotel worthwhile.

Bird watching

bird watching
bird watching | Image via Unsplash

Due to Yala’s diverse ecosystems of dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests, grasslands, and even freshwater wetlands, there are more than thousands of birds that belong to 215 species – both endemic and migratory – that can be spotted in this national park throughout the year.

Sithulpawwa

Dating back to the 2nd century, Sithulpawwa is located on top of a hill that requires a small climb. However, what people love about this rock are the architecture, paintings, and inscriptions that reveal a lot about the country’s past.

Kebiliththa

Found in the midst of Yala National Park, Kebiliththa is one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places. Located an hour’s drive away from Cinnamon Wild Yala, it is a Buddhist temple that is surrounded by marshes and ancient trees.

Parigi Waterfall in Bekasi

As an attraction most tourists are unaware of, the Parigi Waterfall in Bekasi City is perhaps the area’s best-kept secret in spite of it being compared to a smaller incarnation of Niagara Falls.

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Visiting the Waterfall

Despite its location in the city, the Parigi Waterfall remains a hidden attraction in Indonesia’s Bekasi region. Those based at HARRIS Hotel & Conventions Bekasi or any other Bekasi hotel, however, can book a tour of this charming cascade that’s wide in shape and is thus compared to the iconic Niagara Falls.

Best Time to Visit

It is important to time the tour of the Parigi Waterfall as the locale is best explored during sunny conditions as the water discharge of the cascade can be too dangerous for visitors during the wet season. Photography enthusiasts will find the venue a stunning backdrop for their social media posts and holiday photos as the massive rocks and the wide waterfall is a visually arresting sight.

No Swimming

Although there is a natural pond at the base of the fall, it is not suitable for swimming or bathing due to the murky nature of the water.

Reaching the Falls

Backpackers and travel enthusiasts who are based at the heart of Bandung City will find that the journey to the Parigi Waterfall takes nearly three hours to complete as it is located 138km away from the city. Others may wish to stay over at Bekasi or the nearby Cikiwul Village and visit the falls at their own leisure. Located on the Purbaleunyi Highway, one must venture down Raya Pantura Street to reach the waterfall.

Tangkuban Perahu in Bandung

Located approximately 25 kilometres from the Bandung city centre is a volcano that’s dubbed the Overturned Boat by locals due to its strange shape. The active volcano is a fascinating geological site in the area.

Image credit- Unsplash,Yazid Hasan,CC0

Reaching the Volcano

Those who are based at FOX Harris Hotel City Center Bandung or any of the best hotels in Bandung will find that driving to Mount Tangkuban Perahu is the easiest way to reach the venue on weekdays. The entire journey will take no more than an hour and a half as the volcano is located approximately 25 kilometres away from the heart of the city.

Tour Options

Rental cars and organised tours to the volcano are available through local tour operators while those who wish to use public transport methods can head to the Bandung’s Minibus Terminal to find minibuses heading to the volcano.

At a Glance

Tangkuban Perahu holds the distinct honour of being the only crater in Indonesia where visitors can drive right up to the rim of the crater. The strange shape and structure of the volcano set it apart from other famous lava spewers in Indonesia and Southeast Asia as the mountain truly does resemble a boat that’s been overturned.

Geological Impact

Although the beauty of Tangkuban Perahu cannot be denied, the volcano has had both positive and negative impacts on the Parahyangan Highlands also known as the Land of God. The volcanic activity in the area is directly linked to the fertility of the soil in the hills, which has made the area rich in nutrients and ideal for crop cultivation.

Important Facts to Know About Maldives Tourism When Planning Your Next Visit

Planning your next holiday to the stunning islands of the Maldives? Read on for some facts regarding the country’s tourism!

Male
Male | Image via Unsplash

Regulations

As the Maldives is an Islamic nation, there’s a prevailing ban on bringing pork products and liquor into the country. Apart from those, firearms, drugs, and pornography are also off-limits. However, you can buy alcoholic drinks at your Maldives resort.

On Arrival…

Almost all tourists arrive by air from Velana International Airport; this is situated on Hulhule Island. After being cleared from the airport, you can head to your island resort; for instance, if you’ve booked your holiday at a resort like the Kurumba Maldives, you will be most likely arriving there by speedboat.

Best Time to Visit

November to April is considered the best time to visit the North Male Atoll, with minimum rainfall. However, this is when rains prevail in the South Male Atoll.

Travel Requirements

All tourists arriving in the Maldives require a valid passport although no visa is needed in advance. On arrival, all tourists with a valid passport will be granted a tourist visa of 30 days.

The First-Timers Travel Guide to Phuket – It’s so much more than the beaches

Beaches are the first things that travellers remember when referring to Phuket. But it’s a holiday destination with so much more!

Image via Anantara Layan Phuket Resort

Timing

The best advice is to avoid the rainy season. So, it’d be best to schedule your tour from the end of November to April. The seas will also be so calm during this period.

Getting around

Phuket has an international airport. So, once you get there, travelling to your hotel and then travelling around is not a big deal. Many travel modes including the Smart Bus, minivan, and taxi are available for you.

Accommodation

You may stay at any of the Phuket luxury villas the likes of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort during your vacation. All beaches and other attractions are located within easy reach.

Experiences

Head to Kata Beach, and do nothing. This will grant you all the relaxation you’ve been longing for a long time. Do not miss out on exploring the Big Buddha, Phuket Old Town, Wat Chalong Temple, and the night markets in the area.

Island Hopping

If you are planning to spend a longer vacation in Phuket, you may also go island hopping. James Bond Island, Koh Phi Phi, and Similan Islands are worth exploring.

Explore the Beautiful Kokkilai Lagoon & Bird Sanctuary

The Kokkilai lagoon is an estuarian lagoon and this brackish water makes it a perfect nesting spot for birds and wildlife. To help convince you to take this excursion here is some information about the lagoon and the excursion before you board the boat.

The Lagoon

The lagoon is situated in the North-Eastern part of Sri Lanka and has a very interesting makeup of mangroves, mudflats seagrass beds providing the perfect habitat for those birds who call it home.

Getting There

A very short drive from the hub of the Northeast – Trincomalee, one can base themselves at a hotel such as Trinco Blu by Cinnamon which is one of the popular resorts in Trincomalee.

Birds Galore

bird sanctuary
bird sanctuary | Image via Unsplash

The lagoon was dubbed a designated wildlife sanctuary in the 1905s. It is unique in that it is one of the largest nature reserves for both native and migratory birds not only in the North East but in Sri Lanka. You can be sure to be bowled over by the sheer volume of birds on your visit!

The Boat Ride

You can rent a little boat, called a dingy and venture into the lagoon. If you’re lucky you may even chance upon a crocodile or witness some elephants on the lagoon banks. Make sure you pack an umbrella though since the little boats don’t offer a cover of their own.