Air | The Adventure Travel Site

Unusual Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Not many know of the off-the-beaten-path adventures that Sri Lanka hides within – so they often end up travelling in touristy places and miss out on the best of what this country has to offer.

Experience Village Life
Ditch the rich towns to seek the true essence of Sri Lanka – ask your travel guide to introduce you to rural village life. You’ll even be able to enjoy the authentic Sri Lankan cuisine while striking up a conversation with the friendly villagers.

Fly Over the Clouds

Vnonymous, Penang Hot Air Balloon, CC BY-SA 4.0

No, it doesn’t mean plane rides – prepare yourself for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Dambulla, Sri Lanka with hot air balloon rides! It is an unparalleled experience to which you can look forward during a stay at a property such as Heritance Kandalama.

Climb Pidurangala

This is a lesser-known alternative for Sigiriya, but many tourists are only made aware of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climbing Pidurangala will help you to avoid crowds that make their way up in Sigiriya.

Discover Stilt Fishing

The fascinating sight of fishermen perched atop branched poles is something you have to witness in Sri Lanka. Visiting Koggala, Ahangama, or Kaththaluwa will let you experience this unique method of fishing.

Best Adventure-filled Outdoor Activities to Try Out While in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a fabulous destination for adventurous souls seeking to indulge in adrenaline-inducing activities. They will have access to a variety of thrilling adventures during a stay at one of the 4-star hotels in Hong Kong.

Kayak at Sundown

Located approximately 18.9 kilometres away from Park Hotel Hong Kong is Sai Kung and kayaking across its pristine waters, especially at sundown, is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Go Ziplining at Tung Lung Chau

One of the most thrilling outdoor activities in Hong Kong, Ziplining at Tung Lung Chau is an incredibly exhilarating experience – get over your fear of heights and get a bird’s-eye view of the stunning cliffs and the blue ocean while you zoom over Tung Lung Chau island.

Spend the Night in a Tent

This is an overnight activity that you can do with your family and friends. Camping at Sai Wan is considered as one of the top picks from out of the range of outdoor activities that you can try out while in Hong Kong.

Go Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing at Cape Collinson is an activity that’ll leave you breathless till the end due to the magnificent views and the sense of extreme-adventure offered here. Climb with the experts in the industry with all the safety precautions in place and you will have the time of your life.

Travelling by Seaplane & Speedboat in Maldives

There are two main ways to get around the Maldives, which is by air or sea; considering the country has over 1,000 islands it’s hardly surprising! Here are a couple of available transport options.

Image credit- Unsplash,Shifaaz shamoon,CC0

Seaplanes

Be it from the main airport in Hulhule or one of the other international airports, you may have to take a seaplane to your island resort if it’s located far away. Some properties will offer transfer options of a seaplane or a speedboat with the former taking much less time to reach the destination.

Speedboats

For those arriving at Hulhule near Male, the capital of the Maldives, resort properties in this atoll can be easily reached by speedboat be it a shared or private transfer. In fact, resorts the likes of Kurumba Maldives are only around ten minutes away meaning you can maximise your holiday time!

Scenic Seaplane Flights

Be it on the way to or from the resort or as part of excursions by air, seaplanes offer an amazing perspective of the country. Generally, chartered or private seaplane flights will fly closer to the ground level so you can enjoy the view of the islands and reefs surrounded by the ocean even more.

The Thrills of Speedboats

Of course, those looking for an exhilarating ride will enjoy the thrills of skimming along the water at high speeds! It is little surprise that speedboats are also used at island resorts in Maldives for water sports like wakeboarding, parasailing, banana boating and water-skiing as well as to provide fast access to Male for tours.

Whistler Helicopter Ride and Adventures

There is something ethereal about gazing down at the verdant landscapes and misty mountain tops from a helicopter. You can look forward to treating themselves to a visual feast during your stay at a Whistler ski resort the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre.

Propose on a Glacier

Fly your significant other over to a mystic glacier to show her how much she means to you. Proposing in an out-of-this-world place will add to that ‘love in the air’ ambience, which would surely make her realise how much she loves you, eliciting that much-awaited ‘Yes.’

Snap Iconic Wedding Photos

Rent a helicopter in Whistler and fly over to the glistening glaciers just after your vows to make that special moment more memorable. The helicopter can be your something borrowed!

Capture Insta-worthy Honeymoon Snaps

Apart from the myriad of activities catering for honeymooners in Whistler, helicopter adventure in this village is a must-experience to add that ‘wow’ element to your Instagram photos. Click that iconic photo in front of the helicopter with the glaciers in the backdrop to make your honeymoon memorable.

Relax among the Mountain Vistas

Why force yourself to ski on the slopes when you’ve got access to the best seat in the house to enjoy the impressive mountain views! Pair a helicopter adventure with your trip to Whistler village to create a vacation made in heaven.

Thrilling Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Ever had the thrill of seeing regal leopards and majestic elephants roam free in their natural habitats? Such wildlife encounters and a whole lot more awaits at the Yala National Park!

Plan Your Safari
Located in the southeast part of the country, this park can be accessed via the gates at locations such as Palatupana and Katagamuwa. For a safari tour, Sri Lanka is best explored via 4WD vehicles and Yala is no exception. A little after 6:00am and again after 4:00pm are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.

Kings of Yala
The apex predator at the park is the Sri Lankan leopard; safaris here are very popular since it has the world’s highest density of leopards in the wild. Such wildlife drives can be organised by local travel specialists the likes of Walkers Tours as part of unforgettable excursions to spot these stealthy felines.

Other Wildlife
On your adventures in Yala, you mayobserve many other creatures too including elephants who may be gentle giants, but shouldn’t be disturbed! Keep watch to also spot sloth bears, water buffalos, spotted deer, toque macaques and mugger crocodiles. Part of the park encompasses the coast where sea turtles are known to visit too.

Diverse Birdlife
Equally impressive are the diverse bird species at Yala; one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, the park has recorded around 215 bird species. These includeendemic varieties such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl which is also the nation’s national bird.

Langkawi Sky Bridge Cable Car

Taking a ride on a cable car and then walking along the magnificent Sky Bridge is one of the best experiences to be had in Langkawi. So, if you’re touring through the area, here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic attraction.

Reaching the Cable Car

The cable car ride will take you up to a height of 2,300 feet above sea level! To take this ride, you’ll first have to reach the Oriental Village located on the northwest of Langkawi Island. If you’re staying at a prominent Langkawi resort– for example, the Berjaya Langkawi Resort – this should only take you a few minutes. The ride up can be a bit windy and chilly, so dress appropriately!

Riding to the Bridge

The ride up begins at the Oriental Village, and after a few minutes of gradual ascension, the cable car will begin to level out. From here, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of far-off mountain ranges and gorgeous waterfalls. The ride stops at the Sky Bridge where the grandest view awaits!

The View

The view from the Sky Bridge is truly breath-taking. The surrounding mountain ranges and forests combined with the cool mountain air will envelop you in a relaxing sense of tranquillity. You can walk along the bridge and reach the ‘forest deck’ for an even better view of the surroundings.

Photo Ops

Be sure to bring your camera along for the ride as there’s plenty of fantastic photo opportunities up here. The surrounding area is home to a myriad of endemic bird varieties, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready!

Air Ballooning in Dambulla

Get aboard a hot-air-balloon and fly over a magical land where great kingdoms flourished millennia ago and be awestruck by the immaculate vistas that comprise of ancient edifices, mountains and lush vegetation! Read on to know more about this enticing experience.

Ballooning over dambulla

Located at the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural triangle, Dambulla is an ancient city that is home to many historic attractions. Though visiting the region by foot is exciting, seeing them from above is certainly a unique experience. Seeing attractions such as Sigiriya, Pidurangala and surrounding forestland from a hot air balloon will create memories that will certainly tug at your heartstrings.

When can you partake in this experience

The experience entirely depends on the weather and due to monsoonal winds and rain conditions, you cannot partake in this experience during the rainy season. But the weather clears up during the months between November to April which is the ideal time for this experience.

How can you join a hot air balloon tour

Several tour operators offer this experience and you can get in touch with them easily if you are stationed at Sigiriya hotels the likes of Heritance Kandalama; all you have to do is reach out to the front desk and they will make the necessary arrangements.

Things to remember

Make sure that you wear light and comfortable clothing if you have the experience scheduled during day-time. Make sure that you bring your camera and also a pair of shades and a hat will come in handy. Listen and follow the instructions given by your pilot during your journey.

The History of Nuwara Eliya

There are only vestiges of it left in the town today, but Nuwara Eliya was once an uninhabited network of forests and meadows shaded by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Here’s the history you did not know.

The History
Though now you would be finding all kinds of accommodation in Nuwara Eliya, the city was born completely of British influence after it was discovered to have climates that were comfortable and agreeable to the colonial planters.

The City of Light
The area, which was afterwards named Nuwara Eliya, or “city of lights,” was first visited by John Davy in 1819.

The English Influence
The English were pleased to discover that the climate agreed with growing English vegetables and began to grow strawberries, lettuce and other produce that were consumed by the colonists.
This evolved into growing coffee which was later switched to tea. Both of these experiments were extremely successful. And resulted in the upcountry being dubbed “The Tea Capital of Sri Lanka.”

The Plantation Connection
Since the local populace refused to work on the plantations, the British brought labour over from India and settled them in slums on the estates. Today their descendants make up the demographics of upcountry Tamils who are different from the Tamil population in the North and East of Sri Lanka that was native to the country.
Today, Nuwara Eliya grows vegetables and tea but has evolved into a quaint and beautiful resort town. Resorts like Galway Heights are great places to spend a vacation.

The Rising Trend of Co-Living Spaces

The trend of co-living spaces has been quickly embraced by young people and millennials across countries as it is the answer to a lot of problems. Here’s a breakdown for you to understand this concept.

Co Living Concept | Image Credit : Pos arch, POS architekten, CO-living JAspern, Foto © Markus Kaiser, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is co-living?

Simply put, co-living is the trend of living with several other people in one space. This is thought to encourage people to interact and work together. Most of the time, co-living residents have their very own room but have to share common spaces such as living spaces and the kitchen – almost like they are a big family. Several that opt for a shared living space, such as the ones offered by lyf Corporate are open to the concept of sharing and collaboration.

Co-working and co-living

Don’t get the two of these wrong, they are similar but not entirely the same concept. Many co-living establishments will double as a co-working space, but not vice versa. Both environments, however, allow you to meet a lot of like-minded people and form relationships.

Why is it so popular?

The rise of this concept comes from a number of different factors, such as enjoying living with others and sharing similar interests. There are co-living spaces in the United States, Singapore and other multiple locations around the world.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Adventuring Chiang Mai from the Skies

Incredibly popular among almost everyone who visits, hot ballooning in Chiang Mai offers the greatest view of the entire area. Want to know how it happens?

Image Credit: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort,

Booking

Offered by almost any Chiang Mai Hotel, you must make sure to make an advanced booking, especially if you are booking it during the December winter season of Chiang Mai. Most flight bookings include a 2-way transfer from the launch site to the hotel.

The process

With most places offering two flights per day, it’s best to stick to the schedule. Each basket can generally hold up to six adults, however, they usually limit it to one pilot and four passengers. First, the balloon is laid out, the crew then proceed to inflate it with cold air utilizing a powerful fan as well as turning the burner flame on afterwards.

The views

You’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise if you fly in the morning, upon a backdrop of terraced paddy fields and mountains. The highlight of the trip.

Wrapping up

It is a common tradition to have a champagne toast at the end of the journey upon landing, before heading back to the hotel. If you’re staying at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, the launch sites are pretty close by.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+