Attractions | The Adventure Travel Site

Khon Kaen with All the Charm of Thailand’s Bigger Cities – A vibrant yet less-imposing Thai city

Tourists generally pass through Khon Kaen without stopping to appreciate its attractions. Although it’s not like other Thai destinations, the city has much to offer.

The heart of Isan

Things to do in Khon Kaen are aplenty. The city is the principal transport hub in Isan and home to venues like Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre; the city is a known business destination.

Khon Kaen University

Khon Kaen is also home to the biggest university in Thailand’s northeast region: Khon Kaen University. It claims a yearly enrolment of 25,000 students.

Embracing the modern times

With buildings sprouting all over, Khon Kaen seems to be catching up with modern times. Khon Kaen’s shopping malls and chain restaurants offer plenty of opportunities for dining and shopping.

The best Songkran

Thailand is known for its spirited celebrations of the Thai New Year. Also called Songkran, the best version of the festival can only be witnessed in Khon Kaen.

Night markets

Khon Kaen wouldn’t be a Thai city without its quintessential feature: night markets. The markets here sell a variety of items, including clothes, food, local art, and souvenirs.

Best Guide on Planning the Perfect Mekong River Cruise

A Mekong River Cruise can expose you to a number of great experiences. Most of these will be completely new to you, and of course, 100% authentic.

Mekong River

With an unimaginable length of 2700+ miles, the Mekong River is considered the longest in south-east Asia. It flows across many countries including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and China.

Highlights to be covered

Attractions that you can spot during the experience may vary on the path you choose. But the most popular among all are Ho Chi Minh City, Angkor Temples and Luang Prabang.

Experiences

It’s not just about admiring the temples and ancient cities. You also get the chance to visit floating villages, floating markets and countless number of paddy fields.

Choosing your cruise

Mekong river cruises have different durations. Depending on your availability, budget and desire, you may choose the cruise type. There are 14-nighs cruises, 3-day cruises and 7-day cruises that you can choose from.

Cruise partners

If you think of enjoying a Luang Prabang cruise, you may opt for reputed options such as Mekong Kingdoms. Dining, entertainment and education opportunities with them are just priceless.

Unleash Your True Explorer in Glenelg, South Australia – Adventuring Under the Hot Aussie Sun

Glenelg is one of the best places you can visit in South Australia, especially if you’re intent on doing some exploring and sightseeing. So, here’s a look at some of the best landmarks and sites you can visit during your time here.

User A1 at English Wikipedia, OldGumTreeGlenelg2, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons

The Glenelg Visitor Centre

The first stop you’ll want to make on your Glenelg tour is the Visitor Centre. As the name implies, this is a great place to get all the info you need about the region and read up on all the best places to visit and tour. If you’re staying at a centrally-located Glenelg holiday accommodation – for instance, the Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites – it’s just a quick walk away too!

The Glenelg Art Gallery

If you have an eye for art, you should definitely visit the Glenelg Art Gallery. Here you can view the works of various local artists that range from stunning landscape paintings to abstract portraits.

The Jetty

The Jetty is one of the most iconic landmarks in Glenelg, which means it’s an absolute must-visit if you’re touring the region. Rebuilt in 1969, this is a great place to relax, grab yourself a drink and wait for the oceanic sunset.

The Proclamation Trail

This is a tour you should sign up for if you want to see most of Glenelg’s highlights in one go. You can cycle along to landmarks like the First Landing – where European settlers first discovered Glenelg – and the Old Gum Tree.

Hidden Gem Attractions in Krabi, Thailand – Explore the beauty of hidden treasures

Krabi is often known as a great destination for family getaways. Forget the attractions that everyone visits, rent a car and go after the hidden treasures. You’ll be truly happy you did!

Emerald Pool and Blue Pool

Are you spending your vacation at a hotel in Ao Nang Krabi the likes of Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort? Allocate time for a two hours’ drive and head to the Emerald Pool and Blue Pool. They are located in the same park.

Scorewith German, Emerald Pool at Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, near Krabi (Thailand) – panoramio, CC BY 3.0

Nam Tok Rawn

They are the Krabi Hot Springs. Visit the hot springs on a cooler day (or maybe early in the morning) and enjoy the best of relaxation.

Tiger Cave Temple

What you’ll love the most about the Tiger Cave Temple are the views you get to enjoy once you reach the top after climbing all the stairs. You may also enjoy the unique architectural styles of the temple.

Ban Bor Thor Caves

Are you someone interested in cave art? Then, here is the place for you. You can either take a speedboat tour or a kayak tour to enjoy the cave art in peace.

Khon Kaen, A Cultural & Historic City in Thailand

If you’re planning on seeing the wondrous sights of Thailand on a sightseeing tour, be sure to make a trip to the city of Khon Kaen. This is an ancient settlement with plenty of history and culture for you to absorb and immerse yourself in – so, let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer.

Wat Nong Wang

If you’re looking for things to do in Khon Kaen, you should definitely start with a visit to Wat Nong Wang. This is one of the country’s most famous and spectacular temples, most notable for being 9 floors tall!

Wat Thung Setthi

The brilliant gold and blue exterior have come to characterise the Wat Thung Setthi – another beautiful temple found within the city. If you’re staying at a centrally-located hotel – for instance, the Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre – this is a fairly quick visit too – approximately just 15 mins from your hotel!

Bueng Kaen Nakhon

This is a lake found right at the heart of Khon Kaen. This is a great place if you want to enjoy a calm and tranquil atmosphere that’s removed from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. A number of distinct shrines can also be found along the length of the lake.

Shrine of City Pillar

Found near the city’s flourishing shopping centre, the Shrine of City Pillar is another important religious site found in Khon Kaen. It is believed that a famous monk once placed an inscribed stone at the site of the shrine.

A Guide to Minneriya National Park – Thrilling Wildlife Encounters

Providing some amazing wildlife sightings including wild elephants, the Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka is not to be missed; here’s a quick look at what to expect.

Planning Your Visit

This national park is in the island’s north-central region, within easy reach of Polonnaruwa; properties here including Hotel Sudu Araliya provide ideal accommodation options and will help organise excursions to Minneriya as well as places to visit in Polonnaruwa. The dry season from April to October is generally the best time to visit the park.

The Elephant Gathering

The key attraction at Minneriya National Park is undoubtedly what is known as the ‘Gathering’. From July to October each year, as many as 300 elephants gather around the park’s reservoir to bathe, feed and play. It offers an unforgettable elephant safari and the chance to see these gentle giants and their young up close.

Other Wildlife Species

On your safari, you will have the chance to spot many of the park’s other animal residents too. Keep watch to see toque macaques or purple-faced langurs swinging in the trees, mugger crocodiles soaking up the sun and cautious spotted deer in the jungle. If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard.

Diverse Birdlife

Minneriya National Park is also ideal for birdwatching and more than 170 avifauna species have been recorded here. This includes endemic birds such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl. Due to the park’s reservoir, you will also see water birds such as painted storks, little cormorants and herons.

Visiting the Emerald Pool in Krabi – A Mesmerising Natural Attraction

A site of great natural beauty in Krabi, where you can also enjoy a refreshing dip, the Emerald Pool is well worth a visit; here is more to help you plan a trip to this attraction.

What to Expect

Set amidst the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, the Emerald Pool is light green though becomes turquoise when the water temperature changes! Ideal for excursions from properties like Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, this pool features freshwater from natural streams and is a great place for a swim.

The Blue Lagoon

Those visiting from a hotel Ao Nang Krabi has to offer by the coast, can also head to the Blue Lagoon, about 400 metres from the Emerald Pool. While you are not permitted to swim here, you can take in the sight of this beautiful lagoon that is fed by a hot underground spring, surrounded by the forest.

Other Things to Do

On your visit, you can enjoy other captivating things to do including trekking through the forest where you will come across everything from waterfalls to exotic wildlife. Also within the same reserve is another natural attraction, the Klong Thom Hot Springs fed by underground volcanic chambers, perfect for a relaxing soak!

Planning Your Visit

The Emerald Pool is about an hour’s drive from Krabi town; some resorts organise excursions here, while you can take a tuk-tuk, sign up with a tour group or rent a car or motorbike and get there yourself. There aren’t changing rooms and remember to bring a towel; additionally, weekday visits will feature fewer crowds.

Catch a Glimpse of Leopards in Yala

Though Yala is loved for over 44 species of mammals, its leopard population is what attracts many tourists here. Many wildlife enthusiasts – be it foreign or local – don’t forget to go on a safari at this national park while they’re holidaying at a Yala hotel.

Overview

Yala National Park is the most visited of its kind in Sri Lanka. It’s divided into five blocks but only the first and the last are accessible for visitors. Block One is the most popular as it is home to around 40 leopards.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Yala National Park is the dry season of the country. February and March are considered the ideal months to visit should you wish to spot leopards.

Don’t Evade Personal Space

Choose to go on your safari with responsible and eco-minded drivers and guides. Plan to get the services of reputable companies such as Cinnamon Wild Yala that emphasises the well-being of animals over photo opportunities.

Identify Leopards

Lepoads yala national park | Image via Flickr

Just like fingerprints of humans, leopard spots are unique for each leopard. Experienced guides might be able to point out leopards by their names and describe their behavioural patterns.

What Is Thailand Most Famous For? – Reasons to enjoy your next vacation in Thailand

Thailand is a paradise for all sorts of travellers, especially for the backpackers out there! It’s famous for many great reasons. Here are a few of them.

Thai Food

Forget about the unreadable names of Thai dishes, just enjoy their unique tastes. Thailand is a paradise for those who love street food and even seafood. Diverse kinds of noodles, meat, and spices, you find it all there.

The Temples

The main religion of the Thais is Buddhism. This is why you find many Buddhist Temples (pagodas) and statues that are over a thousand years of age. There are also monasteries that you can visit when you are in Thailand.

© Vyacheslav Argenberg / http://www.vascoplanet.com/, Wat Saket, Prayer, Bangkok, Thailand, CC BY 4.0

Thai Hospitality

Since Thailand is a country that considerably depends on the tourism industry, you find many good hotels everywhere. You may head to a hotel in Khon Kaen the likes of Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre for your stay, and you are sure to enjoy the best of authentic hospitality.

Martial Arts

Those who know about Martial Arts, know about Muay Thai too. Muay Thai has been originated in Thailand. It has its unique ways of kicking, punching, and fighting and that’s worth watching.

Conserving the Marine Treasures of the Maldives – Preserving an Underwater Paradise

While travellers enjoy seeing the array of coral and fish species in Maldives, many are unaware that this marine ecosystem faces threats too. Here’s what you should know.

Climate Change

While the Maldives has strict laws to protect coral and fish species, one thing it has no control over is climate change, especially rises in water temperature which harm reefs the world over; this has a direct impact on marine life that depends on the reefs and in turn, the survival of larger creatures up the food chain.

Coral Conservation

Coral conservation is vital and resorts such as Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas have initiated coral adoption programmes that travellers can get involved in; apart from enjoying a stay at a Maldives pool villa, guests can help the resort team to transplant broken coral in a reef nursery and get updates on its progress.

Responsible Tourism

Travellers should choose resorts that are vested in conservation including responsible snorkelling and diving in Maldives. Such properties will have a resident marine biologist who will help you get a greater understanding of marine life too; be it swimming with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay or spotting turtles and dolphins, there’s much to enjoy.

Shaping Young Minds

The next generation will also play an important role in marine conservation in Maldives; to this end, some resorts have marine biology courses for kids with a resident marine biologist. It can include fun Indian Ocean adventures where they can see dolphins, swim with turtles, learn about conservation efforts and even get training on diving.