Attractions | The Adventure Travel Site

The Lovers Leap

Trincomalee in Sri Lanka is already popular among tourists for being the destination housing the famous Hindu Temple ‘Koneswaram’. But that’s not the only attraction the city has, it also has the Lover’s Leap.

The location

The Lover’s Leap is located in the town of Trincomalee which is already a tourist destination in Sri Lanka. With many great resorts, the likes of Trinco Blu by Cinnamon this destination is winning hearts of many; and attractions like this make them fall in love with the name ‘Tinco’- over and over again.

The story behind it

One of the main stories about this cleft comes from Ramayanaya. According to it, this cleft is made by king Ravana and that’s why some people used to call it ‘Ravana’s cleft’ as well.

Another story about this place

Another popular story is that a lady named Francina Van Reed dropped herself into the sea from here after losing her loved one. There are, however, some arguments refusing this belief- but it is a story left untold and unconfirmed in the history of Sri Lanka.

General instructions for your visit

You may get to this place by taxi or a tuk-tuk from your resorts in Trincomalee. And as this cleft is just a few meters away from the Koneswaram Temple, so you may admire both of them at once.

Is Cambodia worth visiting?

If you ever decide to take a vacation in Asia, you’ll realise that the range of options you have are essentially endless. One option that might just fly under your radar is the wonderful country of Cambodia – don’t let it though! From its amazing history and culture to its natural beauty and cuisine, here’s why Cambodia is worth visiting.

The Angkor Gardens

Located at the heart of Cambodia is the sprawling expanse of the Angkor Gardens, and at its centre lies the largest religious monument ever built. The Angkor Wat is a UNESCO world heritage site and a must-visit if you’re ever in the country. The Wat’s popularity means there are plenty of accommodation options in the surrounding area, from resorts to hotels. Siem Reap, Cambodia is the gateway to Angkor, and you can absorb all that history and then slip back into luxury by staying at establishments like the FCC Angkor.

The Relaxing Beaches

Destinations like Thailand and Bali are renowned for their picturesque, sun-kissed beaches but Cambodia is no slouch in this regard either. The south of Cambodia contains an array of islands that are perfect for a beach getaway. If you’re looking to have the time of your life, head on over to the popular party island of Koh Rong or if travel to Koh Thmei for some relaxing nature watching.

Cambodia’s People

Cambodians tend to be a really friendly bunch, often described as being generous, hospitable and approachable. When you’re walking through the streets, you’ll most likely be greeted by warm smiles and the occasional “hello” from passers-by. Try to strike up some conversation and listen to the stories the people of Cambodia have to say about the land.

Taste Cambodia

A culinary journey through Cambodia can be an unforgettable experience, made special with rich textures and inimitable Asian flavours. Almost every dish you’ll find incorporates rice into it, often in creative ways that will delight your palate. Taste delectable white fish and rice topped off with a healthy dose of coconut cream, or try a hearty serving of rice and beef complemented by the rich aroma of a dozen different spices – the choices are endless

Explore Many Options at the Phuket Night Markets

While Phuket is renowned for its natural beauty – most notably its famous white sand beaches – there is still more to this Thai island! In fact, one of its most fascinating attractions can be found inland, amidst the bustle of the cities – Phuket’s night markets!

Chillva Market

If you’re looking for the hippest night market in town, the Chillva Market is the place to be. Located by Yaowarat Road, you’ll find everything from snacks to souvenirs and high fashion here. If you do work up a real appetite while here, don’t worry – you won’t have trouble finding a great Thai restaurant in Phuket. For example, Dee Plee Restaurant is less than thirty minutes away!

The Weekend Market

Held – as the name suggests – on the weekend, this is the largest night market you’ll find in Phuket! The stalls are a chaotic yet charming blend of food trucks, pawn shops, curios, and antique vendors and a whole lot more. This market can get quite crowded, but you’re likely to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs or a dish that packs some inimitable flavours if you’re persistent.

Christophe95, Phuket Weekend Market, CC BY-SA 4.0

Indy Night Market

The Indy market is all about supporting small independent traders and giving them a platform to showcase and sell their wares. Compared to some of the larger markets, the Indy Night Market is generally quiet and very rarely attracts large crowds. Still, despite its small size, this market has plenty of unique goods to offer and is well worth a visit.

Walking Street

This perhaps the most scenic night market you’ll find in Phuket – so much so, that it is considered to be a cultural landmark! The Walking Street is lit up in the night by various lights that emit vibrant colours, inducing an ambience that is somewhat magical and mystical. Aside from your usual stalls, you’ll find various street performers and artists here – from mimes to fire-breathers!

Top beaches in Praslin

A luxurious beach getaway is all that you need when boredom or life stress strikes. Either alone by yourself or with your better half, just explore these beaches you find in Praslin and the relaxation you’ll feel is guaranteed.

Anse Lazio

This is popularly known as the best beach in Praslin Island that’s blessed with crystal clear waters and white sands. If your idea is to spend your time swimming and snorkeling, this is, of course, the ideal beach for you.

Cote d’Or

If you are spending your family vacation at a nearby resort such as Berjaya Praslin Resort, travel to this laid-back beach to simply unwind. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets with your family here, and your kids will love it too!

Anse La Blague

Praslin resort facilities will always be special for honeymooners, and so will its beaches. Among them, Anse La Blague is one of the most popular beaches among newly wedded couples, as it’s so secluded and serene.

Anse Madge

If you are looking for a silent and calm beach, Anse Madge is the beach for you. While sipping on a tropical drink, you can just lay back here and relax as much as you want.

A Handy Guide to Colombo

A cosmopolitan city beside the coast, Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and offers plenty to see and do. Here are some of the best places to visit and fun experiences that await.

Key Attractions

When it comes to sightseeing, there’s plenty to explore while staying at hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka; those interested in history and art can visit the Colombo National Museum and the National Art Gallery. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple and nearby Seema Malakaya are two sacred Buddhist sites of interest, while the Independence Memorial Hall and the Viharamahadevi Park are popular attractions too.

AKS.9955, Seema Malaka side view 01, CC BY-SA 4.0

Beachside Getaways

For fun times by the shore, Mount Lavinia Beach in the city’s suburbs is a must-visit site. Located across from the property of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, this beach is popular for relaxation and recreation. Also worth heading to are Wellawatte Beach and Galle Face Green, a large public park beside the ocean.

Retail Therapy

The One Galle Face and Colombo City Centre malls offer lots of shopping and feature international brands such as Armani Exchange, Charles & Keith, Mango and Aldo. Majestic City and Crescat Boulevard are amongst the other popular malls in Colombo, while the Pettah market provides bargains galore.

Foodie Favourites

No trip to Colombo is complete without savouring delectable local cuisine. Here are some of the top dishes in Sri Lanka one can try;

• Rice & spicy curry (meats or veggies)
• Kottu roti (a stir-fried dish with cut up godamba roti)
• Hoppers (bowl-shaped crispy pancake)
• Samosa (deep-fried snack)
• Isso wade (deep-fried snack with prawns!)

Ji-Elle, Sri Lanka-Egg hoppers, CC BY-SA 3.0

Beomeosa (Temple of the Nirvana Fish)

The Beomeosa is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Buddhism in Korea and is among one of the country’s most well-known religious locations. Perched on the slopes of the Geumjeongsan Mountain, it’s a place of peace and tranquillity – one which is well worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.

How to Visit

The easiest way to get to the temple is via train. Accessing the subway shouldn’t be too much of a hassle if you’re staying at a hotel or at one of the serviced apartments Busan has to offer, such as the Citadines Haeundae Busan. Once you get off at the Beomosa Temple subway station, you can walk the rest of the way up to the temple.

Temple History

The Beomeosa Temple was first established in 678 under the decree of King Munmu, and it stood strong for a number of centuries. This changed when during the Japanese invasions that took place during the latter half of the 16th century – the invaders nearly reduce the temple to ashes. However, several notable Buddhist monks lead the renovation of the temple during the early decades of the 17th century – ultimately restoring the Beomeosa to its former glory.

The Landscape

Visiting the Beomeosa temple can be quite the treat, not only because of what the temple itself has to offer but because of the scenic landscape that surrounds it. In fact, the Geumjeongsan Mountain is known for its “Three extraordinary sites”. These include the rock peak behind the hermitage, a giant rock formation that resembles a chicken, and the legendary golden well that lies at the very peak of the mountain.

The Temple Treasures

Now, of course, there’s plenty to see at the temple grounds too. For starters, you’ll run into the magnificent Il Ju Mun, the impressive gate that leads to the temple which is meant to represent the boundary between the mundane world and the spiritual. Within the temple you’ll find an array of brilliant bronze statues that depict Buddhist monks – these all surround a magnificent Buddha statue that lies in the centre.

Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

Situated about 23 kilometres from Siem Reap, the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is certainly a place that one is bound to enjoy! It is a definite stopover when on your tour to Angkor Wat. Learn a thing or two about the delicate little magical butterflies!

Image credit: Sneha Abhyankar via wikimedia commons

How to get there?

If you are planning on visiting the butterfly farm and are travelling from one of the Angkor Wat hotels, the place is just a 41-minute drive away from properties like FCC Angkor Siem Reap. The drive to the farm is pretty enjoyable. You will pass by little Cambodian villages where the road comes to life with basket weavers and palm sugar vendors selling their items.

Entrance fee

The entrance fee is not much, $5 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 12, children under 3 walk in free. It is best to visit in the morning hours as the butterflies are mostly out during this time. A trip to the farm on a rainy day though will be pointless.

The Banteay Srey Butterfly Farm

Guess you can say that this is where the butterflies come out to play! The guides here are well versed on the subject, however, their English might be a little difficult to understand. This farm actually exports butterfly pupae and hosts butterfly exhibitions in zoos all over the world!

The butterfly cycle

On your tour of the farm, each stage of the butterfly life cycle will be explained to you. The guide will also give you a glimpse of each stage of the cycle. Butterfly eggs, caterpillars and even cocoons have been put into climate-controlled containers. Furthermore, you can learn about the various types of Cambodian butterflies as well.

Traveler’s Guide to Sepang, Malaysia

Until the KL International Airport was built in Sepang, and several other projects such as the Sepang F1 racing Track and Cyberjaya came up here, it was known to be a sleepy town that was earlier into rubber plantation.

Getting in Sepang

Since there is an International Airport located here, you can now enter this city by plane. For the journey from the Airport to your Sepang hotel, it’s always better to hire a car and travel, as it’s safer and faster too.

Things to see and do

Sepang International Circuit which is located close to properties such as Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort is one main attraction in the city, that is never missed by tourists generally. In addition, there are also other places such as Bagan Lalang Beach which you can visit during your days there.

Craig, Sepang international circuit qualifying 2, CC0 1.0

Events in Sepang

In addition to the world-famous Sepang International F1 & Moto GP Racing, there are also some other events happening in Sepang. Thaipusam and the Chinese New Year are just some of them.

Keeping in touch is easy here

In Sepang, dealing with the internet is always easy and fast. You find Wi-Fi hotspots in almost all shopping malls and food courts. Buy a local SIM card and make local calls at cheap rates too.

A Complete City Guide to Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is relatively a small town, but for a small town like this in geographical terms, it has so much to see and do. French Colonial streets, temples and bustling night markets are just some of them.

When to go to Luang Prabang?

Between November to May falls the best time to visit Luang Prabang, and this is also the period during which every hotel in Luang Prabang gets fully booked with guest reservations. The weather is so pleasant at this time and is suitable for every sightseeing activity that you wish to undertake.

松岡明芳, Phou si Luang Prabang Laos プーシーの丘ラオス・ルアンプラバーン DSCF6777, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to get around?

As mentioned, Luang Prabang is a small town and you can simply get anywhere on foot. But if you are visiting any places outside, you can use a hired bicycle, Tuk-tuk or a taxi for your convenience.

What to see and do?

If you are staying at properties such as Avani+ Luang Prabang there are several places nearby that you can visit such as the Night Market, Mount Phousi Viewpoint and the Mekong River. In addition to that, you may also take a Lao cooking class or witness the alms ceremony to the monks.

calflier001, LUANG PRABANG MARKET LAOS FEB 2012 (6992417213), CC BY-SA 2.0

How about the costs?

An average mid-range traveller will have to spend around $80 as his daily cost including food, transport, sightseeing and accommodation costs. If you are a backpacker, you can actually settle for less.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Botswana

Botswana is one of the go-to locations for safari-goers. It’s home to all members of the famous Big Five, which include the lion and African elephant. It’s also a region steeped in ancient traditions and a culture based around the bush. Here are five locations you should visit if you find yourself here.

The Okavango Delta

Born out of the Okavango river and surrounded by the dry expanse of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is a fantastic location teaming with games. Here, during the flood season, a large portion of the land gets submerged under several feet of water, this presents the unique opportunity to go on safari via a traditional canoe or kayak.

Joachim Huber, Okavango Delta, Botswana (2675181510), CC BY-SA 2.0

The Gaborone Nature Reserve

Though comparatively small compared to most reserves, this park’s claim to fame is that it’s situated inside Botswana’s capital city. Many of Botswana’s resorts surround the park, making it remarkably easy to visit. For example, you can try your luck at the slots in the Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino and then take a short drive to view some wildlife – all on the same day!

Mokolodi Game Reserve

This is another park that’s located very close to the country’s capital. It is, however, significantly larger and home to a far wider variety of games. Rhino tracking is a highlight at this reserve where successful breeding programs have ensured the species’ continued survival.

The Kgalle Hill

A popular destination among rock climbers and hikers, Kgalle Hill is one of Botswana’s major landmarks. Visitors who make an hour’s climb up the hill will be treated with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area complete with a stunning sunset in the evening.