Cultural Sites in Ella

Walking into Ella itself feels like walking into magical heaven because of everything it has got. The climate, attractions, people, and the happy vibes it brings are all mind-blowing.

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Little Adam’s Peak

Little Adam’s Peak- one of the main attractions in the area as per what online sources such as Travel to Ella suggest. It’s a very short trek to reach the peak and once you get to the top, you are sure to be rewarded with amazing views.

Ella Rock

One of the favourite things to do in Ella is to enjoy a hike to Ella Rock. The hike is not at all difficult, but to avoid the sun, it’s always better if you can arrange this hike in the morning.

Ravana Falls

A place that has many links to the ever-famous Ramayana story, Ravana Falls is a three-layered waterfall in Ella. If you are okay with another rock climb, you may hike up to the 3rd layer and enjoy its beauty from there.

Nine Arches Bridge

A must-visit attraction in Ella, the Nine Arches Bridge has been built entirely with bricks, and the architectural and engineering skills that have been used to construct this bride are still adored.

Special Experiences in Glenelg

One of the most popular attractions in Adelaide, the coastal suburb of Glenelg is an ideal place for unwinding at the beach. But there is much more to do here for a truly memorable getaway.

Enjoy Dolphin Encounters
One of the best experiences to look forward to is to get up close to dolphins in Glenelg Holiday accommodation can be found by the shore which offers easy access to such dolphin watching tours in Hold fast Bay; some of them even give you the chance to swim with these playful marine mammals!

Explore Charming Jetty Road

Image via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

For some exploration, you can head to Jetty Road, only around five minutes by foot from Oaks Glenelg Liberty Suites. This lively precinct has many shops and boutiques offering retail therapy as well as art galleries, cafes and restaurants. As day turns to dusk, you can enjoy entertainment and live music here as well.

Spend Time at The Beachouse
In Glenelg, family attractions don’t get any better than The Beachouse, an entertainment complex packed with fun activities,heated waterslides, rides, games and more. Highlights include the Speed Slide, Formula 1 dodgem cars,mini-golf, a huge play castle, bumper boats and a good old fashioned carousel which has over 100 years of history!

Visit the Bay Discovery Centre
For an enriching visit, head to the Bay Discovery Centre which is a social history museum where you can learn about the area’s and South Australia’s rich heritage. Home to diverse photographs, paintings, objects and textiles, the centre offers insights into the indigenous Kaurna People of Adelaide.

Why you should travel around Sri Lanka?

There is more than one specific reason to visit this amazing island nation – Sri Lanka – during one of your holidays coming up. Here are just some of the best.

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The wildlife

Sri Lanka is a wildlife hotspot that’s popular among everyone in the world. There are 26 National Parks and 2 Marine Parks in this amazing destination, where you can see some rare species that you’ve never seen before.

The culture

Culture is an integral part of the lives of Sri Lankans. They do have a proud heritage that’s more than 2500 years old and, in cities such as Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Galle, where you can explore the best of their cultural pride.

Modern Charm

Sri Lanka is full of ancient and colonial charms. It doesn’t lack modernity either. Staying at one of the hotels near Colombo Airport the likes of Pegasus Reef will expose you to all the charms that Colombo and its suburbs have.

Local dishes

Needless to say, this country is rich in its exotic spices. Be it a curry or a salad that they prepare, it’s sure to have a distinctive taste, and you’ll never find this taste anywhere else in the world.

Getaway to Dickwella, Sri Lanka

Dickwella is a coastal city in Sri Lanka located just beyond the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, ‘Dondrahead’. It’s a quiet city, but indeed has great experiences in store for you!

The beach
The term ‘Dickwella’ when translated into English means ‘long beach’. Yes, that’s quite right. It’s an endless beach that’s so pristine and perfect for snorkelling. You can also just sit back and relax on the beach as much as you want.

Nearby attractions
One of the most favourite attractions located close to Dickewella is ‘Hummanaya’. It’s a natural blowhole that is believed to be the 02nd largest in the world. It’s an enjoyable experience to wait for the water spray that happens every 10-15 minutes.

Tourism in Dickwella
The tourism sector in this area is booming. Many beach hotels in Sri Lanka have been newly established in this area, and Dickwella Resort & Spa is one of them. These hotels also provide many authentic experiences that are adored by guests from other countries.

Souvenirs to shop
If you ever get a chance to visit this beautiful destination, do not forget to shop for some ‘beeralu lace’ or ‘bobbin lace’ creations. This will be great support you can be a part of to strengthen the local livelihood as well.

 

 

Top Taboos in Thailand

Thailand is a country with a rich culture. It’s amazing, but westerners may sometimes find this culture to be a little strange. This is why you should know mainly about its top taboos before you go.

Don’t touch the head of a person

In Thailand, they believe that the most significant body part of a person is the head, and because of this, touching the head will be considered so wrong.

No shorts or miniskirts to temples

Are you planning to visit any temples during your holiday spent at a hotel in Khon Kaen the likes of Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre? Adhere to modest clothing as much as possible, you can’t even wear a sleeveless top to a temple.

Do not touch monks

Touching a monk is forbidden in Thailand. You can have friendly conversations with them, but you should know your limits. Even when you need to take a picture together, you should first ask for permission and do it.

Do not criticize the royal family

Thailand Royal Family
Thailand Royal Family|Government of Thailand , Princess Ubolratana 2009-12-7 Royal Thai Government House , CC BY 2.0

 

Since you do not know about the King or his family, it’s always wise to avoid any conversations about them. Criticizing them is a serious offense in Thailand.

Whale Watching in Mirissa

While Sri Lanka is popular for leopard and elephant safaris, don’t forget it is also one of the best places to see majestic whales, especially in the coastal town of Mirissa.

Planning Your Visit
Mirissa lies tucked away along the island’s south coast and is around 150 km from the commercial capital, Colombo. The main season for whale watching is from November to April and the town offers beachside accommodation at properties like Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa close to the harbour where excursions launch from.

The Adventure Begins
When it comes to whale watching, Mirissa Harbour is the place to go to; excursions usually departaround 7:00am and can take around three to five hours. Do have a hat or cap since it can get quite hot; some tour operators will offer snacks / breakfast, while it’s a good idea to have motion sickness medication just in case!

Awe-inspiring Sights
Because Mirissa is near the migratory routeof whales, it offers an ideal chance to see these marine mammals. While no sighting can be guaranteed, you still have a good chance to spot the largest creature on the plant; the blue whale. On your voyage, you may also see sperm, fin and killer whales too.

More Marine Marvels
As a bonus, you have a chance to encounter dolphins, some of which can get quite animated and acrobatic! Bottlenose, common, striped and spinnerdolphins are amongst the species one may spot in the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for you may also see turtles, flying fish and even sharks.

Five-day Indigenous Tour in Tropical North Queensland

Trek through thriving rain forests and explore the serene mangrove ecosystems of Tropical North Queensland to discover some spectacular locations. An indigenous tour will bring you up close with two of the world’s oldest living cultures: the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders.

Getting There

During your stay in Australia at one of the Middlemount service apartments the likes of Oaks Middlemount Suites, it’s a great idea to head out on a five-day indigenous tour in the Tropical North Queensland. Embark on a ten-hour road trip to Queensland, which promises mesmerising views.

First Two Days

daintree rainforest
Daintree rainforest | img by: adrimarie via Pixabay

Follow the footsteps of a local indigenous guide and embark on a day trek through the Daintree Rainforest, which would take you past coastal habitats, raging rivers, and gushing waterfalls. Expect excellent insights into the ancient herbal remedies from your guide. The next day, head over to Cooya beach to visit the fishing grounds of the Kuku Yalanji people to experience spearfishing techniques.

The Next Two Days

You can follow the art trail in Cairns and Laura to adore the Quinkan Rock art sites that feature hundreds of centuries-old rock paintings. Learn how to survive in the wild during the next day with a Pamagirri guide and practice on your spear-throwing skills.

The Final Day

During your final day, treat yourself to a night of cultural flavours. The traditional food cooked in an underground oven would produce hitherto unknown flavours on your taste buds as you savour them beneath the stars, listening to live aboriginal music.

A travel guide to Townsville

Townsville is now turning into a wonderful tourist hub. The quaint buildings, the old pubs and simply everything about the city is quite stylish which makes it alluring to visitors. Here are a few things to look out for if you plan on visiting.

Public Buildings

The private buildings are nice alright, but the public buildings have a charm of their own that’s even more amazing! The best example for this would be the Townsville Post Office which was built in 1886 with a clocktower that has been structured to the Early Victorian Classical Revival theme.

Viewpoints

Townsville
Townsville| img by: David Crawshaw via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

When visiting Townsville, something you need to do is to see the city from above. Now, you don’t need one of those expensive helicopter rides for this. There are several viewpoints for this, the most popular one would be Castle Hill.

Botanical Gardens

There are 2 main nature parks in Townsville, Queens Gardens which is just 9-minutes away from Oaks Townsville Metropole Hotel is a wonderful spot with tropical flowers and trees. Anderson Park Botanical Gardens is a little further away and within the place is a lagoon, picnic spots, and a conservatory.

Places to stay

If you are on the lookout for places to stay, there are historic hotels as well for a bit of old-world charm and for a taste of modern-day living, Townsville accommodation apartments are always available.

Explore the Sacred Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh is a beautiful temple that also goes by the name of Tran Vu Quan. It is a temple that is dedicated to the worship of HuyenThien Tran Vu who aided the Vietnamese in the fight against most invaders. It has changed a lot in the last 10 centuries. Learn more right here.

An Introduction

The temple is located in the West Lake near the north gate of ancient Thang Long. It is very easy to find from a hotel in Hanoi, the likes of Pan Pacific Hanoi as it is considered one of the four antique towns of Hanoi and everyone knows where to find it.

The Unique Architecture

The temple is a great place to visit if you are one of those people who are interested in the architecture of Vietnam’s historic buildings. The temple was influenced by both the Taoist and Confucianist sects of Buddhism, something that is more apparent with the Nguyen Dynasty.

How to Get There

Getting to Quan Thanh temple is easy if you make your way to the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi. There are various modes of transport to get there, which we can discuss below.

Going byBus

The cheapest way of getting to Quan Thanh is by bus. Hanoi buses are common and fast and cost 7,000 VND. It’s a great mode of transport especially if you find it hard to find your way around the city.

Other Modes of Transport

Other modes of transport include the most expensive which is a chauffeured vehicle or taxi as well as motorbike rentals or the Hanoi cyclo.

 

Into Sri Lanka’s Hill country

Touring the hill country of Sri Lanka and wondering what to do first? Here is a list of must-do activities while in the central highlands of the island.

Visit Tea Plantations

Known as the 3rd largest tea exporter in the world, the majority of Sri Lanka’s tea is produced in the hill country of the island. Some hotels in Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka such as the famous Heritance Tea Factory are even built on these tea plantations. Ensure you visit one of them to find out the process of how tea is produced and packaged for export. Also, enjoy a hot cuppa while here.

Image Credit: Heritance Tea Factory

Climb the Adam’s Peak

Sacred to all those in Sri Lanka, the Adam’s Peak climb is one that must be done at least once in your lifetime. Although a little tiresome, once at the top you will definitely not regret it. Begin your climb at night and witness one of the most magical sunrises in Asia once you reach the summit. The hike is approximately 3.5 hours to the top.

Hike the Knuckles Mountain Range

For those who love a bit of adventure in the wild, then hiking the Knuckles mountain range in the hill country of Sri Lanka is well worth it. The rugged mountain range is a land of mystical appeals and offers breath-taking views to those who seek it. A half-day trek is about 8km and a full day trek is around 18km.

Go, Waterfall Hopping

The hill country of Sri Lanka is no short of waterfalls. In fact, it is here that you will come across some of the most gorgeous waterfalls on the island. With over 100 waterfalls to choose from in the central highlands, the top three worth mentioning are Bambarakanda Falls (the highest falls in Sri Lanka), Ravana Falls, and Diyaluma Falls.