Miscellaneous Adventures - The Adventure Travel Site

Best Beaches in West Coast of Sri Lanka

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean sure has some amazing beaches that lure tourists every year. The coastal belt of Sri Lanka is something that you must explore. Here are a few beaches that are not too far from Colombo for starters.

Negombo
This is a coastal city that is just 37 km away from Colombo which is about 1.5 hours travel time on the highway. Negombo is popular for beautiful beaches that are surfer friendly and safe for almost any water sport.

Mount Lavinia
This is one of the most residential zones in Colombo, especially for the middle class. This place has one of the most scenic beaches where the middle class often visit in the evenings for a jog or to walk their pets.

Beruwela
This is a beach city that is popular for hotels.Beruwela offers some of the best luxury resorts such as The Eden Resort & Spa for a nice stay. The beaches here are great too but the waters can sometimes be too rough so look out for the red flag.

Induruwa
Unlike the rest of the beaches, this isn’t a crowded one. Instead, the ambience is of that of a calm village where you can just relax.

A Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

If you are looking for a “wild” holiday which is more about wildlife encounters than nightlife fun, then Sri Lanka is an ideal destination! Here’s a glimpse into the many species you may come across.

Mammals
Sri Lanka has over 100 mammal species including the endemic leopard and elephant. Leopards can be spotted at the Yala National Park, while elephants can be seen at Minneriya National Park near Habarana; hotel options in the area such as Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offer excursions to see “The Gathering” of hundreds of elephants around July. The sloth bear, sambar deer, toque macaque and European otter are some of the other local mammals.

Birds
Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Sri Lanka which encompasses endemic (like the Sri Lankanjunglefowl and Sri Lanka spurfowl) and migratory (like the Pacific golden plover and greater flamingo) species.The Sinharaja Forest Reserve andBundala National Park are two bird watching hotspots.

Reptiles
There are plenty of reptile species in the island which include a great many snakes such as the sand boa, green vine snake andIndian cobra. Also grouped amongst reptiles are the mugger and saltwater crocodiles as well as five sea turtle species like olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtles.

Marine Species
Out at sea, Sri Lanka is blessed with more diversity and one will find over 900 marine fish species; these include reef fish as well as larger varieties like marlin and sailfish. The country also offers one a chance to spot marine mammals from blue and sperm whales to spinner and bottlenose dolphins.\

Why You Should Visit Kandy

Once the royal seat of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a city perched on a plateau at the top of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. There are many reasons as to why you should be visiting Kandy. Here are our top 4.

It’s Perfect for Nature Lovers
The small city is surrounded by emerald mountains and plenty of forest land, estates and the famed Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Everywhere you look, even out of the balcony of the best hotel in Kandy there is plenty of nature to adore.

It’s Home to Cultural Treasures
Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important Buddhist landmark site as the resting place of the tooth relic of Buddha which is housed in the Temple of the Tooth at the royal palace in the city centre. It’s a quick drive from mountainside hotels like Hotel Topaz.

It’s a Classic Movie Location
Kandy was famously the location for movies such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Cheng Gong, The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo and Thai Flower among others.

It’s Where You Can Find a Good Cuppa
You can also find plenty of tea estates with cafés that will serve you the most delicious cup of steaming hot Ceylon Black tea.

Top Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka

While the island of Sri Lanka may be relatively small, within this land one will find a diverse range of attractions and things to do. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit.

Exciting Adventures
Thrill-seekers have much to enjoy when it comes to an adventure tour; Sri Lanka is an ideal place for trekking in the Knuckles Mountain Range, white water rafting along the Kelani River in Kitulgala and hiking to the summit of Adam’s Peak which has around 5,500steps!

Gorgeous Beaches

Praveenshashika, Secret beach – Mirissa Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

There are some truly sublime beaches around the island which can easily be explored with tour specialists like Walkers Tours. South coast highlights include the Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa and Bentota beaches, while on the east coast you get Pasikuda and Arugam Bay, the latter being a surfing hotspot too.

Rich Heritage
The island has a rich heritage which can be experienced at many historical attractions in Sri Lanka including the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress and the archaeological sites in Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Other cultural sites include the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy and the colonial Dutch Fort in Galle.

Diverse Wildlife
There are many national parks in the country which provide encounters with a range of animal and bird species. Wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka give you a chance to spot leopards inYala andWilpattu, elephants in Minneriya and Udawalawe, birdlife in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and even blue whales in Mirissa!

Crazy Extreme Adventures

A tropical holiday in Thailand doesn’t always have to be about lounging on the beach, working on your tan, especially if you are the kind of person that wants to experience the open spaces and blue seas of Thailand with your whole being. Here are some adrenaline-inducing water sports and adventures you can do to go beyond your comfort zone.

1. White Water Rafting

Head further inland from the beach and try a little white-water rafting. Some rapids range on all levels in Pai, Chiang Mai and Chumpon to name a few.

2. Scuba Diving with Whale Sharks

If you are planning to try out some diving when you check into a hotel in Khon Kaen, consider signing up for scuba diving with whale sharks. The best time is during the season of February to April. If your preferred choice of hotel is one like Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre, you can ask them to book ahead for you.

3. Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding requires a bit of navigation in your part and something you should be careful of if you’re a first timer. But it’s never too late to try.

4. Rock Climbing

If you want something to get the blood pumping that doesn’t involve you getting wet, try a little rock-climbing in the Krabi province.

5. Wakeboarding

There are wake parks all over Thailand thanks to wakeboarding’s recent popularity so why not get in on the rush?

Adventurous things to do in Pattaya

If you are after some extreme thrills, then Pattaya in Thailand is the destination for you; from soaring in the sky to being hurled at breathtaking speeds, there’s never a dull moment here!

Skydiving

Enjoy the exhilaration of freefall from 13,000 feet on an unforgettable tandem skydiving experience at Thai Sky Adventures Co., Ltd. within easy reach of Travelodge Pattaya. As you feel the freedom of flight, not to mention speeds of up to 220 kph, you can channel your inner Superman or Supergirl!

Bungy Jumping

Equally exciting is bungy jumping at Xbungy – Pattaya Bungy Jump, one of the best places to visit in Pattaya for extreme sports enthusiasts. Reaching a height of 197 feet, it is the country’s highest bungy jump and provides an unforgettable adrenaline rush. Note: screaming optional during the jump!

Human Slingshot

Another attraction at Pattaya Bungy Jump is the Human Slingshot; you will be strapped to a full-body harness that will be stretched along silicon bungy cords till it reaches the point of launch… think of the Angry Birds concept! Once let go, you will be hurtled at rates of up to 150 kph as you are propelled back and forth at dizzying speeds.

Flyboarding

Moving from land to water, flyboarding gives you a chance to hover up to 15 metres in the air on a special board that is bound to make you feel like Iron Man (R.I.P Tony Stark). Once you get the hang of it, you can do some “tricks” and dive into the ocean and “fly” back up again; suffice to say you’ll love it (3,000)!

Mystery Manila for Brave Hearts!

If you have the love for being terrified, and you would want to be stuck in a haunted room for a bit, this is for you.

About the room

The Mystery Manila has a room named Rebecca’s Room, which is named as such because you will be solving and trying to uncover the mystery that surrounds Rebecca Rubio. You will be shut in a completely dark room, and using your senses, will have to solve this.

Who is Rebecca Rubio?

She was a video blogger who went missing in the year 2012, and she was last seen walking into her apartment in the evening. People heard some screaming but assumed it was TV noise. And until today, no one, nobody living in or staying at hotels in Makati have seen her.

Within the hour

You get one hour in her room, to figure out what went wrong that night. You can request clues, but each clue would cost you 15 minutes that will be deducted from your total time inside her room.

How to get there

If you are put up at Berjaya Makati Hotel or a similarly central hotel, you can simply hail a cab and get to this escape room.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Penang Travel Guide

Penang is a perfect mix of different cultures where Chinese, Indians and Malays reside together. Penang has a population of 1.8 million and there’s plenty to keep you occupied! Here’s a list.

Image credit- Semi-auto, 2018 New Year Fireworks in George Town, Penang, CC BY-SA 4.0

Blue Mansion

Also known as the most photographed building in George Town, this beautiful building was built in the 1880s. The 38 room and 228 window mansion contain several unique features, each explained through guided tours. You must listen to the story of Cheong Fatt Tze, the ‘rags to riches’ Hakka merchant commissioned the blue mansion for his 7th wife.

Penang National Park

15 minutes from PARKROYAL Penang Resort and easy to get to from any Penang hotel, the Penang National Park is Malaysia’s smallest national park. There are trails with varying distances, each serving gorgeous views of nature!

Butterfly Farm

For a completely beautiful and surreal experience, you mustn’t miss the Butterfly Farm! Over 15,000 free-flying butterflies together with 200 species of varying fauna, you get to learn all about butterflies and their lives.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Explore Koneswaram Kovil

The temple is known as Thirukonamalai Konesar and is what gave the city its name “Trincomalee.” It’s one of the most sacred medieval temples for the Hindu devotees. It sits atop Swami Rock, also known as Konamalai and has been referred to in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. During its golden age, it was known as the Rome of the Gentiles.

The Ravana Connection

The Ramayana tells of the temple being patronised by Ravana the legendary king of Lanka and his mother who was a pious devotee of Shiva. Legend has it that Ravana was attempting to lift the temple and take it to his mother after she fell ill and could no longer visit the temple, but the god in anger made Ravana trip and he dropped his sword where it created the cut on the cliff face which is known to this day Ravana’s Cleft.

The Temple of a Thousand Pillars

The temple was said to consist of a thousand golden pillars and richly decorated thanks to the generosity of the Chola dynasties and after them the Pandayan kings. The temple contains carvings that date back as far as the 5th century.

The Colonial Desolation

The temple can be visited today with a short drive through Fort Frederick from any of the resorts in Trincomalee. However, the present temple was reconstructed recently after the old temple was shoved off the cliff into the sea by Portuguese invaders. Arranging a tour with a resort like Trinco Blu by Cinnamon will give visitors some background to what they will be seeing.

Traveling the Maldives on a Budget: It’s Possible!

You may have always pictured the Maldives as an expensive tourist destination, but as per the current state, it is really not. Although Maldivian islands are the homes for many of the super-luxury resorts and private apartments, there are also inexpensive options for you to follow during your tour.

Go for good accommodation options

If you are searching for the very best resorts in the Maldives, you will have to forget the affordability factor. But, since Maldivian islands have been attracting budget travelers in bulk for the past couple of years, now there are good places to stay for reasonable prices, which you can try out.

Use local transportation modes

You may have to forget seaplanes if you are budget concerned. Always use local ferries that are available or even the boat services that are offered by local fishermen in islands. You have the option of speedboats, but they are expensive.

Find inexpensive excursions

Many resort properties belonging to chains the likes of Adaaran Maldives provide their visitors the excursion experiences. There is a saving you can make when you book an excursion through the hotel, rather than direct booking with a third-party service provider.

Take good food-at affordable rates

The best thing is that there are many Maldivian resorts that provide free breakfast options. For other meals, you may try restaurants on your island, but make sure you check their rates before you order your food.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+