Windsurfing in Maldives -It’s just you, the board, the sail, and the wind

Goldi64 at the German language Wikipedia, Wales Windsurfer, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Maldivian isles are by far one of the finest of holiday destinations to retire to either with family or your best mates. A range of leisure activities ranging from surfing, wakeboarding to even deep sea fishing can be enjoyed throughout one’s time here.

Blessed with warm, temperate waters and constant gusts of winds from all the right directions one could hardly conceive of a more appropriate environment to engage in windsurfing than the Maldives. The period between May and October is considered windsurfing season in the country as wind conditions pick up after the rains. With windsurfing, you catch the wind as you sail and glide across the lagoon. You have boards and sails on offer in Maldives, but you need to know your basics. Once you land in Maldives you will find a plethora of water sports centers that offer various services. Even the hotels will have very good facilities that will enable you to enjoy a memorable and safe time in the lapis lazuli waters. Check with the Maldives luxury resort you are staying in; some of these resorts such as the COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives have experts to will train you to master windsurfing. Windsurfing professioanls have different strategies and tips to stay balanced while in the activity. One-legged sailing is one strategy, which will shape up your fitness.

More experience thrill seekers engaged in windsurfing in Maldives may want to consider visiting this island between the months of October and May while beginners will find almost any time of the year ideal for this sport. May to October is considered the monsoon season so you can expect to find consistently strong winds that will propel you at great speeds.

 

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi

Image Credit: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

The camels are seen free roaming while driving around one of Middle East’s popular cities among tourists. Camels trekking is often regarded as a must do to enjoy the complete experience of Abu Dhabi desert holidays. Camel treks are offered by private tour operators as well as hotels in Abu Dhabi. One such hotel is Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara which offers two daily camel treks one at sunrise and one at sunset.

Camels are gentle animals and the treks are often done in small groups. There is a handler for the camels and a guide who would take part in the tour. The sitting and standing motion of the camels requires one to hold on tight to them as they can be quite quick.

The journey on these gentle giants through the sand dunes can be truly mesmerising and will help one understand why they are referred to as “ships of the desert”. The back and forth movement, as well as the side by side sway, all depict the movement of a ship. It is not only a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the sand dunes but also to learn quite a bit about these magnificent animals. Camels are animals that can go about a month without water! They can often store up to 120 Litres of water. However a misconception among many is that they store water in their humps, but this is not true. The humps store fats if they don’t eat over a period of time their humps start to reduce and this is because they use up the fats.

However, the guests on the treks will be provided with adequate water and refreshments at the summit of a dune where they can enjoy the sunset and snap away!

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.

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Snorkelling Trip to Khai Island

Angelique800326, Snorkel-xel-ha, CC BY-SA 3.0

Khai Islands are located about 10 km from Phuket. Comprising of three small islands; Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui, each island is blessed with an abundant number of marine life. The sands at Khai Islands are picture perfect – almost as if popped out of a postcard, with white soft sands and clear blue water that allures you from the moment you set your feet down. The waters around each island are safe and ideal for swimming and snorkelling and the white sandy beaches are best for relaxing and basking under the warm glow of the sun.

If you’re staying at a Phuket resort, you must take a traditional long tail boat ride to the Khai Island for a snorkelling adventure. Some accommodation providers such as COMO Hotels & Resorts, offer day time excursions for those who wish to explore the beauty of marine life living within the warm tropical ocean waters. A boat ride from Phuket should take on average 45 minutes to Khai Islands. A planned tour will first take you to Khai Nui which is surrounded by the colourful reefs that are teeming with fish like eels, clownfish, giant clams and many more. After you spend a couple of hours exploring and snorkelling here, you’ll be transported to the second island known as Khai Nok. This island is the best place to buy some fresh seafood, which will then later be grilled on a BBQ, as you unwind and relax with a chilled beer or a refreshing cocktail by the side of the beach. You can also rent jet skis and go for a spin on the azure waters around the islands. Khai Nai is the largest island of the three, while Khai Nui is comparatively the smallest.

Tourists who spend the day snorkelling here are advised not to feed the fish and leave as little a mark as possible so as not to damage the natural environment and its eco system.

 

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+

Paro Taktsang, Bhutan’s revered tiger’s nest temple

Taktshang Monastery, Bhutan
Douglas J. McLaughlin (Photograph edited by Vassil), Taktshang edit, CC BY-SA 3.0

Bhutan is one of the most intriguing nations in the world, and a real rising star where international tourism is concerned. The unspoilt geography of the country is breath-taking in its beauty and provides a true escape into a natural paradise. As a result Bhutan is fast becoming one of the most visited places in the world with many of the nation’s attractions being featured in travel blogs such as Well Known Places.

A concept that is iconic of Bhutan is the paro, which is essential a mix between a temple and a fortress. There are many of these incredible structures to be found around the nation, but one of the most notable is the Paro Taktsang, which has become one Bhutan’s major cultural icons.

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The temple was built in honour of Guru Padhmasambhava during 1692. This was due to the fact that this great spiritual leader, who some regard as the second incarnation of the Buddha had arrived to this site and meditated for a period of three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. He had carried out his meditation within the thirteen ‘tiger-caves’

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Taktsang translates into Tiger-Cave and there are many different legends that explain the origin of the name. Some say it is due to the thirteen caves that are present at the site.

There are others who would say that Guru Padhmasambhava rode to the mountain where the caves are situated on the back of a mythical tigress capable of flight.

Some believe that this tigress was the wife of Emperor Yeshe Tsogyal, and she transformed into this form to carry the sacred guru safely to the mountain. There’s a third myth that claims there was a Tiger Demon present within the caves.

Shrouded in mystical mythology this temple-fortress is definitely an essential visit if you find yourself in the captivating country of Bhutan.

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+

Living the island life in Fiji

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Fiji is a beautiful island in the South Pacific Ocean. The shallow blue green waters surrounding the coast, palm fringed beaches filled with warm, puffy sand, the rejuvenating island breeze together with the golden sun brimming mostly throughout the year, Fiji is simply paradise.

This is a major tourist destination in the world due to its pristine beauty and serene setting. You can catch the numerous holiday packages with significantly rewarding offers inclusive of flights, holiday accommodation in Fiji luxury resorts, meals, tour vouchers and spa vouchers in spa resorts in the area such as InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.

The natural splendor of Fiji tempts guests to stay longer and enjoy the island life. Who wouldn’t want to live in paradise and experience the simple beach bond way of life while on their summer holiday. The wonderful people of Fiji who are always known to wear a smile on their faces are guaranteed to make your stay here pleasant.

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One of the key experiences that should never be missed when at Fiji is the ‘Cloud break, Mamanuca islands’; this is one of most challenging and exciting surfing waves around the world. This is a destination where it is surfable in all tides. The best winds blow from the south to southeast, between the months of march and October. And the tides are usually very high and should be accessed through a jet ski or a tow boat.

The great Astrolabe reef at Kadava is another vibrant marine wonder in the surrounding islands of Fiji. This is wonderful spot for scuba diving as the vibrant kingdom underwater stretches miles in the sea bed. Various rich marine life such as Billfish, Mahi Mahi and Tuna are available in the reef.

Other gorgeous destinations are must visit to complete the island adventure of Fiji are; the Sigatoka sand dunes national park, Viti Levu, Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple at Nadi, the Kula Eco park, the Navua river at Viti Levu and etc.

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

Bird Watching Sites in Sri Lanka

Bird Watching
Image Credit:  Malkey Rent a Car

Sri Lanka is a Birdwatcher’s Paradise and bird watching sites are dotted all around the island. The country has more than 400 bird species comprising of endemic, resident and migrant birds. There are approximately 23 endemic and 200 migratory birds recorded within the island. The climate and environment of Sri Lanka is very conducive to the well-being of bird life. One of the best things to do in Sri Lanka is bird watching and when travelling around the island, if you are in need of a superbly conditioned vehicle, rental companies such as Malkey Rent a Car would be a good choice.

Kumana National Park (Yala East) 361 km from Colombo on the southeastern coast is the island’s most popular bird sanctuary and famed for its large migratory waterfowl and wading birds. An important feature here is a 200ha water body known as the Kumana Villu which is powered by the Kumbukkan Oya. It is here that many birds nest in May and June. It has been recorded that more than 225 species of birds have been found here, including the rare species of Lesser adjutant, Black necked stork and Eurasian spoonbill. Other birds here include pelicans, spoon bills and painted storks. Bundala National Park is in the Hambantota district of southern Sri Lanka and is the island’s Ramsar wetland site. It is said that each and every water bird in Sri Lanka visits Bundala. It is an internationally recognized wintering site for migrant birds especially the Greater Flamingo who migrate here in large numbers. Kalametiya in the south is the island’s oldest bird sanctuary and the best time to visit is from November to March. Birds here include the Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, the Sri Lanka Black Capped Purple Kingfisher, and the Indian Reef Heron.

Other great bird watching sites are Kithulgala, the Peak Wilderness, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawattekele Sanctuary in Kandy, Horton Plains National Park, Knuckles World Heritage Area, Kandalama Sanctuary, Wilpattu, Chilaw Sand Pits, Anavilundawa Sanctuary, Mannar and Vankalai Sanctuary. Closer to Colombo, the Talangama Tank and Marshes and the Bellanwila –Attidiya Sanctuary are good bird watching areas.

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.

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Adventure Water Sports in Bentota

A Kayak on the Bentota river
A Kayak on the Bentota river | Hafiz Issadeen | Flickr | (CC BY 2.0)

If you are visiting Sri Lanka, Bentota is definitely a place to check out for water sports. However the town is very touristy and can get busy. If you are looking for a quieter escape then Kalutara may be ideal as it is only a short drive from Bentota. Though there are a number of things to do in Kalutara, water sports are a major activity here as well as in neighboring Bentota. This is a good place to base yourself to get to neighbouring towns. Hotels such as Anantara Kalutara Resort will be more than happy to organize water sports activities for their guests.

Some of the popular adrenaline pumping activities in the area include, Jet skiing. The Jet Ski is usually rented out on hourly basis. You could either take it out for a spin by yourself or there are members from aquatic centres who could help you. Other activities include banana boat rides which are great if you are in a group. An inflatable banana like boat is dragged on the water with the help of a motorised boat. The ripples from the boat and the speed make the ride a true adventure. A similar activity is the doughnut ride.

Water skiing is also a popular activity and some of the water sports centres have veterans of the sport training. There are various levels of courses carried out such as those for beginners where special adjustments are made to the boat with bars fixed onto them.

There are also facilities to pick up a new water sport such as wind surfing if you are in the area as the beginners’ course is around 8-10 hours.

Other than that another activity that is popular in the area is diving and snorkeling. A great activity for both adults and children alike and also it’s a great place to catch a glimpse of some of the tropical fish and turtles.

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

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Top snorkeling spots around Tioman

Snorkeling is one of the all-time favorites of water sports lovers and underwater explorers with a flair for enjoying marine life under the blue water surface of the sea. As you float through the sea passing beautiful coral reefs and watching schools of colorful reef fish, you will enter into a whole new world full of serenity and wonder. Mesmerized by the beauty of it, you almost forget that you are a creature of land.

There are many tour destinations that offer snorkeling practice, one such amazing place being the Tioman Island in Malaysia. The lower expense is one of the better factors about snorkeling in Tioman, while also having the opportunity of enjoying a comfortable stay at a best beach hotel. Pulau Tioman is home to several idyllic resorts that offer a complete tour package for relaxing, snorkeling or scuba diving and also sight-seeing, one such being the Berjaya Tioman Resort on the western shoreline.

Around the Tioman Island, there are many ideal spots to practice your snorkeling skills. If the best of them are listed down it will include Coral Island and Malang Rocks, Renggis Island, Marine Park and Salang Beach. Out of these, the Coral Island and Malang Rocks and the Renggis Island are more famous for their coral reefs and associated marine life while the other two places are better known for a spectacular view of many varieties of shallow water fish like clown fish.Another plus point for Tioman Islands when you are looking for a snorkeling spot is that there is no need to wear heavy and complicated snorkeling equipment. The natural surroundings of the Tioman Islands with some water currents create a suitable environment for snorkeling, even for beginners. It is widely accepted that your snorkeling experience will be at its best when you travel in small groups, sharing the joy and exchanging your moments.

snorkeling by Robert De Bock via StockSnap.io

 

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Devil’s Peak Hong Kong

File:Devil's Peak, Hong Kong.JPG
Mk2010, Devil’s Peak, Hong Kong, CC BY-SA 3.0

There is nothing better that working up those calves, feeling the burn in the gut, trekking miles up a mountain and reaching that vantage point just to feel as if you are on top of the world. If you are busy away in the East on business and just want to take a break or if you have become the kind of modern trekker who loves a bit of outdoor adventure, hiking up Devil’s Peak in Hong Kong is the ideal activity for you!

While adrenaline junkies will not find the hike that challenging since it takes only one to one and half hours, there is no putting a price on soaking up the sight of the Kowloon skyline and filling up your lungs with fresh air at an elevation of 222 metres.

If you are planning to enjoy the indulgences of hotels in Kowloon, Hong Kong, try lodging at properties that cater to all types of travellers and which are centred amidst all the action and entertainment such as Dorsett Mongkok, Hong Kong. Even though this metropolis is one of the busiest, if you are looking for that laidback yet active getaway, a hike up Devil’s Peak is worth considering.

Hiking up Devil’s Peak is not merely an active pursuit. Since the area was once garrisoned by the British Army during the late 1800s, you can still see the remnants of some age-old batteries during your walk. As you move further up the peak, you will be awed by the staggering views of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon harbour front. For complete immersion of Hong Kong’s natural beauty, you ought to experience that silver screen worthy perspective atop Devil’s Peak.

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

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