Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi

The vibrant Bani Yas Island, located just off the coast of Abu Dhabi, is a man-made natural and cultural playground offering a unique range of thrills to all who visit the intriguing isle. Some of the most exquisite luxury resorts Abu Dhabi has to offer its visitors are featured on Yas Island, and a choice option can be found at the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas which offers a stunning range of Abu Dhabi villas from which to soak in the exotic desert island-scape. In addition to the magnificent array of wildlife that can be observed and marveled at on the isle, it is home to the Yas Marina Circuit, which is the second Formula One racing track in the Middle East, with the first installed in Bahrain. Paving the way for the future of Formula One racing in the country, it was opened in 2009, a week before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of that year. In February 2010, it hosted the Yas V8 400, which is the Australian V8 Supercars series. The famous track features 21 exciting corners and drivers whiz by locations such as the marina and several hotels before racing through sand dunes. For those wanting a little more excitement beyond what can be witnessed on the track, Yas Island also features a theme park and water park as well. So visit Yas Island for a spectacular array of attractions, the combination of which is not found elsewhere in the world. 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Elephant Mountain

The Mountains of Vietnam are fit for the most soothing poetry. The aura of peace that it emulates makes it one of the most soothing attractions in the whole nation. Its popularity has been recognised and many resorts and bungalows have been built in such a way that a good mountainous view is guaranteed. There is one particular mountain that boasts a fascinating legend in addition to its unmatched beauty; it is the Elephant Mountain.

Many years ago there lived a man by the name of Mr. Lang. He was the Chief of the Lach community and was known for his kind heart, his intelligence and his bravery. His popularity grew the day he conquered two wild elephants that came from the village of La Ngu Ha. These elephants were actually disturbed creatures but after coming back with Lang to the village they transformed themselves and through his inspiration became better animals. One day Lang rescued the young maiden Biang who was actually the daughter of the Chief of the Sre community. Instantly the 2 fell in love and the entire village rooted for their big day. Especially the 2 elephants became very close to Lang and Biang. However sadly that big day never came as the 2 lovers came from different communities who did not believe in binding each other. The heartbroken lovers headed to the highest point of a mountain in the village and grieved till one day their souls fled the earth. The elephants upon seeing their lifeless bodies sat next to them and never moved which eventually led to their death as well. Legends has it that they became this 1753m mountain; hence the name Elephant Mountain.

The Elephant Mountain boasts some of the most breathtaking sceneries of Haiphong. During early mornings and late nights, coolness blankets the region. The location is famous for those seeking inspiration, just gazing at it can carry your burdens away. When you plan to visit the Elephant Mountain choose good hotels in Vietnam to come home to. The Harbour View Hotel Haiphong Vietnam is the finest of all Haiphong hotels as it is known for its luxurious ambience and unmatched views.

A day at the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala

Elephants are magnificent creatures that have roamed our lands for centuries. To witness them in their natural habitat, one should head over to the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala located in the Kegalle District. The sanctuary affords care and protection for orphaned wild elephants that are found in the nearby jungles. Indulge in air taxi Sri Lanka of which Cinnamon Air, operators of air taxi tours Sri Lanka offers ample opportunities for travellers to head over to the premise.

Large crowds of locals and foreigners are seen during the feeding of elephant calves and bathing sessions at the Maha Oya which are the major attractions at the orphanage. Pinnawala is home to over 70 elephants and acts as a breeding ground where some of the elephants are later handed over to private owners and Buddhist temples. Experience the majesty of these beasts at their ‘home away from home’ in Pinnawala.

Camp5- True mountain climbing experience

When holidaying in Kuala Lumpur, Camp5 is a must visit thrilling attraction in the city. This place was designed using all the modern technology assuring safety of the visitors to the place as it operates as an adventurous indoor climbing centre. Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur which is a luxury Kuala Lumpur hotel offers its guest the ideal accommodation options in the city. This strategically located hotel in Bukit Bintang would give you easy access to the city’s many top attractions. Camp5 being one of the best climbing centres in KL encourages both beginners and professionals to use their site. Offering panoramic views of the city, this 24 meters high climbing centre is a great experience for thrill seeking mountain climbers regardless of their age. Camp5 also houses a café and a pro shop and the place will provide all its visitors with climbing gear and necessary equipments.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+

Rock Climbing in Hainan Island

Located off the coast of southern China’s Guangdong province is Hainan province, the smallest of all China’s provinces, but that does not impinge on the region’s cultural appeal. Its most popular tourist destination is the resort town of Sanya, located on the island’s southern coastal belt. Sanya is renowned for its balmy tropical climate, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in a range of fun outdoor activities for the entire family, such as swimming, snorkelling, surfing, hiking and rock-climbing.

Within Sanya is the popular Yalong Bay, which is the premier location to indulge in some quality fun in the sun, as it resides on the same latitude as the vibrant Hawaiian Islands of the tropical monsoon region. Boasting rolling emerald hillsides, pristine white beaches that extend for 7 glorious kilometres and a calm sapphire sea, it is a paradise on earth with multiple avenues for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Visibility of the sea reaches a depth of 8 metres, making it perfect for snorkelers to interact firsthand with the exotic marine life. Adventure seekers can also indulge in a bout of rock climbing, as the area offers an intriguing array of unique rock formations that are simply begging further exploration.

Within Yalong Bay itself are a couple of tiny islands with ample opportunities to scale exciting rock surfaces. Venture to the centre of the bay at Boar Island, and check out the enthralling arenas ripe for climbing. Dongzhou and Zizhou are two prime islands located to the southern area of the bay, while the western regions of Dongpai and Zipai afford fantastic views and topographies. Jinmu Cape and Yalong Cape are also great spots for some quality hiking and rock-climbing, so grab your gear and get climbing!

One of Hainan Island’s claims to fame is that it is home to the largest concentrations of butterflies in China, which has led it to be titled “Butterfly Kingdom”. Interested visitors can check out the colourful specimens numbering more than 2000 at the Sanya Butterfly Valley, which features an open air cage that allows you close interactions with the droves of multi-hued butterflies flitting all around you. Sanya Butterfly Valley also houses some of the country’s rarest butterfly species, such as the Peking Papilio.

After some quality relaxation on the beach or a day of exciting sightseeing and adrenaline pumping activity, choose a quality resort in Sanya for some ample rest and rejuvenation. An excellent choice comes in the form of the Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa. With its luxury interiors, contemporary amenities and services and a friendly staff brimming with hospitality, this Sanya resort is a choice option to host your next vacation.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Travel to an Inhabited Island

Ever had fantasies of owning an island all to yourself? Maldives is perhaps the best place to make this dream come true even if it was for an hour or two. However, make sure you reserve a Maldives island resort to lodge in as you return from your island excursion, exhausted after your little adventure. Kuramathi Island harbours some of the most desirable Maldives villas designed to pamper its guests to the fullest, an ideal escape for the beach enthusiast in you. These lively lands chockfull of culture lay waiting to be explored, floating amongst the vibrant marine life that is typical of this part of the world. Nights are magical at these virgin corners, with only the starlight to be your guide.  Once in a while, tiny lights of phosphorescence gets washed up upon the shore, creating a fairy-like effect on the sands, embraced in plenty during the day. Embrace the colourful culture that is unique to the wonderful Maldives, roam among the locals and get a whiff of the spicy yet simple lives the Maldivians are famous for.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Rollerball Zorbing in Phuket

Spice up your holiday in Thailand by engaging in some zorbing or hill rolling aimed at giving you an adrenaline rush you’ve never experienced before. Whether it’s the sensation of being rolled over or rolling over your friends stretched out on the track downhill, this action packed experience is sure to leave you in awe. Of the many retreats in Thailand one should select Thanyapura which is a sports hotel Thailand that provides a complete rollerball zorbing experience for those in search of a thrilling escape.

Capture the beautiful vistas of Patong Bay as you descend the hillsides that are infested with sharp curves and smooth paths to add to the excitement of spending your holiday by bouncing in a giant plastic ball.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Sanshan Islands

Suzhou is a major city in eastern China, located on the scenic Lake Taihu, with an impressive historical legacy that dates back more than 2,500 years. A beautiful city with a profusion of pagodas, gardens, stone bridges and canals, it boasts a delightful array of Suzhou accommodation and attractions ripe for experiential plucking. Visitors seeking Suzhou apartments will enjoy a stay at the Citadines Xinghai Suzhou offering luxury interiors and the ideal location close to many of the city’s attractions. When you fancy a break from it all, get on a bus or taxi and spirit yourself away to the enchanting Sanshan Islands, sitting pretty on the picturesque Lake Taihu, China’s third-largest lake that could almost double as a sea, as one cannot witness the opposing shore when standing on one side of the lake. Home to about 90 islands that all merit exploration, the San Shan Islands offer a unique allure in the form of a myriad paths that wind through forest and a few buildings. Visitors can even go orange plucking, so make sure you grab a few canvas bags to bring home a few kilos of the delicious fruit! The island is famous for its three hills, the largest of which has a pagoda on the summit, and a climb up there is worth the minimal effort for regular hikers to absorb the breathtaking panorama and tranquility from the top. There are a variety of charming little hotels on the island that can accommodate a meal or two, or you can help the local stalls by purchasing some refreshing juices or savoury snacks to fuel your island adventure. You can rent a bicycle cart for two and embark on your own adventure on the well-paved roads as well. The San Shan Islands present a charming alternative to the regular sightseeing options in the city, and it is definitely worth a visit. 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Stones You Never Knew Existed

Bangkok, the most popular and developed city of Thailand, is the capital of the country and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Home to over eight million citizens of Thailand, this bustling city and its unique culture are indeed rather extraordinary, thus attracting tourists from all over the globe. Bangkok’s diverse society, lively commercial street, cultural attractions, and thriving nightlife are some of its major highlights.

A rather strange, yet uniquely iconic, landmark of Bangkok is the Rare Stone Museum. Like its name suggests, this museum is dedicated to showcasing some of the most amazingly shaped and rare rocks and stones of the earth, as has been regarded as a rather intriguing experience. The museum houses a collection of over 100,000 unique stones and other artefacts, thus ensuring that you will have loads to see at the museum.

The Rare Stone Museum is located in the Pathum Thani Province and was established by Banyong Lertnimitr. The entire collection of the museum is privately owned by Lertnimitr who has acquired these unique stones and artefacts over the years. The museum was established in 1999, and ever since has been one of the most unique and fascinating museums in Bangkok. One can witness a large variety of various rocks and stones of different minerals, colours, shapes, and sizes, that are sure to leave you amazed that such stones even existed! One of the highlights of the museum is a rather interesting black rock that resembles two penguins kissing. Although the museum is predominantly dedicated to stones, one can also witness a range of other interesting artefacts such as old but stylish ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and other miniature objects considered to be of good luck in Thai culture. This museum is truly one of the most different yet spectacular landmarks of Bangkok, and therefore a visit to it is definitely warranted.

Overlooking the sparkling Chao Phraya River is the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa, one of the most reputed 5 Star hotels in Bangkok. Boasting the high standards and traditions of the Anantara group of luxury hotels and resorts, this Bangkok resort offers tranquil accommodation in a range of plush rooms and suites. The tranquilly of this resort is further complemented by the luxury facilities provided by the resort, which include the Anantara Spa, a host of exquisite restaurants, and many wellness and leisure services.

Bangkok Klongs

A lively and thriving cosmopolitan city, Bangkok is a stellar Southeast Asian locale that expertly caters to both leisure visits and corporate trips. Visitors to this splendid experiential haven should treat themselves to one of fine 5 star hotels in Bangkok especially one offering a stellar Bangkok resort experience for travellers seeking a welcome getaway in the tropics. You will find luxury interiors on the waters at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa which will make for an unforgettable stay. If you want an adventure that is off the beaten track and on the waters of Bangkok’s rivers, explore the offerings of Bangkok’s unique klongs. Other than making you giggle, the name is synonymous with floating markets and numerous tourist attractions set into the banks of Bangkok’s main rivers, as “klong” translates to “canal”.

Bangkok’s history has it crisscrossed with a variety of different klongs that has earned it the nickname Venice of the East”. The canals played an important role in Bangkok’s infrastructure as it was a point of commerce through the floating markets, and they were also used as transport routes. Modern-day Bangkok has seen these fascinating and iconic waterways filled up to make way for roads, but the city’s Thonburi district still retains its older klongs. Central Bangkok sees the Klong Saen Baeb, which is a major transportation route due to the city’s immense road congestion. Modern floating markets are mainly tourist attractions, and the most famous is the Damnoen Saduak market occurring every day until noon. So make sure you experience a part of this iconic feature of the Bangkok landscape.