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Echo’s from Milford Sounds

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on
Not every couple desires a vacation on a white sand beach. If you are an outdoor fanatic who likes the chilly winter breeze and gaze at extraordinary creations the kiwi land is where you should head. New Zealand has so much to offer than just a romantic ski vacation. It’s snow topped mountains are just one of the many excitements that await. They say that most precious jewels are hidden in secluded places. Likewise the small town of Te Anau created its space in the world map because it holds the key to a mesmerizing wonderland….the Milford Sounds.

This magnificent natural wonder is encircled by mountain peaks that are nourished by lush rain forests and ocean waters that run inland from the Tasman Sea. This besides the beautiful flaora and fauna that surrounds its trekking path, delta opens its door to much marine life as seals, penguins, dolphins and even whales

The valley waters that tip over these high peaks form breath taking waterfalls. On a rainy day tourists would get lost in the beauty of a magnificent water work as giant waterfalls are shaped from all directions. On a sunny days boat cruise you can glare at a mirrored view of the mountain peaks lying atop the calm ocean waters.

Since you would be spending more than half the day “oohing” at this natural marvel a simple Te Anau Hotel is satisfactory for a peaceful nights rest. Let the pictures do the talking as I cannot ever do justice to the Milford Sound’s geographical wonder created by mother earth.

Categories Travel

Khmer Wedding

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on

One of the most joyous and celebrated occasions in Khmer traditions is a marriage in a Khmer family. Wedding celebrations may last for approximately 3 days and can even stretch on for a week, and is usually filled with much merriment, festivity and colour. A lot of preparation goes into the numerous events that are held during the wedding period and is bound to keep the whole family busy and celebrating on a continuous basis.

The Khmer tradition of the wedding evolves around the legendary story of Cambodia’s origins. It is said that the first Khmer prince, Preah Thong, married the Naga princess, Neang Neak, who he met on his many travels as he was exiled from his homeland. As a marriage gift, the princess’s father was said to have swallowed a part of the ocean bringing forth the land of Cambodia.

As the wedding celebrations begin, family, friends and other community members continue to stream in to join in this joyous occasion. Some typical features of the wedding would include a band of musicians playing throughout the day, and the bride changing her wedding garments time and again. Dressed like royalty, the couple is truly a magnificent sight to see.

The wedding ceremony is made up of many events put together. Some of the highlights from these include the Groom’s Processional where the groom is invited to the bride’s home bearing many fruits and sweets. The Cleansing Ceremony will captivate you as according to Khmer tradition the couple needs to undergo a process of elaborate cleansing that involves dancing around the couple, cutting their hair, shaving the groom and perfuming them. The knot tying ceremony is also a unique one where family and friends come forward to tie ribbons on the couple’s wrists as a sign of good wishes and to be photographed with them.

Apart from all the festivities of the actual wedding celebrations, there are plenty of other pre and post wedding functions as well. Witnessing and being part of a Khmer wedding is a true experience of the extensive culture and rituals involved in Khmer traditions and are a series of events that you will never forget.

Tourists visiting the city can stay at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal which is a luxury hotel in Phnom Penh. This elegant hotel is an ideal base from which to explore the traditions, culture and sites of the city and also proves to be an ideal wedding hotel in Phnom Penh.

Categories Travel

The Wedding Destination of Your Dreams

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on
The beautiful paradise island where miracles happen – Sri Lanka is one of the most popular holiday and honeymoon destinations in the world. This small Island has much to offer with its seductive sandy beaches and beautiful sceneries. Sri Lanka is full of things to do and places to see, trekking, surfing, wildlife excursions or just laying in the sun, this exotic isle will satisfy any of your needs.

This paradise island is one of the most sought after destinations in the world for weddings. With a rich cultural heritage the island has a varied selection of places where one can have weddings at. Whatever your requirement is whether it is wedding by the beach, in the hill country or in the country side having it in Sri Lanka will make it a memorable and unique experience which you will treasure for the rest of your lives. One can have a Civil, Hindu, Christian, Muslim or Buddhist wedding ceremony. Traditional to the locals is the Lankan Poruwa Ceremony which can be done after the couple’s religious or civil ceremony or in combination with it. The Poruwa ceremony takes about 45 minutes, where the groom would be escorted by colorfully attired traditional dancers and drummers to a small stage which is called the Poruwa, which would be beautifully decorated with flowers. You could also make it a bit more exciting by arriving on the back of a elaborately dressed elephant. The entire ceremony is performed on the Poruwa and at the conclusion, the couple will light a traditional oil lamp which symbolizes their togetherness and resolve to be committed to each other for a brighter future. To organize a wedding in Sri Lanka you can use the services of the hotel you are planning to have it in or a local wedding planner.

If the thought of a Sri Lankan wedding excites you, it is important that you have reliable source to rent a car from in which you can do all your Sri Lanka travel. It is advisable that you rent a car from a reputed and established Sri Lanka car rental. Malkey Rent A Car will ensure that you have the perfect car on time with a chauffer to make your wedding day that much special.

Categories Travel

The Dikwella Blow Hole

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on
Dikwella is a quiet coastal town some 20 kilometres to the east of Matara in the South of Sri Lanka. Up until recently, the place was only of interest to Buddhist pilgrims on their way to pay homage to the Wewurukulana Vihara along the Beliatta road, the site of the tallest Buddha stature in Sri Lanka. In recent decades however, the town is growing in popularity as a tourist resort and with it, more and more people are discovering the fascinating natural phenomenon found nearby – the Blow Hole of Dikwella.
A blow hole is a something which occurs when a rock set upon high tides contains a fissure. When the pressure of the collected water below grows high, a jet of water forces its way upward from within the fissure, creating what is known as a blow hole. This is a very rare and engaging natural phenomenon.

Despite its name, the blow hole is actually found at Kudawela, 6 kilometres to the east of Dikwella. Here, secreted in a beautiful beach of golden surf and turquoise sea is found the only blow hole in the country; one of the handful found in the world. This is locally known as the “Hoo-maniya”, named thus because of the sound the blow hole makes before the water spurts upward. R.L. Broheir first catapulted this site into the international awareness by including an account of it in his famous book “Seeing Ceylon”, published in the 1960s.

Today, the popularity of the blow hole as a tourist attraction is evidenced by the number of food and drink kiosks and vendors who cluster around the shallow stairs that lead up the cliff. The sea-food delicacies hawked here are a particular favourite among sight-seers.

The blow hole is seen upon a wide expanse of rock atop a cliff. The stream of water spurts up from a fissure that runs down a split in the middle of the rock. The ominous “hoo-hoo” noise that emanates from this opening can be heard like distant thunder from some distance away. This is the sound of the water pressure rising, causing onlookers to tense in anticipation.
However, the moment when the fountain erupts upward always catches them unawares. A loud whooshing sound accompanies a great sea spray shoots into the sky, reaching to a height of 120 feet at times before forming a mushroom at its apex and drenching sight-seers around.

Although this usually happens at 10-15 minute intervals, the wait is always tense, especially for a photographer waiting to capture the fountain in all its glory. Only the lucky and persevering few are rewarded in this respect. The monsoon season of June to July is considered the time when the blow hole is at its finest.

Visitors who travel here to view this rare occurrence can also delight in the surrounding shore, which is among some of the loveliest Sri Lanka beaches, with rock pools of vibrant fish and shallows suitable for swimming. The resorts of the John Keells Hotels Group are recommended options for those seeking accommodation at one of the nearby Sri Lanka beach hotels, as this chain of hotels is a well-reputed for its luxury hospitality.

Categories Travel

Beaches

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on

When it comes to a tropical beach holiday in Asia, the enigmatic and bountiful allure of Thailand is quite unmistakable. The seafront landscape of the land teems with holidaymakers every year as they crowd the sun-swept beaches to enjoy the best beach vacation you can find in Asia. The cream of Thai beaches are found towards the South of the country as the land thins out and reaches out like an arm into the sea, and the Si Kao district in Trang province is never a place overlooked in the hunt for the perfect seaside.
Si Kao is home to several outstandingly beautiful beaches along its coastline. Apart from that, an inquisitive traveller is free to explore inland as the district has several other places bound to stoke your curiosity such as the Wat Tham Khaopedan caves and Angthong waterfall. The beaches of Si Kao are good for a nice refreshing swim, a bit of surfing or just soaking up the sun lazing on the sands, and they are home to many chic resorts and hotels as well.
One of the most well-known among Si Kao’s beaches is Pakmeng beach which lies towards the south west. The waters are very shallow here, and even if it’s not ideal for a swim, the place is good for some family fun or just wading out to explore the islands dotting the shoreline. Further along near the Si Kao bay, you will find the lesser known but picturesque beachfront of Kong Thuan which is an ideal hangout if you’re in the mood for some solitude and peace of mind. Hat Chao Mai National Park is also close by, where beachgoers enjoy the sunlight and shade in equal measure among green groves and clean white sands. Even if it is a favoured spot among travellers, you’ll find this beach to be quite peaceful. To your delight, most beaches of Si Kao will be having good food and beverages available, with showers and toilet facilities close at hand.
Beaches around Si Kao and in the Province of Trang in general have no lack of visitors, and ever in demand Si Kao hotels are set and waiting to welcome them to a holiday worth enjoying to your heart’s content. Hotels in Si Kao such as the Anantara Saiko, Thailand are stylish affairs that proudly embrace the delightfully pleasant Thai traditions which are bound to leave you with a lingering feeling of familiarity and homely warmth. Enjoy your stay at the hotels and resorts but do not stop your quest for the perfect beach; apart from what’s mentioned here, the coast of Si Kao are home to many more wondrous stretches of sand that are waiting to be explored.
Categories Travel

Beach Holiday in Penang

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on
The island state of Penang is known among the locals by many names such as Pulau Mutiara, Pulau Pinang and Pulau Ka Satu which have evolved with the passing of time and is now simply known as Penang. All the former names which were given to Penang had meaning behind it. For an example Pulau Mutiara meant ‘the pearl of the orient’ while Pulau Pinang meant ‘betel nut island’. Although its name has changed from the pearl of the orient it still retains the charm that it used to boast of decades ago. The sub tropical weather conditions that prevail in this region make it an ideal breeding ground for hundreds of animal species and plants alike. Travellers to the island can also look forward to sampling a fascinating array of mouthwatering local delicacies.
Another aspect of Penang which draws in hundreds of travellers to its shores each year is its gorgeous beaches which decorate the extremities of the island. The golden sand, the turquoise seas and the healing warmth of the sun is exactly what you get when you visit Batu Ferringhi Beach which is one of the most popular coastal locations in the northern part of the island among travellers to the region. This stretch of beach has a number of hotels where you can find accommodation in and the Batu Ferrighi Sidewalk Bazaar which comes to life in the evening gives you the chance to cash in on some great deals.

Teluk Bahang Beach on the other hand is a not as busy, which is ideal for a private picnic or a perfect spot to soak up the sun while enjoying a good read. This beach is located to the west of Batu Ferringhi Beach and is in close proximity to the Forest Recreation Park and Museum where visitors get the chance to get an understanding about the plant and animal life in the area. The Fishing village of Teluk Bahang is the best place for you to enjoy a satisfying Chinese seafood meal that comes with an unmistakable Malaysian touch.

Guests can stay in any that meets their fancy when they visit the island but the Copthorne Orchid Hotel Penang offers unparallel services to ensure a comfortable stay in the city. This one of a kind hotel in Penang is an ideal rest for leisure and business travellers alike.

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Arugam Bay- Beauty Unmatched

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on
The enchanting island located in the Indian Ocean, shaped by Mother Nature to the form of a tear drop is known to many a traveler around the world as Sri Lanka. This wondrous land is home to some of the most attractive beaches on the face of the earth and is packed with a number of cultural attractions such as museum, temples and ancient palaces. One of the most unique features of Sri Lanka is that one is able to travel to many different climatic regions within the country offering the travelers a bit of everything when exploring the island. From lush tropical rainforests teeming with life to golden sandy beaches with crystal clear waters to vast, open, dry plains can be found when in this fascinating country. However, most seasoned travelers would agree that the gorgeous beaches of Sri Lanka are what draw in most visitors to this island nation.
Located on the eastern part of the island, Arugam Bay is a picturesque coastal area which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country mainly due to its surfer friendly beaches. Although it was struck by a devastating tsunami several years ago, which claimed the lives of thousands of Sri Lankans across the country, Arubam Bay has managed to recover quite well to re-establish itself as one of the most loved tourist destinations in Sri Lanka.

Visitors to this captivating comer of the country will find that surfing in Arugam Bay is an exhilarating experience as the beaches here are perfect for both professional and novice surfers. A walk to the city will give the visitor a chance to buy a few mementos from the small boutiques selling various handicrafts and other collectibles. Those who wish to just relax on the beach soaking up the sun will be in heaven as the sun shines on these pristine beaches during most months of the year.

Truly Sri Lanka is an online travel guide that can assist the globetrotter pick the ideal destination for a perfect Sri Lanka holiday. The modern traveler will find the insightful information provided on various destinations in the country to be of great use and will enable you to make the most of your Sri Lanka travel experience.

Categories Travel

Weddings in Maldives

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on

Living on a bed of coral is something Maldivians have done for centuries. Offering the height of luxury and indulgences, Maldives have attracted those who yearn to be pampered and adored. Cobalt blue oceans meet powdery white beaches in this country. The water sporting activities that can be included in ones itinerary while holidaying in this part of the world are endless. Anything from deep sea fishing to snorkelling can be achieved in Maldives and serves as one of the most popular tourist attractions. Honeymooners and couples will find these islands to be a paradise, with secluded beach coves at your disposal.

Having a wedding in Maldives is undeniably an unforgettable experience. Weddings in Maldives would include white marquees, palms floating with the balmy breeze set against the backdrop of a picture perfect ocean. For those who look forward to a private celebration with family and friends will truly enjoy the offerings of the many Maldives hotels.

Complete wedding ceremonies can be arranged from any of the Maldives hotels. Couples can choose from traditional clothing or bring their own attire. Floral decorations, cake structures, a scrumptious buffet, spa treatments, photographer and even wedding rings can all be arranged from a hotel in Maldives. Honeymoon packages are also available and offer a unique and enchanting experience.

Want to plan a wedding in one of the Maldives hotels? Look no further than famous hotel chain, John Keells Hotels Group. Offering excellent packages for those looking to have a wedding or honeymoon in Maldives, guests will be spoilt for choice. With 4 properties located in prime locations of the islands, Maldives travel has never been this exciting!

Categories Travel

The Caribbean

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on

Everybody wants a perfect honeymoon. Therefore selecting the right destination which is unbeatable in its romantic appeal is very important. Let Caribbean honeymoons be the getaway for you and your loved one, for that memorable trip that you can cherish for a lifetime. Recharge, unwind, and weave a lifetime of memories against the panorama of a vibrant culture, colors and the warmth of the sand and the sun of the Caribbean beaches.

The sea for a backdrop, lush tropical landscaping, the fine dining and luxurious accommodations is just simply perfect for honeymooners and those seeking an adults-only environment. Any of the Caribbean Islands are splendid for an unforgettable time with your loved one. The hotels with understated opulence and pampering services, the scenic coastal drive, the abundance of water sports and horseback riding will provide active vacations for couples on their honeymoon. It is also economical to combine the wedding and honeymoon into one package. One can chose from a range of honeymoon resorts and hotels that emphasize privacy, natural environment, and tranquility. There are set packages to be decided upon; for a Caribbean Island wedding, Caribbean beach wedding, or a Caribbean cruise wedding,

An enthusiastic couple can find a wedding organizing company specialized in handling the worries of the organization part of a wedding. They are dedicated towards handling all wedding planning including accommodations for the couple and guests, the reception, décor, food, music, the hairdresser and make up artist, the photography arrangements and even the marriage license process.

Canouan Island in the southeastern Caribbean presents the epitome of such a perfect host, overlooking the northern Grenadines. A Caribbean wedding can be organized with the help of resort wedding coordinators, with whichever concept you wish to adapt for your wedding. There are many elegant resorts in the Caribbean which features all the trimmings and frills to ensure the most blissful Caribbean honeymoon.

Categories Travel

Sunset Views at Bakheng Hill

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on
Popularly known as Bakheng Phnom, the hill is reminiscent of a temple mountain where you can catch one of the best sunrise and sunset views that you will see in the Angkor area. Atop the hill stands a temple that is built in a manner that resembles Mount Meru which is believed to be a shrine to the Hindu gods.

Streams of tourists crowd the upper levels of this famous temple hill to experience the magnificent rays of the sun as it highlights the surrounding area. An ideal time to ascend this mountain would be early morning before the sunrise to see the golden hues of the sun as it begins to radiate the magnificence of the area. The setting and rising of the sun illuminates the Angkor Wat main temple, which lies approximately 1.5 kilometers southeast in the lush greenery that surrounds Bakheng Hill. Other places such as the Phnom Krom to the southwest near the Grand Lake, Phnom Kulen in the east and the West Baray can also be seen in its majesty and splendour during this time.

Visitors wanting to view the beauty of nature in the rising and setting of the sun can also enter the mysterious world of the Khmer by exploring the temple that stands on this site. The mountain and the temple can be accessed from all 4 cardinal directions. You can take a peek into history as the site is home to ancient relics and architecture. There are 5 sandstone sanctuaries that lay in a quincunx design on the topmost level of the temple which is worth a look.

A visit to Siem Reap would not be complete without climbing up Bakheng Hill to witness the spectacular sunset. Visitors looking for a Siem Reap hotel should consider the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. It is aluxury hotel in Siem Reap and provides an elegant base from which to explore the surrounding area.

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