Monthly Archives: December 2019

Interesting Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in and around Kuala Lumpur

Boasting historic monuments, awe-inspiring skyscrapers, amazing art galleries and a myriad of natural attractions, Kuala Lumpur – the capital city of Malaysia is counted among the world’s Kuala Lumpur most popular tourist destinations. While the city offers a lot to keep travellers entertained for a long time, adventure-seekers can find a number of thrilling options. Take a look below at some amazing outdoor activities you can enjoy in and around Kuala Lumpur:

Rock Climbing

While Kuala Lumpur offers plenty of wonderful opportunities for adventure enthusiasts, rock climbing is one major activity tourists look forward to while holidaying here. 13 kilometres away Rock Climbingfrom Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves – a massive limestone outcrop with 8 crags is one most popular rock climbing destination in Malaysia with easily navigable climbing routes. It is an ideal spot for beginners to master their basic skills and is a true delight for first-timers.

Hot Air Balloon Flight over Putrajaya

Nearly half an hour away from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, called an “Intelligent Garden City” presents world-class views in Malaysia. The best way to delight in the beauty of this place is to take a hot air balloon ride! You would love to catch a glimpse of monuments such as Wawasan Hot Air Balloon Bridge and Palace of Justice along with the breathtaking natural beauty of the city on this 45-minute ride. There will be a well-informed pilot to ensure passengers’ safety. You will also enjoy breakfast buffet along with the hotel pick-up and drop off.

Kuala Selangor Tour

Nature enthusiasts cannot afford to miss discovering Kuala Selangor, a hidden gem in Malaysia. This exciting tour gives you a chance to explore a royal burial ground, ruined fort and local fishing village. You’ll be taken to a fantastic 45-minute boat ride through the mangroves of Kuala Selangor. While you would love to discover the beauty of a number of fireflies dancing around the berembang trees along the Selangor River at Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park, the lip-smacking seafood dinner served at the local fishing village will be a wonderful treat for foodies.

Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary Day Tour

If wildlife is your thing, you should not miss taking a private tour of Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary – an elephant conservation centre run by the Malaysian Wildlife Society. Just 1.5 hours away from the capital, the park is a major draw among tourists. During the tour, you’ll drive through the scenic Malaysian countryside to visit the sanctuary and will discover there an array of rogue elephants from across Southeast Asia. There will be knowledgeable guides to elaborate upon how the sanctuary meticulously protects and safeguards orphaned elephants, and present a more informative travel experience for visitors.

Artistic Architecture and Structures Half-Day Tour

Those who are keen on discovering architecture can take this artistic architecture and structures half-day tour for a wonderful experience. Through the tour, one will get a bird’s eye view over Kuala Lumpur from the Observation Deck of the 88-story and visit historical sites such as the National Mosque and Merdeka Square (Independence Square). The tour will also take you to Central Market or the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre for an ideal shopping experience, and then to Batu Caves where you will get to climb the 272 steps to its Hindu shrine.

Five of the Most Colourful Religious Festivals in Sri Lanka

The tiny teardrop shaped isle, Sri Lanka is well-renowned for its religious festivals apart from the endless beaches, spectacular national parks and timeless ruins. The island-country celebrates its festivals with great zeal and turns into a true delight during the celebrations, drawing visitors from far and wide. Below is the list of five top-most festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka; take a look and be a part of them if you happen to visit the country around them.

Duruthu Perahera

Counted among the greatest and most wonderful cultural festivals in Sri Lanka, Duruthu Perahera is considered to mark the beginning of Buddhist calendar in the country. This 3-day Gautam Buddhalong festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm by devotees and tourists alike to commemorate Gautam Buddha’s first visit to the country 2500 years ago. It is held at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharayacan where you would love a stunning sight on the final day with decked up elephants, acrobats, drummers, singer and torch-bearers conjuring up a grand procession.

Deepavali

Called the “Festival of Lights”, Deepavali is one of the most celebrated festivals among the Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka. It is the starting of the New Year for Hindus in the country and you’ll get to see all the homes beautified with Kolam and Rangoli – the multi-coloured drawings of folk art Deepavalisignifying sacred figures. People illuminate their houses with candles and diyas, and pray to Lakshmi – the Hindu Goddess of wealth fortune and prosperity on this prosperous day. Another interesting thing about the festival is people dress up in new clothes and distribute sweets and gifts to their near and dear ones.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the month of fasting celebrated in Sri Lanka like other countries. The Muslim people all over the country wake up before dawn to have a meal just before the Fajr prayer, keep fast the entire day and wait for the call of evening prayer to break their fast. They have Ramadanscrumptious snacks like pakoras, samosas and Kanji to break their fast, which is known as Iftar. The entire nation turns into a delight during the month and kids studying in Muslim schools get a month holiday.

Pongal

Also referred to as Tai Pongal, Thai Pongal and the First rice festival, Pongal is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival of South India when farmers honour the Sun God ‘Suriyapakaran’. The three days of the festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Maattu Pongal; and it is said that the festival marks the end of winter solstice and the start of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards. The celebrations include decorating rice-powder based kolam artworks, offering prayers in the homes as well as temples, getting together with family and friends and exchanging gifts to make the social bonds stronger.

Poson

Held by Sri Lankan Buddhists, Poson is an annual festival celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. Also known as Poson Poya, it is the most important full moon holiday of the year and the second most important Buddhist festival of the year. While the festival is celebrated all throughout the country, the most important ceremonies are held in Anuradhapura and Mihintale. The Buddhist monastic complex on the mountain of Mihintale is the focal point of this religious festival where Arahath Mahinda Thero, a Buddhist monk preached Buddhism to one of the kings of Sri Lanka.

How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Singapore

One of the top travel destinations in the world, Singapore not only brims with amazing tourist spots, but has also gained popularity among the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Owing New Yearto the spectacular countdown fireworks, grand parties and mega events, thousands of tourists choose this small island country to mark the beginning of a new year. Whether you wish to travel with your family, friends or better half, Singapore has a plenty of options for everyone.

Attend the Marina Bay Countdown

Join thousands of people at Marina Bay and be a part of the biggest countdown party of Singapore. A grand event that attracts locals and tourists alike, the countdown presents an extravagant show of fireworks at the stroke of midnight against the grand skyline of Singapore. Marina BayIn addition, you also get to enjoy musical as well as dance live performances, lip smacking food from street hawkers, and various other activities. The Marina Bay area fills up quickly on New Year’s Eve, so make sure you arrive early.

Party at Siloso Beach

If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumped New Year party in Singapore, head to Siloso Beach, Sentosa. The EDM fuelled party goes on for 12 hours from dusk till dawn with non-stop music by renowned local as well as international DJs. Some of the top highlights of this party are fireworks by the beach, foam pool, VIP zones, private bars, and a lot more.

Celebrate New Year’s eve at Universal Studio, Singapore

Universal Studios is among the top places where tourists love to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family and friends. From thrilling world-class rides and engaging games to a number of other attractions, the theme park promises a fun-filled experience. What’s more? You can participate in the high spirited Christmas themed celebration that goes on till 1st of January every year. Hurry up with the bookings; tickets sell out really fast.

Feast with Fireworks at Faber Peak

Do you wish for a tranquil New Year celebration away from crowd without missing on the epic fireworks? One Faber Group got you covered with its three exciting New Year’s Eve specials. You can either dine at one of the two restaurants with a view (Arbora Hilltop Dining and Dusk Restaurant & Bar) located on Faber Peak, or go for a unique dining experience in a Cable Car.

Get high (literally) at a Roof Top Bar

It might sound clichéd, but nothing beats the experience of stepping into the New Year at a rooftop bar in Singapore. What are you in for? 360 degree bird’s eye view of Singapore, a cocktail in hand, the breathtaking firework show as the clock ticks 12, and awesome music to lose yourself to dance. Some of the top rooftop bars that host New Year parties are CE LA VI, 1-Altitude, and LeVel 33.

New York City Christmas Celebrations: 5 Best Things to Do

No other place in the world puts quite a magical show of lights, celebrations, and events during Christmas Eve like NYC. While most of the other cities stay shut during the holidays, New York likes to enjoy the Christmas festivities in full swing. Thanksgiving (last Thursday of November) marks the beginning of the holiday season and New Yorkers begin decorating the city from the very first week of December.

ChristmasAlthough there are countless ways for visitors to enjoy holidays in NYC, here are things you must not miss out on.

Visit the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre

A Christmas holiday in NYC would be incomplete without a visit to the famous Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre. The magical lightings of the Christmas tree and surrounding decorations draw a lot of travellers as well as locals. Apart from the tree, there are a lot of things to do here, such as Christmas shopping, dining, ice skating and plenty of other festive indulgences.

Go Ice Skating

One of the most Christmassy things to do in New York City is to go ice skating at any of the city’s several rinks. The one at Bryant Park has free admission, stays quite busy, and if you are not carrying your own skates, you can rent a pair for $20. The Wollman Ice Skating Rink in Central Park is a lot less busy and provides excellent backdrop of the New York skyline. The entry fee here is 12$ and 6$ for adults and kids respectively. Some other well known rinks are at Rockefeller Centre and Chelsea Piers.

Shopping at the Christmas Markets

NYC is a year round shopping destination; however, for a unique shopping experience, you can head to the several Christmas Markets this city hosts. You can shop for Christmas gifts, decorations, treats and more at these merrily decorated markets throughout the Christmas holiday season. Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, and Grand Central Holiday Fairs are a few of them where you would want to be for the best Christmas shopping experience.

Watch the Christmas Spectacular by The Rockettes at Radio City

A Christmas themed extravaganza by the performers of The Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall has been a part of New York tradition since 1932. You would love to watch the amazing dance performance of high kicking ladies here known for synchronized choreography, striking costumes, and spectacular visual effects. Although there are several other Christmas themed shows to attend, this one is not to be missed.

Be amazed by the Christmas Decorations at Dyker Heights

A visit to the neighbourhood of Dyker Heights located in Brooklyn has been a part of Christmas celebrations for New Yorkers. The residents of the neighbourhood participate in an unspoken competition of decorating their homes elaborately. The best time to take a round of the neighbourhood is after mid December when almost all the houses dazzle with lights and decorations. This activity is famous among locals as well as tourists; one can also take a dedicated bus tour of Dyker Heights during the holiday season.

5 Must Do Things in Hampi, India

The small historical town of Hampi located in Karnataka, India is known for its spectacular architectural heritage and amazing viewpoints setup amidst pristine natural backdrop. Hampi’s heritage includes more than a thousand ancient monuments like palaces, forts and temples.
Hampi, IndiaSituated by the bank of Tungbhadra river, this UNESCO World Heritage Site scored a 2nd rank in the must see destinations of 2019 by New York Times.

Although Hampi has a lot of things to do, here is a list of exciting things you must try.

Explore the ancient temples and ruins of Hampi

You can spend hours exploring the numerous well preserved monuments of Hampi and yet not have enough of it. Centuries-old monuments like temples, statues, palaces, and passages are scattered all over the town. Some of the important landmarks to visit are Virupaksha temple, Krishna temple, Hemakuta hill monuments, Narsimha statue, and Hanuman statue. Guides are readily available and will tell you everything you need to know about the monuments. Getting around on foot in Hampi could be tiresome; you can either rent a bicycle or hire an auto rickshaw/taxi for a day trip.

Visit the famous Hippie Island

Originally known as Virupapur Gaddi, the Hippie Island is a small hamlet right across the Tungbhadra River. The island is a backpackers’ destination well known for its scenic natural beauty and quiet surroundings. While luxury hotels and resorts are available in and around Hampi, most of the travellers prefer to stay at peaceful little home-stays and cottages on the island. Crossing the river on a coracle to reach the island is quite an experience.

Climb Matanga Hill for a panoramic view of Hampi

Hills in Hampi are perfect viewpoints to admire the beautiful sights of this ancient city. Matanga hill, the highest point in Hampi, is a very popular vantage point that offers excellent 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Early morning or an evening hike to the hill is recommended for breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset. Veerbhadra Temple atop the hill is another major draw that several spiritually minded tourists often have on their list of things to do when visiting Hampi.

Hop around on a rented two-wheeler

Hiring a moped or a scooter and going about exploring the island is another one of the most fun-filled activities while you are at Hippie Island. The empty narrow winding roads with lush paddy fields on both sides are a pleasure to ride on. You can head to places like Sanapur Lake (a popular cliff jumping spot), Anjaneya Hill (known for its Monkey Temple), and Anegundi (a nearby village).

Shop for souvenirs at Hampi Bazaar

The Hampi Bazaar is a small flea market located right next to the Hampi Bus Stand. The market is a perfect spot to buy unique souvenirs for family and friends. You can shop for hippie clothes and jewellery, bags and footwear, antiques and other interesting articles at this market. Haggling is quite common at the market so don’t be afraid to bargain hard.