Posts Tagged ‘Paradise’

Coral paradise

Coral paradise
Sail kayaking off the coast of Belize near South Water Caye, an island located 23 kilometres offshore directly on the barrier reef.

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Lanta Yai – a Paradise for Your Indulgence

If you are looking for a secluded desert island, with lush green vegetation, pristine beaches and a aqua marine ocean then you don’t have to look to far off the Thai coast. Ko Lanta Yai which is located near the Andaman Islands on the Andaman Sea fit the description of thousands of romantic movie settings and would even make Daniel Defoe re-script “Robinson Crusoe.” Despite being close to the Phi Phi Islands off the west of Thailand the islands are for administrative purposes classified under Krabi Province. It is just a classification though, for once you arrive here all ties with the outside world are severed and all that remains is you and the deep blue ocean.

Despite its miniscule proportions (its only 30 km long and 6 km across), the Lanta Yai Island offers a diverse range of recreational activities to indulge in. It is popular for scuba diving as the rock and coral formations around the island serve as a home for many species of marine life. Experiencing a ride on a traditional Thai Long tail boat is also something no tourists should miss; nothing can beat rowing out to the vast expansive ocean and being so close to nature.

Lanta Yai is mostly frequented by tourists who want to get away from the crowded party oriented beaches of Phuket and are instead searching for a more relaxed, laid back holiday. Due to its popularity among a niche market the island’s are extremely peaceful and non-commercialized; no red light districts or night clubs here!

As described earlier Lanta Yai is not the place to head to if you are looking rollicking nightlife or crowded night clubs. None the less a couple of more laid back night time pursuits can be enjoyed here, the island boasts of a wide variety of restaurants. They can range from banana pancake joints to fully fledged gourmet restaurants; many of them offer breathtaking locations right on the beach itself. A couple of laid back bars and pubs can also be found around the Lanta Yai Harbour and also in most hotels.

Enjoy the comforts of this exquisite paradise while staying at a krabi luxury villa such as Langham Place Koh Lanta which is highly regarded for its unmatched quality and service excellence.

Aberdeen – From a Pirate?s Abode to Tourist?s Paradise

Having lived in the shadows of the main nerve centers; Kowloon and Hong Kong for some time; Aberdeen has now been transformed into one of Hong Kong Island’s premier residential areas and also a popular tourist destination. Aberdeen is an area on the south shore of Hong Kong Island that was once known as a hide out for pirates, it was named after the Fourth Earl of Aberdeen who was the British War and Colonies Secretary.

Aberdeen which was once a peaceful fishing village has been transformed in to an up and coming commercial centre following a construction of a tunnel that links the area with Happy Valley located on the north of Hong Kong Island. Aberdeen sees thousands of visitors arriving each week mostly for short stays. Being the largest satellite town of Hong Kong, people come here to experience life on a vibrant and eclectic waterfront.

Aberdeen is known for its floating seafood restaurants on the harbor, despite its economic affluence in recent times the harbor has maintained its old charm and still remains predominantly a fishing port. Tourists are also intrigued by the “boat people” that live in the harbor, though many of them are allied to the fishing industry a dozen or so foreigners have also chosen to make their home on board a floating ship moored in Aberdeen.

A popular attraction in Aberdeen is the Jumbo Kingdom, which is literally a theme park floating on the sea complete with a restaurant, bar, shopping malls and a plaza. The Jumbo Kingdom is particularly known for its bright lights and the breathtaking image that it creates when viewed from across the bay.

Another highly visited attraction is the Ocean Park amusement park, which is one of the most sought after attractions in Hong Kong. This amusement park which features a variety of different water slides and exciting roller coaster rides draws in almost 4.5 million tourists annually and is ranked seventh in the world.

The stunning transformation of Aberdeen into an entertainment centre today just two centuries after it was the haunt of pirates has made it a popular tourist destination. The recently constructed tunnel which reduces commuting travel from the north of Hong Kong Island makes this area accessible to many a hotel in Hong Kong such as Hotel Jen.

Phuket is Truly a Paradise on Earth

Phuket is an incredible tourist destination, located in the sparkling waters of the Andaman Sea, on the south-west coast of Thailand. Acknowledged as the ‘Pearl of the South’ and the ‘Jewel of the Andaman Sea,’ Phuket is only an hour flying from Bangkok.

Phuket is also the largest island in Thailand, and is credited to be the only island in the country with status of a province. Formerly known as Talang, Phuket boasts of a rich as well as long history dating back to more than 500 years. Phuket once served as an important trade route between India and China.

The island also flourished as a center for tin manufacturing processes, which in turn attracted many Europeans including the Dutch and the British. Perhaps, the most important segment of Phuket’s history is the Battle of Thalang, during which Burmese invaders were defeated. Phuket still retain its old world charm, and provides gamut of attractions, covering impressive palm-fringed beaches, beautiful coves and bays, lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and ancient mansions reflecting Indo-Portuguese architecture.

The prime draw of Phuket is undoubtedly its gorgeous coastline, which is a fine blend of amazing white sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and spectacular limestone cliffs. Many of the top beaches in the area are clustered around the western coastline, such as Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Karon Beach. Kata Beach, Surin Beach, Bang Tao Beach, Laem Sing Beach, Chalong Bay, Panwa Beach, Nai Ham Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao Beach.

Rawai Beach are the other popular beaches in Phuket. With these scores of beaches, Phuket is truly a haven for water sport lovers. Just think of any of the water sport activities, it would be easily available in Phuket.

A range of tour operators and dive shops operate here to provide you excellent choices to enjoy a variety of water sport activities such as fishing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, rafting, sailing, scuba diving, and more. Many of them even provide services of an expert guide in order to assist you in enjoying water sport activities. Phuket is not only a destination to enjoy water sport activities but also to enjoy a range of other activities such as golfing, trekking, and nature walks.

No visit to Phuket would be complete without touring its historical and cultural sites such as Old China Town, dotted with elegant Sino-Portuguese mansions. Also, take a tour to the elegant temples in the region, like, Wat Chalong – one of the biggest shrines in the region; Wat Phra Thong, whose highlight is a huge half buried image of the Buddha; and Wat Phranangsang, dedicated to two heroines who defeated the Burmese invaders in the Battle of Thalang. Equally worth mentioning are the interesting museums of the region, including, Phuket Sea Shell Museum and Thalang National Museum.

Covered with forested hills, the island is also home to such attractions as Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, which comes with dazzling waterfalls and unique as well as rich flora and fauna, apart from an eight-kilometer hiking path. Phuket’s attractions also include Butterfly Garden and Insectarium – a large open-air enclosure housing thousands of varied butterflies amid lush greenery; Marine Biological Research Centre – an aquarium featuring a variety of saltwater and freshwater fish; Promthep Cape – providing enchanting views of the sunsets; and Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre.

A specialty of Phuket is its fresh, authentic sea food cuisines, which is famed across the world. Likewise, after a day of adventure sports or sightseeing in Phuket, don’t forget to take a rejuvenating spa massage. A plethora of spa therapy centers and spa resorts are available across the island, providing relaxing spa treatments and massages. Along with other activities, Phuket provides superb options for shopping in the form of a multitude of stores and bazaars and night markets.

If you are looking for something different during your stay at Phuket, then head to Phuket Town to view Muay Thai, a kind of Thai boxing. There are even training centers to master this traditional discipline. Above all, a great attraction of the island is its exciting as well as vibrant nightlife, with a variety of pubs, bars, nightclubs, go go bars, and restaurants to choose from.

The Maldives – A Beach Paradise

The Maldives are a collection of over one thousand islands in the Indian Ocean, almost 500 miles south west of Sri Lanka. They epitomise the phrase “tropical paradise” and as a result are a popular destination for couples and families wanting a really relaxing holiday. The Maldives is one of the most isolated countries is the world, and also one of the most dispersed, with atolls (islands made of coral that encircle lagoons) spread out over thousands of miles.

Being near the equator, The Maldives has hot temperatures all year round. However, between June and October, monsoons are common due to interactions between the sea and air in Asia to the North. Rainfall is a lot lower between October and April so this is the ideal window for a holiday. Temperatures average 30°C in these months. This climate combines with possibly some the finest beaches on the planet. The spectacular formations of coral that have formed the islands have to be seen to be believed. The lagoons that form within the islands have a brilliant blue colour, and look as they do on the postcards. Palm trees swaying with the sea breeze help complete the idyllic setting.

Most of the islands are still uninhabited, so if you want to be completely isolated, you can simply hire a boat and explore. There can surely be no better feeling that lying on a beach with nobody for literally miles around. The corals that make up the island act as a food source for small animals which leads to a diverse range of animal life â?? perfect for snorkelling. If you travel at the right time you can also be lucky enough to swim with Whale sharks, the largest fish on the planet.

It’s no wonder why Maldives holidays are so desirable. It’s such a relaxing, paradisiacal place – a world away from the hustle and bustle of the West.