Sindh Sights | Kirthar National Park

Located in the Sindh province, about 140 kilometres north of Karachi, Kirthar National Park is the first of Pakistan’s parks to be included in the UN’s listings in 1975. It stretches over 3087 square kilometres of rugged mountain desert.The stony valleys and rugged lines of the Kirthar hills form a haven for urial sheep, ibex and chinkara gazelle. These large mammals are hunted through this rocky terrain by jungle cats, desert cats, leopard, and desert wolf.

The park abounds with pangolin, porcupines, and monitor lizards and the large array of birdlife includes larger scavengers, such as the Griffon vulture and Egyptian vulture.

In 1977, 1,480 wild goat and 430 urial were counted in the park and 2,141 chinkara in the park and adjacent Surjan, Sumbak, Eri and Hothiano Game Reserve. There are now over 5,000 wild goat, about 1,250 urial and less than 150 chinkara in the park, and a further 400 wild goat and 70 urial in the game reserve .

Pakistan is home to some exotic flora and fauna in the Indian sub continent. The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Pakistan offer some exciting wildlife tour options. Kirthar National Park is the second largest national park in Pakistan. The park is situated in the southwest part of the Sind Province. The park is a wonderful getaway from Karachi that provides some quality time in the woods with wild animals.

he park is home to a number of wild animals that include chinkara, leopards, Sind Ibex, gazelles, wild sheep, and other animals. The park is also home to thousands of wild goats. The other animals that you may come across in the Kirthar National Park include the rock python, Sind krait, the royal rat snake, Sind Crocodile, tortoise and the desert monitor lizard.

If you love bird watching, the park has a large number of species of birds. Some of the birds you may find in the Kirthar National Park include imperial eagle, bonnelli’s eagle, golden eagle, tawny eagle, Egyptian vulture, cinereous vulture, Lagger falcon, Red-headed merlin and Eurasian griffon vulture.

Heart Throb Tourist Destination In Pakistan | Chitral Valley

Chitral valley is located in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. Step by step, out of the infertile brown hills of Afghanistan, the mountain of Hindukush enters into Pakistan, the valleys between each of the ridges forming jewels of green oases unrelenting by the grey scow-fed rivers that rush down their slopes.

The valley is at its loveliest in April when it’s uprising of fruit blossoms, and in October when the plants turns to auburn. This is natural and wonderful place, the rich meadows, terraced fields, and orchards of the valley floor lush contrast to the rocky and forbidding mountains and glaciers. But for much of the winter it is in deep snow. The first views are breathtaking. In any direction you look, mountains dominate the horizon. More than 325 kilometers long, set at 5000 feet above sea level, the valley is encircled by peaks of splendour, rising from 5500 meters to the highest of the Trich Mir (7708m) of the Hindukush peaks.

Miami Of Morocco | Agadir A Historical Sunshine

Agadir is known as one of the best beach towns in Morocco, it is also one of the major fishing port serving the area around. It is a very popular destination for tourists that most of them are from Europe, which makes it one of the most visited cities in Africa.

This city was rebuilt after a major earthquake that happened in 1960, which makes it mostly more modern than cities like Fes and Marrakech.

It has a wide stretch of beach that has a lot of hotels and attraction establishments.

There are some more beaches in the 50 miles radius, that are less crowded than the one that at the city, like Aghroud, Sidi Rbat, Tifnit, and Imessouane.

Also a very known large market where everything is sold from food to souvenirs, which is a short distance from the city center is called souk elhad, not to confuse with the city’s central market.

About 10 minutes from the city a brand new old style Medina built out of traditional materials. Very faithful to old gorgeous constructions.

For art lovers Agadir’s Museum of Berber Art is another great significant cultural spot. It is certainly a small folk art museum showing carpets, costumes, and other traditional 19thcentury Moroccan objects.

Children would love Agadirs La Valle des Oiseaux, it is a small zoo with a rich collection of birds, as well as goats and ostriches.

It also has a large birdcage with a tunnel you can walk thru for close up viewing of flamingoes, ducks, and an assortment of other natural aviators.
Very important to mention that Agadir has many truly fabulous restaurants, from authentic Moroccan to French Moroccan fusion. A good rule of thumb for choosing restaurants is to avoid those catering solely to tourists.

Experience Starts Before Arrive In Hayman Hotel | Whitsundays

Centrally located in the resort, the Palm Superior Rooms offer excellent access to all facilities, or perhaps overlook the iconic Hayman Pool and gardens from the guest rooms and suites in the Pool Wing.

Featuring boutique accommodation set in tranquil surrounds, the Beach Wing comprises of Retreat Rooms set back from the beach in tropical gardens, Beach Front Rooms fronting the Coral Sea, and a magnificent, private Beach Villa on Hayman Beach.

The Lagoon Wing features larger rooms and suites than the Pool Wing, and overlooks the tranquil lagoon, tropical gardens, and the freshwater Lagoon Pool; the Penthouses offer views of Hayman Beach, a butler service and use of the Penthouse Lounge.

Providing unique culinary experiences, enjoy the fabulous restaurants, bars, lounge, and The Chefs Table, a weekly six-course banquet taking guests behind the scenes of the Main Kitchen, and visiting the Chocolate Room and La Fontaine Wine Cellar.

An ideal setting for relaxing leisure activities and exciting sporting pursuits, Hayman, Whitsundays offers three swimming pools, including the famous Hayman Pool, five tennis courts, a nine-hole putting green, and year-round water activities.

Specialties of traditional Asian cultures are prepared with innovative flare at Oriental, which can seat 10 guests for a private dinner, and tranquil garden filled with rock pools and waterfalls.

Overlooking the Hayman Beach and beyond to the Whitsunday waters and neighbouring islands, Azure presents Australian contemporary cuisine from an open show kitchen, and specialises in seafood.

The resort offer five floodlit tennis courts, two squash courts, a nine-hole putting green, a golf target range, croquet, archery, table tennis, badminton, snooker and pool, and an Activities Centre.

for more details visits hubresorts.com

Exploring The Lively Centre Of Oslo From ” Thon Hotel Opera”

Thon Hotel Opera is favorably located almost on the platform of the Airport Express Train at Oslo Central Station. Guests enjoy all the conveniences a 4-star hotel positioned in the heart of the city centre can offer; public transportation, taxis, a car park and a vast selection of shopping and leisure opportunities can be found right outside the door.

Thon Hotel Opera has 434 rooms of different categories, including: 2 top suites, business rooms, junior suites, double rooms and budget rooms. The majority of the rooms offer a view over either the fjord or the city. Half of the rooms have parquet floors, and all rooms are well equipped in accordance with today’s modern standards. The hotel also offers a fitness centre, with sauna and sun-bed facilities.

The hotel bar is located next to the Airport Express train exits and offers a range of light refreshments and snacks. The full-service restaurant on the second floor can seat up to 250 people and the menu consists of breakfast, a lunch buffet and á la carte dinner service. In addition we can cater a wide range of social events.

Most Spectacular World Largest ICEHOTEL In Sweden

Sweden’s Ice Hotel is built from scratch every year. A new design, new suites, a brand new reception – in fact everything in it is crisp and new. The Ice Hotel is situated on the shores of the Torne River, in the old village of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland. 10 000 tons of crystal clear ice from the ‘ice manufacturing plant’, the Torne River, and 30 000 tons of pure snow generously supplied by Mother Nature are needed to build the Ice Hotel every year. The hotel sleeps over 100 guests, and every bedroom is unique.

Covering more than 30,000 square feet, the Ice Hotel includes an Ice Chapel, the hotel itself, an ice art exhibition hall, a cinema and last but not least, the world famous ‘Absolut Ice Bar’.

This year the Absolut Ice Bar will have been created once again. Just like the Ice Hotel, it is never the same two years running. There are always new features.

You can take part in several excursion adventures when you are in Jukkasjärvi at the Ice Hotel.

• SNOW-MOBILE GUIDED SAFARI
• DOG-SLED FROM KIRUNA AIRPORT TO ICE HOTEL
• SNOW-MOBILE FROM KIRUNA AIRPORT TO ICE HOTEL
• SNOW-MOBILE TOUR WITH LUNCH
• NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR & DINNER
• SNOW-MOBILE SAFARI TO SAMI CAMP
• OVERNIGHT TOUR TO A WILDNERNESS CAMP
• DOG-SLED TOURS
• RAIDU-REINDEER SLEDS TO SAMI CAMP

For more details visit hubresorts.com

Buddhist Rain Retreat ” Ok Phansa” With Their Wax Castle Festival

The ancient tradition passed down through the ages, originated with the people of Sakon Nakhon carving elaborate trees from poles made of bees wax that they would take to the temple as an offering to make merit. This tradition has grown over the years from ornate trees to elaborate carvings of Buddhist temples and shrines completely made from bees wax.

According to Buddhist religion upon death a person passes on to another life, the quality of that next life is determined by meritorious acts and or good deeds performed in this life. If the person practices the principles of Buddhism and engages in acts of devotion in their life they will gain merit and that merit will accumulate and lead to higher spiritual enlightenment in subsequent lives where they will live in the upper tiers of heaven. If that person doesn’t gain merit then they will be reborn to a life that is worse than their present life.

The wax castles symbolize the ideal spiritual life that one aspires to in the next life. The wax castle festival falls into the Buddhist precept of merit as communal merit making. Many who are blessed with merit coming together for the greater good of the community. This is a special time of the year for families to get together and reunite in merit making activities. The family and community come together with the monks in an expression of Buddhist devotion that strengthens and bonds the family and community with the temple.

This is truly another Thai festival that must be seen. It’s four days of non stop activities includes the Royal boat parade, a light and sound show, a large community dinner and closing  with  the Wax Castle Parade. You can see videos below of the Wax Castle Parade last year.

Afamia Rotana Resort Soft Opened in Latakia | Syria

Rotana Hotels recently announced the soft opening of Afamia Rotana Resort, its five-star property in Latakia in Syria.

Commenting on the announcement, executive vice president, Rotana Hotels, Imad Elias said: “We are very proud to be managing this landmark property that is our first five-star resort to open in Syria. The Afamia Rotana Resort team, headed by the general manager, Safwan Khayat, has been working hand in hand with the owner and Rotana’s corporate office to ensure all areas of the opening are perfected.”

Afamia Rotana Resort is located at the crossroad of the near east, on a peninsula, two km from Latakia city centre and has a beach front, not far from Syria’s historical sites including Ugarit Canaaite, seaport, Crusaders forts and castles, and ancient Roman vestiges.

The five-star Afamia Rotana Resort offers 246 guestrooms including one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with a view of the beach, along with 14 beach cabins, which makes it convenient for both leisure and business travellers.

General manager, Afamia Rotana Resort, Safwan Khayat said: “I am glad to be part of the opening team of this magnificent property. It truly is an exclusive ocean front resort catering to those who seek a greater level of relaxation and comfort.

“It is the resort’s ability to accommodate both leisure and MICE guests, from not just the region but around the world, in consummate style and comfort, which will ensure our dedication to making Afamia Rotana Resort the number one holiday destination,” he added.

The resort offers meeting and event facilities to host annual conferences and seminars with a conference hall able to accommodate up to 350 people, as well as private meeting rooms in addition to a ballroom offering the latest in audio/visual equipment with a capacity of 500.

Afamia Rotana Resort also boasts facilities for outdoor conferencing and banqueting service for gala dinners, cocktail parties and wedding receptions, as well as a private beach with a marina, two outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, a children’s playground club, and a health centre featuring cardio and strength equipment, a temperature controlled indoor swimming pool, a steam room and a sauna.

Queensland’s Premier Gold Coast Luxury Retreat

Ruffles Lodge is located in the beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland midway between the coast and the mountains. Ruffles Lodge is a luxurious retreat that offers fine dining and a cellar with a large collection of Australian boutique wines. Only a pleasant drive to Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook and Lamington national parks with the rainforest areas of Binna Burra and O’Reillys. The local vineyards and wineries make for an interesting tour in the mountains and surrounding areas.

The three villas are totally separate from the main lodge. Villas One and Two are separated by a porch, and Villa Three stands alone. All have 180-degree views across the rural land of the Gold Coast Hinterland, to the Broadwater and ocean beyond. The “Chums” are the only two storey accommodation at Ruffles and are affectionately known as “Chums’ Up” and “Down”. The Executive Suite is situated at the northern end of the Lodge with spectacular views from the living room to the coast and a northerly aspect across the valley from the spacious bedroom. The suite also has its own private garden.

Ruffles Lodge certainly has the perfect location to give the guests a memorable experience with three dining areas each able to meet the mood of the particular day. Prior to dinner guests gather in the lounge for pre-dinner drinks and canapés. When dining at Ruffles Lodge, it is your choice to either join others or have your own table in the dining room, alternatively you may want a romantic candlelit dinner by the pool or terrace.

Most Popular Sunset Beach Resort In Indonesia

This village-style hideaway is situated on the popular Sunset Beach, amidst landscaped gardens, housing lotus ponds and towering palm trees. The hotel features spacious and well-equipped guestrooms that enjoy garden views and are classically adorned in a traditional Balinese style.

The expansive swimming pool is a great place to escape the midday sun and enjoy a drink under the shade of the Seruni Sunken Pool Bar, before taking part in the complimentary surf lesson provided by the hotel. The fully equipped fitness centre and tennis court offer some room for exercise if lounging in the sun begins to tire. The hotel boasts a Mandara Spa, featuring an array of sensory delights, including traditional Balinese massage and exotic body scrubs. The Sunset Bar offers guests the chance to enjoy a legendary Bali sunset before an ocean setting before venturing into the Bella Rosa restaurant for some scrumptious Italian fare and a chilled glass of wine.