Ha Long Bay has to be one of the most visited sites in Vietnam. Its sheer beauty is a major draw card for millions of visitors each year who spend time on boat cruises drifting in and out of the thousands of islands. While most tours involve cave visits, kayaking and swimming, there are a few activities which have passed underneath the radar despite how amazing they are. Here are four of the top underrated experiences you should check out when touring Ha Long Bay in the future. Mountain Biking While most of the area’s activities are water based, few realise that there are actually some larger islands which you can explore on bike. Cat Ba is the best of these as there are a number of trails to choose from. You can also see plenty of wild animals while there. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll spot a Cat Ba Langur, a primate unique to the island and one of the most endangered in the world. While touring the island, also remember to stop in at villages such as Viet Hai for a unique look at the local culture and lifestyle. Bicycles can be rented on the island so […]
The island of Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. Travellers with a range of budgets, from backpackers to luxury holidaymakers, will find that there’s something for everyone. Single people, groups of friends and families can all find the perfect holiday on Koh Samui. Whether they enjoy sports, nature, parties or just lounging on the beach, there’s fun everywhere. There are plenty of things to see and do, including many that you just can’t leave the island without experiencing. Big Buddha The Big Buddha statue is possibly Koh Samui’s most famous landmark. The statue is located on a small rocky island, just off Koh Samui’s northeastern point. Far from being an ancient landmark, the 12-metre golden statue was built in 1972. Locals know it as Wat Phra Yai, and you can reach it by a causeway connecting it to the main island. If you arrive in Koh Samui by aeroplane, the Big Buddha may be one of the first things you see as you arrive. You can see it from a distance of several kilometres. The Big Buddha temple is not just an artistic attraction though. The temple is a sacred place, so be sure to dress […]
The Philippines is an archipelago endowed with rich natural resources. One of its attractions are its waters that makes them perfect for water activities like surfing. For surfers looking for an alternative surfing spot, Siargao is the place to be. The site has been adjudged as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” because of its various world class surfing attractions. Siargao has big quality and consistent waves eight months a year beginning from October until May. The best time of the year is from November until May when the waves coming from the northeastern swell deliver waves of up to 7 feet. Here are some of Siargao’s surfing sites. Cloud 9 Probably the most acclaimed surfing spot in the country, Cloud 9 has been hailed as the 8th best surf spot in the world. It consists of barreling right hand reef breaks but has razor sharp corals at its bed. Cloud 9 is recommended for advanced surfers only. Guyam Island Reachable via a 5-minute boat ride from General Luna, Guyam Island boasts of several breaks at your disposal. It provides the perfect location for those who are tired with looking for waves at adjacent beaches. Jacking Horse As the name […]
Every September 5 of each year, General Santos City commemorates its cityhood with a week long Tuna Festival. It became a city on September 1958 and its people celebrate the day by paying homage to the industry that brought General Santos into spotlight. For this reason, the city earned the monicker “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” Most facilities that can and process tuna are located here generating jobs for people and earning millions annually. It was the tuna industry that turned GenSan into an industrial giant. The Tuna Festival celebrates the hardwork and determination to develop of the city’s flagship industry. The celebration is marked with illuminated tuna float replicas parading the streets with music, dancing, and the art during the annual celebration. People converge in the main avenue to watch the parade and for some merrymaking. The Tuna Festival started as a spontaneous event organized by the Tourism Association in 1998 until it evolved into an annual tradition. In celebration of Gen San’s 30th anniversary as a city, they decided to celebrate the event with a tuna cuisine through contests and exhibits. AIt marked the beginning of the annual celebration of the Tuna Festival. During the week long Tuna […]
Recently hailed as one of the New Wonders of the World in 2012, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River is one of the many attractions that the city has to offer. At approximately 8.2 kilometers, it is the longest navigable underground river. Developed as a National Park in 1971, it recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What To See Both local and international tourists will be awed by the attractions in the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Its most unique feature is its winding path through a long cave. From Sabang Wharf, you will drive a motor boat while viewing the picturesque Ulugan Bay. Be astonished with the view of Karst Limestone Mountains where you will see stalactites & stalagmites. The Elephant Cave is where Italian scientists discovered animal fossils dating back to 20 million years ago. The whole trip to the cave will take less than one hour. But the duration of a complete tour is approximately 8 hours. How To Get There First of all, make sure that you book your trip in advance as there is a limit of 900 visitors a day. From the main city, make your way to Sabang Wharf where boats can […]
Situated at a 260 hectare piece of land, the Hydropolis Hotel Dubai is set to become the first luxury hotel in the world once construction is finished. The land where the hotel is being constructed is owned by General Sheikh His Excellency Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prince of the land of Dubai. With the backing of the Prince, around 150 companies are currently involved in the finishing of the project. The initial concept for the construction of Hydropolis was inspired by Hauser’s passion for water and sea. The project is more than just constructing an underwater hotel. It puts an analogy between architecture and the composition of man. The gaps located within the basin will serve as function rooms such as bars, restaurants, theme suites, and meeting areas. They symbolize the functions of the organisms of a man namely the motor functions, heart, and the nervous system as well as the sinus loop which symbolizes the beat of all lives. The ballroom, located in the nerve center, can be accessible through ramps, staircases, and lifts. The petal-shaped retracting roof provides a great venue for staging open sky activities. Catering areas will have receptions and banquets. The Land Station […]
Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef located 98 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa. It derived its name from two Samali words which means “a long reef exposed at low tide.” Declared a World Heritage Site in 1993, the site is under protective management by the Department of National Defense and supervised by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Here we will look at the reasons for visiting the Tubbataha Reef. 1. The two atolls Tubbataha Reef is composed of two coral atolls separated by an eight-kilometer wide channel. The smaller South Atoll is five kilometres long and three kilometres wide. The North Atoll, on the other hand, is 16 kilometers long and five kilometres wide. 2. The corals The corals make up two-thirds of the reef and its waters serve as a refuge for various forms of marine life. Its diverse ecosystem is comparable to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with 300 species of corals and 400 species of fishes. 3. The diverse marine life Aside from its corals, the Tubbataha Reef also serves as a marine sanctuary. Among the animals that make the reef its home include manta rays, lionfish, […]