September 28, 2007

The wonders of Cuba

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Situated in the northern Caribbean,

Cuba enjoys a variety of people and cultures thanks to its location. Many different customs have been bought onto the island including those from the Taino, Spanish colonialism and African slaves. With such diverse cultures present,

Cuba holidays are a fascinating experience for people from all around the world. No doubt the tropical climate and beautiful beaches also contribute to the hoards of tourists going on

Cuba holidays every year. Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena are possibly two of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. The two are connected and stretch the length of Cayo Largo del Sur on the western end of the island. If you think that you only see fine, white sand and clear blue waters on postcards you are mistaken because that is exactly what you will see here. There is so much to do when you go on Cuba holidays so you definitely won’t be bored and there is always something for everyone. With over 30 dives sites at Varadero alone there is something for everyone from beginners to experts.

One of the world’s biggest coral reefs is at Cayo Coco which is a dive that will never be forgotten. Typical Cuban cuisine is wide and varied so there’s something to suit everyone’s taste when on your

Cuba holidays. A few examples of the local cuisine are black beans and rice, fried sliced banana and boiled Yucca plant. It is also very common for most dished to include an olive oil and garlic marinade to give them extra flavour.  For nature lovers a trip to

Sierra

Maestra

National Park is a must as a spectacular range of plants and animals live on

Cuba’s southern coast. No doubt this is down to the fact that the U.S embargo protects the area from development. It is here you will see stunning scenery including mountains, rivers and plenty of animals. Make sure you visit Havana and Santiago de Cuba while on your Cuba holidays as they are the biggest and most important cities on the island. Both of them offer plenty of sites, activities and nice little restaurants if you want to sit back and relax and enjoy the tropical climate. Cuba holidays may not be a typical holiday destination for many but it offers plenty of new experiences for those who are looking for something with a twist. If you are looking to explore new cultures and sites in beautiful surroundings then Cuba is definitely the place for you.

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Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with so much to see and do which is what makes

Sri Lanka holidays so popular. A particularly popular attraction amongst tourists all over the world is the

Yala

National Park. It has been described as one of the best parks in the world for spotting leopards so is great for all animal lovers.

The park is spread out over 100,000 hectares consisting of jungle, lagoons and rock monoliths. It is no surprise that people don’t come here just to see the leopards as the scenery is so stunning it is guaranteed to take your breath away.

What makes a trip to

Yala

National Park even more special is that the leopards here aren’t just ordinary leopards. It is thought that the Sri Lankan leopards are a distinct sub – species from their Indian neighbours and are the largest in the whole of

Asia. It has also been speculated that the park has the highest density of the stunning creatures than anywhere else in the world which is why so many people go there while on their

Sri Lanka holidays.

You can either take a full day safari or a morning and an afternoon drive when you visit the park on your

Sri Lanka holidays. If you are going specifically to see a leopard then you are more likely to see them early in the morning or at dusk. However, the male leopards, especially the young ones are often seen walking the track during the day and don’t seem to be afraid of their audience. This means chances are that you are going to spot a couple wondering around which is something to make

Sri Lanka holidays extra special.

Although the park is famous for its leopards, these aren’t the only animals that you are likely to see while on a safari there. Elephants, deer, buffalo, crocodiles and pangolins can also be found at

Yala

National Park. As well as this over 120 different species of birds can be found from Crested Hawk Eagles and Black Bitterns to Paradise Flycatchers.

 

Yala

National Park is a great day out for all and is a unique excursion for any

Sri Lanka holidays. It makes a nice change from the usual sightseeing that tourists do on holiday and is an experience that will never be forgotten.

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July 31, 2007

South India Blog

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Thanks to the coexistence of several different religions, 18 officially recognised languages and hundreds of dialects and century-old  traditions, India is a country brimming with cultural diversity. Towering temples, tribal lifestyles and inspiring forces of nature make India an incredible place to visit. From the foothills of the Himalayas to the Deep South, India is stepped in geographical and topographical riches. India is a land of hills, rivers, plateaus, plains, beaches, deltas and deserts. The southern Indian Peninsula is almost entirely composed of the Deccan plateau, which has two hilly coastal ranges, the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.Popularly known as the Gateway to South India, Chennai - capital of the state of Tamil Nadu was chosen by the British East India Company for permanent settlement in 1639. A lasting legacy of the British and the Raj is Fort St George and the vast array of colonial architecture.   Famed for being centre of the burgeoning Tamil film industry, Chennai is also popular for Tamil cuisine. The city’s restaurants do a roaring trade in tiffin meals served with side dishes so typical of the south including idli and mouth-wateringly good dhosa with sambhar.  Temples abound in Chennai. Kapaleeswarar is worth a look, as is Kandaswamy Temple. For a snapshot of Indian life, Marina Beach is a magnet for relaxation and outdoor pursuits such as strolling and cycling.Still in the state of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur – also known by its anglicised name Tanjore, is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Brihadeeswara Temple. Built in the 10th century, Brihadeeswara is a Chola Temple and is a brilliant example of Dravidian architecture. The central temple, known as the ‘Big Temple’ stands within a fort. The vimana (main tower) of the temple stands some 215 feet high and as well as being the tallest in the world, has the added distinction of being constructed in such a way that it never casts a shadow at noon on any given day of the year!  There is plenty to do at this site with a museum, Art Gallery and the Saraswati Mahal Library, which has over 30,000 manuscripts available in several European and Indian languages.Tiruchirappalli in the state of Tamil Nadu is perhaps more commonly and easily known simply as Trichy. Trichy is also home to the Rock Fort. Located in a city of flat land, at 272 feet it really stands out. Making the site even more fascinating is the fact that the rock is one of the oldest in the world at approximately 3.800 million years. At the top of the rock is a temple from where you can see amazing views of Trichy. There are several temples and sculptures dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries making the Rock Fort the perfect attraction for those interested in the history and culture of this village. If keen to take a walk on the wild side, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and Project Tiger nature reserve in the state of Kerala.  Located high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, visitors can come here to view a variety of mammalian and birdlife such as elephant, wild pig, gaur, sambar, deer, Indian wild dog, cormorant, kingfisher and Malabar hornbill. Whilst more elusive, Periyar does also support a population of Bengal tiger.  Kanchipuram is a popular spot amongst tourists, is commonly referred to as the “Golden City of Temples” and is considered to be one of the seven sacred cities of India. Although it boasts more than 100 temples, it is believed that in its time it had an impressive 1000. Famous for hand-woven silk fabrics and saris, Kanchipuram is known to have the best source of high quality hand-woven silk items. Be aware that the temples are closed between 12:30 and 4pm so you either need to go early in the morning or late afternoon.Diverse, impossibly colourful and astoundingly beautiful, a holiday in India whether it be the north or the beautiful south, will leave you breathless and hungry to see and experience more.

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