Author Archives: auburn

Modhesh World 2013 Dubai – Bubbly, Bright and Bouncing with Joy

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Lasting just over two months, this Dubai summer event single handedly pulls crowds to its enclaves and leaves its patrons begging for more. Though at first glance it seems like a great place for the kids to spend their summer holidays, the adults get hooked on soon enough. It’s not just the colours, the flamboyance or the cheery nature at the venue, it is also the food, and the excitement and the joy of seeing the children have the time of their life.

‘Modhesh’ is the official mascot of the summer surprise initiative; he is a well behaved role model for all children while being their best friend as well. The yellow squiggly creature with a broad and bright smile plastered to his face has come to stay since the year 2001 as he is so warmly cherished.

The entertainment arena is split into several vividly hued halls, where education is cleverly intertwined with entertainment to ensure the children have a rewarding experience during their summer break. The universally loved bumper cars are probably the most heavily patronized area at Modhesh World, while Magic Planet, Science Planetarium, Arts and Crafts Zone and the Doscovert Centre are the areas that parents try to lure the children to. After a while the kids become hooked to the novel learning experience.

Ballerina and Girl’s Zone are two dedicated areas that cater to the pretty, young damsels who appreciate more feminine activities, while the Toddler Zone and the Soft Play Area are ideal for the delicate little ones who need lots of cushioning to prevent any discomfort. There is a special kiddies restaurant that serves food suitable for consumption by even the smallest child, with less spice, oil and more variety and colour.

The UAE hotels that are almost always packed to the brim have to really stretch themselves to house the flow of Modhesh World fans who make it a point to book Middle East hotels well in advance and reside for a considerable number of days. The Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East is one of the more desired locations of these fun finding travelers.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Nusa Dua Festival – Getting to Know Bali

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Bali is probably the most well-known of Indonesia’s many islands. Home to some of the most amazing beaches in the world, it is the preferred holiday destination of many globetrotters. The island is not merely a beach destination and offers tourists a variety of things to do. This includes numerous festivals and celebrations. The Nusa Dua Festival is one popular event that takes place in Nusa Dua in South Bali.

The Nusa Dua Festival is a Bali staple, being held every year since 1997. The festival was started to make Bali a more attractive tourist destination and it has now become equally popular among the locals as well as the foreigners. The festival is based on a theme which changes from year to year, although some parts of it remain the same. Tourists interested in learning more about the island’s culture, and those who want to experience Indonesia’s traditional music and dances, are sure to enjoy taking part.

The festival typically takes place sometime between the months of August and September, and all tourists on the island during this time should make it a point to take part in the joyous celebrations. The festival lasts several days with different activities scheduled for each day. In 2013, the festival will take place in August and will last for a week. Visitors will be able to spend their time listening to music, dancing and sampling the delicious local cuisine.

Nusa Dua is one of the most popular tourist regions in Bali. It is a peninsula and is surrounded by amazing beaches on three sides. It is a terrific spot to try out surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and other water sports. Although there is no particular season to visit the place, many prefer to come here during the summer as there is less rain.

Tourists looking for a good resort in Nusa Dua can try the Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali. A premier luxury resort in Bali, the resort is found on the southern coast of the island. The resort has excellent facilities including tennis courts, a gym and a spa. It also provides excellent dining options. Guests are sure to enjoy their stay here.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Angurukaramulla Temple in Negombo

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One of the most beautiful end entertaining cities in Sri Lanka is Negombo. Approximately thirty kilometres away from the capital of the country, the economy of this city is mainly based on tourism and the fishing industry that dates back to generations and generations. Even though located closely to the capital of the country, this city has been able to preserve its natural beauty without getting polluted in major scale. The soft white sand that can be seen miles away and the turquoise blue water that laps the sand is truly a breathtaking site that anyone would come across while in Negombo. The boats with sails that have vibrant colours can be seen harboured on the beach in order to take the visitors on an enjoyable trip.

Apart from the natural beauty, there are many water sports available in the area for anyone who wishes to make their vacation enjoyable. The deliciousness of the seafood in the area is majorly popular around the world. Additionally, the night life in Negombo has many options stored for the visitors who wish to enjoy them. Amidst all this excitement, there are many serene locations as well in order to satisfy anyone who looks to have a peaceful and relaxed vacation. The Angurukaramulla Temple is one such calm place that has a historical value, making it one of the most important historic temples in Sri Lanka.

This temple is the largest temple located in the area as well. The ancient mural paintings in this sacred location are calming apart from its educational values. The six metre long reclining Buddha statue is one other major reason that people flow in to this temple. Also the Siddha Sooniyam Devale; which is a shrine built in order to worship a Hindu god has been able to attract more people than usual.

Since Negombo is dedicated as a city for tourism there are many hotels located in the area. One of the best places that one could find here is the Club Hotel Dolphin which is a star hotel in Negombo. This Negombo hotel is located perfectly giving its guests the perfect opportunity to explore the amazing city.

Witness the Singapore Street Festival

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“Singapore” is a dazzling country that tops most of the top holiday destinations around the world lists. This is a place where anyone would find something to enjoy themselves while on vacation. The massive shopping malls with an elegant setting are a common attraction to all who visit. The numbers of things that one could purchase from these malls are endless and overwhelming. Browse through many options and find the most suitable thing to suit your requirement for a very reasonable price.
The amusement parks are another highlight; these are created with world class standards and quality ensuring the safety and entertainment of both young and old. The Singaporean culture can be considered as a very vibrant one, the mix of many nationalities living in the country have been the major reason for this vibrancy. Starting from the world famous “Merlion” the number of things that are available for sightseeing are countless.


The food and cuisine that one would find here would be varied and mouth-watering. Again the major mixes of ethnicities that live in the country have been the reason for this variation. To add more excitement to its visitors there are many events that takes place in Singapore throughout the year.

The Singapore Street Festival also known as SSF is a one such major annual event. This festival is based on the idea of providing a global platform for youth talents of Singapore to achieve new grounds. The youngsters from around the country gather to show their talents in the areas such as health, fashion, entrepreneurship, technology, lifestyle trends, urban sports, and environment as well as to build new friendship. Visitors also have the opportunity to see witness the talents of the youth who take part in these trainings. Street graffiti, circus stations, D’J parties, singing competitions, magic shows and contests and belly dance competitions are some of the programs included in this event.

These are a number of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore that would provide you a perfect place to relax after all this excitement. Compared to most of the hotels in Singapore these Singapore hotels are elegant and cosy and have all the modern amenities to pamper you throughout your stay. The friendly staff and the international standards that they follow would surely add more value to your vacation.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Celebrating the Birth of a Monarch – Queen’s Birthday

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The Queen of United Kingdom is without a doubt one of the most iconic personalities in the world. The British Royalty has a rich and vibrant history of over 1000 years, and served as the monarch for England as well as all the nations in the British Empire which was in existence from during the 16th Century to the 20th Century. The Monarch of United Kingdom is also the head of state of the United Kingdom and also of 15 other nations which are part of the Commonwealth.

Although before the 1600’s the monarch of the United Kingdom held a great deal of power, today the monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, is a constitutional monarch and a figurehead. Yet the Queen of the United Kingdom is one of the most popular and beloved personalities, and therefore the Queen’s birthday as well is a popular occasion, celebrated in true royalty.

Although the Queen’s birthday is actually on the 21st of April, like most previous British monarchs, the monarch’s official birthday celebrations are held on a separate day. The Queen’s official birthday is celebrated on a Saturday in June, which is accompanied by various customs such as the Trooping the Colours Parade, where the Queen is joined by the rest of the Royal Family in a grand and colourful parade, held at the Horse Guards Parade. Most civil servants are also given a ‘privilege day’ in honour of the Queen’s birthday. Birthday celebrations are carried out in all of the Commonwealth realms, such Australia, Fiji, Canada, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, yet not always on the same day. In most of these realms the Queen’s birthday is often declared as a public holiday, with services in honour of the Queen being conducted. Certain Commonwealth realms also reveal the Birthday Honours List; a declaration of the new members of the Commonwealth Realms honours. All in all, the Queen’s birthday is a day full of rich traditions and age old customs which are grand, colourful, and fascinating.

One of the most reputed groups of luxury hotel resorts is the Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas. Boasting rich traditions of warm hospitality, excellent service, and a tranquil experience, these luxury hotels and resorts are ideal for a revitalizing and memorable vacation. Anantara has luxury hotels and resorts all over the globe, including in popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Maldives, Bangkok, Phuket, and even in the desserts of the Middle East.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Celebrate the Festival of the Tooth at the Annual Esala Perahera

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Often regarded as the most colourful and grandest cultural melees in Sri Lanka the “Festival of the Tooth” is no ordinary religious procession in the island of Sri Lanka. Held annually during the months of July/August this larger than life display of performance art forms is a highlight in the country’s tourist calendar each year. Attracting visitors from around the world the Esala Perahera as it is locally known takes centre stage in the country’s hill capital Kandy and is one of the oldest cultural processions in the nation’s history.
Hosting a monumental cultural display each year the Esala Perahera is a Buddhist festival at heart and commences with the Esala Full Moon Poya Day in July and culminates with the Nikini Poya Day in August. Having taken place in the same manner at the same venue since 3rd century B.C it is in fact a joining together of the Dalada Perahera and the Esala Perahera in an ancient ritual to appeal to the deities for sufficient rainfall. Celebrated with great pomp and pageantry the annual showcase sees the participation of elaborately clad elephants and local dancers, traditional Kandyan dances, fire displays, whip dances and other folk performances that are part of no other procession in the island.

Starting from the date of the Kap Situveema during which a sapling from a jack tree is planted in the four central Hindu temples of the region the Esala Perahara appeals to four deities namely Pattini, Vishnu, Katharagama and Natha. The Devale processions take place for five nights in each Hindu Temple following the planting ceremony and the Kumbal Perahera kicks off on the 6th night. The Kumbal Perahera takes place on the next 5 nights till all the Devale peraheras combine at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic where the holy tooth relic of Lord Buddha himself is contained. A replica of the sacred tooth is placed on a ceremonial elephant known as the Maligawa Athaa as a procession from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic leads the remaining four parades from the Hindu temples.
The Randoli Perahera thus takes centre stage for the following five nights till it culminates with the Day Perahera as well as the Diya Kepeema.

Tourists in search of holiday packages Sri Lanka count among its most comprehensive travel itineraries should look to Shanti Travel Sri Lanka for the best deals in town. Offering guests all encompassing Sri Lanka tour packages that cover the island’s most popular attractions this reputed name in the hospitality foray surpasses all expectations.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Uncover New Zealand’s Premier Wedding Fair at Hitched 2013

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Regarded as one of the most progressive wedding shows in all of New Zealand Hitched 2013 is set to take the world of weddings by storm once again this year with its state-of-the-art fair. Due to take place from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM on 2nd June this year Hitched 2013 will take centre stage at the Rotorua Convention Centre with the participation of the country’s leading wedding consultants and other service providers. Set to be the largest wedding showcase in the country Hitched 2013 will bring together more than 90 wedding service professionals hailing from the Bay of Plenty and other regions to one venue for the convenience of couples hoping to tie the knot in the near future.

One of the chief highlights of the event is of course its two runway shows featuring best in wedding fashion including the newly added Calico People’s Choice Runway showcase. Here brides can enjoy the latest in bridal fashion and select the gown for their big day from a wide variety of breathtaking designs from the country’s leading bridal wear designers. Featuring live music, prizes as well as surprises Hitched 2013 allows couples to select and book every aspect of their big day from clothing to caterers and flower arrangements to venue with the widest possible choices on offer. As one of the country’s preferred wedding venues Rotorua can rightly be dubbed the wedding capital of New Zealand and Hitched 2013 afford visitors the chance to plan and execute their wedding with localized service providers catering to their every whim and fancy.

The Calico Challenge at this year’s wedding fair also provides a unique opportunity for up-and-coming designers as they can design wedding garments for either the bride and groom or the attendants using calico to create at least 50% of their garment. Aspiring milliners and accessory makers can also try their luck at this year’s competition in the Hats and Fascinators category.

Travellers in search of the best New Zealand hotel deals in town should look to Millennium and Copthorne hotels NZ for the finest accommodation options in the country. With a large number of luxury New Zealand hotels under their name this reputed name in the hospitality industry pulls out all the stops when it comes to luxurious vacations in the land of the Kiwis.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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City Of London Festival 2013 – A Celebration of London Culture

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The City of London Festival, one of the UK’s premier art events, was first held in 1962 to rejuvenate the English capital’s cultural life. The grand festival is held every summer at high profile destinations throughout the city and lasts about twenty one days. Featuring an eclectic line up, many of the festival events are free to the public. The sheer diversity of events ensures that one will definitely find something interesting. The festival is a celebration of the city and is one of the biggest events on the calendar so tourists in London this summer should definitely try to stop by.

The 2013 edition of the City of London Festival will take place between the 23rd of June and the 26th of July. The three themes for this year’s festival are trees, with sustainability being highlighted at major events; city walls, a look at famous walled cities; and conflict resolution. The programming for the festival is highly eclectic. It will feature concert performances by renowned artists as well as the London Symphony Orchestra; lectures and debates that revolve around the main themes; and a mobile orchard- a moving orchard featuring real and artificial trees that will go around the city.

Just like the past few years, the festival in 2013 will feature over a hundred free events. The top free events include the Blue Trees, an art installation by Konstantin Dimopoulos; Peacock Angell, a musical performance inspired by everyday life; an organ recital by James Vivian; and Urban Picnic, which will take place at Finsbury Avenue Square. The list of venues this year will include London landmarks like the Bank of England Museum, the Festival Garden, Guildhall Art Gallery, Canada Square Park and Devonshire Square.

Tourists planning on visiting London for the festival should book their accommodation well in advance as they tend to fill up pretty fast. The Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK is a good place to try. They operate a chain of 4 star UK hotels and they all come with all the latest modern amenities. Those interested can visit their website to take advantage of their UK hotel specials.

Music for Romantics

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Ever since the beginning of time, songs about love have been written, influenced by either the joy and passion associated with it or the pain of lost or unrequited love. Music for Romantics in Auckland is a day time concert series bringing the best in love songs, with a blend of operatic, classical, light opera, Viennese, contemporary music and more. Choosing an ideally positioned Auckland hotel is essential if you are to get a chance to enjoy the show and Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City is a renowned hotel Auckland CBD has to offer. Celebrating love in its many forms, the concert series brings performances by violinist extraordinaire Jessica Hindin joined by professional singers. An eclectic mix of shows, the eight concert series is one not to be missed when in the city during June.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Ayutthaya Temples Tour – Cruising Around Bangkok

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Bangkok is a modern city with one foot firmly in the past. Although the Thai capital maybe overrun with futuristic high rise buildings, it also has plenty of historic ones. While a majority of visitors come to Thailand’s cosmopolitan capital to enjoy the amazing shopping opportunities and vibrant nightlife, they all leave with a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich culture and coloured history. The city is steeped in ancient splendour and walking along its streets one will come across many interesting attractions.

Tourists who want to learn more about Thai history and culture can try visiting Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (shortened to Ayutthaya), which is located around ninety five kilometres to the north of Bangkok. The city was established in 1350 and served as the second capital of Thailand (then called Siam). It soon became an important trade city and grew quickly over the following centuries. Merchants came to Ayutthaya from all parts of the world and the city became more prosperous as time went by.

However, the period of prosperity did not last forever. Ayutthaya was razed in 1767 by Burmese invaders and now only a few ruins mark the presence of this once magnificent city. The ruins are well preserved and evoke visions of a bygone era. Standing here it is easy to picture ancient marketplaces bustling with activity and lines of devotees walking towards the call of temple bells. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and no trip to Bangkok can be considered complete without visiting here.

As it is a major tourist attraction there are a number of ways to get here. Those who want to use public transport can try the bus or train. Those looking for a better alternative can try taking a Bangkok cruise tour. Not only does a cruise help save time, it is also a highly enjoyable experience. Anantara Cruises Thailand offer luxury Bangkok cruises that takes tourists on a journey through the past. See the ruins of Ayutthaya, the Royal Barges Boat House, the Temple of Dawn, the Grand Palace and a countless number of other attractions. It is bound to be a trip to remember.