Author Archives: auburn

Liwa Date Festival – A veritable show of culture and tradition

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July is the best time for dates in this captivating country of Abu Dhabi. The date palm being symbolically as well as historically important in the history of the country, the Liwa date festival is an event much anticipated by locals as well as various tourists visiting the location. The festival revolves around the date competition where Emirati date growers from all over the place compete against each other for the prestigious title of the best date grower.

The date palm is a powerful symbol in the Emirati culture and has played an integral part in the country’s thriving economy. The vision of the festival is to present the date palm as a source of prosperity for the country in the future as well as to signify its role in the country’s glorious past. This annual celebration brings together all those who value the country’s ingenuity, tradition and its magnanimous heritage and is truly a joyous occasion to behold.

Non-locals who participate in this event are simply blown away by the powerful and vibrant splash of culture and tradition practiced during the festival. Culture enthusiasts from all over the world come together to witness this fascinating event, dedicated in the name of this glorious fruit that is a favourite among many all over the world. This event enrobed within the very essence of Abu Dhabi is the ideal place for those of who crave for a veritable taste of the Emirati magnificence. The auction of the dates is an event that is much anticipated where date lovers compete over one another with the aim of getting their hands on the crème de la crème of the crop. It is astonishing to see that some dates get sold for over US$ 1,650 per kilo and yet however, one witnesses the triumphant smiles of the buyers at the owning of their precious treasures at the auction.

It is wise to choose one of the luxury hotels Abu Dhabi such as the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara to experience the best of what Liwa Date Festival has to offer. Out of all the Abu Dhabi hotels available within the area, this particular one is known for the sheer sense of genuinity and the Arabian charm it enchants its guests with.

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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Al Gharbia Festivals in Abu Dhabi – Fun Fiestas at the Waterfront

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History reveals that Al Gharbia has not been only a beautiful coast, but also a protective frontier that safeguarded the nation in the early parts of the 19th century. Al Gharbia, in Abu Dhabi has always been famous throughout the world for the golden sandy beaches that spread for miles. Over the years the village men have capitalized on the natural blessings and commenced promoting numerous sports and fun activities along the coastal line. Hence, today the area stands as a bustling hub for both local and foreign tourists.

One of the favourite events at the Water Sports Festivals is Kite surfing, which is a spectacular sport that requires relatively high skills to harness the wind power. Al Gharbia winds are ideal for the activity as the wind power is available for days to keep these kites airborne. Many other water sports add the attractions to make it your wettest holiday ever.

Throughout the year many festivals keep Al Gharbia vibrating. For those who have a penchant for riding the waves there is dragon boating, dhow racing, kayaking and surf boarding. Those who love to get behind a wheel will find desert driving and off road driving to be their cup of tea, both od which will expose the driver to sceneries never seen before. For those who wish to burn some calories outside the water, there is beach volleyball and beach football.

Ensure that the best skilled photographers of the family and the most photogenic of the entourage are on site as well. They can shoot away to their hearts content and stand a chance to win rich rewards for their mastery. Amidst all the action pop into the souks to pick up a few trinkets, enjoy the multi ethnic cuisine served at the numerous restaurants and attend the many musical concerts that are staged in Al Gharbia frequently.

You can afford to be selective when choosing a hotel in Abu Dhabi as there are many star class types of accommodation Abu Dhabi. Among them is the Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi a well loved hotel that has impressed and enticed.

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+

Valentine’s Day in Maldives

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Couples looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a memorable way can base themselves at one of the luxury hotels Maldives such as Kurumba Maldives. A standout among Maldives resorts, it boasts an enchanting coastal location. On this special day lovers can take a swim or dive together depending on their level of skill. Sunbathing to perfect your tan is also a tempting option and as the dusk sets in set the mood for the night ahead with a candle light dinner on the beach, under the vast start studded sky. Taking a romantic picnic in one of the secluded Maldivian islands is also a favourite among couples.

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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+

Qingming Festival – Celebrating Tomb Sweeping Day!

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Referred to as ‘Tomb Sweeping Day’, the Qingming Festival that takes place in such countries as Taiwan, gives you a chance to learn more about China’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. Those heading to the capital and wanting to stay at well placed luxury hotels in Taipei can choose Regent Taipei. This luxury hotel Taipei is an ideal starting point to your many adventures in the city. Generally taking place either on April 4th or 5th, the Qingming Festival is a national holiday and is a day people dedicate to their ancestors. Thus it is customary that during this time people visit burial sites, pay respect to their ancestors that have passed away and literally clean and sweep the tombs, making them presentable.

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Chao Le Boat Floating Festival: Enjoy the Festivity of Beautiful Thailand

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Thailand’s calendar is speckled with festivals and holidays of religious and cultural importance. While some are observed through the entire country, regional ethic groups celebrate their own festivals in their home towns. These unique festivals are attracting crowds that travel across the globe just to glimpse these foreign traditions.

The Moken or Sea Gypsies are of an Austronesian ethnicity and live mainly in the islands off the west coast of Thailand. For the Thai, they are known as the Chao Le or ‘people of the sea’. They follow a nomadic tribal way of life that is mainly based on the sea. Accumulated through countless generations, their knowledge of the surrounding Andaman Seas is quite profound. In fact due to generations of diving and swimming in the sea, they have developed a visual focus that allows them to see better underwater. After finding food by means of fishing and foraging, the excess is sold to mainland or island markets to trade for other necessities. Traditional wooden boats called ‘kabang’ are sometimes used for housing as well as hunting and are greatly valued and preserved by the Chao Le.

As seafarers, the Chao Le has used Phuket islands for centuries and is known as the oldest inhabitants of the islands. Their own deities of the seas are honoured each June and November in the Loi Reua Festival. Three days of celebration bring all the Chao Le in the region to their permanent settlements around Phuket, like Koh Sireh, Rawai and Sapam. Similar in style to the Thai festival of Loy Krathong, festivities take place throughout the day. During the last night, models of their traditional boats are decorated with garlands of flowers and candles. Little wooden dolls filled with bits of hair and nail clippings of the people who are praying for protection are put into the boats and floated off into the sea. Hoping to drive away the evil and bring in good luck, the famous Chao Le dance of Ram Rong Ngeng is performed around the vessels before setting them adrift.

Use your stay at a Phuket beach resort to experience the island in a unique way. The Anantara Phuket Resort Thailand joins the heritage of the island culture with modern luxuries. It is this combination that makes your stay at this Phuket resort a memorable one.

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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Experiencing National Day Celebrations in Taiwan

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Also known as Double Tenth Day, the National Day of the Republic of China is a significant day in Taiwan that features several ceremonies. Those heading to the capital during this time and looking for luxury hotels in Taipei can consider Regent Taipei. This luxury hotel Taipei has to offer features a range of contemporary comforts and is ideally located in the Zhong Shan district. Taking place on October 10th, the National Day Celebrations in Taiwan include the raising of the Republic of China flag which is done in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei. During this ceremony the National Anthem is sung followed by cultural performances, while military parades are also known to take place.

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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Dragon Boat Festival 2013 – A time for fun and games

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This vivacious festival falling on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese calendar falls on the 12th of June this year. However it is wise to reserve one of the luxury hotels Singapore in order to experience this wonderful phenomenon in full. The St. Regis Singapore is one of the most preferred 5 star hotels Singapore that is preferred among many who visit this breathtaking festival each year to be mesmerized by the sheer splendour of the event.

The Dragon Boat festival also known as the Duanwu Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan. Icons of the mythical guardian figure Zhong Kui as well as mugwort leaves and calamus is hung all over the place while people eat rice dumplings and zongzi, wear perfume pouches on themselves, drink plenty of wine and hold boat races where the stern of the boats are in the shape of a traditional Chinese dragon. This is a time of great activity and fun and the amount of energy in the air is almost contagious and one can easily get lost within the festivities while enjoying teh spectacular fireworks that often accompany the festival.

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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Traditional New Year Festival, a joyous time in Sri Lanka

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The traditional New Year is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the majority of the residents of Sri Lanka. Interestingly the timing and nature of the New Year celebrations bear affinity with the corresponding traditions amongst several South and South-east Asian peoples. The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April and is marked as a public holiday in the country. This auspicious occasion is considered to herald the ending of spring and the harvest season.newyear

The distinctive traditions and rituals are said to be derived from the rich history and cultural traditions of the nation. These beliefs were influenced by the advent of Buddhism, the main religion of the country, to create the colourful and vibrant customs and rites to be seen today. Many of the New Year activities are conducted according to auspicious times calculated by astrologers.

The month of April is known as ‘Bak’ in the Buddhist traditional calendar. At this time the sun is said, in astrological terms, to enter the ‘House of Aries’ from the ‘House of Pisces’ in the celestial regions. Unlike in Western tradition there is a ‘neutral phase’, the nonagathe between the end of the previous year and the commencement of the new year; during this time it is considered appropriate to abstain from material activities and instead engage oneself in religious pursuits or customary games.

The cultural ceremonies commence after the dawn of the New Year with houses being cleaned and a ceremonial oil lamp being lighted. In some neighbourhoods women get together to play the rabana, a kind of drum. The entire family involves itself in the customs, which are all conducted in harmony with astrological computations. The fires are lit, the customary milk rice is prepared, ceremonial monetary transactions are conducted and the first repasts are taken in accordance with the auspicious timings. Firecrackers are lit to mark these auspicious times.

images (49)After these important rituals, the festive atmosphere truly sets in, with families meeting in the lanes, homes opened to welcome friends and relatives and children allowed to play. Fresh bananas are served to guests with the customary oil cakes, kevum and other sweetmeats. Special programmes are aired on state and private media to add to the festive spirit.

Travellers planning to visit Sri Lanka can look to the John Keells Hotels Group for quality Sri Lanka hotels offering outstanding accommodations and service.

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National Day of Sri Lanka, a momentous occasion

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images (46)Sri Lanka’s National Day, also called Independence Day is a very important occasion for all Sri Lankans. On this day all Sri Lankan citizens unite to affirm their national pride and joy in the autonomy and unity of their country. This significant event falls on February 4th, the day on which independence was granted to the nation from the colonial power Britain in the year 1948. An important national holiday, this event is an occasion for countrywide celebrations with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, performances and dances.

Sri Lanka in its rich and eventful history has experienced numerous national conflicts, and these struggles are all recalled and commemorated on this day; however, the independence struggle against the last colonizers, the British Empire is particularly remembered.

The highlight of the occasion is the speech made by the President of the nation, who typically reminisces on the achievements and progress made by the government within the year past, discusses issues of importance and expresses the need for continued development. The President expresses the nation’s reverence and gratitude towards its courageous heroes and patriots who made sacrifices in the service of the nation. Typically two minutes of reverent silence are adhered to in their honour and the President pledges to protect and develop the nation with the assistance of all citizens.images (47)

A highlight on this momentous occasion is a grand display by the armed forces, showcasing the might of the army, air force, navy, police and civil defence force. In this way the courage, commitment, nationalism and perseverance in achieving independence and unity is recollected in the minds of the Sri Lankan people.

There is also a festive aspect to the celebrations with singing, dancing and other performances held to emphasize national solidarity and the shared culture of the country. Additionally many religious ceremonies are conducted in places of worship throughout the country to pray for prosperity and peace, and the well-being of the people and the armed forces. The various media take this opportunity to promote ideals like confidence, bravery, unity, dedication, patriotism and responsibility in the hearts and minds of the people.

If you intend to visit Sri Lanka the excellent Sri Lanka hotels of the John Keells Hotels Group are an ideal choice, offering superior accommodations and attentive hospitality.

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Nyepi 2013 – Bali New Year, a solemn yet auspicious occasion

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The day of Nyepi is a very important occasion for the Balinese. Falling at the dawn of the New Year according to the Balinese traditional calendar, Nyepi is a Hindu festivity which is native to Bali. A national holiday in Indonesia, Nyepi is a time for fasting, silence and meditation for the people of Bali. The subsequent day is celebrated as the commencement of the New Year, and is also a day of festivity.

Nyepi is observed strictly, from 6 am in the morning to the same hour the following day. The occasion is considered to be a time for self-reflection, when any diversions and activities which might hinder with this objective are proscribed. Accordingly on this day there are many restrictions on the Balinese Hindu faithful. Working, pleasure or entertainment and travelling are all forbidden. Some with additional zeal also observe a total cessation on eating and conversation on this day. Accordingly the streets of Bali, normally busy and teeming, are empty on this occasion and no sound from radios or TVs are to be heard. Little movement or activity is to be discerned even within homes, and the only ones outside are traditional vigilantes, the Pecalang, who roam the streets to ascertain that the traditions are being observed.

Despite Nyepi being fundamentally a Hindu observance, even non-Hindu Balinese participate in the time of solitude, as a gesture of harmony with their fellow residents. Even visitors from abroad are obliged to refrain from venturing into the streets and beaches, although they may do as they like within the hotels in which they are staying.

However on the following day social activities regain momentum, as friends and families meet one another to exchange salutations of forgiveness with each other, so as to start relationships afresh in the new year.

Many interesting rituals are associated with Nyepi. One of the most colourful is the construction of ‘ogoh-ogoh’, representations of demons and malevolent spirits made from paper and bamboo, which are carried around villages and then ceremonially burned.

Selective visitors desiring a Bali luxury hotel will find an ideal choice in the L Hotel Seminyak. This outstanding boutique hotel Bali offers provides excellent accommodations and courteous hospitality.

 

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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