Author Archives: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Touring in London

Posted on by


London is one of the most fascinating, exciting and phenomenal cities in the world with lots to see and do. It is the capital of the United Kingdom and is the biggest metropolis in the European Union.


London is abound with leisure and theme parks, art galleries, museums, Olympic sized sports venues, world renowned theatres, shopping, dining venues and so much more. It is also recognised as one of the well connected cities in the world.


One of the most interesting places to visit in London is the West End which is a popular city shopping and entertainment district. For instance, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are famous tourist attractions. Meanwhile the West London area is famous for the chic and residential Notting Hill and Chelsea.


A must see place in this exciting city is the eminent Windsor Castle which has been the home of the Royal Family for a period of about 900 years. It is also the oldest occupied castle in the world. Visitors can go back in time to about 5000 years ago when they visit the amazing Stonehenge.


Bath with its graceful Georgian architecture, streetscapes, abbey and Pulteney Bridge is also a treat to watch while touring in London.


The Tower of London which is named a World Heritage site is also a must see place here. Travellers can also witness the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, enjoy a cruise along the River Thames and even explore the magnificence of St Paul’s Cathedral at this unparalleled city.


Museum lovers too will have lots to do in this outstanding city. Among the many distinct and diverse museums are the Museum of London, Geffrye Museum, the Science Museum, Sir John Soane’s Museum, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, National Maritime Museum, Horniman Museum and the Natural History Museum.


Other captivating attractions include the Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Tate Modern, the National Gallery, The London Eye, Madame Tussauds Wax museum and much more.


There are numerous London hotels that offer easy access to many of these mesmerizing attractions. Among the wide choice of London luxury hotels, The Langham London is one that stands out due to its superb range of facilities and professional service.

Jazz Clubs in London – Move to the music

Posted on by

Back in the days of the Roman’s London, was merely a little village on the river Thames with narrow streets lined with tiny shops and houses. But with time it has evolved into a unique blend of the classics and the modern and has become an economic powerhouse as well as the centre of the British Cultural Renaissance.
From the London Bus to the London eye, everything about London seems like a ‘must see’ for any outsider. There’s no better place to soak up some culture than the City of Lights and whether you want to check out a state-of-the-art sports stadium or take in some truly historic art, London has it all! It’s crammed full of totally unique things to see and do!
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and on Horse Guards Parade are just a few of the colorful displays of Royal pageantry to be seen and experienced. From the Trafalgar Square to the Kew Gardens, Oxford Street to the Tate Modern, London sure has all that life has to offer!
That’s not all! This swinging city has always catered for the coolest of cats and kittens, with an array of first-class jazz clubs. The premier stopover being the legendary 100 Club which is the most celebrated live music venue in Europe and one of the most famous in the world. Other hot spots include 606 Club, with its good food and good jazz, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with its relaxed and classy vibe as well as the Octave Jazz Club are few of the many ‘places to be’ for the Jazz enthusiast whose looking for all that jazz!
To fully appreciate the enchanted royalty and vibrant culture of London one must stay over at a luxury London hotel and be treated like royalty! And when considering luxury hotel rooms in London nothing comes straight to mind like The Langham London. There’s no better place than The Langham London to be delighted by its Victorian charm and exceptionally rich heritage, it is also conveniently located closer to many jazz venues in central London for your ease.

Sukhumvit – The quintessential Thai nocturnal experience

Posted on by

If Bangkok seems endlessly lively and busy during the day, it is of little surprise that life in the vibrant capitol city of Thailand continues at the same express pace, long into the night. Sukhumvit Road, stretching across central Bangkok blazing a trail of urbane sophistication, is the cornerstone of Bangkok’s pulsating nightlife.
Offering an extraordinarily comprehensive experience, Bangkok has a hotspot for everyone. The National Museum displays a magnificent array of artifacts that chronicle Thailand’s rich history. The pilgrim will find spiritual healing at the feet of the Wat Traimitr the Golden Buddha, while the shopper will have reached her Garden of Eden when entering Pratunam. However, after a day of traditional tourist attractions, travellers will find themselves lured by the lights of Sukhumvit Road, drawing them to an unforgettable nocturnal experience. Full of glamorous bars, fashionable eateries, luxury hotels, sprawling malls and trendy clubs, Sukhumvit is a one-stop deal for a visitor looking to unwind or party on into the night.
The rambling Sukhumvit Road and its many by-roads (Sois) are home to some of Bangkok’s most exclusive restaurants as well as famed street stands, guaranteed to whet your taste buds. The sheer number of choices in cuisine is overwhelming,from the elegant’ Pan Pan’ down Soi 33 serving delectable Italian fare to the ‘Baan Kanitha’ with its menu of ethnic Thai dishes. Serving up an arsenal of food and alcohol, along with a side dish of live music, the popular bars and pubs down Sukhumvit are ideal for a warm-up before a long night ahead. ‘Song Saleung Bar’ stands out among the rest for its throngs of beautiful young people and uncontrollably groovy live music. The ‘Zest Piano Bar’ has a distinctive contemporary flair and its plush interior is the ideal alcove of sophistication in the midst of the chaos. The ‘Nana Plaza’ is for visitors with a taste for the eye-popping, but follow the pounding beat down to Soi 11 to clubs like Bed Supperclub and Q Bar where the architectural artistry only rivals the top international DJ’ing talent.
Even alongside the fun bedlam, Sukhumvit sports pockets of tranquility where visitors are able to retreat to the comfortable ambience of charming little cafes, romantic restaurants and lush spas. Best of all, conquering the daunting length of Sukhumvit Road is an easy enough task with the convenient Skytrain (BTS) stretching along almost the entire expanse.
The lively Sukhumvit area is a veritable paradise of some of the best in Bangkok hotel accommodation. Visitors enjoying the glamour of this cosmopolitan region, can opt to sink into the contemporary hotel apartment Bangkok, and of these, the Bangkok President Solitaire is ideally situated at the heart of all that Sukhumvit has to offer.

Entertainment City – a world of fun and amusement for the whole family

Posted on by


Kuwait is an Arab Emirate nestled in the Persian Gulf’s northwestern coast, flanked by Saudi Arabia on its south and Iraq on its north and west. Kuwait State’s largest city and the capital is Kuwait City – a city where tourist attractions are in abundance.


Among Kuwait’s key landmarks is the popular amusement park by the name ‘Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya’ – the City of Entertainment also known as Entertainment City of Kuwait.


This amusement park is managed and operated by Kuwait Touristic Enterprises Company (KTEC) and is located in Al-Doha (Doha District), only 20 kilometers from the bustling Kuwait City.


Spanned in an area of one million square meters, you will discover a world of entertainment, games and engaging activities in this park, at its 3 main themes namely – ‘Arab World’, ‘International World’ and ‘Future World’, catering to the taste of everyone from kids to adults, alike.


At the Arab World you can enjoy boat rides in Gulf Sailing Boats and explore themed areas such as Sinbad the Sailor. While at the International World there are even more fun rides awaiting your arrival, such as African Boats, European Cars and even Australian Gondolas. Moreover there is also a Cowboys’ Arena among its other attractions.


The Future World is teeming with thrilling games in line with technological advancement of the world. These exciting themed games include – The Massive (Mixer) Game, The Desert Storm, The Arcade Gym Games as well as The Space Dome.


Launched in 1984, the Entertainment City is renowned as one of the best amusement parks in the world, where its visitors have the benefit of obtaining an all-inclusive ticket that entitles them to relish all these amusement activities within its premises, with no extra charge.


What’s more Entertainment City also houses a charming garden called The Provincial Garden, where you can find a Roman style open theater and a mosque in addition to games such as Wireless Operated Boats, The Invaders and Flying Eagle. And you will be even more delighted to find numerous restaurants positioned around the Entertainment City, for a fine range of refreshments.


If you are considering spending your holiday at a Kuwait hotel, there are many including Al-Jahra Copthorne Hotel & Resort Kuwait, offering various services and amenities to suit any budget, tastes and requirements. While staying at a Kuwait hotel you can conveniently visit the city’s many attractions including Entertainment City, where your family can take pleasure in exciting activities to no end.

Happy Valley Racecourse – where colonial racing traditions live on

Posted on by

In Hong Kong, once a colony of the British, horse racing is still quite popular today as it was among its colonial masters. The Happy Valley Racecourse is one of two race course tracks in Hong Kong.
Attracting locals and foreigners alike, the race course is situated on Hong Kong island’s Happy Valley and nestled in the middle of the Wong Nai Chung Road and Morrison Hill Road. Tourists don’t necessarily have to be racing enthusiasts to appreciate the race course as it has several options for others as well.
For instance the Hong Kong Racing Museum opened in 1995 is now on the second floor of the Happy Valley Racecourse stand. The museum has four galleries and has some fascinating pictures and information on the origins of the horses, even tracing the migration routes that the animals had to travel in previous times. The routes begin at the north part of China tracing its way to Hong Kong.
The museum also has souvenir shop for tourists to take back something of their visit to the race course. For those who have some time on their hands could drop into the cinema at the race course. From the beginnings of the Jockey Club, the museum focuses some attention on its amazing horses, even the skeletal remains of Silver Lining – the three time champion in Hong Kong is on display.
The race course offers first timers some amazing views. Surrounded by old and modern buildings and with Hong Kong’s tram line loops draped right around the race course, it is a beautiful site to behold. It is the excitement and the party atmosphere that the mid week racers bring that attracts crowds to the venue.
After an exciting day at the races and wandering about Hong Kong, tourists could ease their tensions by checking into a Hong Kong Spa. The Chuan Spa Hong Kong offers some unique techniques to rejuvenate as well as soothe the body and the mind. This Spa in Hong Kong is famous for its Chuan Tribathing Ritual and if given the opportunity indulging in one should not be missed.

The Lantern Festival in Bangkok – a glorious sight!

Posted on by

It is one of the most noteworthy days in the Chinese calendar. The colorful Lantern Festival which is also known as Yuanxiao Jie, is a significant Chinese festival celebrated on the final day of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. This spectacular festival is celebrated by the Chinese community residing in various parts of the world. For instance, this traditional festival is celebrated hugely in Beijing and all across China, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok and many more.
Putting an official end to the two week long New Year celebrations, The Lantern Festival is a time for both the young and old to come together. It is a time when all the people finally get together in one display area in order to witness the magical and intricately designed lanterns. These show places are generally organised by relevant local municipalities or individuals.
This vibrant fiesta is held under the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. Therefore, the atmosphere is much more invigorating and exciting. Children join in the festival by making their own paper lanterns while the youth consider this charming festival the Chinese Valentine’s day. Various competitions are held in order to judge the best and most attractive lanterns. People who gather to view these spectacular lanterns solve puzzles that are usually hidden within the designs of the lanterns and taste yuanxiao or gluey rice balls with family and friends.
Lantern making among the Chinese community has a long and colorful history that dates back to almost 2000 years and therefore this long lived tradition plays an important role among the Chinese. However Lantern making in ancient times was not as advanced and intricate as was once seen today. Back then, the designs and techniques used to craft Lanterns were simple. Contrary to this, today’s designs are large, complex and simply astonishing.
So, the best way to discover this extraordinary craft of Lantern making in Bangkok is to witness a display of lanterns at the Lantern Festival held each year on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Travellers can enjoy this spectacular event at much ease by staying at serviced apartments Bangkok such as the Bangkok Royal President. This contemporary and well appointed Bangkok accommodation provides home like comforts for a pleasant and unforgettable stay.