Author Archives: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Lyceum Theatre Shanghai

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Built back in 1866, the Lyceum Theatre in Shanghai is of European style and is the longest among all theatres in the city.  It has served as a meeting venue for noted public figures including consulates in the 1930’s and 1940’s, standing as a witness to a long history. Reputed for offering theatre productions of high standard, the theatre excellently reflects the international cultural exchanges.  Equipped with a selection of modern facilities, the theatre is a must visit for tourists in the city. Those in search of accommodation Shanghai, should consider selecting one of the serviced apartments Shanghai offered by Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai.

Explore the Underwater Marine Life of the Maldives

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While the Maldives is known for its picturesque beaches and exciting water sports, below the surface of the water there is a fascinating world just waiting to be explored! The colourful reefs that surround the islands are home to a wide range of marine life and offer countless hours of exploration when engaged in such activities as snorkelling or diving. The country is home to over 700 marine life species including, Butterfly fish, sharks, rays, black and white snappers and turtles to name but a few! Offering truly unique holiday adventures, a Maldives cruise such as the one provided by Atoll Explorer can be enjoyed by the whole family. This liveaboard Maldives also offers diving and snorkelling and gives one a chance to experience firsthand the beauty that lies beneath the waves.

Uncover a Land of Fairytales at Middle Eastern Hub Abu Dhabi

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Appreciated and revered by generations of readers and folklore lovers the Arabian Nights or the One Thousand and One Nights remains one of the world’s foremost literary masterpieces. Renowned the world over as a valuable source and historic record of sorts regarding the medieval Islamic period, the text and its mesmerizing tales are also seen as a window through which to explore Middle Eastern culture and its socio-historical identity.
 
The Arabian Nights is popular throughout the world but its subject matter and setting is of course a region of great mystique, tradition and heritage that is commonly referred to as the Middle East. Some of the more popular tales in the Arabian Nights are of course fairytale staples such as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp, and The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor which have been converted into Disney and Hollywood films of great repute due to the inherent entertainment values embedded in to the stories. Employing various literary forms such as poetry, chants, songs, riddles, annotations, speeches, hymns and lamentations the tales are as varied a collection of folk tales as one can come across in the ancient world. The stories themselves may be divided into tragedies, romances, comedies, historical records, poems and even burlesques with a good helping of supernatural elements in the form of magicians, sorcerers, ghouls and legendary locations across the Arabian Peninsula taking centre stage.

The frame story of One Thousand and One Nights is the tale of Queen Scheherazade entertaining King Shahryār  with the mystical stories in order to prevent her execution the following day. Embittered by royal infidelity King Shahryār was known to execute his wives after the wedding night to prevent the women from betraying him.

The stories are known as new bride Scheherazade’s ploy to postpone her inevitable execution by enchanting the monarch with the stories she weaves which incidentally continue for a record 1001 nights according to legend. Believed to have originated as far back as the 9th century the folk tales of the Arabian Nights have survived the test of time due to the unique story-telling elements and techniques used in the narrative as well as the mystical and magical nature of the alluring tales that speak of flying carpets and bottled genies in the same breath with moral lessons and the eternal battle between good and evil.
Travellers in search of luxury Abu Dhabi hotels on the beachfront should look to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara for all their accommodation needs. Ideally located in Sir Bani Yas Island this stylish rest with top notch amenities and world class services is considered one of the finest Abu Dhabi resorts in the country.

Nightlife in Hong Kong

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Commonly known as Asia’s world city, Hong Kong is a centre for contemporary art and entertainment. Various events such as the Winterfest, Fashion Week, Dragon Boat races, French May, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Rugby Sevens, Symphony of Lights and more add to the charm of this island.  Hong Kong’s nightlife is unique and caters to expats and foreign visitors. Some of the most popular nightlife spots are located in Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai. 
These areas play host to various entertainment venues and bars. Macau, Lantau and Kwloon are also home to vibrant nightlife venues. The Peninsula Hong Kong is an ideally located Hong Kong hotel.  Affording classic comfort and modern amenities, it is an exceptional hotel in Kowloon Hong Kong.

St. James Theatre & Opera House – Showcasing Excellent Performing Arts

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Be captivated by the magic of music and dance in the grand and exquisite St James Theatre and Opera House, two of the finest stages for performing Arts in the city of Wellington that proudly showcases some exquisite talents in opera, drama and much more. Exhibiting breathtaking architecture with a pleasant old time feel combined with lush, grand interiors, these two locations make popular tourist destinations in the city.

Designed for the famous John Fuller and Sons Ltd by Mr. Henry Eli White Architect, a talented structural Engineer, the St James Theatre makes the first steel framed concrete coated arched theatre in the whole of the southern hemisphere. With a unique resistance to earthquake damage the theatre was known for intelligent and magnificent architecture that boasts an Edwardian Facade. The large domed auditorium has also been a highlight of the theatre. With a ‘Theatrical Rocco’ style originated from Louis XIV, the auditorium boasts modelled plaster work decorated with box fronts, grand parapets, proscenium and the gallery has fantastic clear vision from each and every seat. The theatre had its grand inauguration on December 1912 and started off as a picture house. Over the years the theatre underwent many ups and downs but today stands strong and hosts a number of live shows as well.

The Opera House was the work of Melbourne Architect William Pit and was originally known as the Grand Opera House. Inaugurated two years after the St. James Theatre, this building is also a display of grand architecture highlighted by its lavishly decorated public rooms and auditoriums that makes it an icon of the 1900’s. The Opera House apart from being a popular historic building is also famed for its many spooky stories that claim that the building houses a number of ghosts. All this only adds to the mystery of the venue making it all the more intriguing and worth paying a visit.

Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay presents an ideal choice for the traveller in search of a Wellington New Zealand hotel. Overlooking one of the most charming harbours in the world and offering modern comforts, it is an exceptional hotel Wellington has to offer.

New Zealands premier Art gallery; the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki

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The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is not simply a shrine of sorts for people to come in and stand in awe. Instead, this gallery is a celebration and educational experience of artistic evolution and diversity. This characteristic is reflected in their varied collection of paintings and variety of programmes offered to children and adults. The gallery attempts to spread the enriching qualities of art even further by loaning its pieces for short-term debuts in other galleries in New Zealand.

Visitors to the gallery might be overwhelmed when initially entering the imposing building, but a quick check up with the help-desk should give one some clarity as to what programs are available. There are various activities that allow families to be a part of a workshop and play with different artistic mediums and explore select pieces. For the adults there is a selection of lectures, talks, tours, and discussions concerning the galleries finest pieces and these events are sure to get ones intellectual juices flowing.

 The gallery boasts a wide variety of pieces which can be best experienced through the tour programmes offered at the help desk. One program that is especially interesting would be the “Degas to Dali” exhibit, which takes visitors through the last century of modern art exploring various styles such as impressionism, cubism and surrealism, and depicting the evolution and transition of ideas throughout various critical stages heralded by artists pivotal to their particular movement. On the other side of the coin there is the unique opportunity to enjoy a collection of Maori portraits created during the 19th century by Gottfried Lindauer. This display’s main aim was to spread the word about these portraits as well as preserve the rich Maori heritage as well as allow descendents to provide information surrounding all of the portraits.

The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki contains over 15,000 works which one cannot possibly even begin to enjoy in a single visit. Therefore, in matching with the decadent and contemporary nature of the gallery and its art pieces, one should seek lodging in a Hotel Auckland CBD. If one were to choose a single  Auckland New Zealand hotel,  then such a place would have to be conveniently located, stylish, modern and affordable. If such is the criteria then none could be better suited to one’s needs than the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City. This fantastic abode is situated on Auckland’s waterfront and allows one to enjoy a lavish and relaxing stay whilst still having all necessary conveniences at ones fingertips.

Entertainment in CBD

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Kia Ora! A warm welcome to the dynamic and vibrant metropolitan of Auckland city, filled with a selection of entertainment opportunities for leisure or family travelers! Step into the hype of the Central Business District, the economic heart of Auckland, located on the northern shores of an isthmus on the waterfront of the Waitemata Harbour. With picturesque views of a stretch of coastline, the city is renowned to be one of the most highly populated regions in New Zealand.

Entertainment opportunities are endless! The urban municipality caters to all types of travelers. Delve into the mysteries and enjoy the pursuit of infinite thrill, from adventure parks, wildlife centers and museums to the more serious ventures of a local pub, rock and roll dance clubs and casinos. For all accommodation purposes, make reservations at a hotel in Auckland, one of the best known, Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City. Inclusive of family friendly accommodation and a variety of leisure services, this Auckland hotel will satisfy all guest requirements.

Captivating Melodies of Islamic Music

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Islamic music is a well-established tradition which has acquired a strong following in Muslim countries. In the diverse regions with Muslim populations different styles of music have evolved over the course of time. A popular style is the Nasheed music, which are religious and moral songs featuring different traditional melodies. This music is often performed without backing musical instruments; however some nasheed musicians make use of percussion instruments for accompaniment.

Astute visitors to Qatar may take the opportunity to avail themselves of Doha hotel deals such as those offered by Millennium Hotel Doha, an excellent Doha hotel which offers exemplary accommodations and service.

Exciting Qingdao Nightlife

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There are many nightlife options in the city of Qingdao. People converge on Century Square at night, to talk and enjoy the sea breeze and the night scenes. There are numerous bars and pubs in the city which offer a good selection of cocktails with DJ music and other entertainment. The food lover will enjoy visiting the food streets at night, a unique experience. Shopping at night in the department stores and markets is another enjoyable diversion.
Selective travellers seeking a comfortable Qingdao hotel will be pleased with the Copthorne Hotel Qingdao. This convenient hotel in Qingdao provides all the necessary amenities for a pleasurable stay.

Kuwait Entertainment City – Fun For The Whole Family!

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Bordering Saudi Arabia, Kuwait is an Arab state which has a rich history culture and offers much fun and exploration for the entire family. Located near the shores of the Persian Gulf, this fascinating state is home to a range of attractions and offers a variety of outdoor activities and water sports as well including waterskiing, windsurfing, jet skiing, yachting and scuba diving. While these activities provide countless hours of fun for old and young alike, those looking for a truly memorable family outing can visit Kuwait Entertainment City.

Situated around 20 kms from Kuwait City, this lively theme park is has much thrills, rides and shows for all ages. Opened in 1984, the park is set in an expansive area spanning around one million square metres, amidst lush greenery which offers the perfect setting in which to explore the many attractions on offer here. Also known as ‘Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya’ the park is managed by the Kuwait Touristic Enterprises Company and has different themed areas which feature different rides.

 Those visiting the ‘Arab World’ section can enjoy the attraction known as Gulf Sailing Boats, while ‘Future World’ gives you the chance to experience futuristic styled rides including the Massive Mixer, Desert Storm and the Space Dome. ‘International World’ is a place where one can visit the Australian Gondola, Cowboys Arena and European Cars. Home to a scenic and exotic garden, a lake and a Roman style amphitheatre, the ‘Provincial Garden’ section is also where one can enjoy such rides as The Invaders and The Flying Eagle.

While Kuwait Entertainment City has over 40 different rides, games and shows, among the standout attractions are the City of Thunder and Hurricanes, Fantasy Cinema, Grand Prix, the City of Dreams, Arabian Carousel and the City of Sinbad and Ali Baba and ‘Al-Barq’. Apart from a 4D theatre, the theme park also has a variety of restaurants as well as shops where one can purchase souvenirs.

Travellers to the region looking for hotels in Kuwait that are within easy reach of the air port and the city can stay at Al-Jahra Copthorne Hotel & Resort. This modern hotel also offers a variety of Kuwait hotel specials that gives you more value for money when you stay here.