Author Archives: pushpitha

Ramadan In Maldives – Observe the Local Customs

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The month of Ramadan is the ninth in the Islamic calendar and is considered holy by all Muslims. Devotees observe a month-long fast where they forego food and water from sunrise to sunset. The end of Ramadan is marked by a large celebration. Ramadan (which is called ‘Roadha Mas’ by the locals) in Maldives is a grand occasion. After all, the Maldives is a Muslim nation, and the festivities take place throughout the month and not just at the end.

Although meant to be a time of spirituality and introspection, there is also a streak of merriment. Inveterate shoppers especially enjoy the season as many shops run sales and offer discounts during the period, tempting locals and tourists alike to make a few purchases. Restaurants run Ramadan-themed menus and even hotels provide special packages during this special season.

However, visiting Maldives during the month of Ramadan does have one drawback. In general, shops, offices and restaurants operate shortened hours with some restaurants only open in the evening – just in time for breaking the fast. The resorts, however, function as usual and one can always grab a bite to eat there. In any case, these changes should hardly inconvenience tourists unless they are visiting Male. It would be better to delay trips to the capital until the evening – the streets which are quite deserted in the morning burst with activity after the sunset.

In 2013, the month of Ramadan will occur from mid-July to mid-August. It is a great time to visit the Maldives as one can learn a lot about the local customs and traditions. That being said, travellers visiting the island during this time should keep in mind that fasting is compulsory on the local Muslims and although foreigners are exempt, it would be considered impolite to eat in public. Tourists can enjoy the local culture at a Maldives resort like the Adaaran Club Rannalhi. This quality example of a Maldives hotel is situated in the South Male’ atoll, along a pristine beach. In addition to various facilities, the hotel provides a series of villas built right over the water. The villas are perfect for visitors who cannot get enough of Maldives’ clear blue waters.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Mid-Autumn Festival – Celebration of Lanterns

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Autumn is regarded as the golden season in Guangzhou. The sunny weather with clear blue skies during the day and moonlit nights is one of the best times of the year that everyone looks forward to. With such wonderful weather and cheerfulness in the air, it is the time for the Mid-Autumn Festival which is celebrated by families that stay up late into the night and enjoy a bite of moon cakes while gazing at the moon shining bright in a clear sky.

There are a number of activities that are part and parcel of this fest. Families together make bamboo lanterns which are then lit up at night. The handmade lantern which is made in diverse shapes of flowers, animals, insects, fruits, places and many more are covered with beautiful and colourful papers. They are all lit up with candles in the night and makes for a truly charming setting. Every household will have these brightly illuminated lamps in front of their house, hung above the main doorways, gates or even on trees. It is believed that these lanterns will bring good luck to the households and some say that the higher the lanterns are fixed the greater the luck they will bring.

One of the main activities during this time is to worship the moon. Especially young children worship the moon and offer incense sticks and various fruits wishing good luck. Another part of the celebrations is to eat river snails which are cooked in herbs. This practice is believed to brighten the eyes of those who eat them.
There are a number of key places in Guangzhou to celebrate these festivities. One such setting is Yuntai Garden, Baiyun also known as White Cloud Mountain which is full of plants and located at a high attitude offering a tranquil setting to watch the sky from. Cultural Park and Yuexiu Park are also two places that people can go to see the lanterns as they remain open until late night. For those who are staying at a Guangzhou serviced apartment it is possible to familiarise oneself with the culture of this city by going to see this festival. Most of the festivities are held close by to serviced apartments Guangzhou such as Ascott IFC Guangzhou.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Mophie Mountain Bikes on Snow – An Enthralling Adventure

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Proving an excellent opportunity for all those in denial that the mountain biking season is over, the Mophie mountain bikes is a great race to witness. The race guarantees thrills and spills to the ardent and extreme sports fans and an adrenaline pumping adventure for the participants.

If you are in for some fascinating action when competitors take out some serious tyres, a killer attitude and some exciting downhill racing on mountain bikes, the Queenstown Winter Festival is the place to be this June. Part of a tradition that started back in 1975, the Queenstown Winter Festival is a hearty affair that marks the beginning of winter in great spirit. Now the festival is the southern hemisphere’s largest winter celebration with street parties, mardi gras festivals, fireworks, family fun and plenty of winter sports of course.

This year the festival will be held from the 21st to the 30th of June 2013. With entertainers from all over New Zealand it’s a brilliant way to welcome winter. Along with the Mophie Mountain Bikes Show, other sports that are practiced here include Vincent Holdings Jet Sprints, Quicksilver Paddle Board Race, Mophie Splash and Dash and the Jelly Belly Bean Boozled.

So if you are in for some exhilarating action, some time out with the family in freezing cold weather, the company of good friends and a host of crazy action, head over to this winter wonderland in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Looking for Queenstown hotel accommodation that will let you enjoy the festivities to your heart’s content? Stay at the Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview and catch the best of the action, as you reside close to the festivities and hop in and out of the convenience of your hotel. This New Zealand Queenstown hotel is a heavenly place to reside in which is surrounded by old world charm and star class grandeur. The rooms are well appointed offering beautiful views of the surrounding lake and the hotel gardens. It is certainly a treat to anyone seeking reasonable accommodation while they explore this amazing city.

So whatever it is that you are waiting for, it can’t be the weather! To splurge in some great winter fun, you know where to be this year!

Wonder Full Light and Water Show – A Mesmerizing Sight

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All those who witness Wonder Full, the amazing light, water and sound show lighting up the skies and water around the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort in Singapore is not going to forget it ever. For 13 spellbinding minutes occurring twice daily and three times a day on Fridays and Saturdays, viewers are getting wowed by this show that has no equal. Not only is this visually beautiful, but this is the first time that lasers, video projectors and other paraphernalia has been used to tell a story so compellingly. Lighting up the 20 ha area around Marina Bay Sands with a sound, light and water show titled “Beacon across the Bay” it is a novel way of encouraging more people to visit the integrated resort.

Based on the song “What a Wonderful World” made famous by Louis Armstrong, Southeast Asia’s newest spectacle is about water and light creating life and thus starts with a drop of water to signify birth and then moves on through the various stages of life to end in a puff of smoke and bubbles. The performance is enacted to the accompaniment of music composed by some of Singapore’s best-known composers and sung by popular singers and played by a 140-piece orchestra.

This multi-media spectacular show uses the most advanced laser vision technology. Equipment used to deliver the spectacle includes 3 huge water screens, 15 high powered lasers, 30 searchlights, 09 high definition video projectors, half a million watts of light, 250,000 LEDS and a fantastic surround sound system that provides clear sound in the open air under any weather condition. “Dramatic in scale and unique in sight” is how this 360-degree attraction has been described. A team of 100 specialists from around the world toiled in the planning and design of the show that took three years to perfect. Original footage for the movies projected onto the water screens was shot in Singapore. Visitors are advised to come early to get a good viewing position for a 180-degree view to appreciate the scale and magnificence of the performance. For those who miss the show, the soundtrack is broadcast live by the radio station of Marina Bay Sands.

Exuding a trendy, hip atmosphere, the Studio M hotel Singapore was purpose-built as a collection of loft style spaces to live and relax in appeals to a diverse range of guests who appreciate the contemporary styling of the premises. Not only does the hotel provide some of the most up to date Singapore Hotel Accommodation but a range of guest services and facilities to suit the whole family. Take advantage of special offers and promotional packages to experience this Singapore Hotel and to enjoy access to some of the city’s major attractions, shopping and entertainment areas.

New Zealand Art Show 2013 – A visual feast of kiwi culture!

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Kiwi art is quite unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before, and every year, local artists come together to showcase their brightest and boldest creations, hopefully for a profit or just for appreciation by peers and art admirers. Visitors to New Zealand should consider contemporary accommodation at a Luxury hotel Queenstown can offer the discerning art appreciator. One quality Queenstown hotel designed to provide modern comfort with elegant interiors is the Millennium Hotel Queenstown. The New Zealand Art Show 2013 will be celebrating ten years of spotlight kiwi art during July 26-28 so free up your calendar for a truly unique experience. The art show is the perfect venue to find original creative works by local artists who have used a wide variety of media and techniques to bring their ideas to life. The art show aims to spotlight new and emerging artists, whose works are affordable (the show’s website lists nothing above the price of NZD 5,000), which means that every visitor will be able to take home some intriguing conversation feature or snazzy coffee table ornament. The largest exhibition of its kind, the art show unfurls in a very spirited and inspiring setting. Annual visitors number in the ten thousands, so any emerging artist should be excited at the vast audiences that her or his pieces will reach. Applications are still being taken for artists to feature their art, so any local kiwi artists still have time to comb their portfolio and present a few choice pieces for exhibition. Any arts enthusiast will love the budding array of splendid talent featured at this year’s New Zealand Art Show, which is a must-experience when visiting the country during the summer.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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The Qasr al Hosn Festival

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The Qasr al Hosn festival is a celebration of the iconic building, the Qasr al Hosn that embodies the spirit of Abu Dhabi and the country’s rich Emirati culture and heritage. There is an array of events lined up for this festival including performances, exhibitions and numerous other activities. This 10 day spectacle has a large audience every year including visitors from all parts of the globe who truly love the colourful festivities.

The festival also stands a remembrance of the culturally rich golden years of Abu Dhabi. It is a great showcase for local talent and skills of the current society. 1000 years of grand history is proudly displayed in an open air theatre through musical performances, dance routines and enactments. Enchanting theatrical performances recite the fascinating story of Abu Dhabi.

The main show sees all the groups performing together to create a vibrant show not to be missed. The Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation will host a talk series that runs three days during the festival in English and Arabic hosted by a range of experts covering many topics including the history of the Qasr al Hosn fort, the nation and its people.

Giving importance to the forts historical significance, the Qasr al Hosn exhibition features a collection of video memories and artifacts that depict the history of the nation. It’s the perfect time and place to take a journey through Abu Dhabi’s history. Festival attendees can also purchase various merchandise from souvenirs to local arts and crafts at the premise and indulge in some local cuisine at the traditional restaurants set up within the premise.

Additionally while you attend the vibrant festivities, reside at a Luxury Hotels Abu Dhabi that stands true to authentic Emirati hospitality. Among other Abu Dhabi Hotels that provide a luxurious stay the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara stands out in style and elegance. Indulge in impeccable service standards and mouthwatering cuisine while you associate Abu Dhabi’s proud heritage. After all, what better way to celebrate Abu Dhabi’s rich culture, than by experiencing its authentic hospitality in five star luxury.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Accession Day – Abu Dhabi’s celebration of Sheikh Zayed

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The emirate of Abu Dhabi is a splendid cultural landmark in the Arabian landscape that spans the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Visitors looking to soak up the spectacular offerings of this desert oasis have a choice selection of Abu Dhabi beach hotels to indulge in. A fine Abu Dhabi resort that promises to truly pamper its guests in the spirit of desert hospitality is the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. This elegant property’s exclusive interiors and stylish amenities promise an Arabian fantasy experience to rival none other. Accession Day is a holiday of rampant celebration and joy in Abu Dhabi. It commemorates the dawn of a new epoch, when Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan overthrew his brother in a bloodless palace coup on August 6, 1966, to assume the throne of the UAE in Abu Dhabi, the country’s main emirate. In 1971, Sheikh Zayed became president of Abu Dhabi and held the post until his death in 2004. The ruling Sheikh was regarded to be an economic visionary, who completely transformed Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape during his tenure as the country’s ruler. His reign was marked by reform in pursuit of a liberalized state and he poured much of the country’s wealth into developing its schools, infrastructure and economy. He promoted the popularity of sports among the country’s youth, both men and women. The media was also allowed a large measure of freedom of expression, an unusual feature in an Islamic nation, although it could not criticise the sheikh or his family directly. But to celebrate Sheikh Zayed’s rule, Abu Dhabi explodes into a celebrational whirlwind that lasts for about a week. Many public and private institutions undertake preparations more than a month beforehand to showcase the Sheikh in all manner of vibrancy and colour. Multi-hued trails of fireworks light up Abu Dhabi’s skyline each night in joyful commemoration. Traditional concerts and dances featuring the best talent celebrate the historical figure and his reign. The locals take to the streets in traditional attire, and the vehicles bear the national flag. TV channels feature numerous specials about the day, the figure and the country that was irrevocably changed for the better because of him. Every August 6, Abu Dhabi lets fly its national colours on Accession Day, a fine tribute to the country’s greatest leader.

American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2013 – Winter Wonderland

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39 glorious years before an attempt that a few jolly men took to celebrate the dawn of winter, has turned in to a massive affair now that sees Queenstown coming alive each year with good cheer and celebration. What were then, races on snow have turned in to exhilarating mountain riding; candy bars that were served back then have developed in to stalls and stalls of gourmet cuisine and the small performances in to fascinating concerts. If you are in Queenstown this June, a not to be missed experience would be the Winter Games 2013, when this beautiful town surrounded by natural splendor comes alive with an exciting celebration, attracting thousands of people to the town.

Surrounded by beautiful mountains on both sides and the Lake Wakatipu that flows through the town, this famous landmark offers truly heavenly scenery as winter dawns. With white slopes and clear blue skies, the view puts a picture postcard to shame. 151 years after the town was born in 1860 as a gold mining camp, it has a sophisticated downtown area surrounded by a picturesque bay.

The breathtaking snow areas cater to any level of a skier and snowboarder from amateurs to veterans. Whether you are a thrill seeker, who cannot resist adrenaline pumping snowboarding down snowy hills, or whether you merely want to relax playing a game of golf or even if you want to indulge in a spa treatment keeping your worries at bay, this beautiful town has it all covered all year around. What better excuse to head over to Queenstown but this amazing festival, when the whole city is abuzz with excitement surrounding the festivities.

If you are on the lookout for a Queenstown Hotel to call your home while you join in the festivities, book in to the Millennium Hotel Queenstown. This luxury hotel Queenstown is a heaven to reside in while you explore this glorious country side and welcome winter in style. With their impeccable service standards and luxurious ambience, it is the perfect place to cuddle up during winter. So come along and join in the fun, excitement and good cheer at the American Express Winter Festival in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Waiheke Winter Arts Festival

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Getting bigger and better every year the Waiheke Winter Arts Festival will be held this year too in grand festivities in June. This year’s show will showcase new artists and new segments expanding the show’s horizons even further. Although Waiheke is a small community on a beautiful island it gives great focus to arts and crafts and has several studios featuring veterans and amateurs.

The Queen’s birthday has been chosen as the best time this year to commence the arts festival. A wine and cheese event will be held at the end of the festival along with an auction of boxes painted by the artists themselves. Established in 1995 the Waiheke art gallery is dedicated to supporting the visual arts within the island. Managed by a volunteer committee the festival survives on sponsorships, grants and sale of works by the exhibitors. There is a small gallery that features glass, ceramics and paintings from all over New Zealand. Waiheke Winter Arts Festival is one of 32 events held every year by the gallery. Local and international artists take part in this festival. This year’s event will feature 29 artists who will showcase their work at studios and the Waiheke art gallery.

The tickets have been priced at $10 and the first 200 people to buy tickets will be gifted with a gorgeous ceramic medallion. The festival will run for 3 days from the 1st of June to the 3rd of June. Students and young adults under 18 walk in free. Whether you are new to being a lover of art or an ardent supporter of beautiful work, you are sure to love this colourful event and the rich display of art.

Looking for a place to reside in while you attend the festivities? There are plenty of Auckland city hotel scattered around the city that provide comfortable yet reasonable accommodation. A central Auckland hotel that puts you within arm’s length of most attractions is the Copthorne Hotel Auckland City. This gorgeous hotel offers amazing views of the city from their well-appointed rooms while pampering you with world class service standards and state-of-the-art facilities within its luxurious ambience.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Jakarta Fair – A celebration of Indonesia

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The Indonesian capital forms a lively part of the country’s landscape and for a few nights each year, the Jakarta Fair captures the city’s vibrant culture in one central location. For a true experience of warm island hospitality, check into one of the city’s fine Jakarta serviced apartments. If visitors want an unforgettable experience of short stay accommodation Jakarta offers a few select options, such as the Ascott Jakarta, whose stylish interiors and modern amenities make it an ideal choice for business and leisure visits. Formed to commemorate the anniversary of Jakarta, the Jakarta Fair is the brainchild of Governor Ali Sadikin in 1967, who wanted to combine several of the city’s night markets into one. It is modeled after the Pasar Gambir events held during the country’s colonized Dutch era and has incorporated those yesteryear entertainment and trade exhibitions into its structure. Since the fair’s inception, it has become a part of the city’s anniversary celebrations each year. It is an exciting month-long celebration of everything local, unique and ultimately Indonesian, as expressed through music, dance, exhibitions, trade promotions, shows, amusement rides, and of course, delicious food. The fairs sees aspects of Indonesian culture fly in from all parts of the country, each show-casing their own brand of eclectic Indonesia. The longest fair was in 1968, and the celebrations went on for 71 days. One of the most memorable was the fair in 1969, which saw US president Richard Nixon as its VIP guest. To accommodate its popularity and subsequent growth in size, the fair was moved to the Jakarta International Expo in 1992, where it has delighted visitors from across the land and around the world, as they all come together to celebrate Indonesia’s finest cultural offerings.