Author Archives: pushpitha

Sultan Camel Race – The race of the camels

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A major highlight of Omani culture is the Sultan’s Camel race which is fast becoming a popular attraction for all those who happen to pay a visit to the country. Held at the Royal Camel Corps racetrack in Al Falaji, this year’s event witnessed large crowds of fans present to cheer their favourite camel along. Choose a Muscat hotel to stay at before when planning a trip to the races. The Millennium Resort Mussanah with its unsurpassed level of service will prove to be the best choice of accommodation an Oman Muscat hotel can offer.

Presided over by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, the race captured 176 of the finest Omani camels who raced against each other during 6 rounds of pure action and excitement. The closing ceremony showcased the Bedouin lifestyle and rich tradition through a variety of camel beauty pageants, Ardha running and heritage shows.

Longevity Culture Festival – Life Beyond 100 Years!

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China is a country that has so much cultural and ethnicity in everything that surrounds it. At almost any time of the year you can see some sort of cultural celebration that is happening there. China, the most populated country in the world, sets aside a fine set of tourist attractions each and every year. Some of their very unique festivals are the DuanWu Festival, which is a series of dragon boat races and where a traditional dish, Zongi is served; also the End of the Earth Moon Happy Festival which is an event that has folk singing, folk dancing and a host of other competitions.

A truly unique event that China hosts is the Longevity Culture Festival in the region of Sanya. The event is celebrated by the Mount Nanshan once in two years in the lunar month of September. It hosts a range of cultural activities and seminars on culture for senior locals and tourists to participate in. It invites seniors to take participate in the painting, rock climbing, hiking and a range of other activities. These activities happen over a week which is referred to as the ‘Double Night Festival.’ This is done because the Chinese region, Sanya is said to have the longest life expectancy in China. This is an event that is open for people over the age of 100. They are the ones who are involved in all the activities that surround the Longevity Culture Festival. Now isn’t that fascinating?

The celebration now carried out mainly to promote tourism throughout the land in terms of the development of the elderly populous. It aims to carry forward the cultural aspects of the country, teaching people what China is really all about. Resorts are a great place to stay so look for a resort in Sanya that offers great comfort. A Sanya resort such as the Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa is a true gem. The Longevity Culture Festival is one that is rich in promoting culture and history. While it is no secret that Chinese are known for their strength and endurance, this festival of citizens that features persons over a 100 years of age, is truly amazing!

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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Oman Office Show 2013 – Work in style

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The Oman Office Show is an international event that takes place to showcase high-end products, technology and services that are required to create an excellent working environment. This remarkable show features the latest products, cutting edge trends and concepts in office designing by professionals of the industry.

The Oman Office Show 2013, organised by the “Global Exhibitions and Conferences” will be held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre Muscat from the 16th to 18th of September. Located in the vicinity of the Muscat International Airport, the Oman International Centre is quiet easy to find.

This amazing exhibition is a perfect platform to meet local and international designers, to check out new arrivals in products and of course to purchase deals to export or import. This also creates great business opportunities for buyers and will help to find agents and distributors while updating you on the latest projects in the country.

The main aim of the exhibition is to bring the world’s leading suppliers of materials, equipment and services under one roof. By bringing together the world’s top names in office designs the show will exhibit an inclusive mix of products from interior designs and outfits like ceiling materials, flooring materials, furniture, lights, shop fittings, wall coverings to office products and office environment solutions like audiovisual equipment, business software, computers, IT solutions, security solutions, stationeries and many more.

The Oman Office Show 2013 will also pay great attention to the promotion and marketing sections as they act to ensure that the exhibitors and sponsors get good marketing exposure.

Muscat is the capital of the country and the country is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. When you are on the lookout for accommodation in the area, choosing an Oman beach resort will be ideal as Oman is famed for its soft sandy beaches. A good choice would be a stay at the famous Millennium Resort Mussanah which offers a wonderful experience for travellers within their meticulously designed premises. This Oman Muscat hotel provides top quality amenities and facilities giving you a breathtaking stay. Do head over to the area and gather memories for a lifetime whether you are on business or on holiday.

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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Mongkok District – Join in the madness

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Something new, something old and something borrowed is what you will witness when you explore the culture of this overcrowded, old coastal region of Mongkok. Situated in the Yau Tsim Mong district in the Kowloon peninsula in Hong Kong, this small town is among the most densely populated cities in the world and rightly identified by the Guinness World Records as the busiest town in the world.

Over the years Mongkok has seen a significant change in its setting. Argyle Street is the heart of present day Mongkok. The city is well known for preserving its traditional characteristics. There is an array of small shops and food stalls that have stayed the same, although not far away from these, modern day shopping malls have been built in the recent past. There are some interesting nick names that these traditional streets have acquired over the years mainly owing to what each street sells. For an example the ‘Ladies Street ‘specialises in women’s clothing, although there are also a few traditional food stalls selling everything from fresh veggies to authentic seafood and noodles. There are several other streets such as Tempe Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South that have preserved the old culture of street selling.

Interestingly there is a road called the Sneakers Street that sells sports goods and one called the Flower Market Road that sells houseplants. Tile Street, as the name suggests sells floor tiles and building material such as wall paper and Photocopy Street true to its name has a row of communication shops that do some serious photocopying for students of the schools nearby. Portland Street is a popular red light district.
While you are in Mongkok try the food booths that sell traditional snacks such as various dim sum and fish balls that most enjoy as finger food while they rush by attending to chores in this busy city. While you explore this colourful city, stay at a hotel in Kowloon that shields you from the overwhelming streets. Among Mongkok hotels a unique hotel that offers style, class and comfort while also putting you within easy reach of the chaos and many of the attractions is the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok.

Vietnam National Day: ‘Ngay Quoc Khanh’

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The 18th and 19th centuries witnessed some of the greatest explorations instigated by the then euro centric world that eventually gave rise to the British and French empires as each state attempted to explore and conquer as many states as possible. With the rapid expansion of these empires, more than one third of the globe experienced colonial rule for at least a century. However, the intervention from the United Nations and the financial setbacks experienced during the world wars resulted in many of these colonies receiving independence from their colonial rulers and the day in which this independence was received was known as their Independence Day or National Day.
Vietnam’s National Day falls on the 2nd of September which honours the Vietnam Declaration of Independence in 1945 as they celebrate their liberation from the French colonial rule. Known as ‘Ngay Quoc Khanh’ in Vietnamese, the struggle leading to independence was difficult and filled with turmoil. During the Second World War, the state was also controlled by the Japanese and the confusion between the two powers created a platform upon which a struggle for independence, termed the August Revolution, was launched. This struggle finally culminated in liberation from colonial powers as the state emerged from a subjugated rule under the new name of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.


Henceforth, the 2nd of September was declared a Public and Bank holiday and on this day, Vietnam revels in the momentous occasion of every citizen coming together and celebrating their independence. The streets are lined with the national flags and the national colours of red and yellow are seen adorning buildings, houses and streets while the Vietnamese celebrate this joyous event by lighting firecrackers and organising a National Day march in the Ba Dinh Square.

For those who are staying at a Vietnam hotel during this time, most often they would be immersed in this joyous celebration and witness the spirit of the Vietnamese first hand while those who opt to stay at a resort in Mui Ne, may have to make their way to the closest city in order to partake in the festivities. For those who wish to detach themselves from the rest of the world, make your way to Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa and enjoy absolute luxury and comfort during your stay in Vietnam.

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+

Manchester Pride 2013 – A Colourful Celebration

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The Manchester Pride is an annual festival that celebrates gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual life. The festival has been held for many years, although it only started to gather steam in 2003. Since then, the event has raised over one million pounds for a variety of charitable causes. It is a fun, energetic event and all those who happen to be in the region should try to attend it.

In 2013, the festival will last eight days. As usual, the annual event will feature the Big Weekend and a colourful parade (on the twenty fourth of August). One need not purchase tickets to watch the parade as it is open to everyone. This year’s parade theme is ‘Acceptable in the 80s?’, and will focus on LGBT rights and HIV activism as well as the decade’s iconic films, fashions, television and music. One can check out a parade route map on the event’s official website to find the best places to view the show. Those interested can even apply to take part in the parade itself, regardless of orientation.

The Big Weekend will last five days from the twenty third to the twenty sixth of August. The weekend will be jam-packed with parties and musical events. On these days, visitors will be able to enjoy the hottest DJs and the most popular musicians on the planet. Taking place at Manchester’s Gay Village, the Big Weekend is the long and exhilarating climax to the Manchester Pride. The Gay Village is renowned for its nightclubs and bars, and all party lovers are sure to enjoy the energetic vibe here.

Those planning a tour around the UK should consider acquiring accommodation at a renowned hotel chain such as the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK. Not only does this assure the same facilities and standard of service, it also gives travellers something familiar to look forward to in a new place. Their chain of 4 star UK hotels come with all the latest modern amenities and boast central locations, reducing the distances that guests have to travel. One can also take advantage of the UK hotel specials found on their website to make the most of one’s vacation.

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+

British Science Festival 2013 – Enter the world of science

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The British Science Festival is an annual event that occurs in a different city and is regarded as one of Europe’s biggest science and technology as well as engineering exhibitions. The previous festivals have been held in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, York, Guildford and Aberdeen while this year’s festival will be taking place in Newcastle from the 7th to the 12th of September.

Held since 1831, the event has brought together many scientists. With over 250 events, the British Science Festival has something for everyone, be it families, adults, school groups or even professionals looking to learn about the latest research and engage in debates.
Just because it is a scientific festival doesn’t mean that there is no entertainment or fun. The SciScreen all-night film show is organised exclusively for adults and provides a night of science themed movies from classics to cults. There will also be experiments conducted by the University of Newcastle which audiences can be part of. The Electromagnetic Pulse lets you have a different party experience where nightclub meets crazy science. Dramas such as Edison and Swan as well as events like Ugly Animal Preservation Society will have you gasping for breath.

Families also have their share of fun planned with unique experiences such as a science sleepover in a museum as well as science superheroes. You can learn about freaky food and try your hand at walking on the custard. Newcastle University and Northumbria University will also let visitors have a behind-the-scenes peek on the experiments and research they are working on.

Professionals can be a part of seminars and debates on topics such as the role of science in the growth of a future city, 21st century transport and many others. A few of the famous faces include George Davey-Smith, Tim Spector and Iain Stewart.

Most of the events are drop in events but some require pre booking and tickets can be ordered online. Since there will be a lot of events taking place simultaneously, planning your schedule in advance will ensure that you attend your favourite ones. Staying at 4 Star Hotels in England or actually in Newcastle itself will prove extremely convenient. Numerous 4 star UK hotels can be easily found in the vicinity. In fact Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK has an establishment in Newcastle.

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+

International Kite Festival in Thailand – A colourful spectacle

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The festival which is organised in Cha-am City, Hua Hin is one of the most sought after attractions where visitors can witness the pomp and pageantry of local and international kite designs. The ‘Chula’ and ‘Pakpao’ are the two variants of kites that are part of the competition. Out of the Hua Hin hotels on offer, Anantara Hua Hin Thailand Resort with its well furnished suites and tropical gardens will be the perfect place for you to experience the best of beach hotels Hua Hin Thailand.

A highlight of the festival is the competition that takes place between the Chula and Pakpao teams. The objective is to drag your opponent’s kites to your territory. Capture the finest of kite flyers from the world commune at the festival to put their skill levels to the test. A number of exhibitions and souvenir stalls further add to the glamour and excitement.

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+

Kiep Bac Festival in Vietnam – The colours of tradition

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Kiep Bac is a scenic village in Vietnam, a dream like valley surrounded by green mountains and canopies of white mist. This place is mostly known for its association with national hero Tran Hung Dao. He used Kiep Bac as his hideout during the 13th century. Vietnam’s supreme commander during the Tran Dynasty, Dao is acclaimed for his military tactics and has won victories against the likes of Kublai Khan. Because of such feats as well as his loyalty, humbleness and simple qualities, he is considered a saint and worshipped by many Vietnamese.

The Kiep Bac Temple is a place of worship for those who want to pray to Tran Hung Dao. In fact the temple has a festival occurring on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month and a pilgrimage to the temple during this time is a centuries old Vietnamese tradition that still continues with the same kind of participation.
The temple was built during the 14th century and holds bronze statues of Tran Hung Dao and his family including his wife and two daughters as well as his four sons. After the main festival the commander’s ancestral tablet is brought out on a golden procession chair and taken towards the river with much grandeur and celebration. On reaching the river, the tablet is placed on a royal barrage and after a procession and ceremonies that last for more than two hours the tablet is brought back to the temple.

A key element of the festival is also the boat race. Boats shoot through the once calm waters of the lake, urged by the pounding beats of drums and the encouraging cheers of those watching. Fighting a battle of their own, they recreate an atmosphere of the battles fought by the supreme commander.

As one of Vietnam’s oldest festivals, the Kiep Bac Festival attracts hordes of tourists and locals every year. Accommodation can be arranged for visitors at any of the luxury hotels in the vicinity. Owing to the natural beauty and cultural importance of Kiep Bac and its surrounding areas, there are plenty of luxury hotel resorts to choose from. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas seems to be the most preferred option though.

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+

Camel Racing in Abu Dhabi – An interesting affair

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Popular is an understatement to use for camel racing in Abu Dhabi. UAE known for its veneration for these magnificent creatures prepares in great festivity to witness these ships of the deserts compete against each other in these highly competitive races. As many tourists from all parts of the world trickle in to catch a glimpse of this extraordinary event, it is always wise to reserve a suitable Abu Dhabi city hotel well in advance of your trip here. One of the most preferred Abu Dhabi hotels located in the region is the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi known for its generous service as well as the ultimate Arabian charm it exercised upon its guests. Loved and cherished by the Emiratis, 5the camel is a symbol of protection, food and friendship during hard times. The Al Wathba Camel Race Track is the place to catch the action where the camels compete against one another in an epic battle of the hooves. Make sure you pack several bottles of water when visiting the arena as the excitement coupled together with the desert heat is bound to drain you quite easily.

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+