Author Archives: Sumaira Narayan

Chengdu International Peach Blossom Festival – The Most Beautiful Spring Festival of Chengdu

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The capital city of the Southern China province of Sichuan is the vibrant city of Chengdu. Considered to be one of the most important economic and transport hubs of that region in China, the city of Chengdu is home to a rich heritage and colorful culture. Chengdu is popular for traditional Chinese art and literature, historic landmarks, museums and parks, and serene scenic beauty.

Chengdu has also been given the title of ‘China’s Peach Homeland’ by China’s State Council. This is because Chengdu is home to as many as 17 million peach trees which bloom during the spring. The blossoming of peaches during the spring in Chengdu is one of the most serene sights the city has to offer, which is why each year the city plays host to the Chengdu International Peach Blossom Festival. The festival is one of the most popular events in the city and is visited by many locals and tourists alike.

Inaugurated in 1987, and sometimes referred to as the Longquan Peach Blossom Festival, the Chengdu International Peach Blossom Festival is usually held during spring time in Chengdu. The festival lasts for about one month and includes various different attractions and events which add diversity and color to this beautiful festival. Of course, the main attraction about the festival is admiring the beauty of the lovely pink peach blossoms covering more trees than you can count. It really is a treat to witness the rows and rows of peach trees all in bloom while enjoying the refreshing weather of the spring.

In addition, the festival is also a time for culture and art, as many local artists and street artists have various art exhibitions and cultural performances. The festival is also a great chance to explore the cuisine of Sichuan as many food vendors offering authentic Sichuan dishes can be found at the festival as well. The festival is also a great way to learn about the history, significance and growing techniques of peaches. This festival is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring festivals or Chengdu and thus is worth a visit.
Located in the heart of Chengdu’s business and commercial district is the M Hotel Chengdu, a stylish luxury Chengdu hotel. Boasting a style reflective of modern sophistication and elegance, this hotel offers tranquil accommodation in 196 spacious and chic rooms and suites. Offering exquisite culinary delights, wellness and fitness facilities, and business and meeting services, this hotel in Chengdu China is ideal for a relaxing stay or business trip.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Joyous Thao Thepkasattri – Thao Sri Suntorn Festival

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Many festivals in Thailand mark an important event in the history of the nation or a cultural highlight, such as a birthday of royalty or the dawn of a new year. The annual Thao Thepkasattri – Thao Sri Suntorn Festival which is celebrated in Phuket is no exception.
This particular event commemorates the heroic deeds of two local sisters, Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sri Suntorn (also identified by the names Khunying Chan and Khunying Muk). According to local legend these two heroines rallied the local forces at a time when the island of Phuket was besieged by Burmese invaders. These events took place more than two centuries ago, but even today are fervently celebrated by the local residents.
The local city organizes many attractive celebrations to mark the occasion, and many foreign visitors to the island make it a point to watch the enthusiastic festivities which include dramatic presentations and sporting events. The celebrations are conducted at the city’s Thalang quarter, where you will see a monument dedicated to the two sisters.
The festivities begin with a number of typically Thai sporting contests. These include games of takraw – which resembles volleyball but in which contact is made with the feet – as well as bicycle races, a mini-marathon and a tug-o-war.
Visitors will be able to watch the elaborate play which is held outdoors and features no less than 700 different actors. This dramatic presentation tells the tale of the heroic siblings and the manner in which they spurred on the local forces to repel the opposing army. If you are in Phuket at the time of the festival you will be able to watch these enthralling celebrations which always captivate the viewer.

Thailand has acquired the status of a major visitor destination, drawing a steady stream of visitors from across the globe. Offering spotless beaches, cultural monuments and exotic nightlife, there is always something to do in the country. The idyllic island of Phuket is regarded as one of the nation’s most attractive tourist destinations.
Visitors who desire a quality Phuket resort will find an appealing choice in the Anantara Phuket Resort Thailand. This attractive Phuket beach resort offers comfortable accommodations with a selection of contemporary amenities.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

The Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival

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Floating away like colorful dreams across the March skies of the paradise island, will be hot air balloons of many colors and shapes during a happy festive time. While those below view the spectacular sight enraptured, the ones on high will be speechless at the vista spread beneath their feet. The Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Sri Lanka, will come alive in its vibrant form in the month of March, when the weather is fine and the sun shines bright all day.

The event, which is organized by Air Magic, which is a leading hot air ballooning company in Sri Lanka, will last for 10 fun-filled days in Colombo, and is visited by many enthusiasts from all across the world. Close to 40 participants from around the world take part in this colorful event, which is gaining popularity in the country now.

The paradise island of Sri Lanka is truly a wonder to behold, and from way up high, her unseen beauty to the explorer of the ground, will be witnessed in its true magnificent form. The route covers historically prominent locations in the country like the great lion rock of Sigiriya, the glorious ancient city of Kandy and the commercial capital of the country, Colombo. Majestic creatures roaming freely in the jungles surrounding Sigiriya will be spotted along with glories of yesteryear that is revealed in ancient ruins atop the great Sigririya rock. The Temple of the Tooth, or the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ will gleam in the sun when hovering over Kandy, while the aesthetically appealing modern structures of Colombo will charm the admirers on top.

For tourists who wish to visit the country for the festival, travelling need not be a major concern with the plethora of Sri Lanka car rental service companies available in the city of Colombo. Reaching the city from the Bandaranaike International Airport hardly takes an hour if you choose to take an airport taxi in Colombo. Sri Lanka being a small country, it can be explored far and wide using rented cars from trusted companies in the country. In a country where the public transport system is still in the developing stage, this option is quite suited to tourists who wish to take the maximum from their holiday in the country, as it helps save time as well. Out of the car rental companies in Sri Lanka, Malkey Rent A Car is a popular and a recommendable one.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Dragon Boat Festival, always thrilling

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The Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore is a spectacular annual event which is conducted at the Bedok Reservoir located in the environs of the city. At this much looked forward to event you will be able to see dragon boat crews hailing from many different parts of the globe vying for supremacy in this prestigious and keenly contested competition. In this demanding sport, teams of 22 strong and powerful rowers strain every sinew to help their teams to achieve victory.

This unique and enthralling sport has its origins in imperial China in ancient times. Like many activities in this part of the world, dragon boating inherits a rich historical heritage. The legend goes that there was once a great minister and poet, Qu Yuan, who lived during the Chinese Chu Kingdom and was renowned for his infallible honesty. Qu Yuan became so distressed by the corruption and dishonesty of the rulers and officials of the governing regime that he flung himself into the river Mei Lo.

It is thought that the rowing motions of the dragon boat crews are derived from the frantic attempts of local fishermen who tried to scare away flesh-eating fishes by striking the water with their oars while they attempted to save his life. According to the story, the fishermen were unsuccessful in their rescue attempt but this story is thought to be the origin of the festival custom of throwing rice dumplings into the river to placate the river spirits.

Today, the sport of dragon boating is a festive and joyful spectacle with much enthusiasm and camaraderie. However, many of the ancient customs have been retained, such as the bathing of each boat’s elaborately decorated dragon head prior to each race.

The sight of many racing teams battling it out for supremacy is truly a mesmeric sight, with the loud chants and aggressive drumming providing an appropriate ambience for this competitive sporting event. Spectators of all ages will be captivated by this distinctive and exciting spectacle.

Affluent visitors who desire a 5 star hotel in Singapore will find an excellent choice in the Sheraton Towers Singapore. This outstanding luxury hotel in Singapore offers quality accommodations and an array of modern amenities.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

UAE Jet ski Race – Taking excitement to a whole new level

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Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly one of the most marvelous emirates of UAE that has something for everyone from fantastic shopping to excellent entertainment. At present, Abu Dhabi is not only a great city but also the center where west meets east. Abu Dhabi is the ideal destination for holidays as it offers daring adventures as well as laid back, relaxing activities.

If you are a water sport lover, you would not want to miss the amazing UAE Jet Ski race that happens in Abu Dhabi annually. It is a competition organized by the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club which was established in the year 1993, in order to put a solid foundation to power boat racing in Abu Dhabi. This amazing Jet Ski event is an international sports contest that supports and encourages the marine sport of Jet Skiing.

The UAE Jet Ski race happens with the participation of more than 80 competitors from around the world. It is a thrilling competition that attracts a large audience to the emirate’s popular Corniche area. The competition is divided into several categories such as Junior Stock, Novice Runabout Stock, Expert Ski Limited, Expert Runabout Stock, Pro Ski GP, Pro Runabout GP and Free Style. This partition allows competitors to compete on different levels. Come to Corniche and witness this exhilarating sport event where the pressure builds up as the championship begins in the early 2014.

With mind blowing stunts and jumps, the UAE Jet Ski Race is an exciting event one must witness live and in person. Looking for accommodation while you stay in Abu Dhabi? Well then there is nothing to worry as accommodation Abu Dhabi is simply endless from five star hotels to private villas and apartments. If you are hoping to reside at a luxurious hotel that will pamper you with ultimate comfort, the Eastern Mangroves,Abu Dhabi is where you should head. This is a hotel in Abu Dhabi that stays true to their star-studded fame. It is a hotel renowned for offering breathtaking experiences to its guests. Head over to this land of wonder and discover the beauty of the eastern world while relaxing and indulging in true comfort.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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2014 Luxury Gift Show – get the best of the lot

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The demand for luxury goods has simply exploded in Abu Dhabi and the region, and the 2014 Luxury Gift Show aims to bring together some of the prime picks of luxurious brands from all major cities such as London, Milan, Paris, and New York. Whilst you are here, ensure you pick one of the five star Abu Dhabi hotels to host your stay, and the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is famed as an excellent choice of the luxury hotels Abu Dhabi features for its visitors.

If you happen to find yourself in the city during the middle of March 2014, the splendid 2014 Luxury Gift Show, unfolding during the 13th-17th at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is a must-visit event, especially if luxury goods form the majority of your personal and professional wardrobe. The luxury goods market has burgeoned in the area, owing to the residents enjoying a high disposable income as oil prices boost the local economy. Many of those who are luxury item appreciators tend to be younger in age, (below 30 years), with a passion for luxury items and the latest electronics items, all status symbols of a wealthy populace. Statistics quote the region as being one of the strongest markets in the world for Burberry products, amongst other luxury goods offerings. So head on over to the 2014 Luxury Gift Show, and pick up some quality branded goods that are perfect for the home and/or office.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Ethnic Li-Miao Festival – The Festival of Love

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One of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Miao and Li ethnic communities of Sanya is the Chinese Valentine’s Day, which falls on March 3, according to the lunar calendar. Witness and participate in the festivities of this famous event, made all the more enjoyable when residing at a luxury hotel in Yunnan such as the Anantara Xishuangbanna. With gracious hospitality and elegant interiors, you will be able to enjoy your time at this quality hotel Yunnan has to offer in the region. Single young people and couples who are unmarried eagerly look forward to the Chinese Valentine’s Day, which is when they will be able to focus their energies on finding a partner, or declare their love for each other. The most populous ethnic group in the region comprise the Li people, who also venerate their ancestors on this day and pray for luck and prosperity to visit them in the following year. During the valentine festival, young people put on their best and most attractive clothing, hold hands and sing all manner of romantic songs, before retreating for a date in a boat-shaped house, which is what all Li houses look like. At dawn, they present each other with a token and promise to meet again the following year. It is a beautiful ceremony that serves as the end piece for a lovely event full of heart and promise.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival: An Unparalleled Event in the Fashion World!

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The city of Shanghai in the Republic of China hosts a series of Festivals, fondly known by those associated with it, as the ‘Four Festivals’. These festivals include the Shanghai Art Festival, the Shanghai Tour Festival, the Shanghai Movie and Television Festival as well as the Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival.

The latter has been conducted for 18 years and was founded in 1995. This festival is organised with the primary focus of promoting the fashion and textile industry of the Republic of China in order to facilitate the influence of Chinese traditions and styles to contemporary art and textiles as well as promote these finished products as serious contenders in the world market. The Festival is well-known worldwide and attracts buyers and enthusiasts from around the globe. One of the most prominent highlights of the entire Festival is the forum conducted by Donghua University which is believed to reach a stunning one hundred million viewers via the press and the internet.

Other attendees who exhibit at the festival include world renowned brands, designers, textile companies and a number of commercial purchasers hailing from over a dozen overseas countries. A multitude of designers also seize the opportunity to display their latest styles and designs for the Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival provides them with the exposure they need to launch their label onto a global platform.

The Fashion show itself is transmitted to a large audience, often live and reaches millions of viewers from all corners of the world. As the Festival attracts a significant number of foreign participants, a quality service apartment Shanghai during this period is scarcely available. Thus it is advisable that bookings of a fitting hotel apartment Shanghai be made as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment. When searching for suitable accommodation in this city, a marvellous recommendation can be made of the Citadines Biyun Shanghai, which is home to180 apart’hotels (as they term it). These dwellings comfortably merge the conveniences of both hotels and apartments. Furnished with impeccable taste, the apart’hotel is equipped with wi-fi zones so as to ensure any designer or purchase visiting the Festival have access to the internet at all times.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Nyepi Festival, a fervent celebration

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The Indonesian festival of Nyepi or traditional New Year is celebrated primarily in the exotic island of Bali. It is primarily a Hindu festivity but non-Hindus conform to the traditional customs as a show of respect for their fellow residents.

Festive customs commence two days before the advent of the new year. On this date many hundreds of persons from each of the villages transport artefacts from temples to the beaches so that they can be ritually purified. People attire themselves in vibrantly coloured clothes and make their way to cheerful processions beginning from the early hours of the morning. Women will carry heaped offerings of prepared rice, fruits and other food on their heads whilst men carry a lengthy sheet of white and yellow cloth which symbolizes God’s Bridge.

On the day prior to Nyepi a number of customs are observed. Villages are cleaned in their entirety, enough food is prepared for two whole days and in the festive evening hours a great deal of noise is intentionally made so as to frighten away demons. Pans and pots are banged, frightening sounds are made and rice is sprinkled on the roads and alleyways. Interestingly effigies of demons and monsters made from papier-mache, cloth and bamboo are carried in procession through the village streets. These demonic figures represent evil and the procession symbolizes the defeat of the forces of evil.

However on the actual day of Nyepi the observances are entirely different. Unlike in other parts of the world where the new year is heralded with revelry and fireworks, in Bali local residents observe a 24 hour abstinence from all physical and worldly activities. Hindus are required to forego the lighting of fires and lights, working, leisure activities and travelling.

After the conclusion of this day of forbearance, the day of Ngembak Geni begins. On this day Balinese go out of their homes to greet friends and relatives, asking for forgiveness for mistakes made in the past. Visitors to Bali will be able to observe these fascinating observances.

Travellers who seek a fine Bali resort will be pleased by the Anantara Seminyak Bali. This fine resort in Bali offers comfortable accommodations and courteous hospitality.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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Dubai International Boat Show – a must attend

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The Dubai International Boat Show 2014 will be held from March 4 to 8, 2014. It is the most prestigious and the largest marine and leisure event in the city. For anyone keen on marine sector, this is indeed a must-attend event.

There will be seven specialist sectors which will be featured in this year’s event, and they range from super yachts, a display in the marina, another outdoor display, equipments and supplies, luxury boating industry, and even the diving and super cars sector.

For those who are in the field of boats and yachts and other marine-related activities, this is an event of great significance to understand the latest trends and products in the market as well as to network and get connected with the wealthy customers in the Middle Eastern region.

Some of the most celebrated and experienced super yacht builders from around the world will be featured at this occasion. Whether it is a large power super yacht or a fishing boat or a sports boat that you would like to get built, or if even have a look at, this is the place to be.

What is more, whether it is fitting a boat with the best of luxury interiors or obtaining an insurance facility, boat builders, interior designers, bankers and insurers that you want to discuss your impending purchase or sale, they have it all covered here at this event. Thus it is a one-stop-shop for both buyers and sellers who are in this industry.

There will also be renowned specialists who are experts on engines or the latest technology or even satellite navigation. There will be experts from all around the world who will be able to answer all your questions and direct you to the right place. What is more, for enthusiastic divers there will be some of the most recent diving gear and equipment and many interactive activities and tips.

For those who plan to visit Dubai to attend this event and looking for accommodation in Dubai, consider checking into the Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, which is a elegant Palm Jumeirah Hotel that offers an excellent location and attentive hospitality.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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