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Monthly Archives: September 2011

My Romantic Travel   →  2011   →  September
Categories Travel

Maruekhathaiyawan Palace

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


Popularly referred to as “the palace of love and hope”, the Maruekhathaiyawan Palace was built back in the early 1920’s to serve as the summer palace of King Rama VI. A majestic two storied pavilion made of golden teakwood; the palace consists of a long corridor and a series of hall. Although various Hua Hin hotels are available, one can never go wrong by choosing Anantara Hua Hin, Thailand for their accommodation needs. A gem among Hua Hin luxury hotels, the stunning hotel is surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

Categories Uncategorized

The soothing and healing touch of the world famous Polynesian Spa

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


Polynesian spa is a fully fledged spa resort complete with different types of mineral bathing plus a fringe of other exquisite spa facilities and amenities available, all within the magnificent view of the Rotorua Lake. Situated in New Zealand’s north island in Rotorua where the natural bush environment prevails, the spa provides warm mineral bathing at four distinct locations, namely the adults pool, lake spa and Priest’s pool, family spa and private pools. The lake spa is set amidst natural settings amongst New Zealand’s native foliage and the audible hum of cascading waterfalls; while the four rock pools with soft alkaline water of different temperatures allow you to sink into ultimate indulgence and emerge with your skin softened and soothed like never before. One can also drift into a pleasant reverie over an icy cool beverage reclining in the spa lounge gazing into the ravishing Rotorua Lake. The famous acidic water from a mineral spring that was long known to possess healing properties occupies the Priest’s pool while the adult pools lined with marble offer great resting surfaces contain slightly alkaline mineral water.

The family spa and private pools cater to the difference in privacy sought by different individuals. The spa amenities don’t end there. There are a multitude of relaxation therapies, body wraps and massages and therapies that will rejuvenate your mind and body leaving you submerged in total relaxation. Delicious accompaniment in the form of exquisite food items and beverages are not wanting and the Hot Springs Café is the perfect place with the right ambience to treat your tastebuds, or even browse through the net while you are there. Do not forget to drop into the spa essentials gift shop where you can shop for exquisite spa and skin care products or buy a gift voucher for a loved one.

Like the spa, the Millennium Hotel Rotorua also glances into Lake Rotorua and its serene beauty is almost transmitted through the long windows to add attraction to the already glamorous hotel. This four star hotel is also central to the city’s places of interest and the spa is only a casual stroll away. Those looking for Rotorua hotel accommodation will find their requirements satisfied beyond their expectations with the hotel’s lodging arrangements that include fascinating lake view rooms and Classic suites and rooms overlooking the picturesque garden. It is definitely one Rotorua hotel you need to step into while visiting the renowned spa and exploring the beautiful Rotorua town.

Categories Uncategorized

Laxapana Waterfalls, a pristine wonder

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


The island nation of Sri Lanka is blessed with many natural wonders, and some of the most prominent amongst them are the numerous strikingly beautiful waterfalls that are found in the country. Interestingly the country is considered to have the most number of waterfalls per unit area of any nation in the world. Of the 103 streams and rivers in Sri Lanka, many originate in the island’s mountainous hill country and are maintained by the two yearly monsoons which bring an abundance of rainfall.

These rivers and streams gush through the outlying hills and plains, and rushing over the numerous precipices create lovely scenic waterfalls. Some of these wonders of nature are easily seen by the traveller, while others may only be accessed through dense forests and expansive tea plantations.

Sri Lanka’s Laxapana Waterfall is among the tropical island’s most picturesque natural wonders. The location’s pristine scenery and scenic beauty never fail to enthral and delight the visitor.

The 125 m tall waterfall is created by a tributary of the River Kelani known as Maskeliya Oya. Both the fall’s bottom and top are easily reached providing the traveller with sensational panoramic views. The visitor should make it a point to visit the immense flat rock formation found at the fall’s summit. Among the most attractive views offered at the top of the fall is the majestic Saptha Kanya mountain range which never fails to awe and delight. Many visitors choose to camp in the waterfall’s environs and explore the region’s intriguing surroundings. However the visitor should keep in mind that the region’s water level changes greatly due to even slight rainfall. It is important to select a safe location if you desire to swim or bathe in the area.

The visitor to Sri Lanka should take the opportunity to experience the vast natural treasures native to the island nation. The unique flora and fauna of the country may be seen at first hand at one of the island’s attractive nature reserves.

Sri Lanka tours will enable the visitor to make the most of their holiday in the island. The Sri Lanka hotel guide provided by the John Keells Hotels Group, a premier accommodation provider in the nation, will enable visitors to find the accommodation best suited to their needs.

Categories Travel

Doi Luang National Park

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on





Sprawling over three provinces Doi Luang National Park covers three leading watersheds, Payao Lake, The Lao River and The Wang River. The majority of the visitors to the park come to behold the magnificent waterfalls amidst lush greenery. An exemplary out of Chiang rai hotels for the ardent traveller is Anantara Golden Triangle. Offering an array of modern facilities it is one of the finest Chiang Rai resorts.
Categories Travel

Hyde Park

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on

Acres of greenery, well-pruned shrubs, gurgling rivers, trees overflowing with blossoms and fluttering butterflies; the Hyde Park in Central London has all the ingredients for tranquility. Its origin dates back to the 1600s and has been modified over the years. Today it’s a key attraction and is popular throughout England.
Hyde Park rose to fame in the year 1851 when it hosted the Great Exhibition, which was the first in a line of international fairs of culture and industry. Ever since then, it has gradually metamorphosed into a spectacular park, where people laze, lounge and feast. There are designated spots in the large grounds for different activities. The North Eastern end is adorned by the glitzy white marble arch, and just opposite it is the Speakers’ Corner, where mass demonstrations are held and political activists deliver speeches. People pile into solar powered ferries and pedal boats that cruise through the Serpentine River, which ripples in from the West, while some choose to sun bathe, or plunge into the river for a refreshing swim. There are fields where one can engage in an informal game of tap rugger, football, rounders or soft ball cricket. The specially allotted cycle tracks draw heavy numbers to cycle, skateboard and roller blade. The tennis enthusiasts have an entire centre to themselves, where they can even get professional assistance.
Tucked away in the South East of the park is the rose garden, where many varieties of roses, herbaceous plants, bulbs and hellebores are in full bloom. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat from the modern ‘Bar and Kitchen’ on the shores of Serpentine or stroll down to the ‘Meadow Wildlife’, where you will find birds, butterflies and moths dancing on the flowers.
One of the most recent additions to the park is the Diana Memorial Fountain, completed in 2004 in memory of the late Princess of Wales. Sculptured with Cornish granite in the shape of an oval, the fountain is unique in design. Water surges in two directions and meets again in a serene pool and is meant to reflect Princess Diana’s spirited openness and love for children.
London serviced apartments provide a strategic base to facilitate your wanderings around the large metropolis. Ascott London Mayfair is a fully-serviced luxury serviced apartment in London located in the heart of the city’s most exclusive Mayfair district, offering easy accessibility to the area’s most scenic attractions
Categories Travel

Perdana Lake Gardens

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


Think of Kuala Lumpur and the image that springs to mind is of soaring neon-lit skyscrapers interspersed with dignified mosques and temples among teeming throngs of humanity. Malaysia’s capital is a city flush with its commercial prosperity and driving ambitiously ever higher toward greater architectural and economic grandeur. Easy as it is to get caught up in the flashy currents of city life, one must pay due regards to the sprawling city parks which provide a brief respite from its breathless pace.


The Perdana Lake Gardens is the oldest and most popular of these city parks. The 90-hectare grounds which sprawl in a valley around two artificial lakes provide a tranquil oasis where city dwellers come to jog, exercise, boat or indulge in some tai chi. Lying on the fringes of the city, this used to be the area where the elite British colonists built their pleasure homes. Two of these colonial mansions have now been converted into the Carosa Seri Negara, Malaysia’s most exclusive hotel.


Although the main attraction is the Tasik Perdana, or the Premier Lake, where families rent boats for leisurely weekend afternoon paddles, the Panggung Anniversary is also a major draw, being an open theatre for cultural and musical shows. However, these are the least of the park’s attractions. The Orchid Garden housed within the park boasts 800 species of orchids while a small terraced space is devoted to hibiscus (Malaysia’s national flower). The Deer Park is a favourite haunt of the mousedeer, the world’s smallest hoofed species, and spotted deer imported from Holland. Children and insect enthusiasts will delight in the Butterfly Park, home to over 120 species of butterfly whose rainforest environs have been carefully recreated to mirror the insects’ natural habitat. The Bird Park is the largest in Southeast Asia and is the world’s largest walk-in aviary housing more than 3000 migrant and indigenous birds.


Travelers seeking Kuala Lumpur Serviced Apartments or even businessmen looking for corporate housing should find the park quite accessible from the commercial city centers. Located in the KL central business district, adjacent to the Petronas Towers, an Ascott Kuala Lumpur Service Apartment caters to the extended stays of both business and leisure guests who wish for prime access to train stations and cab services that lead to all the city’s major attractions.




Categories Travel

Weekend Getaway in Auckland

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


The city of Auckland is a city that offers a vast wealth of attractions to visit that have increasingly made it a popular tourist destination. With museums, zoos, amusements parks, dining options and more, it’s hard to go wrong when holidaying in Auckland.

For travellers only having the weekend sampling all that the city offers will prove somewhat difficult or impossible. Still, there is plenty that can be visited in the limited span of two days ensuring a rewarding visit.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens is a destination that is ideal for relaxation. Visitors to this destination can indulge in a relaxing stroll amidst a serene locale. Plants in the gardens originate from all around the world creating a strong amount of variety while there is also a visitor’s centre that showcases art pieces relating to botany in addition to a café that offers wide spanning views over the entire area.

The Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki is the largest art institution in all of New Zealand and is well worth a visit when travelling to the city. Visitors will find housed inside, a staggering collection of over 12,000 works that collectively forms a robust artistic portfolio. In addition to the permanent collection, various exhibitions with temporary art from other institutions and contributors are also regularly held here.

For those wanting a slightly faster paced attraction, the Auckland Bridge climb presents a formidable choice. With the help of a tour guide, visitors will embark on a venture that will take them under, around and over the city’s famous bridge. The tour guide will provide insightful information while visitors will also be privy to fabulous views of the city’s skyline. A special bungee spot is also to be found here providing the ultimate thrill.

The Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari takes travellers to the Hauraki Gulf which is one of the leading spots in the world for marine mammals, which includes over 22 species of whales and dolphins. Going on board such a cruise will provide ample opportunity to catch glimpses of these majestic marine mammals.

During a weekend trip, travellers will have to find a suitable hotel in Auckland city for their stay. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City offers a hotel Auckland surrounded by the ever popular Marlborough Sounds.

Categories Travel

Chelsea Flower Show

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


One of the great metropolises of the world, London is a dichotomy of royalist traditionalism and high society meeting modern cosmopolitan commerce. Of the calendar of the city’s social events that annually draw crowds from all over the globe; none blends the aforementioned aspects together as seamlessly as the Chelsea Flower Show.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, or the Great Spring Show as it is officially called, is the red-letter event of the world’s leading horticultural organization, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). This gargantuan enterprise is one of the highlights of London’s social season, being the gardening equivalent of the Milan catwalk shows. It is an event which usually spans five days, the first two permitting attendance only to the members of the RHS and the royal family whose patronage the RHS enjoys. Having been held in an annual tradition spanning 200 years, the exhibition has long been hosted within the 11 acre grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

The cream of the world’s garden designers, landscape artists and nurseries come together to compete for the medals awarded to the best creations and “show gardens” (small delightfully imaginative inspirational gardens), introduce new varieties of flora and revive the appeal of older varieties. The centerpiece of the show is the Grand Pavilion, which is a vibrant floral marquee showcasing the best in horticultural achievement of the most elite names in the world of gardening.

Despite being televised by the BBC and receiving a lot of press, only around 150,000 visitors can be admitted to the show each year due to the limitations of ground capacity and tickets are sold out well in advance. Children under the age of 5 are not admitted. It can take a full day of walking to explore the numerous gardens, so visitors are advised to plan their day ahead of time using the show catalogues which are issued with the tickets, wear comfortable shoes and bring umbrellas in case of rain. Those unlucky enough to miss out can buy the official DVD of the event which is issued by the RHS.
For visitors staying at a luxury serviced apartment in London, especially in the exclusive district of Mayfair, this is the must-not-miss social event of the season. Ascott London Mayfair is highly recommended for seekers of luxury London serviced apartments who wish for prime access to this and many more of the city’s high society events.
Categories Travel

Singapore Night Cruise

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


Singapore, well known for its immaculate and pristine living, has much more to offer the traveller. A veritable mix of nationalities, Singapore is home to a diverse population of Malays, Indians, Chinese and Westerners.

This island nation has also come to be famous for its exquisite dining experience, offering its visitors palatable delicacies from around the world. Furthermore the shopping available is every shopaholic’s dream come true. During recent times Singapore has also been building a name for itself in the art circles, and the rich cultural heritage of the island is being brought more to light.

All these attractions and wonders can be experienced during the day; however a Night Cruise is an experience that the traveller is sure not to forget.

Singapore really comes alive in the night and is renowned for its vibrant nightlife.

There are many kinds of Singapore Night Cruises that can be arranged, ranging from one night to even a week. The type of cruise will depend on the traveller’s convenience and what the traveller wishes to see. The whole experience will definitely include a bumboat ride, scrumptious cuisine, an art work centre and a stroll through the heady quay area with its pulsing night life. If you are a wildlife enthusiast then the Night Safari can also be included in your Night Cruise itinerary.

For the traveller seeking to explore Singapore at leisure and take in the full Night Cruise experience, accommodation at Singapore serviced apartments might be best. If the traveller is looking for a luxury serviced apartment Singapore offers, then the Ascott Singapore Raffles Place with its prime location close to the business, entertainment and cultural areas will be ideal. This opulent serviced residence is geared to give its visitors the ultimate in luxury living. So come experience Singapore in style!

Categories Travel

Christchurch Gondola

by Pushpitha Wijesinghe Posted on


Take in breathtaking sights whilst flying across a scenic and diverse landscape on a Christchurch gondola. Once visitors have taken the full journey on the gondola they will discover why it has become one of the most popular tourist activities in the city.

Upon stepping on to the gondola, visitors will soon be whisked away on a journey taking them up to 500ft above sea level which provides a sprawling 360 degree view of your surroundings. This is made possible by the fact that the gondola car is built with glass right around allowing its passengers to take in the scenery unhindered.

The entire journey takes a total of 6 minutes, but within this time the variety of sights that visitors will take in is quite diverse. The journey on the gondola allows passengers to take in Pegasus Bay, the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura, Banks Peninsula, Lake Ellesmere, Lyttleton Harbour, Canterbury Plains and lastly the Southern Alps.

Your experience does not simply end once your gondola reaches the rim of the extinct volcano known as Mt. Cavendish. High up on the mountain, visitors can indulge in a meal at both The Summit Café and The Pinnacle Restaurant (which also provides stunning views) whilst savouring the fresh mountain air. When done, visitors can head to ‘The Shop at the Top’ which offers a range of souvenirs, novelties and gifts including numerous locally handcrafted works which can serve as the perfect memento of your trip.

The final attraction here is the Heritage Time Tunnel which allows visitors to step back in time and discover the history of the surrounding area including information about the volcano, the Maori people and English settlers.

When exploring the many wonders of the region, travellers will need to find a suitable hotel in Christchurch for their stay. Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Durham Street presents a hotel Christchurch that is centrally located providing an ideal base from which to explore the rest of the city.