Author Archives: pushpitha

Egg Hunt – Easter in Bali

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As Good Friday and Easter Sunday are public holidays in Indonesia, Bali simply heaves with visitors both local and foreign who come here to enjoy the extraordinary packages offered by hotels and restaurants around the island. Flights from Australia to Jakarta are full to capacity as many try to get to Bali to enjoy the festivities as much as the sun, sea and sand.

Since Bali has had Christian enclaves going back several hundred years there are many Catholic, Protestant and churches of other denominations in many parts of the island. Locals and visitors alike who are desirous of beginning the day with a religious ceremony can attend services both in English and Indonesian at St Francis Xavier Church in Kuta, St Josephs in Denpasar, Lady of All Nations Church in Nusa Dua, the Catholic cathedral in Renon and at the many protestant churches and those of other denominations around the island.

With a large number of visitors on the island, many of whom have come specifically on Easter packages, all the hotels and many restaurants have special Easter programmes. All flights are fully booked weeks in advance for the Easter weekend by people from the mainland and Australia. Easter activities at hotels generally target families with young children.

Traditional entertainment include egg painting, basket decorating, egg hunts, face painting, lucky draws, family egg toss, glitter tattoos, street performers, magic shows, Easter colouring competitions and tug of war. This is followed by Easter Sunday brunch for the whole family with complementary use of hotel facilities for those who are not guests.

Easter egg hunts are even offered by water sports companies who purportedly hide the eggs among the reefs! Some hotels organise a different sort of Easter celebration by taking guests on a trek through a rural area to enjoy egg painting and creating wood sculptures in a local artisan’s studio that can make a beautiful and memorable souvenir, followed by a whole day Easter programme. Christian community organisations also organise free activities such as the special Easter programme in Seminyak Square featuring games for the whole family, street performers and magic shows.

Enjoy sun, sea, sand and glorious sunsets from Anantara Seminyak Bali, the quintessential Bali resort that offers a range of modern, up-market facilities and services. Among which are commodious and luxurious all suite accommodation with gorgeous views, dining venues with well planned and executed menus, yoga classes and specialised spa treatments, a range of onsite leisure options and excursion that promote contacts with local rural cultures. Stay in this popular resort in Bali to enjoy its many unique attributes and have a memorable holiday experience.

Shanghai International Flower Festival – an assortment of colour and beauty

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Celebrated once in every two years, the Shanghai International Flower Festival is one event that must be marked down on your itinerary should you be thinking of heading over to the city in the future. Therefore selecting a serviced apartment in Shanghai to come home to after the event is advisable. With its serviced apartments Shanghai has to offer, Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai would be one of the facilities that can be considered.

Regarded as one of the most important celebrations of Chinese culture, the festival is held at the Changfen Park which sees both locals and tourists in attendance. Showcasing a range of colourful, beautiful and sweet smelling flowers, Shanghai International Flower Festival is one such event that is looked forward to with much enthusiasm. Scheduled to be held between the 01st – 30th of April 2014, the flower festival is sure to attract an even larger gathering than previous times and is a definite must-do if you are holidaying in the area during this time.

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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Singapore Arts Festival – a cultural spectacle

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Organised by the National Arts Council on annual basis, the Singapore Arts Festival is definitely worth checking out for it will offer you an ideal base on which to unearth the country’s extravagant culture and customs. Sheraton Towers Singapore which is luxury hotel in Singapore will afford pleasing accommodation should you require to holiday in the country during the time of this festival. This 5 star hotel in Singapore should be thought of beforehand.
Showcasing the local arts from diverse communities in the country, the festival has been successfully held since its inaugural showing in 1977. From visual arts, dance, music and theatrical acts, the Singapore arts Festival is undoubtedly the place to be at. Bringing a host of international artists to its stage, the event is one of the most attended spectacles in Singapore and a ‘must-do’ for all of you who value the essence of the arts. Adding the latest inventions in modern day technology, this festival represents the vibrant culture for which Singapore continues to leave an impression in the hearts of the global audience.

Team Building Activities – building team spirit for the better

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Organising team building activities is one of the ways in which a business organisation can help aid the growth of its employees. Well known as great learning curves and fun-filled activities, those seeking event planners in Sri Lanka could turn to Nkar Mice. Offering the most sought after of event management Sri Lanka experiences; the team will offer you advice on how to make your event so much better and enjoyable.

From team building exercises, day outings to full day seminars, such are the options made available to corporate. The setting for your programme is one of the important factors that must be given due consideration. Making sure that your employees are comfortable with all the facilities is vital so that you get the best out of everyone who participates. Also having a diverse range of activities on your agenda is a key ingredient in an effort to maintain the interest levels throughout the day. Interactive sessions are fast becoming the trend in modern day team building sessions where great emphasis is given to the active participation of the participants. Having the right type of audio visual equipment will also make sure that your event goes smoothly as planned with less room technical faults. Such are the factors that will enable you to carry out exemplary team building activities for the betterment of your employees who contribute towards the development of your organisation.

 

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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Beijing International Peach Blossom Music Festival

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Springtime in Beijing is a magical time of year, especially in the vibrant Pinggu district, heralded as one of the top ten destinations in the world for lovers of all things floral. Check into a stylish serviced apartment in Beijing, which is the ideal way to soak up the various scents, sights, and sounds that pervade the city during this season. The Somerset ZhongGuanCun Beijing in particular features a centrally located selection of Beijing serviced apartments guaranteed to make any stay in the region unforgettable. Time your visit to coincide with the area’s gorgeous spring, and you will be treated to a heavenly experience when the thousands of peach trees in the Pinggu district burst into bloom. Covering an expansive stretch of about 14,674 hectares, the vibrant peach trees come to life in stunning shades of pink that evokes a fairytale made real. The season also features a fun spring festival during the middle of April that features sports, dancing, folk customs, romantic music, romantic films, which are idyllic accompaniments to soaking in the blissful sights and scents of the majestic peach trees sprouting their delicate blooms for your pleasure.

 

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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Maha Shivarathri Festival – Dedicated to the Creator of the Universe

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An important festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Maha Shivarathri Festival is held on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha Phalguna or Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Plan your Sri Lanka travel during this period when devotees celebrate Lord Shiva’s favourite day.   Jetwing Travels offers Sri Lanka tours all around the year and hence, observing this vibrant festival that falls on a moonless February day should not be a problem. There are many legends surrounding the Maha Shivarathri day. Some say that this day is special to Shiva as this is the day that marks the marriage ceremony of Shiva and Parvati while other state that this is the auspicious day when Lord Shiva performed his “Tandava” dance that led to the ‘Tandava’ that led to the creation, conservation and devastation of the universe. On this holy day, Hindu devotees visit temples to clean the Lingam and offer poojas of milk, cold water, flowers and various food items to honour the Lord Shiva.

 

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+

Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebration in Nuwara Eliya

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Known as “Little England” for its old world colonial charm and cool climate in Sri Lanka’s mountainous central region, Nuwara Eliya is an ideal place to experience the country’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations. Travellers in search of Nuwara Eliya accommodation which to stay at during this festive period can consider Jetwing Warwick Gardens. Featuring Edwardian style Nuwara Eliya bungalows, this idyllic property makes for a great base from which to head off on your travels in Sri Lanka’s hill country.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year takes place in April and this month is one full of traditions and customs that can be enjoyed while in Nuwara Eliya. Festivities kick off on April 1st when a customary ceremony is held featuring bands from local schools. Generally the townspeople take part in a variety of fun games that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. The playing of a traditional drum known as the “rabana”, the cooking of milk rice and the lighting of firecrackers are some of the customs followed during this time. When in Nuwara Eliya during this month you can also enjoy motor racing, golf tournaments and horse racing which takes place in this truly enchanting getaway.

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+

Shanghai Longhua Temple Fair – a period of festivity

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Shanghai’s largest Buddhist Temple, the Longhua Temple, bursts into a bright flurry of festivity, joy, and colour during the third lunar month (April) of each year. If you are visiting the country or the city, witness this air of festivity permeate everything from your flight to stylish serviced apartments Shanghai has to offer all visitors, such as those at the Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai which makes for some excellent accommodation Shanghai. Accompanying the vibrant peach blossoms which burst into life during the spring season, the Longhua Temple emerges with its festival best witness by the colourful lights that decorate the temple interior and exterior, lending the site an enchanting air. Coupled with the enthralling tinkling of the bells, the whole site blooms into a sacred spectacle that lures visitors both local and international. Framing the temple proper are jam-packed stalls that sell all manner of treat, from sizzling snack foods to the most intricately crafted jewellery and trinkets that make ideal souvenirs to take home. Visitors will enjoy strolling through the scenic Longhua Park, which assumes a gentle pink glow on account of the peach blossoms sprinkled across its lawns. You will also be treated to fun events in the form of traditional Chinese choirs, enthralling dance shows, hilarious puppet theatres and more. So pick April as the ideal time to visit Shanghai and join the millions of Chinese citizens as they revel in the beginning of a brand new year.

Festivals in Chennai – always a thrill

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The home of Tamil cinema and the ‘Gateway to the South’, the city of Chennai is one place you just have to come over to. With a range of places to visit, Chennai is an alluring cosmopolitan that will entice beyond your wildest dreams. The festivals of the area that pay tribute to its rich culture is a time of merrymaking colour and joy for all those fortunate enough to be a part of them. A Chennai serviced apartment will be a good choice of accommodation when in the city. Somerset Greenways Chennai which affords serviced apartments Chennai has to offer should be thought of when examining the numerous choices on offer.

Karthikai Deepam which is celebrated on a full moon day between November and December is one of colour and the loudest firecrackers that you would ever come across. Held for a total of ten days in the Tamil calendar of Panguni, Brahmotsavam Festival is where many pilgrims commune in large numbers at the iconic Kapaleeswarar Temple. Pongal is by far the most captivating of festivals that is held in January which lasts three days. Venture out in the streets and witness the locals and how they decorate their homes in elaborate designs that simply mesmeric. The festival also witnesses people offering prayers to the Sun for a bountiful harvest received. A holiday organised within this period will leave you with stories to relate to your loved ones back home. Vinayak Chaturthi is a festivity that honours Lord Ganesh and one may encounter residents chanting the name of the deity while parading the streets carrying idols of one of the most sacred gods of Hinduism. This festival is held during the month of September and is a must see. The Chennai Music and Dance Festival followed by Kanthuri and Mamallapuram are also worth watching out for.

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+

Folk Dances in Maldives – the essence of a unique culture

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The Maldives is undoubtedly an experience that one must discover. From its exciting water based activities, succulent seafood to its absorbing culture, the isles would usher in a mood of complete serenity. Selecting the soothing ambience of a Maldives resort will let you enjoy the company of traditional folk dances. Cocoa Island Maldives which falls under the category of Maldives luxury resorts would serve you well on your travels.

Bodu Beru music is a form of tribal dance that usually occurs during important festivals and in involves the use of hollow coconut wood drums and the singing of folk music. The Bolimalaafath Nesgun dance is where Maldivian women form groups and sing to the beats of music. This practice which was carried out when offerings were made to the Sultan in the past still remains an integral part of the local culture. Performed by men folk, the Dhandi Jehun dance comprises of a lead singer who sings ‘Unbaa’ or ‘Tha’ra’ tunes along with the rest of the 29 members who sing in chorus. Here performers hold three sticks referred to as the ‘Dhandi’. Other forms of dance that one could experience is the Kadhaa Maali folk dance and the Bandiyaa Jehun dance that all have one thing in common; tradition.