Predicted to become one of the top tourist destinations, the strikingly unique Saadiyat Island is bound to mesmerize any first time visitor! A traveler enjoying the exceptional level of accommodation Abu Dhabi, specially at a hotel in Abu Dhabi such as Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa By Anantara cannot afford to miss a visit to the one of a kind attraction, Saadiyat Island. Get an insight into the plans for this marvelous destination with a visit to Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition. Tracing the plans for a maritime museum, performing arts centre, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum, the exhibition highlights how the Cultural District will become the most expansive single concentration of premier cultural institutions in the world. Thanuja Silva is …

Indulge in a Bangkok Cruise Tour to get a unique perspective of the city. Bangkok Cruises offered by Anantara Cruises are a popular choice in this regard. When in the city, a visitor cannot afford to miss the chance to experience its unique festivals. Celebrated throughout Laos and northeast Thailand by ethnic Lao people, the Rocket Festival customarily features musicians, dancers, competitive processions of floats, other performances and more. Home-made rockets are fired competitively on the third day of the festival. The gigantic skyrockets are part of this custom. These skyrockets are basically large black-powder bottle rockets. Traditionally the rockets are made from bamboo bongs.

Music makes everyone lose control. Be it babies or bold tattooed muscle men, it can get anyone’s feet tapping, hips swaying and mouth unconsciously singing along known and unknown melodies, making up words as you go along. Almost everybody has their favourite song; a tune that gives them goose bumps, lets you relive memories, wipes away the ones you want to forget making you feel very much at ease. The Timbre Rock & Roots festival celebrates all of these and more. A 2 day event held in Singapore, it features some of the biggest names in the music industry. Even Grammy Award nominees have performed at this festival and famous artists include The Fray, Imogen Heap, Wind & Fire, Bob Dylan, Buena Vista Social Club …

Vesak is a holy day for millions of Buddhist around the world as it commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and ‘parinirvana’ or passing away. The exact day of the festival varies according to the lunar calendars of various cultures but in Theravada Buddhist countries following the Buddhist Calendar it generally falls on a full moon day on the 6th lunar month which is usually in May. The name Vesak itself is a derivative of the name for the lunar month occurring from April to May. Although festivals to mark Vesak had been taking place for several centuries, the decision to celebrate Vesak worldwide as Buddha’s birthday was taken at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950. The …

Though Maldives depends on its neighbours for most basic necessities such as food and drinking water, the nation of many islands has an abundance of scenic venues, transcending beaches and bountiful natural formations. In spite of its tiny dimensions, the many atolls are full of activity, customs and culture. To witness the splendour of the chain of islands, a fair amount of jet sitting or boat riding is required as there are no bridges between them. Being a predominantly Islamic nation, the various religious rituals and celebrations pertaining to Islam are practiced widely throughout the country. The father of the religion, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is a day of celebration, happiness and much festivities in the country. As per the religious calendar, the much awaited day …

The Maldives joins all other Islamic nations in the world to commemorate Eid ul Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, in honour of prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to show obedience to god. It is also a commemoration of the end of the Haj. Fifteen mosques in Male, Hulhumale and Vilingili are designated to conduct special Eid prayers. The Eid Adha is performed any time after sun rise, before the Zuhr time on the 10th day of the Dhul Hijjah according to the Muslim calendar, around the middle of October, and lasts for four days. Goats and sheep are sacrificed as god accepted a sheep in the place of Ishmael. As worshippers are encouraged to turn out in their best for Eid …