Author Archives: Auburn Silver

About Auburn Silver

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Skydive Dubai – A Bird’s Eye View of Dubai

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The United Arab Emirates is composed of seven emirates. Of these, Dubai is probably the most well-known. Home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Dubai Fountain, which is the biggest dancing fountain on the planet; Dubai is a place full of wondrous things to see. It is also less conservative than its neighbouring Arab countries and is home to a much more diverse populace. For these and many other reasons, Dubai has become a highly popular tourist destination.

Not only does the emirate offer a myriad of attractions to visit, it also has an immense list of things to do. One can lounge on the beach or try out various water sports; explore the emirate’s waterfalls and freshwater lakes; pass the day playing football or some other sport in one of the many parks found in the emirate; attend the camel races; go on a desert safari; ski or snowboard along a giant indoor slope; go for a hot air balloon ride or skydiving. The list goes on.

In recent times skydiving, or parachuting as it is sometimes known, has become a highly popular activity in Dubai. Skydiving is an extreme sport and involves jumping out of a plane with just a parachute to prevent jumpers from crashing into the ground. It is the ideal option for daredevils and thrill seekers. While some jumps take place over the desert, there are certain places that conduct jumps over the city, providing a thrilling perspective of Dubai. No experience is required as first time jumpers usually do a tandem jump (where two people are strapped together) with a trained professional.

Travellers planning on taking a tour of the Middle East region can save themselves a lot of hassle by booking accommodation with a hotel chain like Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East which has a range of Middle East hotels. They have a range of Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and UAE hotels, that enjoy convenient locations and provide high standards of service. Those planning on travelling across the region can do so knowing that there is always a place to call home.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Racing Museum – Hong Kong’s Home for Horse Racing

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The Hong Kong Racing Museum is a museum that opened at the Happy Valley Racing Course in 1996. It is currently situated at the Happy Valley Stand building, right on the second floor. The museum contains four permanent galleries. ‘The Origin of Our Horses’ exhibit charts the journey of horses to the island from the northern regions of China. The ‘Shaping Sha Tin’ exhibit is about the Sha Tin Racecourse. The exhibit depicts the history of its construction and includes a variety of interesting information about the racecourse.

At the ‘Understanding Horses’ exhibit one can find the skeleton of Silver Lining, a famous horse that became the Hong Kong Champion three times. The final gallery is called ‘Thematic Exhibitions’. This is where visitors can go to learn more about the Jockey Club, including its origins and other interesting trivia. Charitable projects adopted by the HK Jockey Club Charities Trust can also be found on display here. In addition to the galleries, the museum also houses a well-stocked souvenir shop and an excellent cinema.

There are other galleries on display here as well. The racing museum is not just for horse enthusiasts, but can be enjoyed by all. The museum is closed on all Mondays; otherwise it is open throughout the week between 10 am and 5 pm. For group visits one should send in an application in advance. As the racecourse is such a prominent destination, it is quite easy to access using the city’s excellent public transport system.

Hong Kong, which means ‘fragrant harbour’, is a Special Administrative Region of China but feels like an entirely different country. Although the culture is definitely Oriental, long years of British rule have also made it one of the most westernised parts of China. It is a highly popular tourist destination offering visitors a myriad of things to do. Attractions include numerous museums, parks and temples, like the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Those planning on visiting the island and are on the lookout for good Hong Kong Kowloon Hotel can try the Eaton Hotel Hong Kong. The Hotel in Jordan Hong Kongenjoys a central location and is ideal for both business and leisure travellers.

Food for Thought – Pilates in Ubud

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Ubud the cultural centre of Bali with its terraced rice fields, quiet villages, forested hills, rivers and green valleys, provides a stimulating backdrop for many outdoor activities and attracts those seeking physical and mental rejuvenation through Pilates and yoga. Ubud is also well known for traditional Balinese wellness treatments and spiritual healing both of which seem to blend well with the teaching of Pilates which seeks to calm the mind and stimulate the senses through whole body workouts.

Most Ubud Pilates studios promise secluded sanctuaries, intimate, private and unique spaces in which to master this art of physical and spiritual harmony. Pilates here is not about harsh workouts and deprivation programs of any sort. It is all about celebrating life and embracing healthy living. Working out on a mat, using various props, students are taken through a series of controlled movements, using body weight as resistance. Apparently the improvement to posture after the introductory class of Pilates when practitioners learn how to engage the core, stabilize shoulders and maintain a neutral spine is apparent on the first day itself. Classes range from those for beginners of any fitness level through to advanced students. Consultations are held to determine the aspirations and fitness level of students and how to move forward.

Packages are designed to suit those wishing to relax and at the same time enjoy Ubud and Bali away from the usual tourist sites. The classes are conducted in charming traditional outdoor pavilions, among rice fields that appeal to the imagination of many who sign up. In addition, several Pilates retreats offer accommodation, meals, spa treatments, guided walks and cycling trips through the countryside as well as Balinese cooking classes to add to the overall unique experience. Pilates has become popular mainly because its remedial qualities work well in the existing Balinese culture and environment. Taking a Pilates break most certainly adds another dimension to what would otherwise be another ordinary trip to Bali.

Located close to the cultural heart of the island, COMO Shambhala Estate Bali provides a holiday experience like no other. Concentrating on dispensing wellness and wellbeing among its guests this one of extraordinary Bali spa resorts not only has a range of beautifully appointed relaxing guest rooms and suites but puts an Ayurvedic physician, a yoga teacher and nutritionist at the disposal of its guests. Additionally, rejuvenating massage therapies and beauty treatments, a spate of outdoor activities and healthy cuisine add to the very special experience at this Bali spa resort.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Discover Phang Nga Bay’s Pristine Landscapes on a Koh Yao Bike Tour

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Tipped to be one of the must-have experiences for nature lovers and avid bikers touring Phuket or Krabi a cycling tour of neighbouring islands Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi is an activity that is truly off the beaten track. Offering visitors a welcome alternative to the touristic and busy holiday landscapes of nearby Krabi and Phuket, Phang Nga Bay’s Little Long Island and Big Long Island are true icons worthy of exploration by discerning travellers in search of something more than a tan and a cocktail.

Easily accessible via an hour long boat ride from Phuket the Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi islands offer bikers the chance to discover a venue forgotten by time and villages and cultures that leads a slow paced lifestyle in tune with the natural world around them. Free from the pressures and stresses of the city these two secluded twin islands enjoy a relaxed paced time space continuum of their own in a picturesque terrain that is as breathtaking as it is unbridled.

Employing standard bikes any individual of reasonable health can take part in this non-arduous bike tour that takes place across dirt tracked roads in forest settings and paved roads set amidst quiet neighbourhood towns. Taking in the sights of island life the tour cycles across pastoral rice paddy fields and ancient mosques to cross small market infested townships and fishing villages. Jungle areas of the island are also explored on the excursion as the verdant landscapes of the terrain which includes Koh Yao Noi Mountain are abound with colourful plant life and wildlife. Cultural elements of the Islamic villages in the islands is also on the itinerary as bikers will learn the fine art of local crafts such as Batiks and engage with the local community to discover their customs and way of life.

Travellers on the lookout for luxurious Patong resorts should look no further than the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket. Providing guests with the best in contemporary amenities this Phuket resort pulls out all the stops when it comes to vacationing in an Asian paradise.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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