Top Three Tourists Spots in Lombok

Lombok is located along to eastern portion of Bali. It is actually an island which shares same cultural heritage and traditions with Bali. Lombok is a house to 3.16 million Indonesians and has a number of tourist’s attractions which include:

Gili Islands

Gili islands are located to the western coast of Lombok. These islands are the most popular tourist attraction as it provides a leisurely holiday experience. It provides an opportunity to see a beautiful beachfront as well as these islands are dotted with a number of cafes offering banana pancakes. A number of magnificent beaches are located along these islands which are equipped with facilities of a modern tourist spot. Here on these beaches, you can take part in water sports like diving and snorkeling. Gili Island is actually made up of three principal islands which are:

• Gili Trawangan
• Gili Meno
• Gili Air

Around north of Gili Meno, you can also see sea turtles.

Pura Segara

Pura Segara is a temple which has a white walled compound. If you will visit this place in afternoon, you will find a number of fishing boats on sand just next to this temple. Being one of the oldest temples, this is surrounded by fishing villages. Painted in red, this temple has been decorated with Balinese art designs. One most significant feature of this temple is that instead of courtyard, there is an open space with back-to-back staircase and statues. These statues are beautifully colored with bright hues. Near this temple, you will also find Chinese and Muslim cemeteries.

Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and is situated on Lombok Island. Being a part of famous Ring of Fire, Mount Rinjani is the second highest volcanic peak in Indonesia. This mountain is 3726 meters high and first time erupted in 1847. This volcano is also home to a lake but these days, both volcano and lake belong to a national park. The oval shaped volcanic crater is 6 km long and is partly covered by lake named Segara Anak. Eruptions in 1994, 1995 and 1996 formed a cone in heart of this crater. Highlands which surround this lake are covered with lush green forests. Lowlands are however cultivated and have crops of rice, cotton and tobacco. Crate and the mountain itself are considered as sacred places so they are visited by a large number of pilgrims every year. These devotees not only make offerings in lake but also dip in warm springs.

Must-Visit Attractions in Brasilia

Brasilia is a city of Brazil which has a large number of tourist attractions. Tourist attractions in Brasilia are so popular that the Brazil manages to earn a lot of revenue from travel and tourism in Brasilia. Some of the main attractions in Brasilia which you must visit are as follows.

City Park

One of the most important attractions in the city of Brasilia is City Park. This park consists of a big green area and is a little bit bigger than New York City’s Central Park. Various sporting events are held in City Park of Brasilia. Most popular sports being played here are cycling, skating and kart racing. The park consists of a swimming pool where artificial waves are produced. This park is also popular among people who love jogging as jogging tracks have also been made here. Barbeque and picnic activities are also held in this park along with camping. Local authorities also conduct exhibitions, meetings and fairs in this park for which a separate area has been made.

Three Powers Square

Three Powers Square is a landmark of Brasilia. Tourists know it as Three Powers Square but among locals it is known as Praca dos Tres Poderes. This place is actually enclosed by three important premises of judiciary, legislature and executive. The Historical Museum of Brasilia is also located around Three Powers Square. Pantheon of Freedom is another landmark which is situated near this square. This landmark is actually made in honor of President Tancredo Neves.

Paranoa Lake

 This is a man-made lake which is located on eastern side of Brasilia. This lake was created when Paranoa River was ruined. Shoreline of this lake stretches for 80 km and is lined with a number of attractions which include restaurants, the Olympic Center and Palace of the Dawn. Here in this lake, different kinds of sports activities are also possible including wakeboarding and windsurfing.

Catedral Metropolitana

It is another major attraction of the city of Brasilia. This building is featured with rich architecture. It has a glass roof facing the sky so it gives an effect as it is touching the sky. This attraction has religious importance as well as its 16 columns are believed to be the crown thorns of Lord Jesus. Inside this cathedral, you will also find four sculptures made of bronze and have a height of three meters. Sculptures of three angels are also there in cathedral and they are suspended with steel cables so it seems as if they are floating.

Parque Nacional de Brasilia

This park is located on northern outskirts of Brasilia. It was created in 1961. Covering an area of 74100 acres, this park is home to a variety of Brazilian flora and fauna. Some attractions in this park include swimming pools, pathways along shoreline of Santa Maria Lake and coconut and palm trees. Animals which you will find in this park include:

• Giant Armadillos
• Wild Pigs
• Pampas Deer
• Anacondas
• The Great Anteater
• Jaguars
• Capybaras
• Wolf

This place is also popularly known for bird watching as rare species of birds live in this park. These species include crested seriema and toco toucan.

These are five major and most popular attractions in the city of Brasilia. You must visit these places during your visit to Brasilia.

Popular Places to See in Sumatra

Sumatra is the largest island in Indonesia and has a number of interesting places which can make your tour a lasting memory. Some most popular attractions in Sumatra are described below. During your visit to Sumatra, you must visit these places.

Lake Toba

This lake is the largest volcanic lake in world and at the same time the best attraction to see in Sumatra. This lake is located at an altitude of 900 meters and is surrounded by some of the best natural marvels. The beautiful mountains and landscape offers beautiful views. Being a facilitator of eco-tourism in Indonesia, Lake Toba is situated near fault line. The houses of Bataks near lake are traditional and featured with roofs which curve at each end. This roofs look like boat’s hull.

Raya Mosque

Raya Mosque is also known as Grand Mosque. Built in 1906, this mosque was constructed under patronage of Sultan Makmun Al-Rasyid. Having a global structure, this mosque is designed in rococo style. Marbles and stained glass used in its décor were imported from Italy and China respectively. The most important feature of this mosque that will impress you the most are its minarets which have been made beautifully.

King Palace

This palace is the best place to visit for those who want to explore history of this region. This palace was built in 1976. This building also contains a museum which displays items from household of royal family. This building has a unique architectural deign. Its roof is in the shape of horns of water buffalo. These horns are actually signs of prosperity.

Medan

Medan is the capital of North Sumatra which is not only an industrial hub but also a tourist attraction. Medan is a quite big city having architectural buildings, cascading waterfalls and beautiful valleys. One of the most impressive features of this city is Gunung Leuser National Park which is the largest in Asia. This park is home to many animals like elephants, tigers and rhinos.

Mentawai Islands

Mentawai Islands are one of the premier tourist attractions in Sumatra offering a number of enjoyable activities to do. Here you can enjoy trekking and windsurfing. There is also a dense rainforest at the beach which houses a large variety of animals and birds. You can also explore amazing coral reefs by swimming in blue waters of Indian Ocean.

Main Tourist’s Attractions in Kandy

Kandy, which is a city of Sri Lanka, is a city of scenic mountains, sparkling lakes and beautiful valleys. There a lot of things to see in Kandy which prove to be a perfect retreat from bustling city life. Some most prominent attractions in Kandy which you must visit are:

The Royal Botanical Garden

 It is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Kandy and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the globe. It is located at a distance of about 4 miles from Colombo and covers an area of 147 acres. If you are fond of watching different varieties of flora and fauna, you will like to visit this garden. Set beside a serene lake, this garden houses more than 4000 species. In this tranquil lake, you will find a number of swans and beautiful ducks swimming in its blue waters. There is also an island in the middle of this lake. But the most amazing thing to see in this garden is the bamboo collection which is on right side of lake. Some kinds of bamboo found in Royal Botanical Garden are Dwarf Chinese bamboo and Prickly bamboo.

The Temple of the Tooth

The Temple of the Tooth is the most popular tourist attraction in Kandy. This temple is not only visited by pilgrims but also by leisure tourists. This temple was built in 17^th century and it is so named because it is believed that this temple contains upper left canine tooth of Lord Buddha. The tooth relic of temple is brought outside of temple. Decoration of this temple has been done in a different way because its exteriors are simple but interiors are beautifully decorated. Carved wood, ivory and lacquer are used to decorate this temple.

The Tea Museum, Hantane

The tea museum is actually the old Tea Factory of Hantane which has now changed into a museum. This museum is really interesting to visit as it has many collections like old age machinery. This museum has been decorated beautifully. Its interiors are made of wood. Several interesting pictures are also displayed in this museum.

Gadaladeniya Temple

Gadaladeniya Temple is a renowned temple of Kandy and it was built in 1344. This temple has been designed in South Indian style and its major shrine room houses four standing images of Buddha. A shrine which is sanctified to Lord Vishnu is also placed adjacent to shrine room. Beside this Vishnu Devale, there is a Stupa which is made on a rock.  A roof is also constructed over this Stupa which stands on four pillars.

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

This orphanage was built in 1975 and since then it has been the most popular attraction in Kandy. The purpose of making this orphanage was to preserve and protect decreasing number of elephants in this region. At this orphanage, you can not only see elephants bathing in river but also touch them. Visitors can also see them feeding on bottles. These elephants are cared by 110 people who take elephants to river for bath twice a day. Baby elephants are fed by bottles here in orphanage. This orphanage also serves as a breeding place for animals and since 1984 more than 23 elephants have been born here.

Popular Places of Attraction in Patan

Patan is a city of Nepal where tourists can find many things to see. Located in Kathmandu Valley, this ancient city has rich culture and heritage. There are Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments to see along with other historical attractions. Some major attractions in Patan are as follows.

Patan Museum

Patan Museum is situated in residential court in renowned Patan Darbar. This museum has a huge collection and treasure of objects and materials belonging to Buddhism and Hinduism. This museum was constructed in 1734 but unfortunately it underwent damages and thus experienced several renovations. Interiors of museum were also changed during restoration process and modern facilities were added as well. It was again opened for visitors in 1997.

The Central Zoo

This zoo attracts visitors due to having diversified variety of animals and birds. Here you can find more than 106 species of birds and 665 species of different animals. Zoo is also featured with a pond which was constructed in 17^th century. You can enjoy boating here. Zoo also offers many interesting rides including that of elephant ride.

Patan Durbar Square

Durbar Square is a famous attraction in Patan and full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines. There are three courtyards or “Chowks” in this square named:

• Mul Chowk
• Sundari Chowk
• Keshav Narayan Chowk

The most prominent temple in Durbar Square is Krishna Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is a three storey building that has been made in Shikhara style. It also displays scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. First floor of temple is featured with a statue of Lord Krishna. Golden temple is another temple near this square. It was built in 12^th century and is quite popular among Buddhist. The building has three roofs having copper golden facades. You will also see two lions at the entrance of temple.

Mahabouddha Temple

This temple is the most significant temple in Patan which is well known for its clay brick structure. Located at a short distance from Durbar square, this temple is featured with thousands of images of Lord Buddha. These images have been engraved in structure of temple. You will also find a terracotta structure here belonging to 14^th century which is a masterpiece of Nepalese architecture.

These are some major places of interest in Patan. You must visit these places during your visit to Patan.

Three Places you Must Visit in Sun City

Sun City is a city in South Africa which is internationally famous as a holiday destination. The reason is its multitude attractions and a number of enjoyable activities. Attractions in Sun City make it a heaven for tourists. Although there are a number of attractions in Sun City, there are three major and most popular attractions which you should not miss during your visit to Sun City. These attractions are as follows:

Super Bowl

Super Bowl is one of the best and most popular venues for concerts in South Africa. It boasts of hosting some of the renowned events and concerts in world. Super Bowl mesmerizes tourists with its entertainment options and leisure facilities. There are casinos, restaurants, Water park and sports attractions in Super Bowl making it one of the major attractions of Sun City. Super Bowl is featured with a large arena for sitting to manage a huge number of spectators. Stage at Super Bowl hosts all big concerts and parties ranging from music performances and rock concerts to singing concerts. Many renowned stars have performed in Super Bowl. These include Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams. Having a seating capacity for 6000 people, Super Bowl is considered as a favorite venue for beauty pageants as well.

Valley of Waves

Valley of Waves is a man made beach area which have a powerful wave machine. It is a water park which attracts a large number of tourists due to its exciting rides. Along with the water rides, Valley of Waves also offers white sandy beaches for enjoyment and recreation in form of beach games. Besides beach area, this attraction is also featured with winding river for those who want to enjoy tube ride and water slides. There are also some adventure activities for enthusiastic tourists. For example, there are sacred river ride and roaring lagoon. Temple of Courage is also a ride as riders are dropped 17 meters down into pool. The most thrilling ride in this place is Tarantula water ride in which riders go through channels of mountains at high speed. Other attractions of this water park include Hidden Cave Falls, The Kong Gates, Sway Bridge and Adventure Path. Apart from rides, this place also has an amphitheatre for holding cocktail parties.

Pilanesburg National Park

It is one of the most visited parks in South Africa and has an amazing variety of wild life. Spread over an area of 55000 hectares, this park was opened in 1979. Being an ideal place for jungle safari, this park has many animals including lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, hyenas, elephants, rhinos, zebras and giraffes. You will also find 300 species of birds here so it is also an interesting place for bird watchers. Some lodges and hotels are also located in this park for wonderful stay. There are also facilities of tents, picnic spots and hiking trails. You can also fly over the park in hot air balloon.

Famous Waterfalls in Sri Lanka

Waterfalls in Sri Lanka are quite enthralling and attract a large number of international travelers who visit Sri Lanka to spend their vacations. Sri Lanka is that country of the world which boasts of having highest number of waterfalls. If you love to see waterfalls, you must visit Sri Lanka to see the following magnificent waterfalls.

Bopath Ella Waterfall

Bopath Ella is one of the main tourist’s attractions in Sri Lanka which mesmerizes tourists with its spectacular scenes. The garrulous sound of water takes travelers to a different world. This beautiful waterfall seems as a leaf of “Bo” that’s why it is called Bopathella waterfall. “Bo” is the name of a sacred tree in Sri Lanka.

Ravana Waterfalls

Another popular sightseeing spot in Sri Lanka is the Ravana Waterfalls. This beautiful waterfall has been named after the daemon Ravana. Known as the widest falls of Sri Lanka, this waterfall is famous for its location as it is located against stunningly beautiful background of valleys and mountains. This fall is also very important source of water for villagers because this 131 feet tall waterfall provides sufficient water for cultivation of vegetables.

Baker’s Waterfalls

Having a height of 22 meters, Baker’s waterfall is one of the most striking and beautiful waterfalls. The beauty of this waterfall lies in its magnificent scenery. Baker’s waterfall gets its water from Belihul Oya and creates a beautiful scene to view when its icy water shines in sunlight.  You can also find rare black monkeys here if you are lucky enough. There are also some restrictions on the visit of this waterfall. Bathing in this waterfall is prohibited because many precious lives had lost while bathing in its waters.

Devon Waterfalls

Devon waterfall is named after an English coffee planter named Devon. You can see his plantations nearby Devon waterfalls. This 97 meter high waterfall is formed by Kothmale Oya and is located close to Thalawakale Town on A7 highway. From A7 highway, you can easily view this waterfall. Devon waterfall also provides facilities to tourists like that of resident places and tea center. There is also a restaurant.

Dunhinda Waterfalls

Located about 5 km off Badulla town, this waterfall is the most spoken-about waterfall in Sri Lanka. This 64 meters high waterfall gets its name from smoky dew drops squirt which encircles the area at foot of this fall. If you want to access this waterfall, you will have to walk 1 km distance along a footpath. You will also see many vendors along this footpath selling drinks to keep yourself fresh. To see the waterfall, a secure and safe stage is constructed at the end of that walking path.

St. Clair’s Waterfall

This is an 80 meter high waterfall which gets its name from a tea estate in close proximity. This waterfall falls down in form of two cascades named Maha Ella and Kuda Ella. It is known as a great spot for bathing.

Ramboda Waterfalls

It is the 11^th highest fall in Sri Lanka and is located on A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. This gigantic waterfall has three parts being the first part above the road in jungle while the other two parts are close to the road and below the road respectively.

Some other waterfalls in Sri Lanka are:

• Aberdeen Waterfalls
• Bambarakanda Ella
• Diyaluma Waterfalls
• Mapanana Ella
• Wadakada Waterfall
• Laxapana Waterfalls

Must-Visit Attractions in Ottawa

Ottawa is among one of the places in world whose rich culture and several attractions have made it very popular among tourists. This capital city of Canada has a number of architectural attractions and monuments to see. If you are planning a visit to Ottawa, you should include following attractions in your tour list as your visit would be incomplete without seeing these attractions.

Canadian Museum of Civilization

Canadian Museum of Civilization is most popular and most visited museum of Canada. It is located along Ottawa River and is being managed by Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. This museum is featured with four galleries which are as follows:

• Grand Hall: This is the first level of the museum which houses largest colored photograph in the world. Moreover, this gallery is famous for colossal Spirit of Haida Gwaii pattern which is created by famous artist Bill Reid.
• First Peoples Hall: Located at the first level of this museum, this gallery shows the history of Aboriginal People of Canada. Here you can view exhibitions displaying life styles of First Peoples. Tourists are provided with useful information on 20000 years of history.
• Canada Hall: Canada Hall is located at the third level of museum and gives information to tourists on modern history of Canada. Period costumes have also been displayed here for visitors’ interest. The main features of this hall are Basque whaling ship and Airport lounge.
• Face to Face (The Canadian Personalities Hall): This gallery is located at the uppermost level of this museum. It was opened in June 2007 and is featured with profile of world famous personalities of Canada such as authors, politicians and artists.

Dows Lake Pavilion

Located in the center point of Ottawa city, this pavilion is a popular tourist spot providing many recreational facilities. The best time to visit this beautiful lake is summer time because in winter, the lake freezes and you can only do skating on frozen platform of this lake. In summer season, you can visit this lake to enjoy boating in its warm waters. You can also refresh your mind and body with cool breeze of Dows Lake Pavilion. Besides outing, boating and skating, you can also enjoy a memorable dining experience as there are many refreshment corners and eateries here on Dows Lake Pavilion.

Royal Canadian Mint

Royal Canadian Mint is an organization that is known for its skills in making coins. This organization produces all Canadian coins, tokens, foreign currency, medals and Maple Leaf bullion coins. Royal Canadian Mint was actually established to produce only Canadian coins, but now it has acquired a good reputation for outstanding quality all over the world. The gold Maple Leaf coin produced by this organization is said to be 99.99% pure.

Canadian War Museum

This museum is located at the banks of Ottawa River and has become a landmark of this city. Its marvelous building is an attraction in itself and the facilities provided at this museum include a restaurant, underground parking, a theatre having 250 seats and bus pick up and drop off areas. Canadian War Museum hosts a number of interesting exhibitions which include the following:

• The First Floor Gallery provides a description about history of Canadian military starting from pre-European period to the end of World War I.
• The Hall of Honor displays collections related to military history through stories of 40 war heroes.
• The Second Floor Gallery shows exhibitions on World War II.
• Canada’s Peacekeepers Gallery shows collections related to recent military history.
• The Discovery Room has some interesting and interactive displays and here, you can also try military uniforms.

Rideau Canal

If you are addicted to water sports, then Rideau Canal will prove to be a dream destination for you. This canal is very beautiful and surrounded by many lakes and rivers which are linked by Rideau Canal. At Rideau Canal, you can enjoy a number of activities like:

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Canoeing
• Cycling

While hiking, you can enjoy an opportunity to see local wildlife of this region. Local restaurants are also located here to provide you with delicious local specialties. There are also great facilities including barbecue spots, picnic areas, washrooms and much more.

These are some must-visit attractions of Ottawa which you can visit to make your trip enjoyable and memorable.