Perfect (villa for surfers or honeymooners!)

Very simple but well designed villa with a view to die for – perfect for visitors who enjoy privacy and relaxed outdoor living well away from other tourists.
The “Uluwatu Surf Villas” are only minutes away from the famous Uluwatu temple, the TIDES restaurant, and many legendary surf spots (only recommended for experts). Bali’s best “secret” beaches are nearby, but it takes only 25 minutes to Jimbaran or Nusa Dua, 40 minutes to the airport, and 50 to 60 minutes to Kuta and Sanur (you have your own car with driver during your whole stay).

Location
The location on the “Bukit” (hill) on the Southern peninsula usually guarantees also sunny days even when it’s raining in most parts of Bali.

The Villa
The villa features a traditional thatched roof, coconut pillars, and large folding glass doors to take full advantage of the spectacular view. There are one master bedroom and two guest bedrooms each with en suite bathrooms, a spacious living and dining room with a modern open-plan kitchen, a small 16 ft./4.80 meter long swimming pool, and an open “Bale” (thatched pavilion) with comfortable planter’s chairs next to the pool. Bedrooms and living areas are simple but comfortably furnished and decorated.
The open-plan living/dining room is furnished with a dining table for 6 to 8 guests and built-in sofas with cushions. Ceiling fans and large folding doors opening to the terrace and pool guarantee permanent ventilation. Outdoors on the covered terrace and in the Bale are four deck chairs, four comfortable planter’s chairs, and a garden table with six chairs for romantic meals under the stars.

Bedrooms
The master bedroom has a king-size bed, one of the smaller guest bedroom has a double bed, the other twin beds. The master bedroom and the guest bedrooms have air-conditioning, ceiling fans and large folding doors opening up to the terrace and swimming pool and enjoy a great view over the sea. Each bedroom has its own open-air bathroom with sink and shower.
Kitchen and Services
The modern kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, stove, oven, micro wave, blender, refrigerator, crockery, cutlery, etc. The well-trained house staff lives on-site and nearby and includes a maid and house boy to clean and handle your laundry, gardener, security guards, and a cook to prepare delicious Indonesian and Western meals. There are also two mountain bikes for guests to explore the neighborhood.
Your personal Butler will take care of all your arrangements from planning meals, serving your afternoon tea, and arranging parties in your villa to visiting attractions, going shopping or organizing other activities and is available around the clock.

A free massage is part of the service, and additional in-house Spa and beauty treatments are available at nominal cost (see details below). Your air-conditioned car with a reliable driver is included in the rate and at your service whenever needed.
Facilities:
* Small private swimming pool
* Satellite TV with many international news,
sports and movie channels
* Stereo system, CD player and DVD player
* IDD telephone and fax machine
* Dial-up Internet access
* Personal electronic safe
* Two mountain bikes
* Free in-house laundry
* Personal Butler to take care of ALL your
requirements.
* Full-time cook, maid, houseboy
* Massage and spa/beauty treatments
* Free air-conditioned car with driver

The Harimandir (a living symbol of spiritual )

The Harimandir, now called the Golden Temple is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The Golden Temple is witness to the high skill of the traditional craftsmen. Its location in the center of the pool would symbolize the synthesis of nirgun and sargun: the spiritual and temporal realms of human existence. Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world.

It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India. The body of water is framed on all four sides by a backdrop of bright-white buildings. The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide “Pardakshna“. It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the “Har ki Paure” (steps of God). On the first floor of “Har ki Paure“, there is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.

The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width. At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four “Mamtees” on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and have three gates . A visit to the Golden Temple is incomplete without a visit to the following among others – Akal Takhat, Baba Atall, Guru Ka Langar, Sri Guru Ram das Niwas and The Sgpc officcers.

The Golden Temple, and the city of Amritsar itself, are best visited in the winter. The months between November and March are pleasant (even cold), although the summer can get blisteringly hot. About Golden Temple offers you holiday packages, leisure tour packages, business tour packages and pilgrimage tour packages at best available prices. Travel to Amritsar with about Golden Temple and have a memorable experience of staying in best hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby religious places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical landmarks like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh.

The construction of Golden Temple at a lower level was a break away from the Hindu tradition of constructing a temple at a higher level. It was done to make the visitors go down the steps in order to pay homage to the holy shrine. 

Lake Toba (a Heaven on Earth Beauty)

Lake Toba is a large lake, 100 km long and 30 km wide, in the middle of the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, Indonesia. When you see it you will probably be amazed of its natural beauty and lovely landscapes, but do not forget how it was formed in the past. The enormous inland lake has a history spoken of in local myths, but the true story of Toba and how this enormous inland lake evolved, lies in knowing the story of its Toba volcano.

In 1949 the Dutch geologist Rein van Bemmelen reported that Lake Toba was surrounded by a layer of ignimbrite rocks, and that it was a large volcanic caldera. Later researchers found rhyolite ash similar to that in the ignimbrite around Toba (now called Young Toba Tuff to distinguish it from layers deposited in previous explosions) in Malaysia and India, 3000 km away. Oceanographers discovered Toba ash, with its characteristic chemical “fingerprint”, on the floor of the eastern Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

 The Toba eruption occurred at what is now Lake Toba about 75 000 years ago. It had an estimated Volcanic Explosivity Index of 8 (which is known as mega-colossal), making it possibly the largest volcanic eruption within the last two million years. According to the researches made by Bill Rose and Craig Chesner of Michigan Technological University the total amount of erupted material was about 2800 cubic km (670 cubic miles) — around 2000 cubic kilometres of ignimbrite that flowed over the ground and around 800 cubic kilometres that fell as ash, with the wind blowing most of it to the west. By contrast, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in United States ejected around 1 cubic km of material, whilst the largest volcanic eruption in historic times, at Mount Tambora in 1815, emitted the equivalent of around 100 cubic kilometres of dense rock and created the “Year Without a Summer” as far away as North America.

To give an idea of its magnitude, consider that although the eruption took place in Indonesia, it deposited an ash layer approximately 15 cm (6 in) thick over the entire Indian subcontinent; at one site in central India, the Toba ash layer today is up to 6 m (20 feet) thick and parts of Malaysia were covered with 9 m of ashfall. In addition it has been calculated that an amount of 1010 metric tons of sulphuric acid was ejected into the atmosphere by the event, causing acid rain fallout.
The subsequent collapse formed a caldera that, after filling with water, created Lake Toba. The island in the southern part of the lake is formed by a resurgent volcanic dome.

The Lake Toba is definetely a place to visit if you are in Indonesia. The main nearest to the lake town is Parapat, which is about 4 hours by car from Medan (4-6 hours by public bus). Local transportation around the lake takes the form of boats (cheaper, school boats with limited schedules and more expensive public boats that operate throughout the day). You can also hire a motorcycle for a day or two and get out and about (Rp.50,0000 per day inclusive of 4 litres of petrol). There are no police checking licences and there is not much traffic – just watch out for the big trucks, buses and diabolical bridges. A good journey to take on a motorcycle would be to travel North from Tuk Tuk around to the western shore, stopping at the tourist sites along the way such as the many and varied traditional houses. Motorcycles are almost always semi-automatic meaning there is no need to use a clutch to change the foot-operated gears.

Tabo Cottages is the most luxurious accommodation on the island. Prices start at around Rp.120,000 per night and climb up from there. The rooms are very clean and quite modern by Sumateran standards. Internet is available from the family’s computer for a nominal rate and the western-styled food served in the restaurant is very good.

You can eat at Jenny’s Restaurant on Samosir Island, Tuk Tuk. There is only one or two roads in Tuk Tuk, so simply ask for Jenny’s. Jenny and her husband Rinto run the very simple but cozy restaurant with view on the wonderful lake Toba. You will notice that every day the table cloth are being changed, a usually rare to find nicety and convenience. The curry is delicious. A must-try is the fresh lake-fish, steamed or grilled. Even western food like Schnitzel (breaded pork or chicken chop pan fried) is very good. For dessert try the fresh papaya that grows in the back-yard or a golden-brown banana pancake with chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of coconut. Once all the guests in the small place with only about 5 tables are fed and happy, Rinto will take the guitar from the wall and entertain his patrons. When he is singing old Batak songs about earlier times and you listen to the guitar tunes and his melancholic voice, your eyes wander over the lake and you feel like never leaving Samosir again.
A journey to Lake Toba will be definetely a great travel exprerience for you!

The Bamiyan Buddhas (the most impressive Buddhist monuments in western Asia)

The Bamiyan Buddhas were among the most impressive Buddhist monuments in western Asia before their demolition in March 2001. No one knows exactly when they were constructed, but it was likely that they were erected sometime in the 4th or 5th century AD. For many centuries they stood sentinel to groups of wandering monks and merchants along the famous “silk road” from Rome to China. Alongside the Buddhas, monasteries once existed here as places of sanctuary, but were abandoned in the 9th century as Islam displaced Buddhism in Afghanistan.

The two Buddha figures were commonly classified as the larger and smaller one (53 and 38 meters, respectively). They were once covered with a mixture of mud and straw that had worn away long ago. The straw was covered with plaster and painted to model the rich expressions of the face, hands, and robes. Long before their destruction this year, both the plaster covering and the surrounding cave paintings were rubbed away.

The Buddhas were destroyed following the Taliban’s assertion that the statues were idolatrous. With the swift collapse of the Tabliban in November, 2001, a team of Swiss preservationists has announced plans to restore the statues using precise three-dimensional data collected in the 1970s. However, the United Nations recommended in early 2002 that the monuments not be restored as a reminder of the Taliban’s destructive legacy.

 


 

Taal Volcano and Lake ()ManilaOne of the most visited tourist spots in the Philippines

One of the most visited tourist spots in the Philippines, is a geological phenomenon a volcano within a lake within a volcano. Taal is the world’s smallest volcano, but do not let appearances deceive you, it can be quite deadly when it erupts. A 45-minute ride on a banca (wooden boat) will take you to the volcano, a 15-minute trek will take you to the top of the crater. An older and larger volcano is an hour away, which requires the assistance of an experienced guide.

  The volcano has erupted violently several times, causing loss of life in the populated areas surrounding the lake. Due to its eruptive history and location close to population centres, the volcano has been designated a Decade Volcano worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters.Taal Volcano is part of a chain of volcanoes along the western side of the island of Luzon, all formed by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate underneath the Philippine Plate. Taal Lake lies within a 25–30 km caldera formed in four giant explosive eruptions between 500,000 and 100,000 years ago. Each of these eruptions created extensive ignimbrite deposits, reaching as far away as where Manila stands today. So if you are goind to the Taal Volcano i may advise you to wear jeans or rough clothes cause it is very dusty. You should also wear a hat which can be purchased as you get off boat. It is indeed a nice souvenier. Great day/value you can haggle price from P2500 down to P1500.
Google Earth Placemark

Ka’ba in Mecca (The most sacred place in Islam)

The most sacred place in Islam is the Ka’ba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ka’ba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built around a black stone. The Prophet Muhammad designated Mecca as the holy city of Islam and the direction in which all Muslims should offer their prayers.

Mecca is a holy city, and non-Muslims are not permitted to enter it. But for Muslims the pilgrimage to Mecca, or the hajj, is one of the basic tenets of the religion. Each year, over 1,000,000 people visit during the month of pilgrimage. The core of Mecca, including the commercial district, surrounds the al-Haram or Great Mosque, which can hold 300,000 people. Inside the mosque, the Kaaba (a shrine enclosing a sacred Black Stone) and the well of Zamzam are located. They are the focus of the pilgrimage.

  
The main economic activity in Mecca is the provision of services to pilgrims. Merchants in particular benefit from the trade of travelers, as huge fairs are held during the month of the pilgrimage. Because of the yearly influx of visitors, the city’s transportation network is well developed.

Mecca is connected to Jidda and Riyadh by road, and the airport at Jidda serves Mecca.
Even before Muhammad’s birth , the city was an important commercial and religious center the Black Stone was sacred in early Arabic religions). Muhammad began to preach in the city c.613 but was forced to flee to Medina in 622 (the Hegira). In 630 he returned with 10,000 men to conquer the city and establish it as the center of the Islamic world. The city was ruled by the Carmathians from 930 until 1269, when the Egyptian Mamelukes gained control.

The Ottoman Turks ruled from 1517 until 1916, when the Hejaz region became independent, with Mecca as its capital. Mecca fell to Ibn Saud in 1924, and in 1932 Hejaz became a province of Saudi Arabia. In November 1979 a group of 200 Muslim zealots seized Mecca’s Great Mosque; they were driven out by Saudi troops after 10 days, and many were executed. In 1987, Iranian pilgrims staged violent demonstrations in the city.

The Ka’ba is believed to be the first place that was created on earth and the place at which heavenly bliss and power touches the earth directly.Mecca is located in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia. The city lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jiddah, in the narrow, sandy Valley of Abraham. The Holy City is 277 meters (909 feet) above sea level.

Each year, thousands of Muslims from around the world join in a pilgrimage to Mecca, in fulfillment of one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

In addition, a pilgrimage to Mecca is required of every Muslim who can afford it as one of the Five Pillars of the faith. Every year about three million gather for the major pilgrimage, or Hajj, during the Muslim month of Dhu’l-Hijja, and many more perform the minor pilgrimage, or Umrah, at various times throughout the year.

Shwedagon (The mountain of gold)

The origins of Shwedagon are lost in antiquity, its age unknown. Long before the pagoda was built, its location on Singuttara hill was already an ancient sacred site because of the buried relics of the three previous Buddhas. According to one legend, nearly 5000 years had passed since the last Buddha walked the Earth, and Singuttara hill would soon lose its blessedness unless it was reconsecrated with relics of a new Buddha. In order that such new relics might be obtained, King Okkalapa of Suvannabhumi spent much time atop the hill, meditating and praying. A series of miracles ensued and eight hairs of the historical Buddha were, somewhat magically, brought to the hill. To enshrine the relics, multiple pagodas of silver, tin, copper, lead, marble, iron and gold where built one on top of the other to a height of twenty meters. During the following centuries, passing from myth to historical fact, the pagoda grew to its present height of ninety-eight meters. Much of the continued construction of Shwedagon was actually reconstruction following disastrous earthquakes. During the 17th century the pagoda suffered earthquake damage on at least eight occasions. A particularly bad quake in 1786 brought the entire top half of the pagoda to the ground and its current shape and height date from the reconstruction of that time.

While much of the pagoda’s beauty derives from the complex geometry of its shape and surrounding structures, equally mesmerizing is its golden glow. The lower stupa is plated with 8,688 solid gold bars, an upper part with another 13,153. The tip of the stupa, far too high for the human eye to discern in any detail, is set with 5448 diamonds, 2317 rubies, sapphires, and other gems, 1065 golden bells and, at the very top, a single 76-carat diamond. Surrounding the pagoda are a plentitude of smaller shrines housing pre-Buddhist spirits called Nats, miracle working images, and even a wish granting stone. The entire temple complex radiates a palpable sense of beauty and serenity.

The perimeter of the base of the Pagoda is 1,420 fee and its height 326 feet above the platform. The base is surrounded by 64 small pagodas with four larger, one in the center of each side. There also are 4 sphinxes, one at each corner with 6 leogryphs, 3 on each side of them. Projecting beyond the base of the Pagoda, one on the center of each side are Tazaungs in which are images of the Buddha and where offerings are made.

There are also figures of elephants crouching and men kneeling, and pedestals for offerings all around the base. In front of the 72 shrines surrounding the base of the Pagoda, you will find in several places images of lions, serpents, ogres, yogis, spirits, or Wathundari (Recording Secretary Angel).

On the wall below the first terrace of the Pagoda at the WSW and WNW corners, you will see embossed figures. The former represents King Okkalapa who first built the Pagoda. The latter is a pair of figures; the one above represents Sakka who assisted in foundation of the Pagoda, and the one below, Me Lamu, consort of Sakka and mother of Okkalapa.

 

In order to make the gilding stand the weather, the Trustees after the year 1900, decided to cover the bulbous spire, called the plantain bud with gold plates, each plate measuring 1 foot square and weighing 5 ticals of gold (0.18 pound). Subscriptions were called for and the work commenced in 1903, when the whole plantain bud was covered. It is on record that 4 such gold plates were donated by the late King George, V (then Prince of Wales) and Queen Mary when they visited Myanmar in 1906.
Open from 4am-10pm everyday.
Admission Fees – US$5.

Bantayan Island (one fantastic and relaxing place )

See the atmosphere of one really beautifull Philippine beach scene. From the photo it looks like one fantastic and relaxing place where you will chill out for sure.Bantayan Island is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu. The island can be reached by ferry from Hagnaya Wharf in San Remigio, Cebu, or from Cebu City, or from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.

The Great Wall (the travel icon of China)

The Great Wall of China is really one masterpiece of human power and construction. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles ) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the section of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Today, it is the travel icon of China – and one of the leading vacation travel destinations in the world.
The Great Wall was originally built in the Spring, Autumn, and Warring States Periods as a defensive fortification by the three states: Yan, Zhao and Qin. The Great Wall went through constant extensions and repairs in later dynasties. In fact, it began as independent walls for different states when it was first built, and did not become the “Great” wall until the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north after the unification of China. Since then, the Great Wall has served as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history. A visit to the Great Wall is like a tour through the history backwards, it will bring you great excitement in each step of the wall.
The construction of the Great Wall began between the 7th and 8th centuries B.C. when the warring states built defensive walls to ward off enemies from the north. It was only a regional project then. Until the Qin Dynasty, the separate walls were joint together and consequently it stretched from east to west for about 5000 thousand kilometers and served to keep nomadic tribes out. The Wall was further extended and strengthened in the succeeding dynasties. Especially during the Ming dynasty when the northern nomadic ethnic groups became very powerful, the Ming rulers had the Wall renovated 18 times. As a result, not the remains from the Qin dynasty were restored, but some 1000 kilometers were constructed to a full length of 6,700 kilometers.

The “North Pass” of Juyongguan Pass is known as the Badaling. This particular area of the Great Wall is where most tourists visit. When used by the Chinese to protect their land, this wall was extremely protected by guards, because it was protecting China’s capital, Beijing. Badaling is very difficult to access. Made out of stone and bricks from the hills, this portion of the Great Wall is 7.8 meters high, and 5 meters wide.
Representing the Ming Great Wall, Jinshanling is considered to have the most wonderful sights of the Great Wall. It runs 11 kilometers long, ranges from 5 to 8 meters in height, and 6 meters across the bottom, narrowing up to 5 meters across the top. Wangjinglou is one of Jinshanling’s 67 watchtowers, rising 980 meters above sea level.
ShanHaiGuan Great Wall is refered to as the “Museum of the Construction of the Great Wall”, because of a temple, the Meng Jiang-Nu Temple, built during the Song Dynasty. The ShanHaiGuan Great Wall is known for many different things, both with the construction of the wall, and also its history.
The wall is complemented by defensive fighting stations, to which wall defenders may retreat if overwhelmed. With more than 10,000 watch towers (which were used to store weapons, house troops, and send smoke signals), each tower has unique and restricted stairways and entries to confuse attackers. Barracks and administrative centers are located at larger intervals.
Anyway if you decide to visit this place it will be an unforgettable trip, which will enchance your life with enchanting experience to the magnificent Great Wall – one of the great wonders in the world.

Jiuzhaigou Valley (Paradise China)

Jiuzhaigou Valley which means “Valley of Nine Villages” , which is the hometown of nine Tibetan villages; is located in Nanping County in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture about 450 Km north of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in south of China Mainland.
Jiuzhaigou is well-known in its many multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes. This place is full of more than 100 beauteous lakes and what makes the lakes in Jiuzhaigou area differ from other lakes is a high concentration of calcium carbonate so that the lakes and embankments are all covered with crystals. The water in the lake is so clear that you can see the bottom despite depths of several meters.
The main essence of Jiuzhaigou is water and there are all kinds of waters such as small ponds, calm lakes, rushing streams or magnificent waterfalls. Jiuzhaigou’s core of the scenery is waterfalls which were situated between lakes on different level with water flowing down to the cliffs covered with trees.

The location of Jiuzhaigou is secluded from outside, the geography of Jiuzhaigou is mountainous which belongs to a carbonate barrier lake landform, high mountains and deep valleys also can be found there. Jiuzhaigou covers a vast area of 60,000 hectares with the scenic area over than 80 Kilometers long. The main obstacle for traveling to Jiuzhaigou is the dreadful roads from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, China that leads to the Valley. The buses have to journey along the winding roads and that’s still ok unless include frequent landslides that may send the big rocks flying onto the rocks and if unluckily enough on to the buses and below the roads, there is the rushing Minjiang River. The drivers have to familiar with the route otherwise it’s going to be the horrible trip. The climate in Jiuzhaigou is cool temperature, humidity and cold on the high mountain slopes and dry and cool in the valleys.
Jiuzhaigou was first found accidentally by woodcutters in the 1900s then became a nation nature reserve in 1978. In 1982 it became a part of the first batch of scenic areas under special nation protection and the best new scenic area in 1990. In 1992 UNESCO world heritage declared Jiuzhaigou as the world natural heritage list.
There is a legend that once upon a time, a warlike philosopher grounded a charming mirror with the wind and cloud the present it to his beloved who is Goddess Wunosemo. Unfortunately the monster meddled and the Goddess dropped the shatter broken mirror into the human world so that its became the numerous lakes in Jiuzhaigou nowadays.

Haneda Airport in Tokyo (one lovely architectural masterpice)

 

If you haven’t landed at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport recently you will be hundred percent amazed by the look of its new terminal building. I can say it is one lovely architectural masterpice, concepting new style with really precisely done construction work.

It will be for sure pure pleasure for anyone who lands in Tokyo to have his first impressions at a place like this.
For those of you weren’t at Tokyo Haneda airport i will give some brief information. It is the biggest and the busiest airport in Japan. More than 300 flights take off and same number of flights land on in a day. They are more than half of Japanese domestic flights. So we can see most airliners in Japan in a day. All flights are domestic except some charter flights. Most of airliners here are wide body ones; B747, 777, 767 and A300, and narrow bodies’ are miner group here. Haneda is very exciting airport for foreign visitors. The airport has three terminal buildings, Terminal One, Terminal Two and small International Terminal. Terminal One is located in west side of the airport for JAL group, Skymark Airline and Skynet Asia Airlines. Terminal Two for ANA group and Air Do is located in east side. Two terminal buildings are connected by B2 floor corridor. It take 20 min walk between terminals.

Karma Kandara Resort (a holistic destination bountiful)

Perched atop a barren rock in Bukit Peninsula, a mere 20 min drive from Bali Airport, Karma Kandara Resort is a holistic destination bountiful with incredible experiences. The property features a wide choice of luxury Bali villas and accompanying amenities that redefine first class – bridges, stone walkways and little paths meander through vivid tropical gardens connecting 46 expansive private beach villa residences, along with the luxury villa resort’s exceptional facilities.

Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom, while the living rooms of our Bali villas are open plan, comprising fully equipped kitchens, lounge and dining areas. Decor evokes an uncluttered Mediterranean ambiance, with richly upholstered accented with local artworks and antique artifacts. Guests at the four-star Karma Kandara get to enjoy 24-hour reception services, airport transfers, banqueting facilities, cooking classes, spa treatments, a library, bar lounge, club grill, and in-room safes, internet service, and pool access.

Karma Kandara Resort has won an award for “Best Development in Indonesia” at Asia Pacific Property Awards in 2009. The Karma Spa is perched dramatically on a shoulder of rock overlooking the ocean. Guests can choose from a select menu of treatments, delivered by highly experienced therapists drawing on Holistic and Balinese healing traditions.

Bali Island (For upscale traveler)

Located in Ubud Bali, Komaneka Resort is designed in contemporary Balinese style. Considered as a sophisticated and contemporary lifestyle destination, Komaneka Resort is carefully created to fulfill upscale travelers expectation for a comfortable stay. Surrounded by natural Ubud’s beauty, the resort offers you elegant villas, each with its private pool.

The resort comprises 10 elegant villas, each with a 12-metre private swimming pool, and 34 spacious suites. Bisma Residence with three bedroom pool villa, two bedroom pool villa, family pool villa, and one bedroom villa. The staff are always respond promptly and discreetly to meet everything the guests need. There is a luxurious spa consists of 4 single treatment villas and 2 double treatment villas, a hot Jacuzzi and a steam room offering traditional Indonesian beauty and massage treatments.

There is also a fine dining restaurant, with a capacity for 90 persons, specializing in contemporary Indonesian and international cuisine, a lobby bar, and a pool bar which serves light lunches and is perfect for early evening aperitifs. Other facilities at the resort include a boutique and gift shop, free wireless internet connection, a convention hall, a gym centre, and a 500-metre jogging track.

Dambulla Cave Temple (a World Heritage Site)

Dambulla cave temple also famous as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha’s first sermon.

The temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa times are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka. Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19 km away. Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The largest cave measures about 52m from east to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities are also represented here, as are the kings Valagamba and Nissankamalla, and Ananda - the Buddha’s most devoted disciple.

However, the temple complex dates back to the 1st century BC. It consists of five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. The inner side of the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses. The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Valagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.

Apart from the temple side and the surrounding caves, being there will open you a wonderful opportunity to explore the surrounding area, meaning that inside the jungle, where is perhaps the oldest garden in Sri Lanka, the Iron Wood Forest and the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia. The site had been declared as a human sanctuary by King Dappula in 10 century AD as shown in an inscription at the entrance to Namal Uyana. Trees believed to have been planted by those who sought sanctuary here and subsequently turned in to a vast plantation of Iron wood forest. Apart from the biodiversity of the site as it contains many other plants, it is also geologically important because of the Rose Quartz mountain range in the garden, which is believed to be over 500 million years old. White, rose and violet colour quartz deposits can be seen there.