Space out in Namibia

From the towering dunes of the Namibia Desert, which stretches for 1500 km along the Atlantic Coast, to the endless white plans of Etosha, Namibia’s vast open spaces lie at the heart of an amazing travel experience.

FOUR TIMES THE size of Great Britain and with a population of just over two million, Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. And while assuring visitors plenty of elbow room, the country’s vast open spaces lie at the heart of an amazing travel experience that is unlike any other.

From the towering dunes of the Namib Desert which stretches for 1500 km along the Atlantic Coast, to the endless white plains of Etosha, one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, Namibia unfolds a kaleidoscope of magical landscapes, unchanged with the passage of time. In the south, the Fish River Canyon is perhaps the continent’s most awe-inspiring sight, while the rough seascape of the Skeleton Coast, littered with shipwrecks and bleached whale bones presents one of the most surreal experiences on the planet.

Scattered into the mix are charming German colonial towns which sit anachronistically at the edge of the desert; abandoned mining outposts half swallowed by sands; and nomadic settlements where tribes lead lives not very differently from their ancient ancestors whose rock engravings in the valleys of Twyfelfontein are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Despite the long distances, Namibia’s attractions are easily accessible thanks to its highly developed tourism infrastructure. World class tour operators offer a variety of well organized 4X4 road safaris, camping tours and treks to suit every taste and budget, with itineraries extending from 3 to 18 days. Accommodation options range from 5 star luxury resorts to eco - friendly campsites where the adventurous can sleep under starry African skies.

Namibia’s centrally located capital Windhoek is the ideal base for exploring the vastness of country. Though many of the city’s major landmarks such as Christuskirche and Tintenpalast (Parliament Building) hark back to Namibia’s days as a German colony when it was known as German Southwest Africa, Windhoek also boasts plenty of modern architecture and is known for its remarkable cleanliness. The Windhoek Country Club built in 1995 to host that year’s Miss Universe pageant offers superior lodgings and excellent service along with a casino and 18-hole golf course.

South to Sossusvlei

Driving south to Sossusvlei brings a taste of the dramatic landscapes that are the hallmark of the Namibian road trip. Just after the town of Reheboth, the gravel road decends into a starkly beautiful wilderness where grassy plains and low hills stretch out in every direction for as far as the eye can see. Passing by herds of mountain zebra, solitary Oryx and the occasional vehicle, the 375 km gravel route to Sossusvlei can be covered in 5 hours - with the immense dimensions of the remote landscape giving the journey a dreamlike feel.

The visually stunning Sossusvlei pan is the most visited part of the Namib Desert. Formed over millions of years when the course of the Taschaub River was smothered by shifting sands, the dried out pan is surrounded by the world’s tallest dunes which rise up to a staggering 450 metres above the ground. Sossusvlei is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and a couple of night’s stay in the area is recommended to better appreciate the grandeur of the world’s oldest desert.

Sossusvlei Lodge, billed as the ‘Gateway to the Namib’ is located not far from the park entrance and offers luxury accommodation that blends perfectly into its desert surrounds. Along with alfresco dining to views of springbok and ostrich drinking at the floodlit watering hole, it is a place to enjoy glorious sunsets and perfect solitude.

The best time to visit the Sossusvlei pan is at dawn when the dunes seem to glow and change colours through shades of deep orange and red as the sun begins its ascent. Those climbing to the top of Dune 45 are further rewarded with sweeping all round views of a sea of massive, crescent-shaped dunes that extend all the way to the horizon, It is a truly magnificent sight that evokes the sheer power of nature, amidst the deafening silence that pervades the scene.

Nearby, the white clay pan of Deadvlei presents a ghostly spectacle. Surrounded by major dunes, the basin resembles a lunar landscape in which the blackened skeletons of ancient camelthorn trees stand starkly against the white clay, their branches reaching out eerily to the sky. Another major attraction in the area is the narrow Sesirem Canyon whose Afrikaans name refers to the six Oryx skin belts that pioneers had to use to lower buckets to the pools below.

Though there are some good hiking trails in Sesirem as well as the adjoining Naukluft mountains, the country’s top hiking destination is the Fish River Canyon which lies much further to the south. The most popular camping and hiking trail here is a 4 day; 85 km expedition through the world’s second largest canyon that ends at the Ai-Ais hot springs. Shorter and less daunting hikes are also available, as are mule safaris in which all backpacks and equipment are transported by a team of mules.

Atlantic Coast

It’s another 350 km from Sossusvlei to the coastal resort of Swakopmund. After a brief stop at the town of Solitaire, which comprises mainly a petrol pump and a general store, the road heads north over the Naukluft Mountains, soon crossing the sign that marks the Tropic of Capricorn. At a secret desert location near here crews have been filming Mad Max: Road Fury, the latest edition of the Mad Max franchise.

Arriving at the Atlantic Ocean after days in the outback, Swakopmund paints a pretty picture. The town’s colonial origins are quite evident in the traditional German buildings dating from the early 1900s, with names such as Hohenzollern Haus and Altes Amtsgericht. On the palm-lined seaside promenade, along with the historic former lighthouse there are many cafes and art galleries, and restaurants serving the freshest seafood. Off season the town bears a near-deserted look, making it a great place to stay a few days to soak in the delightful ambience. Although Swakopmund is known for its old world charm, the town is also the extreme sports capital of Namibia. The action lies in the surrounding desert where professional adventure companies offer a host adrenaline fuelled activities such as skydiving, parasailing, quadbiking and sandboarding. Also on offer from nearby Walvis Bay are dolphin cruises   which include a visit to Cape Cross where tens of thousands of seals gather in boisterous colonies.

Namibia is a country of amazing contrasts and adventure lovers are truly spoiled for choice here. From watching lions in the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, to exploring the basalt valleys of Damaraland and the thick woodlands of Kavango, there is a lot more to be discovered. But wherever you choose to go, you are assured to have a series of powerful, soul-lifting experiences that will remain etched in the mind forever; and will make you want to return to Namibia -Land of the Brave.

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Paradise by the Sea: Bintan (Indonesia)

Bintan Island or Negeri Segantang, the largest of 3,200 islands in Riau Archipelago and the third largest of the 27 provinces in Indonesia, is an idyllic retreat offering a wide range of activities. The Island, with an area of approximately 1,140 sq kms and a 105-km-long coastline, is a popular beach destination. The charm and aura of Bintan, primarily a resort island, leaves a lasting impression on the minds of high-end travellers wanting to have a good time with family. The island also attracts Conference and Incentive groups. A short-haul destination for Indian travellers, Bintan can be accessed from Singapore. Indian visitors can combine their city holidays in Singapore with Bintan as a two to three nights  extension. There is a regular ferry service operated by Bintan Resorts Ferries (BRF) that plies between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore and Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, Bintan Resorts. The duration of travel is 55 minutes. A niche destination as far as the Indian leisure traveller is concerned, Bintan offers a wide range of activities. While the Indian traffic to Bintan has been dominated by the FIT, honeymooners and family segments, there has been a marked increase in Incentive travel groups, corporate meetings and special interest Indian visitors (weddings and religious groups). Bintan has fantastic facilities to lure MICE and Wedding segments. The Northern Coast of the island is often referred to as Bintan Resorts, a consortium of five independently-owned and operated beach resorts, four designer golf courses, as well as a range of recreational facilities and attractions like spa, golf, water sports, shopping etc. The resorts include Angasana Bintan, Banyan Tree Bintan, Bintan Lagoon Resort, Bintan Lodge, Club Med Bintan Island, Nirwana Gardens and Ria Golf Lodge. These are among the big resorts on the island. For those who like to spike up the holiday with a bit of adrenalin rush, Bintan Resorts offers all-terrain vehicle rides through the challenging forest terrain. Located within minutes of Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, and within easy reach of the resorts, are four magnificent championship courses designed by golf luminaries, Ian Baker-Finch, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Gary Player. Beautifully-crafted ornaments and display pieces, beach and swimwear, fashion apparel and accessories, and a host of other items are also available at the resort shops. Tourists can go resort-shop hopping, or explore Pasar Oleh Oleh and Kampoeng Lagoi Leisure Village. For a touch of authentic village life and shopping experience, one can take a day trip to the capital city of Riau Islands—Tanjung Pinang.

Day Trip to Afamosa - Malaysia

AFAMOSA DAY TRIP PACKAGE !!! Includes: Return transfers from Kuala               Lumpur Hotels*(10 am pick up 10 pm drop back) Entry to waterworld Enrty to Animal World Safari Buffet Lunch @ Lake View Restaurent.Internal Shuttle Service. *terms & condistions apply Adler Tours & SafarisWebsite:- www.adler-tours.com adler-tours@hotmail.com

Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon

MUST DO ACTIVITIES In BHUTAN

Orchid Trek:  The Orchid Trek Route is inside the Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary which is located in the North-east of Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas. It is approximately 28 kilometer long connecting Rigsum gompa, Peri Gompa and Dechenphdrang. The best time to trek would be during spring, autumn and winter. The reason for developing such trail is, it not only connects the two historical and cultural sites, Risum Goenpa and Dechen Phodrang but it serves as access route to other villages for transportation of agricultural and livestock products to the market. Annually more than thousand of devotees from all across the country visit these   two cultural sites. Apart from the cultural aspects, the route also provides wide range of opportunities for the birders, nature lovers’ tourists and plant enthusiast groups.

Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary is located in north-eastern part of Bhutan covering an area of 1,545 sq. km with 420 sq. km of buffer zone encompassing parts of Trashi Yangtse, Lhuntshe, and Monggar district.
Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary is also a paradise for butterflies: as of now 130 species have been recorded and another 120 are expected to inhabit this area. The very rare Ludlow’s Bhutan Swallowtail is found here. The sanctuary is home to around 100 species of mammals, including globally endangered species such as snow leopard, Royal Bengal tiger and red panda.

Trek to Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary:  Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Northeastern part of Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas. Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary also has numerous historical and cultural sites.

The sanctuary is home to around 100 species of mammals and 296 species of birds. There are certain charismatic, keystone and globally endangered species of mammals in Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary such as Snow leopard, Bengal tiger, and Red panda, and Capped Langur (Common). The sanctuary has a rich floristic diversity comprising   650 species   of   vascular   plants

including the totally protected species of Bhutan such as the blue poppy (Bhutan’s national flower), Himalayan yew and Chinese caterpillar.

DID YOU KNOW? (About BHUTAN)

Trashi Yangtse is known for the excellent wooden cups and bowls made here from avocado and maple wood using water-driven and treadle lathes. It is also a centre of paper making. They use the tsasho technique with a bamboo frame, which produces a distinctive pattern on the paper. Mask Dances are an integral part of Bhutanese culture. There are hundreds of different dances each with their own special meanings and stories. Many date   back hundreds   of years and visitors can view these spectacular dances at annual Tshechus (Annual Religious Festivals) that take place throughout the country. Traditional Bhutanese eating habits are simple and in general, food is eaten with hands. Family members eat while sitting cross legged on the wooden floor with food first being served to the head of the household first.

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