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Universal Orlando 7 Days Unlimited Admission Ticket – 2-Parks…

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £63.85
Location: Orlando, Florida
4star based on 111 reviews

At Universal Studios Orlando, you’re the star at the number one movie and TV-based theme park in the world. Whether you are a fan of high-powered excitement, side-splitting comedy or heart-warming children’s tales, you’ll be in the picture at Universal Studios.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Excellent value for money
Popular choice with kids
Family friendly
Seven consecutive days admission into Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
All rides and attractions
CityWalk Party Pass – all-club access to select live entertainment at Universal CityWalk for seven consecutive days, including first day of use
6.5% Florida Sales Tax
Conducted in English

Then, at Universal Islands of Adventure Orlando you’ll journey with the family through five remarkable islands where all your favorite comic and cartoon heroes come to life on the most innovative rides and attractions ever created. You’ll be entertained by high-speed roller coasters, out-of-this-world children’s rides and groundbreaking 3-D attractions.

Rides include:

* The Simpsons Ride
* The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man
* Incredible Hulk Coaster
* Dueling Dragons
* Jurassic Park River Adventure
* Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
* Fear Factor Live
* Men in Black Alien Attack
* Shrek 4-D
* Revenge of the Mummy The Ride
* TWISTER – Ride it Out
* The Blues Brothers
* Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue
* Lucy A Tribute
* Terminator 2: 3-D
* Jaws

Special Offer – Save 20% off the recommended retail price! – BOOK NOW!

Some of the Rides and Attractions at Universal Islands of Adventure Orlando include:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (coming soon) – Pass through the towering Hogwarts castle gates and explore the familiar passageways, classrooms and corridors. Visit the shops of Hogsmeade and sample wares from the wizarding world’s best known establishments. Plus experience new pulse-pounding rides including Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider Man – Your Spider-Senses Will Be Tingling. Put on your 3-D glasses for an eye-popping, pulse-pounding, first-of-its-kind 3-D Spider-Man thrill ride. Careening through the streets and swinging high above the city, you’ll see, hear, and actually FEEL the action of Spider-Man’s most amazing adventure ever.

Incredible Hulk Coaster – Feel The Rage! Something has gone wrong with Dr. Bruce Banner’s gamma-ray accelerator. Suddenly you’re launched from zero to 40 mph in two seconds flat! All you can do is hold on as an angry Hulk roar fills your ears and you smash through the sky on a high-speed roller coaster rampage. If you love roller coasters, get ready for the ultimate coaster adventure.

Duelling Dragon – They’re the world’s first inverted, dueling roller-coasters. Soar 125 feet in the air and reach speeds of 55 mph on two unique rides. Ride with the Fire Dragon or Ice Dragon as they narrowly pass within inches on a roller coaster dogfight across the sky!

Jurassic Park River Adventure – It’s lunchtime… and you’re on the Menu! Take an unforgettable river raft ride, and see dinosaurs in their natural habitats. But be careful! The fences are down, the Raptors have broken loose, and the only escape from the terrifying jaws of a hungry T-rex is an 85-foot plunge in total darkness!

Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – Better Eat Yer Spinach! Set sail for uncharted hilarity as you help Popeye rescue Olive Oyl from the clutches of that blowhard Bluto on this wet ride. You’ll brave white-water rapids in this churning, splashing raft ride that’ll make you wish you’d brought your spinach… and a towel.

Storm Force Acceleration – Help the X-Men’s super hero Storm battle the evil Magneto as she summons the powers of nature in a whirling, twirling, spinning power generator!

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall – Taking Fear to New Heights! All hail Doctor Doom! Prepare to submit to his latest evil experiment – a diabolical device created to extract every ounce of fear from your body by rocketing you 150 feet into the air, then hurling you back down faster than gravity itself!

Fear Factor Live – Now It’s Your Turn! See if you have what it takes at the most extreme audience participation show ever – Fear Factor Live. Perform gravity-defying stunts in front of thousands as you compete against other guests, or watch all the action from the audience.

MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack – It’s up to YOU to protect the Earth from aliens in MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack. As an agent trainee, you’ll zap aliens as you chase them through the streets of New York in this high-tech ride based on the hit movie. The outcome is based on your score — save Earth and you might get promoted to full-fledged Men in Black agent! With multiple endings, it’s never the same ride twice! Have you got what it takes to join the best of the best?

Some of the Rides and Attractions at Universal Studios Orlando:

Holly Rip Ride and Rocket (now open) – For an adrenaline pumping and music thumping ride, visit Hollywood Rip Ride and Rocket . You will climb straight up and a moment later, you’re screaming at 65 mph, 17 stories over Universal Studios.

The Simpsons Ride – The Simpsons are visiting Krustyland, the low-budget theme park created by famed TV personality and shameless product huckster Krusty the Clown! You are there right alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as you enter through the carnival-like midway. Once you board your vehicle you’re in for one surprise after another as you embark on a wild, over-the-top ride through the park& flying, floating, and more or less crashing your way through Krustyland’s kiddie attractions, stunt shows, and thrill rides.

Shrek 4-D – Join Princess Fiona and your heroes on an all new honeymoon adventure picking up where the Oscar-winning movie “Shrek” left off. Shrek 4-D features an original 3-D film, plus an extra dimension of special effects through the miracle of OgreVision. You see, hear and actually FEEL the action right from your seat! If you love motion simulator rides, you’ll love Shrek 4-D.

Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast – The evil Ooblar from the planet Yolkus has stolen Jimmy’s newest rocket creation… The Mark IV. Board your own rocket, and follow Jimmy on a wild chase through your favorite Nicktoons, including SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Hey Arnold!, and Rugrats.

Revenge of the Mummy / The Ride – Plunge into total darkness as you face fireballs, scarab beetles, and an army of warrior mummies on a psychological thrill ride totally unlike anything that’s come along in the past 3,000 years! If you love roller coasters, you are in for a truly unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Get ready to scream!

TWISTER – Ride it Out – It’ll Blow You Away. Step into one of the most action-packed movies of all time, and feel what it’s like to be a storm chaser, looking a tornado right in the eye. Grab onto the railing and “Ride It Out,” as our special effects wizards re-create the explosive force of nature at its worst.

The Blues Brothers – It’s a party on Delancey Street in New York with Jake and Elwood, the bad boys of blues. This outdoor stage show is located in the New York backlot area, is for all guests and has no height restrictions.

Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue – Beetlejuice cranks up Dracula, Wolfman, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein for a Mega-Monster Rock Show filled with screaming demons and wailing guitars. This live stage show takes place in an open-air amphitheater located in the San Francisco backlot area, has a PG-13 Rating, and no height restrictions.

Lucy – A Tribute – The Queen of Comedy lives at Universal Studios! This loving tribute is a walk through the dazzling career of America’s queen of comedy, Lucille Ball. Get a close-up look at the world’s favorite redhead on screen and off! See classic shows, costumes, scripts, and even rare home movies. You are sure to fall in love with Lucy all over again!

Terminator 2: 3-D – The Future Is Coming…After You! Join forces with the Terminator in a battle to prevent mankind’s extinction at the cold, steel hands of futuristic cyborgs. Live-action stunts, special effects, and amazing 3-D film come together in this Terminator adventure that says “Hasta la vista, baby” to entertainment as you know it.

JAWS – You’re gonna need a bigger boat! Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water. a giant fin slices through the waves and you’re suddenly face to face with three tons of Great White fury. Are you ready to withstand the all-out assault of JAWS?

Fear Factor Live – Now It’s Your Turn! See if you have what it takes at the most extreme audience participation show ever – Fear Factor Live. Perform gravity-defying stunts in front of thousands as you compete against other guests, or watch all the action from the audience.

Animal Actors on Location – More fun than humanly possible! Animal Actors On Location! is an outrageous show featuring a humorous mix of video, live animal performances, and audience interaction. Don’t be surprised if things don’t always go as scripted, because as anyone will tell you, the animals are running the show!

E.T Adventure – Can you help E.T.(the extra terrestrial) make it back home? Bring the kids and board your flying bikes as you soar across the stars to help E.T save his home planet. It’s an adventure that will touch your heart all over again.

A Day in the Park with Barney – Meet Barney and his friends Baby Bop and BJ in a live sing-along, clap-along stage show. Then afterwards, have fun in Barney’s interactive playground. It’s Super-Dee-Duper!

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster – We have a roller coaster for your young kids too! Climb into your crate and take a fun- filled ride through Woody Woodpecker’s own nut factory on this family-style coaster. It’s the nuttiest ride you’ve ever seen!

Schedule

Departure Point: 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, Orlando, Florida
Departure Time: Universal Orlando generally opens at 9:00am and closes between 7:00pm and 10:00pm depending on the season. Please call the day of your visit to confirm opening hours.

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Easy to buy the voucher online and then exchange at the window at Universal. Very good value for money.

Reviewed by: F C, United Kingdom

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 270+ HOTEL DEALS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

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Thailand

Phang Nga Bay Tour from Krabi

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £35.16
Location: Krabi, Thailand

Phang Nga Bay is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in southern Thailand, Krabi is located some 497 miles from Bangkok. To the West it’s bound on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white, sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small Islands verdant forest and highly interesting archaeological remains.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Travel by boat and see the sights from the water
Lunch included
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Conducted in English

This tour takes you to Phang Nga province. Travelling by road the journey takes around 1 1/2 hours before joining boats to go out into the bay. This area is very famous for its natural scenery such as the lime stone cliffs. There is also known as ‘James Bond’ island. This needle like island was used in the film ‘Man with the golden gun’.

The local environment may seem uninhabitable, but you’ll be quite surprised how life can flourish in this area when we visit a local village of sea gypsies.

Return to Krabi in the late afternoon.

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from centrally located Krabi hotels
Departure Time: 9:00am – Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.
Return Details: Tour returns to your hotel at approximately 5:00pm

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 130+ HOTEL DEALS IN KRABI, THAILAND

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Thailand

Krabi to Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tour

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £47.41
Location: Krabi, Thailand
4star based on 3 reviews

Krabi is fast becoming a destination for international tourists as a more relaxing alternative to Phuket. Spectacular scenery surrounds the area, both inland and offshore, with many of Thailand’s finest beaches nearby. Two of the most beautiful and well known islands in the Andaman Sea are the islands of Ko Phi Phi, or simply known as Phi Phi. Travelling by speedboat you’ll be able to experience more of these islands for yourself!

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Travel by speedboat and see the sights from the water
Lunch included
Informative, friendly and professional guide
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Conducted in English

This tour offers a full day out to visit Phi Phi, which many regards as the two most beautiful islands in the Andaman Sea. Your 1-hour speedboat transfer to Phi Phi will ensure you spend less time on the water between Krabi and Phi Phi and more time on the island swimming, snorkelling or relaxing – perfect for those who have limited time and would prefer to spend more time exploring the area. Please note that the speedboat will be travelling at faster speeds than the ferry transfer to Phi Phi and one should expect a bumpy ride as the vessel travels across the waves at high speed.

You will visit Phi Phi Lai, the smaller of the two islands, and to Maya Bay, which was one of the locations used when making the film ‘The Beach’. Then it’s off to the bigger island of Phi Phi Don with its magnificent twin crescent beaches. There will be plenty of free time for sunbathing and swimming so remember to pack your towel and swimming costumes!

Schedule

Departure Point: Tour departs from centrally located Krabi hotels
Departure Time: 8:30am – Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.
Return Details: Tour returns to your hotel at approximately 4:30pm

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

This is definitely the way to visit Ko Phi Phi and the Andaman Sea on a day trip from Krabi. The speed boat is safe, comfortable and a good way to sightsee. The snorkelling and swimming are excellent. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Jeff L, Australia

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 130+ HOTEL DEALS IN KRABI, THAILAND

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Chiang Rai Airport Transfers – Shared Arrival Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £7.90
Location: Chiang Rai, Thailand

Ensure your trip to Thailand is free of hassle by booking your Chiang Rai shared airport transfer now. Travel from Chiang Rai International Airport to your hotel in Chiang Rai or a hotel in the Golden Triangle area. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take out the hassle of getting a taxi on arrival when you pre-book your transfers and arrive in air conditioned comfort on this shared transfer. Private vehicle transfers are also available here.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
One-way shared transfer from airport to hotel in air-conditioned vehicle
Meet and greet services by English speaking representative
1 piece standard size luggage + 1 piece hand carry per person
Conducted in English

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Chiang Rai accommodation details. Your Chiang Rai airport to hotel transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver upon your arrival at Chiang Rai airport.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:

* Arrival Flight Number
* Arrival Time
* Hotel Name (where you would like to be dropped off)
* Hotel Address

Schedule

Departure Point: After you have collected your luggage, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall at Chiang Rai Airport by the tour operator who will be holding a sign reading out your name

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 38 HOTEL DEALS IN CHIANG RAI, THAILAND

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Chiang Mai Airport Transfers – Shared Arrival Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £6.96
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
4star based on 4 reviews

Ensure your trip to Thailand is free of hassle by booking your Chiang Mai shared airport transfer now. Travel from Chiang Mai Airport to your Chiang Mai City Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take out the hassle of getting a taxi on arrival when you pre-book your transfers and arrive in air conditioned comfort on this shared transfer. Private vehicle transfers are also available here.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
One-way shared transfer from airport to hotel in air-conditioned vehicle
Meet and greet services by English speaking representative
1 piece standard size luggage + 1 piece hand carry per person
Conducted in English

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Chiang Mai accommodation details. Your Chiang Mai airport to hotel transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver upon your arrival at Chiang Mai airport.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:

* Arrival Flight Number
* Arrival Time
* Hotel Name (where you would like to be dropped off)
* Hotel Address

Schedule

Departure Point: After you have collected your luggage, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall at Chiang Mai Airport by the tour operator who will be holding a sign reading out your name

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

No hassle way of Getting to accommodation after arriving in a strange airport.

Reviewed by: Brenton D, Australia

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 180 HOTEL DEALS IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Bangkok Airport Transfers – Shared Arrival Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £11.97
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
3.5star based on 106 reviews

Ensure your trip to Thailand is free of hassle by booking your Bangkok shared airport transfer now. Travel from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to your hotel in the city of Bangkok. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take out the hassle of getting a taxi on arrival when you pre-book your transfers and arrive in air conditioned comfort on this shared transfer. Private vehicle transfers are also available here.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
One-way shared transfer from airport to hotel in air-conditioned vehicle
Meet and greet services by English speaking representative
1 piece standard size luggage + 1 piece hand carry per person
Conducted in English

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Bangkok accommodation details. Your Bangkok airport to hotel transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver in Bangkok.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:

* Arrival Flight Number
* Arrival Time
* Hotel Name (where you would like to be dropped off)
* Hotel Address

Schedule

Departure Point: After you have collected your luggage, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall at Suvarnabhumi International Bangkok Airport by the tour operator who will be holding a sign reading out your name

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Good service both to and from the airport. We hadn’t booked a return, and they rang the next day to see if we wanted to. Easy and efficient.

Reviewed by: Anonymous, Australia

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 490 HOTEL DEALS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

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Airport/Resort Transfers

Koh Samui Airport Transfers – Shared Arrival Transfer

BOOK THIS TOUR – CLICK HERE!
From £8.40
Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
3.5star based on 2 reviews

Pre-book your shared airport to hotel transfer on arrival from Koh Samui Airport to your Koh Samui Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take out the hassle of getting a taxi on arrival when you pre-book your transfers and arrive in air conditioned comfort on this shared transfer. Private vehicle transfers are also available here.

Inclusions:

Instant Confirmation
Shared Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Meet and greet services by English speaking representative
1 piece standard size luggage + 1 piece hand carry per person
Conducted in English

When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:

* Departure Flight Number
* Departure Time
* Hotel Address

Don’t forget to book your Airport to Hotel transfer!

Schedule

Departure Point: Airport Arrivals Hall

For additional information and bookings GO HERE!

Vehicle and driver waiting on arrival. Taken straight to the Resort Hotel. Good.

Reviewed by: Simon C, United Kingdom

COMPARE AND BOOK FROM 200+ HOTEL DEALS IN KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka tourism looking good – Aitken Spence

Sri Lankan conglomerate, Aitken Spence PLC has reported Rs 744 million as pre-tax profit and Rs 470 million after taxes and profit attributable to shareholders for the quarter ended 30th September 2009, the company said this week, adding that the profits were up 16% from previous, corresponding periods.

During the quarter under review, the Sri Lankan leisure sector, consisting of hotels and inbound tourism, showed signs of recovery. Aitken Spence Hotels, which operates the country’s largest resort portfolio showed improved earnings over the previous year. Aitken Spence Travels, the largest inbound tourism operator in the country saw tourist numbers increase during the period under review, resulting in higher earnings, the statement said.

In spite of earnings remaining negative, the Group’s performance in the Maldives was above expectations. Aitken Spence is the largest international resort operator in the Maldives, with a chain of seven resorts. The islands are yet to fully recover from a slump in tourist arrivals due to the aftermath of the global recession.

The aviation sector, consisting of the General Sales Agencies for Singapore Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines has reported losses during the period. The reduced demand for air travel as a consequence of the global financial crisis which compelled airlines to reduce the number of flights coupled with increased operating costs had an adverse impact on the sector turnover and profitability. “Singapore Airlines has shifted to night flights which we believe may facilitate improved returns in the future,” the company said.

The maritime sector revealed a better performance over last year despite a challenging operating environment. Its port management and container services operations in South Africa maintained strong earnings. The company also stated that negotiations are ongoing with the government and the Aitken Spence-China Merchant Holdings Consortium regarding the tender for the development of the South Container Terminal of the Colombo Port expansion project.

“We intend to expand and strengthen our presence in Sri Lanka, especially in the hospitality sector. The former Neptune Hotel will be transformed into a wellness resort based on Ayurveda under our Heritance brand umbrella. We are partnering with Six Senses to build an up-market luxury resort in Ahungalla. We also have plans to develop the prime beach property we own in Trincomalee”, said J M S Brito, Deputy Chairman/Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC.

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Sri Lanka

Enjoy the glory of a unique heritage – Sigiriya…

Sigiriya has been a popular place to visit for both the young and the old. Apart from the marvel of the 5th century rock fortress, the glorious paintings, the writings on the Mirror Wall and the beautiful gardens on top of the rock, now there is something new for the visitor to see. That is the recently opened Sigiriya Museum – a marvel in itself.

Managed by the Central Cultural Fund, the Museum can be described as ‘a three-in-one’ operation. Primarily an archaeological site museum, it is also a visitor information centre and a research facility. It brings into focus the results of decades of archaeological research at Sigiriya and the surroundings extending up to Dambulla. One can get a clear

understanding of the history of Sigiriya from prehistoric times to the present day. Sigiriya Museum is located in the huge garden opposite the main entrance to the fortress – to the west of the outer moat and the outer ramparts. Once you enter the garden you go through the Osu Uyana, the botanical garden
established in the early 1990s.

As you walk a little distance, on the left is a building merged with the forest. It houses the museum. Huge ponds full of water and flowering plants adorn the vicinity.

You walk into the museum and you are invited to watch an audio-visual presentation describing the history of Sigiriya. You can watch any of the three versions – English, Sinhala or Tamil. You come out and face a brick arch through which you enter the exhibit area.

In Exhibition Gallery 1 you are taken on a quick visit through time from the geological past to the present. The display covers 12 thematic and chronological divisions.

These include pre-history and proto-history, iron production, early Buddhist monasteries, the ‘golden age’ of Sigiriya, the terracotta sculpture, the paintings, the graffiti poems, and the history of archaeology at Sigiriya.

The exhibits are a varied lot, ranging from artifacts to maps, plans, models, photographs, film and audio recordings. These cover six galleries and the visitor can get all the related information though the text presented near each display. A large amount of artifacts collected over many decades give the visitor a clear idea of the rich heritage of which we can be proud of.

Among the specialties are the stone tomb from the Ibbankatuwa cemetery, an actual iron smelting furnace from Alakolawewa, stone tools used as early as 4000 BC, Buddha images belonging to different periods, and the gild bronze ear-ring of which you can get a closer look through a magnifying glass and see the intricacies.

(Cameras being taboo photographs cannot be taken of these exhibits.) At one point you stop to listen to a voice recording. It’s a poem written in the Mirror Wall referred to as ‘kurutu gee’ – one of the 685
creations by unknown travellers dating back to anytime between the 6th and 13th centuries.

A scale model of the Sigiriya rock and the gardens under a glass floor is simply amazing. You can walk on the glass (one feels one should not do so) and stand around a railing, contemplating the mighty work of King Kassapa in re-creating the ‘Alakamanda’ – the abode of Kuvera, the God of Wealth.

You come out of the exhibit area having absorbed the finer elements of a glorious past and land near a
spiral staircase – a replica of the one you go up to see the beautiful frescoes. You climb it and reach the recreated fresco galleries with the Sigiriya paintings copied by Sri Lankan artists. The accurate replicas of the fresco galleries have been done in Japan, which incidentally financed the entire project.

As you wind your way towards the exit, you pass through several stalls selling arty objects and souvenirs and a bookstall.

While those who are unable to climb Sigiriya can now enjoy all its splendour with a visit to the museum, even those who do, can get a better insight into this unique World Heritage Site.

Yet to finish Though much of the Museum is complete, there is more to be done. By June 2010 it will be completed and until then admission is free.

The Museum is open on all days, except Wednesdays, from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening.

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Sri Lanka

Spice and new dynamism lifts tourism to new heights

By Steve A. Morrell

Inevitably, perceptions are that tourism will take on new dimensions. Innovation that could spell myriad possibilities are factually mind boggling. The subject is that wide.

Pleasingly fresh thinking in the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority nurtured novelty and modernism and the newest idea surfaced this week to enliven the spice festival this year.

The tourism industry has a formidable task ahead of them and revelations at the press brief were that there now pervades an aura of purpose and an attitude of ‘lets do it’, enthusiasm .

Present at the press conference, Minister Tourism Promotion Faizer Mustapha said the World Spice Food Festival would signal an image building pointer that Sri Lanka is well on course to garner enhanced tourist traffic and all indicators were that things were looking good.

He said after about 30 years devastation stemming from war, reparation should take renewed urgency. He also conceded that although there was enthusiasm among those involved in Tourism, and an Industry as we know it to be, nobody should expect miracles. Realistically, he said leaders familiar to the tourism trade have responded positively and there was now sense of ownership in broad perspectives to make things work.

Considering there was to be international experts in varied cuisine performing their individual culinary artistry, the press questioned organizers if there would be team spirit or would such cross cooking experts work in tangent against each other rather than in tandem. Although answers to this question were somewhat garbled, the bottom line was there would be distinct organization and purpose in its total concept.

Since the spice festival was a exigent vehicle to promote spicy food, much in concert with the Sri Lankan spicy food image, it was also informed that the spice growers Association or SAPPTA, were kept in the dark and not partners to this entire promotion.

The Minister conceded this was not done, but said future events of similar prestige will involve that organization as well.

Present at the media conference were Director Standards and Quality Assurance, SLTDA, Upali de Silva, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Bernard Goonetilleke, Secretary Ministry of Tourism, George Michael, Faizer Mustapha, CEO HSBC, Nick Nicolauou, Head Financial section, HSBC Sarit Wijekoon, and Steering Committee member, Alan Palmer .

Upali de Silva said the spice festival would involve chefs from different parts of the world.

Most five star locations would either have spice sites in their locations or they would be part of an enormous show on Galle Face Green.

Possibilities for ‘Hawker Street’ food fests would not be ruled out.

Cuban American, with chef Leonel, similarly wide variety in spice foods from Jaffna, to Lebanon, Italy, Malaysian, Spanish cuisine, Moroccan, Thai, and an elongated list of food variety will be on offer 6th to 14th November.

George Michael said it was not only that Colombo and its suburbs were important to the tourist industry, but the entire country was.

Fauna and flora seen in practically every part of Sri Lanka held spectacular vistas of natural grandeur wholly complemented by spectacular scenery seen in the hills and most Up Country areas. He said there literally was no end to what a foreign traveler could see, and leave completely satisfied.

Thanks: Island.lk

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