With clear blue water, white sand beaches, and great visibility, the Maldives is an idyllic scuba diving paradise.
During a diving trip to the Maldives, you may see manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, soft & hard corals and much more.
During a diving trip to the Maldives, you may see manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, soft & hard corals and much more.
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Wildlife of the Maldives
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The necklace of islands that make up the Maldives is characterized by beautiful blue oceans and tropical islands with swaying palm trees and sugar-white sandy beaches. This spectacular archipelagic nation is home to a diverse array of wildlife, both on land and in the sea, ranging from tiny geckos to mammoth whale sharks.
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LAND-BASED
WILDLIFE |
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Due to the small size of the island nation, there are very few land-based mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, most of which are widely distributed throughout the atolls. There two species of fruit bat, Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus ariel), and a sub-species of variable flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus maris), as well as Maldivian garden shrews, which are locally known as hikandhi (Tupaias). Cats, rats, and mice have been introduced by humans, often invading the uninhabited areas of islands and becoming pests, and it is strictly forbidden to bring domestic dogs to the Maldives.
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PHUKET
THE ART OF INDULGENCE |
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It was teeming with wildlife – elephants, various deer, tigers, clouded leopards, black panthers, tapirs, black and sun bears, pangolins, banteng (huge buffaloes), rhinoceros, dugongs, water buffaloes, koupreys (wild oxen), huge hawksbill turtles, gazelles, binturongs (Asian bear cats), great monitor lizards,
1. The Tiger Kingdom
The Tiger Kingdom is a sanctuary for tigers that were either orphaned or rescued. Here, they are raised well with an eye towards helping them return to the wild eventually. However, some of the tigers that live here were born in captivity and have little to no chance of surviving in the wild. Therefore, instead of being released, they are trained to perform shows for tourists. That said, all the tigers here get everything they need to live their best lives. The Tiger Kingdom also accepts volunteers, so if having fun while helping animals sounds good to you, you’ll definitely love it here. 2. Soi Dog Foundation If you love dogs, you will surely love the Soi Dog Foundation, as they take in all the stray dogs in Phuket and provide them with a home. Phuket has had some issues with stray dogs in the past and the vast majority of them end up being euthanized every year.The foundation was formed to protect these animals and give them a better chance at finding a forever home. That’s why the foundation’s dogs are up for adoption. Since they were strays before the foundation took them in, they could always use more food and love. So if you ever want to help some dogs out, check this place out. Remember: adopt, don’t shop. 3. Monkey Hill Monkey Hill is the highest point in Phuket, which makes it a great place for sightseeing, but we know most people don’t really go here for that. As its name suggests, there is an abundance of macaques and other monkeys in this place. Some of them may even interact with you. But you should be careful, as these creatures have been known to play with people’s belongings and steal their food, so be sure to keep your things close to you at all times. You should also keep in mind that these monkeys are wild animals, which means they bite, so you will need to be careful and not let them get too close. 4. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary You can’t visit Thailand without going to at least one elephant sanctuary. If you’re in town and are looking to see some elephants, feed them, or even give them a shower, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the place to be. Unlike many other so-called “sanctuaries” in Thailand that keep elephants only to make off them without prioritizing their well-being, this place ensures that the elephants are happy and healthy. Some of their charges even end up returning to the wild after a while. 5. Gibbon Rehabilitation Project On the surface, gibbons may look like any other monkeys, but when you look closely, you will see some differences. For starters, gibbons don’t have tails and their necks are really short and stumpy. They have much longer arms than other monkeys do to compensate for the lack of a limb that helps them balance up in the treetops. Gibbons are an endangered species, as over 3,000 gibbons are killed each year in Thailand. The GRP takes in orphaned and injured gibbons and nurses them back to health before returning them to the wild. If you feel connected to this cause, you can join their team and be a part of something bigger. |
SURFING
AT KATA AND KALIM BEACHES IN PHUKET Surfing is gaining in popularity in Phuket, and the option to hire a board and receive some training from an accredited trainer is available on many beaches, most notable Kata Beach and Kalim Beach. Racing along on the crest of the waves is exhilarating and the size of the waves in Phuket are typically accessible for beginners whilst still being fun for more experienced surfers.
Big Buddha &
Wat Chalong As the tour name suggests this is an ideal opportunity to familiarize yourself with your holiday island and take in the islands natural beauty as we drive along the beach roads through Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai. For fabulous photo opportunities we will stop at the Karon viewpoint and cultural sights such as the sacred buddhist temple of Phuket Wat Chalong.
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Phi Phi Sunrise
from Phuket Save yourself time and get to the Phi Phi Islands before the crowds arrive on this convenient sunrise tour. Instead of traveling in an overcrowded tourist boat, take a small speedboat to the most beautiful spots. Because you get there early, you can mark your place in the sand, eat a delicious breakfast on the beach, and explore the sand and sea however you like.
Phang Nga Bay
& James Bond Island With turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, and lush jungle, Phang Nga Bay boasts islands straight out of a brochure. Explore them with a guide on this all-inclusive day trip. Kayak through caves and mangroves at Koh Panak and surreal rock formations at Hong Island. Soak up views of James Bond Island then lounge on the beach at Lawa Island. Refuel with a buffet lunch onboard your boat.
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SEYCHELLES
THE ART OF INDULGENCE |
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Seychelles is a paradise on Earth.
The beautiful country is blessed with deep blue waters and white sandy beaches with exotic sea life, becoming a famous honeymoon destination.
The 115-island country is within the Indian Ocean off East Africa and actually has the least population among independent African countries.
Explore the Vallée de Mai on Praslin
Vallée de Mai is a stunning nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the island of Praslin. As home to the remnants of Seychelles’ original palm jungles and with over 4,000 trees of the legendary Coco de Mer, this historic reserve has often been described as the ‘Garden of Eden’. An afternoon in this magical forest sees you basking in the green glow of the palm trees, which are endemic to Seychelles. With the largest and heaviest seeds in the world, the female tree produces a heart-shaped fruit similar to the shape of a woman’s pelvic region – make sure to ask locals about the conspiracy around the trees. Look out for some unique birds such as the Seychellois bulbul and the rare black parrot. |
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