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Summer Villa Availability

We still have some free dates in some our gorgeous beach front villas in Sri Lanka - August is the perfect time to visit this country - the weather is hot and sunny with little chance of rain. Why not treat yourself and your family to a stay in a fully staffed villa with private pool - throw all your concepts of a self catering holiday out the window as our dedicated chefs and in-house staff ensure you don't have to worry about lifting a finger and the more tiresome decision will be what mouthwatering meal to have prepared for you that day before you hit the pool for a swim!

Southpoint Abbey still has 8 nights free from the 14th August, Southpoint Villa has availability from the 23rd July - 19th August, Kadju House is free from the 14th August for 13 nights and The Beach Hut has availability from the 22nd August onwards.

Hemis Festival Ladakh 12th - 13th July, 2010

Almost all of the Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh hold festivals, mostly taking part in the harsh winter months. Hemis Monastery on the other hand offers the western traveller an opportunity to witnessing one of these colourful and joyfyl occasions in the summer months. Every 12th year, a huge Thangka dedicated to the founder of Tibetan Buddhism is ritually exhibited during this festival. Other monasteries, which have summer festivals, are Lamayuru, Phyang, Takthok and Karsha. The main draw of these festivals are the intricate mask dances, with each monks donning a mask which represtents various divinities, both good and evil. The festivals attract hundreds of villagers from far and wide, and offers them an opportunity for much socialising, trading and entertainment as well as a chance to ask for a blessing from the monks for a prosperious year to come.

 

Oli visits the Tiger Parks of Central India  

Safaris, in my opinion, are the best holidays one can take. I have been on safaris in Africa and although the management of the natural habitat is unsurpassed and there is game galore, one can become a bit blasé and perhaps expectant of seeing the "big five". This is why I prefer the Indian wildlife parks where you never know if you are going to get see the star of the show, the elusive tiger, or not.

Last year I finally got to visit the famous Bandhavgarh National Park in central India, along with some of the other parks on the "Tiger Circuit". It was here while being guided by Shailin Ramji of Junglemantra that we came across a big male talking a morning stroll through the undergrowth. Splashing through streams, venturing close to a group of chital deer, (causing them, and the accompanying langurs in the trees, to erupt in a cacophony of alarm calls), and eventually sauntering across the track,  just 20 feet away from our jeep where we were taking breakfast. He eventually disappeared in the elephant grass, his markings proving their camouflaging ability.

The thrill of seeing this majestic endangered big cat, in the wild and untagged (as they can be in some parks with a more active poaching problem), is something special as you may not get a chance again in your lifetime.

Pushkar Fair: 18th - 21st November, 2010

Every year up to 200,000 people decend on Pushkar around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October - November. Many are making the pilgrimage to Pushkar Lake to take a holy dip and to worship at the only Bhrama temple in India. The bustling and highly colorful cattle fair is also held during this time. Pushkar fair is best known for it's camel trading and other attractive activities.

Accommodation in Pushkar is always in high demand months in advance so we do recommend booking early to be guaranteed a comfortable stay.