Fantastic tourism spots of the world

Ekushey Book Fair

2010-02-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

Ekushey Book Fair is now a popular festival in the life of people. It is held only once in a year. Ekushey Book Fair or Amor Ekushey Grontho Mela (“Book Fair of the Immortal 21st"), commonly known as Ekushey Boi Mela (“Book Fair of the 21st"), is the national book fair of Bangladesh. It takes place over the entire month of February every year, and is devoted to the martyrs who died on 21 February 1952 in a demonstration calling for recognition of Bengali as one of the state languages of Pakistan.

Despite the fact that Ekushey Boi Mela began simply as a book fair, it has evolved into a great event, enlightening the spirit of the contemporary Bengali nation.

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When February comes we feel happy. It has close connection with our glorious past. We can proudly say that we are Bengali. The Bengalis generally are not that much interested in reading books. But the scene of February is quite different. The whole nation waits for this month, especially for the book fair.

All set to begin Amar Ekushey Book Fair

DHAKA, Jan 30 (BSS) - With the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2010 just one day away, the publishers have almost completed preparations for the month-long annual event beginning on February 1.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair at 3:00 pm.

All the publishers are now passing busy time shuttling between the printers' and binders' to get their books ready for the fair.

Noted publishing houses such as University Press Limited, Anyaprakash, Agami, Samay, Mawla Brothers, Bidya Prakash, Anupom, Pathsutro, Oitijjhya, Suchipatra, Sahitya Prakash, Pathak Samabesh, Muktadhara, Dibya Prakash and Sandesh will start releasing their titles from the first day, the owners said.

Mohiuddin Ahmed of the University Press Limited said his publishing house would publish 28 titles in the fair and 20 of them would be on display on the opening day.

The Oitihijhya chief executive, Arifur Rahman Nayeem, said at least 75 titles would be released in the fair from his house and three to four titles will hit the fair on the first day.

Agami Prakashani will bring out about 45 titles, said Osman Gani, owner of the publishing house.

Rabin Ahsan of Shraban said his house would publish 50 titles for the fair.

Saeed Bari of Suchipatra said his house would publish 40 titles this year.

Some publishers said the price of books would go up by five to 10 per cent this year because of the increased prices of paper and other raw materials.

Rajib Noor of Pathsutro, however, said he did not see any significant increase in the price of books as production cost had varied a little compared with what it cost in the past year.

Like the previous years, book lovers and visitors will get 25 percent concession on the price of book published by different publishing houses and organisations and get 30 percent concessions on books published by the Bangla Academy.

"Our preparation is at the final stage. The academy compound is almost ready and the rest of the work would be finished shortly," said Murshid Anwar, deputy director of the coordination and public relations department of the Bangla Academy.

The deputy director said list of new books and other information of the fair will be uploaded on the internet regularly and two news bulletins on book fair will be published daily.

Seminars will be held regularly on the theme 'History of the Language Movement in 1952'.

In the last year there were 436 book stalls at the Ekushey Book Fair and the total sale proceeds were Taka 18 crore.

Poetry collections top the list of 2,741 new books unveiled in the last year's fair, closely followed by novels and essays. Bangla Academy sold books worth Taka 58 lakh in the last year's fair.

Amar Ekushey Book Fair, popularly known as Ekushey Boi Mela, is the most popular book fair in the country, which continues during the whole month of February every year, and is dedicated to the language heroes, who died on February 21 in 1952.

Chittaranjan Saha of Muktodhara Publishing House was the first to set up a stall on the Academy premises on February 21, 1972, to mark the Shaheed Day, which was later announced as International Mother Language Day.

The Bangla Academy took over the fair in 1978 and in 1984 it was named Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, according the Academy sources.

Task force to prevent piracy at Book Fair

Twenty-four books arrived on the second day of the Amor Ekushey Book Fair 2010 yesterday. This year a total of 505 book- stalls are participating in the fair along with a total of 366 organisations.
Shahida Khatun, member secretary of the fair, said that this year they found more enthusiasm among the people compared to last year.
This year the best publisher will be awarded prizes for publishing best books after the name of Chittoranjan Saha who was the pioneer of the book fair, she said adding that a total of 26 Little Magazines were participating in the fair. The number of publications last year was approximately 3,000.
Director General of the Bangla Academy Shamsuzzaman Khan told The Independent that they had made huge security precautions to hold the fair.
About illegal publications and pirates books, he said that the Academy had set up a task force to prevent piracy.
The fair will be open for visitors from 3 pm to 9:00 pm.
On holidays the fair will be open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
On 21 February the fair will be open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Talking to The Independent, Shahidul Islam Biju, a publisher of the "Pathak Shamabesh," said: "The readers must change their reading habits. They should read more subjective books rather than novels and story books.
Samaresh Devnath, secretary general of the World Poetry Association, said: "From today the fair started getting its real colour. We hope this fair will be successful."
In the afternoon Moinuddin Khaled presented the keynote paper in the discussion meeting on late Kamrul Hasan, Kazol Bandopadhya and Nisar Hossain took part in the discussion presided over by Motiur Rahman, editor of the daily Prothom Alo.

History

Muktodhara Publishing house started a little sell in front of Bangla Academy in the 21st February 1972,[1] the Shaheed Day, later International Mother Language Day. Chittaranjan Saha of Muktodhara took the initiative.[2] Later, other book publishers joined there unofficially. Gradually it became official and the most popular book fair of Bangladesh. Bangla Academy took over organization of the fair in 1978. In 1984 it was named Amar Ekushey Book Fair.[3] Notably, in 1990s, another national book fair called Dhaka Boi Mela was initiated. This book fair is organized by government in December every year

Importance

Although Ekushey Boi Mela started merely as a book fair, it has evolved into a national cultural festival reflecting the cultural spirit of the modern Bengali nation. [1] In addition to book sales, Bangla Academy organizes literary and cultural events everyday. Thousands of people gather everyday not only to purchase books but to spend time in the company of books and their authors with a patriotic zeal. There is no entry fee. Publishers of Bangladesh take year-long preparation to publish a huge number of books during this month. Profit is not the consideration. In 2008, 362 book stalls have been set up by publishers, book sellers and such other organization including Bangla Academy and Nazrul Institute.[4] The venue of the book festival and outside is decorated with banners, festoons and placards in conformity with the spirit of Amar Ekushey. The entire fair venue is free from smoking and polythene. [5] It is the cultural reunion of Bangladesh where nearly every writing-related person comes. Attracted by discounted price (25%), readers rush there. Given the importance, generally head of government inaugurates the book fair on the first day of February. TVs make life broadcast of the inaugural ceremony.

Structure

Usually, the fair continues from 1 February to the 28th. It is limited only in Bangla Academy's boundary. The Ministry of Culture is in control of the fair while the Academy does the ground work. Usually the Prime Minister (or the Chief Adviser in case of Caretaker government) inaugurates the fair. Between 300 and 400 publishing houses takes part. Only the Bangladeshi booksellers can join who have at least 25 books of their own. There is Nazrul Manch, a corner dedicated to poet Kazi Nazrul Islam; a fixed place for month-long cultural meetings, a Lekhok Kunjo, a dedicated place for writers and, also, a media center for the journalists. Now a days it became harder to accommodate the huge crowd and the increasing number of publishers. In 2008, the theme of daily conference is 'Bengali Literature and Culture - Achievement of three decades'.

Ekushey Boi Mela 2010

Ekushey Boi Mela 2010 was held from 1st to 29 February 2010. As many as 288 publishers participated in the fair. A record number of books were published on the occasion. According to official statistics, the number of books published in connection with the book fair was 2578. The sale proceeds from books sold shot up to a record of Taka 200 million

100,love liric

2010-02-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

Malacca Rich in History of Malaysia

2009-11-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

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1. Tranquerah Mosque

This is a historically important landmark as the tomb of Sultan Hussain of Johor, who gave Singapore to Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, lies within its grounds. This mosque is also unique in its architecture which reflects both Indian and Chinese influences.

2. Kampung Morten

Names after J.F. Morten, who was the Commissioner of Land in the early 1920s, when the site housed a cluster of wooden houses on stilts. Originally a swamp, it has now been paved overand the village is a tourist attraction as it is a living museum of a traditional Malay village along the Malacca River.

3. Bukit China

The sacred grounds of Bukit Cina are popular with tourists, especially those from China, who come to trace their family members who venture to Malacca. Nice and breezy, this sacred ground is worth a visit and even for a jog, starting from the Sam Poh Kong temple.

4. Kampung Kling Mosque

This is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the country and its architecture is of Sumatran influence. It is still used as a place of worship by the Muslims in Malacca today.

5. The King's Well

Better known as the Hang Lin Po well, it was built by the followers of the Chinese princes who married the reigning Sultan Mansur Shah in the 15th Century, in 1549. It is now a wishing well, although it is said that the well, which was the main source of water for the town, never dries up.

6. St Francis Xavier Church

This church was built by Reverend Favre in 1849 and dedicated to the Saint Francis Xavier who was canonised in 1622 and known as the patron saint of foreign missions of the Catholic Church. It is built over part of the old Portuguese fort ruins.

7. Kampung Hulu Mosque

Said to be the oldest mosque in Malaysia, it was built in 1728 by one Dato Shamsudin. It is one of one of the most visually arresting and unique mosques architecturally, without any discernible parallel or resemblance anywhere else in the country. The roof is multi-tiered and shaped like a pyramid.

8. Malacca Sultanate Palace

This is a reproduction of what the annals deemed as the palace of the ruler of the ancient Sultanate. It currently also houses the Cultural Museum of Malacca on the grounds. Entrance fee is RM1 for adults and 50 sen for children.

9. Tribal Art Gallery

If you are into art, then here is where you can find some primitive art works. Cleverly-designed by the owner, the place is dimly-lit and resembles a tribal shack with strange and menacing-looking objects seemingly lurking in the shadows.

10. Chicken Ball Rice

This is just like Chicken Rice found everywhere except that the rice is made into balls by hands. Famosa Chicken Rice Ball is one of famous outlets here besides Hoe Kee, all in the town centre. It was initially created by the Hainanese in Muar, Johor and expanded to Malacca.

Malaysian Beaches

2009-11-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

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With a coastline running thousands of kilometers, Malaysia has plenty of beautiful beaches, some of which are reputed to be the best in the world. The islands are also home to equally magnificent and pristine beaches with white and gold sands and swaying casuarinas. Accommodation is not a problem as various types of hotels and resorts can be found.

Cherating, Pahang

Located about 50km away from Kuantan, it is a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the sun, sea and beach. It was first popularised by backpackers attracted by its white sandy beach and quaint kampong life of the locals.

Pantai Cenang, Langkawi

Langkawi’s most popular beach, it is located the near the airport and 25km from Kuah town. It has a long stretch of beach and numerous hotels. The scenery is fantastic, especially at sunset and sunrise.

Burau Bay,Langkawi

Located on the west coast of the island, this stretch is known for its peaceful and tranquil environment. The view, notably in the evening, is picturesque.

Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi

It got its name from the many casuarina (rhu) trees found in the area. Located 20km from Kuah, the water is shallow and warm as the beach is sheltered. A favourite spot for photography buffs.

Pantai Kok, Langkawi

It is a little isolated, wherein lies its attraction as there is less crowd. Another plus point is that much of the natural scenery is still preserved, giving it a touch of tranquility. The water is clear and relatively shallow and the white powdery sand makes the beach an ideal place to laze about and do nothing.

Datai Bay, Langkawi

The beach is secluded, making it a perfect getaway for those wanting to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, or those looking forward for some private moments. The area, facing the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, is famous for its luxurious and five-star resorts.

Emeral Bay, Pangkor Laut

A stunning bay with emerald green water, and unspoilt by development. However, this is not a public beach as it is located on the privately-owned Pangkor Laut. The bay has been hailed by many travel writers and columnists as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Port Drt Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

Perhaps the most popular public beach in the country. Better known as PD, it is located less than an hour’s drive from the Klang Valley, which makes it a popular choice among beachgoers and holidaymakers from Kuala Lumpur. Another plus factor is this coastal town has numerous spots of beaches. It can crowded on weekends and public holidays.

Golden Sand, Pangkor

Pantai Puteri Dewi is a superb stretch of beach. The only drawback is that it fronts a five-star hotel, which means no land access except for the quests. Like most beaches in the country, the best time to be here is in the evenings.

Teluk Nipah, Pulau Pangkor

Some attest this is a better choice compared with other beaches on the island. Perhaps, the verdict is arrived due to its clear emerald-green water and tranquility.

Pulau Redang, Terengganu

Like Tioman, this is a popular island holiday destination, with visitors attracted to its fine beaches and underwater world. The island has some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the country.

Pasir Bogak, Pulau Pangkor

The most popular beach and also the largest on the island, it has been described as the “largest swimming pool in the world”. Large trees provide the shade and idyllic picnic spots. Its clear and shallow water ensure one a splashing good time, especially as various water sports activities are available. The beach is located near Pangkor town, so getting there is a breeze.

Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Kelantan

Formerly known as the Beach of Passionate Love or Pantai Cinta Berahi, this is perhaps Kelantan’s most famous beach. It is a popular and ideal spot for picnics, camping and relaxation. Also a perfect getaway for the world-weary.

Tioman, Pahang

The beaches of Tioman and its surrounding islands need no introduction. Visitors are bound to be mesmerized by the beauty of this tropical paradise. It is considered one of the world’s ten most beautiful islands. Popular spots include those around the villages of Tekek, Genting and Salang. Enjoy its perfect sunset setting.

Teluk Chempedak, Pahang

Another popular beach located near Kuantan, it is popular among the locals. It is a vibrant place due to its numerous eating and entertainment outlets. The beach is lined by casuarina trees but quite rocky at certain spots. A nearby jungle offers a fair share of Malaysia’s flora and fauna.

Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Without doubt, this is the island’s most popular and famous beach, especially among foreign tourists. It has everything to offer-long and wide stretch of sandy beach, scores of resorts and hotels, water sports and eateries offering mouth-watering dishes. This is not to mention its popular night market which operated until midnight.

Pantai Lanjut, Pahang

This stretch of beach is located near Kuala Rompin and is noted for its long and gently-sloping beach. An added attraction is the lush greenery and nature related activities. Experience the joy of a stroll under a moonlit sky.

Pantai Balok, Pahang

Balok is another beach area near Kuantan and a focal point for wind surfers. An ideal place to relax, with swaying casuarinas, a long stretch of while sandy beach and tropical breezes that can lull one into a slumber.

Rantau Abang, Terengganu

Rantau Abang, lacated 60km south of Kuala Terengganu, is synonymous with leatherback turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. Though this is the main attraction, its beaches are comparable with the popular ones in the country.

Damai Beach, Sarawak

A pristine beach area, with the idyllic view made complete by Gunung Santubung in the background. It is Sarawak’s main beach resort area. For nature lovers, they will find the jungle trails up the mountain challenging.

Morib, Selangor

Located at the south of Selangor, Morib has its own attractions. It is less crowded, hence suitable for those wanting to escape the hordes of people who normally descend onto the popular beaches like Port Dickson. Its greatest appeal is its peaceful atmosphere and tranquility. An interesting activity is to comb the beaches for seashells during low tide.

Karambunai, Sabah

It has a five-star resort, the Nexus Resort Karambunai. The beach front is inviting, especially for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Eiffel Tower Travel Gallery

2009-11-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

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Eiffel Tower Travel Gallery
The structure was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle, a World's Fair marking the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. Eiffel originally planned to build the tower in Barcelona, for the Universal Exposition of 1888, but those responsible at the Barcelona city hall thought it was a strange and expensive construction, which did not fit into the design of the city. After the refusal of the Consistory of Barcelona, Eiffel submitted his draft to those responsible for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, where he would build his tower a year later, in 1889. The tower was inaugurated on 31 March 1889, and opened on 6 May. Three hundred workers joined together 18,038 pieces of puddled iron (a very pure form of structural iron), using two and a half million rivets, in a structural design by Maurice Koechlin. The risk of accident was great, for unlike modern skyscrapers the tower is an open frame without any intermediate floors except the two platforms. However, because Eiffel took safety precautions, including the use of movable stagings, guard-rails and screens, only one man died.The tower was met with much criticism from the public when it was built, with many calling it an eyesore. Newspapers of the day were filled with angry letters from the arts community of Paris. One is quoted extensively in William Watson's US Government Printing Office publication of 1892 Paris Universal Exposition: Civil Engineering, Public Works, and Architecture. “And during twenty years we shall see, stretching over the entire city, still thrilling with the genius of so many centuries, we shall see stretching out like a black blot the odious shadow of the odious column built up of riveted iron plates.” Signers of this letter included Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, Charles Gounod, Charles Garnier, Jean-Léon Gérôme, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Alexandre Dumas.
Novelist Guy de Maupassant who claimed to hate the tower supposedly ate lunch in the Tower's restaurant every day. When asked why, he answered that it was the one place in Paris where one could not see the structure. Today, the Tower is widely considered to be a striking piece of structural art.

One of the great Hollywood movie clichés is that the view from a Parisian window always includes the tower. In reality, since zoning restrictions limit the height of most buildings in Paris to 7 stories, only a very few of the taller buildings have a clear view of the tower.

Eiffel had a permit for the tower to stand for 20 years, meaning it would have had to be dismantled in 1909, when its ownership would revert to the City of Paris. The City had planned to tear it down (part of the original contest rules for designing a tower was that it could be easily demolished) but as the tower proved valuable for communication purposes, it was allowed to remain after the expiration of the permit. The military used it to dispatch Parisian taxis to the front line during the First Battle of the Marne, and it therefore became a victory statue of that battle.
By: Wikipedia.com

The London Eye Travel

2009-11-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

The London Eye Travel

The London Eye, at 135 metres, is the tallest observation wheel in the world. I believe that the London Eye is most spectacular to non-riders when it's illuminated in the evening.One of the nice things about the London Eye is that you can combine it with other attractions. One time I went on a riverboat cruise that left from just in front of the Eye, touring the river from Westminster down past Tower Bridge and back. We got off the boat and got right into the queue for the Eye, on one combined ticket.

2009-11-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

London Tower Bridge
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London Tower Bridge Image
Tower Bridge was originally painted green, then brown, before becoming the current red, white and blue in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Thankfully for the British taxpayer it was decided not to cover the bridge in gold leaf for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. The bascules currently lift around one thousand times a year, or three times a day. Originally powered by pressurised water from the engine room housed on the south side of the bridge, when first opened the bascules were up and down with more regularity than a vicar in a brothel, and with this in mind the design called for two pedestrian walkways joining the tops of the towers.

Gherkin behind the Tower of London

2009-11-13T11:14:00.001-08:00

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Gherkin behind the Tower of London
The Tower of London was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078. In contrast the Gherkin Building, which is actually called 30 St Mary Axe or the Swiss Re Building was designed by the architects Foster and Partners. Construction started in 2001 and the building was completed in 2004.

Travel Khan Shatyry Entertainment Center

2009-11-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

Travel Khan Shatyry Entertainment Center
The Khan Shatyry Entertainment Center in Astana will become a dramatic civic focal point for the capital of Kazakhstan, the soaring structure, at the northern end of the new city axis, rises from a 200m elliptical base to form the highest peak on the skyline of Astana. The 100,000sqm centre’s unique concept - to provide a sheltered environment embracing an urban-scale internal park, shopping and entertainment venue - was developed in response to the harsh climate of extreme weather in both winter and summer. The building will become a lively public space and an unprecedented a

Top Ten Garden City in Kuala Lumpur

2009-11-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

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Despite the growing number of skyscrapers and accelerated development, Kuala Lumpur is still a city filled with beautiful parks and gardens.

1. Perdana Lake Gardens

This is one of the premier green lungs of Kuala Lumpur, which is just right across the Parliament building and was once home a British colonial official. It is a 92ha parkland and a great to unwind and be one with nature right in the centre of the city.

2. Butterfly Park

Home to more than 6,000 butterflies of some 120 species, it is beautifully landscaped to include flower and fruit plants and some rare herbs that are important in the diet and pollinating activities of butterflies. It is an educational walk in the park in a simulated natural rainforest environment where one can learn about the life cycle and mating habits of these beautiful creatures.

3. Orchid Garden

Orchids have never failed to amaze the thousands of visitors who come to see the more than 800 species grown in this garden. On weekends, this garden turns into a beautiful and crowded orchid bazaar. Admission is free.

4. Hibiscus Garden

A garden to honour the national flower, this place has more than 2,000 varieties of the rare and exotic blooms. It is also an educational tour where one learns that the hibiscus is actually made up of many varieties and each is different from the next with some being a single petal variety and others, a multiple petal variety. Admission is free and weekend bazaars are also held here.

5. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

One of the most popular tourist attractions of Kuala Lumpur, it is home to more than 5,000 birds of some 50 species, of which 90% are local species and the remainder imported.

6. Asean Sculpture Garden

This garden has a collection of prize winning sculptures by some of the finest artists in the Asean region. It is located behind the National Monument.

7. Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park

This beautifully landscaped park was the last inspired masterpiece of the late Roberto Burle Mark, a versatile and talented Brazilian master of gardens. A combination of trees, shrubs, structure of cement, stones and wood as well as water features were included to dispel the notion of a static garden. It is directly behind the must-visit Petronas Twin Towers and shopping heaven - the Kuala Lumpur City Centre or KLCC.

8. Titiwangsa Lake Gardens

This is one of the most popular metropolitan recreational parks, located in the northern part of the city. It features tennis courts, an exercise area, children's playground and other recreational facilities for water sports and jogging, and of course, the Eye on Malaysia!

9.Bukit Kiara Botanical Gardens

A designated green lung that is a beautiful sprawling park, it is a popular ground for residents of Damansara, Sri Hartamas, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bandar Utama. Its serene and captivating scenery soothes the mind, especially after a long and hard day at work.

10. Taman Tasik Permaisuri

This is one of the newest parks planned in the Cheras area and is one of the favoured areas for residents to jog and exercise, especially during weekends.

Top 10 Places to Ski in Switzerland

2009-11-13T03:28:00.000-08:00

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Switzerland is an amazing ski country defined by the majestic Swiss Alps. The winter months offer the opportunity for novice and experts skiers alike to carve up some of the finest white powder on Earth!

Listed below is a breakdown of Switzerlands top 10 resorts and places to ski. These 10 locations not only represent Switzerland's best, but are also some of the most sought after locations in the world!

10. Arosa - Located in the Eastern section of Switzerland, Arosa is a summer and winter resort. Full of tradition and history, Arosa creates an experience that cannot be fully digested without an extend stay. So how are the slopes? Arosa has over 50 miles of pristine terrain for you to fully immerse in. The air is especially pure and the slope drop offs will challenge even the most experienced skiers. Nature lovers will also enjoy the relative isolation of Arosa as compared to some of the other resorts on this list

9. Gstaad/Saanenland - Looking for a ski resort where you can gain some experience without be subjected to extremely difficult courses? If so, then Gstadd might be the place for you. Their courses attract mostly beginners and intermediate skiers because the slopes aren't as insane as some of the other locations in Switzerland. The only drawback for me is Gstaad is a bit on the pricey side. Swank hotels, trendy shops, and upscale restaurants are a common sight throughout. However, if money is not an obstacle, you will be pleased to know that the Gstadd/Saanenland area is one of the largest ski resorts in the Alps.

8. Murren - Murren is truly a picturesque sight to see. Located on a high cliff in Lauterbrunnen Valley over 5,400 ft. in the air, this mountain village can only be reached by cable car. With some of the best hiking and sledding trails in all of Switzerland, you will not have a problem finding things to do when the snow isn't at it's best (Summer Months). However, during peak snow season you will find that Murren offers some of the best snow and slopes around, attracting more advanced skiers.

7. Davos/Klosters - Davos is located in East Switzerland on the Landwasser River. The popularity of Davos has tailed off a bit from its heyday and the village is a bit rundown. Klosters offers a better alternative and brings in many skiers from The Netherlands and UK. This region offers ample slopes for the less experienced skier. There are many things to do, incudling superb hiking trails and mesmerizing restaurants located high in the sky.

6. Laax/Films/Falera - This area offers a wide range of summer sports. Skiing and snowboarding competitions are held through the winter months. Combinded, the Laax/Films/Falera area occupies over 130 sq. miles of prime skiing opportunities. The Vorab Glacier and Crap Sogn Gion attract much of the cross country skiing crowd while Foppa and Nagens represent an awesome downhill alternative for beginner and intermediate skiers. The lodging accommodations are reasonable and isn't as pretentious as say Gstaad. If crowds aren't your thing be sure to book your trip during the weekdays, the locals take advantage of the prime snow conditions during the weekends.

5. Saas-Fee - Saas-Fee is located in southwest Switzerland, next to Zermatt, and is home to the highest mountain in all of Switzerland, The Dom. What attracts many visitors to Saas-Fee is the amount of glacial activity. Glaciers of the Dom and the Allalinhorn allow for year-round sports activities, including summer skiing in some locations. With a wide range of blue rating slopes, Saas-Fee brings in much of the intermediate and advanced enthusiast. Don't be intimidated,however. There are also many slopes and schools of training for beginners.

4. Grindelwald - Next on my list is Grindelwald, which lies in the valley of Bernese Oberland, located very close to the middle of Swizterland. With over 120 miles of prime ski slopes, Grindelwald skiers have many different areas to choose from, most choose the Kleine Scheidegg for a fine sking experience. What sets this location apart from the others are the slopes accesabile only by helicopter. Griendwald has some of the best helicopter skiing in the world! In addition, you will be amazed to find that Grindelwald is a hub for activity. If you ever get tired of the slopes, (highley unlikely) Grindelwald is filled with museums, top notch golf courses, and a wide array of other adventure sports.

3. St. Moritz - Want to experience a resort full of rich history, world class lodging, and 300+ days of sunshine? If so, then St. Moritz is the place for you! Located in the far south east corner of Switzerland, St. Moritz is one of the most famous destinations in Switzerland. Beginners will enjoy the area of Corviglia where you will experience relatively easy slopes while advanced skiers will soak up the mind-numbing bliss of Pontresina. The view is said to be majestic. However, as with many of the other higher end resorts in Switzerland, be prepared to spend a bit of money!

2. Verbier - The runner up on my list of top places to ski in Switzerland is Verbier. As one of the more popular Swiss resorts in the Alps, the slopes can get a bit crowded during peak season. The slopes stay in pristine condition during the Spring months and make for a wonderful alternative to the sometimes overcrowded winter. The wide assortments of unique and challeneging courses suits both beginners and advanced skiers. Tortin has consistently been rated as a top draw for experts while the numerous ski training locations in Verbier create a fun atmosphere for the beginner. In addition, superb hotels, dining, sporting activities, and night life make Verbier one of the world's top ski destinations and tourist attractions.

1. Zermatt - Heard of Zermatt? If you haven't heard about Switzerland's greatest ski resort, you have now! Skiing is a year round event in Zermatt. Enjoy the Sunegga and Gornergrat regions during the winter months and make your way over to the Theodul Glacier for a fine intermediate adventure during the warmer summer months. With great snow, a wide array of obstacles and challenges, and some of the cleanest,freshest air in the world, Zermatt caters to just about everyone. In addition to incredible skiing, Zermatt features some of the most beautiful, natural ice skating rinks and many other adventure sporting activities such as climbing and paragliding. The world famous Matterhorn draws locals and tourists alike to scale this magnificent mountain. Nature lovers will appreciate the car-free resort with unbelieveable natural hiking trails. To visit Zermatt is said to have a Zen-like feel and this is why Zermatt is my top place to ski in Switzerland!

Switzerland Tourist Attractions – What to See in Switzerland

2009-11-13T03:07:00.000-08:00

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Switzerland is known as The Land of the Alps, and rightfully so. Bordered by France, Germany, Italy and Austria, Switzerland offers the most breathtaking views of the panoramic Alps. Though small, it is also one of the richest countries in the world, which is why there is no wonder many tourists dream of a Swiss vacation. There are plenty of Switzerland tourist attractions, too, although there are five you should definitely stop to see.

1. The Chillon Castle – Also known as the Chateau de Chillon, the Chillon Castle is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland located near Montreux. It was home to the Count of Savoys from the 12th to the 14th century, and consists of 100 buildings, several dungeons, three courtyards and four great halls. Each hall provides spectacular views of Lake Geneva.

2. Zermatt – Are you fond of skiing? If so, Zermatt should be on the top of your list of Switzerland tourist attractions. Other than providing great slopes for the sport, it also offers great views of the Swiss Alps, particularly the famous Matterhorn. You can go shopping and dining around the town, too.

3. Geneva Jet D’eau – This fountain in the heart of one of Switzerland’s major cities is one of the tallest fountains in the world, projecting water up to 140 meters high. Built in 1891, it is also considered one of the symbols of the city of Geneva.

There are other sights to see in Geneva, too. While there, drop by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum or the Cathedral de St. Pierre. There are many other museums and historical buildings worth visiting, too, as well as shops and restaurants to accommodate your lifestyle.

4. Swiss National Park – The only national park in Switzerland, the Swiss National Park covers almost half the area of the entire country. It has several hiking trails, too – all of which offer various stunning views of the Alps, which is why it is one of the must-see Switzerland tourist attractions.

5. Swiss Transport Museum – Take a look at the exhibit of locomotives, ships, aircrafts and automobiles at this popular Swiss museum or drop by the Planetarium for an out-of-this-world experience. You can also see the paintings and sculptures of Swiss artist Hans Erni or simply catch a film at the museum’s IMAX theatre.

These are just the top Switzerland tourist attractions. If you want to make the most of your trip, you can always see much more but as long as you visit these spots, you’re sure to understand why Switzerland is a popular tourist destination, and one you’ll want to revisit in the future.

Places To Visit In Switzerland

2009-10-31T04:14:00.000-07:00

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When you travel to Switzerland, the first city you are likely to go to is Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland. The city is Switzerland’s main commercial and cultural centre and sometimes called the Cultural Capital of Switzerland.

According to several surveys from 2006 to 2009, Zürich was named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe. It is also the sixth most expensive city in the world, where a 350 ml bottle of water costs as much as US$5.

However, don’t let the high Swiss standard of living scare you, as there is plenty to see and do in Zurich. The city is situated where the river Limmat issues from the north-western end of Lake Zurich, about 30 km north of the Alps. Zürich is surrounded by lovely wooded hills.

You can stay at Leoneck Hotel as it is conveniently close (5 to 10 mins walk) to the main train station (Hauptbahnhof), Old Town attractions and the main shopping budget. The hotel is also right next to a tram stop. The hotel offers reasonable charges, at between US$ 155 and US$ 240, depending on the season, per night for a twin room. You may also want to check out the Crazy Cow Restaurant at the basement of the hotel. It serves Swiss food served in troughs and pails, and is also open to non-hotel guests

Do bring a pair of good walking shoes, even if you don’t plan to go hiking. Many parts of Switzerland is on a slope. You can do your sight-seeing near the Old Town and along the Limmat River. Not to be missed are the Fraumunster Church, with its window paintings by Chagal, and the Landesmuseum, the biggest Swiss history museum. You can take a river bus and cruise down the Limmat River, soaking in the sights of Zurich.

The main shopping belt is the Bahnhofstrasse, with famous labels, fast food and upmarket restaurants, and cafes lining the promenade. The road also connects the main train station to Lake Zurich. At Lake Zurich, you can take a cruise to other parts of the city. It can get quite chilly, so don’t forget to bring a jacket.

Nature-and-Sightseeing-in-Switzerland is one of the best holidays you can choose. Another place to visit is Lucerne, a German-speaking part of Switzerland. The Old Town of Lucerne is a concentrated patch of land and most of the tourist attractions can be easily covered within 20 minutes by foot. One of the highlights of Lucerne’s historical centre is the Lowendenkmal or Lion Monument.

This massive statue was erected to commemorate the massacre of the Swiss Guard while defending the Tuileries (France’s Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and their family), who died in Paris in 1792 during the French Revolution. The weeping lion has a lance firmly implanted into his mid-section and his paw is resting upon the seal of France. This masterpiece is the work of Bertel Thorvaldsen and was completed between 1819 and 1821. From there, enjoy the view of the old iconic Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden bridge in Europe.

Travel to Switzerland

2009-10-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Switzerland is HEAVEN ON EARTH...once you step on this paradise; you wonder God has unleashed all its splendor and beauty on Switzerland. Millions of visitors from all over the world travel to Switzerland for- honeymoon, traveling, family holidays, sports, and relaxation. Scores of Bollywood songs have been shot in the beautiful locales of Swiss Alps. This place is multilingual and fusion of German, French, Italian forms strong culture.

Switzerland is the tourist friendly country in Europe, the trains, funicular railways, cable cars, and ski lifts offers tourist to visit the scenic places and inaccessible areas on tours.
Still wondering where to go in Switzerland? We give you sneak peak into the most popular destination to travel to Switzerland.

Board on flights to Switzerland and visit its stunningly beautiful and largest city, Zurich. We give you necessary information on cheap flights to Zurich and hotels for trouble-free accommodation. Circles around in the northern end by beautiful Lake Zurich the city robust snow-clad peaks, 19th century mansions, historic buildings. One of the best shopping destinations in the world, it boasts world famous opera, restaurants, museums, and galleries.

Our online site provides you details of flights in Switzerland, to reach your dream destinations in a hassle free way. "Interlaken," the oldest and most popular place adorned with the gorgeous views of Swiss Alps, majestic Jungfrau Mountain, it provides plethora of fun activities for adventure lovers like rock climbing, paragliding, downhill skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and sailing; "Bern" is travelers dream! Cobbled streets, sandstone arcaded buildings, street fountains, and medieval architecture, Zytglogge medieval clock and garden of roses; "Geneva" the seat of several United Nations Organizations famous sites are Jet d'Eau fountain, Flower Clock; Fashionable Zearmatt covered with enchanting beauty of Snowfall; lovely city of "Vevey" on the northern shore of Lake Geneva is famous for its vineyards.

Flightstoswitzerland.com is at your service! Giving you details of all cheap flights to Switzerland ...and unravel the picturesque locations; grandeur to the most beautiful county in this entire world.

Mohasthangarh is one of the main attractions in north Bengal

2009-08-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

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Mahasthangarh (Bengali: Môhasthangôṛ) is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana. A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC. The fortified area was in use till the 18th century AD.

Together with the ancient and mediaeval ruins, the mazhar (holy tomb) of Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar built at site of a Hindu temple is located at Mahasthangarh. He was a dervish (holy person devoted to Islam) of royal lineage who came to the Mahasthangarh area, with the objective of spreading Islam among non-Muslims. He converted the people of the area to Islam and settled there.

Etymology

Mahasthan means a place that has excellent sanctity and garh means fort. Mahasthan was first mentioned in a Sanskrit text of the 13th century entitled Vallalcharita. It is also mentioned in an anonymous text Karatoya mahatmya,, circumstantially placed in 12th-13th century. The same text also mentions two more names to mean the same place – Pundrakshetra, land of the Pundras, and Pundranagara, city of the Pundras. In 1685, an administrative decree mentioned the place as Mastangarh, a mixture of Sanskrit and Persian meaning fortified place of an auspicious personage. Subsequent discoveries have confirmed that the earlier name was Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura, and that the present name of Mahasthangarh is of later origin.

Geography

Mahasthangarh, the ancient capital of Pundravardhana is located at 25.50°N 81.50°E, 11 km (7 mi) north of Bogra on the Bogra-Rangpur highway, with a feeder road (running along the eastern side of the ramparts of the citadel for 1.5 km) leading to Jahajghata and site museum. Buses are available for Bogra from Dhaka and take 4½ hours for the journey via Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge across the Jamuna River. Buses are available from Bogra to Mahasthangarh. Rickshaws are available for local movement. Hired transport is available at Dhaka/ Bogra. Accommodation is available at Bogra.[8] When travelling in a hired car, one can return to Dhaka the same day, unless somebody has a plan to visit Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur in the district of Naogaon and other places, or engage in a detailed study.

It is believed that the location for the city in the area was decided upon because it is one of the highest areas in Bangladesh. The land in the region is almost 36 m above sea level, whereas Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is around 6 m above sea level. Another reason for choosing this place was the position and size of the Karatoya, which seemed to be as wide as the sea.

Mahasthangarh stands on the red soil of the Barind Tract which is slightly elevated within the largely alluvium area. The elevation of 15 to 25 metres above the surrounding areas makes it a relatively flood free physiographic unit.

Discovery

Several personalities contributed to the discovery and identification of the ruins at Mahasthangarh. F.Buchanan Hamilton was the first to locate and visit Mahasthangarh in 1808, C.J.O’Donnell, E.V.Westmacott, and Baveridge followed. Alexander Cunningham was the first to identify the place as the capital of Pundravardhana. He visited the site in 1889.

Citadel

The citadel (see map alongside), the fortified heart of the ancient city, is rectangular in plan, measuring roughly 1.523 km long from north to south, and 1.371 km from east to west, with high and wide ramparts in all its wings. The Karatoya, once a mighty river but now a small stream, flows on its east.

Till the 1920s, when excavations started, the inside of the citadel was higher than the surrounding areas by over 4 metres and was dotted with several straggling elevated pieces of land. The rampart looked like a jungle clad mud rampart with forced openings at several points. The rampart was 11-13 metres higher than the surrounding area. At its south-east corner stood a mazhar (holy tomb). A later day mosque (built in 1718-19) was also there.

At present there are several mounds and structural vestiges inside the fortifications. Of these a few of note are: Jiat Kunda (well possessing life giving power), Mankalir Dhap (place consecrated to Mankali), Parasuramer Basgriha (palace of a king named Parasuram), Bairagir Bhita (palace of a female anchorite), Khodar Pathar Bhita (place of stone bestowed by God), and Munir Ghon (a bastion). There are some gateways at different points: Kata Duar (in the north), Dorab Shah Toran (in the east), Burir Fatak (in the south), and Tamra Dawaza (in the west) At the north-eastern corner there is a flight of steps (a later addition) that goes by the name of Jahajghata. A little beyond Jahajghata and on the banks of the Karatoya is Govinda Bhita (a temple dedicated to Govinda). In front of it is the site museum, displaying some of the representative findings. Beside it is a rest house.

Suburb of the citadel

Besides the fortified area, there are around a hundred mounds spread over an area with a radius of 9 km. (See map alongside).

Excavated mounds

1. Govinda Bhita, a temple close to the north-eastern corner of the fortified area. 2. Khulnar Dhap, a temple 1 km to the west of the fortified area. 3. Mangalkot, a temple 400 m to the south of Khulnar Dhap. 4. Godaibari Dhap, a temple 1 km to the south of Khulnar Dhap. 5. Totaram Panditer Dhap, a vihara (monstery) 4 km to the north-west of the fortified area. 6. Narapatir Dhap (Vasu Vihara), a group of monasteries 1 km to the north-west of Totaram Panditer Dhap (said to be the place where Po-shipo Vihara mentioned by Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang) was located). 7. Gokul Medh (Lakhindarer Basar Ghar), a temple 3 km to the south of the fortified area (it is a small distance off the road from Bogra to Mahasthangarh). 8. Skander Dhap, a temple 2 km to the south-east of Gokul Medh.

Major unexcavated mounds

1. Siladevir Ghat. 2. Chunaru Dighi Dhap. 3. Kaibilki Dhap. 4. Juraintala. 5. Parasuramer Sabhabati. 6. Balai Dhap. 7. Prachir Dhibi. 8. Kanchir Hari Dhibi. 9. Lahonar Dhap. 10. Khujar Dhap. 11. Dosatina Dhap. 12. Dhaniker Dhap. 13. Madarir Dargah. 14. Bismardana Dhibi. 15. Malinar Dhap. 16. Malpukuria Dhap. 17. Yogir Dhap. 18. Padmavatir Dhap. 19. Kanai Dhap. 20. Dulu Majhir Bhita. 21. Padma Devir Bhita. 22. Rastala Dhap. 23. Sasitala Dhap. 24. Dhanbandhar Dhap. 25. Chander Dhap. 26. Sindinath Dhap. 27. Salibahan Rajar Kacharibari Dhipi. 28. Kancher Angina. 29. Mangalnather Dhap. 30. ChhotoTengra/ Babur Dhap/ Kethar Dhap. 31. Baro Tengra/ Sanyasir Dhap.

Excavated mounds

1. Govinda Bhita, a temple close to the north-eastern corner of the fortified area. 2. Khulnar Dhap, a temple 1 km to the west of the fortified area. 3. Mangalkot, a temple 400 m to the south of Khulnar Dhap. 4. Godaibari Dhap, a temple 1 km to the south of Khulnar Dhap. 5. Totaram Panditer Dhap, a vihara (monstery) 4 km to the north-west of the fortified area. 6. Narapatir Dhap (Vasu Vihara), a group of monasteries 1 km to the north-west of Totaram Panditer Dhap (said to be the place where Po-shipo Vihara mentioned by Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang) was located). 7. Gokul Medh (Lakhindarer Basar Ghar), a temple 3 km to the south of the fortified area (it is a small distance off the road from Bogra to Mahasthangarh). 8. Skander Dhap, a temple 2 km to the south-east of Gokul Medh.

Major unexcavated mounds

1. Siladevir Ghat. 2. Chunaru Dighi Dhap. 3. Kaibilki Dhap. 4. Juraintala. 5. Parasuramer Sabhabati. 6. Balai Dhap. 7. Prachir Dhibi. 8. Kanchir Hari Dhibi. 9. Lahonar Dhap. 10. Khujar Dhap. 11. Dosatina Dhap. 12. Dhaniker Dhap. 13. Madarir Dargah. 14. Bismardana Dhibi. 15. Malinar Dhap. 16. Malpukuria Dhap. 17. Yogir Dhap. 18. Padmavatir Dhap. 19. Kanai Dhap. 20. Dulu Majhir Bhita. 21. Padma Devir Bhita. 22. Rastala Dhap. 23. Sasitala Dhap. 24. Dhanbandhar Dhap. 25. Chander Dhap. 26. Sindinath Dhap. 27. Salibahan Rajar Kacharibari Dhipi. 28. Kancher Angina. 29. Mangalnather Dhap. 30. ChhotoTengra/ Babur Dhap/ Kethar Dhap. 31. Baro Tengra/ Sanyasir Dhap.

Excavations

Systematic archaeological excavation of Mahasthangarh was first started in 1928-29 under the guidance of K.N.Dikshit of the Archaeological Survey of India. The areas around Jahajghata, Munir Ghon and Bairagir Bhita were explored. Excavation was resumed in 1934-36 at Bairagir Bhita and Govinda Bhita. Excavation was carried out in 1960s around the Mazhar, Parasuramer Prasad, Mankalir Dhap, Jiat Kunda and in a part of the northern rampart. In the next phase excavation was carried out sporadically in parts of the east and north ramparts but the final report is yet to be published. In the period 1992-98 excavation was conducted in the area lying between Bairagir Bhita and the gateway exposed in 1991 as a Bangla-Franco joint venture, which is now in its second phase with excavation around the mazhar in the western side of the citadel.

Movable antiquities

The excavations have led to the recovery of a large number of items, a few of which are listed here.

Inscriptions: A 4.4 cm x 5.7 cm lime stone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered accidentally by a day labourer in 1931 was an important find. The text appears to be a royal order of Magadh, possibly during the rule of Asoka. It dates the antiquity of Mahasthangarh to 3rd century BC. An Arabic inscriptional slab of 1300-1301 discovered in 1911-12 mentions the erection of a tomb in honour of Numar Khan, who was a Meer-e-Vahar (lieutenant of the naval fleet). A Persian inscriptional slab of 1718-19 records the construction of a mosque during the reign of the Mughal emperor Farrukhshiyar.

Coins: Silver punch marked coins are datable to a period between the 4th century BC and the 1st-2nd century AD. Some uninscribed copper cast coins have been found. Two Gupta period coins have been reported from a nearby village named Vamanpara. A number of coins belonging to the sultans of 14th-15th century and British East India Company have been found.

Ceramics: Mostly represented by a vast number of shards.

Sculpture: A 5th century Buddha stone sculpture recovered from Vasu Vihara, a Lokesvara stone sculpture showing blending of Visnu and Avalokitsvara, salvaged from neighbouring Namuja village, a number sand stone door-frames, pillars and lintels (datable to 5th-12th century), numerous Buddha bronze sculpture datable to 10th-11th century, a terracotta Surya discovered at Mankalir Bhita, and numerous other pieces.

Terracotta Plaques: A number of terracotta plaques have been discovered.

Many of these are on display in the site museum, which is open Sunday to Thursday summer:10 am to 6 pm, winter:9 am to 5 pm. Recess:1-2 pm, Friday recess is from 12.30 to 2.30, opens at 9 am in summer, other timings same. Summer timings 1 April to 30 September, winter timings 1 October to 30 March.[2] Books on Mahasthangarh and other archaeological sites in Bangladesh (in Bengali and English) are available at the ticket counter for the site museum.

Highlights of some excavated sites

Inside the citadel

Bairagir Bhita: Constructed/ reconstructed in four periods: 4th-5th century AD, 6th-7th century, 9th-10th century, and 11th century. Excavations have revealed impoverished base ruins resembling temples. Two sculptured sand stone pillars have been recovered.

Khodarpathar Bhita: Some pieces of stone carved with transcendent Buddha along with devotees in anjali (kneeling with folded hands) recovered.

Parasuramer Prasad: Contains remains of three occupation periods - 8th century AD findings include stone Visnupatta of Pala period, 15th- 16th century findings include some glazed shreds of Muslim origin, and the third period has revealed two coins of the British East India Company issued in 1835 and 1853.

Mankalir Dhap: terracotta plaques, bronze Ganesha, bronze Garuda etc were discovered. Base ruins of a 15-domed mosque (15th-16th century) was revealed.

Bangla-Franco joint venture: Excavations have revealed 18 archaeological layers, ranging from 5th century BC to 12th century AD, till virgin soil at a depth of around 17 m.

Outside the citadel

Govinda Bhita: Situated 185 m north-east of Jahajghata and opposite the site museum. Remains dated from 3rd century BC to 15th century AD. Base remains of two temples have been exposed.

Totaram Panditer Dhap: Situated in the village Vihara, about 6 km north-west of the ciradel. Structural remains of a damaged monastery have been exposed.

Narapatir Dhap: Situated in the village Basu Vihara, 1.5 km north-west of Totaram Panditer Dhap. Base remains of two monasteries and a temple have been exposed. Cunningham identified this place as the one visited by Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in the 7th century AD.

Gokul Medh: Also known as Behular Basar Ghar or Lakshindarer Medh, situated in the village Gokul, 3 km to the south of the citadel, off the Bogra-Rangpur road, connected by a narrow motorable road about 1 km. Excavations in 1934-36 revealed a terraced podium with 172 rectangular blind cells. It is dated 6th-7th century. Local mythology associates it with legendary Lakshmindara-Behula. The village Gokul also has several other mound Kansr Dhap has been excavated.

Skandher Dhap: Situated in village Baghopara on the Bogra-Rangpur road, 3.5 km to the south of the citadel, a sandstone Kartika was found and structural vestiges of a damaged building were revealed. It is believed to be the remains of Skandha Mandira (temple consecrated to Kartika), mentioned in Karatoya mahatmya, as well as Kalhan’s Rajatarangin, written in 1149-50. There also are references to Skandhnagara as a suburb of Pundranagara. Baghopara village has three other mounds.

Khulnar Dhap: Situated in village Chenghispur, 700 m west of the north-west corner of the citadel has revealed remains of a temple. The mound is named after Khullana, wife of Chand Sadagar.

From the present findings it can be deduced that there was a city called Pundravardhana at Mahasthangarh with a vast suburb around it, on all sides except the east, where the once mighty Karatoya used to flow. It is evident that the suburbs of Pundravardhana extended at least to Baghopara on the south-west, Gokul on the south, Vamanpara on the west, and Sekendrabad on the north. However, the plan of the city and much of its history are still to be revealed.

Bhimer Jangal This well-known embankment starts from the north-east corner of Bogra town and proceeds northwards for about 30 miles to a marshy place called Damukdaher bit, under police station Govindaganj (Rangpur District) and it is said, goes oil to Ghoraghat. It is made of the red earth of the locality and retains at places even now a height of 20 feet above the level of the country. There is a break ill it of over three miles from Daulatpur (north west of Mahasthan-garh) to Hazaradighi (south-west, of it). About a mile south of Hazradighi. the stream Subil approaches the jangal and runs alongside it down to Bogra town.

Some people think that the Subil is a moat formed by digging the earth for the jangal but as there is no embankment on the northern reach of the Subil (now called the Ato nala. which merges in the Kalidaha bil; north of Mahasthan-garh O'Donnell was probably right in saying that the Subil represents the western of the two branches into which the Karatoya divided above Mahasthan.

On the Bogra-Hazradighi section of thee jaligal, there are two cross embankments running down to the Karatoya, about 2 miles and 4 miles respectively north of Bogra town and there is a diagonal embankment connecting these cross bonds and then running along the Karatoya until it meets the main embankment near Bogra.

This jangal or embankment appears to have been of a military character, thrown up to protect the country on its east. The break roar Mahasthan may be due to the embankment having been washed away or to the existence of natural protection by the bit.

The Bhima to whom the embankment is ascribed may be the ascribed may be the Kaivarta chief of the eleventh century who according to the Ramcharitam ruled over Varendra in succession to his father Rudraka and uncle Divyoka, who had ousted king Mahipala II of the Pala, dynasty. Bhima in his turn was defeated in battle and billed by Ramapala. Mahipala's son.

Jogir Bhaban South west of Bagtahali (beyond Chak Bariapara) and some 3 miles west of the khetlal road is a settlement of the Natha sect of Saiva sannyasis, known as Yogir-bhavan, forming the eastern section of Arora village. An account of this settlement is given by Beveridge, J.:1.S.T., 1878; p. 94. It occupies about so, bighas of land and forms the headquarters of the sect. of which there are branches at Yogigopha and Gorakh-kui, both in the Dinajpur District, the .former in its south-west part some 5 miles west of Paharpur, J.A.S.B.1875, p. 189, and the latter in its north-west part some 4 miles west of Nekmardan.

The shrines at Yogir-bhavan are situated in the south-west corner of an en¬closure or-math. One of them called Dharmma-dungi, bears a brick inscription, reading scrvva-siddha sana 1148 Sri Suphala ……. (the year =1741 A.D.). 'In front of it is another shrine called `Gadighar,' where a fire is kept burn at all hours. Outside the enclose are four temples, dedicated respectively to Kalabhai¬rava, Sarvamangala Durga and Gorakshanatha. The Kalabhairava temple contains a diva linga and bears a brick inscription reading Sri Ramasiddha sana 1173 sala (=1766 A.D.) ample Sri Jayanatha Nara-Narayana. The Sarva¬mangala temple contains three images of Hara-Gauri, one of Mahishamardini, a fragment of an Ashta-matrika slab, a fragment of a three-faced female figure probably Ushnishavijava (Sadhanamala; II. pl .XIV) and a four-armed female figure playing on a vina (evidently Sarasvati, but worshipped here as Sarva¬ mangala). Over the entrance is a brick inscription reading 1089 Meher Natha sadaka sri Abhirama Mehetara (the year =1681 A.D.). In the Durga temple is a stone image of Chamunda, and in the Gorakshanatha one, a Siva lihga. There are three brick built samadhis near the latter temple.

Arora South-west of the Dadhisugar and standing on the Masandighi, in Arora village; is Salvan Rajar bari referred to under Baghahali. This Silvan may possibly be the same as king Salavahan, son of Sahila-deva of the Chamba inscription who won the title of Kari-ghata-varsha (= hunjara-ghata-varsha ?) (R.C. Majumdar, vange kambojadhikara,' vanga-rani,Chaitara, 1330.B.S.p. 251, ind.Ant,XVII.pp.7–13). Beveridge refers to this mound in JA.S.B., 1878, p 95.

This name of Sahila seems, to occur again in Sahiladitya lakshmam in v. 10 of the Silimpllr inscription (Ep. Ind,XIII, p. 291). If this identification is correct, then the word kaunjanraghatacarshcna in the Bangarh stone inscription (Gauda-raja-mala, p. 35) is really the title or virudha of the Gudapati of the Kumboja family and not the date of the inscription.

Teghar North of Chandnia hat the road skirts the bil and comes to Teghar village Which juts out into the bil 'Near about here are several mounds; such as Naras¬patir dhap. Kacher Angina (or glazed courtyard, a term applied to many ruins in these parts) etc. The biggest of these mounds, Mangal-nather dhap, (Fig. 6) is situated close to the point, from which a road branches off to Bihar. It is said that terra-cotta plaques as well as stone images were found at this site, but were all consigned to the neighbouring dighi.

Rojakpur Proceeding westward along the road from Gokul to Haripur, we pass into the western arm of the latter village, already referred to. and meet the Bogra¬ Khetlal road near the Chandnia hat. West of Haripur and south of the Somrai bil is the village of Rojakpur, into which, as already stated, the elevated ground from Chandnia hat extends. On this ground are two mounds called respectively Chandbhita . (probably refering to the Manasa legend) and Dhanbhandar. A little further west is aher mound called Singhinath Dhap.

Mathura East of Bumanpara and extending up to the garh on the east and the Kalidaha bill on the north, is the village of Mathura, in Which there are several tank and on a ridge overlooking the Gilatala moat, two mounds called two mounds called Parasuramer Sabhabati and Yogir Dhap.

Anecdote

There is a local legend that Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar arrived at Pundravardhana in the garb of a fakir (mystic holy pedlar of Islamic philosophy) riding a fish. (Mahisawar is Sanskrit-Persian word meaning a person who rides a fish). He came from Balkh in Afghanistan with a retinue. The period of his arrival is variably put at 5th century AD, 11th century AD and 17th century AD. At that time there was a king named Parasuram with his seat and palace in Mahasthangarh. Mahisawar requested Parasuram for a piece of land to spread his prayer mat on which he could pray. The request was granted but the prayer mat started expanding as soon as it was laid on the ground. When the prayer mat reached the area around the palace bewildered Parasuram declared war. In the beginning the battle seemed to be favouring Parasuram. A scavenger Harapala informed Mahisawar that it was difficult to defeat the royal troops because of the pool called Jiat Kunda. A dead soldier bathed in the waters of Jiat Kunda came back to life. On knowing this Mahisawar asked a kite to drop a piece of beef in Jiat Kunda. When this was done, the pool lost its powers. The royal troops were on the verge of defeat. The commander of the royal troops, Chilhan, with a large number of his followers, went over to Mahisawar. Thereafter Parasuram and many members of the royal family committed suicide. There are many variations of this anecdote, some of which are sold in Bengali booklets in and around Mahasthangarh/Pundravardhana.

Some antiquity comparisons

Mahasthangarh dates back to at least 3rd century BC and is acknowledged as the earliest city-site so far discovered in Bangladesh. Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur in Naogaon District was once the biggest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas. It dates from the 8th century AD. Mainamati ruins in Comilla District date back to 6th-13th centuries AD. In neighbouring West Bengal, the ruins of Pandu Rajar Dhibi on the banks of the Ajay River in Bardhaman district date back to 2,000 BC. However, this recent archaeological discovery has not yet been properly studied by outside experts and specialists in this field, and as such the historical value of many of the statements must be considered as uncertain. The ruins at Chandraketugarh in 24 Parganas South and Rajbadidanga in Murshidabad district date back to the early years of the Christian era.

Niger-Congo languages

2009-07-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

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The Niger-Congo languages constitute one of the world's major language families, and Africa's largest in terms of geographical area, number of speakers, and number of distinct languages. They may constitute the world's largest language family in terms of distinct languages, although this question is complicated by ambiguity about what constitutes a distinct language. Most of the most widely spoken indigenous languages of Subsaharan Africa belong to this group. A common property of many Niger-Congo languages is the use of a noun class system.

Classification history

Early classifications

Niger-Congo as it is known today was only gradually recognized as a unity. In early classifications of African languages, one of the principal criteria used to distinguish different groupings was the languages' use of prefixes to classify nouns, or the lack thereof. A major advance came with the work of Koelle, who in his 1854 Polyglotta Africana attempted a careful classification, the groupings of which in quite a number of cases correspond to modern groupings. An early sketch of the extent of Niger-Congo as one language family can be found in Koelle's observation, echoed in Bleek (1856), that the Atlantic languages used prefixes just like many Southern African languages. Subsequent work of Bleek, and some decades later the comparative work of Meinhof, solidly established Bantu as a linguistic unit.

In many cases, wider classifications employed a blend of typological and racial criteria. Thus, Friedrich Müller, in his ambitious classification (1876-88), separated the 'Negro' and Bantu languages. Likewise, the Africanist Lepsius considered Bantu to be of African origin, and many 'Mixed Negro languages' as products of an encounter between Bantu and intruding Asiatic languages.

In this period a relation between Bantu and languages with Bantu-like (but less complete) noun class systems began to emerge. Some authors saw the latter as languages which had not yet completely evolved to full Bantu status, whereas others regarded them as languages which had partly lost original features still found in Bantu. The Bantuist Meinhof made a major distinction between Bantu and a 'Semi-Bantu' group which according to him was originally of the unrelated Sudanic stock.

Westermann, Greenberg and beyond

Westermann's 1911 Die Sudansprachen. Eine sprachvergleichende Studie laid the basis for much of Niger-Congo.

Westermann, a pupil of Meinhof, set out to establish the internal classification of the then Sudanic languages. In a 1911 work he established a basic division between 'East' and 'West'. A historical reconstruction of West Sudanic was published in 1927, and in his 1935 'Charakter und Einteilung der Sudansprachen' he conclusively established the relationship between Bantu and West Sudanic.

Joseph Greenberg took Westermann's work as a starting-point for his own classification. In a series of articles published between 1949 and 1954, he argued that Westermann's 'West Sudanic' and Bantu formed a single genetic family, which he named Niger-Congo; that Bantu constituted a subgroup of the Benue-Congo branch; that Adamawa-Eastern, previously not considered to be related, was another member of this family; and that Fula belonged to the West Atlantic languages. Just before these articles were collected in final book form (The Languages of Africa) in 1963, he amended his classification by adding Kordofanian as a branch co-ordinate with Niger-Congo as a whole; consequently, the family was renamed Niger-Kordofanian. Greenberg's work, though initially greeted with scepticism, became the prevailing view among scholars.

Bennet and Sterk (1977) presented an internal reclassification based on lexicostatistics that laid the foundation for the regrouping in Bendor-Samuel (1989). Kordofanian was thought to be one of several primary branches rather than being coordinate to the phylum as a whole, prompting re-introduction of the term 'Niger-Congo', which is in current use among linguists. Many classifications continue to place Kordofanian as the most distant branch, but mainly due to negative evidence (fewer lexical correspondences), rather than positive evidence that the other languages form a valid genealogical group. Likewise, Mande is often assumed to be the second-most distant branch based on its lack of the noun-class system prototypical of the Niger-Congo family. Other branches lacking any trace of the noun-class system are Dogon and Ijaw, whereas the Talodi branch of Kordofanian does have cognate noun classes, suggesting that Kordofanian is also not a valid group.

Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan

Over the years, several linguists have suggested a link between Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan, probably starting with Westermann's comparative work on the 'Sudanic' family in which 'Eastern Sudanic' (now classified as Nilo-Saharan) and 'Western Sudanic (now classified as Niger-Congo) were united. Gregersen (1972) proposed that Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan be united into a larger phylum which he termed Kongo-Saharan. His evidence was mainly based on the uncertainty in the classification of Songhay, morphological resemblances, and lexical similarities. A more recent proponent is Roger Blench (1995), who puts forward phonological, morphological and lexical evidence for uniting Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan in a Niger-Saharan phylum. Within Nilo-Saharan, Blench considers Niger-Congo to be most closely related to Central Sudanic. Most hypotheses uniting the two families have failed to generate much discussion.

Common features

Niger-Congo languages have a clear preference for open syllables of the type CV (Consonant Vowel). The typical word structure of Proto-Niger-Congo is thought to have been CVCV, a structure still attested in, for example, Bantu, Mande and Ijoid — in many other branches this structure has been reduced through phonological change. Verbs are composed of a root followed by one or more extensional suffixes. Nouns consist of a root originally preceded by a noun class prefix of (C)V- shape which is often eroded by phonological chang

Consonant and vowel systems

Reconstructions of the consonant system of several branches of Niger-Congo (Stewart for proto-Volta-Congo, Mukarovsky for his proto-West-Nigritic, roughly corresponding to Atlantic-Congo) have posited independently a regular phonological contrast between two classes of consonants. Pending more clarity as to the precise nature of this contrast it is commonly characterized as a contrast between 'fortis' and 'lenis' consonants. Five places of articulation are postulated for the consonant inventory of proto-Niger-Congo: labial, alveolar, palatal, velar, and labial-velar.

Many Niger-Congo languages show vowel harmony based on the feature [ATR] (advanced tongue root). In this type of vowel harmony, the position of the root of the tongue is the phonetic basis for the distinction between two harmonizing sets of vowels. In its fullest form, this type involves two classes, each of five vowels: [+ATR] /i, e, ə, o, u/ and [-ATR] /ɪ, ɛ, a, ɔ, ʊ/. Vowel inventories of this type are still found in some branches of Niger-Congo, for example in the Ghana Togo Mountain languages.[1] To date, many languages show reductions from this fuller system. The fact that ten vowels have been reconstructed for proto-Atlantic, proto-Ijoid and possibly proto-Volta-Congo leads Williamson (1989:23) to the hypothesis that the original vowel inventory of Niger-Congo was a full ten-vowel system. On the other hand, Stewart in recent comparative work reconstructs a seven vowel system for his proto-Potou-Akanic-Bantu.

The Copper Canyon

2009-07-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

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Mexico's Copper Canyon (also known as Barranca del Cobre or Sierra Tarahumara) offers some of North America's most dramatic landscapes. Although often referred to as the Copper Canyon, it is actually a series of six massive gorges that cover some 25,000 square miles of northwestern Mexico. It is rugged territory where most roads remain unpaved and elevations range from 7,500 to 9,500 (with a few peaks reaching 12,000 feet).

In addition to the splendors of the landscape, a visit to the Copper Canyon offers a chance to see the Tarahumara Indians, who (more than many of Mexico's indigenous cultures) have been very successful in maintaining their centuries-old way of life. Many still live in caves deep in impassable canyons. The Tarahumara, who call themselves Ramámuri ("people who run"), retreated deep into the canyons several centuries ago to escape the Spanish onslaught of disease, slavery and violence. Because the territory was so rugged, and they were able to adapt to it so well, the Tarahumara have largely escaped assimilation into modern Mexico.

What was once ruggedly impassable territory, however, has become somewhat more accessible since 1961 with the completion of the Chihuahua-Pacifico railway that links Los Mochis (on the Pacific Coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa) with the state and city of Chihuahua (in the central interior of Mexico's north). The railway is a remarkable feat of engineering. From sea level in Los Mochis, the train crosses 39 bridges and passes through 87 tunnels as it climbs to a maximum altitude of 8,056 feet (just east of Creel, near the Continental Divide), then descends into Chihuahua at 4,700 feet. For much of the 415 mile journey, especially between El Fuerte and Creel, the scenery is simply overwhelming. Deep canyons, rushing rivers, meadows of wildflowers and towering peaks greet the traveler around almost every curve in the tracks. From El Fuerte to Creel is the most spectacular segment of the trip and visitors should make sure they pass through this area during daylight hours (which when the days are short means starting the journey in Los Mochis (or El Fuerte) and traveling east toward Chihuahua).

The first-class train is truly world-class, with air conditioned cars, comfortable reclining seats, large picture windows and an excellent dining car. Plus, since its Mexico where insurance regulations do not control every aspect of life, travelers can stand in the space between the cars and have views (and photo opportunities) unobstructed by glass. (But please, if you decide to ride between cars, don't fall out and ruin it for future travelers.)

Those who simply ride the train through the Copper Canyon will miss much of the area's allure. While the landscapes visible from the train and the 20 minute stopover in El Divisadero are certainly magnificent, there is so much more. One could easily spend a week here, visiting local villages, hiking, horseback riding and more. Our schedule was not so leisurely, but we did manage a stopover of two nights in Creel (the approximate midpoint of the journey), plus an overnight trip deep into the canyon to visit the old mining town of Batopilas on the canyon floor. Creel itself is a gritty logging town and the main commercial center for nearby villages. Brightly dressed Tarahumara women share the main street with local men wearing cowboy hats, tourist agencies, small hotels and all sorts of shops. But the real reason to stop over in Creel is its easy access to the splendors of the surrounding countryside.

If time permits, an overnight trip to Batopilas is highly recommended. The small town on the canyon floor was once a booming mining town, beginning in the 1740s. Legend has it that the cobblestone streets were once paved with silver. Eventually the mines played out and Batopilas began to decline. Today the streets are hardly paved at all, but the town retains a rundown charm that reminds the visitor just how far away the modern world can be. Several miles outside of Batopilas, in an area where one would expect to find only more of the same rugged wilderness, stands the Jesuit mission church of San Miguel de Satevo, built around 1760, and sometimes referred today as the "lost cathedral." Along the way, we also met a group of young Tarahumara children.

After our stopover in Creel and Batopilas, we re-boarded the train and continued east toward the city of Chihuahua. After crossing the Continental Divide, the Chihuahua-Pacifico ("Chepe") train travels through flat open plains and farmland. During our visit in late October, the days were growing shorter and much of this part of the journey was in darkness. Late in the evening, we arrived in Chihuahua. We flew back to Mexico City early the next morning and thus had only a quick view of Chihuahua itself.

GEOGRAPHY

You'll find a variety of climates. It can snow in the mountains while tropical temperatures reign in the valleys.

The average altitude here is 2,275 meters above sea level, while the highest point, Cerro del Mohinora, is 3,306 meters and the lowest point, at the confluence of the Septentrion and Chinipas Rivers, is around 220 meters. Note that the average rainfall in Copper Canyon is close to 15 inches per year. Most of the rainfall takes place during the months of July, August and September.

To journey into this rugged and isolated terrain with knowledge of its spectacular biodiversity and history is one of Mexico's best adventures. Carl Lumholtz explored the Sierra Madre and the Barranca de Sinforosa in 1892, and his well-documented adventures have inspired generations of canyon enthusiasts.

A trip into the canyons and the Sierra requires a good base of operations, such as the town of Creel, most travelers' hub of choice. Multiple-day treks are arranged by many of the hotels in Creel, though you can find independent guide services in any of the towns by asking hotel owners or visitors. There are numerous towns along the railroad and in the valley including Batopilas, Cusárare, Divisadero, Bauchivo and Cerocahui.

CANYON HISTORY

The barrancas are one of Mexico's youngest geological formations and the largest in North America. They were formed about 30-40 million years ago, during a period of intense volcanic activity in what is present day Northwestern Mexico. Thousands of volcanoes erupted, throwing lava and ash onto the surrounding plateau and creating the Sierra Madre Occidental.

The tectonic activity also created deep fractures in the earth's crust. Because the rocks are relatively soft, the rivers originating in the high Sierra cut deep canyons on their descent to the Gulf of Mexico. The canyons bear the names of these powerful rivers: Chinipas, Candameña, Urique, Tararecua, Batopilas and Verdes.

FLORA AND FAUNA

The Sierra is one of the most biologically rich areas in Mexico. One reason is that there are two distinct environmental climates - one in the mountains and on the plateaus, and a different one at the bottom of the canyons. This terrain includes snow-covered mountain peaks and subtropical forests in the canyons.

The canyons are home to 290 recorded bird species, 24 endemic and ten in danger of extinction, including the military macaw (Ara milittaris), the thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha), and the eared trogon (Euptilotis noxenus).

Almost a third of Mexico's land mammals are found in the region, including the black bear (Ursus americanus), the puma (Felis concolor), and the Mexican wolf (Canis Lutus baileyi), which is in danger of extinction. Hunting has claimed many species. The grizzly bear is extinct and the wild turkey and deer are now rarely seen.

More than 3,500 vascular plants are found in the region. Among them are tropical and temperate species as well as hundreds of endemic species, including at least 60 wild relatives of major crops and more than 400 wild medicinal plants, an irreplaceable genetic legacy.

Most of these endemic plant species may be endangered by logging and overgrazing. Ironically, ethnobotanists now estimate that the forests are more valuable as extractive reserves for medicinal plants than for timber. The chuchupate plant, used as a blood thinner in both traditional and modern medicine, is worth thousands of dollars per acre in virgin pine forest, but it is sparse in most of the Sierra due to overharvesting and deforestation.

Mixed forests of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir are found above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), while juniper, piñon, and live oak are found at lower elevations from 500 to 1,500 meters (1,640 to 4,900 feet). Biologists have counted 15 species of pine and 25 of oak.

Unfortunately, the forests within the Sierra Tarahumara have been commercially logged for 100 years. The logging has been selective, and in many cases, the worst trees have been left in areas to regenerate new forest.
URIQUE CANYON

Urique Canyon is the deepest canyon in North America, and home to a Tarahumara settlement. Founded in 1690 along the banks of the meandering river, Urique was totally isolated until connected by a switchback mountain road in 1975.

SIERRA MADRE ALLIANCE

Copper Canyon does not have federal status as a national park or as a biosphere reserve, but plans and studies are underway. In February 1996, Mexico's Environmental Secretariat (SEMARNAP) announced its intention to form a 2.2 million-acre biosphere reserve in the Sierra. The Chihuahua City–based Sierra Madre Alliance will be responsible for planning approximately 750,000 acres of this reserve in the upper Río Fuerte watershed in the Sierra Tarahumara.

Randall Gingrich, Edwin Bustillos, and indigenous leaders from the Sierra formed the Sierra Madre Alliance in 1992. The mission of the Sierra Madre program is to return control of the forests to traditional indigenous communities and to facilitate sustainable ecosystem management.

The program supports indigenous communities suffering loss of land, destruction of forests, and human rights abuses in a region acknowledged to host the greatest biological diversity in North America. Tropical and temperate species intermix in a spectacular labyrinth of pine-forested highlands and tropical canyons. The native Tarahumara and Tepehuan are among the poorest and most traditional subsistence farmers in North America. Conservation, sustainable agriculture, and defense of basic human rights are inseparable for cultural survival.

We first featured the alliance in a 1999 Profile. For up-to-date info, consult their website.

VISITING?

LOCATION - The Copper Canyon is located in the state of Chihuahua.

TRANSPORTATION - The canyon is accessible from the Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad, the end points being Los Mochis, Sinaloa and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua. From Chihuahua, you can take the train or bus to the town of Creel, which is the easiest hub for exploration of Copper Canyon country. Other towns on the railroad are developing tourism as well, particularly Divisidero, Bauchivo and Cerocahui.

Glaciers, Fjords, and Mountains: Hiking New Zealand's South Island

2009-07-11T01:12:00.000-07:00

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This may be the only place in the world where you can stand in a rainforest and gaze out through a mantle of giant ferns and hanging moss at a 200-foot thick, five-mile long river of ice directly below you. (If you were pitching a screenplay about the place, you'd call it "Hawaii meets Switzerland.") The South Island has eight national parks that encompass world-class glaciers, a chain of rugged snow-capped mountains where Sir Edmund Hillary trained for Everest, fjords that rate right up there with Norway and Patagonia, semi-tropical rainforest beaches, mirror-smooth lakes, tumbling whitewater rivers, as well as dozens of lesser but still spectacular mountain ranges that will keep a "tramper" (local argot for hiker) busy for a lifetime. All this in a place the size of Florida—with one-tenth of the population.

Hiking in New Zealand has a European flavor, with a broad network of well-maintained trails and huts. Some areas have an American flavor as well, with trails that meander through huge cattle and sheep stations (i.e. ranches) reminiscent of Montana. The famous five-day Milford Track is promoted as "The Most Beautiful Walk in the World," and it may well be, but there are a number of other less-known routes worthy of the name.

Practically Speaking
Tramping is a long tradition in New Zealand. Because of its well-established system of trails, substantial huts, and "bivvies" (small, rudimentary shelters), the South Island is ideal for independent tramping. Maps and guidebooks (in English, of course) are widely available, the trails are well maintained, and huts are spaced at one-day intervals along most major trails. Moreover, there are plenty of campgrounds along major roads for between-hike stays. It's quite possible to hike New Zealand on $20 a day in food, bus fare, and camping/hut fees.

More upscale accommodations are available, of course. Simple "motor camps"—modest motels with cooking facilities—run $30-$50 per night for two people. More elaborate lodges and B&Bs typically go for $50-$100 a night. A number of U.S. outfitters offer all-inclusive multi-day hiking tours of the South Island. Most run 10-16 days and cost from $160 to $250 per person per day. Local New Zealand outfitters run group walking/hiking trips as well, at about the same prices.

Be sure to take good rain gear. Except along the northern coast, rain is a normal part of any New Zealand hiking trip, although you will have beautiful sunny days as well. The prime hiking season is November through March, the Down Under summer. Be wary of January, the traditional Kiwi holiday month, when trails and huts can be

Islands in the Mediterranean

2009-07-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

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So here´s the lowdown. I´m out in Majorca on a recce before a guiding trip that starts next week (www.tallstories.co.uk) -- Tuesday pm. It means I´m road biking around 450km with 5 other guides to double check routes I planned last autumn. Today we did 100 miles and ended up in a lovely hotel in Estellencs on the coast in the hillier part of the island. The sun went down while I massaged my knee with a cold bottle of San Miguel. Perfect.

Meanwhile over in Sardinia, it was the ETU Offroad Champs in conjunction with XTERRA. I´m very pleased to say that my girlfriend Renata won the Pro womens race .. sounds like a hard day at the office, but she´s all in one piece and super happy with the result. Check her news page at www.renatabucher.com for more details.

OK, it´s late here now in Majorca, but just wanted to drop the couple of gems out there. All seems well at home -- I was there for nearly 48 hours this week, the next big excitement is 3 of my athletes will be competing at Windsor Tri .. so I might see you there on the sidelines. All the best for now I need a big sleep! :-)

Caribou in the Arctic Refuge

2009-07-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

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Caribou are the most numerous large mammals in the Arctic Refuge. Two herds occur there: the Porcupine Herd (named afer the Porcupine River) and the Central Arctic Herd. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is within the main range of the Porcupine Herd, which numbers approximately 152,000 animals, and on the periphery of the range of the smaller Central Arctic Herd with 23,400 animals.

The following discussion focuses on the Porcupine Herd, but basic features of the ecology and annual cycle of events are similar for both groups. During the year, caribou go through seven distinct phases of activities, some involving long migrations.

Spring Migration

The spring migration begins in early March as caribou gradually drift off toward the northern limits of their wintering areas. The Porcupine Herd follows three major routes to the North Slope from primarily wintering areas in Alaska and the Yukon Territory: the Richardson, Barn, and British Mountains; the Old Crow route, which crosses the Porcupine River near the settlement of Old Crow and continues northward through the Old Crow Flats, over the British Mountains and through the Firth Valley; and the Arctic Village/South Brooks Range route which crosses the East Fork of the Chandler River, the Sheenjek, and upper Coleen rivers and follows the Firth River into Canada where it joins the Old Crow route.

The caribou segregate themselves into groups which migrate at different times. Pregnant females along with some yearlings and barren cows are the first to migrate; followed by bulls and the remaining juveniles. In mid-to-late May the pregnant arrive on the North Slope, while the others follow a few weeks later.

Calving

Calving takes place during the last week in May and the first two weeks in June in the foothills and Coastal Plain between the Hulahula and Babbage rivers, and area that is generally snow free by early June. Caribou are not distributed evenlyacross the area; instead, they gather in more limited locations which vary from year to year.

There is a high degree of synchrony in the timing of the births, and this synchrony is probably an adaptation to reduce predation by 'swamping' the predators-primarily grizzlies, wolves, and occasionally golden eagles. That is, for a brief period, calves are superabundant, far more numerous than the predators can kill. This allows most of the calves to develop to the state where they are able to escape.

The calves are able to stand and nurse within an hour or two after birth, and within 24 hours they can follow their mothers and even run for short distances. The calves' precociousness is an obvious advantage where cover is sparse and predators common. Many cows with calves assemble to form small nursery bands, and these groups move slowly through the calving grounds, where the cows graze, favoring new-growth cottongrass shoots.

Post-calving Aggregation
As the mosquitoes emerge in late June and early July, the caribou gather into enormous post-calving aggregations, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands. For example, in 1987, over 93,000 caribou assembled in one group south of Camden Bay. The caribou seek areas where breezes and cooler temperatures reduce the harassment by mosquitoes, and when there is no wind, the caribou move continually. Cold winds offer relief from the mosquitoes and permit the caribou to rest and feed freely.

By mid-to-late July, most Porcupine Caribou have moved off the Coastal Plain and into the foothills and mountains. Although some of the Porcupine Caribou occasionally remain on the North Slope for the winter, they usually travel south and east to Canada. When they do stay on the North Slope, the Porcupine Caribou usually move westward from the 1002 area and mingle with caribou from the Central Arctic Herd.

Dispersal
As the mosquitoes decline, the caribou disperse, only to be plagued by two other insect pests-the warble fly and the nose-bot fly. The warble fly, which looks like a small yellow and black bumblebee, lays its eggs in the fur of the legs or abdomen of the caribou. The larvae soon hatch, burrow under the skin, and travel to the back. Here they encapsulate and cut a breathing hole in the skin. Caribou commonly carry over one hundred larvae. It is not until May and June of the following year that the larvae cut exit holes, crawl out and drop to the ground to develop into mature flies.

The nose-bot bears live larvae, which it deposits in the nostrils of the caribou. The bot larvae move through the nasal passages and settle down at the entrance to the throat. By spring the larvae have grown so much that they may form a mass large enough to actually interfere with breathing.

The reaction of the caribou to these flies is different from the reaction to mosquitoes. The warble and nose-bot flies are strong fliers and the caribou cannot avoid them simply by seeking breezy places or moving into the wind. Instead the caribou stand, heads held low, alert for the approach of the flies. During July and early August, caribou can be seen violently shaking their heads, stamping their feet, and racing wildly over the tundra, for no apparent reason; they are seeking to evade warble or bot flies. The fly season is followed by a month's respite where the caribou can feed unmolested.

Fall Migration

The fall migration may begin any time from late August to mid-October as the caribou start to move generally southward. This migration will carry the caribou one hundred to three hundred miles south into the area south of the Brooks Range, in the vicinity of Arctic Village, Alaska, and into the southern Richardson and Ogilvie mountains in the Yukon Territory. The caribou continue to lay on fat as they move south; the males will need energy reserves for the rut and all will need it during the winter. At this time, the bulls are shedding the velvet from their antlers and rubbing them against trees and shrubs. The bulls are also becoming increasingly aggressive, engaging in brief sparring matches.

Rutting

The rut lasts for a two-week period in midOctober. During this time the bulls fast, relying on their reserves of body fat. This brief breeding period helps to explain why the calving season is similarly brief. Even during the rut, the animals continue on to their winter ranges.

Wintering
Winter is a difficult period for the caribou. Food plants are often covered by snow, so that the caribou have to dig to gain access; nor are the food plants in the winter as nutritious or as easily digested as are those available in summer. Over the winter the animals usually lose weight.

Central Arctic Herd

The other caribou in ANWR, the Central Arctic Herd, follow the same basic annual pattern as the Porcupine Herd, except that migrations are much shorter. Caribou from the Central Arctic Herd move between the arctic coast and the Brooks Range mountains, with most animals remaining north of the continental divide all year. Central Arctic Caribou use the northwestern part of the Coastal Plain during summer, and in most years several hundred to a thousand spend the winter near the Sadlerochit Mountains.

Caribou Populations

Both the Porcupine and Central Arctic Herds are biologically healthy. After a long period of stability at around 100,000 animals, the Porcupine Herd began to grow steadily during the late 1970s and 1980s and reached 180,000 animals by 1989. The herd then decreased during a series of severe winters and was down to 160,000 in 1992. In 1994, the Porcupine Herd numbered 152,000, but the caribou were in excellent physiological condition and overwinter calf survival had improved to levels comparable to the 1980s.

The Central Arctic Herd also increased during the 1970s and 1980s from 6,000 in 1978 to 23,400 in 1982. Rapid growth stopped in the late 1980s, however, and the herd now appears stable. Relatively low calf production and survival in recent years may result from severe winter weather which has also depleted moose and Dali sheep populations in the central arctic area. It is also possible that the Central Arctic Herd is approaching range carrying capacity.

Subsistence Uses

The caribou in the two herds which utilized portions of ANWR during their migration are an important subsistence food source for Inupiat Eskimos and Athabascan Indians who live in communities near the migratory routes of the caribou herds.

A Serene Expedition to Switzerland

2009-07-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

The cultural and lingual assortment of the landlocked, hilly country is the essence of Switzerland. Responsible for its unique identity, Switzerland is best known for its financial institutions, fine cheeses and chocolates, watch making industry. Its beautiful landscapes and an excellent public network are smooth enough to make it a world class travel destinations. Tourist Destinations in Switzerland is meant for Honeymooners. The Capital City Berne; the UNO Head Quarter Geneva, Zurich, Lucerne, Lugano, Lausanne, St. Moritz, Locarno, Swiss Alps, Zermatt, Interlaken and Montreux comprise the extra ordinary destinations of the place.

Have a Honeymoon in Switzerland, make a tour to Glacier Express in winter, experience in the excursions in the Peaks of the World and thus to enjoy with the Special Tours. Staying at some of the best Hotels in Switzerland will get you the ul timate pleasure of the vicinity. Creased by the Swiss Alps, portraying the nature in its most beautiful form, Switzerland is a small multi-cultural spot, placed for visitors in central Europe. The main international airports of Zurich and Geneva are among the most modern airports in Europe. They are served by the leading airlines of nearly 100 countries. Basel, Berne and Lugano are Smaller international airports provides flights in every regular interval.

Christ the Redeemer (statue)

2009-06-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: O Cristo Redentor) is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue stands 30 metres (98 ft) wide and 38 metres (120 ft) tall with its pedestal. It weighs 635 tons (700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700 metres (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is one of the tallest of its kind in the world. The statue of Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba, Bolivia, is slightly taller, standing at 34.20 metres (112.2 ft) tall and 40.44 metres (132.7 ft) tall with its 6.24 metres (20.5 ft) pedestal. A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil.[2] The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a very important symbol of Brazil's Christianity. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.

History

The idea for erecting a large statue atop Corcovado was first suggested in the mid 1850s, when Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss requested financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument. Princess Isabel did not think much of the idea and it was completely dismissed in 1889, when Brazil became a Republic, with laws mandating the separation of church and state. The second proposal for a large landmark statue on the mountain was made in 1921 by the Catholic Circle of Rio. The group organised an event called Semana do Monumento ("Monument Week") to attract donations and collect signatures to support the building of the statue. The donations came mostly from Brazilian Catholics. The designs considered for the "Statue of the Christ" included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world. The statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms was chosen.

Local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the statue; it was sculpted by French sculptor Paul Landowski. A group of engineers and technicians studied Landowski's submissions and the decision was made to build the structure out of reinforced concrete (designed by Albert Caquot) instead of steel, more suitable for the cross-shaped statue.[6] The outer layers are soapstone, chosen for its enduring qualities and ease of use.[4] Construction took nine years, from 1922 to 1931. The monument was opened on October 12, 1931. The cost of the monument was $250,000. The statue was meant to be lit by a battery of floodlights triggered remotely by shortwave radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, stationed 5,700 miles (9,200 km) away in Rome, but poor weather affected the signal and it had to be lit by workers in Rio.

The statue was struck by lightning during a violent electrical storm on Sunday, February 10, 2008. The storm caused havoc in Rio, felling trees in several neighborhoods, but the statue was left unscathed because soapstone, the material forming the outer layers of the statue, is an insulator. In October 2006, on the statue's 75th anniversary, Archbishop of Rio Cardinal Eusebio Oscar Scheid consecrated a chapel (named for the patron saint of Brazil - Nossa Senhora Aparecida) under the statue. This allows Catholics to hold baptisms and weddings there.

Tourism

2009-06-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited". Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2007, there were over 903 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 6.6% as compared to 2006. International tourist receipts were USD 856 billion in 2007.

Despite the uncertainties in the global economy, international tourist arrivals during the first four months of 2008 followed a similar growth trend than the same period in 2007.[4] However, as a result of the economic crisis of 2008, international travel demand suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008, with growth in international tourism arrivals worldwide falling to 2% during the boreal summer months, while growth from January to April 2008 had reached an average 5.7% compared to its 2007 level. Growth from 2006 to 2007 was only 3.7%, as total international tourism arrivals from January to August were 641 million tourists, up from 618 million in the same period in 2007.

Tourism is vital for many countries, such as the U.A.E, Egypt, Greece and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxis, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, various music venues and the theatre.

Definition

Hunziker and Krapf, in 1941, defined tourism as people who travel "the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity."[6] In 1976, the Tourism Society of England's definition was: "Tourism is the temporary, short-term movement of people to destination outside the places where they normally live and work and their activities during the stay at each destination. It includes movements for all purposes." In 1981, the International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism defined tourism in terms of particular activities selected by choice and undertaken outside the home.

The United Nations classified three forms of tourism in 1994, in its "Recommendations on Tourism Statistics: Domestic tourism", which involves residents of the given country traveling only within this country; Inbound tourism, involving non-residents traveling in the given country; and Outbound tourism, involving residents traveling in another country.The UN also derived different categories of tourism by combining the three basic forms of tourism: Internal tourism, which comprises domestic tourism and inbound tourism; National tourism, which comprises domestic tourism and outbound tourism; and International tourism, which consists of inbound tourism and outbound tourism. Intrabound tourism is a term coined by the Korea Tourism Organization and widely accepted in Korea.[citation needed] Intrabound tourism differs from domestic tourism in that the former encompasses policymaking and implementation of national tourism policies.

Recently, the tourism industry has shifted from the promotion of inbound tourism to the promotion of intrabound tourism, because many countries are experiencing tough competition for inbound tourists. Some national policymakers have shifted their priority to the promotion of intrabound tourism to contribute to the local economy. Examples of such campaigns include: "See America" in Singapore" in Singapore; "100% Pure New Zealand" in New Zealand; "Amazing Thailandhailand]]; "Incredible India" in India; and "The Hidden Charm" in Vietnam.

History

Wealthy people have always traveled to distant parts of the world, to see great buildings, works of art, learn new languages, experience new cultures and to taste different cuisines. Long ago, at the time of the Roman Republic, places such as Baiae, were popular coastal resorts for the rich. The word tourism was used by 1811 and tourist by 1840. In 1936, the League of Nations defined foreign tourist as "someone travelling abroad for at least twenty-four hours". Its successor, the United Nations, amended this definition in 1945, by including a maximum stay of six months.

Leisure travel

Leisure travel was associated with the Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom – the first European country to promote leisure time to the increasing industrial population. Initially, this applied to the owners of the machinery of production, the economic oligarchy, the factory owners and the traders. These comprised the new middle class. Cox & Kings was the first official travel company to be formed in 1758.

The British origin of this new industry is reflected in many place names. In Nice, France, one of the first and best-established holiday resorts on the French Riviera, the long esplanade along the seafront is known to this day as the Promenade des Anglais; in many other historic resorts in continental Europe, old, well-established palace hotels have names like the Hotel Bristol, the Hotel Carlton or the Hotel Majestic – reflecting the dominance of English customers.

Many leisure-oriented tourists travel to the tropics, both in the summer and winter. Places often visited are: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, North Queensland in Australia and Florida in the United States.

Winter tourism

Major ski resorts are located in the various European countries (e.g. Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland), Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Chile and Argentina.

Mass tourism

Mass tourism could only have developed with the improvements in technology, allowing the transport of large numbers of people in a short space of time to places of leisure interest, so that greater numbers of people began to enjoy the benefits of leisure time.

In the United States, the first great seaside resort, in the European style, was Atlantic City, New Jersey and Long Island, New York.

In continental Europe, early resorts included: Ostend, popularized by the people of Brussels; Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) and Deauville (Calvados) for the Parisians; and Heiligendamm, founded in 1797, as the first seaside resort at the Baltic Sea.

10 Most Popular Tourism Programs

2009-06-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

The University of New Brunswick has a strong tourism program where you can learn everything you need to know to work in this industry. Considering that tourism in the Maritimes is picking up each and every year – there would be no better place to do your education than a school like the University of New Brunswick.

The province of Saskatchewan is another place in Canada where tourism is picking up and the market is strong. At the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology they have an interesting tourism program that will allow you to work in that province, or any where in Canada.

Seeing the popularity and interest that many people all over the world have in the Aboriginal culture of Canada, the Native Education Centre in British Columbia offers Aboriginal people a chance to enter the tourism industry and to enter a field where they can share their culture with others.

Toronto being one of the busiest tourist attractions in Canada, George Brown College has a excellent tourism program that attracts many students each and every year. It is an extremely popular program.

With the Discover Ontario advertisements that play throughout Canada, it is not just Toronto where chances to get into the tourism industry exist. Canadore College in North Bay offers a great tourism program that is so popular that they have people traveling from other places around the world to take the program.

Again in the Maritimes, the Nova Scotia Community College offers a tourism program.

As well, in the western part of Canada, there are so many tourism programs to choose from. The College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, British Columbia offers a terrific tourism program. So does SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary, Alberta.

If you are looking for a fun and interesting tourism program that is a little different, you may be interested in the University of the Fraser Valley that specializes in adventure tourism. As well, moving back to Ontario, Fleming College offers an ecotourism and adventure tourism program in Haliburton, Ontario that is a program that answers to the needs of our changing planet.

Tourist Spots In Dhaka

2009-06-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

Dhaka Division
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Dhaka division is located at center of the country has an area of 31119 sq. km and a population of 38.678 million. Dhaka Division bounds the Indian state of Meghalaya to the north, Barisal and Chittagong Divisions on the south, Sylhet and Chittagong Divisions to the east, Rajshahi and Khulna Divisions to the west. It has 17 districts and 64 municipalities. Main rivers of this division are padma, jamuna, meghna, old brahmaputra, dhaleshwari, shitalakshya, brahmaputra, buriganga, arial khan. Madhupur and Bhawal Garhs are located to the northern parts of Dhaka, in Gazipur, southern part of Mymensingh and eastern part of Tangail districts; Garo hills are located in Mymensingh district. Dhaka (Capital City) stands on the bank of the river Buriganga.

Dhaka Division, formerly Dacca Division of East Pakistan province, consists of one city corporation, 17 districts, 58 municipalities, 21 thanas, 119 upazilas, 1239 union parishads, 12765 mouzas, 549 wards, 1623 mahallas and 25244 villages. Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh. The city is known as the city of mosque, muslin and rickshaws. It has attracted travellers from far and near through ages. Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh has grown into a busy city of about ten million people with an area of about 1353 sq. km. Having a happy blending of old and new architectural trends, Dhaka has been developing fast as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all spheres of life. It is the center of industrial, commercial, cultural, educational and political activities for Bangladesh.

Major Tourist Spots In Dhaka Division:

Parliament House

Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament House) located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar has distinctive architectural features. Designed by the famous architect Louis I. Kahn, it may be called an architectural wonder of this region.

Bangladesh national museum

Bangladesh national museum is situated in shahbag. Located at the central point of the city. The museum contains a large number of interesting collections including sculptures and paintings of the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim periods as well as inscriptions of the Holy Quran in Arabic and Persian letters and Bengali works in the Arabic script.

Jatiyo Jadhughor The museum also has a rich collection of old coins, metal images, books on art, silver filigree works etc.

Though established in 1913 it was refurbished and opened in the year 1983. Its open from Friday to Wednesday, 9 am to 6 pm. Your mind must be going to the old era when you visit this museum.

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden - Dhaka Botanical Garden is situated in Mirpur just besides the National Zoo, built on an area of 205 acres of land. Approximately 50,000 plants and trees are there of 1200 species. Main attraction of this garden is rose garden. Approximately 300 species of roses are there in this garden. It is open 7 days a week. If you go to this garden, it is advisable you visit National Zoo at a same time.

National Zoo

National Zoo is in Mirpur, 20 km. from the center of Dhaka besides the river Turag. Its open 10 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week, where you can see the animals of Bangladesh and some animals from abroad. This Zoo is also popularly known as Mirpur Zoo. Colorful and attractive collections of different local and foreign species of animals and birds including the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger are available here.

Mukti juddha museum

This is the museum on our liberation war which is well known as mukti juddha. Mukti juddha museum situated at Segun Bagicha of the city the museum contains rare photographs of liberation war and items used by the freedom fighters during the period. It's open 9am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, Sunday closed.

Suhrawardy Uddyan (Garden)

A Popular Park. The oath of independence of Bangladesh was taken here and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman gave clarion call for independence on this occasion on the 7th March 1971. The place is famous for its lush verdure and gentle breezes. Eternal Flame to enliven the memory of the martyrs of our Liberation war has been blown here recently.

Central Shahid Minar

Shahid Minar
Symbol of Bengali nationalism. This monument was built to commemorate the martyrs of the historic Language movement of 1952. Hundreds and thousands of people with floral wreaths and bouquet gather on 21 February every year to pay respect in a solemn atmosphere.

Star Mosque

A very beautiful mosque of the city is situated at Mahuttuly on Abul Khairat Rd; just west of Armanitola Govt.
High School. Architecturally faultless (Mughal style) is a five-dome mosque with hundreds of big and small twinkling stars as surface decorations.

The stars have been created by setting pieces of chinaware on white cement. Seen from the front and from far it looks as if shining above the surface of the earth. The inside of it is even more beautiful that the outside, lovely mosaic floor and excellent tiles with many floral patterns set on the walls, are all in complete harmony.

Tara mosque Dhaka

Dhakeshwari Mondir Dhakeshwari Temple
Dhakeshwari Temple (11th Century) situated at the place where the old part of Dhaka meets the new part. This is the oldest Hindu temple in Dhaka City. The name Dhakeshwari is also associated with the origin of the name Dhaka.

Churches

Armenian Church (1781 A.D.) St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, Church of Bangladesh or former Holy Rosary Church (1677A.D.) at Tejgaon.

Lalbagh Fort

The fort of Aurangabad, popularly known as the Lalbagh Fort, was built in 1678 AD by the then Viceroy of Bengal Prince Mohammad Azam, son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The fort has a three storied structure with slender minarets at the South Gate. It has many hidden passages and a mosque of massive structure. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh Fort are the Tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady) and Audience room and Hummam Khana (bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan, now housing a museum.

Lalbagh fort is in the old town of Dhaka at Lalbagh. It is open 10 am-5 pm Sunday to Friday & Saturday is closed.

The capital city Dhaka predominantly was a city of the Mughals. In hundred years of their vigorous rule successive Governors and princely Viceroys who ruled the province, adorned it with many noble monuments in the shape of magnificent places, mosques, tombs, fortifications and 'Katras' often surrounded with beautifully laid out gardens and pavilions. Among these, few have survived the ravages of time, aggressive tropical climate of the land and vandal hands of man.

Lalbagh Fort - Dhaka
But the finest specimen of this period is the Aurangabad Fort [commonly known as Lalbagh Fort], which indeed represents the unfulfilled dream of a Mughal Prince. It occupies the southwestern part of the old city, overlooking the Buriganga on whose northern bank it stands as a silent sentinel of the old city.
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Visiting Gananoque, the Gateway to the Thousand Islands

2009-06-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am in Gananoque for a brief two day visit. I was invited by Kathy from Gananoque Boatline to spend some time here, attend a special event she organizes every year to show appreciation to partners and collaborators. It's been a very interesting visit where I've learned about some of the challenges the area faces as well as some of the opportunities Gananoque has to further develop their destination. I was surprised to learn that that no one in the area seems to have participated in the localsknow CTC campaign. One of the challenges, it seems, has been the timing which is understandable given the fact that the campaign has been put together in virtually no time so it may be that many inthe industry will not benefit directly from it. Today I played some golf with another visitor, a former Gananoque Boatline Captain, now town councillor, and the mayor. It was a lot of fun, but also very productive in terms of learning more about this beautiful part of the country. I hope to be able to work with tourism stakeholders to promote Gananoque as an overnight spot for Hispanic independent travellers in the future. Many Hispanic visitors stop here (or in Kingston) to take tours of the Thousand Islands, but they don't spend more time in the town. I think there is an opportunity to engage Hispanic travellers to Ontario and Quebec to stay longer by educating them in what they can do here in a 24 hour period.

-I am staying at the Gananoque Inn where Lori and her staff have been wonderful. I knew about the Gananoque Inn, but I have only been in Gananoque once before and only to take the cruise of the Thousand Islands. Lori and I had some good conversations and I am glad that she's interested in Hispanic tourists. The Gananoque Inn is ideal for a segment of the Hispanic travelling public that travels independently and wants to see and experience authentic Canadian experiences (small families, couples, honeymooners). What we must do is communicate effectively to educate the market (not just Hispanic markets) as to what there is to do here. One way is to show them not just tell them, and by show I mean video, not just pictures. The Gananoque Inn is also an excellent option for small meetings (sales retreats, incentive meetings, board meetings). Hope to come back soon.
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Tonight I'll go on a Gananoque Boatline Drinks and Entertainment Cruise. Hope the weather cooperates as it did this morning when I played golf.

-imon

The Acropolis of Athens, the Best Known Acropolis in the World

2009-06-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

What would a visit to Athens be without going to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon? And still people ask why the Partheon is so important. It’s because it was the most perfect building built by the world's most advanced civilization.

The Acropolis of Athens is the best known acropolis (Gr. akros, akron, edge, extremity + polis, city, pl. acropoleis) in the world. Although there are many other acropoleis in Greece, the significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it is commonly known as The Acropolis without qualification. The Acropolis was formally proclaimed as the pre-eminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments on 26 March 2007. The Acropolis is a flat-topped rock which rises 150 m (490 ft) above sea level in the city of Athens, with a surface area of about 3 hectares. It was also known as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man, Kekrops or Cecrops, the first Athenian king.

The Acropolis rock is part of a Late Cretaceous limestone ridge (Higgins) that cuts through the Attica plateau in the northeast to the southwest axis and includes the Likavitos hill, the Philopappos (Museum) hill, the hill of the Nymphs, and the Pnyx.

The rock rises from the basin about 70 meters and levels to a flat top 300 meters long by 150 meters wide. Its flat top is due to the numerous landfills that have accommodated construction of fortifications and temples since the Mycenaean era. With its many shallow caves, the abundant percolating water springs and steep slopes, the Acropolis was a prime location for habitation and worship location for Neolithic man.

History

The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the centre of the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. The most celebrated myths of ancient Athens, its greatest religious festivals, earliest cults and several decisive events in the city's history are all connected to this sacred precinct. The monuments of the Acropolis stand in harmony with their natural setting. These unique masterpieces of ancient architecture combine different orders and styles of Classical art in a most innovative manner and have influenced art and culture for many centuries. The Acropolis of the fifth century BC is the most accurate reflection of the splendour, power and wealth of Athens at its greatest peak, the golden age of Pericles.

Most of the major temples were rebuilt under the leadership of Pericles during the Golden Age of Athens (460–430 BC). Phidias, a great Athenian sculptor, and Ictinus and Callicrates, two famous architects, were responsible for the reconstruction. During the 5th century BC, the Acropolis gained its final shape. After winning at Eurymedon in 468 BC, Cimon and Themistocles ordered the reconstruction of southern and northern walls, and Pericles entrusted the building of the Parthenon to Ictinus and Phidias.

In 437 BC Mnesicles started building the Propylaea, monumental gates with columns of Pentelic marble, partly built upon the old propylaea of Pisistratus. These colonnades were almost finished in the year 432 BC and had two wings, the northern one serving as picture gallery. At the same time, south of the propylaea, building of the small Ionic Temple of Athena Nike commenced. After an interruption caused by the Peloponnesian War, the temple was finished in the time of Nicias' peace, between 421 BC and 415 BC.

During the same period the building of the Erechtheum, a combination of sacred precincts including the temples of Athena Polias, Poseidon, Erechtheus, Cecrops, Herse, Pandrosos and Aglauros, with its so-called the Kore Porch (or Caryatids' balcony), was begun.

Between the temple of Athena Nike and the Parthenon there was the temenos of Artemis Brauronia or Brauroneion, the goddess represented as a bear and worshipped in the deme of Brauron. The archaic xoanon of the goddess and a statue made by Praxiteles in the 4th century BC were both in the sanctuary.

Behind the Propylaea, Phidias' gigantic bronze statue of Athena Promachos ("she who fights in the front line"), built between 450 BC and 448 BC, dominated. The base was 1.50 m high, while the total height of the statue was 9 m. The goddess held a lance whose gilt tip could be seen as a reflection by crews on ships rounding Cape Sounion, and a giant shield on the left side, decorated by Mys with images of the fight between the Centaurs and the Lapiths. Other monuments that have left almost nothing visible to the present day are the Chalkotheke, the Pandroseion, Pandion's sanctuary, Athena's altar, Zeus Polieus's sanctuary and, from Roman times, the circular temple of Augustus and Rome.

Site Monuments

Parthenon

The Parthenon, dedicated by the Athenians to Athena Parthenos, the patron of their city, is the most magnificent creation of Athenian democracy at the height of its power. It is also the finest monument on the Acropolis in terms of both conception and execution. Built between 447 and 438 BC, as part of the greater Periklean building project, this so-called Periklean Parthenon (Parthenon III) replaced an earlier marble temple (Parthenon II), begun after the victory at the battle of Marathon at approximately 490 BC and destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. This temple had replaced the very first Parthenon (Parthenon I) of c. 570 BC. The Periklean Parthenon was designed by architects Iktinos and Kallikrates, while the sculptor Pheidias supervised the entire building program and conceived the temple's sculptural decoration and chryselephantine statue of Athena.

Erechtheion

The elegant building known as the Erechtheion, on the north side of the sacred rock of the Acropolis, was erected in 421-406 BC as a replacement of an earlier temple dedicated to Athena Polias, the so-called ''Old temple''. The name ''Erechtheion'', mentioned only by Pausanias (1, 26, 5), derives from Erechtheus, the mythical king of Athens, who was worshipped there. Other texts refer to the building simply as ''temple'' or ''old temple''. The building owes its unusual shape to the irregularity of the terrain - there is a three-metre difference in height between the eastern and western parts - and the multiple cults it was designed to accommodate. The eastern part of the building was dedicated to Athena Polias, while the western part served the cult of Poseidon-Erechtheus and held the altars of Hephaistus and Voutos, brother of Erechtheus. This is where, according to the myth, Athena's sacred snake lived. The sanctuary also contained the grave of Kekrops and the traces of the dispute between Athena and Poseidon for the possession of the city of Athens.

Propylaea

The Propylaia of the Athenian Acropolis were built on the west side of the hill, where the gate of the Mycenaean fortification once stood. The first propylon, or gate, was constructed in the age of Peisistratos (mid-sixth century BC), after the Acropolis had become a sanctuary dedicated to Athena. A new propylon, built in 510-480 BC, was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC and repaired after the end of the Persian Wars, during the fortification of the Acropolis by Themistokles and Kimon. The monumental Propylaia admired by modern visitors were part of the great Periklean building program. They were erected in 437-432 BC, after the completion of the Parthenon, by architect Mnesikles. The original building plan was particularly daring both in architectural and artistic terms, but was never completed.

Temple of Athena Nike

The temple of Athena Nike stands at the southeast edge of the sacred rock atop a bastion, which in Mycenaean times protected the entrance to the Acropolis. The Classical temple, designed by architect Kallikrates and built in 426-421 BC, succeeded earlier temples also dedicated to Athena Nike. The first one of these, a mid-sixth century BC wooden temple was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. The eschara, the altar believed to have supported the cult statue of the goddess, dates to this period. Under Kimon, c. 468 BC, a small temple of tufa was erected around the base of the statue and a new altar was built outside the temple. The foundations of these early temples and altars are preserved inside the bastion under the floor of the Classical structure. Pausanias (1, 22, 4) refers to this temple as that of the Apteros Nike, or Wingless Victory, and mentions that the cult statue of the goddess had no wings so that she would never leave Athens. Apart from the cult of Athena Nike other, earlier cults were also practiced on this site. On the west side of the bastion was a Mycenaean double-apsed shrine and on the east side, the pre-Classical shrines of the Graces and of Hekate Epipyrgidia. The construction of the Classical temple of Athena Nike was part of the Periklean building project. Several inscriptions, mostly decrees of the city of Athens, provide information on this particular part of the project.

Temple of Rome and Augustus

The temple of Rome and Augustus was erected in the late first century BC east of the Parthenon or of the Erechtheion. Several architectural elements of the building were found east of the Parthenon and many more were brought here after their discovery elsewhere. Nearby are the irregular tufa foundations (approximately 10.50x13 metres) of a building generally considered to be the Roman temple. Another theory, however, based on the construction technique of these foundations and on depictions of the Acropolis on Roman coins, places the temple east of the Erechtheion.

The inscription on the temple's epistyle mentions that the building was dedicated by the city of Athens to the goddess Rome and to Octavian Augustus. Pausanias does not mention the building during his visit to the Acropolis, possibly because it did not present any interest at his time. The small, circular temple had a single row of nine Ionic columns and no interior wall, the entablature and conical roof being entirely of white marble. The fact that the columns imitate those of the Erechtheion may indicate that the temple was built by the same architect who repaired the Erechtheion after it was damaged by fire.

Old temple of Athena

The earliest temple to Athena Polias on the Acropolis, called 'the Old temple' in ancient literary sources, was located between the Erechtheion and the Parthenon. It was probably built in the third quarter of the sixth century BC, on the site of an earlier, Geometric temple and of the even earlier Mycenaean palace. The Old temple was damaged by the Persians in 480 BC, but was repaired soon after; parts of its entablature were incorporated in the Acropolis fortification wall. The temple was damaged again in 406 BC after the completion of the Erechtheion and was never rebuilt. Traces of the temple's altar to Athena are visible on the bedrock, east of the building.

The Old temple was a Doric, peripteral structure with six columns on the short sides and twelve on the long sides. The interior arrangement was quite unusual. The east part of the temple consisted of a distyle pronaos with antae and a naos divided into three naves by two rows of columns. Inside the naos was the wooden cult statue (xoanon) of the goddess Athena. The east part of the temple consisted of three rooms, each dedicated to the worship of Poseidon-Erechtheus, Hephaistus and Boutes. The marble pediments of the Gigantomachy, displayed in the Acropolis Museum, and a sime with lion and ram's heads probably belonged to this temple. The metopes, cornices and roof tiles were also of marble, while the rest of the temple was built of limestone.

The temple was unearthed in 1885 and W. D?rpfeld was the first to identify it. Only the foundations of its south side, towards the Erechtheion, are visible today, along with two stone column bases from the Geometric temple.

Monumen Stonehenge in English

2009-06-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Stonehenge is a monument stone at the time of ancient man and bronze Neolithikum which is located close to Amesbury about 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest Salisbury Plain, Wilshire Province, England. Stonehenge has been defined by UNESCO as one of seven world wonder.

Stonehenge itself consists of thirty upright stones with a very large size (each stone on the first uniform height of 10 meters with each stone heft 26 tons), all stones are arranged with a vertical form of a vertical circle known as megalithikum.
According to the British Archaeologists, Coplan Jhon Richard Atkinson (1950), Stonehenge was built roughly around 5000 years ago, construction itself is divided into several phases (I, II, IIIA, IIIb, and IIIc). Of course, with many stages in the development phases of Stonehenge, indicating that the building requires a very long time in the process, from the transportation of the stone to the engraving on each the stone.
Stonehenge complex was built in several phases of development during the year 2000 and during the period of activity is running. This is evidenced by finding a dead body the Saxon was trained and buried in the monument, and the possibility of dead bodies came to the centuries-7 M.

Stonehenge I
Monument first circle consists of cliffs and rounded trench measuring 115 meters (320 feet) diameter and one with the entrance in the northeast. This phase is about 3100 BC. Area on the outside of the circle there are 59 holes, known as the Aubrey holes for the Jhon Aubrey, archeologists of the seventh century is a pity that the first person to know the holes are. Twenty five of the Aubrey holes known have gray on the two centuries after its foundation Stonehenge. Thirty corpses ashes placed in the trench area and other parts of the circle in the Stonehenge area. Neolitikum end of the pottery have been found together provide evidence of this date. A single stone monolith that does not create a slippery known as' heel stone '(Heel Stone) is situated outside the entrance.

Stonehenge II
Proof of the second phase is no longer visible. However, evidence from several holes from the pole this time period to prove there is some wood building that was built in a circle around the area early third millennium BC. Some effects board found placed at the entrance. This phase is the same as the place that is located adjacent Woodhenge.

Stonehenge IIIA
Research shows that around 2600 BC, two crescent curve of the hole is created (known as hole Q and R), which was unearthed in the middle of location. Hole in the 80 vertical blue stone brought from Preseli hills, 250 miles in Wales. Stones are formed into a pillar of the examination, most of dolerite with rock type, but also including examples of rhyolite stone, volcanic tufa, and myolite seberat 4 tons.
Entrance be dilated at this time make it consistent with the direction of the sun rising mid-summer sunset and mid-spring period. Monuments are left without a prepared, while the blue stone appears to be moving in the hole and the Q and R are closed. This is made possible in the phase IIIb Stonehenge. This monument appears to be beyond the terms of Avebury in importance at the end of this period and the Amesbury Archer, found in 2002 three miles to the south, imagine how Stonehenge look at this. Stonehenge IIIA is said build by the Beaker

Stonehenge IIIb
In the next phases of activity at the end of the third millennium BC found 74 large Sarsen stones taken from the query 20 miles north of the location in Marlborough Downs. Stones are formed a connection with the pivot joint and was established before 30 stone pillar shape roundness measuring 30 meters diameter with a 29 stone roof (lintel) above. Each stone cob 25 tons of weight and was clearly impressed with the goal of making. Inside the sphere is located five thon stone sarsen processed and prepared in the form of a horseshoe. This large stone, five and ten uprise stone beam, with each weight to 50 tons of a certain connection with the complex. Carved dagger and ax heads found in the sarsen.

Stonehenge IIIc
Next in bronze era, stone blue seems was portrait from originally, in the sphere between the two pole sarsen and also in the form of a horseshoe in the middle, follow the procedure sarsen layout. Although he seems to be one phase of a stunning development built Stonehenge IIIc inaccurate proportionate Stonehenge IIIb, blue stone that appears to be portrait does not have a solid foundation and starting trees. One of the fallen stones have been given names that are less appropriate as the Stone Worship (Altar Stone). Two sphere also dug holes in the stone outside the sphere, known as Y and Z. hole

Stonehenge IV
Around 1100 BC, Avenue road through far more than two miles to the River Avon is not even clear who is involved in this additional development work.
Heel stone (The Heel Stone) in a period known as the Friar's Heel. Folklore, which can not be originally from the early seventeen century, recounts the origin of this stone.
Some of the claims heels Friar ( "Friar's Heel") is the change in name "Freya's He-ol" or "Freya Sul", from the name of god and the German Freya Welsh word for "laluan" and "sun day" according to the sequence.

Statu Of Easter Island in Chole

2009-06-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Easter Island is a volcanic island located in Polynesia, South Pacific Ocean and 3700 km from the east coast of Chile, with a subtropical so climate. Origin of volcanoes referring to combine the three volcanoes. This is the oldest Poike, with 3 million years, followed by the volcano Rano Raraku, from 2.5 million years old, and finally the youngest, named Maung Terevaka (12,000 to 10,000 years). The island occupies a region 390 km ². The island's economic activities of agriculture (wheat, corn, tropical fruits and yams), development of roads and tourism. Rapanui in the local language, Rapa Nui is called "Big Island," Te Pito te henúa a "world center" and Mata ki te range "Eyes fixed on the heavens." Island with the famous statue of the great stone which is known as Moais (giant heads carved in volcanic stone), statues and wooden board that contains hieroglyphic inscriptions. One of the great mysteries of the "Moais," is the fact that all belong to the same species and is found only on the island.

In 1722, the Flemish master Jacob Roggeveen, together with the sailors, landed 3 of their ships on the beach before the island on Easter Sunday. Thus, on 5 April, they were baptized with the name of Easter Island. But have found the island centuries ago, there is evidence that people who come from several islands in the Pacific Ocean, may Mangareva and the Marquesas Islands. They say that Easter Island is part of the lost continent under water.

Giza Piramid in Mesir

2009-06-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Great Giza pyramid is the oldest and largest pyramid of the three pyramid on the Giza Nekropolis and trusted that the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh, Khufu (Χεωψ, Cheops) and constructed for more than 20 years and is estimated to take place around the year 2560 SM. Pyramid is sometimes referred to as Khufu Piramida. Regions or Giza Giza El Gizeh, or also known or El Gizeh (Al Jizah) is the area that is located in the area near Cairo (Egypt), That pyramid is found here is that compared to the largest pyramid in the world.

Giza pyramid or the pyramid noble lie in the sand carpet has a temperature more than 35 degrees Celsius the pyramid consists of 3 large plus one Sphinx. Third is the pyramid Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Rakhaef / Chephren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus) plus three small pyramid. Each pyramid of Cheops and Mycerinus have Chepren similarity Interior.

There are king room, queen room, the door of the tunnel (which is one quarter of diameter with 40 meters long). Most of the century is renowned as farmers. they use the river valley to be nil as their waters.

Giza pyramid complex built around the ancient nation of Egypt 5000 years ago, has a wide area of comparability between the distance of St Peter (Rome), Florence cathedral (Milan) to the St. Paul (London). Also believed to set in stone when the Giza pyramid together can create a wall 3 meters high as 0.3 meters with a thickness that can encompass the whole of France.

If compared with the Empire State Building in New York, This pyramid is larger 30-fold and can even be seen from the week. Meanwhile, Egypt older nation building in 30 years. Not to mention how to move from the rock and stone of pyramid into a high (some say to create a structure or slope as in the whorl of screw and then is painted with limestone on the outside layer).

There is a mention that the stone is a stone molding results, construction of accurate center of gravity and center objects. So, as expressed previously have said that that was built by UFO that connecting with portrait pyramid is Mars. There is a conjecture that the pyramid was built by men who were the future in the past.

There are also pyramid-related constellation Orion cluster with review of three lie stars of Giza pyramid and Mayapun Piramida believed to have a location and position of the same cluster based on the constellation Orion stars. In addition, also believed to have room under the Sphinx (called off Hall Records) which is the secret key to the Zep Tepi of a golden era past, when the pyramid at Giza is made.

According to research from scientists and Archeology, creating a pyramid of materials taken from several places. For example, limestone from Tura, granite from Aswan, Sinai and copper from the wood for the case of Lebanon which all transported through the Nile River. And labors who workers die average the age of 30 years as a spinal injury due to take a very heavy burden. Then there was also a way to help emergency workers to injury. How ever people say, know The Giza Pyramid is being a new seven world wonder in the world.

7 Phenomenal Wonders of the Natural World

2009-06-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

The classical natural wonders are huge and hard to miss - vast canyons, giant mountains and the like. Many of the most fantastic natural phenomena, however, are also least easy to spot. Some are incredibly rare while others are located in hard-to-reach parts of the planet. From moving rocks to mammatus clouds and red tides to fire rainbows, here are seven of the most spectacular phenomenal wonders of the natural world.

1) Sailing Stones

(Images via: f8BeThere and Ian Parker)

The mysterious moving stones of the packed-mud desert of Death Valley have been a center of scientific controversy for decades. Rocks weighing up to hundreds of pounds have been known to move up to hundreds of yards at a time. Some scientists have proposed that a combination of strong winds and surface ice account for these movements. However, this theory does not explain evidence of different rocks starting side by side and moving at different rates and in disparate directions. Moreover, the physics calculations do not fully support this theory as wind speeds of hundreds of miles per hour would be needed to move some of the stones.

2) Columnar Basalt

(Images via: Centripetalnotion, Habitas and Strahlen)

When a thick lava flow cools it contracts vertically but cracks perpendicular to its directional flow with remarkable geometric regularity - in most cases forming a regular grid of remarkable hexagonal extrusions that almost appear to be made by man. One of the most famous such examples is the Giant’s Causeway on the coast of Ireland (shown above) though the largest and most widely recognized would be Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Basalt also forms different but equally fascinating ways when eruptions are exposed to air or water.
3) Blue Holes

(Images via: AEAdvisor, BelizeDiving and ScienceRay)

Blue holes are giant and sudden drops in underwater elevation that get their name from the dark and foreboding blue tone they exhibit when viewed from above in relationship to surrounding waters. They can be hundreds of feet deep and while divers are able to explore some of them they are largely devoid of oxygen that would support sea life due to poor water circulation - leaving them eerily empty. Some blue holes, however, contain ancient fossil remains that have been discovered, preserved in their depths.

4) Red Tides

(Images via: Carleton, CleanWaterNetwork and UMN)

Red tides are also known as algal blooms - sudden influxes of massive amounts of colored single-cell algae that can convert entire areas of an ocean or beach into a blood red color. While some of these can be relatively harmless, others can be harbingers of deadly toxins that cause the deaths of fish, birds and marine mammals. In some cases, even humans have been harmed by red tides though no human exposure are known to have been fatal. While they can be fatal, the constituent phytoplankton in ride tides are not harmful in small numbers.

5) Ice Circles

(Images via Panoramio, CrystalLinks, CropCircleAnswers and DailyMail)

While many see these apparently perfect ice circles as worthy of conspiracy theorizing, scientists generally accept that they are formed by eddies in the water that spin a sizable piece of ice in a circular motion. As a result of this rotation, other pieces of ice and flotsam wear relatively evenly at the edges of the ice until it slowly forms into an essentially ideal circle. Ice circles have been seen with diameters of over 500 feet and can also at times be found in clusters and groups at different sizes as shown above.
6) Mammatus Clouds

(Images via: John Olson and the DNR)

True to their ominous appearance, mammatus clouds are often harbingers of a coming storm or other extreme weather system. Typically composed primarily of ice, they can extend for hundreds of miles in each direction and individual formations can remain visibly static for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. While they may appear foreboding they are merely the messengers - appearing around, before or even after severe weather.

7) Fire Rainbows

(Images via: GinaCobb, Unwired and UMN)

A circumhorizontal fire rainbow arc occurs at a rare confluence of right time and right place for the sun and certain clouds. Crystals within the clouds refract light into the various visible waves of the spectrum but only if they are arrayed correctly relative to the ground below. Due to the rarity with which all of these events happen in conjunction with one another, there are relatively few remarkable photos of this phenomena.

Iceberg Breakthrough Provides Hope For Improved Climate Change Models

2009-06-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Scientists have made a breakthrough in determining what actually causes ice shelves in the Antarctic and Greenland to break apart, resulting in icebergs and contributing to increased sea levels.

The findings, reported in the latest edition of the Science journal, could lead to improved climate change models, as scientists will now be able to predict more accurately where icebergs will “calve off” from their parent ice shelves.

Scientists have discovered the main factor to cause ice to calve away from ice sheets, creating icebergs, and resulting in higher sea levels. Photo: imon Hansen.

The term “calving” in this context, refers to ice breaking off the ice shelves and landing in the ocean, causing icebergs to form. Typically, a shelf front will extend forward for years or decades between major calving events.

Until now, the main problem for scientists was determining where an ice shelf was to calve. At what point does an ice shelf have so much ice hanging over the ocean that it starts to break off?

What made this a particularly difficult question was that, there didn’t seem to be a common size between ice shelves. For example, the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica hangs over the ocean for as much as 500 miles. Other ice shelves only extend for a mile or two before breaking up.
The Need For A Law For Ice Shelf Calving

To date there hasn’t been a law based on physical principles that explains ice shelf calving.

“To predict the future of the ice sheet and to understand the past, we have to put the information into a computer,” says Richard B. Alley, the Evan Pugh professor of geosciences. “The models we have do not currently have any way to figure out where the big ice sheets end and where the ice calves off to form icebergs.”

Because of this, the scientists searched for the most important variable that determines where an ice shelf will break off into the ocean - not an easy task according to professor Alley.

“Fracture-mechanics problems are invariably difficult,” he says.

“Earthquake prediction comes to mind, or guessing whether a tea cup pushed off the table will break or bounce upon hitting the floor. With the tea cup, a drop from 1 mm high won’t break it, and a drop from 100 m almost surely will — one term, the height of the drop, explains a whole lot of the behavior.” he added.

“Our hope was to find such a dominant term in calving of bergs from ice shelves.”
Simple Law for Ice Shelf Calving

The scientists believe they have found a dominant term that can be used to forecast ice shelf calving.

In the tea cup example, the height of the tea cup was the dominant term. With ice shelves, the scientists found that the spreading tendency in the direction of ice and berg motion was the dominant term.

The equation is the rate of spreading times the width of the shelf times thickness multiplied by a constant.

In other words, it is the rate at which ice shelves spread that is the most important variable that determines when an ice shelve is about to calve.

“The spreading rate can be calculated from ice thickness and a few other things that are already solved for in numerical models, so we have provided a practicable calving law,” said Alley. “At present, models rarely if ever calculate physically where the ice ends, instead stopping the model before the ice ends or using some other relation that is not fully physical.”
Global Warming

Armed with this knowledge, scientists will be in a better position to forecast the impact of global warming on sea levels.

Computer models will be able to use this information to better predict how ice sheets will behave in warmer temperatures.

Scientists recently predicted that sea temperatures would rise by over a meter by the end of this century.

Coromandel New Zealand

2009-06-17T03:41:00.000-07:00

Beautiful beaches, lovely treks, rugged forest, gold mine and New Zealand hospitality. In short, that is Coromandel. Explore, relax and have fun in this lovely place, far away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

Location

Coromandel is located within 1 ½ hours drive from Auckland.

Weather

Coromandel probably has the best weather in the entire country, which makes it a travel destination year round. During summer temperatures reach 24C / 75 F – 31 C / 88 F, while during winter they never go below 12C / 54 F -14 C/ 57 F.

Gold Mine Attractions

The area is particularly popular for the gold mines which have been producing hold here since the 19th century.

Goldmine Experience includes a tour of an operational 19th century gold mine. It’s located on the corner of Moanataiari Road and State Highway 25, at the northern end of Thames. Self guided tours are available and you can explore the museum and discover the old machines used to extract gold. The tour takes about 40 minutes and there is no need to book ahead unless you come in a group. The mine if open from 10 AM to 4 PM. The ticket costs NZ$10 for an adult and NZ$4 for a child (under 13).

Newmont Waihi Gold is a working mine which produces over $1 million worth of gold and silver each week. Guided tours are available during the weekdays and booking in advance is a must.

What else to do

There is a lot to do and see in Coromandel. A short list includes: mountain bike tours, walking tours, freefall from a giant swing, hikes, motorcycle off road tours, farm stays (yes, includes working in the farm), Creek Railway train ride, golfing, horseback riding, the Lost Spring thermal waters, How Water Beach, winery stay, diving, snorkeling, fishing, boat cruises, sailing, sea kayaking and visiting museums.

Coromandel Peninsula offers a lot of walking trails, campsites and even a marine reserve, with its own snorkeling trail.

If you like a romantic walk by the beach, head to the northern end of Waihi Beach and you’ll see Orokawa Bay Walk signposted. The walk takes 1 hour and 20 min return but there is also a 45 minutes detour to William Wright Falls.

If you prefer to hike in the mountains, following the track of a river bank and see the old mine buildings along the way, then head Paeroa and Waihi and take the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway. The walk takes two hours one way.

Bali, die Insel der Götter

2009-06-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

Knapp 3 Millionen Balinesen leben auf der 5.620 qkm großen Insel, 300.000 in der Hauptstadt Denpasar.
Die Ost-West Entfernung misst 140km, die Nord-Süd Ausdehnung ist ca. 80 km weit.
Der Großteil der Bevölkerung lebt in kleinen ursprünglichen Dörfern entlang der malerischen Reisfelder über die ganze Insel verteilt.

In Ost-West-Richtung erstreckt sich eine Vulkankette über die Insel, deren höchste Erhebung, der Gunung Agung (3.142 m), der "Nabel der Welt" ist.

Bali, das nur zwei Kilometer östlich von Java entfernt liegt, wird im wesentlichen von hinduistischer Kultur geprägt, im Gegensatz zur Insel Java, auf der die moslemische Kultur vorherrscht. An kaum einem anderen Ort der Welt gibt es so viel zu sehen oder zu erleben, nirgendwo sonst sind tägliches Leben, Religion, Kunst und Landschaft zu einer solch faszinierenden Einheit verschmolzen.

Nützliches von A bis Z

Alternativer Tourismus
Die Umwelt-Bewegungen der Industrieländer einerseits und die objektiven Bedrängnisse ungehemmten Wachstums andererseits haben zu einem differenzierteren Ansatz im Tourismus geführt: Sanftes, ökologisches, sozialverantwortliches, zukunftssicherndes Reisen sind die Antwort auf die Entwicklung des Massentourismus, der in seiner ausgeprägten Form ja erst im zurückliegenden Jahrhundert aufgekommen ist. Mit der neuen Bewegung ist gemeint, mit wachem Auge und mit Rücksichtnahme ein fremdes Land als Gast zu bereisen.
Der umsichtige Fernreisende kann einen konstruktiven Beitrag zu einem rücksichtsvollen und die Umwelt sowie Natur möglichst wenig belastenden Tourismus leisten. Die meisten Reiseveranstalter haben mittlerweile ein offenes Ohr für entsprechende Fragen und Anregungen. Der Individualreisende schließlich kommt allein durch den Prozess des Nachdenkens gewiss auf Verhaltensweisen und Umgangsformen, die seinen zeitweiligen Aufenthalt nicht nur negativ erscheinen lassen.
Ein- und Ausreisebestimmungen
Bürger Deutschlands, Österreichs und der Schweiz benötigen einen bei der Ausreise noch sechs Monate gültigen Reisepass.
Seit 01.02.04 wir für Indonesien ein Visum benötigt. Die Visa werden gegen eine Gebühr von USD 25 (bitte passend!) für einen Aufenthalt von bis zu 30 Tagen ausgestellt und USD 10 für einen 3-tägigen Aufenthalt.
Sie müssen ca eine halbe Stunde länger für die Einreiseprozedur einplanen.

Bei der Aureise ist eine Flughafensteuer in Höhe von 150.000 Rupiah (ca 10 €) pro Person zu zahlen. Diese Gebühr kann nur in Landeswährung bei Ausreise am Flughafen bezahlt werden !
Elektrizität
220 Volt, ein internationaler Adapter wird benötigt !
Essen und Trinken
Die westliche, die internationale Küche ist in den Touristenzentren Balis besser vertreten als die einheimische.
Nicht nur in den großen Hotels, sondern auch in endlos vielen Restaurants werden reichhaltige und abwechslungsreiche Gerichte angeboten. Selbst auf Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut oder Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte muss der Verwöhnte nicht verzichten - allerdings muss man eigentlich nicht nach Bali fahren, um in diesen Genuss zu kommen. Auch fast-food-Ketten bieten ihre Fleischklopse an - obwohl im Urlaub doch eigentlich eine schnelle Mahlzeit nicht nötig sein müsste.
Wenn man Glück hat, wird einem auch schon mal Balinesisches angeboten, wie z.B. Spanferkel (babi guling) oder Reiswein (brem bali). An den lokalen Imbissständen (warung) oder von fliegenden Händlern am Strand werden ebenfalls Besonderheiten, wie gebratene Banane (pisang goreng) oder Fischball-Suppe (Bakso) offeriert. Frische Fruchtsäfte (jus) vermitteln die Vielfalt der Obstsorten, und eine junge Kokosnuss, direkt vom Palmbaum geschlagen, wird eine Erfrischung sein, die man so in Europa nicht bekommen kann.
Wer also keine Rücksicht auf spezielle Ernährung nehmen muss, kommt ohne weiteres in Bali auf seine Kosten.
Fauna
Die Tierwelt ist tropisch vielfältig: Affen, Wasserbüffel, Rinder, hunderte von Vogelarten und Insekten, Schlangen, Echsen, Schweine und zahlreiche Hunde begegnen einem allerorten.
Natur- und Umweltschutz erfreuen sich erst in jüngster Zeit öffentlicher Aufmerksamkeit, wenngleich der balinesische Bauer in seiner unbeeinflussten Lebens- und Arbeitswelt selbstverständlich ökologisch und ökonomisch angemessen zu wirtschaften versteht - bloß ändern sich u.a. durch den Tourismus die Bedingungen.
Feste und Feiertage
Wenn auch offiziell der bei uns gebräuchliche Kalender gilt, so haben die Balinesen doch ihre eigene Zeiteinteilung und einen eigenen traditionellen Kalender, der für die Organisation des Alltags unerlässlich ist.
Das balinesische Jahr verzeichnet im Wuku-Kalender 210 Tage mit 30 Wochen von je 7 Tagen.
Die saka-Kalender-Zählweise fußt auf anderen Berechnungen und liegt um etwa 80 Jahre hinter dem westlich-gregorianischen Kalender zurück, so dass 2003 dort als 1925 gilt.
Neben diesen spezifisch balinesischen Zeitrechnungen gelten in Indonesien im übrigen auch noch die moslemisch-arabischen, die alt-javanischen und chinesischen Kalender. So verwirrend diese unterschiedliche Zeiteinteilung auch erscheinen mag, für den Reisenden wirkt sie sich nicht direkt aus - es sei denn, er relativiert dadurch seine eurozentristische Weltsicht.
Allerdings ist die Kenntnis der durch den balinesischen Kalender vorgegebenen Feiertage hilfreich, um entsprechenden Festlichkeiten beiwohnen zu können. Nicht zuletzt dank der unterschiedlichen Kalender - und der verschiedenartigen Weltsicht und Glaubensauffassung, die dahinter steht - gibt es auf Bali eine bemerkenswerte Vielzahl von Feiertagen. Unabhängig von den öffentlich anerkannten Terminen bieten Totenbeisetzungen/Verbrennungen, Tempelfeste, Zahnfeilungen, Opfer- und Gebetszeremonien lokal verschiedene Anlässe zum Feiern.
Nahezu jeden Tag findet irgendwo irgendein Gedenktag, ein Feiertag statt. Dem Urlauber steht es gewiss gut an, sich mit entsprechender Höflichkeit und Zurückhaltung am Rande des Geschehens aufzuhalten. Inzwischen werden insbesondere Verbrennungsfeierlichkeiten zwar regelrecht vermarktet, die Reiseveranstalter bieten 'Cremation-Tours' an, dennoch sollte man sich vergegenwärtigen, dass man als Reisender, als Gast die notwendige Rücksichtnahme walten lässt.
Unstrittig ist, dass grundsätzlich auf Bali auch Fremde gern gesehene und willkommene Beobachter oder Teilnehmer von Festen sind - und dies im Unterschied zu uns; Oder wer hat schon mal einen daherkommenden Ausländer zu seiner Familienfeier geladen?
Flora
Bali liegt südlich des Äquators in den Tropen und wird klimatisch von den Monsunen beherrscht. Der Großteil der landwirtschaftlichen Nutzfläche dient dem Reisanbau. Der Boden ist vulkanisch und deshalb besonders fruchtbar. Im Westen liegt ein Nationalpark mit Regenwäldern, im Südwesten dehnen sich streckenweise Palmwälder aus, die z.T. in sumpfige Mangrovenwälder übergehen; im Osten reichen die Berge bis an die Küste, und im Norden gibt es mehrere Seen sowie eine flachere Landschaft als in der Inselmitte. Diese Region wird von den großen Vulkanen bestimmt, deren Hänge vegetationsarm sind.
Der Banyan- oder Waringinbaum ist mit seinen Luftwurzeln ein auffälliges Merkmal jeden Dorfes.
Die Pflanzenwelt ist von Nutzpflanzen dominiert, die u.a. der Nahrungsmittelversorgung dienen: Obst, Gemüse, Kaffee, Kakao, Tabak und immer und überall Bambus und Palmen. Blumen, wie der Hibiskus, die Kamboja-Blüte (Frangipani) oder die Bougainvillae sprießen immerzu - sie sind nicht zuletzt unerlässlicher Bestandteil der vielen kleinen Opfer und Verzierungen für rituelle Zwecke. In Nordbali wachsen auch Trauben, die zur Weinherstellung genutzt werden.
Geld
Die indonesische Währung ist der Rupiah (Stand März 2003: 1 Euro = ca. 10.000 Rupiah), von dem kleinere Werte bis 500,- Rp in Münzen und ansonsten Geldscheine (1000,- bis 200.000,- Rp) im Umlauf sind.
Reiseschecks in US$ und Kreditkarten werden weitgehend akzeptiert, ansonsten sollte man sich immer ausreichend mit Bargeld eindecken. Traveller cheques können vor Ort getauscht werden, Bargeld ebenso (meist lohnt sich ein Vergleich des Wechselkurses bei verschiedenen Banken oder money-changers).
ACHTUNG: Bei Kreditkartenzahlung wird teilweise ein Aufpreis von einigen Prozent verlangt.
Zum Teil werden Waren oder Leistungen auch in US$ ausgewiesen.
Gesundheitsbestimmungen
Amtlich sind zur Zeit keine Impfungen vorgeschrieben.
Empfohlen wird die Malaria-Prophylaxe.
Wir raten zur Auffrischung (sofern erforderlich) des Tetanus- und Polioschutzes
Impfungen
Bei der Einreise aus Europa sind keine Impfungen vorgeschrieben. Bali ist frei von Malaria aber in Irian Jaya, auf den kleinen Sundainseln und ganz besonders in den Regenwäldern von Kalimantan ist Malaria weit verbreitet.
Informationen zum aktuellen Stand gibt Ihr Hausarzt, die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tropenmedizin oder das Centrum für Reisemedizin.
Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A und B Impfungen sind sehr empfehlenswert. Wir empfehlen den Abschluss einer Reisekrankenversicherung.
Klima / Wetter
Indonesien hat ein tropisches Klima mit hoher Luftfeuchtigkeit.

Die Temperaturen liegen zwischen 26°C und 32°C. Nachts ist es nur unwesentlich kühler.
Die Jahreszeiten werden durch Monsunwinde bestimmt und in Regen- und Trockenzeit unterteilt.

Der Regen fällt fast nur in kräftigen Schauern, anschließend scheint die Sonne wieder. Je nach Landesteil kann das Klima sehr unterschiedlich sein.
Maße
Das metrische System ist offiziell eingeführt und herrscht auch vor, wenn man von traditionellen Maßeinheiten absieht.
Reisepass / Visum
Deutsche Touristen benötigen einen Reisepass, der noch sechs Monate gültig ist.
Ab dem 01.02.2004 haben sich die Einreisebestimmungnen in Indonesien geändert. Von wenigen Ausnahmen abgesehen, benötigen alle Touristen ein Visum. Deutsche und Schweizer Staatsbürger können dies bei der Ankunft am Flughafen in Indonesien erhalten, Staatsbürger aus Österreich müssen das Visum bereits vor der Abreise beantragen.
Das neue Touristenvisum ist maximal für 30 Tage gültig und kostet vor Ort 25,- US$. Akzeptiert werden bei der Einreise nur saubere, ungeknickte Banknoten neueren Datums.
Der Reisepaß muß bei Ausreise aus Indonesien noch mindestens 6 Monate gültig sein.
Alle hier gemachten Angaben sind zu Ihrer Information - jedoch ohne Gewähr auf Aktualität. Bitte informieren Sie sich vor der Abreise bei ihrem Konsulat nach den neuesten Bestimmungen.
Sitten und Gebräuche
Shorts und Miniröcke sind in und um die Tempel nicht erlaubt. In Tempeln, auf Festplätzen und in Privathäusern ist es zudem Sitte, die Schuhe auszuziehen. Auch wenn kein direkter Zwang besteht, empfehlen wir Ihnen, diese Sitten möglichst zu befolgen, um Respekt vor den religiösen Gebräuchen zu zeigen. Den Kopf (z. B. von Kindern) sollten Sie nach Möglichkeit nicht berühren. Genauso wie Sie mit dem Zeigefinger nicht auf etwas oder jemanden zeigen sollten, da dies als unhöflich empfunden wird. Aus dem gleichen Grund sollten Sie Ihren Gesprächspartner möglichst mit dem Kopf nicht überragen.
Im Zweifel hocken oder setzen Sie sich lieber hin.
Das Händeschütteln ist nicht üblich, außer bei längeren Verabschiedungen oder Gratulationen.
Intime Berührungen oder Umarmungen in der Öffentlichkeit sind nicht gern gesehen.
Das Nacktbaden oder "Oben ohne" ist verboten.
Wenn Balinesen sich in den Flüssen an der Straße waschen, sollten Sie dies als Passant diskret übersehen und auch dem Reiz, auf den Auslöser zu drücken, widerstehen.
Für das Geben und Nehmen wird nur die rechte Hand verwendet, da die Linke für die Körperpflege zuständig ist.
Und noch ein nützlicher Hinweis: Die Balinesen lieben das Handeln. Besonders auf Märkten ist es üblich die Preise noch herunterzuhandeln. Am besten erst ausgiebig erkunden, was der Artikel kostet und für sich selbst einen Wert festlegen, dann können Sie nicht enttäuscht werden.
Sprache
In Indonesien wird Bahasa Indonesia gesprochen, eine malaiische Sprache, und Indonesisch ist auf Bali Amtssprache.
Englisch ist in den Touristenzentren soweit verbreitet, dass man sich verständigen kann.
Die Muttersprache der Bewohner ist allerdings Balinesisch, aus dem Sanskrit stammend, mit eigener Schrift. Als Reisender wird man ihr am ehesten im Umfeld ritueller Festlichkeiten begegnen.
Ein kleiner Tipp:
Bahasa Indonesia ist die einfachste Sprache der Erde, mit einem kleinen Sprachenführer (z.B. Indonesisch für Globetrotter von Gunda Urban) können in kürzester Zeit einige Worte gelernt werden.
Telefon
Abgesehen von den Möglichkeiten aus größeren Hotels telefonieren zu können, gibt es eine verlässliche Infrastruktur von öffentlichen Telefon- und Telefaxeinrichtungen: WARTEL. Für den Handy-Betrieb empfiehlt sich ggf. die Anschaffung einer vor Ort zu erwerbenden SIM-Karte.
Unterkünfte
Das Beherbergungsgewerbe kann sämtliche Bedürfnisse zufrieden stellen:
Vom Luxushotel aufwändigsten Komforts bis zur einfachen Hütte mit Bastmatte bieten die Hotels, Bungalowanlagen oder Losmen (einfache Pensionen) alles feil. Wer eine Pauschalreise bucht, wird sich ohnehin um sein Bett nicht kümmern müssen. Individualreisende werden stets noch ein Dach über dem Kopf finden. Wer aufgeschlossen dafür ist, sich nach einer Alternative zu dem mehr oder weniger standardisierten Hotelangebot umzusehen, dem sei z.B. das Natour-Bali-Hotel in Denpasar empfohlen, das älteste Haus am Platze, noch aus den 30er Jahren der Kolonialzeit stammend. Ganz anderes bietet u.a. die kleine Anlage Sua-Bali in Kemenuh (bei Ubud), wo ein sogenannter sozialintegrativer Urlaub praktiziert wird.
Urlauber bevorzugen allerdings üblicherweise Hotels in Strandnähe. In Kuta dominieren die kleineren Häuser und Pensionen, in Sanur stehen überwiegend die größeren internationalen Häuser, in Nusa Dua schließlich ist ein Hotel-Areal entstanden, wo die Anzahl der 'Sterne' miteinander konkurriert. Im Landesinneren findet sich in Ubud und Umgebung ein breites Angebot an Unterkünften, gleiches gilt für die erschlossenen Regionen an den Küsten im Norden und Osten der Insel.
Versicherung
Zu empfehlen sind Reiserücktritt-, Reisegepäck- und Reisekrankenversicherung.
Tauchern empfehlen wir eine Mitgliedschaft bei DAN oder der Deutschen Flugambulanz.
Wichtige Adressen

Botschaft der Republik Indonesien
Lehrter Str. 16-17
10557 Berlin
Tel. (0 30) 47 80 70
Fax (0 30) 44 73 71 42
Internet: www.mantadiving.com

Deutsche Botschaft
Jl. M.H.Thamrin 1
Jakarta 1031
Indonesien
Tel. 00 62 (21) 3 90 17 50
Fax 00 62 (21) 3 90 17 57
Internet: www.germanembjak.or.id
E-Mail: germany@rad.net.id

Deutsches Honorarkonsulat
Jl. Pantai Karang 17
Sanur
Indonesien
Tel. 00 62 (3 61) 28 85 35
Fax 00 62 (3 61) 28 88 26

Schweiz & Österreich Konsulat
Swiss Restaurant
JI. Pura Bagus Teruna
Legian
Indonesien
Tel. 00 62 (75) 1735
Fax 00 62 (75) 4457

Indonesisches Tourism Office
Kanwil X Depparpostel
Kompleks Niti Mandala
Jl. Raya Puputan
Denpasar 80235 Indonesien
Tel. 00 62 (3 61) 22 56 49
Fax 00 62 (3 61) 23 34 75
Zeit
Indonesien ist in drei Zeitzonen eingeteilt. Je nach Sommer- oder Winterzeit bei uns beträgt der Unterschied zur westindonesischen Zeit +5 oder +6 Stunden; zwischen Java und Bali verläuft eine Zeitgrenze von +1 Stunde (mittelindonesische Zeit), also auch eine Stunde mehr Unterschied zu Deutschland (+6 oder +7 Stunden).

Sunday dip in the river: Ubud Bali

2009-06-17T03:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday around midday, Ika, Jevon and I set off in the direction of Mambal, SW of Ubud. Mambal is the home of the Aqua bottling plant, as there is a natural spring. They draw the water using a single, long, silver pipe, and filter it, before bottling. Ika wanted to swim in the river next to the plant, as we had been to this location a year ago. Right now there is still a lot of water coming down from the mountains, meaning the water is a muddy brown, and the current strong. We decided try a different place that I had checked out, the Wos Barat, located across from Museum Blanco in Ubud.

Getting into Ubud, we took Jl. Raya Ubud west in the direction of Campuhan. Parking at Murni Warung, we scooted across the road and down a few flights of steps, that led us through a school. The few minute hike down hill to the river got the sweat rolling, and we were glad of the shade from the tall banyan trees. Down at the waters edge, it was obvious there was no way Ika and Jevon could make it up stream to the place I bathed before, so we looked for another access point. On one side of the small valley sits a restaurant, on the other, a temple named Pura Gunung Lebah. River confluences are considered holy places in the Hindu religion, and the temple sits just above the ‘Y’ of the confluence.

Skirting the temple was easy and we had to disturb 2 Balinese artists, who had blocked the route with their giant canvas. They were cool, so we passed and dropped down a flight of steps, that gave us an over view of the river again. ‘Now where was that bathing spot I was at before?’ I thoguht. I couldn’t see it anywhere and Ika could not she where she was standing previously downstream. It felt like the Twilight zone, you go 50 meters upstream, and everything changes. Then I remembered there are 2 rivers that run parallel, the Wos Barat (west) and the Wos Timur (east). They came together forming a ‘Y’. We had circled round and unknowingly crossed over to the Wos Timur.

A couple of minutes later I found a set of steps, around the back of the temple that lead through thick forest, down a flat bathing area of the Wos Barat. Footing was slippery on the moss covered, shady stone steps. As we were descending, I saw a couple of diners from the restaurant on the other bank, look to check us out.

Wos Barat was running pretty good, the 5 meter wide river had a fast section away from us, and a flat, calm section, that was close to the tapering shore, perfect for us. Under the shade of hillside trees, we got changed and immediately noticed the high mosquito population. Moving our gear into the sunlight, we fared better and soon were in the cold water with Jevon, who loved it. The depth of the water at the deepest point was probably only 3-4ft, so no real worries, although the current was fairly strong. We were imagining there to be locals bathing too, but there were none. A small wooden rope bridge extends from the restaurant side of the river, to the temple. While bathing we saw 2 Balinese ladies take a couple of trash bins of waste and toss it of of the bridge. “Oh! Not nice.” said Ika. That is the attitude of many people in Bali, just chuck it in the river and it will disappear. They waved to us and came down for a chat. Jevon was hyperactive, and they commented that he was nakal (naughty).

Our session at the river lasted an hour and I was wonderfully cooled off by the finish.

World Tourism in the Face of the Global Economic Crisis

2009-06-17T03:04:00.000-07:00

International tourism demand has deteriorated further due to the impact of the global economic recession. International tourist arrivals declined at a rate of 8% between January and February this year, leaving the overall volume at the same level as recorded in 2007. At the same time, influenza A(H1N1) is starting to affect the sector. Its impact is being closely monitored by UNWTO in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). UNWTO follows the WHO’s advice as it is the leading UN agency in matters relating to health. WHO does not recommend travel restrictions at this point.

Discover Australia in winter

2009-06-16T19:36:00.001-07:00

Welcome to winter in Australia, which lasts from June to August for most of the country.
These months fall in the dry season in our tropical north. You can ski and snowboard down Victoria’s powdered slopes or snorkel and dive the balmy waters of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Four wheel drive South Australia’s Simpson Desert or head to the Blue Mountains for Christmas festivities.

Follow Western Australia’s wildflower trail or embrace the Northern Territory’s unique festival culture. Snuggle next to a roaring fire at Canberra’s Fireside Festival or celebrate the winter solstice in Hobart’s cobblestone streets. Winter is also a great season to discover our coastline, where you can spot migrating whales and dive with a dazzling array of marine life.

Discover Australia in winter

2009-06-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

Tourism in the Peru

2009-06-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

Peru is a large country on the Pacific coast of South America, encompassing a desert coastline, tropical rainforest and soaring mountains, each with distinct environments. These offer an exceptional opportunity for travellers to experience a variety of landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, a rich history and archaeological heritage, and the vivacious character of durable native cultures, all within one nation.

Fishing villages, fine beaches, agricultural lands, and Peru’s major towns and cities, including the capital of Lima, are interspersed along the narrow belt of desert coastline that stretches the length of the country. The lush Amazon Basin takes up half of Peru and is an ecologically rich area of tropical rainforest that encompasses some of the world’s most remote and least explored areas, sparsely populated and for the most part, inaccessible. Separating the coastal desert from the jungle is the splendid Andes mountain range, an endless chain of soaring peaks over 22,000ft (7,000m), and home to millions of indigenous highland people, speaking the ancient Inca language of Quechua, and living in traditional villages with steeply terraced agricultural fields, with their wandering herds of llamas and alpacas.

Colombia, back on the Map of World Tourism

2009-06-16T13:22:00.001-07:00

In 2007 the Government of Colombia hosted UNWTO’s General Assembly with more than a hundred ministers of tourism and a thousand participants from around the world gathering in Cartagena de Indias.

Almost universally the participants were impressed with three issues:
The incredible tourism product.
The real difference between our perceptions before arriving and the positive realities of the tourism experience.
The way in which the people inside the industry and the citizens generally reflected the spirit of the Colombian national and tourism brands – “Colombia is Passion” and “The only risk is wanting to stay”.

UNWTO believes that brand will be an increasingly important competitive factor and asked the Colombian Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Luis Guillermo Plata, to undertake some more in depth analysis of the Colombian case. The goal was twofold:
To objectively dissect the Colombian Brand and the evolution of its tourism product, promotion, perception and performance.
To use the results as a basis for continuing support for Members, in the context of UNWTO’s “competitiveness” activity, in particular with the World Economic Forum.

The report represents an overview of that analysis and underscores the contribution of tourism to the success of this national branding programme as a model example of the important role played by tourism not only in social and economic development, but also in forging the image of a country.

Furthermore the report highlights the smart decision to tackle head-on the perception of Colombia as a risky destination using a clear and direct message, without shying away from mentioning risk, and using that very same perception in a positive sense, turning its originally negative connotation upside-down.

Tourism in the Bahamas

2009-06-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Bahamas welcomed the new millennium with a travel and tourism renaissance. A change in government in 1992, an adjustment in marketing strategy and a $2.0 billion investment in the island’s infrastructure has helped re-invent the destination for leisure and business travelers.

The Bahamas were presented with the Crystal Palm Award for Excellence by the Caribbean Hotel Association in January of 1998. This prestigious award recognized the Bahamian government for its excellence in tourism management and visionary leadership. This honor was mirrored in the growing popularity of the destination as the Ministry of Tourism reported The Islands Of The Bahamas to be the most popular destination among all Caribbean Islands.

6000 Wind power stations threats nature tourism?

2009-06-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

Let me start by stating I´m pro-windpower. However, I´m afraid the intensity of wind power development in Sweden will affect the nature tourism industry seriously. I´d really appreciate your comments on this.

Last year The Swedish Energy Agency decided upon a new goal for Swedish wind power, by 2020 it should be 30 TWH/year. This means within 10 years the production of wind power energy will be 20 times bigger than today. They estimate up to 6000 wind power stations has to be built until 2020, which is about setting up a new one every second working day until 2016.

To my surprise, Swedish travel & tourism authorities doesn´t seem to have been involved in the planning process. Neither Nutek (The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth), VisitSweden or The Swedish Ecotourism Society have been consultive body in the preceding studies and investigations, thus leaving the effects on nature tourism unnoticed.

Naturvårdsverket (The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) managed to protect the nature reserves and some other sensible areas, but left the tourism aspects to the County Administrative boards – who delegated it to the local municipalities´ decision.

I´m afraid that if the wind power development continues so rapidly without considering the effects on nature tourism many of our yet non-developed wilderness regions will be more or less disqualified for future tour production. Protecting the nature reserves are not enough.

From my point of view, tourism is not a local decision. It´s a question of what our guests wants to see and experience. Caring for the local voters´ best or the municipality-owned wind power companys´ success isn´t always the same as creating good preconditions for sustainable development of internationally salable travel- & tourism products. A local tourism entrepreneur, providing only a part of a tour, is not in a position to negotiate with landowners, the local polititians or wind power companies where a power station park should or not should be located.

Therefore, I´d like to see VisitSweden or The Ecotourism Society to step in and apply a tour operators´ perspective wherever a windfarm is planned.

Now, would you still consider fishing, trekking, hunting, canoeing etc. in a wilderness with a windfarm nearby, or would you choose another destination? It would be interesting to get your opinions on this , so please feel free to write a comment.

Tourism jokes

2009-06-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

These questions about Australia were posted on an Australian Tourism Website… Enjoy!

1. Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)
A: So its true what they say about Swedes.

2. Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney- can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it’s only three thousand miles, take lots of water. . .

3. Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street?(USA)
A: Depends how much you’ve been drinking.

4. Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow?(UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

5. Q: It is imperative that I find the names and addresses of places to contact for a stuffed porpoise.(Italy)
A: Let’s not touch this one.

6. Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and HerveyBay? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?

7. Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the pacific which does not …oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

8. Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we’ll send the rest of the directions.

9. Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

10. Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys’ Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is. …. oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

11. Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)
A: No, WE don’t stink.

12. Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

13. Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?

14. Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.

15. Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia?(France)
A: Only at Christmas.

16. Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter gatherers. Milk is illegal.

17. Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

18. Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It’s a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It’s called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

19. Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

20. Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you’ll have to learn it first.

Bangkok is 'world's best city'

2009-06-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Bangkok in Thailand has been voted the world's best city in the latest Travel + Leisure magazine online poll.

It has moved up two places since last year's survey knocking last year's chart topper Florence, Italy, from its from the first place spot.

Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief at the magazine, claimed that adventurous destinations had topped the travel agenda among those readers that took part.

She said: "We're delighted to welcome so many new winners this year…"Nature, and adventure, were clearly a draw in the selections."

Meanwhile, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador won best Island, while Singapore Airlines was voted travel airline top dog.

Deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Surapol Sawetseranee, claimed that the prestigious recognition couldn't have come at a better time, right before the high season.

This could see an influx of tourists trying to book into the city's already busy hostels.

But although it was all change at the top in terms of best international city, New York maintained its status as the US's most popular city destination for the eighth year in a row.

Japan's most popular tourist attractions

2009-06-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

When foreigners go to Japan, Tokyo tops their list of places to see. Seven of the 10 most-visited destinations in the country are in the capital, according to the Japan National Tourist Organization.

This makes it easy for visitors to check the top spots off their must-see lists without leaving Tokyo, a sprawling city encompassing nearly every important aspect of Japanese life (except nature; "man-made" is the buzzword here). To get to the other spots on the top-10 list, a quick shinkansen (bullet train) ride is all that's required, and that's an experience itself, as the trains run at speeds of about 200 miles per hour.

Whether you choose to stay inside Tokyo's city limits or leave them, however, the complete tourism experience in Japan involves an equal mix of modern and traditional — easy to accomplish in the city and beyond.

Wherever you go, you can expect the locals to be friendly due to a government tourism-promotion campaign, Yokoso Japan (Welcome to Japan), through which the Japanese government is aiming to increase the number of international visitors to 10 million by 2010 (the country had 6 million foreign tourists in 2007). The tourism agency has spent the last five years trying to convince foreigners that the famously closed society is welcoming.

Tokyo sights
The No. 1 place tourists visit is Shinjuku, a massive, crowded skyscraper district within Tokyo. Built beginning in the '70s, Shinjuku keeps adding new and bigger towers, and its commuter rail station is the transit system's busiest, with nearly 2 million passengers a day.

Shinjuku has three main components: offices, shopping and nightlife. The shopping consists of a flotilla of chic department stores, mainly branches of the stores you'll find in Ginza or elsewhere. At night, many tourists head for Shinjuku's Park Hyatt, the hotel made famous in the film "Lost in Translation", to have a drink at the penthouse New York Bar and take in the city-wide views. The Kabukicho district is also a popular hangout, thanks to its many bars and lounges.

Tokyo's next most-visited area is the famous Ginza neighborhood, a shopping mecca that's home to the fanciest stores, Japanese and foreign alike. Weighing in at No. 4 on the most-visited list, Ginza is where you'll find all the luxury brands from around the world, many in custom-designed boutiques.

Shoppers throng the streets as they meander from Chanel to Mikimoto (for world-renowned pearls); you'll also find them stopping for lunch in the department store cafés. When you're done at Fendi and Gucci, follow their example and stop at the basement food halls in one of the department stores (every department store, all over town, has one). It's fun to pick up a picnic lunch from the myriad prepared-food vendors, but remember, it's considered rude to eat standing up in Japan.

Also on the top-destination list, within Tokyo are Shibuya and Harajuku, the twin centers of teen culture and the places to see what the hip kids are wearing these days. But there are also more traditional attractions that shouldn't be skipped, such as the museums, zoo and Asakusa, an old-style temple district.

Islands Of India – A Bevy Of Beauties

2009-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water. Above high tide and isolated from other significant landmasses, islands of India have emergent land features. There are two main types of islands i.e., continental islands and oceanic islands. Continental islands are bodies of land that lie on the continental shelf of a continent. On the other hand, an oceanic island is one that does not sit on continental shelves. This type of island is volcanic in origin. However, a group of geographically related islands is called an archipelago. India has two major offshore island possessions i.e., the Lashadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The Andaman Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal. Port Blair is the chief community on the islands. The climate is typical of tropical islands of similar latitude. It is always warm, but with sea-breeze it cools down the day temperature. Rainfall is irregular here, but south-west monsoon causes heavy rainfall here. The Andaman Island comprises a number of islands i.e., Barren Island, Great Andaman, Little Andaman, Ritchie's Archipelago, and Sentinel Islands. Also, the Nicobar Islands are an island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean, are part of Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This piece of island is a great island arch created by the collision of the Indo-Australian Plate with Eurasia.

The Lakshadweepa is located 200 to 300 km off of the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. Eleven of the islands are inhabited. Lashadweep officially consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks, with a total of about 36 islands and islets. The name of the archipelago literally translates as hundred thousand island i.e., laksha one hundred thousand, and dweep means island.

Apart from this, Islands Of India contain islands of the Cauvery River that encompasses islands of Srigangapatna and Shivanasamudram. Also, you can visit islands of Mumbai harbour. The range of islands includes Butcher Island, Cross Island, Elephanta Island, Middle Ground, Oyster Rock, Salsette Island, etc.

The Islands of India are famous for tourist spots. They are perfect holiday destination for nature-lovers. Every piece of island has its own richness in a bevy of beauties.

Travel to Malaysia

2009-06-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Malaysia has a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society and is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in Southeast Asia. Contemporary Malaysian society is mainly dominated by the Malay (local) people, but there is a substantial Chinese, Indian and European minority. The official religion is Islam.

Its year round sunshine ensures Malaysia’s growing tourism and it is fast becoming one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. While it does get torrential seasonal rain, this should not turn you off this paradise. Its rainfall is very seasonal and typical of any equatorial climate.

Travelling by air to Malaysia can be very inexpensive with one of the world’s leading low cost carrier, Air Asia, based there. Once you arrive in Malaysia your luxury holiday immediately begins. The high-speed express will get you into Kuala Lumpur in less than thirty minutes.

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, or also known as KL, is an expansive beautiful city with soaring skyscrapers. One hundred years ago Kuala Lumpur was a small furniture cleaning services town attracting workers from China and India. Now it’s fast becoming one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world.

Kuala Lumpur is now well known as a great shopping destination as well as a great night time spot and entertainment hub. Food in Malaysia varies from the different ethnic regions, rice is the most common food source in Malaysia and is often eaten for breakfast.

The landscape of Malaysia ranges from lush rainforests to towering rocky hills. Its rainforests are full of all types of flora and fauna with over 450 species of birds carpet and upholstery cleaning are native to the islands of Malaysia. There are also over 160 different species of snake. Other wildlife of Malaysia includes bears, crocodiles, elephants, leopards, monkeys, panthers and rhinoceroses. The Orang-utan, which is one of the world's most endangered animals is also unique to this part of the world.

Malaysia has over 200 tropical islands making it a refuge for all sorts of water sports. Its tropical resorts are full of white sandy beaches and provide a vast paradise, while beneath the warm tropical waters, a unique world awaits to be explored.

Well worth a visit, and located just outside of the capital city are the Batu Caves. These are huge cathedral-like caves accessible by steps. The caves have a one hundred meter tall chamber and have been used as a Hindu temple for more than a hundred years.

There are many reasons for travelling to Malaysia but a few things that you can always count on are: the excellent climate that you get all year round, the peaceful surroundings that you get all year round, and the great value that Malaysia has to offer.

One of the greatest aspects of life in Malaysia, and especially Kuala Lumpur, is that so many people with different ethnic backgrounds live together in perfect harmony with no racial problems.

Las Hadas Resort: Eco Tourism at its Finest

2009-06-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Las Hadas translates to the fairies and Las Hadas Resort in Manzanillo, Colima looks very much like a fairyland. Upon entering the area by sea it is obvious why the name was chosen. This beautiful place resides seaside off the coast of the Pacific Ocean where striking blue waves meet cozy warm beaches. The white buildings stand in contrast to the blue sky and ocean creating a delightful Mediterranean meets mexico vibe.

Las Hadas (photo by D Guisinger courtesy of Wikipedia)

The deep blue water of the area becomes even more animated in the evening as phosphorescent organisms o illuminate the waves creating a very magical feel. The local beaches boast pristine white sands with year round warm water to bask in Mexico’s gorgeous sunshine.

View of Las Hadas (photo by Golden Emporium courtesy of Flickr)

While poolside entertainment is quite the choice, there are several local attractions worth a visit. The Colima Volcano, Colima Archeological Museum and Slorenia Cave are all must sees that are sure to keep the whole family entertained.

Mountainside at Las Hadas (photo by 2 jaguar404 courtesy of Flickr)

food at the resort is amazing offering some of Mexico’s best seafood. The meals seamlessly blend Mediterranean flare with the local favorites. The seafood is the freshest available and caught in the nearby waters. Excursions to the local markets can also offer a choice of interesting and tasty snacks and treats to enjoy upon returning home.

Las Hadas is truly a charming resort with magical qualities that entertain as a romantic getaway or location for a family vacation.

Dreams Spa & Resort in Puerto Vallarta

2009-06-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took the ultimate mexican vacation in December, when the weather of the Pacific Northwest was at its very worst. We left the cruel winter far behind, and entered a world of pure fantasy. When our taxi from the airport pulled off the main street onto a narrow cobblestone road, that was lined with stately palms swaying gently in the breeze as though they were sentries announcing our arrival, I knew instinctively we were entering a very special place. We had to pass through a massive wrought iron gate which absolutely defined the boundary between reality and fairytale.

A Sunset as Viewed from our Window

Our taxi was met by an energetic welcoming staff. We were given flutes of fine champagne as we exited the vehicle. They said our luggage would be taken to our room and told us to relax and enjoy and that we would not have to worry about a single thing for the next 7 days, which proved to be exactly the case.

If one so desired, you could spend the entire 7 days right at the resort. The food is unbelievable and abundant, and you have the choice of 5 gourmet restaurants, as well as 24 hour room service, a large buffet for breakfast and lunch, and snack bars set up on the beach. There is a world class spa that offers a variety of different treatments. I personally liked the hot stone massage, which was done on a deck over looking the ocean.

There are three pools, with the main pool having a swim up bar and a jacuzzi insert. Of course, then you have the huge sandy beach which is dotted with thatch huts if you need a shaded break. It is the largest private beach in Puerto Vallarta, which means you have plenty of space to spread out and catch the warm sun’s rays.

There is nightly entertainment specials and planned daily excursions off-site if you wish. The all inclusive package is unbeatable, as it includes all drinks, meals, activities and gratuities. The service awesome, and the staff makes the trip memorable for all. Xavier, who was our server at the breakfast buffet presented my friend and I each a plate he had made, and our husbands with a bottle of tequila gold, on the last day of our stay. I know this will sound like a clique’, but this is stuff of which dreams are made. We will definitely return to this quiet paradise on the Pacific.

20 sweet spots for winter the best places to travel to for winter value

2009-06-13T12:54:00.001-07:00

In life, being in the right place at the right time can come down to serendipity, but in travel, it is almost always the result of good planning.

To avoid crowds and inflated prices, we recommend the period between high and low seasons when the weather is fine, places are still open and happy to welcome travelers, and you can explore a destination at your own pace. We call this magical time and space continuum the Sweet Spot and make it a point to round up the best of them for you each season.

We've covered the 20 best places to travel for value this winter and grouped them by region — follow the links to right to discover this season's Sweet Spots

Winter forecast: With the exception of its southernmost terrain, the U.S. and Canada experience the colder side of winter. Cool breezes from Canada spill into the northern United States, serving as a tailwind for southbound vacationers. The Rockies see a surge in ski traffic, while Florida celebrates the end of hurricane season. Regardless, seasonal shopping overtakes New York and Chicago, spreading holiday cheer.

1. AUSTIN
The music starts at the airport, but that’s not all this hip, funky Texas capital city has to offer. Consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the U.S., Austin embraces film, cuisine, and its outdoor terrain equally.
Why go in winter: You’ll find more package deals and fewer crowds during winter months, yet the weather still hovers around a pleasant 65 degrees. The best deals can be found in December, including during the holiday period.

2. LOS ANGELES
As the frontier of the American Dream, laid-back Los Angeles allows visitors to be a pampered star, an earnest culture vulture, a die-hard foodie, and anything else their heart desires. Head here for celebrity sightings, super shopping, and the chance to mix with the beautiful people.

Why go in winter: Spotty rains, temperatures in the mid-60s, and that trademark West Coast sunshine clear Los Angeles of its usual smog halo during the winter months, making for picturesque cityscapes, room discounts, and comfortable celebrity-spotting from Beverly Hills to Hollywood. Don't miss the Rose Bowl Parade in January, and starch that bowtie for the all-important Academy Awards come late February.

3. MAINE
From its towering mountain summits to its sandy seashores, Maine offers diverse year-round activities for vacationers of all stripes. Maritime sites abound, romantic inns flourish, and family fun spots thrive in all regions. Stay south for sparkling beaches and quaint coastal villages, or trek north for rugged, untouched wilderness.

Why go in winter: Holiday time is bustling in harbor villages, but not bursting at the seams with tourists. Winter snows bring calm to the coast, but droves of skiers shush down the slopes in Kennebec and Moose River Valleys and huff along the Nordic trails in the Highlands.

4. NEW ORLEANS
The Big Easy is a delectable gumbo of red-hot jazz, historic streetcars, lacy French-colonial balconies, powdery beignets, and zesty Cajun cuisine. Its unique blend of Southern hospitality, eccentric tradition, and unabashed debauchery give it a distinct character unlike anywhere else in the United States. The city’s tourism infrastructure – especially in the relatively unscathed French Quarter – has largely recovered post-Katrina.

Why go in winter: Daytime temperatures in the mid-60s and fewer crowds make winter a comfortable time of year to visit New Orleans. Winter is also quiet and less crowded, though New Year’s Eve draws crowds who come for the fireworks and the ball drop.

5. PARK CITY
Host to several events in the 2002 Winter Olympics, this chic resort town invites outdoorsy types to go skiing, sleigh riding, snowshoeing, ice skating, hot-air ballooning, or even bobsledding down the same track used in the Olympics. But Park City also offers plenty of entertainment for the more laid-back crowd: lounge at the Egyptian Theatre on historic Main Street, stroll through 20-plus art galleries, or debate between 100-plus bars and restaurants for a dinner destination.

Why go in winter: An early ski season in a place with near-perfect snow conditions is a bargain hunter's dream come true. Three easily accessible premier ski resorts offer bargains to jump-start the season, and the town is dripping with alpine holiday spirit.

India: A Perfect Holiday Destination

2009-06-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Interested in India Holiday Tours? Welcome, India Tourism invites you to spend your holidays in India. Travel in India and observe its incredible cultural heritage and get fascinated with historic & magnificent monuments, fantastic forts, terrific temples, and several beautiful holiday spots. Travel in India and marvel on incredible architectural wonders of India. Architecturally beautiful structures, monuments with beautiful design, paintings & carvings, temples with fine carvings & sculptures, fantastic forts, elegant palaces, majestic tombs of mighty emperors, etc are truly breathtaking. During your holidays in India, you will too have a brilliant opportunity to see all these architectural wonders of India.

To see monumental attractions in India your must travel in Rajasthan. There are several monuments in Rajasthan, India. Embark on Rajasthan Holiday Tours and add a special charm in your holidays in India. Among all the holiday destinations of India, Rajasthan, the land of monuments or the land of Kings, maintains a special importance. undergraduate online course cuisine of Rajasthan served in the milieu of royal forts & palaces, camel safari on sand dunes, exceptional beauty of Mount Abu, friendly people etc make Rajasthan a popular spots for holidays in India. Choose any Rajasthan Holiday Package and embark on tours to Rajasthan, India. Surely, your Rajasthan Holiday will be a mesmerizing and pleasant experience.
Not only monuments, in fact, India Tourism offers a range of experience. It offers an amazing selection of holidays in India. Beach holidays on Goa Beaches & Kerala Beaches, Family Holiday on several picturesque locations, backwater holiday, etc, you can enjoy all this on your India Holiday Tours. If your children undergraduate online course interested in wildlife or water fun, India is fully prepared for it also. Explore Indian National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and watch thrilling & sensational activities of wild animals. Go to beach destination and enjoy water funs. Hill Stations of India may also be fascinating family holiday destination. Lush green hill stations of India with their extra-ordinary beauty offer you fascinating spots for you and your family on your holidays in India.

Some of the must-visit holidays destinations and attractions in India are Rajasthan with magnificent forts, palaces, & rustic beauty; Agar with the magnificent Taj Mahal; Kashmir with extra-ordinary natural beauty, beautiful gardens, lovely free online business courses and snow; Delhi with India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, etc; Kerala with breathtakingly beautiful natural beautiful, lovely beaches and backwaters; Hyderabad with Charminar, Mount Abu’s Dilwara Jain Temples, Hill stations like Nainital, Ooty, Darjeeling, Shimla, Manali, etc. You can too enjoy the fascination of India, just choose any one of luxury holiday packages to India and embark on India Holiday Tours.

10 best exotic places to take an extended holiday

2009-06-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

1. Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve on the south coast of Portugal is and has been one of the top exotic extended holiday spots for many United Kingdom and European residents for years. Many Canadian tour operators offer packages. The region offers temperate and mild warm weather, large resort areas surrounded by small villages and four championship golf courses. Besides its 150 beaches, be sure to visit some of the "Pueblos Blancos" or traditional villages such as Monchique, for great views and authentic Portuguese arts and crafts.

2. Southern Spain: Costa del Sol

There's nothing like the Mediterranean beaches of the Spanish Coast to call on all sunbathers, the stylish rich and famous, and party people. In Costa del Sol, you'll find exotic beaches, golf, luxury resorts and Puerto Banus, one of TripAtlas.com's Top 10 Portside Cities of the Western Mediterranean, the most luxurious marina in the world. Honourable mention on the coast also includes Costa Blanca and Costa de Almeria.

3. Morocco

From the magical streets and markets of Marrakech to the little-known beaches of Essaouira, Morocco is no longer a haven just for indulgent artists and poets. As one of the best expressions of North Africa, there's something about Morocco that exudes an alluring and exotic culture that takes an extended holiday or long stay to really appreciate. Visit Morocco before it expands into a resort-overloaded destination.

4. Goa, India

Goa is a hot holiday spot for Indian and South Asian vacationers and is best known for its beaches, festivals and ancient temples. It was once a Portuguese colony and thus offers an eclectic mix of both east and west. Calangute and Candolim are the most popular beach towns, but Goa's capital Panaji (also Panjim) is worth a visit, as is Ponda, a sacred site of Goan temples.

5. Florida

While Florida may not be the most exotic destination on the list, Florida is home to hundreds of thousands Canadian snowbirds each year. Stay in the Florida Panhandle area, which is less crowded, or the attraction-filled Orlando. Perfect your "Captiva Crouch" on Captiva Island or your golf game at the hundreds of golf courses throughout the Sunshine State. Many condo rentals, airlines and tour operators offer great deals.

6. Canary Islands, Grand Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura

Off the northwest coast of Africa between Morocco and Western Sahara, the Canary Islands are a set of volcanic islands that are the perfect hideout for Europeans and other visitors looking to stay away from snow and chilly winds. Destinations include the bigger islands of Grand Canaria and Tenerife, while Fuerteventura is known for its windsurfing and La Gomera is best for its rainforest and walking trails.

7. Bali, Indonesia

Stay for a month in Bali to get the best of enchanting Indonesian culture, cuisine, and beautiful beaches. Popular spots in Bali include Benoa Beach, Legian and Sanur Beach. This region is known for water sports enthusiasts including honeymooners, scuba divers and surfers.

8. Phuket and Pattaya, Thailand
White shores and the most stunning aqua blue waters you'll ever see, Thailand and other coast-side spots in Southeast Asia such as Penang, Malaysia, are popular holiday destinations. They bring together cultural heritage, mountain views, elephant camps, ancient temples and palaces, stunning beaches, water sports, resorts, restaurants and nightclubs -- all in one place. Popular Phuket destinations include Karon, Patong and Kata Beaches. Hotels, resorts, B&Bs, or half/full board accommodation are all available.

9. Mazatlan, Mexico

For fresh seafood and for sports fishing fans, Mazatlan offers exactly what you need for your extended holiday getaway. While it's a great resort area with warm beaches that you could laze on for weeks, Mazatlan also gives its visitors a taste of Mexico from the past as well as today. It's such a nice place, many Canadians, Americans and Europeans now move to Mazatlan to retire.

10. St. Martin, Caribbean

Among the many paradisiacal islands in the Caribbean, TripAtlas picked St. Martin because of its great mix of relaxation, culture and a refined sense of exotic French and European flavours. An extended holiday on St. Martin also allows time for you to explore the Dutch side as well, or island hop to and from other nearby islands such as Anguilla, St. Barts and Saba.

Cheap Travel Packages - An Inexpensive Holiday

2009-06-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

Going on holiday is what everyone looks forward to and so many of us prefer to venture out in search of cost-effective travel. With the emergence of online booking services and great discount travel websites, booking travel has become relatively easy. You can easily find cheap travel package to exotic destinations all over the world. Today, all you need to do is log on to the Internet and perform a quick search for various travel options online.

Most of these discounted travel sites offer you all the resources you need to plan your trip. These sites also allow you to compare prices, choose your most preferred airline and get the best travel deal on holiday packages. You can also customise a cheap travel package by choosing from the various individual travel components available. These are a convenient way to make your dream holiday a reality. These travel packages may include flights, cruises, additional car hire, hotel booking, travel insurance and several other exciting travel services. Apart from the regular holiday packages, you may also come across last minute packages online. These special packages are fantastic bargains for the spontaneous traveller and perfect for weekend getaways.

Many of the online travel services specialize in offering the best airfares on the web whether traveling within Australia or to overseas destinations. Be it for a weekend gateway, business trio or a long vacation, every travel can enjoy the best updated deals and make their dream trip come true

See the world — in California's Long Beach

2009-06-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

A recently published survey showed hat, even in these precarious economic times, a vacation is a luxury that many people are unwilling to give up. Hard-earned and well-deserved, those sacred two weeks serve as a wellspring of rejuvenation for the next grueling 50 ahead.

Still, the dilemma remains - with so little time and ever-shrinking disposable income, where will your dream vacation take you: Spain, Italy, England, Latin America or the Pacific Rim? With so much of the world offering appealing alternatives, how does one choose?

Here's an idea: Go to Long Beach. You can experience all of the above destinations much more economically, and you won't need a passport.

Long considered Los Angeles' less glamorous younger sister, Long Beach has spent much of the past two decades refurbishing, refashioning and revitalizing itself. The result is one of Southern California's most surprising vacation destinations. Part of that surprise stems from the realization of just how cosmopolitan the city is.

In Long Beach, you can take a trip around the world in 80 blocks.

Day 1: Spain

The history of Rancho Los Alamitos is, in essence, the history of Southern California: the mix of the Native American and Spanish cultures and of the mission and rancho systems. Situated atop Bixby Hill behind the gates of an exclusive residential community, the 1800s adobe ranch house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a living history museum. The ranch house and the beautiful gardens surrounding it are all that remain of what was once a 300,000-acre Spanish land grant given by the crown in 1790 to a Spanish foot soldier named Manuel Nieto as a reward for a job well done.

Standing here today, it is difficult to imagine that when Nieto took ownership, the land grant encompassed much of present-day Long Beach and neighboring Orange County, stretching all the way to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. After his death, his heirs petitioned the crown to split the vast holdings into five ranchos, with the eldest son getting the 28,500-acre Rancho Los Alamitos ("little cottonwoods"), which, though considerably diminished, was still the largest cattle ranch in the United States after California joined the Union in 1850.

Visitors can tour the house and gardens, one of which, the Secret Garden, was designed by the firm of the famous Olmsted brothers, who designed, among other notable projects, Woodland Park and the Ashland Park neighborhood in Lexington.

After your visit to Rancho Los Alamitos, continue the Spanish motif with dinner at Cafe Sevilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar on multicultural Pine Avenue. The restaurant features original Spanish fare such as grilled chorizo, paella, green mussels and jamon (ham) Iberico, along with a flamenco show every Saturday night.

Day 2: Latin America

Long Beach is home to the only museum west of the Mississippi River dedicated exclusively to Latin American art. The Museum of Latin American Art is a gem that focuses intensely on artists who have lived and worked in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean since World War II.

Located in the developing East Village Arts District, the building is spare and lean, with vaulted ceilings, polished wooden floors and a sculpture garden. Like many Southern California structures, MOLAA occupies what was once a film studio - Balboa Producing Co., which was a major distributor of silent films from 1913 to 1918. After the studio closed, the building was reincarnated as the Hippodrome, a popular roller rink for four decades.

Thanks to its extensive collection, its future as a museum seems secure. I was drawn to the work of one artist in particular, Belkis Ayon of Cuba, who was interested in the myths of the Abakua, the island's all-male secret society that adheres to the arcane rituals of an Afro-Caribbean religion. Ayon's black-and-white collage-type prints feature a recurring theme: a woman, Sikan, who penetrates the society and is then sacrificed by the men to safeguard their secrets. The pieces are mesmerizing and eerily reflective of the artist's all too brief life. The official cause of her 1999 death at age 32 is suicide, although rumors circulate that this was indeed a case of life imitating art - that she, like her definitive character, got too close to a forbidden society and paid the ultimate price.

Day 3: The Pacific Rim

The Aquarium of the Pacific offers a comprehensive journey across the world's largest ocean, from the California coast itself to the icy waters of the North Pacific to the colorful reefs of Mexico's Baja Peninsula and the tropical South Pacific. The aquarium has 19 major habitats with 32 focus exhibits.

Among them are the tropical Pacific gallery, which evokes the islands of Polynesia and Micronesia, with their coral reefs and shockingly hued fish, and the North Pacific gallery, home to translucent sea jellies, diving birds, a reclusive giant octopus and crowd-pleasing sea otters.

My favorite exhibit was the Southern California/Baja gallery, the entrance to which is the three-story, 142,000- gallon Blue Cavern. The cavern is a colorful montage of shimmering kelp forests, giant-spined sea stars and colorful garibaldi, the official marine fish of California. A companion gallery is home to the 211,000-gallon seal and sea lion exhibit.

You can plan to spend a full day here, especially if you have kids, or if you want to pair an aquarium visit with a whale-watching cruise or a harbor tour.

Day 4: Italy

It's called Naples Island, but the area is more evocative of Venice, ringed as it is by a system of canals that flow into Alamitos Bay.

There are few better ways to experience a Southern California sunset than to rent a gondola and gondolier, who might come equipped with wine and cheese but who definitely comes with a voice worthy of the Italian arias. The hour-long gondola ride will take you around the island, with its colorful cottages in a variety of architectural styles and often dripping with bougainvillea and jasmine. There's even a "Bridge of Sighs" where your gondolier will stop for the requisite serenade.

Afterward, continue the experience with dinner in one of the city's excellent Italian restaurants. L'Opera on Pine Avenue has a decor of vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers and marble columns, and a menu of such dishes as carpaccio classico, ravioli stuffed with black truffles and scallopine with forest mushrooms and mascarpone cheese. La Traviata is a stunning restaurant, designed to mimic a 19th-century opera house. The cuisine is described as nouveau Italian with a California twist, and opera singers and pianists perform every weekend.

Day 5: England

There's nothing more quintessentially English than afternoon tea, and Forbes Traveler Magazine has called Long Beach's Vintage Tea Leaf one of the best tearooms in the country. Visitors can select a vintage hat (bowlers for gents and flowery creations for the ladies) and an antique china cup for enjoying one of the 120 custom-blended teas from the personal recipe file of Beverly, the tea mistress.

Then it's on to one of Long Beach's premier tourist attractions: the Queen Mary. Permanently docked here since 1967, the luxury ocean liner sailed between Southhampton, England, and New York for the Cunard Line from 1936 to 1967, although it was pressed into service during World War II to transport troops. Its list of famous passengers includes Winston Churchill and William Randolph Hearst. Greta Garbo always ate early in the Verandah Grill so she could sneak back to her stateroom, while more sociable types like Marlene Dietrich and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor danced the night away in the Starlight Lounge.

Today, both venues are remnants of the Queen's fabled past, but guests can enjoy a cocktail in the Art Deco Observation Bar and dinner in Sir Winston's. They can even choose to spend the night in one of the 314 original staterooms.

If you do nothing else, take one of the daily tours, which give you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's great ocean liners

Getting Best Mexico Vacation Packages For Holidays

2009-06-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking about your next vacation, but are still not able to decide on the location then you must definitely consider Mexico. Mexico is culturally very rich and a great destination to visit. It has a moderate climate all year long, Mexico is very rich in flora and fauna and the food is fabulous. Once you have decided to go to Mexico, you need to decide on a Mexico City vacation package, this is not an easy job as there are plenty of Mexico packages available, the simple reason being - Mexico is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.

Choosing the right Mexico packages is of prime importance because these packages will provide you with all the luxuries making your holiday memorable. Packages offer great deals and thus help reduce the expense of your Mexico vacation to a large extent. Travel agencies and various websites are devoted to helping you find the best Mexico package within your budget

There are many Mexico vacation packages that are suitable for different types of travel. For example if you plan a romantic getaway or a trip with your family, there are Mexico City vacation packages; similarly there are packages for every occasion.

There are many travel agencies that offer Mexico vacation packages but what you need to keep in mind is the experience that a travel agency has, because the company providing you Mexico vacation must understand your needs, your budget and your expectations. You can buy simple Mexico packages that include the basic and the most essential aspects for a comfortable Mexico vacation or if your pocket allows then you can always select a custom Mexico vacation package where you need to tell the travel agencies the places you want to visit during your Mexico vacation and they will arrange your trip accordingly. This will allow you to visit the places that you always wanted to visit.

Whenever you plan your Mexico vacation make sure that you have a professional to help you out with it, because if you don't, then you will be totally confused, because there are so many options available. The website of mexico-vacation-retreat is one of such professional websites; it has a host of information to make your Mexico vacation unforgettable

Around the World with Bill Pfeffer: China Tales

2009-06-04T13:22:00.001-07:00

If you haven’t yet heard about Bill Pfeffer’s around-the-world trip, you’re in for a treat. The traveler and his wife took a year to go from Indonesia to the US—no flying allowed—and now he’s sharing the overland trip in gripping installments.

His three latest are from China, beginning with the couple’s arrival in Guilin, where they realize, “China will be a challenging segment of our adventure but we’re ready for the unexpected pleasures along with the missteps and expect to get far with patience and a smiling attitude.” It’s this admirable perspective that keeps them—and us—laughing through the adventures and misadventures of Yangshuo and Guangzhou. A gifted storyteller, Bill Pfeffer injects his writing with humor—and with plenty of references to the songs of his favorite band, U2.

Don’t stop at these China tales, though; his observations from a transatlantic freighter, a trans-Mongolian train, and “everyone’s favorite town in Vietnam” are just as spectacular. We may already know where he started and where he ended up, but filling in the rest is going to make for some fantastic armchair travel.

Victoria Falls(Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)

2009-06-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable.

There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.

The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.

Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialisation.

Seasons
The river's annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April. The spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 ft), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (30 miles) away.

During the flood season, however, it is impossible to see the foot of the falls and most of its face, and the walks along the cliff opposite it are in a constant shower and shrouded in mist. Close to the edge of the cliff, spray shoots upward like inverted rain, especially at Zambia's Knife-Edge Bridge.

As the dry season takes effect, the islets on the crest become wider and more numerous, and in September to January up to half of the rocky face of the falls may become dry and the bottom of the First Gorge can be seen along most of its length.

The minimum flow, which occurs in November, is around a tenth of the April figure.

Towns
Victoria Falls town (in Zimbabwe) lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River at the eastern end of the Victoria Falls themselves. Victoria Falls Airport is 18 km south of the town and has international services to Johannesburg and Namibia.

Livingstone (in Zambia) is a historic colonial city and tourism centre for Victoria Falls lying 10 km south on the Zambezi River, and a border town with road and rail connections to Zimbabwe on the other side of the Falls. The Airport has connections to Lusaka and Johannesburg in South Africa.

National Parks
Open to visitors throughout the year, the Victoria Falls National Park in north-western Zimbabwe protects the south and east bank of the Zambezi River. It covers 23.4 km² extending from the larger Zambezi National Park about 6 km above the falls to about 12 km below the falls.

A notable feature of the park is the rainforest which grows in the spray of the falls, including ferns, palms, liana vines, and a number of trees such as mahogany not seen elsewhere in the region.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia is an UNESCO World Heritage site and is twinned to the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwean side. The Park covers 66 km² (25.5 square miles) from below the falls in a north-west arc along about 20 km of the Zambian river bank.

It froms the south-western boundary of Livingstone and has two main sections, a wildlife park at its north-western end and the land adjacent to the Victoria Falls.

The national parks contain abundant wildlife including sizable populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope.

Activities
A number of activities can be undertaken. The 'Flight of Angels' provides a fabulous vista of the falls, the upstream river and its many islands and for the more adventurous there is microlighting with stunning views of the Fall.

Rafting the wild rapids below the Falls is a very popular adventure. Visitors can also kayak, canoe, fish, go on guided walking safaris, ride on horseback and lunch on Livingstone's Island.

Game viewing via boat or open vehicles is a popular activity above the falls or in in Chobe in Botswana

Location:The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.
Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Experience the uniqueness of Guancia dry forests

2009-05-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

With all the forests getting thinner and thinner all around the globe, you better explore the forests now before they disappear. The zillions of unique planktons swimming in the waters of the Vieques island, dry and arid climate of the area, and the Guancia dry forest offers the tourists plenty of things to indulge themselves into.

Located on the South West coast of Puerto Rico, the Guancia biosphere reserve includes both coastal areas as well as mangrove habitats. This forest acts as a source of livelihood of the people living in eight nearby municipalities. The forest attracts plenty of tourists to the area and also provides a lot of materials to the people. Recently, Erik Olsen visited the region after being influenced by an article he read.

The writer was particularly interested in paddling the Bio bay reserve. At night he swam in the local waters. I will have to agree that he has some guts to swim around at night. I wouldn’t do that. The best part about this area is the landscape that is formed by the salt spray and winds that never die. The 9500 acres of forest doesn’t really look like one.

Yet another interesting fact about Guancia is: it is home to 140 different species of birds as well as plenty of flora and fauna. However, most of these birds shuttle between Puerto Rico and Guancia. So, if you are a bird watcher, you can visit Guancia whenever you want. Pelicans are probably the dominant birds found in this region.

The bio bay reserve is bioluminescent and the best of it’s kind. The environment is created from the luminescent planktons that glow at night. It is a natural wonder and very magical indeed. The visitors normally consider this to be an experience of their lifetime.

Besides birdwatching, paddling and glowing planktons, the island offers activities like biking, diving, Horse back riding as well hiking. So if you are still looking for a place to visit for your next vacation, come on down to Vieques island.

Are you actually an Eco-Tourist?

2009-05-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, are you always ready to take the first road out? Do you love outdoor adventure and thrills: Rock –climbing, Trekking Expeditions, White Water Rafting, Skiing, Nature Trails, Wildlife Safaris and more. Do you believe that there’s an exciting new world waiting to be explored? If, yes, than, you definitely are an ardent traveler and nature lover. But, wait; does that make you an eco-tourist? Read this and find out for yourself!

"Just joining tour operators, who promise eco-tourism does not make one an eco-tourist. This is a concept which has to be believed and felt from within."

says Aloke Bajpai, CEO, The Explorers, a Mumbai based Adventure tour outlet.

Going on nature trails and exploring natures’ unexplored and virgin beauty is not enough, practicing eco-friendliness is equally important. Many travellers litter garbage, plastic bags and bottles on the way without giving it a second thought. Keeping the surroundings clean and pure is an important part of eco-tourism.

Besides, paying up a huge some of money to a travel outlet which takes care of all your needs and also plans your trip, it sometimes bars you from a lot of amazing experience. According to the Kiwi travel writer, Heather Hapeta, ‘Eco-tourism is an activity that has minimum impact while providing maximum benefits to the locals.’ He opines that independent travellers are most likely the closest to being real eco-travellers. By staying in cheaper, locally-owned accommodation, eating at small food outlets and using local transport, they leave much of their travel money in the country. Not only this. By doing so, they also get to visit places that are not on the tourist trail and can get to know people and absorb the local flavours. So, are you ready for an actual eco-tour?

Three Cheers to the Great Alaskan Beer Train

2009-05-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

This train that offers homebrewed Ale on Rails Passes through miles and miles of beautiful scenery. The word Beer itself is enough to get everyones ears up. Along with the BrewHouse beers are served a variety of appetizers and finger foods

This annual event combines the beauty of fall along the Turnagain Arm with the warmth and good times of Oktoberfest and the Great Alaska Brewhouse . The beautiful views of the Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet provide a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Alaska Railroad, which dates back to 1903 is one of the safest to travel on . This year you have missed out since the train left on 7th October. Check back in late summer 2007 to book your seats on next year’s train

Mystery of Giant Sink Holes in China Unraveled

2009-05-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Often referred as “tiankeng,” or “sky holes” near the southern Chinese city of Guilin they are 2,000-foot-deep wonders. The main factor to them is an underground river. It is the waterof the river that dissolves limestone to make caves, the roofs of which can give way to form sinkholes.

However the limestone at Guilin is fractured the sink hole are liable to form along vertical cracks forming steep walls. Rubble due to the cave in is dissolved by the waters of the river and over the eons cavern opens to the sky and a tiankeng is born Arthur Palmer, a cave expert at the State University of New York at Oneonta is quoted to have said

“You are impressed by how abrupt they are. These do tend to be the biggest in the world.”

Geologist William White, an emeritus professor at Pennsylvania State University is quoted to have said

“You could fit a couple of Empire State Buildings in and they’d disappear,”.

It would definitely be worth it to visit such extrordinary natural wonders especially now when China is becoming tourism friendly.

Via: discovery

Lodges With Alternative Energy Sources#3: Gaviota, Belize

2009-05-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

Location: Tobacco Caye, Belize

Rates: $49 to $59 double occupancy, including meals Activities: Snorkeling (rentals; $7.50 per day), scuba diving, fishing, sightseeing tours ($37.50 for up to four people)

Gaviota Coral Reef Resort is located on the tiny island of Tobacco Caye at the opening of a huge barrier reef. Not a place for fancy entertainment and foods but definitely the place for peace and quiet, an ideal vacation for divers and snorkelers. The eco-resort is completely powered by wind and solar energy.

Via: Discovery

All Uk Beaches go eco-friendly

2009-05-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Beach lovers often get annoyed with trash scattered around beaches and polluted bacterial water too make them avoid swimming and enjoying their stay over there. In order to solve this problem, EU conducts frequent European water cleanliness tests. And this time England’s all beaches has passed the sample tests and meet with the European mandatory. The results show that every beach in the country is suitable for swimming and other beach activities.

Ian Pearson Environment minister Ian Pearson said:

The money that has been invested by water companies and others since the 1990s to improve water quality is now showing real results, bringing benefits to the environment, public health and tourism.

The drive has shown positive results and it’s a healthy sign for UK tourism industry and for tourists too who can enjoy crystal clear water on the beaches to the max.

Africa in danger of loosing Tourist influx due to Climatic Changes as per UN report

2009-05-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

The haven of safaris is in danger from global warning. The coastal zones are most likely to be affected by climate change with reduced fish productivity, coral bleaching, salt water intrusion, loss of beach facilities and tourism revenues. This is as per a new report on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation in Africa , released by the data from UN bodies and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Rainfall has fallen by up to 2.4% per decade in tropical rainforests regions of Africa since the mid-1970s.The rate of decline has been fastest in West Africa and north Congo. Sea levels could rise by 15 to 95 cm by 2100, according to some estimates.

It is also estimated that 30% of Africa’s coastal infrastructure could be inundated including coastal settlements in the Gulf of Guinea, Senegal, the Gambia and Egypt if Africa does not improve in climate and weather monitoring capabilities and policies. It needs 200 automatic weather stations, a genuine effort to rescue historical data and improved weather reporting capability. By 2085, between 25 per cent and over 40 per cent of species’ habitats could be lost altogether. Experts estimate that cereal crop yields will decline by up to five per cent by the 2080s.

Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said:

Climate change is underway and the international community must respond by offering well targeted assistance to those countries in the front-line which are facing increasing impacts such as extreme droughts and floods and threats to infrastructure from phenomena like rising sea levels.

All these alarming estimates are of no use if they remain as such. The need of the hour is to create concrete realities, firstly to establish better weather stations and make arrangements for greenhouse gas emissions to be cut.

Get set to visit Greenland

2009-05-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Intially an US Airforce base the airport at Kangerlussuaq of Greenland gives one a feeling of metal shelters. The airmen’s settlement still remains now home for employee’s at the airport and in tourism.This is the only airpot in Greenland capable of accommodating the Boeing 757s. The longest road in this country is only 12km long. Flights between cities are the answer after which come Dog-sleds and skidoos.

Greenland’s winter tourism is dependent on its snow and ice. Unfortunately Greenland ice sheet has been much effected by global warming. Temperatures have risen from 0C (32F) instead of the more usual -30C (-22F). If it were to melt global sea levels would rise by seven metres (23ft).

This land has a bleak and windswept beauty. Lake water is so clean that lake Ferguson supplies drinking water direct to the entire town. One can take a vehicle tour(Total roller coaster) to Long lake, Russell glacier and Point 660. If you are lucky you will get a glimpse of the wild life.

Huangguoshu Falls, China: The biggest waterfall in Asia

2009-05-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

Location: Two-hour drive from Guiyang province

The massive waterfall is formed by 18 waterfalls of various sizes. The wide Baishui River thunders over a main waterfall, 74m high and 81m wide, into the huge Pool, then down a series of smaller cascades.

The most fascinating is the 12 meters high water-screen cave that arches into the cliffside and is curtained by a sheet of water also is present an inner waterfall. A path has been cut into the cliff behind the fall which gives you a beautiful view through the cascading water. This semi man made cave takes you behind the falls where you can get a feel of the force of the water as it slips through your fingers.

AquaCity Resort: An ultimate destination for eco-friendly vacations

2009-05-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Use of green energy and opt environment friendly techniques have become need of the hours in order to save the rapidly polluting planet.

Citing this necessity Slovakia’s AquaCity Resort is on the way to become the world’s first complete eco-friendly resort. The resort is built over the geo-thermal spring.

The geothermal water is converted to electricity to power the resort, currently in part, which is planned to convert 100% self powered and emission free by 2008. 14 swimming pools are filled with natural geothermal water and water also heat two hotels, a conference centre, restaurant, bars, and gym and generate electricity. The swimming pools are stainless-steel lined, reducing the amount of chemical required to keep them sanitized.

The resort has not only paid enough heed to the safety of environment but has also come forward with plenty of services at reasonable rates. Accommodation in single room starts from £65 and double rooms starting from £85 per night. If you are least concerned about environment and tend to do something for the betterment of environment then AquaCity is a perfect place for you to spend your holidays without harming the earth or the atmosphere.

Zanzibar: Worlds first zero carbon Luxury Resort

2009-05-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

London architects are designing this marvel eco destination, which hopes to have zero negative environmental impact. Its 35 self-sufficient villas, are to be energized by solar and wind power.

� The infinity pool in front of each villa will use water that has been naturally filtered by reeds in an adjoining pool � Natural air conditioning will cool the villas. The shape of the villa walls will draw sea breeze into the bedroom, after being cooled by passing over the swimming pool. Cold water pipes will run through the inside of the bed to cool it further. � Villa’s water supply is to be from rainwater and desalinated seawater. � Hot water will be from pipes which run beneath the solar panels on the roof, and so are naturally warmed. � The resort will be built from local earth, renewable timber and reclaimed stone. � Construction itself will be from local earth, renewable timber and reclaimed stone. � Bicycles are likely to be the mode of transport for the 100 staff. � Waste will be put into a biomass generator to produce energy. � Energy from gym machines will be used in the electric supply. Richard Hywel Evans, the British architect behind the resort said:

Carbon neutral is very difficult to achieve. What goes into the hotel must be available locally and plentifully, and what comes out the end must not damage the environment.

Nevertheless, green concerns have not made this Per Aquum resort any less luxurious. It is an effort that supports the local environment as well as the people living there. When built it will be a fine example of an eco tourist destination.

In Photos: Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica

2009-05-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

So Lush, So Green, So refreshing, Lichen growing all over the rainforest trees.

Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica

2009-05-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today in Costa Rica Ecotourism is one of the prime industries in its economy. The country has only about 0.1% of the world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Over 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves. Location: 6 Km (3.6 Mi) SE of Santa Elena, Monteverde Hours: 7 AM to 4 PM daily Entrance fee: $10 for adults; $6 for students Guided tours: $15 for 3 hrs, In Monteverde Costa Rica rain forest are found more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, tens of thousands of insect species (over 5000 species of moths) and 2,500 species of plants (420 kinds of orchids).

A cloud forest is a highland forest characterized by nearly 100% humidity throughout the year. The cloud forest here receives an incredible four meters of rain every year- that is almost twelve feet.

The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a green paradise of tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Its mystical magic exudes from a walk in the clouds with a green backdrop. Its all about the lush jungle and all the life hiding in it. Made possible because it’s a cloud forest keeping everything moist with it’s daily mist. Visiting the same reserve with a naturalist guide is a more informative experience.