Tour and travel information

Chillax!!! Things will be just fine. As long as you have the money of course! Cebu is rich of beaches. You may be running out of it, but you really can’t help yourself to keep coming back of the place. Don’t be worn-out and drain yourself just to learn swimming fella! Everything would be worth it even by walking on the white sand, and jumping as high as you can for the pictorial! Nice one!

This region accounts for about 68% of the total area.It is formed by the Mahabharat range that soars up to 4,877m and the lower Churia range.

Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon) is situated at an altitude of 1,401m Bhaktapur covers an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur or the City of Devotees still retains and medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myriad wonders of culturaland artistic achievements.

Dhulikhel
This ancient town is situated 30km east of Kathmandu on the side of the Arniko Arjmarga (Kathmandu-Kodari Highway).The Newar town of Dhulikehl offers a traditional atmosphere along with spectacular views. Once an inportant link in the ancient trade route to Tibet.

Kathmandu
The valley is situated at an altitude of 1,336 m above sea level and covers an area of 218.sq. miles. The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley, the home of the ancient and sophisticated Newari culture. The Newars are the indigenous inhabitants of the valley and the creators of the splendid civilization of its three cities - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The skillfully built temples and palaces, delicately engraved stone and metal images, carved wooden columns and pillars, and the history laden shrines and chaityas of these three historical cities stand testimony to the Newars’s artistic achievements.

Machchendranath Temple:-
The temple of Sweta Machchhendranath is situated at Machchhendrea Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a pagoda of considerable artistic beauty. The deity is also called Jammadyo or Machchhendra.

Akash Bhairav Temple:-
A three-story temple in the main market avenue, called Indra Chowk, the image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra, the God of Rain.

Hanumandhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square) :-
It is the historic of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Drum and the Jagnnath Temple. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

World’s Largest Arch Bridge in Dubai

Tommy Singh nudged me. I looked. She was standing next to the reception. What caught the attention was her sari. A typical bright floral design with a black border and matching low neck blouse her dark straight hair in a plate falling right down to her waist Then she turned, looked behind us and smiled to somebody. It was a stunning face! A typical Indian Konkani beauty, very fair with sharp features, a beautiful smooth neck with taunting smile! Wow! She dropped a piece of paper from her hand. I could see her low waist line while she was picking the paper. A sudden excitement ran through my body. I looked away towards Tommy Singh feeling a bit embarrassed, staring at her. I shrugged.

We walked to the restaurant, ‘Grasshopper’. Sipping hot coffee we discussed the beautiful women from the different parts of our country, winning ‘miss world’ and ‘miss universe’ titles consecutively, of many other achievements, their unparalleled skills as great lovers and trustworthiness as wives!

Few days now that we left Mumbai and the journey had been really fantastic. It had been winding road through gently rolling verdant hills, flanked by the forested green of the central Sahyadris range of rugged mountains on one side, the west coast kissing the blue waters of the Arabian Sea on the other side, the odd water falls and rivulets with their music, villages on the road side, herd of cows and buffaloes crossing the roads and enjoying a glass of ‘cutting’ ginger tea at village stalls, I smiled to myself! Magnificent! A different world from a polluted metropolis!

We had left Shrivardhan early in the morning for the holy temple & beach town of Harihareshwar only a few kilometers away, encircling a small creek and were waiting for our room to be done up at the MTDC(maharashtra tourism development corporation) Resort on the southern end of the beach. Soon we left to explore the wonderful town called Harihareshwar and it’s serene beach.

We headed straight to holy Kalbhairav temple(Lord Shiva) and were struck by the spiritual aura which engulfed us instantly. The temple, it’s said was constructed in 1723 by then ruler Peshwa. There were devotees all around praying silently or chanting which further deepened our spiritual feelings. We sat there quietly, each in their own thoughts. Outside temple, there were homes, gharghuthis, where you have to order in advance for your lunch or dinner. We proceeded towards the beach through steps and my goodness! What a scene. A long stretch of sand and deep blue Arabian sea! It had two parts.

We moved toward north part where the action was! Hungry, we enjoyed Bhel-Puri (a lip smacking spicy Indian snack with bits of raw cut mangoes), Narial Pani (coconut water) and free priceless serene walk on the beach.

The cost: 20/-+15/-= Total Rs 35/-(less than a dollar) per head!!

Where else in the world would you find such a deal to have a fun on one of the most beautiful beaches???

Subsequently,we walked along the beach toward south, a natural splendour by the palm trees surrounding the beach and green hills hugging the land. A spectacle! I remembered the Konkan beauty we had seen at the resort. It had started giving a romantic inclinations! Oh my God!

The south end of the beach was less crowded and quite. We didn’t know when we reached our resort. The MTDC place was beautiful with a great sea view! we loved it’s setting. The dusk was approaching fast. I was going through the restaurant menu when I heard something and almost dropped the card!

‘Would you like to have some beer?’ Asked the waiter.

Beer in a holy town? It surprised us!

Tommy Singh, eager as always, ordered for a Kingfisher. The horizon was changing its color and so the sea. It was tranquil and picturesque. Soon we were lost. I was with that beautiful lady.

What better way to know your body than to go inside it and learn. It is possible; an exhibition to educate the youth about human body and health is currently on in Guangzhou South China.

It traveled from Malaysia and set to go places. It is proving to be very popular and gives you one of a kind experience .

You start from the mouth, a big chamber, complete with teeth and tongue a path of red carpet takes you down to esophagus into the organ chambers and digested out! Aimed especially for children between 3-16 yrs, but who wouldn’t mind such an interesting biology class again. On entering each organ it is shown pictorially, explained with the help of cartoon the functions and health issues are introduced. Everyone enjoy the vivid modes of using magic, acrobatics and puppet show!

You won’t forget the bacteria that warned you of dental decay or the magic of breathing with lungs. It’s one place you and your children will always remember!!

Singapore is in Southeast Asia and is recognized as one of the richest countries in the world. The country is also known as the commercial centre of Asia and the world, Singapore also has a lively nightlife. These are the ten things you should do when you are in Singapore.

1.) Enjoy New Year’s Eve

Just as in any Western country, the New Year at Singapore rose with a big bang - literally. During the night of New Year, you will enjoy the magnificent fireworks, as well as the parties that happen after. The party is the most popular party foam on the beaches of Sentosa.

2.) Enjoy a Chinese New Year

If you want to experience New Year twice in a year, the best place is to be Singapore, where they celebrate the Chinese New Year in February. It is also the month of the year in Singapore as crowds and crowds of Singaporeans prepare for the 42 days of celebration and flock to Chinatown. You must not fail to see the Chingay Parade during the celebration in this case along the Orchard Road.

3.) Ride the ferry

This is an excellent way to visit. You can ride the ferries running from Singapore to the islands Riau (province of Indonesia) and Johor (a state of Malaysia). In this way, you will have an idea of how people lived in Singapore and culture.

4.) Go on a cruise

There are cruises that are offered in Singapore. Through this cruise, you should be able to see some of these countries, around Singapore. Cruises can be a two-day trip or a longer trip of ten days.

5.) Ride on a trishaw

Trishaws are bikes that have three wheels. It is an old method to be transported from one place to another (and no longer used by the locals), and as such, it is a must-do for visitors and tourists. Here, you will be turned around Chinese Singapore, as well as the Singapore River.

6.) Ride a ferry

If you want to cruise along the Singapore River, then ride a ferry. In this way, you also get to enjoy the majestic skyscrapers buildings, as well as the great view of the Singapore River has to offer. There are also some bumboats which takes you on an island in Singapore which is not occupied, is a perfect place to picnic and a dip in the lagoon.

7.) Flânerez in Chinatown and Little India and Bugis

Nothing will make a visitor appreciate the country more loiter in Chinatown. This is a good way to familiarize yourself with the restaurants and shops that are abundant in the country. You can also visit museums and parks for a nice afternoon wonderful.

8.) Visit the zoo and other parks and gardens

Singapore Zoo is a must for any visitor to visit, and it is home to a wide variety of domestic and exotic animals. You can also go into birding Jurong Bird Park. There is also a botanical garden for a nice walk, and it is an excellent place where you can relax completely.

9.) Shopping

What made Singapore so popular is that it is the cradle of many commercial centres and shopping malls, expensive boutiques and little shops. This country is the ultimate shopaholic from heaven because prices are relatively low because of competition and low taxation and customs duties. There is also the popular Great Singapore Sale, where you can obtain most of the elements in the negotiation, and the shops are open until midnight.

10.) Wine and Dine

The experience of Singapore in its many native cuisine restaurants. Try their famous chili, as well as crabs and laksa kaya. There are also restaurants offering international cuisine as well.

One of the main attractions of visiting Malaysia would be certainly the new capital which is called “PutraJaya”. PutraJaya in WikiPedia: Putrajaya, a planned city located just south of Kuala Lumpur, is the new federal administrative centre of Malaysia. Several Government offices have re-located there to gain relief from the overcrowding and congestion of Kuala Lumpur, which is Malaysia’s largest city. However, Kuala Lumpur still serves as Malaysia’s national and legislative capital for now. Putrajaya is a Federal Territory just like the city of Kuala Lumpur and the island of Labuan. The city is named after the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. In Bahasa Melayu, the Sanskrit-derived words “Putra” means prince while “Jaya” means excellent or success. The city has only been established recently and it is still undergoing massive development: its development was hampered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The city is built on a scale completely disproportionate to its current population, with a number of bridges spanning an artificial lake, Putrajaya Lake. Although Malaysia is multi-ethnic with Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian groups, the architecture in Putrajaya is predominantly (some would say excessively) modern Arabic in style. There have been calls for more traditional or even modern Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western architectural elements in some sectors of the city to make it less like a modern Persian Gulf capital. Some people have suggested it might have its own “Chinatown” and “Little India” for added flavour. One of the biggest and most important builing over the city of PutraJaya is the office of the Prime Minister:

Phillip Island is best known for its beautiful sunset penguin parade, although it also offers sheltered beaches to the north and some great surfing beaches to the south. The main town on the island is Cowes, and you can get to the island over a bridge from San Remo. Phillip Island is also well known for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

There are several swimming beaches around Cowes. If you’d prefer to hit the surf then head to one of the many great surfing spots, including Berrys Beach, Cat Bay, Smiths Beach, Summerland and Woolamai.

Wildlife is a large attraction of the island, with a large mutton bird colony at Cape Woolamai. There are also some beautiful walking tracks around here. You can also visit the Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island Wildlife Park and Wildlife Wonderland. On top of this you should definitely go to the Penguin Parade. There are several tours to see the penguins.

For information and current times call the Phillip Island Nature Park Ph: 5956 8300. Summerland Beach also leads onto Point Grant and the remarkable Nobbies and Seal Rocks, home to a seal colony.

Other places you can visit include the Old Motor Racing Circuit, the Museum and the wonderful homestead on Churchill Island.

The main selection of accommodation on the island is at Cowes, along with most of the restaurants and eating places. Accommodation includes hostels, hotels as well as a number of camping grounds around the park. (It is prohibited to camp and sleep in your car in any other public place). There is no public transport around the island, so once you are there you will either need to join a tour group or hire a bike.
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Putra Mosque: The Putra Mosque, or Masjid Putra in Malay language, is the principal mosque of Putrajaya, Malaysia. Construction of the mosque began in 1997 and was completed two years later. It is located next to Perdana Putra which houses the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office and man-made Putrajaya Lake. In front of the mosque is a large square with flagpoles flying Malaysian states’ flags… Putra Mosque steals the limelight as one of the must sees when in Putrajaya. Three quarter of the beautiful dusky pink mosque floats on Putrajaya Lake, at a choice location that can be easily accessed by congregants and other visitors. The architecture of the mosque is commendable. It reflects the evolution of mosque designs in Malaysia, with its Islamic-inspired architecture taking into account traditional design elements and craftsmanship, local materials and weather conditions. The mosque is modelled after Persian Islamic architecture of the Safavid period with several elements derived from other Muslim cultures. The main entrance to the mosque is patterned after gates to public buildings in Muslim Persia. The building was constructed mainly with rose-tinted granite, which is offset by brown-stained cengal woodwork to enhance the decorative features on the doors, windows and panels. In addition, the mosque boasts three main functional areas such as the Prayer Hall, the Sahn or courtyard, with the minaret and learning facilities and function rooms.

They don’t call this temple great for no reason. The Great Temple of Ramses the Second is the best of the best. The last temple on my tour of the temples of Egypt, although not even coming close to being the least.

Carved out of the mountain on the west bank of the Nile (now Nasser lake) the colossal statues of Ramses II rise out of the desert and sit at a stunning 20 meters high.

Majestically staring out across the desert on to lake Nasser as if time is just passing by - life like with strong energy; pulling at the human eyes - trying to draw him in. Certainly some strong lower entities are attached to these statues, this has been the case at all of the temples - long story.

The Great hypostyle hall is of eight statues of Ramses with an offering hall beyond and the innermost chamber which are of the four gods, Amun, Ptah, Ra-Horakhty, and of course Ramses himself. I was the only one touring the temple, due to the fact I went after the crowds were there. All the tours leave at 3:30am and tour the temple around 8am then leave.

Within the same area was is another temple which was dedicated to Hathor, also cut out of the smaller mountain for Queen Nefertari - Ramses wife. I will be posting pictures of this temple at a later time.

Quick update: I have a plan of travel for the rest of Egypt. First, I am heading out tomorrow for a five night, six day felucca trip, up to Edfu and back to Aswan. From Aswan I am going to just take the train to Cairo. I will most likely be in Cairo for three days or so. I might just skip seeing the Tel Al Amarna area, due to the fact it is difficult to get there and I am kind of tired of Upper Egypt.

From Cairo I am going to head to Port Said on the Suez canal for a few days which is on the Mediterranean sea. I will also visit the towns of Ismallia and Suez on the canal. There are several beaches in this area. These three towns were built as colonial creations with a European influence as the canal grew.

From Suez I will be heading to Dahab and Mount Sinai. The last town I will be visiting will be Nuweiba which is the place to catch the ferry to Jordan. I am planning to enter Jordan in May.

Upper Egypt is an amazing place with some of the oldest temples and tombs in the world. Consequently, Upper Egypt is draining, tiring, a place which can get a person’s goat. Nevertheless, Upper Egypt is safe, all the Upper Egyptians want is your money; nothing more - nothing less.

Please Note: I just added about 200 pictures to Shutterfly. Mostly of Al Qasr and of the East Bank of Luxor.