World Of Tourism

Overview :Soka Sari is is the name of a lovely flower to bloom in the garden. This Villa combine of a traditional Bali Architecture with modern design. There are 2 room with 2 bed room, 1 in living room and other in 2nd floor. And 1 open bath room with pool 7.5 m x 4 m size. This Villa is better for Family stay.Our homelike ambiance is set in beautifully landscaped gardens filled with the

The Lighthouse at Rompido

Kerala is a globally famous tourism destination. It is the Indian state situated at the southern tip famous among tourists for its unique cultural and geographical features. The state is blessed with exceptional natural beauty. It enjoys lush green surroundings and delightful ambiance. Due to its copious natural beauty, it is also phrased as the God’s Own Country in tourists’ jargon. Backwater tourism is the sizzling side of Kerala tourism. Tourists from all over the world come to Kerala to visit its scenic backwaters, which provides them wonderful opportunity of eco tourism and houseboat stay. Backwaters are the huge network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, waterways, canals, inlets, etc.

Shorelines of the backwaters are dotted with palm coconut groves and other busy plants, which provide green hues to backwaters. One can see several unique species of aquatic animals, water birds, reptiles etc, in and alongside the backwaters. There remain several villages dotted alongside the backwaters which are also worth visiting on backwater Kerala tours. Some of predominant and worth visiting backwater destinations are Fort Kochi, Fort Bekal, Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Thiruvallam, Trivandrum, etc. All these destinations are known for unique, serene and scenic backwaters and several other attractions like temple, palaces, forts, Ayurvedic resorts, houseboats, etc. All these destinations are serving as the starting and ending points of houseboat Kerala tour.

A houseboat cruise takes you into the unique world of wonderment, where unique peaceful ambiance delights you. Kerala houseboats are a marvelous example of traditional Kettuvalloms, which were used as country craft. Houseboats are made up of eco-friendly materials. And interestingly no nails are used. Today house boats are luxurious accommodation on backwaters. A houseboat stay provides excellent accommodation like luxurious hotels. Alleppey and Kumarakom are two predominant destinations of the state which are very popular among tourists as starting and ending points of houseboat cruise.

Alleppey backwaters are dotted with several house boats and houseboat cruise operators. Alleppey houseboats are very popular attraction and provide wonderful opportunity for unique house boat stay experience. Besides Alleppey, Kumarakom is also very popular among tourists from all over the world. The prime attractions are Kerala houseboats and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom is an ideal destination for houseboat cruise. A sunset houseboat cruise on scenic Vembanad Lake is a delightful experience of backwater tourism. Alleppey and Kumarakom boat cruises are also very popular among honeymoon couples. They provide honeymoon couples truly a romantic ambiance for their memorable honeymoon holidays. Well, get ready to enjoy luxurious houseboat stay and explore scenic backwaters.
source:http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?title=Houseboat%20tours%20on%20Kerala%27s%20scenic%20backwaters&articleID=142376

Do you wish to get a feel of the vibrant tradition and culture of India? Then visit the Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan with indianholiday.com. One of the most colorful and charming fairs in India, Pushkar is a fine example of the diversity of culture and tradition in the country. A visit to this fair is simply an unforgettable experience.

The Pushkar Fair is held every year in the small town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan. Located in the Thar Desert around 14 km from Ajmer, this small town is surrounded by mountains and sand dunes. The fair takes place between the months of October and November during Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. The fair goes on for a period of 5 days and ends on Kartik Purnima.

Coming to Pushkar is also easy. You can hire buses, cars of taxis for coming to the town. It takes around 30 minutes to come to Pushkar from Ajmer. The nearest airport is located in the city of Jaipur. Buses and cars ply between Pushkar and Jaipur.

Wide spread celebration takes place during the Pushkar Fair. You will simply be awe inspired by the intensity of fun and frolic during these 5 days. Around 20,000 people participate in the fair on average. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come here to have an experience of the rich Indian culture and tradition.

Pushkar Fair is an ideal shopping destination if you wish to buy beautiful Rajasthani handicrafts and local artifacts. From colorful turbans and ghagaras to local jewelry, you can pick up almost everything here at reasonable rates. You can also shop for woolen textiles and garments from the shops and markets. Food lovers can have a taste of mouth watering local and Indian delicacies in the fair. You will enjoy various Rajasthani snacks and refreshing beverages that are served in the food joints in the fair.

A major attraction of the Pushkar Fair is the camel festival. Around 50,000 camels participate in the camel race. The camels are decorated with colorful garments and jewelries. There is also a well known camel market in Rajasthan where various types of camels are sold at moderate rates. Other than camels, domestic animals like bulls, cows and horses are also sold at affordable rates.

There are also some attractions around Pushkar which you can visit. Popular tourist attractions like Pushkar Lake and Brahma Temple draw plenty of tourists.

Various tours and packages are offered by the tourist board and travel agencies for the Pushkar fair. Some of the popular tours are Colorful Pushkar tour, Pushkar Village tour, Pushkar Delight, Pushkar Special, Pushkar Splendor and lots more.

There are plenty of lodges, resorts and hotels in Pushkar which cater to the booming tourist inflow during the fair. Discounts and packages are offered during this season to lure more visitors. The hotels and resorts are equipped with contemporary facilities and services and offer you high degree of comfort and satisfaction.

The Pushkar Fair is a blend of culture and heritage. A tour to the fair will surely provide you quality enjoyment.

source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/75169

One of the things I want to be able to do during some of my lengthier visits here in the future is to take time, and to make time, to attend some concerts and if possible an opera or two; I know that in our area there are possibilities for this in such cities as Murcia and Cartagena and perhaps a little closer in places like Lorca. In any case, I came across this recording of one of the most

Pat-Mase Villas is a place so calming and serene that it is sure to change guests forever. Situated just 2 minutes from the white sands of Jimbaran Beach on the southern tip of Bali, and just 15 minutes from the airport. 'Pat-Mase allows you to escape the monotony of standard hotel accommodation, and lets you leave the stresses of modern life behind.FacilitiesEach cluster of 4 or 6 Villas has

(Please see inportant UPDATES at end)I just returned home less than an hour ago after a MARATHON day attending the AGM of the Community of Owners of Mazarron Country Club today. The meeting finally got underway at 10.25 this morning, when all the 'stragglers' had got themselves seated, and was closed at 15.45 in the afternoon, after a 'lively' and some might call it 'gruelling' 5 hours and 20

Overview :Jimbaran Puri Bali Resort Hotel in Bali Indonesia is a luxury resort hotel in Jimbaran, Bali with a simple, unpretentious and supremely romantic style. Individual luxury cottages and villas with private gardens promise the luxury of seclusion and uninterrupted sea views, beside the soft white sands of Jimbaran Bay.Set in four acres of tropical garden, Jimbaran Puri Bali offers a

Since I wrote about Sandra Newman's public meeting last Friday there have been a number of developments relative to the upcoming AGM this Friday; most of these have been detailed in the various bulletin boards and websites with which many readers will be familiar. In case you are not I have grouped many of the most useful MCC-related websites of which I am aware near the top of the left column

Just a few months ago, the streets of downtown Seoul were occupied by demonstrators protesting against the import U.S. beef. According to a number of polls, an absolute majority of people said they would not eat U.S. beef because they feel it is unsafe. But just three months after imports resumed on June 26 under new quarantine requirements, U.S. beef jumped to second in terms of market share in imported beef, after Australian product. Sales rose sharply just before the Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving holiday; between Sept. 1 and 10, it even topped the imported beef market chart with a 48 percent market share.

◆ Chuseok Boost

Over 11,300 tons of U.S. beef have now passed the quarantine control and hit the shelves in Korean stores, 3,688 tons from Sep. 1 to 10. During that period, the market share of U.S. beef was 48.1 percent, jumping from 23.9 percent in July and 24.3 percent in August. From August, not only frozen beef but also refrigerated beef was imported.

◆ Young Skeptics

A considerable share of groundless rumors about mad cow disease is gone, and the website of the People’s Association for Measures Against Mad Cow Disease, which organized the protests, is virtually defunct. One online community on portal site Naver that saw more than 100 posts a day at the height of the furor, there was only one message on Monday. However, U.S. beef is still unpopular among young mothers in their 20s and 30s. A staffer in a butcher’s shop in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, said, “While there are a lot of middle-aged housewives buying U.S. beef, there isn’t much demand from young mothers.

◆ Superstores & Malls Think Again

Superstores and department stores that have not started selling U.S. beef for fear it would spark indignation among customers are now reconsidering. Some are in the process of deciding when to start sales. A staffer with a superstore said, “We get a lot of call enquires asking us when we’re going to start selling U.S. beef from housewives in their forties and fifties. We assume the fears of mad cow disease have gone and are therefore deciding on when to start selling U.S. beef.”

Not as good as the original, I'm afraid, but still quite amusing at the beginning:- I blogged about Mike's earlier efforts to woo a girl in Spanish here.

Generally I have, as a foreign guest in this country, refrained from comment about Spanish domestic politics, but I think the show of solidarity today by the staff of Mazarrón council with a 5-minute period of silence outside the council offices at 12.00 hours today does indeed merit a mention. The Mayor of Mazarrón was joined by council staff and local residents in the silent vigil to express

Blue Point Bay is the ultimate coast resort. Situated on top of the cliff, on the extreme southern shore of Bali. The romantic idea resolved in a concept, combining state of the art comfort with the genuine ocean view. Probably there is no comparison to this area in Bali, possibly in the world.Facilities and room features:In room check in, one restaurants, one bars, party and wedding gatherings,

Sari Segara Resort Villas & Spa located almost in the center point of Denpasar's tourist destinations, about 15 minutes from the airport, 20 minutes to Kuta, 35 minutes to Nusadua or Sanur. Also about 35 minutes to the city of Denpasar, the capital of Bali.It is set amongst lush tropical gardens, and offers a wide range of international standard facilities combined with genuine Bali hospitality.

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.
source:http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=node/17450

This afternoon Sandra Newman, one of the two declared candidates to be elected President of the Community of Owners of Mazarron Country Club held a public meeting outside the restaurant at MCC to discuss her platform and to answer questions that residents might have. She referred those present to the 'Statement' which appears in her website; I mentioned my plans to attend the meeting in an

Brazil is the largest country in South America and it is a country with exquisite Amazon forests, beautiful beaches and the world-wide known Carnival. It is indeed a nice place to visit because there are a lot of beautiful spots that are worth more than just a simple look. For example, let's take the Fernando de Noronha Island which is one of the most visited places in Brazil mainly because of its beautiful landscapes.
Belm is the capital of the Par state and a great place to visit for those tourists that are on the look for amazing Amazon adventures. It also has one of the busiest ports in Brazil - approximately 60 miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. The city also attracts thousands of visitors every year thanks to its modern skyscrapers, colonial sections, lovely churches and tree-filled squares.

Another interesting location to visit is Brasilia, the result of a modern urban project created by Lcio Costa. From above, the city looks like an airplane while other people consider it to look like a bird with its wings opened. The city has astonishing architecture with many houses situated along the wings? of the airplane and imposing boulevards in the center. Lovely restaurants, clubs and bars can be found down the wings of the city in one of the smaller neighborhood centers.

If you want to find the best life quality in all Latin America, you should visit the Belo Horizonte (beautiful horizon). This city is a remarkable cultural center with more than three universities, a lot of libraries, a beautiful historical museum and for sports fans the city offers imposing stadiums. It has very nice colonial buildings and beautiful fin-de siecle buildings around the Praca da Liberdade. Pampulha Center, Belo Horizonte Museum of Art, Yacht Club, the House of Juscelino Kubitschek, Iemanj monument, the Dancing Academy are a must if you plan on visiting this town as they offer a lot of interesting sights.

The most popular place to visit among tourists is undoubtedly Rio de Janeiro. This city has plenty to offer: perfect colonial buildings, wonderful golden sand beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema) and breathtaking stadiums. Let's not forget about the famous Carnival which attracts millions of tourists every year, this city will offer anything a tourist dreamed and more, from cultural spots to exciting entertaining areas that make every tourist to stay at least one more day.

The city of Salvador is considered by many the most beautiful city in the world mainly because of its Renaissance architecture. Some of the most recommended places to visit are: Candomb, Bal Focloric, Afro-Brazilian Museum, Cana Brava Records, Carmo, Barra and Rio Vermelho. The city has multicolored homes, a unique market, nice beaches and about 300 churches! More than that, there are about 600 fully restored buildings thanks to UNESCO.

Sao Paulo is the largest city in South America and the third largest city in the world. It is a cosmopolitan city with many minority communities like Japanese, Arabs, Italians and others. If you want to eat the best food in the country, you have arrived to the best place as they have the most tasteful barbecue meat and feijoada (pork and beans which is only served on Wednesdays and Saturdays).

As you can see, Brazil has a tremendous tourist potential all because almost every city has something that the other doesn't so if you want to have a unique trip, a tour of Brazil will satisfy your tourist needs

source:http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/

Hurry Hurry Spoils The Curry, said the jingle on the truck ahead. Dilip, our ace driver, overtook anyway. And he was so swiftly past the next one I barely glimpsed the aphorism on its mudflaps: Slow Drive, Long Life.

Beeping through the Assamese dawn, jinking around cattle and goats, we came at last to the broad Brahmaputra River and ploughed the rough track to the ferry point. Here we found a team of ferry hands about to begin their morning dental care. But, seeing us, they stuck their paste-loaded toothbrushes into their mouths, like Popeye’s pipe, and manhandled planks to make a ramp on to the wooden ferry.

With shouts and waves they urged Dilip aboard. He parked athwart the boat with the front and back of the Jeep overhanging the hull. The ramp team chocked the wheels with rocks. And as we chugged away from the riverbank they waved us off with one hand and brushed their teeth with the other.

The steersman swung the tiller. No charts or instruments guided his serpentine course as he felt his way through the shifting shoals and shallows. Soon we were a speck absorbed into the immense grey watercolour of the Brahmaputra. I sat entranced, watching pale sunlight and skinny fishermen casting nets on the swirling pearly stream. Waterbirds crowded the sandbank shores: ducks and dibbling herons, storks on sentry-go and fishing eagles with Alan Sugar glares, ripping their prey.

With the boat to ourselves I was interested to see another ferry heading for the mainland with a normal load: three cars, cattle penned in the bow, passengers crammed on benches beneath a corrugated iron roof, and, on the roof itself, serried motorbikes and more passengers.

We took two and a half hours to reach our destination, the sacred island of Majuli, a gentle place of rice cultivation, pilgrimage, worship and monasteries. According to the myth of the goddess Sati, who was cut into many pieces, this is where her left breast fell to earth, giving life to the island. The monasteries date from the 16th century and there were once 65 of them. Maps proclaim Majuli as the world’s largest river island, 36 miles long, but the Brahmaputra’s attrition has reduced its size and shrunk the number of monasteries to 22.

“Eventually we may need a place on the mainland,” Babu Ram Saikia said, “and that would be the sad end of a tradition.” His parents placed him in a monastery 14 years ago, when he was five, and he is one of the island’s 1,200 bachelor monks. More than 1,000 other monks have families.

We lunched in a house that, like many in Majuli, was built on stilts to survive monsoon floods. And then it was time to get the ferry. Two sounds I carried with me from Majuli: the deafening clash of temple cymbals and the tinkle and trill of the monks’ mobile phones.

I savoured the long return across the Brahmaputra, one of India’s astonishing rivers. More than 1,800 miles long, it runs through Tibet as the Tsangpo, makes a hairpin turn to flow as the great artery of life in Assam and, with its name changed to Jumna, descends through Bangladesh into the Bay of Bengal.

South of the Himalayas and Bhutan, north of Bangladesh, Assam is a monsoon land with a strong sense of individuality. After years of being off limits because of insurgency generated by ethnic tension it is opening its doors to visitors. It’s a part of India not at all well-known, so that travellers here can enjoy a feeling of pioneering.

for more:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/2798965/Assam-Indias-little-known-land.html

Enzymes are biomolecules that catalyze (i.e. increase the rates of) chemical reactions. Almost all enzymes are proteins. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process are called substrates, and the enzyme converts them into different molecules, the products. Almost all processes in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at significant rates. Since enzymes are extremely selective for their substrates and speed up only a few reactions from among many possibilities, the set of enzymes made in a cell determines which metabolic pathways occur in that cell.

Like all catalysts, enzymes work by lowering the activation energy (Ea or ΔG‡) for a reaction, thus dramatically increasing the rate of the reaction. Most enzyme reaction rates are millions of times faster than those of comparable un-catalyzed reactions. As with all catalysts, enzymes are not consumed by the reactions they catalyze, nor do they alter the equilibrium of these reactions. However, enzymes do differ from most other catalysts by being much more specific. Enzymes are known to catalyze about 4,000 biochemical reactions. A few RNA molecules called ribozymes catalyze reactions, with an important example being some parts of the ribosome. Synthetic molecules called artificial enzymes also display enzyme-like catalysis.

Air FranceGrand Bali Beach Hotel Room 1105Jl HangTuah Ph. 288 511Terminal Keberangkatan , Tuban Ph. (+62361) 755 523 Cathay PacificPh. 286001 KLM Royal Ducth AirlinesWisti Sabha BldgNgurah Rai Airport Ph.(+62361) 756 126 - Fax : (+62361) 753 950Air New Zealand LtdWisti Sabha Bldg 2nd Fl Ngurah Rai Airport, TubanPh.756 170 Fax : 754 594Ansett Australia Grand BaliBeach Hotel Jl Hangtuah

.. back to Spain. I travel tomorrow and hope to reach my house late tomorrow night/early Thursday morning. I'll be back in Nairn at the end of September.There is so much turmoil going on in the world economy and the British Labour Party (this is just the latest body-blow amongst many to hit PM Gordon Brown) at present that one hardly knows where to begin; I have therefore taken the easy option of

Finding ideas for local UK holidays is not an easy task. If anyone reading this is not from the UK it is hard to understand how bad our weather really is! We don't have a summer and our winter's seem to last for an eternity. So what to do for a holiday if you can't afford to go outside the country? Well, I found a brilliant website the other day (which I have included at the bottom of the article) that is a great source of holiday and activity ideas in the UK.

The South East of England is a great destination spot for people who really like the country side. However it also offers far more than that. My partner and I had a great weekend in June going on the "Wine Trail" which features many different vineyards from all over the South coast of England including the Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire which supplies wines to the House of Commons. On our guided tour we were treated to some incredible gourmet dinners with some fantastic wine to accompany it. I was so impressed by the beautiful country side and I really don't know that such a nice place existed in England! I live in the midlands but always wished I could live somewhere near the sea. Somewhere which is a bit more interesting for me and my family. After visiting the South coast for a week I can't get enough of it!

Many people from the UK retreat down to the South as there are also some exquisite beaches. West Wittering is a lovely, sandy beach on the South coast of England that plays host to thousands of holiday makers every year. Additionally getting around the South of England is very easy and fast. There are plenty of sights to see which are all relatively close to each other. There is some very historical culture and timeless heritage in a tiny town called, Arundel on the South coast which is an absolutely incredible destination to learn all about English history and culture.

Of course these places would be so much more enjoyable in the sun however if you wanted to get away to the beach or experience England in a slightly different light then do make your way down to the South and there is some incredible stuff to look at! Plus the most important thing is that it is cheap and nowhere near as expensive as trip abroad!

source:http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/2004.html

Holidays, to put it shortly, breathe life into your life. But they might be steep for your pocket. However, don´t let this deter you from getting some enjoyment for once. These days cheap family holidays are available in any where of the world. They allow you to take a fun-filled break at a comparatively low price. Everyone wants peaceful time after finish his or her work, so all working person wants cheap family holidays in his or her dream place.

There are different kinds of expenses that are made on holidays. It is not just the plane tickets and hotel reservations that you have to worry about. You might have to rent cars; you will be visiting places of note like historical monuments, theme parks or beaches. You could also need the services of a tour guide. Besides, you will have to keep some money aside for buying souvenirs, for sampling locale cuisine and for use in emergency. The estimated cost is enough to make your head reel. But cheap family holidays cover all the necessary expenses and do so at a price that you can easily afford.

cheap family holidays are easily available. You can find out through newspapers and magazines. Your local travel agencies will also help you find one that fits in to your budget comfortably for your whole family. Or you can just browse the internet. Various online sites can be found there. You can gather information about the price, the services and even see pictures of prospective destinations through these sites. Therefore, you can easily select the deal of your choice without having to depend on anyone.

Agencies offering cheap family holidays are not only help you enjoy a low-cost vacation but also they provide you all necessary requirement for your holidays. They take care of all the preparations and make sure nothing is left accounted for. All arrangements are made beforehand. But make sure that you are availing your cheap holiday package from a reliable and experienced agency.

Cheap family holidays are the easiest and most dependable route to an affordable yet pleasurable holiday. Considering the numerous and attractive offers that are available, the only problem that you might face is to decide where to go.

Cheap family holiday´s packages by the online sites can help you enjoy a vacation at a low cost. They cover most of the expenses that will be incurred on your holiday. There are various offers available and you can check them out to select one that suits your budget.

source:http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/74078

(Please note that this article has been amended since first written to include a link to the website of Sandra Newman, one of the two candidates for President of the Community of Owners of Mazarron Country Club so far declared. I have also added a dedicated blogroll near the top of the left colum titled: 'MCC - electioon websites')The major upcoming event for Mazarron Country Club is the Annual

Do's and Don't in Thailand

The Monarchy : Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and the Royal Children.

Religion : Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attireIt is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept.

Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.

Social Norms :

Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it.

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.

Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.

Special Advice :

- Beware of unauthorised people who offer their services as guides. For all tourist information, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel : 1672. For information about Bangkok, contact the Bangkok Metropolitan Tourist Bureau, Tel : 0 2225 7612-4.

- Observe all normal precautions as regards to personal safety, as well as the safety fof your belongings. Walking alone on quiet streets or deserted areas is not recommended. Be sure that all your valuables-money, jewellery, and airline tickets are properly protected from loss. Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, unethical practices, or other matters, please call the Tourist Police at Tel: 1155.

- Drop your garbage into a waste container. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration id no strictly enforcing the law in an effort to keep the city clean and healthy. The fine will be imposed on a person who spits, discards cigarette stubs, or drops rubbish in public areas.

- Do not get yourself involved with drugs. Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand.

- Do not support any manner of wild animal abuse. Never purchase any products or souvenirs made from wild animals including reptiles like snakes, monitor lizards, and also turtle shell and ivory. Avoid patronizing local restaurants that serve wild animal delicacies. It is against the law to slaughter wildlife for food in Thailand.

If you are travelling to Chiang Mai and have the urge to get in touch with the pristine unspoiled nature, take a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park, only about an hour west of Chiang Mai. Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain, 2,599 metres above sea level, is a part of the Himalayas, which ranges across Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and ends at Northern Thailand. There you will find clean air, cool weather, beautiful waterfalls. And the highlight is, of course, the amazing view on top of Thailand’s highest peak.

Getting There: Travel 58 kilometres west of Chiang Mai via Highway No. 107 to Chom Thong, then turn right into Highway No. 1009 and continue a further distance of 48 kilometres along Highway No. 1009 to the summit. A good asphalt road takes visitors up but is rather steep, thus the vehicle must be in a good condition.
Accommodation, restaurants, and camping sites are available at the park headquarters at Km. 31. Tel: 0 5335 5728, Bangkok Tel: 0 2562 0760 or www.dnp.go.th

Attractions in Doi Inthanon National Park
Namtok Mae Ya is one of the most beautiful cascades in Chiang Mai. Water flows from a 280-metre steep cliff onto different rock formations in a lower basin like drapes. The well-managed waterfall is teeming with verdant forests and is best for recreation. It is located 1 kilometre from Highway No. 1009 junction.

Tham Bori Chinda is a large cave located near Namtok Mae Klang at Km. 8.5 of Highway No. 1009. The road sign to Tham Bori Chinda will be seen at the junction on the right. The deep cave has stalactite and stalagmite formations, Buddha images and a rocky stream. The surface of the water glitters like diamonds flake when light reflects the stream. Sunlight in the cave allows visitors to see the entire cave.

Namtok Wachirathan is a large waterfall which plummets over the edge of a high cliff into a deep pool below. When there is a large amount of water, there are large splashes in the basin, creating a cool and refreshing environment. The delightful ambience can be felt by walking on a slippery bridge that leads to the waterfall. To get there, turn right off Highway No.1009 at Km. 21.

Namtok Siriphum is a splendid waterfall that falls from a steep cliff in two lines and can be seen en route to Doi Inthanon. The attractive waterfall is located at Km. 31 of Highway No. 1009, take a right turn for 2 kilometres and is approachable only on foot from the base of the waterfall.

Doi Inthanon Royal Project is in Khun Klang village close to the park headquarters. The project was initiated in 1979 to help the hill tribes to cultivate cash crops other than opium and train them on modern agricultural practices. Flower plantations, a plant breeding research lab and flower plantations of hill tribes (Hmong) are open to visitors.

Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri , twin pagodas located at Km. 41.5, were built to commemorate the fifth cycle birthdays of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. The pagodas enshrine Lord Buddha’s ashes and Buddha images, and overlook the magnificent scenery of Doi Inthanon.

Doi Inthanon Peak (ยอดดอยอินทนนท์) has a cool climate all year round. The Air Force Radar Station and King Inthawichayanon’s stupa located on the mountaintop. King Inthawichayanon, the last king of Chiang Mai, was concerned about the importance of forests and wanted to preserve the forests for future generations. He was so familia with Doi Inthanon that he asked that part of his ashes be kept here.

Namtok Mae Pan (น้ำตกแม่ปาน) is the longest waterfall in Chiang Mai, which flows from a 100-metre cliff. Its charm can be enjoyed by standing some distance from the falls. From afar, the white water and the green forests around the falls make a beautiful picture.

Natural Study trek on Doi Inthanon
Kiu Mae Pan starts from Km. 42. This short trail, winding through pristine forest for about 2.5 kilometres, a 3-hour walk, allows the hiker to experience the natural beauty of the forest at first hand. The Rhododendrons, commonly found in the Himalayas, are found along the trail and they are in full bloom during December-February.

Trekkers on this route should seek permission from the park headquarters at Km. 31 for safety reasons. A group of not more than 15 people is recommended. Food consumption is not allowed while trekking. This nature trail is closed for reforestation from June 1 to October 30 annually.

Birdwatching on Doi Inthanon
Inthanon Birdwatching Information Centre (Uncle Daeng’s Shop) is located at Km. 31. This is a bird information exchange centre among birdwatchers, nature students and the general public. It also provides the Doi Inthanon Birdwatching Diary, bird sketches by various bird watching experts, birdwatching trails, bird pictures, and slides.

Winter is the best time for birdwatching when indigenous and migrant birds are found including Eurasian Woodcock, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, Forest Wagtail, Chestnut Thrush, Scarlet Finch, Little Bunting, and Crested Bunting.

Situated in the heart of Central India, Khajuraho is a temple town different from any other temple city of India. It is not about religion, worshiping and deities, instead temples in this fascinating village are famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. There are so many theories and controversies over eroticism depicted on the outer walls of temples in Khajuraho.

According to a legend, the creators of Khajuraho had descented from the moon. The story of the origin of this great dynasty is interesting. A beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while she was bathing in the Rati one evening. Her name was Hemavati. The son born of this union between a mortal and a god was a son was named Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. This boy of Hemavati and moon grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had this dream one night in which his mother implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex.

Few scholars believe that the Chandelas were believers in the powers of Tantrism; the cult which believes that the gratification of earthly desires is a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. Yet another theory justifies the erotica of Khajuraho, claiming it had a specific purpose. According to this theory, in those days boys lived in hermitages, following the Hindu law of being 'brahmacharis' until they attained manhood. Therefore, the only way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of 'householder' was through the study of these sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted.

However, few Hindu scholars emphasise that the erotic sculptures are present only on the outer walls of the temples and not inside, which according to them means that one should leave all his/her worldly desires outside before entering the place of worship.

History

Built between AD950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty, temples of Khajuraho is the evidences of the architectural geniuses during the times of Chandela dynasty. The 85 temples were built in North Indian 'Nagara' style of architecture, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions over long years of time. The two richer distinctive groups of temples are the Western and Eastern group of temples. With hardly any written records and rare references to its origin, the history of Khajuraho has become trapped in the mythical folklore of the region. According to the Myths Khajuraho was known as 'Khajur-vahika' or 'Khajjurpura' in the ancient times because of its golden date palms (known as 'khajur') that lined the gates of this city

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.
source:http://www.corsavoo.com

If you are taking a family vacation in Thailand and your children are getting tired of visits to the temples and museums, we suggest a few places catering to children which sure to bring a smile to their faces.

Dusit Zoo (สวนสัตว์ดุสิต)
Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in an ornamental garden. Exotic animals ranges from local wildlife such as deer, elephants and tigers to imported African lions and giraffes. There is also a big pond in which you can hire a boat to paddle around. The zoo is also and oasis of nature and greenery among Bangkok’s bustling city life.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Adult 100 baht; Child 50 baht
Tel: 0 2281 2000, 0 2281 9027-8 www.zoothailand.org

Dream World (ดรีมเวิลด์)
Situated at km.7 of Rangsit-Ongkharak Road, this large amusement park houses a European style plaza, miniature land of major world legends, and offer exciting rides, shows and games.
Open: Weekdays from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Holidays from 10 a.m.to 7 p.m
Admission: 450 baht
Tel: 0 2533 1152 www.dreamworld-th.com

Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre (นาฏย ศาลา หุ่นละครเล็ก) It is located within the same area as Suan Lum Night Bazaar and presents the Hun Lakhon Lek puppet show. The establishment of this theatre was inspired by the intention of Master Sakhon Yangkhieosot or Joe Louis, a National Artist of 1996, who wishes to preserve the art of operating Hun Lakhon Lek puppets. In operating the puppets, the puppeteers require basic skills of Khon performance as they will have to also move their footsteps and hand gestures to coincide with those of the puppets. Each puppet is operated by three puppeteers, lending it lifelike movements. Hun Lakhon Lek usually performs the story of Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic. Sakhon Nattasin is currently the only performing troupe of Hun Lakhon Lek in Thailand. The troupe received the Thailand Tourism Award presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in 2000 in the category of Recreational Attraction.

There is 1 daily show of Hun Lakhon Lek at 7.30 p.m. There is also a corner inside the theatre where Khon mask making is demonstrated, with a gallery of the Hun Lakhon Lek puppets and their background. The theatre is open during 5 p.m.- 9.45 p.m.
Admission: Adult 900 baht; Child 300 bahtTel: 0 2252 9683-4 or www.thaipuppet.com
www.tourismthailand.org

India is filled with romantic landscapes, awe-inspiring natural beauty and grand monuments dedicated to love.
May it be the majestic Himalayas in the north or the stark yet colorful desert in the west or the dreamy lagoons in the south or the serene hill states of the east, or the jeweled islands at the tip, every place has its own romantic charm and legends to tell.

Taj Mahal --Agra

This of course has to be the most romantic destination of India, described by some as an everlasting monument to love; Taj Mahal was envisioned and created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz.
Taj Mahal is a favored place for romanticists who keep on gazing at the Taj for hours, mesmerized by its opulent beauty. The sight of the Taj Mahl, drenched in moonlight is sure to melt the heart of the most die-hard cynic. A study in elegance, Taj Mahal is made of white marble studded with semi precious stones and is exquisitely carved, all over this amazingly beautiful monument, you can see intricate designs that have been delicately carved in the marble. Taj Mahal is surrounded on all sides by four graceful minarets.

Cities of Rajasthan

There is no other place like Rajasthan, colourful, vibrant, incredibly romantic & simply irresistible. Situated in northwest India and accompanied by Thar Desert and the Aravali mountain range. Rajasthan is a magical state that is called Land of the Kings, built on the Rajput codes of conduct and dominated by grand forts and palaces with scores of fairs and festivals.
Jaipur, to Jodhpur, Bikaner, Shekhawati, Sariska, Mount Abu and Pushkar, each city has something unique to offer to the romantic heart. The grandiose forts and palaces like Amber Fort, Jaislamer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Meherangarh Fort, Udaipur Lake Palace, Roop Niwas Palace and lots others. As well as the magnificent painted havelis of Shekhawati, and national parks of Rajasthan such as the Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve and the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

Aizawl- Mizoram

The capital city of Mizoram is located out in the Lushai Hills that border Burma It is an enchanting hill state of the North-East and is a tribal land of rare, serene beauty.
Aizawl is perched high on a hillside and is a very small town. Sparkling white churches, remote villages, bright green rolling countryside, bamboo forests and tranquil hills are all trade marks of this beautiful land. Add to that the warm welcoming nature of the Mizos and you have one of the most wonderful and romantic destination.

Coorg- Karnataka

Coorg dubbed as the Scotland of India with its misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views is an ideal romantic destination.
Amongst the many attractions like Nagarahole National Park which is known for its wild-life population, Madikeri or Mercara is the main town and hill station, Abbi-Falls a beautiful waterfall, Bhaga-mandala and Tala-Kaveri-the birth place of river Kaveri an astoundingly beautiful place surrounded by mountains is the island sanctuary called Nisargadhama. Nestled in the heart of misty Coorg this little known and little visited sanctuary is in the heart of the Cauvery river. The quiet bamboo forests here are home to parakeets, woodpeckers and bee-eaters and lovers.

Kumarakom- Kerala

An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies.
Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming are all a part of this enchanting backwater

Rajasthan, known for its rich culture and tradition of great hospitality, is the largest state of India and boasts countless tourist attractions. In fact, the state is a complete holiday package that is chained in forts, palaces, temples, monuments, deserts, hill station, mountain ranges, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and national parks. During your traveling in Rajasthan, there will be hardly anything more that you can want. This is the most vibrant and colorful state of India and deserves the attention of travelers from all over the world not only for diverse landscapes and various places of tourist interest but also for its rich culture, tradition, custom, history, and rituals. Be sure that your tours to Rajasthan in India will never disappoint you.

Rajasthan Tours to India reveals the rich history and culture of this historical state. The state is the land of monuments. In whatever part of the state you will travel you will several timeless & magnificent monuments which reverberate with the sprits of bygone era. When you will visit its magnificent monuments like forts, palaces, havelis, temples, etc you will surely get satisfied with their royal grandeur. These monuments provide you wonderful opportunity to see the wonderful amalgam of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architectural features.

Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur, Junagarh Fort of Bikaner, City Palace of Jaipur & Udaipur, Amber Fort Palace of Jaipur, Lake Palace of Udaipur, Jal Mahal of Jaipur, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Samode Palace of Jaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Lalgarh Palace of Bikaner, etc are among the most preferred attractions of Rajasthan Tour Packages. Some of forts & palaces of the state now have turned into grand heritage hotels which are equipped with world class amenities but maintaining their old-age charm. Residing in these heritage hotels provides you wonderful opportunity to spend your Rajasthan holidays in luxurious way and like a king or a queen.

Apart from magnificent, you will also have opportunity to enjoy several other tourist attractions on your Rajasthan tours. There is the vast Thar Desert in this state which provides you wonderful & exciting opportunity to enjoy camel safari. Visiting to the Sam Sand Dunes by camel ride provides a pleasant experience of lifetime on your Rajasthan travel. Camel Safari is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the state. These are several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in this state which provide you thrilling opportunity to explore them and see the birds and wildlife attractions. Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Ranthambhore National Park, Sariska National Park, etc are among the world famous wildlife parks.

Historical cities, fairs & festivals, cuisine etc also deserve the attentions of tourist from all over the world for Rajasthan tourism. In fact, there are countless tourist attractions in this exotic state which make Rajasthan tour one of the most preferred tours of India tours. Don’t miss to capture the wonderful opportunity of Rajasthan tours while you are in India.
source:http://www.articlesbase.com/

The best course of action to take sometimes isn't clear until you've listed and considered your alternatives. This could apply to travel subject as there is endless information that you can find on both off line and on line resources. The following paragraphs should help clue you in to what should be beneficial when you are looking for travel information for a certain destination. Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious and you have to keep searching, just like when you want to go to somewhere that seem not to appear on the map. Keep reading to get the complete picture. That's the latest from reliable resources. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.

When people think about travel to America, what first come to their mind is probably travel to the Central America. This is because Central America, is the region that can be described as the highlight of travel to American and it has massive of tourist attractions that will make you impress. The rich history and breathtaking scenic beauty makes them the favourite place to visit all the year round so you do not be afraid that you will miss the travel season of it because you can go whenever you want, even in freezing winter or extremely hot in summer. Apart from that, there are some other countries such as Costa Rica or Panama, which shine up this region and they are also beautiful destinations themselves. There is very interesting environment and historical sites waiting to be visited. You can learn and appreciate with American history. There are also hundreds of building and constructions where you can see the America’s glory in the past.

Central America is one of many places where has great reputation of historical sites. You may be surprised that when you plan to travel to central America and would want to see beautiful scenarios but when you arrive and start to realised that central America is not only has beautiful attractions but also historical heritage. The rich history of the place reminds the people of the numerous settlements that took place in the region and today the political scene in these countries is ever dynamic. One of the most reputable historical sites in Central America is Mayan civilization. It is considered as a place that if you come to Central America but did not visit this place is as if you never been to Central America. Mayan is the civilization that has great impact and influence to Central America from past to present time. Many of tourists will be amazing when they have a chance to walk into corridors of the ancient Mayans. There is also some interesting local market attractions where you can find some local agricultural products to buy as souvenirs when you return home. You will be able to find that all market and entire city was once a big economic hub of the region so you can see many ruins of building remains to be seen.

source:http://www.ezinesarticle.com

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.
source:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

Tourists who have visited this South East Asian island will tell you that Bali exudes a certain magical charm and that is why, some people call Bali, the Island of Gods. After all, gods live in paradise don't they?

You will be pleasantly impressed by the many stunningly beautiful tourist attractions and the charming local people. If you are a scuba diver, you will be pleased to know that Bali is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world.

Bali presents itself as a modern paradox because its ancient and traditional culture is still very much alive amidst modern living. While and upholstery cleaning inc basic conservatism of the Balinese people has enabled them to preserve many of their ancient customs, culture and religion, it has never hindered the acceptance of the new and innovative modern technological advancement.

The island is indeed a feast for the eye for tourists on holiday vacation in Indonesia. As the island is situated near the equator, it has almost equal amount of time for stain removal and sunshine making its environment very suitable for human inhabitation and as a result, Bali has been inhabited and civilized since ancient times.

Bali is also the only island in "middle Indonesia" that has more or less uninterrupted cultural continuity for hundreds of years. It is of this reason, furniture cleaning service is the only part of Indonesia that remains "Hindu" and is still retaining elements of fusion of ethnic and Hindu cultures of more than a thousand years of cultural tradition.

When the island was colonized by the Dutch at the beginning of last century, the Dutch colonial masters were so impressed by the traditions of the Balinese that a concerted effort was made to preserve the island's mystical culture.

The Balinese society is a strong and cohesive one because the local people promote communal and family values. Feelings of alienation from parents and friends which are common in the western world are almost unheard of in Bali.

Children are carried everywhere or strapped to their mother's back until they are at least three months old. Religious rituals are and upholstery cleaners in regularly to keep the children safe, healthy and to protect them from harmful spirits. Every aspect of village life is organized in such detail that the individual's responsibilities and rights are meticulously defined by the Balinese tradition.
source:http://www.corsavoo.com/

As usual every 210 days, holy celebration held in Goa Lawah Temple, Klungkung. There's nothing special on the celebration this time. It's almost same like last 210 days celebration.For you who could not visit the Temple this time maybe able to visit the Temple on next year celebration. Here are some photos, and again I only able to visit the temple at night so maybe the quality of picture are

The Murcian counsellor for sustainable development and regional planning, Benito Mercader, has proposed that any citizen should be able to have access for free to all internet mapping of the Murcian region with a resolution of upto 25 centimetres and to be able to compare these images with aerial images taken upto 50 years ago. The data is to be available on the web at http://cartomur.com . Apart

Just opened in April 2008, Captains By The Bay, Broome, offers 16 spacious and contemporary apartments and conveniently located in Old Broome - within walking distance of local cafes, restaurants, galleries, shops, markets and Chinatown.

Adventure takes many forms : a new relationship or job, sushi for the first time, or even a walk through an L.A. slum at 2 am on a Saturday night – all qualify.

Webster’s dictionary defines adventure as “an exciting or remarkable experience.” It’s when we break out of our daily routine and dare to take on a new challenge, boldly going into territory that is unfamiliar to us.

But most people, when they think of adventure, think of travel. And though pretty much the whole world has been explored before by other people (with Marco Polo setting the benchmark several hundred years ago), what matters is that it is your discovery. Adventure travel is a highly personal thing and what it teaches you about the vast world that surrounds you and its relationship to you is what makes it both worthwhile and essential.

This is probably why adventure travel keeps growing in popularity. In a world gone wrong, cluttered with technology, self-interested politicians, bureaucracy, greed and numerous other complications, it is crucial to get back to the basics of life and to set personal challenges that bring out the noble savage in us.

So remove yourself to another place, with strange people and customs, follow your nose, trust your instincts, and find a part of yourself you’d almost forgotten.

Thailand is an ideal location to live out these dreams – or alternate realities. With more than 25,000 square kilometers of national park land, islands, mountains, and a welcoming people, new and enlivening experiences are waiting for you to live them out.

Though there are endless adventures available here, two of the more popular possibilities involve going as high and as low as you can.

Scuba Diving : The Amphibian Within

There’s no getting around it. It’s programmed into our DNA that we are creatures of the sea, with a deep-seated desire to return to it. Meander aimlessly on thoughtful walk some lazy Sunday and your feet, of their own accord, will inevitably take you to the water – a lake, a pond, an ocean or a very large puddle – whatever is closest. We look out and yearn to return to our roots. Thanks to Jacques Cousteau, it is now possible, for a short time anyway, to return to the sea completely – for as long as the air in the tank lasts.

Thailand, with its countless beaches, coral reefs and modern dive schools is a popular spot to learn to scuba dive. Thousands of proud new divers earn their PADI international dive certificates every year.

It can be a bit scary at first – our instincts also tell us that we can’t breathe under water – but once you master the basic technicalities, there’s no experience like it. You have freedoms undreamed of by land dwellers. You are weightless, and can go left, right, forward backwards, up and down – and you are surrounded by colourful fish and plants. It’s another world down there.

But like anything worthwhile, it does take a bit of work and discipline to make your first dive. Over the course of a week or so, you take a step by step open water course to ensure maximum safety. You’ll start out in a classroom, studying buoyancy and pressure – you even have homework and exams to do (What? Homework at the beach?!!) This is combined with practice, starting in shallow water, learning to use the equipment getting comfortable with the idea – and soon you’re heading off to the open water by boat, working your way up to dives as deep as 18 meters. In less than a week, you are granted your certificate and can dive anywhere in the world unaccompanied – the beginning of a beautiful new friendship with the other two-thirds of the planet.
Where to Go Under

With more than 3,000 km of coastline and countless islands, Thailand has enough dive sites to keep any enthusiast busy for a lifetime. Most divers head out from island and mainland areas on day trips, but it is also possible to explore more remote and less inhabited areas on liveaboard boats, heading out for several days at a time.

All of the places listed have several certified dive schools.

On the Gulf of Thailand side, or east coast of Thailand’s southern peninsula, the main diving area is in and around the Samui Archipelago, which includes the main islands of Koh Pa Ngan, the well-touristed Koh Samui, and Koh Tao, which is the country’s most popular diving island, featuring several coral reefs a short boat ride away.

On the Andaman Sea side, or west coast, are the islands of Phuket (the most popular holiday island in the country), Koh Phi Phi, the Krabi mainland, and the up-and-coming Koh Lanta.

Central Thailand’s south coast also has a few spots. Some divers base themselves in the wild nightlife town of Pattaya, but it’s a bit of a boat ride to the best dive sites. Heading east, almost to the Cambodian border is the Koh Chang National Marine Park, a group of more than 40 protected islands, surrounded by coral reefs.


Trekking : Because it’s there.

Thailand’s north is a gorgeous place where lushly vegetated mountains rise majestically from the earth – the tropical tail end of the Himalayan chain. For some mysterious reason mountains were made to be climbed. There seems to be an innate desire to struggle to peaks and look down on creation as if we were God almighty. When you are at a great height, taking in vast areas of creation in a single glance, the world, for a fleeting moment, belongs to you alone. In Thailand’s north, you can do just that, with the added bonus that along the way, you can rest overnight with Thailand’s hilltribe people. There are several different hilltribes, including the Akha, Meo, Lisu and Lahu – all with their own unique traditional lifestyle. These people migrated from Southern China into what until relatively recently was uninhabited territory less than two centuries ago, and set up shop as subsistence farmers.

Treks can run from two days to a week or more, as you hike through the jungle pathways on foot, by elephant (a daunting prospect at first), and by bamboo river raft, breathing fresh air, watching abundant wildlife and tiring your limbs, until you come upon the welcoming hilltribe village that you will call home for the night.

An evening with a Thai hilltribe is an unforgettable experience. After your hike, the food tastes fantastic, and along with the villagers you settle sit around the fire, singing songs and watching traditional dances – be prepared to do a number or two yourself from your home country.

After a few hours with these charming people, you may find yourself tempted to give up your career in accountancy, or whatever it is you do back home, shed yourself of all your possessions and live the simple life of honest hard work and a bowl of rice at the end of the day. Tempted, yes, but after a little reflection on the labours you have to put in for that rice bowl, you’ll probably opt to take home a few of the colourful handicrafts, and treasure your memories from the land of comfort from whence you came. Really, it’s better this way.


Trekking : Where to Start

Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s mountainous north was the original home of hilltribe trekking, but in recent years a few other places have gotten into the act. Chiang Mai itself is a relaxed city of about one million people, and the springboard to some great trekking locations, including Doi Inthanon National Park, which is the host to Thailand’s tallest peak at 2700 meters. The second city of trekking is the more somnambulant Chiang Rai, a bit further north. Both cities have very good airports and regular flights from Bangkok and elsewhere.

One young upstart in Thailand’s trekking world is Nan, northeast of Chiang Mai, and the coldest spot in Thailand (which is nonetheless pretty darn warm if it snows in your hometown). New luxury hotels have been popping up here recently, yet many of the hilltribes in this area are new to visitors – so it’s possible to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Also becoming popular is the charming little town of Pai, which has developed into a Bohemian arts center for disillusioned hippie folk from both Thailand and abroad. The town is in the valley, surrounded by evergreen and rugged mountains with several trekking trails and hidden waterfalls.

by R. Cameron Cooper

Here are some useful tips and information that you should know before you visit Bali. prepare everything needed so you can more enjoying your travel. Ok here it goes.....Passport and VisaIt is important to also note the following: * The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into a different visa. * The Visa purchasing system will take approximately 3-5 minutes

(Please see UPDATE at end - I'm back online!)I had a trouble-free, if tiring, journey back to Scotland on Friday; I left home in Mazarron at about 2am for the drive up to Alicante for a 6am flight to East Midlands Airport, where I spent from 7.30am British time until 1pm waiting for the flight up to Inverness. East Midlands Airport, the airport for Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and someplace