Sunday, November 8, 2009

Thiksey Monastery

Thiksey Gonpa, 20 kms from Leh is the most beautiful of all monasteries in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukpa order. Sherab Zangpo of stood first build the Gonpa of stakmo. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, Spon Paldan Sherab founded the Thiksey Gonpa on a hill tope to north of Indus river in 1430 AD. There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen. There are eighty monks residing in the Gonpa.

Shey Palace & Monastery

Ladakh
Leh town, Tsemo Gompa, Palace, Jama Masjid. Forts & Palaces: Shey, Bazgo, Stok. Monasteries: Thiksey, Stakna, Hemis, Chemrey, Taktok, Matho, Spituk, Phyang, Likir, Alchi, Rizong, Lamayuru. Passes: Zojila, Khandongla, Changla etc. Valleys: Zanaskar, Dras & Sur (Kargil), Nubra (Leh), Maitreya Buddha statute (Kargil). High altitude lakes: Pangong, Tso Moriri, Lowan etc Tribal communities: Brokpa etec. Festivals dedicated to each Monastery. Highest peaks: Nun & Kun (Kargil).
Shey Palace, the old capital of Ladakh
15 kms south of Leh and to the west bank of river Indus is the royal Palace dating from the 1840s when the invading Dogra Forces deposed the king of Ladakh. The Palace is a rambling building where only a dozen of the 80 rooms are used. The small palace Museum (3 rooms) is worth visiting. The Gonpa was found by Lama Lhawang Lotus in 14th Century, and has some ritual mask dance (Guru Tseschu) held on the 9th and 10th day of the 1st Tibetan Month.
Shey Palace & Monastery

King Deldan Namgial (1620-1640) built Shey Palace in the beginning of the 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery is the 3 storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper gilt, which was made by King Deldan Namgial in the memory of his father Singay Namgial. The statue is the only one of its kind in the region.

Burzhama Ruins

Burza Hama is situated in the north-west of Kashmir, nearly 24 kms from Shalimar road Srinagar and 16 kms from Naseem Bagh Road Srinagar. It is a karewa with ancient settlement ruins dating back to Neolithic age. Excavation of this site was conducted by the Archaeological Department, Government of India, in 1961. The ancient utensils and other artefacts discovered, signifying the ancient civilization, have been kept in the National Museum, Calcutta (Kolkatta).

Burza Hama ruins are unique and first of its kind in Kashmir and elsewhere in the country and the world. This civilisation has been segregated into four phases by the archaeologists signifying mud settlements, earthen utensils, bone utensils & tools, raw bricks. The fourth & last segment meets with ancient history which is earlier to the Harwan Budhist settlement ruins of Srinagar. On stones tiles some carvings depict Hangul (Kashmir Deer) game shooting with Sun, indicating day time game.

Treks in Kashmir



  • Kolahoi glacier
  • Vaishno Sar
  • Gangabal
  • Holy Amarnath
  • Tarsar Marsar
  • Naranag- Bandipur, (via Gangabal)
  • Sonamarg - Pahalgam
  • Water trek to Manasbal via Anchar

Itineraries available on request.

Besides there are many other places which one can see in Kashmir, just let us know your interests and we will have an tailor made itinerary for you.

VAISHNO DEVI
1 hour drive from Jammu via Katra, this temple town over-hangs the cliffs about Tawi where millions journey to pay homage at the cave shrine.One of several surprises in the sanctuary of Gods.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Dharamsala

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, could not have known in 1960 that the location he offered to Tibetan exiles had prolific Buddhist roots dating back 2,700 years. The Kangra Valley is rich in unexplored archaeological sites of great importance to understanding Indian Buddhism; in 635 AD the Chinese monk-pilgrim, Hsuan Tsang recorded fifty monasteries with around 2,000 monks in this fertile region. But, a century later, Buddhism and all its sites were eliminated from the valley during an upsurge of Brahminical revivalism.
Dharamsala's earliest history is obscured by time and the successive invasions that swept through all North India. But it is known that the original tribes identified with Kangra's hilly tracts were Dasas, a warrior people, later assimilated by Aryans.
In 1849 the British posted a regiment in Dharamsala, but the place was not to remain a military cantonment for long. By 1855 it was a small but flourishing hill station and the administrative headquarters of Kangra District, which had been annexed by the British in 1848. The two main areas at the time were McLeod Gunj, named after Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, David McLeod, and Forsyth Gunj, named after a divisional commissioner.
Lord Elgin, Viceroy of British India and a former Governor-General of Canada, loved the forests of Dharamsala so much that, before dying here in 1863, he asked to be buried in the graveyard of St. John's Church in the Wilderness. Had he lived longer, Dharamsala might have become the summer capital of British India.
The name Sir Francis Younghusband - leader of British India's fateful incursion to Lhasa in 1904 also has Dharamsala connections. In 1856 his parents, Clara Shaw and John Younghusband, lived in a bungalow in the pine forest above St. John's Church and later bought land in the Kangra Valley to pioneer a tea plantation. Clara's brother, Robert Shaw, was a renowned explorer of Central Asia and an early Kangra tea planter.
But in 1905 a severe earthquake changed the face of Dharamsala. Many buildings collapsed and the whole settlement, once ravaged, was never re-occupied. The local officials advised residents to move to the safety of Lower Dharamsala which at that time comprised little more than a jail, a police station and a cobbler's shop. The pine-clad hillsides continued to flourish as a quiet health resort for the "sahibs" and "memsahibs" of British India.
The visits of "sahibs" and "memsahibs" ended when India achieved independence in 1947. McLeod Gunj then quickly became a sleepy, undistinguished village until His Holiness the Dalai Lama, fleeing persecution in his homeland, made it his home in exile and moved the Central Tibetan Administration, in effect the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, from Mussoorie to Dharamsala in 1960. Today, more than 8,000 Tibetan refugees consider Dharamsala their second home.
present facat

Dharamsala is situated in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It lies on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, the Pir Panjal region of the Outer Himalayas; and commands majestic views of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges above, and the Kangra Valley below. Dhauladhar means "white ridge" and this breathtaking, snow-capped range rises out of the Kangra Valley to a height of 5,200 meters (17,000 feet).
The Kangra Valley is a wide, fertile plain, criss-crossed by low hills. The scenery touched the heart of a British official who wrote: "No scenery, in my opinion, presents such sublime and delightful contrasts. Below lies the plain, a picture of rural loveliness and repose... Turning from this scene of peaceful beauty, the stern and majestic hills confront us... above all are wastes of snow to rest on.Dharamsala is divided into two very different parts. Kotwali Bazaar and areas further down the valley (at the average height of 1,250 metres) are called Lower Dharamsala, while McLeod Gunj (at the height of nearly 1,800 metres) and surrounding areas are known as Upper Dharamsala. McLeod Gunj is nine kilometers by bus route and four kilometres by taxi route up the hill from Kotwali Bazaar. While inhabitants of Lower Dharamsala are almost all Indians, McLeod Gunj is primarily a Tibetan area. McLeod Gunj is surrounded by pine, Himalayan oak, rhododendron and deodar forests. The main crops grown by local Indians in the valleys below McLeod Gunj are rice, wheat and tea. Today, streams of Tibetan refugees from all over the world flock to McLeod Gunj to receive blessings and teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Western and Indian tourists and scholars come here to see the rebirth of an ancient and fascinating civilization. The high altitude and cool weather contribute physically to this recreation of the original Tibetan environment. Dharamsala pulsates with the sights and sounds of old Tibet. Though certainly more modern, life is basically Tibetan in character. Shops strung out along the narrow streets of McLeod Gunj sell traditional Tibetan arts and handicrafts and the aroma of Tibetan dishes lingers in the air.

Spring



Snow Bridge



Shikara



Snowfall in Srinagar



Pahalgam



On the Way to Sonamarg



Nishat



Lotus Fields



Icicles



Himalayan Range



Hariparbat Fort



Gulmarg Winter



Gondola Gulmarg



Down Town Srinagar



Char Chinari Dal Lake



Canals Dal Lake



Boulevard Winter



Awantipora Temples



Autumn

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The Sultan Abdul Samad building was constructed at the end of the last century and the site was chosen because of its central position. A.C. Norman, a British architect who worked for the Public Works Department in Kuala Lumpur, in designing the existing building took into consideration some of the features of buildings in several Islamic countries. The predominantly Moorish appearance of the building suitably reflects the cultural background of Malaysia.

One Day in Mekarsari Tourism Park

Mekarsari Tourism Park is the center of the tropical fruitiest in Indonesia. It is the largest tropical fruitiest in the world in the area of 264 hectar. The park located in Cileungsi, District of Bogor West Java an can be accessed from Jakarta only about 1 hour.
Mekarsari Tourism Park
Park facilities are comfortable, made up of several zones, among others, Water Zone, Family Zone, Race Point, Exotic Mediterranean zone, Central Park, the land and the Green Zone. Diversity of plants into one of the benefits of Mekarsari compared to other parks. We can do various activities such as the view from near the fruit-the fruit of native Indonesia; see the orchard that we rarely see, and so forth. Garden area of 264 hectares is equipped with facilities for tourists touring the archipelago and abroad. Tourism in the middle of the park is supported by various vehicles that visitors to the natural approach. Visitor can look many types of activities and park like • Family Garden, • Recreation Lake (20 ha), • Baby Zoo, • Deer spotted, • Garden Center, • Greenhouse Melon, • Outbound, • dead flowers, • Kids Fun Valley, • Scenic Tower • Building Water Fall (Tirto Sari Puri). • Gathering Company, • Family picnic, • Tourism Fruit Garden • Barbeque, • Walking in the garden.


Kuta Beach

Kuta, with the adjacent Legian, Seminyak and Tuban, is by far Bali's busiest beach resort area. Shops, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs are all in abundance here and the beach itself is the best in the area with great surfing. Being the hub of Bali tourism, you can join day trips and sightseeing tours to anywhere on the island from Kuta. So if you're looking for a lively night out with your new found dive buddies this is the place to be with many of the bars having live music, special drink promotions and organised pub crawls.
Sanur Beach
Sanur
is an upmarket alternative to the Kuta area of the island with a great beach and plenty of water sports - windsurfing, snorkelling, parasailing etc. all readily available. The nightlife is quiet in comparison to Kuta and there are plenty of good quality, reasonably priced eateries as well as some excellent craft, clothing, art and antique shops making this an attractive option for those wanting a more peaceful type of vacation.
Tulamben
Tulamben
is a sleepy village on the north east coast, beautifully set with the stunning backdrop of Mount Agung volcano, and famed for the Liberty Wreck dive site. Bali scuba diving and relaxation here are the principal draw cards, or if you feel like burning some calories, you can climb Gunung Agung (3,104m) or the smaller Mt. Seraya (1,174m). Beyond that, there are many places of local interest such as Bali's highest waterfall in the nearby town of Les. For something unusual you can head to Tejakula, a local town famed for its horse bath which now acts (slightly disturbingly) as the towns public bath. More hygienic, but slightly further afield, is the spring baths water palace of Amlapura, Tirta Gangga in the east of Bali. Then there's river rafting, a luxurious golf course (set inside a volcanic crater!), mountain tours, traditional markets and cookery classes

Candi Dasa and the East Coast

Candi Dasa
On the east coast is the once sleepy fishing village of Candi Dasa. You can expect to find plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and some nightlife. There are some fantastic views from the headland and on a clear day Agung mountain rises magnificently behind the range of coastal hills. Candi Dasa is a small village nestled on the coastline approx 2hrs drive from the airport.
Candi Dasa is a fantastic base to explore some of the best cultural points in Bali. These include, the courts of justice at Klung Klung, the waterpalace at Tirtagganga, the Bali Arga village with its long house, the fishing village of Amed and of course the most Holy temple in Bali Besakih.
The beaches at Candi Dasa are not much but it is a great place to relax to the sound of the ocean gently lapping the shore line while reading a good book under a palm tree.
If culture and total escape from the world is what you want there is no better place to spend at least 2-3nights at the start of your holiday to help you escape those work day blues.
Tulamben
Tulamben is a small village on the northeastern coast of Bali. If you journey from here the road climbs through a series of hills and descends quickly to the coast via hairpin shaped bends overshadowed by the mighty Gunung Agung, which is sometimes referred to as the 'navel of the world' and Bali's 'mother mountain'. You can see small white clouds escasping from the towering mountain which stands an impressive 3142m against a pale blue sky. Tulamben Bay is famous because just off the shore lies the wreck of USS Liberty. It is not only Indonesia's most dived site, it may be the most often dived wreck in the world. Between 150?200 divers visit this site every day. Ironically, its fame overshadows the rest of the natural marvels that can be found here, all unique to this bay.
One sight that can only be seen at Tulamben is the porter service for scuba divers provided by women from the local village. From girls as young as twelve to the grandmas ? all exhibit a prowess that will leave even the strongest divers gaping with disbelief. With a weight belt slung casually over their shoulder and wearing only rubber flip-flops, they carry the fully set up scuba tanks, complete with BCs and regulators on their heads. With the 20kg or more balanced precariously, they skillfully maneuver their way up and down the beach of fist-sized round pebbles. Even with rubber boots and nothing in hand, divers are often seen tripping over. The women are remunerated by the dive and resort operator, the money shared on a communal basis amongst the members of the village.
In the eastern district of Bali is the regency of Karangasem, which is dominated by the mighty Gunung Agung. This is Bali's highest mountain (3142 metres) towering majestically over eastern and northern Karangasem. Gunung Agung last erupted in March 1963 when it literally blew its top. The whole island was covered in ash and crops were wiped out. Ash covered many villages and temples and killed thousands of people, wiping out entire villages such as Sorga and Lebih high on the slopes of Agung. Thankfully, Besakih just six kilometres from the crater, suffered little damage. These days Mount Agung is very quiet and the mother temple, Pura Besakih, sitting 1000 metres up the slopes attracts a steady stream of devotees and tourists. This temple is Bali's most important and best kept temple, comprising 30 separate temples in seven terraces going up a hill.
East Bali is everything you dreamed it would be, a rare and special paradise of astounding exotic beauty, vibrant culture and friendly people.
East Bali a small part of the island that provides a thousand opportunities to explore in a day, go trekking around the hills and volcano, walk along the nature beach, witness the sunrise on the beautiful strait of Lombok and the romantic sunset on the top of Mt. Agung. Along the beaches of Tulamben, Amed and Bunutan villages is one of the world class locations for snorkellers and scuba divers. The colourful marine fish and coral reef, including the wrecked USS Liberty Navy vessel as World War II treasures is the real magic down below.

Sanur

Once a fishing village, Sanur is now also a beautiful resort area. Visitors can soak up the sun at a first class resort or soak up the colour and atmosphere of village life at the local markets.
Located on the eastern coast of Bali, Sanur is protected by a coral reef which makes the beach ideal for snorkelling, windsurfing and swimming. Colourful outrigger boats can be hired from the locals for trips along the coast or neighbouring islands.
This area is for those of you who wish to get away from the rush and bustle of Kuta but would like a holiday in an air-conditioned hotel with a swimming pool. The beach is wide with white sand, it is sheltered by a reef which is great for swimming at high tide but very shallow at low tide. The nightlife is sedate compared to Kuta but of course if you want a night out it is only a taxi fare! Denpasar
The capital of Bali, Denpasar has a population of 400,000 and has been the focus of much of the growth and wealth on the island over the last quarter of a century. It now has all the bustle and confusion one associates with the fast-growing cities of Asia. While the traffic, noise and pollution make it a difficult city to relish, Denpasar still retains pleasant, tree-lined streets and gardens and is very much part of the 'real' Bali, given that tourists generally give it a wide berth.

Nusa Dua, Benoa

The Nusa Dua area was completely designed from arid land and now is renown for being an "upmarket" location. Nusa Dua is blissfully free of souvenir sellers and garish billboards.
The hotels all have magnificently manicured lawns, owned and maintained by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation. With their neo-Balinese architecture complementing the beautiful natural surroundings of white sandy beaches, pristine water and swaying palm trees, thus providing all the ingredients of a tropical paradise.There is a sealed road going south from Jimbaran around to Ulu Watu, where perched on top of a sheer cliff overlooking the sea is the impressive and important temple of Pura Luhur Ulu Watu.

Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Tuban

Kuta Bay
Including the two beach sites of Kuta and Legian, this area is a major drawcard for travellers, offering cheap accommodation, western food, great shopping, surf, sunsets and riotous nightlife. Although it's fashionable to disparage Kuta for its rampant development, low-brow nightlife and crass commercialism, the cosmopolitan mixture of beach-party hedonism and entrepreneurial energy can be exciting. It's a tourist gold-rush town with a get-rich-quick mentality and a planning horizon to match.
Kuta is not pretty but it's not dull either, and the amazing growth is evidence that a lot of people still find something to like in Kuta. It's still the best beach on Bali, with the only surf which breaks over sand instead of coral. Lots of cheap accommodation is available and there's a huge choice of places to eat. Shops and hawkers offer everything from fake flimflammery - laid out in boxes which open like jaws as you approach - to genuine antiques offered with a considerably softer sell. Even the tourists themselves have become a tourist attraction, with visitors coming from Java to ogle the topless bathers, and from other resorts to tut-tut at the tackiness of it all. And despite all the excesses, away from the traffic clogged streets Kuta is still a village: a place of quiet compounds and narrow alleys, where devotional offerings are placed in front of houses and neighbours emerge in the coolness of the evening to gossip in the street
Behind the beaches, labyrinthine roads and alleys lead back to the most amazing clutch of hotels, restaurants, bars, food stalls and shops. The renowned Poppies Gang, running directly back from Kuta Beach, is where most of the quieter, inexpensive hostels and restaurants are located. Cheap beachfront accommodation is available in Legian; the lanes running parallel to the beach are the best places to start trawling for a decent bed.
Kuta Bay is in the south of Bali, about 10km (6mi) southwest of Denpasar. Nearby to the north is Sanur, an the upmarket alternative to Kuta; Nusa Dua, to the south, is an upmarket alternative to Sanur. Ulu Watu, on the southern tip of Bali, is the island's most famous surfing spot. Located on the northern tip of Legian, Seminyak offers visitors a wealth of accommodation and things to see. Continually developing as a Bali destination in its own right, Seminyak combines all the ingredients of a fun Bali holiday - a surf beach, shops and restaurants as well as the traditional lifestyle of the nearby Bali countryside.

West Java

At 750m above sea level, Bandung is the cool and comfortable capital of West Java. It's an unhurried place which makes it a welcome respite from the din and bustle of Jakarta. The majority of the population are the native Sundanese from west Java, who not only have a reputation as extroverted, easy-going people compared with the extremely refined Javanese, but also as zealous guardians of their own ancient culture. So, if you want to mix in with the locals and have an interest in Sundanese culture, Bandung is the place to go. The superb surrounding countryside, the famous Tangkuban Prahu volcano, numerous river walks and its faded art deco grandeur are just a few of the many attractions that you can see while staying in Bandung.
Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. Home to over 10 million people, Jakarta is always bustling. Skyscrapers, single story residential houses, modern apartment complexes, survivalists shanties - all coexist in this city. Although, it is also one of the region's most exciting metropolises.
Jakarta boasts one of the best sights in all of South-East Asia: Sunda Kelapa, the old Dutch port, is awash with magnificent Makassar schooners and anyone who spends an early morning here will not forget the experience. Nearby Pasar Ikan, the early-morning fish market, is a colourful scene of busy, bartering crowds. Other sights include Old Batavia, an area of 18th-century houses and streets that are gradually being restored; the Gereja Sion church, which is the oldest in Jakarta; and the zoo with its Komodo dragons and orangutans.
A total of 21 mountains can be found through out West Java. Most of them are classified as active volcanoes, consequently there are several hot springs. These springs are not only worth visiting, but also very serviceable for physical fitness purposes, as the water contains various minerals. All springs and volcanos have beautiful views looking over the province. There are several rivers and lakes where various water recreation activities can take place. Some lakes are used for tourism activity because their panoramic view is beautiful.West Java has an enriched tropical forest region with flora and fauna that are rarely found in other regions. These tropical forests are enriched with various rare animals such as single horn rhinoceros, Pelung chicken and Rafflesia Arnoldi, just to name a few.

West Kalimantan

West Kalimantan is easily accessible from Jakarta or Singapore by air. One of its main attractions is the culture of its Dayak ethnic groups. Most Dayaks live in long houses along rivers which crisscross the land. This province covers an area of 146,807 square km. Its low plains are swampy with more than 100 rivers playing a vital role in communications and the economy.Scattered across the swamps are several lakes and villages, often linked by bridges. The provincial capital, Pontianak lies exactly on the Equator. It is a fast growing city divided into three parts by the Kapuas and Landak rivers. Pontianak is the main gate to enter this province through Supadio Airport, 18 km from the city. The Kapuas river, about 1,143 km, is one of the longest rivers in Indonesia, connecting Pontianak with the Sanggau, Sintang and Kapuas Hulu Regencies. Among the branches of the Kapuas river are the Landak, Kubu, Punggur, Melawi and Sekayam rivers. The population of West Kalimantan consist of the Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and some other Indonesian ethnic groups. Dayak dances express respect, heroism, welcome and cure. It is recommended to take a river trip and make overnight stops at villages where dance performances are organised on advance notice.

Sumatra

Sumatra is an island with a wealth of natural resources and wildlife, massive rivers like muddy facsimiles of the Amazon, and some interesting architecture.

North Sumatra
Along the length of this province crosses the Bukit Barisan mountains with peaks of numerous volcanoes. In between are several lakes, one among them is the famous Toba Lake. The land has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers, waterfalls and sandy beaches. It has a rich flora and fauna. An abundance of birds, butterflies, buffaloes, deer, mouse deer, orangutans and many other export commodities make North Sumatra one of the richest provinces in Indonesia, as it produces more than 30% of Indonesia's exports. The province offers the visitors, especially nature lovers, beautiful tropical panoramas, terraced rice fields, blue mountains, jungle covered hills, white sandy beaches, music, dance and folk arts.

The people are hospitable and warm. The major tribes are the Malays of the eastern coast, the Bataks consisting of sub-tribes such as Toba, Simalungun, Pak Pak (Dairi), Karonese of the highlands around Lake Toba, the Mandailing and Angkolas from the southern part. Arts and cultures make this region, a paradise for social scientists. Among the ancient Indonesian cultures which can be seen at Samosir island are the centuries old tombs of Batak Toba kings and a stone-table with its benches, where meetings were formerly held by the Siallagan chiefs.

South Sumatra
Situated on the eastern side of the Bukit Barisan mountain range the province of South Sumatra is relatively flat, nevertheless fertile, as numerous rivers crisscross and meander throughout the region. Part of this province are two sizable islands called Bangka and Belitung, off Sumatra's east coast in the South China Sea. Palembang, its capital city and gateway to the province, lies right on the banks of the great Musi river, 60 km upstream and navigable by oceangoing vessels. No wonder that most major social and economic activities should centre in and around Palembang and the Musi river where the region's pride, the Ampera Bridge, is found as well. Because of its sheer location on the southernmost rim of the South China Sea and close to one of world's busiest sea lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the region's historical background is undoubtedly rich and colourful. Once the very site of the Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya, it practised a bustling trade with then ancient China during its era of dynasties.

West Sumatra
The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves.

The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system which clusters around mosques and the traditional adat houses. As it is the women who owns the property, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Travelling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colourful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coast line where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centres for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving). Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra.

Aceh - Northwestern end of Sumatra
Of all the regions in Indonesia, Aceh, at the northwestern end of Sumatra, is the first to have come into contact with the world outside. Chinese chronicles of as early as the sixth century A.D. spoke of a kingdom on the northern tip of Sumatra named Po-Li. Several Arabic writings of the early ninth century, and later inscriptions found in India also mentioned the area. The era of industrialisation has arrived, and with it has come a more open attitude towards things alien. Visitors should keep in mind, though, that the Acehnese take their religion, their manners and their morals seriously.

Riau - Eastern Sumatran Coast
The territory of this rich province includes a sizable slice of the eastern Sumatran coast and more than 3,000 islands of all sizes. Riau, although comparatively small in both size and population (about 2.5 million), is the heartland of the Malays and the cradle of Indonesia's Malay-based national language and culture. Its links with Johor on the West Malaysian mainland have been long and strong. Sitting astride one of the world's oldest and busiest trade routes, the Strait of Malacca, the Riau islands have for many centuries provided a safe haven to ships plying the sea lanes between Europe, India and China. The rise of Malay power, however, began somewhere around the 13th century, when the Buddhist kingdom of Sriwijaya began to crumble. Malay kingdoms emerged on both sides of the Malacca Strait.

The smallest islands of the Riau archipelago are no more than rocky reefs, about one hectare (2.5 acres). The larger Bintan, Lingga and Singkep islands are about 1,000 hectares in size.

Lampung is strategically located and easily accessible, particularly from Jakarta. Bandar Lampung, its capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and Telukbetung. In the course of development these towns have spread out to one another to become one single city. Lampung has its own traditions, high valued handicraft and art creations such as woven cloth, interwoven by gold threads called "tapis". Sumatran elephants, tigers and hundreds of species of birds can be watched at the Way Kambas nature reserve. Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world can be seen when it is blooming at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the southern coastline of Sumatra. The province has a great potential in agriculture, however, its population is small.

Bedugul

Bedugul is the name of both a small city and a mountain-lake resort area, which Balinese have long used for weekend retreats. Bedugul is located on the main north-south road between Denpasar and Singaraja in cool damp mountain country, an excellent base for walking trips around the lakes and surrounding hills. Bedugul is located in a high plateau at the center of the Island. Cool air and mists are natural for the place. Bedugul is a resort in Bratan Mountains, famous for its golf course; and also the Ulun Danu. Ulu Danu is an amazing temple, which seems to have risen out of Bratan Lake 1,200metres above sea level. There are many water sports available here are boating, water skiing, and parasailing. When the heat and humidity are get, why not escape to Bedugul. Bali's highland retreat has tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 meters above sea level. Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine forests seem to create freshness in the air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are several places to stay near the lake and there is also an interesting temple, botanical gardens, an excellent golf course and a variety of activities on Lake Bratan itself.
Bedugul is a favorite place for Balinese family for weekend picnic. Bedugul is also a center of horticulture. We'll find plenty of fruits and vegetables here. Here we find 3 of Bali 4 lakes, Bratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan. Bratan, the largest of the three is perfect place for water sports such as para sailing, motor boating, jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, etc.

Bromo

Mount Bromo also Gunung Bromo, located in the Tengger Caldera, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. It is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, and even though at 2329 meters it is not the highest peak of the massif, it is the most well known. From Surabaya city, we take 2-3 hours to go mount bromo by car. Mount Bromo is a good place to relax, because the weather is cool and you can see a beautiful sunshine in the morning at "penanjakan" in mount bromo.

Hazratbal Mosque

Hazratbal Mosque is located in a village of the same name on the banks of the Dal. Its pristine white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake.
A distant view of Hazratbal

Hazratbal's special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people. Hazratbal is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar; the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine – mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the DalLake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond.

Pari Mahal

The name Pari Mahal appears to be a distorted version of "Peer Mahal" built by Prince Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Emperor Shah ]ahan in the year 1640 A.D. for his tutor Peer Mullah Shah. Once the royal observatory, it is a seven terraced garden located on the base of Zabarvan mountain range over-looking city of Srinagar and Dal-Lake.
The Mahal Built for the meditation and summer residence of Peer Mullah Shah is a replica of typical Mughal architecture in garden layout, water now been restored to its glory with captivating terraced gardens, motorable road up to the garden and wonderful lighring effects which look marvelous and captivating at night. It covers an area of about 3.20 ha.

Nishat Garden

Nishat garden, the garden of Delight, the largest Mughal Garden on Dal-Lake was laid out by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir, in the year 1632 A.D. It is located on Dal-Lake about 2.5 Kilometers to the south of Shalimar and commands a magnificent view in the west and has a panoramic back drop of mountains in the East. The garden had originally 12 terraces. Enchanting central water channel, rippling fountains in large tanks and channels and sparkling cascades amidst bountiful colours, lush lawns and mighty chinars are principal features of this pleasure garden. The garden is spread over an area of about 20 ha.

This garden of the royal spring was built in 1642 A.D. by Ali Mardan Khan, the Governor of Kashmir during the reign of Emperor Shah ]ahan. It is a terraced garden situated 9 Km away from Srinagar and about 2 Km up from the main road in a mOllntain side over-looking Dal-Lake. Fountains play in the central water channel starting from the famed spring located in the upper most terrace. It is famous for its pure, sparkling and cool mineral water. To cope up with the ever-increasing tourist traffic the garden has been extended in recent years. It has also been lit recently with multicoloured garden lights. This has proved an added attraction for tourists as well as 10cals.The garden extends over an area of 6.20 ha.

Mughal Garden, Shalimar

Shalimar garden was built by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in the year 1619 AD and called it "Farah Baksh" (the delightful). Eleven years later Zaffer Khan the Governor of Kashmir during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign extended the garden and called it "Faiz Baksh" (the Bountiful). The garden was graded in three sections. The outer garden known as the Diwan-i-Aam, the central porrion the Emperor's garden called as the "Diwan-i­Khas" and the uppermost by far the best garden was meanc for the Empress and her ladies. The romantic effect of numerous fountains in large tanks and central water channel, cascades, and monumental pavilions, mighty chinars, lush lawns laden with colour and fragrance speak volumes for the taste of Great Mughal. The garden covers an area of 12.40 ha.15 kms from the TRC

Pahalgam

" The Valley of Shepherds" Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river, Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, cool even during the height of summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 25 deg C. A number of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious hotels to unpretentious trekkers' lodges, including J&K TDC huts.

Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking. Pony fares are posted at prominent locations.

Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith

Every Year Shri Amarnathji Yatra will commence from both the routes, of Pahalgam and Baltal. The Antm Darshan will held on Raksha Bhandhan.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Sudhnati

Pullandri is the headquarter of district Sudhanoti. It is at an elevation of 1372 meters and is at a distance of 97 kilometers from Rawalpindi via Azad Pattan, and is also connected with Rawalakot by 64 kilometers long metalled road. There is a PWD Rest House located at the hilltop, giving a wonderful view of the picturesque landscape and green mountains all round. All the basic facilities of life are available.

Mirpur

Mirpur district comprises partly plain and partly hilly areas. Its hot climate and other geographical conditions closely resemble those of Jhelum and Gujrat, the adjoining districts of Pakistan. The people of this area are basically farmers. Since the 1960s, a large number of people from this district have gone abroad , especially to the United Kingdom and the Middle East, for economic reasons. As such they are today the major foreign exchange earning source for Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. Around 50,000 people were moved from this district in the mid-sixties to make way for the construction of Mangla Dam. Most of these people settled in new Mirpur whilst some moved to Pakistan and the UK.

Muzaffarabad

Muzaffrabadthe capital of the Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir, is situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers and surrounded by majestic mountains and looks like a walled paradise.

Gilgit

At an elevation of 1453.90 meter lies the Gilgit valley, offers spectacular scenic beauty. It is surrounded by lakes, rivers, glaciers and high mountains ranges. Some of them world's largest peaks, such as Nanga Parbat, 8125 meter and Raka Poshi, 7788 meter are located here.

The best season to visit is from May to mid October. The local dialect is Shina, however, Urdu and English are also spoken and understood.

Buddhist Rock Carvings carved out of the mountain side are worth paying a visit. It is about 10 kms away from Gilgit and the distance is covered in about 20 minutes in a jeep.

The Victory Monument of Taj Mughal was built about 700 years ago and lies at a distance of 11 kms from Gilgit and it takes about 25 minutes by jeep to get there.


Khyber Pass

The historic Khyber Pass being at a distance of 16 kms west of Peshawar and extends up to the Pak-Afghanistan border at Torkkam, 55 kms away. Starting from the foot-hills of the Slueman Range it gradually rises to an elevation of 1,066 meters above sea level.

Khyber Pass has been a silent witness to countless events in the history of mankind. As one drives though the Pas at a leisurely pace, imagination unfolds pages of history, the Aryans descending upon the fertile northern plains in 1,500 BC subjugating the indigenous Dravidian population and settling down to open a glorious chapter in the history of civilization, the Persian hordes under Darius (6th century BC) crossing into the Punjab to annex yet another province to the Achaemenian Empire; the armies of Alexander the Great (326 BC) marching through the rugged Pass to fulfill the wishes of a young, ambitious conqueror; the terror of Ghanghis Khan unwrapping the majestic hills and turning back towards the trophies of ancient Persia; the white Huns bringing fire and destruction in their wake; the Scythians and the Parthians, the Mughals and the Afghans, conquerors all, crossing over to leave their impact and add more chapters to the diverse history of this sub-continent.

NWFP

It runs for over 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) along the border with Afghanistan. Peshawar is its capital, and the Vale of Peshawar, fertile and well watered by the Kabul and Swat rivers, is its heart. This was also the heart of the ancient kingdom of Gandhara and is rich in archaeological remains. The northern half of the province consists of five river valleys running roughly parallel, north to south: the Chitral, dir, Swat, Indus and Kaghan. These valleys are on the northern edge of the monsoon belt, so are fairly green and partly wooded in their southern sections. Northern Chitral and the upper regions of the Indus Valley are mountainous deserts, where cultivation depends entirely on irrigation. The NWFP south of Peshawar is below the monsoon belt and consists of low, rocky mountains and wide, gravelly plains.

The warlike Pathans (or Pushtuns or Pukhtuns), who live in NWFP and the adjoining areas of Afghanistan, number about 17 million, making themselves a race apart, a chosen people, and no one has ever managed to subdue them. The Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs, British and Russians have suffered defeat at their hands. The Pathans are divided into numerous sub-tribes and clans, each defending its territory and honor. In addition, the Pathans serve as Pakistan's first line of defense along the Durand Line, the border drawn in 1893 by Sir Mortimer Durand, then foreign secretary of British India.

Peshawar

About 172 kms west of Rawalpindi/Islamabad by road about half an hour by air lies the last major town of Pakistan, the ancient and legendary Peshawar, city of proud Pathans. Peshawar the capital city of North-West Frontier Province, is a frontier town, the meeting place of the sub-continent and Central Asia. It is also a place where ancient traditions jostle with those of today, where the bazaar in the old city has changed little in the past hundred years except to become the neighbor of a modern university, some modern hotels, several international banks and one of the best museums in Pakistan.

No other city is quite like old Peshawar. The bazaar within the walls is like an American Wild movie costumed as a Bible epic. Pathan tribesmen stroll down the street with their hands hidden within their shawls, their faces half obscured by the loose ends of their turbans. (With his piercing eyes and finely chiseled nose, the Pathan must be the handsomest man on earth).

On the other side of the railway line is the cantonment, its tree-lined streets wide and straight as they pass gracious gardens.

Clubs, churches, schools, The Mall, Saddar Bazaar and the airport round out the British contribution to the modernization of Peshawar. Further west is University Town, Peshawar's newest section and the site of Peshawar University.

A local book, Peshawar, History City of the Frontier, by A.H. Dani and published by Khyber Mail Press in 1969, makes a good first purchase. It provides a detailed account of Peshawar's history and a tour of this city walls and ancient monuments.

Hana Lake

A little short of the place where the Urak valley begins and ten kms from Quetta is the Hinna Lake. The greenish- blue water of the lake provides a rich contrast to the sandy brown of the hills in the back ground.

The Urak valley is 21 km from Quetta city. The road is lying on both sides with wild roses and fruit orchards. Peaches, palms, apricots and apples of many varieties are grown in this valley.

Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, 20 km south-west of Quetta, rare animals like' Markhors' have been declared a protected species. The park is spread over 38,429 acres with altitude ranging from 2021 to 3264 meters.

It has a variety of wildlife specially Markhor of which there are five distinct kinds. The kind that is encountered most often is the Chiltan Markhor. The other animals include straight-horned Markhor, 'gad' (wild sheep) and leopards which occasionally migrate to the park from other areas, wolves stripped hyaena, hares, wild cats and porcupines.

Karachi

Karachi, the largest and the most populous city of Pakistan presents an interesting and colorful combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life along-side the wide metal led roads and elegant modern buildings. Within the city, talented artisans with age-old skills produce handicrafts of exquisite beauty.

Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse racing all-year round. Its restaurants provide a wide choice of Pakistani and Western cuisine. Its markets and bazaar offer and endless variety of exciting shopping including indigenous handicrafts, rugs and carpets of rare design and beauty. Karachi's recorded history goes back to the 18th century when it was a small fishing village known as Karachi-jo-Goth. With the development of its harbor it gradually grew into a large city and an important centre of trade and industry.

Its selection as capital of Pakistan in 1947 added to its importance and tremendously boosted the rate of its growth and development. Although the seat of Government has now been shifted to Islamabad, Karachi still remains the epicenter of commerce and industry.