Travel Guide - Mumbai to Delhi to Amritsar

After staying a few days in Mumbai and meeting up with friends ad family we fly to New Delhi to start our journey to the North of India.
Our first stop is Delhi, just for the night. Traffic undoubtadely is again painful, but the Metro Light rail system is already up and running here.
One thing I couldn't get over in Delhi was their obsession with toilets... and that too weird ones.
Look at the two pictures below... The big grey building has sign on it "Toilet Complex". I was so curious to see what it was about, but took the picture from our taxi.
The next one was a very ugly bad toilet at the train station going from Delhi to Amritsar. It is titled "Deluxe Toilet".. nothing deluxe about it!

Amritsar is a sacred city for Sikhs where there are beautiful temples. It falls in the Punjab state, which is huge agricultural land.
The train journey from Delhi to Amritsar was around 7 hours. It does start early, so you can see my mom doozed off and my Dad hoping to fall asleep. Tried some color effects in my camera too.

I couldn't fall asleep as the journey was so scenic. The train goes through endless acres of lush green fields. They extend all the way to the horizon.
I believe the picture below is of a rice field. Needless to say the food in the Northern region of India tastes so much better. There is a lot of flavor in the vegatables which is not found at other places.

But then the other factor that makes everything tastes so good in Punjab is the deep frying. Check out these fritters (potato, cauliflower, onion etc..) not fried once but "twice" to perfection. Well known as "Pakoras"
It has to taste good.

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Trabel Guide - Crater Ijen - Crater Lake Which Produces Sulfur

Crater Ijen is a crater lake at the top of Mount Ijen, East Java, has a height of 2368 meters above sea level with a depth of 200 meters and the area of the lake crater reached 5466 hectares. Crater Ijen is located in the territory of Nature Reserve Nature Trail Bondowoso, East Java.

When the morning when the sun began to shine crater area, the beautiful scenery you can enjoy the feeling of light appeared from behind trees. Ijen bluish green reflections will be more beautiful with the golden sunlight on the crater. You can also get stunning scenery with the charm of beauty to see the nearby Mount Merapi. Mount Merapi has similarities with the shape of Mount Ijen. The most appropriate time to witness the beauty of Ijen is in the morning.

To reach Ijen, you have to down a path along the caldera cliffs. Do not forget to bring life cover because sometimes the sulfur smoke is blown through the track. You can also surround the caldera in the region that takes time to reach 8 to 10 hours walking.
This crater has a very high acidity level that is close to zero, so that it can dissolve human body quickly. In addition, the temperature of the crater that reached 200 degrees Celsius will add a sense of awe of this huge crater.

One that caught the attention of visitors to the region crater is the presence of traditional sulfur miners. They boldly approached the lake to dig sulfur with simple equipment and then carried by the basket.

This sulfur miners take sulfur from the bottom of the crater. Smoke is thick here, but with the degree necessary equipment such as gloves masks, they are still looking for molten sulfur. Molten sulfur is obtained from the pipe leading source of sulfur-containing volcanic gases. This gas flowed through the pipe and went out in the form of molten sulfur are red. Once frozen sulfur yellow.

Route to the Crater Ijen:

1. Banyuwangi
This route is more difficult to pass due to poor road conditions. Commonly used by climbers for climbing route of Mount Ijen. From Banyuwangi to the Licin District. From Licin headed to Jambu then to Patulding. From Patulding you walk through the trail and the caldera cliff as far as 2 kilometers to the crater.

2. Bondowoso
This route is easier to pass because the road conditions are good and relatively smooth. From Bondowoso toward Wonosari, then to Sempol and finally to Patulding. From Patulding you walk through the trail and the caldera cliff as far as 2 kilometers to the crater. This route through the scenery of coffee trees and charming pine forest.

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Travel Guide - Visiting America

I have to start my US posts with one admission - That I was never fascinated with America and anything American, barring of course Robert Frost . This country was not in my top 10 wishlist nor was I ever tempted to study/live there or marry someone with a US tag.For someone like me who was always interested in culture,history and literature besides natural wonders, Europe held greater fascination .

However when I got the opportunity to travel around US , I decided to go with an open mind .I wanted to explore the country as a tourist/traveller and I must admit that I liked what I saw. If possible, I would even like to return - but only as a visitor. Nevertheless the trip has been great and I must say that its not just the place, but the many people we met - from friends, family to perfect strangers who made the trip happen for me. And so, here is my perspective on America which is not going to be a travelogue featuring destinations, but it will be a random expression of my thoughts and experiences in the country.


Battery Park - Manhattan

Normally we all wear the garb of a tourist when we visit a place . We usually have a short span of time, less money and a list of must see places and we run from one place to another taking pictures and buying souvenirs.Time means money and we do not want to waste even a moment hanging around anywhere. Sometimes, we call ourselves travellers and we seek to experience a place, its culture, meet people and go to off beat places. The travellers tend to look down on the tourists as they walk around with a bit of a swagger and a knowledable air about them. And then of course comes the vagabond, who has absolutely no agenda and who just wanders soaking in everything and letting the place and people get under his skin.

In this trip, I have been all of the above . There have been days when Ive played the perfect tourist to the hilt,especially when I did a whirlwind trip of the west coast and bought more souvenirs than chocolates.Sometimes I was the traveller with a swagger . For instance there was an American lady from New Jersey who asked my help to buy her a train ticket to New York from the automated machine . She said that in all her three decades of living in Jersey, she had never bought a ticket to go to New York and she got dropped there by car. She asked me how long I had been here as she assumed like many other Indians I was living here. I told her I was barely three days old in US.


Pier 39 - SFO

And then for many days, I enjoyed being the vagabond ,walking around Manhattan and Central Park, listening to some amazing music on the streets of NYC and SFO, looking at birds and squirrels at parks or watching people and their antics . And needless to say the best experience was in being a vagabond. I am glad I had a busy husband at work while I roamed around ( although I cribbed about him dragging me off early morning and dumping me at a museum or in some subway. ) I hardly saw many tourists in NYC except near the site of the twin tower and the bull at Wall Street. The crowds that filled NYC on weekends were mainly locals and people who came in from neighbouring towns and states.

A hoarding at Times Square

To give you a basic update - I spent little less than a month in US and explored NYC for almost a fortnight . And then we took a ten day holiday to do a whirlwind trip of the other coast. But the streets of New York have left a lasting impression in my mind. The skyline and the statues, the museums and the shows have of course been captured in photographs, but what stays in my mind is the energy, the music and the efficient but dirty subways (Just happenned to see Taking of Pelham 123 in the flight before I landed in the US and I felt like I reliving the movie while travelling through them ) The heart of any city lies in its public transport and while the subway routes are rather confusing for a visitor, I had learnt the difference between an Uptown and a Downtown train before I left.

Most of US that I saw is indeed man made and this is probably one of the reasons that I was never really excited initially to spend loads of moneys to see tall skyscrapers and never ending bridges. I had never been a fan of big cities except Bombay , but here I literally had to eat my words. Man made here means scale and scale is well, beyond words. And the experience of walking down the Brooklyn Bridge or the Golden gate or seeing the lights of Manhattan coming up from an evening ferry or watching the skyline from the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building may be considered touristy , but the infrastructure and scale here makes you wonder whether everything is just about money or good foresight and planning.


Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry

Ive had many conversations with friends, bloggers and strangers on the American way of India, racism, Obama, recession, emotional security, children and of course travelling. I would save these for another post. While there are so many memories and thoughts that are pouring out, there are a few I would definitely like to forget - The immigration interview for instance and the paranoid security at airports.

Its 4.45 am India time now and even after 3 days, my jet lag continues. I will go back and catch another 40 winks , before morning dawns .

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World Cup 2010 - Travel Guide

Heading to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup? In the first of a two-part series, read our insider’s guide to each of the host cities to get the most out of your trip.

Durban

Misconception: Surf city is the country's sleepiest city.

Word on the street: Durban's pace may be laid-back but you'll have to move fast to catch the best waves at 0500. Of South Africa's three major cities, Durban is perhaps the most multicultural and has spawned some of the country's best talent - look out for names like designer Amanda Laird Cherry and singers Busi Mhlongo, and Nibs van der Spuy.

Before kick off: The Elephant and Castle on bustling Florida Road and Jack Rabbit's in Morningside offer approximations of an English local, but for something more urbane, try Bean Bag Bohemia and the Beach Café on the beachfront. Spiga d'Oro is the go-to for late-night pasta and pizza. Little Gujarat and Palki restaurants celebrate Durban's Indian hertiage.

The final whistle: The Rainbow Jazz Restaurant is a Durban institution but expect simple tables and quarts of beer. Do swim in the Indian Ocean: the best beaches are to the north (Umhlanga) and south (Scottburgh) of the city. Further afield, the Midlands Meander, an extensive arts and craft's route, makes a pleasant day or overnight trip.

Red card: Avoid Point Road at night. Be circumspect about beachfront hotels; big names are good, but others, generally set back from the beach, have been sliding downhill since the 1980s.

Insider tip: uShaka Marine World is home to one of the five largest aquariums in the world; watch the harbour workings over a drink from the deck of the BAT Centre.

Durban Stadium

Port Elizabeth

Misconception: A windy city in an industrial wasteland.

Word on the street: It's true that sand might whip your legs when the wind picks up on PE's excellent beaches but renowned Eastern Cape hospitality makes this place a friendly city.

Before kick off: There's not much permanently established around the stadium, so best to do your drinking around Summerstrand and Humewood, a 10-minute taxi ride away. Summerstrand's Boardwalk complex opposite the pier offers a casino, shopping and amusements for the kids. 34°South and 78 Restaurant and Bar dish up excellent fusion and seafood, while the Blue Waters Café hits the spot for cocktails.

The final whistle: Head out of town for a few days to Addo Elephant Park, enjoy outdoor adventures in the Sunday's River Valley and do the 8km (5-mile) Sacramento Trail at Sardinia Bay. Excellent surf spots - Jeffrey's bay, St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis - are an hour away on the N2 motorway. See the working fishing harbour at Port St Francis.

Red card: Steer clear of Happy Valley and other open park areas, particularly at night.

Insider tip: Walk on Shark Rock Pier and enjoy sundowners at any of the nearby pubs. Swim at Humewood and King's Beach and entertain the kids at nearby Bayworld, an oceanarium, snake park and cultural museum.

Port Elizabeth Stadium

Cape Town

Misconception: Snobbish locals in this most European of African cities pretend they don't belong to the rest of country.

Word on the street: People in queues will lend you money if you're a few rand short. Cape Town is known affectionately as Slaapstad (Sleepy Town), a play on the Afrikaans name Kaapstad.

Before kick off: Fill up at the 24-hour McDonalds opposite the stadium, which was rebuilt specifically for the World Cup. Stop at Den Anker at the Waterfront for delicious Belgian beer and chips, or try any of the bars in nearby Greenpoint.

The final whistle: Buy the makings of a picnic at the Porter Estate Produce Market on every Saturday morning at the Chrysalis Academy behind the Tokai Forest picnic area. Don't miss the Hoerikwaggo Trail, a five-night, six-day 100km (62-mile) hike from Cape Town to Cape Point.

Red card: Don't walk up Table Mountain alone or without the proper clothing and supplies - it's more dangerous than it looks. Avoid most places in Long Street. Although it's one of the city's oldest streets bristling with shops, cafés and restaurants, it is overrated.

Insider tip: Milnerton beaches are pristine and deserted; Ashton's Restaurant at Greenways Hotel is just as good as the food at the famed Mount Nelson Hotel (or Nelly to locals) but minus the snootiness; you can use the Table Mountain cable car for free on your birthday - take ID to prove it.

Johannesburg Sky Crapper

Johannesburg

Misconception: An unsightly and dangerous urban sprawl of mine dumps, shopping malls and housing complexes so secure they rival Fort Knox.

Word on the street: Extremely social city in which a counter street culture is developing alongside improved anti-crime measures. It is also the world's largest man-made urban forest, thanks to a city-wide tree planting initiative.

Before kick-off: As Jozi (as it's known to locals) is spread out, it's best to eat before you head off to a match. Parktown, Parkview, Greenside and Melrose Arch have a thriving pavement culture and a host of excellent restaurants and bars. Try Moyo, Gramadoelas and Sophiatown for unrivalled new-African cuisine.

The final whistle: Tour Soweto, passing through Vilakazi Street, once home to Nobel prize winners Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Catch up on South African history at the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. Visit the Rosebank Mall rooftop craft market. Escape to the country on the Crocodile Ramble, an area offering adventure activities, arts and crafts plus spa hotels, or watch the sun rise over the Magaliesberg mountains on a hot air balloon safari.

Red card: Avoid ubiquitous shopping malls; be sensible but not paranoid about security - lock car doors, be discreet with expensive equipment and hold on to your handbag.

Insider tip: Admire the Joburg skyline while sipping a cocktail at Sky Bar in the Holiday Inn Sandton-Rivonia Road - it's the closest you'll get to New York in Africa. Take high tea at the Westcliff Hotel.

Bloemfontein Stadium

Bloemfontein

Misconception: Culturally and topographically flat.

Word on the street: Bloemfontein is built on a series of hills, is home to a thriving arts scene and is central to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Before kick-off: Have a pint at The Mystic Boer, the home of South Africa's alternative Afrikaans rock scene. Most pubs and restaurants, like Beef Baron and Barbas Café, are situated around Westdene; many are franchises, however.

The final whistle: Drive up to the game reserve on Naval Hill in the centre of the city, stopping at the Orchid House, named after its huge collection of flowers, en route. Drive 90 minutes to Kimberley and re-live the diamond rush where the Big Hole, a gigantic, hand-dug crater, is part of the open-air Kimberley Mine Museum.

Red card: As Bloemfontein is an arid city, don't get excited about the Waterfront, which has been described as a "glorified cesspool".

Insider tip: Visit the National Women's Memorial, a memorial to the 27,000 Boer/Afrikaner women and children who died in British concentration camps during the second Anglo-Boer War. Previously unpublished Boer photographs have just been released.

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Travel guide - 12 Tips for Thriving on a South African Safari

1. Layers, layers, layers: Even though temperatures can easily hit over 90 degrees during the summer and 80 degrees in the winter, they can drop to the 40's and 50's in the mornings and evenings. Layering a warm jacket or sweater over T-shirts and tanks can help you keep warm on morning and evening safaris.

2. Consult with your family doctor: Immunization shots for tetanus and yellow fever as well as malaria pills are insisted upon, particularly if your lodge is in a malaria area. Guests traveling to a game reserve like Shamwari on the Eastern Cape of South Africa are in a malaria-free zone.

3. Check your passport: Visiting South Africa requires two completely empty pages in your passport alongside each other. Avid globe-trotters can add additional pages to their passport for a nominal fee.

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Travel Guide - Visiting Vienna Austria

vienna catedral

The origins of the word Osterreich (eastern empire, or eastern realm), stretch back over a thousand years to the era when the Austrian lands were joined to the Holy Roman Empire. In AD 966, a document marked the existence of the Ostarrichi domains.

Austrian power on the world stage reached its zenith under the Habsburg dynasty, who reigned from 1298 to 1918. The Habsburgs really got into their stride in the sixteenth century, and the defeat of the Turks at the gates of Vienna in 1683 saved Austria from disaster.

Austria remained a major player on the world stage, with the Habsburgs piecing together a vast swathe of Central Europe. Vienna provided the location for the famed Congress of 1814-15, when the kings, dukes and princes of Europe tried to undo the changes that Napoleon had created. However, in the age of rising nationalism, the Habsburgs struggled to keep their Empire under control - concessions to the Hungarians, Poles and fellow nations were introduced.

After losing the First World War, Austria was divided up amidst the clamour for independence of the nation states. The Austrians voted to be joined to Germany, but the Allies declined, wary of a swift return to power. The 20's and 30's were a trying era, and Austria was ultimately absorbed into Hitler's German Reich in 1938. Hence followed one of the blackest periods in Austria's history.

After the Second World War, Austria was temporarily administered by the Allies, with Vienna itself divided into French, Russian, English and American zones. However, fortune turned in Austria's favour and the country was not subjected to long-term Soviet, or indeed any other other form of foreign rule. In 1955, the Allies agreed for a withdrawal and the Republic of Austria was declared.

Today, Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in the European Union, with a high standard of living. It is a land-locked country, bordered - following the arm of the clock - by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany. Austria's landscapes endure as amongst the country's leading attractions, and the Austrian stretch of the Alps remains a favourite with skiers. Politically, the country has been a democracy since 1955, but it has not all been plane-sailing. Waldheim's late 80's presidency sparked controversy, whilst the Far Right caused a rumpus in 1999 when they gained 27.2 per cent of the vote. In 2006, the socialists returned to power, with the Far Right vote shrinking to 15%. However, as a democracy, Austria's post-war Human Rights record remains impeccable.

ais vienna pictures
ais vienna picture
vienna statue
vienna congress
vienna travel
vienna streets
vienna old

vienna beautiful city in Europe
vienna pictures
vienna images
vienna austria
vienna stowaway
vienna city hall
vienna city
vienna nightshot
vienna photos
vienna destination
vienna schonbrun place
vienna cruises
viennaStaatsoper
vienna images
vienna hofburg
vienna tourism
vienna city road
vienna and budapest

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Travel guide - Visiting Tokyo

The history of the city of Tokyo stretches back some 400 years. Originally named Edo, the city started to flourish after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa Shogunate here in 1603. As the center of politics and culture in Japan, Edo grew into a huge city with a population of over a million by the mid-eighteenth century. Throughout this time, the Emperor resided in Kyoto, which was the formal capital of the nation. The Edo Period lasted for nearly 260 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and imperial rule was restored. The Emperor moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo. Thus, Tokyo became the capital of Japan.

Japan’s most famous district is not famous for nothing! Tokyo is an exhilarating experience! With 33.5 million people just in Tokyo alone, the area is bustling with life and practically pulsating in energy! In Tokyo you can find both energy and solace. Shinto shrines adorn towering skyscrapers and give a sense of zen in the middle of all the noise. The traditional and modern coexist in perfect harmony.

tokyo street lights

A crossing in Ginza (Tokyo), on a sunday afternoon, while the car are not allowed.

tokyo shinjuku

tokyo evening

tokyo at night

Dusk Tokyo Japan

projects on The Road tokyo

tokyo tower japan

tokyo summerland packed wave pool

view from tokyo tower

tokyo odaiba

tokyo police club inside

tokyo japan beautiful roads

when usa was attack on japan

tokyo

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