Tuesday, June 24, 2008

India, and the Golden Triangle


India, officially the Republic of India is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometers (4,671 mi). It is bordered by Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.

Home to the Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history. Four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated there, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and shaped the region's diverse culture. Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early eighteenth century and colonised by the United Kingdom from the mid-nineteenth century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by widespread nonviolent resistance.

India is a republic consisting of 28 states and seven union territories with a parliamentary system of democracy. It has the world's twelfth largest economy at market exchange rates and the fourth largest in purchasing power. Economic reforms since 1991 have transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies; however, it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition. A pluralistic, multilingual, and multiethnic society, India is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.


Friday, May 2, 2008

Metropolitan of London , The city of Westminster and City of London

London Tower Bridge crossover Thames

Houses of Parliament by night
The City of Westminster is a borough of London with city status. It is located west of the City of London and north of the River Thames, and forms part of Inner London and the bulk of London's central area. The city contains most of London's West End and is the seat of the United Kingdom's government, with the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, and the Royal Courts of Justice.
In 1965 the London borough was created from the former area of the Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone, the Metropolitan Borough of Paddington and the smaller City of Westminster. It covers a far greater area than the original settlement of Westminster.

The City of London is a geographically small city within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which, along with Westminster, the modern conurbation grew. The City’s boundaries have remained almost constant since the Middle Ages, and hence it is now only a tiny part of the much larger London metropolis. It is often referred to as the City or the Square Mile, as it is almost one square mile (2.6 km²) in area. These terms are also often used as metonyms for the United Kingdom's financial services industry, which is principally based there.

In the medieval period the City was the full extent of London, and distinct from the nearby but separate settlement of Westminster, which became the City of Westminster. The term London now refers to a much larger conurbation containing both cities. The City of London is still part of London's city centre, but most of London's metropolitan functions apart from financial services are centred on the West End. The City is today a major business and financial centre, ranking on a par with New York City as the leading centre of global finance. The City has a resident population of under 10,000, whilst it employs 340,000 professional workers, mainly in the financial sector, making the area's transport system extremely busy during peak times. It is known as the richest square mile in the world.


Dc in Westminster Abbey


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

HCMC, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. Under the name Prey Nokor it was the main port of Cambodia, before being annexed by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent state of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. In 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding province of Gia Định and was officially renamed Hồ Chí Minh City (although the name Sài Gòn - formally known as District 1 - is still commonly used.
The city center is situated on the banks of the Saigon River, 60 kilometers (37 mi) from the South China Sea and 1,760 kilometers (1,094 mi) south of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

The metropolitan area, which consists of Hồ Chí Minh City metro area, Thủ Dầu Một, Di An, Bien Hoa and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9 million people, making it the most populous metropolitan area in Vietnam and Indochina. The Greater Ho Chi Minh City Metropolitan Area, a metropolitan area covering most part of Dong Nam Bo plus Tien Giang and Long An provinces under planning will have an area of 30,000 square kilometers with a population of 20 million inhabitants by 2020.



The General Post Office

Notre Dame in Saigon
French Indochina was the part of the French colonial empire in Indochina in southeast Asia. A federation of the three Vietnamese regions, Tonkin, Annam, and Cochinchina, as well as Cambodia, was formed in 1887. Laos was added in 1893. The capital was moved from Saigon to Hanoi in 1902. During World War II, the colony was administered by Vichy France and was under Japanese occupation. Beginning in 1945, Ho Chi Minh led a communist revolt against French rule known as the French Indochina War. An anti-Communist Vietnamese government led by former Emperor Bao Dai was granted independence in 1949. The term of the last French high commissioner for Indochina, Jean Letourneau, expired in April 1953. Following the Geneva Accord of 1954, Ho's group became the government of North Vietnam, although the Bao Dai government continued to rule in the South.


Saturday, March 22, 2008

Sweden, Baltic Sea and The Viking Cruises

On board across Baltic sea (Stockholm - Helsinki)
Viking Line is a Finnish shipping company that operates a fleet of ferries and cruiseferries between Finland, the Åland Islands, Sweden and Estonia. Viking Line shares are quoted on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Viking Line is operated from the Åland Islands.
The Baltic Sea is a brackish inland sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and the Little Belt. The Kattegat continues through Skagerrak into the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Baltic Sea is artificially linked to the White Sea by the White Sea Canal and to the North Sea by the Kiel Canal. The Baltic is bordered on its northern edge by the Gulf of Bothnia, on its northeastern edge by the Gulf of Finland, and on its eastern edge by the Gulf of Riga.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Germany - Stay in the Cuckoo clock House Chalet

Look, its -3c now!
1,2,3 Smile......


The designed of "Chalet" style Cuckoo clock originated at the end of the nineteenth century in Switzerland, at that time they were highly valued as Swiss souvenirs.
There are currently three basic styles, according to the different traditional houses depicted: Black Forest chalet, Swiss chalet (with two types the "Brienz" and the "Emmental") and finally the Bavarian chalet. Commonly found in the latter type of clock, is the incorporation of a Swiss music box, the most popular melodies are "The Happy Wanderer" and "Edelweiss" which sound alternately.

Along with the common projecting cuckoo bird, this style of clock may also display other types of animated figurines as well, examples include woodcutters, moving beer drinkers and turning water wheels. Some "traditional" style cuckoo clocks feature a music box and dancing figurines as well. And today, a real chalet or accommodation is existing in the country for tourist. Come and experience the cozy and comfortable hospitality in the Cuckoo Clock hotel!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Dubai and Suburbs

My little guest with their Arabic costume.

Sunset view over the desert

Desert Safari with 4WD


This off-road Arabian adventure takes you from the bustle of Dubai city to the desert of golden sand dunes. Experience in a luxury 4WD (Toyota Land Cruiser) and reach there in around 45 minutes. Next, the Arabian roller coaster ride known as dune bashing (desert driving) will begin, where you will shriek and laugh with excitement as the car goes up and down the dunes.

As the sun descends into the horizon, we stop to allow you to take sunset photographs, while standing on top of the fading desert dunes. We now head to the campsite where a convoy of camels awaits your arrival for short camel rides. After returning, you can purchase some souvenirs before relaxing on a majlis (low cushions) in traditional Bedouin tents. Enjoy an Arabian BBQ (barbeque/barbecue) buffet dinner and dessert beside a blazing bonfire with traditional cups of coffee and dates, underneath the pitch-black night sky.

You can also get more dressed for the occasion by dressing in traditional Bedouin male or female garments, and also have Henna (temporary tatoo) decorate your hands, legs and feet and smoke flavored sheesha (hubbly-bubbly/water pipe). Before we head back to Dubai, we will be entertained by the dancing of a belly dancer to traditional Arabic music, and you are welcome to join along.





Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Nordic fascinating - Norway

Waterfall near Flam.

Bergen , the 2nd largest city in Norway.

Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. The Bergen Economic Region, as defined by Statistics Norway, had a population of 373,224 as of January 1, 2007.
Bergen is located in the county of Hordaland on the south-western coast of Norway. Its city centre is situated among a group of mountains known as "De syv fjell" (lit. The Seven Mountains), although which mountains these are is a matter of definition. Bergen is an important cultural center in its region and was one of nine European cities honored with the title of European Capital of Culture in 2000.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

North Korea , a place with pure mind.

In the subway which built during 1960s.

Typical Korean cuisine - Ginseng Chicken soup

Dining in the cruise in Pyongyang, DPR Korea.


North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a state in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The border between North Korea and South Korea is called the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The Amnok River is the border between North Korea and China. The Tumen River in the extreme north-east is the border with Russia.
The peninsula was governed by the Korean Empire until it was occupied by Japan following the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. It was divided into Russian and U.S. occupied zones in 1945, following World War II. North Korea refused to participate in a United Nations-supervised election held in the south in 1948. This led to the creation of separate Korean governments for the two occupation zones. Both North and South Korea claim sovereignty over the entire peninsula and both were accepted as members of the UN in 1991.
North Korea is a one party state. The country's government styles itself as following the Juche ideology of self-reliance, developed by Kim Il-sung, the country's former leader. Though nominally a socialist republic, it is widely considered by the outside world to be a de facto totalitarian stalinist dictatorship. The current leader is Kim Jong-il, the late president Kim Il-sung's son. Following a major famine in the early 1990s, due partly to the collapse of the Soviet Union (previously a major economic partner), leader Kim Jong-il instigated the "Military-First" policy in 1995, increasing economic concentration on and support for the military.


In the boundary of North /South Korea , DC and the Imigration Inspector.


Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea, located on the Taedong River. The official population of the city is not disclosed; given as 2,741,260 in 1993, it was reported as 2.5 and 3.8 million in 2002 and 2003 by Chongryon, a pro-North Korean organization in Japan.
The city was split from the South P'yŏngan province in 1946. It is administered as a Directly Governed City (Chikhalsi), on the same level as provincial governments, not a Special City (Teukbyeolsi) as Seoul is in South Korea. Some sources, mostly older and South Korean, refer to P'yŏngyang as a Special City, but it has been reported that even the South Korean government adopted the Directly Governed City terminology in 1994.


Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Burj Arab , Dubai

A magnificent view of high rises view from my room.


DC and the guest.


One of the Suite room in Burj Arab.

Al- Mahara Restaurant, Burj Arab


The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the third tallest building used exclusively as a hotel, after Rose Tower, also in Dubai. However, the structure of the unfinished Ryugyong Hotel is nine meters taller than the Burj Al Arab, and the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), will take away the title upon its opening. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.






Monday, September 17, 2007

Sensation Paris




Bonjour !!
Paris is the capital of France and the country's largest city. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (also known as the "Paris Region"; French: Région parisienne). The city of Paris, within its limits largely unchanged since 1860, has an estimated population of 2,167,994 (January 2006), but the Paris aire urbaine (or metropolitan area) has a population of nearly 12 million, and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe.

An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. According to 2005 estimates, the Paris urban area is Europe's biggest city economy, and is fifth in the world's list of cities by GDP.
Paris and the Paris Region, with €533.6 billion (US$731.3 billion) in 2007, produces more than a quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP) of France. The Paris Region hosts 37 of the Fortune Global 500 companies in several business districts, notably La Défense, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe. Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the informal Paris Club.

Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with 45 million tourists every year in the Paris Region, 60% of whom are foreign visitors. There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions, along with world-famous institutions and popular parks.


Sunday, August 5, 2007

Journey to Oxford - United Kingdom

The Campus of Oxford

Creative related products are everywhere.
The University of Oxford (informally Oxford University, or simply Oxford), located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is also regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions. The name is sometimes abbreviated as Oxon. in post-nominals (from the Latin Oxoniensis), although Oxf is sometimes used in official publications. The University has 38 independent colleges, and 6 permanent private halls.
The university traces its roots back to at least the end of the 12th century, although the exact date of foundation remains unclear. After a dispute between students and townsfolk broke out in 1209, some of the academics at Oxford fled north-east to the town of Cambridge, where the University of Cambridge was founded. The two universities have since had a long history of competition with each other (see Oxbridge rivalry).

The University of Oxford is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the Coimbra Group (a network of leading European universities), the League of European Research Universities, International Alliance of Research Universities and is also a core member of the Europaeum. Academically, Oxford is consistently ranked in the world's top 10 universities. For more than a century, it has served as the home of the Rhodes Scholarship, which brings highly accomplished students from a number of countries to study at Oxford as postgraduates.


Saturday, July 7, 2007

Italy - Rome and The Vatican

Spanish Steps in heart of Rome, enjoy your shopping throughout the afternoon.
Vatican City, a country within a City

The Colosseum.

Bonjourno!!!
Rome is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city, with 2,705,317 residents an urban area of 3,457,690 as well as a metropolitan area of about 4 million inhabitants spread over a 5,352 km² area. It is located in the central-western portion of the Italian peninsula, on the Tiber river.

Rome's history as a city spans over two and a half thousand years, as one of the founding cities of Western Civilisation. Even outside of the history of the Roman Empire, Rome has a significant place in the story of Christianity up to the present day as the home of the Roman Catholic Church. As one of the few major European cities that escaped World War II relatively unscathed, central Rome remains essentially Renaissance and Baroque in character. Rome is the third-most-visited tourist destination in the European Union, and its historic centre of Rome is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Switzerland- Mt Titlis




The Titlis (3,238 m) is a mountain in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is located on the border between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland, overlooking Engelberg (Obwalden) and is famous as the site of the world's first revolving cable car. The cable car system connects Engelberg to the summit of Klein Titlis (3,028 m) through the three stages of Gerschnialp (1,262 m), Trübsee (1,796 m) and Stand (2,428 m).The last part of cable car way leads above the glacier. In Klein Titlis, it is possible to visit a glacier cave.


Sunday, May 27, 2007

Australia - Catch a Crab excursion

From the moment you step on board the specially designed river cruiser you can take part in a range of activities such as feeding pelicans, yabbies pumping, fishing and trapping for crabs.
If you prefer, you can simply sitting back and enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the tranquil and safe Terranora inlet, on the Tweed River.
This tour includes all the equipment for activities, fishing equipment and bait. Also included is morning tea or coffee and biscuits. Whereas our delicious crab lunch is served.
Wish you have a unforgetable 'Catch a Crab' activitiy.


Pelican feeding .
A lovely pair of children accompany.
Capthen is explaining the diffrences of Mud Crabs



Thursday, May 17, 2007

Australia - Spectacular Farm Tour

Stunning beach of a look out of hotel room in Gold Coast

The making of Billy tea in Paradise Country
Kangaroo Feeding.....

Breakfast with the star in MOVIE WORLD, come join us !
Paradise Country's half-day farm tours include a barbeque lunch with live entertainment and bush dancing. Tours without lunch are also available. Admission includes all of the following farm tour activities:
-Billy Tea and Damper around the camp fire
-Small Animal Nursery
-Boomerang Throwing Demonstration
-Whip Cracking Demonstration
-Sheep Dog Muster
-Stock Horse Round-up
-Koala - Optional Koala Cuddling Available
-Kangaroo and Emu Sanctuary
-Sheep Shearing Show and Ram Parade
-Barbeque Lunch...country tucker that will make your mouth water. A choice of steak, chicken or fish served with a buffet of fresh salads and hot accompaniments with fresh seasonal fruit for dessert. Special dietary requirements are also available on request. Whilst enjoying lunch you will be entertained with some Aussie music...you may even like to participate in some bush dancing!