Bangkok : Tourists Attractions

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Bangkok is a major city of Thailand and is very popular among the tourists because of its extravagant palaces and pagodas. It has proved itself as a tourist friendly and lively city because of its travel destinations and must see attractions. There are a lot of places to see in Bangkok but here I am going to describe some of its major tourist’s attractions.

Grand Palace

Grand Palace is one of the most gorgeous buildings of Bangkok. It is located on the eastern bank of Chao Phraya River. The palace is built in such a way that it combines both traditional Thai architecture and European designs. It was once the official home for the kings of Siam but now it is the major tourists’ destination in Thailand. This palace is still in the use of King where ritual occasions are held. The most beautiful attractions within the palace include Royal Funeral Hall and Royal Coronation Hall. Another main attraction is the 45 centimeters Emerald Buddha. It is considered as the most religious object in whole Thailand. It is very beautifully engraved from one piece of Jade.

Dusit Zoo

This zoo is located in the heart of Bangkok and attracts thousands of visitors every year. It was previously a botanical garden for King Rama (five) but now it has become one of the most popular family attractions. The zoo contains a large collection of different animals including 300 mammals. Its specialty is 1000 exotic birds. The animals which you will find here include monkeys, elephants, rhinos, crocodiles and some rare animals. It is one of the most visited places of Bangkok and becomes crowded by the people on weekends.

Lumpini Park

It is the largest and most popular park in Bangkok having entrance gates on all sides. In this park, lawns, wooded areas and beautiful walking paths surround an artificial lake. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning. At this time, you will see a lot of people doing exercise in the park. At the lake, you can also take rowing boats and puddle boats on rent and have a wonderful experience. Along the gates of the park, many vendors have arranged their tables to distribute fresh snake blood and bile which are considered good for health. In this park, some facilities are also provided for the people who come here for picnic. These facilities include snack bar, tables and chairs and rest rooms. There are also some tables where Chinese tea is served by ladies.

Bangkok, recommended to visit:
National Museum, Palace Vimanmek, floating markets, the house of Jim Thompson, Chatuchak Market, Lumpini Park, the Zoo Dusit, Rose Garden, Forest Samphran, Wat Arun, Siam Park (aquatic park).

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Anguilla Caribbean Island

Monday, December 19, 2011

While Anguilla is really little more than a coral and limestone base covered with rock, scrub brush and the occasional salt pond, we think you’ll be more than pleased with the end results. Here, huge expanses of fine white sands and turquoise waters blend for an experience that has earned Anguilla – and all 33 of its pristine beaches – a spot among the world’s best. If that’s still not enough to tide you over on your Caribbean vacation, we suggest a bit of day tripping – or island hopping – as it’s more commonly called. Anguilla’s main gateways include two of our other Top 10 Caribbean Islands picks, so we’re not bluffing when we tell you to leave Anguilla in favor of not-so-far-off sands and waters.

While Anguilla is delightful across the board, there are a few places we’d be remiss not to mention. The lagoon-like Dropsey Bay boasts the sheltered waters required for snorkeling and SCUBA diving. And Mead’s Bay, one of Anguilla’s most populated sand expanses, is ripe with opportunities to swim, sunbathe and socialize on your Caribbean island vacation.

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Malaysia Beaches

Malaysia has some fabulous beaches owned and maintained by top resorts of the country. The beaches have modern and sophisticated facilities to attract tourists from all over the world. You can see tropical wild life located in the vicinity of the beaches. Malyasian beaches are safe and relatively crime-free especially for the women. The mouth-watering local cuisines are an added attraction. The country is hot and humid whole year so best time to visit is in winter months. The high humidity level can be very tiring so take plenty of cool drinks along to prevent dehydration.
Listed below are some of the top beaches of Malaysia.

• Datai Beach,Langkawi Island
• Long Beach
• Pantai Teluk Belanga
• Redang Island
• Tioman Island
• Turtle Beach & Golden Beach

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Thean Hou Buddhist Temple

This is one of the largest Chinese temples in South-East Asia and is located on top of Robson Hill. This temple belongs to the Malaysian Chinese community in Malaysia and public donations made it possible to open the temple in 1989.

The property belongs to and is run by the Selangor and Federal Territory Hainan Association (Persatuan Hainan Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan). This temple, built by the Hainanese community living in Kuala Lumpur is dedicated to Goddess Tian Hou (The Heavenly Mother).

Thean Hou temple was constructed between 1981 and 1987 at a cost of approximately 7 million Ringgit.

The installation dates of the Goddesses are as follows:
16 November 1985 - Tian Hou
19 October 1986 - Guan Yin
16 November 1986 - Shui Wei Sheng Niang

The temple was officially opened on 3 September 1989

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Kaula Lampur Butterfly Park

The Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park houses more than 6,000 butterflies from 120 exotic species. The park is an imitation of the butterfly’s natural habitat. It includes more than 15,000 plants from 100 species that has been painstakingly landscaped to resemble a Malaysia rainforest atmosphere.

Contributing to the Butterfly Park’s beautiful landscape is a uniquely designed hydro-pond built with a limestone path right in the centre. Surrounding this hydro-pond is a gazebo, commanding a breathtaking view.

Open: 9am – 6pm (Daily)
Admission: RM5 (Adults), RM1 (Children)

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Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is part of the renowned lushly verdant 60-hectare Lake Gardens. Reputedly one of the largest parks in the world, this sprawling 20-hectare property was opened in 1991 and houses more than 3,000 birds and 200 species from all over the world. Storks and flamingos frolic in the water, finches and thrushes chirp among the trees and owls roost in barns; the tiled walkways are the perfect way to enjoy the sight of these beautiful birds and you can have photographs taken of yourself with the eagles and macaws and even feed some of the pelicans.

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Phuket Island, Thailand

Friday, December 16, 2011

Phuket Province, the largest island of Thailand, is one of the most visits earth.Bali connected to the mainland by a bridge of absolute natural dreamlike.You may even feel like a new look at places like in your dream before. Phuket is also known as the home of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Some hotels in Phuket have been measured regularly in the top 10 hotels on earth and this is clearly an ornament to Thailand.It really a “must see” place for sun seekers, adventurers, divers, beach lovers , surfers … Besides Phuket, there are famous tourist destinations of Thailand worl more like Bangkok and Pattaya.




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Bali Island

country : Indonesia
place : east of Java island
The Island of Bali in Indonesia is an Ultimate Island and a perfect holiday destination for people who are seeking adventure and a totally relaxing moment. Bali has earned itself a long string of plaudits, including the “Morning of the World,” “Island of the Gods” and the “Last Paradise on Earth.” Although it has undergone much development, most of the island still deserves those appellations. Its natural beauty, the colorful Balinese Hindu festivals and the friendliness of the people lure vacationers here again and again. The Bali Island is the most popular and world renowned vacation paradise in Indonesia since year after year, this island is voted by the readers of all major travel magazines. The Island of Bali is most enchanting and amazing travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

The Island of Bali in Jakarta Indonesia offers a wide range of attraction to tourist, visitors and adventure seekers. This island is highly regarded by tourist and visitors as the “Ultimate Island” because of its physical beauty and the climate is very pleasant all year-round. This perfect island holiday destination is also offering various and different customs to tourist. The Island of Bali has many amusements available for visitors and tourist. There are also many inland and offshore attractions. But there are also many attractions that rise every now and then because of the number of tourist and visitors that want them. Tourist especially Americans, Europeans and Australians like to be here in this tropical island of Bali because of the unique blend of modern facilities combined with traditional of past heritage.


Beautiful Beaches and Lakes
The Island of Bali is blessed with world class white sand beautiful beaches and beautiful nature. The endless sand beaches enveloped most of Bali’s shores where silvery waves. The beaches of The Island of Bali are amazing and magnificent. From the stretch of sand in Kuta, fenced far in the South by the runway of Denpasar International Airport; the peaceful elegance of Nusa Dua; the mysterious quietness and somberness of Candidasa, as a temple dedicated to the sea goddess submerges; to the spectacular sunsets of Lovina in the North. Since we are speaking of beaches, there is one attraction that the beaches of Bali that attracts most to the adventurers and especially the surfers, the waves. The Tropical Island of Bali is one of the beat surfing destination in the world. Experienced surfers around the world come here to Bali Island to challenge the great and wildest waves. Not only the sea that gives attraction in Bali Island but also Lakes. There are four lakes in Bali. Lake Batur, the old crater of Mount Batur, is the largest. Kintamani offers an excellent panoramic view of the lake, and the lake itself effectively fences in the Bali Aga people in Trunyan. Lake Bratan, the second largest, is near the town of Bedugul. Lake Buyan and Lake Temblingan are also near.

Popular Attractions in Bali Island
Here are some of the attraction is the Tropical Island of Bali that is worth visiting for such as Tanah Lot, Lovina, Klungkung Royal Palace, Pura Besakih, Taman Burung Bali (Bali Bird Park), Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Uluwatu, Waterbom Park & Spa, Gunung Agung (Mount Agung) and Museum Semarajaya.

Climate
Bali has a climate that is tropical all year. The average temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. There are dry and wet seasons -dry from April to September and wet from October to March- but it can rain at any time of year and even during the wet season rain is likely to pass quickly. In general May to August are the best months in Bali. At that time of year the climate is likely to be cooler and the rains lightest. Around the coast, sea breezes temper the heat and as we move inland we also move up so the altitude works to keep things cool. It can get very cool up in the highlands and a warm sweater can be a good idea in mountain villages like Kintamani or Bedugul.

Population
With 2.5 million people, Bali is a very densely populated island. The population is almost all Indonesian, with the usual small Chinese contingent in the big towns, a sprinkling of Indian merchants, plus a number of more or less permanent visitors amongst the Westerners in Bali.

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Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner

Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner
The beautiful city is dotted with the some of the most exotic monuments that adorns the beauty of the city that is centuries old. The city is known for its numerous forts and palaces that narrate the story of princely legacy of the state. The Forts and Palaces in Bikaner in India are one of the major attractive propositions of the city that allures the tourists to the city. One such marvelous creation of the city that has been the cornerstone of attraction of the city is the Lalgarh Place, Bikaner.

On the outskirts of the city, this imposing red sandstone palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, in commemoration of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. This oriental fantasy designed by Sir Swinton Jacob is among the purest forms of Rajput palaces, with a fine blend of an oriental facade and an occidental interior.
Bikaner Lalgarh Palace is a unique blend of Rajput, Mughal and European architecture on the outside. At the same time, the interior of the palace has a touch of oriental architecture. Adorning the palace is some fascinating latticework and filigree work.
The intricate dextrous carving on the red sand stone is a hallmark of great craftsmanship. The palace treasures a marvelous collection of old photographs and hunting trophies, well preserved and exhibited. The lush sprawling lawns with dancing peacocks and beautiful bougainvillea adorn the palace.

Adding to the magnificence of the palace are its terraced lawns the Bougainvillea bushes. The Palace also houses a rich collection of well-preserved paintings, hunting trophies and old photographs.
A part of the palace has been converted in to a hotel and one part houses a museum called Sri Sadul Museum.
The museum, displaying an amazing collection of miniature paintings, manuscripts, weaponry and even a World War I bi-plane. Also a part of the museum is a unique collection of books, photographs, manuscripts and albums dating back to the old times.
There is also a library in the Lal Garh Palace of Rajasthan. It is believed that the library has the largest collection of original Sanskrit manuscripts on parchments, copper and gold and silver plaques.

Visiting Hourse: 1000 - 1700 on all weekdays except on Sunday.
Entry Fee: Rs. 5/- per head (Wednesday closed)

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Meherangarh Fort, Jodhpur

One of the largest forts in India, the Meherangarh fort is the pride of Jodhpur. Situated on a 150 m high hill, this magnificent fort was founded in the year 1469 by Rao Jodha. The fort has seven gates, some of which still stand as a witness to the battles fought by the armies of Jodhpur.

Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons. Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun, for truly, it is one of the most impressive in all Rajasthan. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it the work of giants. Today, it is acknowledged as the finest living example of a Hindu fortress.
The fort houses a number of palaces inside, with extensive patios. The main palaces are Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Takht Vilas and Jhanki Mahal. A museum also finds a place inside the fort, displaying a rich collection of old royal palanquins, arms, paintings, costumes, etc. There are also a number of galleries and temples inside the fort.
The other major palaces in Meherangarh fort are the Sheesh Mahal and the Rang Mahal. Sheesh Mahal or Mirror Palace as the name suggests is resplendent with mirrors. Although not in the same league as the Sheesh Mahals you will find in Bikaner and Amber, but it is still worth a look. The highlight of the palace are the wall paintings you will find of various Hindu deities. The most exquisite pictures are the ones depicting Krishna, Shiva, Parvati, Rama, Sita, hanuman, Ganesh, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga. The Rang Mahal too is laced with mirrors and ornamented with fine mirror work.

Some of the famous Temples of the Meherangarh fort in Jodhpur are:

* Nagnechiji Temple: To the extreme right of the fort complex is located the Nagnechiji temple, the family temple of the Rathore dynasty. The Nagnechiji idol was brought to Marwar in the early 14th century by Rao Dhuhad, and after Meherangarh was constructed the idol was placed there.

* Chamunda Devi Temple: Adjacent to it is a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, called the Chamunda Devi Temple. The idol of Durga was brought by Rao Jodha (the founder of Jodhpur) himself, but it was destroyed in a gunpowder explosion in 1857. It was reconstructed by Takhat Singh who reigned between the years 1843 and 1873.

The precincts of the fort house two tanks as well, which was the main source of water to the residents of the complex. The Gulab Sagar or Rose-Water Sea is the larger of the two and situated to the south of the complex. The other tank is called the Rani Talao or Queens Lake which, as the name suggests reserved for the ladies of the zenana (royal ladies).

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The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal
country : India
place : Agra, south-west of Delhi

The most beautiful building in the world. In 1631 the emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz, who died in childbirth. The white marble mausoleum at Agra has become the monument of a man's love for a woman.

Shah Jahan came to power in 1622 when he seized the throne from his father, while murdering his brothers to ensure his claim to rule. He was known as an extravagant and cruel leader. But he redeemed himself by his generosity to his friends and the poor, by his passion in adorning India with some of its most beautiful architecture, and by his devotion to his wife Mumtaz Mahal - "Ornament of the Palace." He had married her when he was 21, when he already had two children by an earlier consort. Mumtaz gave her husband 14 children in eighteen years, and died at the age of 39 during the birth of the final child. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a monument to her memory and her fertility, but then relapsed into a life of scandalous behavior. This tomb was only one of hundreds of beautiful buildings that Shah Jahan erected, mostly at Agra and in the new Dehli that came into being under his planning.

Many architects have rated it as the most perfect of all buildings standing on earth. Three artists designed it: a Persian, an Italian, and a Frenchman. But the design is completely Mohammedan. Even the skilled artisans who built it were brought in from Baghdad, Constantinople, and other centers of the Muslim faith. For 22 years more than 20,000 workmen were forced to build the Taj. The Maharaja of Jaipur sent the marble as a gift to Shah Jahan. The building and its surroundings cost more than $200,000,000 in todays currency.


Passing through a high wall, one comes suddently upon the Taj - raised upon a marble platform, and framed on either side by handsome mosques and stately minarets. In the foreground spacious gardens enclose a pool in whose waters the inverted palace becomes a quivering dream. Every portion of the structure is of white marble, precious metals, or costly stones. The building is a complex figure of twelve sides, four of which are portals. A slender minaret rises at each corner, and the roof is a massive spired dome. The main entrance, once guarded with solid silver gates, is a maze of marble embroidery; inlaid in the wall in jeweled script are qotations from the Koran, one of which invites the "pure in heart" to enter "the gardens of Paradise."

Shah Jahan had begun his reign by killing his brothers; but he had neglected to kill his sons, one of whom was destined to overthrow him. In 1657 his son Aurangzeb led an insurrection from the Deccan. Aurangzeb defeated all the forces sent against him, captured his father, and imprisoned him in the Fort of Agra. For 9 bitter years the deposed emperor lingered there, never visited by his son, attended only by his faithful daughter Jahanara, and spending his days looking from the Jasmine Tower of his prison across the Jumna to where his once-beloved Mumtaz lay in her jeweled tomb.
The new emperor Aurangzeb was a more pious Muslim than his father Shah Jahan had been. He memorized the entire Koran, spent days in fasts, and campaigned against infidelity. He cared little for luxuries, but, paradoxically, gave the world one of its most perfect works of art: a marble screen inside the Taj Mahal. Native and European thieves robbed the tomb of its abundant jewels, and of the gold railing, encrusted with precious stones, that once enclosed the sarcophagi of Shah Jahan and his Queen. Aurangzeb replaced the railing with an octagonal screen of almost transparent marble, carved into a miracle of alabaster lace. Few products of human art have ever surpassed the beauty of this screen.

From afar the Taj Mahal, with its delicate details, is not imposing. Only a nearer view reveals that its perfection has no proportion to its size. When in our hurried times, we see enormous structures of a hundred stories raised in a year, and then consider how 20,000 men worked for 22 years on this little tomb, hardly a hundred feet high, we begin to sense the difference between industry and art. And perhaps more importantly, we sense the ultimate lesson it offers: beauty and that which lasts, is based on love.

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Beautiful Aihole Temple District of Karnataka, India

Aihole is a temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It is a very popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. Aihole is to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both.
Early inscriptions call this town Aryapura and Arya-vole. According to hindu mythology Aihole is the place were parshuram washed his axe after killing Kshathriya’s. He saw a pond(Hole in Kannada) with exclamation he called it as “Ayyo Hole” thus the name Aihole came to existance since from then. Aihole has its own historical significance and is called as cradle of Hindu rock architecture. Many temples and caves of historical importance can be found at Aihole.

Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas. Here they built over 125 temples in various styles and is said to be a laboratory of experiments in rock cut architecture. Aihole, was the cradle of ancient Hindu temple architecture. It has more than 70 temples. The experimentation with different styles was undertaken by the artisans. The artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock cut shrines. The artisans graduated to the full fledged Chalukya style of architecture.

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