Entering the Land of the Forbidden: Sikkim, India
A far cry form the honking cars, noisy streets and the chaos of everyday life is a place so untouched by modern day life that those wishing to go must take a few extra steps along the paper trail as well as a long and grueling journey through the base of the mighty Himalayan mountains. This place that I speak is known generally as Sikkim but can be broken down much further once you arrive.
Situated amidst mountains, one of the main draws for international travelers to this area is adventure...
November 14th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Destination Overview
Enter the Holy Land, Bago, Burma
Bago is a city and the capital of Bago Division in Burma, which was formerly Pegu. It is located 50 Miles (80 km) from Yangon and is populated with 220,000 people.
Bago has many major attractions in terms of Buddhist statues and temples.
Shwe Tha Lyaung Pagoda, the Golden Reclining Image, is a must-see. It is an enourmous reclining Buddha, 180 feet in length and 52.5 feet in height; one of the largest reclining Buddha images in the world. It is so impressive that a camera must be brought,...
October 27th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Customs & Rituals, Destination Overview
Welcome to Yangon, Burma
Four million people walk the streets of Yangon, also known as Rangoon, the former capital of Burma. An overwhelming city that is full of helping hands, curious smiles, decaying buildings, and beautiful monasteries, and yet still remains to be the largest city in Myanmar.
Whether one comes to Burma for trekking, spiritual indulgence, or volunteer reasons most will begin their journey in Yangon. This is a place to change over money, book tickets to further your journey, and get acquainted with...
October 26th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
Let’s Head South, Thailand
Imagine picturesque waters cradled in the tranquil arms of southwestern Thailand’s most famous beach Island, Kho Phi Phi, where a few bottles of Singha (famous local beer), a swing in a comfortable hammock bartered for at a nearby market and a good long swim with some friendly fish are sure to soothe any woe.
A warm tropical breeze passes over your sun-kissed skin as you gaze out onto the limestone outcrops in the bay. A beam of light shines through onto the sandy shores of the most spectacular...
October 13th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Destination Overview, nature
Happy Home Guest House, Katmandu, Nepal
In the heart of Thamel is a wonderful home called Happy Home Guest House. Operated by a Tibetan staff, this family run guest- house offers a range of rooms to suite any type of budget. Rooms can include satellite TV, hot shower depending on electricity and a twin or double bed.
The very accommodating staff is there to help with booking flights and tickets all the way to finding a trekking company. Happy Home offer free luggage storage, which is wonderful for days or weeks of trekking, rafting,...
October 3rd, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Destination Overview, Sleeping
Just – One, Katmandu, Nepal
“Since 2004 just-one has been working at a grass-roots level in Nepal, both independently and in partnership with local organizations within affected communities, to provide improved access to educational opportunities for disadvantaged children who are otherwise denied such benefits.”
This organization consistently promotes and facilitates educational opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged children in the Katmandu Valley. With these children’s families, and communities, a culturally...
October 1st, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
A Holy Place For All To Experience, Katmandu, Nepal
Standing at some 36 meters high, with prayer flags strewn strategically along the entirety of the Stupas, Bouddhanath truly represents the centre of living Tibetan culture in present day Nepal. People from all walks of life stroll the open-air parameters, as monk’s whiz past you on their manual motorbikes. The ever-familiar “Om Mani Padme Hum” mantra hums out from the various radios plugged into the tiny shop walls, and the incense never seems to go out.
During the start of the 1950’s when...
September 27th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, culture, Customs & Rituals, Destination Overview
A Trekker’s Paradise Tatopani, Nepal
Resting at 1500m above sea level, Tatopani is a trekker’s paradise after a gruelling day of either climbing up or down steep, slippery, uneven steps that seemingly never end.
After crossing two enormous suspension bridges, both of which have rushing water peering out from underneath the missing slats on the bridges walkway, you come to the end, which is in fact just the beginning of your stay in a little piece of heaven.
The sign itself is mounted on a wooden post, and it reads Tatopani with an...
September 23rd, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: adventure, City Review, Destination Overview
Trekking the Mighty Himalayan Mountains, Nepal
Whether you are young or young at heart, a lover of the outdoors or new to the idea of spending time with wilderness, the Himalayan mountain range, stretching across much of Nepal’s norhtern border, has a range of acitivites readily availble to those wiling to take a walk on the wilder side of life.
With trained guides and porters willing to provide their services to you at a reasonable fee (roughly $25US per day), you are sure to be impressed not only by their knowledge of the local landscape...
September 21st, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: adventure, Destination Overview, nature
Take A Walk On The Wild Side, Pokhara, Nepal
Waking up this morning there was a sense of excitement in the pit of my stomach; if the sky were clear of trouble we would get our first crack at paragliding today! Once the call was made to the main flight center in Pokhara, we got our flight time of 10 am, which meant that now we were really going to be jumping feet first off a mountain top today…willingly!
After a short wait, the Blue Sky Paragliding company van pulled up, with a young Nepali man at the wheel, ready to take us to our point of...
September 17th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: adventure, City Review, Destination Overview
It's Worth The Journey To Pokhara, Nepal
Imagine looking out of your bedroom window to see the snow capped Himalayas showing their beauty as the sun slowly begins her steep climb into the morning’s pale blue sky. The air is so clean that you can actually take a deep breath in and enjoy the feeling as you stroll along the edge of Fewa Lake watching as the local fisherman pull in their full nets after another great day of fishing. The town itself is dusted with endless guesthouses, all eager to share their warm Nepali hospitality with...
September 15th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
Monkey Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
The city of Kathmandu is dusted with temples, predominantly those of Hindi and Buddhist faiths, and have been drawing in foreign and local crowds for years with an open door policy. No matter your background or belief, these sacred places of worship are welcoming to all.
After having summited a steep climb of some 500 steps, the Swayambhunath Stupa or monkey temple as referred to locally, reveals it’s golden tip. The holy shrine adopted the name of monkey temple as there are a number of monkeys...
September 12th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: culture, Destination Overview
Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal
Nestled within the rolling hills and snow-peaked tops of the might Himalayan mountains, Kathmandu is Nepal’s largest metropolitan region and the stepping stone to the country’s outdoor playground waiting to be explored. Thamel, infamously known as being the traveller’s ghetto in the city, is somewhat of a maze with it’s narrow streets filled with cookie cutter shops and stalls all offering up the latest and greatest in knock-off outdoor clothing and gear.
Once the city lights...
September 11th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India
The Sunderbans Tiger Reserve and National Park in India is one of the world’s largest Delta and mangrove regions, consisting of an archipelago of some 54 islands and a plethora of flora, fauna and wildlife species, stretching across some 2,500 square km. It is here where the waters of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and the Bay of Bengal meet.
One of the most appealing attractions of India’s Sunderbans is the National Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, where the illusive Royal Bengal Tiger...
September 9th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: adventure, Destination Overview
Local Craft Village Orissa, India
Raghurajpur, a small village in Orissa, holds a prominent position in the cultural map of India as it is perhaps the only one of its kinds where families are engaged in and specialize in a particular craft. The rich traditions of Orissa’s arts and crafts have been well preserved by the skilled villagers through passing on the arts from generation to generation.
There are 311 artisans living within 103 households in the village of Raghurajpur. Some of these artists are winners of National Awards....
September 7th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: culture, Customs & Rituals, Destination Overview
Take A Ride On Chillika Lake Orissa, India
Known as India’s largest fresh body of water, Chillika Lake rests about an hours drive outside the beach town of Puri and offers daily boat tours of the lake, which is home to the rare Irriwaddy Dolphin. Depending on your group size, the long motorized boats can be hired for Rs.200 to Rs.500 (local currency) and will take you out onto the waters for roughly one hour, weather and guest dependant.
...
September 5th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: adventure, Destination Overview
Life By the Beach, Puri, Orissa, India
Staring off into her distance, the Bay of Bengal may seem all too much at first, but soon you begin to understand her thunderous roar and powerful current can be calmed once you become acquainted. If swimming in between the crashing waves makes you fear for your life, no need to worry too much as the local lifeguards are often at shore ready and willing to save a life.
The sandy shores of Puri are also a great place to stroll and take in the local life, as the beach is shared with the local fishing...
September 3rd, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 1Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
Why Not Puri? Orissa, India
With smiling faces on every corner of every street, a thriving seafood industry and a slow paced feel to a beautiful beachside town, Puri has a lot to offer to a wide range of tourists, both local and foreign. With a population of roughly 150,000 people, Puri is not only recognized as being one of the four holiest places of Hinduism but also the home to Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe and is highly regarded throughout India for this reason.
Many people are drawn to Puri each year for different...
September 1st, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
Jungle Bells, Andhra Pradesh , India
Tucked away in the Araku Valley is a small-scale eco-tourism project called Jungle Bells, introduced by the Andhra Pradesh Official Tourism Operators. The resort, reached most often by a short walk from the Tyda train station, is geared towards integrating green tourism through steps such as no plastic bags allowed on the premise as well as keeping electricity usage to a minimum.
Guests are invited to stay in cottages, ranging in price from $13 to $25 (USD) per night, depending on your desired level...
August 28th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: Destination Overview, nature
Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Commonly seen as the honeymooners paradise of the eastern Indian coast, Vishakapatnam is highly regarded by local people as one of the most beautiful beaches in India today. With fancy resorts and palm fringed shores complementing the sandy beach, the hours seem to melt into the sun’s rise and fall.
If the heat gets a little too much, the city itself has a plethora of activities to offer including endless shopping and an amusement park for children.
This is also a central point from which you can...
August 26th, 2009 | jcampos | Read More | Comments: 0Filed under: City Review, Destination Overview
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