Tuesday 22 October 2013

The Zulu People South Africa’s History

When it comes to numbers, the Zulu tribe (locally referred to as amaZulu) dominates the South African region, with a few residing in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Their language is simply referred to as Zulu and they were classified as third class citizens. Throughout the 19th to 20th century, their kingdom played a significant role in Southern Africa’s rich culture and history. Within the era where Apartheid was still practiced, they suffered most from discriminations among their race. Now, they share equal rights among other people within the continent and see more information related South African Tribes.

Formerly part of a much larger clan within the Northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Zulu kingdom was established in 1816 under the reign of the king Shaka. He started out his venture in uniting confederated tribes. This paved the way in which for the Zulu hegemony to dramatically grow in dimensions.

History: The AmaZulu believe that they're the direct descendants of the patriarch Zulu, who was born to some Nguni chief in the Congo Basin area. In the 16th century the Zulu migrated southward to their present location, incorporating a lot of the customs of the San, including the well-known linguistic clicking sounds from the region.

During the reign of King Shaka (1816-1828), the Zulu became the mightiest military force in southern Africa, increasing their land holdings from 100 square miles to 11,500. Shaka was followed by Dingaan, who tentatively entered into treaties with English colonizers. Mpande was the following King. He allowed the British extensive control over his peoples. Through the time he died in 1872, the Zulu had enough from the English invasion. Cetewayo, Mpande's replacement, tried vainly for six years to avoid a confrontation using the British, yet in 1879 war erupted.

Even though the Zulu initially experienced some success, the British army eventually prevailed. In under six months, Cetewayo was exiled to England, and also the Zulu kingdom was divided to the British advantage. The last Zulu uprising against European domination was lead by Chief Bombatha in 1906. In recent times, Chief Gastha Buthelezi has doubled because the political leader of the Zulu, and the head of the Inkatha Freedom Party, leading the fight against Apartheid and also the ANC, demanding a voice for his those who are more than three million strong.

Saturday 10 August 2013

South African Drumming - How is important drum in south african culture



Music has traditionally played a huge role in African culture. African drums hold a unique place in the history of Africa. In Western Culture the thought of drumming is nearly always associated with entertainment or simply to add to the musical quality of the song. In Africa, drums hold a deeper symbolic and historical meaning. It is crucial in representing the strong African heritage and it is importance can be seen in many facets of the culture. Unlike many cultures today, ancient African cultures encompassed music to their everyday lives. Dance, story-telling and non secular practices are all grounded around the music of the culture.
Music is particularly vital in African dance, so much in fact that in many African cultures, there aren't any two words in the language accustomed to distinguish between the two. Essentially, when one uses the word music in reference to African culture, it ought to include the idea of dance. And in contrast to many western civilizations, within the African culture, music and dance means a lot more than something done just to have fun. It has a much greater purpose. For a lot of cultures, a dance is often between two people. South African Drumming has so good place in african culture.

In the South African culture, a dance is generally done by a community or group as well as for a specific purpose.The idea of Utilitarianism shows that the value of a thing depends on its use, and never its beauty. In many ways, African music is really a utilitarian function used in vital facets of life such as, a child’s naming ceremony, initiation rights, agricultural activities, national ceremonies, war times, religious ceremonies and ceremonies for that dead.

Thursday 8 August 2013

South Korea Buddhist Temples To Visit By A Spiritual Tour


World travelers looking for out-of-the-ordinary activities in foreign countries might finally find it in Japanese Buddhist temples. In Korea, the stay at the Buddhist temples enables guests to be in unity along with nature and become immersed within Buddhist principles, which may include thrice-a-day hoping, concentrated meditating, communal consuming, and enjoyable tea consuming.Using Korean terms, these types of practices are known as Yebul (praying), Chamseon, (meditation), Balwoo Gongyang (eating), and Dahdoh (tea consuming).

I always wonder and interested in how is the temple as well as Korean Buddhism tradition look like? Exact same like Malaysia or China? Eventually I decided to go with my ASEAN buddies to take a visit at Worldwide Buddhist Temple near Daejeon. All of us awaken early in the Sunday early morning and take several busses to a temple call Mu Performed Sa International Buddhist Temple! It required about an hour for us to be presently there. Finally the bus stop! however we still need to spent serious amounts of climb up the hill to be able to get to the temple. Started to feel better about the surrounding, fresh air,the sound of character and some rain drops!

Couple of minutes later, we finally can easily see the South Korea Buddhist Temple! The picture over was my first looked of the temple with special architecture and design! Awesome! Correct? So, I took a relatively good of the pictures of the forehead! After look around the temple, all of us decided to go inside one of the creating and make a wish and hope for peace! : D The actual architecture and design of the South korea Buddhist Temple is somehow a bit different from Malaysia Buddhist Temple especially the colours as well as the roof design!

Later one we welcomed by a monk and we started to expose ourself as well as him as well. After that, I was too surprise! Very Shock! He talk hokkien (one of the chinese dialect) in my experience! My God! Korean perform learn Hokkien? I was totally from my mind! Well! later on he or she told us that he is the Malaysian!! A Malaysian Monk from Melaka! I am truly surprise about it! Then we carry on talk more about ourself as well as shared some experiences that people had go through in our life and we're in Korea. After discuss half an hour, we start our veggie lunch with others monks as well as international visitors.

It is good to visiting a Buddhist temple in beautiful Seoul city of south korea. where he received gifts of prayer beads, ceremonial clothing and porcelain incense burners. The practicing Buddhist says Jogye Temple that everone appreciates Korean Buddhism's traditions and wants them to stay strong.

Monday 5 August 2013

Kiyomizudera Temple of Japan




Temple is located on the eastern Kyoto city, over the Higashiyama mountains. Kiyomizudera temple can be easily reached from JR Kyoto Station on the city bus. "Take the plunge at Kiyomizudera" is really a famous saying associated with Kiyomizudera temple. This saying is assigned to the main hall's hanging platform
that overhangs the mountain in which the temple is located. This saying does not necessarily mean that one should jump from the platform, but only means that you ought to be true to their convictions. Being a town temple, it is easily accessible to tourists and something of the most highly visited temples in Japan.

Kiyomizudera Temple of japan belongs to the Kita Hoso sect of Buddhism, began by Enchin, the great priest, within the eighth year of Hoki (778, before Kyoto officially became capital of Japan in 794), enshrines in leading sanctuary an image of eleven faced, thousand armed Kannon Bosatsu. This buddhist god of mercy and benevolence has been the item of the ardent faith of Japanese people of classes through the ages.

The current structures are rebuilt within the 17th century (1633) consist of RoMon (two storied gate), Sanjunoto (three storied pagoda), Shoro (Bell Tower), Kyodo (Sutra Hall), Tamurado (Founder's Hall), The Hondo (Main Hall) and many more. The Hondo built in 1633, is the central building from the temple compound and is a good example of Kake-zukuri or "overhang" architecture. It is famous for it's so-called "Kiyomizudera- stage", an imposing veranda based on a forest of tall wooden columns with wooden braces running through them crosswise and lengthwise. Your building, which consists principally from the stone-floored sanctuary, which houses the temple's primary Buddhist statue, and also the plank-floored worship hall, is characterized below by it's false roof.

Sunday 4 August 2013

Visit to Hindu Religious places of India



India is a world hub of major religious groups and practices. You’ll find a Hindu temple on nearly every street, mosques dotted in and around most cities, churches, synagogues and Buddhist monasteries. You name it, India has it.

Amarnath Yatra Tour

It is among top hindu religious place of india. Amarnath is 145kms east of Srinagar in Kashmir. In Amarnath, there is an ice Shiva-linga that changes size as per the season and as the moon waxes and wanes, it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6ft high. On the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) the Siva linga is of maximum height. Every year, on this day there is a festival.

Shirdi Sai Baba Tour

Shirdi, around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai is a small town in the state of Maharashtra in western India. With a population of 26,169, Shirdi is basically a religious tourist center. Thousands of pilgrims flock to Shirdi. There are several centres of tourist attractions in Shirdi, a revered place of Hindu Pilgrimage in India.

Vaishno Devi Tour

It is the great among hindu religious places of india. Vaishno Devi Tour is the most sought-after Hindu pilgrimage for the north Indians. It is a prime destination in a religious India tour. Thousands of devotees, from far and wide reach Jammu and Kashmir to catch a glimpse of Mata Vaishno Devi and seek their blessings. Such, is the holiness Vaishno Devi has that the numbers keeps increasing every year.

Char Dham Tour

Situated in the high and mighty peaks of the Himalayas, are the four most holy pilgrimage sites in India-Gangotri, Yamunotri, Sri Badrinathji and Sri Kedarnathji. Together, they are referred to as the Char Dham or the four Hindu pilgrimage sites. Known as "Kedarkhand" in ancient Hindu scriptures, for centuries.

Saturday 3 August 2013

Popular Ancient Greek Temples



The Acropolis in Athens was the middle of pantheon worship for the ancient Greeks, as well as an overview of its importance is essential in understanding the temples built on or near it. The Temple of Olympian Zeus may be the largest ancient Greek temple still around, and the temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae may be the oldest. Have look on oldest temples of Greek time:

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Although just a few columns remain at Olympia Temple of Zeus in Athens doesn't take much imagination to understand that this is one of the giant temple. Its construction began within the 6th century BC throughout the reign of the tyrant of Athens, who envisaged building the best temple in the ancient world, although not completed until the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian within the 2nd century about 638 years following the project has begun.

Temple of Zeus, Cyrene

Cyrene is an essential of the five Greek colony in Libya up to now. This temple was destroyed throughout the Jewish revolt in 115, and returns both Five years later because it was built again through the Romans on the orders of Emperor Hadrian. Around 365, an earthquake caused the temple to break down once again and not rebuilt before the modern era by the British and Italian archaeologists. This temple is greater than the Parthenon, a reflection of the richness and need for Cyrene, the ancient Greek world.

Erechtheum

The Erechtheum is definitely an ancient Greek temple in the Ionic type of the north side of the Acropolis of Athens. This temple was built between 421 and 407 BC. Its name comes Erikhthonios, the Greek hero. This temple is probably best known for the distinctive porch based on six female figures referred to as Caryatids.

Temple of Apollo Epicurius

Located on an online mountainside in the Peloponnese, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae Epicurius is well-preserved Greek temples and strange. It was built somewhere between 450 and 400 BC. This temple is aligned north-south, as opposed to most of the Greek temple is aligned east-west. The temple is unusual for the reason that it has a third example of the commands utilized in classical architecture of ancient Greece. Doric columns form a peristyle while Ionic columns offer the porch and Corinthian columns within the interior features. Temple of Apollo Epicurius currently covered underneath the tent to protect debris in the elements.

Temple of Hephaestus

Located about 500 meters north-west from the famous Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus is the greatest preserved Greek temple on the planet, though far less known compared to famous neighbor. This temple was built-in the 5th century BC inside a district that contains many foundries and metal shops. Therefore, it's dedicated to Hephaestos, the god of metal working. Temple of Hephaestus created by Ictinus, one of the architects who done the Parthenon.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Greece traditions and culture: Tips for cultural tour



Contemporary Greek culture and traditions are extremely rich and diverse, reflecting Greece’s location in the crossing point where the West meets the East and also the country’s great and turbulent history.The culture of Greece has changed over thousands of years - dating in the Paleolithic era and the birth from the great Minoan,Mycenaeanand Cycladic civilizations with the Classical Period - the Golden Age, reaching great amounts of prosperity that resulted in an unprecedented cultural boom, expressed in architecture, drama, science and philosophy, and nurtured in Athens within democratic environment, through the sequence of invasions and domination: through the Macedonians, the Romans, the Byzantine Empire and also the 400 years of Ottoman rule.

Greece culture and traditions are so great. culture and traditionsThroughout the second half of the 19th century and also the first half of the 20th century, Greece saw monarchies and ousting of royalty, fierce political fights, assassinations, and dictatorships, wars that added neighboring territories and new population, but additionally brought economic devastation and poverty. Following the defeat of Germany and also the end of World War II, Greece joined NATO in 1952 and experienced a bitter civil war between communist and anticommunist forces.

Tourists Tips for Traveling in Greece
  • When a person says that you need to pay for a sun bed, do it because parts of beaches are owned in Greece. Sun beds are paid as well as toilets and other beach stuff.
  • The Greek are not punctual at all. They live their own time, so don’t be surprised if your 10:30am bus comes at 11am or later. Try to get used to so-called “Greek Maybe Time.”
  • Be properly dressed if you want to enter a Greek church or a monastery. “Properly” means that shoulders and knees should be covered. Women should cover heads too.
  • Don’t ever try to split a bill if you are invited by a Greek. It will be taken as a very serious insult.
  • Buy a present (flowers, chocolate, etc.) if you are invited to a Greek home. Presents are delivered when entering the house.
  • Give tips in restaurants and hotels but don’t over-tip. About 10% of the sum will do well.

Monday 15 July 2013

Know about Costa Rican Food Culture



Most traditional dishes in Panama and nicaragua , consist of rice and beans along with other ingredients like chicken or fish and various sorts of vegetables, which is why they are simply cheap.The most common dish in the morning is Gallo Pinto which consists of rice combined with black beans, served with natilla sour cream, eggs and fried plantain. Costa Ricans usually drink coffee or fresh fruit juice by using it.

Costa Rican Food Culture is so great. For lunch, Casados (beans, rice) are served with a few sort of meat or fish along with a salad, fried plantains, white cheese and corn tortilla. The main difference between Gallo Pinto and Casado is that in Casados, rice and also the bean are served alongside and not mixed.There is no typical meal for supper, but another typical main dish in Panama and nicaragua , is arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) which may be served with different vegetables in the area like camote, chayote and yuca. Seafood can also be common thanks to the country’s proximity to both Pacific and Caribbean.
What are the best recipes in Costa Rican Food?Small dishes before or perhaps in between meals are called Bocas, like black bean dip, chimichurri (tomatoes and onions in lime juice) served with tortilla chips or ceviche (fish/ shrimp with onion in lime juice).Tamale is really a seasoned corn meal that is covered in plantains leaves. Within the inside it has rice, beans, vegetables and meat. There's also other traditional sweet corn dishes like pozol (corn soup) or chorreadas (corn pancakes).Typical soups in Panama and nicaragua , are also very popular, such as olla de carne that is a soup with beef, potatoes, carrots, chayote, plantains and yucca, and also the sopa negra, black bean soup.There are plenty of traditional Costa Rican desserts like arroz con leche (rice with milk). The rice is cooked in milk with sugar, cinnamon along with other ingredients. 

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Enjoy with Ireland Irish Culture travel in summer


After a long search looking for tours that offer the basic options that come with an escorted tour without all the structure - and the tour company found us! By providing structured flexibility during your trip, you have freedom to see the different towns, events, sights, and tours at the own leisure. Traditionally, tourist trips to Ireland include more sights and stops than you can or willing to make and take, forcing you to definitely pay for things you really don't want! Whenever you travel with one of these tours, you will not spend more time on a bus than Paul Revere allocated to a horse, and you'll cut costs by picking and choosing what you really want to do.

Irish culture

First time travelers to Ireland might be apprehensive towards blending along with Irish culture tour, but fear not, because the Irish are very similar to Americans. A website for traveling US diplomats, has provided a failure of the most notable cultural differences to understand before heading for Ireland. The website describes the
Irish accurately as, thinking about people and place great value around the individual. They are naturally courteous, quick-witted be going out of their way to welcome people to their country.”It continues, “Don't rush the Irish. Even though they work very hard, the Irish focus on a less stressful lifestyle that enables time for friends and family, a visit to the pub, a mug of tea, or just a bit of a chat around the corner. Families are closely-knit and very vital that you the Irish.
  • Irish Time: The Irish tend to not be very time-conscious and may not be punctual for business and social meetings. They have a relaxed sense of time and may be a little late for meetings. However, a foreigner should be on time for business meetings.
  • Drinks etiquette: One of the most touchy subjects in Irish culture is the notion of “rounds” while out at a pub or bar drinking. Everyone is expected to buy a round of drinks for everyone else, and turning down a drink can sometimes be understood as insulting.
  • Your best behavior: The Irish respect and expect polite and reserved behavior, and find pretentious behavior to be very off-putting.
  • Leave the lovey-dovey at home: The Irish aren’t too comfortable with public displays of affection and aren’t too physically demonstrative.
  • Dress the part: Traditional Irish garb isn’t flashy and gravitates toward tweed and wool. And - surprise! - it rains a lot in Ireland, so bring a raincoat.
  • Gift-giving: If invited to someone’s home for a meal, bring a small gift as a token of your appreciation. Flowers, a bottle of wine or chocolates usually do the trick.

Monday 24 June 2013

A short review on art and craft culture of india



For centuries Indian arts and crafts happen to be distinguished for their great aesthetic and functional value. In olden days, the shilpis conceptualized the intricate designs and patterns, that have been crafted painfully into the temples and also the objects associated with them. India has got the widest variety of crafts all over
the world. However diverse and intricate the plethora of craft forms produced by Indian craftsmen, the main of the creative process happens to be the artisan tradition. It presents both widest canvas of creative activity and also the broadest spectrum of development.

The earliest specimens of Indian painting are the ones on the walls of the Ajanta Caves dating back to 2nd century BC. The typical ‘figures in profile’ art of India came to be when the Jain manuscripts were being illustrated. The Mughals had a huge impact on Indian art and craft. Indian art and craft are have great theme of indian culture. The miniature, which had been only on palm leaves in the northeast, came into prominence. The influence of Persian art brought placid garden scenes, illustrations from myths, legends and history into Indian art. Later schools include the Bengal School of Tagore and the Company School of European influence. More recently the opulent paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the paintings of M.F. Hussain, Jamini Roy and Ganesh Pyne among others rule the art scene.

Handicraft art is the great symbol of Indian culture. Handicraft items that were patronized through the Mughal royalty show a remarkable refinement of workmanship. During these crafts the designs were frequently influenced by the court paintings and miniature art produced from Persian or indigenous sources.Word craft, handicrafts, architecture and sculpture all bring about this rich and varied domain. Indian literature, in English and in the vernacular, is more popular then ever around the world. Handicrafts are as varied because the country itself. The Mughal and colonial structures and also the temple architecture across the length and breadth of the nation are testaments to the lands exciting past. Sculptures adorn temple walls, stupas, street junctions and ancient caves. The oldest schools would be the Gandhara and the Mathura.

Saturday 15 June 2013

Review Cape Town History and Culture



For those interested in South AfricaCultural experiences, I actually do Cultural tours into 2 rural regions of South Africa. The Eastern Cape and Venda. The mixture of the Luxury with the simplicity from the rural, makes for a complimentary experience.For any dose of Cape Town culture and history, head to the Museum Meander that takes you around the city focus on foot and includes the majority of the museums under the Iziko Museums banner, and more. The many museums and monuments trace Cape Town’s heritage from slavery to maritime warfare, apartheid and democracy.

Cape Town prides itself on its religious freedom and tolerance. As the meeting point of many cultures, there are mosques, kramats, churches, synagogues and temples to see, especially in the city centre, adjacent Bo-Kaap area, and throughout the Peninsula. Guided tours are available to places of interest and faith, but you can also visit these places independently. Cap Town is the great symbol of beautiful Culture of South Africa.

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Best Monuments of India that you need to know



There's a large number of monuments in the country, which showcase not just its architectural legacy, but additionally its history and culture. All the monuments in India come with an aura of mystery, intrigue and romance surrounding them. From forts to palaces to memorials to tombs to temples to churches, the nation has it all. India, home to numerous beautiful monuments, has a style and architecture easily recognizable all over the world. Treasured relics of the past stand in the country as mementos to like, battles, religion and government.India well known throughout the world for its exquisite architectural beauty and heritage.

The Taj Mahal

The most famous monument in India is, of course, the Taj Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century. The construction work took two decades and involved thousands of craftsmen, but the result is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Go for a Taj mahal culture tour.

Amritsar Golden Temple

This is temple is a famous monument in IndiaThe Golden Temple in Amritsar is the holiest place for Sikhs, and one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen in my life. The white marble walls and walkways, the golden cupolas and the Amrit Sarovar (or the “pool of nectar”) where pilgrims bathe around the temple are simply stunning, but it is also the peaceful, almost magical atmosphere inside the temple complex that makes one of the most special sacred sites in India.

Pavaya Stone Temples

In Pavaya, about four hours south of Agra and the Taj Mahal, and an hour and a half from Gwalior, two stone temples await those who brave the bumpy roads and lack of amenities to make the trek. The first of two complexes, Pavaya was once the capital of the Naga kings. While it appears that some of the past is still hidden in the earth waiting for its excavation, four main structures are available for exploration. These buildings give an insight to the beauty of the architecture of India with domed roofs, decorative windows and arched doorways.

Geek customs and traditions - Thinngs about greek your must know



Creek customs and traditions are extremely ancient. So you need to know them. The place of Greece on the crossroads of three continents has had a dramatic impact on the Greek civilisation and culture. While using Greek High School history books for example, civilisation and culture began using the history of older civilisations like the Mesopotamian, the center East and Egypt after which moving on to incorporate Prehistoric Greece and Ancient greek language History.

There are many Greek traditions and customs. As a result, the Greeks took many components from all these ancient civilisations around them, adapting those that were close to their nature and life-style whilst the remaining elements served to help develop and move them forward, such as the development of astronomy, sculpture and architecture. Due to these developments a unique civilisation was created which always had a persons at its very centre. From all of these things sprung the renowned Greek philosophy, democracy the humanities and sciences that is to be read in almost any major publication about ancient Greece. It had been these things that were created by the traditional Greeks which was offered to the rest of human kind. Today the Greeks do what their ancestors did 3000 years back, they hold on to elements and affections both in the east and the west. The hyperlinks with the East are still strong and also the effect of Byzantine Greece is visible today in the Greek Orthodox religion, and modern Greek Music.

The Ancient elements of Greek Culture music are available in the music of the Greeks of the Black sea (Pontos), within the ancient sound of the goat skin bagpipes on many Greek islands , within the sounds of the flute of the Greek shepherds in northern Greece as well as in the sounds of the Cretan Lyra in Crete. Many of these
Byzantine and ancient elements get together with the Smyrneika.

However, as with the past so as today, the Greeks like to mix things, with the consequence that Greek music has adapted and adopted the musical components from the West including Latin rhythms and sounds, Italian music, Rock and Blues in addition to rap and hip hop music.

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Best Family tourist Attractions - Perth Australia



Perth has a range of attractions and activities to savor from sight-seeing, wildlife up close, Aboriginal culture and dance, to aquatic fun and adventure. The following activities are certain to provide something for everyone on your stay in sunny Perth.Kings Park and Botanic Gardens: Kings Park and Botanic Gardens is created up of over 400 hectares of parkland and gardens and it is one of the city's most popular attractions for Perth locals and tourists alike. Located outside the city centre, the park is placed high on Mt Eliza with breathtaking views from the city and Swan River.

A large portion of the park consists of native bushland with hundreds of native plant species and around 80 types of birds. Kings Park also offers a number of open parkland areas, lookout points, their state War Memorial and statues, and it is a great destination for sight-seeing, picnics, walking, cycling and consuming the magnificent views from the city. During the summer months, the park also hosts numerous events including outdoor concerts, outdoor moonlight cinema, along with the Kings Park Wildflower festival each spring. Pack an adventurous spirit and produce your curious nature, because there’s nothing ordinary in regards to a visit to Western Australia. Anything you’re looking for, you’ll find experiences which will last long after the final day's your holiday.?When planning your vacation to Western Australia, browse the variety of things to see and do based on what interests you, when and where you're going. Check out these best tourist attractions perth:

Purnululu National Park

This is where you'll find the awesome Bungle-Bungle range. These towering mounds with orange and black horizontal stripes are one of the most spectacular landforms on earth - and were 20 million years in the making.

Mount Augustus

At eight kilometres long and around 1,105 metres above sea level, Mount Augustus is the largest monolith in the world. This colossal beauty, which changes colour in the sun, is 2.5 times larger than Uluru.

Jewel Cave

This spectacular 1.9 kilometre cave houses a mammoth 580 centimetres straw stalactite - the longest in any tourist cave in the state.

Karijini National Park

This park is best places for summer vacation activities for kids. With soaring red gorges and colossal waterfalls, this spectacular ancient landscape is home to bats, rock wallabies, red kangaroos, echidnas, dragons and huge termite moulds.

The Pinnacles

In the mystical Pinnacles Desert, thousands of limestone pillars - believed to be at least 6,000 years old - rise up to 3.5 metres tall from the shifting yellow sands.

Monday 20 May 2013

Five French wine festivals


What better way to experience the cuisine, tradition and culture of French wine-making than via one of the numerous annual festivals held to celebrate the? Here is a taste of just some of these energetic community festivities:

  • Saint Vincent Tournante January

St Vincent, the patron saint of Burgundian wine-makers, is fêted inside a different village in Burgundy each January. A procession works its way with the streets before all the attendees make their way from cellar to cellar, tasting their offerings. It is stated that St Vincent’s donkey grazed around the grape vines as he travelled with the area, and the next year, the vines were extraordinarily fertile.

  • Le Marathon du Médoc September

Possibly the world’s slowest marathon, this is a 42-km meander through 59 wine chateaux, each and every of which the runners stop for any drink and a snack - not of sports drink and bars, but wine and cheese. Regardless of the seeming madness of this event, some 9000+ runners register each year to take part. The registration form even advises participants to ignore speed (they are allowed 6.5 hours to complete), and discourages the ‘sad, unfriendly or stressed out’ from partaking.

  • Fête des Vendanges October

In the middle of the Roussillon wine region, the grape harvest is well known by locals and visitors with music, food not to mention wine. Even the kids can participate in the fun, with plenty of opportunities to allow them to experience the traditional method of wine-making as they stomp on the grapes.

  • La Bastide d’Armagnac Festival October

The picturesque mediaeval capital of scotland- La Bastide d’Armagnac holds a festival at the end of October to celebrate the harvest of Armagnac eau de vie, that is a lighter version of Cognac.

  • Beaujolais Nouveau Festival November

The Beaujolais area established fact for its light and fruity dark wine - a mere 6 weeks old, it's forbidden by law to drink it prior to the third Thursday in November, so wine cellars and bars across the nation are stocked with bottles, prepared to uncork at midnight on the third Thursday of November. The largest festivities take place is Beajeu in Beaujolais, having a party starting at 5pm around the Wednesday and continues for 3 days.

Vivienne Egan writes for SmoothRed who provide wine tours throughout Europe.

Monday 13 May 2013

A new experience Things you can do in Cambodia



Cambodia is really a South Asian country gifted with bounties of nature along with a rich cultural heritage. America has changed a lot in the past 2 decades to make rapid economic progress. In a nutshell, Cambodia has all the necessary ingredients to become popular tourist destination. This short article presents details on some of the exhilarating things to do in Cambodia.

Until the 90s decade, the most popular perception of Cambodia was that of a war-ravaged nation. However, within the last 15-20 years, this country has made rapid progress around the economic front. Tourism may be the second-largest source of income for Cambodia after the textile industry. Scenic beaches, prehistoric temples along with other forms of architecture and the natural insightful this country have made this country among the tourist hotspots of South Asia. There are lots of interesting things to do in Cambodia which article presents readers by having an overview of the tourist attractions.

Attractions for Tourists in Cambodia

The interesting stuff that you can do in Cambodia are listed recorded on the basis of regions that tourists can click on. Different parts of this beautiful country have something unique to provide. Beaches and national parks attract tourists in good sized quantities. Let us have a look at some interesting information about Cambodia in order to obtain information about a few of the tourist attractions.

Kratie
Dolphin spotting is one of the main attractions for tourists going to the Kratie province. The Mekong river which lies towards the north of Kratie is home to the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. Tourists generally stay for 1-2 nights within the city of Kratie to plan their trips towards the river and other places; the Phnom Sambok Resort is one of the interesting places to visit in Kratie. There are also other places like the Kampy Resort and also the 100-Column Pagoda. The Kampy Resort lies 15 km towards the north of Kratie and offers an amazing view of green water plants.

Sihanoukville
This Cambodian province lies 115 miles towards the southwest of Phnom Penh - the main city city. It takes a 3-hour drive from Phnom Penh to achieve Sihanoukville. There are many exciting and fun things to do in Sihanoukville. Beaches of Sihanoukville offer a lot of fun activities for tourists including snorkeling, scuba diving, dirt biking, biking, etc. Simply relaxing and soaking around the sun at these beaches is also an option to consider. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Ream National Park is a fairly place to visit. This park hosts over 150 bird species, dolphins, flying fish, monkeys and lots of such creatures.

Mondulkiri
The main attractions for tourists around Mondulkiri are the elephant ride, Monorom Falls and Bou Sraa Falls, etc. The Monoram Falls and Bou Sraa Falls possess a height of 9m and 25m respectively. The elephant ride is better enjoyed when you are touring the Ratanakiri jungle. Only an elephant ride (and never any other means of transport) could make your experience of the tour fulfilling and memorable.

Angkor Temples
The temples of Angkor present a scenic setting for all those interested in photography. A guide should explain a brief history of these temples in a better manner. You'd find the place even more interesting after understanding the history and related facts. There's another way to enjoy the scenic great thing about Angkor region; a helicopter tour provides a spectacular view of this place. You may also take a 15 minute ride on the tethered hot-air balloon for a similar experience.

Kampot
This province of Cambodia is renowned for its quiet life and countryside tours. Regardless of the peaceful and disturbance-free atmosphere, Kampot holds a lot of exciting and fun activities for tourists. Jungle trekking, island trips, river cruises, etc. are the activities the tourists would enjoy. Aside from countryside tours, you might enjoy going to the Bokor Hill Station, Rabbit Island and Kep Beach.

Shopping in Cambodia
Cambodia provides a lot for an avid shopper. The markets in Cambodia possess a great variety of artworks displayed, which range from textile items to carvings. The krama is a such special item - a shawl made of cotton and decorated having a checkered pattern. The cities of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are popular holiday destinations for shopping. Buddhism-themed shopping items is among the specialties of markets in Cambodia. Baskets, plates, bowls along with other such handmade items made from reed are also popular.

The number of tourists who visited Cambodia in 2007 was Two million. This number went up to 3 million this year and the estimate for 2015 is 5 million. Going through these numbers, we can state that people from all over the world find Cambodia a stylish tourist destination, where there will be a lot to do.

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Useful Information of Indian Culture


India is a culturally rich country with diverse culture. Although the modern means have been accepted but nonetheless there are values and beliefs that are still alive in India. There are numerous changes in the dressing style and method of eating of the people but, still the for the Indians remain unchanged because these values are deep rooted inside our hearts of the peopled.

The guests are given lots of courtesy in India. Indian culture takes due proper care of the guests and serves them as God, they're treated as the family member only. Your guests are served well whether or not the family members have scarcity of anything, they're never left hungry. The children give lots of respect towards the elders. Elders are considered to become the head of the family and also have the control of the family in their hands. The elders give blessings towards the youngsters when the youngsters touch their feet.
It comes with an important lesson which is being shown to in India it's to give complete Respect one to the other. There is no discrimination made one of the people all are considered to be equal. In far flung countries the relation between your employee and the boss is sort of a slave and a master, whereas in India it's considered to be the more of family relation.
Helpfulness may be the chief feature of Indian culture. Here the folks are ready to help each other when the first is in need and is in distress. The assistance might not be in monetary terms it is also forwarded in non-monetary ways also. Here the folks believe in distributing happiness and share pain. By these techniques people can develop a strong bonding.
A brief history of India's culture: 
The glorious past of Indian civilization tells much concerning the wonder that India was contributing to its royal heritage. A brief history tells the way India was ruled by quantity of rulers and dynasties from time to time. There are several sources which inform us about the past life of the folks and their commercial approach. India continues to be an agricultural based country and major population Asia is still dependent on agriculture. The traditional monuments of India speak loudly concerning the skilled and trained workers. The nation is known all around the world for numerous reasons. Tourist originate from all the nooks and corners around the globe to know more about India.

Monday 6 May 2013

Explore The Diversity And Tradition Of Indian Culture


Are you looking for Cultural tour packages? India is really a land of multiple cultures, diverse traditions, religious importance, and rich heritage. Tourists throughout the world come to this area to enjoy the cultural richness of the country. The scenic great thing about India is also what attracts tourists for this land of majestic architecture and picturesque landscapes.

Introduction

Indian cultural tourism describes exploring the diversity of Indian culture and traditions. Even though it is impossible to discover the depth and richness of Indian culture currently bound vacation, reputed tourist companies assist you to have a wonderful peek at what Indian culture is about. They offer packages which include visits to Indian destinations of historical and cultural importance. Professional guides inform the tourists concerning the interesting stories underlying the traditions accompanied by Indians.

Monuments of India

Love is among the most important traditions Asia  Raj Mahala in Agra is not only an excellent example of excellent architecture in India but additionally symbolizes love of an old king for his wife. India Gate is yet another memorial monument built to respect the sacrifices provided by Indian soldiers for his or her country. Humayun's tomb, an excellent specimen of Mughal architecture, was the very first garden tomb asia. Every monument in India has some cultural importance mounted on it. India culture tours promise appointments with various monuments for example Khajuraho monuments, Golconda fort, monuments at Hampi, and so forth.

Temples of India

India cultural tourism is incomplete with no visit to temples, gurudwaras, churches, and masjids. Golden temple, a distinctive combination of Muslim and Sikh religion, signifies the unity in diversity present in India. The sight of temples of south India isn't just amazing but also fills your heart with religious sentiments. Jama Masjid is yet another example of great architecture, rich culture, and pious religious sentiments. Kye monastery, kamakhya temple, Akshardham temple, and many more give you an insight in to the diverse beliefs and traditions asia.