Kumarakom Backwaters

Kerala is known for its panoramic backwater stretches, lush green paddy fields, highlands and beaches. A major backwater stretch lies in Kottayam district, where a network of rivers and canals empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. Located at Kumarakom 16 km from Kottayam town, the Vembanad Lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, offers boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating.

Kumarakom is a serenely beautiful and scenic backwater destination, a charming peninsula jutting into the ever-effervescent Vembanad Lake that is dotted with plenty of traditional rice boats and canoes, leaving a scene that is immensely pleasing to the eye.

When nature is all you need to recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly one of the most invigorating and fascinating places to unwind in Kerala. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters and mangroves with nestling birds of a hundred varieties will all serve to calm and inspire your mind.

The backwater houses a variety of species of both flora and fauna. It’s rich in marine life especially the exclusive kumarakom karimeen or pearl spotted fish, konju or tiger prawns, njandu or crabs, chemmeen or prawns and many more. As and when the monsoon winds bring rain to the shores of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom gets transformed into a rich fertile land. The streams and lagoons break their banks to nourish the shrubs that sprout from every available space. The place is renowned for its mangrove shores and the bird sanctuary.

Kumarakom is well-equipped with a range of luxury and budget resorts with unique leisure options like ayurveda massage, yoga, meditation, swimming, fishing and boating. The adventurous could indulge in water sports such as wind sailing and water skiing. You could even take a canoe out into the quiet lake, and armed with a fishing rod, catch your own supper. The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest ferstival of Onam when locals enjoy in festivities and tourism blooms. 

The great sphinx of Giza

It is a symbol that has represented the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. Carved from the bedrock of the Giza plateau, the sphinx is truly a mysterious marvel from the days of ancient Egypt. The body of a lion with the head of a king or god has come to symbolize strength and wisdom.

Because of the changing desert terrain, the body of the sphinx has been buried several times over the past several thousand years. Most recently in 1905, the sand has been cleared away to expose the magnitude and beauty of the sphinx. The paws themselves are 50 feet long while the entire length is 150 feet. The head is 30 feet long and 14 feet wide.

Although the head of the sphinx is badly battered in some places, traces of the original paint can still be seen near one ear. The nose was the unfortunate victim of target practice by the Turks in the Turkish period. It is often assumed that the nose was shot off by Napoleon’s men, but 18^th century drawings reveal that the nose was missing long before Napoleon’s arrival.

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Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India

 Jama Masjid in Delhi is the largest mosque in India. It stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. It is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans.

The masjid was completed under the supervision of Saadullah Khan the prime minister of Shah Jahan. The masjid has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The main entrance was used by the emperors. 

The tower of Jama Masjid was made up of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has projecting balcony.

The first three storeys of Jama Masjid towers are made of red sandstone and the fourth one is made of marble. The Masjid is covered with intricate carvings and has verses inscribed from the holy Koran. The main prayer hall is made of high arches and marble domes.

Do pay a visit here when you are in India.

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Visit the Tower Bridge in London

Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894. It is one of the finest and most recognizable bridges in the world. It is the London Bridge you tend to see in movies and on advertising literature for London. Tower Bridge is the only Thames Bridge which can be raised. Its middle section can be raised to permit large vessels to pass the Tower Bridge. Massive engines raise the bridge sections, which weigh about 1000 tons each in just over a minute.

It used to be raised about 50 times a day, but nowadays it is only raised 4 to 5 times a week. The Tower Bridge is 60 meters long with towers that rise to a height of 43 meters.

Do make a visit to this place when you next visit London.

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Bali the island in Indonesia

Bali is one of more than 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. The island is home to 4 million people. This place has been one tourist attraction with spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving. Eight percent of international visitors to Indonesia visit Bali and Bali alone.

Bali is a wonderful destination with something new for everyone. Bali can get very crowded in July and August and again at Christmas and New Year. Australians visit here during school holidays in April, late June and late September. The domestic tourists visit here during national holidays. Bali can be surprisingly quiet and good discounts on accommodation are often available.

Bali’s best known attractions are its countless Hindu temples. There are many interesting scuba diving sites around Bali. Warm waters, crowds of young backpackers, cheap living and reliable waves keep Bali near the top of world surfing destinations. There are a number of reputable white-water rafting operators in the Ubud area and the rafting is of good quality in the wet season.

Sport Fishing is popular activity in the island. Trolling, jigging and bottom fishing can be very rewarding. Many companies provide adventure activities such as Paragliding at Nusa Dua, Mountain Cycling in the hills of Ubud or downhill cycling from Bedugul and Kintamani, Jungle Trekking, Bungy Jumping on the beach in Seminyak, Horse Riding in Seminyak and Umalas and Hiking in the rice fields near Ubud and many other places in the hills.

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Windsor castle in England

Windsor castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and is one of the official residences of the Queen. It was originally built by William the Conquerer in the 11th Century and has seen many extensions and fortifications by English monarchs over the years.

 The State Apartments are open to the public and art lovers will be impressed by a collection of some of the finest paintings by Rembrandt, Canaletto and Gainsborough. Visitors can also view George IV's private apartments which are some of the most lavishly decorated rooms in the castle.

The Drawings Gallery displays changing exhibitions of material from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle alongside a selection of treasures from the Royal Library.

St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. More recently the Queen Mother was buried here.

If you have the energy for the 200 steps, you can take the Conquer the Tower Tour for stunning views of the castle and the surrounding area.

Windsor Castle is a working palace and may be closed for State functions so visitors are advised to check opening times before they visit.

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Miami Seaquarium in United States

 

The Miami Seaquarium is a 38 acre oceanarium located on the island of Virginia key in Biscayne bay in Florida, United States. It is the longest operating oceanarium in the united states. It remains open throughout a week and the working hours is from 9.30 am to 6 pm.

The seaquarium is a fun place for children to see their favorite ocean animals. Shows are scheduled throughout the day the best of which are the Flipper dolphin Show and the Killer Whale and Dolphin Show. You can observe the vibrant coral reef fish, rescued manatees, sharks, crocodiles, huge sea turtles, parrots, serpents, deer and more. The seaquarium program gives adults and older children to swim and interact with dolphins.

The dolphin shows are very fascinating. People enjoy the show very much. The Annual Pass is worth if you plan to return atleast once during the year. You can purchase tickets for visiting here online. The dolphin swim is famous here.

If you want a chance to swim with dolphins then this is a great place to do it. Participants must be atleast 5 years old. The dolphin swims are very famous so you need to schedule in advance.

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