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Archive for August, 2010

Saigon – Paris Of The East

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it was known in olden times is unmistakably one of those preferred holiday destinations in Asia. This city has a special place among the tourist destinations as it has a unique property of evoking feeling of that of exotic lands and also the charms of old world. Here the blend of an old structure with the newer ones can be very effectively viewed. The streets of this unique city are lined up by large corporate offices along with those older French colonial architectural beauties. Thus it is unmistakably Saigon where one could well see this blend. Here one could find a group of dynamic people who are very much busy with their business activities along with those saffronrobed monks who collect alms for their living. Thus although the city is busy with international business schedules the charm and beauty of ancient Asia is very well retained.

The Vietnamese took over the city from the hamlet of Cambodian rulers and was later made the capital of French colony of CochinChina. The current name is after its great communist leader Ho Chi Minh and is thus a tribute to the great man. It has got a population of about 9 million and is therefore the largest in Vietnam. It was during the colonial period that the city was renovated with streets that are broad along with colonial architecture that have passed the test of time to last even to now. The city has got a tropical humid climate with average humidity of about 75. There are two distinct seasons the rainy season from May to November and the dry months from December to April. The dry season is the best time to visit the city as the humidity level will be much lower.

There are lots of tourist attractions in the city. Among them is the History Museum. A huge collection of artifacts are arranged or housed in this museum. There is also a water puppet theatre inside the museum and along with this a gift shop too. Yet another great museum is the War Remnants Museum. It is famous for the exhibit of American War Crimes. Yet another place to mention is the Reunification Palace. There is a huge party room a gambling room a movie theatre and lavish reception halls. Many pagodas can be found around the city and among these the Nghia An Hoi Quan is the best. The City Hall is yet another architectural marvel that is a must see one. It is a best example for the colonial architecture of the French. Notre Dame Cathedral is also another of those structures. The Saigon River adds to the beauty of the city.

A lot of water parks are there in order to cool you from the heat. There are Dame Sen water Park and Saigon Water Park to get added up in the list. A lot others are also there in the list. Shopping is yet another feature of this place. Lots of handicraft items and tourist souvenirs are available for shopping. The bargaining skills of people can be very much handful here. Dong Khai and Le Thanh Ton are among the best shopping areas here. The services to the city are made through Tan Son Nhat airport which is the largest in Vietnam. Here the immigration rules are much stricter and hence lot of time is needed for the purpose. Cach Mang Thang Tam station is the nearest railway station to the city center. Again taxi is the best option to go through the city. Motorbike taxis are also there which will be much cheaper than others. Renting a bike is also a good way to explore the beauty of the city.

Unmistakably Saigon is known as the Paris of the East. In the area there are 50 small restaurants that are excellent to go for. There are also many number of internet centers along with glossary and general store. There are traditional cultural shows at the opera house and night clubs situated which adds to the beauty of the city. Vung Tau is a peninsular on the cost and is the nearest seaside to that of Saigon. There is an extra ordinary post office exotic murals old colonial hotels and redbrick cathedral etc which are all worth watching. Thus Saigon or Shanghai or Ho Chi Minh is a strong contender among tourist destinations in Asia.

About the writer:  Hong Kongbased ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 54 hotels under ShangriLa and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27000. ShangriLa hotels are fivestar deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.

Romatic Travel? Discovering Lake Garda

The beautiful lakeside towns around Lake Garda Lago di Garda have charmed foreign visitors for centuries starting with its first visitor and enthusiast Wolfgang Goethe who visited it in 1786.Lake Garda In Italian “Lago di Garda” or “Benaco” is the largest lake in Italy 370 km. It is located in the NorthEast of the peninsula about halfway between Venice and Milan and divides the regions of Lombardy Veneto and Trentino AltoAdige. It is in an alpine area and was formed by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age.

The Latin name of the lake Benco is of IndoEuropean origin perhaps meaning strongly penetrated and it was surely already present at the moment of the roman conquest; the current name instead derives from the homonymous city Garda that lies 32 km from Verona and during the Middle Ages was the greatest exchange and trading center. The shape is typical of a moraine valley: it is probable in fact that this portion of the lake was created through the action of a Paleolithic glacier. The river Sarca is the main affluent among 25 tributaries while the only outlet of the lake is the river Mincio.

Lake Garda measures 516 km in length while the maximum width is 172 km. Its perimeter measures 1584 km and the maximum depth is 346 m. It is situated at the slopes of the Southern Retiche Alps between the chain of Mount Baldo to the East and the Alps to the West from Riva to Sal. Long and slim the Southern section of the lake embraced by the gentle slopes of the Riviera of Olives looks decidedly Mediterranean whilst just a few kilometers North where Monte Baldo rises it completely changes character and turns into a narrow fjord. Rocks and steep cliffs surmounted by castles and ancient churches steeped in history stand guard over suggestive and graceful little ports.

Tourists are offered all kinds of trips on and around the lake and throughout the surrounding territory: cultural trips nature walks sporting activities and sightseeing. In order to fully appreciate the lake’s beauty it is possible to leave your car and take a trip on one of Navigarda ferries preferably choosing the slower itineraries which include almost all the ports on the Veronese shoreline where you can take spectacular snapshots of the scenery. Once you’ve reached Malcesine it is advisable to catch the cablecar the new Malcesine Tratto Spino rotating cable car and from a height of 1760 metres you have a unique and breathtaking view of the lake.

The lakes flora and the fauna are inextricably linked to Mount Baldo the “Garden of Europe”. The mountain side features one of the most diverse natural habitats in the world concentrated in a relatively small area: olive groves along the typically “Mediterranean” section of the lake evergreen ilexes and oaktrees; further up the slope you’ll find ashtrees and chestnutstrees whilst at a height of 1700m you’ll discover lilies rhododendron’s and a spectacular range of wildflowers of great botanic interest. Nonetheless the undisputed “King” of the natural environment along the shores of the lake is the olivetree: olivetrees have been cultivated here since Roman times and the areas oilmaking industry was given an extraordinary impetus by the monks of the medieval abbeys of San Zeno and Santa Maria in Organo. Also cultivated all over the Veronese hills stretching from the lake to the Valpolicella area right up to the valleys of Mezzane Illsai and Tregnago the regions oil has a deep greenishgold colour due to its high chlorophyll content a delicate scent which leaves a fresh grassy aftertaste along with a slightly bitter lemony taste on the tongue. It is ideal with any kind of food although it is best served uncooked: just a small amount enhances the flavour of any dish. Its characteristics remain intact when it is heated at high temperatures which makes it also perfect for frying.

What makes Garda oil unique is that it comes from groves situated on the world’s northernmost latitude. The lake’s geographical location and “microclimate” protect the olives from typical parasites and diseases which afflict olive trees in warmer climates.

About the writer:  webmaster photographer climber author of reportage from Africa South America and Italy

River Rafting In The Himalayas

White water rafting on Himalayan rivers is a great way to connect with the powers that be in nature.

Security in turbulence:

White water rafting Shivpuri Rishikesh

I knew nothing about swimming.

To compensate for my lack of capacity to save myself in case disaster struck and my paddle or myself got sucked into whirlpools in the racing river I followed the river guides instructions religiously.

I paddled with all of my 40 kg frame and might and dug my waterproofsandaled toes into the base of the paddle raft. I should have been terrified at my foolhardiness. I wasnt.

Ganga cradled me in her playful arms and gurgled with delight while its rapid waters frolicked around solid boulders and my red raft with equal vigour.

Ganga the bubbly mother was young 22 km upstream of Rishikesh yet her mothering instincts were not to be mistaken. She threw my raft up in the air as a mother throws her baby up in the air only to catch her again amidst dizzy laughter.

Frenzied waters of the Golf course rapid embraced the lone river guide Bishnu in a paddle raft ahead of us. Bishnus fall in the river was not all; his bright raft came on my head obstructing view but not sound of the encompassing river and cold splashes of Gangajal.

Now that you would say should have positively scared me out of my skin if I was a novice which I positively was. Im happy to disappoint youthe turbulence of the moment did not incite fear but awe at the frothing power around me!

This security blanket amidst turbulence was wrapped around me by Ma Ganga herself. Staid black cormorants flapped their wings in encouragement. Swallows nestled in holes they dug in solid layers of sand at her sides.

Redbottomed shiny greenblack birds kept vigil for food near the fiercest of rapids with the peace of an enlightened Buddha. Whitefreckled wagtails danced alone or in pairs to the music of the river. This musicsystem worked 24 X 7 without changing CDs.

These birds knew experientially that Ganga may look fierce with white froth bellowing around boulders yet it was mother home food and security. No bird flinched at its wrath.

Alien to this mothering I was ridden with doubts before the raft took to the icy waters. Not after. I experienced security amidst turbulence.

In Bhagwad Gita Krishna says Sthavaranam Himalaya Strotsaam Asmi Jahnavi; in stability know me as Himalaya and in rivers know me as Ganga.

Thank you God. Twice blessed by your parental form in the Ganga and Himalayas I renounced fear of insecurities in life and day to day frothy circumstances. Thank you for being in and around me always! And thank you for letting me know that. Love you.

About the writer:  David has written on behalf of Sunmaster Holidays providers of a wide range of package holidays. For further information on holidays in Gran Canaria please visit our website.