Рубрика: Travel

Elephant Experience

Elephant Experience

I am a bit crazy about elephants and this is something I have wanted to do for some time.
After lazing on the beach at Nakamanda in Krabi for four days to acclimatise, having come from the snow in Britain, and soaking up the charming Thai hospitality, we headed up to Chaing Mai.
The Thai Conservation Centre in Lampang, about an hour outside Chiang Mai, is set in parkland and jungle. It is bigger than I had expected and we were booked into participate in the 3 day VIP Mahout elephant training course. The VIP part just ensures you have your own elephant and Mahout for the entire time and there are only 4 participants in the group. From the moment you arrive, after donning your mahout suit, you are with the elephants.
My ele was called Tradang, he is 32 and has a hole in one ear. Charming! The first thing that struck me was his size – he stood about 9 or 10 feet high – it was a long way up there! It was a bit scary at first, although I soon got into the swing of it and began to learn about the special bond between a mahout and his/her elephant. The next challenge was getting off!
Three days of constant contact and interaction with extremely well loved, well trained and well cared for elephants followed.  (Incidentally, we there is also a wonderful elephant hospital that treats and looks after elephants sent from all over Thailand.) From 6.30 or 7am to 4 or 5pm each day we were with our elephants, feeding, bathing, training and even participating in the daily show. My elephant was particularly keen on bathing me as well as himself and I was always absolutely soaked after the bathing session.
We took our elephant to a different part of the forest each night. The accommodation in individual chalet style cabins is spacious, basic and clean and the food is home cooked to order by the very friendly staff.
Until you ride & spend time with an elephant you really can’t imagine how intelligent and how intuitive they are. The last day of the course it was my birthday and I was in heaven riding out to the water hole at sunrise on my elephant.

Ваш отзыв , 09 Apr 2011

Switzerland – A Holiday of a Lifetime!

Switzerland; The very mention of the name inspires visions of a veritable heaven on Earth – with its perfectly manicured landscapes, ever changing sceneries, amazing weather and one of the most advanced transportation networks in the world… Switzerland offers many worlds, each and every day, that one explores this country!

Be it in the shadows of the Swiss Alps, or by the river Rhine, or the Spa Facilities at Bad Ragaz & Leukerbad, or even quaint little Hamlets of Grindelwald & St. Moritz, the soothing pace and the climate of this paradise country, will not only fill your mind with fresh air, but the picture perfect country-sides, and the mere sounds of silence, will rejuvenate your body & soul.

What better way to explore and enjoy Switzerland other than go with the experts Swiss Holidays. With its experienced tour planners, its excellent track record of endless happy guests and its Swiss Roots -Having their own office in Zurich – The Swiss Holidays offers a unique opportunity to the people of The Gulf to spend an unforgettable vacation on this heaven on Earth.

Swiss Holidays offers you many exciting tour package options for you to choose from. You are spoilt for choice between the pristine cities of Interlaken, Luzern, Grindelwald, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Laussane and the mountain excursions of Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Pilatus, Titlis Rotair, Mt. Rigi and many more. The terrific train journey to Kleine Scheidegg via Lauterbrunnen is full of fun and excitement. The famous Jungfrau Railways will take you to the highest station in Europe. The captivating snow peaks of Jungfraujoch, – from where Sunny Deol jumped into the depths, in his Bollywood Starrer “The Hero” are there to mesmerize you. You may visit the Ice Cave with its ice formations or else explore the snow on the glacier. A scenic train will take you to Luzern via the Br?nig Pass. You can enjoy a cruise on Lake Luzern, travel by boarding the steepest cogwheel rail in the world upto Mt. Pilatus (2’132 m/7’000 ft).

The spectacular snowcapped 4000m + Alpine peaks and beautiful lakes make the country a true heaven for tourists. Chocolates, Cheese and Clocks – one of the many things that Sweet Memories are made of, are all found here in their purest forms. You can visit the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich, the Capital and one of the most happening places in the country. The grandeur of the finest churches, contrasts with sparkling treasures like the frescoes of M?stair or the abbey complex of St. Gallen, both World Heritage sites.

Interlaken is a rich and one of the most popular cities in Switzerland. Nestled between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and at the foot the famous three Swiss Peaks: the Eiger, the M?nch and the Jungfrau, Interlaken beckons you with its breathtaking environs.

You may explore legendary city of Luzern by visiting the 700 year old wooden Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and of course the premium Shopping Establishments. A shoppers paradise, so do not forget to claim the VAT refunds when you depart from this vacation of a lifetime……..

The Swiss Holidays offers you the option of choosing from five star hotels to Luxury Apartments or private chalets for long stays with fully furnished interiors including cooking facilities and private car parks – so the next time anyone thinks of a holiday, pack up for Switzerland, and book your “Holiday of a Lifetime” with http://www.theswissholidays.ae/.

Ваш отзыв , 08 Apr 2011

The story of Seven Summits

Every history has got a story. Of course stories are the instruments that narrate history. Likewise the history behind the origin of seven summits has also got several stories to speak up. This article will summarize those stories and reveals you with the real reasons for naming these mountains so.
Before to enter with the matter one should have a clear idea about the members of the Seven summits. Well the Seven summits really denotes the seven highest peaks each one representing one of the seven continents in the world. We all knew that the seven continents that are existing right now can be listed out in the descending order on basis of their area as: ASIA, AFRICA, NORTH AMERICA, SOUT AMERICA, ANTARCTICA, EUROPE and AUSTRALIA
Belonging to any one of the continents listed above, Seven summits can be listed as:
– Aconcagua
– Carstensz Pyramid
– Kilimanjaro
– Elbrus
– Denali
– Vinson
– Mount Everest
Starting with Aconcagua which represents the continent South America, the story of it seems to be quite confusing as records say there are three reasons behind it’s naming. On linguistic grounds it is believed that the name of this peak is derived from “Quechuan” language which is the combination of two words “Ackhon Cahuak” and “Anco Cahuac”. The words are not of fancy and they really mean “Sentinel of stone” and “White Sentinel”. Mean while the ancient people of Andes called the “Mapuches”, named as “Aconca- Hue” which means “Comes from the other side”.
Carstensz Pyramid which is probably now known as Puncak Jaya, this mountain is located on the island of New Guinea and stands as the highest peak in Indonesia. This mountain was named Carstensz Pyramid by a Dutch explorer Jan Carstensz in the year 1623 who, when he returned to Europe, was almost punished for claiming that there was a mountain near the equator with snow on it. The present name of the mountain is Puncak Jaya which came about in the 1960s when Indonesia took over control. The name was first changed to Puncak Soekarno after the president of Indonesia, but was later changed to Puncak Jaya, Jaya meaning ‘victorious’ or ‘glorious’.
In the North East Tanzania lies the Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The exact meaning of the word Kilimanjaro is unknown as it is thought to be a mixture of the Swahili and Kichagga languages.
Elbrus which represents the continent of Europe has the pride to be the highest peak of Europe. The mere translation of Elbrus in the Arabic language is “Surprise; surprise; White mountain”.
The Denali range is the highest peak of North America which is exactly located in Alaska. The name is discovered by the natives of Alaska called the “Athabaskans” which means “The Great one”.
The Vinson range is located in the freezing Antarctica. It is officially given this name by the US advisory committee on Arctic names due to great financial support of the congressman Carl Vinson.
The Everest needs no introductions as we all know it seems to be one of nature’s wonders. Many interesting stories swirl around when we put ourselves in discovering the origin of it’s name. of all the valuable fact is that this highest range acquires it’s name from “Colonel George Everest” who was the chief of the surveyor who actually measured the real height of this peak to this world.

Ваш отзыв , 06 Apr 2011

Travel Insurance Comes In Many Different Forms

Companies are working to broaden their scope, to offer additional insurance options to their customers, to keep pace with the growth of the travel industry. The latest occurrences of terrorism, environmental diseases, and diseases in general has caused the need to offer travelers additional safeguards. Travelers can purchase financial protection insurance for both domestic and overseas trips.
More recently, companies have even begun granting travel insurance on a 24 hour basis and providing protection for the duration of even short trips and tours. Medical costs, hospitalization, dismemberment and death as a result of an accident are offered with the domestic coverage. The same coverage and more is available for overseas trips.
Currently, the industry offers a variety of insurance options, allowing travelers to select which best suits them. In the event of an accidental death due to an injury, Common Carrier “Air only” implements coverage. In this instance, as an insured voyager flying on a commercial flight, you would be covered.
It is helpful to carry accidental death and dismemberment coverage in the event that accidental death results from an injury. If this is the case, the beneficiary listed on the policy will be compensated. The coverage agreement specifies what is included with the subsidy purchased.
Accidental Medical Expenses – All travelers should consider purchasing Accidental Medical Expenses to protect themselves against the accumulation of debt due to requiring intensive medical care. With Accidental Medical Expenses insurance, you would be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses of medical treatment by a doctor. Still, you need to examine your benefits options to make the treatment costs will be covered completely.
Emergency Medical Evacuation might require your insurance to pay the expenses up to the limit specified in the insurance agreement. Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage only pays out if evacuation is deemed necessary The necessity of this shall be determined by a licenses physician depending on type and degree of injury.
The insurer will need to pay the reasonable covered cost of returning the insured’s body to the place where travel originated, when Repatriation of Remains coverage is purchased. However, your death must be during the travel insured and must be the end result of an injury. Cremation, embalming, coffins and transportation are some of the covered expenses in this policy.
Travelers have their luggage lost or stolen on a regular basis so Baggage and Personal Effects insurance is a must. This insurance only covers the property if it is registered with and under the supervision and power of a commercial airline commissioned by the government authority to transport fee paying ticketed passengers. Such losses must be immediately reported to the correct authorities, as well as the insurance carrier.
Even if your luggage is only delayed, a timely claim will reimburse you up to the amount outlined by the schedule of benefits for the purchase of emergency supplies. Included items such as clothing and toiletries qualify. The insurer will make sure your baggage was checked-in and was in the custody of whatever commercial airline’s flight you were traveling on.
You may also be compensated for any commercial flight you were booked to fly on when it’s delayed for more than twelve hours, based on the insurance plan you chose to buy. This type of insurance gives financial protection as well as peace of mind, for the traveler, and their respective beneficiaries. The price that you will pay, will be well worth the cost when you consider the benefits received by this kind of insurance.
In accordance with insurance companies adapting their policies to provide customers with better coverage, the emergence of e-tickets is also transforming the travel industry. This idea has eliminated the need to hold a physical paper ticket, as well as the passenger charges that are connected with prepaid tickets. Having your tickets lost, misplaced, forgotten or stolen can be one of the worst things that can happen to a traveler. Since you typically print the e-ticket right before you get on the plane, it is difficult to lose.

Ваш отзыв , 06 Apr 2011

Visit the wonders of Morgan museum

The county historical museum of Morgan displays authentic work of art by Howard Christy, a boy from local region who made his well known Christy girls gracing the covers of all the most popular magazines in the early 1900?s.  Museum also exposes the artifacts of Mc Donald Birch. You will see farm machinery, antique household machines, Victorian furnishing and much more.

The museum also has a very extensive civil war collection, as well as artifacts from the Mexican war, form the American Revolution, and World wars first and second. This amazing ability will carry you to explain the ages and an inclusive exposition of life in the valley of Muskingum River region form the Stone Age through World war second. Built in 1904, the building housing the museum was originally a produce store, then a market and later a feed store. Over the years everything from tractors and farm equipment to greeting cards has been sold from this lovely building.

Button house

Evelyn true button house transport you back in time. The stylish home was built in 1836 and is crafted with period pieces dating from the 1830?s to the 1890?s. The house features 12 Victorian rooms that are absolutely authentic.

You can go through and adore the cupboard, inspect the artwork that adorns the walls and the summer kitchen. Furnished with original lines and quilts, it may be the most exact Victorian home you will ever seen, local artwork, period clothing and dishes. Most of the furniture was donated by the Mc Connel and True families.

The doll house

The doll house features the society?s collection of over 2500 dolls. The dolls are of all types-and from many different eras of history. The collection include Native American dolls, ethnic dolls, movie star dolls, character dolls, designer dolls, teddy bears, handmade dolls, rag dolls, Barbie dolls,  Eganbee dolls, Madame Alexander dolls, antique china dolls, antique leather dolls, just about every type of doll you can imagine.

The building was furnished in 1870 and cared as the medical offices of Dr. Hiram L. True.

The carriage house

While touring the Evelyn true button house, take a walk out back and discover how the Victorians made their way about town. The authentic era fire engine is ready just waiting for the volunteers to hook up the team. And the horse drawn hearse awaits as well, ready to take unfortunate souls to their eternal slumber. There are tools of every type, shape and size hand crafted and elegant.

Rock hollow schoolhouse

This authentic one room school was moved from Union Township in Morgan County to Malta by the Morgan county Historical society.

Visiting Morgan county historical museum

These museums and homes may be visited combined or separately as a package tour. Group tours are available by calling the Morgan county historical society. In addition to the published times hours for group tours are flexible.

Ваш отзыв , 04 Apr 2011

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