Taj Mahal Main Gateway

Darwaza-i-Rauza (gate of the mausoleum) –Taj Mahal Main gatewaywas constructed from the year 1632-1638. The gate is asserted to be designed by the architect named, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri – based on the writings of his son Lutfullah Munhadis.

Structure

The 93 foot high and 150 foot wide, double-storey building is constructed from red sand stone. The vertically symmetrical gate way is one of the five main elements of the historical monument Taj Mahal and was the main entrance during its construction. The size and the function of the gateway have gained it more importance than the building. The doorway is of ogival arch shape that reaches the mid-height of the gateway structure.

At the corners of the gate are octagonal shaped towers, surrounded by an open-domed pavilion. There are eleven umbrella shaped marble cupolas over the central portion of the gateway. A big decorated arched chamber lies in the archway of the main gate. It has rooms with twists, branches and side branches to hallways, most probably built to confuse people entering them. These rooms have not been used from about three centuries.

Beauty

Its beauty is enhanced by the touch of Hindu motifs on it. These motifs were made from stones of semi-precious nature. A red trident on a white teardrop makes the gateway look more beautiful. The sides of the gateway are decorated with inter-weaved red flowers of lotus, vines with leaves.

You would enjoy in true sense, an optical illusion where all the letters of the Quran verses have been done to such a size using Arabic calligraphy, making them look the same size – all over the arch. This feat was possibly achieved by increasing the size of the letters gradually, moving away from the eyes thus making them look the same size.

If you want to carve a life time of memories in your heart visit the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal Main Gateway

Teatro Amazonas

The Teatro Amazonas or The Amazon Theatre is an opera house found in the middle of Manaus, within the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. It is the site of the yearly Amazonas Opera Festival or the Festival Amazonas de Opera held in every month of April. It was constructed in the time of the Belle Epoque, the period when much wealth was created in the rubber boom. The construction of the Teatro Amazonas was first proposed in the year 1881 by Antonio Jose Fernandes Junior, an associate in the House of Representatives. His idea was to make Manaus among the most significant centres of civilization and to create a gem in the heart of the Amazon forest.

In the subsequent year, the State legislature granted some limited funding. However, this was deemed inadequate. In the year 1882, Jose Lustosa Paranagua, the president of the Province, granted a greater budget and started a contest for the arrangement of plans. By the year 1884, the construction was all set to start under an Italian architect Celestial Sacardim. He designed the theatre in Renaissance style in order to be uniquely artistic and to put in electric lighting.

The Teatro Amazonas is featured in Fitzcarraldo, a film directed by German director Werner Herzog in the year 1982. The opera-fanatic Brian Sweeney “Fitzcarraldo” Fitzgerald goes to the Teatro Amazonas opera house in order to listen to Enrico Caruso sing the Verdi’s Ernani at the start of the movie. He appears just at the last part of the opera and the interiors of the opera house were displayed in some scenes. While it is supposed that the opera house was built to draw Caruso to present at the opening, there are some uncertainties that he really did present there. Teatro Amazonas is features in a book entitled “A Company of Swans”, as well.

Teatro Amazonas

Zakho

Zakho, Iraq is close to the border of Iraq and Turkey. Back in the day, Zakho was just a tiny island. When you mention Zakho, it is also remembered for its synagogues. There was a big Jewish neighborhood in the area too. However, in 1981, the Jews living in the town was attacked and all their synagogues where put on fire. The Jews fled the city and nowadays, about 600,000 individuals are living on this district. They still however practice some Jewish tradition together with their Muslim culture.

As a tourist, you can go to the Delal Bridge. The bridge is a popular tourist destination because of how beautiful and mysterious the building of it is. You can also go and visit the Zakho castle and the Qubad Pasha castle to learn more about the empires who ruled the country.

Not only is Zakho a good place to visit for tourists but it is also a great place for you to live in or even do business. There is a big market in the Kurdish neighborhood and also the center and northern portion of Iraq. The market place is a good place to sell and buy products and merchandise. It is a good place for trading too. The country is in trading terms mostly with Turkey. The most popular products in the area would be the oil, rice, lentils, sesame, different kinds of fruit and wax. Because of this, there are also many job opportunities inZakho. A lot of people from Syria, Turkey and other parts of the country go to Zakho to try their luck in finding a job.

Zakho

Shenyang Imperial Palace

Architectural, historical, and cultural buffs will love to visit this magnificent structure located outside China’s Forbidden City. With an area of 60,000 square meters, Shenyang Imperial Palace contains 20 lavish courtyards and 600 spacious rooms fit for an emperor.

Located at 171, Shenyang Road, Shenyang City, the vast and striking Shenyang Imperial Palace was built in 1625 and completed in 1636 by a father-and-son team, Nurhachi and Abahai. Nurhachi, the father, decided to construct this impressive palace after designating Shenyang as the capital of Qing dynasty. Both emperors were the first emperors of the Qing dynasty.

Construction of the Shenyang Imperial Palace continued even in 1711-1799 when Emperor Qianlong ordered the erection of the palace’s Western Section, which resulted in the division of the palace into three parts: the eastern section or the Hall of Great Affairs, the middle or the Qingning Gong, and the western part known as the Hall of Literary Source.

The Hall of Great Affairs or the Dazheng Dian, is a large, octagonal area that provided its early residents a room to convene political and administrative affairs. Visitors who enter this chamber will see a throne, where several emperors had been crowned. Another famous sight in the eastern division is the Ten Kings Pavilion, which served as offices for the army leaders during the old times. Today, the Ten Kings Pavilion is a museum offering a wide array of weaponry used in Qing dynasty and other items used by the Manchurian army.

The middle section boasts the Phoenix Tower – a three-storied edifice that was the only largest structure during the early times. The walls of this middle area or Qingning Gong became a witness to a number of people who sought justice in its court.

The Western part of Shenyang Imperial Palace is called the Hall of Literary Source. It contains some of the most important books and literary relics of the city such as Emperor Qian Long’s inscription, the complete set of the Four Treasures, a collection of tools such as brush, ink, paper, and ink stone used for calligraphy.

Shenyang Imperial Palace is definitely a complete, one-stop location for those who love the allure of architecture, history, and culture. Recognized by UNESCO as one of the World’s Cultural Heritage Site, the Shenyang Imperial Palace promises to give you a whole new experience in learning China’s rich history in a more enjoyable way.

Shenyang Imperial Palace

Cologne

Located in southwest Germany,Cologneis the fourth-largest city of the country that prides itself in its long but colorful history. But more than being a city of the olden times, it is considered to be an important media center with radio and television stations found in the city. Cologne is indeed the perfect example of how a collision between the past and the future could transform it into a bustling tourism hotspot.

One of the highlights of Cologne is it’s Romanesque churches spread across the city. But one of the most popular among them is the infamous Cologne Cathedral, which is the center of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. This cathedral has in fact been inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Indeed, this cathedral, one of the largest churches in the world, is a stunning architecural structure that proves to be one of the most important must-see spot in the city.

With it’s lively and thriving arts scene, the numerous museums that houses ancient works of art raning from paintings to sculptures, are also what makes this city as interesting as it’s history. Several of the most-visited museums in the city are the Museum Ludwig which features important contemporary pieces of art and the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud which is the oldest museum in the city,home to ancient works of art and more. But without a doubt, it’s the city’s Chocolate Museum that somehow honors the country’s chocolate legacy that wins tourists’ hearts every time. It’s modern ship-shaped facade lures visitors in and once they enter the museum, they are greeted by the scent of chocolate in the air.

Of course, Cologne is not just a haven for history nuts, medieval lovers, and art buffs. With the cool weather of Cologne mostly prevalent throughout the year, no tourist visiting Cologne leaves without sampling the beer of choice among the locals, Kölsch. Germany is indeed, also known for its infamous beer festival, Oktoberfest. After you’ve had a sampling of this beer, you can explore the city’s vibrant and fun restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to have a look into the modern culture of the city.

Cologne is a city that is proud of it’s history. It’s architectural wonders that have stood the test of time and modernization are just one of the many attractions that make this city an important part of your Germany tour itinerary.

Cologne

Goa

Among all places in the beautiful country of India,Goais among the standouts. If all the other cities offer historical sights for the tourists, Goa offers something new that tourists cannot resist trying – having a vacation at their resorts.

People who come to India have this thought of spending their time there joining the festivities and walking in the streets, looking at every structure and trying to analyze its symbolism or historical background. Goa, on the other hand, will try to deviate from this way of thinking and instead let tourists imagine themselves relaxing in their resorts and enjoying the beaches with white sand and clear water under the bright, blue skies. No other place can be as beautiful as this paradise in India.

What makes Goa worth visiting, besides its enchanting beaches, would have to be the people the lives in the area. They are very welcoming and they consider the tourists as one of them. A lot of them are knowledgeable in the English language, so talking with them to know more about the area would be something that the tourists should look out for.

The beaches in Goa are best viewed during the monsoon, according to the caretakers of the resorts in the place. They often compare it to the postcards that people send to their loved ones – the ecstatic and serene view of the sea during sunrise or sunset resembles so much of the beaches’ view.

The area is covered by palm trees resting in the white sands that connect to the Arabian Sea. Besides swimming, tourists can do many other things like taking photos of the fantastic scenery, soaking up the sun while reading a novel, talking with other tourists that enjoy staying the area, and taste the popular beverage called Feni. Moreover, tourists can also partake in sports like volleyball, water rafting, canoeing and other water-related sports that will surely drain the energy out of the tourists.

There are also spas and casinos in the area, making the tourists’ stay very worthwhile. Carnivals, bars and clubs are also prominent in the area, making Goa’s nightlife a busy and exciting escapade. For people who would also like to take a look at Goa’s cultural aspect, they can visit the churches and parks in the area.

If ever tourists stop by India and its cities, they should never forget to include Goa in their list.

Goa

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, a magnificent city which used to be the capital of Thailand and which evolved into an important trading center in Asia during the 16th and 17th centuries, is where awesome temple ruins can be found. During its glory days, there were palaces, pagodas, and temples set upon an island cut across with canals and waterways.

The picture-perfect river island city actually fell into the hands of Burmese invaders back in 1767. The kingdom was transferred to the present Bangkok location in 1782. Many years later, more people would feel enthralled by Ayutthaya. After all, it has been declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as one of the World Heritage sites. When it comes to architectural design, Ayutthaya offers an intriguing showcase. Soaring, opulent spires called prangs reminiscent of ancient Cambodia may be likened to the stunning architecture of Angkor Wat. The pointed stupas carry a Sukhothai style.

The Buddha idols at the temples of Ayutthaya have a faint smile and an unyielding stance. The temples continually attract a throng of people wanting to see the Buddha housed within. The temples of Ayutthaya have actually lured merchants, adventurers, mercenaries, missionaries and leisure travelers.

Scores of people attest to the fact that the temples in Ayutthaya are certainly worth visiting. Guests of the ancient attractions usually are thrilled when they set foot on the temple grounds and take in sights. One of them, the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, signified immense good tidings or blessings and forgiveness as well as triumphing over enemies. The Phra Phuttha Chaiya Mongkhon is one of Ayutthaya’s most sacred Buddha images. Another temple, the Wat Phanan Choeng, signifies job prosperity and a well-oiled business. It is one of the most revered temples in Bangkok. Wat Thammikkarat on the eastern side of the ancient royal palace features a stupa surrounded by lion figures. These are some examples of great must-see attractions.

Ayutthaya

Nintoku Mausoleum in Sakai

Nintoku Mausoleum is the largest Mausoleum (external building or burial chamber constructed as a monument) in Japan. The Nintoku Mausoleum is considered as one of the three largest tombs in the world and it is located in the city of Sakai, southeast of Osaka.

The Mausoleum was built in the 5th century in the name of Emperor Nintoku on a larger scale than the Pyramids of Egypt. The construction of Nintoku Mausoleum took about twenty long years with a total work force of about 800,000 laborers. The site of Nintoku Mausoleum covers about 1.3 million square feet. The tomb of Nintoku in Nintoku Mausoleum is surrounded with three moats and pine, cypress trees and cedar. The structure is in the shape of keyhole with overall length of 486 meters, 35 meter height and a total area of about 460,000 square meters.

The easiest way to reach the Nintoku Mausoleum is to catch JR Hanwa line and to drop down at Mozu station. From Mozu station, a walk of five minutes is required to reach the mausoleum. Admission to the inner area is not permitted, but the visitors are permitted to walk around the outer moat which gives an idea of Nintoku Mausoleum and the grounds. One should definitely witness this kind of Mausoleum at least once in a life time as the architecture is a master piece of its own kind.

Nintoku Mausoleum in Sakai

La Scala Opera House

Visiting Italy, especially Milan, a must see is the La Scala Opera House. When you reserve tickets for the evening, do come in your best formal wear. A lot of visitors would prefer to visit different places in Italy wearing just their jeans and shirt and their sturdy boots. Well, make this an exception since there is a given protocol in Milan as to what clothes to wear at the opera house.

The La Scala Opera House has been in operation since 1778. December is quite important and memorable for the people here since that is the feast day of their saint thus marking the start of the season for plays and ballets. Everything must end at the strike of twelve, so women can feel like Cinderella as they leave the magnificently built La Scala Opera House.

Opera may not be everyone’s liking, but for you to be able to witness and experience how the evening shows were intricately put together for the delight of the audience, now that will remain in your heart. It also is a good place to get your photo taken since La Scala Opera House is so famous around the world. You may even record some parts of the play especially when you are seated in the boxes where wealthy people choose to stay. You call these boxes the palchi. Generations ago, if you do not belong to the upper crust of society who could afford to watch at the palchi, you are going to sit at loggione.

La Scala Opera House

Rotorua

Rotoruais a multicultural district in New Zealand. It is located in the central North Island. It is known as the heart of the Maori culture.

It is well renowned for Maori art, craft, and culture. It is also the home of many contemporary artists, craftsmen, performers, and musicians. It is known as a spa town and a major tourist spot since the 1800s. Rotorua is a major tourist spot in New Zealand and is known for geothermal activities as well as geysers and hot mud pools.

One of its main attraction is mountain biking. It is the location of the Whakarewarewa Forest, which is usually coined as the Disneyland of mountain biking.

Weather

Rotorua has long and hot summers that make it a good place to enjoy various water activities. Spring in the area is warm and is usually characterized by stunning flowers that makes for a beautiful city. Autumns are crisp with spectacular rainbow displays. Winters are cold and frosty in the morning and generally bright and clear during the day. Truly, Rotorua is a beautiful city all through out the year.

Food and Dining

Rotorua has a wide range of cuisine to choose from including Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Mexican, Mediterranean, and European. With more than 50 restaurants to cater to you in both the formal and casual set up, food and dining is generally enjoyable. You should also try the traditionalhangi, which is a feast of Maori food, and that, is uniquely New Zealand.

Sight and Activities

Rotorua offers various activities for people of all ages. Mountain biking of course is the main attraction. Aside from this, there are also several water activities that are available like rafting and kayaking. You can also visit several wildlife parks for an enjoyable activity for the family.

Places to visit

1.The Bath House. It is the house of the Rotorua Museum of Art & History Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa. It was originally a spa which offers therapeutic treatments and is known as the symbol of the city.

2.The Old Post Office. A building with a clock tower that is an attraction in its own right in Rotorua.

3.The Prince’s Gate Archway.An archway built in honor of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901. It is now an attraction in the Government Garden after having been moved there after the visit.

4.The Landmark. An old establishment which is one of the few historic homes existing in Rotorua today. The Landmark has served a number of features ever since such as being a family home to being a hotel and restaurant.

5.Te Amorangi Museum. The first house in the area to be connected to electricity. It was donated by Mr. Arthur Sheward to the Diocese of Waiapu and was used as a religious and recreational center in memory of his mother.

Rotorua

The Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas Islands is composed of smaller island communes. It is part of the French Polynesia region – an overseas territory of France by the Pacific Ocean. One of these islands is the Ua Pou (Ua Pu to some). It is the third largest island in the Marquesas group.

This place is said to be one of the most ideal locations to spend a vacation or a honeymoon. The beautiful scenery can give you the intimate setting you need to get to enjoy each other’s company. The accommodations are fantastic and can conform to practically every need you may have. There are many activities and sights that Ua Pou can offer.

It has been said that the island of Ua Pou is the center for artistic talent. They hold a festival twice each year where the Marquesans showcase the talents they have to offer. They are well known for their dance artists and their renowned musicians. Apart from these, they also feature their tattoo arts and wood carving. As you stay in this place, you can also enjoy and take part in these activities and perhaps bring a piece of its culture home.

Archeological sites are well maintained around this area. They take great pride in what nature has gifted their island with. Among the most popular sights to see in this place is found in the center of the island. There stands four basalt peaks or pillars. From afar, these pillars take the shape of sugar loafs. These peaks overlooks the sheltered bays; this is also where you will be able to find the main village. You can enjoy hiking through these sites and take photos to be able to immortalize its magnificence. The Ua Pou island offers much experience and memories for you to build and take home to remember.

The Marquesas Islands

Balzers

Located in the southern part of Liechtenstein is a small village named Balzers. Based on a census conducted last 2005, the village is inhabited by 4,420 people. The river Rhine runs along the small village particularly at its east bank.

In reality, Balzers is not one united village. It is composed of two villages situated opposite each other. The one in the East is what most people would refer to as the actual Balzers. On the other hand, the one in the West is referred to as Mals. The division of the village into two regions is not very distinct. Outsiders would not know that there is a division at all. But the division can be seen within the local villagers in terms of practicing culture. The two disparate groups engage in an unending friendly competition. Although they share the same culture, they practice it separately.

Reaching Balzers can be quite a challenge because there is no local airport available. In fact, there is no airport available in the whole Liechtenstein. However, you can reach Balzers through a heliport which accommodates chartered flights.

The altitude of Balzers is 494 meters. If you love old chapels, old castles, and old natural sites, Balzers is the place to visit! Visiting the Gutenberg Castle is on everyone’s itinerary together with the chapels of St. Peter and Mariahilf. Aside from historical sites, Balzers offers tourists a taste of nature through their unscarred virgin reserves. It is truly the place where history and nature blend in perfect harmony.

Balzers

Tomb of Jahangir

In South Asia, tombs and mausoleums have taken there roles as tourist attractions. Because of the impressive architecture found in these structures, visitors have actually flocked to these places, making what are supposed to be morbid places into tourist destinations. One great example is the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum dedicated to Shah Jahan’s queen Mumtaz Mahal. In Pakistan, meanwhile, the Tomb of Jahangir has proven to be a crowd drawer for its elaborate construction and elegant design, making it an architectural marvel.

Jahangir’s tomb is located in Lahore, but the great ruler actually died in Rajauri. His body had to be bought back to Lahore. He was buried in the garden of Nur Jahan which is located in the Ravi River banks. The tomb’s grounds extend to 55 acres and designed in a classical pattern called charbagh, which involves perpendicular rows and columns which intersect. There are two gates in the north and south where the entrances are. Both gates are the same in size although the southern gate is more elaborately designed with a marble inlay in white and Sikri sandstone in red.

Also in red sandstone is the mausoleum. Its inlay is also made of marble with floral patterns. An arcaded platform known as takhgah is a square measuring 84 meters. On each corner, there is a miaret shaped in an octagon. There are corridors present o n the four sides of the takgah which lead to a crypt in the center which is also octagonal. The crypt contains a cenotaph made of marble which also rests on the chabutra or platform. It has an inlay of precious gems in patterns of flowers and calligraphy in black which notes the date of jahangir’s death along with God’s 99 names. Only to marvel at the elaborate patterns and inlays, together with the exquisite marble structures, the Tomb ogf Jahangir is definitely worth a visit.

Tomb of Jahangir

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is purportedly the most famous lake in the world and one of the most visited locations in Scotland. The Loch Ness is a large, deep lake found in Scotland about 23 miles wide and 52 feet above sea level. The Loch Ness is allegedly the home of the famous Loch Ness Monster. The legendary animal is said to be 40 to 50 meters tall with a long, snake-like neck. Its first sightings date back to 565 AD and the sightings became more frequent during the 18th century. Numerous sightings and pictures have appeared to prove the existence of this monster, but all these supposed evidence are still inconclusive. If you love busting or proving myths and legends, go monster hunting and try spotting the Loch Ness Monster with the whole family!

Another interesting feature you can find here in the Loch Ness is the only known island around it, dubbed as Cherry Island. What makes this island peculiar is that it is a ‘crannog’, or man made islands built during the Iron Age. This can only be accessible through a canoe. These crannogs are a-plenty in Ireland and Scotland.

Aside from sight-seeing and monster hunting, there is so much to do here at Loch Ness. You can take short walks along paths to the ‘Trail of the Seven Lochs’. This trail is an amazing place for hiking, stretching about 50 miles of pathways with spectacular views. Aside from hiking you can also do varied activities: golfing, fishing, horseback riding, and more fun activities for the whole family. For those who are not big fans of the outdoors, there are many activities you can do indoors such as visiting the Loch Ness Centre, the Exhibition Experience and Caledonian Canal Visitor Center.

You can get to Loch Ness by bus and through the Inverness railway station.

Loch Ness

Algerian Dinar

Algeria started out in the earliest times with the Algerian Franc as its currency. By the 1st day of April, year 1964, Algeria changed its currency to Algerian dinar. This currency is subdivided into 100 santeem. The name “dinar” was actually derived from the Roman name “Denaurius”. As for this currency’s code, according to the ISO standard, it is written as DZD. One Algerian dinar gives the equivalent of 100 centimes.

During such early years of the birth of the Algerian dinar, a series of coins were the only type of denomination that was minted. The first few denominations of such coins were 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 santeem and 1 dinar. Santeems of 1, 2 and 5 denominations are all made out of aluminum bronze while 1 dinar is stuck with cupro – nikel. These coins mainly represent the emblem of Algeria on one of its sides and an Eastern Arabic numerical on the other. These were later enhanced. From the emblem and Arabic numerical inscriptions, the coins had been changed to represent various commemorative events that took place in Algeria. Following such innovative change, the 1 and 2 santeems were never made again. The 5, 10 and 20 santeem continually circulated the country until the year 1980. Great changes took place over time and these coins were not exceptions to the rule. By the year 1992, the series of coins were as follows: 1/4,1/2, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 Dinar.

Coins were not the only type of Algerian dinar that was released during 1964. Bank notes were also introduced to the Algerian economy in this same year. The denominations that were available at that time were 5, 10, 50 and 100 dinar. Later on, 500 and 1000 dinars came to existence. These banknotes are made of different colors. The 10 dinar is designated a green color. The 20 dinar, on the other hand, is identified by the color red. Similar with the 10 dinar, 50 dinar notes were printed in green while blue was assigned to represent 100 dinar. As for the latest 500 and 1000 dinar notes, the colors of violet or pink and red are assigned respectively. Up to this time, banknotes are still being circulated under the denominations of 200, 500 and 1000.

Algerian dinar has come far in terms of its existence in the exchange rate market. One US dollar is equivalent to 72.57 dinar. Another fact that most would not have gathered is that Algerian dinar is not the only currency that is being used for economic transactions. It has been found that British pound is also used in making transactions in Algeria. One unique side about this type of currency is that it has no rigid rules with regard to its importation and exportation.

These are the unique historical stories that the Algerian dinar offers. So, if you do ever plan to travel to Algeria, make sure you have exchanged your money for this type of currency. Also, do take note of the particular currency rate for the day.

Algerian Dinar

Ladakh and Its Mountains

Ladakh, also called the Land of the High Passes, is part of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies in between two world’s greatest mountain ranges, i.e. the Himalayan Ranges and the Karakorum Ranges. The people who stay there are migrants of Indo Aryans and Tibetan civilization.

The Ladakh region is very thinly populated. This place is said to be the young land and only formed a few million years ago. Ladakh has an altitude of 9000 feet at Kargil and 21,170 feet at Saser Kanri. The temperature in winter reaches minus 22 degree Celsius and during summers, can go up to 20 plus. Leh and Ladakh have been said to be the only places where you can have a sun stroke as well as frostbit at the same time.

Water in such places is always scarce because the place hardly receives any rain. Ladakh was once covered by a Lake. The main source of water here is the melted water from the snow which is carried down by smaller streams and thus helps in irrigation. The farmers usually pray that the rains should not destroy their crops and the sun should melt the snow which should be the real source of irrigation. It is interesting and shocking to know that the place does not receive any water from the rain for almost 300 days in one year.

There are beautiful mountains all over Ladakh and it’s worth visiting if you’re into mountain activities. Some of the adventures that tourists can indulge into are mountain climbing, cycling, Jeep and yak safari, trekking etc. Also, there are a lot of monateries in Ladakh that are worth visiting.

Ladakh and Its Mountains

British Virgin Islands

If you’re looking for a warm tropical destination to spend your next vacation, than look no further than the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands are located east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Ocean. Comprised of 59 islands, with 16 habited and 43 uninhabited, The British Virgin Islands fall into two types where the topography is either steep volcanic islands or flat coral islands. Crown Mountain is the highest point in the British Virgin Islands. The island’s climate is very tropical with low humidity and minor seasonal temperature variation.

To experience the island’s outdoor activities and see its beautiful scenery is usually the reason why people come here. Lying on white sandy beaches lapped by the beautiful blue ocean is a temptation many people can’t resist. Other attractions to experience include seeing the historic villages, churches, Botanic Gardens, and a museum in Road Town. There is also snorkeling and diving, in addition to many hiking tours.

Seafood is the food of choice at the Virgin Islands. Various fish and lobster dishes can be found in most of the small restaurants. Also, there are many other ethnic dishes available from Guyana and Trinidad to Italian, French and Asian that can be found on the island.

Visa and Passport regulations are strictly enforced at the harbors, most importantly for boats sailing to and from the US and British territory. As of June 2009, certified birth certificates are no longer accepted and ferry operators can only take passport carrying US citizens.

British Virgin Islands