Travel Guide Phuket in Southern Thailand South

Phuket is an island province and Thailand’s largest island – roughly the size of Singapore. Located 862 kilometers away from Bangkok, Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea and recognized as one of the kingdom’s chief attractions for visitors. The island has a history of tin mining and rubber production, deriving substantial wealth from being on the ‘Silk Route’ between China and India. Phuket’s most famous historical figures are Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon who led islanders in defending Phuket from a Burmese invasion in 1785. A tribute to these heroines is one of the island’s main attractions. Clearly, Phukets beaches, coves and bays are a principal draw for many visitors. The island has accommodation enough to cater for the entire range of visitor, from the budget traveler to the well-healed. Of course Phuket’s seafood is world renown as is the local slant on Thai cuisine. Phuket features a range of leisure activities from treks and walks to snorkeling and diving, all set against a lush tropical backdrop. Among Phuket’s major attractions include Karon, Kamala and Kalim beaches, as well as Patong beach and Promthep Cape.

Travel Guide Bangkok in Central Thailand Central

For many, Bangkok, Thailand is the ultimate travel destination. A heady blend of modernity and tradition, Bangkok has something to offer everyone. Modern Bangkok is a large, bustling city of some 6 million people. The capital of Thailand, it is the administrative center and the heart of the country. It is a city where skyscrapers and modern buildings jostle for space against the Bangkok skyline. It is also very much a city of entertainment and fun. Above all, Bangkok is a city of extremes. Despite its modern trappings, Bangkok is firmly embedded in tradition. All aspects of Thai culture are revered here, as they are in any rural or less urban part of the country. Rituals are carried out on a daily basis. Like elsewhere in the country, Monks accept their daily alms and people of all ages pray and make merit at one of countless temples. In Bangkok you can at one moment be in the 21st century, the next walking through antiquity. Thailand’s capital has everything the modern traveller enjoys. The city has a wide range of world-class accommodation, from ‘6-star’ hotels, to moderately priced guesthouses for those on a more limited budget. Bangkok also offers some of the best food on the planet – authentic Thai cuisine alongside the very best dishes from almost every part of the world. Of course, Bangkok’s nightlife is legendary and offers an unparalleled range of entertainment - bars and go-go, shows, concerts, and cinema – almost everything you could possibly want is available here. As Thailand is a regional hub, Bangkok has become one of the most important cities in the region. As with the rest of the country, banking services are efficient and reliable, and telecommunications services are equally good. An international standard telephone network and high speed Internet facilities help you keep in touch, whether you are here on holiday or in Bangkok on business. With the introduction of the BTS ‘Sky Train’ elevated railway (and the more recent introduction of the MRT ‘Subway’ underground railway) alongside development of expressways and elevated toll ways, travelling around Bangkok is now as convenient as travelling in any major city. Bangkok is not just a city to visit briefly on your way to somewhere else. It is a place so rich in experience you will want to visit it time and time again. To help you get the most out of your trip to Bangkok, Thai Travel Info gives you the information you need to have the best time you can!

HAWA MAHAL

Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh the 'Hawa Mahal', Palace of the Wind, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues, intersections and colourful crowds in the market, was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by others. The entrance to Hawa Mahal is from the City Palace side, through a stately door which opens into a spacious courtyard. The courtyard has a double storeyed building on three sides. There is a small archeological museum here. Only the eastern wing has three more storeys above, which are just a single room thick. The building, standing on a high podium, is a fifty-foot high thin shield, less than a foot in thickness, with small intimate chambers , which give this palace its unique facade. There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps. Its facade from the road side makes Hawa Mahal look more like a delicate screen than a palace. This five-story, pyramid-shaped structure has tier after tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. These small windows circulate cool air (Hawa) even in hot months. The pyramidal outline is even throughout by cramming and multiplying casements; and uses repetition of motifs to enhance its beauty. Hawa Mahal which is currently under the supervision of the State archeological department provides the visitor with excellent views of the city. The best time to view Hawa Mahal is sunrise when sunlight through the latticed windows gives it a wonderful glow.

GOLDEN TEMPLE

The Golden Temple, located in Amritsar in the state of Punjab,is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism. Sikh devotees, for whom the Temple is a symbol of freedom and spiritual independence, come to the Temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers. The official name of the Temple is Harmandir Sahib. The fourth guru, Ram Das (1574-1581a.d ), excavated a tank which subsequently became known as Amritsar (pool of nectar) and gave its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid edifice, Har-mandir (temple of Hari-Vishnu), rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of the sikh sect of hinduism. Its sanctorum came to house the adi granth confining compositions of sikh gurus and a score of other hindu saints from different parts of the country. The songs of a few muslim sufis who had been influenced by advaita were also included in it. The compilation of the adi granth was started by the fifth guru, Arjun Dev (1581 - 1606 a.d.), and completed by the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh. Originally during 1574, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake, in a thin forest. The third of the six grand Mughals, emperor Akbar, who visited the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das at the neighbouring town of Goindval, was so impressed by the way of life in the town that he assigned the revenues of several villages in the vicinity to the Guru's daughter, Bhani as a gift on her marriage to Bhai Jetha, who later became the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. He enlarged the lake and built a small township around it. The town was named after Guru Ram Das as 'Guru Ka Chak','Chak Ram Das' or 'Ram Das Pura'. It was during the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606), that the full fledged Temple was built. In December, 1588, the great Sufi of Lahore, Hazrat Mian Mir, who was a friend of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, initiated the construction of the building by laying the foundation stone. It was completed in 1601. The temple was later attacked by the Afghans under Ahmed Shah Abdali and had to be substantially rebuilt in the 1760s. Much of the present decorative gilding and marblework date from the early 1800s. All the gold and exquisite marble work were conducted under the patronage of Ranjit Singh, Maharaja of the Sikh Kingdom of the Punjab. The Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of the Punjab), was a heavy donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Punjabi people in general and the Sikh community in particular.

KHAJURAHO

Khajuraho is a village in the Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about 385 miles (620 kilometres) southeast of Delhi, the capital city of India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculpture. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Hindi word khajur meaning date palm. The city was once the original capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of a hundred years, from 950 to 1050. The Chandela capital was moved to Mahoba after this time, but Khajuraho continued to flourish for some time. The whole area was enclosed by a wall with eight gates, each flanked by two golden palm trees. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 22 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 square miles (21 km²). Unlike other cultural centers of North India, the temples of Khajuraho never underwent massive destruction and a number of them have survived. They are fine examples of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their salacious depiction of the traditional way of life during medieval times. They were rediscovered during the late 19th century and the jungles had taken a toll on some of the monuments. The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Khajuraho temples, constructed with spiral superstructures, adhere to a northern Indian shikhara temple style and often to a Panchayatana plan or layout. A few of the temples are dedicated to the Jain pantheon and the rest to Hindu deities - to God's Trio, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and various Devi forms, such as the Devi Jagadambi temple. A Panchayatana temple had four subordinate shrines on four corners and the main shrine in the center of the podium, which comprises their base. The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern. With a graded rise secondary shikharas (spires) cluster to create an appropriate base for the main shikhara over the sanctum. Kandariya Mahadeva, one of the most accomplished temples of the Western group, comprises eighty-four shikharas, the main being 116 feet from the ground level.

THIRUVALLUVAR STATUE

Revealed in the 2000 at the dawn of the new millennium, this stone statue represents the Tamil saint and poet Tiruvalluvar author of the Thirukkural and is located atop a little island where the three mighty oceans meet: the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The statue has a height of 95 feet (29 m) and stands upon a 38 feet (11.5 m) pedestal that represents the 38 chapters of "virtue" in the Thirakkural. The statue standing on the pedestal represents "wealth" and "pleasure" signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue. The final measurement of the statue is a colossal height of 133 feet (40.5 m) denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural and has a total weight of 7000 tons. The statue, with its slight bend around the waist is a reminiscent dancing pose of the ancient Indian deities like Nataraja. The statue was sculpted by the Indian sculptor V. Ganapathi Sthapathi, who also created the Iraivan temple. Construction began on September 6, 1990, on the tiny island adjacent to Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Initially, the project stalled but then recommenced in 1997 and was completed on January 1, 2000. At the cost of more than us$1 million, it employed about 150 workers, sculptors, assistants and supervisors. The slight bend around the waist made the design challenging. Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati solved the problem by creating a full-length wooden prototype before construction. Study of this prototype led to the identification of an energy line (known in Vastu science as kayamadhyasutra), currently an empty cavity in the center of the statue from top to bottom. Sthapati designed the statue to survive earthquakes of unexpected magnitude. The stone work was devided amongst three workshops, in Kanyakumari, Ambasamudram and Shankarapuram. Ambasamudram contributed 5,000 tons of stones, while Shankarapuram was quarried for 2,000 tons of high quality granite stones for the outer portion of the statue. While the largest of the 3,681 stones weighed over 15 tons, the majority weighed three to eight tons. An interesting detail is the 19-foot-high face, with the ears, nose, eyes, mouth, forehead all made of individual stones carved by hand. Stumps of palmyra tree and poles of casuarina (ironwood) were used for scaffolding. It took 18,000 casuarina poles tied together with two truckloads of ropes to reach the top of the 133-foot tall statue.

RED FORT

Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648. The fort contains all the expected trappings of the centre of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739 and by the British soldiers during the war of independence in 1857. This great fort on the banks of Jamuna, built by Shahjahan as the citadel of the seventh Delhi founded by him, then known as Shahjahanabad and now old Delhi, is a significant link between the past and the present, for it is from here that the prime minister of India addresses the people on the Independence Day, which is August 15th. The largest of Old Delhi's monuments is Lal Quila or Red Fort whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time and nature. The Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend from two kilometers and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side. The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street flanked with arched cells that used to house Delhi's most talented jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping centre for the ladies of the court. Just beyond the Chhata Chowk is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana or the Drum House. The musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here.  The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folks. His alcove in the wall was marble-paneled and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted after the mutiny of 1857. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall remind us of its former magnificence: "If on Earth be an Eden of bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this."  The other attractions within this monument are the Royal Baths or hammams, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahal or the "Palace of Colours" housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaic of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver that was reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.

QUTAB MINAR

Qutab Minar with a height of 72.5m (239ft), is the highest stone tower in India and has a diametre of 14.32 metres at the base and about 2.75 metres at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone and are heavily indented with different styles of fluting, alternately round and angular on the  bottom floor, round on the second and angular on the third. The fourth and fifth floors are made of marble and sandstone. Qutab Minar, the 239ft sandstone tower is an Indo-Islamic architectural wonder of ancient India. This magnificent tower of victory stands in the Qutab Complex located at Aurabindo Marg, near Mehrauli, 14 Km south of Connaught place in Delhi. The complex has a number of other important monuments- the gateway built in 1310, the Alai Darwaza, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque; one of the oldest existing mosques in India, the tombs of Altamish, Alauddin Khalji and Imam Zamin; the 2000 year old 7m high Iron Pillar- the Alai Minar; another tower 27m high, the Madrasa or School, great screen of Qutbuddin Aibak in the mosque etc. King Qutubuddin Aibak of Slave dynasty laid the foundation of the Qutab Minar in 1199, adjoining the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, to proclaim  the victory of Islam, after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It was the Afghan, Muhammad of Ghur who ousted the last Hindu king Prithviraj Chauhan in AD 1192, but he returned to his country leaving Qutbuddin Aibak as his viceroy. In 1206, on his masters death, Aibak crowned himself as the Sultan of Delhi.    The word 'Qutab Minar' means 'axis minaret'. The tower which dominates the countryside for miles around has five storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The tower was built in three stages. Qutab-ud-Din completed the first storey. Second, third and the fourth were completed by his successor and son-in -law, Illtutmish in 1230. The minar was first struck by lightening in AD 1368 and the fallen top storey was replaced by two storeys's, the fourth and the fifth in 1370 AD by Feroz Shah Tughlaq (AD 1351-88).  The decoration of the Qutab Minar is consistently Islamic in character from base to top; though the somewhat hybrid style of Firoz Shah's later additions is noticeably distinct. Numerous inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari characters are seen as wide encircling bands in the plain fluted masonry of the Minar.

new 7 wonders

The 7 New Wonders of the World

The day was July 8, 2007 when the Seven Wonders of the New World were chosen by a worldwide voting system. The initiative was taken by a Swiss foundation. Based on a simple idea of asking people to vote for the new wonders of the world, the campaign was a hit and surprisingly lead to the selection of Seven Wonders of the New World as the Taj Mahal in india, Great Wall of China in China, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machupicchu in Peru, Petra in Jordan and the Rome Colosseum in Rome.

Chichen Itza, Mexico Dubbed as "at the mouth of the well of Itza", Chichen Itza is the second most visited site in Mexico. Located just 75 miles off the capital of Yucatan state of Mexico, Chichen Itza belongs to the Maya period and was constructed around 7th century. Sporting a spectacular architecture, Chichen Itza is truly a wonder!
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil Located at the top of the Corcovado Mountain, the statue of the 'Christ the redeemer' is 38m high and 28m wide. Designed by the French sculptor Paul Landowski, the statue was built to acknowledge that Christ loves all. Today it stands as one of the tallest statues in the world.
Great Wall of China , China Snaking its way through various landscapes including deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, The Great Wall of China is one of the best engineering works marvels ever erected on the planet. Boasting a history of over 2000 years, the Great Wall of China was once the guardian of the Chinese Empire.
Machupicchu, Peru Rediscovered in 1911, the ruins of Machupicchu are one of the best examples of a perfect blend of elegant architectural styles and natural beauty. The most famous citadel of the Incas, Machupicchu is one of the most enigmatic and interesting sites in the world.
Petra, Jordan A city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'am, Petra is a wonderful city just a few hours drive from Amman. Housing about 800 monuments including tombs, palaces, buildings, temples and funeral corridors, Petra is set amidst the red sandstone mountains. With a marvelous rock architecture, Petra is rightly listed as a wonder of the world.
Roman Colosseum, Italy One of the most famous buildings in Rome and the world as well, the Roman Colosseum was constructed sometime around 72 AD. With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, the Amphitheatrum Flavium was use for gladiatorial events and other public manifestations. Although the devastating earthquakes and storms led to its ruin, it is still being admired by the whole world.
Taj Mahal, India "The monument of love", Taj Mahal enjoys the status of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its splendor and fascinating past lures millions of visitors every year. Built during the Mughal era, Taj Mahal still holds its charm with its exquisite carvings, precious gemstones and is an inspiration for all those in love!

Malaysia

Malaysia has set a target of attracting more than seven lakh Indian nationals during the financial year of 2013-14. 

“We have set a target of reaching seven lakh people till March 2013 and for the financial year 2013-14, we are hoping to attract over 7,80,000 people,” Zulkifly Md Said, International Marketing Director, Ministry of Tourism in Malaysia told PTI. Senior official from Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia were in Chennai for a promotional campaign for travel agents and planners.

Chiranjeevi decided an tourism mart

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) will organise an International Tourism Mart at Guwahati from 18th to 20th January.

Announcing this at a press conference in New Delhi yesterday, Union Tourism Minister Dr K Chiranjeevi said that this will not only be the first ever International Tourism event to be organised in the north-eastern region, but also the first International Tourism Mart to focus on a specific region of India. He said, “It will bring together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight north eastern States of India and West Bengal. The event has been planned and scheduled to facilitate interaction between buyers, sellers, media, Government agencies and others.” 

Dr Chiranjeevi

The Minister informed that about 100 delegates including tourism Ministers, Tourism Secretaries, Tour operators, Hoteliers and Media Representatives from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Combodia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam will be attending the mart. These delegates will engage in one-two-one meetings with sellers from the north eastern region and West Bengal. Chiranjeevi said this will enable tourism product suppliers from the region to reach out to international and domestic buyers and promote tourism in the region.

The three day event will include, presentations, cultural evenings and press meets with the media from India and overseas. Post-Mart familiarisation tours to the states in the region have been arranged by the state governments for the overseas delegates, from the 21-28 January 2013 to create awareness about the rich and varied tourism products of the states of the north eastern region and give them first-hand knowledge and experience of the destination.

Chiranjeevi disclosed that celebrity artistes such as Lou Majaw from Meghalaya, Rubin from Manipur, Mami Varte from Mizoram and Debojit Saha, Dikshu, Priyanka Bharali, Manas Robin, Joy Chakravarty, Simanta Shekhor, Mousam Gogoi and Papori Sharma from Assam will perform at the mart.

bahrain airport

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) announced its participation in the 2014 Bahrain International Air Show during the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference. 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by HE Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, minister of transport along with a delegation from the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) as well as Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airport Company (BAC).

The Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) now in its third edition is fast gaining momentum as a unique platform for high level international aerospace businesses. Commenting on the event, Mohamed Al Binfalah, Bahrain Airport Company, CEO said: “The event provides a platform for idea exchange between prominent customers and Providers in the aviation industry.”

The Bahrain International Airshow is organised by the Civil Aviation Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain (CAA) in partnership with Farnborough International Ltd (FIL). The Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) is hosted at Sakhir Air Base, Kingdom of Bahrain, adjacent to the Bahrain International Grand Prix Circuit. The event is scheduled to take place from 16 – 18 January 2014.

news travel

Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) has recently awarded the construction of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, set to open in the Saadiyat Cultural District in 2015, to a Joint Venture of Arabtec, Constructora San Jose SA, and Oger Abu Dhabi LLC (owned by Saudi Oger Ltd) following a competitive tendering process. 

The contract, valued at AED2.4bn has already launched a programme marking major achievements during various upcoming stages of development. The JV consortium will begin construction work immediately, with the museum’s concrete frame to be completed by the first quarter of 2014. Work on the geometric lace dome, will be completed by the end of 2014. The final stage includes marine works and removal of temporary land platforms which will be completed in 2015.

By rithu news 

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November Namasthey

Dubai Shopping Festival

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Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) takes place every winter with its mammoth array of discounts, competitions, prizes, fireworks and entertainment. DSF offers amazing shopping discounts, attracting holiday makers from around the globe keen on grabbing a bargain.

The festival began in 1996 as an initiative of the Dubai government to promote trade, and it gets bigger and better every year. DSF is not only a retail festival, but also a family festival with a large focus on mall-based entertainment and early evening shows.
Its continued success is proven by the large number of tourists from not only the GCC, but also the rest of the world.

Traditionally, the festival runs from mid-January to the end of February and it kicks off with a huge opening night that features light shows and fireworks across the Dubai Creek, which are then continued throughout the entire festival.
Other events associated with DSF range from in-mall fashion shows, musicians, street performers, jugglers and other entertainers.