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Not ready for those tiring, long drives on weekends and yet want to get out of Bangalore for a holiday? Here’s a few places on the outskirts of Bangalore, within 45 kilometers each where you can spend memorable weekends with some adventurous activities too. Drive away to these places and come back fresh and rejuvenated.
Visit Pearl valley towards Anekal village, about 4 kilometers from Bangalore to unwind amidst scenic hills and 300 feet high waterfalls. Enjoy the cool breeze, trek across the hills or simply to let your feet down in the small pool of water for some time. There is no mobile connectivity here, so it’s an apt place for those keen on disconnecting from the city life for some time. Food is available at the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) restaurant nearby.
Savanadurga on Magadi Road, about 45 kilometers from Bangalore, is another option for experiencing nature’s purity. Savanadurga is famous for myriad sightseeing locales, especially the monolith Savanadurga Hill. You can go trekking and rock-climbing at the hill or just have a family picnic at the foothills of Savanadurga. Only snacks, drinking water and coconut water are available at the local shops.
For a blissful experience with nature, make it to the Big Banyan Tree at Ramohalli about 25 kilometers from Bangalore. The Big Banyan Tree (or Dodda Alada Mara as it is called Kannada) is said to be the biggest tree in Karnataka and the fourth biggest in India. Food and water are available at the tourism department restaurant nearby and some refreshment options are there at the local shops as well.
On way to Savanadurga and close to the Big Banyan Tree, lies Manchanabele dam that could be also a good day trip from Bangalore. The road alternates between good and bad, though closer to the dam it gets better. River Arkavathi that passes through the reservoir towards the dam provides a spectacular view of the place. It’s a good place for spending some quiet moments alone or with those close. It’s a great place for camping too.
Bannerghatta National Park is yet another getaway from Bangalore which is easily accessible at about 30 kilometers from the city. If safaris and wildlife are more of your thing, this is the place for your weekends. The national park offers tiger and lion safaris in mini buses. Elephant rides also happen on Sundays. There are a couple of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) run stalls that sell snacks and drinks.
The geographically colossus earth is no longer a limit to your travel dreams. With airports located in almost every city around the world, reaching your desired destination is a matter of hours only or extending up to a day. Air travel is the fastest way of reaching to the preferred destination, helping you save a lot of journey time. Most people who are hardly aware of the Internet and flights tickets comparison facility are driven by the notion that international flights from India to any location are expensive. But gone are the days when flights from India were very expensive and common men could not afford traveling. Today, you can get return trip tickets to many an international destination below the Rs. 20,000 figure. And if you happen to grab a package tour that is inclusive of accommodation, return flights from India, sight seeing, food, etc., you will experience a win-win situation. So, go online, visit a travel portal and look for such offers. Even if you are not on a leisure trip and plan your usual business trip, get your international flights from India booked at a travel portal. The cheapest deals are guaranteed and if you prefer early reservations, you can save in thousands!
The aviation industry in India has seen a sudden boom with the increasing number of business tourists, students, and leisure travelers flying to and from the country. Almost all international flights from India witness 100% occupancy of the seats whether it is economy class or business class or any other class if available. With the number of domestic airlines going up and international airlines adding their strength in the Indian airports, you can think of virtually visiting to any destination across the world either by direct flights or connecting flights. Flights from India include Jet Airways, KLM Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways, United Airlines, and more. And given the comfortability of the seats, in-flight entertainment, and other hospitality services, your flying in the air will always turn out to be an unforgettable experience.
Gourmet Indian food has been one of the most preferred cuisines all over the world; it has enticed the taste palates of many for decades. Gourmet Indian food is the main cuisine of Indians and besides being tasty it is very healthy as well. When you think of dining out with friends and family all you wish to do is go to a restaurant which serves you authentic Indian cuisine the traditional way. To enjoy a sumptuous gourmet India food you should always visit an authentic Indian restaurant London
The taste and flavour of the gourmet Indian food comes from the fresh ingredients and the special Indian spices that are used to cook the food. These ingredients are fresh produce and no preservatives are used. To get maximum taste and health the food must be cooked fresh every day. An authentic Indian restaurant will always serve its guest with freshly cooked food rather than food cooked the previous day. When you plan to dine in an Indian restaurant London you should keep certain points in mind.
The restaurant should have a reputation of serving you with authentic Indian food and not fusion food. Many Indian restaurants running under the Indian tag changes the original recipes to suit the taste and palate of the Londoners hence what you get is fusion food rather than gourmet Indian food. Therefore it is important that you chose the right Indian restaurant London. When it comes to Indian cuisine nothing tastes better than freshly cooked food and the taste and texture of the ingredients of a dish determines whether the food is cooked freshly. One should never fall pray to a restaurant which just runs under an Indian name, instead look in to their menu and the chefs who would cook your food.
When you decide to dine out in an Indian restaurant London it is always advisable that you ask your friends and family for opinion, as they might have visited many restaurants and will be able to help you out with their suggestions. Always make sure that when you eat out you always eat fresh and from a good Indian restaurant as in that case you need not worry about the quality of your food.
Shillong, Aug 7, 2009, India Reports the website that provides the most relevant and upto date information on India and doing business in India has launched a new report on Water in India, dealing with national water resources in India, supply, shortage of water and some solutions to overcome the water issues that India is facing currently.
Average water consumption around the world is about 53 liters per head per day. In India, we expect to soon have only about 20 liters available per head per day. We have had droughts for a long time, and now with global climate change, things will become even more difficult. The glaciers are receding from the Himalayan Mountains. They are about one fifth the size they were about 60 years ago.
The waters from the Himalayan glaciers provide water for about 70 percent of all the people in Asia. In India, we have three major rivers – the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra – and it is likely that they will drain to small rivers. In most of northern India, there will be no water according to some leading water experts. Right now there are floods. The flood area has increased from 25 million hectares to 60 million hectares in the last 30 years. That is an indication that after the water is draining away, and these will become dry areas. This will happen in less than 30 years. It is a very serious matter.
The Water in India PPT (http://india-reports.com/summary/water.aspx) is packed with statistical data and highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of water resources in India. Some of the areas covered in the presentation are physiographic details, national water resources, statewide ground water analysis, annual water requirement and much more.
Image taken on 2005-03-17 13:30:03 by brian glanz.
India’s railway network connects its greatest cities with its remotest villages, and traveling across India by train will give you a great opportunity to see sites not accessible any other way. Traveling by train during your stay in India can be one of the high points of your journey, but only if you plan carefully and know what to expect.
Booking passage on second-class non–air-conditioned trains will let you view the passing scenery through open windows, free of the film which covers the windows in air-conditioned cars. Purchasing a seat in air-conditioned car, on the other hand, will keep you comfortable even in the peak of India’s hot season. India’s trains, especially those which travel to the smaller villages, have a reputation for being late, so you will have to get used to delays.
If you find yourself waiting to get a connecting train, however, take time to observe your surroundings and immerse yourself in the chaos around you. You will see food vendors offering snacks like deep thought pride whole wheat bread and hard-boiled eggs as borders with massive piles of luggage balanced on their heads guard in and around the crowds. You should always stay close to your own luggage when traveling by train in India, to the point of chaining it to the rack in your sleeping compartment. Chains are available for sale on the platforms at urban railway stations.
While larger railway lines include meals in the cost of a ticket, if you are traveling a smaller line to be much better off by bringing along your own package snacks, bottled water, sandwiches, and juice. You will also be very glad you bring sanitary hand wipes are and your own toilet paper.
India, of course, has some world class luxury train service in addition to its ordinary commuter trains. These luxury trains include some of the most famous names in the world: Palace on Wheels; the Fairy Queen; the Royal Orient; Kalka Shimla; and Deccan Odyssey. Each of these magnificent trains follows a different route, but all of them offer exceptional service, dining, and luxurious accommodations. The most famous of them, Palace on Wheels, has 14 opulent sleeping compartments with baths along with two full-service restaurants and a bar.
The Palace on Wheel’s “Week in Wonderland” trip, starting at $4900 per person double occupancy, makes a round-trip beginning in Delhi and progressing through (among other cities) Jaipur, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra before returning to Delhi. The fare includes meals, accommodations, and all sightseeing. The Fairy Queen, which began operating in 1855, is the world’s oldest steam locomotive.
The most legendary of all Indian train journeys, however, is the the 15 day trip taken by the private train the Viceroy of India, which runs between Mumbai to Calcutta four times each year. Tickets on the Viceroy of India run $9995 for Viceroy Class, or $14,995 for the Maharaja Suite.
The Deccan Odyssey is a 21-power luxury train which follows a seven day route along Maharashtra’s coast in western India, leaving from Mumbai and passing along the beach after unspoiled beach until arriving at the Goa. The trip includes a visit to Pune and the opportunity to explore the Ajanta and Ellore caverns. The Deccan Odyssey travels by night and stops for sightseeing during the day. The price of the journey includes five-star meals, an on-board Ayurvedic spa, a gym, and much, much more.
Image taken on 2007-12-26 14:20:50 by orange tuesday.
Singapore has the busiest port in the world and is an affluent and commercially vibrant country.
The city is split up into areas which include the main business district, Chinatown and Little India. The many races and religions that co-exist in Singapore make it a dynamic and cosmopolitan place.
This is also reflected in Singaporean cuisine. Dining out in Singapore is an unforgettable experience and the combination of Chinese, Malay and Indian foods means that you can taste the most sumptuous oriental cooking here. In fact Singapore is world famous for its cooking so try as many restaurants as you can. If you don’t have a big budget, don’t worry. Food sold by street vendors is often superb too.
Although Malay is the official language of Singapore its importance as south east Asian business centre means that English is widely spoken. However, the local dialect has come to be known as ‘Singlish’ because of the combination of Chinese, Malay and English dialects.
Car hire Singapore is a good way to get around as the road system is not overly complicated. It is possible to drive from Singapore to the peninsular part of Malaysia but check with your rental company about whether you are allowed to do so.
Singapore is known as the Garden City and in its huge international airport alone there is a whole range of flora and fauna to enjoy.
Changi airport has three terminals and is a hub for airlines such as Tiger Air and JetStar.
Car hire Changi is the best way to start your journey through Singapore if you are entering Singapore from abroad. The Singapore roads are maintained perfectly, roads rules are adhered to and driving is on the left.
At night Singapore is dazzling with skyscrapers lit up and many multi coloured lights around the city harbour. Around the Singapore River you will find a collection of theatres and spectacular looking buildings and this is a good place to go for a night out.
Singapore is the second most crowded country is the world with four million people packed onto this relatively small island.
Singapore has a reputation for being boring due to the strict laws there which lead visitors to describe it as the Switzerland of Asia and ‘Disneyland with the death penalty’.
Travellers to Singapore should exercise caution as the country has some fairly draconian rules which include not being allowed to chew gum in public, a ban on public displays of affection and a death penalty policy for drug use.
Bizarrely enough it is also illegal to bring any pirated goods, pornography or publications by Jehovah’s Witnesses into Singapore. You have been warned!
However the benefit of these strict laws is that Singapore has virtually no crime.
In Singapore the climate can be your worst enemy with high temperatures and humidity while months between November and January are the rainiest.
Rhino have main pickup locations throughout Singapore including some of the hotels and the main airport called Changi Airport.
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