Archive for November, 2009
Village Walk In The Land Of Thunder Dragon Bhutan
THE SAKTENG VALLEY
Sakteng is an isolated valley on the northeastern corner of Bhutan. Sakteng lies today as it did centuries ago wild unspoiled and breathtakingly beautiful. The Brokpas call Sakteng home. Their Language is more closely related to the Hill Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar Burma. These Tribes spread though the Himalayas down from the Tibetan plateaus as far as South East Asia avoiding the bigger societies of China Tibet and India. They differ from the other groups in Bhutan not only in language but also in dress style facial features and the way of life. They are perhaps one of the last true seminomadic tribes herding yaks and sheep for a living. During the spring the Brokpas head for the mountain pastures with their herds of yak. Most of the Brokpas live in Sakteng only during the summer months. They migrate to lower lands during the long brutal winters. This is the time for them to exchange necessary food items with butter amp; cheeses.
The Brokpas’ traditional clothes differ significantly from the rest of Bhutan. The women wear a sort of long poncho made either from red or white silk with the edges sewn together the Shinka. Over this they wear a red silk jacket with long sleeves the Totun and a red wool cape the Hemta. Some wear a braided black wool jacket. Women keep long hair unlike other traditional Bhutanese women which they wear in colorful braids.
The men wear trousers of leather or cloth the Pishup. Over this they wear flapped breeches in white wool the Kandam. On the top they wear a roomy red wool jacket the Chuba topped by a chasuble of hide the Paktsa. Both men and women wear traditional boots made of leather and felt and a very interesting hat called the ‘Gamashamo’. This hat has no equivalent it is a flat bonnet in waterproof felt made of yak hair. It has five descending appendages that drain off the rain without letting the head and face get wet. It’s a wonderful place for the visitors specially those who Seek A Journey Back Into Time.
About the writer: Sangay Choxang Managing Director Asian Adventure Travel Thimphu Bhutan Contact:sangaystaryahoo.com
Vacationing In Florida
When beginning your search for the ideal place to spend a weeklong vacation consider the veritable wonderland of attractions and amusements that populate the state of Florida. With its warm weather and 1100 miles of coastline Florida is perfect for a fishing adventure a relaxing week on the beach or an actionpacked family vacation. Make your way to Florida for your next trip and experience all the fun and excitement the Sunshine State has to offer.
On Florida’s Panhandle visitors will find cities such as Destin and Panama City that are a part of one of the most beautiful stretches of waterfront land found anywhere in the country. Perched along the Emerald Coast the beaches here have sugar white sands that will roll over your feet as you stroll along the shore soaking in the sight of emeraldgreen water. With such highquality water at your disposal you may find it difficult to pull yourself away from the numerous offshore activities that can easily fill the duration of trip including snorkeling scuba diving canoeing and kayaking.
If you are leaning towards an adventure on the Florida Gulf Coast consider the Tampa Bay area for an always exciting excursion filled to the brim with diverse amusements. Although the beaches along Clearwater and St. Petersburg are an obvious way to fill your day these areas are also teeming with natural beauty that is just begging to be explored. Here you will find underdeveloped barrier islands nature parks and botanical gardens so you can see a side of Florida that exists beyond the beaches all while getting a little exercise in too.
As one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world the Orlando/Disney area is a mustsee for anyone with young children or anyone who cannot ignore the inner child inside of us all. With Walt Disney World’s four parks Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom located here you could spend the duration of your trip navigating these distinct and highlyentertaining attractions. However before you leave the Orlando area with your family be sure to check out the other great amusements outside of Disney World including SeaWorld Universal Studios and the water parks of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
For those who prefer the Atlantic side of Florida West Palm Beach is ideal for kicking back and enjoying amazingly scenic golf courses. The PGA National Golf Club has five championship courses that will challenge even the most experienced and wellrounded golfers with their astounding length and difficult hazards. With designs by Arnold Palmer and Tom Fazio you can expect the gorgeous Florida landscape to be framed by stunning water hazards and lush green fairways.
When searching for a multitude of cultural attractions and a lively nightlife Miami is the place to head for entertainment that certainly will not be forgotten. With a Hispanic background prevalent in the area you can sample some of the diverse Spanish offerings at the Latin American Art Museum and Little Havana. And at night you can find a wide selection of night clubs ranging from blues to jazz to even rumba rap that will meet your needs and leave you dancing in the streets as you make your way home.
The Florida Keys are the perfect getaway no matter what kind of attractions you are searching for. The Upper Keys are known for their excellent diving since the continent’s only living barrier reef is easily accessed from the east side and with Key Largo located here you can find the typical tourist recreation to keep you occupied for the duration of your trip. Popular in the Upper Keys and Middle Keys sportfishing is an excellent way to get out onto the water and try for a variety of fish such as tarpon tuna and sailfish. While the Lower Keys are known for being the quieter area of the Keys you can easily head to the lower tip and experience the spontaneous parties and excitement of Key West.
No matter which part of Florida you decide to visit your adventure can be filled with whatever kind of recreation interests and relaxes you. For the perfect cap on a promising trip choose accommodations that make it easy to enjoy your Florida destination with all the gusto you can possibly imagine. Florida vacation rentals are located in the all the areas that matter most to you so experience the convenience and comfort of home by staying in a home or condo rental that makes it easy to enjoy the beauty and attractions of this amazing state.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option consider Florida vacation rentals for your next trip.
Unique New Zealand
New Zealand that rugged set of islands east of Australia and north of Antarctica offers some truly unique vacation options. The country’s stunning natural scenery and remarkable wildlife in particular offer boundless holiday possibilities for all the family.
New Zealand’s isolation means that 90 of the flora and fauna found here are seen nowhere else in the world. The most famous of these is the Kiwi bird which is the country’s national symbol. With the same size as a domestic chicken the kiwi is a flightless bird with many mammalian features such ovaries and whiskers.
The kiwi bird is now a protected species and one of the best places to see them is the Willowbank Kiwi Breeding Area nearChristchurch. This open area of bush land covers around two hectares and is home to many species of bird such as the North Island Brown. Fledglings are housed in a large nocturnal house.
Among the natural wonders of New Zealand are the hot springs and geysers of Rotorua which has been a spa town since the 1880s. Located on the south shore of Lake Rotorura in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island Rotorura is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. It’s also nicknamed Sulphur City because of the fumes that waft out of the earth and the mud pools.
Perched atop a geothermal hotspot the city and environs are festooned with natural vents and hot mud pools. Many of these are situated in parks and reserves and new eruptions pop up regularly. Kuirau Park to the west of the city is the most popular spot for taking the waters. The most notable spouter is the Pohutu geyser at Whakarewarewa.
Other than gasping at the geysers you can enjoy a wide range of water activities such as fishing waterskiing swimming and boating on the 17 lakes in the Rotorua region. In fact Rotorua hosted the 2007 World Water ski Championships. Rotorua is a 3hour drive south of Auckland.
If you’re a Lord of the Rings buff and long to gaze at the dark land of Mordor head for Tongariro National Park which was the location for Mordor in the Peter Jackson movie. It’s a spectacular park with its active volcanoes and offers splendid hiking and walking in the summer. In the winter it’s a popular ski area.
Other than its movie associations Tongariro has many other claims to fame. For one thing when it was established in 1887 Tongariro was New Zealand’s first national park.
These are just a few of the activities unique to New Zealand. When you head south to this marvellous Land Of The Long White Cloud you’ll find many more unique sights and activities to amaze and delight you.
About the writer: Richard has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap hotels in Auckland.