Archive for March, 2010
Enjoy Enduring Nature Charm With Kerala Backwater Houseboat Tours
Kerala is the most admired tourist destination of India from all over the world. It is situated on the southern part of India between Lakshadweep and the Western Ghats. The tranquil beauty of the place has won the heart tourist from all over the world. The state is embroidered with marvelous beaches lush green valley and the hills imprecise treasure of flora and fauna palm fringed beaches dotted with coconut trees along the silver beach. Kerala scenic beauty is worth to enjoy on the backwater tour. The place is known for the serene beauty and the backwater tour. Every moment in this place is worth to enjoy. Enjoy the nature at its best while in Kerala. Get along with the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala enjoying the Nature and the animals in their natural habitat. The low flying clouds over the blue hills perfumed air and the thrilling song of the birds are the most enjoyable moments in Kerala.
Backwaters of Kerela are a unique product of Kerela and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwater holidays in houseboats kerala have become the most popular tourism product in India today. Sailing along the famous backwater lake is the most grandeur experience to enjoy the beauty of Kerala. The time has changed but the exotic beauty of ancient kerela is still same. The backwater trips along the coastal lagoons provide a sublime view of the charming beauty of Kerala. Catch the close view of Kerala serene beauty on the houseboat. You will enjoy the best flavours of Kerala sailing along the blue water with the company of the ducks sailing along with you. The major backwater stretches are Vembanad Lake and Astamudi Lake. The most exciting activity on the backwaters of Kerela is the kettuvallom Kerala house boats that is becoming very popular with the visitors. The popular backwater tours are conducted around Allappuzha Kollam and Koyalam. This house boat tour along the famous backwater lake adds lifetime memories and will remain forever in your life.
Kerala is not only popular for exotic natural beauty. It has marked the place in the holistic science for Ayurveda treatment. The rich herbs of Kerala give the rejuvenating treatment of mind body and Soul. Kerala is the only state in India that practices this Method with absolute dedication. Many ayurvedic resorts have mushroomed along the tranquil beaches of India. The treatment of the Keralas ayurvedic adds a magical charm in the tourist. The natural herb treatment eliminates all toxic materials giving the soothing effect to your mind and body. The eminent mark of Kerala has now making the name all over the world.
The traditional culture and the dances add the splendor moments being in Kerala. The rich cultured of Kerala is to enjoy the most. The local talents entertain the tourist with their mindblowing performances. The traditional dances of Kerala include multiple layers of clothing and ornate headgear. The performers are in the traditional attire with naturally wear cosmetics over the face. They give the outstanding performance that mesmerizes the tourist making them watch the whole event.
Kerala cuisine is one of the most flavored cuisines of the south. The sumptuous food of Kerala wont let you go till licking your finger. The food is prepared in the coconut oil that is typical from rest of the tourist destination of India. The spicy tea and coffee of Kerala is really to be enjoyed. Kerala every melting pot cuisine is lips smacking and adds great flavor enjoyed along the cool sea breeze of the palm fringed beaches. The cruise inside the Kerala house boats is one of the most enjoyed cruises being in Kerala. Between the natures with the sumptuous food prepared in the coconut oil adds memorable moments of your tour to Kerala. Enjoy the serene beauty of Kerala these holidays making it the most memorable one.
About the writer: Michael Smith is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for houseboats in kerala and houseboat kerala. Now he is rendering his services to http://www.keralahouseboat.org/
Dudley Castle Built In 1071
Located in the English town of Dudley the Dudley Castle was constructed by the Normans in around 1071. Over the centuries this castle which is now in ruins experienced some serious changes.
It is believed that the earliest Dudley Castle may have been built completely by wood. Most records of the castle dates back to the Norman Conquest that took place in 1066. It is believed that the castle was initially built by Ansculf who was among the Conqueror’s followers. Later Ansculfs son William FitzAnsculf owned the castle. Notable earthworks from the initial castle still remain. One such example is the ‘motte’ which is a huge mound on which the current castle keep sits today.
The first stone castle was built by the Paganel family who owned the Dudley Castle soon after William FitzAnsculf. As a result of a dispute King Henry II ordered that the fortress be destroyed in 1173.
It was during the Somery Dynasty the Dudley Castle was rebuilt in stone once again on the very same site. The reconstruction phase took place during the 13th and 14th century. The main gate and the keep that is quite prominent even today is a result of the restoration phase carried out by the Somerys who incorporated new additions to the castle such as the great hall and the chapel.
Following the death of the last male of the Somery dynasty the ownership of the castle was passed on to Margaret his sister and her husband John de Sutton. With time members of the Sutton family began to use Dudley as their surname.
1st Duke of Northumberland John Dudley was responsible for creating a series of new buildings within the old castle. Later on the castle turned out to be a Royalist stronghold during the time of the English Civil War. Thereafter the Cromwell forces surrendered the Dudley Castle in 1646. Following this the parliament decided unanimously that the castle be partly destroyed. The present day ruins are a result of the parliamentary verdict.
The Dudley Castle that carries immense historical significance can be further explored by staying at a nearby well appointed Dudley Hotel. For instance Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill Dudley is a fine contemporary accommodation that features a range of impressive facilities.
About the writer: Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Dubai Has A Nasty Little Secret
You have seen pictures of the lavish new luxury resorts; private islands in the shape of palms and Continents of the world. You’ve heard about the recreation parks for indoor skiing and man made beaches for surfing. You have probably imagined the all out partying that goes on inside all those glitzy skyscrapers. Am I right? Well you had better think again!
Once again Dubai has shocked Western cultures by jailing visitors for minuscule quantities of banned substances and sentenced these unsuspecting travelers to four years YES FOUR YEARS! in jail. A growing number of Western tourists who are unaware of the strict no tolerance policy in the United Arab Emirates for possession of banned substances end up in jail when highly sophisticated screening equipment finds traces of drugs on their clothes bags or shoes. A British man was sentenced last week to 4 years of imprisonment after screening agents found a speck of marijuana in the tread of his sneaker so small it would be virtually invisible to the naked eye less than one grain of sugar. And you do not need to enter the country to be targeted for search. Several unsuspecting travelers were merely transiting through Dubai with a change of plane on their way to another destination.
As reported by the Times Online “A mere speck of a drug forgotten in a trouser pocket can bring a fouryear jail term. Since January 2006 possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs has resulted in fouryear jail terms for foreigners in transit through Dubai.The presence of drugs in the body is counted as possession the Foreign Office cautions. In other wordsTravelers can be jailed even if they have no drugs on them: a trace in the bloodstream of a drug consumed before entering the UAE is enough to secure a jail term. Painkillers that are available with a doctors prescription or are even available over the counter in Europe or the United States can be illegal in Dubai.”
Even more shocking is the classification of poppy seeds as a prohibited drug. One very unfortunate fellow hastily ate a roll at Heathrow Airport before boarding his plane. You guessed it three poppy seeds fell into his clothing and that was enough to get him arrested at the airport in Dubai. Apparently poppy seed possession can bring a jail term of 15 years. Are you kidding me!!! The Daily Mail reports “Meanwhile a Big Brother TV executive has so far been held without charge for five days after being arrested for possessing the health supplement melatonin.” Melatonin is an overthecounter remedy used by thousands of Westerners to help relieve the symptoms of jet lag. Travelers should also be aware that many common prescription drugs are banned in the UAE whether you have a doctors prescription with you or not.
To be on the safe side take a look at the US State Department’s travel advisory site for the United Arab Emirates. You have no idea just how restrictive it is over there! Individuals are required to possess a personal liquor license even in their own homes to enjoy a beer or glass of wine. Tourist hotels certainly serve alcohol in their restaurants and bars but the consumption of alcohol anywhere else is strictly prohibited.
And you had better not find fault with your hotel bill or restaurant tab either. You guessed right your passport will be confiscated and you will be detained until the matter is resolved to their satisfaction.
So the next time you see one of those glitzy television specials about how wonderful it is in Dubai think again and spend your money in a country with a reasonable judicial system.
About the writer: Susan who has worked in the travel industry for many years writes a daily blog http://www.WickedGoodTravelTips.com. Wicked Good Travel Tips is a community of avid travelers sharing insider tips about traveling the world. Come visit us for the best travel tips on the web.