Nature lovers who long for savouring the warmth of congenial wetland spots in Bhitarkanika in Odisha's Kendrapara district would now have to take care of their purse. Visiting the mangrove-infested sites with a shoe-string budget has now become a thing of past. As Bhitarkanika National Park reopened for visitors on Thursday, 1st August 2013, authorities have effected a steep hike in boarding and lodging for tourists. The rise is manifold and likely to pinch the middle class and lower middle class visitors. Forest officials said that "For factors beyond our control, the hike was made for better maintenance of government-owned bungalows in Bhitarkanika. The park remained out of bound for tourists and visitors from May 31 till yesterday in view of nesting season of estuarine crocodile."...
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On Saturday, 27 July 2013, Visions of Mughal India: The Collection of Howard Hodgkin - an exhibition of Indian paintings from the exceptional private collection of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, Howard Hodgkin – opened at National Museum Cardiff in Wales. The collection, never shown in Wales before, comprised most of the main types of Indian court painting that flourished during the Mughal period (c. 1550–1850) e.g. the refined naturalistic works of the imperial Mughal court; the poetic and subtly coloured paintings of the Deccani Sultanates; and the boldly drawn and vibrantly coloured styles of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan and the Punjab Hills. This group of works has long been considered as one of the finest of its kind in the world. On tour from the Ashmolean Museu
Read MoreThe famed Nanda Devi Jaat Yatra, held after every 12 years in Uttarakhand hill state of north India, will not be postponed in wake of the recent rain tragedy in Kedarnath, Chamoli, Rudraprayg areas, which left scores dead and entire hill state shaken. Although, district authorities have suggested keeping it at a local level this time saying they are not in a position to handle big crowds. The Nanda Raj Jaat, known as the Kumbh of Uttarakhand, is slated to be held from August 29 to September 16, 2013. The 280 km and 19-day trek starts from Nauti village and reaches Homkund through Bedini Bugyal, Roopkund and the very difficult Gali pass. The yatra will be organised as per schedule though there was a proposal to postpone it. We spoke to the local people who want it to go on. It is a rel...
Read MoreA male elephant named Gabbar, who worked in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam in north-east India, ferrying tourists, died today following a prolonged illness, Park officials said. The 50-year old elephant, named after the villain 'Gabbar Singh' of mid seventies Bollywood film 'Sholay', was injured following a fight with a buffalo in the Park in December last. 'Sholay' is still considered among the most popular films in the Indian film Industry. The elephant was treated by Park veterinarians for the last seven months but it died this morning in the Bagori range. Gabbar carried tourists on its back for more than twenty years and later as he aged, the elephant was used to carry rations to the different camps in the Park....
Read MoreKennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida has now opened the doors to the world’s most comprehensive and interactive attraction devoted to NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program – Space Shuttle Atlantis. Of the three space-flown orbiters distributed by NASA to science centers and museums throughout the country, only Atlantis is the focal point of a $100 million, 90,000-square-foot attraction containing four multimedia and cinematic productions and more than 60 interactive experiences that invite guests to “be the astronaut” and to celebrate the people, passion and patriotism behind the shuttle program. Space Shuttle Atlantis is included in regular admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Only at Space Shuttle Atlantis can guests come literally nose-to-nose with an actua
Read MoreOver 4 days, from 12 to 15 September, more than 30 restaurateurs from the 19 municipalities of the Brussels Capital Region as well as various Brussels Capital Region partner regions come together in the Bois de la Chambre/Ter Kamerenbos park during eat! BRUSSELS to share their knowhow and passion for delicious products with connoisseurs and gourmands who are always on the lookout for superb quality, discoveries and tradition, but also new taste sensations and adventures. eat! BRUSSELS brought together around 30 restaurateurs during its first edition in 2012, on the initiative of the Department of External Relations of the Regional Public Service of Brussels and 7 partner regions (bilateral partners of the Brussels Capital Region). eat! BRUSSELS provides an excellent picture of the diver
Read MoreSeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announces a multi-park celebration to commemorate a key event in the company’s history. The original SeaWorld® park opened its gates for the first time in March 1964 on Mission Bay in San Diego. SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration will feature a Sea of Surprises starting March 21, 2014. SeaWorld parks in San Diego, Florida and San Antonio will share the excitement throughout an 18-month celebration that highlights some of the most memorable SeaWorld experiences. For nearly five decades, SeaWorld has surprised and amazed guests with unique entertainment, thrilling rides and up-close encounters with marine animals. During SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration visitors will be invited to take part in the celebration through new interactive experiences, shows and pathway p...
Read MoreMahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar province of India, reopened Monday evening. This world famous UNESCO heritage site was rocked by series of explosions on Sunday early morning, which left three people injured. Visitors were allowed in the temple after thorough search by security agencies. Thousands of people thronged the temple immediately after the gate was opened. Blasts did some damage to India's one of the most visited tourist sites. Reasons are still being investigated, and it is still too early to say that who was behind these blasts. Few more pictures from the explosion and its aftermath- ...
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Royal Caribbean Cruises has recently launched the CruiseFly facility, offered by Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, on its cruises disembarking at Singapore. CruiseFly is the region’s first sea-to-air baggage transfer service that allows guests an early check-in for flights departing within the same day of the ship’s arrival into Singapore. This is an exemplary service designed to provide an effortless travel experience to our guests. The early flight check-in not only eliminates baggage related stress but also provides for a couple of extra hours to explore more activities and attractions in Singapore. This is an exciting year for Indian travellers and cruise enthusiasts as Royal Caribbean International has deployed Mariner of the Seas, the largest and most innovative cruise ship to home...
Read MoreSeventeen days after the Uttarakhand disaster, the mammoth multi-agency rescue operations to evacuate all stranded pilgrims and tourists concluded on Tuesday, 2nd July 2013 with a group of 150 people being taken to safety from Badrinath. In all, around 1.1 lakh people stranded by flash floods and landslides after monsoon rains pounded the hill state on June 15 were evacuated by thousands of personnel of the Army, IAF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who braved all odds. Now some locals and Nepali labourers remain there who will be evacuated gradually as the damaged roads are restored. The IAF, which concluded its air sorties, has however stationed 10 choppers in the state for about a week or so for use in any operations, an IAF offi...
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