News – Page 4 – VAGABOND IMAGES

Norwegian Jewel ready after Bow-to-Stern renovation

Upendra SwamiNovember 15, 20183141 Views3

Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in cruising, announced the completion of the refurbishment of Norwegian Jewel as part of The Norwegian Edgeprogram, reaffirming the company’s commitment to elevating the standard of excellence across the fleet. Following a two week dry dock in Singapore for the company’s most extensive enhancement project in 2018, Norwegian Jewel will debut in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, Dec. 1, showcasing refreshed venues, updated spaces, premiere entertainment and redesigned staterooms. Offering seven to 19-day itineraries to some of the region’s most exotic destinations, she’ll spend her winter 2018 and spring 2019 seasons cruising from Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapo...

InternationalNews

Celebrating coffee where it all started- Ethiopia

Upendra SwamiNovember 13, 20181487 Views0

The ‘Horn of Africa’ is taking baby steps amidst chaos to transform itself from decades of authoritarian rule, but there is lot more about this nation. You might not think of it as your favourite tourist destination, but Ethiopia is one place you must visit to truly taste an exquisite blend. It is widely considered the birthplace of coffee. Witnessing the process of how the coffee is brewed is in itself something one would appreciate before they even enjoy their first cup of coffee. Pic credit: georgehowellcoffee.com It is said that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia as long as the 9th century. The aroma of the beans roasting in the fire fills the air… Its delicious. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is central to the communities of many Ethiopian locations. Coffee remains a...

InternationalNews

Experiencing a Winter Village in Oman

Upendra SwamiNovember 12, 20181698 Views6

Its like experiencing winter at most unlikely of places. One would hardly think to go to Gulf to enjoy some winter fun, but you can actually do so. Having already developed a panache for niche tourism in Gulf region, Oman is now also creating space for some winter fun. One of the performances at Winter village Winter Village is one-of-a-kind family event that will take place at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat from 22nd November to 1st December 2018. The event which was curated last year by Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN), the government’s executive arm for the development of the tourism sector, has now emerged into an annual event for families to experience a vibrant kaleidoscope of non-stop entertainment, unique experiences and unforgettabl...

InternationalNewsReviews

TripAdvisor to become Facebook and Instagram of travel

Upendra SwamiSeptember 26, 20183918 Views0

TripAdvisor is soon going to acquire a full-fledged social media avatar as good as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and FourSquare. It will create a social media platform for travel and makes restaurant critics, travel experts and influencers of every user. TripAdvisor unveiled a new site and mobile experience launching later this year. Currently in beta, the world's largest crowd-sourced travel platform is evolving to become the most personalised and connected travel community, inspiring and empowering individuals with social assistive tools to plan and book better with relevant advice and information from people and experts they trust. During a preview event in New York organised for press on Sept 17, a demonstration of the new platform revealed that the new TripAdvisor will be optimised ...

CruiseInternationalNews

When hulk of a ship becomes an artwork!

Upendra SwamiSeptember 19, 20181693 Views1

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed that Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, the award-winning Spanish artist, created the hull artwork for the fourth and final ship of its Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November 2019. A representation of his modern and abstract style, the ship’s hull will feature a labyrinth of color inspired by Arranz-Bravo’s life by the sea in Barcelona and pay tribute to the vibrant guest experience for which the Norwegian brand is recognized. Norwegian Encore by Norwegian Cruise Line “Norwegian Cruise Line is a dynamic, pioneering company known for its innovative experiences and breathtaking collection of beautifully designed ships,” said Arranz-Bravo. “I am honored to not only bring that vibrancy to life even more on Norwegian Encore but also sh...

IndiaNews

A win for the green at Chilika

Upendra SwamiSeptember 13, 20181321 Views3

Its a win for the environmental cause. It is also a slap in face for all those who promote mindless fancy projects in name of tourist promotions. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been forced cancel the water aerodrome project at the Chilika lagoon following objections from various quarter. However in a face saver it has offered to develop the project in Odisha if the state government provides it with an alternative site. Chilika, the second largest brackish water lake in the world, covers Khurda, Puri and Ganjam districts of Odisha. Situated at the mouth of the Daya River, Chilika is rich in biodiversity and a major tourist attraction in the state. A colony of flamingos at Chilika AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said: "Following a request from the state government...

InternationalNews

Helsinki’s cultural quarter gets a new skylight!

Upendra SwamiAugust 27, 20181301 Views0

Finland’s capital Helsinki has gained a major new cultural institution and a striking new public space with the completion of Amos Rex. The art museum opens after a five- year, €50 million project designed by architecture firm JKMM, which has seen the refurbishment of the landmark 1930’s Lasipalatsi building in Central Helsinki. At the heart of the museum, 13,000 cubic metres of rock has been excavated to create a new 2,200 sqm world-class flexible gallery space topped with a series of domes and skylights that form the new undulating landscape of the Lasipalatsi Square. Amos Rex’s exhibition programme extends from the newest, often experimental, contemporary art to 20th-century Modernism and ancient cultures. Amos Rex aims to present captivating and ambitious art refreshingl...

InternationalNews

This full moon experience the Kandy Esala Perahera

Upendra SwamiAugust 22, 20181561 Views0

Held annually in the full-moon month of ‘Esala’, the Kandy Esala Perahera is the ultimate celebration and showcase of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and vibrant culture. The significance of the month of ‘Esala’ (which falls on July or August) is that it is believed to commemorate the very first teaching imparted by the Buddha, following his enlightenment. Conducted in reverence to the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha which is contained in the ancient palace of Kandy known as ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’, the flamboyant annual procession unites Sri Lankans from all corners of the island and draws culture enthusiasts from across the globe. This year, the Kandy Esala Perahera is taking place from 16th to 26th August in its usual series of colourful Kumbal Peraheras, Randoli Peraheras and vivacious ritua

AdventureInternationalNewsPromotions

A timepiece for the adventurers on the top of the world!

Upendra SwamiJuly 23, 20181257 Views0

The award-winning Favre-Leuba Raider Bivouac 9000 recently demonstrated that it’s not just a timepiece – but a mountaineering tool that redefines reliability. Recently, the Bivouac 9000 broke records becoming the only watch in the world to reach the top of the world – the summit of Mt Everest. Record-breaking mountaineer Adrian Ballinger and his team battled biting cold temperatures of -40 degrees C and lower, in the harshest of conditions, noting that “at 8,800 meters, the Raider Bivouac 9000 performed flawlessly all the way to the summit of Mt Everest.” Coinciding with the 280th anniversary of Favre-Leuba, the Bivouac 9000 previewed during Baselword 2017 and was officially launched on the consumer market in October 2017. Within months of the launch, the watch won the prestigious

InternationalNewsPromotions

World’s first ANGRY BIRDS WORLD entertainment park opens in Qatar

Upendra SwamiJuly 7, 20181900 Views1

You would have enjoyed the Angry Birds game, but now it is time to enjoy the Angry Birds entertainment park. And, it's unique. The world’s first ANGRY BIRDS WORLD entertainment park has opened its doors to residents and visitors to Qatar, transforming the classic bird-flinging game into a cluster of high-octane attractions designed to entertain every member of the family. Located in Qatar’s largest fashion, dining and entertainment destination, Doha Festival City, the 17,000 sq.m park comprises an indoor space of 6,500 sq.m. Inspired by the popular digital game, the park offers its visitors a heart-pounding experience with many attractions such as the Blast Bomb – a drop and twist tower that features free-fall motion from a height of 11 metres, or Red Alert where visitors are hurled in