VAGABOND IMAGES

Love jazz! Its going to be a JAZZUARY in Brussels

Upendra SwamiNovember 27, 20191036 Views0

With one month, 3 festivals, 46 concerts at 8 concert venues, Brussels definitively puts jazz in the spotlight in January. As the birthplace of the saxophone, the Belgian capital has become an essential stopover for musicians and lovers of the genre. Brussels is the city with the highest number of jazz concerts per capita in the world, after New York and Paris. From Toots Thielemans, to Philip Catherine, Steve Houben, Mélanie De Biasio, Eric Legnini, and Charles Loos, these ambassadors of Belgian jazz abroad all have a close link with this city, where it feels good to play and share your music. With its many festivals, concert halls, clubs and conservatories, jazz is widespread and can be heard everywhere, in every style, all year round and all through the night. One of the highlig...

InternationalNews

Are we in an age of ‘mass extinction’?

Upendra SwamiNovember 17, 20191177 Views0

For more than 3.5 billion years, living organisms have thrived, multiplied and diversified to occupy every ecosystem on Earth. The flip side to this explosion of new species is that species extinctions have also always been part of the evolutionary life cycle. But these two processes are not always in step. When the loss of species rapidly outpaces the formation of new species, this balance can be tipped enough to elicit what are known as “mass extinction” events. A mass extinction is usually defined as a loss of about three quarters of all species in existence across the entire Earth over a “short” geological period of time. Given the vast amount of time since life first evolved on the planet, “short” is defined as anything less than 2.8 million years. Since at least the Cambrian period

AdventureInternationalNews

Diriyah going to be new cultural & lifestyle tourism destination

Upendra SwamiNovember 16, 20191346 Views0

The restoration and reimagining of Diriyah, a sweeping 18th century adobe city that once served as the capital and stronghold of the first Saudi State, will be officially inaugurated at a special November 19th gathering. This cornerstone-laying event comes as the country continues its pioneering plans to welcome visitors from near and far, and underlines Saudi Arabia’s mission to showcase the cultural icon to the world as one of its great gathering places. The celebration will formally inaugurate the new giga project known as ‘Diriyah Gate’, a cultural and lifestyle tourism destination for Saudi Arabia with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its heart. Located on the North Western edge of the Saudi capital of Riyadh, Diriyah is first and foremost, a place that is deeply important t...

InternationalNews

Taste some scrumptious delicacies at Jerusalem next week

Upendra SwamiNovember 14, 2019879 Views0

With over 100 unique culinary experiences combining food with art, culture, and innovation, thousands of people are expected to enjoy the urban culinary festival “Open Restaurants” that will return to Jerusalem for the fourth year running from 19-23 November 2019. The many open kitchens, private tours, food talks, art and culture bring together the rich fusion of ethnicity that multicultural Jerusalem offers, showcased at some of the city’s most exciting and celebrated restaurants and landmarks. The festival will span across Jerusalem offering a distinct series of events in some of the city’s top cultural venues. Together with world-renowned chefs, “Open Restaurants” Jerusalem redefines traditional culinary experiences and challenge the norms of food and cuisine. Open Restaurants Jerus...

IndiaPhotogallery

Nanakmatta, place of Guru Nanak’s discourse

Upendra SwamiNovember 12, 20193484 Views2

Located between Sitarganj and Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, Gurudwara Nanakmatta Sahib is one of the historical shrines associated with Guru Nanak. On the occasion of 550th Prakash Parv (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion, lets go on a photo tour of the Gurudwara Nanakmatta Sahib. View of the Gurudwara from the main road It is said that Guru Nanak Dev visited this place during his third Udasi (Guru's travels) in 1514 AD. At that time this place was under spiritual control of Siddhas (Yogis, devotees os Guru Gorakhnath). People also say that, just because of this the place was earlier known as Gorkahmata. Main building of the Gurudwara Guru Nanak's way of spiritual awakening among people was entirely different from what was pr...

InternationalNews

Celebrate Christmas with over 3 million sparkling lights

Upendra SwamiNovember 11, 20191016 Views1

Looking for some vacation ideas for the winter! Here is one. You might find it unusual but a winter vacation at a theme park can be a huge fun. So, gather your family and meet your festive friends at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration at Orlando, taking place from November 23 through December 31. For five weeks only, the park is transforming into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights. Experience award-winning entertainment, from the all-new Sesame Street Christmas Parade to seasonal shows like O Wondrous Night; rub noses with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; or head to Wild Arctic and visit Santa himself. Also NEW this year, park-goers have the added chance to dine with jolly ol’ Saint Nick over a sumptuous holiday meal with the help of his Kitchen Elves. Don’t miss t...

InternationalNews

When it comes to snowy vacations, Switzerland is the top choice

Upendra SwamiOctober 25, 2019887 Views0

Indian travellers are getting more diverse, adventurous, experimental and are increasingly looking at snow holidays in addition to summer vacations. Switzerland is an aspirational and preferred destination for Indian tourists owing to a plethora of options available across seasons and for varied age groups. Winter sports has witnessed a rise in demand among younger segments with travellers including snow activities in their itineraries. Travel patterns of Indian travellers are very interesting, who usually prefer vacationing with family and are highly influenced by friends’ and family’s recommendations when deciding on a snow holiday destination. Club Med, the premium all-inclusive operator and global snow holiday leader has unveiled the results of their recent Asia-Pacific (...

AdventurePhotogallery

Flowers of trekking: Sighting of rare Brahma Kamal

Upendra SwamiOctober 21, 20197646 Views10

Had heard a lot about the Brahma Kamal flower earlier. But got to see it blooming for the first time when I went to Valley of flowers and Hemkund trek almost fifteen years back. (But here I will like to remind you that it is not Valley of Flowers, where you will find it normally, but on the Hemkund trek. Everywhere around the sacred lake on the surrounding mountains, you can see this flower blooming.) Thereafter, have seen it on various occasions during high-altitude trekking in Uttarakhand. Watching this flower in its natural habitat is a luxury that only serious trekkers can afford to. Rest all can enjoy this post and the photographs. Kamal is Hindi term for Lotus, but unlike different species of Lotus family, Brahma Kamal blooms amongst rocks and grasses on hillside. Even Brahma Kamal ...

International

Open House Jerusalem – A lifetime opportunity to view unseen architectural and artistic treasures

Upendra SwamiOctober 17, 20191132 Views2

This one is for connoisseurs of art and some aficionados of interesting architectures at one of the holiest cities in the Israel. Some of Jerusalem’s most fascinating architectural treasures will open their doors to the public for the Annual Open House Jerusalem festival, which takes place this year from October 31 - November 2, 2019. As part of the international Open House festival, one weekend a year Jerusalem offers a once in a lifetime access to unseen artistic treasures and private spaces, including designer lofts, urban villas, unique synagogues, architecturally significant public buildings, curious construction sites, plazas and gardens. During the event weekend, the public can visit, explore and attend lectures about these sites. Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Scienc...

International

10 things not to be missed while in Bruges

Upendra SwamiOctober 15, 20191673 Views4

Bruges is said to be a city that will capture your heart. Being a major trading port, it has been an international metropolis for centuries. Despite this, it has retained its medieval charm as well as its natural beauty. Something that has helped its historic city centre to attain the tag of World Heritage Site of UNESCO. In Europe it is also referred as Venice of the North, because of its canals. It is indeed one of my favourite European cities. Although a city like Bruges is worth spending a plentiful of time, but I am shortlisting ten things that you shouldn't miss when you visit this marvellous city. Lets, have a look at them. Boating in Bruges A trip in its canals Bruges looks more charming when you take a boat trip on its canals. Half hour trips on boats are most popular a...