The approach to landing at Paro International Airport at an elevation of 2320m is pretty dramatic. The 2km runway appears at the last minute and is considered to be one the dangerous landings in the world. Apparently only 17 pilots are qualified to land them. ( our guide claims its only 7). Nestled between India… Continue reading My Discovery of Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon
Jordan trip was being planned and every day a new place was being suggested .Then suddenly out of the blue a suggestion came up. Why not we go to Beirut? It’s so close to Jordan. All of us went silent. Because……It is not the most popular tourist destination. It has a huge refugee situation. You… Continue reading Beirut….. to go or not to go
Petra experience can be complete only with a Petra by Night show. It is a magical way of seeing part of this rock city by candlelight . This amazing experience starts by walking the entire Siq to the Treasury lit with over 1000 candle lights. Seeing the Treasury looming in front of you all of… Continue reading Petra by Night
Amman, capital city of Jordan is a fascinating city of contrasts, a unique blend of old and new. It is perfectly situated on a hilly area between the desert and the fertile Jordan valley. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and Amman and its outskirts are strewn with fascinating remnants… Continue reading Amman aka Philadelphia and Jerash
Queen Alia international airport looked very welcoming when we landed at Amman at 11.30 in the night. Our efficient tour manager quickly guided us through the visa formalities which was free on arrival and we were settled for the night at Amman International. Jordan is primarily an Islamic country where 92% are Muslims, 4% Christians… Continue reading Jordan Junkets
Man can survive only where there is water and that is why we always see a thriving civilisation wherever there is a water body. A few years ago some archaeologists started looking for signs of ancient culture and civilisation along river Vaigai and they found around 290 sites along Madurai Keelady vaigai basin. Of these… Continue reading Digging the past
Sheltered by western ghats on the east and Arabian Sea on the west Dakshina Kannada is lush with plants and trees and coffee and pepper and spices. Especially when you are from Chennai the abundance of the greenery, water and lusciousness fills you with joy. The Chennakesava temple in Belur is the finest example of… Continue reading Templing in Dakshina Kannada
Mahakaleshwar is a Swayambu jyotirlinga of Shiva . Bhasma aarti is one of the most impressive rituals that one can enjoy. Till fifteen years ago the ashes from the funeral pyre was applied on the linga during the pooja. Today cow dung ashes are brought and scattered over the lord by an Aghori . Bhakti… Continue reading Avanti
Mandu was known as Mandapa Durga in the 6th century. Mandu was a very fertile area and a strategic place very well fortified so all the invaders tried to keep Mandu under their control. The first place of interest we visited was the Roopmati Pavilion. Roopmati pavilion is beyond the palace of Baaz Bahadur. During… Continue reading Mandapa Durga aka Mandu
Maheshwar, on the banks of River Narmada was known as Mahishmathi in the ancient days. It was made the capital of the state of Malwa by Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar in the 18th century. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not know anything about Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar till I listened to Dr… Continue reading Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar
cappuccinosandcapers 