Joypur Trip- A Complete Travel Guide

Are you among those people who love the buzzing of cicadas, chirping of crickets, twittering of migratory birds, trumpeting of elephants, howling of jackals and wolves? If yes, Joypur forest/jungle (in Bankura district, West Bengal) would be the ideal travel destination for you. As value-added benefits, you will have the beautiful fragrance of wildflowers, unknown incense-bearing boughs, intoxicating order of Mahua flowers and fruits, and the soft odor of the moist forest vegetation.

If you are an adventure seeker and nature lover, you will have Joypur in a different cloak. Beauty, adventure and suspense are waiting at every nook and cranny of the beautiful yet wild forest and granaries compacted with enormous and heavy trees and tendrils of wild creepers. Wild animals are waiting in dense thickets behind asymmetrical wild trees for their live actions for prey. Anytime, you can have a rare view or unusual sight of a predator jumping on its prey or a hyena chasing a deer. Thrill and excitement in many folds of it will make your Joypur trip a memorable one.

Many adventure seekers, globetrotters, and wonder-lusters select Joypur for adventure tourism. Local Bankura district people choose it for a happy weekend travel destination. They spend their leisure here when they want to explore something thrilling and exciting in a lush and dense forest. Come and explore this ideal tourist destination and wildlife hotspot to soothe your eyes and recharge your internal batteries.  

Location of Joypur forest in Bankura District

Located at 3C4P+5GW, Jangalmahal, Joypur forest is only a four-hour-north-west drive away (155 Km) from Kolkata. Joypur is an ideal village laced with emerald beauties of greeneries and forests of the Jangalmahal range. The opening part of it is a small town with some multi-storied commercial and residential buildings, financial organizations like post offices, banks (3), government offices, privately and publicly held educational institutes (schools and colleges),  hotels, restaurants, guest houses, and resorts.  The neighboring villages- Salda and Hirapur are famous for many age-old stone temples and heritage structures.

Places of attractions at Joypur, Bankura 

Joypur Forest

Spreading an area of over 120 square kilometres, Joypur forest is a part of Junglemahal.  This solitary sanctuary covered with dense forests is known well for the elephant corridor and deer crossing. Teeming with shal, sonajhuri, palash, kusum, mahua, mango, and neem trees, it facilitates heavenly abodes to elephants, deer, monkeys, Chitals, wild foxes, wolves, jackals, Indian pythons, hyenas, and some rare species of migratory birds. The emerald green dry deciduous forests with their tall trees and draperies of creepers do not let the sunlight touch the forest floor and open postures in many places. After 12, verdurous glooms or darkness in the forest oozes from between the skyscraping trees through the tangled maze of the bushy creepers. Although it hosts many Indian animals and birds, the main inhabitants of this wildlife sanctuary are wild foxes, elephants, deer (chital), wolves, and Hyenas.  

Flora and fauna of Joypur forest at a glance

Flora- Sal, Sonajuri, Palash, Kusum, Mahua, Mango, Neem, Teak trees, etc.

Fauna- Deer, elephant, chital, wolf, wild boar, fox, Indian python, hyena, and various Indian and migratory birds

Joypur Watch Tower

Located just beside the natural damp (Samudrabandh), the Joypur watchtower serves as an observatory in the Joypur forest for offering a kaleidoscopic and panoramic (360) view of the entire jungle and its adjacent area. This is a very good option to get the live action of a predator to its prey. Dawn and dusk are the best time to visit the place from the watch tower. From the observatory, at dawn, the sun appears to be a red sphere pepping behind the forest and coming out from the golden water of Samudrabandh. In the late afternoon, the overwhelming beauty of the forest starts disappearing with the gradual setting of the sun that begins dipping into the wine-red water of the Samudrabandh like the top of an orange.

British-era watch tower Joypur

Apart from the Joypur watch tower, inside the jungle (approximately in the middle of the forest), another brick-build mossy watch tower called the telegraph tower gives you a 360-degree panoramic view of the forest. Although built in the British era, people mistakenly give credit for it to the Malla Kings.

British-era runway

You can easily find a British-era runway very close to the telegraph watch tower.

Somudrabandh

It is a natural dam created by down streaming of water from jungles and adjacent small hills. During its flow, it carries away various types of poisonous snakes, venomous reptiles, and pythons. This is famous for water safari. Paddle and engine boats are available for boat trips or boat safaris. The main attraction of it is the small restaurant and coffee house located in the middle of the dam on a man-made island.   

Age-old heritage structures

Joypur and its neighboring villages bear witness to many age-old heritage structures and their constructors.

Gokulchand Temple/Mandir

Located at Gokulnagar (the adjacent village of Joypur), Gokulchand mandir is one of the largest pancharatna stone temples in the Bankura district. Established deities here are Radha-Krishna. Built-in 1639 by Raghunath Singha, Gokulchand mandir is one of the easiest 17th-century Hindu temples of the Malla kings. This stone temple covers 23,500 sq. ft. along with the at-chala and its adjacent terrace. It stands 64 ft. in height with its highest pinnacle. Temple walls depict various sculptures of the avatars of Vishnu and various mythological incidents and raslila motifs of lord Krishna. Made with stone carving, all sculptures evoke a different kind of sentiment with their wholeness, harmony and radiance. The volume and mass of these sculptures are heavier like Gothic architecture. These appear to be lively, unique and mysterious when you stare at them closely for a while. These can easily eclipse any classical and oriental architecture for their richness, liveliness and complexities. These accentuate a different kind of sentiment with their splendor, servility and beauty. The original idol of the temple (Lord Krishna) has been removed and stripped of its ornaments to carry away to Bishnupur. However, the real idol of Lord Krishna is brought back to Gokulnagar every year during the Holi festival and kept here for 5 days. The deity is worshipped here with an auspicious celebration for five days.  

Navaratna Temples  

Other than the Gokulchand mandir, you can visit nearby Navaratna Temples built in the early 19th century. Located at Dutta Para and De Para of Joypur village, these temples welcome you with triple entrances and beautiful terracotta panel orientations on the entrance gates and temple walls. The panel reliefs are excellent for their delicacy and subtleness. Here, volume and mass are much lighter than the stone-carved temples. Each panel relief depicts an event of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and Mangal Kavyas.

Where to stay

As mentioned earlier, you will find a few hotels, guest houses, and resorts in small township area of Joypur.  Both budget and luxury lodging are available here. As all of them are not good, a wise and thoughtful selection is always advisable. A wrong choice can give you a bitter experience. To get suggestions and advice, you can call 9800842187/6291433677 or send WhatsApp messages to these numbers +918972315366/9800842187. 

Delicious dishes and mouthwatering gourmet cuisines of Joypur

Here, you can expect the original taste of organic foods and delicious dishes served in multi-cuisine restaurants located here. The most interesting part is that a few fine dining and casual dining restaurants inside resorts prepare fresh delicious dishes from the animals living at their farms. They are famous for using livestock to prepare palatable dishes or mouth-watering foods. Their unique presentation styles and wafting aromas from delicious dishes will make you feel hungry. You will desire to savor those plates at the earliest.  Culinary heritage, gourmet connoisseurs, and the adequacy of fresh organic ingredients have raised the bar of excellence in the hospitality industry of Joypur. Be very careful while selecting a restaurant at Joypur. To get advice and suggestions, you can contact mobile no 9800842187/6291433677 and WhatsApp numbers +918972315366/9800842187. 

The best time to visit

Late winter is the best time to visit there. As the skyscraping wild trees receive new leaves, incense-bearing boughs and multiple new branches on them, the forest appears to be fresh and lively. It will look like emerald-green land. 

How to reach there

Travel By train

The nearby railway station is Bishunpur. Joypur is only 15 km away from Bishunpur railway station. Besides, Bishunpur railway station is well-connected with Gokulnagar railway station. The only inconvenience is the frequency of the trains on this route is very low.

Travel by bus      

Joypur is well-connected to Kolkata and other major cities in West Bengal and India by various roadways. Therefore, you can use surface transportation facilities to reach here. Many private and public buses can take you directly to Joypur bus stoppage from the various points in West Bengal and other Indian states. West Bengal State Transport Corporation Company runs many non-stop and all-stop buses from Kolkata that let you get down at Jaipur or Bishnupur bus stop. A road trip by bus is cheaper and more convenient for travelers.

Travel by car

If you would like to take the convenience and flexibility of a Joypur trip in a hassle-free manner, you can travel by car.

About the travel writer

Suman Jalal, a professional content writer and travel blogger, is the writer of this blog. He runs a web development company and a content writing firm named Creative Web Design Experts and Freelance Content Writers India, respectively.

Climbers' Guides for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Deciding of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro should not be taken very lightly. You must remember that this is the tallest freestanding mountain on the earth. The excretion is both challenging and exhilarating. To navigate successfully, you need enough endurance power, very good physical shape and perfect physical fitness.

Located inside the Kilimanjaro National Park of Tanzania, this everlasting snow-capped mountain stands 5,895 meters in height. All individuals interested in climbing Kilimanjaro need to consider two important things. One is the height and another is a professional guide. Besides, you need to take rock climbing training.

As it represents Africa's tallest peak, you need a mental and physical preparation to climb and cover this huge height. It is not like that anyone can climb it.

5 important things to consider before climbing Kilimanjaro (climbers' guides)

1. Do I have a professional rock climbing training?
2. Have I received professional, experienced and licensed mountain guides?
3. Do I have quality equipment like perfect rock climbing shoes, four seasoned mountain jackets, heavy-duty tents, etc.?
4. Am I carrying oxygen cylinders with me?
5. Do I have enough knowledge about Kilimanjaro routes?

Kilimanjaro Routes

Choosing the right Kilimanjaro route, considering the matter of safety, is highly essential here. You need to choose a route that will satisfy your personal needs and contribute to your eventual summit success.

Given below are popular Kilimanjaro Climbing Routes:

1. The Machame Route
2. The Marangu Route
3. The Shira Route
4. The Lemosho Route
5. Western Breach / Arrow Glacier
6. The Rongai (Naro Moru) Route
7. The Umbwe Route
8. The Mweka Route
9. The Northern Circuit

Best time to climb Kilimanjaro

Climbing Kilimanjaro is possible all-year-round. However, trekking in March, April and November is not good as these are the wettest months on Kilimanjaro. There are two distinct trekking seasons considered ideal for tracking. These are January-March and June-October. If you decide a on trekking date in April or May, you can think of Rongai route.

What to do on the mountain

• Go slowly according to the route direction.
• Drink adequate amount of water.
• Climb light.
• Take warm jackets and enough clothing.
• Take rest when you are tried.
• Take a short stroll in the evening to a higher altitude. After that, you descend to sleep at the camp definitely at a lower altitude.
• Replace the batteries of your headlamp and camera with new ones.
• Use 1 ski pole to reduce external and internal pressure on your knee joints.

Success rate

Every year thousands of visitors come to climb the mountain Kilimanjaro. Only 50% of them achieve their success. This is why if you want to get success in your expedition, you must hire an experienced guide. Getting certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR) is always advisable. Besides, you need extreme fitness and stamina to endure the changes in the high altitudes.

These are the rules of thumbs to achieve your success.

From Rome to London- Travel Guide

Day 1, Sunday, Rome, Italy

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this ancient capital. Tonight meet your tour director and fellow travelers.

Day 2, Monday, Rome

Included sightseeing with local guide starts in St. Peter’s Square, followed by a visit to the Roman Forum and the mighty Colosseum.

Day 3, Tuesday, Rome-Piza-Florence Area

Vistas of undulating hills, austere rose of cypress trees, terraced vineyards, olive groves, and rural villages from the backdrop of your journey through beautiful Tuscany. Take a break in Pisa to see the Square of Miracles and the amazing Leaning Tower, then on to the Florence Area.

Day 4, Wednesday, Florence Area- Venice Area

Traffic is banned in part of the historic center so visitors can wander at leisure and admire the city’s timeless beauty in relative peace and quiet. Don’t miss out this morning on the included walking tower with a Local Guide that features most of the city highlights. You will see the Piazza Santa Croce, the Beautiful Pizza Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard, the Loggia del Lanzi, and to top it all, the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistery known as the “Gate to Paradise”.  In the afternoon you can drive north across the River Po into the Plains of Venetia for overnight in the Venice area.

Day 5, Thursday, Venice.

It is really more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with its crisscrossing canals, gondolas and water buses, attached bridges, Palaces, and little quiet piazzas. The included tower starts with a boat ride and is followed by a visit to St. Marks Basilica and a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Don’t miss out on the optional gondola trip, gliding along the picturesque canals with a local troubadour to serenade you.

Day 6, Friday, Venice Area-Innsbruck, Austria

Take a journey northwards today from the flat farmlands of the Venetian countryside to the Dolomites surrounding Italy’s most famous winter resort, Cortina. Stop a while to enjoy the grand scenery. Next, cross the border into Austria to reach Innsbruck for overnight.

Day7, Saturday, Innsbruck-lake Lucerne, Switzerland  

Time this morning to get acquainted with Innsbruck. The orientation tower includes the famous Golden Roof. Later drive through the valleys and villages of the mountainous Tyrol to the Arlberg tunnel, descending into Switzerland. Stop briefly in Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s Capital, before heading for Lake Lucerne.

Day 8, Sunday, Lucerne

One of Switzerland’s finest cities nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Your sightseeing takes in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the Loin Monument- a masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day, a cable car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis, a cruise on the fjord-like lake, and, of course, there is time to shop for that very Swiss watch.

Day 9, Monday Lake Lucerne-Paris, France

Enjoy vistas of green pasture and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Then move into France on the first and comfortable highway past some of its famous vineyards to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy the optional cabaret show.

Day 10, Tuesday, Paris

Paris holds a special place in the imagination. It is a city of many facets famed for its culture, beauty sophistication and sparkle. By sitting with a glass of wine in a bistro or sidewalk café, you can absorb the essence of the city and the individualism of its people. The center has wide boulevards and impressive buildings. Included sightseeing with a local expert of many of the best known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, Invalides, and Champs Elysees. Optional excursions are also available to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and, to celebrate the success of your tour, a French farewell dinner might be just the ticket.

Day 11, Wednesday, Paris-London, England

Relax and let the countryside whiz by on the road north to the coast, where you board your Channel ferry through Kent return to London for an evening arrival.                     

A Wodeyar Masterpiece

The cultural heritage of Mysore comes alive with the royal palace, a treasure house of ancient artifacts and rich history.

The enchanting garden city of Mysore, with the Chamundi Hills as the backdrop, is a tourists’ paradise. Goddess Chamundeeshwari is the presiding deity at the temple atop the hills. After the vanquishing Mahishasura, Goddess Dura is said to have assumed the form of Chamundi and taken abode here. Mysore, however, rose to fame during the Wodeyar dynasty, when the Mysore Palace is believed to have been built. The Royal abode of the kings stands in all its grandeur even today, preserving some of the finest artifacts of the maharajahs.

Intriguing past

The Royal Palace has an interesting past. Built during the 14^th century, it was home to the then Mysore royal family. Narasaraja Wodeyar rebuilt it after the palace was damaged by a lightning strike. This hastily built structure was badly in need of repair by the end of the 19^th century, with many of the tenements attached to it crumbling. The wooden palace was completely destroyed in a fire accident in 1897, during the wedding of the then princess, Jayalakshmammani. John Birdwood of the Mysore Army, who later became the commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, had captured the wooden palace in his camera. Maharani Vanivilasa Sannidhana restored the grandeur of this palace, keeping the old foundation intact. Build over 15 years’ time at an outlay of about rupees 42 crore, it had two noteworthy factors- mostly local materials were used and fire-proof methods were adopted. And the palace we see today was the brainchild of the British architect Henry Irwin, in 1912.

A mix of architectural styles

As this palace was reconstructed several times, it mainly showcases the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, with shades of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles. It displays uninhibited grandeur and resembles any magnificent building ranging from from a medieval Mughal Mausoleum to an opulent French chateau. The three-tiered palace stands on the western side of the quadrangular fort with five entrances. Made of granite, with a touch pink in its domes, the palace makes for a delightful spectacle. The gold-plated tower measures 145 feet from the ground to the tip of the golden flag at its summit. Seven expensive arches adorn the imposing façade; with the central arch supported by tall pillars, and flanked by two smaller ones on either side. An exquisitely sculpted statue of Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, (most befittingly) is mounted above the central arch. A miniature model of the original wooden palace is placed at the entrance. The imposing monument displays ancient courtyard architecture in its “Gombe Thotti” (doll pavilion that showcases traditional dolls of the 19^th and early 20^th century), which opens to the sky.

The main entrance, however, is the elephant gate which lies halfway across, after entering the palace. The main gate displays the Mysore royal symbol of a double-headed eagle. Many collections of the erstwhile Wodeyar rulers have been preserved here, including an elephant howdah decorated with 84 kilograms of pure gold! To the immediate south is an octagonal, painted pavilion, the Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall), richly decorated with gold, and beautiful chandeliers. It has a colorful glass ceiling, with the peacock motif as its main theme. For this reason, it’s also referred to as the peacock pavilion. The colorful murals on the walls have immortalized festivals on canvas, in 26 Panels. The floor is decorated with tiles imported from England, artistically laid out in geometric patterns.

Equally enthralling are the large rooms and halls, each having a specific use. “The Diwan-I-Aam” (public Darbar Hall) has an ornate ceiling and shining floor, with gold-coated pillars. Paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata adorn the walls with Raja Ravivarma’s paintings adorning the rear walls.

The Diwan-e-Khas (for private audience) has meticulously carved doors. Of all, the Amba Vilasa is the most gorgeously decorated hall with a harmonious composition of colors. Its teak wood ceiling has magnificent, bold and intricately carved designs. Silver, teak and rosewood doors have ivory inlays depicting Lord Vishnu’s 10 incarnations and an adorable baby Krishna kissing his toe. The central aisle has stained glass paintings, supported by cast-iron pillars, and the flooring in between has an inlay of Agra work.

The Bejeweled Golden Throne

The star attraction is the bejeweled golden throne, comprising the main seat, a staircase, and a golden umbrella with Sanskrit verses engraved on its rim. The 200 Kg royal throne of the Wodeyars, made of pure gold and further enhanced with magnificent artwork, is kept for public display during Dushera.

The throne is said to have belonged to the Pandavas, which was buried in Penugonda, Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved by Harihara-1 of the Vijayanagar Empire, it was taken to Srirangapatna, and later handed over to Raja Wodeyar who ascended it amidst great pomp. Though the second legend is not supported by much historical evidence, it is believed to have been given by Aurangzeb as a gift to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar.  Aurangzeb is said to have sent a signet ring with an inscription and permission to sit on the throne. After the fall of Tipusultan, the throne was recovered from the Sultan’s palace at Srirangapatna. The royal seat was later used in the coronation of the child, Raja Krishnaraja Wodeyar-3 and has remained with the Mysore royal family ever since. The ceremonial sections of the palace, the armory and trophy rooms, and the Car passage with 7 cannons and 4 carriages loaded with ammunition boxes are closed to visitors.

These cannons are used for the ceremonial salute on Vijayadashami day. Other attractions at the palace include the marble statuettes of European origin, decorative marble sculptures, metal carving depicting “Sour grapes”, mirror work, Ganesha idol made of sacred black stones brought from 300 holy spots, portrait and photo gallery, period furniture room, and a small museum. The fort has several temples built in the Dravidian style of architecture showcasing the religious fervor of the Wodeyar rulers. Religious ceremonies are held in the temple on special occasions.    

      

How Dushera Celebrations Started

Think of Mysore palace and immediately, the color and beauty of Dushera leaps to mind! Dushera was first celebrated on a grand scale by the rulers of Vijayanagar at Hampi. This is evident from the writings of Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveler, and Abdur Razaak, a Persian ambassador who had visited Vijayanagar. With the disintegration of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Nayaks of the Keladi and Ikkeri, and the Wodeyars of Mysore inherited this tradition. However, it was the Wodeyars who made it a grand spectacle, culminating in the kings’ procession in a golden Howdah (the carrier mounted on a decorated elephant). The festival, as witnessed today, was first celebrated in 1610 with great pomp and so at Srirangapatna when Raja Wodeyar had ascended the throne. The rich cultural heritage that Mysore preserves to this date is believed to be his contribution.

Let there be Light!

The palace is simply dazzling when it is illuminated on Sunday’s, national holidays and special festive occasions like Dushera. You may be surprised to learn that the illumination is contributed by about one lakh 15-watt bulbs! According to the Government Tourism Department, the Mysore palace is one of the highly visited tourist attractions of India and is a must-visit during September-October. No wonder locals and tourists flock to the palace for a glimpse of this royal Heaven!

To get a travel guide on a particular travel destination or contact a travel agent, mail us at roy86.samapti@gmail.com     

A Visit to Beirut- The Capital City of Lebanon

Before Beirut became a synonym for carnage, it was part of a Mediterranean circuit for party hunters, which included Monte Carlo, the French Riviera and Alexandria- it was ‘Paris of the East’. In the 1970s, the Israelis began to attack southern Lebanon, where the PLO was located, and in 1982 launched Operation Peace for Galilee. Fifteen years of civil war followed.

However, Beirut is back with a vengeance.  Today, Lebanon’s ministry of tourism advertises it as “The City that would not die”. Relative peace has brought to the fore all the elements that make Lebanon a traveller’s paradise: a small country (150KM by 60KM) you can travel the length and breadth of in a few hours; pristine mountains; beaches set by the Mediterranean; ancient cities; the spirit of warn-torn people getting the most out of life. (The war did not really stop the Beirutis from partying—they just went underground and put the music on louder to drown out the shelling.) With low crime rates and political stability, Beirut is now safe, glamorous and very happening.

Situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, Lebanon is at a crossroad of three continents. It has always been strategic, with a history of unrest dating to Old Testament times. The rocks in Dog River Valley bear testimony to centuries of struggles- messages left by occupying armies down the centuries. It was also the refuge of minorities fleeing persecution between the 9^th and 11^th centuries—the Christian Maronites, Shi’ite Muslims and the Druze settled here. Thanks to the various peoples who occupied Beirut- the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, French—Lebanon offers a long list of things to see and do. But what Beirut, and Lebanon, offers best is Atmosphere.

The first day we walk from our hotels to one of the many restaurants on the Corniche. After a leisurely gourmet lunch (after a few days, I wonder- whether there is another kind) followed by shisha and Turkish coffee, we walk along the Corniche. It carries on to the city’s central district, the approach to which is marked by the Hard Rock Café. By late afternoon, families start drifting in which stoves, backgammon, coffeepots and narghileh/shisha; others come to stroll or jog. Power-walking is very popular, especially with fashionably dressed Lebanese women. (You rarely see the Lebanese not dressed to kill; they even iron their workout clothes!) I noticed food carts draped with the Lebanese flag. 

Vendors and illegal, and they use the national flag so that the police will respect their patriotism and leave them alone. We watch the sunset over the famous Pigeon Rocks and take a cab downtown. Since 1997, the Lebanese have gone about rebuilding the city. Exquisite architecture stands next to glittering high rises and shell-shocked structures whose time has not yet come. The visual contrast is surreal around the national Museum, reconstructed to its previous glory, but surrounded by shelled buildings especially around the Green Line, which divided Christian East Beirut from the Muslim West.

The cab drops us off a Solidere, the city center. This area has been rebuilt in golden sandstone and pink marble- as it used to be before the war erupted in April 1975—complete with cobbled streets, pavement cafes, wrought-iron railings, Ottoman arches and terracotta roofs. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in Paris. The cobblestoned pedestrian streets are lined with shops selling traditional crafts, designer fashions, and jewelry. Solidere is also home to Roman ruins that have been uncovered and preserved, several notable mosques and churches, and the National Parliament Building.

There are over 50 restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafes, but it is hard to find a place to sit. The tables are filled, and men and women strut up and down the street in their finest. I’m not an expert, but it doesn’t take one to figure that everyone’s dressed in the height of fashion. It feels like the whole town is here. The war has taken its toll and there are 15 million Lebanese who live and work outside Lebanon, compared to a resident population of 5 million. The summer sees the Lebanese expats return. It’s also a popular holiday destination for Gulf Arabs who come for pleasures— bars, casinos and unveiled girls—they cannot sample at home (they like to call it coming up for ‘flesh air’).

After a few drinks and dinners, it’s time for Beirut’s legendary nightlife. The Solidere crowd heads for a night of revelry at one of Monot Street’s clubs until dawn breaks behind Mount Lebanon. Monot Street has a huge selection of nightclubs: BO 18 which use to be a refugee camp; Crystal, the current favorite of fickle Beirut’s; Zinc, a bar in a French colonial villa which was taken and retaken so many times during the war it was called the Bitch of Beirut. Casino du Liban has a floor-show that would give any in Parish a run for its money. At Crystal, there is no dance floor, but on the erstwhile dinner tables men and women are dancing—the men in designers shirts and jeans and the women in mini-skirts or artery-restricting jeans.

The next day we spend walking around town, exploring the shopping options. Street food is popular and essentially consists of stands offering shawarma (slabs of chicken or meat sizzling on vertical skewers, to be grated and stuffed into Pitta bread with tahineh and pickles) and, of course, the Lebanese favorite, falafel (fried grated chickpeas). When the war ended, the fast shop of to reopen in downtown Beirut was a falafel stand. The city had become an uninhabited wasteland of bombed-out buildings and overgrown streets, but once the shooting stooped, a small shop appeared in a bullet-riddled building. Sahyoun, the falafel stand, was back.

We end the afternoon indulging in a Turkish bath at the Al-Nouzha. It provides a real glimpse of old Beirut. Although not traditional in style, the scrubbed down is authentic.

In the next morning’s paper, I see a readers’ poll: “Are you a Metrosexual?” The word could have been coined as Crystal. Appurtenances are very important in Lebanon. 

To get a travel guide on a particular travel destination or contact a travel agent, mail us at roy86.samapti@gmail.com                                         

Australia Travel Guide- Tour and Travel Blogger

Sydney

Your stay in Sydney includes a tour highlighting the best that this magnificent city has to offer, including a photo stop where you enjoy a sweeping view of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. You will also see Kings Cross, the city's nightlife area, and travel through exclusive suburbs to one of Sidney's famous beaches. See trendy Paddington, the ultramodern Darling Harbor development, and the historic Rocks area. On your own, you may wish to take a ferry to Manly and go swimming at the beach. If its wildlife you want to see, then Taronga Zoo is the perfect place for you. Here you can view Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, Dingoes, and more. Perhaps, you'd like to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge! Full-day excursions are available to the national capital, Canberra, or the World Heritage listed the Blue Mountains or you can learn of Australia's famous wine-making industry in the Hunter Valley.

Melbourne

Your stay includes a city tour to introduce you to this beautiful "Garden City". Travel along Collins Street, the ultimate shopping strip and business center viewing fine examples of Melbourne's architectural splendor, including opulent St. Paul's Cathedral, Princess and Regent Theaters, Melbourne Town Hall, and the new Federation Square. You will stroll through the Botanical Gardens and explore Captain Cook's Cottage. Also see world-renowned sporting arenas inducing the MCC and Rod Laver Arena, home of the Australian Tennis Open. During your stay, why not enjoy a visit to the penguin parade of the magnificent full-day Great Ocean Road Adventure? 

Cairns

Your stay in Cairns includes a half-day excretion to Green Island by fast catamaran, one of many beautiful tropical islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can choose to snorkel or take the glass bottom boat to view the coral array of fish or join a naturalist for a guided walk through the Island's cool rainforest. (Guests combining Cairns with the Great Barrier Reef Cruise below will not take this half-day excursion.) You may wish to join a Kuranda via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. For the return journey, you can go via the old scenic rail tour to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, a fascinating portrayal of Aboriginal culture, dance, and folklore. For a fun way to spend an evening, join an optional outgoing to the home of a local Aussie family for a delicious meal.   

Great Barrier Reef Cruise 

Small cruise vessels are purposely built for a cruise from Cairns to Great Barrier Reef. Cruise on a first-class cruise vessel from Cairns to Barrier Reef. There are many onboard activities including reef presentations from marine naturalists, visiting The Caption on the bridge to learn the secrets of navigation, or simply enjoying the ship's lounges and pool. By day, the ship's boats will carry you into beautiful bays; while at night indulge yourself with the superb cuisine, service, and surroundings. 

Ayers Rock 

One evening, you travel to the magnificent Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) a geological splendor of some 30 brilliant monoliths. There is time for a walk among these wonders before returning to "Sunset Strip" to witness the changing colors of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Also included during your stay is a morning base tour of Uluru to learn of the importance of the natural wonder to Aboriginal "Dreamtime" mythology. The remainder of your time is free for your own exploration.

 

To get a travel guide on a particular travel destination or contact a travel agent, mail us at roy86.samapti@gmail.com

The Magic of Real on Reel

One short of a score, we are family and friends from almost all parts of the world descended upon the city of Nizams- Hyderabad. Ours is a brief two-day tour in a tight schedule and tighter budget. One day for paying a visit to Ramoji Film City and another day is for taking part in various local activities.   

Since we are a healthy mix of children, youngsters and adults, we decide to make a good start with RFC (Ramoji Film City) - a world of technological brilliance and an enthralling gateway of experiencing shooting of films. On an August morning, we set out for it. The weather God is in favour of us. We bundle into a mini bus that we have hired to cover a long 30-km distance from our hotel to Ramoji Film City.

The bus snakes its way amidst the city’s honking traffic until it hits the highway. Except for the wild cacophony that we create playing Anatakshari ( a game of songs) at its amalgamated and amusing best, featuring English, Hindi, Bengali and Tamil songs, even whimsically translating them, the journey till we reach RFC is lackluster  one in terms of the scenic landscape.

The transformation is dramatic as we alight from our bus at the entrance to the world of marvels and magic. Private vehicles are not allowed to go uphill to the main film city. However, RFC’s special buses play every few minutes from the main gate to the hotspot. Once up, visitors have the option of hopping onto one of the several colorful RFC buses that accord them a guided tour of the vast spread exotic gardens and monumental structures. Of course, for those who have sufficient time at their disposal, strolling in the surrounds and soaking in the ambience is a definite option.

On reaching uphill, we are held spellbound by what we see. London or Los Angeles, the Arizona army base or Agra’s pride The Taj Mahal (a great monument created by Mughal dynasty), it is all here at RFC, a magical sprawl spread across 200 areas. It does not take us long to sense that it is a place where reality merges with the illusory, where art, architecture and nature view with one another to create aesthetics that it is at once marvellous and technologically scintillating. 

The English spring blossoms, the maple or Chinar of Kashmir, the Thai and the Japanese gardens, Bangalore’s Brindavan Gardens, Delhi’s Mughal Gardens and lush water-kissed vegetation of the rain forests, are a visual treat as much as they evoke a sense of incredibility. Interspersed in the midst of this abundant verdure are the architectural wonders of the Mughal (a member of the Muslim dynasty) and other ears.

Eureka, a movie-themed area with glittering shows, Bollywood style dancing, acrobatics, western cowboy shows, Meena Bazaar with its shopping, is an architecture reproduction of a bygone era. While it is the centre of tourist attractions, Eureka is also the start and end point of the guided city tower where one queues up for the vintage style tour bus.

We snake our way across ornamental bridges to enter the Mauryan (a number of Indian emperors) magic and replicas of the glorious Mughall era.

We watched the process of movie-making, sound recording and post-production of film-making.

The film city’s outdoor sets include “national highways with Punjabi dhabas (roadside food stalls), studio floors, state-of-the-art technology labs, centres of digital film facilities, hospitality centres, and a replica of Kuchiguda railway station.

In the evening, we get back to our hotel with a heavy heart, mourning that the sweet day has passed very quickly.

To get a travel guide on a particular travel destination or contact a travel agent, mail us at roy86.samapti@gmail.com