Cultural Delights Of Ahmedabad : For cultural buffs, the wonders of Ahmedabad are something that should definitely be explored. Apart from Ahmedabad tourism, there are few things from its typical culinary treats to village clans and colorful attire to art forms, Ahmedabad is a beautiful blend of the traditions and modernity. Let’s take at some of the best cultural wonders the city has to offer.
Touring The Cultural Delights Of Ahmedabad
5 Cultural Delights Of Ahmedabad
#1 Lemon Grass Hopper
One of the finest art galleries in Ahmedabad, the Lemon Grass Hopper brings the best work from contemporary artists like BV Suresh, Shampa Ghosh, Abhijit Paul, MF Hussain, Sunil Darji and more. The gallery has few exhibitions halls showcasing the some beautiful sculptures, photographs, paintings, sketches, pottery and ceramic. You can get some really fantastic deals at the exhibitions, which is usually flocked by the who’s who of the artsy world.
#2 Calico Museum
Located in Shahi Bagh, Calico Museum is considered to be one of the finest places to admire specialised work of art and history. Established in 1949 by the Sarabhai family to document the history of textile business in the country, this museum has some fine collection dating back to several centuries. With exhibitions taking place in the majestic setting of the old Sarabhai haveli, this is one cultural tour you shouldn’t miss.
#3 Gandhi Memorial Museum
Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, the Gandhi Memorial Museum is located besides the famous ashram where Mahatma Gandhi spent his remaining years. This museum is perfect to understand the man who led the fight of freedom against the British regime, as you look through the deeper aspects of his life. If you have kids in your family, then this could really become an eye-opening tour for them.
#4 World Vintage Car Museum
Famous known as the Auto World, this assembly of vintage cares is just the place to be in if you’re passionate about cars. Showcasing the private collection of car enthusiast, Pranlal Bhogilal, the vintage cars included belong the leading car-makers like Mercedes, Cadillac, Chrysler, Bentley, and Maybach. The best part about the museum, that you can also take this vintage beauties for a quick spin. Take home a little souvenir and cherish the experiences for lifetime.
#5 Shreyas Folk Art Museum
If you’re interested in exploring the local art and culture of Gujarat, this museum becomes a must-visit. Showcasing the artwork from the major communities of the region like, Kathi, Bhansali, Meghwal, Rabari, Ahir, and Mer, you can browse handicrafts from wood cravings to handmade utensils and musical instrument.
Off-Beat Things In Delhi : Red fort, trip to Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar and a lot of important tourist attractions are present in Delhi. Beyond these clichés, there are a lot of off-beat things that you would love in Delhi. These are not the top things that people tell you about Delhi. These things aren’t the first thing to pop into anyone’s mind when you mention Delhi. But, these are really exciting things to enjoy if you are looking for an adventurous and enchanting vacation in Delhi tour.
Delhi is the capital of India with an international airport in it that connects a lot of international destinations. Thus, it should not be hard for you to schedule a vacation in this place.
Delhi has been a hub since prehistoric civilization time. You would have seen a lot of architectures related to Mughals, Rajputs, Pashtun and others. But, this is about even older civilization. In Delhi you can find a lot of prehistoric monuments like Grey ware paintings of 1000 BC, Ashokan Pillars of 300 BC and many others. These monuments are scattered in the city in Greater Kailash, Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Ridge and others. You can either watch them when you visit certain attractions in each place or make a day out of it.
Cultural tour
You would be very familiar with the Pottery village of Delhi. You might have visited this place for buying some masterpieces. Tour the small little Tibet of Delhi which holds endangered Tibetan group of artists who live in the outskirts of Delhi. You can enjoy some Indomania cultural experience here. Do not miss Philkhuwa which is located in Ghaziabad for some culture and art experience. If you take a ride around this place in tonga or on foot, you can find wood inlay works, block paining, dyeing using old techniques and others. You can buy these masterpieces and also can watch artists in work.
The haunted version
Every city has some haunting spots that would entertain people with steel nerves. Are you done with all kinds of tours in Delhi? This spooky tour would add more entertainment to your trip. Jamali Kamli Mosque in Mehrauli, Civil Lines’ Nicholson Cemetery, Agrasen Ki Bauli of Chadni Chowk and Malcha Mahal in Malcha are some of the top haunted places in Delhi. The history of these places can range from series of suicide to some historic dark tale. Make sure to visit these places only if you want to have a spooky experience.
Change of guard
You would have visited the residence of President in Delhi. Have you visited it on Saturday morning? You can witness the best military tradition of Delhi called as the Change of Guards. This is a periodic tradition that takes place every week when a new troop takes charge of the security. The parade and other ceremony elements are mesmerizing. It just takes a few minutes and you would certainly enjoy this visual feast.
Nilgai or Indian blue bull is an almost extinct species that you can find in the streets of Delhi. Once this species was thriving in this area and due to man made errors like deforestation, you can find a very few of these today. Nilgai still roams around in the city and you can spot one in Tughlaquabad fort, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Sanjay Vant and others. If you love nature, you can also enjoy the Charity Bird Hospital in Digambar Jain Temple which is opposite to Red Fort. This is the place which provides shelter to birds and rabbits.
These are just the top off-beat things to enjoy in Delhi. There are a lot of other things to do in Delhi like enjoying Sufism and listening to their tales, international museum of toilets, segway tour on a self balancing segway for 45 minutes and many others. These off-beat things would not take more than an hour. Thus try to include at least two off-beat things everyday in your vacation schedule. This would help you to enjoy Delhi like never before and like most of tourists never did before. After all, it is all about exploring, enjoying and learning.
5 Best Diving Places In Malaysia For Scuba Diving Lovers
Best Diving Places In Malaysia For Scuba Diving : South East Asia has some of the most stunning and bio-diverse waters in the whole world. Combined with almost perfect visibility year round, as well as warm temperatures, it is no surprise that this area of the world is highly revered in the SCUBA diving community. No country embodies this spirit of underwater adventure and exploration quite like Malaysia. There are hundreds of immaculate dive sites scattered around a myriad of lush and stunning islands, and well over three thousand species of marine creatures to feast your eyes on.
5 Best Diving Places In Malaysia For Scuba Diving Lovers
If you are lucky enough to visit Malaysia on a diving trip, be sure to check out some of the following sites.
5 Best Diving Places In Malaysia For Scuba Diving Lovers
Pulau Siban, Sempora
Pulau Siban is a little off the beaten path, but what it lacks in infrastructure and amenities it makes up for in untouched natural beauty. Within a daytrip’s range from Semporna, this time machine of an island is sparsely inhabited by a few Baju families; a nomadic seafaring tribe whose way of life has not changed in centuries. There are no resorts on the island, but there are some of the best muck diving locations anywhere in the world. You will rub shoulders with magnificent creatures such as mandarinfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, frogfish, pygmy seahorses and alien-like nudibranches.
WWII Wrecks, Kuching
The waters of the South China Sea saw a lot of military action during WWII, and subsequently are teeming with the wrecks of various vessels. Dutch submarines were particularly successful in sinking Japanese vessels, both support and military craft. The many wrecks that lie in the crystal clear waters off the coast of Kuching range from highly damaged ones such as the Katori Maru to fully intact wrecks such as the Hiyotoshu Maru. Both of these naval giants lie at a depth of 65 feet, and have been transformed into teeming ecosystems by the hands of time. There are hundreds of marine species that call these wrecks home, form snapper and batfish to large schools of barracuda.
Tiger Reef, Tioman
Tiger reef is by far the most popular dive site in Tioman Island, and for good reason. The reef is a dramatic submerged pinnacle whose summit is at a depth of 30 feet, and goes down almost vertically to 60 feet. This drop is densely populated with corals, that in turn provide both food and shelter to many underwater creatures. Large schools of mackerel, rainbow fish, jackfish and barracuda are attracted by the oxygenated waters and strong currents. You are also more than likely to catch a glimpse of moray eels, lionfish and stingrays.
Both beautiful and macabre, Turtle Cavern is truly a one of a kind dive site. Also known as Turtle Tomb, this sprawling complex of caves is littered with thousands of turtle skeletons. For reasons not quite clear to scientist, turtles from miles around come to these caves when they are at the end of their loves. You will be glad to know that there is also a thriving community of turtles that are very much alive and active. This dive site is not recommended to first time or inexperienced divers, as there are many dead ends in the caves, and they might feel a little claustrophobic. The caves have many air pockets, allowing you to surface, remove your breathing gear and have a chat with your diving mates.
Sipadan Jetty/Drop-off
The Drop off is Sipadan’s most easily accessible dive site, as is in close proximity to the island’s main jetty. Whoever coined the name drop-odd was not kidding. The sheer drop into deep ocean is truly epic; all 130 feet of it. This means that conditions are perfect for wall dives, allowing divers to explore the soft and hard coral formations that adorn the wall. The whole area is bustling with wildlife, including vast schools of barracuda, batfish and mackerel, and as well as the magnificent leopard shark and white tip reef shark.
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon , I will return again, Sure as the dust that floats high in June , When movin’ through Kashmir .
Srinagar : And sure as dusts, we do return to the valley of gods again and gain. To the quaint charms of a lazed out valley, houseboats painted on a picture perfect background. In the same song, Led Zeppeling sings about rust brown Kashmir with sand in their eyes. Kashmir is Srinagar, but Kashmir is also country side with field of tulips and valleys of rocks and sand.
So, if you want to take detour while you are on one of yours Kashmir Tours this time, you can visit some other tourist destinations. If you can arrange it, hire a car. Having a talkative cabbie around you in exotic places has its own charm and benefits. Or, you can take the state bus service ; tickets can be booked from tourist reception centre in Srinagar. You may have to go through security checks or other formalities. Kashmir is safe for tourists than ever and these are only precautionary measures.
Top 5 Side Trips From Srinagar [J & K]
1. Sonamarg
Located on the Srinagar-Ladakh Highway, around two and a half hours drive northeast of Srinagar; scenic Sonamarg (“Meadow of Gold”) is famous for its Thajiwas Glacier. Now do not let the glacier word diminish your spirits, our friend here is very much accessible. You can trek up and back in five hours from the highway. You can also take a pony. And, you have to bargain hard with the pony owners. It brings out miraculous results.
Sonamarg , J & K
Once a popular Bollywood destination, Thajiwas has a touch of romance to it. There are a number of options for eating and staying at Sonamarg. Ahsan Mount Resort has fabulous Swiss tents for glamping. You can book a resort for stay over, from various Srinagar tour packages.
2. Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers)
Gulmarg (“Meadow of Flowers“), India’s version of a ski resort, is situated less than two hours drive east of Srinagar. The season runs from mid December to mid March. If you’re not into skiing, you may still want to let the gondola whisk you more than 13,000 feet up Mount Apharwat for outstanding views.It’s Most Important destination of Incredible India.
Gulmarg (“Meadow of Flowers”)
Apart from having the distinction of being world’s highest cable car, our homeboy gondola is really popular, equally among girls and boys. So, use the internet and buy your tickets online. Cable car rides are also included in tourist packages. If you want to stay, ski and ride a gondola over thee, check out tourist packages.
3. Pahalgam
The city bred protagonist, in the movie Highway, makes her dream home for one day in the valley of shepherds. This idyllic, self absorbed valley is alive with tourists and yet asleep, lost in time. It is near the departure point for amaranth yatra, and remains really packed in july.
Pahalgam , [J & K]
Visitors commonly head to Pahalgam’s Betaab Valley (the Bollywood movie “Betaab” was shot there), with its fresh flowing Lidder River and surrounding snow-capped hills. However, what you need to be aware of is that you’ll only be allowed to take your vehicle up to a certain point to reach the Valley. After that, you’ll need to hire a prepaid vehicle provided by the local transport association, or walk. Entrance to the Valley is regulated and costs 10 rupees. You can indulge in finer things like golfing and trout fishing in and around resorts or be one for the road and have some adventure. Pahalgam is also a popular destination for river rafting.
Or, if you want to make a home for few days, Pahalgam is ideal for a romantic vacation or a honeymoon. You can find resorts services and honeymoon packages in abundance.
4. Charar-i-Sharief and Yousmarg
Yousmarg, a sprawling meadow around two hour’s drive southwest of Srinagar, is refreshingly old world. The highlight is the Doodh Ganga River, which is reached by a picturesque 30 minute walk along a forested trail down a hill. Alternatively, it’s possible to take a pony. On the way you will find apple orchards and town of Charar-i-shareef, one of the holiest sufi shrines in the world.
Charar-i-Sharief and Yousmarg [J & K]
5. Ladakh
‘A road that goes on and on, and you and the road are one. When I rode through Ladakh I felt like a man again.’ This was how a bike trip to Ladakh was described to me by a friend, later confirmed personally. This plateau, where colors are splashed all round and women are head of the family, is too beautiful to be described. It is 408 km from Srinagar. You can take a bus or rent a car or fly to Ladakh. Or, you can man up and ride. And, women who are riding to Ladakh, please show yourself we have been looking for you!
Ladakh , [J & K]
You can visit Leh and The Bazaar. If you are more adventurous, you can try and become one of the few to watch a real snow leopard. Tourist packages offer hotel deals, visits to tourist places, markets and monasteries. You can also get bike trip packages and ride with other bikers all the way from Manali to Ladakh.
Kashmir is a place which is full of surprises, all you need to do is explore!
‘Besudh, Betarteeb, Benazeer chale aye Logo ki bekhudi se dil bhar aya to Khud se baate karne Kashmir chale aye’