Travel Monster

UN Secretary-General's Message Calling for Observance of the Olympic Truce

2008-08-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

The Olympic Games celebrate the human spirit. They bring together athletes from myriad backgrounds, all cultures and every nationality in a common endeavor to excel -- to run faster, reach further, and aim higher.

But the true excellence of the Games rests in their ability to unite humanity around universal aspirations: equality, fair play, sportsmanship, tolerance and, above all, peace.

These values represent the driving force of the Olympic Movement, which employs the potential of sports to promote a culture of peace, prosperity and human dignity. These same ideals underpin the United Nations Charter and its aspirations to promote human welfare, safeguard human rights and enhance global understanding and cooperation. Taken together, the Olympic Movement and the United Nations constitute a gold medal team in the race to advance humanity’s most cherished ideals.

The most visible and immediate manifestation of teamwork between the UN and the Olympic Movement is the Olympic Truce, which calls for a worldwide cessation of all hostilities for the duration of the Games.

Though limited in duration, this Truce has unlimited potential. It can provide a pause in which to reconsider the heavy cost of war; an opening to initiate a dialogue, and a window to provide relief for suffering populations. It can demonstrate to the world that peace is possible in even the most seemingly intractable situations if we truly work towards it.

But the Olympic Truce is only meaningful in its observance. I join the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations General Assembly in calling on all those who are at war to observe this Truce. Let them lay down their weapons, if only temporarily, so that humanity can lay claim to gold even before the Games begin.

Source: http://www.tivarati.com/tag/olympic/

China Travel Guide

2008-07-23T00:08:00.000-07:00

It has been said that China is not a country. It’s really a different world, one possessing origins of the oriental civilizations.

China is considered to be the third largest country in the world with reference to area and population. This country of dragon occupies Central and East Asia. It is bound by many countries: Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan to the north, North Korea, to the east, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan and Nepal to the south as well as India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the west. China’s territory consists of mountains in the west, semi-desert in the north, fertile plains in the northeast, and a basin way down in the farthest east as well as the south with the Yangtze River running through it.

Since China is comparable to a continent, first-time travelers had better spot their itinerary to the outstandingly attractive tourist sites so as to see landmarks identifying the symbols of the country. For tourists visiting for the very first time, these sites in China are a must see, like seeing the Eiffel Tower or La Champs-Elysees when in France. It is also recommended that you shouldn’t miss these cosmopolitans: Beijing, the China’s capital city, Shanghai, the Paris of China and Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province where you can see the Great Wall and the recently discovered Army Terracotta Warriors. Also, if you want to, you can include Hong Kong and Macau in your trip so as to have a customary shopping spree after a long quest for exotic experiences.

Generally, most travelers from the other hemisphere would find no difficulty in appreciating the completely different atmosphere in this country. One, especially the health-minded, might even find him/herself too easy to adopt this way of commuting. Isn’t it appealing to cycling around while indulging in the authentically awesome oriental ambience?

However, visitors are not bound to climb the Great Wall or marvel at the extravagant structures only. Plenty of adventurous recreational activities also exist. Up north, the highlands are superb for hiking while camel rides through the desserts of the inner land are also worth trying. Horse riding allows you to immerse into nature as does cycling. You can also opt to ice-skate and ski in the winter, even explore caves in the southwest provinces or follow the footsteps of Marco Polo on the Silk Road at Xi’an.

Also worthwhile is taking note that China is creating new avenues for tourism. The China National Tourism Administration has set up a new series of tours based on different themes that will take visitors to the very indigenous essences of China. Folk Arts are being focused on with the Culinary Kingdom in 2003, Catch the Lifestyle in 2004, and Visit China in 2005. There has never been a time like now that you are being given an opportunity to dismantle your doubts that have long cast over on this mystic land.

You can see sample trips from China Best Deals and Asia Best Deals.

Luang Prabang, Laos

2008-04-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

The royal capital of Laos until the 1975 revolution, this World Heritage site remains a charming curiosity of ancient temples and French colonial architecture.

Second City

When Fa Ngum founded the Lan Xang kingdom in 1353, he named his capital Muang Sawa. Later, when he received a Sri Lankan Buddha image (Phra Bang) from the Khmers, he renamed the capital Luang Phrabang. Vientiane became the new capital in 1545. Now, as Laos’ second biggest city, Luang Phrabang remains a sleepy town still awaiting modernity. The ethnic mix is Laos, Mien, Hmong and various other Thai tribes. The architecture is assorted, with northern Laos temples and French colonial buildings standing among humbler private dwellings: mountains surround the area, giving an isolated feel.

Palace Museum

For the city’s history, try the French colonial-era Royal Palace Museum by the Mekong River. Built in 1904, it was a residence of King Sisavong Vang. He died in 1959, leaving it to Crown Prince Sisavang Vatthana. Following his exile during the 1975 revolution, the palace became a museum. It contains a 38-cm solid gold Buddha image from the 1st century, carved elephant tusks and other unusual Buddha statues.

Temple Finery

Interesting temples: The classic Wat Xieng Thong (1560) is the city’s finest temple. It features some unique Buddha effigies and a beautiful tree of life mosaic. Stunning gold relief adorns the doors of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham (1797). Wat Wisunalat (1513) is Luang Phrabang’s oldest, continually used temple. Burned by Chinese Ho bandits in 1887, it was rebuilt in 1898.The main stupa of Wat That Luang (1818) holds the ashes of King Sisavang Vong. Local lore dates the site to the 3rd century BC.

River Attractions

Outside Luang Phrabang: Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong River are a 25-km boat ride away and contain hundreds of Buddha statues. 29 km south of the city are Kuang Si Falls, where water cascades from several tiers into the green pools below. This is a public recreation area.

See more about Luang Prabang photos.

Water Puppet, Vietnam

2008-03-10T21:22:00.001-07:00

Mua Roi Nuoc or water puppetry is a unique form of artistic performance that originates in northern Vietnam between 1009 and 1225. It was invented by farmers who devised their environment to entertain themselves after the harvest period.

In ancient time, farmers use a pond or a flooded paddy field as a stage. Nowadays, puppeteers stand in a chest deep pool of water behind a curtain and manoeuvre the puppets using long bamboo rods and strings hidden under the water. The puppets are made from carved woods that weigh up 15 kilograms. Code names are used between performers to control and synchronize the movements of the puppets. This one-hour show is accompanied by a live Vietnamese orchestra and a rendition of a singer narrating the story.

The show, which includes humorous stories, revolves around folklore and day-to-day life of villagers such as farming, fishing, children games and demonstration of buffalo fights. Legends and national history are also played in the show. Recently revived by the Vietnamese government, the show has been performed in America and Australia. Today the Thang Long puppet troupe from Hanoi is the most well known in the country.

Cambodia

2008-01-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

Cambodia is Asia's fastest growing tourist destination. After about 35 years of non-stop war, this beautiful country is finally re-emerging from the darkness.

Since the time of the Vietnam war in the sixties, Cambodia has had to suffer "secret" carpet bombings by the United States, followed by the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge, a Vietnamese takeover, and a further 20 years of civil war.

Following U.N. peacekeeping efforts, the somewhat dubious election of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the dismantling of the Khmer Rouge, the country is now enjoying a period of stability and new-found optimism. It's many wonders are now open to visitors.

Phnom Penh: Asia Meets Europe

The capital city of Phnom Penh (pop. 1 million) is a lively place these days. Cars and motorcycles careen through charming streets lined with many French style buildings dating back to its days as a French colony in the first half of this century. The center of city life is the riverfront boulevard, featuring many bars and restaurants with a big emphasis on French-style food.

One attraction worth visiting (though not for the faint-hearted) is the Killing Field Museum (Tuol Sleng), a former school taken over in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge and converted into a torture chamber. The National Museum is less grisly, with an emphasis on Ancient Khmer history.

The Temples of Angkor

The biggest attraction for most visitors are the temple ruins at Angkor, just a few kilometers from the colonial city of Siem Reap. Well preserved stone temple ruins dating back about 1,000 years cover an area of 200 sq. kilometers. Visitors can easily spend several days exploring here, taking in the thousands of exquisite statues and bas relief carvings that adorn the walls of seemingly endless temple buildings and chedis (stone spires). A cruise on the Tonle Sap -- Asia's largest freshwater lake -- is also a memorable experience.

A Word of Warning: Though Cambodia is now more peaceful than at any time in the last 30 years, visitors should still exercise caution - particularly in the capital. Confine tourism activities to the daytime, since the dimly-lit streets can be dangerous at night. In the more rural areas, stick to well-established pathways (or better yet, travel with a qualified guide), since there are still countless landmines left over from the war years. Hazards aside though, a little prudence is all that's required to enjoy a safe and happy holiday in this remarkable country.

Kathmandu

2008-01-07T00:43:00.000-08:00

A stroll around Kathmandu is like walking in a living museum. The city is laden religious temples, shrines and statues of deities. The sight of pilgrims paying homage to the holy carved stone idols or practicing sacred rituals are common in this city. Certainly, some parts of the city are filled with modern buildings and noisy traffic – testament that no city can escape modernity. However, the ambience of the traditional city is powerful enough not to be overwhelmed.

The city in progress

Since Nepal opened up to the modern world in the early 1950s, Kathmandu has endured many political, cultural and social changes. Now the city appears to be living a dual life; the modern one and the deeply-rooted traditional life. The skyline of a traditional city has been altered by many new buildings sprawling over several parts of the old areas. Yet most streets are shared by various types of vehicles, street vendors, cows and beggars – same as always. Some of the streets such as Makhan Tole and Thamel have evolved into trendy hangouts for tourists and backpackers looking for cheap lodges, pubs, travel agents, and restaurants – all facilities that have erupted in response to tourism, which has become one of the major sources of national income. Nonetheless, much of the city life of the Nepalese still revolves around old traditions and religious practices.

The home of religious arts

Lying in the Kathmandu valley, the city is considered the spiritual center of Nepalese of varying beliefs – primarily Hinduism and Buddhism. All manner of religious buildings, can be found throughout the city. One religious landmark, which is also the city’s most popular tourist attraction, is Durbar Square. The area comprises Buddhist and Hindu temples, museums and red brick monuments that feature a range of masterpieces of Nepalese arts from intricate stone sculptures to erotic carvings (that appear pretty naughty to some eyes!). The architectural style is a blend of Chinese and Indian, which were adopted by the Newars, the native inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley. Most of the structures are believed to have been built during the 15th and 18th centuries; four temple complexes (Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa and Hanuman Dorka Durba Square) are UNESCO world heritage sites. There are several places in the area worth a visit such as the stone statue of Hanuman (the monkey god), the Temple of the living goddess, Swayambhunath Stupa, the Bouddhanath stupa and the Pashupatinath temple. These places are revered by the locals; travelers who are not Buddhists or Hindus are not allowed into some temple areas.

Pokhara

2007-09-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

Two hundred kilometers west of Kathmandu lies Pokhara City, a centre of several recreational activities that make Nepal a dream destination of adventure seeking tourists. Situated in the Pokhra Valley about 500 metres lower than Kathmandu, the city boasts at least four rafting rivers, a boating lake (Phewa Lake) and Nepal’s most popular trekking trail of Annapurna region. That explains why there are numerous adventure expedition operators in almost every corner of the town.

For rafting, Pokhara offers four rivers with varied characteristics, namely the Seti, Marsyangdi, Trisuli and Kali Gandaki. Each presents different levels of challenges from 3+ to 5+. The best time to make a rafting trip starts from October to November. July and August are monsoon season in which the challenging water is recommended for rafting experts only. For ultimate fun and safety, you are advised to book your adventure expedition directly with a reliable operator, instead of agents. For other waterborne activities such as kayaking and boating, it boasts some lakes that suit the taste of travelers who love recreational boating. They range from the glacier fed lakes up north, down to where the laden rivers ease into the Terai plains. Among them is Phewa Lake in Pokhara City. It is the most popular destination and the second largest lake in the Kingdom. Rowing boats, kayaks and sailboats can be rent around the lake.

Begnas and Rupa Tal Lakes are located 15 km out of Pokhara at the end of a road that turns off the Kathmandu highway. Phewa, Begnas and Rupa were all once part of the body of water that filled the Pokhara Valley. While Phewa is bustling with travelers, guesthouses and tour operators, Begnas and Rupa have remained largely pristine. These lakes are divided by a forested hillock called Panchabhaiya Danda. Boating in the Pokhara Valley is fun throughout the year, barring the monsoon months. The best time is between October and February, when the skies are clear.

Mountain biking trip is a another way to explore the suburb of Pokhara and Kathmandu, passing through lush green rice fields with roaming cattle, up and down the hillside, along the river bank, and along the suspension bridge. The trip can be made all year round but the best time starts from October to December and again January to March.

Even though independent cycling tour can be done with cheaper price and more flexibility, it’s recommended to go with an organized tour. Albeit a bit more expensive, mountain bike tour operators can save your time in finding mountain bike gear and a tour guide can help you show the trails you may never find on your own and interpret the culture you encounter. Mountain bikes are available for rent in many of the bicycle rental outlets in and around Kathmandu or Pokhara.