Gangwon-do's a heavenly blessed land Scenic and lush, this provincein South Korea is a nature lover's delight...

Gangwon-do, a province of South Korea, is located in the Korean Peninsula. It boasts of graceful mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, lakes and fantastic caves. With 82 % mountainous landscape, 212 kilometers of coastline, and a clutch of national parks, Gangwon-do incarnates an epic and mystical spirit. Geographically, it meets the sea to the east, faces Seoul to the west, northwards is the DMZ and sister province Kangwon, while Gyeongsangbuk-do and Chungcheonbuk-do lie due south and southwest.

Gangwon-do's landscape is dominated by the Taebaek Mountains (Taebaek Sanmaek) which almost reach the sea. The towering, 1,000-meter high Taebaek Mountain Range runs north to south, dividing the province of Gangwon-do in half. To the east is the region of Yeongdong and to the west is the region of Yeongseo. Known as The Alps of Asia, Mount Seoraksan is Korea's most popular National Park, an area of breathtaking national beauty that boasts dense forests, granite peaks, spectacular waterfalls and sparkling streams. The Daechongbong Peak of Seoraksan reaches a dizzying 5,603 feet. Take a cable car ride for a spectacular rider overlooking the giant Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa, a cluster of Buddhist temples and beyond out to sea over Sokcho. Mt. Seoraksan is also home to numerous hot water springs with great spa and resort facilities.
In addition to the Mt. Seoraksan National Park, the Mt. Odaesan National Park and Mt. Chiaksan National Park, are also renowned as habitats for rare plants and animals and several natural treasures.
Gangwon-do experiences four distinct seasons. Winters, from December to February, are cold with spectacular snowscapes in the mountains. Spring, from March to May, heralded by the arrival of pink blossom, is generally mild and pleasant. Summer combined with the monsoons, from June to August, is hot and humid. Beautiful autumn, from September to November, is typified by clear blue skies and crimson red leaves.

The beauty of the various seasons plays a remarkable role on the abundant natural environment of Gangwon-do. Winter in Korea starts with the first snowfall in Gangwon- do in November and ends with the final snow in March. When the first snow flakes cover the magnificent mountains of Gangwon-do, skiers of all ages eagerly wax their skis and flock to Gangwon-do. The long, cold winter with abundant snow, provides the perfect setting to enjoy every variety of winter sports.
The very best ski resorts are found in Gangwon-do. Each of the five ski resorts of Yongpyeong Resort, Phoenix Park, Hyundai Seongwoo Resort, Vivaldi Park and Alps Resort offer unique attractions that lure winter sports enthusiasts. These ski resorts are equipped with internationally certified facilities, comfortable and relaxing accommodations with fun-filled facilities and happening winter festivals.
The mountains of Seorak and Chiaksan are must sees for visitors and the region boasts some of the country's finest beaches and cleanest coastlines. One of Gangwon-do's most famous and largest beaches is Gyeongpo in Gangneung, 240 kilometers from Seoul. This beach is unusual in that it sits right next to a lake. Legend has it that one can see the moon five times from Gyeongpo, in the sky, in the sea, in the lake, in the drinking glass, and in the eyes of a lover! The white sands stretch 1.8 kilometers and fall back onto abundant pine forest. Seafood restaurants serving fresh sashimi and soju, line the shore.
Chuncheon, the provincial capital, is the famed as the city of romance and culture. With its scenic lakes and fun-filled festivals, Chuncheon is rated by Koreans as the finest city to live in. The Gongjicheon lake area is a favourite resort spot for the people of Chuncheon. It is said that spring arrives in Chuncheon when the ice of Gongjicheon melts and boat lover come out to enjoy boating. The Chuncheon Myeongdong Street with its splendid stores is a great place to spend time shopping for trendy clothes. Soak up the amazing ambience in blossoming cities like Gangneung, Sokcho, Wonju, and Donghae where gracious locals go out of their way to welcome and inspire. Come to Gangwon-do where, to quote a famous Korean proverb, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!"

In Kumbhalgarh...

In Kumbhalgarh...

If you are visiting this verdant getaway in Rajasthan, here are some spots to see

Nestled among dense hillocks in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, Kumbhalgarh, a two-hour drive from Udaipur is a profusely green, hilly territory with ponds and lakes to make it picture perfect! Relatively free of the tourist throng and chai biscuit stalls, Kumbhalgarh with its seemingly invisible population and stretches of mountains has a balmy, soporific effect — a perfect antidote to urban stress!

The 'must sees'
The Kumbhalgarh Fort
Sporting a 36 km boundary wall (purportedly, second only to The Great Wall of China), it accommodates 360 Jain and Hindu temples and sits majestically atop a hill. Strategically designed to be toweringly visible from a distance, it does the disappearing act as you come closer. Useful to confuse the enemy!
Many such stories abound the fort and its environs... tales of Panna bai, Uday Singh, Rana Pratap, the three gardeners whose betrayal led to the invasion of the fort and Meher Baba whose sacrifice enabled the construction of the fort. The grand finale is provided by the sound and light show which flaunts the splendour of the fortification!

The Parshuram Mahadev Temple
From Kumbhalgarh, it is a three km vertical trek down and back; the task demanding determination and exemplary physical fitness. The small cave temple is presided over by a swayambhu (self-created) of lord Shiva. The cave ceiling has projections, resembling a cow's mouth dripping water on the shivling. A wish fulfilling deity, the temple attracts many visitors especially in the months of Shravan and Bhadarva.
The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Harbours many a wild life species which include leopards, and sambhar as also a varied bird population.
Bliss factor of the trip: Was soaking in the serene stillness of the night under the silvery star-studded sky, while being serenaded by the soulful sounds of the Ravanahattha (musical instrument). To tweak the bard's words, "If this be the food of life, play on..."

A Visit to Brazil

It was truly a life changing experience'

…says actor Sunaina Gulia on her recent visit to Brazil where she spent two months with her family and friends

Taking a trip to the other side of the planet was the best thing that happened to me. I'd gone to Brazil for a month, but it was so amazing that I extended my trip by a month. It was truly a life changing experience."



Out and about
I landed in Sao Paulo, which is known as the 'city that never stops'. I made many friends there and we partied non-stop. It was a big city with warm and friendly people and great food too.
Next up was the City of God — the gorgeous Rio. It was so beautiful that I stayed for 10 days there. I lived in Ipanema and went to the vibrant Ipanema beach everyday. I also visited the Christo Redentor, climbed the Sugar Loaf Mountain and watched the sun setting over Rio. Learning the samba was fun and Lapa on Friday night was when the entire street turns into a wild party and the people lose themselves to the beats of samba into the wee hours of the morning. I also did sky diving, which was simply awesome. And yes, some hand gliding too.

Drum corps
Then I went up north to Salvador which is known for the African drum corps. You would have seen them in the Michael Jackson video All I Wanna Say is That They Don't Really Care About Us. Walking down the cobbled streets of the 'Old City' and watching the bands spinning their drumsticks in the air and pounding on the drums in wild unison was one of the top ten moments of my life. I still get goose bumps when I think of this. I also feasted on my favourite Brazilian dish, a fish stew called moqueca.

Musical trip
Post this we went to this island cut off from the rest of the world for a seven day music festival called 'Universo Parallelo' which means 'parallel universe' in Portugese. With beaches, lagoons, different music stages and floating hammocks inside the ocean, it was truly paradise!

Lastly, I travelled north to Jericoacoara.'Jeri' as it's fondly called is a real marvel of nature and my favourite place.

Ao Phang-nga National Park of Thailand

Until 1974 the island of quaint limestone-rock Ko Tapu, which in Thai means “Rock Nail”, was little known outside the province of Phang Nga (Phang Nga), where it is located. Everything changed when in 1974 on the screens out another part of Bond – The Man with the Golden Gun “(The Man with the Golden Gun), which lit up the island. Since then it started to call the island of James Bond (James Bond Island) and it became a place of tourist pilgrimage.



The province is located on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands. The Similan Islands, one of Thailand’s main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga province. It is located 788 kilometres (490 mi) from Bangkok and covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres (1,610 sq mi).

During the reign of King Rama II, nearby areas (including Thalang, now known as Phuket) were occupied by the Burmese and so many people fled to Kraphu-nga. In 1824, Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and the invaders were expelled. King Rama III renamed the area Phang-nga and in 1933 the town was expanded to be a province.

On the fateful morning of December 26, 2004 Phang-nga Bay was devastated by a Tsunami disaster and thousands of people lost their lives.

Lansdowne

Lansdowne was originally a popular hill station with the British. The Lansdowne was founded by ‘Lord Lasndowne’ in 1887 A.D., thus the place has been named after him. Attracted by its salubrious climate and natural beauty they established a cantonment here. The famous Garhwal rifles of the Indian Army also has its command office here.
Lansdowne is situated at an altitude of 6000 mtrs., Enroute Kotdwar – Pauri road, 45 km. from Kotdwar. Surrounded by thick oak and blue pine forest, it is a very charming place for a quiet holiday as it is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of hill stations.

 

History

Originally known as, Kaludanda, after Kalun (Black) and Danda (Hill) in local language, Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne in 1887, and by 1901 it had a population of 3943 .
Lansdowne was developed by the British for catering for the Recruits Training center of the Garhwal Rifles. Lansdowne was a major place of the activities of freedom fighters from British Garhwal during British period. Nowadays, the famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army has its command office here .

Geography

Lansdowne is located at 29°50′N 78°41′E / 29.83, 78.68. It has an average elevation of 1,400 metres (4,593 feet). It is situated en route Kotdwara-Pauri road. Lansdowne is 81 km from Pauri and about 250 km from Delhi.
It is the nearest hill station from Delhi and is approachable by either Road or Train from Delhi. The nearest railway station is Kotdwara at a distance of 41 km. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, near Dehradun at a distance of 152 km via Kotdwara-Haridwar road.

London Open House 2010

See highlights from the 700 or so buildings taking part in London's Open House that you can still turn up at and see on the day without booking. Plus a selection of buildings from other participating cities around the world, including Barcelona, which launches this year