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

Amazing Albino Elephants – Awareness Photos

Amazing Albino Elephants – Awareness Photos