Travel Lakshadweep
Hundred Thousand Islands
Beypore: New Berth Facility For Ships To Lakshadweep
Jan 24th
Ships to and from Lakshadweep will get a berth at Beypore soon. Minister for Ports K. Babu said that Beypore would be developed as hub port of Lakshadweep. Kerala signed a supplementary MoU and lease agreement with the Union Territory recently. This port in Kozhikode was a buzzing centre of activity when trade with the Middle East was common in earlier decades.
The port will be soon developed, infrastructural facilities added and maintained. Beypore estuarine port is 10km from Kozhikode. The Beypore Lighthouse was built in 1977 and faces the Chaliyar river.
Island Tourism Festival 2012 – Andaman and Nicobar
Jan 8th
The Island Tourism Festival 2012 hosted by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands was kick-started on January 5th, inaugurated by Andaman and Nicobar Governor Lt Gen. (Retd) Bhopinder Singh. There is participation from Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Delhi, Karnataka and Meghalaya are also participating in the festival.
The main venue for the cultural and other programmes is the capital – Port Blair. Others are Diglipur, Long Island in North and Middle Andaman, Neil Island, Havelock Island, Wimberleygunj, Bathubasti in South Andaman, Wandoor, Amphitheatre at Anarkali Basti and Netaji Stadium in Port Blair Municipal Area and Car Nicobar in Nicobar District. There will be a showcasing of the islands’ lifestyle, languages, tribes, cuisine and other island traits.
All tourism agencies will be up and offering all their services – those who love adventure tourism will have a whale of a time. Water sports, Scuba diving, parasailing, surfing and others will be popular. There will be magic shows and puppet shows for children. Other attractions are the Canoe Race, Nicobari Hodi race or Dog shows. Restaurants, hotels and resorts will be serving the best dishes on the islands.
Jewel In The Atlantic – Ilha Grande
Oct 19th
Glistening in the sea, about 180km from the coast is Ilha Grande, which literally translates to ‘Big Island’. It is part of Brazil’s state, Rio de Janeiro. The island has a coastal perimeter of 130km and the island covers 193sq.km. The beaches of Ilha Grande are very famous – there are more than hundred of them!!! The seven small bays and peninsulas add to the coastal tourism charm. Some of the beast beaches of Ilha Grande are Lopes Mendes, Praia de Caxadaço, Ensenada de Abraão, Playa de Aventureiro, Laguna Verde Ilha Grande, Ensenada de Araçatiba, Dois Ríos and Praia Dos Meros.
You can find a variety of landscapes on the island and around: beaches, forests, caverns, rivers and plains. Tourists have plenty of things to do here – from adventure tours and boating to swimming and fishing. For snorkeling, head to Do Macacos Island, Blue Lagoon and Green Lagoon. Dive to ship and helicopter wrecks off the island waters.
In the Bay of Ilha Grande, there are about 350-odd small islands – sailing and cruises are great ways to explore them. You can also go sea kayaking. Fishing is another item you can indulge in – there are over 13 fishing spots for tourists. Enjoy a ride on an ‘escuna’, a traditional Brazilian boat. The three beaches of Lópes Mendes, Santo António and Aventureiro are apt for surfing.
The highest part of the island is Pico da pedra D’agua, at 1,301m. You can go for trekking and nature walks here. Biologically diverse areas on the island are great for camping. Read the rest of this entry »
Tasmania – Australia’s Jewel In The Sea
Jun 5th
Most parts of Australia remain as it were hundreds of years ago. And for the same reason there are verdant meadows, extensive forests, beaches, grasslands, mountains and a variety of animals to see. The island of Tasmania is located to the south of Australia and parts of it were earlier used by the British to keep their prisoners. You can still see abandoned penitentiaries across the island, especially near the coast. The Port Arthur Penitentiary is one such famous prison.
The capital of Tasmania is Hobart. Standing on the Derwent River Estaury in the south east of the state, it is a port city and also Australia’s second-oldest city. Hobart was founded in 1803. It is a well-known port for sealers and whalers. Lauceston, on the River Tamar, is called Tasmania’s ‘northern capital’.
Endangered, the Tasmanian Devil is found in the island state. World heritage sites, archaeological ruins and natural wonders make Tasmania a tourist’s rapture. Lakes, forests, national parks and ecologically important areas keep the wilderness alive here.
Chennai – Agatti Flights By Air India
Sep 23rd
nk Now travellers to the Lakshadweep islands can catch a flight to Agatti from the east coast of India. Air India offers flights six days a week connecting Chennai and Bangalore and Kochi to the islands. Even tourists planning to visit Lakshadweep from Mumbai and Delhi will get connecting flights at Bangalore.
The flights will start from September 24. This is Air India’s 64th domestic destination. This will also reduce flights fare of newer airlines that might start operations to the islands.
Visiting India? Don’t Miss Cochin
Nov 13th
Planning a vacation to India? Well… here’s your chance to experience God’s Own Country!! Cochin, Kerala’s commercial capital, is situated on the South Western Malabar coast in India. It is replete with beaches, backwaters and beautiful places to visit. There are waterfalls, lakes, houseboat rides and trekking routes to choose from.
This emerging cruise destination is an adventure-lover’s haven. A yachting berth, world-famous port and a tourism-friendly atmosphere make it a popular must-visit. If shopping is your forte, Cochin has that, too! Bargain on the streets or buy from handicraft emporiums and curio shops.
So what are you waiting for? Pack up and land in Cochin.
Visit: www.hotelscochin.net
Tranquil in Trancoso, Brazil
Oct 10th
Located in Bahia district of Eastern Brazil, Trancoso was founded by Jesuit priests in the early 1500s. During New Year’s you’ll find scores of tourists lining the beach. The beaches here are separated as north and south by the Trancoso River.
About a hundred metres off the beaches, are tranquil coral reefs. You can go surfing and diving here. If you are the adventurous kind, try horse-back riding and bike riding.
The beaches come alive at night, with music and merry-making all around. Shops, restaurants and hotels line the beaches. Finding a place to stay won’t be difficult.
The church at the square is dedicated to St John. The calm and serene locale will enthrall you. Trancoso can be accessed from nearby town by a taxi. Flights to Port Seguro in Bahia will connect you to this city.
Cruising Ahead – Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong
Aug 15th
The Victoria harbour is located in the South China Sea, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. It was earlier known as Hong Kong Harbour. During its British rule, it was a huge centre for trade. It still continues to be.
What makes this beautiful islands paradise so is its stunning cruises. You can take a ride in a traditional Chinese Junk or in more modern cruises. There are day, evening and sunset cruises to choose from. One even promises dolphin-spotting.
Victoria harbour is a busy port and attracts a huge number of tourists every year. Victoria Peak here is a major tourist spot.
Vladivostok – Lord of The East
Aug 14th
This beautiful Russian port located on the south-eastern boundary of Russia. The capital, Moscow, is more than 9,000km away! It is only 100km from the nearest Chinese border, and the nearest Japanese territory is the Honshu island.
The Vladivostok port, located on the western coast of the Golden Horn Bay, was established in 1897. It was opened to international cargo in 1991. Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China and Vietnam are some of its key Asian trading partners.
The city is picturesque mix of forts, hills, quaint streets and nature trails. It also has a lot of art collectives and museums. There is a huge oceanarium and dolphinarium in the city.