05 May

Disneyland # 3 – Hongkong Disneyland

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After swimming, evening walk, pictures, ladies dressed in nice costumes, we took a shuttle from our hotel to Disney hotel for the dinner. Disney hotel is built on Disney theme and it is beautiful, from outside and inside as well. Dinner was in “Enchanted Garden” Restaurant, it’s a very up-scale restaurant with a huge variety of food items in the buffet. It’s a multi-cuisine buffet, Asian, Italian, continental, European and on top of that Indian food – “aur kya chahiye desi ko”. Huge variety of Meat items, variety of sea food, poultry, must say that it’s a fiesta for meat lovers, vegetarians can also find lots of variety but not comparable to non-vegetarian items, Indian food too had Lamb, Chicken and Dal, but it was well prepared. During the dinner, all Disney Characters were visiting each and every table, kids as well as adults were super excited meeting Mickey, Mini, Goofy, Pluto and having photographed with them. We enjoyed a lot there for about 2 hours, good food, nice ambiance and on top of that Dinner with Mickey, Mini and others and came back to our hotel with unforgettable memories.

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Serene Naukuchiatal & Bhimtal

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Sattal is another pristine and less polluted natural place in the area. Seven lakes interconnected and bounded by many hills from different sides never allow viewing the entire lakes together. The hillocks in the water obstruct a wide angle vision however, the greenery around with clear water beautifies the area mystically. Few good resorts and one KMVN TRH are located here offering a pacific stay in wilderness. Camps are also organized by locals on the back drops of the hills amidst the water, now gaining popularity gradually. Evening is very calm and solitary here since, it is located far from any near by localities, feelings of adversity may engulf family tourists. We however, enjoyed a boat ride, a red duck shaped paddle boat, yellow was not available but the kids were generous and happy with a red one too.

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ECUADOR in South America – Volcanos and Bull Fights

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Santiago de Guayaquil, largest and most populous city of Ecuador is on the banks of the river called “Guayas”. It’s about 155 Miles away from Quito. The best part I liked about Guayaquil airport is that there is a Wi fi connection and its FREE. Most of the airports in the world charge for wi fi (McCarran in Vegas is also free). The worst part for me , being a smoker, was that we could not smoke at the airport. They have not catered for smoking at all unless you have money you want to just blow up.

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Summer in Sikkim-part ll- Pelling

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Pemayangse means “ the perfect sublime lotus”. Lhatsun Champo, one of the three Lamas of Yuksom, founded the monastery in 17th century. It is the most important gompa in Sikkim and belongs to Nyingmapa sect. As we entered the gate we explained to Rachit about Prayer Wheels that were on both the side of gate. After this, a winding and climbing road is lined with fluttering prayer flags in all colors, sending the wishes riding on the horses of air in all the directions, till it reaches to Gompa.

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मनाली का सुहाना सफ़र: सुंदरनगर, मण्डी के रास्ते मनाली और माँ हिडिम्बा देवी के दर्शन

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फिर भी उनमे से २ लड़को के ज्यादा जिद करने पर हमने आपनी गाड़ी उनकी बाईक के पीछे दौड़ा दी जो की हमें एक होटल में लेकर गए, ये होटल रोहतांग वाले रास्ते पर व्यास नदी के उलटे हाथ की तरफ था जो की हमें कुछ ठीक नहीं लगा इसीलिए हम वहाँ ना रूककर वापस मॉल रोड की तरफ आ गए और हिडिम्बा मंदिर वाले रोड पर हमें एक आच्छा होटल दिखायी दिया, मैं उस होटल में पूछताछ के लिए गया और वहाँ पता लगा की २ कमरे तो मिल जायेंगे पर ₹२००० /- प्रति कमरे के हिसाब से, रात ज्यादा होने और बहुत ज्यादा थकान होने की बजह से हमने वहाँ रुकने का फैसला करा, यही सोचकर की अगर अगली सुबह कोई दूसरा आच्छा होटल सस्ते में मिल जाता है तो हम वहाँ पर शिफ्ट कर जायेंगे। हमने होटल के बराबर से खली जगह पर गाड़ी पार्क करी और सामान निकालकर अपने अपने कमरे में सोने चल दिए।

अगली सुबह लगभग ६ बजे जीजा जी ने मुझे फ़ोन करके होटल के बहार का नजारा देखने के लिए कहा, आपने कमरे की बालकनी में आकर जो नजारा मुझे देखने को मिला मेरे लिए उसे शब्दो में लिखना बड़ा ही कठिन कार्य है क्युकी वो एक अनुभूति थी जो की मैंने उससे पहले कभी भी महसूस नहीं करी थी, सुबह ६ बजे होटल की बालकनी में बड़ी ही ठंडी हवा चल रही थी जो कि शरीर में कपकपी पैदा कर रही थी, होटल के नीचे की तरफ जहाँ हमारी गाड़ी खड़ी थी उसके पास ही “सेब का बाग़” था, और हमारी आँखों के ठीक सामने बर्फ के बड़े बड़े पहाड़ थे जिन्हे की हम रात को अँधेरे की बजह से देख नहीं पाये थे, बर्फ के उन पहाड़ों पर सूरज की किरणों के पड़ने के कारण वो एकदम चाँदी की तरह चमक रहे थे उनका रंग सफ़ेद ना होकर सुनहरा महसूस हो रहा था, इससे पहले मैंने पहाड़ों पऱ कभी भी बर्फ नहीं देखी थी पर आज तो पूरा बर्फ का पहाड़ ही मेरे सामने था, एक पल के लिए भी उस चमकदार पर्वत श्रंखला से नजरें हटाने का दिल नहीं कर रहा था शायद कुछ ऐसी ही अनुभूति साथ वाली बालकनी में जीजा जी भी कर रहे थे।

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Chail alone

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Next morning, by 9.30am, the folk market work was on full swing and I was saying adieu to Chail. Hold on, experience did not end here; I just started driving my car, the first turn left and a person standing there with thumbs up. Lift? Seems decent, he accompanied me till Panipat, and we shared lot of thought, and that was also an amazing experience to share the values of life with him.

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एक सुहाना सफ़र मनाली का – अम्बाला, रोपड़ के रास्ते माँ नैना देवी के भवन (भाग १ )

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वहाँ चाय पीने के दोरान पता लगा की वहाँ से “नैना देवी” का मंदिर पास में ही है, तो सर्व सहमति से निर्णय लिया गया की पहले नैना देवी के दर्शन कर लेते है फिर आगे का सफ़र तय करा जायेगा . ढाबे से निकलने के बाद हमारा अगला उद्देश्य नैना देवी का मंदिर था, थोड़ी देर में शायद आनंदपुर साहिब से आगे निकलने पर हमें पहाड़िया मिलनी शुरू हो गयी जिन्हे देखकर हम सभी की ख़ुशी का कोई ठीकाना ही नहीं था, पहाड़ियो पर गाड़ी तो जीजा जी चला रहे थे पर अब हम भी पीछे की सीट पर सतर्क मुद्रा में बेठ कर ध्यान आगे के रास्ते पर लगाये हुए थे और सुन्दर नजरो का आनंद लिए जा रहे थे।

थोड़ी देर में हम पूछते पाछते नैना देवी के मंदिर के नीचे तक पहुच गए थे जहा पर गाड़िया बड़ी ही बेतरतीब से पार्क करी हुई थी, वहाँ मूलत जो पार्किंग थी वो बड़ी ही सीढ़ी सी पहाड़ी पर ऊपर जाकर थी जहाँ गाड़ी चढ़ाने की हिम्मत दिखने की हमने सोचा तक नहीं और वही पहाड़ी के नीचे ही और गाडियो की तरह ही हम भी आपनी गाड़ी एक तरफ खड़ी करके और सामने दुकान पर बेठी एक आंटी को कुछ पैसे देकर गाड़ी की देखभाल करने का बोल कर नंगे पैर माता के दर्शन को चल दिए।

सामने से देखने पर कुछ दुकानो के छोटे से झुण्ड की तरह दिखने वाले रास्ते से होते हुए हम आगे बढ़े तो मंदिर तक पहुचने के लिए सीडिया शुरू हो जाती है, वही ऊपर की तरफ चढ़ते हुए ही हमें कुछ भक्त देवी माँ की बड़ी सी छड़ी लेकर देवी के दरबार में जाते हुए दिखे जो की बड़े ही सुन्दर माँ के भजन गाते हुए जा रहे थे।

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Nainital – Kumaon’s Capital

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Sadiatal and its cascade also fall on the way just after climbing a few kilometers on the serpentine road. A short halt for photography there is never a bad idea. A little before reaching Nainital is Bara Pathar, an ideal Rock climbing spot conducted in supervision of trained professionals and maintained by Nainital Mountaineering Club. Horse riding activities are another attraction in the area. We have though neither tried hand in rock climbing nor horse riding but couldn’t ignore the next spot i.e. the Cave Garden just a few minutes from Bara Pathar. It is relatively a new tourist spot carved out of natural rocks as caves for a feel like entering the real caves named after predator viz. Panther Cave, Tiger Cave etc., a better place for kids rather. A KMVN run restaurant opposite to cave garden was a worth one to quench our hunger. By around 4 pm we reached Nainital. A hotel was the immediate search with safe parking space. Soon we found one just behind the famous and most expensive Manu Maharani. The Langdale Manor, though not a star hotel but it was very nice and comfortable with very professional and courteous staffs at a reasonable rate of Rs. 1,200/- for three including extra bedding (off season).

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In Search of Tiger at Corbett Tiger Reserve

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The different zones offer varied landscapes with opportunities to sight different floras and faunas. The presence of animals varies in accordance with the landscape suitable to their habitats. The landscape of Jhirna is drier than in Dhikala and vegetation is mostly scrub. Jhirna was a farming village until 1994 when it was successfully relocated under Project Tiger. The abandoned farmland is gradually reverting to a wild state and is being managed to develop grassland habitat. The nearby terrain consists of numerous sots and narrow gorges running through typically Shiwalik landscape. The hills to the north of Jhirna are covered with dense patches of bamboo. Apart from being a good habitat for tiger, leopard and deer, the place hosts other interesting mammals like sloth bear and wild boar. A variety of birds can also be enjoyed here.

were informed that a male tiger is also reported wandering in the area during the early morning. There is a defined route for every visitor to follow from the entry gate which ends at the FRH inside the jungle. On the way there is a watch tower alongside the river for watching animals reaching at the stream for drinking water and bathing. We tried it but in vain. The spotted deer, peacocks, variety of birds including the sparrows were a delight to watch. Suddenly, the driver stopped the vehicle and we found some fresh pug marks of a tiger on the sand beside the road. After a few meters we spotted some scratch marks on a tree probably made in the past. These proofs however, evidenced the truth of story we were told by the nature guide about the male tiger visited the place early morning. Elephant herd might have walked away leaving signs of crushed bushes and flattened shrubs. The dream of sighting the mighty RBT remained a dream but it was good to see the evidence of their presence that retained the hope to see the king in future also.

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Day trip to Mount St. Helens, Washington (USA)

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I’ve always had a fascination for volcanoes. The sheer power exuded by nature in it’s form kept me awed and humbled whenever I watched volcanoes erupting on TV channels. Living in Seattle provided a wonderful opportunity to explore the volcanic mountains of the Pacific North West (like Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Mount St. Helens). The most interesting amongst these is Mount St. Helens that last erupted in 1980 (5.1 on Richter scale), scooping off the head of the mountain in the process and making it “the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States.”As quoted in the wikipedia, “The volcano is located in the Cascade Range and is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. This volcano is well known for its ash explosions and pyroclastic flows.”

You can visit either the north face of the Helens or the South face (you can’t do both in a day). I have been told that the north face has the best view of the crater (and is closer to Seattle as well). The southern face has interesting points like Ape Caves, but I am yet to visit it.

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डाकिन्यां भीमशंकरम ………..भीमाशंकर ज्योतिर्लिंग यात्रा.

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पिछ्ली पोस्ट में आप लोगों ने पढा कि हम लोग भीमाशंकर ज्योतिर्लिंग यात्रा के लिये इन्दौर से पुणे पहुंचे, वहां रात्री विश्राम करके अगले…

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