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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

World Tour to Wat Phra Kaew Temple

The Wat Phra Kaew is Temple of the Emerald Buddha full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is a potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thai society. It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the precincts of the Grand Palace.


The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the statue of Emerald Buddha. The legendary history of this Buddha image is traced to India; five centuries after the Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, till it was finally enshrined in Bangkok at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in 1782 during Rama I's reign (1782–1809). This marked the beginning and raise of the Chakri Dynasty of the present Kingdom of Thailand (the present head of the dynasty is King Rama IX.


The Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue, is in a standing form, about 66 centimetres (26 in) tall, carved from a single jade stone (Emerald in Thai means deep green colour and not the specific stone). It is carved in the meditating posture in the style of the Lanna School of the northern Thailand. Except for the Thai King, no other person is allowed to touch the statue. The King changes the cloak around the statue three times a year, corresponding to the summer, winter, and rainy seasons, an important ritual performed to usher good fortune to the country during each season.


The earliest legend narrated to the ionic emerald image of the Buddha is that of Nagasena, a saint in India who with the help of Hindu god, Vishnu and demigod Indra got the Emerald Buddha image made, 500 years after Buddha attained Nirvana, from the precious stone of Emerald. Nagasena had, with his psychic powers predicted then that. The image of the Buddha is assuredly going to give to religion the most brilliant importance in five lands, that is in Lankadvipa (Sri Lanka), Ramalakka, Dvaravati, Chieng Mai and Lan Chang (Laos). The Emarald Buddha statue originated in India as explained in the legend, but it is also linked to first vassal Kingdom of Cambodia.

Rules of entry and conduct:


The Sacred temples in Thailand follow a dress code, which is strictly followed. Men must wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and shoes; women must wear long skirts. Visitors who arrive dressed otherwise may rent appropriate clothing items at the entry area of the temple. It is compulsory to remove the shoes before entering the temple, as a sign of respect of the Buddha, as is the practice in all other temples in Thailand. While offering prayers before the Buddha image, the sitting posture should avoid any offensive stretching of feet towards the deity; the feet should be tucked in towards the back.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Wonderful tourist Locations Guatemala

Guatemala is an amazing tourist locations country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. Its area is 108,890 km² (42,043 mi²) with an estimated population of 13,276,517. A representative democracy, its capital is Guatemala City. Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contributes to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot.


During the colonial period, Guatemala was an Audiencia and a Captaincy General of Spain, and a part of New Spain (Mexico). It extended from the modern Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas to Costa Rica. This region was not as rich in minerals (gold and silver) as Mexico and Peru, and was therefore not considered to be as important. Its main products were sugarcane, cocoa, blue añil dye, red dye from cochineal insects, and precious woods used in artwork for churches and palaces in Spain.


The origin of the name Guatemala is unclear, but several theories exist. Guatemala may mean the land of the high trees in the Maya-Toltec language. Another theory is that it comes from the Nahuatl expression Cuauhtitlan, meaning between the trees. Cuauhtitlan was the name the Tlaxcaltecan soldiers who accompanied Pedro de Alvarado during the Spanish Conquest gave to this territory. Lastly, there is a theory that it is the Spanish corruption of a Nahoa word coactmoct-lan, meaning land of the snake eating bird.


A burst sewer pipe or storm drain probably hollowed out the underground cavity that allowed the chasm to form, The Guatemala City sinkhole, estimated to be 60 feet (18 meters) wide and 300 feet (100 meters) deep, appears to have been triggered by the deluge from tropical storm Agatha. But the cavity formed in the first place because the city and its underground infrastructure were built in a region where the first few hundred meters of ground are mostly made up of a material called pumice fill, deposited during past volcanic eruptions. Natural sinkholes generally form when heavy, water-saturated soil causes the roof of an underground limestone cavity to collapse, or when water widens a natural fracture in limestone bedrock.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

World tour guides to Thailand

Thailand is one of the nice tourist locations. It is a country that lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest.


The country is a kingdom, a constitutional monarchy with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, who has reigned since 1946, making him the world's longest-serving current head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history. The largest city in Thailand is Bangkok, the capital, which is also the country's center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Thailand is the world's 50th largest country in terms of total area, and the 21st most-populous country, with approximately 64 million people. Its primary religion is Buddhism, which is practiced by around 95% of all Thais.


Kanchanaburi a good place for nature lovers, where they can raft down the stream watching and enchanting scenery. The Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai are also located here. On a trip to Saraburi Buddhists should not fail to pay homage to the Buddha's Footprint there. Lop Buri is famous for shrines in the Khmer style, the remains of King Narai's palaces of the 17th century, and the sunflower fields.


Just 2 hours drive from Bangkok is Pattaya Beach, the renowned recreation centre on the east coast. Its fine sand, blue sky and limpid sea are among many other good things that prove irresistible to both foreign and domestic tourists. Although Pattaya is the cream of Chon Buri , other places of interest are plentiful in this province Khao Sam Muk, where stands the Chao Mae Sam Muk Shrine highly revered by Thais; Bang Saen, the nearest-to-Bangkok beach resort for families; Ko Sichang, a paradise island whose name has become the title of a song. Chanthaburi (245 km), a coastal province famous for its gemstones, fruits, hot pepper and Chanthabun mats.



Rayong where the most attractive tourist spot is the Samet Island, which has become very popular among foreign visitors. Trat (315 km), the most far-flung province on the eastern coast, is well known for its Ko Chang Marine National Park. Prachin Buri is famous for its "Hin Phoeng" Rapids which is part of Khao Yai National Park. The 14 provinces in the South stretch along the narrow peninsula of Thailand from Chumphon to Malaysian border. The Andaman Sea coast on the west with numerous offshore islands and a beautiful underwater world offers many fascinating travel opportunities to the sea loving tourists.

Friday, February 4, 2011

World tour Guides to Ocean Park Hong Kong

Ocean Park Hong Kong, commonly known as Ocean Park, is a marine Mammal park, Oceanarium, and Animal theme park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong. The luminous pearl of the Orient and world financial center in southeast China. Founded in 1977 by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray MacLehose, Ocean Park has now grown to about 35 attractions and rides. The park has won several awards, including The World's Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park and 33rd Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World by Forbes.


In fiscal year 2007/2008, Ocean Park received 5.03 million visitors awarding it the position of the world's number 15 theme parks by annual attendance, ahead of rival Hong Kong Disneyland's 4.5 million visitors. Covering an area of 870,000 square meters of land, the park is separated by a large mountain into two areas, The Summit (Headland) and The Waterfront (Lowland) respectively. The areas can be reached by a 1.5 km long cable car system, a shuttle bus, or the Ocean Express (train). As the Headland comprises several hills, visitors can also opt to take the world's second longest outdoor escalator.


The theme park currently has 19 rides, including two roller coaster's, but also houses 11 animal exhibits, such as a Giant panda habitat, a jelly fish and Chinese sturgeon aquarium, as well as a four-story aquarium displaying more than 2,000 fish. Besides being an amusement park, Ocean Park Hong Kong also operates observatories, well developed laboratories, an education department and a Whales and Dolphins Fund.


The Shark Aquarium is an underwater viewing tunnel to observe the dangerous maritime creatures. In the aquarium, Black Tip Reef Shark, Pygmy Swell Shark and other kinds of sharks may startle you as they approach. Be prepared to look sharks eye to eye as they pass safely over head. If you time it right, you might see divers feeding or playing with sharks. Ocean Theater is the most famous and popular spot in the whole Ocean Park. It is an open-air theater in which dolphins and sea lions stage a wonderful performance in a huge pond. Under the guidance of trainers, adorable dolphins and sea lions stand in a line or jump into water and raise their heads out of water.


Hong Kong Ocean Park also is famous for its many Thrilling rides on the headland. The latest ride is the Abyss Turbo drop, which moves vertically on a 185 foot tower. The thrill is hard to express. Flying Swing is another ride where tourists are swung in chairs as high as seven meters (about 23 feet) through a gyrating wave. When it begins to swing, it seems riders will be thrown off. Another very visceral ride is the Roller Coaster, the longest one in Hong Kong. It twists and swoops with a maximum speed of 77 kilometers (almost 48 miles) per hour.