Safety Checklist for Todays Traveller

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel

Top 5 Adventure Travel Destinations 2010

1. New Zealand

Also one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand is an adventure lover’s dream. Despite its small size, it has mountains, volcanoes, rivers and coastlines that could only be described as magical. Most known for its majestic mountains, trekking, climbing, white water rafting, and in their summer, skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing, snowmobiling and ice climbing are all popular. Spelunking and blackwater rafting gives you the opportunity to see the glowworm-lit caverns and explore the underground rivers of the Waitomo Caves. The New Zealand coast is a great place to partake in surfing, water skiing, sea kayaking and sailing. Considered one of the best diving destinations in the world, some of the must-dive spots are The Poor Knights, Bay of Islands, Fiordland and Stewart Island.

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2. Australia

Australia’s varied terrain makes it an adventurer’s paradise. Water sports are king in Australia, with everything from surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and white water rafting to jet skiing, speed boating and sailing. Of course no trip is complete without scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. If you choose to venture away from the stunning beaches there are many inland things to do, such as overlanding the Outback, biking, hiking, spelunking and climbing at Ayers Rock and the Blue Mountain. You can even find adventures in the city in Australia, like climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. To experience aboriginal culture, be sure to take in Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Australia also boasts a rich natural diversity and they like to show it off at the Australian Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Cairns Wildlife Dome and Cairns Night Zoo. There are also whale-watching tours between July and October.

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3.Switzerland

Best known as a snow sports haven, Switzerland has enough to keep visitors enthralled all year around. Besides skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice climbing, air boarding, hiking, dog sledding and ice diving are great ways to take in this winter wonderland. Summer travelers to Switzerland can enjoy hiking, Nordic walking, rafting, climbing, fishing, canoeing, spelunking, biking, hang gliding, mountaineering, cliff diving, gold panning and going through rope suspension courses. Dotted with medieval castles, Switzerland’s rich alpine culture comes to life with an awe-inspiring beauty that will make you never want to leave.

4. South Africa

With spectacular coastlines and majestic mountains, South Africa attracts adventure travelers from across the globe. They boast both the highest abseil (112 meters high on Table Mountain) and the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (an exhilarating 216 meter drop off of Bloukrans Bridge). Other alpine excursions include rock climbing, sand boarding, hang gliding, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. If you prefer spending your time in the water, try white water rafting, scuba diving, shark diving, snorkeling, fishing, water skiing, surfing and sailing. Besides South Africa’s national parks, private reserves offer excellent opportunities to view elephants, lions, zebras, African penguins, rhinos, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and cheetahs, as well as boat tours to see right whales and great white sharks.

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5. Brazil

Known for its jungles, beaches and the Amazon River, Brazil is the perfect place to lose yourself in the beauty of the rainforest. A jungle tour is a must, whether you hire a guide and trek in on foot or take a boat or canoe to the “wedding of the waters,” where the Rio Negro runs into the Amazon. Besides the Amazon, the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park is one of the best places for wildlife watching, and you just might catch a glimpse of jaguars, capybaras, caimans, iguanas and more than 1000 different types of birds. In the southern mountains, repelling, rafting, hiking, climbing, horseback riding, hang gliding and mountain biking to God’s Finger, Bell’s Rock or to Iguassu Falls are great ways to take in Brazil. As for water sports, surfing and diving are the most popular but you can also find kayaking, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite surfing and jet skiing.

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Lubuan - The Dream Isle

"The slickness of the small city (that’s what I’d like to call it) forced me to take a step back and reassess my initial perception..." - see the full travel article from Girish Khare here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/travelport/lubuan-the-dream-isle/333598169932

Treehouse Hideaway - In the heart of Bandhavgargh

An elephant ride into the deciduous forests of Bandhavgargh, on a cold winter morning, can be the most exhilarating experience of one’s lifetime. It was for me. But unlike Africa where spotting animals, means simply driving out on to the Serengeti; India guards her secrets jealously and only those most determined, discerning and in a sense fortunate, get a glimpse of her magnificent wildlife. That morning the forests unveiled her soul for me, like a maiden in the mist. The sounds of the mahout’s grunts and the rustling bamboo leaves was interrupted by a low threatening growl that seemed to come from the very bowels of the earth. The elephant stopped. There barely 15 feet away in a clearing on the ravine floor lay a magnificent specimen of a tiger, the current dominant male.

If you have followed the Discovery Channel’s series on the most famous pair of tigers in the world, Sita and her mate Charger, you’ll be happy to know that the great saga continues to play out deep in the jungles of Bandhavgargh. Only this time it features the new generation of Chakradhara, Bhitri, Banvai, Bachi, and twenty two other stripped felines, of all ages

That night as the sparks from the night fire danced beneath a moonless sky, tiger stories unfolded. Once during the monsoon rains as Abhyuday Singh walked along a path on his property, suddenly from the left a large full grown tigress broke cover. It was a long tense minute before she turned and walked away. Had he run or showed signs of fear she would have taken him down in a few bounds. Apparently this happened less than 50 feet from where we sat gazing into the fire.

At the centre of the Treehouse Hideaway property is a giant Mahua tree with the dining hall built around it. The five others tree, Banyan, Peepal, Mahua, Tendu and Palash, each have a large very spacious and luxury tree house built more than 15 feet high up among their branches. Though the houses are kept cool and breezy throughout the day because of the leafy branches all around, the rooms are fit with all weather comforts of air conditioners and heaters. The Mahua tree has been given pride of place because a lot of life, traditionally, in this region revolves around the Mahua, especially its intoxicating flower. The large balcony of each of these five exclusive homes in the sky overlooks the lodge’s twenty two acres of wild forest, which is located literally at the edge of the Tiger Reserve. The tree houses are far apart and do not infringe on each other’s space, leaving one with a sense of freedom rare for any city animal.

About three hundred yards from the dining area is the lodge’s other special site, the Machaan which has been built over a jungle water hole. I spent a whole evening gazing at the wildlife come and go and took a few hundred photographs. I can think of nothing more exciting than sitting up in a machaan, alone, watching life pass you by.

Abhyuday is a natural born wildlife genius who has learnt to treat the jungle as his living room. To help his guests take the experience to another level he has provided each room with a Complete Indian Birds, hardback edition.

For me once is certainly not enough, I am sure return again and again.No Complaints.

Well equipped

Bandhavgargh has a large pool of very experienced naturalists this ensures that every guest is afforded a fantastic wildlife experience. Most naturalists are equipped with a powerful set of Binoculars and a professional camera.

Where is Bandhavgargh?

In the heart of India. 2 Hours Drive from Katne, in MP. Katne is connected by Rail to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and most other Indian Metros. One can fly to Bhopal and drive the 5 to 6 hour drive to the National Park.

Sanctuaries and National Parks in MP

Panna National Park

Kanha National Park

Pench National Park

Madhav National Park

Sanjay National Park

Fossil National Park

Satpuda National Park

Van Vihar National Park

Mahua

The Mahua tree is a large more than 100 foot tree that bares flowers which Tribal and rural folk (of MP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, and even some parts of UP and Bengal) make a wonderful and strong alcohol.

High on an Elephant.

The elephant cow chosen as my ride had the most calm and docile temperament, perfect for a novice like me. The thick rope tied around her neck was loose enough for me to get a firm grip and each of my feet fit snugly in the hollow behind her huge ears. These are much the same as the small hollows behind our own ears where one can insert a fingertip. It’s so important to get the sitting posture right because when the animal ascends or descends a river bank, the gradient can be as much as forty degrees. Believe me if you don’t know how to sit you can easily fall off and hurt yourself badly and even be trampled by the beast.

I was attempting to learn not master, how to ride an elephant in a single day, just so that I could do a jungle safari bare-back for a couple of hours. So for me to get used to the undulating lumber the mahout led the elephant, with me in the seat, around the river area where there was both tall grass and the river embankment. She was a truly gentle creature whose thick coarse strands of hair seemed to pop out of her head. I felt an immediate affection for her and absolutely no fear. Occasionally her trunk would fumble around to check where my feet were, then she’d let out an almost inaudible low rumble, it was a very comforting sound that resonated through my body. Elephants are known to communicate long distances in this manner, and use the soles of their feet as listening receptacles. At close proximity elephants love physical contact and can display a high degree of affection and concern for one another, even for the dead!

My next lesson taught me how to steer left, right, straight ahead or stop. I learnt some very simple commands; depending on which foot prodded her behind the ear and she’d move in the opposite direction i.e. a left foot meant right turn and opposite for the right foot. To get her moving ahead I would simply prod her behind the ears with both feet and call out ‘ugath’. To stop I dug my heels into her shoulders and call out ‘arr’. By the way I had to sit between her shoulders and head, the reason I mention this is because there is very little neck on an elephant and it seems you are almost sitting on her head. At the end of the day one must remember that elephants in Nepal only understand Nepali and the constant ‘conversation’ between a mahout and his elephant creates a very personal bond that cannot be achieved by some day scholar. Pachyderms on the Indian subcontinent and in Indo-China region are far more docile and can be trained very well. However the African Elephant which is much larger has been an extremely difficult animal to train. As a result there are very few safaris in Africa that offer elephant rides.

My feet tingled with excitement when the next morning the three elephants lumbered into the jungles of Chitwan. I was in the middle, a wise place to be! and as an additional precaution the regular mahout sat on her back a little further back actually.

The one thing all my years visiting jungles has taught me – you can never be certain about what one will see. So I have learnt to thoroughly enjoy the very habitat and treat every bird or animal I actually see as bonus, this way I’m never disappointed. As we silently plunged into the tall grass that covered vast areas of the river bank, the feet of this heavy beast carved a path among the pale green blades. Despite the size we made no sound as we progressed to water’s edge. I could see the lead Mahout point to the opposite bank and there in the wet mud basked a crocodile. But it had seen us and in a few seconds disappeared, head first, into the brown rushing waters. We lumbered on into the waters; I must admit this was the only part that I was worried about. We tread straight across the waters and up the far bank; I was slowly getting the hand of bending against the angle to compensate the shifting point of gravity. It was much like sitting on a horse bucking in slow motion. We kept a steady pace behind the lead animal as long as we were in the grasslands. But now I could see the tree line approaching.

Once inside the forest my elephant required a lot more manoeuvring and I had to concentrate far more on my riding. This meant that I kept getting smacked in the face with thin branches and leaves and even getting my face full of spider webs and insects. One time it seemed I lost sight of the elephant in front until we nearly bumped into its rear. I almost came alongside the other beast when the mahout motioned with his head at the rhino standing straight ahead in the path. Neither animal wanted to give way and for a few unnerving moments there was a tense standoff, until the Rhino angrily stormed off into the brush.

There is ‘almost’ no danger when you are on top of an elephant not even from tigers; however the only trouble comes from large elephant bulls. I was told of rare instances when a mahout meets a tusker, his elephant is charged and chased out of the jungle. Though it is not often that they venture to the fringes of the forest, however in Chitwan wild tuskers are known to raid the pens when the females are in oestrus apparently that’s how my elephant became pregnant! Mostly elephant cows are used to ferry people and tourists in the area.

It was a great morning out in the jungle; we had seen Cheetal, Sambhar, peacock by the dozen and a number of other birds and animals but above all that I was most happy with the fact that I rode into the jungle on an elephant and didn’t need the mahout to come to my rescue at any time during that entire trip.

That night slept came easily and certainly not because of the large glass of Raxshy, the local liquor, which I happily sipped through the evening. Only the loud but distant roar of a tiger sometime in the early parts of pre dawn opened my eyes, albeit for a few seconds. In the jungle I am so consumed with happenings around me that nothing else can occupy even the fringes of my imagination. It is in this state I know I will encounter that one moment, that something I’ll see or experience which will remain a special spark for the rest of my life. My moment came early the next morning. As I stepped out of the wooden cottage, there partly hidden by the bushes near the river a large antlered Sambhar grazed, its coat was dappled in the soft sunshine of morning. At the sound of the door opening it razed its head, looked at me and slowly waded across the river and into the grasslands on the opposite bank. I sat there for a long, long while staring aimlessly after it, the morning was cold and mist inches high above the undergrowth. To the left came the hysterical call of a lapwing screaming ‘did-you-do-it?!’ while grey wagtails dipped their tails to the sun as they hopped across the narrow strip of grass a few yards away from where I sat on the steps of the cottage.

Surely this was paradise anew.

6 ways to put together a successful Incentive Travel Program

If you really want to motivate people, send them packing.

Everyone loves to travel - especially when the travel is free. And that's what gives incentive travel programs such powerful motivational resonance. Whether it's simple or elaborate, a well-developed program can work to your company's advantage in ways nothing else can. Below, we offer you a simple six-step process to help you put together the most effective incentive travel program you possibly can.

1. Identify your goals

The first step is to determine what you expect to accomplish. Is it your desire to motivate your employees, reward your current customers, attract new ones or increase sales of a particular product or service? It's important to be clear and specific about the desired outcome since it will ultimately help you track the success of your program.

2. Create a plan

Whom are you trying to reach with your program? How long will it run? How will you communicate its value internally and externally? Addressing questions like these at the start of the program is critical to its success.

3. Develop a budget

An incentive travel program doesn't have to cost a lot to generate big results. In fact, many companies simply reallocate inefficient portions of their marketing budgets to fund their programs.

How much are you prepared to spend to accomplish your goals? Clearly, the answer is a major determining factor for the types of travel rewards to which you can commit. TravelPort offers everything from airline tickets and hotel accommodations to our luxurious Pamperings travel packages. Of course, there are other expenses you should factor into your budget beyond the rewards themselves. The following is a recommended allocation of dollars for an effective travel rewards program:

Rewards - 80%
Promotion and communications - 10%
Administration - 5%
Training and research - 5%

4. Select the perfect rewards

TravelPort provides travel rewards of all kinds. Sometimes, offering round-trip air travel may be enough to help you reach your goals. In those instances when you want to make a really dramatic statement, offering something like a lavish Hawaiian or European vacation with Pamperings ™ packages or a trip to the Singapore F1 or IPL or may be just the ticket. With close to 5 years and 300 client in the incentive travel business, we at TravelPort can help you determine what travel rewards would be most appropriate given your goals and budget.

5. Promote the program

If you want to maximize the results of an incentive travel program, it is imperative that you continuously and systematically stay in touch with your target audience. Use all the tools available to you to spread the word, including direct mail, HTML e-mails, in-house newsletters, outbound telemarketing and more. And don't just pull out all the stops at the launch of the program. Make sure you communicate the results on a regular basis. That's what's going to keep everyone to whom the program is targeted reaching for the stars.

6. Measure the results

Because you established your objectives up-front, it should be relatively easy for you to gauge the effectiveness of your program. Was the target audience motivated by your efforts? Did you see a measurable increase in employee satisfaction? In customer loyalty? In new business? Perhaps most important, by measuring the results of your program you can determine what to do in the future to make it even more effective.

Just remember: effective travel incentive travel programs are TravelPort specialty. Why not let us help you create one of your own!

For More Info download FREE Travel Incentive Guide

Incentive Guide

Travel Business Oppurtunity

Become a World Class Travel Entreprenuer

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Check out this presentation for the best travel buisness oppurtunity .Best of online and offline products

Wander India - Go places differently

See it with TravelPort and explore the lesser visited spots .

China With TravelPort

TravelPort China - Click here for package details

Incredible India

India- Incredible and Great

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India- Incredible and Great

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India - facts every indian must know and be proud about it .


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Auli - Our very own Switzerland By Ankush /PushPraj

As a Uttaranchal Expert at TravelPort this huge responsibility of escorting the Rotary Club group to Auli, which was very important to my organization. It was a adventure trip for some of the elite people of Mumbai .

I’m really thankful to TravelPort and its management for giving me this great opportunity& believed in me in completing the given task. Auli which is known as Switzerland of India is famous for its skiing & trekking activities.

After receiving the group from Delhi airport we all proceeded to the railway station for our journey to Haridwar. It was 4:00 am in the morning when we reached Haridwar, which was half the distance covered then. After having some early morning refreshments, especially “Cutting Chai”, we started our second league of our journey to Joshimath, which was around 270 kms ( 9-10hrs ). We passed through some beautiful landscapes at Rishikesh ( famous for its White Water Rafting also one of the holiest river in India the Ganges ), Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and a number of small villages where life is in a different pace all together. Finally we reached Joshimath, which is one of the stop over in the Chardham Yatra.
Ropeway or Cable Car is the only mode of commuting to Auli.

It is Asia’s 2nd largest ropeway & takes around 25 mins ( one way ) to cover the distance of 4 kms & takes you from an height of 1990 mts to 3100 mts , while you are mesmerized by the picturesque mountains covered with snow. Mom Nature was so happy with us that we were greeted with a snowfall as soon as we landed the place. It was freezing cold, wherein the day temperature was around 7 degrees & in the nights it used to be sub-zero. The one day trek which was the part of the tour was a great experience too, the difficulty level of the trek being moderate to hard, where some sections were as steep as 50 Degrees and it looked as if a thick white wall of ice is staring right back at you. Cutting through the snow made our walking difficult due to the overnight snowfall. The very sight of the mighty Nanda Devi peak in the distance was an jaw-dropping experience. It stood tall & was unperturbed from the rest of its counterparts. The 5 days which we spent in the heart of the Garwhal mountains were full of beauty & bliss at the same time wondering that a place like this would exist in India. When the time came to bid-adue to this wonderful place we thought wish we stay back for much more time ---it was a aura of Auli getting into us in such a short span - A tribute to this amazing destination .

Highlights :
1.If visiting Auli spend one day trekking rather than coolong your heels at the hotel .
2.Best Time to visit : DEC to March to attempt skiing
3.Treacherous but scenic drive all the way .
4.The best place to stay : CliffTop club ,Auli
5. Not to be missed : Joshimath to clifftop auli by cable car

Ankush Guptay adn Pushparaj ,Uttarnchal and Himacahal experts @ TravelPort

North East - Hidden treasure of India - Malaika /Sandy

Pick of lots ,thats how it got decided that we (Malaika and Sandy ) were travelling to North east of India .TravelPort ,our company was sending us as part of a team to explore this new exotic destination .Over excitement followed by after thoughts made us wonder what it would be like to go to a underdeveloped ,in- news- for- wrong- reason- place ,that too ,two city lasses like us .
God ! How wrong we were for we discovered a new heaven on earth (cliched but that is yet the best way to describe our new discovery )
We were lucky to be exploring this hidden - unspoilt - virgin -gem of a destination ,fit for a evolved traveller .(well atleast till we start filling up the place with tourists ).We thought of writing this journal to share our journey highlights .

North East of India is the land of Blue Mountains, Green Valley, Red River, wild life, and colourful people, a blend of all these makes it the most beautiful Eco-Tourism destination in south Asia

Click here For Slide Show - North east


The train journey upto siliguri was a typical indian one - best not described - cos we chose the wrong class to travel in .It was a releif to get to siliguri from where we proceeded to Pelling ,our first stopover .


Pelling: 24/02/08----26/02/08
Pelling is a beautiful hill-station, nestled between the snow-covered peaks of Sikkim. Located at a distance of 10kms from Geyzing, Pelling is renowned for being the nearest site to Mt. Kanchenjunga. The scenic beauty of Pelling cannot be circumscribed in words and really requires a proximate look to feel the quietude. Elevated to the height of 6,800 ft, Pelling is the best place to get a close view of the entire mountain range
Places to visit :Darap Valley, Rimbi waterfalls, the holy Khecheopalri Lake and Pemayangtse Monestry.
The Good: Accommodation/ Sight seeing/ pleasant Climate
The Bad: No Restaurants around so person is compelled to eat his meals at the hotel he is put up in.
The ugly :None at all
Gangtok: 26/02/08-----28-02-08
Gangtok is nestled in lush greenery at 5800 ft, it is a blend of Traditional and modern culture where you will find youngsters in trendy dresses while elderly matrons clad in bakus.
On the way to Gangtok we proceeded to Rinchinpong, it is a picturesque village with Panoramic view of Kan-chen-dzonga range, the next day we visited Tsomgo lake which is 38km from Gangtok and is at 12500 ft, this lake is frozen throughout the year and comes alive during May to August where beautiful flowers blooms on its bank and on the adjoining Hill slopes, from Gangtok
The Good: Accomodation/ Good place to shop
Bad: Sometimes you dont feel welcomed.
Ugly: Not Applicable

Lachung: 28/02/08----29-02-08
Lachung is a divine abode sited in the northern district of Sikkim. Perched at an elevation of 8,800 ft, Lachung is an ideal place to spent beautiful moments in solitude. The way to Lachung passes through quaint villages, scenic spots, and waterfalls. In recent times, Lachung has been made available to the tourists in an organized manner. It would not be embroidered to say that Lachung is actually a Shangri-La on the earth.
We went to Lachung on the way to Lachung we visited Singhik view point, Seven sisters waterfall & most beautiful Bhima waterfall. Lanchung is a diven adode, sited in the Northern District of Sikkim at 8800ft; we felt it is the most ideal place to spend beautiful moments in solitude. Lanchung means “Small Mountains”. In Lachung we saw Monastry, Handicraft center; we had a Bonfire at Lanchung. Next day we proceeded to Yumthang Valley which is also known as Valley of Flowers, Yumthang Valley is a grazing pasture for Yaks and yetis. During the summer the area blooms with the most beautiful flowers, from Yumthang Valley
Good: beautiful Senic Place.
Bad: No basic infrastructure facility available/ Food.
Ugly: Not Applicable.
We proceeded to NJP to take train back to mumbai. After living in a place like mumbai where one leads a very busy life. We think our visit to Sikkim has brought us so close to Mother Nature. It is indeed the most beautiful place on Earth.


Thank You TravelPort ! Thank You Neptune travel ! .....Thank god for this wonderful place

Famous Travel Quotes

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.St. Augustine

...travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.Miriam Beard

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight seeing".Daniel J. Boorstin
There is no happiness for the person who does not travel. For Indra is the friend of the traveler, therefore wander!Brähmann
I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost eveything.Bill Bryson
One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy.Sir Richard Burton
Embrace the detours.Kevin Charbonneau
The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land.Gilbert K. Chesterton
The earth belongs to anyone who stops for a moment, gazes and goes on his way.Colette
Travellers never think that they are the foreigners.Mason Cooley
The journey not the arrival matters.T. S. Eliot

Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken.Frank Herbert

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.Aldous Huxley

The wise man travels to discover himself.James Russell Lowell
The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore ... unlike the mediocre, intrepid spirits seek victory over those things that seem impossible ... it is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors ... to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.Ferdinand Magellan
Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey!Fitzhugh Mllan
Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled.Prophet Mohammed
Take only memories, leave only footprints.Chief Seattle
I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.George Bernard Shaw
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. the great affair is to move.Robert Louis Stevenson
He who would travel happily must travel light.Antoine de St. Exupery


I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.Explore. Dream. Discover.Mark Twain
A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.Lao Tzu
Paradise is where I am.Voltaire
A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going to, and a perfect traveler does not know where he came from.No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.Lin Yutang

Kailash Yatra

Mount Kailash is one of the world’s most sacred spots. To experience its spiritual energy you must go there but with the right intention in mind. This is a pilgrimage and the intent should be to visit it for peace, both within each person and then the world. Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood, hair or a stone to symbolize leaving their prejudices behind them. One should leave their ego, anxiety and meanness here.

Before setting of for this journey ,check out some of the unbiased travellers reviews of how to go on this ultimate pilgrimage which promises to be a adventure too .

1.Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar YatraTrip Advice & Travelogue by Unnimaya

2.My experience--Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra By Meghna Bhagat

3.Journey To the Himalayas

TravelPort has been organising the Kailash yatra for last 8 years and has served more than 1000 yatris .We have a track record of minimal complaints on such a tough journey .

Temple stays for Indian travelers in Korea

South Korean tourism is actively promoting the concept of Temple Stays to outbound Indian travellers. A temple stay is designed as a cultural experience programme to help people understand Korean Buddhism better. From meditation to prostration, chanting and unbelievably early morning wake-up calls, if you have always harboured the desire for a sneak peek into the life of a monk, here’s your chance. Carnivores, however, are advised to stay away, as meals consist of rice and vegetables.

The Temple Stay programme was initially conjured up for foreigners visiting Korea during the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Korea and Japan. The programme was so successful that over 35 temples still offer it. As a word of caution, don’t expect two nights in a temple to be life-transforming. Keep in mind that most programmes are specially designed for tourists, so instead of discreetly fitting into the existing system, most temples will create an environment specially for you, complete with English translators. In return, you leave a “donation”.

Some temple stays in Thailand are a little more austere, and therefore not suitable if you’re going to be bashful about doing the alms rounds in the local village. In some temples you’re “treated” to a single meal a day, often consisting of whatever’s been donated. Temple stays can range from an over-nighter to a few months.

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Around the world in 80 vineyards

Six months after setting out on a tour of some of the world's greatest vineyards, Frenchman Nicolas Beausset has collected 500 bottles of top quality wine and is still thirsty for more.

Beausset and his colleague Geraldine Reinhold Von Essen are attempting to travel "around the world in 80 vineyards".

They are asking wine producers from Chianti to California to give them their best wine for free. When they get back to Spain, where they are based, they will auction it for charity.

So far, their journey has taken them to South Africa, Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand and Chile.

They will visit Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru and the United States before returning to Europe to tour the vineyards of Portugal, Spain, Italy and France.

As they travel, they are sending their liquid booty back to Spain where it will be stored in a cellar until the auction in Barcelona in early 2008.

"We're interested in quality rather than quantity," Beausset told Reuters by telephone from a vineyard in southern Chile.

"The vineyards are free to give us whatever they want, but we always try to ask for bottles that are a little different, or of high quality."

Their journey has yielded some fine donations, including a magnum of Pinot Noir from New Zealand's Staete Landt vineyard, one of only 30 such bottles in the world.

But perhaps the most fascinating leg of their journey took them to the vineyards of Thailand and China, countries little known in the West for their wines.

"In China, viniculture is growing quickly ... some of the vineyards are very good," said Beausset, 32, who runs a wine import-export business in Barcelona.

"Most of the wine is red because the color red is a symbol of prosperity in China, so it's very good if you can offer someone a red wine."

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The Ugly American

Every American knows what traveling to foreign countries is all about: booze, babes, and spring break. Right?

Tanzania travel tips

Currency and Money Matters

The Tanzanian unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). Bills range from 1 shilling to 10,000 shillings. The exchange rates fluctuate, the latest rates can be found here.

Exchanging Money

The easiest foreign currency to exchange in Tanzania is the US dollar, in either cash or traveler cheque form. While you get better rates at banks and foreign exchange bureaus for the larger bills, keeping a stack of small bills is handy for tips. Most of the high-end hotels and wildlife parks accept US dollars but it can sometimes be a bit cheaper if you pay fees and accommodation in Tanzanian shillings.

ATM's can be found in all the major cities, but my Lonely Planet Guide warns that some machines enjoy eating cards, so use at your own risk. Major credit cards are only accepted at the more expensive restaurants and hotels.

Getting To and From Tanzania

By Air

If you're planning to visit Northern Tanzania, the best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). KLM has daily flights from Amsterdam. Ethiopian and Kenya Airways also fly into KIA.

If you're planning to visit Zanzibar, southern and western Tanzania, you'll want to fly to the capital Dar es Salaam. European carriers that fly into Dar es Salaam include British Airways, KLM and Swissair (which codeshares with Delta).

Regional flights to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and parts of northern Tanzania regularly fly from Nairobi (Kenya Airways, Air Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Air Tanzania has several flights per week from Dar es Salaam to Entebbe (Uganda), the Comoros Islands and Johannesburg.

By Land

To and From Kenya: There are several bus services available between Tanzania and Kenya. Buses regularly go from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam (12 hours), Nairobi to Dar es Salaam (about 13 hours), Nairobi to Arusha (5 hours), and Voi to Moshi. Some bus companies originating in Arusha will drop you off at your hotel in Nairobi and also offer pick-ups at Nairobi's international airport.

To and From Malawi: The border crossing between Tanzania and Malawi is at the Songwe River Bridge. Direct buses between Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe depart several times a week and take around 27 hours. Your other alternative is to get to the border crossing and take minibuses in either direction to the closest towns -- Karonga in Malawi and Mbeya in Tanzania. Spend the night and then continue on the next day. Both towns have regular long-distance bus services.

To and From Mozambique: The main border post is at Kilambo (Tanzania) which you can get to via minibus from Mtwara. To cross the border requires a trip across the Ruvuma River and depending on the tides and the season, this could be a simple quick canoe trip or an hour long ferry ride. The border post in Mozambique is at Namiranga.

To and From Uganda: Daily buses travel from Kampala to Dar es Salaam (via Nairobi -- so make sure you get a visa for Kenya to transit). The bus trip takes at least 25 hours. A more manageable crossing is from Kampala to Bukoba (on the shores of Lake Victoria) which gets you to Tanzania in about 7 hours. You can also take a short 3 hour trip by bus from Bukoba (Tanzania) to the Ugandan border town of Masaka. Scandinavian also runs buses from Moshi to Kampala (via nairobi).

To and From Rwanda: Regional coach services travels from Kigali to Dar es Salaam at least once a week, the trip takes about 36 hours and crosses into Uganda first. Shorter trips between the Tanzania/Rwanda border at Rusumo Falls are possible but the security situation fluctuates so inquire locally in Benako (Rwanda) or Mwanza (Tanzania). Buses also run at least once a day from Mwanza (it will take all day) to the border of Rwanda, and from there you can catch a minibus to Kigali. Catching the bus from Mwanza means a ferry trip to start with so the schedule is fairly fixed.

To and From Zambia: Buses run a couple times a week between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka (about 30 hours) and between Mbeya and Lusaka (about 16 hours). The border that is used most often is at Tunduma and you can get minibuses from Mbeya to Tunduma and then cross into Zambia and take public transport from there.

By Train

To and From Zambia: A train runs from Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) to Dar es Salaam and takes two nights.

By Boat

There are currently no official passenger-ferry services on Lake Victoria to connect Tanzania with Uganda and Kenya.

To and From Malawi: The only route across the lake from Tanzania is on the Songea ferry from Mbamba Bay (Tanzania) to Nkhata Bay (Malawi) near Mzuzu. The ferry is meant to run twice a month. The Ilala sometimes travels from Lake Malawi to Tanzania but schedules vary.

To and from Burundi: A weekly ferry runs between Kigoma and Bujumbura and takes about 14 hours.

To and From Mozambique: You can try and hire a Dhow to get to Mozambique from Tanzania and vice versa. Find out information locally in Tanzania's dhow ports of Mikindani, Mtwara and Msimbati. In Mozambique check the ports at Mocimboa da Praia and Palma.

To and from Kenya (Mombasa): A ferry runs about once a week from Mombasa, Kenya and Tanga, Tanzania to Unguja and Pemba. Fares are around $40.

To and From Zambia: A regular ferry connects Kigoma (Tanzania) with Mpulungu (Zambia) along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The ferry was the inspiration for the classic movie, African Queen. You can get off at smaller stops along the way inlcuding Lagosa, to get to Mahale Mountains National Park to enjoy the chimpanzees.

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Towns hope to keep Harry Potter magic going

Towns around the country that celebrate the release of each Harry Potter book aren't ready to give up their wizarding wonderlands of Knockturn Alleys and Forbidden Forests even though the final book is about to debut.

About 40 miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio, organizers plan to keep Quidditch tournaments, magic shows and strolls down Diagon Alley continuing in some form in Wilmington, a city of about 12,000.

"This is our largest downtown event currently, and it brings a lot of people and money into downtown," said Steve Brown, executive director of Main Street Wilmington. "We thought the 2005 event would draw quite a few people, but we never expected the 4,000 or more that showed up."

Enthusiasts in small towns such as Poulsbo, Washington, and larger communities such as Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois -- where 10,000 people turned out in 2003 -- are looking to the wildly popular Harry Potter movies, a theme park to open in Orlando, Florida, in 2009 and increasing fan conventions and conferences to keep the Potter energy flowing.

Baraboo, Wisconsin, got a head start, holding its first community Potter celebration July 7 in anticipation of the movie and book releases. Organizer Cindy Doescher says enthusiasm has already been so great that she expects a Potter party annually.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" -- the seventh and final book in the J.K. Rowling series -- will be released at midnight July 21, accompanied by bookstore parties, community festivals and other Harry hoopla concocted for fervent fans around the world. The books have sold more than 325 million copies worldwide with translations into at least 64 languages, and sparked the movie series.

he latest movie, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," opened in U.S. theaters July 11, leaving two books not yet on the screen.

Communities have reaped economic and other benefits from downtown extravaganzas. Hotels are filled with tourists. Residents turn out in large numbers -- often costumed -- to dine at a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or warily creep through a haunting Knockturn Alley amid skeletons and smoking potions. More people means more customers for local businesses.

Princeton, Illinois, a town of about 7,500 residents, drew 5,000 fans in 2005 and expects more than 7,500 this year. Sponsors say the celebrations also have deepened cooperation among businesses, civic groups and volunteers.

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The Spa Code of Conduct

When you walk through the doors of your favorite spa, sit down in the massaging pedicure chair and stick your feet into the water that isn't quite the right temperature, do you say anything to your therapist?

What about if you walk into a treatment room for your hot stone massage and the music is too loud? If the stones are too hot, do you just lie on the table and grin and bear it?

You should speak up and communicate your preferences in all these situations, according to A Spa "Code of Conduct" developed by The International SPA Association and Resort Hotel Association.

The Spa Code of Conduct spells our you rights and responsibilities as a spa guest so you have a more satisfying spa experience.

Here is the Spa Code of Conduct:

As a Spa Guest, it is your responsibility to:

• Communicate your preferences, expectations and concerns
• Communicate complete and accurate health information and reasons for your visit
• Treat staff and other guests with courtesy and respect
• Use products, equipment and therapies as directed
• Engage in efforts to preserve the environment
• Adhere to the spa's published policies and procedures

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