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Bali Discovery Tours

Bali Discovery Tours

Kintamani Volcano and Barong Dance

Home to 5 volcanoes, including the sacred Mt. Agung, Kintamani and Mt. Batur must rank among the most dramatic and accessible live volcanoes to be found anywhere. Literally a volcano within a volcano, visitors can drive along the rim of a 8km wide caldera while looking across the still active Mt. Batur still spouting lava and slowly building new height. This tour includes:

- A morning presentation of the traditional Barong Dance. This dance drama portrays the eternal struggle between good and evil the religious and the profane ending when a group of men run amok attempting to stab themselves, only to be rescued from their frenzied trance by a local priests.

- The village of Mas; a community of wood workers. Ubud; to explore the village known for its many artisans. Mount Batur at Kintamani; a town perched on the edge of a volcano’s rim offering panoramic views of a still active volcano and lake Batur below. Celuk; a community of silver craftsmen.

- Kehen Temple - its splendid closed Balinese gateway leads to a unique shrine of 11 tapering meru roofs, the highest architectural honor that can be bestowed on this temple believed to be the resting place for the visiting gods.

Approximately length of this tour is 8 hours.

Guide-bangkok/Welcome to Bangkok Tourism Divis

Eat food that is popular Foods To in Bangkok: The Ultimate Thai Eating Guide.Part 1

Have you ever tried Thai food? Do you like it? Thai food is one of the things that every foreigner should try when they come to Thailand. At my old school, when we have visitors from other countries we always take them out to eat. We take them to a Thai restaurant to try Thai food and also teach them about table manners too!
Not long ago, the Office of the National Culture Commission announced the top ten Thai dishes best liked by foreigners. In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreigner Affairs, the Office had conducted a survey of Thai restaurants all over the world to find out ten favourite Thai dishes of foreigners. In the survey 1,000 Thai restaurant around the world were asked to fill in a questionnaire. However, only 500 restaurants which have Thai chefs and offer the authentic Thai food were qualified for being taken into consideration.


1.Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

The quintessential Thai aroma! A bold, refreshing blend of fragrant lemongrass, chilli, galangal, lime leaves, shallots, lime juice and fish sauce shapes this classic soup, giving it its legendary herbal kick. Succulent fresh prawns and straw mushrooms lend it body. A versatile dish that can fit within virtually any meal, the distinctive smell reminds you of exotic perfume, while it's invigorating sour-spicy-hot taste just screams 'Thailand'!
2Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles)

From Cape Town to Khao San Road, the default international Thai dish! Dropped in a searing hot wok, fistfuls of small, thin or wide noodles (you choose) do a steamy minute-long dance alongside crunchy beansprouts, onion and egg, before disembarking for the nearest plate. A truly interactive eating experience, half its fun (and flavour) lies in then using a quartet of accompanying condiments - fish sauce, sugar, chilli powder and finely ground peanuts - to wake it from its slumbers.
3.Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)

Made with morsels of meat, red curry paste, smooth coconut milk and topped off with a sprinkling of finely sliced kaffir lime leaves, this rich, aromatic curry always gets those taste buds tingling. At its best when the meat is stunningly tender, it could be likened to a beautiful woman: it's mild, sweet and delicately fragrant. And like all true love affairs, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
4Kai Med Ma Muang (Chicken with Cashew Nuts)

Pardon the pun, but tourists go nuts for this stir fried dish. Perhaps it's the wildly contrasting textures of a dish that saut's chicken alongside roasted cashews, sweet soy sauce, onions, chilies, pepper, carrot and mushrooms. Perhaps it's the sweetening dash of honey that appeals. Do you really care? The important thing is that this dish works: it's simple but scrumptious, a little bit tame and yet still totally Thai.
5.Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)


Hailing from the Northeast state of Isaan, this outlandish dish is both great divider - some can't get enough of its bite, some can't handle it - and greatly distinctive. Garlic, chilies, green beans, cherry tomatoes and shredded raw papaya get dramatically pulverized in a pestle and mortar, so releasing a rounded sweet-sour-spicy flavour that's not easily forgotten. Regional variations throw peanuts, dry shrimp or salted crab into the mix, the latter having a gut-cleansing talent that catches many newcomers by surprise!
6Khao Pad (Fried Rice)

Fried rice, egg, onion, a few herbs - nothing more, nothing less. A popular lunch dish served typically with a wedge of lime and slices of cucumber, the secret of this unpretentious dish lies in its simplicity. The concept is this: you're the one devouring it, so you dress it. To do so, Thais use everything from prawns, crab or chicken to basil, chili and left-over vegetables, in the process turning an unremarkable pauper into a gastronomic prince!

bromo

Mount Bromo

The Bromo Caldera with the Mount Semeru in the background, part of the Tengger massif - Source
When I first saw on CNN last night about the eruption of yet another volcano in Indonesia, fellow-blogger, KhengSiong, came to mind and how relieved he must have been not to have been caught in a situation of chaos and anxiety which is naturally associated with natural disasters.

KhengSiong's recent travel to East Java included a visit to Mount Bromo. Pictures on his blog show Mount Bromo belching smoke as viewed from another volcano nearby. From Mount Penanjakan at 2,770m, one can get a good view of Mount Bromo at 2,392m.

Mount Bromo, in East Java, is one of four volcanic cones located in an ancient volcano, Tengger. Together with the sand sea, the Tengger Sand Sea (known in Indonesian as Laut Pasir Tengger) and other features including four lakes and 50 rivers, the total area of 5,250 hectares at an altitude of about 2,100m is known as Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The Tengger Sand Sea has been protected since 1919. The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park was declared a national park in 1982.

Where is Mount Bromo? For an idea of the location of Mount Bromo, here's a map borrowed from The Jakarta Post.

The Jakarta Post reported on Wednesday, Mount Bromo continued to spew yellowish ash and hot gases 500 to 1,000 meters in height after which volcanic activities began to subside.

A day earlier, the volcano which last erupted in 2004, spewed volcanic ash out to a radius of 10 kilometers. On Tuesday evening, the ash covered Ngadirejo village in Pasuruan regency, impacting on visibility. More info on Mt. Bromo’s activities start subsiding.

5 Best Reasons for Christmas in Hawaii

Christmas in Hawaii ?

Have you ever wondered how you can really enjoy the Christmas holidays without all the Mainland christmas stress? All our Hawaii visitors who celebrate their snow free Christmas in Hawaii will tell you "How". Book a vacation in Hawaii for the Holidays, most favorably including Christmas Day and New Years.

Keoki and I had great fun putting our '5 Best reasons for a Christmas in Hawaii' together for our 'Best Hawaii Vacation' visitors:

1. Escape to warm sunny Hawaii

Actually, Keoki recommended to make that reason the top 3 reasons, which is probably true. Escaping snow, icy roads bundling up in tons of layers of clothes is definitely in everybody's mind when making their reservation for Christmas in Hawaii.


2. Escape the Mainland Christmas Shopping Mania

Each year it seems that Christmas arrives earlier at the markets and stores with Christmas decorations showing up at early as October and "Silent Night" being played for hours, days and weeks. Christmas shopping for yourselves and family can be really fun in Hawaii. Hawaii gift stores are very happy to mail Christmas presents to your friends and family.

3. Escape long lines at your local Post Office

Christmas in Hawaii saves you from standing in long lines at the local post office, not to mention gift wrapping and packing Christmas packages. As said before, gifts from Hawaii are always welcome by family and friends whether it's Kona coffee, Big Island Macademia Nuts, Hawaiian shirts or Keoki's 'Hawaii Easy Stretch DVD' or other Hawaii goodies. All those can be easily shipped by the Hawaii company right to your family and friends.

4. Trade the Snow Shovel for a Boggie Board and a dip in the warm Hawaiian Ocean

Imagine yourself walking barefoot on a warm white sand beach, or floating in turquoise blue warm water of the Pacific on Christmas Day instead of slipping and slidding down the road with your car on your way to family or friends on Chistmas Day. Christmas Vacation in Hawaii? Priceless!

5. Have a Healthy Holiday in Hawaii.

No need to go to the gym for your tough workouts on the mainland. Beach walks, swimming, boogie boarding, kayaking, and body surfing will get you in the perfect shape during your Christmas Vacation in Hawaii. Have some extra money to spend? Try a relaxing massage at one of Hawaii's excellent spas. Serenity Now!

Last but not least, if we convinced you that a Christmas Vacation in Hawaii is just what you need to make your Christmas Holidays fun, low stress and healthy all at the same time, plan your Hawaii Christmas vacation far ahead to get the best rates for air fares, car rentals and vacation accommodation.

Mele Kalikimaka from Heidi and Keoki Hawaii Vacations


Christmas in Hawaii Related Posts

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Meetings With Remarkable Men

The Story of Professor Robert Gurland, Part 1

I came to New York City in 1969, ostensibly to study at New York University. But there would not be much studying, for this was not just any time. Political upheaval and violence was mixed with sex, drugs and rock and roll. There was extreme distraction.

The Vietnam war colored and dominated everything. Hanging on my dorm room wall was the iconic anti-Vietnam War poster, And babies, with its horrifying image of the My Lai massacre. Dead soldiers in body bags seemed like a daily sight on television. On the heels of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King had just been assassinated in 1968. President Richard Nixon, a man seen to be so evil, in 1974 at the apex of the Watergate scandal needed to proclaim to the nation "I am not a crook".

Some of the most seminal and notable music groups of the 20th century flourished at the time. And of course, there was Woodstock. This was a time of rampant drug use, particularly LSD. Timothy Leary had already commanded America's youth to "Turn on, tune in, drop out." There was fallout from these excesses. Music icons were dropping like flies, primarily from drug related causes - Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Brian Jones.

Sexual freedom reigned after the introduction of the contraceptive pill in the early 1960s. The spirit of the Summer of Love in 1967 permeated the culture.

Consciousness was being expanded. Everything was in question. Groups were beginning to vocalize and demonstrate. In New York City, there were the Stonewall riots in June 1969. The women's rights movement was in full force, on the heels of the birth control pill and Betty Friedan's revolutionary book, The Feminine Mystique.

There was the SDS and The Black Panther Party. The Weathermen, a small extreme group of radicals formerly from the SDS, had built a bomb factory in the Village and exploded an entire townhouse.

We had just landed on the moon on July 1969.

Study? In New York City?

It took an enormous draw to get a student into a classroom and keep him or her attentive. In spite of bullets flying in the world outside, there was one man who could do it. A legend in 1970 time and still today. In just a few minutes, across that park and behind those trees, I have an appointment to meet that man again, for the first time in 40 years. I can't wait. It's 19 degrees out there, but I won't feel it. Got to run. See you later. In Part 2, you will meet Professor Robert Gurland :)

Grab a Bite to Eat

Everyone has their pet peeves and for me, it is taking too much time to eat when there are "better" things to do. And in New York City, there are always "better" things to do. This may sound very contradictory for a man who extols French culture, quality of life and the slow food movement. It is. But as a college professor once responded to me when I detected some dissonance in one of his statements, "people are full of contradictions."

My frustration rises to crisis management when I am with people whose priority is eating over all other things and where no experience, no matter how exciting or exhilarating, will distract them from seeking food. I am in deep trouble when I am with these types of individuals in New York City which is a literal smorgasbord of eateries. And typically, for these comfort seekers, eating on the run is not their preferred modus operandi - sitting and indulging is.

I had a relative who used to come to the city often and stay weekends. A refrain, which I can hear in my head to this day, was "let's grab a bite to eat." I became so irritated, because this was typically mid day, long before dinner, and we had an agenda of things to do and places to see. The "grab a bite to eat" always ended up becoming a production of an hour or more. Waiting, ordering, eating, coffee, getting a check, paying etc.

When very young, I had limited restaurant experience and thought "a la carte" was food offered on a cart, needing to be snatched quickly while passing by. The reduced service and quality of selections accounted for the lower pricing. This would seem a great option for New York, however, there are no carts to snatch from in restaurants (dim sum is close), so there is no way to really "grab a bite to eat." For the traveler or resident who does have the need to expedite a meal, there are places tailored to a quick bite, the most common being the New York pizza parlor for a slice on the run. There are other places, somewhat less noticeable, tucked into the nooks and crannies of the city's side streets.

In the Village, in the heart of NYU country at 6 West 4th Street, there is the Little Atlas Cafe. The place truly befits its diminutive name and is strictly takeout and delivery. There is just barely enough room for a few customers and the staff. The menu is quite extensive. Reviews vary. The place has a large range of vegan offerings and many of the criticisms are from those who have specific issues with the vegan products. I enjoy their food and for those on the run, who have no access to a fast moving cart, the Little Atlas Cafe is the perfect place to Grab a Bite to Eat :)

Australia Landmarks Tour

Australia is a most famous tour travel destination places among the world tourist. Australia has world sixth number geographical land which has all around sea. Australian mostly people inhabited country border in cities; these cities located Australia border. These mostly cities also are harbor cities.

Australia has two most famous landmarks one is Uluru and second Opera House. Uluru landmark is natural but Opera is man made. Uluru location is central of the country but opera house location is Sydney city harbor.

Uluru: Uluru landmark is a natural muddy mountain and this is also a pilgrimage place for oldest Australian people. Uluru located in Northern Territory State. Most famous nearest city and airport is Alice Spring. Around Uluru land mark located big desert wildlife Sanctuary Park. Uluru landmark around area is 200 km squares and this is located on national highway (NH) number four. Uluru location is hot climate area. Any body can reach on Uluru but this is full with danger small animals and bust.

Opera House: landmark located on Sydney city harbor. This was started to build from 1959 and completed built on 1973. This is a beautiful landmark which man made and now listed of the UNSCO heritage list. Daily hundreds foreign and domestic tourist come to visit this landmark. Who tourists come to Australia then opera and Sydney Bridge are first choice of tourists.

Sydney Bridge: Sydney Bridge is also a famous tourist place. This was started to build from 1922 and completed on 1932. Bridge was constructed by Dorman Long and Co Ltd Company. Sydney bridge joint to Sydney business center and city's other suburbs.

Uluru and opera are both Australia Tour landmarks. Uluru is a peace full landmark and location but opera house is very busy because opera house is located in Sydney harbor city so this is all year busies and most popular.

Sydney is most busy city of the country territory so all famous Australia Hotels are located here and also provide online booking services.

Kickin' it Around the Kathmandu Valley

9-13 December 2010

As the saying goes, “Nepal, once is not enough.” We agree.

We have spent the past few days seeing the sights near Kathmandu, enjoying some great food, and relishing in the peace and quiet (yes, after India, we find Kathmandu quite peaceful).

The Kathmandu Valley is littered with World Heritage cultural sites. During our last visit last visit we were on a strict trekking diet and are now enjoying this different taste of Nepal. Our first stop was the magnificent Bodhnath Stupa-just a short taxi ride from the center of Kathmandu. Surrounded with shops, restaurants, and hotels the magnificent, white and gold Bodhnath Stupa towers over its surroundings. Each day thousands of Buddhist pilgrims visit Bodhnath to pray, walking clockwise around the stupa, fingering their prayer beads, burning juniper incense, prostrating themselves in prayer, spinning prayer wheels, or lighting butter lamps. We joined in the mass of pilgrims making their ritual rounds at Bodhnath and watched as the late afternoon sun bathed this remarkable centerpiece of Buddhist devotion.

In the 17^th century three rival city states ruled the Kathmandu Valley. Powerful kings built grand palaces and temples in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. Each of the town’s centers (all called Durbar Square) showcase similar architecture with intricate stone and wood carvings and grand palaces surrounding wide central squares.

Having already visited Kathmandu’s Durbar Square we set out first to Patan. Patan showcases a myriad of temples of similar appearance and a lively, bustling atmosphere. We wandered the streets and narrow alleyways observing vegetable and souvenir sellers, marveled at the intricate stone and wood carvings and enjoyed some people watching from one of the town’s many rooftop cafes.

From Patan, we made our way to Bhaktapur, widely regarded as the best-preserved of the valley’s medieval cities. Bhaktapur is a wonderful place to explore. In contrast to both Patan and Kathmandu, where you spend half of your time dodging speeding taxis and motorcycles, much of Bhaktapur is closed to vehicle traffic. Here, you are free to roam backstreets, squares, and alleys-all of which are relatively free of traffic.

The architecture of Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square is roughly similar to Patan and Kathmandu, but upon closer inspection the place is truly unique-children hide your eyes. Several of the temples feature detailed carvings of men and women (sometimes many of them) engaged in creative erotic acts. In one famous carving, a woman multi-tasks by washing her hair while, well…Also, Bhaktapur’s erotic carvings are not restricted to humans alone. The Erotic Elephant Temple showcases carvings of elephants and sheep and lions doing what the birds and bees do. What an interesting place!

Wandering around Bhaktapur we stumbled upon dozens of shrines and temples devoted to various Hindu Gods. Fruit and vegetable sellers line the streets next to merchants peddling beads, paintings, and metalwork next to momo (like potstickers) wallahs cooking delicious Tibetan dumplings, clouds of steam wafting into the cool Himalayan winter air. One afternoon we wandered to Potters Square, and watched pottery being thrown on foot pedaled wheels.

The pottery is left in the sun to dry before being layered with straw in huge piles and fired for several days. The same afternoon we stumbled upon the Taduchen Bahal Monastery, with carvings depicting scenes of torture. In medieval times Bhaktapur’s residents would be well advised to be on good behavior and avoid having their teeth pulled, being strangled by a snake or their head rammed (by rams, of course). Bhaktapur is a quirky, beautiful, and a relaxing place.

Tomorrow we head west to Pokhara, Nepal’s third largest city-perched on the shore of Phewa Lake and below the Annapurna mountain range. During the next couple of weeks we will partake in 10 days of yoga and meditation (Ommmmm) and spend the New Year trekking below some of the world’s highest peaks.

We wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season!

life in tokyo

Hortensia: Fraponese Treat in Tokyo

While people from all over the world usually go to Tokyo to indulge in Japanese cuisine (among other things), it is not a secret that the vibrant city is also home to little gems of restaurants offering other types of cuisine. And, believe it or not, you could get a sampling of decadent French-Japanese fusion in a cozy nook in Azabu-Juban – at the new restaurant Hortensia.
Featuring the creations of Chef Tetsuji Koga, there are countless reasons for anyone to pay a visit to the restaurant. For starters, Koga has already established a name for himself. He started out at the legendary Tableaux in Daikanyama, and then moved on to Restaurant J several years later. He then served as executive chef at Breeze of Tokyo in Marunouchi, where he really gained popularity. His reputation only skyrocketed further when he worked for Edition Koji Shimomura in Roppongi, which is of two-starred Michelin fame. Today, his fare can satisfy the most discerning of tastes at Hortensia.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and is surprisingly affordable. For only 4,750 yen (inclusive of tax), diners can choose four dishes from the menu. Whatever you feel like eating – appetizers, main courses, or desserts – you can pick out from the menu. Dinner is a bit pricier at 8,400 yen (inclusive of tax) and the choices have to be two appetizers, one fish dish, one meat dish, and one dessert.

After dinner, the whole place takes on a different character and transforms into a wine bar. They have a pretty decent wine list – what else can you expect from a French-inspired restaurant?

What gives Hortensia an edge is the skill and preferences of Chef Kogi, who incorporates local influences into his cooking. He also has a propensity for making use of seasonal ingredients, making sure that guests have something new to look forward to even after several visits. Delectable Fraponese cuisine is what awaits you when you pay Hortensia’s visit.

If you find yourself hankering for French cuisine while in Tokyo, make sure to head out to Hortensia:



Posted November 13th, 2010 by Maki | Comment (0)
The Most Famous Mountain In The World


Mt. Fuji is one of the symbols of Japan and at 3,776m it is the country’s highest mountain. Although it has lain dormant since 1707, it is still classified as an active volcano. Best viewed in winter or early morning when the air is clear, Fuji-san stands alone and is always a spectacular sight. It has been the subject of countless works of art, such as the ‘Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji‘, a series of (woodblock prints) by Hokusai. Many tourist spots have grown up around the mountain and many of those, such as Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka Prefecture, are famous simply because of their view of the mountain. People often predict the weather from the shape of the clouds hovering above the summit.

Fuji-san has long been regarded as sacred by some sects and climbing it started as a religious pilgrimage. The official season for climbing the mountain is July and August during which some 200,000 people make the pilgrimage, although these days mostly for fun. There is a saying that every Japanese should climb Mt. Fuji but only a fool climbs it twice. Certainly the time I ventured up the slopes the biggest problem wasn’t the steep climb but rather the rush-hour crowds of grandparents and kids determined to make progress slow for everyone. To be honest, with its surface of black volcanic sand and rock, the mountain is at its best from a distance but the view of the sunrise from the summit can make the climb worthwhile. The summit is around 20 degrees colder than the base so warm clothes are a must. There is a bus from Tokyo’s Shinjuku station to Go-gome (5th station) on the mountain (2 hours 30 minutes), from where it’s a 5km, 5-hour climb. There are several simple lodges along the way where you can get your climbing stick stamped and have a rest or a bite to eat. A 10pm start, allowing for the crowds and an occassional rest-stop, should see you at the summit in time for a memorable sunrise.

Posted August 19th, 2010 by geisha | Comment (1)
Feel Like A Japanese Olympics Experience?

olympic-rings1If the Japanese government has its way, then we just might be treated to such an experience in about 6 years’ time! The news is that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the new Prime Minister of Japan, is pushing for Japan’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is holding a meeting in Copenhagen this week, and the Prime Minister’s spokesman announced that Hatoyama will be actively pushing for their bid.

The current contenders for the position of host for the 2016 Summer Olympics are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. The voting will be done on Friday by roundabouts 100 members of the IOC. As of now, not one of the cities has emerged as a clear favorite. As such, they are all doing their best to come up with the most attractive bid in an effort to get the votes from the IOC members.

So what’s Japan’s plan? The tagline is to host the “most compact, ecologically friendly, and athletes-focused� Olympics in history. It seems that the ecologically friendly aspect is the strongest point of Tokyo’s bid, with the Prime Minister promising to drastically cut back on the country’s carbon emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. It is a very bold move, but I think that if any nation can do it, it is Japan.

An interesting piece of news: royalty and presidents (or the wife, in President Obama’s case) are going to Copenhagen to further their countries’ cause, but it seems that Crown Prince Naruhito is not going.

utah USA

None For Me, Please

When I came to this city, there were so many things new to me. 24 hour delis, bagels, ethnic foods other than Italian, tall buildings, subways, men who were openly gay, pizza by the slice, egg creams, Macy's and all the other icons I had seen on TV now come to life.

And prostitutes. This was a big curiosity for me and other friends. That women would openly flaunt their bodies and market their wares on the streets for all to behold. In the desolate area around the Lincoln Tunnel (shown in the photo), street walkers could be seen any evening, openly soliciting and discussing specifics and pricing.

Sex for money has now moved off the streets of the city. Targeted by the Guiliani administration and contained by Bloomberg, little can be found on the streets. I have been told there is some activity in Hunt's Point, Bronx and recently there has also been trafficking in child prostitution. But most activity has gone online to places like the erotic services on Craigslist, escort services websites, Facebook and Twitter.

In spite of having lived in a city where such services were readily available, I have never sought out the services of a prostitute. Even though New York City is extremely liberal and permissive, the idea of being with a woman, even a consenting adult, in such an act of intimacy for money has always been disturbing and not right to me and everyone I know. I never have forgotten the one scene in the film Klute where Jane Fonda plays a prostitute. While faking an orgasm and unbeknownst to the man she is with, she looks at her watch - the ultimate graphic depiction of the harsh reality of prostitution and the business of sex.

On the streets or online - neither arena has been a temptation. Nor have the transgressions of former New York governor Eliot Spitzer with Kristen served as any fuel for justifying this behavior. None for me, please ...

Everything is Going To Be Alright

I was surprised yesterday to hear two young coworkers in their 20s listening to and enjoying the holiday tunes of Bing Crosby. I commented on how there was an extraordinary soothing quality to his voice that just made you feel that no matter what, everything is going to be alright. At my family holiday gatherings, Christmas isn't Christmas without the White Christmas of Bing Crosby.

Whether you see New York City as a melting pot or a salad bowl, pluralism is the reality and tolerance is what holds it together. New York City is where you will find the world's largest public menorah, located in one of the most prime locations in the entire city - 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, just a few blocks from Rockefeller Center's national Christmas tree. In today's photos, the Christmas tree at the Washington Square arch (with views of the Empire State Building in the background) is just a short distance from a menorah also located in Washington Square Park.

On one hand, pluralism has become much more in the United States and in tandem with separation of church and state issues, it is not unreasonable to revisit the issues of public displays of religious symbols. Bing Crosby or not, we can't shut our eyes and sweep everything under the umbrella of the "holidays" or the "winter/holiday season" in an effort obfuscate the very divergent religious practices. Efforts are made to link Christianity and Judaism in an attempt to demonstrate that they are just two sides of the same coin.

On the other hand, as I wrote in Let's Have a Parade, celebration is part of the human condition and to become a curmudgeon during the holidays and dismiss the entire season as nothing but crass commercialism (or to aver how many of the symbols and customs that are associated with Christmas were originally syncretized from pre-Christian pagan festivals and traditions) does nothing to enliven and uplift the human spirit and spread proverbial love and joy throughout the land.

Managing religious pluralism is difficult. Even the Supreme Court of the United States was very divided in County of Allegheny v. ACLU, where the court considered the constitutionality of the annually recurring displays of a nativity scene (crèche) and a Hanukkah menorah, both placed outside the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I don't want to bury my head in the sand in an effort to oversimplify reality, be disrespectful and lump everyone together or paint the entire season one color. But for just a moment, please forgive me. I'm just going to relax, let Bing Crosby's voice wash over me and feel that everything is going to be alright :)

Jammin' in Jaisalmer

2-6 December 2010

You don’t just find yourself on a camel. You have to pay. When I originally read about camel safaris months before our departure, I proposed to Rachel that we partake in an 8 to 21 day camel safari. Her immediate response was “WTF”. And after eight minutes on a camel, twenty one minutes seemed like a lifetime. Rachel is always right (she wrote that).

We met up with our camels after an hour long jeep ride from Jaisalmer, the Golden City, though the Thar Desert near the Pakistani border. As we pulled up, the four camels rested peacefully in the hot sun, disinterested. They were acting like, well, camels.

We spent about 3 hours on our camels that afternoon. Our time between the humps alternated between crashing through desert scrub (camels just cannot be concerned with avoiding shrubbery), gazing at rolling sand dunes, yelling at Kevin’s camel, Charlie, to stop eating every plant in sight (“Charlie stop eating that”), enjoying the peace and quiet, and stretching our groin muscles to the near the point of rupture. We ate a simple dinner of potato curry, rice, and chapattis, and watched the sun go down over the dunes. The camel ride was a success.

Riding camels is one of the main activities to partake in outside of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer consists of a massive, golden-brown fort perched on a small hill overlooking a small, busy market town below. We decided to splurge and stayed in Hotel Suraj, located inside the fort. For the first time in India, our fortified location protected us from the constant street noise and blaring horns.

Our hotel rooms were located inside a haveli, basically a mansion built of stone and wood. It is a beautiful 500-year old building, and is owned and run by relatives of the original owners. When we gazed out our rooms our eyes met the fort’s walls (complete with a canon for protection) and an intricately carved Jain temple. There is something gratifying about staying in a fort and waking up each morning in a room that has barely changed for 5 centuries.

We spent the rest of our time in Jaisalmer wandering through narrow alleyways trying not to be gored by cows, browsing in the many, many handicraft shops, getting lost, eating good food (there is even a decent Italian restaurant), and visiting a couple of restored havelis, which charge admission. We were astounded to learn that one of the “restored” havelis was less well-preserved and beautiful than our home at Hotel Suraj. What a special place! Jaisalmer is a gem.

From Jaisalmer we embarked on a long, long 18-hour train ride back to Delhi. The contrast between Delhi and Jaisalmer is remarkable. After 2 mostly peaceful weeks in Rajasthan, Delhi (the traffic, noise, pollution, horrendous poverty, open drug use, and filth) was a shock. Most of you know that I am the kind of person that likes to go out and do things. For me a day without a nice long walk seems incomplete. In Delhi, all I wanted to do was stay in our hotel room. In fact, going outside didn’t even cross my mind.

The plan was for us to wish Kevin and Sarah a fond farewell and board another long (16-hour) train to the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges River. I woke up that morning with a really bad feeling about Varanasi. For some reason, I felt that we shouldn’t go. We were both feeling weary (and tired of India), so after some discussion we decided to change our plans and bought plane tickets back to Kathmandu, Nepal. Little did we know that had we taken that train to Varanasi we would have arrived just hours following a bombing which occurred very close to the hotel where were supposed to be staying. This cowardly act of terrorism injured dozens and claimed one life.

We are now back in Nepal (we love Nepal), and will spend the next few days exploring some of the sights in the Kathmandu Valley that we missed in our last visit. In December, the air is cool and clear here in Kathmandu, and many snow-capped Himalayan giants are visible in the distance. Nepal seems like a nice place to spend the rest of 2010 and ring in the New Year.

Ultimate Dream Machine

Flying has always been a metaphor for me. In Umbrella and Chevy, I told of my childhood passion reaching the point where I resorted to jumping off my family's Chevy with an umbrella, hoping for an uplifting experience, but only getting a slower descent. Later in life I did take a few flying lessons, but helicopters remained the impossible dream.

The helicopter is the ultimate vehicle of transport - they are the most versatile vehicles in existence, giving complete access to three-dimensional space. They can fly virtually anywhere and can hover. However, there is a price to pay. These machines are very complex, difficult to fly, noisy and require constant maintenance. It is possible for these aircraft to even vibrate themselves apart. In short, they are man's triumph of brute force over nature. And expensive for all concerned.

I was only in a helicopter once in Hawaii for a brief flight into the Kalalau Valley on the Island of Kauai. This was the ultimate adventure for the tropics lover - a pristine area of an extraordinary island in the Pacific accessed by man's ultimate vehicle. The trip was short and expensive, but exhilarating. The cliffs of the Na Pali coast on the north shore of Kauai are one of the world's most beautiful natural spectacles. The only surprise and disappointment was the incredible noise. Hearing protective headsets were given to us at the beginning of the flight.

So what better method of exodus and entrance to the crowded New York City metropolis than by helicopter, the only vehicle that can go from any point outside the city to the heart of Manhattan itself without suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous traffic? I once heard Bill Gates speak in Manhattan. As we waited his arrival, we were informed he was being delivered via helicopter. Other major VIPs such as Donald Trump and the mayor are well known for their use of helicopters, the ultimate transportation luxury. When the Concorde was flying into New York City, the flight included transport to and from the airport via helicopter.

I journeyed to the VIP Heliport with a friend who is the only person I know who has traveled into the city by helicopter. I made a special trip specifically to 30th Street and the Hudson River for this story. Apart from the greenway along the Hudson River, it is rare that anyone would be this far west in this part of the city.

At times, in spite of my love for this city, I do get island fever and the island of Manhattan feels like a prison of sorts. At those times, in spite of noise, vibration and danger of being in a complex contraption built by men using brute force over nature, I still fantasize about being picked up on the roof of my building and swept away in the ultimate dream machine :)

Afraid of Snakes

If you have read my story Jungle Lovers, you know how I feel about the importance of guidance and influence of children and how disappointing my own experience was growing up in a blue-collar town where New York City was feared likes snakes are and the streets were riddled with pitfalls every step of the way and con men could be found around every corner.

I do not regret moving to New York City and I have not fallen into any pits that were too difficult to climb out of and vistas like that in today's photo are in fact what I have more often seen around many corners. And I like snakes.

Icons like the Empire State and Chrysler buildings are visible from nearly everywhere. From 1931 until 1972, the Empire State Building was the tallest in the world. Although no longer the tallest building even in the United States, the Art Deco skyscraper still has icon status and is a metaphor for TALL (it is now the 3rd tallest in the USA and 15th in the world).

After a time, any resident or visitor to the city can become inured to the vistas and architecture of New York. However, along with the people, the structures of the city define our metropolis. Interest in architecture itself is often eclipsed by the dynamism of New York's many other attractions - restaurants, shops, clubs, bars, theater, parks, festivals and street life. So, it was very uplifting to see this school playground in Chelsea where models of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings are connected by bridges, decks, ladders and slides and serve as part of the school's outdoor recreation area.

This children's playground becomes a place to develop a familiarity with and appreciation of the architectural icons of New York City. And to learn that at least in this jungle, if you're careful, there is no reason to be Afraid of Snakes :)

10 Most Beautiful Tourist Destination in Indonesia


State of the Republic of Indonesia beloved Islands, famous for its natural beauty. In fact, because "I was so beautiful and fertile" a song from Shania Twain has ever mengabadikannya "People say our land Heaven land, sticks and stones so the plant."




Once the natural wealth of this nation. How wonderful panorama of this beloved country. With dicetuskannya Visit Indonesia 2008, 10 Most Beautiful Tourist Destination In Indonesia, which was released by one of http://www.metrotvnews.com/ will be very interesting sovereign, when we examine the joint, therefore let us see the list of Area Tourism Thing In Indonesia the following:


1. Kuta Beach Bali

a tourist spot located in the south of Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Indonesia. Kuta is located in Badung regency.

Kuta Beach

This area is a tourist destination which is very famous abroad. In Kuta itself there are many shops, restaurants and a bath and drying herself. Kuta Beach is often referred to as Sunset Beach or the beach sunset as opposed to the Sanur beach. Field I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport is located not far from Kuta.

According to a source, said first beach is known as a dumping ground for lepers and the hobby orang2 inhabited by the same black magic. regardless of whether or not the news, which obviously this place cur rarely quiet.



2. Lake Toba & P. Samosir


a volcanic lake with a size of 100km x 30km area in North Sumatra, Sumatra, Indonesia. In the middle of this lake there is a volcanic island called Pulau Samosir.

The view of Lake Toba

Lake Toba has long become an important tourist destination in North Sumatra in addition to Bukit Lawang and Nias, attract domestic and foreign tourists.




3. Candi Borobudur Magelang




a Buddhist temple located at Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java. The location of the temple is approximately 100 km southwest of Hyderabad and 40 km northwest of Yogyakarta. This temple was founded by the followers of Mahayana Buddhism around the year 800 AD during the reign of the dynasty dynasty.



4. Senggigi Beach Lombok



famous tourist places in Lombok. Located on the west coast of Lombok Island. Senggigi Beach is not at Kuta Beach in Bali, but once we were here will feel like staying in Kuta Beach, Bali. Coastal beaches are still beautiful, although it is still littered with garbage foliage because rarely cleaned. Very beautiful underwater scenery, and tourists can do as much snorkeling as the waves are not too big. Coral reefs towering ketengah cause large waves breaking in the middle. There are also hotels with prices ranging from expensive to economical hotel is worthwhile.



5. Bunaken National Park



an area of 8.08 km ² island in the Bay of Manado, located on the northern island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

This island is part of the city of Manado, the provincial capital of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Around the island there Bunaken Bunaken marine park which is part of Manado Tua Marine National Park. This marine park has a marine biodiversity one of the highest in the world. Scuba diving attracts many visitors to the island. Overall Bunaken marine park covers an area of 75,265 hectares with five islands within it, namely the island of Manado Tua, Bunaken Island, Island Siladen, Mantehage Island follows several children his island, and island Naen. Although covering an area of 75,265 hectares, the location of the dive (diving) is limited in each of the five beaches that surround the island.




6. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol



ebuah tourist attraction in North Jakarta. In 2006, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol changed its name to Ancol Jakarta Bay City.

As a tourist area, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol turned out to have stood since the 17th century. At that time, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Adriaan Valckenier, has a very lovely cottage by the beach. Over time, the area was later developed into tourist attractions.




7. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah



The idea of building a miniature which includes completeness of Indonesia with everything in it is triggered by the First Lady, Siti Hartinah, better known as Ibu Tien Soeharto.



8. Parangtritis



a place of tourism in the form of the Indian Ocean coastal beaches are located approximately 25 kilometers south of Yogyakarta city.

Parangtritis is a fairly well-known tourist attraction in Yogyakarta, in addition to other objects such as Samas beach, Baron, Kukup Krakal and Glagah Beach. Parangtritis has unique views that are not on other tourist attractions are in addition to large waves, also the mountain - the mountain of sand that frequency at the surrounding beaches, mountains of sand is usually called dunes.



9. Pangandaran Beach Beautiful



dalah one tourist beach in West Java. This beach is located in the Village Pananjung, District Pangandaran with a distance of ± 92 km south of the city Ciamis. Some features of this beach are:

* Able to see the sunrise and sunsets from the same place
* Sloping beach with clear water and the distance between the ups and downs are relatively long to allow us to swim safely
* There are beaches with white sand
* There are rescue teams coastal tourism
* The road is paved smooth environment with adequate street lighting
* There is a marine park with fish and marine life is fascinating. Etc.



10. Mount Tangkuban Perahu



is one of the mountain located in the province of West Java, Indonesia. About 20 km to the north of the city of Bandung, with a lush carpet of pine trees and nearby tea gardens, mountain Tangkuban Parahu have as high as 2084 meters altitude.


State of the Republic of Indonesia beloved Islands, famous for its natural beauty. In fact, because "I was so beautiful and fertile" a song from Shania Twain has ever mengabadikannya "People say our land Heaven land, sticks and stones so the plant."



Once the natural wealth of this nation. How wonderful panorama of this beloved country. With dicetuskannya Visit Indonesia 2008, 10 Most Beautiful Tourist Destination In Indonesia, which was released by one of http://www.metrotvnews.com/ will be very interesting sovereign, when we examine the joint, therefore let us see the list of Area Tourism Thing In Indonesia the following:

Hanging Around

When I was in grade school, I became intrigued with the hangman's noose. It was easy to get the attention of fellow classmates presenting such a macabre artifact. It is extremely simple to tie but its very nature would keep most from even trying. Who would learn to make such a thing and why?

The entire subject of hanging is fascinating to some and its lure perplexing to others. The facts of hanging, its history, tools, technology and the anatomical and biological aspects of the condemned are all mired in speculation, exaggeration, mystery, misinformation and urban myths. The acquaintance I wrote about in my story Power, once claimed he had the hangman's formula - a supposed equation for calculation of rope length based on a person's body weight. In fact, such a thing does exist as the British Table of drops. The original table of the "Long Drop" or measured drop was worked out by William Marwood in 1872. A revised table was issued in 1913. In is still in use by a few countries to this day. You can read more and see the tables here.

The best case in point regarding the interest in hanging in New York City is the Hangman's Elm located in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park which stands 110 feet tall. In 1989, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation determined that this massive English Elm dates back to 1679, making it over 330 years old and the oldest known tree in Manhattan.

It is still unclear how many, if any, individuals were hung from this elm in public executions which did occur in a nearby gallows - the only recorded execution was of Rose Butler, in 1820, for arson. An article in the New York Times sees some hangings there as likely but other sources cite it all as urban mythology. But the fascination with hanging still exists and the belief that this elm was used for hanging persists. It all makes for a great sound bite or tour factoid, giving the neighborhood just that much more historical color.

I have the privilege of seeing this tree from my home daily and much like the cat who brings home the dead mouse as a macabre gift for its owner, I offer my fellow readers this story and photo of the Hangman's Elm. Whether it's a tree, a noose or the Long Drop table, the fascination with this style of execution just keeps hanging around ...

culture Jawa Timur Daerah Jatim

Culture East Java East Java Regional Culture - Many interesting things from art and culture located in East Java province. Many unique art that was characteristic of the culture contained in the East Java region.

Province in the eastern part of Java island has many unique, such as culture and customs of East Java. But many in the conduction of East Java culture is influenced by the province of Central Java. For example the area known as Mataraman. This indicates that the area was once the region's territory of the Sultanate of Mataram. The site is located at the former Madison Residency (Madison, Ngawi, Magetan, Ponorogo, Pacitan), ex-residency of Kediri (Kediri, Tulungagung, Blitar, Psychology) and partially Bojonegoro.

Just as in the provinces of Central Java, wayang kulit and ketoprak art is also very popular in this region. But unfortunately, need considerable effort to maintain both the arts in order not to forget by the next generation. In terms of cultural life of rural communities in East Java, almost the same as those found in Central Java. The lives of everyday people have a bond based on friendship and territorial. Some kesamman Among the existence of various kinds of ceremonies held by the public as the ceremonial event tingkepan seven months of gestation for the first child, babaran the ceremony before the birth of the baby, the day sepasaran the ceremony after the baby was five days, pitonan the ceremony after the baby is old seven months.


In the case of marriage most people in East Java marital embrace monogamy. Before the application process, from the party men to do the show nako'ake is asking if the girl already has a prospective husband, only then do peningsetan or application.

Areas in East Java has a number of distinctive artistry. Ludruk is one example of art originating from East Java and is quite famous. Ludruk is an art stage that generally played by men. Ludruk art tells the story of everyday life of common people and often spiced with humor and social criticism, and generally opened with Dance Remo and parikan. Currently ludruk traditional group

One kebudaan which is also very popular in eastern Java is Reog derived from Roxburgh. Because of this reog art knick in claims as its own patented malaysia so since 2001. Arts reog Ponorogo now also become icons of art originating from East Java.


While the art of traditional dance in East Java can be grouped in the middle of Java style, style Timuran Java, Javanese dance styles Osing, and Madura-style queue. Classical dance originating from East Java province, among others gambyong dance, dance Srimpi, dance bondan, and wanderer.

Match Results Boxing Chris John vs. Fernando Saucedo

Match Results Boxing Chris John vs. Fernando Saucedo Chris John Wayne Absolute - Boxers are Indonesia, Chris John successfully defended the world title for the WBA featherweight. In boxing pertandngan Chris John wins the absolute numbers of his opponent Fernando Saucedo.

Boxer Chris John is nicknamed "The Dragon" in the match day week 5 December 2010 to win the absolute numbers of his opponent, Fernando Saucedo.

Duel is a game that to Chris John-13, to defend his title is Super Champion.

At the beginning of the beginning of the first round, both fighters seemed to just explore the power of his opponent. But in the last 15 seconds in round one, seems to last a very exciting duel for the right hook jaw Menghujam Chris John precise opposite, Saucedo.

In the second round, seen Chris John appears more aggressive and broke through the double cover of Saucedo. Several times Chris John's right hook and landed badly on his left to face his opponent, but apparently the challenger Saucedo still can survive until the bell rang.

And In the last two rounds, the effort Chris John to continue to attack his opponent for a knockout victory, as promised by Chris John, but darling, the pride of Indonesian boxer Chris John had to be content with the victory of absolute numbers.

CULTURE Nasional Indonesia Budaya Unik

Regional Culture National Indonesia - The Indonesian cultural diversity and understanding of national culture of Indonesia. Traditional house, dance, song, art, typical food, traditional clothing area.

Know the local culture means knowing the national cultural treasures or anything related to aspects of community life in all provinces in Indonesia. Indonesia has many province and every local levels in all regions there are cultural characteristics that are not the same.

While familiar with the national culture is covering the whole culture that is recognized as a national identity that includes the traditional houses in every province in Indonesia, local dances, songs, musical instruments, clothing, regional foods and traditional arts from all the provinces of Indonesia.

Irfan Bachdim Foto Profile Melesat Di Twitter

Irfan Bachdim an Indonesian soccer player is able to attract public attention thanks to its action on the ground in the arena Aff 2010. Even a top topic on twitter. Get to know more about Irfan Profile Bachdim a soccer player who comes from the descendants Beland.

Irfan Bachdim adalah seorang pemain sepak bola Indonesia keturunan Belanda. Tempat kelahiran Irfan Bachdim di Amsterdam Belanda pada tanggal 11 Agustus 1988. Saat ini Irfan Bachdim memperkuat Tim Persema Malang di ajang Liga Super Indonesia. Irfan Bachdim direkrut oleh Pelatih Persema Timo Scheunemann bersama Kim Jefri Kurniawan. Pelatih Persema Malang tersebut "jatuh Cinta" pada waktu Irfan dan para pemain muda berbakat Indonesia yang lainnya ikut bermain di laga amal untuk tokoh sepakbola Lucky Acub Zaenal di Stadion Gajayana, Malang. Pada Bulan Juli tahun 2009 Irfan Bachdim ditransfer tanpa biaya ke klub HFC Haarlem.

Irfan Bachdim merupakan salah seorang pemain sepak bola yang memiliki kelebihan bisa menempati berbagai posisi, Irfan Bachdim dapat menempati posisi striker, gelandang maupun sayap. Kiprah pemain keturunan Belanda ini mengikuti jejak ayahnya yang bernama Noval Bachdim yang pernah sebagai pemain Persema Malang pada tahun 80-an. Saat ini keluarga besar dari ayahnya masih tinggal di Lawang, Kabupaten Malang.

Nama lengkap Irfan Haarys Bachdim

Tanggal lahir 11 Agustus 1988

Tempat lahir Amsterdam, Belanda

Tinggi 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)

Posisi bermain Gelandang, Striker

Informasi klub

Klub saat ini Persema Malang

Nomor 10

Klub junior

Tahun 1999-2001 di Ajax Amsterdam

Tahun 2002 SV Argon

tahun 2003-2007 FC Utrecht

Klub senior1

Tahun 2008-2009 FC Utrecht

tahun 2009 HFC Haarlem

2010 Persema Malang

Tim nasional2

Tahun 2010

What do lakes, auto-rickshaws, and James Bond have in common?

28 November- 1 December 2010

Udiapur is India’s most romantic city. Situated on a lake, it is known
as “the Venice of India” and its claim to fame is the James Bond film
“Octopussy”. Curiously enough, watching the film projected on a wall
at a restaurant we came to realize that the streets of Udiapur haven’t
changed much, from its auto-rickshaws to it’s to its meandering cows,
since the 1960’s. From our breakfast table on our hotel’s rooftop, far
off palaces, elaborate Rajasthani architecture, and local flavor are
all on display from a seat high above the hustle and bustle of the
street below.


The palaces in and around Udiapur were constructed at the whim and
desire of the maharajahs; the city palace for winter, the monsoon
palace for monsoon season, and the water palace- which appeared to
float on the lake- for parties, of course. And from our short visit it
certainly appeared as though it was always party season in Udiapur.
Wedding parties were continually stopping traffic to dance, sing, and
light off fireworks (some that are so powerful the blast could be felt
from twenty feet away ) in the middle of the street and were followed
by a somber bride or groom in a horse drawn carriage or gleaming white
horse.


We took a break from our voyeurism, wandering, and shopping to go on a
city tour via auto-rickshaw. Our driver took us to various gardens and
view points, a local vegetable market that made my mouth water for the
fresh vegetables that I know would make me sick, and a tea and spice
market that made us want to learn to cook authentic Indian dishes. At
the end of the day we visited a place called Ahar, dozens of cenotaphs
(similar to mausoleums) of past maharajahs and their families. The
spot appeared abandoned and forgotten, with only faint paths through
the overgrown grass winding through the cenotaphs and an abandoned car
just inside the gate. Practically deserted, we explored the towering
cenotaphs, marveling at the seemingly forgotten marble relics,
startling a large flock of pigeons, and enjoying a quiet that is truly
rare in India.


After a few days, we made a day trip to Kumbalgarth fort and Ranakpur
Jain temple on our way to Jodhpur and Jaislamier. Both places were
well worth the long day in the car and were situated amongst rolling
desert hills, still green from the recent record breaking monsoon
season. Kumbalgarth was stunning. The views from the wood carved
windows and rooftops were amazing, despite the ever present smog. I
think we’ve all come to the conclusion that we love forts. There is a
self-indulgent joy in the act of finding your way through the passages
and interconnected rooms of Indian palace forts.


The Jain temple, a huge intricately carved marble structure with row
after row of beautifully carved marble columns, was less of an
adventure but more of an awe inspiring sight. Within one of the many
passages growing out of the marble is a 500 year old tree, struggling
to survive. The serenity of the temple seemed inherent to the marble
itself. The Jain religious group is a sect of Hindi that takes the
“do no harm” saying to an extreme. Jainists are rumored to not even
sit or walk on grass because it might harm the plants and won’t eat
food that hasn’t died of natural causes (including plants). If this
religion ever goes mainstream (and it likely will not since it is
considered a waning religious group), I don’t think that Jain cuisine
will be very popular. In fact, I actually have no idea what they eat
and haven’t bothered to Google it.


As we sped tensely along the highway towards Jodhpur, where we would
spend the night and catch a train to Jaisalmier early the next day, we
all learned why the roads in India are dangerous. Large trucks who
don’t bother to turn their lights on at night, crazy motorists who
pass and honk furiously in hopes of slowing down the oncoming traffic,
merging seconds before a lethal collision, a million near misses, and
pedestrians marching through the darkness. During this white knuckle
journey I could not help but think with sadness and regret of my
friend Ajeet who lost his life on roads of India this past summer.
Please drive safely everyone.


We arrived in Jodhpur late and tired but relieved to be out of a car
and happy to wake up at 4:30am the next day to catch a train (no more
car rides) to Jaislimier. After a 5.5 hour, dusty ride in the Sleeper
class (where the locals sit), we rolled into the ancient
walled city of Jaislimier. We were immediately transfixed by the
winding pathway to our guest house, a haveli (mansion) built over 500
years ago. Camel rides, ancient palaces, and desert sand dunes here we
come!!!