Oct19
Published by Asya in Asia, Chillin, Hotels, Relaxing, Romantic, Sri Lanka

Casa Colombo, Sri Lanka is an extremely stylish boutique hotel that blends a contemporary designer style with the charms of a magnificent 200 year-old Moorish mansion. The mansion is adorned with acres of original Indian intricate mosaic floors, carved arches, molded ceilings, elaborate columns and arches and ornate balconies, and is one of the few remaining treasures of its era.
Continue reading Casa Colombo, Sri Lanka
Jun10
Published by misha in Bhutan, China, Cruise, Flying, New Zealand, Parks, Photos, Sri Lanka, Travel Stories

This is the south-western coast of Sri Lanka (26th December 2004). In this picture we can see the ocean rapidly retreats 400 metres, just 5 minutes prior to the arrival of a devastating tsunami.
Continue reading Extraordinary Images Of Earth
May11
Published by misha in Adventure, Africa, Camping, Eating, Fishing, Malawi, Parks, Photos, Restaurants, Safaris, Sightseeings, Travel Stories

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa, also emerged as Nyasaland. Behind the shores of lake Malawi known for boutique eco-resorts and rich international tourists is another Malawi with green hills, tea plantations, high mountains and game parks free of safari jeep traffic jams. The country covering about 400 miles in total and every traveler will find an extraordinary experience.
Continue reading Another Malawi
Jul22
Published by Asya in Adventure, Asia, Climbing, Cultural, History, Sri Lanka, UNESCO
Sigiriya is a major archaeological site in North Central Sri Lanka. At Sigiriya we find the ruins of an ancient palace complex built during the reign of King Kasyapa. It has been ascribed by UNESCO as one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. Probably the most recognizable feature in Sri Lanka is the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya. Originally built in 477 A.D. as an impregnable fortress and palace, Sigiriya was later used as a monastic refuge in the 16th and 17th centuries. The rock dramatically rises 200 meters above the surrounding plains and it is a wonder to imagine how they managed to carry up the materials necessary for its construction. At the base lies the remains of the royal rock and water gardens in what once was the lush pleasure gardens of the royalty. The most significant feature of the Rock would have been the Lion staircase leading to the palace garden on the summit. Lion staircase leading to the palace garden on the summit of Sigiriya Rock. Based on the ideas described in some of the graffiti, this Lion staircase could be visualised as a gigantic figure towering majestically against the granite cliff, facing north, bright coloured, and awe-inspiring. Built in the 5 century AC this magnificent complex of geometrically laid gardens, pools, fountains (still working today) as well as oldest surviving murals of maidens has been a palace of the King Kasyapa.
Continue reading Sigiriya – The 8th wonder of the World
Nov09
Published by vanhal in ACTIVITIES, Arts, Asia, CONTINENTS, COUNTRIES, Chillin, Hotels, India, Monuments, Museums, Praying, Relaxing, Sightseeings, Travel Stories, Travel gear, Videos
The Taj Mahal, the most magnificent tribute to love and beauty and one of man’s proudest creations, is easily the most identified image to be associated with India. Built between 1631 and 1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, this fairytale like marvel took twenty two years and the labor of twenty thousand workmen employed on it daily for its completion. The intensity of the Emperor’s love is carved in white marble as the most beautiful and wondrous expression of love ever.
Standing tall and gracefully in its glory and splendor, the beauty of Tajmahal can be discovered and rediscovered time after time for it not only changes color according to the time of the day but also with every change in the season.
The splendid Tajmahal sparkles like a jewel on a starlit night as the semi-precious inlaid stones reflect the glow of moon. However, it is on a full moon night that silver brilliance of the Taj Mahal becomes evident. Dawn and dusk to flirt with the radiance of the Taj Mahal as it responds to the blush of the skies. The sight is indeed mesmerizing to the visitor.
Continue reading The Taj Mahal Agra is a vivid poetry in Marble. A marvellous piece of Pietra Dura.
Oct26
Published by nerdeff in ACTIVITIES, Asia, Burma (Myanmar), CONTINENTS, COUNTRIES, Camping, Chillin, Climbing, Monuments, Museums, Photos, Praying, Relaxing, TOPICS, Travel Stories
Bagan, formerly Pagan, formally titled Arimaddanapura (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Myanmar. It is located in the dry central plains of the country, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, 145 kilometres (90 miles) southwest of Mandalay.
The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles. The majority of its buildings were built in the 1000s to 1200s, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire.
It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 A.D that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of Anawrahta.
Continue reading Bagan Buddhist Temples and Pagodas in Myanmar
Oct06
Published by vanhal in Asia, Camping, Chillin, Eating, Fishing, Hotels, Monuments, Photos, Relaxing, Restaurants, Scuba Diving, Sightseeings, Sri Lanka, Swimming

For a small island, Sri Lanka has garnered a lot of names – Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient – an accumulation which reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of affection which it has evoked in visitors.For centuries it seduced travellers, who returned home with enchanting images of a languorous tropical isle of such deep spirituality and serenity that it entered the Western imagination as a Tahiti of the East.
Continue reading The Spirit of Sri Lanka