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159 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - January,February,March,April,May,June,October,November,December
Once known as Shyamala, synonymous with Goddess Kali, Shimla has been a summer retreat long before India even gained independence. This famous hill station similarly has a lot of places and things to see untouched by time. For instance, take a vintage joy ride from Kalka station to Shimla in a charming toy train that will take you through towering Deodars, hills and villages. Shimla truly comes alive during winters when a blanket of snow covers it all over making every nook and corner gleam and glisten. One such place is the ice skating rink (natural ice) near Lakkar Bazaar that opens from November to December. More winter sports include skiing, which can be enjoyed 21 km from Shimla in Kufri. Adventure activities such as rafting at Tattapani or a trek to Shali Tibba and Pabbar Valley are also worthwhile experiences. If you are fond of haunted stories and interested in having your own spooky adventure, you'll love Shimla. A lot of people including the renowned Rudyard Kippling (in 'My Own True Ghost Story) have written various eerie stories set around Shimla. A place known most for giving many people the jeepers-creepers is the Charleville Mansion. Another time travelling portal is the antique bookstore, Marina Brothers, located on Mall Road, which is truly a reader and collector's paradise. There are many luxury and budget hotels here, meaning you'll never fall short of options. Popular places to eat include Wake & Bake, Ashiana, Cecil and Minchy's that serve commendable Indian and multi-cuisine dishes and delicious gourmet food.Read More
Places to Visit · Getaways · Hotels · Trips
sitting on the lap of mighty himalayan range, Shimla is a well known destination of northern India. It is easily accessible from national capital region and hence rest of India. It was the summer capital of british emperors which is quite easily visible in architecture at each and every corner of this hill city. Capital city of northern Indian state Himachal Pradesh, is a popular summer destination., however hills unveil different colors during different seasons. I visited the place in summer when it was crowded, hot and looked more brown than white or green. On the other hand in February, hills became animated. It was covered with sheets of snow, roads were deserted and air was mist and cold. It was an entirely different place, which was more themed and composed.
Day 2 (Shimla- Peo)•Got little confused on places to visit next. Decided to do "Shimla darshan" for the day and figure out the bus timings and best route meanwhile.•Visited the infamous Mall Road and did a small trek to Jakhu Temple with a huge Lord Hanuman's sculpture. On the way down, visited Christ Church and Kali Bari Temple. Trust me, we are not that much of god-believing persons, but Shimla didn't have much to offer in terms of travel.•Being a tea lover, "Pahadi Chai" at "Café Under Tree" at the mountain top compensated for lack of travelling spots.•Went to "Central Perk" café (rings a bell?) super-excitedly, however, the excitement was short lived on finding out that "Central Perk" was just in the name, but nowhere in its theme. However, the food and service was good.•Took HP Ordinary bus to Reckong Peo. The Last Seats. Hell of a bumpy ride it was. Immediate fall in temperature after 5-6 hours of travel forced us to add layers of clothes on us. Two narrow bridges on the way made the journey far more exciting (as we survived :P).
Day 1 (Delhi to Simla)•AC Semi-Sleeper Volvo from Delhi to Simla. Kirti and I had a good chase for the bus (thanks to my laziness) and as usual, Chitraj was there for the rescue, holding the bus for us, updating us with smallest of its movement till the time we finally jumped our way into the bus.•Just 2 lines of a novel were sufficient for one of us to doze-off ;)•Had home-made food on the way•Reached Shimla New ISBT. Went to Old ISBT, as next day had to catch a bus from there to Peo•Started with hotel hunting and came across all the weird hotels, with shady appearance and surroundings. Finally, with much of uphill and downhill workout, found a decent last minute deal on goibibo for Hotel Sita Palace on Mall Road. A nice place but with weird water timings.
Begin your day with a stroll down the mall.The most visited and admired place is the Mall Road, the Ridge and the Christ Church which are all located in the vicinity. Though they offer a great view from the edges at all the times, it is recommended to spend sometime in the morning when it's less crowded and rather refreshing. It will help you in experiencing the prolific view from the ridge as the day begins.Take a guided tour in the splendid Viceregal Lodge
we had so much fun. we walked on the rail gauge. Shimla is famous for its Toy train. The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway in North India traveling along a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. (Source: Wiki)
Shimla was built on top of a total of seven different hills namely: Inverarm Hill, Observatory Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Bantony Hill, Elysium Hill and Jakhoo Hill. The highest point in Shimla is the Jakhoo hill, which is at a height of 2,454 metres (8,051 ft). Being the summer capital of British India, Shimla has some of the finest architectural heritage bestowed to it, and of course add to it the various splendors of nature, forests, waterfalls and glades.Our walk begins in the morning from The Christ church on the ridge and gradually progresses westwards, first towards The Gaiety Theatre and after the scandal point towards Bantony hill whose top is adorned by the Bantony castle built in 1880, while its lower slope houses the Catholic church. A little further ahead are the Grand hotel and the Kali Bari temple. Our walk continues past more architectural heritage structures like the unique railway board building, Gorton castle as we reach Inverarm hill which houses the State museum and a little ahead is the Observatory hill with the Viceregal Lodge, which housed the Viceroy in British times and now is established as The Indian institute of Advanced studies. Our walk finishes here.Distance 5kmsShimla Heritage Walk (Full Day) Shimla was built on top of a total of seven different hills namely: Inverarm Hill, Observatory Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Bantony Hill, Elysium Hill and Jakhoo Hill. The highest point in Shimla is the Jakhoo hill, which is at a height of 2,454 metres (8,051 ft). Being the summer capital of British India, Shimla has some of the finest architectural heritage bestowed to it, and of course add to it the various splendors of nature, forests, waterfalls and glades.Our walk begins in the morning from The Christ church on the ridge and gradually progresses westwards, first towards The Gaiety Theatre and after the scandal point towards Bantony hill whose top is adorned by the Bantony castle built in 1880, while its lower slope houses the Catholic church. A little further ahead are the Grand hotel and the Kali Bari temple. Our walk continues past more architectural heritage structures like the unique railway board building, Gorton castle as we reach Inverarm hill which houses the State museum and a little ahead is the Observatory hill with the Viceregal Lodge, which housed the Viceroy in British times and now is established as The Indian institute of Advanced studies. Our first half of the walk finishes here.Enjoy some tea and snacks at Viceregal lodge café and thereafter continue your walk through a thickly forested path to Summerhill which houses the Himachal University. We board our vehicle here and driving through meandering roads head for the Prospect hill, adorned with the temple of Kamna Devi on the top. After spending a while indulging in some Photography we board the vehicles again, and driving through Boileauganj, Cart road we make a dash for Annadale and visit the Army museum. Backtrack on the same road we drive through Victory tunnel and past Elesium hill which has The Auckland house school we reach Sanjauli from we drive uphill to Jakhoo hill which has a Hanuman temple dedicated to it at the top. From here we will descend, walking back to the ridge. Our walk finishes here.Distance Walking 7kms, Vehicle 30kmsTHE CATCHMENT SANCTUARY WALKCharabara in Shimla is surrounded on three sides by the magnificent Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, a 125 year old sanctuary that was established by the British as a reserved forest. The sanctuary was the initial source of water for Shimla, the water pumped to Shimla town through a series of steam pumps, reputed to be the first of their kind in the country. Today this pristine and undisturbed forest stretches across an area of 12 square kilometres and is considered by many as one of the wealthiest storehouses of Himalayan flora. This extremely dense forest is also the habitat for a vast variety of fauna, the most prominent being the Leopard. Although a sighting of this extremely human-shy and nocturnal animal is very rare, regular reports of droppings prove the existence of a large population within the sanctuary. The Himalayan Black Bear and the Brown Bear, Barking Deer, Goral, Jackal, Indian Red Fox, Striped Hyena and the Yellow-Throated Martin are some of the species of wildlife that thrive in the undisturbed forests of the sanctuary. A wide variety of bird and pheasant species can also be spotted in the lower altitude belts of the sanctuary, some of the more prominent ones being the Cheer, Koklas and Khaleej pheasants, the Himalayan Pied Woodpecker, the Great Himalayan Barbet and some sparklingly colorful minivets. A bifurcation penetrates deep into the sanctuary along a prominent ridgeline. Descend down to the Seyog Forest Rest House, a hundred year old lathe and plaster (Dhajji) structure located in the midst of this silent forest. The narrow trail undulates for an hour or more through one of the best-preserved forests in Asia. Cedars, Firs, Pines and Oaks jostle each other for space and the canopy-density at places prevents even the sunlight from peeping through to the forest floor. Droppings and pugmarks of the fauna are regular sightings along this trail and if ones luck holds out, a perky Barking Deer too might flash past in gay abandon. As one would guess, this is an excellent site for some bird-watching too.Our walk starts in the morning at 9:30 when our expert picks you up from your hotel and we drive to Dhalli, and further up to Charabara. A bifurcation penetrates deep into the sanctuary along a prominent ridgeline. Descend down to the Seyog Forest Rest House, a hundred year old lathe and plaster (Dhajji) structure located in the midst of this silent forest. The narrow trail undulates for an hour or more through one of the best-preserved forests in Asia. Cedars, Firs, Pines and Oaks jostle each other for space and the canopy-density at places prevents even the sunlight from peeping through to the forest floor. Droppings and pugmarks of the fauna are regular sightings along this trail and if ones luck holds out, a perky Barking Deer too might flash past in gay abandon. A well-deserved picnic lunch (be sure not to litter) at the ancient rest house can be followed by a stroll down to the man-made reservoir that collects water from across the sanctuary before supplying it to Shimla town. As one would guess, this is an excellent site for some bird-watching too. Our walk continues deeper into the sanctuary through a network of trails and we end it just short of Kufri at around 2:00PM.Drive back to hotel.Distance Walking 9kms, Vehicle 30kmsTHE SHALI TIBBA HIKEThe Shali Tibba (2867m) is the highest peak in the vicinity of Shimla. It is a magnificent isolated pinnacle with a Kali temple on the top. The ascent up to Shali is an ancient trail through dense pine forests and rolling alpine pastures. It is a steep and steady climb to the often mist enveloped peak. The peak commands an unforgettable view of endless snow covered ranges along with the Sutlej valley and the densely forested hills of Shimla, Fagu and Narkanda. For the avid photographer and nature lover, this one-day trek offers the experience of a lifetime.DETAILED ITINERARY:1) SHIMLA (2205 m)- MASHOBRA - KHATNOL (1850 m)...45 km.Depart Shimla at 6 A.M. by jeep. Breakfast at Mashobra, noted for its apple Orchards and thick woods of oak and pine. Proceed via Baldhea along a fascinating dirt track to Gulshaini, a tiny hamlet (1250 m) situated at the base of the peak. From Gulshaini it is a steady climb along a rough road till Khatnol, an isolated village perched amidst rolling fields. Here we park the jeep to start the ascent.2) KHATNOL - SHALI TIBBA (2867m)...5 km.Halt at the Khatnol Forest Rest House for a well-deserved break along with a sumptuous lunch. Begin the climb to Shali after a short rest. The landscape changes dramatically as we follow the ancient trail towards the peak. It is a three-hour climb at a leisurely pace with ample time to stand and stare at the surrounding magnificence and the imposing peak looming ahead. The final climb is a tough one and is amply rewarded by the breathtaking view from the top.3) SHALI TIBBA - KHATNOL - SHIMLAAfter a visit to the historic temple and a frenzied session of photography, we start the surprisingly quick descent down to Khatnol. One is back in the jeep by sunset to start the drive back to Shimla. Reach Shimla by late evening for a well-deserved and satisfying sleep with the memories of climbing the highest peak of the Shimla hills.Distance Walking 10kms, Vehicle 100kmsTHE MASHOBRA to SIPUR HIKEEarly morning drive from Shimla to the picturesque Mashobra valley which is mirrored by the tall Shali Peak (3200m). The route holds thick woods where practically every tree of the region grows - Himalayan Cedar (the almost legendary 'Deodar'), Spruce, Oak, Rhododendron, Horse-Chestnut, Birch and Pine. Depending on the time of year, a variety of wildflowers grace the hillsides - the rhododendrons flower a dark red in spring, summer has banks of roses, daises and buttercups, the monsoons speckle the luxuriant grass with lilies-of-the-valley and peonies. Through the year, flitting butterflies stab quick flashes of color. The trail crosses picture-perfect hamlets where the word 'time' seems to mean only the seasons and the passing years - and where life has followed a steady pace for centuries. Trace fast flowing streams, cross a 'sacred grove' whose majestic trees have stood undisturbed for centuries, watch village craftsmen at work, listen to legends that seem as old as the hills - and in a single day, take a lifetime's memory of some of the marvels that the lower Himalayas hold.Through woods of Himalayan Cedar and Spruce, the path to Seepur takes a steady dip down the valley. Past fields and orchards and wood and slate houses one arrives at the glade of Seepur - which the vicerene Lady Lytton called a "tea-cup shaped valley" and was popular for midnight picnics in the days of the Raj. Several slim streams fed by fresh-water springs nurture the soft grass of Seepur. The glade is held sacred to the local deity, Seep who 'visits' the spot at select times of year. Shaded by colossal Cedars, a delightful little temple built in the local style with stone and wood, rests on an edge. Smaller shrines merging with the woods are also there. This is the site of an annual fair held over the second weekend of April - and is a time for local matchmaking.From Seepur the decline eases out to the tiny village of Shali, which holds a dozen charmingly rustic structures - and is probably named in honour of the facing peak. Here, the hike-path that snakes along the hill holds a bifurcation, and along a mild incline the route takes a right. This also marks the end of the descent. The view on the facing hill has terraced fields and age-old villages. Along the narrow path, the only sounds one is likely to hear are of one's own breathing and the crunch of boots over scattered cones. The silence only punctuated by the song of a Himalayan Thrush or Barbet.After Shali comes the home of the deity Seep at Deothi. Local legend has it that the deity was brought with the erstwhile rulers of the Koti state - in whose former territories the hike lies - when they migrated here from Kutlehar, which lies north-west. The temple was first established in the village of Nehra. This tract was then ruled by mavis, local strongmen who wished to share in the worship of Seep. When this was refused, the mavis started desecrating the temple. 'Speaking' through his worshippers, Seep declared that he wanted to move from Nehra and a day would come when a long line of ants would march through the village and where they finally circled a mound, was where he wished to reside. The ants came and circled a mound in what is now the village of Deothi - and where Seep was ceremoniously installed. The identity of this local deity has steadily been merged with that of Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity. Styled as a tall gabled mushroom and belonging to an architectural genre unique to this part of the world, Seep's temple rests at the edge of a small spur and is surrounded by other structures that 'belong' to him - a storehouse, a pavilion and a room for folk musicians.Cameo appearances of pomegranate trees and tumbling streams that come close to becoming waterfalls, fresh water springs embellished with utilitarian stonework and a little bridge mark the passage to Mulkoti. Walls of shale and quartzite, now reduced to rubble, hold the remains of the little fort of the Raja of Koti where, centuries ago, the Koti rulers first established themselves. Today only the wooden gate and its brass knockers evoke the memory of their stay. The temple harks back to those days and is held in veneration as the seat of several local deities.Half an hour's climb from Mulkoti lies the village of Kanda and past this the path crosses the hamlets of Kanda, Ghayabo and Kaneer. The stretch is through terraced fields of assorted vegetables, corn and wheat. Blossom draped or fruit-laden orchards of apples, plums, apricots and peaches offset the fields. Every turn of the track exposes a fresh vista of the valley and the evergreen woods.The lunch stop is at Kanda, where one can take some time to see some local craftsmanship - and even supplement the meal with fresh fruits and salads selected from the fields and orchards.After Kaneer begins the sharp hour-long ascent to the century-old 'Dak bungalow', a rest house for travellers. The forests become more primeval and the Deodars, ferns and lichens seem to hold their secrets closer. With luck on ones side, one may encounter pheasants and several other birds and even deer, martens and flying squirrels. The area also has leopards, bears and snakes - but the possibility of sighting one is remote.The vehicle will be waiting to return one to the comfort of ones Hotel.Distance Walking 12kms,THE RETREAT HIKEThe hike begins from Charabara and ascends to the helipad located on an adjacent hillock. The initial path till the helipad is along a tarmac road that winds past the Punjab Raj Bhavan, a vestige from the days when Shimla was also the summer capital of Punjab. From the helipad, that commands a 360-degree view of Shimla and the Himalayan ranges, a footpath penetrates the surrounding forests and descends on to the Old Hindustan-Tibet Road, completed in 1853 by enterprising British engineers as an access route to Tibet. A short stroll along this ancient road, lined by apple orchards on one side, culminates at the school for handicapped children, a landmark from where the loop back towards the hotel begins. Here, in season, one can indulge in a frenzied apple-picking session that the various apple trees growing wild all around the school offer. The trail continues along a vintage cart track that once belonged to the Commissioner for the Hill States, a British officer whose residence was converted into the Presidential Retreat, the traditional summer vacation destination of the President of India. The path meanders till the Presidential Retreat through dense Oak groves that shade a rich undergrowth of ferns and a plethora of wild flowers. From the Retreat, a tarmac road leading back to Wildflower Hall offers magnificent views of the eternal snow-capped Great Himalayan Range and the Shali peak.Distance Walking 6kmsCYCLING THROUGH MASHOBRA AND RAFTING IN CHABBAShimla with its network of natural trails is a cyclist's delight. Cycling through forests and small villages and quaint hamlets; make cycling in Shimla an unforgettable experience. Our one day adventure here is our testimony to this sweet route comprising the best of activities in Shimla.The adventure further continues after cycling when we go Rafting on the Sutlej, the fastest flowing river in India.Our expert meets you at your hotel in the morning at 8:00AM and we drive to Mashobra.1. MASHOBRA to CHABBA (32kms)The route holds thick woods where practically every tree of the region grows - Himalayan Cedar (the almost legendary 'Deodar'), Spruce, Oak, Rhododendron, Horse-Chestnut, Birch and Pine. Depending on the time of year, a variety of wildflowers grace the hillsides - the rhododendrons flower a dark red in spring, summer has banks of roses, daises and buttercups, the monsoons speckle the luxuriant grass with lilies-of-the-valley and peonies. Through the year, flitting butterflies stab quick flashes of color. The trail crosses picture-perfect hamlets where the word 'time' seems to mean only the seasons and the passing years - and where life has followed a steady pace for centuries. Trace fast flowing streams, cross a 'sacred grove' whose majestic trees have stood undisturbed for centuries, watch village craftsmen at work, listen to legends that seem as old as the hills - and in a single day, take a lifetime's memory of some of the marvels that the lower Himalayas hold. We cycle past Mashobra and descend 16 kms to Thaila and a further 6km to Gumma, a thrilling 22kms downhill ride, thereafrer the road flattens out till basantpur 7kms and we descend again to Chabba. We finish the ride here.2. RAFTING SHORT STRETCH LOTI to CHABBA (Ideal for first timers, families. 7kms-45 minutes)After the ride finishes at Chabba we are transported to Loti on the Sutlej to indulge in Rafting. This is the small stretch ideal for beginners and families, of around 45mins. We finish the rafting and drive back to the hotel.3. RAFTING LONG STRETCH MALGI to CHABBA (Ideal for enthusiasts, 25kms-2.5 hrs)After the ride finishes at Chabba we are transported to Malgi on the Sutlej to indulge in Rafting. This is the long stretch ideal enthusiasts, of around 2.5hrs. We finish the rafting and drive back to the hotel and reach by early evening.Distance Cycling 32kms, Vehicle 140kmsCYCLING THROUGH MASHOBRA AND CRAIGNANOShimla with its network of natural trails is a cyclist's delight. Cycling through forests and small villages and quaint hamlets; make cycling in Shimla an unforgettable experience. Our day adventure here takes us past Shimla's stunning mountainscapes and some heritage trails.Our expert meets you at 8:00AM at your hotel and we drive to Kufri at 2400mts affording a wide open vista of the Himalayas. Kufri is also a famous winter destination for skiing. Our ride begins here on national highway 22, on which we ride for about 4kms, before descending on an offroad to join the Mashobra Baikhalty road 6kms downhill. The trail flattens out here and we are riding in a wonderful forest where you would only hear the chirping of the birds and swish of your tyres and the screech of your brakes. Past the villages of Dak Bungalow, Purani Koti, Mashobra is 14kms from here. We reach Mashobra bazaar and start ascending towards Craignano, past the estate of the erstwhile Faridkot royalty and first we reach Talai, an open meadow amidst a thick cedar forest. We savour on our picnic hamper here and continue the ride further past Craignano and the horticulture centre which is worth a visit. Descend to Koti and take the woody trail to Baldeyan, continuing further to reach the Golf course at Naldehra, Asia's highest and one of India's oldest Golf courses. The place is so enchanting that Lord Curzon gave his daughter Alexandra "Naldehra" as her middle name. We feast ourselves to snacks at the HPTDC run café here and finish the ride. If one is up for it, we would prod you on to ride back to Shimla.Distance Cycling 42kmsTHE HATU PEAK HIKE IN NARKANDAThe Hatu peak is the highest peak in the 2 hour vicinity of Shimla perched at 3100mts. Between January and mid April each year the peak is out of bounds because of the blanket of heavy snow it receives. A 7kms narrow Jeep road, meandering through the forest brings us to the top; from Narkanda, the gateway to the apple country of Himachal.Our hiking adventure today will find us driving to Narkanda early morning at 7:00AM and arriving in Narkanda at nearly 9:00 AM. After breakfast we will drive a short while from where the road narrows down and begin our hike through the thick forest. The beginning is a well defined trail and we are ascending through thick foliage, and spruce and cedar pine. Depending on the time of year, a variety of wildflowers grace the hillsides - the rhododendrons flower a dark red in spring, summer has banks of roses, daises and buttercups, the monsoons speckle the luxuriant grass with lilies-of-the-valley and peonies. Through the year, flitting butterflies stab quick flashes of color. After an hour of walking we reach out to an open meadow of Jhamunda, from where the climb steepens. There is no marked trail on this stretch so trust your field expert and take his towline. These thick forests are infested with Himalayan black bears. Another two hours later we are at Hatu top. Muse around and treat yourself to the scenic grandeur of the Himalayas a grand 360degrees view, stretching as far as the Sutlej valley below and the Uttarakhand Himalayas to the east. Seek blessings at the Hateshwari temple, the local deity, to whom a temple is dedicated here. Walk further to the meadows at Jaubagh and walk back to drive down the road to the junction. Instead of heading to Narkanda we proceed to the small lake of Tani Jubbar. Musings thereafter we drive back to Shimla.Distance Walking 12kmsCYCLING TO CHAIL – THE ROYALTY OF THE PATIALA KINGDOMChail at 2400mts, a notch above Shimla in elevation, was established by The Maharaja of Patiala during the British times, to teach the British a lesson after he was banned from visiting Shimla. So the Maharaj took to building his palace in Chail, slightly above Shimla to look down upon the British. The palace built in about 200 acres has sprawling lawns and is now a heritage hotel. Chail also boasts of the highest cricket ground in the world. In terms of flora and fauna, Chail has much to offer, extremely dense forest, the habitat for a vast variety of fauna, the most prominent being the Leopard. Although a sighting of this extremely human-shy and nocturnal animal is very rare, regular reports of droppings prove the existence of a large population within the sanctuary. The Himalayan Black Bear and the Brown Bear, Barking Deer, Goral, Jackal, Indian Red Fox, Striped Hyena and the Yellow-Throated Martin are some of the species of wildlife that thrive in the undisturbed forests of the sanctuary. A wide variety of bird and pheasant species can also be spotted in the lower altitude belts of the sanctuary, some of the more prominent ones being the Cheer, Koklas and Khaleej pheasants, the Himalayan Pied Woodpecker, the Great Himalayan Barbet and some sparklingly colorful minivets.Our ride will begin early with our expert meeting you at the hotel at 8:00AM. We drive to Kufri 14kms, from where we begin our ride. Riding a downhill first thing in the morning can be a thrilling experience; as you will find out. From here we follow the connecting road to Mundaghat, a small village on the main Kufri – Chail road; it is here we turn right, following the Bridle path, a small diversion from Mundaghat. Riding on the dirt track through a middle of an oak and pine forest can be a rewarding experience. The ride brings us to the village of Koti, known for its modern tourist resorts, from where Chail is another one hour ride on the Mountain bikes. We go around Chail for a short trip and thereafter sample the lunch waiting for us at the Palace Hotel. Some musings and thereafter we resume our ride on the excellent road with great views bringing us to janedghat from where a winding downhill of 27kms will bring us to Ashwani khud where we finish the ride. Back in the vehicles we drive uphill to Camp redwoods for tea and snacks, before heading back to the hotel.Distance Cycling 62kmsTHE ANANDPUR SADHUPUL CYCLINGShimla built on seven hills, is well connected with a good network of roads. In fact through these seven hills are roads at different elevations; connecting various parts of the hill town. So if there is Mall road on the top, there is lover bazaar below it and then the cart road followed by the recently done Shimla bypass and then the latest which was converted from a bridle path to a road The Mehli to Shoghi byepass road. Our ride today explores the lesser known Shimla through this erstwhile bridle path, cycle through a thick forest, through an exhilarating downhill, challenge us to a grueling uphill and then finish the ride amidst some water revelry at Sadhupul.Our expert meets you at your hotel at 8:00 AM and we drive via the Shimla byepass road to Mehli. This is where we unload the bikes from the support vehicle and start our ride. The first 7 kms are a breeze of good downhill riding, followed by a medium grade uphill of 4 kms, approaching Tara Devi temple. Another seven kms and we enter a forest and ride through the off-road trail to hit the bottom at Ashwini khud after 7kms. This is followed by a grueling climb of 3kms, from where we descend to Sadhupul at 9kms. Once at Sadhupul we enjoy our lunch by the riverside and thereafter drive back to Shimla via Kandaghat.Distance Cycling 42kms
Beware of the monkeys here as they are known to snatch away any free hanging objects from people. Try not to carry anything in your hands, just follow the path and don't pay attention to the etc. It can be visited any day because it remains open seven days a week and entry here is free of cost. Overall it's a lovely hill around Shimla with some amazing views.This post was originally published on Travel With Jha.
It was almost 24 hours since we packed our bags and drove from Delhi. From Delhi to Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Ambala, Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib, Nangal, Una where we had the tastiest 4 am tea, then Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Shimla, Thyog and Narkanda; From hot and humid to cold and dry. Shimla was crowded but eventually we were on our way towards Narkanda and onwards to Rampur, after being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for 2 hours, with every taxi or car aligned in a reclining position facing uphill. From the initiation of the NH5 itself, I started getting inexorable chills of thinking about the coming sceneries. The road was scooped out of giant Rocky Mountains, with hanging cliffs above.
we reached shimla hotel around 5 pm . Checked in at snow valley resorts.Very decent hotel for 2 nights stay . Good breakfast(complemetary) and overall good stay.
268 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - April,May,June,July,August,September,October
Gar firdaus ruhe zamin ast, Hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast. "If there is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here." This is how the Sufi mystic Amir Khusrow has described the Kashmir Valley, and Srinagar is at the heart of the valley. Smack in the middle of the city is the mighty Dal Lake, its placid water reflecting the vivid kaleidoscope of innumerous houseboats, shikaras (taxi-boats), and the snow-capped Pir Panjal range: a sight that will make your heart skip a beat. The city is home to the state-of-the-art Mughal Gardens, Shalimar Bagh and Nishant Bagh being the most famous of them. The gardens exhibit the Mughal taste of nature and the philosophy of disciplining nature rather than imitating it: fountain pools and canals, meticulously manicured hedges, and motley flowerbeds. Also known as the Kashmiri Venice, Srinagar is a place not to be missed by those seeking a tranquil refuge in the lap of the Himalayas.Read More
The next morning we had to leave around 4 to avoid the curfew in Srinagar and reach the airport to catch flight back to Mumbai. The journey had its ups and downs. Landed up being bruised but made memories and met few ppl to last a lifetime. *ONE REQUEST TO EVERY TRAVELER OR TOURIST IS THAT PLEASE PRESERVE MOTHER NATURE, AVOID USE OF PLASTIC OR TAKING IT TO THE BEAUTIFUL PARADISE. BIT BY BIT CONTRIBUTING WILL HELP A LOT TO PRESERVE "LADAKH"
JKTDC Cheshmashahi ResortThirty-second rundown: Located at one of the most picturesque destinations of India, the Cheshmashahi Resort in Srinagar offers a beautiful view of the mountains and a very homely experience. From the wonderful ambiance to the warm staff, this hotel will only make your Srinagar experience better.
It was a 9 day long trip.The best thing that happened to me was finding a homestay through AirBnb. It was cheap (700 INR for a day) and the house was clean. The house owner's name was Sabeel (young decent engineering guy). The moment we landed in Kashmir he took us for a free ride through the city and guided us about the place for the rest of our trip. To contact him, dial this no. (Mobile No.) I rented Sabeel's bike and roamed around Srinagar as I was running on a low budget and booking a cab might have left a huge dent on my pocket. Trust me Kashmir can be decently expensive trip.It was lunch time. I took the bike and went off to roam Lal Chowk and by the way I was staying near Dal Lake, at a place called Nawpura.Anyways, so I decided to dine in Mughal Darbar (quite famous at Lal Chowk) and did some shopping at Lal Chowk itself.By the evening I was roaming around Boulevard (Dal Lake), took a heartfelt view of Dal (it is beautiful indeed). The boulevard stretch goes by the shore of Dal Lake and you can visit famous Mughal Gardens while covering the shore.The first Mughal Garden you'll get to see along the banks of Dal Lake is Nishat Bagh. After a few kms you'll get to see Shalimar Bagh, then Chashme Shahi and Harvan at the end.You can cover all these locations in one day. Its going to leave you with decent no of days to explore Kashmir further.Tip: Get up early in the morning and visit all the gardens in a day. You'll probably cover all of them in a time span of 4-5 hours max. Visit Lal Chowk in the evening. Treat yourself with some Kashmir delicacies and roam around for shopping. There are some good North Indian restaurants at Boulevard as well.
It was a pleasant 3 hr ride from our hotel to pahalgam. I still remember it was raining that day, but it further beautified our journey.On your way, you'll find rich walnut laden trees, Pampore valley- air of which is laden by saffron growing all over, the redolent Apple valley - known for it's world famous kashmiri apples. The apples are rich in flavour.
The everlasting charm of the houseboats in Srinagar, the freshness of the mornings around Dal Lake and the awe-inspiring Pir Panjal ranges at the distant horizon bring a tangible paradise just so close to your field of vision that it's overwhelming. When I travelled there a year ago, the local opened up the doors to their hearts and homes so readily that Srinagar has become a city that I love to return to.And if the city of Srinagar is on your bucketlist as well, then so must be a stay at the dreamy houseboats docked on Dal Lake, Jhelum and Nageen Lake. For travellers planning a visit to this unique city, here is a complete guide to the Srinagar houseboat experience that can be your introduction to this paradise state.
Anyways we spent time in Srinagar market bought some dry fruits especially akrods and took restAnd next day my journey ends! Left for Mumbai by aeroplane!
It was still pitch dark and raining heavily in entire Srinagar when we reached Dal Lake. The dawn was just around the corner and we were asked to wait till the first light for a Shikara (small designed boats as called in local language) to be available to escort us to our houseboat. A long and patient wait it was. And then it was light, our first sunlight of Srinagar. Though it was very cloudy and the light was dim, it didn't take long to get struck by the beauty of Dal Lake. It was huge and picturesque with snow clad mountain peaks in the background trying hard to come out of rain clouds. The houseboats were all lined up one after another waiting eagerly to welcome their guests. Shikaras were parked besides them, with no one available to take it for a ride at this hour. A sense of peace prevailed all over, and the pleasure of witnessing the beauty of a calm and crowd free Dal lake was all mine.As the wait became longer, life started to open up in Dal lake for the day. Locals sailed on their boats and started heading towards a common direction, few of them had some fully covered stuffs laden on them. Finally the Shikara was here and we boarded it. Sensing an opportunity I opened up my camera to capture some early morning snaps, and got few decent ones as well. Then after reaching the boat we just slept slept and slept, god knows for how many hours. After waking up, it was a different story altogether. The early mornings calm and peaceful Dal lake had transformed itself into a busy colony. It somewhat reminded me of Thailand's floating market and the scene from the Hindi movie Kashmir Ki Kali, where Shammi Kapoor was seen romancing Sharlima Tagore in the song "Ye chand sa roshan chehera". Simply because, of the vendors floating all over the lake trying to sell various stuffs to the guests of the houseboats. Flowers, jewellery, Kashmiri dresses, shawls, locally produced fruits and vegetables,etc all were available with them. Our houseboat was a small one and the owner of the boat was a humble man who was in his early fifty's I guess. We called him Khan Chacha. He served us tea which had the flavors of some local spices and felt very different. He opened up with me and shared some of his experiences of his life in Sringar. It doesn't take time to realize how hard their life is in this troublesome region of Kashmir. Tourists provide their daily bread but the ongoing unrest sometimes create survival challenges for these hard working localities. Impressed by his kind gestures and hospitality for us, I decided to capture some glimpse of this beautiful lake the the life of the locals around it. It was partly sunny and the lake was full of tourists and was at its colorful best. So I decided to get into action as the amateur photographer in me made me eager to explore and discover the secrets. Have a look at some of my captures during our short stay in this ever magnificent Dal Lake :
One of the perfect places to visit in May in India, Gulmarg is adorned with meadows of flowers in full bloom in the summers. Located in Jammu and Kashmir, this hill station is at a height of 2730 meters above mean sea level surrounded by the mighty Himalayas on all sides. The place has a rich cultural heritage, and has been a popular summer destination since as early as the Mughal era and some Colonial interference during the British Raj. Draped in virgin coniferous forests with rich fauna, glorious lakes and the greenest of pastures with also the world's second highest golf course, Gulmarg has the most challenging yet the best trekking routes still very much undiscovered.How to get there: The best way to reach Gulmarg is by road. The nearest airport is Srinagar and the nearest railway station is Jammu.
2000 hrs: Reach local taxi stand and book cab for Jammu 300km INR 5000. Buy local saffron and dry fruits while riding to Jammu.
1130 hrs: Reach Gondola Cable Car ride and buy tickets @ INR 700 each
170 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - August,September,October,November
A perfect combination of ancient and urban, this city has been deemed the most futuristic in the country, while also having been occupied by the Harappan civilisation almost 8,000 years ago. In fact, BBC has named Chandigarh as a perfect city with regard to its cultural growth, modernisation and architecture. Nek Chand Rock Garden is a unique and fascinating site, built solely by a man (after whom the garden is named), who used remnants from various demolition sites (particularly the debris while Chandigarh itself was being built) and a whole lot of scrap to build 2000 sculptures, statues, all integrated on walled paths, wherein one can also see man-made interlinked waterfalls. A short walk away from there is the artificial Sukhna lake, a landmark for families to relax and walk around while enjoying street food and keeping kids busy with quaint toys bought from vendors all around. Pertaining to Le Corbusier's (chief architect of the city) vision of Chandigarh being a garden city, Rose Garden is home to over 1,500 varieties of rose and the Garden of Fragrance is perfect for those mind-refreshing walks. Popular places to visit for an insight into Chandigarh and the entire country's history through various artworks are the Government Museum & Art Gallery and the Chandigarh Architecture Museum. Being one of the top four metro cities of the country, Chandigarh has a bustling food scene, home to every cuisine you can think of right from Mediterranean (Kelong, Virgin Courtyard) to Thai (Tao- Bar & Lounge). Some popular places for Punjabi dishes are Punjab Grill and Sher-e- Punjab. Chandigarh is also close to many hill stations such as Solan, Kasauli, Shoghi and Naldehra.Read More
This small compact neat and clean union territory is shared by both Punjab and Haryana as their capital. Surrounded by lakes,gardens and greenery all around, this city was one of the early planned cities in post-independence India and is internationally known for its architecture and urban design.You can start your day with a sunrise by the Sukhna Lake followed by a visit to the Rock Garden and Parrot Sanctuary and Rose Garden. End it leisurely at the Leisure Valley.Sukhna Lake: Its a 3 km rain-fed lake with a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills.It is the venue for many festive celebrations with the Mango Festival held during the monsoons being the most popular one.
3-4 mths of research for planning a budgeted trip to Ladakh. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of a friend and owner of Skyriders Adventure. One can contact him on this number for any trip to the Himalayan range, Atul Jaiswal-9855085962. I will also like to add-on the cost reduced as we were 9 people.The journey started from Chandigarh. Mumbai to Chandigarh flight in the evening, touched down at 6.30 pm . As booked 3 mths prior it costed us Rs 6000. The same evening 10.30 pm HSRTC bus to Manali. Costing somewhere around Rs 800-900. The best mode of transport via roadways from Chandigarh.
"Everyone shines, given the right lighting." ― Susan Cain.May be I was in search of the right lighting too. Amidst the chaos and hustle of everyday life. Jobs, studies, bills, loans, peer pressure- you just feel exhausted and suffocated. This, exactly is the time to DISCONNECT with everyone else and re-connect with your self. Perhaps, I decided to ring people who really are important to me and escape. I am a solo traveler but I have learned a big lesson in life while escaping alone- to appreciate the beautiful people in life. This was the time I wanted to elope with my BEST people. We took a night bus from Chandigarh around 11pm and reached Dharamshala at 6am next morning.
We took a flight from Mumbai to Chandigarh and then boarded a bus from Chandigarh at 10.00 pm which dropped us to Manali at 7.00 am. We stayed at Manali for one day and visited local tourist attractions like Hadimba temple, Beas river, Buddhist Monastery.
I took the 8 pm bus and reached Chandigarh at 10 pm with many events taking place in between. My plan to meet my friend fell into total disarray but it was not all bad news two of my batch mates whom I asked earlier decided that enough with the same person cancelling plans and decided to tag along with me.It was a two hour long wait for me for them to arrive and our journey to Mandi began by the 12:40 am bus.
We were off to Chandigarh in Adhiraj's car after a quick snack at Adhiraj's home.It had been six years since Aakash had left school but our friendship hadn't faced a dent. We were still going strong, unscathed. It was only a small conversation but it meant a lot. Amit hadn't visited Sukhna Lake before, so our next stop became Sukhna Lake.
We left early morning at about 6 and reached Chandigarh in about 1 hour 45 mins. After arriving in Chandigarh we parted our ways I was on my way to go meet my friend while my roommates boarded a bus to reach the location of their test.Sector 15 the place my friend was residing in, fairly close to Rock garden and Sukhna Lake, the main attractions in Chandigarh. So it definitely didn't come as a surprise to me when he put them in the check list to visit first.
"Sorry no buses available at this time to Chandigarh, take a bus to Ambala from here wherein you would get a bus to Chandigarh" The conductor said.
We decided to explore one of its kind and smartly planned city "Chandigarh". We visited the Rock Garden and Rose Garden. We came back to hotel, rested and the same night by 3am we headed back to Pune.The patriotic feel you get at the last defense line of INDIA to the feel of achievement on climbing the peaks of majestic Himalayas, experiencing the peace at golden temple to embracing the 1st ever snowfall of your life.Believe me not once you have travelled, met and learned new things, it's very hard to stop. . .you will keep looking forward for many such adventures.A special thanks to Audrey Vyas who has helped me write this article.Somewhere between reminiscing about the past and basking in the hope future, I found my true BLISS . . .!!!
289 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - March,April,May,October,November
Dehradun is easily one of the most popular hill stations in India. Though easily accessible by all modes of transportation, taking the road would be the best way to experience this heaven. The drive will take you through dense forests on the hilly road and if you're lucky, you might even see a wild elephant or leopard pass you by. The fresh and dewy hill air will infiltrate your lungs and put you in a great mood right away. In terms of things to see, there is Robber's Cave, a river cave formation and Sahashtradhara, which is also a stunning sight of nature consisting of sulphur springs. But more than its sights, Dehradun is the perfect place for a family getaway. After all it has everything that you could need for a relaxing holiday. The town has many vintage bookshops (Natraj Publishers, The English Book Depot), college campuses with hilly backdrops, architectural marvels (such as the Forest Research Institute), alleys filled with quaint restaurants, adventure sports gear shops and forest resorts and hotels to fit every budget. Vishranti, a resort tucked away discreetly in the Sal forests of the Doon valley, deserves a special mention for its beauty and luxury. The city is a haven for foodies as Dehradun offers a lot of variety and affordability in its cuisine. Restaurants and cafes such as Doon Darbar, renowned for devour-worthy Mughlai dishes and The Buffet for its mouthwatering burgers, cutlets and coffee, are popular options. Read More
275 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - June to September
This beautiful town happens to be located in Jammu & Kashmir and is an abode for those who wish to pursue Buddhism. The place is surrounded by tall mountains, clear blue water, a white surrounding and many monasteries. The people here are warm and welcome tourists. Found midway between the Karakoram and Himalayan mountains, the beauty of Leh is beyond words, making it a hotspot with the tourists. Visiting the local markets here is a treat as one will get to browse through Tibetan jewelry, carpets, woolens and much more. Be sure to carry an extra bag to fit in all your purchases.Read More
Next day left for leh. This day was reserved for rest and conditioning our body. Stay was again Zaltak Homestay our temporary residence.
Next day halt in leh before heading to pangong. Chill and relaxing day. Explored the cafes there. We were booked at the same place i.e Zaltak Homestay.
On 10th june we left from manali to cross rohtang pass which took us a while due to traffic as the permits were being checked. The views were really amazing ( pictures attached at the end of the article) . Somewhere the roads were really amazing and smooth but some places like Pang which is the highest altitude dangerous road was like a road to hell, there was no proper road but only tyre trails around the mountain with small rocks sliding from above.One of the best roads with some mesmerizing views was more plains which is a straight stretched road with huge mountains running along on the sides.
Day6 we reached Leh city by 1pm and booked a hotel exactly opposite the thicksey monastry which is run by a trust. In the evening, we visited the Leh Market and shopped for some local accesories. The market is well structured and a favorite spot of foreign tourist.
Day1- We landed at the leh airport (a mystical scene and a rare landing view) and headed to hotel. The temperature was 10 degree. We chose a budget hotel at the outskirt of the Leh city(3500/-, double bed with bfast and dinner). Took rest the whole day to acclimatize with the altitute with a short visit in the evening to army museum on the Srinagar-Leh highway.
How to reach: Leh is best connected to Delhi by air. Daily flights operate Delhi-Leh-Delhi. During the high season (June to August), limited flights operate from Srinagar and Jammu. The camp is located a convenient distance of 3 kms from the airport.Traveller's tip: Due to the altitude, the level of oxygen in the air is much lower than in the plains. So, if you're flying into Leh, make sure to take all precautions. It is strongly recommended that you take on no activity on the day of your arrival. Spend the first 24 hours acclimatizing and resting, eat light food, take Diamox (acetazolamide) for altitude sickness, and wear an inner vest and some woolens (even if you don't feel the need!). Also drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Further, apply sunblock, carry an umbrella, and wear sunglasses to protect against sunburn.
I was the happiest person when I first saw the snowfall in Chang La and Khardung La! My favorite part was to get stuck in the snowfall and traffic jam at Khardung La for 2 hours! Those were the moments to cherish! It was the most unexpected thing to happen! There never has been snowfall in August, but there it was, whiteout! This was my road to happiness moment, I was delighted at the sight of White Ladakh!
The day comprised of seeing the Shey palace, Sindhu Ghat and the Thikse monastery en route to Leh from Pangong Tso. The road passed through Chang La, the third highest pass where the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has built the highest terrestrial research center in the world. Maggi and Lemon ginger tea is a must have at the Cafeteria atop the Chang La pass!
The view of Leh Palace from Hotel New Antelope.
114 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - February,March,April,October
The land from where once an ancient trade route to China would be embarked on, Manali is an abode for modern creativity now as much as it for withdrawal and adventure in the majestic mountains. From offering hostels, hotels, co-working spaces to the cave where once Arjun, the Pandava king had supposedly meditated (Arjun Gufa), Manali is no less than a global village. The mighty Himalayas have inspired many foreign settlements here, giving rise to popular European and Israeli cafes, restaurants and hostels, providing one a consortium of around the world cultures. This town is a true haven for adventure junkies who can indulge in river rafting, paragliding, camping, rock climbing, rappelling, zorbing at Solang Valley and Aleo. Manali has an array of breathtaking treks and sights for its nature lovers, for instance the Patalsu Peak, the Deo Tibba basecamp, Jogini Falls and the Rahala Falls. For all the solo riders out there, cruise your way through the snowy alley of Rohtang Pass while those who wish to travel back in time, can indulge in the exquisite display of culture and heritage at the Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art. Restaurants and cafes such as the Khyber Pass, Johnson's Cafe, La Plage, Drifters' Inn, The Hangout attract foodies for their culinary justice to everything from Thai to European cuisines and even some live music. If all this is too over the top for you, then reconnect with simplicity at Naggar Village, which is home to waterfalls, a beautiful castle, an art gallery and locals which have many stories to share and a cultural heritage to take pride in. Read More
Getaways · Hotels · Places to Visit · Trips
Manali is already spoiled , thanks to the huge crowd from Delhi and Chandigarh. There's nothing much to do here , costly food , costly accommodation and over populated places.There are lot of Volvo and ordinary buses plying between Manali to National Capital , it usually takes around 12-15 hrs depending on the traffic. An ordinary HRTC bus ticket is at Rs. 650 , deluxe bus at Rs. 720 and Volvo around Rs.1400. Sleep tight.Expenditure: Rs. 10,000 + Rs. 700(Trans) + Rs. 400 (Food) = Rs.11,100Day 10 : Back Home
If the road and weather conditions are good and there's less traffic in Rohtang Pass area you will reach Manali by evening. Welcome back to noisy and crowded life again.Expenditure: Rs. 8400 + Rs.1000 (Trans) + Rs.300 (Stay) +Rs. 300 (Food) = Rs.10,000Day 9 : Manali - Delhi (590 kms)
August 16, 2014So next morning, we got ready for the much awaited journey. We gave our ID cards to the bike owner, loaded our luggage on the bikes and purchased hand gloves.Now the real journey started. Our basic requirement was the food for our bikes - petrol, so we went to the petrol pump, got the tanks full and took around 4 liters extra petrol in cans. We purchased the medicine to help prevent breathing problem which is likely to occur at high altitudes. Then we started proceeding towards Rohtang pass; during this journey we travelled through Kothi, Kodi, Marhi which were small but beautiful places. There was a minor halt at Rohtang Check-post as every tourist had to enter his/her personal details. There was a heavy traffic jam before finally arriving at Rohtang pass at 4 pm. It's a beautiful place around 52 km from Manali. That time there was too much rush of tourists because of the weekend. But this was not our destination, so we did not stay there. Our journey had just begun and we had miles to go before we stop.We crossed Rohtang and the first place that we came across was a village called Gramphu.The next village is Khoksar. But the route was very bad between rohtang pass and khoksar. After Khoksar, the next village is Sissu i.e. 35Kms from Gramphu. Sisu is a very good place for camping. From Khoksar to Tandi the valley view is just superb.Consider moving slow enjoying the nature while passing this area. It is a heaven for landscape photographers. At Tandi, we saw confluence of rivers Chandra and Bhaga. The place is just gorgeous with the back drop of huge mountain line. At Tandi, take a right turn and Keylong is just 7Kms from there. One will be moving along with and opposite to the river Bhaga which flows beside Keylong. Before reaching Tandi our bike was making weird sounds so we stopped in an army station and asked for help. They took us at their workshop to check the problem while one of them made tea for us. During this time, there was a snow storm so we stayed there for some time, and drank the tea which seemed best at that time. They changed engine oil of our bike without any cost and advised us to get it checked by mechanic.Around 6 pm we reached Tandi village where we got petrol filled and reached Infield point, the bike repair shop.The traffic was at a standstill at that time and signals was coming so everyone contacted at his/her home. We saw a camp beside the road. We planned to stay there (The camp was 9km before Jispa).
After reaching Kullu we decided to spend some time on the river.We enjoyed the sound of water and relax near the river. Sitting nearby river, we clicked photos of the natural beauty all around us. It was almost evening, the breeze was cool and even the water was cold.We all were refreshed enjoying the mountains, rivers, and each other's company. Then as per plan, we decided to head towards Manali.
Enough of trekking and adventure, its for some family time. And nothing can beat manali when it comes to family holiday destination. I have been to Manali twice and it just made my love grow for the place. I went to Manali with my family, uncle and cousins both the times. The best time to visit Manali would be around winters as their will be plenty of snowfall and Manali is one place famous for snow.
The Buddhist Monastery at Manali has a guest house and provides accommodation for INR 800 per room. You may stay at the Monastery guest house and meditate in the Monastery on the upper floor (there is a separate section where where you can sit and meditate).At Manali, everyone (including HRTC bus staff) told us that the road from Manali to Kaza and Spiti are closed as the snow has not melted. We had read on blogs that the roads open in May and had planned our trip in June, however it is very difficult to find out whether the road has opened before you reach Manali. Hence, if you are planning to reach Spiti from Manali, plan your trip in mid-June to ensure that the roads are open.After inquiring at a lot of places we finally went to Kiran Travels who told us that small vehicles and tempo travelers are plying between Manali and Kaza. We luckily met a person from Spiti who was travelling from Manali to Spiti in Tempo traveler. He agreed to take us to Spiti for INR 1500 per person.
We took all the permits before hand and the one required o travel beyond leh were issued in Leh itself. We carried supplies which could last 3 days if we were stranded anywhere, 2 small handy cylinders of oxygen level drops at such high altitudes.
We took two cars Thar and an automatic fortuner, both were equipped with 4 wheel drive as we read in many blogs, the route we took required these kind of vehicles as the terrain was really rough. The route- Delhi- Manali- Rohtang- Koksar- Tandi - Keylong- Baralacha la pass- Sarchu -Lachungla pass- Pang- Moree plains- Leh-Khardungla- Nubra valley-Pangong- Karzok via chushul to tsomoriri - Sarchu - Jispa - Keylong - Manali-Delhi.
We visited the Vashisht Hot water spring and Hadimba Temple, in Manali 10km from Nagar. We booked our rooms in a hotel near the Hadimba temple and went shopping to the famous Manali MALL ROAD. we shopped for hours . . .
Day 6 - Manali is a Valley nestled in the mountains of the Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley Surrounded by majestic hills and woody forests, the quaint charm of Manali has captured the world's attention and has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. Manali is a popular hill station with attractions such as the Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley nearby.This is the ideal place for tourists looking to unwind and rejuvenate in the lap of nature, for there is no place in the country more vibrant and charming as Manali. This Town also has a adventurous activities like trekking, paragliding, skiing, zorbing, white water rafting etc. Manali also has a lot of temples which all tourists and devotees love to visit including the Raghunath temple and Jagannathi Devith Temple being one of the important ones. Hadimba Temple, a 14th-century temple is famous for its wooden architecture and for its religious values. Manali is also used as the base town for the Manali-Leh highway and Leh is around 479 km from here (which was Closed in March). we planned to stay 2 days in manali. Next day is holi festival day 7 we celebrate the holi with localite people the Manali people are some of the most incredible, kind and genuine people I have ever met. Just like human beings, a city gets more real when there are less eyes watching it. If you really wish to understand a place and its culture, off-season is the time to go. Off season in Manali generally lasts from 7th Jan to 31st March and from August to November. Almost all hotels and resorts in Manali offer Off-Season Discounts. These rates are anywhere between 10-50% cheaper than peak season rates for hotels and resorts in Manali. Apart from lower prices, you get lesser crowd at tourist spots, pool and sports club as well.
262 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - April,May,June,July
Scenic and serene, Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh is perhaps one of the most unexplored places in Himachal. Passing through serpentine roads, refreshing, lush greenery, the district is a delight to explore. Though travellers looking to enjoy a luxurious holiday may not have a great time here. Kalpa is the first village that greets you when you enter Kinnaur. Reckong Peo, Nako and Sangla Valley are some of the villages and valleys that make up Kinnaur district. A journey to Kinnaur is marked with adventure and also an unpredictability that comes from travelling so high up in the mountains. The people in all the villages are very warm and welcoming and are open to sharing their way of life with travellers. Do plan a long trip here, since Kinnaur district can easily take up to 2 weeks and it's best not to hurry your way through this spellbinding valley.Read More
The picturesque Sangla Valley in the Kinnaur with its bountiful Apple Orchards is known for rich tribal culture and traditions. There is a local tradition to welcome the guests with a garland of dry fruits and a round Kinnauri cap with green flap. It's also known for legally brewing two popular drinks, 'angoori' and 'ghanti'.Where to Stay:Rattan Cottage:A hidden-rural homestay in the picturesque Sangla Valley in Kinnaur district some 275 km from Shimla. The host also participates in the apple fest to showcase his orchard.Address: Village & P.O. Sangla, Tehsil Sangla ,District KinnaurPhone: 0-098052536
But one last visit will do!The road journey was super exciting. But I just wanted a little more scenery to enjoy! Thus next, we headed to the Himalayas again to uniquely end 2016! It was a perfect place to get away from the city for a while. So I decided to celebrate New Year's eve at Kinnaur, famous for sacred Kinner Kailash high range mountains which is home of the Lord Shiva.
The Hindustan-Tibet road or the NH5 to Chhitkul is precarious and can easily shake even the strongest of the hearts. The landslide prone roads are not smooth all the way as a national highway is supposed to be, mere 3m wide, and Satluj River by the side, the ride scared even our expert driver. Our driver had to drink a bit during the dinner time and only then he could drive fearlessly in the night at around 12 am and onwards.Now was our final battle with the roads.
Kinnaur has for centuries been a major trans-Himalayan corridor. Merchants travelling between China and the Punjabi plains passed through on the Hindustan–Tibet caravan route, stretches of which are still used by villagers and trekkers. The bulk of the traffic that lumbers east towards the frontier, however, uses the newer NH-22, which veers north into Spiti just short of the ascent to Shipki La pass, on the Chinese border, which remains closed.
A small video of our trip through Shimla-Narkanda-Sangla-Reckong Peo and Kalpa which we completed in under Rs 7000 for 10 days from Mumbai with food travel and Stay.
Their family was kind enough to let me know of the bus options and booked a bus to Reckong Peo ( head quarters of Kinnaur district).So, on sunday at 13.30 hours was the bus from Kullu to Reckong Peo( its about 16 hour journey so the bus tentatively reaches around 5.30am the next day ). Off course I was a bit scared because I was going to head out alone and this was supposed to be a group trip and I was heading out solo...Well..You gotta do what you gotta do ...the adventurous side in me overtook the fear and inhibitions in me and prayed to the Divine for guidance!
Mystery Door to Heaven, May be. These pretty things never fail to surprise you. You ask for Sunshine, they'll give you Rains. Isn't it? These clouds are like gift wraps for Himalayas. I will wrap you up and who make most effort to see you, I will open it for them. Probably ???? #meandmycrazythoughts----Well, I was quite fascinated with the name of these roads and I wanted to click each and every such passages on the road. But it wasn't as easy as I was travelling by bus. Still managed pretty well by peeping out from the window and clicking. Many more to come.
There is a temple situated named Taranda Temple. Every vehicle crossing this route offers prayer before proceeding ahead. People here believe that if they do not follow this ritual they will get stuck in the route. And who wants to get stuck in the most deadliest of path with no network and people around. So do the necessary and proceed.
Kinnaur: This corner of Himachal Pradesh is not just known for the best apples in India but also for the hidden corners around the Kinnaur District that make for a great exploration hub. Visit the caves of Tabo, the quaint village of Nako and the nearby town of Kalpa.Kinnaur makes for a great road trip destination for travellers from Delhi reaching Kinnaur via Shimla. Buses and taxis are also available from Shimla and Rampur. You can also reach Kinnaur from Manali via Spiti.Read More: The Mystical Land, Kinnaur by Sachinder S. Rathore
Truly an amazing place to go.Full of natural beauty and less crowded,so this place is good to take a break from hectic city life. Although hotel are not available there,one can stay on lodges there.Roads will polish your driving skills,full of adventure and natural beauty.
156 Kms from Parai
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Amritsar has made a huge contribution to Indian history and is the holiest hub for Sikhs. The name of the city, which means the pool of nectar, is derived from the pool that surrounds the Golden Temple. Though the city is quite congested, it has an air of spirituality and a heart to it. The stunning complex of the Golden Temple, with the Central Sikh Museum, will surround you with a spiritual energy that is hard to shake off. The gurdwara is located at the nucleus of the lake, which glitters like gold after the sun goes down. At every corner you'll find devotees who have volunteered for either cooking or cleaning the premise. Eat a free meal at the dining hall and make sure you don't waste any food. The Jallianwala Bagh, from the pages of history, comes to life here. The complex, where around 1500 people were massacred, still has bullet marks all over it. A peek into the well, inside which hundreds jumped to save their lives, is sure to leave you feeling uncomfortable. An hour away from the city is the Wagah Border, where the gates divide Pakistan and India. An evening parade, held before sunset every day, is an experience worth savouring. Amritsar remains incomplete without the lassi with heaps of malai, available almost everywhere. There are endless options to stay in the city but if you want to splurge, consider the Green Acres Haveli and Country Inn Hotels and Resorts.Read More
Chandigarh to Amritsar is 230Kms and takes 4-5 Hours by car. You can start very early in the morning from Chandigarh to reach Amritsar by breakfast time and to have ample time to explore the city within a day.Apart from its famous Golden Temple, the city holds a rich history of Indian Independence.Start with Jallianwala Bagh, the iconic garden where the tragic Amritsar massacre took place in the British Era. The garden is very near to Golden Temple(almost within the same complex). So you can pay a visit to the famous Golden Temple consecutively.
We all have that travel bug inside us and most of the people I have come across, the one thing which is common- "travel more, spend less". The pleasure of visiting a new place without spending much is second to none. The other thing which is common between my fellow citizens is that they don't have enough leaves so the weekend breaks becomes the new found best friend.Amritsar can be easily visited on weekends. We (group of 5 friends) travelled to Amritsar from New Delhi. It's an overnight journey. There are several trains and buses between the Capital city to Golden city. Trains are more convenient, of course for the most obvious reasons. In case you are visiting the city only for a day, make sure you book a train which reaches Amritsar early morning. (as early as possible)We had planned the trip only for a day. We went straight to the Golden temple by taking a shared auto.The auto dropped us right outside the temple and charged us Rs. 35 per person (30 mins from railway station). We walked inside the temple complex with our luggage and went to their bathing area (free of cost). There was separate bathing area for men and women and is clean and well maintained but crowded. Cleanliness is maintained by volunteers.If you are staying overnight in Amritsar, it is highly recommended to stay in hotels which are close to the Golden temple. The range of these hotels varies (from Rs. 500 to 3000) and it's up to the individual's choice. But make it a point to get refreshed quickly and leave for the Golden temple.We kept our luggage in the luggage room (free of cost) and footwear in jora ghar (shoe stands) and entered the temple complex. An artificial stream was flowing to wash one's feet before entering. Make sure to cover your head properly before entering the holy complex. Anyone can take a dip in the holy sarovar but use of soap or shampoo is not allowed. It's believed that one gets cured of the diseases by taking a bath in the sarovar. As soon as we entered, the grandness of the temple bowled us over. The temple has gold work done on major part of it including the dome. The carving work done on the walls is amazing.The katha and kirtan at the temple was melodious. It took us approx. 3 hours to get the darshan. There are separate queues for women with toddlers. Unlike other temples in India, the volunteers don't pester you to go out once you enter the Sanctum Sanctorum. The kadha Prasad is offered with cupped hands and it is touched with the tip of krippan before it is distributed.It was almost lunch time when we moved out of the temple complex and headed towards the langar hall. We were to astonished to see hundreds of volunteers working there. The food served was fresh and hot, excellent Kheer, and a special mention of the unique way of serving drinking water. Everything was systematic and neat and clean. If you are not having the lunch there, still it's a must to go and see the Langar area because you will be amazed how common people are providing their services to do activities like cutting vegetables, making rotis, washing used plates. Everything is very systematic. A perfect example of team work. (CEOs/Managers go have a look).We then covered Jallianwala Bagh (India's bloody past) which is mere 5 mins walk from the Golden temple. In the center there is a memorial tower. It is difficult to think how, from a lane where three people can't walk side by side, one man managed to perpetrate a massacre. It infuses patriotism in andreminded us of sacrifices made by our ancestors to win Independence. Once we were out of Jallianwala bagh, we found lot of taxi and auto owners asking for Wagah border. They take you on a sharing basis for Rs. 120 per person to and fro. Try to take comfortable seats in auto as its almost an hour drive but the condition of the road is good. (No point of doing advance booking)Make it a point to reach Wagah Border by 2 pm or let's say as early as possible but be ready to wait for approx. 3-4 hours before the ceremony starts. But it's still advisable if you want to sit and watch the entire ceremony. The place was excessively crowded plus a big queue for security check. We didn't carry anything and it was such a relief because nothing (Nothing means nothing- no chips, popcorn, ladies handbag, camera cover, etc. Only water, wallets, sunglasses, cameras are allowed) is allowed inside and then you have to keep your stuff in road side vendor locker for which again you have to stand in queue.We reached in nick of time and occupied seat which gave okay view but we still felt lucky because there was humongous crowd standing and forced to watch the border parade on the big screens installed there instead of live.The retreat ceremony is for 45 minutes which includes the closing of international gates and the lowering of the flag. The atmosphere was simply electric. The crowd modified into a hooting cheerleader. Passion and patriotism was at all-time high. The moment became so live and full of energy. People danced on some of the famous patriotic numbers. Children also get a chance to take the flag and run.The auto dropped us at the same place and we decided to do some shopping. We went to Hall market which lies in the way to the Golden temple. Patiala salwar and jootis were exceptionally beautiful and cheap. We found handicrafts like phulkari and shops of weaponry like swords and krippan and other souvenirs in abundance. Later, we went back to the Golden temple and collected our luggage and had our dinner at one of the local dhabas. (within city limits non-veg food isn't available). Don't miss out the famous Amritsari Kulcha and Punjabi lassi (a giant glass with malai on top). We missed on sarson ka saag as its mostly available in winters.
We left Delhi early morning at around 6 and reached Amritsar at about 2 pm.
So it all started 3 years back when I planned a trip to explore the beauty of Amritsar.I was accompanied with one of my friend from South India (Malhar Ashrit) who always wanted to travel to this place, but had a budget constraint.So was that a big deal, NO.I booked the tickets in sleeper class coach of Indian railways for 280 bucks from Delhi to Amritsar. Train departed around 7:30 pm from Nizammudin, Delhi and reached Amritsar around 4 30 Am.There' s always a free bus service available to golden temple from Amritsar railway station. But, you need to stand in a big queue. Since, we wanted to save money, we waited for some 10-15 min for the bus to arrive and got a seat as well. The journey took us around 15 mins to reach Golden Temple (Free of cost service).The Golden temple provides you accommodation at a cheaper cost, but check-in time for it is 12 noon. We did not wanted to waste any time, took a lodge outside the Golden temple area to fresh-up and keeping the luggage, paid 200 bugs.( You can easily get cheap accommodation in-around the place).
4. Experience the Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah BorderPlan a place to visit near Delhi on weekends to the Wagah Border to witness the Beating Retreat Ceremony. A local transport service from Amritsar will take you to Attari. Easy connectivity make Wagah Border one of the cheapest places to visit near Delhi. Avoid booking local taxis if you are on a strict budget. Remember to be seated not later than 3pm for the 4pm ceremony. Choose tourist guesthouses for the cheapest deal.
Day 10 Amritsar we took long sleep because we were very tried after the long journey. Than around 10am we had breakfast at Bade Bhai Ka Brothers Dhaba tried the Amritsari Kulcha & Alu Paratha. Than we headed to Golden temple. The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs. trust me you will feel that you are in heaven. The visual treat is awaiting for you here, The peaceful atmosphere calm your nerves You may have to park your vehicle around 200m away and walk to the shrine. The path to the shrine is made so good m even the shops are well arranged. The Kitchen at the Golden Temple feeds up to 100,000 people a day for free! It is truly amazing. The night scene completely changes the view into gold with the abundance of Lights. After golden temple we went to visit Jallianwala Bagh Situated close to Golden temple, this is also a must visit attraction for all. Is the site where a large number of innocent, unarmed and peaceful civilians including women and children were brutally murdered. The garden also houses a memorial built in honour of the massacre victims. The portion of the wall with bullet marks along with the well is preserved as a memorial. A light and sound show is hosted here every evening. Later we back to the hotel rest for the 1 hour than we left for wagah Border. The only road border crossing between India and Pakistan, Wagah lies between Amritsar in India and Lahore in Pakistan, and is located approximately 29 kilometres away from the city. The illustrious lowering of the flags ceremony takes place here at the Wagah Border; a daily military practice followed by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistan Rangers, since 1959. (Note Opening Closing Time 4 pm onwards, every evening)
1230 hrs: Have lunch and book two rooms near railway station @ INR 600 per room.
Journey Amritsar to Naggar.We left for Naggar, Himachal Pradesh around 11:00pm from Amritsar (Rs 7000/- for Ertiga 8 seater. There are also Government transport Available but I would suggest you to prefer cab (front seat!), as the journey is a whole different experience in itself.Not forgetting to mention about the Spooky roads which is part of the journey almost throughout, but once you enter the Himalayan Ghats it's a whole different story that makes the spooky roads a wonderful journey, when you find yourself nested in the beauty of the God gifted nature. The charm of the morning and the bliss of the cool breeze, breathing the freshness is just what one would ever want in life. Timing is all you need, we reached the right place at the right time.
The next day we packed our bags and left for Amritsar, it took us approx. 5 Hours to reach our hotel Hong Kong Inn, again a good hotel with good rooms and cordial staff.The same evening we visited Golden Temple, ah, this site and place I have been longing for, believe you me, its beautiful, in the evening lights the temple shines like the moon on a full moon night. If you be here you have to visit this during the evening and also during the day. You just cant miss it.
When the travel bug bites, you find yourself constantly scrolling up and down on Google Maps figuring out destinations nearby. And on one such day of scrolling, when Shreya (who was on her way to Chandigarh for a wedding) asked me if I wanted to join her on a quick detour to Amritsar, I was more than happy to say yes!
₹ 0 ₹ 20000+


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Foreign language translation and transcription in the U.S. federal government has changed dramatically over the last fifteen years. The introduction of shared on-line foreign language dictionaries via large, fast databases on large area networks has increased the speed, accuracy, and consistency of the work while also drawing the federal language analysts closer together in technical communities of common interest that share knowledge at the speed of light. The introduction of UNICODE UTF8 served to speed and simplify this process greatly as a technical common denominator that handles all the world's languages equally well in database searches that power federal multilingual processing to new efficiency levels. Foreign language dictionary databases have revolutionized federal translation and transcription; they promise even more improvement over the next few years as these database tools are pushed out and shared further than ever before. The development, use, and expansion of the Chinese dictionary database is only one example of the beginning of this process; but it illustrates some of the best practices in meeting the problems and challenges besetting the users, developers, and administrators of these large systems as the U.S. federal government builds a multilingual infrastructure based on UNICODE.

subset: commoncrawl


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Stencil Art Project adds creativity and life to Christchurch
SCAPE Public Art's The Stencil Art Project adds creativity and life to Christchurch through Youth Street Art
SCAPE Public Art and Westpac's The Stencil Art Project is well under way in Christchurch and is shaping up to be a huge success. The Stencil Art Project invites schools and community groups to get involved in the production of street art in the city, where the young people involved develop their own self-portrait stencil and spray it up as a collaborative artwork on The Terrace Construction Hoardings in Re:START Mall, before or on 22 May 2014. The Stencil Art Project began in mid-April and the site is now vibrant with the art of young people of Christchurch for all to see.
Sophie Pascoe, Westpac Ambassador, is heading down to The Terrace Construction Hoardings in Re:START Mall to spray up her stencil on 20 May. "I can't wait to see the amazing art that the young people of Christchurch have already sprayed up and to be a part of The Stencil Art Project too", Pascoe said. In April, The Stencil Art Project was also supported by Richie McCaw, Westpac Ambassador, whose stencil will be sprayed up among the numerous faces of the youth of Christchurch on The Terrace Construction Hoardings.
Westpac, who is SCAPE Public Art's platinum sponsor, has been a valuable partner in the development and promotion of The Stencil Art Project and is excited to have an incredible display of youth public art right outside its windows at its new office location at Re:START Mall.
"It's been great to have the support of Richie McCaw and Sophie Pascoe for The Stencil Art Project," Deborah McCormick, the Director of SCAPE Public Art says. "We hope the young people of Christchurch have been inspired by their involvement with public art in the city and will go down to The Terrace Construction Hoardings to see their art next to Sophie's and Richie's".
The main drive behind The Stencil Art Project is to give young people of Christchurch a voice in their city and to encourage the productive creation of street art. This project brings young people together, encouraging creativity and collaboration in order to produce an incredible array of artwork in the heart of Christchurch. There have been numerous schools and community groups involved so far, including Heaton Normal Intermediate School, Papanui High School, St Margaret's College, Rangi Ruru Girls School, Westburn School and Homespun Learning Group.
The Stencil Art Project will be complete by the end of May 2014, whereby all the stencils made will have been sprayed up on The Terrace Hoardings in Re:START Mall on Cashel Street.
To find out more information or to learn how to register to be a part of The Stencil Art Project, please visit: http://scapebiennial.org.nz/stencil-art-project
updated via our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SCAPEPublicArt or Twitter


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Florida ID: 5937
717 Avon Road
This home has been sold
We have 725 similar homes for sale.
- Price$284,000
- TypeHouse
- Bedrooms2
- Bathrooms2
- Approx. Sq. Ft.1,607
Key Features
- Pool
Flamingo Park - West Palm Beach, Florida - Spacious and updated 2 bedroom, 2 bath historic Flamingo Park house offers a one car garage, a Florida room, a formal dining room with French doors that open to an outdoor dining area, an updated kitchen with large wood mission style cabinets, newer appliances and granite counter tops and a pantry, a coral stone fireplace in the living room, French doors, wood and tile flooring plus a large master bathroom with a deep tub. Outside a tropical paradise surrounds the pool, pond, multiple outdoor entertaining areas, tiled outdoor shower and the orchid house. Convenient downtown West Palm Beach and minutes to golfing and the beach.
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West Palm Beach
The City of West Palm Beach, with its sunny palm-lined streets, historic neighborhoods, and year-round outdoor festivals, is a vibrant destination that continues to increase in appeal.
Future plans call for the continued development of the downtown waterfront district. Today, an increasing number of year-round residents mix with the seasonal visitors to enjoy the fashionable lounges, cozy pubs, eclectic boutiques and fine restaurants that stretch from downtown's CityPlace to Clematis Street. Art and antiques collectors from around the globe come to West Palm Beach in search of one-of-a-kind pieces available at the dozens of stores lining "Antiques Row" on West Palm's Dixie Highway.


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tonight is the met ball. the red carpet that has come to rival the oscars. this years event at the costume institute at the metropolitan museum of art will celebrate the opening of schiaparelli and prada: impossible conversations.
muccia prada who is alive and elsa schiaperelli, deceased, both natural provocateurs, tastemakers, italians, intellectuals and, of course, influential female designers. the show is concept driven and creating a conversation between these two ladies could be tricky but i'm sure it will be a stimulating journey joining these two formidable designers in a new, thrilling discourse. more to come on this.
for the first time you can watch the red carpet here today from 6:30 – 8:30 est. presented by vogue and amazon.com/fashion. hosted by william norwich and elettra wiedemann, the broadcast will also include interviews with gala co-chairs, including carey mulligan, miuccia prada and anna wintour, as well as, lots and lots of conversations with celebrities from the worlds of fashion, film, society, art and music.
until then please enjoy my favorite red carpet moments from the last 5 years of galas. next week i head to nyc, looking forward to seeing the show which runs from may 10th to august 19th. this year i'll be watching on livestream, who knows, next year maybe i'll see you on the red carpet- until then talk amongst yourselves- enjoy the conversation!


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February 26, 2013
Students embrace their smartphones
The smartphone may be the center of the world for many college students, but they're growing weary of the ads, says a Ball State researcher.
February 25, 2013
80 could be the new 40
A study by Ball State University's Human Performance Laboratory finds that a lifetime of exercise may result in 80-year-olds with physical conditioning as good as many people half their age.
February 18, 2013
Soccer delegation returns to Jordan to promote peace
A contingent of Ball State University faculty will travel to the Middle East in mid-March for the final phase of an international program to strengthen ties between the United States and Jordan.
February 15, 2013
Benefactor establishes nursing professorship
Longtime benefactor Mary Jane Sursa has given a $350,000 gift to the university's College of Applied Sciences and Technology (CAST) to be used for the establishment of the Mary Jane Sursa Distinguished Professorship in Nursing.
February 13, 2013
Ball State nears launch of three free online classes
Ball State is just weeks away from launching three free massive, open, online courses (MOOCs) that promise to teach the university much about what works and what doesn't in large-scale Internet instruction.
February 8, 2013
Board of Trustees approves honorary degree for Jeffrey Feltman, room and board rates
Trustees approve honorary degree for U.N. Under-Secretary-General and alumnus Jeffrey Feltman, room and board rates.
February 8, 2013
CD release brings quintet national attention
"American Breeze," a CD of American works recorded by Ball State University's Musical Arts Quintet, is garnering rave reviews from industry peers and bringing a new wave of national attention to the university's faculty quintet.
February 5, 2013
Study finds a spoonful of cinnamon improves health
Research finds a spoonful of cinnamon lowers blood sugar, potentially reducing the chance of developing diabetes.
February 4, 2013
Study reveals rising gas prices will make buses more attractive
Rising gas prices over the coming decade may make public transportation significantly more attractive to Hoosiers, say studies by the Center for Business and Economic Research.
February 1, 2013
Wrens brings World War II to University Theatre
An ensemble play, "Wrens" focuses on the lives of seven women serving in the Women's Royal Navy Service (WRNS) during World War II. It is being directed by Suzanne Agins, visiting lecturer of theatre at Princeton University.
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Iraqi students visit Ball State as part of state-sponsored international exchange
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US Federal Reserve chairman
As he made his way into the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, early on Monday, he carried with him notes for a speech that would boost the Dow and the NASDAQ by almost 1.2 per cent, send global markets soaring, create a sharp fall in the US dollar, put a rocket under gold and copper prices, and provide the kind of economic hope that an incumbent president needs in an election year.
But Bernanke was not intentionally pandering to those who play the markets. His speech, which committed the Fed to leaving interest rates "low for long", was focused squarely on lifting the spectre of unemployment from the shoulders of US workers.
With an official interest rate of 0.25 per cent, the US has enjoyed three consecutive months of strong jobs growth, adding 750,000 jobs in that time. US unemployment has remained high, at 8.3 per cent, only because with the sniff of recovery in the air, workers are flooding back into the job market and boosting the participation rate.
But Bernanke is not satisfied.
"The job market remains far from normal," he said on Monday. He was especially concerned, he revealed, about the number of Americans who had not worked for over six months.
"Because of its negative effects on workers' skills and attachment to the labour force, long-term unemployment may ultimately reduce the productive capacity of our economy," he warned.
Jobs growth would come with a boost to demand, Bernanke said, and the preferred tool for that was a low exchange rate.
As Bernanke sat down US markets were set to enjoy a one-day rally the likes of which they had seen only rarely this year, with a domino effect on markets around the world. Not least Australia, where the S&P/ASX 200 Index rallied by 38.5 points to 4301.3 points on Tuesday.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch chief economist
"Good news out of the US and or Europe boosts confidence here. If it's sustained it boosts spending as well. There's also no doubt that our financial markets are much more closely correlated with the financial markets of US and Europe than they are with Asian financial markets," he said.
Markets interpreted Bernanke's speech as not just a commitment to avoid interest rate rises, but as a hint that the Fed was open to more quantitative easing, the process by which it buys up bonds to pump money into the economy.
The first two rounds of QE began in 2008 and 2010, underpinning asset prices by pumping hundreds of billions of US dollars into the global economy.
In 2009, Bernanke claimed a year of easy money had "helped to support employment and incomes during the first year of the crisis".
But the merits of QE are now viewed sceptically by some.
"Quantitative easing does more for asset prices than it does for economic growth and employment but it is more likely to have a positive effect than similar policies would in Australia," Eslake says.
Several central bankers have recently expressed their doubts about the risks engendered by leaving monetary policy in a relaxed setting for too long.
Bank of International Settlements general manager Jaime Caruana last week publicly warned of the costs of loose monetary policy, especially in terms of banks' expanding balance sheets.
Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa said loose monetary policy could create new bubbles and impinge on productivity as economies moved out of recovery.
"If low interest rates induce investment projects that are only profitable at such interest rate levels, this could have an adverse impact on productivity and growth potential of the economy by making resource allocation inefficient," he said.
The Australian economy can see an indirect boost from anything that strengthens the foundations of the US economy.
Former Westpac chief economist and University of NSW associate head of economics Nigel Stapledon says Australian asset prices are more of a focus for the central bank. "It slashed interest rates in 2008, going into 2009. It never said so but I suspect it was a little bit perturbed by . . . the fact that house prices when they were tanking in the US jumped 15 per cent or thereabouts in Australia," he says.
"The Reserve Bank of Australia probably isn't going to do too much to help if people squeal about small falls in house prices."
While interest rates remain relatively stable, the Australian dollar holds its strength and trade-exposed sectors suffer.
But there is hope that a resurgent America can provide the fuel for a global recovery that will boost Australian confidence and wealth, so the RBA can move back to presiding over falling unemployment and focus on fighting inflation.
But even if that does not happen, the RBA is in a privileged position.
With the official cash rate at 4.25 per cent, it still has significant scope to cut.
The Fed does not have that luxury. Its rate is 0.25 per cent and can't be cut below zero.
If inflation tumbles and deflation emerges, the nominal interest rate of zero becomes a positive real exchange rate, with devastating contractionary effects.
Perhaps because of the different prevailing conditions, RBA governor
The RBA has said it will need to see a material deterioration in demand before it cuts rates. Insiders interpret that as meaning the bank will maintain its resolve even if the unemployment rate creeps up from its current level of 5.2 per cent.
JP Morgan, in an economic note released last week, cautioned against economic hubris.
It calls Australia's growth "mediocre", noting that the average annual economic growth since mid-2009 of 2.4 per cent is lower than the US (2.5 per cent), Canada (2.9 per cent) and Germany (3.0 per cent).
Business leaders crave the relief a rate cut would bring.
The exchange rate, which was at $1.05 late yesterday, has been a drag on Australian growth.
Cutting interest rates would decrease the attraction for foreign investors in Australia, and thereby lead to a lower dollar.
Westpac Banking Corp predicts that the RBA, tempted by the idea of giving the east-coast economies a break, will cut its interest rates.
Westpac predicts the cash rate will fall to 4 per cent by June, and to 3.75 per cent by September, before holding steady.
The Australian Financial Review


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EFSA accused of legal bullying by campaign group
Brussels, 27 September – Campaigners today accused the European Food Safety Authority of using legal threats to try and intimidate its critics, after receiving a legal threat from the EU agency [1].
Research and campaign group Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) received a letter from EFSA's Head of the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Unit following publication of an article highlighting hidden conflicts of interest among members of EFSA's expert panel responsible for food additives.
The letter targeted a spoof logo used by CEO to illustrate the article on its website [2], which EFSA claimed was unauthorised as the name and logo were protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. CEO has responded to the letter [3], pointing out that the illustration does not use EFSA's name – and that it is a parody of EFSA's logo, clearly intended to ridicule EFSA's apparent links to industry and covered by the right to freedom of speech and expression.
Olivier Hoedeman, research coordinator for Corporate Europe Observatory, said:
"EFSA seems intent on using intimidation, rather than providing answers to the questions we have raised about conflicts of interest among the agency's experts. This kind of legal bullying is no way for an EU-body to deal with serious criticism. EFSA is supposed to represent the public interest, yet is behaving like a private company."
A number of MEPs have raised questions about EFSA's independence [4] following a series of critical reports by NGOs [5]. The European Court of Auditors is currently investigating EFSA and other EU agencies over alleged conflicts of interest.
CEO is calling the European Commission to introduce new rules for EFSA and other EU agencies regarding the recruitment of experts, based on including a strong and strictly enforced definition of conflicts of interest, and a requirement for experts' declarations of interest to be independently audited.
Olivier Hoedeman, tel: +32 (0)2 893 0930 – mobile: +32 (0)474 486 545 – email: email@example.com
[1] http://www.corporateeurope.org/legal-letter-efsa#
[2] http://www.corporateeurope.org/publications/eu-food-additive-experts-fai...
[3] http://www.corporateeurope.org/response-efsa-re-use-logo
[4] See for example: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-20...
[5] See for example:
Corporate Europe Observatory is a research and campaign group working to expose and challenge the privileged access and influence enjoyed by corporations and their lobby groups in EU policy making.