ASIA
NORTH OF INDIA
NOVEMBER 2010 10DAYS
Agra is globally renown as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomise the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within itswalls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shahajahanembellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.
Site fabuleux qui inspire la sérénité.
Le silence s'impose.
Un merveilleux souvenir
“7 merveilles du monde : le Taj Mahal”
Pour ceux qui ne connaissant pas l'histoire, jahan avait 10 épouses. Il était en faveur mumtaz par-dessus tout. Elle était 20 quand ils nous marier en 1612. Elle a accouché à 14 enfants, mais mort après la remise de la 14e enfant. Elle avait à peine 39. Pendant que vous êtes sur son lit de mort elle m'a demandé jahan pour une condition expresse. Elle m'a demandé qu'il qu'il nous fallait un monument de la passion ils ont gardé.
shah jahan presque ruiné son Empire. Le bâtiment pris 17 ans et généralement considéré, c'est l'un des meilleurs exposés des Art islamique... Un chef d'œuvre.
The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination, that represents India to the world.
To get Balrampur we had to travel on the same day upon arriving to India after 9 hours journey flying from London. We caught the train (Vaishali express) from New Delhi to Gonda - 636 kms !! and then 4 hours driving to the village of Balrampur:
The city of Balrampur is famous for its association with sacred Buddhist and Jain places. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, The city is also known for Balrampur Chini Mills, one of the largest sugar manufacturing industry in the country. The company has four sugar factories located in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (India) having an aggregate sugarcane crushing capacity of 29,000 tonnes crushed per day.
The religious sites in and around the city are the main attractions of tourists here. Sahet, a nearby place on the Sravasti road, spread over an area of 400 acres is famous for its collection of ancient ruins. Towards the Rapti River, a little north of Sahet, lies the ancient city of Mahet. The fortified entrance to Mahet is made of mud, constructed in a beautiful crescent shape. Then there is the well-known temple, Sobhnath temple, which houses the great Stupas. These Stupas reflect the Buddhist tradition and boast of the history of the monasteries here in Balrampur, which you can see through the tour packages for Balrampur.
Jeetavana monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the country is said to be one of the favorites sites of Gautam Buddha. It contains the 12th-century inscriptions. The site is said to be so religious that Emperor Ashoka, the great, visited this site. Nearby there is also a sacred tree of Peepal. It is said that the tree is a sapling from the original Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya.
Lucknow, a beautiful city situated on river Gomti. Under Akbar, the city became part of Oudh province. Asaf-ud-Dawlah, Nawab of Oudh from 1775-97, transferred his capital from Faizabad to Lucknow. Famous for their decay and indolence, the later nawabs were nevertheless great patrons of the arts, especially dance and music.
We flew from domestic airport in Lucknow to Delhi 1 hour journey .... of thank god and I remembered almost killing myself having eaten green chili for dinner grr x
We had enjoyed the luxury for 3 days at Hyatt Hotel Bhikaiji cama place Ring road and we enjoyed the facilities. I remembered having a craving for a massive buffet of a wide range of different cooked cold and hot dishes but also for a delighting desert selection. I also remember this bath taken twice! I wished all the time this bathroom with an amazing design that I want so badly now would have last forever. We had a personal driver to take us around the place. Traffic is horrible but at the end nothing you could do to avoid that CRAP. They need to revise or to clarify the law, to be honest.
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics INDIA 2010 ****
DUBAI SEPTEMBER 2009
AT THE RAMADAN TIME 5DAYS
Burj Al Arab1053 ft
Designed to resemble a billowing sail, and illuminated at night by choreographed lighting, it would be impossible to miss the Burj Al Arab even if it wasn’t over 1,000 ft tall. It’s not just an impressive exterior – the 7-star hotel is one of the most luxurious in the world, complete with a brigade of highly trained butlers. Highlights are the views from their Skybar and the food in their Michelin-starred aquarium restaurant. And there are not many places in the world where you can have a cocktail in the sky followed by an underwater dinner.
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics DUBAI 2009 ****
AFRICA GULF OF AQABA IN THE RED SEA
EGYPT APRIL 2008 - 8DAYS
SHARM EL SHEIKH
PARK INN RESORT PO BOX 180 NABQ BAY SOUTH SINAI
One of my best trip ever so far. Horrible journey by bus and by night, we reached the site by twelve am and we climbed upon a camel up to the top of Mount Sinai mountain in Dahab where the prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments. The monastery of st Catherine was the most boring stuff that we have done coz it was really early morning and we were knackered. The amazing and stunning sunset that I will never forget. (check the video).
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics AFRICA ****
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics AFRICA ****
PACIFIC
FRENCH POLYNESIA 2007 - 3 WEEKS AND 1year living 1997
BORABORA HUAHINE PAPEETE MOOREA
HAWAII HONOLULU - HOAHU
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics FRENCH POLYNESIA ****
NORTH AMERICA
NEW YORK NEW JERSEY 2007 - 2008
LOSANGELES 2010
SAN FRANCISCO 2007
CHICAGO 2007
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics NORTH AMERICA ****
AFRICA
MOROCCO JUNE 2010 - 8DAYS
3 STAR RIAD INESLISA MARRAKECH 3 DERB BOUALILOU SIDI BEN SLIMANE 40008 MOROCCO.
Situated close to Jeema el Fna square in the Medina, an ancient part of the city. Open the door and experience life in calm and peaceful surroundings. Each room was welcoming and comfortable. We had the best room which was located on the patio with a really individual style and tasteful decor. And we sometimes enjoy the terrace where we lied back and relaxed on a chaise longue with cushions and mattresses especially for us.
We went to Place Jemaa el fna every days I believe, done Souk rabia, Majorelle park,Ourika'sValley with his 7 water falls. Apres avoir negocier les services dun guide local on a traverse un petit pond en bois avant de se lancer dans une ascenssion glissante le long des berges d'un petit torrent. Notre randonnée a dure deux heures.
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics MAROCCO 2010 ****
UE
BERLIN 2days 12/05/11 A TRULY AWE-INSPIRING EXPERIENCE.
Our experience.
We heard so much about this place that we had to visit it and I must admit a slight disappointment about this city.
We first of all land from Flughafen Schonefeld airport and get the city by train. We went straight to the tourist help desk to get a direction to our hotel on the transportation’s map. This step was easy and even easier with Damien’s language skills lol. From the airport, regional trains are the simplest way to get anywhere in the center for us it was 1/2hour journey. The average is 45 mn to get around. ABC ticket cost 3euros is required. Don’t get a taxi too expensive 25-30 euros.
We had an hour journey to Guntzelstr closed to the Zoologischer Garten West Berlin where our typical family hotel was based. It’s called Hotel-Pension Spree. I forgot to picture it by the way… but we were surprised by the receptionist poor English. We refreshed ourselves and we were really excited to discover Berlin
So we started looking the few brochures that we found on our way because we didn’t plan much prior our trip and instead we followed the few tips that we had from friends…
We first went to visit East of Berlin where are all the main sites, the Brandenburg tex mex restaurants in Berlin West Berlin which there had cult status due to its alternative scene, and when the call came down in 89 that scene simply moved East. We explored the gritty, grungy underground of the city that Berliners love. We’ve seen the old post office and the tasteless place. We chilled in Fritzschlopark for sometimes because we were exhausted from the trip.
The 2nd day, we went to Warschauer strabe area and enjoy the bars and restaurants thereby having beers in the park. We clearly enjoyed the east side gallery where we discovered the divided city of Berlin
We walked through Alexander Platz to Wedding.
Getting around.
If you want to visit the main sites I guess it’s better to take the tourist ticket 15.90euros so you can have significant discounts which can help you to cover most of the sites for cheap. But the best introduction of the city will be the free tour which starts early morning from east. It works on a tips only basis and the highest quality is guaranteed. It’s the best way to get to know Berlin
TIPS
German doesn’t like credit and debit card and I’m afraid all has to be paid cash which we found it quite annoying.
Don’t pay for your transportation. No gates nothing is there to help you not to be dodgy... lol
If you want a cheap hotel or a cheap tour, it’s very easy to go to this website www.neweuropetours.eu where you will find information and you can book your accommodation anywhere in the world with a really cheap rate and the best location.
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics BERLIN 2011 ****
CARRIBEAN ISLANDS
BARBADOS SEPT 2011
BARBADOS SEPT 2011
22 SEPTEMBER TILL 29 SEPTEMBER 2011 'the ultimate watering hole'
4th day
Relax on the hotel pool and again enjoying the fantastic beach.
5th day
7th day
We went to Bridgetown for a little shopping and photos
The Palm Resort our HOTEL
Guys direction BARBADOS wouhou a week with my boyfriend all together only!!!
WeStarted the journey with 2hours delay ... not bad hum for Virgin? not really impressed! but it went all fine. Reach Bridgetown with a crazy desire of having a fag!
Barbados is the most Easterly Island in the archipelago of the Caribbean Islands known as the Windward Islands. With the Caribbean Sea on the West which is considered by most to be the calm side of the Island and the Atlantic Ocean on the East side of the Island which is always wild and turbulent due to the trade winds. Jumping on the bus for a free transfer to our Hotel self catering at Holetown (the best area on the Island). The night is calling already so we manage to do some little shopping and have pasta for dinner with beers. I planned the holiday with excursions and Dam couldn't be bothered as he was already busy watching telly. There are 5 hours of difference with Uk time and it took his tall on me as I felt tired every single nights and bed was calling us no later than 11pm !!
Money
Barbados has its own currency the Barbados Dollar which is fixed to the US dollar at the rate of BBD $1.98 = 1 US dollar. US dollars are accepted island Illegal Drugs - A very important Barbados Tip The penalties for illegal drugs are severe, even for softer drugs like marijuana - that helpful fellow making an offer to us might be an undercover cop - don't take the chance. Well very expensive I must say !!!!! u can find this on beaches talking to the rasta boys... The islands water supply is extremely clean and safe to drink as it is filtered by coral and captured in underground aquifers. Our Exotic planning1st dayMeeting 8:45am ANICA our Virgin rep for excursions bookings, I won't foget this awful bajan breakfast that we had at the hotel beurk.Afternoon beach and cocktails and discovered the area where we found it really easy to accomodate. We forgot but the sun was really strong and we didnt have sun cream. Thanks we both are really dark already and wasnt a big deal.Barbados is very close to the equator so the sun is extremely strong and precautions need to be taken. There's nothing worse than the pain of a bad sunburn - it can spoil our vacation so Dam baught a some aloe vera from the tree to a rataman on the beach but after few days its stunk; The sun is strongest between 10:00 a.m and 3.00 p.m. We could still get burned in the morning and the afternoon and overcast days are deceiving the ultraviolet rays penetrate the clouds and cause sunburn.
2nd dayVisit of Harrisson cave with the wildlife reserve from 9 to 4pm come back shopping for breakfast etc.. This magnificient crystallized limestone cavern is said to be one of the wonders of the world and noz the nezly re-developed site offers the oppotunity to enjoy the cave experience and uncover one of best site the Caribbean has to offer. Situated in the central uplands of Barbados in the parish of St Thomas where a profusion of native flowers; plants trees await us.It all begins at the cliff top location overlooking the valley floor by the three breathtaking glass fronted elevators. No day is like any other when we visited the Barbados wildlife reserve. We walk and wandered through, we discovered turtle, green monkey, snakes, iguana, rabbits, It's like what we see in Frejus zoo but so different after all. We looked carefully amongst the bushesand trees to find our animals as they go about their daily lives. We saw their world with wider eyes and hear their world with wider ears it was all different of what we were used to taking photos madly as if it was the first time for us. WORTHY http://www.harrisonscave.com/
3rd day
Kick off for the cruise spent all the day on a magnificent catamaran called TIAMI with free seaside lunch Bajan style food and rum. We step on board where we were utterly pampered with an open bar with mouthwatering dishes. The captain dropped the anchor and we snorkeled on a coral reef and shipwreck with tropical and amazing fish. We met and swum with friendly turtles and roam the beach where we could have some time for us. We enjoyed relaxing on the deck ignoring pretty much the stranger and we didn't really socialize with them...
Relax on the hotel pool and again enjoying the fantastic beach.
5th day
Visit to the Island with a rental car that Damien has driven because I couldn't feel doing. It took us 7hours. The island is 21 miles (34 km.) long and 14 miles (22.km.) wide and the area is 166 square miles (424 square km) and it's divided into eleven parishes. The population is approximately 270,000
92% African descent
3% European descent
4% Indian and Asian descent and a good number of mixed races.
6th day
Mount Gay Rum distilleries "the Rum that invented Rum"! They didn't give us a whole bottle of Rum but we enjoyed some free tipples after learning about the history and seeing how they make the world's oldest rum. We had a lunch washed down with very special rum punch.
We went to Bridgetown for a little shopping and photos
The Palm Resort our HOTEL
Mayhoe Avenue Sunset Crest Holetown, St. James Barbados
located about 10 min walk from the beach but set in a very rundown neighborhood! The Palm resort booked with Virgin holiday. Situated near the beach in Holetown's St. James neighborhood, this villa property is close to Sandy Lane Beach, Holetown Monument, and Holetown Beach. Also nearby are Paynes Bay Beach and St. James Parish Church with super amenities. The resort is split into 2 sites - Halcyon Palms (larger fo the two with a smaller pool) and Travellers Palms (We stayed in Room 21). The apartments are basic but comfortable and represent excellent value for money. There is kitchenette well stocked with fridge/freezer, full oven, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, saucepans, utensils, etc - dining and lounge area (with ceiling fan, sofa, chair and dining table with 4 chairs) which opens onto balcony with outside table and 2 chairs great for breakfast and lunch dining. The bedroom has 2 single beds, with walk-in closet and en-suite plus AC unit. Location was very quiet and staff friendly. You can request an extra bed which they will set-up in the lounge area.
VIEW OF THE POOL 
**** If you want to see our holiday photos go to my travel pics BARBADOS 2011 ****
