Cowboys and Culture
Although it’s the seventeenth biggest city in the US, Fort Worth,Texas is better-known for the nearby airport than any attractions. That’s a shame, as this gem has a lot to offer visitors. This cityseamlessly combines cowboys and culture, and tourists can easily view fine art and take in a rodeo on the same day. Fort Worth conveniently arranges most of its attractions in three main areas of the city:
Travelling To Turkey – Facts for Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan begins next month and this can have an effect on the traveler. Here are some tips that can make your travel to Turkey more comfortable and enjoyable during Ramadan.Turkey holidays during this month-long celebration can have their limitations, but there are numerous benefits to be gained by visiting at this special religious time. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to reflect on their lives and to consider how they can live a virtuous life and avoid vice. It is a time of great celebration and there is a an almost carnival-like atmosphere, with bunting and lights decorating trees, mosques and homes around the towns.
Summertime Things to do in Montreal
Before leaving for France one of the best ways to warm up to the French culture is to spend a couple of days in the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec. Montreal is one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. Located on the St. Lawrence River, it has a certain European vibe. Cafés line the sidewalks of Old Montreal, bicycles are readily available for rent, grand old buildings have stood the test of time and old Cathedrals are the cornerstone of French culture and site seeing. A long weekend in Montreal is the perfect getaway and here are a few things that will help you to occupy your time while visiting our relaxed French speaking city.
The Golden Temple of Amritsar, India’s Shining Star
We had been back in India a mere two days when we made our way to Punjab to witness the Golden Temple. Sikhism’s Holiest site, this temple welcomes all to enjoy its beauty and spirituality. Dave and I don’t normally become excited over temples, but the Golden Temple is incredibly impressive and beautiful. It is not a large temple, but it is impressive. Built in 1577, the temples dome is guilded with 750 kg of pure gold.
Holi Mania it’s Spring in India!
- India has spring fever and nowhere celebrates the Holi Festival with more vigor than Mathura India. We hooked up with our friends Rebecca and Julian from Toronto to experience India’s most colourful festival. Becca has wanted to see Holi since the time she was 12 and Julian, being a huge history buff explained the [...]
Snapshot Sunday, Holi India
Meeting up with our friends Becca and Julian brought back the joy of travel again. To see them excited about India and Holy rubbed off on us, and even though I was sick with a touch of Delhi Belly and a bad head cold we enjoyed our time in Mathura celebrating the Holy Festivities.
Tuk Tuk Driver Makes a Difference
Have you ever met an honest Tuk Tuk Driver? We did, and we never let him go. His name is Ajith and we lucked out on our first day back to Hikkaduwa. What is so special about this meeting? We have since gone to two charities with Ajith, had dinner at his house and watched him donate shoes to a school from money that he has raised with his friends from Italy. We talk to him everyday on the telephone.
Snapshot Sunday: Dodanduwa Temple
Sri Lanka has its fair share of holy sites. Temples, like this one in the small town of Dodanduwa, dot the landscape. Some offered refuge during the Tsunami and others continue to be a place where monks study and learn the ways of Buddhism.
Temples of India and Sri Lanka: A Photostory
We have seen some pretty extraordinary temples in our three months of traveling through India and Sri Lanka. From the Taj Mahal to the summit of Adams Peak, temples are a way of life in these spiritual countries. We will be seeing many more I am sure, but here is a photo story of some of the great temples that we have witnessed on our Asian Adventure.
Snapshot Sunday – Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
A trip to Sri Lanka just wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Sigiriya. One of the most recognizable sites in the country, this important archeological discovery is an awesome site. This giant rock has been used as a dwelling since prehistoric times. Civilizations have popped over the years and dating back to the 3rd Century BC, monks used this rock as a monastery. Over time it has been used as many things with civilizations being built at its base and structures erected on its top.
Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage
If there is one thing that both Dave and I agree 100% on is that we both love to climb. We love treks and we love the feeling of getting to the top. When we learn about a great trek or climb in a country, we just have to climb it. And yes, the reason is, Because its there. What luck we had that it was prime season for pilgrims to make their way to Adams Peak to climb. Adams Peak is Sri Lanka’s Holiest mountain and each year Pilgrims flock to climb its 5200 steps.
Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage – A Photostory from Sri Lanka
A Photo story that documents our climb up Adams Peak in Sri Lanka. It is a pilgrimage that is done each year by thousands.
Kite Festival Jaipur, India
We have been lucky enough in India to witness many festivals during our two months in the country. Our arrival in Jaipur was no exception. The Kite Festival is an annual event that the whole of Rajasthan get’s pretty excited about and nowhere is it bigger than in the city of Jaipur. It is a festive event. Dancers and musicians play for the crowd, camel carts offer rides along with elephants.
Karni Mata Temple aka The Rat Temple of Rajasthan
Bikaner may be known for its camel safaris and impressive fort in the state of Rajasthan, but it is its unique temple in Deshnok that attracted us to the area. The Karni Mata Temple just may be one of India’s strangest attractions. The Karni Mata Temple just may be one of India’s strangest attractions.
It houses thousands of rats, yes rats and pilgrims make regular trips to Deshnok to worship these long tailed rodents. Did I tell you that you have to enter the temple barefoot?
Indian Arts Festival in Udaipur Rajasthan-Video
An amazing video that captures the essence of the Shilpgram Festival in Udaipur, India.
Learning to Play Carrom a Popular Game in India
If you are traveling through northern India, chances are you will see many men sitting around a table playing a game. This game is called Carrom. It is a form of finger billiards and it is highly addictive. Carrom is a game that is played on a smooth wooden square table. It uses flat round carrom balls (shaped like checker pieces) to play with. I tried to give it a go and I have to say, it looks easier than it is. It takes some skill and practice.
Shilpgram Arts Festival in Rajasthan
There is nothing more exciting than coming into a town to find out that you have arrived in time for a yearly festival. How lucky we felt when we heard that in Shilpgram, a mere two kilometres away from Udaipur, there was an arts festival taking place as we speak. Dancers, performers, artists and trades people from all over India have come to Shipgram for a 10 day festival to show off their talents.
Lakshmi the Elephant Takes a Bath in Hampi
We arrive just as Lakshmi the elephant makes her way to the bottom of the steps. The washing goes on for at least half an hour. She lies in the river content to be scrubbed by here handler. Flopping her ears and closing her eyes, she wakes only to stand up and turn over to have the other side bathed. After the bath, you can be blessed yourself by Lakshmi. Put a coin into the snout of her trunk and after she hands it to her master, she gives you a tap on your head. As I receive my blessing, A young boy helping the elephant handler whispers to me to ask if I would like a ride on Lakshmi.
Hampi India Celebrates 500 Years!
Have you ever had one of those days that you just can’t believe it is happening. That your good luck and fortune has been too good to be true and that your day was so exciting and exhilarating that your head spins when you go to bed? That was a day that Dave and I had today in India. I am always amazed at the moments in time that we have stumbled upon in our travels. We have seen some amazing things in our life by doing nothing more that having dumb luck.
A Chance Encounter with a Snake Charmer
I knew that there were snake charmers in the world. I just didn’t expect to see one. It happened at the most random time. We had just come back from riding Lakshmi the elephant in Hampi and when we turned there corner to walk back to our hotel, we saw him. Squatting in a laneway was a man with three cobras watching him work. They were beautiful. Sitting up in their baskets they were mesmerized by his flute.
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