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Vol. 8

No. 5

Pages 112

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US $10 (Overseas)

February 2015

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DISCOVERY OF

JAPAN

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HIGHLIGHTS Vol. 8 No. 5 February 2015

COVER STORY

The Discovery of Japan When you think of Japan, what comes to your mind? Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or Suzuki, the cars it has rolled out? Or the bullet train that brings metropolises closer?

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Medical Tourism

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Gujarat the Land of Lions Mention Gujarat, and the first name that comes to your mind is that of Gandhiji; then that of Sardar Patel, or the celebrated tea seller-turned Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Legendary Page 86 Cartoonists Page 79

Modern Marco Polos

Tamil Nadu Traveller

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Woman Of Peaceful The Month Countries Page 77

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EDITOR'S NOTE

ASIAN TRAVELLER GOING GLOBAL Editor & Publisher Executive Editor Chief Mentor Group Vice President Sr. Sub Editor Editorial Team Director-Marketing Associate Directors

While India is emerging as the most happening place and foreign investors travelling to India to explore business avenues, Indians with disposable income are on a foreign travel spree. They want to play the Christopher Columbus of modern times. So Asian Traveller goes with them, exploring places. Of all those who wielded the pen, none made a greater fortune for his country than the Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon. The interest in Shakespeare, notwithstanding the slightly archaic language, is glowing partly because of the English professors around the world who have immortalized him. In the most impressionable age, Shakespearean characters and his immortal lines get etched in your mind, never to leave you again. The Shakespearean quotes have a philosophic flavour that puts you in a contemplative mode: There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy – Hamlet That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain -Measure for Measure From Shakespeare to Salzburg of Sound of Music fame is a joyride. Winner of five Academy Awards, the film broke the record of Gone with the Wind as the highest viewed film of all-time. Discover Japan is an appetizer for a healthy Japanese cultural meal. You may be amused by the size of the Sumo wrestlers but you may be tempted to shop in Japan for its fashion goods. Asian Traveller wishes all our readers a happy journey – no matter what’s the destination!

Dr. G. Biju Krishnan Editor & Publisher editor@mediastepsindia.com +91 9745001001

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COVER STORY

The Discovery of Japan When you think of Japan, what comes to your mind? Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or Suzuki, the cars it has rolled out? Or the bullet train that brings metropolises closer? Or the Sumo wrestling the whole country is passionate about? Or the unforgettable Japanese bow to welcome guests? Or the Lolita fashion that grips the youth? Or that eerie images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Anjali S 6

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apan is a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. What they adapt, they innovate and perfect. The British invented the train, but the Japanese invented the bullet train. The Americans monopolized the automobile industry once; the Japanese learned from the Americans, innovated and later monopolized the industry – the Japanese mastered the psyche of American comfort and outdid the American manufacturers in providing comfort. The Japanese

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fashion and lifestyle industry has its base in the west, which is why it is popular in the east and the west. Initially, two things might amuse you as you are introduced to the Japanese culture – the way they greet their guests, displaying humility at its best, and the way the Japanese wrestlers look! Both are the apogee of the fine Japanese culture, and those not familiar with this culture might take time to appreciate it. (When it comes to greeting a friend, he might get a quick

30-degree bow while a superior officer might get an extended 70-degree bow). Sumo wrestling is part of the martial art. The one who exits the ring or touches the ground with any other part of the body except the soles of his feet is declared the loser. A contest usually lasts only a few seconds, but in rare cases can take a minute or more. These wrestlers are men of exceptional stamina and formidable strength. The ideal weight for a sumo wrestler is anything from 400 to 600 pounds. This means that it takes not only strength and flexibility to be a sumo—it also takes the right diet. Eating is an essential part of their training. Sumo wrestlers eat approximately 20,000 calories a day! They get up at 4:30 a.m.; don’t eat breakfast, and practice hard till 12:30 p.m. Then they eat a large meal, and go to bed. They wake again for dinner, eat, and go back to bed, only to repeat the following day. This adds fat to their strong core of muscles that they develop through training, and doesn’t allow for any of it to be burned off. Though the styles have changed over the years, street fashion is still popular. Lolita has become one of the larger, more recognizable styles, gaining worldwide interest. The more well-known styles within Lolita fashion are: Gothic Lolita has a heavy influence of the Eastern and Victorian Goth style. They are often characterized by dark colours, crosses, bats and spiders, as well as other popular gothic 'icons'. Victorian iron gates and architectural designs are also

COVER STORY slippers will be sitting nearby; many Japanese bring a pair of indoor slippers just in case, though.

CULTURE:

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seen in dress prints. Skirts are usually worn knee length with petticoats beneath for volume. Sweet Lolita is the most childlike style, characterized by baby animals, fairy tale themes and innocent, childlike attire. It is inspired by baby dolls and Hello Kitty is popular among the Sweet Lolis. Punk Lolita is experimental, mixing the influences of Punk with Lolita. It can sometimes look deconstructed or crazy, while keeping most of the 'Lolita silhouette'. Classic Lolita is traditional, mature, and business-like and focuses on light colors such as, blue, green, and red. Now coming to etiquette, Japanese might feel offended if you do not attach the suffix “san” to their last name, or “sama” if you are trying to be particularly respectful. If for some reason you aren’t too adept with chopsticks, try to learn before passing through immigration. It’s really not that hard. If you’re dining with a Japanese family, don’t be surprised if you receive a compliment on

your ability to eat like Japanese. Take off your shoes at the entrance to all homes, and most businesses and hotels. Usually a rack will be provided to store your shoes, and pair of guest

Ikebana or “way of flowers” is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement that has been in practice for more than 600 years. In contrast to the decorative form of flower arranging in western countries, the Japanese flower arrangement creates a harmony of linear construction, rhythm, and colour. Ikebana was developed by Buddhist rituals which later, by the middle of the fifteenth century, achieved the status of an art form independent of its religious origins. It is currently popular as a living

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arrangement bound by nature and humanity which is practiced with an element of minimalism. Haiku: Haiku started out as a popular activity during the 9th to 12th centuries in Japan called “tanka.” It was a progressive poem, where one person would write the first three lines with a 5-7-5 structure, and the next person would add to it a section with a 7-7 structure. The chain would continue in this fashion. The spirit of haiku is juxtaposition of two images or ideas and a kireji "cutting word" between them. And this juxtaposition continues to be honoured even today.

to facilitate swift changes of scenes. Kabuki is over 400 years old and remains popular, with shows performed regularly at Tokyo's newly restored Kabuki-za Theatre - amongst others. Noh is much slower paced and has history, legend and literature for setting, and dreams, supernatural elements and ghosts for themes. Performed since the fourteenth century, Noh uses poetic language and relies on its words than the movement of the actors. Traditionally, a Noh performance lasts all day, broken with shorter, comic pieces, but performances are much shorter nowadays. Unlike Kabuki, Noh

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is staged on a simple set with minimalistic props and engages audience’s imagination to fill the gaps. Bunraku is a form of traditional puppet theatre, founded in Osaka in 1684. Bunraku performances feature wooden puppets and involve puppeteers, chanters, and shamisen musicians. It showcases tragedies, love stories, legends and historical tales voiced by narrator and played by puppets.

URBAN HOTSPOTS: Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido Prefecture, and the largest city

Theatre: Kabuki is one of three styles of traditional Japanese theatre that continues to be performed in Japan today. It is a highly stylized form of traditional theatre which uses exaggerated movement, costume and make up to convey additional meaning to its audience. The stage itself is work of art with trapdoors, revolving platforms and walkways

FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

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COVER STORY on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Abundance of historical buildings, shopping malls and parks in Sapporo cause tourists to flock towards it. Historic landmarks include the former HokkaidĹ? government office building, the Sapporo Clock Tower, the HokkaidĹ? Shrine, and the Sapporo TV Tower. Sapporo is also a city of museums â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Sapporo Factory, for instance, is a reminder of an old brewery just like its kin, Sappoto Beer Musuem. The Edwin Dun Memorial Hall, Hokkaido University Sapporo Archieve Museum are some historically important buildings that is registered in the Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Its neighbour Susukino, on the other hand, has a dedicated thriving nightlife. This district has an amalgamation of the oldest shopping mall in the city as well as nightclubs, bars, and

adult entertainment. All of this is spiced with street performers who engage in singing, playing games and dancing. Odori Park, the unrivalled king gets its attention by hosting popular events such Yosakoi Soran Festival, Sapporo Lilac Festival, Sapporo White Illumination, and the Sapporo Snow Festival. Other city marvels that you might want to look out for are: the open-air stage in Sapporo Artpark, museum of sculpture, and the old house of Takeo Arishima. Tokyo Tower Tokyo Tower is located in Shiba park, Minato, Tokyo. Primarily built for communications and observations, this is the second tallest structure in Japan (332.5 meters). Built as tribute to rapid industrialization and economic growth, Tokyo Tower became an icon for urban tourists. Com-

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SHOP TILL YOU EAT:

Yaki Imo: Bakde sweet potatoes cooked over wood fire. Just like how ice cream trucks work, Japan has its own carts and trucks equipped with wooden stoves and a loudspeaker that goes “Yaki Imo...” on full throttle.

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pleted in 1958, this landmark tower painted orange and white, is clearly, as one can see, influenced by Eiffel Tower. The base of the tower hosts a four storey building known as the FootTown. The first floor exhibits a 400-person-capacity Tower Restaurant, an aquarium gallery, a souvenir store and a reception hall. The main attraction, however, are the three elevators that serve as a direct ride to the Main Observatory. The second floor extends an opportunity for shopping and eating. A Shinto shrine stands out among the eateries in this floor. The third floor, yet again reminds us of the importance Japanese gives to museums and memorabilia. It is home to the Guinness World Records Museum Tokyo, a hologram gallery known as Gallery DeLux and The Tokyo Tower Wax Museum, opened in 1970. The last and final floor has Tokyo Tower's Trick Art Gallery, which features optical illusions, paintings and objects that visitors can interact with. Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku

com

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Dome) Preserved in ruins is the Genbaku dome, the only structure left standing after the first atomic explosion in 1945. This structure is maintained to survive in the exact condition right after explosion and continues to remain as a beacon of International Peace. The underlying building now in its skeletal frame, used to be the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotional Hall, built in 1914. Standing in its original form and design, Genbaku dome serves as a grim reminder of destructive nature and loss, at the same time, offering hope for peace to triumph. The nearby area including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park serves as a place for prayer for the atomic bomb victims as well as for permanent world peace.

ANCIENT CITY: Himeji Castle: Nicknamed as “White Heron”, attributed to the white plastic that acts as a fireproofing agent, Himeji Castle

Onsen Tamago: How would you like your egg? Medium-boiled, hardboiled or hot-spring boiled? Onsen tamago is a traditional Japanese low temperature egg, slow cooked in the water of hot springs. The egg is poached within the shell and the white comes off like custard, soft and squishy.

Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course cuisine which can also mean a dedicated culinary art. Modern day kaiseki is practiced as an art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food. Only the freshest of seasonal ingredients goes into plate of this orderly arranged decoration.

COVER STORY

remains in its pristine condition after 400 years. This 17th century marvel is built on top of Himeyana Hill, 45.6 metres above the sea level and occupies the centre portion of the Himeji City. The fireproofing plaster aided for better reinforcement for the cas-

tle made entirely in wood as it covered every outside structure from eaves to pillars. Apart from the famed main tower, the castle earned its place in UNESCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Heritage list because of its impenetrable defensive structure and self preservation. Built in the early shogun period, this maze of a castle consists of

83 buildings including towers, stone ramparts, and earthen walls, all taken care of with its best aesthetic appeal. The Golden Pavilion Temple The Golden Pavilion Temple, also called Kinkaku-ji was built in 1397 in Kyoto. Originally built as a villa for retirement for Shogun Ashikaga, his son later con-

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verted the building into a Zen temple. But unfortunately, the Golden Pavilion temple wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lucky to be preserved like the Himeji castle. In 1950, a young monk set fire to the temple burning down the whole temple. The temple we see today is built as an exact copy to the original five years later. This three storied temple has its two upper stories covered with a pure gold layer. Chinese architectural style predominates on the top floor while the second floor is taken by Zen style. The ground floor, on the other hand is claimed by shinden-zukuri style. The main purpose of the pavilion was to work as a shariden, storing relics of the Buddha. Other attractions include the Mirror Pond and the garden that surrounds the temple. Tokyo Imperial Palace The emperor of Japan lives here. Built on the grounds of where Edo castle used to be, Tokyo Imperial Palace now functions as an administration center and museum to showcase Japanese art and history. It occupies the

land where other older castles ceased to exist by fire or war. Modern day architects have incorporated ancient Japanese elements of the different eras into the modern palace. The new palace is surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens and has many reception and function rooms offered out to the public.

NATURE: Yakushima: Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site, Yakushima is a subtropical island off the coast of Kyushu. This nearly round granite island with a circumference of 150kms proudly hosts mountains in its terrain, the famous of which are Miyanoura-dake (1,935m) and Nagata-dake (1,886m). Because of its rocky exterior, precipitation is high in the region making it one of the most rain-soaked places in Japan. This biosphere reserve is home for some ancient cedar trees (Cryptomeria japonica) that is treated by the Japanese with much reverence. Owing to its exclusion from civilisation and the abundance of flora and fauna in its natural

Rinku Town (Osaka): Just on the outskirts of Kansai International airport lies one whole town dedicated to shoppers and shopaholics. Marble Beach, premium outlets shopping mall, shopping bridge, Ferris wheel are some of the attractions offered by this commercial town.

Shijo Street (Kyoto): In an around this street which in its course, passes a river is a hub for all shopping activities. Kyotoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen, is a narrow part of the street which dedicates itself to food and delicacies. Be it fashion, or departmental store you are looking for, it can all be accessed by foot in here. Souvenirs, handicrafts and traditional gifts all have designated space in this market. Tokyo: The capital city is a tailormade mix for all your shopping

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VIBRANT GUJARAT

behaviour, Yakushima is one of Japan's natural wonders. So untouched are this regenerating forest’s natural habitators – the monkeys and deers, it comes no surprise when we are warned with, “Don't feed the monkeys [and let] this happy state of affairs continue.” Mount Fuji needs no introductions. This 12,388 ft. giant active volcano is a well-known icon of Japan, known for its exceptionally symmetric cone. Located on Honshu Island, an estimated 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year, of which 30% are foreigners. The ascent can take anywhere between three and eight hours while the descent can take from two to five hours. This snow-capped phenomenon is one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” along

with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. It’s officially open for climbing during the months of July and August. Jigokudani Monkey Park: In the valley of Yokoyu River, downstream from Shiga Heights, some 200 or so “snow monkeys” found their homeland. Despite being covered in snow for one third of the year, with rocky cliffs and hot springs bursting from the ground, Japanese Macaque monkeys made it their paradise. Ironically, people named it Jigokudani which means, “Hell’s Valley”. One of the best moments you can capture at this monkey park is when the monkeys cleanse themselves by taking baths at the hot spring. Across the Yokoyu river is Korakukan Ryokan, where humans too, can enjoy a bath.

needs. Be it the popular Ginza, that offers high end boutiques and electronics or Odaiba, a shopping mall made from a man-made island, Tokyo never ceases to amaze. Sugamo is another unique street that’s believed to be on holy location with a clientele consisting of elderly folks.

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EXCLUSIVE

FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Israel the melting pot Israel is one of the most fascinating countries of the world and an ethnic melting pot of cultures, religions and immigrants. But what makes Israel such a popular tourist destination?

Asian Traveller Editor Dr. Biju Krishnan interviews Madah Hassan, Director - India, Ministry of Tourism, Israel.

Israel is as you say a melting pot and that brings a lot of culture, cuisine, ceremonies etc to one place and put into it the Israeli twist and you have then a unique experience. Israel has a lot to offer actually - from the sightseeing, adventure, amazing attractions to the niche markets were you can find birdwatchers, since Israel is located in the way between Europe to Africa. Also, you can find divers who visit to dive in the Red Sea. In Israel you have amazing night life especially in Tel Aviv, along with the wineries. In Israel you can find around 300 of them and many other activities and things to do and to see, from floating in the Dead Sea to skiing in the north.

How long have you been associated with Israel ministry of tourism? What are the challenges you faced in your position and how do you overcome them? I have been there for the last 7 years and moved between departments. Managing the

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Ministry Tourism board in India is my current role and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full of challenges but I like it. The main thing was the gap in the culture and the way of doing business, but once you learn then it becomes easy. For instance, the Indian market is a last minute market and you need to get used to it.

mountain and amazing hill stations.

What is the best time to visit Israel and how do you plan taking Israel up the ladder as far as the preferred destination in the world?

3,251,095 tourists visited Israel in 2014; among them 34,900 were Indian, so we are talking about only 1%. Majority of tourism come from America (823,064) Europe and Russia.

The best time to visit Israel is during spring and the autumn. A very convenient time for Indian tourists, as it is school vacations and festive season in India. It is the best time to visit in terms of climate, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the lowest season from other markets, ensuring good weather and reasonably low prices for an Indian traveller. My major concern regarding climbing the ladder is the awareness of the agents to the product. Once we educate them, I think we will have tourists flocking to Israel.

Apart from world famous destinations like Jerusalem, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv, which are the other places worth visiting to entice travelers to Israel? Israel offers many other places and the list is long but I will mention some. Haifa which is a city in the north with amazing port and amazing Bahaa'i center with enchanted gardens. Eilat which is the southest city in the shores of the red sea. Also the Galilee which is area of green

FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Tens of thousands of people including Indians are visiting Israel every year as part of pilgrim trips. Other than that, how many travelers visit Israel every year and what percentage of traffic to Israel is from India?

What are the initiatives planned by Israel ministry of Tourism to get more visitors in 2015? We are hosting the TAFI convention in Israel and we want to showcase the country for the hundreds that will be there. Also, we launched an online training for agents http://www. goisraeltraining.com In addition, we also have joint promotion agreements with tour operators and travel agents and we advertise for markets like MICE, High End and more in their media channels.

Does Israel ministry of tourism see social media primarily as a consciousnessraising marketing tool to bring more tourists in to the country? Yes, we do and we are planning a digital campaign for this year. Nowadays social media is crucial and we should use it to maximize our presence in India.

The New India government led by Narendra Modi has included tourism in its top agenda, how Israel can take this opportunity in tourism perspective? Our top priority is increasing the flights between the countries. Now, we have only one direct flight and we want more. We want to see Indian carrier flying to Israel. Air India used to fly and we want them to come back or any other carrier.

Finally, Geo political tensions in the region are a bit of concern for tourists visiting Israel, How do you cope with the situation? We always hear that but we the numbers are speaking for themselves. We had more than 3 million tourists last year and Israel is a small country so the tension is in the region but we don't really affected that much as you may think. Indians should look at it as the Kashmir problems. If something happening in the north borders that doesn't mean that the tourist in Goa will run away.

FOCUS

Gujarat

the Land of Lions

Mention Gujarat, and the first name that comes to your mind is that of Gandhiji; then that of Sardar Patel, or Vikram Sarabhai, and, of course, the celebrated tea seller-turned Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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ust pay Rs 1,000 for a night, and you can Live Like Gandhi in Kochrab Ashram. On his return from South Africa, Gandhi set up the first Ashram in India at Kochrab but shifted it to a piece of open land on the banks of the river Sabarmati in 1917. The Sabarmati Ashram was home to Mohandas Gandhi until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle. Originally called the Satyagraha Ashram, it became home to the ideology that set India free. Sabarmati Ashram was created with a dual mission: to serve as an institution to carry on the search for truth and a platform to bring together a group of workers committed to non-violence who would help secure freedom for India. By conceiving such a vision, Gandhi hoped to foster a new social construct of truth and non-violence that would help to revolutionise society. It was also from here on March 12, 1930 that Gandhi launched the famous Dandi march, 241 miles from the Ashram. The Ashram is presently involved in a number of activities to preserve the history of Gandhi and the freedom struggle and to educate people in Gandhian values. Gujarat today is the only place in the world where you can spot the purest breed of Asiatic Lions. The Gir National Park where they breed has observed that their numbers are increasing, presumably because of the good care and conservation. Your best chance of spotting a lion is during March-May, though the most comfortable time to visit the park is during December-

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March. There's plenty of other wildlife there, including around 300 types of birds. The Somnath Temple located near Veraval in Saurashtra (western Gujarat) has become one of the great pilgrim tourist spots of India. It is the first among the twelve shrines of the god Shiva. The temple is considered sacred due to the legends connected to it. The Somnath Temple is known as "the Shrine Eternal", having been destroyed many times rebuilt. Its seaside

Patel’s death, K M Munshi took over the responsibility. Munshi invited Dr Rajendra Prasad to perform the installation ceremony, and he remarked, "The Somnath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction”. A quick recap of history will bring out the significance of Dr Prasad’s comments. In 1024, the temple was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni but was rebuilt between 1026 and 1042.

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location and architecture are superb, and its history is fascinating. In 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited Junagadh, whose prince was mooning with Mohammed Ali Jinnah to join Pakistan in 1947. After the integration of the princely state into the Union of India, Patel ordered the restoration of the temple. Gandhiji blessed the move and suggested that it should be rebuilt by public contribution and not by government funds. After

In 1296, the temple was once again destroyed by Allauddin Khilji’s army. It was rebuilt in 1308 and the Linga was installed between 1326 and 1351. In 1375, the temple was once again destroyed by Muzaffar Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate. In 1451, it was once again destroyed by Mahmud Begada, the Sultan of Gujarat. By 1665, the temple, among many others, was ordered to be destroyed by Aurangzeb.

NEWSLINE

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Dwarka, considered the first capital of Gujarat in the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna, is one of the four sacred pilgrimage centres of India. The Janmashtami festival is celebrated in a colourful way. Of special importance are Dwarakadheesh

Temple, built around 200 BC, and Jagat Mandir. Head down to Gomti Ghat, at the holy water's edge, for a spectacle of decorated camels, tea stalls, and seashell jewelery sellers. The peaceful village of Modhera is home to one of the

most significant sun temples in India. Built in the 11th century by Solanki dynasty rulers, it's dedicated to Surya the Sun God. The temple is a substantial structure, consisting of a carved stepped tank, assembly hall, and main shrine. It's covered in intricate stone sculptures. The sanctum is positioned in a way that it receives the first rays of the morning sun at the equinox. Palitana, a principal pilgrim center for Jains, has accumulated nearly 900 temples and more are being constructed. Climb in excess of 3,000 steps to the top of the hill and you'll find an astonishing Jain temple complex with sensational views. Do note that the hill is considered sacred. You cannot wear or carry any leather items and must dress conservatively. If you love Indian handicrafts, the place to visit is Bhuj in the Kutch region. It offers an eclectic

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combination of bazaars and historic buildings with architecture dating back to the 17th century. Sadly, an earthquake caused widespread destruction in Bhuj in 2001 though. You'll find textile dealers lining Shroff Bazaar, just east of the Darbargadh. You can meet artisans at work, if you take a side trip to Bhujodi, a village of weavers some seven kilometres from Bhuj, and Ajrakhpur, a village of block printers, 15 kilometres from Bhuj. You can buy handicrafts straight from the artisans and exchange a word of pleasantry with them. The port town of Mandvi is worth visiting to see its fascinating 400 year old shipbuilding yard. Mandvi wasn't hit by the 2001 earthquake as badly as Bhuj, so many of its atmospheric old buildings are still intact. With a bit of imagination you'll be transported back to the bygone era when Mandvi was the summer retreat of the King of Kutch. There's also an evocative Jain temple nearby. The Great Rann of Kutch is the world's largest salt desert, measuring over 16,000 square kilometres. What makes it even more amazing is that it's underwater during the monsoon. For the remaining eight months of the year, it's an enormous

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stretch of packed white salt. Full moon nights are the best time to see it. A moonlight Rann camel safari is magical. The Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, home to the last of the Indian wild ass, is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. It's spread over almost 5,000 square kilo-

meters. One of the best times to visit is just after the monsoon, in October to November, when the grasslands are tender for grazing and foals can often be seen out playing. It's possible to go on organized jeep and minibus safaris, and you can also camp out at the Little Rann of Kutch.

TAMIL MEDICAL NADU TOURISM TRAVELLER

DIS-CURE ASIA:

Alleviating Ailments! What does a trip to the Asia mean to you? Absorb a bit of its culture, gorge on native food and visit some exotic places. But what you hear about these nations potential to cut down your medical bills by a fraction? Assured with the best quality? You bet. 22

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TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER

ndia is where you should be heading if you are looking for alternate options in medicine, which is practised in abundance throughout the country. Home to various options that consider a holistic approach to treatment, these are some of the systems that you could familiarise with. Ayurveda: Known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;science of lifeâ&#x20AC;? from its word meanings

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is the traditional Indian system that been offering treatments, corrections and preventive measure for the past 5000 years. Its practices include the use of herbal medicines, mineral or metal supplementation, surgical techniques, opium, and application of oil by massages. Unani: Originated from Greece, an equally old medicinal system is Unani, now practised in India

as well as other South Asian countries. Having its first fundamental theory established by philosopher Hippocrates, Unani medicine believes that diseases can be kept at bay by the use of clean and fresh water, breathing clean air and consuming fresh food. Siddha: Another system of medicine developed in South India (mostly Tamil Nadu) that evolved

with Dravidian culture, therefore also called the Dravidian system of medicine. The creators of Siddha, (called Siddhars) are spiritual scientists who explored and explained the reality of nature and its relationship with man with Siddhic powers and experimental findings. Yoga and naturopathy: It might be a miniature cultural shock to realize that yoga isn’t just exercising. In India, apart from physical, it is also a mental and spiritual and meditative practice. Apart from improved coordination, flexibility, concentration, sleep, and digestion, yoga promises much more to discover. Naturopathy, much like yoga, is a way of life and vouches for drugless treatments. It ffocuses on eating and living habits, adoption of purification measures, use of hydrotherapy, massages and baths. Homoeopathy: A yet another

system of medicine, which found its home in India. Homoeopathy cures diseases by administrating potency drugs, which have been experimentally proved to possess the power of producing similar artificial systems on human beings. Together, these systems form AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), functioning under the governmental body of India. Modern Medicine: India is one of the most preferred destinations for cardiac related treatments owing to latest technology in treatment, low cost and quality professionals. Orthopaedics is another field the country excels in. According to the Indian Department of Tourism, India’s cost of healthcare is one fifth that of the West, with multi-organ transplants for a tenth of the cost,

and with a bonus perk of “no waiting time”. India is home to two of the top ten medical tourism hospitals on the list published by MTQUA. The Fortis Escorts Heart Institute for instance, provides an open-heart surgery that costs around 200,000 Rupees (US$4,500), compared to US$60,000 or more in USA. The Wockhardt Hospitals Group has an association with Partners Medical International, which develop programmes for Harvard Medical School affiliated teaching hospitals. Other popular tourism favouring hospitals in India are the Apollo Hospital Group, Asian Heart Institute, Max Healthcare and Jaslok Hospital (for heart), among others. With an annual growth rate of 30%, it is estimated that India will be welcoming half a million medical tourists in 2015.

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THAILAND With a growth rate of 16 percent a year, Thailand owns the medical industry in Asia with 37 JCI accredited hospitals, claiming over 40% of medical tourists since 2011. Thailand reigns as the pilgrimage spot for cosmetic surgeries, dental and eye care, and gender and fertility treatments with minimum charges compared to Western treatment. Alternate treatments in the country are provided by wellness centres and aroma spas that have therapeutic packages such as aromatherapy massages, Thai foot massages

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and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Bumrungrad International hospital in Bangkok is one of the renowned hospitals that focus on the "intentional medical traveller, not the accidental traveller". A bladder surgery here would cost US$ 3,000 compared to US$ 25,000 in USA. An interesting statement released Bumrungrad spokesman says that the hospital delivers a "Mercedes product at a Toyota priceâ&#x20AC;?. Bangkok International Hospital is a dedicated hospital for over-

seas patients and prides itself for treating people from more than 100 nationalities. With a team of multi-lingual interpreters, the hospital runs its network of private hospitals in 17 locations across Thailand. And lastly, to one of the top 10 procedures that Thailand medical tourism remains unrivalled is the sex-change surgery. Known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;sexual reassignment surgeryâ&#x20AC;?, this procedure is undertaken by multiple hospitals where The Bangkok Phuket Hospital remains the most popular. It also offers extensive health-

FOCUS

check facilities with full-body CT scans and 4D ultrasounds.

MALAYSIA Ranked in the top five destinations for health tourism, Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical tourism is booming under government initiatives that focus on tapping the industry for economic growth. The country has earned its reputation in the field for its comprehensive medical check ups

and with hospitals that practices both Eastern and Western medicines. The most popular medical hubs in the country are Penang and Langkawi where the private healthcare facilities are actively promoted by the State governments. Some of the international hospitals that have made a mark in the field include: The Golden Horses Sanctuary which offers Western health

screenings as well as a complementary Eastern medicine component. Gleneagles Medical Centre that runs standard screening packages including electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and blood and other test packages for foreign nationals. Island Hospital is yet another hospital which has a designated heart centre, urology centre, fertility centre and laser vision-correction centre. Malaysia also have a reputation in manufacturing high value orthopaedic products, dialysers, surgical instruments, medical electrodes, diagnostic radiographic equipment, and ophthalmic lenses. The country also has a higher-than-average availability of medical personnel and high quality facilities providing treatments compared to other countries in ASEAN. In a report released by Frost & Sullivan, Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing healthcare expenditure which could exceed US$20 billion by the year 2025, growing at a rate

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of 11 per cent within the next five years.

SINGAPORE Singapore remains the unbeatable destination for organ transplants, cancer treatment, cardiac surgery and fertility treatment. Singapore also saw to that the first IVF baby was born under its wings, becoming the first country in Asia in 1983. Although critics argue that the treatment costs are 30 to 50 percent higher than the other Asian providers, they make it up for the cost (which is still way under by US and UK standards) by offering the best of technology and efficiency. Singapore also earns extra points for its widespread use of English, spread throughout till its city limits.

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Currently with a number one ranking in Asia and sixth in the world for healthcare, Singapore glitters in the title bestowed by WHO. Other perks of choosing Singapore is its infrastructure, cleanliness and low crime rate

which is met with much approval from visitors of other places. Gleneagles Hospital providing quality treatment for over half a century and KKIVF Centre, the country's largest infertility centre and University Heart Centre

Clinic Singapore are some of the noted hospitals that you need to look out for.

SOUTH KOREA: How did South Korea made it among the best tourism destinations in Asia even with a not-so hospitality loving neighbor it shares boundary with? The answer lies with specialized treatments for spinal care problems, organ transplantation, cancer treatments, and perfection in cosmetic procedures. Koreans have developed a technique to change the size and shape of the tip of the nose. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how dedicated they are to the arena of cosmetic augmentation. Apart from being a destination for rhinoplasty and eyelid

surgeries, it is also a welcoming home for comprehensive medical check-ups.

The nation sees a mass exodus from Japan despite the occasional uneasy political relationship shared by the two countries. This is solely based on the contentment factor owing to huge cost savings and quality. Wooridu Spine Hospital is one of Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading spine specialized hospitals with an endoscopic spine surgery technique and publishing of over 100 clinical papers to their credit. The International Healthcare Center (IHC), located in the Seoul National University Hospital provides specialized care for international patients with patient support programs in various languages. Another noteworthy institution with an inherent goodwill functioning as its core message is the The Asan Medical Center (AMC). Established in 1989, the hospital has a motto that reads, "Helping the neediest members of society". Need we say more?

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Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Globe Theatre

Homer, Shakespeare and Kalidasa belong to the same class, but Shakespeare caught the tourist imagination while the other two greats remained in the literary world. Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity stems from his ability to summarize the range of human emotions in simple but profoundly eloquent verses. If you are amiss to express some feelings, Shakespeare has already done it for you.

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professor of English once told his class that when he was a student his professors would recite some famous lines and asked his students who wrote it. After an ominous silence, he would call out someone. If he didn’t know the answer, he would invariably say, Shakespeare. And ninety percent of the time, he would be right. Shakespeare was a great storyteller. Homer told of men at war, Sophocles and Tolstoy told of tragedies, Terence and Mark Twain told comedic stories,

Dickens told melodramatic ones, Plutarch told histories and Hand Christian Andersen told fairy tales. But Shakespeare told every kind of story – comedy, tragedy, history, melodrama, adventure, love stories and fairy tales – and each of them so well that they have become immortal. The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by the playing company, Lord Chamberlain's men, to which Shakespeare belonged, and was destroyed by fire in 1613. The fire was caused by an accident, with cannon during a production of Henry VIII. The theatre was rebuilt by

1614, but was officially closed by pressure of Puritan opinion. In 1642 as Puritanical forces made their presence felt in England, playhouses no longer were a place of laughter but one of evil sin. Predictably then, all of England’s playhouses were promptly closed down to protect the good people of England. Just two years later in 1644, where Hamlet was once performed, the famous playhouse was taken down, its presence replaced by housing instead. One of the greatest eras in playhouse was at an end... In 1970, American actor and di-

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rector Sam Wanamaker founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust and the International Shakespeare Globe Centre, with the objective of building a faithful recreation of Shakespeare's Globe close to its original location at Bankside, Southwark. This inspired the founding of a number of Shakespeare's Globe Centres around the world, an activity in which Wanamaker also participated. The theatre opened in 1997 under the name Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and has staged plays every summer. To go back in time, the first play we know of that was performed at Shakespeare's famous playhouse was Julius Caesar in 1599 when a Swiss tourist Thomas Platter recorded in his diary that on September the 21st " we witnessed an excellent performance of the tragedy of the first Emperor Julius Caesar " said to be performed by some 15 actors. Other plays known to have been performed by Shakespeare and rest of his acting troupe were Hamlet (1600-1601), Twelfth

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Night Or What You Will (1601), Richard II (February 7th 1601) Troilus and Cressida (16011602), Allâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Well That Ends Well (circa 1602), Timon of Athens (c1604), King Lear (1605), Macbeth (1606), Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1607) possibly The Tempest in 1610, The Two Noble Kinsmen in 1611, Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s "lost" play Cardenio in 1612 and Henry VIII in 1613. The Thames was much wider in Shakespeare's time and the original Globe was on the riverbank.

Plays are staged usually in May and the first week of October; in the winter, the theatre is used for educational purposes. Tours are available all year round. Some productions are filmed and released to cinemas as Globe on Screen and on DVD. Welcome to Stratford-upon-Avon Welcome to Stratford-uponAvon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, steeped in culture and history. Set in the beautiful rural Warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the river Avon, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the UK. With easy road, rail and airport access, it is the perfect place for a vacation or short break. Shakespeare's Birthplace is a restored 16th-century half-timbered house situated in Henley Street, where it is believed that Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent his childhood years. It is now a small museum open to the public and a popular visitor attraction. It has been referred to as the Mecca of all lovers of literature.

EXTRA

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NEWSLINE

7 WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

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istory comes alive only when you visit places. History textbooks are cramped with dates and data unconnected to your life, and often written without perspective. To many, history is boring and irrelevant. But when you visit historic places, you are able to connect to the story of civilization that shaped you and me. The conquests of Alexander the Great threw open to Greek travellers the works of art and architecture of the Egyptian, Persian and Babylonian civilizations – the monumental among them are known as The Seven Wonders of The Ancient World. They are the cradles of civilization and we owe so much to them. And a visit to these places is our tribute to the genius and imagination of the creators of the marvel.

For more than 4,000 years, Khufu reigned as the tallest building in the world. In fact, it took modern man until the 19th century to build a taller structure. Amazingly, the nearly symmetrical pyramids were built without the aid of modern tools or surveying equipment. The other two pyramids Khafra and Menkaura are less imposing. The Egyptians used log rollers and sledges to move the stones into place. The sloped walls, on the pattern of sun’s rays – to honour Ra, the sun god, were originally built as

steps. The interior of the pyramids included narrow corridors and hidden chambers to thwart grave robbers. Modern archeologists have found some great treasures among the ruins, but they believe most of what the pyramids once contained was looted within 250 years of their completion.

HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON Babylonian king Nebuchadrezzar II is supposed to have built the Hanging Gardens around 600 B.C. The gardens were said to

GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA, EGYPT The Great Pyramids were designed for eternity – to foil vandals and thieves. That the latter got the better of them is the story of all civilizations. Located at Giza on the west bank of the Nile River north of Cairo, are the only wonder of the ancient world that has survived to the present day. The pyramids, built between 2700 B.C. and 2500 B.C. as royal tombs. The largest and most impressive is Khufu, which covers 13 acres and is believed to contain more than 2 million stone blocks that weigh from two to 30 tons each.

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have been planted as high as 75 feet in the air on a huge square brick terrace that was laid out in steps like a theater. The king built the gardens to prevent his lover Amytis from becoming homesick for the natural beauty of her home in Media (modernday Iran). According to ancient Greek poets, the Hanging Gardens were built near the Euphrates River in modern-day Iraq. Later writers described how people could walk underneath the beautiful gardens, which rested on tall stone columns. Modern scientists have deduced that for the gardens to survive they would have had to be irrigated using a system consisting of a pump, waterwheel and cisterns to carry water from the Euphrates many feet into the air.

STATUE OF ZEUS AT OLYMPIA The famed statue of Zeus was sculpted by the Athenian artist Phidias. It was placed in the temple of Zeus at Olympia, site of the ancient Olympics, around the mid-fifth century B.C. The statue depicted the god of thunder seated bare-chested at a wooden throne. Holding up the thronesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; armrests were two carved sphinxes, mythical creatures with the head and chest of a woman, the body of lion and the wings of a bird. The statue of Zeus was richly decorated with gold and ivory. At 40 feet, it was so tall that its head nearly touched the top of the temple. According to legend, the sculptor Phidias asked Zeus for a sign of his approval after finishing the statue; soon after, the temple was struck by lightning. The Zeus statue graced the

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temple at Olympia for more than eight centuries before Christian priests persuaded the Roman emperor to close the temple in the fourth century A.D. At that

time, the statue was moved to a temple in Constantinople, where it is believed to have been destroyed in a fire in the year 462.

HONEYMOON TRAVELLER

TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS AT EPHESUS The night Alexander the Great was born – according to legends – the Temple of Artemis was destroyed by fire. There was actually more than one Temple of Artemis: The most fabulous of these structures were two marble temples built around 550 B.C. and 350 B.C., respectively. The former was designed by the Cretan architect Chersiphron and his son Metagenes.

not until the 1860s that archeologists dug up the first of the ruins of the temple’s columns at the bottom of the Cayster River.

MAUSOLEUM AT HALICARNASSUS

The Mausoleum was a tomb built by Queen Artemisia for her husband, Mausolus, the king of Carnia in Asia Minor, after his death in 353 B.C. Mausolus was also Artemisia’s brother. The

About six years later, the building of a new temple to replace it was begun. The new building was surrounded by marble steps that led to a more than 400-footlong terrace. Inside stood 127 60-foot marble columns and a statue of Artemis. The temple was largely destroyed by Ostrogoths in A.D. 262, and it was

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massive mausoleum was made entirely of white marble and is thought to have been about 135 feet high. The building’s complicated design, consisting of three rectangular layers, may have been an attempt to reconcile Lycian, Greek and Egyptian architectural styles. The first layer was a 60-foot base of steps, followed by a middle layer of 36 Ionic columns and a stepped, pyramid-shaped roof. At the very top of the roof lay the tomb, decorated by the work of four sculptors, and a 20-foot marble rendition of a four-horse chariot. The mausoleum, located in what is now southeastern Turkey, was

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largely destroyed in an earthquake in the 13th century and its remains were later used in the fortification of a castle. In 1846, pieces of one of the mausoleum’s friezes were extracted from the castle and now reside, along with other relics from the Halicarnassus site, in London’s British Museum.

COLOSSUS OF RHODES An enormous bronze sculpture of the sun god Helios was built by the Rhodians over 12 years in the third century B.C. When the city was the target of a Macedonian siege early in the fourth century B.C., according to legend, the Rhodians sold the tools and equipment left behind

by the Macedonians to pay for this statue. Designed by the sculptor Chares, the statue was, at 100 feet, the tallest of the ancient world. It was completed around 280 B.C. and stood for sixty years until it was toppled in an earthquake. It was never rebuilt. Hundreds of years later, Arabs invaded Rhodes and sold the remains of the statue as scrap metal. Because of this, archeologists do not know much about the exact location of the statue or what it looked like. Most believe that it depicted the sun god standing naked while he lifted a torch with one hand and held a spear in the other

FUN TOURISM LIGHTHOUSE OF ALEXANDRIA The Lighthouse of Alexandria, located on a small island called Pharos near the city of Alexandria, once guided Nile River ships in and out of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy harbor. Designed by the Greek architect Sostratos, it was completed around 270 B.C. during the reign of Ptolemy II. It had a three-tier structure: a square level at the bottom, an octagonal level in the middle and a cylindrical top. Above that stood a 16-foot statue, most likely of Ptolemy II or Alexander the Great, for whom the city was named. The lighthouse was gradually destroyed during a series of earthquakes from 956 to 1323. Some of its remains have since been discovered at the bottom of the Nile.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

FUN TOURISM

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FUN TOURISM

THE MAGNIFICIENT

MYSORE PALACE

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

The Mysore Palace, located in the heart of Mysore city, is a magnet of attraction. The renowned British architect Henry Irwin designed this palatial marvel, blending Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles. Interestingly, it was a reigning queen with exquisite aesthetic tastes, who commissioned the British architect. Sreejit Swamy

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he history of Mysore Palace spans for more than 500 years. H.H. Vani Vilas Sannidhana, queen of Chamaraja Wodeyar IX (regent from 1894 to1902) who commissioned the palace had it completed in five years. But what you see now in Mysore is the modern palace built in 1912. Built in wood, the palace underwent rebuilds in its succeeding years as it was completely destroyed caused by separate events of lightning strikes and fire. The most prominent feature that stands out in an aerial view is that, all roads to the Mysore city appears to radiate from the palace. Though Mysore is often referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;City of Palacesâ&#x20AC;?, the term Mysore Palace refers to the largest and the most opulent of all its surviving palaces located in the city center, called the Amba Vilas Palace.

The interior of the Amba Vilas Palace is richly carved, intricate, colorful and architecturally thrilling. This historical palace flaunts a three-storied structure with a 44 metre (145 feet) central tower. Pinkish marble domes adorn the number of towers configured in perfect symmetry. The first attraction is the Doll Pavilion as you enter the museum. Antiques made of gold, silver, marble and ivory from around the world are on display, some of which are as old as 900 years. The central portion of the palace is a huge court open to the sky. Beyond lies the royal Marriage Hall (Kalyana Mantapa), another majestic portion of the palace which has a majestic dome over the hall gifted to it by the five-storied tower. The walls along the corridors are decorated with oil paintings of royal themes. A host of ceremo-

nies and festivals of the bygone era is depicted in these painting in all its vividness and details.

THE PANORAMA OF THE PALACE: The magnificent three-storied structure: This structure has the most awe-inspiring square towers at cardinal points, covered by large marble domes. The open balconies of the facade are supported by massive circular columns. Artisans from Jaipur and Agra, along with local workers crafted them. The enclosed courtyard on the ground floor has an impressive array of costumes, musical instruments, antique toys and numerous portraits. The upper floor on the other hand, displays a large collection of weapons. Kalyana mantapa: Also known as the marriage pavilion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where not only royal weddings, but

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birthdays and other ceremonial functions were celebrated â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is an octagonal hall located at the southern part of the Palace. The octagonal gabled roof at the centre is covered by stained glasses that soar heavenward with rich tapestry of peacock motifs and floral mandalas supported by metal beams. These designs get reflected on the mosaic floor tiles presenting the entire settings in an ethereal aura. The flooring of this palatial hall has artistic geometrical patterns in glittering glazed English tiles. The gorgeous Czechoslovakian

chandeliers augment the splendor of the hall. On the outer columns are carvings with scenes from the epic works of Mahabharata and the Ramayana. As many as 26 paintings, depicting Dussehra procession, adorn its walls. These paintings were originally based on actual photographs and executed during the years between 1934 and 1945.

in the Durbar Hall. Portrait gallery: Situated at the southern end of the Kalyana Mantapa, boasting with paintings of eight manifestations of Goddess Shakthi, rare photographs of the Wodeyar families, is the portrait gallery. Some original paintings of Raja Ravi Verma dating back to 1885 can also be seen here.

The royal throne: Also called the Chinnada Simhasana or Ratna Simahasana, the golden throne witnessed proceedings of durbars presided by the Maharaja

Public Durbar Hall: This was dedicated space for the kings to make public appearances before the general subjects. Expansive marble flooring, imported French lamp stands, elaborately painted columns, colonnades of cusped arches leaves little for imagination on its days of glory. The flamboyant long mirrors placed on the far walls offers multiple reflections, creating an illusion of infinite corridors amidst the never-ending columns. Private Durbar Hall: Entry to this affluent hall is through an elegantly carved rosewood doorway inlaid with ivory opening up into a shrine to Ganesha. This durbar was used by the king for private audience and has ornately gilded columns, stained glass ceilings, decorative steel grills, and chandeliers with fine floral motifs, mirrored in the pietra dura mosaic floor embellished with semi-precious stones. Dollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pavilion: The Gombe Thotti or the Dollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pavilion is a gallery of traditional dolls from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and houses a fine collection of Indian and European sculpture and ceremonial objects, like a wooden elephant howdah (frame to carry passen-

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Kille Venkatramana Swamy Temple: During the time of Tipu Sultan, Queen Lakshmammanni, wife of Krishnaraja Wadiyar II of the Mysore royal family, dreamt that Lord Venkataramana is directing her to take his statue from Balamuri and place it in Mysore to help the Royal family. Without the knowledge of the Sultan, she proceeded to Balamuri and brought the image of Venkataramana, and consecrated it in the temple, and offered continuous worship. This is said to have helped the family and after the fall of Tippu, the Kingdom was restored to the Wadiyar dynasty.

gers) decorated with 84 kilograms of gold. The Palace at night: It was in 1906 that electricity came to Mysore as part of modernisation of the city. As part of the revival of the old Vijayanagri tradition, a silhouette of the Mysore Palace was illuminated with 98,260 bulbs. This illumination in an inky black night is one of the most enchanting images of the city during two-month long celebration of Dussehra every year. Dussehra Festival: People of Mysore celebrated the festival for the first time in Srirangapatna with pomp and grandeur, in 1610. And the tradition has been followed ever since. Every autumn, the Palace becomes the venue for the famous Mysore Dussehra festival, during which leading artists perform.

On the tenth day of the festival, Vijayadashami, a spectacular procession with caparisoned elephants, originate from the palace grounds. The Palace Complex: It consists of 12 temples, the oldest of which was built in the 14th century, and the most recent built in 1953. Someshvara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Lakshmiramana Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, are two of the most prominent temples. Sri Lakshmiramana Swami Temple: Stands as the oldest temple in the city, at the western side of the palace. An inscription dating back to 1499 AD may be found in Coleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gardens (present-day Bannimantap), registering a grant for Lord Lakshmiramana Temple.

Sri Gayatri Temple: Sri Gayatri Temple is one of the three shrines dedicated to Savithri, Gayatri and Saraswathi, built by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1953. Other prominent temples in area include Sri Shweta Varahaswamy, Sri Trinayaneshvara Swami, Sri Prasanna Krishna Swami temple, Kodi Bharravasvami temple and Sri Bhuvaneshwari temple.

Best time to visit: September/ October is the best time to visit because the most spectacular Dussehra festival falls during this season. Facilities: A Braille guide is provided for visually challenged tourists. Audio kit in multi languages, battery operated vehicles and free wheel chair service are other features provided in the premises of the palace.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

Salzburg &

the Sound of Music

For almost half a century, The Sound of Music has captured the imagination of the civilized world, with its melodious tunes and lovable characters set against the stunning Austrian Alps.

t is big business for the city of Salzburg, where the real-life singing von Trapp family lived and the 1965 Hollywood movie was filmed. While Mozart remains the city’s main tourist attractions, half of all visitors who come here every year make it because of The Sound of Music. “Three-hundred

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thousand visitors who come to Salzburg almost exclusively because of The Sound of Music,” says a Salzburg Tourism official. Sound of Music dinner-andconcert evenings are organised regularly and the Salzburg puppet theatre has even created its own version of the musical. Most Austrians have never seen

the Oscar-winning film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Austria itself was slow to catch on to this worldwide craze. The story of the von Trapp family was made into several German-language films here in the 1950s and was widely known locally. But the 1959 Broadway musical, on which the

Hollywood version was based, only premiered in Vienna in 2005 and in Salzburg in 2011 — to great success. “We probably wouldn’t have come here if it wasn’t for this to

be honest ... The Sound of Music was a massive draw,” said a British tourist, who opted for the tour rather than visit Mozart’s birthplace. “Something about the movie

captures audiences’ attention. It’s magical. Just seeing the beautiful scenery, the Alps, it’s very heart-warming,” said an American tourist. The Salzburg fever is catching up in in China and Japan, too. This is good news for Salzburg’s tourism office, which uses new productions of the musical whenever it can to sell the city abroad as a travel destination. The breathtaking countryside of green hillsides and deep blue mountain lakes adds to the magic for visitors, touring not just film locations but the city where the real von Trapps lived. Mozart City & Fortress Hohensalzburg One of the attractions of Salzburg is the Palace of Mirabell and the gardens around where

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some of the scenes of Sound of Music were shot. Maria and the children sing the famous 'DoRe-Mi' while dancing around the horse fountain and using the steps as a musical scale. The Palace was built around 1606 outside the medieval walls of Salzburg according to Italian and French models, at the behest of Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich Raitenau as a residence for his mistress Salome Alt. When Raitenau was deposed and arrested in 1612, Alt and her family were expelled and the palace received its current name from Italian mirabile, bella: "amazing", "wonderful". It was rebuilt in a lavish Baroque style from 1710, according to plans designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. On June 1, 1815

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the later King Otto of Greece was born here. The current Neoclassical appearance dates from about 1818, when the place was restored after a blaze. Its geometrically-arranged gardens have mythology-themed statues dating from 1730 and four groups of sculpture (Aeneas, Hercules, Paris and Pluton) by the Italian sculptor Ottavio Mosto, from 1690. The most prestigious music academy, Mozarteum, is not far from the Palace. The Market Square, the Trinity Church, and Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence (where he stayed several years) form a cluster. Crossing over the Salzach (Salt) river, you will get a wonderful view of this magical city. Follow-

ing the river along, you reach the Hellbrunn Palace, built in the 17th century to the design of architect Santino Solari. The Palace used to be a hunting lodge and weekend residence by Salzburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Archbishops. On way back to the city centre, you will come across the Palace of Frohnburg and the Nonnberg Abbey. Once in the old city, you will pass by the festival halls, Old University, horse pond, and the Blasius Church. The tour ends in Mozart Square where you will see the famous Mozart statue, the Cathedral, old residence of the archbishops and Fortress Hohensalzburg. The Hohensalzburg Fortress offers fabulous views over the city and an insight into life in the past years

Goa’s

cocktail beaches Sometimes, it is the deviation from ‘the best’ that offers you what your soul looks for. Goa's spellbind beaches tell another parallel story. A story of serenity and solitude, told by some of its best, relatively unknown natural wonders. Anjali S

wild spirit, mostly untamed. With a risky creek’s mouth that lures the fearless to try, this strong willed force is not an easy host for regular tourists. It calls for the ones who would like an adrenaline surge while playing with the waves. A continuation of the Ashwem beach, Mandrem shares its neighbourhood with the Arambol Beach. What to see: You can walk for a lifetime on its coasts. If you want more from your long steps, you can step down to see the Man-

drem village or a small Portuguese fort that waits just ahead of the shore. There’s also a river that runs behind the beach that can be crossed with a wooden bridge. For non walkers, there are dolphin-spotting trips, yoga and massages, and organic farm in the vicinity.

and if you’re lucky you get to explore more with Goan fishermen who knows the sea like the back of their hands. There are shacks for food stalls, offering Tandoori and sea foods but choose the ones that agree with you. And lastly, this beach does not endorse water sports.

What to expect: Mandrem remains a virgin destination that hasn’t let tourism industry to touch it. Although there are guestrooms around, living with the locals is the best alternative. They are good hosts to tourists,

How to get there: It’s the last stop in line of buses coming from Pernam, which has the nearest railway station. Located 32kms from Panaji, it the routes to this road are connected by bus or taxi.

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AGONDA Agonda is mystic and bountiful. The village administration here strives to ensure that this romance of land and water will not be another overcrowded beach in Goa. The Agonda beach is not just a favorite of us, humans. The land nurtures Ridley turtles, an endangered species which chooses the place during its nesting season. For the same reason, the night here remains unpolluted with lights and sounds and any measure that minimizes waste of resources is well appreciated by the village folks. What to expect: Certainly, an absence of night life and party. Agonda is ideal for relaxing swimming and sunbathing with lesser tourists and lesser expenses. The beach has a parallel road sprinkled with rooms and bungalow to rent on either sides of it. There’s no cellphone coverage that interferes between Angoda and you. Be prepared to lose yourself.

For local travel, taxi’s and autoriskshaws (tuk-tuks) can be hired. Motorbikes and scooters can also be hired for cheap rates.

BAGA Baga is the synonym for life, with lush paddy fields, dancing waves and sparkling river. Seafood, Color, laughter, and fun describe the small beach town its best. Baga has it all, the silvery sands with transient footprints, the river that sings agile, black rocks where its sea clashes and the oblivious children of the sea. What to expect: Omnipresence of economically priced food shacks, all of which offers locally pro-

duced spirits and freshly caught seafood. Settlers of the Baga river who take a dip to find oysters, only to leave back their small heads on their necks. Bonus attraction of the river would be getting to see the rare river fest called Sangodd during Sao Joao feast. The beach on the other hand, has many interesting places and a mix of thrift shops and quality establishments to offer. Getting around is very easy on foot as long as you don’t give in to wandering cows and traffic. What to see: Lush paddy fields and country life are uncommon gifts of a beach, and that’s why Baga is different from the rest of its kin. Baga river has a rather unique attraction, called

What to see: The Cabo de Rama Fort, built by Maratha king Sambhaji Raje. Nova Conquesta added the fort to Portuguese colony, naming it so on learning myths from aboriginal locals. A church at the centre of the beach, a college named Angoda University and the road that goes through the village to other nearby towns. How to get there: Canacona is the nearest bus and railway station, but trains stop usually stop at Margao station.

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“The Coffin Bridge”, a strange box built across the river which the locals used to cross to the Calangute beach. Chor Biam, a huge black rock at foot of a hilltop that supposedly has a stash of sunken treasures of the ships from Arabian Sea. Portuguese forts in Aguada and Chapora are some of the important places, but you needn’t worry on missing out on places. Ubiquitous agents will find you, not only for local sightseeing but also offers visits to Panaji, Jog Falls, or for night tours spend in a mud hut in the jungle and wash an elephant. How to get there: Vasco da Gama international airport is merely an hour’s drive away by taxi. The closest railway station is at Margao.

CANDOLIM This gorgeous expanse of scrubby sand-dunes chattering shells has multitudes of history to tell.

Candolim was the first village to be entirely converted to Christianity by the Franciscans in 16th century. It was also the focal point of the anti-Portuguese revolt of 1787, also called “Conspiracy of the Pintos” crediting the clan that spearheaded it. Apart from historically significant, this is where the ship River

Princess floated to ‘anchor’ when it was abandoned. What to expect: The main road is packed with shops and restaurants, while its beach front is free of commercial activities apart from some water activities. There aren’t any resorts in this village scattered beach, but there are good inns with good features in the area with reasonable prices. Expect spending a lot of time doing nothing in Candolim, this is a good opportunity to be best friends with yourself. What to see: A church, lighthouse and barracks of Aguada jail remains as its tourist attractions, along with the Portuguese built fort. Candolim has some good food to offer, the best among them is at After 7, becoming a food destination. How to get there: The nearest railway station is at Thivim. There are buses from Panaji that run between Mapusa to Candolim.

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NEWSLINE

CAVELOSSIM A natural chessboard setting made by black lava rocks set against the white sand. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cavelossim for you. Originally home of goddess Shri Shantadurga (that was taken away during Portuguese inquisition),

this quiet and serene region is now home to tourists who seek to find themselves, and engage in fishing. What to see: Sal river that flows into the Arabian Sea at the south of this town. Some portions of which

offers a fishing trip in the sea, dolphin viewing or bird-watching. Karting near the seashore and dolphin watching remains the main attraction on Cavelossim beach. What to expect: Bazaars of Cavelossem. Go up there if you fancy jewellery or home dĂŠcor made of shell, mirrors, wrought iron, and incense sticks made of various woods. Sailing trips undertaken by tourists themselves, and the presence of standard luxury resorts and water sports. How to get there: Nearest airport is the Dabolim airport (35 kms), while nearest railway station is Madgaon station (15 kms) from the beach. There are taxis, transport and private buses that connects the beach to major cities in India.

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New Zealand beckons you

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New Zealand’s mind-blowing landscapes offer you the real challenge of adventure tourism. You name it and it is there – bungee, skydiving, rafting, jet boating, canyoning and more.

or many visitors, bungee jumping in New Zealand has almost become a rite of passage, that they take that heart-stopping leap of faith while they're here. In the 1980’s, a couple of young kiwis, AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch, set up New Zealand's first commercial bungee operation, with a jump from the

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historic Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown. Since then, New Zealand has become the home of bungee. Around the country you can leap from bridges, climbs, rail viaducts, specially made platforms perched on the edge of cliffs, and stadium roofs. The Nevis bungee is the highest and involves an incredible 134-metre plunge. You can also take a leap

off the Auckland Harbour Bridge against the backdrop of the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. Every day of the week, locals and tourists alike enjoy the experience of a bungee among stunning landscapes. Skydiving in New Zealand is a popular adventure activity. What better way is there to take in the amazing views than from thou-

sands of feet above it all? There is nothing like skydiving for sheer heart-stopping adrenalin

and adventure and there is no place like New Zealand to do it. New Zealand's magnificent land-

scapes take on an extra dimension when you’re 12,000 feet in the air. There are many skydiving operations throughout New Zealand and all offer tandem jumps. You’ll have experienced skydivers taking you-step-by-step through what to do on your jump and what to expect. Rafting covers the full adventure spectrum, from a quiet drift through forest wilderness to a white-knuckled, wide-eyed journey down turbulent rapids. The mountains of New Zealand’s interior feed a myriad of fast flowing rivers that run through the forests to the sea. Grade 1 rivers offer relatively tranquil waters, while grade 5 is regarded as an extreme sport. Trips ranging from a couple of hours to five days are led by qualified rafting guides who comply with estab-

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NEWSLINE

lished safety codes. All gear and special clothing is provided. Rafting rivers in the North Island are mostly found in the central east coast areas of the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay. In the South Island, you’ll get the chance to try rafting around the resort town of Queenstown, Christchurch and on the West Coast. Some experiences include a combined helicopter and rafting experience. You can also try black water rafting through underground caves. The jet boat was developed in the 1960s by New Zealand farmer William (Bill) Hamilton, to allow navigation of the shallow Canterbury rivers. However, enterprising New Zealanders soon realised its potential as an adventure activity. Jet boating is suitable for all ages and levels

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of fitness and can be enjoyed the whole year round. Sit back, buckle yourself in and feel the acceleration. A New Zealand jet boat ride will take you powering through narrow river gorges, almost brushing against sheer rock faces; or skimming across the surface of water channels that weave through the shingle banks of braided rivers. Some of the most exhilarating trips are available near Queenstown and Canterbury. A wonderful by-product of New Zealand’s agricultural heritage is an adventure sports called Off-roading. With a comprehensive network of back-country roads and tracks, it could take the shape of a chauffeur-driven safari in a luxury Land Rover to a self-drive scoot around the forest on a quad bike. So buckle

up, start your engine and hold on tight, the scenic wilderness is waiting. The growing trend of zip lining involves an exhilarating mix of adrenaline, speed and nature. Today, zip lining is primarily an adventure thrill ride, but it wasn’t always that way. Originally created out of necessity, zip lining was invented as a method of fast transportation across canyons, rivers and other impassable areas. To create a zipline, cables and pulleys are threaded between two points at a slight angle; gravity then provides the momentum to pull the rider from one point to the next. New Zealand is home to a number of spectacular zip lining experiences, where visitors can glide through spectacular native forest, across rivers and canyons.

Argentina

On Global Tourism Map Pablo Cagnoni in an interview with Asian Traveller What’s your projection of tourist volume in 2015? We have very good projections for 2015, based on the differ-

tourist spends at least a week in Argentina. We are looking at a long term sustained approach and do look forward for a steady growth. What are the special sites every Asian traveller must explore? Argentina is a very large country, the eight largest in the world and offers travellers an experience of a lifetime. It is a country blessed with mountains, salt flats, deserts, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, spectacular cruises, train rides to name a few. It is important to understand the needs and likes of the tourist in order to create special experiences. What is the demographic profile of the tourists visiting your country?

ent statistics given by the OMT. Based on the last report, Argentina was one of the countries that grew the most in terms of arrivals. We have had almost six thousand Indians who visited last year. With the incredible response received last year, we have also started targeting other cities beyond Mumbai and Delhi which include Ahmadabad, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Travellers want to spend more time to discover the other places in Argentina. On an average, a

Based on the diversity Argentina offers, we get all sorts of tourists. Adventure, luxury, relaxation, culture, art, nature, wine, gastronomy and relaxation may be some of the common trends. Sports tourism has picked up well too for us. What are the top 10 places tourists love to visit? The country is an absolute delight to travellers and offers some extraordinary attractions like the majestic Perito Moreno glacier – where travellers

can watch the ice collapsing, the energetic Iguazú falls, the stunning wine regions with a backdrop of snow capped peaks along the Andes Mountains, the Valdes Peninsula on the Patagonia coastline, Ushuaia – the end of the world, the vibrant city of Buenos Aires along with its thumping nightlife, exquisite tango performances, exciting sports where soccer and polo is considered to be the finest in the world as well as interaction with penguins, whale watching, the gaucho experience and so much more. How professional are your tourist guides? Are they given special training? We have very good tourist services and the guides are extremely well spoken and professional. They are trained and help to enhance the tourist experience. We offer a catalogue of all the approved agents and tour operators in Argentina in our website www.argentina.travel Can you give the profile of 5 tourists who have visited your country last year? Better than giving a profile we invite to discover to all the real tourists that participate of our promotional campaign “Argentina, by you” in our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube. com/user/visitarg The campaign and videos talk of real life experiences from tourists who come from all over to experience this once in a lifetime experience.

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Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets, Paradesi Synagogue and other cross-cultural wonders. Fishermen dock their antique-yet-productive boats on both sides of the property, and welcome the occasional visitor after the day’s catch. Raxa Shop, next to the front entrance, offers uniquely crafted gift items sourced from communities throughout Kerala. How did Spice Harbour happen?

SPICE HARBOUR - A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Spice Harbour – at the heart of Fort Kochi – affords the most enchanting waterfront view. The spice trade ambience of Mattanchery which houses the hotel is historic, artistic and cultural. Art galleries and cafes welcome tourists on Bazar Road, where the aroma of cinnamon, cardamom and pepper from the warehouses engage the visitors. On this very road stands Spice Harbour. The style and décor of the hotel suite is impeccable. Spacious, grand and elegant, it has a touch of class. The suite facing Kochi Harbour is simply marvellous. From an adjacent suite, you can see the quintessential Bazar Road as well as the harbour. The four waterfront rooms offer the closest view of the harbour.

The board of directors of a leading business group decided that their home state, Kerala, was worthy of investment in conservation-focused hospitality. The pitch they listened to in 2010 had three key words: Community. Collaboration. Conservation. By the time the pitch turned into formal relationship, there was a name for it. Raxa, derived from the Sanskrit word raksha, meaning guardian or protector. Collective, alluding to the creative process. Raxa Collective is now a Kochi-based, global hospitality management brand engaged by Muthoot Leisure and Hospitality Services (MLHS) to develop and manage its hospitality investments. Raxa Collective coordinates innovative, collaborative efforts across properties, across diverse business models, and across regions of the world in the interest of entrepreneurial conservation.

Among the other 10 rooms, four at ground level have private gardens and those on the first floor have large picture windows with diagonal views to the harbour and three with views onto Bazar Road. All rooms pay tribute to Kerala’s spice-trading history as well as India’s contemporary aesthetic. 51, Spice Harbour's signature restaurant, serves hotel guests and the wider metropolitan community, with a 2-story waterfront view. The fresh look at Malabar cuisine reflects Kerala’s spice trade history. The lounge offers a living room atmosphere for conversation, backgammon or chess (and TV for those who love it). In between the lodging and the restaurant is a harbour front swimming pool and public area with outdoor seating. In all public areas, Spice Harbour is providing exhibition spaces for Indian artists to display and sell their artwork. Complimentary 24x7 Wi-Fi is one of its added perks. Most visitors to Kerala consider Fort Kochi historic area a must; Spice Harbour is designed for the traveller who also wants to support innovative conservation through collaboration with neighbours in the local community to keep history alive and culture thriving. Walking from our front door takes you to the Dutch

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Since 2010 the company has managed properties owned by MLHS in Kerala, including Cardamom County, River Escapes, Pampa Villa and Kayal Villa. More recently Raxa Collective has been engaged by MLHS to develop and manage Spice Harbour, a historic waterfront property in Fort Kochi. The story of Spice Harbour illustrates well how Raxa Collective conceives and implements conservation of important patrimony. In addition to its work in Kerala, its services include acquisition advisory, property development, operations management, and branding with a long term mission to demonstrate that conservation is as much an opportunity for investors as it is a responsibility of governments.

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER

FILMMAKERS’ POLLACHI P

Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam, AddiƟonal Director Tamil Nadu Tourism

ollachi, during the ancient times was referred to as Pozhil Vaichi, which means land of natural wealth and

Every year thousands of tourists flock around the dreamy town of Pollachi just to get the feel of being on the sets of an Indian movie. What’s so aesthetic about this modern day mega market that it continually appeals to the cinema makers and cine goers of India?

prosperity. During the period of Kulottunga Chola, this historic town was known as Mudi Konda Chola Nallur. In recent times, Pollachi has become

a vital commercial area with the development of industrial establishments and various markets selling agricultural products and cattle. Pollachi

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Market, popularly known as Pollachi Sandhai, is especially the most famous of its kind in Tamil Nadu. But despite having several claims to fame – of being the second largest town in Coimbatore district after the Corporation of Coimbatore, for being one of the biggest markets in Asia for Jaggery and Cattle, for being one of India’s key producers of coconuts, copra and tender coconuts and tomatoes, besides other vegetables – the reason for Pollachi being so well-known among the lesser mortals around the world is the fact that it is one of the most favourite film shooting locations in India. More than 1500 movies, in most Indian languages, have been shot here, thanks to its natural beauty, rich wild life, pleasant climate, lush greenery, picturesque tea plantations, scenic dams that make great picnic spots, old world charm of the vegetable

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and cattle markets, spirited pomp of the regional festivals, and an absolute abundance of age old temples.

still retains the nostalgia of the past while harmoniously accommodating the amenities of the modern business world.

Every year thousands of tourists flock around the town just to get the feel of how it is being on the sets of an Indian movie as Pollachi is frequented around the year for its scenic locales by the Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi film industry, making it a Mini – Kodambakkam!

The Cattle Market of Pollachi is considered as the largest in southern India. The market, located along the Anamalai Road, next the vegetable market of Pollachi, very often gets to witness some of the biggest collection of live stock at a single venue. The spirited trade that rakes in lakhs of rupees and men shaking hands under a towel as the deals get negotiated and closed by both parties or by a broker is a sight to be seen!

What’s so aesthetic about this dreamy town that it continually appeals to the cinema makers and cine goers of India? Read on.

World Markets Easily one of the biggest markets in Asia, in both size and the amount of business done, on a daily basis, the Jaggery Market of Pollachi

Festivals In Pollachi, every important festival is celebrated with much pomp and splendor. In fact, these festivals are the very reasons for the natives to celebrate “Life”. Pongal: Celebrated with great passion and vigour, this is one of the most awaited events not just in Pollachi, but all over the state. The term Pongal signifies sweet dish of rice, eaten on the

festival day. Prepared with a rich mix of jaggery, cardamom and cashew nuts, the local people dedicate this dish to the Sun God. It is one of the most popular festivals of Pollachi, held in mid January every year. Saraswathy Pooja: Held during the last three days of the Navaratri festival, the festivities are especially meant for Goddess Saraswathy. The preparations of Krishnanattam, Kathakali, and Kalaripayattu are usually accompanied along with the celebrations. The other important festivals of Pollachi include Utsavam or Annual Festival celebrated on the day of Pushya during FebruaryMarch, and Bajanotsavam, held at the Kalpathy Manthakkara Ganapathy temple, during the first fortnight of August every year.

Religious Places Also known as Porul Achi, Pollachi is an exquisite tourist

destination with a wealthy reference of religious places. Alagunachi Amman Temple: Alagunachi Amman Temple was built by a group of people from Valliarachal in the 16th century and was re-established in the year 2002. Located at a distance of 80 Kms from Pollachi, the Temple is a famous and holy religious place for Hindus. Pollachi Ayyappan Temple: Built in the year 1970, Pollachi Ayyappan Temple holds many similarities with the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, in its external appearances. One of the famous temples of Pollachi, this temple has many idols including the main deity Ayyappan. Lord Subramanya, Subramania Swamy Thirukoil: Widely known as Thiruvahatheswaramudayar Temple, it was built by the Konga Cholas about 700 years ago. Subramania Swamy Thirukoil,

devoted to Lord Subramanya Swamy is very well-known for its aesthetic architectural style. Sulakkal Mariamman Thirukoil, built about 300 years ago; Maasaniamman Thirukoil, where the image of the deity is made up of stone, placed within the chamber of temple, depicted along with the body of a serpent; and Ambarampalayam Dargah, also known as Chandsha Vali Allah Dargah, situated on the banks of River Aliyar are some of the other significant places of worship.

Wildlife Sanctuary Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Indira Gandhi National Park, is one of the integrated tiger reserves of South India. Irrefutably a wonderful place to visit the sanctuary is located around 90 Kms from Coimbatore in

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the Western Ghats, and at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level. Very famous for its naturally rich habitat of wild animals like Tigers, Panthers, Elephants, Sloth Bears, Deer, Civets, Gaur, Wild Dogs, Flying Squirrels, Porcupines, Jackals and Pangolins. The park is home to numerous species of birds like the Red Tree Pie, Whiskered Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Rocket-Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole and Pigeon. This wildlife park also has a natural reservoir, called the Amaravati Reservoir, which is inhabited by Crocodiles. The main attractions of this park are Anaikunthi Shola, Karian Shola, dams, hills and waterfalls.

Aliyar Dam Located at the foothills of Valparai, Aliyar Dam is an

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exceptional place of tourism. The dam is situated at about 20 Kms from Pollachi, at the base of Valparai in the Anamalai Range of the Western Ghats. With a park, garden, boating facilities, aquarium, play area and a mini Theme-Park, Aliyar Dam is worth a day’s outing. And if one wishes to stay over, the forest rest house is also available.

Valpparai Estates Interestingly before becoming a Tea-growing Area, this lovely little hill station perched 3500 feet above sea level in the Anamalai Hills, Valparai, originally was a Coffee-growing Area. Initially Ramaswami Mudaliar had put up the first Coffee plantation in 1846. Much later a British Gentleman named Carwer Marsh played a major role in deforesting

the area and putting up the Tea plantations. Today, he is fondly referred to as the ‘Father of Anaimalai’ by the local populace. Valparai is 65 Kms away from Pollachi.

How to Get There Pollachi is well connected to major cities by Rail, Road and Air. The nearest Airport is 40kms away in Coimbatore. Taxis are available at Coimbatore to ply to Pollachi. The railway line passing through Pollachi is also well-connected with other major cities in the South. Pollachi is about 400 kms from Bangalore, and is also connected via road route to Salem, Perundurai,Tirrupur and Palladam.

AVIATION

10 Most Peaceful Countries of the world The Global Peace Index issued by IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace) measures a nations’ peacefulness based on external and internal measures. It is no surprise that these countries have adopted a historically non-confrontationist approach.

enmark is adjudged the most peaceful country on Planet Earth, since it’s really a safe place to live. Even while Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was under Nazi occupation during World War II, it still did not fight. The point is that people living in Denmark prefer to focus on economic matters, instead of involving themselves in armed

conflicts. Danish people are very friendly, open and helpful. Norway is one of the world’s most peaceful countries and friendly and safe place to live. It is the country with the highest level of human development in the globe, plus, the government of Oslo always places peace at the forefront of the priorities of the country.

Singapore can never take its right to exist and security for granted. Since achieving its independence in 1965 as a sovereign Republic, Singapore has always concentrated on being a great neighbor, through establishing social, peaceful, economic, cordial political relations with all countries. Slovenia is a beautiful European

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country, and one of the most peaceful countries in the world. With its wonderful cities, like Maribor and Ljubljana, teeming with the unique culture, Slovenia is a fantastic travel destination. Sweden is one of the most beautiful Scandinavian countries, located in the far north of Europe. One of the biggest weapon exporters in Europe, the country has a low level of robberies. Besides, Sweden has not been to war and has not participated in any combats for the whole of two centuries. Iceland seldom hits headlines

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despite the collapse of the Icelandic banks several years ago. It has always stayed out of the conflict zone. The country is known for its spectacular beauty. Tourists from all parts of the world come to Iceland to view its huge glaciers and raging volcanoes, as well as numerous unique natural and cultural attractions in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Belgium is considered one of the best and peaceful places to live in Europe. Situated in the heart of Europe, this small country holds a special place. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to the European Union and NATO. Belgium boasts medieval cities, beautiful town halls, majestic castles, and captivating natural beauty. Homicide and imprisonment rates are low in this country. The Swiss maintain a well-functioning government and an open political culture. Illustrating the quality of government, Switzerland received the lowest score for political instability. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most peaceful countries that have low levels of violent crime. Although Switzerland is known for its neutrality in regional, international and global political issues, it maintains strong diplomatic relations with various countries around the world. Japan is an enchanting country culturally, and the third largest economy in the world. Since World War II, Japan has embraced pacifism, and has a low crime rate. The country settles on an internal security force in order to maintain the peace.

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SPIRITUAL TOURISM

AGASTYAMALA

CALL FROM BEYOND It was 2:30am when we finally pulled over at the temple on top of a secluded mountain not meeting a soul for the last couple of hours. As we finally reached the temple premises, there was a lone man cleaning the premises for the big day, without a trace of exhaustion. As we got out, he beamed at us and said, “We’ve been waiting for you!” Anjali S.

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SPIRITUAL TOURISM

e led us to a room where they arranged temporary accommodation. My bed turned out to be hastily built makeshift bed with wooden planks with a layer of homely blanket, but I was more than grateful to get one. A chill of guilt washed over me when I saw older women, who worked through the night sleeping on the floor on what looked like a table top. I dozed off in sheer exhaustion of the long journey, to wake up to the next day. The nearest location at the foothill of the mountain is Peruvannamoozhy, almost 60 kms from

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the Calicut City, Kerala. Nestled between lush forests and rivers and small islands, this place has a reservoir which meets the irrigation requirements of three other districts in the state. The islands in the reservoir became bird sanctuaries and land developed for spices. The mountain where I stayed is called Agastyamala named after Agastya muni, and it shares its space with Muthukad” which literally translates to impenetrable forest. True to its word, the deep forest romances with the rocky mountain both of which sharing no boundaries. The temple where I am at during the

day is UmaMaheshwari temple, which worships Ardhanareshwara, a God that is half male and half female. ‘Symbolically, it means that nothing in its physical form can completely fuse together; unless there is a convergence of mind’, adds Jayakumar, my travel companion. I woke up early morning, took a bath in ice cold water only to realise I wasn’t the only one in the bathroom. For a city bred like me, being in a room with two egg laying spiders at the size of my fist, fixedly staring at you shivering in cold water wasn’t a pleasant experience. But things improved drastically as soon as I

Totttam Paattu

Gulikan stepped out to see the inception of the festival. They were setting up a temporary room for dressing of the theyyam dancers, who go into a trance with the music and

becomes the deity of the temple to talk to devotees. On the other side, drummer boys who play traditional chenda have started beating the drums rendering life to the previously quiet sanctum. Already excited and with time in my hands, I decided to venture some more of the mountain who sheltered me for the night. Agastya mala, is more than just a mountain with dense forest. Agastya muni, father of Indian traditional medicine is believed to have meditated in this mountain. Infested with cobras doesn’t stop the locals from visiting, and I climbed on with that borrowed confidence to climb up safe. Sure enough, when I got there I saw that the cave resembled a lot like a serpent’s head. And there were smooth water filled holes formed on the rocky terrain which “can never be exhausted no matter how much you take from it” affirmed the people who were with me. I

washed my feet in the cool water and went inside the cave to see water brimming from underneath. I was amazed at how true all the myths and science blended. High dense forests are favourite spots for cobras and they do not attack unprovoked. The whole rock structure has a natural spring running parallel just a foot underneath, so the water source being exhausted was unlikely too. I sat on the rocks for quite a long time occasionally nibbling rice grains from a stray lone plant that grew there. By the time I climbed down as I could see darker colours making its way into the sky. The festival was ripe and ready to be savoured. The festival might perhaps be the only one which is not based on the class system in Kerala. The whole of it is a tribal festival and the dances that came in later are exclusive to northern districts of Kerala. The festival

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

Pottan Deiwam was a precursor to Shivarathri, which marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakthi, the main deity. The events ran through the night till early morning, all of which was performed under zealous drumming that echoed through the night.

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After the entrance of the tribal folk procession, who brought tender coconuts as an offering apart from various performers in all faith and fervour. We had four main performances, all of which represented four different guardian Gods coming in human spirits: Gulikan, Bhagavathy, Pottan-Deiwam and Kariathan. The celebrated event of all was the second one, which involves Pottan- Deiwam repeatedly lying down on red hot charcoals in a trance and getting up unscathed. There’s a celebrated bonfire for the event Theechamundi igniting behind me as I find someone to help me go into the depths of this tradition. I find Rajan a witness to this festival for ages, who is only happy to explain:

Q: Any special reason to use Tamarind tree for wood? A: The coals would be extremely thick, and produces fewer ashes. It would retain the heat for

hours and won’t go off easily.

Q: What are these singers doing? And how does this work? A: It’s called tottam. They’re reminiscing about their forefathers and gurus. The theyyam (of pottam deiwam) hears this and gets into that spirit. The song has certain power that gets to his brain (trance). That’s the basic theory.

Q: Can anyone be affected to be in this trance? A: Not just anyone. Certain fasting and other routines has to be observed prior to this event. Just as he predicted, after Gulikan and Bhagavathy (who also took a moment to bless me) came in Pottan Deiwam who jumped into the fire lying down with one leg over the other. Three to four men would pull him apart, only to be chased by the annoyed God with a stick. He then reverts to lying and complains about the lack of heat and commands for more. The last of the performances, one of my favorite was Kariattam who charged at me while I was trying to click his picture. He danced with two others, all three of them holding hands and dancing away in circles. Their movement appeared weightless and effortless and I could only end up wishing to be a part of it. By 6 in the morning, it was time for me to leave, which I rather reluctantly did. The beauty of this ancient folklore, the stories of Agastya mala and the myths of this remote forest filled place keeps calling me back to hear more. Maybe I will someday.

SPIRITUAL TOURISM

SAGA OF

TIRUPATI

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of the richest in the world, only gets richer every day. While the name Venkateswara stems from Sanskrit where ‘Vem’ translates to Sin, ‘Kata’ translates to destruction, and ‘Ishwara’ translates to Supreme Lord, there is an interesting mythological story - of the divine love story of Lord Srinivasa and beautiful Padmavathi - behind why devotees offer astounding amount of gold, silver, money and other valuables as Lord’s share, in return to nullifying their sins and begetting prosperity. Read on. Sreejit Swamy THE LORD’S WEDDING STORY

little before the advent of ‘Kaliyuga’, the maharishis’ of yore performed a holy ‘yagya’ on the banks of

the Ganges for the goodness of the people on earth. Kashyap Maharishi, the head of the yagya, requested the visiting sages, Narada and Bhrigu

(Brahma’s son and student) to educate them about the most supreme of the trinity, in order to present Him with the honor of the presiding deity at the yagya.

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Undertaking the responsibility of this difficult task, sage Bhirgu visits ‘Satyaloka’, to meet Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. Brahma, who happened to be in a meeting with other Gods from heaven, notices Bhirgu, gets up to receive him. Bhirgu deliberately ignores this gesture, and rejects Brahma’s display of affection. Brahma gets upset, noticing which Bhirgu leaves for ‘Kailasa’, the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva, without uttering another word. At Kailasa, Lord Shiva was found to be romancing Goddess Parvati, blissfully unaware of the presence of Bhirgu. But Goddess Parvati, who sees Bhirgu

entering, draws Shiva’s attention to the presence of the sage. Irritated at the interruption, Lord Shiva becomes angry at the sage. This once again makes sage Bhirgu very angry, and in turn, insults Lord Shiva, before leaving for ‘Vaikunth’, the abode of Lord Vishnu. At Vaikunth, the sage finds Lord Vishnu asleep, on the bed of ‘Adisesha’, with the devoted Goddess Lakshmi at his feet. Thinking the Lord was pretending to be asleep to avoid him, he kicks the Lord on his chest. But unlike others, instead of getting hurt or being angry, Lord Vishnu, looks concerned about

Bhrigu’s feet getting hurt from kicking the Lord’s strong chest. According to the laws of universe, there are three kinds of offenses: Offense of the mind; offense of the word; and offense of the body. Each progressively severe by nature than the previous. The least kind is the offense of the mind. He had committed an offense of the mind to Lord Brahma, and Brahma got hurt. Even severe was the next offense – the offense of the words. He had done that to Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva had been very angry. But to Lord Vishnu, he performed the greatest of all offenses – the offense of the body – by kicking Him hard in the chest. But Lord Vishnu lovingly forgave him, displaying His Supreme Greatness. Sage Bhrigu conveys the same to the sages performing the yagya. They accept his words and start offering sacrifices to Lord Vishnu, accepting him as the Supreme Power of the Universe. However, at Vaikunth, Goddess Mahalakshmi, angry at the fact that Lord was physically assaulted by a mere mortal, leaves to perform ‘tapasya’, to atone for the sin of seeing the offense being committed on Lord Vishnu. After the departure of Mahalakshmi, Lord Vishnu feeling lonely travels to earth in search of Mahalakshmi. His quest brings him to the Seshadri hills, where he stops to rest in an anthill. Meanwhile, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, upset by what happened to Lord Vishnu, decide to help him. They take the form of a cow and its calf. With the help

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of Goddess Lakshmi disguised as a cowherdess, gets themselves sold as cow and calf to a Chola King. Every day the royal cowherd takes them to graze in the Seshadri hills. While on the hills, the cow would secretly visit

the anthill where Vishnu was living and empty her milk. On returning to the palace, and not yielding any milk, the cowherd would get very angry. In order to find the reason, cowherd follows the cow’s movement carefully, and finds it emptying its udder over the anthill. Getting wild, the cowherd aims his axe on the head of the cow. But Lord rises from the anthill, and receives the blow to save the cow. Seeing the Lord bleeding, the cowherd faints. The King who comes over to inspect, seeing the cow with blood stains all over her body, finds

the cowherd lying unconscious. Angry at what had happened, the King gears up to attack the person responsible for that. But looking at the embodiment of all opulence and beauty, standing right in front of him, the King

hesitates. However the Lord instead holds him responsible for what had happened to the cowherd and says, “You are responsible for all this so, I curse you to become an evil spirit for the fault of your servant.” But entreated by the King’s pleading, the Lord blesses him, saying the king will be reborn as ‘Akasha Raja’, and his curse would end when the Lord was adorned with the crown presented by Akasa Raja at the time of Lord’s marriage with Padmavathi. Thus, after blessing the Chola King, Lord Vishnu decides to

stay at the ‘Varaha Kshetra’ nearby. But not before requesting the permission of ‘Sri Varahaswami’ (the third incarnation of Vishnu as boar). Sri Varahaswami, agrees under the condition that Lord Vishnu would tell his devotees, that the pilgrimage to his shrine would not be complete unless preceded by a bath in the ‘Pushkarini’ tank and ‘darsan’ of Sri Varahaswami. In addition, all offerings are to be offered to of Sri Varahaswami prior Lord Vishnu. Under such conditions, Lord Vishnu builds a hermitage and starts living, waited on by a devotee who looks after him like his own mother. Years later, in neighbouring kingdom a King named Akasha Raja performs a sacrifice to beget a child. As part of the sacrifice, while ploughing the fields, he finds a beautiful baby girl sleeping on a golden lotus in a golden box. The King, happy to find the child, adopts her, naming her Padmavathi. Princess Padmavathi, in fact, had been granted a boon in her earlier birth that she would be married to Lord Vishnu; and in due course of time, she grows up into a beautiful maiden. One day while spending her time in a garden with her maids, Sage Narada approaches her, assuring her that he was her wellwisher, to read her palm. He foretells that she was destined to be the spouse of Lord Vishnu himself. Around this time, Srinivasa (Lord Vishnu) while chasing a wild elephant through the forest

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surrounding the hills, reaches the garden, where Padmavathi and her maids were picking flowers. Stunned by her beauty, Srinivasa is drawn to her. And as if it was fate, Padmavathi too is drawn towards him. Srinivasa proposes his love for her. But the maids drive him away, pelting stones on him, thinking Princess Padmavathi, the foster daughter of Akasha Raja, was too good for a mere hunter like him. Meanwhile, at his hermitage, a lovelorn Srinivasa, lies on his bed without eating the food Vakula Devi (his devotee) prepared for him. When questioned, he tells her the whole story.

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Understanding the plight of the Lord, Vakula Devi decides to go to Akasha Raja and his queen to seek their daughter’s hand in marriage for Lord Srinivasa. A worried King and Queen soon learn about Padmavathi's love for Srinivasa from the hermitage of Sri Varahaswami’s shrine at the Venkata Hills. King Akasha Raja consults Sage Brihaspathi about the propriety of the marriage, and is informed that the marriage was in the best of interests. Meanwhile, Lord Srinivasa, in doubt about the marriage of Padmavathi with him, disguises himself as a soothsayer and goes

to the court of Akasha Raja. There looking at the palm of the Princess Padmavathi, tells her that the hunter she had fallen in love with was no ordinary man but the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and that her worries would soon be over. After the departure of the soothsayer, Vakula Devi arrives at the palace and meets the queen. She seeks the princess’ hand in marriage for Srinivasa. After consulting with Sage Brihaspathi, the King and the Queen accepts the proposal and gets busy with the wedding preparations. Akasha Raja also drafts an invitation letter to Srinivasa asking for a huge bridal price,

SPIRITUAL TOURISM while requesting him to come and marry the princess. On receiving the invitation ‘patrika’, Lord Srinivasa calls for a conference of the Gods to win their consent for his marriage with Princess Padmavathi. To pay the money, Lord Vishnu seeks a large loan of One Crore and 14 Lakh coins of gold from ‘Kubera’, the divine treasurer of wealth. Kubera gives the loan on the condition that Lord Vishnu cannot return to Vaikunth (his heavenly abode) without paying off the debt. Consequently, the Lord engages Viswakarma, the divine architect, to create heavenly surroundings in the Venkata Hills, similar to Vaikunth and gets married to Padmavathi.

Soon after the wedding Padmavathi takes leave of her parents, to spend her married life in Venkatachala Hills with her beloved. Ever since, Srinivasa (Lord Vishnu) resides at Tirumala as Tirupati Venkateswara unable to return to Vaikunth until the payment is made – thus starting off the tradition of the devotees flocking Tirumala and offering the Lord wealth, in return to the fulfillment of their prayers.

TIRUMALA TIRUPATI TEMPLE The first known temple at Tirumala Tirupati was built by King Thondaiman, Tamil ruler of the ancient Thondai Mandalam, after he dreams of Lord Vishnu. He is believed to have built the

original ‘Gopuram’ (tower) and the ‘Prakhara’ in the 8th century. Thereafter, over the period of several centuries, the temple was endowed by the numerous kings of various dynasties of South India for whom the Sri Venkateswara Shrine was an important religious destination. Some of these dynasties include: The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th Century), the Cholas of Thanjavur (10th Century), the Pandyas of Madurai, besides various Kings and chieftains of Vijayanagara Empire (14th 15th Century). They donated in abundance, money and gold and other ornaments, to support the temple. During the Vijayanagara Era,

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

An arƟst's imaginaƟon of the temple construcƟon The first known temple at Tirumala TirupaƟ was built by King Thondaiman, Tamil ruler of the ancient Thondai Mandalam, aŌer he dreams of Lord Vishnu.

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SPIRITUAL TOURISM

the contribution increased substantially, particularly under King Krishnadevaraya, whose donation of gold and jewels enabled the entire ‘Vimana’ (inner shrine) to be gilded. At the end of Vijayanagara Empire, the subsequent rulers, the Marathas, and the Kings of Mysore, also have contributed to the growth of Tirupati Tirumala Temple. Following the fall of the Hindu dynasties, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka, and thereafter, the British took over the supervision of the temple. In 1843, the administration of the shrine and its estates and

other properties, were formally handed over to Sri Deva Dossiji of Hatiramji Mutt at Tirupati. In 1932, the management of the Temple was transferred to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a non-profit organization, established to protect this important religious heritage. Today TTD runs various charitable trusts with the proceeds from the pilgrims. TRIVIA! Tirumala Hill comprises of seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of ‘Adisesha’, thus earning the name, ‘Seshachalam’. The seven peaks are Vrushabadri

Hill of Nandi, Anjanadri Hill, Neeladri Hill, Garudadri Hill of Garuda, Seshadri Hill of Sesha, Naraynadri Hill and Venkatadri Hill. The sacred temple of Sri Venkateshwara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatadri.

HOW TO REACH Tirupati is well-connected with most parts in India by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport, located 14 km from Tirupati town and regular flights from Delhi and Hyderabad.

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WOMAN OF THE MONTH

BREAKING BOUNDARIES IN EDUCATION ‘Hospitality is the world's fastest growing industry and providing a new job every 2.5 seconds. India needs an integrated effort between government, industry and the academic sector to feed the right talent to leverage the growth in the hospitality sector.’ Sonia Tatar, CEO, Les Roches Worldwide in an interview with Asian Traveller What was the motivation behind ‘Breaking Boundaries in Education’ conference? The motivation behind “Breaking Boundaries in Education” was to celebrate Les Roches heritage and global footprint over the last 60 years by bringing together industry leaders and academics to discuss innovation, entrepreneurship and employability in hospitality industry. We also looked into leveraging this milestone to strengthen awareness and reputation for Les Roches as one of the top schools in hospitality management in the world. How has the new specialization in Spa and Health Management created an impact since its introduction? The specialization in Spa and Health Management was developed in collaboration with two industry leaders, Genolier Swiss Medical Network (GSMN), a Swiss company focused of health management and ESPA, a spa designer and manufacturer of a variety of spa-related products. We have seen a lot of interest and enthusiasm not only from our students but also

FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

from industry leaders, who are contacting us to recruit our students with this specialisation. We know the industry has expressed a strong need to have professionals who understand the spa business particularities and at the same time master the 5-star service hospitality.

cialization, allowing graduates to fast-track their career when completing their focused train-

Kindly comment on the growth of Global Wellness Tourism sector. According to the Global Wellness Tourism Economy 2013 report, during the next five years the sector is predicted to grow by almost double totaling $678.5 billion in 2017. The main driver of this growth will come from Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/North Africa, which are all regions that will recruit graduates whose talents offer a level of excellence and in-depth expertise. As a result of this rapid growth, the industry is facing major challenges in recruiting enough talent to meet the increasing demand for qualified spa managers. Les Roches is aiming to help balance this disparity with the new spa spe-

ing, with a curriculum based on industry needs. How do you rate Indian Hospitality names like Leela, Taj, Oberoi and others? All these hotel brands are a true reflection of Indian entrepreneurship and hospitality. They are renowned around the world for their top- service, innovation and footprint in the hospitality industry not only in India but also abroad. I was very pleased to meet with some of the leaders of the above mentioned and share thoughts on the increasing demand for qualified talent, and how Les Roches is contributing to address these needs. How do you look at the women ratio in Indian Hospitality sector? Our female/male student ratio is balanced at Les Roches. Having said this, we still see a persisting opinion in some countries where hospitality is considered not suitablefor women as a profession. We try to educate the markets and change this perception through several targeted actions. We are constantly sharing success stories of Les Roches’ female graduates, we speak at conferences about the success and impact of women on the sector today, and we invite female alumni to speak to our students, share their academic and professional experiences, and give insight into their various career paths. What recent global trends in the hospitality industry should be embraced by India? The hotel and tourism industry is rich in career possibilities, so is the booming internet domain

that needs to be tapped to build e-reputation. Sustainable development that is economical and eco-responsible, and keeping an eye for human capital for service industry. How important is an international degree in today’s hospitality sector? Les Roches International School of Management follows the exceptional Swiss approach to hospitality education. The curricula are divided into three sections, professional development, entrepreneurial competencies and general education. Additionally, courses offer craft-based learning where students get practical experience and operational challenges they will face throughout their careers. Craft-based learning is further reinforced by two internships in the industry. An international degree is a testimony to the resilience, perseverance and ability to adapt of its holder. It brings intangible benefits to graduates and equips them with knowledge that makes them agents of transformation in their home countries. According to you, which are the areas Indian Hospitaliy sector can strive to improve? I would say that the hospitality industry in India, like any other in the world, needs to continue adapting to the changing landscape of technology development, digital penetration, talent demand and sustainability. Hospitality is the world's fastest growing industry and providing a new job every 2.5 seconds. Between now and 2022, the contribution of the travel and

tourism economy to employment in India is expected to rise by almost 23%, from 39 million to 48 million jobs. India needs an integrated effort between government, industry and the academic sector to feed the right talent to leverage the growth in the hospitality sector. How fulfilling and enriching has been your association with Les Roches? Being CEO at Les Roches, I can achieve two very important objectives: Impacting the hospitality sector and educating young people by helping them succeed. At each commencement ceremony, when I see the 200-plus graduates on the stage ready to step out of Les Roches doors to enter the employment market, I remind myself that we, faculty, staff and leaders, have once more fulfilled our mission in life. Kindly share with us your passion for Roman Languages and Italian Civilization. I speak five languages: French, Italian, Arabic, English and Spanish. I am passionate about how languages translate a whole nation of cultures, beliefs and values. The richness of Italian history, literature, arts and impact on the civilization that attracted me to follow this path. Also having Italian roots, I was looking for a closer immersion into a culture that no doubt have influenced today’s world and shaped our civilization. I refer mainly to the era of Italian “rebirth,” “la Renaissance,” with the rise of intellectual, artistic and cultural endeavors. The rebirth was largely such a rich and innovative era that one can’t ignore.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

MODERN

MARCO POLOS The world owes its rise of civilisation to the torch bearers, who set out to explore during the Age of Discovery. If not for their thirst of discovery and accounts, there might not be remnants of silk route, or torn pieces of trade maps that now we credit history for. The timeline of exploration never ceases – from first century where Hippalus discovered sea route from Red Sea to India, to twenty first century where Mars Rover continues to explore our neighbouring planet. Here’s to the best wandering writers of our planet. Anjali S. Christina Dodwell: Here’s a small excerpt of her life from Wikipedia on one of Dodwell’s earliest expedition.

“In 1975, she went on holiday to Africa with a girlfriend and two men. The men stole their jeep, leaving the women stranded until they found two wild horses to ride. Her friend returned home, but Dodwell stayed in Africa for three years, travelling by horse, elephant and camel. During this time she spent seven weeks going down the Congo River in a dug-out canoe” We have a clear winner here, a natural explorer. Born to British parents in Nigeria, Christina Dodwell is an award holder of Mungo Park Medal presented by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in 1989. With an exten-

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William Dalrymple: Born to Sir Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple, who was a

and curator, as well as a prominent broadcaster and critic. To add more stars to his merit, he’s one among the prestigious FRSL (Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature), FRAS (Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society) and FRGS (Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society). Dalrymple is a Midas of literature. Winner of the Duff Cooper and the Wolfson Prize, he has been 4 times long-listed and once shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction. He

cousin of Virginia Woolf herself, it leaves no surprise when William Dalrymple earned his reputation as a writer, art historian

wrote seven other books, all of which won literary prizes just as his radio and television documentaries.

landscape where there are not any people, and I saw none for the whole that day" She has also made three television films, River Journey – Waghi (1984, BAFTA award), Black Pearls of Polynesia (1991) and African Footsteps – Madagascar (1996) for BBC and has done more than forty radio documentaries for BBC Radio 4.

sive travel history covering over 80 countries, she was one of the five subjects of Margo McLoone’s book, Women Explorers of Africa (1997). She has written 9 books to her credit that has been translated into 5 languages. In 1995, she founded the Dodwell Trust, a charity registered in UK to help the citizens of Madagascar in areas of heath, education and sustainable development. An excerpt from A Traveller in China (London, 1985) where she reflects upon nature in the absence of its inhabiting humans:

"As the sun gradually melted the snow, I saw celandines, anemones and a lot of young wild rhubarb. All the colors, including the blue sky, seemed to be made more vivid by the rarefied air. How wonderful was it to be in a

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Apart from being a regular contributor to The Guardian, The New York Review of Books, the New Statesman, The New Yorker and Time, Darlymple is also one of the co-founders and co-directors of the annual Jaipur Literature Festival. Ruth Gruber Unstoppable in spirits by time, this 104 old tough bird is an American photojournalist, writer, humanitarian and a for-

mer United States government official. Born to Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Ruth Grubber is the youngest person in the world to receive a doctorate from University of Cologne. Gruber also shared an extensive relationship with Virginia Woolf among other people she met. It was during her work for Herald Tribune, she got the chance to be the first foreign

His 2009 book, Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India, published under Bloomsbury, occupied the number one slot on best seller, Indian nonfiction list. Here’s an excerpt from one its chapters, The Nun’s Tale:

“I had seen the tiny, slender, barefoot figure of the nun in her white sari bounding up the steps above me as I began my ascent. She climbed quickly, with a pot of water made from a coconut shell in one hand, and a peacock fan in the other. As she climbed, she gently wiped each step with a fan in order to make sure she didn't stand on, hurt or kill a single living creature on her acsent of the hill: one of the set rules of pilgrimage for a Jain muni or ascetic.”

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correspondent to fly through Siberia into the Soviet Arctic. She served as Special Assistant to Harold L. Ickes during World War II during which she was assigned a secret mission bring one thousand Jewish refugees and wounded American soldiers from Italy to the US. Throughout the voyage, the Army troop transport was hunted by Nazi seaplanes and U-boats. Gruber's book Haven: The Dramatic Story of 1000 World War II Refugees and How They Came to America was based on case histories she recorded as she interviewed the refugees. A movie based on the book, Haven was released in 2001, with Natasha Richardson portraying Ruth Gruber. A short extract of the book reads:

I was packing my bag in the early evening when the doorbell rand. My mother burst in, carrying a huge brown grocery bag tied up with a cord. "Tell me the truth" She wasted no time as she

walked into my studio apartment, headed straight for the kitchen, and untied the cord around the grocery bag. She pulled out her nightclothes, a roast chicken wrapped in wax paper, s small jar of gefilte fish, and a larger jar of prunes marinated in my father's best scotch. "The truth now," she repeated. "Do you really have to go?" Before I could answer, she twisted open the cap of the jarful of fat, inebriated prunes. "And we never knew," my mother said, shaking her head. "They wrote us letters after, never telling us about the gendarmes. And when you went to Odessa, all the relatives told us how you left all your clothes with them, and how you went home with only the dress and coat on your back." In 2010, a documentary film entitled Ahead of Time premiered New York City that covered Gruber's life from 1911 to 1947.

Ryszard Kapuściński (1932 – 2007) was a man who self introduced himself with the line, “I am a poor reporter who unfortunately lacks the imagination of a writer". Notably one of the top Polish writers with his work frequently translated into other languages, Ryszard Kapuściński was also a traveller, photographer, poet and writer. Kapuściński called his work "literary reportage" , where his genre is sometimes characterised as "magic journalism", in counterpoint to magic realism. An interesting and uncommon nomenclature, nonetheless interestingly put. In his book, Travels with Herodotus (2007) he narrates how he wanted to experience the feel of “crossing the border”. He writes about the cultural shock he encountered in India as follows:

“The confrontation between the East and West took place not only in the military realm but in all other spheres as well. If the West dressed lightly, then the East, according to law of opposites, dressed heavily; if the West wore closely fitting clothes, then the East did the reverse - everything had to stick our by a mile. One did one have to carry one's passport around: - one could see at a distance who was from which side of the Iron Curtain.” A favorite candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature, his works have earned recognition inter-

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

Wilfred Thesiger or Major Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger must possibly be the only travel writer and explorer who earned an Arabic name during his explorations. Named as Mubarak bin London, which in Arabic corresponds to “the blessed one from London”, he is best known for travel book Arabian Sands (1959), his foot and camel crossing of the Empty Quarter of Arabia, and The Marsh Arabs (1964). He was also a member to CBE, DSO, FRAS and FRGS. In 1933, he led an expedition funded in part by the Royal Geographical Society, later becoming the European to enter the Aussa Sultanate and visit Lake Abbe, he led an expedition. An interesting anecdote about his two crossings of the great Arabian desert and travels of inner Oman was made upon a request by an entomologist in 1945. Thesiger was hired on behalf of the Middle East Anti Locust Unit (MEALU), to search for locust breeding grounds in southern Arabia. And what he brought back to the literary world was worth much more. The prologue of his masterpiece work, Arabian Sands (1959) runs such:

nationally. The Emperor was named Book of the Year by the Sunday Times in 1983. Other awards include, biennial Hanseatic Goethe Prize, the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung, the Italian Elsa Morante Prize and “Cultures of Europe” and award designed specially for him for his book,

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Travels with Herodotus. In Salman Rushdie words: "One Kapuściński is worth more than a thousand whimpering and fantasizing scribblers. His exceptional combination of journalism and art allows us to feel so close to what Kapuściński calls the inexpressible true image of war".

“A cloud gathers, the rain falls, men live; the cloud disperses without rain, and men and animals die. In the deserts of southern Arabia there is no rhythm of seasons, no eise and fall of sap, but empty wastes where only the changing temperature marks the passage of the year. It is a bitter, desiccated land with

knows nothing of gentleness or ease. Yet men have lived here since earliest times. Passing generations have left fire-blackened stones at camping sites, a few faint tracks polished on gravel plains. Elsewhere the winds wipe out their footprints. Men live here because it is the world into which they were born; the life they lead is the life their forefathers led before them; they accept hardships and privations; they know no other way.â&#x20AC;? After all his travels, Thesiger returned to England in the 1990s where he was knighted in 1995. Wilfred Thesiger was an avid photographer with a vast collection of pictures; he donated 23,000 travel photographs he had to the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford.

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FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

SPECIAL FEATURE

INDIA’S LEGENDARY

CARTOONISTS At a time when cartoonists are in the news for the wrong reasons, and when the civilized world is debating whether absolute freedom – the freedom of the cartoonist to blaspheme – is a good thing or a bad thing for democracy, it is worth reminding the world how India’s legendary cartoonists put humour above everything else. Cartoons at their best are not ideological missiles but a discipline of finding laughter in the most unexpected of places.

hat mischievous schoolboy could not resist the temptation of cartooning his teacher dutifully snoring in the class. His classmates laughed aloud, disturbing the siesta of the teacher. Soon the cartoon found its way to the headmaster, who was not amused. But the boy’s uncle realized his talent and sent him to Ravi Verma’s School of Painting. In the fullness of time, the mischievous boy grew up to be the Father of Cartooning in India. K Shankar Pillai, better known as Shankar, was born in 1902 at Kayamkulam, Kerala; graduated from the Maharaja's College of Science (now University College), Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), in 1927; left for Bombay (now Mumbai) for higher, studies; joined the Law College, but quit his law studies midway,

and started working. He started his career as a freelance cartoonist with Free Press Journal (edited by free-

dom fighter S Sadanand) and Bombay Chronicle (edited by B G Horniman, friend of Gandhiji) around 1932.

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His stay in Bombay was short as Pothan Joseph brought him to Delhi and appointed him as Cartoonist for The Hindustan Times. Shankar was given complete artistic freedom to draw his cartoons. Shankar's cartoons lampooned even Viceroys like Lord Willington and Lord Linlithgow. But when Pothan Joseph left 10 years later, Shankar began to feel uneasy as his freedom was curtailed and eventually, he quit. Shankar’s cartoons look like real life drama on a stage: he emphasises most on the funda-

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mentals of caricature. To give an admirable effect to his sketches, he goes in for expressive backgrounds; he craves for simplicity in its clearest form unlike his other modern colleagues who use the highly intricate instrument of abstract symbolic figures. During this time, Shankar had a chance of training in London for about 14 months. He spent the period in various Art schools, using the opportunity to study the advanced techniques in cartooning. He also visited Berlin, Rome, Vienna,

Geneva and Paris. This brought some significant changes in his drawing techniques: the lines became more communicative and his emphasis on the overall figurative effect receded into the background. In fact, when Shankar returned to India, the country was in the thick of freedom struggle. The dawn of independence also favoured Shankar's dreams for a separate periodical – Shankar's Weekly released by Prime Minister Nehru. However his cartoons remained neutral. A notable cartoon published on May 17, 1964, just 10 days before Pandit Nehru death, showed an emaciated and exhausted Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, with a torch in hand, running the final leg of a race, with party leaders Gulzari Lal Nanda, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Morarji Desai, Krishna Menon and Indira Gandhi in tow, to which Nehru remarked, “Don't spare me, Shankar” The first international art competition for children in 1949 attracted about 1300 entries. Today, the competition has grown and about 1,60,000 entries are received from over 130 countries. Books for children are rare in our country. The Children’s Book Trust, organised by Shankar, has covered considerable ground in this field. Shankar passed away on December 26, 1989. His family consisted of his wife Thankam, and two sons and three daughters. The Government of India released two postal stamps in 1991, depicting two of his cartoons.

made so many blunders, one more doesn’t matter.’ Soon after the Chinese aggression, Prime Minister Nehru was seen dazed, his face sinking in his clasped hands. His good friend, V K Krishna Menon, goes to console Nehru and says, ‘We have lost just one inch’. And Menon is pointing out the map where it is noted: 1 inch equals 10,000 sq. miles! Bureaucrats are advising Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, as a mammoth stone is flying towards his face. Pat comes the advice: ‘Just ignore it sir!’ that was the time of Bofors scandal. The actor-turned politician N The creator of Common Man Prime Ministers may come and go in Delhi, but R K Laxman is irreplaceable! It was axiomatic till the near end of the legend. He brought out the ludicrous and absurd in the making of politicians.

Prime Minister Morarji Desai was one of Laxman’s favourite characters. In one of Indian democracies bloopers, Morarji Desai made haste to announce in Parliament the death of Jayaprakash Narayan 48 hours before the actual event. A full half an hour later, he rushed the House to regret the announcement. The next day in Laxman’s cartoon, the PM says, ‘After having

T Rama Rao was seen in Saddam Hussein’s palace after he is ousted by his son-in-law, C Chandrababu Naidu. Saddam’s secretary tells the dictator, ‘A man with a similar problem has come to meet you!’ Saddam’s son-in-law had just defected and fled the country. But Laxman’s greatest achievement is in immortalizing the Common Man, whom Arvind Kejriwal has adroitly hijacked!

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“Since childhood I do not remember wanting to do anything else except draw,” says Laxman in his autobiography, The Tunnel of Time. And he has done very little else in over five decades as a cartoonist. He was born as Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Laxman on October 24, 1921 in Mysore. The youngest of six brothers, Laxman had as his elder brother, the legendary R K Narayan, the creator of Malgudi. The death of his father, a headmaster, early in life was a setback to him. Never so promising in his studies, he chose drawing and painting as special subjects. Laxman tried to join J J School of Arts in Mumbai, but to his dismay he was told he did not have the talent to qualify. Much later, after he made his name as a cartoonist in The Times, the same J J School of Arts felicitated him, as a chief guest, much to his amusement.

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He joined the Free Press Journal in 1946 as a political cartoonist, where his colleague was the young Bal Thackeray. A year later, he started working for The Illustrated Weekly of India and eventually with The Times of India after a stint with Evening News of India. Laxman’s role-model was the famous British cartoonist, Sir David Low. One day, Laxman received a note from his idol that he would like to meet him, and he sank in his chair in disbelief. It was 1952, and he was working at the Bombay office of The Times of India. He passed away on January 26th 2015, coinciding with the republic day of India. R.K.Laxman’s funeral was conducted with state honours, another final award bestowed onto him posthumously. Laxman is survived by his wife writer Kamala and has a son Srinivas. Abu the iconoclast Few Indian cartoonists could reach the international arena as Abu. In the 1950s, he was

drawing cartoons was Punch, the celebrated humour magazine of yester-years but now defunct. He was drawing for Star, Daily Sketch, and Tribune, when The Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, appointed him as the first ever political cartoonist. Its editor David Astor suggested that he draw under a pen name and he settled down for his now-famous name Abu. Born as Attupurathu Mathew Abraham on June 11, 1924, Abu was a life-long atheist and rationalist. He started drawing cartoons at the age of 3. He studied French, Mathematics, and English at University College, Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram), and was the tennis champion. After graduation in 1945, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai), where he became a journalist with Bombay Chronicle, and started drawing cartoons to its sister publication, The Bombay Sentinel. In 1951, Shankar invited him to move to New Delhi to work with Shankar’s Weekly. In 1953, he met Fred Joss of the London Star, who encouraged him to move to London. At 32, Abu arrived in London in the summer of 1953. Abu immersed himself in British culture and produced incisive political cartoons. He

was described in The Guardian as "the conscience of the Left and the pea under the princess's mattress". He also produced reportage drawings from around the world. In 1962 in Cuba, he drew Che Guevara and spent three hours in a nightclub with Fidel Castro. In September 1966, Abu joined The Guardian followed by a weekly cartoon to Tribune. He edited Verdicts on Vietnam, a collection of anti-war cartoons. He returned to India in 1969 with his first wife Sarojini and two daughters, Aysha and Janaki, to work as editorial cartoonist for the Indian Express till 1981. In 1970 he was given a special award by the British Film

Institute for a short film based on Noah's Ark called No Arks. From 1972 to 1978, he had been a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. From 1981, Abu started freelancing, which continued in Trivandrum where he moved with his second wife, British-born wife Psyche in 1988 to his beautiful house built

by Larry Baker at Kaudiar. "I wish I could draw like a child," he said towards the end of his career. "If I can adopt that kind of a style for political cartoons, it would be a great achievement. It is very difficult to get that kind of simplicity and appeal." The great cartoonist passed away on December 1, 2002.

All things Goan! No artist has depicted Goan life and culture better than the widely acclaimed Mario Miranda. The Illustrated Weekly catapulted him into the professional orbit; The Times of India and The Economic Times gave him windows to display his talents. Born in Daman, then a Portuguese colony, to Goan Catholic parents, Mario started drawing at an early age on the walls of his house. His mother brought him a blank book and asked him to draw there. Sketching Catholic priests often got him into trouble at school. He studied at St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Bangalore, and then did a B.A. in History at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. On parental pressure, he prepared for the Indian Administrative Service exams, and later started architectural studies, none of which matched his talents. Meanwhile, his friends encouraged him to make postcards and draw for them, which earned

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him his job back. Miranda met artist Habiba Hydari, and they got married; they have two sons, Raul and Rishaad. At the pinnacle of his career, he held solo exhibitions in over 22 countries, him extra pocket money. Miranda started his career in an Advertising studio, where he worked for four years, before taking up cartooning full-time. His creations, Miss Nimbupani and Miss Fonseca, appeared regularly in Femina, Economic Times, and the Weekly. A scholarship enabled him to travel to and stay a year in Portugal. From Portugal, he travelled to London, and spent five years there, learning as well as doing jobs for newspapers and even worked in television animation, at Independent Television.

Miranda's cartoons were featured in Lilliput, Mad and Punch magazines. This gave him considerable exposure to modern ideas and trends. To cap it all, he could meet Sir Ronald Searle, whom Miranda considered his mentor. After five years in England, Miranda returned to Mumbai and The Times of India offered

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including the US, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, France, Yugoslavia, and Portugal. After retirement, Miranda lived in his ancestral home at Village Loutolim (Goa), with his wife and younger son. On December 11, 2011, the immortal artist passed away. As a tribute to his illustrious career, Mumbai renamed a junction after him in 2013.

TECHNOWATCH

MAYBE PIGS DON’T FLY, BUT CARS WILL.

n 1940, Henry Ford prophesied that “a combination of airplane and motorcar is coming. You may smile, but it will come”. Clearly, AeroMobil knows how to make its entrance into the future. With the prototype Flying Roadster 3.0, they have made sci-fi fan’s dream come true: a flying car. With a groundspeed of 124mph and a flight travel range of 430 miles, this impressive piece of machine will “change personal transport on a global scale”, assures its proud makers. Juraj Vaculik, CEO of the company expressed hope in this mode of transport becoming a regular mode of transport for

commuters and middle-distance travellers, especially in countries with underdeveloped road infrastructure. While its chief designer, Stefan Klein illustrated how the invention doesn’t require an airport or a runway, in spite of the car’s low centre of gravity. This luxury saloon car could be parked in regular parking slots, fuelled at normal petrol stations

and could land on stretches of lawn or even farmland. This beauty built over in ten months by a team of 12 people, including Kleins son does not falsely advertise hopes. Flying cars are susceptible to get stuck in traffic and requires at least a 50m strip of land for landing and 200m for take-off.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

TECHNOWATCH

COOLING

CLOUDS WITH SILVER LINING

ow do you beat the head when you live in one of the hottest parts of the world? The Gulf State mega city in Dubai, in order to reap the benefits of evaporative cooling, is reinventing a technology. A group of designers are devising a system that uses motion tracking and ceiling-

mounted misters to provide each pedestrian with their own cooling spray. For a city where people shy away from spending time outdoors due to blaring hot sun, having personal bubble of cool which can travel with them is a marvel. True to this tradition, International Energy Authority (IEA) estimates that the Emirates to

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be the world’s biggest energy consumers for air conditioning. The hovering headache of the energy expenses met are finally offered a chance. The working of Cloud Casts is pretty simple. A mobile responsive cloud, with embedded sensors follows people when they move under a canopy. The data gathered by the sensors are sent to a control system that activates hydro-pumps and LED lights in their proximity. With nebulizers guided by motion sensing, a personal climate is created for each person walking under it. Professor Carlo Ratti, the head of the team that developed the Cloud Cast technology says, "It can cope with as many people as you want, whether it's a crowd of people or whether there's just one, there will be a

misting spray”, He also added illuminated on its efficiency as it doesn’t mist the whole place, and restricts itself to cooling a small volume around the person. The Cloud Cast is currently at the prototype stage and is debuting at the Museum of Future Government Services in Dubai this month.

MTB KERALA 2015 COMES BACK ON APRIL

he Government of Kerala and Kerala Tourism have jointly busted the myth that Kerala is more about leisure than adventure. MTB, a mega mountain biking event into its third season this year has thrown the spotlight on the wild and fun filled side of this quaint state. International Mountain cycling event - MTB Kerala 2015 is the third edition of the mega sporting event that has placed Kerala on the global map of Mountain Biking. The earlier two editions of this sporting event took the riders

on a tour of exploration through Kerala. The forests of Thenmala and the beautiful beach of Kovalam held riders in awe in the first edition of MTB back in 2012. In 2014, for the second edition, it was the turn of thrilling adventure to rule the roost as the race course ran through the wilderness of Wayanad. This year MTB Kerala is back with its third edition promising riders an experience all the more thrilling and challenging than ever before. The virgin forests of Wayanad will unleash her best to take the riders on a ride that is equally enrapturing as well as adventurous! If you have the adrenaline rush, and if you think you can take home the prize money, register at www.mtbkerala.com. Come letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cycle!

FAQâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: 1. What is the entry fee? There is no entry fee set for the Third edition of MTB Kerala. The event is only open to male participants and national par-

ticipants should submit a concerned letter from CFI (Cycling Federation of India). 2. What are the different categories? There are two categories for this race: International Cross Country and National Cross Country. 3. What about insurance? Where we deem that you do have your own insurance, the organizers get everyone involved with the race (riders, officials, marshals, support staff etc) insured for the duration of the race. This is directly done by the insurance company. The insurance covers you for any injury sustained during the race as specified in the policy document which will be made available to you at the time of the race. For more information, contact: MTB Kerala, TC 26/849(1), University Women's Hostel Junction, Vazhuthacadu, Thiruvananthapuram - 695014 Kerala, India. Tel: + 91 471 2329770 info@mtbkerala.com

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FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

LEADING FOOTPRINTS Uma Krishnan, Director of Footprint Holidays is a banker by profession and traveller by passion. She has been in the financial services for 26 years and has found time to travel to over 60 countries, live in 2 countries and 6 cities. She loves good food and wine, and some of her most memorable travel experiences have been learning the art of Peruvian cuisine in Cuzco, and spending a weekend sampling wines in Bordeaux.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into luxury travel sector? I started in the Indian Foreign Service with my first posting in Paris –The City of Light. An

MBA at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM Bangalore) followed, and I’ve been in financial services ever since. While banking and travelling seem far apart, according to me, they comple-

ment each other quite well. Footprint Holidays, was born out of my passion for travel and it offers customized travel itineraries. She adds, ‘what Footprint does is really simple: they

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understand who you are and what you like, and then design a unique and memorable itinerary that is customized for you. To ensure you are comfortable and stress free on your holiday, a dedicated holiday consultant is assigned to you from the start until you are safely back home.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

holidays. We have delivered on this promise to many customers - the majority of them are India based but based on referrals we have customers from many parts of the world.

sonalized travel kit, taking care of the smallest detail and flexible execution of all of it.

Has the boom in online bookings affected your business or helped it?

You are from the financial sector, why this switching?

Online bookings are an essential part of the way we travel now particularly for airline tickets and hotels. Our offering is however the content is and experience of a holiday and that needs trusted expert knowledge and advice for all elements of the holiday and that is where we truly add value. And deliver in a completely flexible way. Every holiday is truly personalised. For e.g. if a customer wants to book his tickets online or redeem reward points we will work on that basis. On the other hand we can offer to book these services for the customer as part of the overall content and experience of the holiday. So online booking is a convenience that we integrate into our offering and we are led by what the customer wants.

Life is fast paced and hectic and holidays are a great way to spend quality time with family and friends doing things you love and seeing places you dream of. Time is short and you want the best holiday experience you can get based on what you love- and we deliver that. So we can see a growing market for our capability and offering.

I have had a long and very successful career in financial services both within India and globally. As I said earlier even during my financial services career travel has always been a passion. I now have the opportunity to build on my passionauthentic and unique travel experiences. And my experience in the financial sector will only help me in this. Tell us how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work. Our work revolves around the customer. We spend a lot of time in understanding who our customers are and what will give them a memorable holiday every time and we organise ourselves to deliver that. Attention to detail, knowledge and first hand experience of the travel destinations and experiences and flawless execution are our priority. Also the customer has a single point relationship with Footprint from beginning to end - an experienced holiday consultant. What are your key source markets? Our promise to customers is that we will give them personalised, unique and memorable

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What do you offer that larger tour operators do not? The unique proposition that Footprint offers is truly personalized - an initial personal conversation what the customer wants, an expert holiday planner who will create an itinerary based on interests and requirements, a dedicated holiday consultant who will be a single point person for the customer every step of the way . Other than that, we also have a per-

How is business generally from this part of the world?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been over three years that Footprint Holidays started to scale up, how has your journey been so far in terms of achievements? We have been growing for the last 3 years, but in a focussed way. Our biggest achievement is that we have more than 300 happy customers around the world who have been with us to over 50 countries- and have come back to us again and have referred many of their friends and family to us. We have learnt a lot and are working hard to improve the customer experience every day. According to you, what are the key things to the success of a luxury travel operator in India? Be truly customer led, offer unique and authentic travel experiences based on insider knowledge and execute flawlessly.

GPS 2015, UNITING CENTRAL INDIA The event that aimed at putting Nagpur on the global tourism map, saw nearly 70 exhibitor’s participation in its first edition, in 2014, has this year come back in full swing with an enthusiastic participation of nearly 120 exhibitors, from all over the globe. The show, a premier event, had its focus on growing the Tourism Business from of Central India, and offered space for the Exhibitors to understand the Tourism Potential the region has to offer. Harmandeep Singh Anand, MD, Jagsons Travels and Secretary General, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), in his inaugural address pointed out the positive results of the germ of an idea that started in 2006, that of bringing business houses involved in the uplifting the potentials of central Indian under one roof, as ‘Global Panorama Showcase’. Nagpur, technically the zero mile of the country, brought together the business houses from states like Madhya Pradesh, Chat-

tisgarh and the Maratha and Vidharbha region of Maharashtra in GPS 2015. More than 100

buyers from various cities such as Indore, Bhopal, Raipur and other parts of India were hosted at the event. Exhibitors and buyers had 2 days of networking and knowledge sharing on a common platform. The international participants included Tourism Indonesia, Philippines, Bulgaria, Germany, Swiss Tourism, Spain Tourism Board, Canada, New Zealand, Fiji, and International hotel Chain such as Starwood, The Residence, Rotana, Accor, Sun International

and Destination Lavasa. Apart from the destinations, the event also hosted local and international hotel chains, Tourism Boards, Travel Products, Destination Management Companies, Airlines, DMCs, Cruise Liners, Travel Insurance, Visa Service Providers and other ancillary service providers too. During the inaugural session, over 20 record holders (from both Guinness Book of Records and Limca Book of Records) from Nagpur were also felicitated. The main focus of GPS was to educate and empower the agents from tier II and tier III cities of Central India and giving a larger exposure to available products and services before their clientele in a much professional and organized manner. Speaking on the occasion Madhu Saliankar, Director EntReps Solutions, Marketing partner for the event, said, “The event is just not about business transactions, but also about knowledge sharing, and to understand the true potential of the market to guide all stake holders, to establish, distribute and promote their products in the right and best possible way, EntReps conducted a Travel Research of Central India.” The research book titled “YOUR GPS TO CENTRAL INDIA” was released during the function. Yet another book titled “EXPLORER 2015” was also released at the event. A FAM Trip was organized for the media by Thathastu Luxury Resort (the Post-Event Travel Partner for GPS) which included a Tiger Safari to Pench National Park and one night stay at the resort at the end of the mega business event.

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FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

INDIA A

TOP SOURCE MARKET FOR

YAS ISLAND

India has emerged as the largest market for Yas Island, Abu Dhabi in the last three years. In addition, the island is expecting a 20% increase in Indian arrivals this year, banking on the launch of Etihadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai from Abu Dhabi. Sreejit Swamy

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peaking at the road show, held at Westin Mumbai Garden City recently, Clive Dwyer, Director - Destination Management, Miral Asset Management said, “Thanks to the increased positive wordof-mouth publicity by the expatriate community in Abu Dhabi.” The proximity between India and Abu Dhabi and the increased air route capacity has worked wonders for us just as the rapidly growing leisure segments from India. Since the beginning of operations, there has been an over-whelming increase in number of Free Independent Travellers’ (FIT), corporate incentive groups like MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences/Conven-

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tions, Exhibitions), and Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) To tap the ever-growing Indian market Yas Island is conducting road shows in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai. These road shows have been witnessing good attendance of tour operators and provided them with the opportunity of being able to interact with trade partners like Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C., Jet Airways, Yas Viceroy - Yas Island (the only 5 Star Hotel at Yas Island), to name a few. ‘The year 2014 saw Yas Island hosting over 250,000 overnights from the Indian market, with an average stay of three to four nights,’ stated Dwyer.

Bruno P Wiley, Director of Sales, Farah Leisure Parks Management L.L.C., added, “The opening of the Yas Mall, followed by the celebration of Diwali at Yas Island, has gone really well with the Indian travellers. Therefore, we are planning to take this forward in 2015 by adding more rides to Ferrari World, in addition to adding more engagement activities for children at the hotels”. The business from the Indian market grew more than 30 per cent in 2014 over the previous year. The addition of six more rides and tourist engagement attractions, while exploring the Weddings and MICE segments in India are the core focus points for 2015.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Twelve Minutes of Love

‘W

hat is this?’ ‘Tango,’ the man said. ‘Argentinean tango,’ the woman clarified as she was wiping glasses with a cloth. ‘Well,’ the man said, ‘some people say tango came from Uruguay’ ‘But we are from Chile,’ she said. ‘We dance too, you know,’ the man said. ‘When there isn’t nobody watching,’ the woman smiled coyly. That sealed it – I was a convert. The kindly Chilean went bankrupt shortly after, but that night altered the course of my life. For the next decade, I would breathe tango, dream tango, love-andhate tango. I would dance tango for a thousand and one nights straight ¬– and then collapse and start all over. My love life, my social life, my whereabouts, my sleep patterns and my posture would be dramatically affected – and not always for the better. This book is the living memoir of a decade-long affair between Kapka Kassabova and tango. Twelve Minutes of Love is a non-fiction, journal of Kassabova’s life as she travelled the world writing and searching for the next tango fix. The twelve minutes refers to the average amount of time spent dancing a set of tango dances (a tanda) with the same person. The inception of the book occurred to Kapka Kassabova at a bar,

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during her stay in Auckland as an émigré. The book, true to its conceptual idea, loses its readers to a fantasy world undertaken by Kapka of charms, colors and conflicts. “Tango is a hall of mirrors. Some of them are distorting, others show us the truth,” Kapka Kassabova points out. Unlike the rest of dances of the kin that celebrates happiness through

agile movements, tango paints a picture with a shade of melancholy. A realistic portrayal of life, forged out of desperation by African slaves and European immigrants. To lighten the darkness of it, she blends the bleakness with exciting locations, exotic music and historical mapping of tango from its origins. “Tango is darkness made light through art", said the great tango composer Astor Piazzolla and Kapka embarks on a quest to find this light weaving through darkness. She wanders around the world with her dance shoes in a bag, looking for the perfect

dance partner and the perfect milonga. She navigates across three continents bringing back tales of exile and longing, death and desire, love and belonging. Philosophically, the tango has been called the vertical expression of a horizontal desire. Desire to learn and travel to another civilisation is an inherent need we overcome. And Kapka’s character was on the verge of discovering an interest that would satisfy her need, the need to belong to something. From a literary point of view, Twelve Minutes of Love constructs a melancholic world where one embarks on a journey to find himself. Its figurative parallel is tango finding people to infect itself upon them. In essence, tango hooks on like religion, taking its devotee through paths of emotions ranging from sorrow to ecstasy. Twelve Minutes to Love that’s a self-help book in disguise. This intentional amalgamation of life’s lessons with the tango lessons can be seen in the chapter descriptions: fascination, disconnection, revelation, freedom, to name a few. Tango in its simplicity offers a chance to rediscover, introspect and offers a mirror its readers to look inside. Book: Twelve Minutes of Love: A Tango Story Author: Kapka Kassabova Publisher: Portobello, UK

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IMITATION

GAME T

hose honorable men! The good news is some 49,000 men are going to be pardoned. But the tragic truth is most of them are dead! Posthumous pardoning, some believe, will save their honour. It rings a bell, you might say, because Alan Turing, the computer scientist and World War II code-breaker, was found guilty in the 1950s, but was pardoned by Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth II a few years ago. Hidden beneath the iceberg is the true intent of making the movie that the 49,000 men convicted of homosexuality in World War II must be pardoned. The story of Alan Turning is only a ploy to suggest the mass pardoning of the homosexuals. The irony is while Alan Turning was a genius, these 49,000 Britons could claim none of it. Members of Turing's family joined the movement that drafted an open letter to Britain's political leaders, including David Cameron, as well as the Duke

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and Duchess of Cambridge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; insisting that those men deserved to have the stains of criminal conviction removed from their names. Benedict Cumberbatch, who so exquisitely plays Turing in the movie, said it best perhaps: "Alan Turing was not only prosecuted, but quite arguably persuaded to end his own life early, by a society who called him a criminal for simply seeking out the love he deserved, as all human beings do. Sixty years later, that same government claimed to "forgive" him by pardoning him. I find this deplorable, because Turing's actions did not warrant forgiveness â&#x20AC;&#x201C; theirs did â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the 49,000 other prosecut-

ed men deserve the same." Indeed, part of what makes telling Turing's story so important is that thousands like him experienced the same cruelty as he did, enduring relentless discrimination simply for attempting to live complete, fulfilled lives. We look to stories of legendary role models like Turing for inspiration. Instead of relying on oral traditions from family or friends, we must look to historians, artists, authors and moviemakers to help ensure that we remember where we came from. The heroes of our movement, alive or dead, are there to remind us of what we still need to strive towards.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWSLINE

World’s leading cruise port Equestrian exhibition at Dubai A special exhibition at Meydan Race Course to coincide with the 20thDubai World Cup will remain open to the public till March-end. The exhibition explores the story of Dubai and its horseracing heritage. It is pioneered by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Mina Rashid, voted the World’s Leading Cruise Port, welcomed five cruise ships – Costa Serena, AIDA diva, Amadea, MSC Orchestra and Costa neo Riviera. Over 25,000 passengers arrived at the port. Another landmark arrival was of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 with over 4,500 passengers.

Orlando atop in hot spot Orlando is numero uno hot spot for travellers in 2015, according to Priceline.com. After a multiyear surge of blockbuster expansions at Orlando’s world-class theme parks, Orlando’s retail, dining and entertainment scene is following suit in 2015. Visit Orlando, the destination’s official tourism association, uncovered 15 new openings 2015 travellers will be among the first to experience.

Conrad Koh Samui wins award

ITB Berlin show promising

Conrad Koh Samui is awarded the World’s Luxury Hideaway Resort by the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2014. Stefano Ruzza, general manager of the resort, said, “I am certain that winning this award is a strong impetus for us to continue to take time to understand our guests and to win their hearts and minds when they stay with us.” Conrad Koh Samui is a luxury pool villa resort located on the south-western coast of Samui island, Thailand. The international award is recognized worldwide for providing luxury hotels and resorts with recognition for their world class facilities and guest’s service excellences.

Prospects for the 49th edition of ITB Berlin to be held in the first week of March 2015 look good. More than 10,000 exhibitors from over 190 countries and regions are taking part, and their products and services will be displayed in 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Over 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the world’s largest travel trade show on tourism industry’s products and services. Mongolia, the partner country for the event, will be organising the opening ceremonies on the eve of ITB Berlin. This year’s event will also see exhibitors from Asia and the Middle East participating in

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large numbers. Countries like India will be among the ones with largest number of individual participants. Bangladesh and Pakistan will make its first ever appearance in this year. Exhibitors from Africa will also be strongly represented at the fair this year. Other nations such as Poland, The Turkish Village, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium have also confirmed their participation at this edition of ITB Berlin.

Exhibition on Dubai’s achievements ‘Government of Dubai's Achievements’ exhibition, under the patronage of H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, will be open from March 30 to April 1, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s edition, held under the theme ‘Local Government – Global Achievements’, will see participations of more than 30 entities.

FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Green Summit The Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2015) at Dubai will be held during the Green Week 2015 from 21-23 April. The venue is scheduled to be the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will be held in conjunction with the World Green Economy Summit.

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NATIONAL NEWSLINE

Goa tourism clocks 30% rise A 30% rise in tourist flow was recorded in Goa during (Jan-Dec) 2014. A total 40, 58,226 tourists, both domestic and international, have visited the state against 31, 21,473 tourists last year. There was also a 62% rise in domestic arrivals during the last quarter of 2014. Dilip Parulekar, Goa minister for tourism, said the dip in foreign tourist arrivals is seasonal. It is also because of the geopolitical scenario in Europe. The Department of Tourism has carried out an extensive exercise of enumerating tourists arrivals by road, rail, sea and air engaging the services of the railways, PWD, MPT and Airport Authority of India.

Agra Taj Car Rally flagged off The Agra Taj Car Rally 2015 was flagged off by Dimple Yadav, MP, from the Lion Safari, Etawah. Tourism Minister Om Prakash was also present. The two-day rally offers opportunities for professionals, amateurs and adventure travellers to explore the diverse hinterland in a Time, Speed and Distance format. The rally 2015 will cover around 400 km, exploring UP’s Chambal Valley, Jarar, Brara amongst other places, before terminating in Agra city. Ms Yadav announced the development of an ‘Inner Ring Road’, a 5-km route connecting Yamuna Expressway to the Taj and cutting the travel time.

Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav Argentina tourism roadshows The National Institute of Tourism Promotion in Argentina has just concluded roadshows in Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi to promote Argentina in India. The roadshows titled ‘Discover the Wonders of Argentina’ provided a platform for the suppliers to interact directly with India’s leading tour operators, travel agents and media.

The 11th Dhauli-Kalinga Mahotsav was jointly conducted by Odisha department of tourism and Orissa Dance Academy. The festival exhibited cultural multiplicity with an objective to preserve, promote and popularize the heritage at the national and international level.

UP travel mart A 3-day UP Travel Mart to focus on business of tourism is being organized jointly by FICCI and the UP department of tourism. It is expected that 75 foreign tour operators from 16 countries, 25 domestic tour operators and 70 sellers of tourism products will participate. A special trip for foreign tour operators will be conducted, covering the Heritage Arc, Buddhist circuit, and Wildlife.

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Maharashtra CM launches OTM 2015 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2015 at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (Mumbai) recently.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2015

The travel mart provided the organizations from around the world an opportunity to showcase their products to a large cross-section of travel trade industry and consumers, in all major outbound markets in India. Pavilions were set up by Turkey, New Zealand, Mexico, Dubai, Japan, Thailand, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, Macau, China, Argentina, Oman, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Jordan, Bhutan, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Taiwan, among others. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai Office, also hosted a high tea for the travel trade fraternity, showcasing the new regions and provinces that will be promoted as part of the ‘2015 Discover Thainess Campaign’. The locations highlighted were Trat, Rayong, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Cha Am, Ko Phangan, and Chumphon, among others.

Kerala Tourism draws high revenues Visit Kerala Year (April 2015-March 2016) saw an increase of 12.11% in the total revenue from tourism during last fiscal. According to the Deputy Director of Kerala Tourism department, Nandakumar K P, Kerala continues to be the most preferred destination for domestic as well as international tourists. The foreign tourist arrival in Kerala in 2014 stood at 9,23,366 showing an increase of 7.6% over 8,58,143 visitors in 2013. Similarly, the footfall of domestic tourists rose by 7.71% at 1,16,95, 411 in 2014 compared with 1,08,57,811 last year. In addition, aggressive campaigns targeting potential travellers from the traditional markets are also being planned to be conducted in the UK, France and Germany through trade fairs and road shows besides exploring the possibilities of attracting tourists from neighbouring China and Sri Lanka. Leveraging the increased air connectivity, a focused 'Ayurveda' and 'monsoon' campaigns will be organised in Gulf countries where about 90% of the Diaspora are from Kerala.

Delhi hosts TTF 2015 Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) 2015, India’s premier travel show network, was held in New Delhi recently. The annual trade extravaganza for the travel and tourism industry grew bigger this year with a record participation from over 275 exhibitors from 19 countries and from 19 states/Union Territories from across the country. The fair offered a significant platform for the exhibitors to service the emerging needs of a large cross-section of the travel trade business and consumers sections, across major markets in India while providing a robust meeting point for the global travel trade in India’s second biggest travel market. The wide-spread visitor profile included Travel Trade Members, Business Travel & MICE Buyers, Leisure and Holiday Travellers. It also featured a diverse array of participation from National Tourist Organisations, State Government Tourism Departments, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hotels & Resorts, Airlines, Online Travel Agencies and many other segments of the travel and tourism industry.

FEBRUARY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Visit Japan Trade Seminar Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), along with a strong delegation from Japan, successfully concluded ‘Visit Japan Trade Seminar’ in Delhi and Mumbai. The seminar was conducted in Delhi and Mumbai in the first week of February. Delegates represented Home of Mt. Fuji-Shizuoka, Nagano Prefecture, Tour Quality Japan, Fujikyu Group, Hokkaido Tourism Organisation, Osaka Government Tourism Bureau, Hyatt Regency Osaka, Air India Osaka Office, Ayabex Inc, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. With a growth of 27% in tourist arrivals compared with figures of last year, Japan has conducted this fest to update the travel trade community and the media organisations about their products and services.

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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTEST− 85

Torsten Van Dulleman appointed as GM, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Hong Kong.

Apple Woo

Nick Pilbeam

appointed as Director, Sales&Marketing, Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resorts

appointed as Divisional Director, Travel, Reed Exhibitions, Dubai

Sujith Herbert

Rahul Joshi

Vishal Gupta

appointed as GM The Khyber Himalayan Resort &Spa, Gulmarg

appointed as GM Hilton Jaipur

appointed GM, Hilton Garden Inn, Trivandrum

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