All posts filed under: Travel Stories

Idukki Dam Kerala

All you need to know about Idukki Dam

Idukki Dam : An architectural marvel Wonder that the nature hidden between hill pairs joined together with technology, an energy revolution that changed the face of Kerala Power generation was born. Always this nature’s gift is an attraction for travelers. Dam that is built in across Periyar river between two rocky hills Kuravan and Kurathi is predicted a life of 300 years. It is one of the highest dams in the world and the first arch dam in India. Idukki Dam is located in Idukki district, Kerala. It is a double curvature arch dam. Arched shape on the upstream face that compresses together and strengthens the structure when water pushes up against it. Idukki dam is the first dam In Asia, which is constructed in double curvature arch dam type and second in the world. This architectural marvel is constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. There are many points that we should know about Idukki dam. The Idukki hydroelectric Project is the biggest hydroelectric Project in Kerala. Idukki dam has a height …

swing-at-the-end-of-the-world

Swing at the end of the world, largest swing in South America is located 8500 feet

Swinging is a fun and you would have enjoyed a lot when you were kid. Getting on a swing as an adult is just as fun and thrill. But this South American country will surely give you an adventurous and breath taking experience on a swing. Known as the Swing at the end of the world, the largest swing in South America is located 8,500-feet high in the Andes mountains in Central Ecuador. The instructor at the platform tells riders to shout as they fly through the air so that they don’t experience any chest pain. The swing, which hangs over a steep slope, is overlooking the beautiful terrain of Mt. Tungurahua Volcano.It’s amazing and pretty when the clouds are clear so you can see the volcano. Tungurahua is an active stratovolcano located in the Cordillera Oriental of Ecuador. The volcano gives its name to the province of Tungurahua. The cab to this place will cost you $10 and it’s paying that money for such an amazing ride as well. Falling would probably mean death, …

chalakudy-parambilkulam-cochin-state-tramway

Cochin tramway (Chalakudy tramway) where the history sleeps

I think it’s been months, that I didn’t cover anything for the history buffs. Most of the recent articles were on the hills stations and travel tips. Yesterday I did get a chance to read about another wonderful destination for the history seekers. It’s nothing other than our Cochin State Forest Tramway. For most of you it might not be a new information, but I am trying to share the knowledge about this to my fellow travelers People who are planning to visit Athirappilly waterfalls and Vazhachal can easily cover the Chalakudy tramway. The rail lines cuts across the Western Ghats, went through lush green forests, crossed streams and rivers and was considered to be a scenic and enjoyable journey. Cochin State Forest Tramway Cochin state forest tramway was meter gauge railway line constructed between Parambilkulam wildlife Sanctuary in Palakkad and Chalakudy in Thrissur. The total length of the tramway is about 49.5 miles (approximately 79.5 kilometers). This total length is covering 3 sections, first section covers the Chalakudy – Anapantham with a length of …

Mystical Spot in Portugal Where Water Flows Uphill

Everybody knows that Portugal is full of mystical places like medieval castles, palaces of Porto, castles of Sintra. But we can explanation for most of these mysteries in Portugal. The “Braga Bom Jesus” experience is, something different and a must visit place in Braga. You will definitely wonder when you come to know the mystery about that place. The Braga Bom Jesus Braga, a small town about three-and-a-half hours north of Lisbon, is known as the “Portuguese Rome” for its stunning churches and architecture. The location has fantastic views in the valley. The sculptures were outstanding and very meaningful. Many hilltops in Portugal and other parts of Europe have been sites of religious devotion since antiquity, and it is possible that the Bon Jesus hill was one of these. The meaning of “Bom Jesus de Monte” Sanctuary is “Good Jesus of the Mount”. But it’s behind this iconic structure that a true modern mystery awaits curious drivers. You just need to put your car into neutral and wait for the mystery to happen. Instead of …

dani tribes finger cutting

Dani Tribes of Indonesia, who will cut their fingers for the beloved

This is not a travelogue or a post on picturesque destination, but a story about the Dani tribes of Indonesia. Knowing the history and different cultures of mankind is also important as photography in travel. You can see so many tribes around the world, some are very aggressive and threat to our life like the tribes in Sentinel Island, and some are friendly with people. We can see very interesting and surprising rituals followed by these tribes which is not even known to most of the outside people. Recently I did get chance to read about the Dani tribes of Indonesia and that made me to write an article about their community and culture. The Dani Tribes of Papua The Dani tribe of Papua New Guinea can be mostly seen in the area of the Baliem Valley, which is located in the central highlands (Papua New Guinea). They are the most exposed tribes to the outside world than other tribes in the area mostly because of tourism focused in Balien Valley. Contact with the Dani …

China travel stories

What every foreigner should know about China ?

It’s very common to have a misconception about places or countries between people. Recently i heard some similar stories about china also. Actually China is a place having so many myths among travelers. The ideas associated with Chinese martial arts, the religious believes and world war have a significant role in the culture formation of China. What you are thinking or experienced about China may not be the right revelation. To your better knowledge, here i am sharing my understandings and findings about China. All of them are not masters in martial arts Some people are thinking in such a way that all Chinese people are masters in all martial arts. No, they don’t master Kung Fu like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan or Kung Fu Panda. The genesis of Chinese martial arts has been attributed to the need for self-defense, hunting techniques and military training in ancient China. So it’s not good to assume that all Chinese people are fighting monks. They won’t eat every parts of every animal You need to believe this point. They won’t …

deans blue hole

What is so special about Dean’s blue hole of Bahamas ?

Blue Holes are always a mystery for the travelers. Here i am sharing one of the gorgeous blue hole which is very famous for diving. Dean’s Blue Hole is the world’s second deepest known salt water blue hole with an entrance below the sea level. It plunges 202 meters in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long Island, Bahamas. There exists a broad term “blue hole” describing any deep, water filled, vertical caves. A blue hole is a water-filled sinkhole with the entrance below the water level. They can be formed in different karst processes, for example, by rainwater soaking through fractures of limestone bedrock onto the water table. “Blue hole” is a term applied to some of those sinkholes which are filled with water irrespective of their mechanism of formation. It seems that the decisive factor in the use of this term is the beautiful deep blue color of water in these formations. There is no shortage of blue holes on the planet, but Dean’s blue hole is the deepest and considered one …

Nilgiri Mountain Railway Heritage Train

All you need to know about Nilgiri Mountain Railway

I took a journey along the mystical mountain through the generations old contraption but still young and cheerful Nilgiri Passenger Train commonly known as Ooty heritage train. The cool breeze, the “chuchchuch”, the “wooo wooo” all made me go through a trance which made me think what brings this on? Here I have attempted to write almost everything you need to know about the Niligiri Mountain Railway. The History of Nilgiri Mountain Railway The first plans to build a mountain Railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills was in 1854. But it took the decision-makers 45 years to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and complete the construction and installation of the line. The rail line was completed and opened for public in June 1899. It was operated first by the Madras Railway Company under an agreement with the Government. The Madras Railway Company continued to manage this railway line on behalf of the government for a long time. Later the South Indian Railway company purchased it. Coonoor was initially the final hill station on …