Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Tea island
Sri Lanka is a bewitching land of gentle people, ancient Buddhist shrines, and picturesque tea plantations
At every station, people board the rickety timber train, and wander through the carriages selling mango slices, parcels of rice and curry, oranges, spiced chickpeas and lottery tickets. Passengers hang outside the open doorways and when the train goes through the tunnels, the children shriek with delight.
We’re travelling east from Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, into the picturesque highlands and from the train windows; the dominant colour is a vivid green as far as the eye can see. Lush layers of velvet hug the slopes like a carpet of thick shag, manicured and laid out without a wrinkle.
The hillsides are dotted with specks of bright colour, as squads of sari-clad tea pickers move through the metre-high bushes deftly picking the leaves and buds and placing them into wicker baskets strapped to their backs. This is tea country — and for more than 130 years, Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s former name, has been a byword for some of the world’s finest teas, unrivalled in flavour and aroma.
Slap bang in the middle of the tea-growing region at 1,889m is Nuwara Eliya, which retains its hill station atmosphere more completely than anywhere else in the country.
Once the favoured stomping ground for tea planters wanting to escape the heat of the lowlands, its like a small twee English town that’s been transplanted to the tropics: hotels with wood-panelled billiard rooms and mounted trophies, country-style houses with rose gardens, a beautifully maintained golf course and a picturesque racecourse.
It’s mid-afternoon and we’re hanging out for our first decent cup of Sri Lanka’s famous brew. Down at the Hill Club on the outskirts of town, a white-jacketed, white-gloved waiter emerges from the main entrance carrying a tray containing a china teapot, cups and saucers. He walks across the immaculately manicured lawns and carefully places the crockery on the linen tablecloth. The whole tea-making ceremony is carried off with a delightful panache.
It’s in the hill country, where the tea plantations and hotels serve the type of brew you’d expect; a rich, golden, excellent quality liquor that is smooth, bright, and delicately perfumed.
Although tea is readily available all over the island from small roadside kiosks to railway stations to local eateries, curiously, it’s likely to be a concoction called ‘milk tea’ — where a poorer quality tea, hot milk and sugar are blended together before being poured into a cup.
If you’re interested to learn how a good strong cuppa is made, then take a tour at one of the nearby tea plantations such as the Pedro Tea Estate or the Labookellie Tea Estate. It’s also a good opportunity to stock up on quality teas to take back home.
A short train trip from Nuwara Elya is the sleepy village of Ella where a highlight is spending a night at the superbly situated Ambiente Guest House. Around 5am, you’re woken by the chanting of monks from the nearby monastery to then savour what must be Sri Lanka’s most magnificent sunrise view, straight through the Ella Gap to the coastal plains nearly 1,000m below. All experienced while still lying in bed.
After a couple of relaxing days taking walks in the surrounding hills through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls (guided by Ambiente’s pet dogs), we arrange for a driver to take us to Yala West National Park in the country’s south-east.
Although it sustained some damage due to the 2004 tsunami, Yala West is one of the few Sri Lankan national parks still open to travellers.
The cool green hill country is soon replaced with a flat, ochre-coloured landscape, and the air dry and crackling with the heat.
This is home to the water buffalo, which may be seen wallowing in muddy waters, often just a curve of magnificent horns, slits of eyes and dark-grey nostrils visible.
Water buffaloes are not only precious as ploughers of the rice fields but also prized for their milk, to make Sri Lanka’s favourite dessert — kiri peni, or curd and treacle.
Asitha, our driver, pulls up beside one of the wooden roadside stalls where the smiling owner is already busy ladling thick, white buffalo curd into three sundae glasses lined up on a tray. Once the curd is piled into the glasses, an elderly lady, who is also in the tiny stall, takes the stopper out of the bottle and pours a stream of golden treacle over it.
While having a brief discussion about cricket, the country’s national obsession, we enjoy the cool delicately flavoured curd, its slight tartness offset by the treacle, more accurately a syrup from the kitul palm.
As we get nearer to the coast, coconut palms sway in the breeze and the Indian Ocean, the colour of a Ceylonese sapphire, appears to be suspended between the burning white sand and the cloudless sky.
Few trees in the world are of greater benefit to man than the coconut. In addition to the milk (which can also be used to cure headaches, upset stomachs and hangovers) and the white pulp that’s a side dish accompanying almost every meal in Sri Lanka) use is also made of the husk that’s made into rope, mats and bed fillings.
When the flowers are tapped, a liquid pours out which, after only a few hours of fermentation, turns into a popular local beverage.
Tissamaharama, a busy town surrounded by rice paddies and dotted with temples, is the jumping off point for the Yala West National Park.
We base ourselves at the Tissa Rest House, delightfully situated right on the banks of the Tissa Wewa. To visit the national park, it’s best to hire a jeep and driver and be in place near a waterhole at dawn or dusk.
Yala West is a mixture of scrub, plains, lagoons, and rocky outcrops. Though not in the same league as Afri-ca’s safari parks, there are elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, wild boar, monkeys, wild buffaloes, wild peacocks and a small population of elusive leopards that call it home.
Later that evening, back and resting at our accommodation after a satisfying day’s wildlife spotting, it’s time to order another cup of tea.
- See more at: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/wknd/wknd_article.asp?xfile=/data/wkndlifestyle/2013/September/wkndlifestyle_September5.xml§ion=wkndlastword#sthash.R0rFL24H.dpuf
At every station, people board the rickety timber train, and wander through the carriages selling mango slices, parcels of rice and curry, oranges, spiced chickpeas and lottery tickets. Passengers hang outside the open doorways and when the train goes through the tunnels, the children shriek with delight.
We’re travelling east from Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, into the picturesque highlands and from the train windows; the dominant colour is a vivid green as far as the eye can see. Lush layers of velvet hug the slopes like a carpet of thick shag, manicured and laid out without a wrinkle.
The hillsides are dotted with specks of bright colour, as squads of sari-clad tea pickers move through the metre-high bushes deftly picking the leaves and buds and placing them into wicker baskets strapped to their backs. This is tea country — and for more than 130 years, Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s former name, has been a byword for some of the world’s finest teas, unrivalled in flavour and aroma.
Slap bang in the middle of the tea-growing region at 1,889m is Nuwara Eliya, which retains its hill station atmosphere more completely than anywhere else in the country.
Once the favoured stomping ground for tea planters wanting to escape the heat of the lowlands, its like a small twee English town that’s been transplanted to the tropics: hotels with wood-panelled billiard rooms and mounted trophies, country-style houses with rose gardens, a beautifully maintained golf course and a picturesque racecourse.
It’s mid-afternoon and we’re hanging out for our first decent cup of Sri Lanka’s famous brew. Down at the Hill Club on the outskirts of town, a white-jacketed, white-gloved waiter emerges from the main entrance carrying a tray containing a china teapot, cups and saucers. He walks across the immaculately manicured lawns and carefully places the crockery on the linen tablecloth. The whole tea-making ceremony is carried off with a delightful panache.
It’s in the hill country, where the tea plantations and hotels serve the type of brew you’d expect; a rich, golden, excellent quality liquor that is smooth, bright, and delicately perfumed.
Although tea is readily available all over the island from small roadside kiosks to railway stations to local eateries, curiously, it’s likely to be a concoction called ‘milk tea’ — where a poorer quality tea, hot milk and sugar are blended together before being poured into a cup.
If you’re interested to learn how a good strong cuppa is made, then take a tour at one of the nearby tea plantations such as the Pedro Tea Estate or the Labookellie Tea Estate. It’s also a good opportunity to stock up on quality teas to take back home.
A short train trip from Nuwara Elya is the sleepy village of Ella where a highlight is spending a night at the superbly situated Ambiente Guest House. Around 5am, you’re woken by the chanting of monks from the nearby monastery to then savour what must be Sri Lanka’s most magnificent sunrise view, straight through the Ella Gap to the coastal plains nearly 1,000m below. All experienced while still lying in bed.
After a couple of relaxing days taking walks in the surrounding hills through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls (guided by Ambiente’s pet dogs), we arrange for a driver to take us to Yala West National Park in the country’s south-east.
Although it sustained some damage due to the 2004 tsunami, Yala West is one of the few Sri Lankan national parks still open to travellers.
The cool green hill country is soon replaced with a flat, ochre-coloured landscape, and the air dry and crackling with the heat.
This is home to the water buffalo, which may be seen wallowing in muddy waters, often just a curve of magnificent horns, slits of eyes and dark-grey nostrils visible.
Water buffaloes are not only precious as ploughers of the rice fields but also prized for their milk, to make Sri Lanka’s favourite dessert — kiri peni, or curd and treacle.
Asitha, our driver, pulls up beside one of the wooden roadside stalls where the smiling owner is already busy ladling thick, white buffalo curd into three sundae glasses lined up on a tray. Once the curd is piled into the glasses, an elderly lady, who is also in the tiny stall, takes the stopper out of the bottle and pours a stream of golden treacle over it.
While having a brief discussion about cricket, the country’s national obsession, we enjoy the cool delicately flavoured curd, its slight tartness offset by the treacle, more accurately a syrup from the kitul palm.
As we get nearer to the coast, coconut palms sway in the breeze and the Indian Ocean, the colour of a Ceylonese sapphire, appears to be suspended between the burning white sand and the cloudless sky.
Few trees in the world are of greater benefit to man than the coconut. In addition to the milk (which can also be used to cure headaches, upset stomachs and hangovers) and the white pulp that’s a side dish accompanying almost every meal in Sri Lanka) use is also made of the husk that’s made into rope, mats and bed fillings.
When the flowers are tapped, a liquid pours out which, after only a few hours of fermentation, turns into a popular local beverage.
Tissamaharama, a busy town surrounded by rice paddies and dotted with temples, is the jumping off point for the Yala West National Park.
We base ourselves at the Tissa Rest House, delightfully situated right on the banks of the Tissa Wewa. To visit the national park, it’s best to hire a jeep and driver and be in place near a waterhole at dawn or dusk.
Yala West is a mixture of scrub, plains, lagoons, and rocky outcrops. Though not in the same league as Afri-ca’s safari parks, there are elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, wild boar, monkeys, wild buffaloes, wild peacocks and a small population of elusive leopards that call it home.
Later that evening, back and resting at our accommodation after a satisfying day’s wildlife spotting, it’s time to order another cup of tea.
- See more at: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/wknd/wknd_article.asp?xfile=/data/wkndlifestyle/2013/September/wkndlifestyle_September5.xml§ion=wkndlastword#sthash.R0rFL24H.dpuf
St. Petersburg, Russia
 Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, Russia’s former capital is built where the river Neva joins the Gulf of Finland. Spread over more than 40 islands, St. Petersburg is often referred to as ‘Venice of the North’ thanks to its network of canals and rivers. Criss-crossed by many impressive bridges and lined with imposing buildings from two centuries ago, a boat trip around these waterways is highly recommended.  Having survived a long and turbulent history, modern St. Petersburg is now better known for its cultural heritage. Filled with impressive 18th and 19th century architecture, this one-time capital of Russia is home to some of the best ballet, opera and classical music in the world.When looking for the best time to visit, every season in St. Petersburg brings out something unique in the city. Winter offers the spectacular sight of the frozen Neva and Spring sees the city come back to life as the snows thaw. But a particular favourite of locals are the festivities that take place during the White Nights of June, when the sun hardly sets and daylight never quite disappears. Dining in St. Petersburg Over recent years, restaurants in St. Petersburg have changed for the better and are now much closer to the standards of other European tourist cities. No single area can lay claim to having the best places to eat and quality restaurants are spread out across the city. Food is primarily European cuisine, although many places include traditional Russian dishes on their menus. Look out for Zakusi, a selection of hors d’oeuvre that often include pickled vegetables, cured meats and fishes, salads and breads. Borshch is another popular staple, a beetroot-based sweet and sour dish served cold in summer and hot in winter. And the ever-popular Russian caviar is always worth a try. Exploring St. Petersburg  A good place to start your visit is at the beginning. After defeating the occupying Swedish forces in 1703, Peter the Great built the Peter and Paul Fortress to protect his newly conquered lands. The fortress became the birthplace of St. Petersburg.The original wooden structure was eventually replaced with stone by the Swiss-Italian architect Domenico Trezzini, who went on to design several of St. Petersburg’s iconic buildings. Underneath its impressive exterior, the fortress has a gruesome history. Many political prisoners were held and tortured there, including Peter’s own son Alexis. Today the cells are open to the public and you can find a small exhibition of period photographs, prison uniforms and a model of the guardroom on the ground floor. Also within the fortress are several museums of local history and the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, which houses the tombs of the Romanovs. Flights to St. Petersburg, Russia Almost directly opposite the fortress, on the other side of the Neva, you’ll find the Hermitage museum. One of the most famous museums in the world, the Hermitage is St. Petersburg’s most popular attractions and sees more than 2.5million visitors a year. With over 350 rooms of exhibits, taking a guided tour is a good way to see the highlights, as well as being the only way to get inside the Treasure Galleries. Star exhibits include The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt, Gauguin’s Ea Haere Ia Oe and La Danse by Matisse. Although the Hermitage houses many incredible collections, very few are from Russia. Luckily, the world’s finest collection of Russian art is housed nearby at the Russian Museum in Mikhailovskiy Palace where over 400,000 works offer an invaluable insight into the country’s artistic heritage. A few hundred meters away, across the picturesque Mikhailovskiy Garden, is another of St. Petersburg’s most impressive landmarks. The Church of the Saviour on Blood is built on the spot where an assassin fatally wounded Alexander II on March 1, 1881. A riot of colour and juxtaposed materials, the church was re-opened in 1998 after more than twenty years of restoration. Beyond St. Petersburg Just outside St. Petersburg, on the Baltic shore, Peterhof Park is remarkable for the sheer variety of styles it encompasses. Covering 607 hectares (1,500 acres), this grand park represents nearly two centuries of aristocratic European fashion and has numerous palaces, fountains and sculptures to explore. We would also recommended spending a day at the imperial palace of Tsarskoe Selo. Surrounded by incredible parks and gardens, an early arrival is a must to both fit everything in and beat the crowds. Visit the Catherine Palace and enjoy the splendour of the Amber Chamber, covered in intricately-carved amber panels. |
Stockholm, Sweden
   Built on 14 islands, Stockholm has a natural beauty while being a vibrant centre of culture and commerce. Its waterways provide as much entertainment as its charming streets, trendy cafés and native traditions. Alongside its warm and friendly residents, it has a deserved reputation as an eco-friendly city. Dining & shopping Swedish cuisine reflects both its proximity to the sea and its fertile beauty. So expect to enjoy a variety of seafood and wild game, as well as beef, lamb, mushrooms and cloudberries. Go for a ‘fika’, which is enjoying coffee and pastry with friends - the quintessential Swedish activity. There are plenty of cafés across the city to choose from. The Mellqvist Caffé Bar comes highly recommended. For a taste of traditional Swedish cuisine at its finest, visit Den Gyldene Freden, the oldest restaurant in Stockholm (founded in 1722) with authentic interiors that reflect its 18th century origins. The most popular streets for dining are Västerlånggatan, Stortorget and just about anywhere in Stockholm’s Old Town district (or Gamla Stan). Try any of the traditional Swedish favourites including Gravlax (a salmon dish), Swedish meatballs or a smorgasbord (an open sandwich). The Bohemian SoFo area is ideal for both shopping and dining. You can explore the dozens of cafés and restaurants amidst clothing, vintage, and second-hand stores, and its thriving social scene in Nytorget Square during the summer months. If you’re looking for high-end shopping in Stockholm, Ostermalm is the place to be. Prestigious brands can be found there, so be sure to visit the Biblioteksgatan strip as well as areas around Strandvägen. Flights to Stockholm, SweedenEntertainment and attractions Old Town is Stockholm’s original city centre. Dating back to the 13th century, it is defined by cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and aged buildings. Start your visit at the main square and explore the nearby museums including the Nobel Museum, the Post Museum and the Royal Coin Cabinet. Witness the changing of the guard and a performance by the military band at The Royal Palace, a very popular Stockholm destination. Evidence of Stockholm’s modern artistic sensibility is seen everywhere including the Metro. Work of hundreds of artists can be seen throughout the terminals. Discover over 300 years of Swedish fashion at the Nordiska Museet, an ongoing exhibit that traces the evolution of the country’s fashion sense. Stockholm is a green city in every sense, boasting 26 parks. Among them is the EkoPark, the world’s first National Urban Park where you can explore the densest population of giant oaks in Europe, and discover a variety of rare plant and insect species. If you’re travelling with the little ones, popular family attractions include the Grona Lund Amusement Park, and the Museum of Science and Techonology, the Skansen Open-Air Museum and the Stockholm Zoo. It’s easy to be at the centre of Stockholm’s lively nightlife with bars and clubs all over the city. The Stureplan area is where many of these venues are located, and offers Jazz, Rock and Classical music themed clubs. Beyond Stockholm The Ice Hotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi, is literally a hotel made completely out of snow and ice. You can stay in both warm and cold rooms (only one night in a cold room is recommended) and enjoy a range of unique artistic, gastronomic and outdoor experiences available through the hotel. Experience the pristine natural landscape of Swedish Lapland and, if you’re lucky, the Aurora Borealis. Also known as the Northern Lights, it’s a natural atmospheric phenomenon featuring multicoloured lights seen only in the skies above the North and South Poles. The visibility of the lights is cyclical and more evident at the end of each cycle (approximately every 11 years). Explore Uppsala, in central Sweden - a historic city with medieval roots. It’s home to Uppsala Castle - a very important part of Swedish history - and the Linnaeus Garden and Botanical Gardens. North of Stockholm is Sigtuna, Sweden’s first settlement, having been founded in the 10th century. A charming town with opportunities for shopping and dining, Sigtuna is near to the Skokloster Castle, a place with an intriguing story of its own and well preserved 17th century interiors. |
Warsaw, Poland
 Warsaw’s most beloved symbol is the mermaid. According to legend she is the city’s sworn protector, having won the locals’ hearts with her captivating song. She oversees a city of many sides, where history, nature and modernity coexist seamlessly, from parks and gardens to avant-garde festivals, museums and more.  AttractionsMuch of Warsaw’s allure is in its well-preserved palaces and period buildings each with a story of its own. Some of the more popular sites include the Wilanów Palace and the Łazienki Królewskie Palace, which feature beautiful gardens, works of art and historical artefacts. Poland is replete with relics of bygone wars, some more sober like Ul Próżna, a street that survived World War 2, with buildings that still bear the marks of war. Then there is the festive Old Town, restored just after World War 2, it is an ideal spot for coffee and local art, and is home to another famous Warsaw landmark, the Royal Castle. One of the city’s most famous residents is composer Chopin, and there are dozens of attractions dedicated to his memory including Chopin’s Benches, that tells his story through audio and digital content at locations throughout the city. The Chopin Monument in Łazienki Królewskie is a relaxing option during the summer months with live performances of Chopin’s compositions, and perhaps a picnic. Satisfy your appetite for retail amongst Warsaw’s fashionable malls where local and international brands can be found. Pay a visit to Nowy Świat Street, for some of the trendiest shopping and dining, or Galeria Mokotów, one of the largest malls in the city. Warsaw offers many leisure opportunities from theme parks and fairs to annual festivals, like Carnival in March and the Contemporary Opera Festival in April. The Multimedia Fountain Park features a water, light and laser show with accompanying audio runs every weekend between spring and early autumn. Dining & nightlife Start your exploration of local cuisine with bigos, considered Poland’s national dish, it is a centuries-old recipe made with a variety of stewed meats and sauerkraut. Golabki and pierogi dumplings are also local favourites, but the donuts from Café Blikle have attained legendary status – the long lines are the evidence. Warsaw nightlife has much to offer from the techno club scene to relaxed lounges and bars. Dobra Street 33/35 is a collection of bars popular among university students, while Nowy Świat Street has a variety of bars and clubs for all preferences. The historic Praga district has become a favourite among artists and a sort of hotspot for creativity. There are also a host of live concerts of all kinds during the summer months. There are also many theatres, like the well-known Teatr Polonia, as well as opera houses, both indoor and open-air, for children and adults alike, which can be experienced outside the summer months. Beyond Warsaw Outside the city, the wild beauty of Kampinos National Park awaits. Home to a number of endangered species, it is ideal for hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. You can also find Poland’s widest tree there – a poplar 11 metres wide – as well as beautiful marshlands among other things. Experience the incomparable crisp air of Konstancin-Jeziorna, a spa town known for its natural remedies for a variety of conditions. You’ll find its pine-scented air refreshing and will have plenty to do with botanical gardens, hiking and cycling trails as well as the picturesque rivers to enjoy. Because of its Renaissance architecture and breathtaking landscapes, Kazimierz Dolny is a favourite amongst painters and artists of all kinds. Its abundance of historical relics and rich culture has led to it being declared a cultural monument. All flights to Warsaw include over 1,500 channels of movies, music and more, through Emirates’ inflight entertainment system, ‘ice’. On Warsaw flights, Emirates First Class passengers enjoy luxurious sleeper seats, Business Class passengers relax in spacious sleeperettes, and all passengers travelling to Warsaw enjoy our gourmet menu featuring local and international cuisine. |
Zürich, Switzerland
 There’s more to Zürich than cheese, chocolate and cuckoo clocks. These three Swiss stereotypes, whilst undeniably fascinating, are a far cry from Zürich’s commercial chic and expensive ambience. Zurich being the financial capital of Switzerland and the wealthiest city in Europe, the vast majority of its visitors arrive armed with an expense account which has elevated everyday costs. However, those looking for a less than costly stay can take advantage of the city’s lakeside setting, mountainous scenery and clean air. Factor in its easily walkable Altstadt – complete with historic lanes, medieval churches, quays, parks and gardens – and visitors can experience the real Zürich without the need for a corporate credit card. Zürich’s location in northern Switzerland ensures it is well connected to the bordering countries of France, Germany, Austria and Italy, and the city’s one million inhabitants and 500,000 annual visitors enjoy direct train connections as far afield as Barcelona, Brussels, Belgrade, Budapest and Zagreb.  AttractionsMany of Zürich’s sights are conveniently located in one square kilometre area on either side of the Limmat River between the railway station and Lake Zürich. This area loosely corresponds to the city’s District 1, and is known as the Aldstadt. Directly south of the train station is the Bahnhofstrasse, home to some of Zürich’s most exclusive shops and boutiques. The area is dotted with churches and old houses, and the street arches south east to the Lindenhof, the historical hilltop site of a Roman castle and the later Carolingian Imperial Palace. After exploring the delights of the nearby Fraumϋnster Abbey, Zunfthaus zur Meisen and St Peterskirche, cross the Limmat River at Gemϋsebrϋcke near Zürich’s baroque town hall. From here you can head back north along the Limmatquai. This 19th century promenade makes for a scenic walk, particularly at night. The city’s quays are some of its most loved attractions; the main promenade along Zürichsee (Lake Zürich) is Uto Quai which runs to Bellevueplatz and Quaibrücke. Take a steam ship trip on the lake for a day with a difference. Dining and Nightlife Zürich’s place on the international stage ensures it caters for many global tastes, but for a quintessential Züri experience try Zürigschnätzlets, veal in a cream and wine-laced sauce. Grilled Wurst (sausages) are also popular, often accompanied by Rösti, a Swiss potato pancake, or Chnöpfli, small noodle dumplings. From further afield than Zürich – but still typically Swiss – are fondue and raclette, often served at wood-panelled taverns in the Aldstadt. These traditional melted cheese dishes utilise large amounts of locally produced Gruyere and Emmenthal, and are calorific but delicious. For something a little better for you try a bowl of muesli, a fibre-filled breakfast invented as a Swiss health food, and then ruin all your good work with coffee, cake and chocolate at one of Zürich’s many confiseries. Nightlife in Zürich is so good that it’s occasionally referred to as ‘downtown Switzerland’. Zürich might not be the capital - that honour goes to Bern – but it’s certainly where the action is. The Altstadt's historic lanes attract a lively crowd with a mix of pubs, jazz bars and pavement cafés, while Züri-West's hip lounge bars and high-octane clubs provide late-night partying. However, it’s worth noting that Zürich’s nightlife tends to end earlier than most comparable cities; on the bright side, it starts earlier. To find out the latest hotspots, pick up a copy of the Zürich News, freely available around the city. Beyond Zurich Two hours by train from Zürich is Interlaken, a small town in the Bernese Highlands. Squeezed between the two Alpine lakes of Brienzsee and Thun, Interlaken is a popular base for travellers looking to experience outdoor activities and adrenaline-fuelled sports in the surrounding Bernese Oberland Alps. Walk, hike, swim, sail, raft and bike during the summer months, or ski, board, sledge or skate during the winter. The more daring can paraglide, hang glide, bungee jump, canyon, white water raft, rock climb or even sky dive, all with one of the Alp’s most scenic backdrops. Emirates operates twice-daily flights to Zürich from Dubai using a state-of-the-art fleet including the Boeing 777-300ER. Discover Emirates comfortable in-flight facilities on Zürich flights, which include luxurious private suites in First Class, lie-flat seats in Business Class and a new generation of comfort in Economy Class. All classes feature ice, Emirates onboard information, communication and entertainment system offering up to 1,400 entertainment channels, making flights to Zürich fly by. |
Air New Zealand plans Antarctic ice landings
New Zealand’s flagship airline plans to fly aircraft to Antarctica that pilots would land on an ice runway.
But tourists wanting to travel to the frozen continent will need to keep their hopes in check. The chartered Air New Zealand flights would be for scientists and their support crews, and the airline said Tuesday it has no plans to begin commercial trips.
Many countries already fly scientists to Antarctica. But those flights are typically run by government or military agencies, or by specialised companies.
Air New Zealand plans to use one of its regular passenger jets for the Antarctic flights, a Boeing 767-300.
Airline spokeswoman Marie Hosking said the jet doesn’t need any modifications and that the Antarctic ice runway has the characteristics of a regular runway that is covered in dry snow, much like the airline’s pilots might expect to encounter at an airport such as Tokyo.
The airline plans an October 5 trial run. If successful, it would operate two more charter flights during the upcoming Antarctic summer season.
The aircraft would leave from Christchurch and land on the Pegasus runway on the Ross Ice Shelf, a trip of 3,870 kilometres that takes about five hours. Unlike the existing military flights, the Air New Zealand planes could return, in good conditions, without refuelling. Getting fuel to Antarctica is difficult and expensive.
The flights have been chartered by Antarctica New Zealand, the agency that runs the country’s Antarctic programme. Flights would also carry American scientists as the US works collaboratively with the South Pacific nation in Antarctica.
Graeme Ayres, the operations manager for Antarctica New Zealand, said the landing strip needs to be prepared carefully so there’s sufficient granulation to provide friction.
“Obviously you can’t have a slippery ice rink,” he said. “That would be quite hazardous.”
He said the aircraft would be able to transport about 200 scientists and support staff on each trip.
“They have the capability to move mass numbers of people pretty quickly,” he said. “It’s a pretty exciting time.”
Stephen Parker, a spokesman for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, said the country tries to limit Antarctic tourism and minimise its impact on the environment.
“This is consistent with Antarctica’s status as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science,” he said.
Air New Zealand has never landed in Antarctica but briefly ran scenic flights over the continent. But in 1979, one of its aircraft crashed into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 aboard. That disaster has left a scar on New Zealand and likely factored into the airline’s decision not to return to Antarctica for more than three decades.
Australian company Antarctica Sightseeing Flights charters aircraft to run scenic tours over the continent.
But tourists wanting to set foot on Antarctica must typically travel by boat. The Rhode Island-based International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators estimates about 35,000 tourists visited the continent last summer.
Cinnamon Nature Trials & BBC promote Sri Lanka’s wildlife tourism
The BBC Natural History Unit (NHU), the department of the BBC which produces television, radio and online content with a natural history or wildlife theme is currently in Sri Lanka to film the country’s National Parks and Archeological Sites for one of its highly regarded nature documentaries, “Monsoon”.Best known for its productions such as The Blue Planet and Planet Earth, each year the NHU produces around 100 hours of television and 50 hours of radio programmes, making it the single largest wildlife documentary production house in the world. In a bid to cover the historic archeological connection to the county’s wildlife heritage, the NHU is currently covering sites such as the Kalawewa, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa along with the Minneriya and Wilpattu National Parks. Cinnamon `Nature Trails’, the dedicated Wildlife and Adventure Tourism division at John Keells Hotels Group is the official ground handling agent for the NHU tour, whilst the crew is being hosted at a range of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts during their stay in Sri Lanka – including Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Cinnamon Wild Yala.
Understanding that films and television programs have a significant, positive effect on tourism, the filming tour was organized by Cinnamon Nature Trails with the full approval of the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation with the prime objective of gaining a wider `branding’ for Sri Lanka and its natural world, which in turn will have a very strong influence on creating a desire to travel in the minds of its wide tourist audience.
With over 16 nature parks and wildlife reserves to boast of and only 24 percent of tourists to Sri Lanka visiting these sites annually, the effect that a documentary such as this, produced by an elite unit of the BBC such as the NHU, will only be persistent and long-lasting and will no doubt contribute immensely towards the ambitious vision of the Government to achieve the arrival of high-end tourists into the country.
“Sri Lanka is just one country in the whole series on the monsoon. It is a privilege to be considered amongst the likes of Malaysia and Indonesia in this portrayal of the great ancient world and its links to the irrigational achievements of past kings that hosts the wilderness and natural world at present. Indeed a great opportunity for us,” said Vimukthi Weerathunga, Wildlife Biologist and Operations Director of the Environment Foundation Limited.
According to the BBC, the tour, in essence will bring an estimated 50,000,000 viewers along with them to see Sri Lankan wildlife’s challenges, and solutions in surviving the drought. The crew also intends on filming the Yala National Park once it reopens to visitors by the end of the month.
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