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BengaluruChronicle
25 Monday 4 August 2014
T
he summer
always gets
parents in a tizzy
wondering where
they can send
their children.
Now North Korea
is offering some-
thing for kiddies to
enjoy. As a host of
kids spend their
summers on the shores, or at trekking or
knowledge camps, over 300 children from
around the world recently headed to the
Songdowon International Childrens Camp in
Wonsan, North Korea. This oasis is heavily
subsidized by the government and camp
attendees get the benefit of comforts not
afforded to regular North Koreans, such as
air-conditioned bedrooms with
video games!
I
t pays to be artistic! We
all know that in Scotland,
writers dont have to pay
tax and now in a small
Spanish village, sculptures
are being offered free
accommodation! The beau-
tiful southern Spanish village of Genalguacil
is offering free accommodation for more than
two weeks during the summer peak season.
The offer is open only to artists who must
produce sculptures or other work during their
stay, and bequeath at least one to the village.
Its called Artbnb!
T
his Monsoon, plan an
unforgettable holiday at
the Tamara Coorg with
two special offers, Magical
Monsoon and Twice as Nice.
The Magical Monsoon package
gives guests a two-night stay
in luxury cottages for `28,000
and a two-night stay in suite
cottages for `40,000. The Twice
As Nice package promises dou-
ble the enjoyment.
The Scotland in India
Contact the Tamara Coorg
A
tout France
has joined
Reliance
Entertainment in
promoting The
Hundred Foot
Journey in
India. Atout
France, the France Tourism Development
Agency, is helping promote the upcom-
ing movie, The Hundred Foot Journey, in
India. Movie-goers at PVR Cinemas can
avail of the opportunity to visit France
by participating in a contest, support-
ed by Air France, Midi Pyrenees
Regional Tourist Board, and Hyatt
Regency Paris Charles de Gaulle.
The Hundred Foot Journey releases
on August 8 in association with
Dreamworks Pictures.
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NUVENA RAJENDRAN
DECCAN CHRONICLE
What would you say if someone told you that
there are dry deserts in the Himalayas where
the temperatures can literally toast you? And
there are also times when you can witness snow-fall
in those very heated peaks. A brilliant phenomenon.
That is the story of these Trans-Himalayan moun-
tain ranges that guard our borders. They are power-
ful and magnificent, and if you vow to conquer them
with that adventurous spirit, they could crush your
ego, shake you up and tell you that you are small and
insignificant. But they could also leave you over-
whelmed with pride, that you were one of the chosen
few to have treaded on its soil.
Get Lost in Ladakh, was one of the signs that wel-
comed us, and that is truly what our trip was about.
Our trek began fromRumtse to Tso Kar (in Ladakh),
covering approximately 80 kmin a span of four days.
Loaded with supplies. we began hiking through the
desert, walking close to 10 hours everyday. Imagine
this, after you have trekked for five hours, to a height
of 14,000 feet, you are out of food supplies with noth-
ing but the view of the dry desert for company. That
is when you start questioning yourself Why am I
doing this? It is your mental endurance that is put to
test more than your physical fitness. You question
your capabilities and understand that strength is
your only friend in helping you survive.
After reaching Tso Kar, we drove on the inhos-
pitable terrains of the desert trails till Tso Moriri
lake. With no humans in sight to direct you, through
just tiny nomadic settlements you are left to fol-
low your instincts. After the bumpy and dusty ride,
we reached the lake that sits between Ladakh,
Zanskar and Tibet. At an altitude of 15,000 feet, it is
one the largest lakes that enjoys a good attendance of
migratory birds. Black-necked cranes, bar-headed
geese and many others dip into the pristine clear
waters, which change colour through the day. All the
lakes in the area look untouched and pure, so much
so that youll hesitate to dip your feet into them, lest
you sully their brilliance. After an overnight home-
stay, basking in Ladakhi hospitality, we began our
return journey to Leh.
The trip from Tso Moriri to Leh, is again some-
thing that will never fail to impress you. After hav-
ing witnessed brown, dry, hilly ranges for five days,
they give way to beautifully clear waters, surround-
ed by green valleys dotted with pine trees. Each, a
picture postcard and picturesque in its own way. The
old steel bridges, the vigorous current of water that
could scare you to death as you pass by everything
about Ladakh is a quest for adventure. Leh, is anoth-
er quaint little town that will take you by surprise.
Fromits cobbled streets, to the Tibetan refugee mar-
kets to the excited travellers on each street every-
thing about Leh will fascinate you. After that endur-
ing week in the deserts, indulge yourself in the lux-
urious living that Leh offers. Shop till you empty the
coffers, eat Tibetan food, speak to travellers that are
waiting to share their experiences and enjoy the
views of snowcapped peaks all around you.
Avacation to these mountains will either teach you
who you are, or change who you thought you were. It
is absolutely not about sipping saffron tea on a warm
bed with a snow peaked view for company, and if
that is what you are doing on a trip to these moun-
tains then you are definitely doing something
wrong!
Go festive across the world
H
ead to Serbia for the Guca Trumpet Festival
till August 10 where the country village of
Guca goes absolutely mental with thousands of
musicians. For more information, visit
www.guca.rs. Cornwall hosts the Boardmasters
Festival fromAugust 6 to 10. UKs surf capital
of Newquay, in Cornwall, does beachside, sea-
and-salt fuelled fun with the annual
Broadmasters Festival, a five-day celebration of
music and surf with surf competitions. For
more information, visit www.board
masters.co.uk. Or get to Cotswolds Wilderness
Festival where you can go barefoot, flower-gar-
land-toting bohemians prance about the woods
and skinny-dip in the lake at Cornbury Park .
R
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European sojourn Arun Chittilapilly,
managing director, Wonderla just
returned from a relaxed trip to Italy and
Germany. His most frequented European
countries are Germany and Italy. Italy espe-
cially is very beautiful to travel to and
Germany is great for the food and drink.
1
In Italy, I like to go to the smaller towns
like Bologna, Portofino in the north
and Bari, Alghero in the South. The
best way to go around Italy is in a hired car,
and you can hire cars easily, if you are an
experienced driver. Alghero is in Sardinia
and you need to fly there.
2
The food in Italy is phenomenal, with
each area specialising in a certain
type of dish. The Italians also love
the Aperitivo, or an early evening drink
with starters before they get into serious
drinking or eating. I enjoy going to
Aperitivos at local bars, and its easy to
meet locals and talk to them.
3
Italy is also great for shopping. The
Italians have a natural flair for design
so even the regular brands showcase
the best in Italy, especially Milan and
Florence. Not many people know that
Italy also has one of the highest VAT
tax (19%), so if you are a tourist,
your VAT refund for your shop-
ping at the airport can be sub-
stantial!
4
Germany is great for the
beer and food. Most of the
cities and towns have
their signature beer and food.
If you are in Germany in
September, try to make it in
time for the Oktoberfest. Its
truly an experience to be in
Munich at that time.
5
Berlin is a great city to
visit for its variety of food,
shopping and nightlife.
Berlin also has a long and rich
history. I would recommend
getting a good local tour
guide to help you understand
its truly long and bizarre
history.
as told to NAMITA GUPTA
HOWTO GO: Reach Leh by air andtake
a jeep drive to Rumtse.
THE COST: `25,000 and above.
Companies that offer such trek pack-
ages: Indiahikes, the Aventura India
and other trekking companies.
FITNESS LEVEL: Fitness levels should
be very good, with individuals able
to withstand high altitude terrain.
Camp by the riverside and watch the
starry skies from your tent.
Rent a bullet and ride up to the highest
motorable road in the world Khardung
La.
Visit Hemis Monastery and fall in love
with the oldest religion in the world.
Live like a local in a home-stay and
enjoy Ladakhi hospitality.
Must-dos
A CELEB
Aperitivo in Italy,
beer in Germany
Arun Chittilapilly loves the diverse nature of
Italy and Germany...
LEH
LEH
& behold,
& behold,
this heaven on earth
this heaven on earth
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Reaching the stars is nothing when you are walking
through the mountain terrain in Leh-Ladakh. Its
more about touching them, and it stirs your soul
A hot water spring
on route to Karzok
Anitha
Kamak, a
trekker
The Tso Moriri Lake
which is nestled
between Ladakh,
Zanskar and Tibet
A stream on
the trek route
One of the passes
where travellers leave
prayer flags
The Tso Kar
lake in all its
brilliance
Getting there