The country of the fairy tale

I don't know what you think about India. Probably you `ve seen “Slumdog Millionaire” or you have eaten at some point at an Indian restaurant. Maybe you have seen pictures of ladies wearing colorful saris or maybe your neighbor is a Sikh. But there are more to discover. Let me talk you about the India that I experienced.  

When I first arrived at the Delhi airport I saw the big hand-statues on the walls to welcome me. Its one of their many traditions to trait to their visitors as Gods - and there are times that you will feel like a God in India. Because everything is possible in India. For a white girl, like me, India can be a huge experience. There are still some places that white people are believed to have special magic powers. Dont be surprised if someone asks you to touch his child in order to the child be blessed and lucky in life.If you like adventures India will be the perfect place for you. There will be something to surprise you everyday. 

If you go to India you have to get a ride with an auto rickshaw. If you tip the driver of the rickshaw, he may even let you drive it (happened to me - true story). Those can be very cheap transportation solution but you have to remember always a very important rule "ALWAYS BARGAIN"

You should visit delhi haat - one of the most famous outdoor market in Delhi. You can find silk saris or pure cashmere scarf for less than the 1/4 of the high street price. But again here the rule is one "Always Bargain". On those markets I realized that I am a nature on bargains as most of the times the price. Dont be shy to bargain. That is the rule in those places.

Food is delicious in India - so much better that the westernized Indian food that you will find in the Indian restaurants here. For me my food life was really easy in India as being a vegetarian there is something normal. No one asked me in India "why are you a vegetarian?". Food menus have always the "vegetarian options" and there these option are equal or sometimes even more than the "non-vegetarian options". Mattar paneer, palak paneer, dal, garlic naan are the must-eat. And yes food in India is sometimes very spicy - get over it!

You should visit Lotus Temple, the Temple which is dedicated to the idea of God, no matter your religion or our beliefs.  

I am not going to say "you should visit Taj Mahal". I think everyone who is traveling to India do it because of the Taj Mahal. It makes sense although. It is one of the most impressive things I have seen in my life.

Saket is the place to be in Delhi for shopping and nightlife. Select CITYWALK  and DLF are two of the best shopping malls I have ever visited. There you will find all the top international and indian brands. 

If you visit India when it is Diwali (think about it like the Indian Christmas - not sure if this is politically correct although) you will see all these beautiful decorations that will make decorating a Christmas tree look like a piece of cake. Important - the celebration of Diwali means lot of food and lot of dance - HURRAY!

You will see everything in India - poor and rich, beauty and ugliness, happiness and sadness. But this is the uniqueness of India - oh, incredible India!

Shenzhen

 

Shenzhen, another name Pengcheng, located in Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China, is China's first special economic zone. South of the border with Hong Kong in the early stages of China's reform and opening up has created the famous "Shenzhen speed", is to demonstrate the achievements of China's reform and opening up.

Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden is located in the northeast suburb of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, the first peak of the Indus East Forest Hill, west of Shenzhen Reservoir. An area of ​​8,800 acres, was founded in 1982, officially opened in 1988. Is a research, science, tourism is one of the famous botanical gardens and scenic. 

The Botanical Gardens were saved more than 8000 kinds of plants, cycads preservation center built, Magnolia Park, rare Arboretum, palm groves, bamboo zone, shade plants, desert flora, orchard, aquatic park, Blossom, gymnosperms , bonsai Garden dozen plant garden. The whole garden is divided into heaven and earth, scenic, lake, temple, desert flora, fossil pine forests and scenic attractions such as azaleas six spots. Built amazing, the two should kiosks, Yudai Bridge, dragon statue towers, Waterside Court, Range Rover kiosks dozen garden spots, and has a unique Museum of Paleontology. Beautiful natural scenery, unique landscape architecture, mysterious plant kingdom, is full of praise.

DA Meisha Seaside Park is located in Yantian, a half-hour drive from the city can be reached. Here is Shenzhen's longest beaches, clear water, sandy beach is wide, sandy valuables. Meisha Beach Casino offers horse racing, water sports boats, a large musical fountain and outdoor lights dance hall, barbecue area. Meisha Seaside Park is divided into swimming area, sports, leisure, entertainment, barbecue area. There are water-skiing rope, motor boats, ATVs, water parachute, beach volleyball, beach soccer, and many other recreational projects, and provides a shopping center, showers Storage, caterer, leisure tea, Yong Ju rental, security, rescue and other supporting services.

OCT East is located in Shenzhen, China Da Meisha, is China's first set of leisure, tourism, outdoor sports, science education, eco-adventure and other topics in one large comprehensive national ecological demonstration zones tourism, including Knight Valley Ecological Park tea Valley leisure Park, Wind Valley Sports Park, Huaxing Temple, theme hotel community, such as the six-day foot mansion blocks, reflecting the harmony between man and nature.

MAASAI MARA -KENYA

     KENYA'S SEVENTH WONDER OF THE WORLD

                                 MAASAI MARA

                                           A video on Wildebeests crossing the Mara river: Kenya

 

Karibuni sana...

My comrades,

Trust you have all been enjoying the different travel destinations so far. I am happy once again to be taking you around Kenya's most treasured tourist attractions and today we shall take a journey into The MAASAI MARA

Kenya's Maasai Mara Reserve has been named one of the new Seventh Wonders of the World. The incredible annual migration of over a million Wildebeest from the Serengeti plains to the Mara has been described as being one of the most awe inspiring sights on earth, and a broadcast on US morning television took this spectacle into millions of American homes. 

The sheer spectacle of this event draws visitors keen to witness one of the planet’s largest and most fascinating natural cycles to Kenya each year, and is regarded as the planet's greatest natural spectacle- and it is this remarkable event that saw the Mara ranked as one of the new Seven Wonders.

The central migratory herds of over 1.3 million wildebeest spend much of the year grazing throughout the plains of the Serengeti. The herds calve in January to March, the young born ready to make their first, epic journey. In June, as the dry season withers the grasslands and a distant scent of moisture brings promise of rain in the north, they begin to gather, massing together to form a single vast herd.

 They pour northwards, a pulsing, surging column of life. The sound of the approaching herd is a deep, primal rumbling of thundering hooves and low grunts. This endless grey river of life is mottled with black and white as zebras join the throng, drawn onwards in the search for the rains and fresh life giving grass.

By July the herds begin crossing from Tanzania to Kenya, bringing the plains to life as predators are drawn to this perfect opportunity for easy hunting.

At the edge of the Maasai Mara the herds face their greatest obstacle, a series of rivers that must be crossed. At the Mara River the herds gather at the banks, piling together in front of the broad fast flowing waters. As the pressure built the herds finally surge into the river, many animals hurling themselves off high banks.

As they struggle across the rivers many are drowned or swept away by strong currents. The crossing attracts massive crocodiles who each year await this season of bounty. There is always great frenzy in the waters as the crocodiles plunge into the herds and pull down the prey, as the mounting pressure on the shore pushes more and more animals into the water.

As they reach their goal, the herds spread out to graze across the expanse of the Mara. October sees the herds turn southward and repeat the same journey back to the Serengeti, where the renewed grasslands await.

This is truly a Wonder of the World- an incredible display of nature at work. Of all the calves born in the Serengeti, two out of three will never return from their first and most demanding migration. It is the inextricable binding of renewal and sustenance, feast and famine, life and death that saw this latest honor bestowed upon Kenya.

SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES

You can Support Local Maasai communities by purchasing their beads and necklaces as souvenirs for friends and family that you left back at home..or simply as a memoir for yourself.

Kenya's information:  Magical Kenya

For any further information contact me @mwendemasika. Please feel free to comment.

Come to Kenya and experience the Wonder...

Photos acknowledgement
Acacia camp
Friends of Maasai Mara
Africa Geographic