Sandy, the Armchair Traveller

Day 91, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-25T16:08:00.000+02:00

Sanjay and Bash have invited us to return to Madhya Pradesh to see the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhimbetka_rock_shelters)

Yippee!! Another UNESCO world heritage site!

The name Bhimbetka is associated with the historical figure, Bhima, (a hero-deity renowned for his immense strength) from the Hindu epic Mahabharat.

As we drive there, we notice that the entire area is covered by thick vegetation, and has abundant natural resources in its perennial water supplies, natural shelters, rich forest flora and fauna.

Sanjay told us that he had been to an exhibit at the museum in Bhopal , and that he learnt that the Bhimbetka shelters exhibit the earliest traces of human life in India!

http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/rockpain/timeline.htm

http://www.kamat.com/database/content/prehistoric_theater/

At least some of these shelters were inhabited by man for in excess of 100,000 years!! WOW!

The rock shelters are easy to find; 15 are accessible, signposted with a number (S1 to S15) and linked by a concrete path.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/bhimbetka/rock-shelter-15/sphere-flash.html

We have seen hunting scenes with hunters carrying bows, arrows, swords and shields....obviously hunter gatherers....

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/bhimbetka/rock-shelter- 8/sphere-flash.html

Thanks to their natural red and white pigments, the colours are remarkably well- preserved and, in certain caves, paintings of different eras adorn the same rock surface.

It is truly a marvel that the paintings have not faded even after thousands of years.

It is believed that these paints were made of colored earth, vegetable dyes, roots and animal fat and brushes were made of pieces of fibrous plants.

Oh, there is the The "Zoo Rock" shelter

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/bhimbetka/zoo-rock/sphere-flash.html

It depicts elephants, sambar, bison and deer.

A gamut of figures and scenes spill across the rocks: wild buffaloes (gaurs), rhinoceroses, bears and tigers, hunting scenes, initiation ceremonies, childbirth, communal dancing and drinking sessions, religious rites and burials.

The latest are crude, geometric figures probably dating from the medieval period, when much of the artistry was lost.

You know what guys....these may very well be the world's oldest stone walls and floors!!

The caves have evolved over time into excellent rock-shelters, ideal sites for aboriginal settlements.

The smooth shape of the rocks has led some scientists to believe that the area was once under water.

The rocks have taken on incredible shapes in several stunning hues and textures.

Apart from the central place the aboriginal drawings have in human history, the caves themselves offer interesting material for a study of the earth's history.

Hmm, these sure do resemble the cave paintings of the Bushmen back home in South Africa!!

Day 90, The Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

2010-09-24T12:15:00.000+02:00

Sat Sri Kal from Punjab

Today we are going to a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, this site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity.

The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation.

Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake.

This was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs.

Yes, we are visiting the Sri Harimandir Sahib of Amritsar in India today.

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Golden_Temple

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=31.6196935&lon=74.8767078&z=17&l=0&m=h

Sita told us not to drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke in the shrine( http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1858/) that is now on the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

We left our socks and shoes at the facility near the entrance, covered our heads with the bandanas that are provided, and then washed our feet by wading through the shallow pool before entering........

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/amritsar/entrance-pavilion/sphere- flash.html

Wow, this place is simply magical......

Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments.

Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble con course encircling the pool and temple.

The most famous and sacred part of the complex is the Hari Mandir (Divine Temple) or Darbar Sahib (Court of the Lord), which is the beautiful golden structure at the centre of a large body of water.

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Harmandir_Sahib

The water that surrounds the Hari Mandir is a sacred pool known as the Amrit Sarovar (pool of ambrosial nectar). http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sarovar_Sahib

The temple is reached by following the Parikrama, which circumscribes the sacred pool in a clockwise direction

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/amritsar/east-side-of-the-pool-of-the-nectar-of-immortality/sphere-flash.html

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/amritsar/southern-side-of-the-pool-of-the-nectar-of-immortality/sphere-flash.html

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/amritsar/western-square-of-the-pool-of-the-nectar-of-immortality/sphere-flash.html

The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Ram Dass, 1574-1581), and during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Arjan, 158 1-1606), the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built.

From the early 1600s to the mid 1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Moslem armies.

On numerous occasions the temple was destroyed by the Moslems, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs.

From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders.
Peace returned to the Hari Mandir.

The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Moslem artistic styles yet represents a unique coevolution of the two.

During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones.

The gold-plated building features copper cupolas and white marble walls encrusted with precious stones arranged in decorative Islamic-style floral patterns.

The structure is decorated inside and out with verses from the Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book).

http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/art-and-architecture-of-harimandir-sahib-the-golden-temple.html

Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies The Guru Granth Sahib or Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture and the final Guru of the Sikhs.

It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs (parts), compiled and composed during the period of Sikh Gurus, from 1469 to 1708.

It is a collection of hymns or shabad, which describe what God is like and the right way to live.

Some of the major messages can be summarized as follows: -

All peoples of the world are equal
Women are equal
One God for all
Speak and live truthfully
Control the five vices
Live in God's hukam (The Will of the One GOD)
Practice Humility, Kindness, Compassion, Love, etc

The fascinating scene inside the Hari Mandir is televised throughout India for Sikh viewers.

A chauri (whisk) is continually waved above the Book as lines of Sikhs pay their respects by touching their foreheads to the temple floor and walls, continuing in a clockwise direction at a relaxed pace.

http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/installation-of-holy-granth-at-harimandir.html

Every night, the Granth Sahib is carried in procession along this bridge to its "bed" in the Akal Takht, the seat of the Sikh parliament (built 1609).

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shri_Akal_Takhat

Called the Palki Sahib, this nightly ceremony provides a chance for all male pilgrims and visitors to actively participate in the veneration of the Holy Book.

Lines form in front of and behind the heavy palanquin and each man shoulders the burden for a few seconds before passing it along, forming a human conveyer belt that allows everyone to participate and everyone to rest.

http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/harmandir-sahib/around-the-golden-temple.html

Another major highlight of the Golden Temple complex is the Guru-ka-Langar, a dining hall where around 35,000 people a day are fed for free by temple volunteers. Everyone is invited to join this communal breaking of bread, so we did too.

All participants sit on the floor, regardless of caste, status, wealth or creed, powerfully symbolizing the central Sikh doctrine of the equality of all people.

All Sikhs are expected at some point in their lives to volunteer for a week at the temple, and everyone we saw working here is fulfilling that duty, so we helped them too by peeling some vegetables and washing some dishes.

Did you know that the foundation stone of the historic building was laid by a non-Sikh?
The Guru gave the task of initiating the building to a Muslim Saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore in December 1588.

Can you imagine Julius II the Pope who asked Michaelangelo to redesign the Vatican asking him to find a Jewish Rabi to lay its cornerstone?

The Guru had been asked by the previous Guru to find the Holiest man in India to lay the stone for the Gurdwara. Guru Arjan in choosing his friend Hazrat Mian Mir ji to lay the stone showed the world the true message of religion, promoting Interfaith dialogue and interaction.

In the circumambulation of Nectar pool, near the main entrance there is an old Beri known as Ber Baba Budhaji.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/amritsar/ber-baba-budha-ji/sphere- flash.html

Marti wants to know what is a Beri? It is a TREE, Ziziphus mauritiana, Indian Jujube also know as Narkeli kul, Ber, Boroi, Bor, Beri, Indian plum is a tropical fruit tree species, belonging to the family Rhamnaceae)

When Baba Buddhaji supervised the tank's construction, this Ber tree extended over his head its umbrella-like leafy branches thus protecting him from parching summer and roaring clouds. Thus, though humble, the Ber Baba Buddhaji served Guru's cause in its own way.

Sita told us that this holy shrine is richly decorated during holy festivals like Diwali

and the Guru's birthday.

A sight to behold.

We also learnt some Punjabi phrases:

hello => Sat Sri Kal

how are you (to a friend) => Kiddha

how are you to (older person) => tusi tikh ho

if they ask you 'how are you' you say (friends) => tikh ha

if if they ask you 'how are you' you say (older person) => tikh takh ha

We loved Punjab:-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxDfP0x0ziw
http://www.jsks.co.in/gurdwaras.htm

Day 89,The Great Stupa of Sanchi, Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-23T14:48:00.000+02:00

Yippee, Sanjay and Bash are taking us to "Asoka's city", Sanchi, to see some of India's oldest Buddhist monuments ......we love UNESCO sites...so we are really looking forward to this visit.

Sanjay says that he wanted us to watch the movie "Asoka" first so that we would appreciate the significance of the site in Sanchi.

After a period of eight years of being a king, Asoka planned to seize the territory of Kalinga, the present day Orissa.

He led a huge army and fought a gruesome battle with the army of Kalinga . The battle took place on the Dhauli hills that are located on the banks of River Daya.

Though Ashoka emerged victorious at the end, the sight of the battlefield made his heart break with shame, guilt and disgust.

It is said that the battle was so furious that the waters of River Daya turned red with the blood of the slain soldiers and civilians!!

The sight of numerous corpses lying strewn across the battlefield made his heart wren ch. He felt sick inside.

The battle ground looked like a graveyard with bodies of not just soldiers but men, women and children.

He saw young children crying over the bodies of their dead parents, women crying over the bodies of their dead husbands, mothers crying over the loss of a child.This made him heartbroke n

He walked on to the battlefield and said

"What have I done? Is this a victory, what's a defeat then! This is a victory or a defeat!
This is justice or injustice! It's gallantry or a rout?
Is it a valor to kill innocent children and women?
I do it to widen the empire or for prosperity or to destroy the other's kingdom or splendor? Someone has lost her husband, someone a father, someone a child, someone an unborn infant.... What's this debris of the corpses?
Are these marks of victory or defeat?
Are these vultures, crows, eagles the messengers of death or evil?
What have I done! What have I done!"

So, in 262 BC, repentant of the horrors he had inflicted on Kalinga in present-day Orissa, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism.

He was so inspired by the teachings of the Buddhist monks and Buddhist philosophies that he used his status to impart this knowledge all over the world.

As a penance he built the Great Stupa at Sanchi, the first Buddhist monument in the region and many other religious structures followed.

A renowned centre of Buddhism, Sanchi boasts a rich artistic culture and among them the stupas, which date back to the 3rd century BC, outshines all other structures in its elegant grace.

Wow, this place is so peaceful............

Okay, let's explore.....

Appealingly placed on the top of a hill, these stupas carry with them such a rich legacy of architectural grandeur.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/sanchi/overview/sphere-flash.html

We are now standing outside Stupa 1 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi_Stupa ) and its exquisite toranas.....

Constructed in 35 BC, the four toranas (gateways) in Sanchi portray important incidents in the life of Lord Buddha.

Situated respectively at the north, east, south and west entrances to the shrine, they each consist of two pillars joined by three cross beams (called architraves) which are carved as if they actually pass through the uprights

We are trying to read the inscriptions on them......apparently they depict stories related to Lord Buddha.

The Eastern gateway explicate the scene from Buddha's life where, the young Gautama (Buddha) leaves his father's palace in search of enlightenment.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/sanchi/stupa-1-east-gate/sphere-flash.html

The seven incarnations of Buddhism is explained on the Western gateway.
http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/sanchi/stupa-1-west-gate/sphere-flash.html

Annotations of the miracles that have been betrothed with Lord Buddha in the Jatakas (text that concerns the previous birth of Buddha) are contained on the Northern gateway of the stupa

There is the wheel-of-law!!
http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/sanchi/stupa-1-north-gate-up/sphere- flash.html

Exceedingly embellished carvings of the Southern gateway try to illustrate the birth of Gautama ...and there is the Bodhi tree!.

These works of art were created in the pre-Gandhara period, before it became fashionable to depict the Lord Buddha's human form - so he is represented in these friezes by images like a bo tree, a wheel, a tree or a stupa.

And there it is .....Stupa No. 1, the Great Stupa, the oldest and the exalted of all, the one that was built by the Emperor Ashoka himself!

A colossal hemispherical dome on the top adds a heavenly charm to this centuries old monument.....which gives this stupa the dimension of 36.5 m and the height of 16.4 m.

Highly embellished walls and gateways stand in everlasting majesty, and the paved procession path around it worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.....making it an impressive UNESCO site http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/524/video

Marti wanted to see a ringed stupas so she has gone to see Stupa No. 2 that stands at the edge of the hill.

Lying adjacent to the Great Stupa, Stupa no. 3 is also referred as the most striking edifice of Buddhist as well as Mauryan arts.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/sanchi/stupa-3/sphere-flash.html

In design, stupa number one and three are akin to each other.

The innermost chamber of this stupa holds the remnants of Sariputta and Mahamogallena, two earliest disciples of Lord Buddha.
It is believed that its magnificent gate way was built in the first century.
The coffer also contains five precious jewels - garnet, pearl, crystal, lapis and amethyst.

The Lord Buddha himself never came to Sanchi; however in the tranquil stillness of the place he seems closer than in any of the other famous places of religious pilgrimage which still follow Hinayana Buddhism

http://www.asi.nic.in/video/video_sanchi.html

Even if religion isn't your thing, Sanchi is good place to just unwind and relax........tranquil, serene,....peaceful...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EtdEPodiS0..

Day 88, The Marble Rocks of Jabalpur

2010-09-22T19:33:00.000+02:00

Oh, I am so excited......today I finally met the best Indian friend I have ever had........

Dear sweet Sanjay has taken us to his home where his beautiful wife Bash has prepared quite a royal feast for us.

Tandoori Chicken, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Seekh kebab, Rogan Josh, Bhuna Ghosht, Kadhai Ghost, Raan Gosht, Dal Gosht, Saag Meat,

Nihari Gosht, Rara Gosht, Kebabs, Paye ka Soup, Amritsari Fish, Lamb Biryani, Keema Naans

She even catered for the vegetarians amongst us.

Makki Roti, Dal makhani, Rajma

The savouries and desserts were simply to die for

Phirni, Jalebi, Malpua, Sheer korma, Pakoras and Samosas

Wow, Bash, that was a scrumptuous lunch.....yummmmmy!

Now we are going to watch a Bollywood movie about the Emperor Asoka

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka_the_Great

http://www.porchlight.ca/~blackdog/ashoka.htm

That was an awesome movie, even if it was not historically accurate....it gave us a little insight to Asoka's personality...and the scenery was awesome.

Sanjay has a surprise in store for us.....he is taking us to Bhedaghat, a town on the banks of the holy River Narmada in Jabalpur.

Yippee, we are going to see the marble rocks at Bhedaghat, just like in the movie!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkJQKIB0e8c

Sanjay has arranged for us to go boating on the river tonight , since its a moonlit night........

Wow, the rocks rise to more than hundred feet on either side of the Narmada.

These white, floodlit rocks with views of black and dark green volcanic seams offer a majestic view. It is such a pleasure to enjoy the sight of the rocks during this moonlit night when they produce a magical effect.........

The whole stretch of water along this 2km long gorge is transformed into a sheet of liquid silver.......simply amazing.......

Tell us a little about these rocks Sanjay.....

Well, they are basically metamorphic rock that are produced when limestone buried under the ground goes through constant physical and chemical changes and are the only of its kind in India!

Nopi is so in awe of this majestic view.....she says that the view of these rocks amongst the river on moonlit night make them appear like a sparkling of diamonds on a silver blanket.....so romantic........

Most of the rocks have interesting names based on what they appear to look like.

Sanjay pointed out the Monkey's Leap, the point where the mountainous rocks are the closest to each other.

It is apparently the spot where Lord Hanuman (character from Ramayana) had set foot on his way to Lanka.

Other interesting rock formations include the Hanthi ka Paon (Elephant Foot), a deer (Miran Kunch), the horns of a cow (Craay Singh) etc, etc...

Captain J. Forsyth summed up the beauty and tranquility of the marble rock experience of Jabalpur best

"The eye never wearies of the ....effect produced by the broken and reflected sunlight now glancing from a pinnacle of snow-white marble reared against the deep blue of the sky as from a point of silver, touching here and there with bright lights the prominences of the middle heights and again losing itself in the soft bluish greys of their recesses...".

Thanks so much dear Sanjay for this awesome day......

Jabalpur ( http://jabalpur.nic.in/aboutus.htm) is amazing!

Next stop.....Sanchi??

What's wrong Marti?

Marti is upset because she sent snail mail to South Africa and it hasn't arrived as yet.......

Well my dear, you do know that there has been a postal strike in South Africa since 19 August, so let's all be patient, and hope that an agreement is reached soon.....

http://www.postoffice.co.za/newsarticle.aspx?ID=57

The Mahabodhi Complex, Bihar, Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-21T16:35:00.000+02:00

My dear friend Brenda from New York has joined us in India....

She is the expert on Buddhism so we will once again have our very own tour guide...

Aaaahhhh, .....whether you're a Buddhist or not, the main thing to do in Bodh Gaya is just to absorb the vibe of the place where the Buddha attained awakening: the vapor trail of that energy is still in the air!

Brenda told us to show respect by

Taking off our shoes before entering the inner parts of the main temple/stupa complex.
Circum ambulating the stupa and other sacred objects in a clock-wise direction.
Preserving the peace and tranquility.
Not climbing onto statues or other sacred object

Wow, there it is ....The Mahabodhi Temple, one of the earliest Buddhist temples built in brick that still survives today.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/mahabodhi-temple/front/sphere-flash.html

The ground level of the temple is 45 meters square, stretching up in a pyramid shape that ends in a smaller square platform.

The central tower of Mahabodhi stands 180 feet (54 meters) tall.

The brickwork on the outside of the temple depicts scenes from the life of the Buddha.

Inside the temple, there is the 1700 year old image of a seated Buddha touching the earth with his right hand (a gesture known as the earth-witness mudra). In this posture the Buddha accomplished the supreme enlightenment.

The statue is of black stone but it has been covered in gold and dressed in bright orange robes.

The courtyard of the temple is studded with many smaller stupas and Buddha statues, some of which are several hundred years old.

Parts of the railing that surrounds the area are among the oldest elements of Mahabodhi Temple that survive today.

Immediately next to the Mahabodhi Temple is the Bodhi Tree.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/mahabodhi-temple/sacred-bodhi-tree/sphere-flash.html

The Bodhi Tree is known to botanists as Ficus religiosa (holy fig), a species of fig in the Moraceae family.

The Bodhi Tree that exists today is not the exact one that shaded the Buddha's meditation 2,500 years ago, but it may well be a direct descendant.

In the 3rd century BC, Emperor Asoka's daughter Sanghamitta brought a branch of the

Bodhi Tree to Sri Lanka and planted it there , where it still grows today.

According to one tradition, Asoka's wife destroyed the original Bodhi Tree out of jealousy over the time the emperor spent there!! Women!!

Other accounts have the tree destroyed in the 7th century. But most reports agree that the original tree was destroyed and replanted using a shoot from the Sri Lanka tree.

In early Buddhist art, before the Buddha image was used, the image of a tree was one of the symbols used to represent him.

Early pilgrims took leaves and seeds of the Bodhi Tree back to their monasteries and homes, and sacred trees throughout India and nearby countries are likely descendents of the Bodhi Tree.

Still today, it is customary to plant a Bodhi Tree in every Buddhist monastery to symbolize the presence of the dharma (Buddhist teachings).

At Bodhgaya, the Bodhi Tree is a favorite place for pilgrims to meditate and contemplate the Buddha's teachings.

Many also hang prayer flags or leave offerings at the sacred site.

So tell us Brenda, what happened after the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment?

During the first week after enlightenment, the Buddha sat under the bodhi tree experiencing the happiness of freedom and peace. He was free from disturbing thoughts, calm and blissful

During the second week, in thanks and gratitude to the tree that had sheltered him during his struggle for Buddhahood, the Buddha stood without moving his eyes as he meditated on the bodhi tree.

Following this example, it is the custom of Buddhists to pay respect to not only the original bodhi tree, but also to the descendants of the bodhi tree that still thrive today.

In the third week, the Buddha saw through his mind’s eye that the devas in the heavens were not sure whether he had attained enlightenment or not.

To prove his enlightenment the Buddha created a golden bridge in the air and walked up and down it for a whole week.

In the fourth week, he created a beautiful jewelled chamber and sitting inside it meditated on what was later known as the "Detailed Teaching" (Abhidhamma).

His mind and body were so purified that six coloured rays came out of his body — blue, yellow, red, white, orange and a mixture of these five.

Today these six colours make up the Buddhist flag. Each colour represented one noble quality of the Buddha: yellow for holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom and orange for desirelessness.

The mixed colour represented all these noble qualities.

During the fifth week, while meditating under a banyan tree, three most charming girls called Tanha, Rati and Raga came to disturb his meditation.

They danced in a most seductive and charming manner and did everything to tempt the Buddha to watch their dance. Yet he continued to meditate unperturbed, and soon they tired and left him alone.

The Buddha then went and meditated at the foot of a mucalinda tree.

It began to rain heavily and a huge king cobra came out and coiled his body seven times around the Buddha to keep him warm and placed his hood over the Buddha’s head to protect him from the rain.

After seven days the rain stopped and the snake changed into a young man who paid his respects to the Buddha. The Buddha then said:

"Happy are they who are contented.
Happiness is for those who hear and know the truth.
Happy are they who have good will in this world towards all sentient beings.
Happy are they who have no attachments and have passed beyond sense-desires.
The disappearance of the word "I AM " is indeed the highest happiness."

During the seventh week, the Buddha meditated under the rajayatana tree.
On the fiftieth morning, after seven weeks of fasting, two merchants came into his presence.
They were called Tapussa and Bhallika.
They offered the Buddha rice cakes and honey to break his fast and the Buddha told them some of what he had found in his enlightenment.

The Buddha wiped his head with his right hand and pulled out some hair to give to them.
These hair relics, called Kesa Datu, were later reputed to be enshrined by the merchants on their return home to what is now known as Burma, in the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.

Sita says the tale of Lord Buddha and the cobra is so similar to that of Lord Krishna.....

The night of Lord Krishna was born, the birth was witnessed by heavy rains which led to the River Yamuna being flooded.

As soon as the feet of baby Lord Krishna were immersed in the river, the flow became normal and River Yamuna made way for the baby.

Then Sheshnag, the serpent formed an umbrella to save the new born baby from rain.....

Yes, Hindus believe that Lord Buddha is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu

We have really enjoyed our day at the tranquil Mahabodhi Temple Complex.....

So tell us Sita, why is it a UNESCO world heritage site??

Sita says that the complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment.

It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period.

It is one of the few representations of the architectural genius of the Indian people in constructing fully developed brick temples in that era, and it has had significant influence in the development of architecture over the centuries.

The site of the Mahabodhi Temple provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly since Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades, and the memorial column in the 3rd century B.C..

The present Temple is one of the earliest and most imposing structures built entirely in brick from the late Gupta period. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding early example of sculptural reliefs in stone.

And now we are going shopping......

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/mahabodhi-temple/market/sphere-flash.html

day 87,Bodh Gaya, India

2010-09-21T07:15:00.000+02:00

During our travels...we have been to several sacred places........as all of us are very religiously tolerant, and curious souls.

So naturally, seeing all these marvellous caves with Buddhist murals and stupas, we want to know a little about Buddhism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Sometime during the sixth century BC, a solitary, wandering ascetic sat to meditate beneath a shady tree, resolving not to rise until he had attained the ultimate knowledge of spiritual enlightenment. Thus began Buddhism, one of the world's great religions and pilgrimage traditions.

Historians, religious scholars, and various Buddhist sects debate the actual year of the Buddha's birth; it may have been as early as 644 BC or as late as 540 BC. It is, however, relatively certain that he was born Prince Gautama Siddhartha, the son of Suddhodana, king of the Shakya tribe. His birthplace was the forest grove of Lumbini in the hilly regions of what is today northeastern India and Nepal.

Miraculous events surrounded his birth. Sages prophesied that he would become either a powerful king or, renouncing his royal life, an enlightened being and religious leader.

King Suddhodhana, wanting the former and fearing the later, sought to insulate his son from religious and philosophical concerns by surrounding him with a life of ease and plenty.

Enclosed within palace walls, the prince grew to manhood and fatherhood never having seen old age, sickness, poverty or death.

Yet this blindness to the full range of human experience was not to last. One day the prince ventured beyond the castle walls and, witnessing the inevitable sufferings of human existence, recognized the shallowness of his pampered life. Metaphysical questions filled his mind and with them the conviction that he must seek and know the great truth of life. Thus, at the age of twenty-nine, he let go the constraints of family and worldly responsibility to tread the path of self-discovery.

Following the ancient traditions of Hinduism, Siddhartha sought out spiritual teachers, or gurus. Inquiring of their knowledge, he diligently practiced various yogas and meditations.

Seven years passed, the last three in extreme asceticism, yet still he had not achieved his goal of enlightenment. Finally recognizing that such practices had served him well but were no longer appropriate, Siddhartha journeyed toward the ancient sacred forests of Uruvela (modern Gaya in Bihar, in north India) with the intention of finally and completely realizing the infinite.

According to Buddhist tradition, Siddharta Gautama finally abandoned years of rigorous fasting and asceticism by accepting milk and honey from a young woman. He then sat down beneath the Bodhi Tree and vowed not to move until he attained enlightenment.

According to some Buddhists, the Bodhi Tree is the center of the world and the site at which all Buddhas (enlightened ones) attain enlightenment......and so my friends....today we are off to Bodh Gaya, a village in the state of Bihar in India........

Day 86, Ellora Caves, Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-20T09:02:00.000+02:00

We are in absolute awe of the Caves in Ajanta...and some of us think that it should have been considered as one of the 7 new wonders of the world!

We are so loving these caves...so of course our next stop is the Ellora Caves......

Over five centuries, generations of monks (Buddhist, Hindu and Jain) carved monasteries, chapels and temples from a 2km-long escarpment and decorated them with a profusion of remarkably detailed sculptures

Because of the escarpment's gentle slope, in contrast with the sheer drop at Ajanta, many of the caves have elaborate courtyards in front of the main shrines.

Altogether Ellora has 34 caves:

12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain .

The site represents the renaissance of Hinduism under the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties, the subsequent decline of Indian Buddhism and a brief resurgence of Jainism under official patronage.

The sculptures show the increasing influence of Tantric elements in India's three great religions and their coexistence at one site indicates a lengthy period of religious tolerance.

Ok guys...let's explore...The Buddhist Caves

The Buddhist caves (also called Vishvakarma caves) are the earliest of the Ellora Caves, dating from 500 to 750 AD.

All except Cave 10 are viharas (monasteries), which were used for study, medita tion, communal rituals, eating and sleeping.

The caves become steadily larger and more elaborately decorated as they progress to the north, which scholars have explained by the growing need to compete with Hinduism for patronage.

The earliest Hindu caves at Ellora date from 600 AD, right in the middle of the Buddhist period.

Caves 1-9 are monasteries , and some of these monastery caves have shri nes including carvings of Buddha, bodhisattvas and saints.

In many of these caves, sculptors have endeavoured to give the stone the look of wood .

We are now standing outside the magnificent Cave 10

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ellora/cave-10-outside/sphere-flash.html

This cave dates from the early 700s and is known as the Carpenter's Cave (Sut ar Jhopadi) because of its imitation in stone of wooden beams on the ceiling.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ellora/cave-10-inside/sphere-flash.html

At the heart of this cave is a 15-foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose....hmmm, reminiscent of Ajanta Caves......

The last two caves, Do Tal (cave 11) and Tin Tal (cave 12) have three stories.

Cave 12, known as Tin Tal , also has an impressive upper hall.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ellora/cave-12/sphere- flash.html

The walls of the shrine room are lined with five large bodhisattvas and is flanked by seven Buddhas, representing each of his previous incarnations.

I don't know about any of you...but I am simply blown away by these caves.......stunning.....

Okay, lets see the Hindu Caves next.

Created during a time of prosperity and revival of Hindusim, the Hindu caves represent an entirely different style of creative vision and skill than the Buddhist caves.

The Hindu temples were carved from top to bottom and required several generations of planning and coordination to take shape.

The early caves (caves 17–29) were constructed during the Kalachuri period, while the caves 15 and 16 were constructed during Rashtrakuta period.

There are 17 Hindu caves in all (numbered 13 to 29), which were carved between 600 and 870 AD. They occupy the center of the cave complex, grouped around either side of the famous Kailasa Temple.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ellora/cave-16-up/sphere-flash.html

Wow, a sight to behold......the view from up here is absolutely breathtaking.

The most notable Hindu cave (Cave 16) is not a cave at all, but a magnificent temple carved from the solid rock, patterned closely on the freestanding temples of the time.

It represents Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, and is called the Kailashnath, Kailash, or Kailasa Temple.

It originally had a thick coat of white plaster to make it look like a snowy mountain.

The Kailash Temple is a stupendous piece of architecture, with interesting spatial effects and varied sculpture. It is believed to have been started by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (756-773).

This gargantuan structure looks like a freestanding, multi-storeyed temple complex, but it was carved out of one single rock!!

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ellora/cave-16-down/sphere-flash.html

All the carvings are done in more than one level.

A two-storeyed gateway opens to reveal a U-shaped courtyard.

The courtyard is edged by columned galleries three storeys high.

The galleries are punctuated by huge sculpted panels, and alcoves containing enormous sculptures of a variety of deities.

Originally flying bridges of stone connected these galleries to central temple structures, but these have fallen.

Within the courtyard are two structures.

As is traditional in Shiva temples, an image of the sacred bull Nandi fronts the central temple housing the lingam.

In Cave 16, the Nandi Mandap and main Shiva temple are each about 7 meters high, and built on two stories.

The lower stories of the Nandi Mandap are both solid structures, decorated with elaborate illustrative carvings.

The base of the temple has been carved to suggest that elephants are holding the structure aloft.

A living rock bridge connects the Nandi Mandap to the porch of the temple.

The temple itself is tall pyramidal structure reminiscent of a South Indian temple.

The shrine – complete with pillars, windows, inner and outer rooms, gathering halls, and an enormous lingam at its heart – carved from living stone, is carved with niches, pilasters, windows as well as images of deities, mithunas (erotic male and female figures) and other figures.

Most of the deities at the left of the entrance are Shaivaite (followers of Shiva) while on the right hand side the deities are Vaishnavaites (followers of Vishnu).

There are two Dhvajastambhas (pillars with the flagstaff) in the courtyard.

The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art.

The construction was a feat of human genius – it entailed removal of 250,000 tons of rock by 7000 labourers, took 150 years to complete and covers an area double the size of Parthenon in Athens!!

Stupendous!! WOW!

Ok, we are now going to take a rickshaw down this asphalt road to the Jain Caves (dating from the late 800s and 900s) which are situated about 2km down the road.

Jain caves reveal specific dimensions of Jain philosophy and tradition. They reflect a strict sense of asceticism – they are not relatively large as compared to others, but they present exceptionally detailed art works.

The most remarkable Jain shrines are the Chhota Kailash (cave 30), the Indra Sabha (cave 32) and the Jagannath Sabha (cave 33).

The most notable of the group is Cave 32, the Indra Sabha (Indra's Assembly Hall), a miniature of the Kailash Temple.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ellora/cave-32/sphere-flash.html

The bottom level is plain but the upper floor has elaborate carvings, including a fine lotus flower on the ceiling.

Two tirthankaras guard the entrance to the central shrine.

On the right is the naked Gomatesvara, who is meditating deeply in the forest - so much so that vines have grown up his legs and animals, snakes and scorpions crawl around his feet.

Another amazing sight to behold!

These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, that were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life.

Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.

Another mindblowing UNESCO world heritage site.........its such a pity that when foreigners think of India...the only monument that comes to mind is the Taj Mahal...when there are gems like this ........to be explored.

Btw, did you know that the breathtaking Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the world's largest monolithic sculpture hewn from the rock?

http://www.asi.nic.in/video/video_ellora.html

Day 85, Ajanta Caves, Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-19T15:38:00.000+02:00

Hmm, I have such a well informed bunch of travelling companions....everybody guessed that we are going to the Ajanta Caves, a series of 29 Buddhist cave temples in Ajanta, India,

Our tour guide today is my dear Mama, Rajesh. (www.postcrossing.com/user/Munna)

Did you know that some of these caves date from the 2nd century BC??

They are carved out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River.

We are now standing on this viewing platform across the river......WOW! it affords such an excellent view of the entire Ajanta site.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/panorama/sphere-flash.html

The natural beauty of the area makes it clear why the monks chose the site for their spiritual pursuits. Absolutely stunning!!

It seems like the caves were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls (chaitya grihas) and monasteries (viharas) for about nine centuries, then abruptly abandoned. They fell into oblivion until they were rediscovered in 1819.

Encompassing both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the Ajanta caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India....so let's check them out guys...

The caves are numbered from east to west, 1 through 29.

The earlier Theravada tradition depicts the Buddha only in symbolic form such as a throne or footprints. The Mahayana Caves, feature colorful murals and statues depicting the life (and former lives) of the Buddha and various Bodhisattvas. The caves also depict scenes from everyday life and many include inscriptions indicating a prince or noble who gifted the cave to the monks.

We are going to explore the Ajanta Caves in reverse numerical order, so we will not have to join the masses of people moving from cave to cave....I hate crowds...and everybody starts at Cave 1...so we won't!

The Ajanta Caves depict the stories of Buddhism spanning from the period from 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. and the most amazing thing is that these 29 caves were built by Buddhist monks using simple tools like hammer & chisel!!

Cave 26 – A Mahayana prayer hall (chaitya).

The highlight is a large carved statue of the reclining Buddha, representing his moment of death.

Below him, his followers mourn his passing; above, celestial beings rejoice.

Oh my word....Wow!!

This cave also contains a stupa with an image of the Buddha in a pavilion.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-26/sphere-flash.html

Just look at the detail in the carvings and murals......absolutely awesome!

Cave 19

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-19/sphere-flash.html

Cave 17 – A Mahayana monastery covered with many well-preserved wall paintings.

Maidens and celestial musicians are on the ceiling, and Buddhas, celestial guardians, goddesses, lotus petals and scroll work adorn the doorway.

One mural in Cave 17 shows Prince Simhala's encounter with the man-eating ogresses of Sri Lanka, where he'd been shipwrecked. Another shows the king of gods flying amidst clouds with his entourage of celestial nymphs (apsaras) and musicians. The panel above the doorway depicting the seven Manushi Buddhas (Buddhas in human form) together with the Maitreya or future Buddha, seated under their respective Bodhi trees.

Cave 16 – A Mahayana monastery featuring a beautiful painting of the princess Sundari fainting after learning that her husband (the Buddha's half-brother, Nanda) was going to become a monk.

Cave 15, 13, 12 – Theravada monastery caves.

Cave 11

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-11/sphere-flash.html

Cave 10 – This Theravada prayer hall, thought to be the oldest cave temple at Ajanta, dates back to the 2nd century BC.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-10/sphere-flash.html

Cave 9 – One of the earliest prayer hall caves, notable for its arched windows that let softly diffused sunlight in the cave. This Theravada cave also features a large stupa.

Cave 8 – Theravada monastery cave.

Cave 6

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-6/sphere-flash.html

Cave 4 – Incomplete, but the largest of the Ajanta monasteries.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-4/sphere-flash.html

Cave 2 – The façade of this Mahayana monastery cave shows the kings of Naga and their entourage. Inside, a glorious mandala dominates the ceiling, held by demons and decorated with birds, flowers, fruits and abstract designs. The ceiling gives the effect of a cloth canopy, right down to the sag in the middle.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/ajanta/cave-2/sphere-flash.html

Cave 1 – The most popular of the monastery caves at Ajanta. Every inch of the cave was originally painted, though much has worn away over the centuries. The doorway to the antechamber is flanked by murals of two great bodhisattvas.

On the right, holding a thunderbolt, is Avalokitesvara (or Vajrapani), the most important bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. On the left, holding a water lily, is the bodhisattva Padmapani.

The sidewalls of Cave 1's antechamber show two scenes from the Buddha's life: his temptation by Mara just before his enlightenment and the miracle of Sravasti, where the Buddha multiplied himself into thousand images.

Above the left porch of Cave 1 are friezes of the Three Signs (a sick man, an old man, and a corpse) that the Buddha saw on his fateful journey outside the palace that led him to become a monk.

In the sanctum is a colossal sculpture of the Buddha in the preaching pose. Murals on the walls of the main hall depict numerous Jataka Tales, stories of the previous lives of Gautama Buddha.

WOW!! This is truly an amazing site....Yes, Marti, like the magnificent ruins of Petra, the Ajanta Caves appear almost as a city carved right out of the rock.

One of the differences is that the ruins of Petra do not appear to have originally been a sacred site, whereas the Caves of Ajanta were purposely built as shrines and temples by devoted Buddhists, and they continue to be a sacred site today....and are definitely more extensive than Petra.

The Ajanta caves and the treasures they house are a landmark in the overall development of Buddhism as such and deservedly a UNESCO world heritage site!..

http://www.asi.nic.in/video/video_ajanta.html

Of course we have to do some souvenir shopping....

My dear Mama ( www.postcrossing.com/user/munna) has suggested that we shop for the following...and insisted that we bargain with the vendors:

local, traditional and ethnic - Paithani, Himroo & Mushroo weaves; Indian Khaadi clothing; hand made artifacts and curios made in rural India and traditional Bidri Pottery.

Thanks Mama. We have certainly enjoyed this tour....

http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/images/Videos/AJANTA.wmv

Day 85.......India

2010-09-19T07:50:00.000+02:00

Namaste from India

Well we didn't travel yesterday because Marti insisted that all of us obtain addresses, find awesome cards from India and post our official postcrossing cards so that we reach the 3 million mark asap!

So that's what we did.....however today....we will certainly be travelling again......

Where to?........

Well, Marti and I loved Petra so much that we have decided to visit a place quite similar to it......another site carved out of rock......hmmm, any guesses??

Day 84, "Kama Sutra Temple" , Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-18T20:59:00.000+02:00

Okay, Ramzi please try to contain your excitement........finally, we are going to see the unique erotic sculptures of the "Kama Sutra Temple" in Khajuraho. It's art is a manifestation of the essence of the philosophy of Indian aesthetics.

These sculptures representing the Indo-Aryan architecture, congeal in stone a lyrical paean to love and passion and reflect the Chandela dynasty's passion and immense appreciation for the forbidden art, paradoxically, in the land of Kama Sutra.

Sita,( www.postcrossing.com/user/seetas) is our tour guide today.

Sita is very clued up with regards to UNESCO sites, especially in India, her Motherland.

She told us that these temples of Khajuraho, ( a UNESCO world heritage site) were built between 950 to 1050 A.D. during the Chandela dynasty of Central India.

After the decline of the Chandela dynasty in 13th century, the temples were left under the cover of dense date palm trees for many years, which gave the city of Khajuraho its name, Khajur in Hindi means a date. In the ancient times it was known as Vatsa.

In 1838, a British army engineer, Captain T.S. Burt rediscovered them. By that time only 22 of the original 85 temples had survived.

It took more than 200 years to complete elaborately carved Khajuraho temples that are planned in a similar pattern. Built in the central Indian temple architectural style, the uninhibited and graceful erotic sculptures of Khajuraho temples are known for their paramount architectural balance and exquisiteness. The temple plans range from the simple ones to the most inspired ones.

Wow! These temples are simply magnificent!!

Please tell us about them Sita.....

The temples can be divided into three broad groups.

Western Group

Kandariya Mahadeo

The 31m high temple is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate and detailed craftsmanship in stone depicting divine deities, celestial maidens, eternal lovers, gods and goddesses. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and enshrines the

'linga'.

The Kandariya Mahadeva has been praised as the pinnacle of the tradition of medieval Hindu North Indian temple building .

The appearance of the Kandariya is deceptive as it seems to be carved out of a solid piece of stone.

Arguably, the complexity and ornateness of design gives one a sense of a closed dimension since the Kandariya can be entered through very few entrances.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/kandariya-s-temple-front/sphere-flash.html

The sculptured figures are well-rounded yet supple and do not display significant musculature or tension despite numerous erotic implications.

Most of the sculptures have economy of drapery but are effusively patterned with ornaments and flower motifs.

The effect of height of the shikharas are advanced by the gradation of the rise.

From the front, the various designs, many of which are erotic, are not visible to the worshipper. T

The east-west axis and this thrust, it is argued, focus the worshipper on the central point inside the temple, where the linga is kept.

It also contains the most important feature, the Acrobatic Sexual Intercourse statue.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/kandariya-s-temple-details/sphere-flash.html

Ramzi stop staring!! He cannot believe what he is seeing!!

Chaunsath Yogini

The temple is the earliest temple of the group that has survived. It belongs to 900 AD and is dedicated Goddess Kali. It has the distinction of being the only granite temple here.

Chitragupta Temple

This temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev). It faces towards east or the rising sun and the imposing image of the image of the deity in the inner sanctum is as high as five feet and is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot. It is in front of this temple and the Vishwanatha temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.

Vishwanatha Temple

This temple has impressive entrances with magnificent stone guarding its northern steps and royal masonry elephants taking care of the southern steps. The three-headed image of Lord Brahma in the temple is not less captivating.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/mahadeva-s-temple/sphere-flash.html

Lakshmana Temple

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/lakshmana-s-temple-outside/sphere-flash.html

A pretty Vaishnava temple flaunts a lintel over its entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/lakshmana-s-temple-inside/sphere-flash.html

Matangeshwara Temple

Situated outside the premises of Western group of temples, this Lord Shiva's temple is known for the daunting eight-feet high lingam (male organ representing the natural process of reproduction and the continuity of human life form) that it enshrines.

Eastern Group

Parsvanatha Temple http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parshvanath

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/parsvanath-s-temple-entrance/sphere-flash.html

The largest Jain temple of the Eastern group, Parsvanath temple has intricate stone carvings, especially, the sculptures on the northern outer wall of the temple are certainly praiseworthy. It enshrines a throne facing the bull emblem that represents the the first tirthankara, Adinatha.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/parsvanath-s-temple-restoration/sphere-flash.html

Ghantai Temple

This Jain temple has remarkable frescos depicting the 16 dreams of the mother of Lord Mahavira at the time of his birth and a Jain goddess mounted on a winged Garuda.

Adinatha Temple http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Adinath

This temple is richly ornamented with delicate and pretty scultures including those of yakshis. It is dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara (saint), Adinath.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/khajuraho/aadinath-s-temple/sphere-flash.html

Most of the temples here belong to Jain faith but there are three Hindu temples of the group, namely, the Brahma temple enshrining a four-faced linga; the Vamana temple with divine carvings of sensuous celestial maidens in various poses adorning its outer walls and the Javari temple

with a opulently carved doorway and ostentatious sculptures on its exteriors.

Southern Group

Duladeo Temple

This Shaiva temple is known for flaunting the striking images of the celestial maidens or apsaras and richly ornamented figures.

Chaturbhuja Temple

It is the huge imposing intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu in the temple's sanctum, which is the chief attraction of the temple.

So tell us Sita, why Erotica in temples?

There are different opinions on why temples were decorated with sexually explicit sculptures.

One group argues that the old kings lived in obscene luxury and that they used these for excitement.

Another group thinks that it was part of sexual education in ancient India: since most people visited temples, it was an appropriate place for mass communication.

Some scholars say that since Hinduism believes in the efficacy of all four paths to Moksha (Dharma, Artha, Yoga, and Kama), these sculptures were provided to assist in the last of these four paths.

Since these sculptures are limited to the outer walls of the temples, some people interpret them as a symbolic gate to reaching God. It is possible that at the time just preceding the construction of these sculptures, monastic Buddhism was prevalent, people were losing interest in the householder-life, and the temples were built to attract people to sex and family life and to renew Hinduism.

Well whatever the reason ......these temples are simply spectacular, and absolutely unique!

Sita has also pointed out that the Temples DO NOT contain sexual themes inside the Temple premises or near the deity but only on external carvings.

They portray that for seeing the deity, one must leave his sexual desires outside the Temple.

They also depict that the inner deity of the Temple is pure like the soul which is unaffected by sexual desires and other gross tendencies,destiny etc, whereas the external curvature and carvings of the Temples depict the bodily changes that occur in us.

Sita also emphasized that only as many as 10% carvings contain sexual themes, not between any deities but between ordinary humans.

The rest depict the common man's life of those days e.g. example ladies applying makeup, musicians, potters, farmers etc. perhaps conveying the message that one should always have God as the central point in one's life even when one is engaged in worldly activities.

It is a misconception that since Khajuraho are Temples, they depict sex between deities! This is not so.

In Khajuraho Temples, the idols of Shiva, Nandi, Goddess Durga, Incarnations of Vishnu etc are fully clothed.

We are now eagerly awaiting the Sound and Light show ........which apparently is narrated by Amitabh Bachchan.

Ramzi says he doesn't recall any other sculpture except the one with the "acrobats"....and he has bought a bag full of iron, brass and stone sculptures depicting Kama Sutra poses ....they are a specialty of Khajuraho....and Ramzi loves incredible Indiaaaaaa...

http://www.asi.nic.in/video/video_khajuraho.html .

day 81, Elephanta Caves, Indian UNESCO site

2010-09-17T18:19:00.000+02:00

Wow, we had such an amazing journey around the world in 80 days........

We had a really good night's rest and now Marti is ready to travel again.......anywhere, anytime!

Alright, Marti........but this time we won't travel so rapidly........ok?

Any ideas anyone as to where we should go to next?

Amit ( www.postcrossing.com/user/indianfriendszone) wants to take us to an island in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai.......

ok, sounds like fun...let's go......

oh, we are going to take an hour long deluxe ferry ride....cool...

Wow, this island is so quiet and picturesque, with light-green foliage and monkeys scampering about.

No, no, Nopi, don't feed the monkeys, they may attack you!

At the entrance of the park, one needs to pay an entrance fee, i.e., Rs 10 for Indian citizens and Rs 250 for foreign nationals.

So where are we going to Amit?

Aah, there is a little train...are we going on that? No.....we are going to walk up 120 steep steps!

Ok, Amit.....we are now really curious to know where we are going to......

There are several vendors along the way ........selling books and little statues of Lord Shiva.

Hmm, I am beginning to think that perhaps we are going to a temple....

There are many tourist guides in the vicinity offering their services....their charges are not really reasonable, i.e., Rs 2500!

But we dont need them, we have Amit and Sita....:-)

Phew, these steps are steep.......Feroz is out of breath!

We have reached the entrance to a CAVE........and Amit proudly announces...."Welcome to Elephanta Caves.....the world's oldest island cave...and a UNESCO world heritage site!"

Wow! This is really a site to behold.........

The Trimurti-Sadashiva Statue, carved in relief at the end of the North-South axis, embodies the most important sculpture.

The three headed-Shiva image, representing Panchamukha Shiva, stands twenty feet high.

The right half-face shows him as a young person with sensuous lips, embodying life and its vitality.

In his hand he holds something that resembles a rose bud; again with the promise of life and creativity.

That face closely resembles Brahma, the creator or Uma or Vamadeva, the feminine side of Shiva.

The left half-face, on the side, resembles a young man, mustached, and angry.

He depicts Shiva as Aghora Bhairava, as the one whose anger can engulf the entire world in flames leaving only ashes behind.

That represents Shiva, the Destroyer

The central face, benign, meditative, as the preserver Vishnu. This is Shiva as the yogi -- Yogeshwar -- in deep meditation praying for the 'preservation' of humanity

This sculpture is supposed to be one of the centerpieces of the Indian sculptural tradition.

One thousand and five hundred years ago when craftsmen began cutting rocks and sculpting them into magnificent statues of Gods, little did they realize that in the second millennium the Elephanta Caves would be such a major tourist attraction!!

The origins and artists of the temple caves, thought to date from about the 6th century, remain obscure.

The island was originally called Gharapuri; the Portuguese renamed it Elephanta after they found a large stone elephant near their landing place.

(The figure collapsed in 1814 and was subsequently moved to the far-off Victoria Gardens and reassembled.)

Shortly before the Elephanta temples were created, Bombay had experienced the golden age of the late Guptas, under whom the talents of artists had free range.

Sanskrit had been finely polished, and under the court's liberal patronage, Kalidasa and other writers had helped incite a Hindu religious revival.

Shaivism, the worship of Shiva, inspired the building of these temples.

Many of Elephanta's priceless statues were damaged or destroyed by the Portuguese, who apparently used the Hindu gods for target practice!!

There have also been reports of vandalism and carelessness by modern visitors :-((

So tell us Amit....How were they were constructed?

These rock cut temples were created by carving out rock, and creating the columns, the internal spaces and the images.

The entire temple is akin to a huge sculpture, through whose corridors and chambers one can walk. The entire complex was created through a process of rock removal.

Some of the rock surfaces are highly finished while some are untreated bare rock.

Wow, how big is this place??

The entire cave temple complex covers an area of about 60000 squrare feet and it consists a main chamber and two lateral ones , courtyards and several subsidary shrines.

Above the temple is the mass of natural rock.

There are nine carvings in the main cave that depict the life of Lord Shiva in different manifestations -the dancer (Natraja), Shiva killing a demon Andhaka, marriage of Shiva and Parvati, Shiva's descent to the Ganges, Shiva as Ardhnarinateshwar, Shiva as Maheshmurti, Shiva lifting Mount Kailash, Goddess Parvati on Mount Kailash and Shiva as an ascetic.

http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/asia/south-asia/india/mumbai/elephanta/trimurti-three-forms-in-sanskrit-designate-the-three-deities-presiding-the-different-states-of-the-hinduist-universe/sphere-flash.html

Oooh, there are many things for sale here..... paintings.....but Sita told us that most of the stuff is brought in from Mumbai and sold at a double or triple price, so while purchasing mementos, we must make sure that we bought souvenirs that were unique to the Island and the craft skills of the local people...and that we simply had to eat the jamun.......a wild berries that the locals sell.......hmmmm, yummy....

http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/images/Videos/ELEPHANTA.wmv

From the Gateway of India to the world famous Elephanta Caves, and from the hustle and bustle of the contemporary commerce of Mumbai, this trip is a journey back in time; to a time when faith, mysticism and art reigned supreme, when the challenge of carving out gigantic statues and caves from monoliths was accepted as a blessing, when the tryst with stone gave birth to passionate effigies of Hindu faith, a glorious testimony, even today, of the aesthetics and hard labour of the Indians of long ago......

Wow, that was awesome....thanks Amit...

http://www.asi.nic.in/video/video_elephanta.html

2010 Soccer world cup closing ceremony

2010-07-11T20:09:00.000+02:00

Cape Town; South Africa

2010-07-02T15:44:00.005+02:00

The majestic Table Mountain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_Mountain), overlooks Cape Town, South Africa.

Good-looking, fun-loving, sporty and sociable.......

If Cape Town (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town) was in the dating game that's how her profile would read!!

The Mother City of South Africa occupies one of the world's most stunning locations, with an iconic mountain slap-bang in her centre.

As beautiful as the surrounding beaches and vineyards can be, it's the rugged wilderness of Table Mountain, coated in a unique flora, that grabs everyone's attention.

Table Mountain National Park is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO site.

Long before the Dutch took a fancy to the Cape Peninsula in the 17th century, the land was home to the Khoisan people who valued the spiritual power of the mountains and their life-providing water.

While the European immigrants, and the slaves they brought here, have all shaped the physical environment of South Africa's third-largest city, Table Mountain - now protected within a national park that covers some 75% of the peninsula - remains at Cape Town's heart.

This ever present backdrop is the city's adventure playground, as well as a source of legend and continuing spiritual nourishment.

The city is crammed with restaurants, shops, galleries displaying amazing artworks and shops selling wonderfully inventive craftwork.

It's also getting a reputation as the fashion nexus of South Africa.

Hikers can take advantage of over 300 routes up and down, but bear in mind that the mountain is over 1000m high, conditions can become treacherous quickly and it's easy to get lost....

We are going to take the revolving cable car to the summit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_Mountain_Cableway)

Since the first person laid eyes on Table Mountain, it has exerted its powerful and charismatic pull, enchanting and drawing any and all who fall under its spell.

Since it's opening in 1929, over 16 million people have taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain.

Wow, did you know that the Table Mountain cableway has carried some of Cape Town's most illustrious visitors including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Stefi Graf, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Andrew, Micheal Schumacher, Brooke Shields, Micheal Buble, Tina Turner, and Jackie Chan??

These Rot-airs have a revolving floor...and this allows us a 360-degree view of the city and Table Mountain as we travel........

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company celebrated its 79th anniversary in 2008 and remains the most popular tourist attraction in Cape Town!

Wow, this view is simply phenomenal!

Um jogo de sonho...Brazil vs Portugal, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

2010-06-25T07:07:00.003+02:00

Welcome to Durban, the city that hosts the much anticipated 2010 soccer world cup group match between Brazil and Portugal!

Brazil are already qualified from Group G and Portugal could go through even if they lose - unless Ivory Coast turn around a nine-goal deficit in their match against North Korea. Portugal earlier beat the lowly Asian team 7-0 in the tournament's highest score.

2010 soccer world cup, Holland vs Japan, Durban, South Africa

2010-06-13T11:53:00.007+02:00

Good morning from a very sunny and warm Durban............it is 19 June 2010 and woo-hoo, today Holland will play a 2010 soccer world cup group match against Japan at the awesome Moses Mabhida Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Mabhida_Stadium) in my city, Durban, South Africa

With its "arch of triumph", the Moses Mabhida Stadium is a defining landmark similar to Sydney's Opera House or The London Eye.

In addition to this internationally acclaimed engineering feat, the multi-disciplinary aspect of the stadium's design allows the stadium to host a wide range of sporting and cultural events, putting it on a par with other international venue' s such as the Stade du France and Wembley Stadium.

http://redhouse.co.za/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=163

The Moses Mabhida Stadium has changed the way we view sporting venues in South Africa.

A stadium may be venerated as the scene of many an epic clash, but it need not be a monolith that only comes alive on "match day" - or when the members of the band plug in their guitars.

This Stadium with its facilities is not only a tourist attraction in its own right, but also the centrepiece of the King's Park Sporting Precinct, which will support a wide range of sporting, commercial, cultural, retail and leisure activities seven days a week, 365 days a year.

http://fifaworldcup.durban.gov.za/Pages/Stadium_Webcam.aspx

Quick Facts

Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium will have the capacity to hold 70, 000 spectators during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Its design allows the stadium seating to be reduced to 54,000 for local matches or up-scaled to 80,000 for events such as the Olympic Games.

There are 150 corporate hospitality suites with 7,500 seats.

The grand centre arch, 106m high, is not just a design feature. A cable car will take visitors up to its highest point, where they can get out and enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and ocean. http://fifaworldcup.durban.gov.za/Pages/stadium_skycar.aspx

The 350m long free-span steel arch weighs 2600 tons - that's the equivalent of 2,600 average cars.

The roof is made of 46,000m2 of Teflon®-coated glass fibre membranes, which will produce a translucent glow when the stadium is lit.

The roof is attached to the arch by 95mm-diameter steel cables.

Each seat of the all-seater stadium is spacious and comfortable, providing clear line-of-sight to the pitch.

A roof cover will provide shelter to 80% of the stadium in the case of rain.

OPENING CEREMONY OF 2010 SOCCER WORLD CUP

2010-06-11T16:54:00.000+02:00

2010 soccer world cup kick off concert in Soweto, South Africa

2010-06-11T04:52:00.005+02:00

The small township of Soweto was rocked by some of the biggest names in the music industry, like Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, in a concert to kick-off the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The stars performed on the eve of Africa's first World Cup at in a jam-packed Orlando stadium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFto9CnFi6o

Shakira, wearing an animal print, waka waka-ed the anthem and dance of the World Cup.

Dressed in a zebra print leotard and an ostrich plume skirt, the diva from Barranquilla gave a sizzling performance of She Wolf followed by famous Hips don't lie, which made the crowd dance to her tune.

Tens of thousands of people braved temperatures below 10 degrees in Johannesburg, where K'naan stole the show with his football anthem Wavin' Flag.

Long after he left the stage, the crowd was still chanting "Oh, oh, oh."

President Jacob Zuma told the 34,000 capacity crowd, "South Africa is rocking, South Africa is cool."

Feel it....it is here.....Makarapas for the 2010 SWC

2010-06-10T15:29:00.001+02:00

Marti wants a Makarapa!!!

Nopi wants to know what is a makarapa??????

The sport fan Makarapa are hand-cut and hand painted hard hats.

They belong to the typical South African football fan's supporters gear, and are increasingly popular with fans of other sports.

Sport fans spend hours to sculpture and paint their Makarapa in the colours and emblem of their clubs or country.

Soccer World Cup venues in 3D

2010-06-02T18:22:00.007+02:00

have you seen the soccer stadiums in 3D???

It is awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZeCzm1ldTo

more views of Cape Town Stadium

2010-04-27T12:39:00.002+02:00

Just cant seem to get enough of this breath taking view!!

2010 Soccer World Cup Stadium, Cape Town

2010-04-23T08:40:00.005+02:00

Wow, this is truly a spectacular setting for a stadium!!

Cape Town Stadium

2010-04-02T10:10:00.006+02:00

Did you know that Cape Town Stadium has an exterior that is covered with noise-reducing cladding and has a capacity of 70,000??

The Green Point Common, on which the new 2010 stadium has being built, was originally much larger than what now remains, and included most of the land between the sea and Signal Hill, stretching from the city centre towards Sea Point.

World Cup Stadium in South Africa

(Green Point Stadium)= Cape Town Stadium, South Africa

2010-03-31T09:34:00.002+02:00

Green Point Stadium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town_Stadium)

Wow, isn't this simply one of the most artistic football venues in South Africa??

The newly-built Green Point Stadium is situated in one of the much sought-after areas in the city of Cape Town, and is one of the two semi-final venues for the FIFA World Cup™.

This multi-purpose venue is also going to be used to stage major events and concerts.

Can you just imagine.....soccer crazy fans will be a stone's throw from the ocean AND the UNESCO world heritage site of the mountains of Cape Town will also provide the backdrop for matches.

The new stadium has been partly built on land that was previously used as a golf course.

You simply have to check this out:

GreenPoint Stadium.

http://virtualafrica.co.za/google-earth/green-point-stadium/

2010 Soccer World Cup stadiums in South Africa.

2010-03-20T12:48:00.001+02:00

Here is a quick update of what the inside of the stadiums look like .......

Soccer City near Soweto, Johannesburg

Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban

Green Point Stadium in Cape Town

http://virtualafrica.co.za/google-earth/green-point-stadium

Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane

Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth

and the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit-

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa

2010-03-13T10:54:00.004+02:00

Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban

Key Matches and Dates:

• Monday, 28 June 2010 - Round of 16
• Wednesday, 7 July 2010 - Semi Final

First Round Matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium:

• Saturday 13 June 2010 - Germany vs Australia
• Wednesday 16 June 2010 - Spain vs Switzerland
• Saturday 19 June 2010 - Netherlands vs Japan
• Tuesday 22 June 2010 - Nigeria vs Uraguay
• Friday 25 June 2010 - Portugal vs Brazil

2010-03-13T10:14:00.001+02:00

Vuvuzela: SA football's beautiful noise

2010-03-12T16:32:00.001+02:00

What's plastic, a metre long, brightly coloured and sounds like an elephant?

It's the vuvuzela, the noise-making trumpet of South African football fans, and it's come to symbolise the sport in my country.

It's an instrument, but not always a musical one!!
Describing the atmosphere in a stadium packed with thousands of fans blowing their vuvuzelas is
difficult.
Up close it's an elephant, sure, but en masse the sound is more like a massive swarm of very angry bees.....lol!

And when there's action near the goal mouth, those bees go really crazy.

I must say that to get that sound out requires lip flexibility and lung strength - in short, a fair amount of technique.

Be sure to get in some practice before attending a South African football match, or the sound you produce may cause some amusement in the seats around you!!!

I was told "Put your lips inside the mouthpiece and almost make a 'farting' sound.
Relax your cheeks and let your lips vibrate inside the mouthpiece. As soon as you get that trumpeting sound, blow harder until you reach a ridiculously loud 'boogying blast'."

What should it sound like? Try this .wav file from www.boogieblast.co.za

The ancestor of the vuvuzela is said to be the kudu horn - ixilongo in isiXhosa, mhalamhala in Tshivenda - blown to summon African villagers to meetings. Later versions were made of tin.

The trumpet became so popular at football matches in the late 1990s that a company, Masincedane Sport, was formed in 2001 to mass-produce it. Made of plastic, they come in a variety of colours - black or white for fans of Orlando Pirates, yellow for Kaizer Chiefs, and so on - with little drawings on the side warning against blowing in the ear!

There's uncertainty on the origin of the word "vuvuzela".
Some say it comes from the isiZulu for - wait for it - "making noise".
Others say it's from township slang related to the word "shower", because it "showers people with music" - or, more prosaically, looks a little like a shower head.

The announcement, on 15 May 2004, that South Africa would host the 2010 Fifa World Cup gave the vuvuzela a huge boost, to say the least - some 20 000 were sold on the day by enterprising street vendors.

It's a noisy thing, so there's no surprise some don't like it...someone even described it as "an instrument of hell".

Vuvezalas are bound to play an integral part in South Africa's 2010 celebrations, and World Cup visitors are sure to go home with a vuvuzela or two tucked in their luggage - and a little ringing in their ears ...

Meenakshi Amman Temple, India

2010-03-06T10:24:00.001+02:00

Sita says that no text can do justice to the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai down south....

You simply have to witness it for yourself

http://www.view360.in/virtualtour/madurai/

http://www.religiousportal.com/MeenakshiTemple.html

wow, Sita was right!

Durban Soccer Stadium, South Africa

2010-02-25T15:08:00.002+02:00

http://redhouse.co.za/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=163

The Cango Caves, South Africa

2010-01-11T20:09:00.001+02:00

Now what would a visit to South Africa be without a stop at the world famous Cango Caves??

The Cango Caves are located in Precambrian limestones at the foothills of the Swartberg range near the town of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

The principal cave is one of the country's finest, best known and most popular tourist caves and attracts many visitors from overseas.

Although the extensive system of tunnels and chambers go on for over four kilometers, only about a quarter of this is open to visitors.

Since we have been to several caves around the world, we will make this stop over a quick one....

We are taking the "Adventure Tour" which consists of crawling through narrow passages, climbing up steep rock formations guided by small lights...and then WOW, spectacular halls!!

The cave is 1,5km wide and almost 16km long and has magnificent dripstone formations.

The dimensions of the cave are impressive too. Being more than 5km long, it contains the largest underground chamber in the country, measuring 220 x 35 x 35 m.

Hey Marti, did you know that the limestones were formed by chemical processes about 750 Million years ago?

The Khoisan used the entrance area of the cave as shelter. They never went deeper into the cave, as no human remains were found inside.

The entrance to the caves was originally rich in bushman paintings, but with time these have been damaged.

The San left this area and their cave approximately 500 years ago.

Cango Cave is the most visited show cave in South Africa.

http://www.places.co.za/html/cango.html

Pretty awesome huh?

Sita has been nagging me all day...she wants to see some birds.......no Ramzi, not "chicks"....birds of the feathered variety!!

Okay Sita......we will go to the OSTRICH capital of the world.......do you know where that is??

Yes, Marti, you are right.....its the Oudtshoorn district of South Arica.

These ostriches (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrich) have been bred hereabouts since the 1870s, and at the turn of the 20th century fortunes were made from the fashion for ostrich feathers.

Oudtshoorn boomed, and the so-called 'feather barons' built the grand houses that lend the town its distinct atmosphere today.

The town still turns a pretty penny from breeding the birds for meat and leather

Did you know that during the first decade of the previous century, ostrich feathers gained record prices on foreign markets, ranking 4th on the list of South African exports, after gold, diamonds and wool??

Oh, Marti is really excited because we are at an Ostrich Show Farm, an operating farm where we see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development in the surrounding fields.

A guide has explained every aspect of ostrich farming, from breeding to rearing.

The eggs, incubators and chicks ..... really interesting.....

Did you know that an OSTRICH EGG is equivalent TO 24 CHICKEN EGGS?? Marti got to test the strength of the eggs by standing on them!! Well, they are the world's largest eggs!!

Ramzi is gazing into their eyes....he says that they have eyes that make you want to fall in love and hug them...so Sita is brave enough to hug and kiss one whilst Nopi hand feeds a few!!

Feroz decided to ride an ostrich ---the weight limit being 75kg...so its a good thing Feroz is in shape!

He challenged us to a race...so our tour ended with an "Ostrich Derby" and Marti won! This was too cool!

We then visited the curio shop. The ostrich egg shell has become a very popular curio because of the endless uses thereof.

Their shells are ideal for artwork, engraving and decoupage. Shells can also be mounted in different ways and make attractive lampshades.

Hahaha, Nopi bought a handmade ostrich feather boa for her Grandma and an ostrich egg shell bra! One size fits all!!

Of course the rest of us bought ostrich leather bags and biltong......

Marti really enjoyed her short visit to the ostrich farm and even bought an ostrich egg.....she figured that ONE would be enough to make an omelette that would feed all of us.....bon appetit!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

2009-10-31T12:34:00.003+02:00

Wow, we truly enjoyed hiking the different trails of the Drakensberg, and now it is time to visit the other world heritage site in my province, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/914).

It was listed as South Africa's first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its superlative natural beauty and unique global values.

It is undoubtedly one of the jewels of South Africa's coastline, with a unique mosaic of ecosystems - swamps, lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands.

The park incorporates the whole of Lake St Lucia, the St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Reserves, the Coastal Forest Reserve and the Kosi Bay Natural Reserve

The 332 000 hectare Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700 year old fishing traditions, most of South Africa's remaining swamp forests, Africa's largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000 year-old coastal dunes – among the highest in the world.

Hey Sita, did you know that these waters also are graced by 20 000 greater flamingos, 40 000 lesser flamingoes, as well as thousands of ducks?

With 36 species, this area has the highest diversity of amphibians in South Africa.

The park consists of five individual ecosystems. These ecosystems function totally independent yet fully integrated with each other.

The five ecosystems in the park are:

Marine System

Characterised by the warm Indian Ocean, containing the southernmost coral reefs in Africa, as well as sub-marine canyons and long sandy beaches.

Eastern Shores: A coastal dune system consisting of high linear dunes and sub-tropical forests, grassy plains and wetlands.

Lake System: Two estuary-linked lakes of St Lucia and Kosi Bay, plus the four large freshwater lakes of Lake Sibhayi, Ngobezeleni, Bhangazi north and Bhangazi south.

Mkhuze and Umfolozi Swamps: Swamp forests and extensive reeds and papyrus marshes.

Western Shores: Ancient shoreline terraces and dry savanna woodlands.

Marti wants to know what the name iSimangaliso means??

It means miracle and wonder, which aptly describes this unique place, dont you think?

Wow, there is so much to do from fishing, boating and scuba diving to hiking, horseriding, game viewing, whale and bird watching......and we find ourselves in the august company of Leatherback turtles, Nile crocodiles, Pink-backed pelicans; Humpback whales; hippos, – all gracing this South African World Heritage Site with their rare and esteemed presence.

You won't find it anywhere else in the world!!

'iSimangaliso must be the only place on the globe where the oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world's biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world's oldest fish (coelacanth) and the world's biggest marine mammal (the whale)' – Nelson Mandela

Hiking in the Drakensberg, a World Heritage Site

2009-10-21T12:16:00.003+02:00

My friends....are you ready to feast your eyes on the exceptional beauty of my province, Kwa Zulu Natal??

The tabletop peaks of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg range, which form the boundary between South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, offer some of my country's most awe-inspiring landscapes.

The Drakensberg (or the 'Berg', as it's often called) is usually divided into three sections, although the distinctions aren't strict.

The central Drakensberg...

Champagne Castle (3376m) is a mountain in the central Drakensberg range, and is the second highest peak in South Africa. It contains a series of subsidiary peaks, amongst them, Cathkin Peak (3149m), Sterkhorn, Mount Memory, Monk's Cowl and Dragon's Back.

The southern Drakensberg runs down to the Transkei.

www.cdic.co.za;
www.drakensberg.org.za;
www.drakensberg.org;
www.kznwildlife.com;

and the northern Drakensberg which runs from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park

to the Royal Natal National Park.

We are at the Royal Natal National Park

which has a presence that far outstrips its relatively meagre size, with many of the surrounding peaks rising as high into the air as the park stretches across.

We have our permits and have been warned that about the sudden storms that occur in the area...

we signed the hiker's register so that they can send out a search party if we don't return!!

With some of the Drakensberg's most dramatic and accessible scenery, the park is crowned by the sublime Amphitheatre,

an 8km wall of cliff and canyon equally spectacular from below or from up on high.

Looming up behind is Mont-aux-Sources (3282m), so called because the Tugela, Elands and Western Khubedu Rivers rise here; the last eventually becomes the Orange River and flows all the way to the Atlantic.

Except for the Amphitheatre-to-Cathedral (62km, four to five days) and the Mont-aux-Sources (20km, 10 hours) hikes, most of the 25-odd walks in Royal Natal are day walks.

The peaks range in height from 3,482 metres (11,420 ft) to 3,001 m.

Nopi has decided to be brave and take a helicopter ride.....we have to see the Thukela Falls..

Btw, Marti, did you know that the Tugela Falls is the world's second highest waterfall

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tugela_Falls ) with a total drop of 947 metres??

Wow, isnt this UNESCO site absolutely amazing??

Green pastures, clean , fresh air, exceptional natural beauty,

soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, golden sandstone ramparts, rolling high altitude grasslands,

the pristine steep-sided river valleys and rocky gorges all contribute to the beauty of the site, don't you agree??

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park , UNESCO site in South Africa

2009-10-20T15:40:00.002+02:00

Today we are going to conquer The Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa or uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears), a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and a UNESCO world heritage site.

The largest proportion of the Drakensberg area falls in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, my province....

Welcome! Welkom! Rea Amohela! Siyakwemukela! Kamohelo!

The Zulu people named it 'Ukhahlamba' and the Dutch Voortrekkers 'The Dragon Mountain'.

The Drakensberg Mountains, with their awe-inspiring basalt cliffs, snowcapped in winter, tower over riverine bush, lush yellowwood forests and cascading waterfalls, form a massive barrier separating KwaZulu-Natal from the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Combining sheer natural beauty with a wealth of biological diversity, this 243 000 hectare mountainous region known the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park has been preserved and venerated for eons since the San people or bushmen roamed these slopes.

Tens of thousands of paintings depicting their daily life can be found on the rock faces..

And of course, there are the mountains, which must be conquered but we have

decided not to go sheer rock climbing or abseiling or white water rafting but instead we are going to take a more leisurely pace of walking the many hiking routes on both lower and upper slopes of the Drakensberg so that we can watch out for the 290 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, or the rare varieties of plantlife found in the park.

The Drakensberg ... is the soul of the Zulu Kingdom......so lets go on a hike .....

Sudwala Caves, Mpumalanga

2009-10-17T19:41:00.013+02:00

Hasn't Mpumalanga Province been absolutely breathtaking?

Looming above the beautifully wooded valley of the bustling mountain torrent known as the "Houtbosloop", there is a majestic massif known as Mankelexele (Crag on crag / Rock upon rock). In the great massif dolomite rock there is one of the most astonishing caves in Southern Africa, and as yet unplumbed complex of passages and giant chambers extending into the mysterious heart of the mountain........

Sounds cool huh?

Can you believe that the Sudwala Caves, set in Precambrian dolomite rock, was first laid down about 2500 million years ago, when Africa was still part of Gondwanaland??

We are taking a cave tour....let's see what out tour guide has to say......

Hmmm, the caves have a natural air-conditioning system, the temperature being maintained at a constant 18°C throughout the year. Even at a distance of about 457m from the entrance, cool fresh air from an unknown source permeates the subterranean passages.

The caves were used for shelter in prehistoric times, probably due in part to a constant supply of fresh air from an unknown source in the caves.

In more modern times, the caves were discovered by Somquba,one of the son

s of the Swazi king Sobhuza I, who was fleeing from his brother Mswati II. Somquba and his followers used the caves as refuge, until Somquba was killed in an unexpected attack. Survivors stayed on under the leadership of an inDuna (headman or leader) named Sudwala, thus the name.

During the Second Boer War, in 1900, the caves were used by the Boers to store ammunition for their 94-pounder Long Tom guns.

It was thought that the caves may have been used by President Paul Kruger to store the legendary "Kruger Millions", gold bullion which reputedly disappeared somewhere between Waterval Onder and Nelspruit during Paul Kruger's flight from Pretoria to Lourenco Marques (now Maputo).

In 1914 a company was formed to excavate huge amounts of bat guano; this was sold as fertilizer to farmers

The Sudwalaskraal farm that is home to the caves was purchased in 1965 by Philippus Rudolf Owen, and he opened the caves as a tourist attraction.

After crawling through some really narrow passages we have reached the Amphitheatre, the major chamber in the Sudwala Caves.

Wow, the P. R. Owen Hall is 70 metres in diameter and 37 metres high, with a constant temperature of 17°C!

In July 1970 the famous Russian singer, Ivan Rebroff, tested the suitability of the big hall for concert purposes. His remarkable voice, with a range of four octaves, resounded gloriously through the caverns in a series of songs.

Afterward he gave his considered opinion that the acoustics were "at least equal, if not positively superior to those of any concert hall or opera house in Europe!". For concert purposes more than 500 people could be seated in this dolomite chamber.

There are a number of calcium structures in the cave.

Curtains and walls of stalactites and stalagmites can develop if the water drips along the length of a crack in the ceiling.

The growth rate for a stalactite at the Sudwala Caves is approximately 2,5cm in a hundred years!!

Wow, there is the "The screaming monster" which is approximately 160 mill ion years old!!

The age of these formations are geologically determined by the "Rhebedium Stronptium" test, which measures the radio active decay of formations.

One can clearly see in the different layers and textures in the rock a reflection of the result of the different weather patterns taking place in the building of an ancient seabed.

There are also microbial fossils of a cyanobacterium (first oxygen producing plants on the earth) known as collenia in the rock; these formed 2000 million years ago!!

In the Pre-cambrian, all the early animals were soft bodied and thus did not fossilize well at all. However there are primitive plant fossils called "collenia" to be viewed in the Sudwala caves. They were a type of blue-green algae that used to float on the ocean.They were tubular shaped and approximately 2 m in length. It got compacted in the rock, because at high tide sand and silt would get washed over it and get caught up in it, another layer would grow and the same process would occur.

The Caves have been illuminated and spotlights placed in strategic positions, bringing into proper relief the strange shapes of the Speleothems (the name given to these cave formations) created by nature through the centuries......oh, wow, isnt "Fairyland" just so beautiful?

Hey Nopi, did you know that these caves are even believed to have inspired world famous author Rider Haggard to write his classic, King Solomon's Mines??

Wow, the Dinosaur Park next to Sudwala Caves is really cool!!

btw, guys South Africa is home to several other caves ......

Gondolin Cave, North west Province, South Africa

Klasies River Caves

Kromdraai Fossil Site

Makapan's Cave (Makapansgat)

Wonder Cave Kromdraai

Wonderwerk Cave

Mpumalanga - South Africa's Waterfall Wonderland

2009-10-15T14:16:00.001+02:00

Mpumalanga means 'place of the rising sun' but you know it could so easily have been called 'place of many waterfalls'.

The Panorama Route that we have been on includes an unofficial Waterfall Route.

This area of eastern Mpumalanga has more waterfalls than any other area of South Africa - some small cascades and others dramatic curtains of water.

It is rather unusual to find a "Berlin Falls" and "Lisbon Falls" in the heart of Africa isnt it?

Wow! The 92m high Lisbon Falls is the highest waterfall in the area - and is a magnificent twin fall plunging over a semicircular rockface.

Next stop Forest Falls Nature Walk......the walk is easy going through pine plantation and indigenous forest and wow, another amazing waterfall....Forest Falls

Not too far down the road is Mac Mac Falls, named after Mac Mac village, the site of the 1873 gold rush.

Interestingly, the waterfall was originally a single stream, but intrepid gold miners changed that when they blasted the falls in an attempt to reach the rich gold-bearing reef over which the falls flow.
The 65m high Mac Mac Falls have been declared a National Monument.

The Bridal Veil Falls are aptly named and long and narrow, tumbling from a great height to appear as a misty veil.

Lone Creek Falls is another national monument.

Last but not least.....the Horseshoe Falls.

They have a circular appearance, and although not very high, are very unusual in appearance. They have also been declared a National Monument.

We all love waterfalls and we have certainly been treated to a watery feast of a cool cascades today!

The Pinnacle, South Africa

2009-10-12T19:32:00.004+02:00

Next stop??

Pinnacle Rock is a towering rock outcrop that stands out amidst emerald greenery of the forests – a stately king among the lush canopy of the sprawling trees.

It is a silent testimony to the raw energy of Mother Nature, standing tall and proud at 30m.

We are in awe.....its grandeur; the rugged brown formation bearing the harsh elements over the passage of time, unyielding and unrelenting, the tranquility evident in this peaceful haven; rich green colors of the indigenous forests, its intertwining branches providing sanctuary to life's little creatures......

Aaaah, feel the magic in the air as we gaze upon the cheery sunlight that streams down the rough rocky outcrops and flows onto the thriving trees, pausing to peep through the gently swaying leaves.

Isnt this place heavenly?

God's Window, South Africa

2009-10-11T21:05:00.003+02:00

So what's our next stop Marti?? God's Window?

Wow, God's Window is truly a wonderful sight!

Just peek down at an expansive view of nature's wonders; the rich medley of stately trees and abundant bushes, strikingly green against the hazy brown earth; the glistening mist that softens the vibrant colors of the valley; a glimpse of the flowing rivers as they meander across the plains. Where else can you find such surreal magic?

Nopi, just set your eyes upon the plains of the Lowveld and to the distance, the stunning Kruger Park!

At God's Window majestic cliffs plunge over 700 meters to the Lowveld and the game reserves which have made the area one of Africa's prime wildlife destinations.

Sita .....bask in the picturesque view and be awed by Mother Nature's grandeur; through the passing of time, with dabs of rain, wind and sun, the rough earth changes its face again and again, like a dazzling work of art that is constantly restored to an exquisite form; the swirling waters of the rivers and the memories they pick up and carry across the land.....

From this Escarpment - a 250km long rampart of sheer cliffs - opens a vista into a plush forest, the Eden-like aesthetic appearance of which prompted the name.

Hey Marti, did you know that on a clear day it is possible to even see the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique?

Isn't this just so uplifting??

Bourkes' Luck Potholes; South Africa

2009-10-09T22:19:00.003+02:00

We were simply amazed by the Blyde River Canyon.

Now we are going to see Bourkes' Luck Potholes, a natural water feature that marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon.

Let's go to the visitors centre. Hmm, I am impressed. It is quite informative and details some of the interesting natural and socio-historic features and is the starting point of the 700m walk to the potholes.

The Potholes were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby.

Although his claim did not produce a single ounce of gold, he correctly predicted that large gold deposits would be found in the area.

Bourke's Luck Potholes are truly a sight to behold. It is a sign of nature's perseverance and amazing strength.

Just imagine the sand, stone and pebbles that are carried off helplessly in the wake of a flowing river; visualize these chunks of debris as they are tossed and thrown against the harsh, jagged terrain........

Through countless eons the swirling whirlpools which occur as the Treur River plunges into the Blyde River caused waterborne sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river.

These potholes are a silent testimony to the turbulent journey of small pieces of earth that made their mark and told their story.

Just gazing at these beautiful potholes is simply amazing............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQAIgFVW3Yw

Happy World Post Day

2009-10-09T16:17:00.006+02:00

Hey guys its World Post Day today!

It marks the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union's establishment and is annually held on October 9.

The union aimed to create and maintain a structure for the free flow of international mail around the world.
Thank goodness....all of us are postcrossing addicts...totally dependent on the postal services.

Postal services may issue special postage stamps to commemorate the ideals, history or achievements of the national postal service on or around World Post Day. These are prized by stamp collectors and philatelists (people who study stamps)

As we are in South Africa, we went to the local Post Office to find out what the South African Post Office was doing to celebrate this day, and lo and behold they have issued the Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show

“Joburg, a world class African city” is the slogan of this virbrant city with its fascinating history of gold mining and rapid industrial development.

There’s no doubt about it - the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is the greatest event to happen in Joburg’s 120-year history, except perhaps the discovery of gold, which got the ball rolling in the first place. From a philatelic point of view, 2010 will also be an important year as the Joburg International Stamp Show, as well as the 23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition will be held here.

To promote this event, the South African Post Office issued two miniature sheets and two commemorative covers.

Joburg, Jozi, eGoli, Place of Gold – whatever you call it, the vibrant City of Johannesburg is the place to be in 2010. This world class African city is an exciting place with a fascinating history and plenty to offer visitors. Dubbed the “economic enigine” of Southern Africa, Joburg has a population of more than three million, its economy produces 16% of South Africa’s gross domestic product and it is home to Africa’s largest stock exchange, the JSE Ltd. It is one of the very few major world cities not built on a river or harbour, although there are 12 river systems that run through it and 106 dams.

The South African Post Office and the Philatelic Federation of South Africa is proud to announce the hosting of the Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show and the 23rd Asian International Stamp Exhibition. These events will take place from 27 to 31 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. This venue is one of South Africa’s major world class centres for exhibitions, meetings and special events. Among several other international events, it has hosted the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

October has been dubbed the “most beautiful month” by one of South Africa’s poets as it starts the summer season. This is a time when spring rains transform the drab winter landscape to lush green, interspersed with colourful blooms. According to the South African Weather Service, the average daily minimum temperature for Johannesburg in October is 11°C (51,8°F) and the average daily maximum is 24°C (75,2°F). The average monthly rainfall is 72mm. Rain in Johannesburg mostly comes in the form of late afternoon thunderstorms that clear up quickly.

October does not fall within the peak holiday periods in South Africa and, in this instance, visitors will benefit from the upgraded infrastructure and other initiatives that had been put into place for the Soccer World Cup.

The Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show plans to have some 1 500 frames of competitive exhibits across all FIP classes. In addition, provision has been made for a Court of Honour, a South African Post Office archival exhibit and Invited exhibits. Frames will comply with the International Convention of 16 pages per frame

The first miniature sheet features a standard postage stamp bearing an image of the first stamp issued in South Africa inscribed with the words “South Africa”.

The original stamp bears the words “Union of South Africa” and was issued in 1910 when South Africa became a Union. In 2010, this will mark 100 years since the original stamp was first issued.

Both miniature sheets also bear the words “Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, 27 – 31 October 2010”.

The two miniature sheets, issued on 9 October 2009, will not only promote the show, but will also be a celebration of this historical year. They were design by the Thea Clemons, Philatelic Services’ graphic designer.

The second miniature sheet features an inernational small letter stamp bearing the logo of the Joburg 2010 International Stamp Show. The logo features the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg as its main design element.

The 3rd largest Canyon in the world!

2009-10-08T11:19:00.003+02:00

We are now going to the only true canyon in South Africa.....Blyde River Canyon.

Did you know that Blyde River canyon is the 3rd largest canyon in the world??.

It was formed by the Blyde River, "River of Joy" cutting its way more than 1000 metres through the quartzite and Dolomite Mountains of the eastern rim of the Drakensburg escarpment. The quartzite of the system was deposited before the dawn of life on earth in a depression in the primeval granite shield of Africa.

The Blyde Canyon nature reserve, which covers an an area of approximately 27 000ha, is internationally renown for its natural splendor.

Wow.....it is 16 miles (26 kilometers) in length and is, on average, around 2500 feet (800m) deep!!
The Dam itself, when full, is at an altitude of 665m (2182 feet)!!

The Canyon consists mostly of red sandstone.

The highest point of the canyon, Mariepskop, is 6378 feet above sea level (1944m) whilst its lowest point where the river leaves the canyon is slightly less than 1840 feet (+- 560m) above sea level.

This means that by some measure the Canyon is over 4500 feet (about 1400m) deep.

It is unquestionably the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage, and it has some of the deepest precipitious cliffs of any canyon on the planet.

It is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish River Canyon, and is known as one of the great wonders of nature on the continent.

The Reserve is home to wildlife some species of are rare, such as Taita falcon found in only a few haunts in the world. It is also home to a bewildering variety of plants from orchids to lilies and tree ferns to cycads.

Look ...there are the "Three Rondavels", huge, round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels.

The stories of the Three Rondawels is truly enthralling...Made of quartzite and shale, these vast peaks are named after a Mapulana chief and his wives.

Just peer closely at the peak to the right; although rounded and weathered from the battering wind and sun.
Feel its resilience as it stands unyielding and strong against all elements through the passage of time; small wonder that this magnificent peak was named Mapajanenga - "The Chief".

And following in his wake, from right to are three distinct peaks which have been named after his wives - Maseroto, Mogoladikwe and Magabolle.

Magnificent and majestic in their own right, these peaks are awe-inspiring; united in their bond to the grand Mapajanenga as all peaks stand tall from the same base; yet, each peak reaches for the stars, in their own little niche on the rock face, marking their distinct personalities.

The grace and charms of this land simply linger with us as we make our way to our next destination along the Panorama route.

Echo Caves, a South African Historical Monument

2009-10-07T19:51:00.003+02:00

Ok Marti we are going to start our journey at Echo Caves, situated near Ohrigstad in Mpumalanga on the Panorama Route.

Expansive caverns that stretch for miles, towering cave roofs that sheltered nomadic tribes and beautiful limestone formations that are a sight to remember – Echo Caves offer all this and so much more says our tour guide.

By the way, is anyone claustrophobic?? The caving tour is not recommended for people with claustrophobic problems.

We have a really chatty tour guide so I think that this wil be a rather informative tour...yippeee!

This underground wonderland was stumbled upon in 1923 by the owner of the farm called Klipfonteinhoek when he was searching for a source of water. Great was his surprise when he realised that some of his cattle had already mysteriously disappeared into the cave!! After exploring the cave it was soon realised that this dark underworld carried with it the most beautiful gems of nature.After the completion of the Abel Erasmus Pass and the Strijdom Tunnel in 1959 the cave was opened as a tourist attraction and was later declared a National Monument.

There are electric lights, staircases and railings, and most passages are high enough to walk upright and crawling is kept to a minimum.

So why Echo Cave??

The name Echo was given to the cave, as a certain stalactite formation produces a distinctive echoing sound when tapped on.

We listened in wonder to the anecdotes of an extraordinary past; and thought back in wonder to the days when these stately stalactites were instruments to raise the alarm against trespassers....

Of course Feroz had to test it......and yes, this echo can still be heard on the outside of the cave today.

The spectacular limestone and dripstone structures inside these natural caverns make for interesting imaginary figures which can be seen in chambers throughout the cave as it winds through the mountain.

"Where else can you feel the raw energy of Earth as you walk amongst the rugged terrain that have withstood the test of time? asks our tour guide of us.

"Listen to the whisperings in the wind for these walls have many tales to tell; within these sturdy walls, the lives of the ancient Sans people unfolded as they explored this rugged and beautiful terrain, a group of nomadic people who were one of the oldest people" he says

Thus, the San rock engravings amidst these caves are truly noteworthy for it is the work of those who have walked amidst the rich African surrounds in its pristine state, way before the onset of urban grayness and monotony.

"Can you feel the magic surrounding these caves; it unveils the stories of mankind's forefathers, for numerous implements and tools from the Middle and Late Stone Ages were uncovered in this area" ....our tour guide is just so passionate about this place....awesome!

He suggested that we check out some of these artifacts that are now stored in the Museum of Man (located just a drive away).

Wow, the Crystal Palace is one of the most beautiful halls of the cave.

These majestic caves are some of the oldest ones in the world....

Mpumalanga Province of South Africa

2009-10-06T21:36:00.002+02:00

Feroz is so excited...he has just discovered a new website about the Soccer World Cup.... http://www.fifa.com/interactiveworldcup/index.html

Marti has a map in her hand......this means that it is time to travel again.......

She is quite excited .....Mpumalanga seems to be quite a picturesque province......ok, let's explore........

Kruger National Park ; South Africa

2009-10-05T07:34:00.003+02:00

We had an absolute blast at Lost City didn't we??

Ok Marti, what is our next destination?

Marti is upset because she didnt see a giraffe at Pilanesberg National Park, so now she wants to find one........ok Marti, lets go to South Africa's largest game reserve.....specifically to find giraffe for Marti!

Close your eyes.....try to imagine a national park the size of Israel, with huge tracts of acacia, sycamore figs and bushwillow interrupted by open sa vannah, rushing rivers and the occasional rocky bluff.......now fill it with lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes, black rhinos cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and many species of smaller animals, and you'll start to have some notion of what it's like to visit Kruger National Park.

Yes, Marti, the Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa!!

It covers 18,989 square km (7,332 sq mi) and extends 350 km (217 mi) from north to south and 60 km (37 mi) from east to west.

To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

In the north is Zimbabwe, and to the east is Mozambique.

It is now part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Kruger National Park with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.

Hey Sita, did you know that the park is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve (the "Biosphere")??

The park has 8 main gates that allow entrance to the different camps.

The names of these gates are Paul Kruger, Numbi, Malelane, Crocodile Bridge, Punda Maria, Orpen, Phabeni, Phalaborwa and Pafuri.

Several rivers run through the park from west to east, including the Sabie River.

The Kruger National Park is divided into six eco-systems: Baobab sandveld, Mopane scrub, Lebombo knobthorn-marula bushveld, mixed acacia thicket, Combretum-silver clusterleaf woodland on granite and riverine forest.

Altogether it has roughly 1,982 species of plants.O ut of the 517 species of birds found at Kruger, 253 are residents, 117 non-breeding migrants, and 147 nomads!!

We are on a safari .....in search of giraffe........oh, look guys.....we have just spotted the Big Five animals...but still no giraffe!!

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_game)

(The lion, the African elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros, either the black rhinoceros or the white rhinoceros)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlp82Dh58ck

All the Big Five game animals are found at Kruger National Park, which has more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve (at 147 species).

As of 2009, the park has counted approximately:

Kruger houses 114 species of reptile, including 3000 crocodiles.

The first camp we are visiting is Lower Sabie, which graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park.

One cannot but feel soothed by the view towards the river and the Lebombo Mountains beyond........

The bounty and plenitude of nature are very evident, eloquently symbolised by the most conspicuous of its numerous trees, the mighty sycamore fig, which provides generously for the livelihood of many birds and insects.

Not only do these giants produce fruit at least twice a year, but different trees produce fruit at different times, extending the gifts of life over many months.

Watching the endless procession of animals coming to drink at the Sabie River establishes a sense of one's own place in the eternal cycle.

BUT Marti is unhappy- still no giraffe.......ok guys, lets pack up at go to Satara....I am told that we will definitely find some there.

Satara is well wooded and the bird-life is prolific so Sita is very happy.

Nopi is also really pleased because she has spotted zebras!

Finally......Marti, GIRAFFES!! Mission accomplished!

Satara is a busy camp with the bush relatively open and the animals plentiful and diverse.

The camp itself has a rustic charm, with the bulk of the accommodation set out in a series of circles so we have decided to sit around the camp fire and tell ghost stories.....hmmm..the clink of fruit bats is fused with the chirping of cicadas and crickets....and the calls of owls and nightjars add to the symphony that is punctuated intermittently by the whoop of hyena, the screech of jackal and the roars of lion.........

a day of pleasure at the Lost City

2009-10-04T14:57:00.001+02:00

Wow, Marti is still slightly shaken from the volcano experience.....

We have now passed the Monkey Spring Plaza - commemorating the troop of monkeys that saved the ancient tribe from starvation during a terrible drought - and we have entered the Valley of Waves through the massive Kong Gates.

Stretched out before us is the Roaring Lagoon which dominates the scene with a wave machine capable of generating 1.8 metre waves every 90 seconds....yes Marti, it is a man made beach....just look at the inviting white sand...

Nopi and Jarca are absolutely excited!

There's the awesome Zip 2000, a zip slide that will see you hitting speeds up to 120 km/h along its 2 km length - travelling at a height of 280 m!

The Sacred River Ride is a gentle ride on an underground river, but the girls are going to try the death defying water slide - the Temple of Courage - plunging down the face of the mo untainside into the sparkling pool below. Wooooooooooo...........

After the earthquake destroyed the ancient civilization, the old diamond and gold mines were partly flooded and today provide thrilling semi-submerged waterslides as they twist down Slide Hill.

Surrounding the Palace of the Lost City is a manmade 25 hectare botanical jungle with over 1 600 000 plants, trees and shrubs. Various habitats have been created using over 3,200 different species of plants.

This Sun City rain forest actually emulates nature with its three layers: a 40 metre high ca nopy, secondary trees half that height and plants at ground level.

The Jungle at the Palace of the Lost City is threaded with paths meandering past cascades and waterfalls, lakes and pools and a variety of water-borne adventure rides.

There are several different forests in the Valley, namely the Rain Forest, the Bao bab Forest, the Jacaranda Forest and the Tropical Forest, containing rare plant varieties.

There is also a the Sway Bridge - devised by the King to entrap those who wished harm to the Royal Family - it creaks and sways as it spans the yawning chasm over the cascading waters below.

Sita discovered the Hidden Cave Falls and the Gong of the Sun Lion.
This beautiful gong saved the ancient people by summoning them to the safety of the Royal Arena shortly before the earthquake devastated their homes.

We pass by the Royal Arena, a beautiful amphitheater and the Royal Baths, whose tepid waters were reputed to have healing powers and were originally built over a natural spring.........all this in the middle of Africa!

The Sun City theme park also has regular star-studded concerts and spectaculars in the Superbowl, Africa 's finest venue for concerts.

Did you know that famous musicians such as Queen, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Julio Iglesias, The O'Jays, Ray Charles, Boney M., Black Sabbath, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Brightman, Laura Branigan and Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking fame); Sting, Il Divo, Bryan Adams and Frank Sinatra have all performed in this large auditorium which seats 6,230??

People come from all over when there's a show on and events can range from international beauty pageants like the Miss World Pageant to extreme sports exhibitions, like WWE

This place truly is magical..... hey Ramzi, where are the other guys??

Aaah, there they are ......they have just returned from the Lost City Golf Course!

Feroz says that if golf courses were ranked solely on how spectacular and memorable they are, Lost City would come out on top of his list.
And no hole more so than the par-three 13th with its green shaped like the African continent, surrounded by pot bunkers and an enclosure to front left that is home to over forty crocodiles and hundreds of miss-hit golf balls!! Wow!!

The view of the hole from the elevated tee is unforgettable and one can understand why Gary Player sincerely believes he has created one of the top courses in the world at the Lost City, with its desert-style front nine and African bushveld closing nine.

Rocky outcrops and large waste bunkers, planted with a variety of cacti, are a feature of the desert- style front nine.

Amit made sure that the guys had a drink at the Zimbabwe Ruins style clubhouse which overlooks the ninth and eighteenth greens before returning.

Seems like everybody had a really great time...and now we are off to the casino!!!

Bridge of Time, Lost City

2009-10-04T11:05:00.002+02:00

Wow, we had a luncheon fit for a King...so now its time to work some of those calories off!!

Did you know?

One of the most fascinating facts about The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City is the size and enormity of the building project.

A few of these statistics include:

600,000 truck loads of earth were moved on site

there is sufficient carpeting within The Palace to cover 125 tennis courts,

the surface area of the artificial lakes and pools is equivalent to 40 soccer pitches.

During the peak of construction at The Palace of the Lost City , Sun City almost 5,000 people worked on the project.

The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City was completed in only 28 months.

Look ....there is the Bridge of Time.....

This impressive bridge, guarded by mighty Elephants, serves to link the Hall of Treasures in the Lost City Entertainment Centre with the Valley of Waves.

As we are walking on this spectacular bridge a volcano suddenly erupts causing smoke and lava to bellow forth from deep within the Temple of Creation.

Marti is shocked!!!

Hahaha, in order to protect the "incalculable riches, which lie hidden in the Hall of Treasures", an ingenious "mock-volcano" regularly erupts every hour!!

Awesome!

The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City, South Africa

2009-10-04T08:38:00.004+02:00

We have thoroughly enjoyed our wild Pilanesberg National Park adventure ....... now Princess has spotted a fairytale palace residence on the border of the park....!!

Yes, Princess, that is a Palace...it is the Palace of the Lost City, an extraordinary fantasy stemming from a North African legend.

The legend tells us that a tribe from an ancient civilization of Africa brought their proud traditions of mighty architecture, luxurious hospitality and love of nature to an ancient volcanic crater that they called the Valley of the Sun in South Africa. Here they built a palace which was destroyed by an earthquake. Hence the name The Palace of the Lost City.

Today, the legend has come to life again and The Palace has been rebuilt in the magnificent surrounds of South Africa

Let's go and check it out ...

Now, restored in form and rejuvenated in spirit The Palace ranks as one of the world's most extraordinary hotels.

Wow!!

The entrance foyer of The Palace of the Lost City rises cathedral-like to a lofty, painted ceiling three storeys above the life-sized model of Shawu the elephant, which guards the mosaic-tiled courtyard leading off the Elephant Walk.

Shawu is one of the magnificent seven elephants of South Africa.

These were the seven Kruger National Park elephants with the largest tusks.

Shawu died of an infection caused by old bullet wounds in 1982.

The interior features exquisite mosaics, frescoes and hand-painted ceilings depicting South Africa's wildlife and culture.

Princess cannot believe that this is place is located in a remote part of South Africa!

Of course we booked into suites at the Palace.

Princess naturally took the King Suite at The Palace of the Lost City as it is the epitome of regal luxury with hand-carved walls, frescoed ceilings and hundreds of custom-designed items.

Nopi wanted the Africa Suite because it has a jacuzzi on the balcony.

And of course we all loved the butler service.....it is like enjoying life in your very own Palace!

And now we are going to lunch.....

The Pilanesberg National Park,South Africa

2009-09-28T16:06:00.001+02:00

Our next excursion???? A drive through the beautiful Pilanesberg National Park in the North West Province of South Africa.

Our proudly South African game ranger has loads of information to share with us......

He says that the Pilanesberg National Park, which covers some 55 000 hectare, is the fourth largest in southern Africa.

This malaria-free park is perched on the eroded vestiges of an alkaline volcanic crater - one of only three such craters in the world.

Its special features of rugged landscape, well-watered valleys and attractive dwelling sites have made it a preferred site for human settlement for thousands of years.

Prior to its proclamation as a reserve in 1979, the Pilanesberg National Park Complex was degraded and depleted of indigenous wildlife populations due to fairly intense settlement by commercial farmers.

At considerable expense, the land has been restocked with game, the scars of human settlement were removed and tourism infrastructure was developed during the first 15 years. This constituted the largest and most expensive game stocking and land rehabilitation project ever undertaken in any African game reserve at the time.

A 110 kilometre peripheral Big Game fence was erected over some very rugged terrain, 188 kilometre of visitor roads have been developed and more than 6 000 head of game were introduced during the Operation Genesis game translocation programme.

Thus, while wildlife resources are rapidly declining in most developing countries in Africa, Pilanesberg National Park is one of the few areas where this trend has been dramatically reversed. Yipppeeee!!

The park boasts healthy populations of Africa's "Big Five".....look there is the "Little Five"!

The ranger also told us that the challenge that lies ahead is to further develop and manage Pilanesberg National Park in such a way that the conservation, cultural, recreational and economic benefits of this far-sighted action can be optimally utilised to the benefit of current and future generations.

Pilanesberg exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld".

Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birdlife and vegetation occur because of this transition zone.

Springbok, brown hyaena, the redeyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid areas are found co-habitating with moist-area-limited impala, blackeyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees!!

He boasted that Nature's alphabet - from Aardvark to Zebra can be found here!
Marti is looking out for a Giraffe.......

We are at a watering hole....and Sita is too pleased because she has sighted a huge herd of Elephant amongst other animals..........

Pilgrim's Rest, another South African UNESCO site??

2009-09-27T21:22:00.001+02:00

Yesterday we went to a diamond mine.....today we are off to a GOLD field.....in Pilgrims Rest, a "romantic" spot in world where a gold rush took place....

Pilgrim's Rest is a small town in the picturesque Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.
A living museum - the entire town has been declared a National Monument - we are going back in time to the days of old Transvaal Gold Rush.

We have obtained a map from the central information centre and we are going to take a walk through this town that looks exactly like it did in the 1870's...a time warp!!

Hey Sita, did you know that this site is also on UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage sites?? Why??

Pilgrims Rest's history allegedly began in 1873 when 'Wheelbarrow' Alec Patterson, who pushed his belongings along in front of him, panned for gold in the stream running through the valley. In 1873 rich gold deposits were discovered in the Pilgrirn's Creek, a tributary of the Blyde River, close to where the village of Pilgrim's Rest was established. The news of this rich strike triggered the first major gold rush in South Africa. Pilgrim's Rest was declared a gold field on 22 September 1873 and by the end of that year there were some 1500diggers working 4000 claims in and around Pilgrim's Rest.

As a result, Pilgrim's Rest became a social center of the diggings and within a year there were 21 stores, 18 canteens, 3 bakeries and all sorts of other establishments which are are currently seeing....

It is estimated that R2 million worth of gold was mined during the first seven years of alluvial mining in the Pilgrim's Rest valley.

By the 1880's alluvial gold deposits began to dwindle and diggers were steadily leaving to prospect elsewhere.

In 1881 the first gold rnining company amalgamated with several other smaller companies to form the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME) which became the sole owners of Pilgrim's Rest and the farrn Ponieskrantz on which it is situated until 1972.
The history of this company and Pilgrim's Rest were inseparably linked as both shared the fluctuating fortunes of the mines.

Some extraordinary nuggets were found here in Pilg rims Rest including 'Breda' who weighed in at 214 oz and 'Lilley' at 119oz.

One reef, found after the main rush had died down, yielded over 5,000,000oz of gold in 50 years of continuous working.

Hey Nopi, did you know that Pilgrim's Rest was the location of an emergency mint during the Second Boer War?? This mint struck the famous and extremely rare Veld Pond.

Mining was active until 1971 when Beta Mine was closed down. Tranvaal Gold Mining E states opened again in 1999 and there is active gold mining in the hills around Pilgrim's Rest.

As we walk along we admire the graceful church architecture .....

The Anglican Church was built by diggers in 1884 and the original bell can still be seen.

In 1874, the year after the Pilgrim's Rest gold-rush began, the Methodist church established a ministry there to cater for the spiritual welfare of the diggers. The Rev. J .Good, who was appointed to serve the Pilgrim's Rest congregation in 1910, recorded that the first Methodist Church to be erected was 'sent out from England in sections in 1895 and used as a stable in the Anglo- Boer war'.

It also served as a school.

The original church, however, was demolished in 1911 after a suicide inside the building and a more substantial structure took its place.

The foundation stone was laid on the 14th of October 1911 and a new manse was also provided for the minister just behind the church.

Oh Marti, isn't the Dredzen Shop and House Museum just so quaint?
It is a living museum depicting the lifestyle of the town's original general dealers, including the family of the owner living in the back of the house, and original goods on display in the street side shop!! Wow, this is what it would have been like during the period 1930 to 1950.

The original Adcock's store is now restored as a Saloon Bar and Restaurant.

The old bank house originally housed 'De Nationale Bank der Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek' and later Barclays Bank. A part of the building was used by the bank man ager as a residence.

The House Museum, built in 1913, is an example of the wood and corrugated iron architecture which is typical of Pilgrim's Rest. In 1976 the building became a house museum and was furnished to epitomize a middle class home of the early 20th century in this area.

The Alanglade House Museum, once the mine manager's house, has a fine collection of Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco styles of furniture, dating between 1915 and 1930.

We wanted to post some postrossing cards from the original post office...but it is now a museum.

The Printing Museum is a tribute to the printing industry, and includes historical front pages of local publications.

Did you know that the first locally printed newspaper to be circulated on the Pilgrim's Rest Goldfields was the 'Gold News' on 24 January 1 874? Shortly after it was first published, an Irishman, W.J. Phelan, became the new editor and he changed its name to 'Goldfields Mercury'. In 1910 the first 'Pilgrim's and Sabie News' was published with T.W.S. Craig as its editor. The original premises of the paper which was situated between the present building and the Pilgrim's Hotel was totally destroyed by fire some time between 1916 and 1919. Subsequently the printing works was moved to its present site. This building was originally a private residence constructed during the late 19th century.

There is Joubert Bridge , was built in 1896 and was named after the mining commissioner. It stone arches proudly span the Blyde river and the bridge offers the visitor a dramatic entrance into town.

We are at the graveyard and notice that every single grave was laid facing in the same direction, except for the famous Robber's Grave which is laid perpendicular to the rest, emblazoned simply with a cross and the large type words of Robbers Grave.
It is as the name suggests the grave of a robber who was shot stealing a tent from one of the miners!!
A tent represented a "home" so was the most valuable of any individuals belongings, stealing this tent was a most grievous crime and the punishment was meted out in the extreme.

The increasing production in ore after 1896 necessitated the establishment of a central reduction works at Pilgrim's Rest. By 1897 the first buildings were erected and consisted of a stamp mill, smelting house and a few offices.

There were several mines in the area and an electric tram was built to convey ore from the outer mines to the central reduction works.

The reduction works were closed in 1972 when the last mine at Pilgrim's Rest ceased production. The run down buildings have been restored and is now a museum.

We took the Digging Museum & Gold Panning tour and it detailed the lifestyle of original pioneer and the methods they used in panning alluvial deposits. This is so cool!

OMG, there is even a Golf Course!! It is a tricky 9-hole layout with shared greens. The clubhouse's walls were constructed with materials brought originally by ox-wagon from Groot Marico.

This has been such an awesome day......hey Princess, we will be spending the evening at the Royal Hotel.

The hotel was built in 1894 and one of the most interesting features is the bar which was once a chapel in Cape Town before being dismantled and shipped to Pilgrim's Rest via Delagoa Bay.

This hotel has been impeccably restored, to reflect true late Victorian style. Trapped in a time warp, the lounge reflects an epoch of time honoured hospitality and elegance so typical of the late Victorian era. Upon entering the Royal Hotel, we are immediately taken on a nostalgia filled trip into the past. The reception walls are lined with the most interesting photographs and artefacts providing vivid glimpses of Pilgrim's Rest's history. Furnished with genuine antique brass beds, wash stands, wardrobes and authentic Victorian baths how can we not be be transported back into history??

Tonight we are going to a street party ....perhaps there will be a Can-Can dancer or two??
Life in the 19th century certainly wasn't boring!

http://www.realtourvision.com/tour/SC/rst.view.new.php?opt=5&utl=SC-9654-DE8BGW-01

The Big Hole, South Africa, possible UNESCO site??

2009-09-26T22:21:00.002+02:00

Ok my friends its time to bid farewell to Cape Town.

Princess has the map of South Africa in her hand......and she wants to see the place with diamonds........so off we go to The Big Hole, Open Mine or Kimberley Mine, an open-pit mine in Kimberley (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberley,_Northern_Cape) in the Northern Cape Province.

The first diamonds here were found on Colesberg Kopje by members of the "Red Cap Party" from Colesberg on the farm Vooruitzigt belonging to the De Beers brothers; the ensuing scramble for claims led to the place being called New Rush, later renamed Kimberley.

From mid-July 1871 to 1914 up to 50,000 miners dug the hole with picks and shovels, yielding 2,720 kilograms (6,000 lb) of diamonds!!!

The Big Hole has a surface of 17 hectares (42 acres) and is 463 metres (1,520 ft) wide.

It was excavated to a depth of 240 metres (790 ft), but then partially infilled with debris reducing its depth to about 215 metres (710 ft) since then it has accumulated about 40 metres (130 ft) of water, leaving 175 metres (570 ft) of the hole visible.

Once above-ground operations became too dangerous and unproductive, the kimberlite pipe of the Kimberley Mine was also mined underground by Cecil Rhodes' De Beers company to a depth of 1,097 metres (3,600 ft).

Hey Marti, did you know that it is one of the largest holes excavated by hand??

Wow!!!

Guess what Sita?? There is currently an effort in progress to register the Big Hole as a World Heritage Site.

Why??

Well, this is the site of the first great 19th Century African mineral find consisting primarily of a large, hand dug crater created by the removal of diamond bearing Kimberlite ore.

The mine, no longer operational, is where the industrial revolution came to Africa in the 1870s and is the spark that led to the so-called 'Scramble for Africa'.

Capital generated by the richest diamond deposit ever, was crucial to development of the Southern African industrial complex, notably gold mining and Johannesburg.

Kimberley capital also directly shaped Zambia and Zimbabwe and determined the political history of the sub-continent in many other ways.

The Kimberley Mine saw the establishment of the first large, industrial city in Southern Africa and its location determined communications routes on the sub-continent and led to the creation of several modern ports.

Its situation in an arid, sparsely populated region is at the origins of the migrant labor system that came to be used throughout Southern Africa and still influences patterns of economic development and movement of population.

The discovery of the Kimberley Mine moved the centre of the diamond industry from Brazil to Africa, where it remains, and led to the establishment of De Beers Consolidated Mines and with it the system according to which the modern diamond industry is managed and its viability protected.

Hey Nopi, did you hear of the famous diamond called The Kimberley??

It is a Flawless, 70-carat, step cut, champagne-colored diamond that was found in the Kimberley Mine, South Africa.

It was re cut into this modern shape in in 1921 from a large, flat stone that was once in the Russian Crown Jewels.

In 1958, the stone was again re cut by it's owners, Baumgold Bros., New York City, to improve the proportions and increase brilliancy.

It now weighs 55.09 carats and is valued by the firm at $500,000, but is probably worth considerably more.

Baumgold Bros. sold the stone in 1971 to an undisclosed collector.......

Aaaah, wouldn't all us girls like to have one of those??????