We recommend guests to start in Vietnam and end in Laos

We outlines this captivating visit highlights two of Indochina's most outstanding nations. Find Vietnam's unfathomable differences: Walk through the aged city of Hanoi, delight in a vessel journey on the pleasant Halong Bay, encounter a homestay with the Thai tribe individuals of Mai Chau, visit the old French front line in Dien Bien Phu, and wonder about the serene field of the Red stream and Northwest slope tribes. To find the charming place that is known for Laos, traverse from Vietnam through the recently opened outskirt entryway of Tay Trang, head to the tough mountain town of Muang Khua, and afterward down to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. Visit the consecrated Pak Ou Caves, neighborhood towns along the Mekong stream, and the delightful streets of the capital city - Vientiane. This stunning and moving trip through Indochina is certain to surprise you every step of the way.

See more: travel Vietnam

This is a private visit and leaves day by day. We prescribe visitors to begin in Vietnam and end in Laos.

Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam's clamoring pioneer capital. Your aide and driver will reach you outside the things case of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your inn in the downtown area. At night enjoy a welcome supper at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants.

Use 24 hours on a conventional Junk Cruise in the astonishing inlet: a common wonderland made out of sticking limestone islands and shining turquoise waters. Land at the dock around twelve and board your garbage. Relish a gourmet lunch of crisp fish locally available as we cruise out into the mysterious inlet. Toward the evening, voyage around some of Halong's numerous islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the narrows' 3 biggest holes (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island bay with a shielded white-sand shoreline and take a dunk in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (climate allowing). Pass the night on your garbage, quieted to rest by the tender shaking of quiet waters.

Up and about ahead of schedule and take an interest in Tai Chi on the top deck or just unwind and watch the dawn over the straight's towering islands. Delight in a morning mug of espresso or tea, before embarking to investigate the close-by islands by dinghy. Come back to the garbage for brunch, then exploit the sundeck to appreciate the astounding rock establishments of Bai Tu Long Bay as you explore over to Halong City. Your driver will reach you at the dock and take you over to Hanoi. Delight in a 3-hour Hanoi City Landmark visit.

Your driver and aide will reach you at the entryway of your lodging and take you along expressway No.6 to Mai Chau: a residential area settled amidst a rich valley and encompassed by emerald-green rice fields. Revel in beautiful perspectives of the picturesque scene, sown with pagodas and country towns. Stop along the best approach to visit the Muong tribe and afterward at Thung Khe Pass for a breathtaking perspective of Mai Chau Valley. Eat in Mai Chau then use the evening trekking off the ordinary traveler track, along the Song Ma River. Trek through terraced rice paddies and little towns, finding the regular excellence of the valley and experiencing the society of the White Thai individuals, living in the area. Stop at a Thai town for the night, eating with a nearby family and appreciating a live move and music execution at night.

Begin the day with a straightforward breakfast with your host crew. How about we stop on the way to visit towns of different tribes including the H'mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao and plantation, tea cultivate in Moc Chau level – Vietnam's chief tea-developing area, before achieve Son La (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch. Toward the evening, proceed with slowing down streets through North Vietnam's dazzling farmland. The most beautiful landscape here is Pha Din Pass, wellknown as a verifiable site amid the first Indochina War finished in 1954, and an enchanting and hazardous pass at height 1,300m with amazing perspective. As per nearby legend, "Pha Din" implies the association in the middle of Heaven and Earth. On entry, weigh in your inn and use rest of day at relaxation.

Settled in a heart formed bowl close to the fringe with Laos, lies Dien Bien Phu. The acclaimed chronicled battleground, where the Vietnamese effectively vanquished the French, denoting the end of French frontier occupation.

Begin the day ahead of schedule with a visit to the neighborhood market where you will meet enchanting Thai tribes in their customary ensemble obtaining their ranch items.

The following is army installation and verifiable site of the First Indochina War. Drive 30 minutes out of city to the base of the Command of Dien Bien Phu Campaign (Muong Phang), found in a primitive backwoods in Muong Phang cooperative to the instructing shelter of General Commander-in-boss Vo Nguyen Giap and Hoang Van Thai.

Return to the town and visit Dien Bien Phu Museum, inherent 1984 on the event of the year 30th after Dien Bien Phu Victory before going to A1 Hill - the most vital camp of the French and Bunker of the French General De Castrie

A View From The Summit of Everest

Check out this amazing panoramic photograph taken from summit of Everest found at Panoramas.dk. The stunning 360º photo rotates around giving us a great view in all directions from the top of the highest mountain on Earth, a view that few of us will ever have the opportunity to see in person.

I sat and watched this panoramic shot rotate around for quite awhile. It was fascinating to me to see just how far your view extends when you're at the top of the world on a clear day, and it was great to look back down the Khumbu Valley and see the ice falls far below. I also had no trouble identifying Everest's next door neighbor, Lhotse, but when I clicked on the "i" icon on the photo, it also identified Changtse, Makalu, and Nuptse as well. Also, you can score bonus points if you can spot the climber in the photo. You have to look pretty close, but he's there.

This is a perfect photo to start off your week with, and something to keep your mind occupied on a Monday morning, when you'd rather be outside yourself. Keep in mind, that at this very moment, there are hundreds of climbers in Kathmandu preparing to take on this mountain, and about six to eight weeks, this is the very view that they'll hopefully have the opportunity to experience.

Thanks to Richard for sending this my way!

Sara Hylton | Holy Town

Photo © Sara Hylton-All Rights Reserved

Vrindavan; the holy little town not far from from Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, and a refuge for Bengali widows, which earned it the nickname of 'city of widows. I visited it some years ago, and -against the odds- was able to photograph at the ashrams where these impoverished 'cast-offs' congregate to earn a few rupees by singing devotional verses for visiting pilgrims. I called them White Shadows because widows in India have to wear plain white saris, with no adornments whatsoever.

During my March 2014 photo expedition-workshop to Varanasi and Vrindavan, my group and I were not allowed to photograph there due to stricter regulations, possibly triggered by bad publicity. It is estimated there are about 20,000 widows living on the streets of Vrindavan, many of whom have spent over 30 years there.

Sara Hylton spent about a year documenting a small community of these widows in Vrindavan, and produced Holy Town, a gallery of 15 large color photographs of these women, achieving a remarkable degree of intimacy with them. As Sara tells us, their story is one of perseverance, resilience and humanity in an environment of poverty and neglect.

Sara is a Canadian documentary and portrait photographer based between Brooklyn, New York and New Delhi, India. She first became interested in photography in 2011 while working with an international humanitarian organization in Uganda. She began taking photographs to document the organization’s work in the field, and discovered a love of visual storytelling. She's especially drawn to portrait photography as a way to share people’s stories.

She holds a Master of Arts in International Conflict Studies from Kings College London, and also recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Photojournalism and Documentary from the International Center of Photography (ICP).

I normally don't include my work on blog posts about other photographers, but I make an exception here since the more exposure given to the plight of these widows the quicker their circumstances might improve. "White Shadows" on my Vimeo channel.

Catching Up with The Rest of Everest

it's no secret that I'm a big fan of The Rest of Everest, the video podcast that does such an excellent job of showing us the ins and outs of climbing in the Himalaya. While I was out of the country, there were two episodes released, and I'm just now catching up. For some of you, this is no doubt old news, but I wanted to share some thoughts none the less.

The first episode is entitled Cowboys But Not Indians, and has Jon Miller, Josh Butson, and Ben Clark once again talking about their attempt on Annapurna IV, which they also hope to make the first ski descent on as well. In this episode, the team actually returns to base camp after their first attempt at an alpine ascent on the mountain. The first climb was good for acclimatization, and making a recon of the conditions higher up, but in the end, they were forced to head back down to regroup and dry out their gear, before making another go.

The team admits that they had a rough first day of their climb, and if you saw the previous episode you know that TIm Clarke, the third member of the team, has decided to give up on his attempt to summit, and will let Ben and Josh go on without him. The team discusses this change and how they will now approach the climb. With the Austrian team they had been sharing BC with gone, they'll have the mountain entirely to themselves.

While the boys are back in BC, they do get some amazingly beautiful shots of the mountain and once again do a good job of capturing the feel of life in base camp. The video gets even more interesting when they also capture a debris cloud that was kicked up from an earthquake in China that has flown hundreds of miles just to dump on their camp.

The second episode that was awaiting me upon my return from the Amazon was an audio only bonus episode that offers some details on Ben and Josh's Spring 2009 expedition. The episode was recorded as Rest of Everest creator Jon Miller was driving Ben to the airport as he was heading out for Nepal, where the team will be attempting to climb and ski down Baruntse, a 23,688 foot mountain located in Eastern Nepal, between Everest and Makalu.

The old Annapurna IV website is undergoing a transformation now to reflect this new expedition, and it is becoming the "Ski the Himalayas" site. In this episode, Josh talks about how much he enjoys climbing and skiing in that mountain range, and that he intends to continue to focus on those ski descents in the near future. He also talks about his approach to climbing in the HImalaya, having knocked off Everest at the age of 23, and now pursuing lesser known peaks not on the 8000m list.

Obviously we'll be hearing more about this expedition in future episodes of the Rest of Everest, and I'll be following it from the website as updates come in over the coming weeks. For now, the show will go on hiatus, while Josh and Ben head off to Nepal to take care of business, and Jon will soon follow with his Everest Trek 2009 project.

Good luck guys! We're pulling for you!

Trip to Pisa, Italy

My wife and I were feeling a child like excitement, the moment we stepped out from our hotel to catch the regional train from Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) to Pisa. We were sure it was going to be a visual treat to be a witness of the architecture marvel, one of the seven wonders, the Leaning tower of Pisa. We hurriedly bought tickets from the Tabak shop on the train station and rushed towards the train. With some breaths up and some down, we boarded the train. There was a bunch of daily travelers who largely alighted before Pisa. The comfortable (odd hour) journey cut us through from some really beautiful rural landscapes.

Pisa greeted us with a bright sunshine, a rather welcome change from the overcast Florence that we had left behind.

Fountain outside the Pisa Centrali station

There is a beautiful fountain just outside the station which turned out to be a popular snapshot point. Few meters away, we could spot a skating surface quite popular among the locals.

Skating surface quite popular among locals

The streets that led us to the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' were largely commercial in nature. The famed Arno and lovely ponte across it leads to the 'Historical Center' that finally leads to the complex. Along side this street there are some popular brands and restaurants dotting both the sides. Though one has to admit that Pisa could still manage to preserve its town-like feeling. Apart from the main commercial street, there are few other streets, worth visiting in the town.

Clear blue sky in the backdrop

We finally reached Piaza dei Miracloi, the main tourist complex of Pisa, which apart from the Leaning tower, also houses other monuments like Duomo Di Pisa and the Bapistry(Battistero). Against the popular misconception, the compound has multiple monuments around the Leaning tower of Pisa and all of them are worth visiting. Leaning nature of the tower is attributed to the marshy nature of the land that was the base of the tower during construction.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

There is a convenient tourist center located within the complex that can provide useful guidance on how to divide time (and money) among the monuments. On most clear days, one can view scenic mountains behind the Leaning Tower. The  front gardens are quite appealing and clinically maintained. One can easily spend 3-4 hours in the monument complex.

Front gardens outside the Leaning Tower

We left for mesmerizing Venice, the next day, a trip that'll never ever be forgotten.

Shop What

• Leaning Tower of Pisa Souveniers
• If you must, T-shirts.

Bottom Line

• Pisa is a relaxed one day trip from Florence.
• If travelling with less luggage, you can go from Florence to Pisa and then from Pisa to Venice.

Travel Facts

• Stayed : One Day Trip from Florence.
• Stayed at : Hotel Embassy, Florence - Yes, highly recommended.
• Traveled with my better half on a single Day trip 
• Traveled in regional Train from Florence in January 2013.

The Rest of Everest Episode 101: Typically Himalayan

The adventure on Annapurna IV continues this week with another new episode of The Rest of Everest, with climbers Ben Clark and Josh Butson once again joining show producer and host Jon Miller.

In Episode 101: Typically Himalayan, the guys are now a bit more settled into base camp, and have explored the mountain some as well, hiking and skiing the immediate slopes. Early in the episode the team is stuck in their tent, thanks to the lovely Himalayan weather, and they have a chance to reflect some on the climb ahead, and the thoughts that are in their head while they wait for their opportunity to go up the mountain.

Later in the episode, Ben calls home to get a weather report from his father, where he learns that the weather patterns should shift some in the days ahead, but for now they'll have to wait for the jet stream to move. The team will need a five day weather window to make an attempt at the summit, but before they can do that, they'll need to acclimatize some as well. The plan is to make the climb in alpine style.

This weeks video gives us a lot of images from base camp with some shots of the mountain behind it, while the team sits and waits, something that is common in the Himalaya while they wait for their attempt. While it's not the most action packed thing to watch, it is part of the experience, as anyone who saw the 2003 Everest expedition will remember.

Iditarod 2009: "Last Great Race" Gets Underway Tomorrow

The 2009 Iditarod, dubbed "The Last Great Race", will have it's ceremonial start tomorrow in downtown Anchorage, when 73 of the top mushers in the world will make the 20 mile first leg to Campbell Airstrip, where the race will officially get underway on Sunday.

This year's race will be taking the southern route, as it typically does on the odd numbered years. The course is more than 1100 miles in length and stretches all the way to Nome, recreating the famous route that was taken by sled dog teams that delivered medicine to the remote regions of Alaska back in 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic broke out.

The field or racers for this year's event include two time defending champ Lance Mackey along with his arch-rival Jeff King, who is a four time winner himself. They'll be joined by the likes of Rick Swenson, the only five time winner of the race, and veteran racer Mitch Seavey, amongst many others. Sebastian Schnuelle, the winner of the Yukon Quest a few weeks back, is hoping to become the second man, after Mackey, to win both events in the same year.

It should be interesting to see who dominates the front of the race this year. Last year it was a game of cat and mouse between Mackey and King all the way to Nome, with Mackey pulling out ever trick in the book, including pretending to sleep, to get the edge on the faster and more well rested King. It's unlikely that King will fall for similar tactics this year however. Perhaps we'll see some new names rise to the top of the leaderboard, as the race seems to always have a few surprises waiting for us. Can't wait to see what they are! Go luck everyone!

Vietnam Nature Trails - Visits to VietNam

Get up at air terminal and exchange to lodging. Free walk around to investigate Hanoi's 1000 Years Old Quarter (if time grants). Stay overnight at inn.

You will be grabbed at your lodging in Hanoi for heading to Cuc Phuong, around 140 km south of Hanoi by street, is one of Vietnam's most seasoned national parks and thusly one of the best oversaw. It's give or take 22, 000ha of subtropical woodland and karst limestone view, and home to an unprecedented scope of extraordinary species. Separated from investigating the backwoods, you'll visit the recreation center's Endangered Primate Center, where you'll have the capacity to see two of the rarest species on the planet, the discriminatingly imperiled Delacour and Cat Ba langurs. Stay overnight at National Park visitor house.

Maintain a strategic distance from the mid year as the parks biodiversity incorporates an expansive unexpected of bloodsuckers that get ravenous in hot sticky climate. April to May sees billows of a large number of butterflies spiraling in pockets of daylight.

After breakfast, strolling to visit vegetation, fauna and one-thousand-year-old sequoia tree, the hollow of Prehistoric man in Cuc Phuong National Park. Eat in the Park restaurant. Turn over to Hanoi for flight to Hue. Stay overnight at lodging in Hue

Leave at 08: 00am from your lodging, for one and half hour you will land at Bach Ma National Park. The recreation center is overwhelmed by a solitary 1, 448m top wrapped in tropical rainstorm woods underneath and beat by sub-tropical vegetation. You will visit Do Quyen Waterfall - is shocking and tremendous in the lush mountain. It is astounding to watch the silver water running into the splendid red of water-rail blossoms. Where individuals can have a surrounding perspective of massive ocean and encompassing landscape.

See more: travel Vietnam

Morning in the recreation center with strolling around and find the nature to investigate the wonderful view and numerous endemic species, and is especially rich in birdlife. Turn again to Hue airplane terminal for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight at inn in Ho Chi Minh City.

Once off Highway One, the street passes through vast regions of elastic ranches before fanning out the expressway on an unpleasant track to the national park. An unimaginable assorted qualities of fowls and warm blooded creatures, live in the timberland and wetland natural surroundings of Nam Cat Tien, including an expected 230 types of winged animals. Imperiled feathered creatures to be found here in thier supper. The Afternoon is used birding along the street from the recreation center central command.

Have a 4x4 drive to Bau Chim and Bau Sau territories, arranging focuses for the day's trek. Trek for over two hours profound into the woodland. In Bau Sau, kayak around a lake, then trek once more to the parking garage for the drive again to the guesthouse. (Discretionary night 4x4 ride into the Nui Tuong timberland to search for nighttime creatures).

Lance Updates Us on His Status

Lance Armstrong released a video earlier this evening giving cycling fans an update on his progress. He underwent surgery yesterday to repair his collarbone, which he broke a few days back racing in the Vuelta in Spain.

In the video below, Lance indicates that the collarbone was more damaged than was first thought, and that he's in a bit of uncharted territory here. He's never really suffered a major injury in his career, so at this point, it's unclear when he'll be back. How soon, and how well, the bone heals will determine how quickly he can get back on the bike, and get ready for his next race. The Giro is now in doubt, and his preparations for Le Tour will also be effected.

Exclusive Post-Op Interview with Lance -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

Shopping Spree in tour VietNam Travel

Need to find that flawless gift or blessing? Our aides know all the best shopping locales in the city! We will take you to both the most well known and most well concealed markets. Our aides can likewise help you arrange to get the best cost. This visit will effectively pay for itself!

Ben Thanh is the biggest market in Saigon, yet it not so much the best place to discover the best arrangements. Did you realize that numerous sellers in Ben Thanh check up their costs 100% or more in light of the fact that they realize that most voyagers have no clue what the "genuine" cost is? Presently that there are some "settled value" regions in Ben Thanh, its not as terrible as it once might have been, however for most things you ought to still can anticipate in any event a half markdown. The Saigon Tax Center and Saigon Square 1 & 2 has a large portion of the same things as Ben Thanh yet with to a lesser extent a markup. Continuously arrange!! It's normal! For surprisingly better arrangements, let our aides take you to the "true" Vietnamese markets. They aren't as cleaned up for visitors as the famous markets in District 1, yet this is the place you will truly spare gobs of cash.

Related post: Vietnam travel deals

Need the best fabric at the most minimal cost? We'll take you to a road in Cholon where you will have the capacity to discover practically any sort of fabric you could request. Need to discover a decent tailor? Give us a chance to acquaint you with the impressive tailors we utilize ourselves. Searching for a decent handcrafted guitar at a mind blowing cost? We'll drive you to luthier road where you can request an uniquely designed guitar intended to your details. Whatever you require, our aides can help you discover and show signs of improvement cost than you envisioned conceivable!

The Shopping Spree Tour is 3 hours in length, on the other hand you can develop it for $15/for every individual for every extra hour. We suggest booking the "Shopping Spree" visit in the morning when its not as hot.

Things to see and do Vietnam

The shorelines of Vietnam are sublime. Nha Trang is the ideal consolidation of a long sandy shoreline for unwinding days under the palm trees and a town with restaurants and bars to pass the moderate nights. Pontoon outings take you out to close-by islands and jumpers can investigate the adjacent coral reefs. On the other hand, attempt Vung Tau, southeast of Ho Chi Minh City for some heavenly snorkeling around the a lot of people seaward islands or head east of Phan Thiet to the sand rises of Mui Ne, which extend for miles. Unwind on the white-sand shorelines or have a go at large portions of the water brandishes on offer.

Take off to Tay Ninh to view the bright midday administration of the charming Cao Dai group held in an expansive sanctuary just about Disney-esque in style. The supporters wear red, blue and yellow robes and serenade to the backup of a conventional ensemble. On the way, scramble through the passages at Cu Chi, from where the Viet Cong effectively dispatched assaults against US constrains.

Related post: Vietnam travel

Focal Highlands 

Dalat is the extent that most individuals go into the Central Highlands yet head further into the mountains for dazzling perspectives and waterfalls. You are guaranteed of a warm welcome in Buon Ma Thuot, an espresso developing locale and home to the Montagnards. The Ho Chi Minh trail is effectively arrived at from Kontum.

Take in the nuances of Vietnamese cookery at a class in old Hoi An. Submerge into the rushing about of the business to purchase procurements before withdrawing to the cool of the kitchen. The best piece of the day – you get to consume what you have helped get ready!

Dalat 

To escape the high temperature of the fields, head for Dalat, a previous pioneer slope station, reminiscent of a French town, with blurred, exquisite estates suggestive of an alternate time. Homesteaders from Saigon headed to its cool climes and in addition the ruler and his escort. The sentimental lakes and snow capped view are magnets for Vietnamese honeymooners.

Indeed it is touristy, and in the event that you take a pontoon trek you'll be among a flotilla of many old changed over trashes, yet Halong Bay still stays a standout amongst the most amazing sights on the planet. Take the chance to obtain a kayak (all pontoons ought to do this) and oar through the limestone karsts significantly ascending out of the ocean. Then again use the night on one of those throws out and investigate the caverns concealed profound in the islands, pass coasting towns and around evening time appreciate a sundowner on the top deck and pay special mind to falling stars.

Hanoi 

Hanoi is a city of appears differently in relation to the wide, verdant roads lined by wonderful provincial structures in the French quarter, the maze of thin boulevards of the Old Quarter and the peaceful lakes. Wherever you are, the foundation commotion is the buzzing of the motorbikes that swarm the lanes of the capital.

An outing on the Reunification Express is an unquestionable requirement. Nonetheless, the trains in the middle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are absolutely not express. It can take somewhere around 30 and 40 hours to go between the two urban areas so best to do one segment just. Famous is the 18-hour travel in the middle of Hanoi and Hue.

Trekking 

There are many long separation climbing trails around the nation, and a noteworthy framework for guests needing guided trekking visits. Head south from Hanoi into Cuc Phuong National Park, a wild of woods secured limestone mountains which ascend from the green rice paddies, home to numerous uncommon species and the primate salvage focus. Go through the night with a family from the Muong slope tribe in their customary stilthouse.

Sparkling high rises sit side by side with feeble structures and disintegrating pilgrim houses. Ministers pass exclusive auto showrooms gathering charity and stroll along sun-prepared roads packed with blaring motorbikes. The Saigon River is always crossed by little vessels and ships weaving through bigger pontoons.

See a portion of the Vietnam War locates by strolling piece of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, utilized as supply courses by the North Vietnamese amid the war. You can't neglect to be charmed by the system of passages uncovered by the Viet Cong from which they propelled consistent assaults on the US drives. For a taste of life underground scramble through one of the tight shafts, extraordinarily extended for Western guests.

Wander the restricted avenues with their minor shop houses, unwind in a riverside bar and flavor delectable nearby dishes. This is the spot to purchase keepsakes, silk things, T-shirts and earthenware production. Whatever you do verify you treat yourself by having garments made at one of the numerous tailors.

Hué 

The previous supreme city of Hue is packed with magnificent sights. The Imperial Citadel, experiencing the assaults and war and the tropical climate, is gradually being carefully redesigned; riverside is the Thien Mu pagoda where amateur friars look bashfully at the guests; and the mausoleums of the Emperors, every interesting in style.

Meet local people 

The most ideal approach to meet local people is to draw up a low plastic seat in the asphalt bar request some brew, request new peanuts and quails eggs and talk to local people. Indeed with a dialect obstruction, you'll be ringing glasses long into the night.

Investigate the watery universe of the Mekong Delta where channels of the may Mekong Delta bungle the area and give a fruitful spot to develop unlimited swathes of rice and tree grown foods. Find riverine towns, skimming markets and little riverside businesses and use the night in a homestay with a cultivating crew.

Motorbiking 

It is getting to be progressively prominent to contract an engine bicycle - constantly a Russian made 125cc Minsk - and ride it from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Filled with assorted types of dangers, not slightest the immeasurable measure of bicycles in the urban communities, it is by and by an invigorating approach to see the nation.

Waterway markets 

The stream showcases on the Mekong Delta are an unmissable sight. Life here is overwhelmed by the relentless Mekong and

Cycling: Tyler Hamilton Tests Positive, Retires!

A surprising story from the world of cycling today, as American Tyler Hamilton has tested positive for a banned substance for the second time, and has announced his retirement from the sport. VeloNews is reporting that the national road champion was using an herbal supplement to treat his clinically diagnosed depression, and the banned substance was found in that over the counter supplement.

The 38-year old Hamilton says that he was first diagnosed with depression back in 2003, and that other members of his family suffer with the same affliction. He had been using clinically prescribed drugs to treat the depression, but switch to herbal remedies, one of which contained DHEA, a banned steroid. The cyclist indicated that he knew he was taking a banned substance, but was desperate for relief.

Rather than deal with another suspension, his second for a banned substance, or face a lifetime ban, Hamilton has decided to retire from the sport so that he can deal with his health issues more directly. Personally, I wish him the best of luck in working on these issues. It's a shame his career has to end with this shadow over his head, but it is more important for him to get healthy at this point. Good luck Tyler!

Thanks to the Outside Blog for the heads up on this one.

Toufic Beyhum | Mecca

Photo © Toufic Beyhum-All Rights Reserved

"...though neither Koran or Sultan enjoin the death of Jew or Christian intruding within the columns that note the sanctuary limits, nothing could save a European detected by the populace, or one who after pilgrimage declared himself an unbeliever."-A Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Medinah and Meccah (1855)-Richard Francis Burton

Mecca...or more accurately Makkah, is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and a site of his first revelation of the Qur'an. It is regarded as the holiest city in Islam, and a pilgrimage to it (the Haj) is obligatory for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey. Mecca is home to the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site as well as being the focal point of Muslim prayer.

Photographer Toufic Beyhum had the inside view to the holy site when he undertook his own pilgrimage. While photography inside the mosque enveloping the Kaaba is forbidden, he was able to enter the site with his camera, and photograph almost at will.

A rather journalistic article in The Daily Telegraph has more background information on his photo shoot, and it may come as a surprise to some of my readers that the inside of the holiest of Islam's religious sites is the only place in Saudi Arabia where sexes are allowed to mingle freely. Yes, women and men stand, walk, pray, circumambulate the Kaaba shoulder to shoulder...with none of this ridiculous strict segregation of sexes which is currently en vogue in Islamic countries.

I had the opportunity of visiting the Kaaba some years ago while on a business trip to Jeddah, and it left a deep impression on me as a place of piety and peace. At that time, the hideous newly built monstrosities surrounding the mosque hadn't been erected, and the Meccan skyline was still unmarred by the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower, which is the tallest clock tower in the world.

According to the article, there’s a hotel nearby the mosque where rooms are $500 a night, along with a mall with a Starbucks and a Paris Hilton handbag shop.

Historically, it appears that in the 5th century, the Kaaba was a place of worship for the deities of Arabia's pagan tribes, and Mecca was an important trading destination of the caravans, carrying goods from Africa and the Far East passed through it including spices, leather, medicine, cloth, and so forth.

Toufic Beyhum was born in Beirut, and moved to London at a young age. He graduated from Art College and started a successful advertising career as an Art Director for multinational advertising agencies in New York, Dubai, London and Berlin. He exhibited his work in London, Berlin, Los Angeles and Dubai. He was featured in National Geographic Shot, The Independent, Esquire Russia, WIRED, BILD, Die Zeit, Der Tagesspiegel, Zeitung, Welt Am Sonntag, Complex art+design, Exberliner, Time Out Dubai, BMI and Emirates In-flight magazine.

Currently based in London, he's isworking on a film documentary called "After Tomorrow" filmed in Petra, Jordan.

Jeff Oatley Wins 2009 Iditarod Trail Invitational

While the Iditarod Sled Dog race got underway this past weekend, another Alaskan classic, the Iditarod Trail Invitational, also known as the "Idita-bike". This annual event has the competitors following the same trail as the mushers, but they race along on foot, mountain bikes or skis instead, and can tackle either a 350 mile course or the full 1100 miles of the Iditarod trail.

Mountain biker Jeff Oatley was the first to complete the 350 mile course, crossing the finish line on Saturday, with a time of 5 days, 19 hours and 34 mins. Tracey and Jay Petervary, who tied for second with a time of 6 days 5 hrs 28 min. You can check the full results on the leaderboard page, which has current standings for all who have finished, and for the few that will now continue on to Nome. Most of there racers will finish up in McGrath, the 350 mile point, but a handful, roughly three or four, will have a go at the full 1100 mile course. They are moving forward on skis or on foot, but none are continuing on their bikes.

In a related story, an Australian competing in the race, was rescued from the trail on Saturday after getting lost early last week. The 53 year-old went down the wrong trail last Tuesday, ended up breaking through ice on a river, and soaking himself, before managing to pull himself, and his bike from the water. Eventually he found a snow cave and holed up until he was rescued. Scary story with a good ending for once. He could have easily died of hypothermia out there in the wilderness.

Thanks to Andrew Felix who sent this story to me via Twitter.

Trip to Barcelona . The Modern Ancient Paradise.

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The following post is my entry for 'Traveling smart with Skyscanner' in participation with Indiblogger.

Skyscanner - http://www.skyscanner.co.in

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Isn't it wonderful to travel to a city that virtually gives you best of literally all the worlds. Barcelona , the city I'd love to travel in 2014, is in a league of its own when it comes to city-spirit and vibrancy. Rich history, modern infrastructure, fabulous food, sports, outdoor shopping markets and......wow that heavenly serene beach !

Barcelona personifies every traveler's dream, by its unlimited options to explore and re-explore.

Ever since my childhood, Olympics in Barcelona (1992) was one event that caught my fascination immensely. In fact, it was through the sports carnival, that I first learnt about the city. The cosmopolitan bustle and the zealous beaches with golden sands... Even in that dull TV box, what a city it looked! A paradise in all sense, through all the senses. Even in that summit coverage, I was in awe of the surreal beauty of this diverse city. Without an iota of exaggeration, Love got struck at the first sight. (The cupid being the television set ...)

Dull TV played the cupid for Barcelona

I still hold memories, that as a 10 year old school boy, how I used to spend hours in the library, trying to figure out that one book that could narrate the city, square by square, block by block. street through street.

Discovery of Spain - Oceanic route of library

Those days even a work in fiction with Barcelona's setting would glue me passionately. A good two decades later, I realize that even today that aspiration still perspires deep within the heart. When I look back, I enjoy the way I used to live and relive the quaint charm and magic of Barcelona just before the sleep, every night, for countless nights. The belief resonates with my dream that one day, I'll cross the famed Las Ramblas as the array of the trees on both the sides of the street would hug me and allow me to playfully meander and open-up in my own world. The stress would fly with the swirling of the leaves, and the heavy heart would melt with cone of the Ice-cream!

Las Remblas - Hug  to let Open up - http://pher.ch/photos/cities/barcelona/Barcelona,%20las%20Ramblas%201.jpg

Heavy heart melting in the Ice-cream conehttp://collegian.csufresno.edu/a/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/f_icecream.jpg

I'd enjoy the Spanish uniqueness by heading to La Boqueria to taste the delicacies of the...yummmmm.... divine Spanish cuisine. Happily relaxing alongside my Camelot on Sant Sebastia beach, I wish to bite the sandwich, wearing the weirdest Tee, or none, and read an unsung poem to leave it halfway incomplete. And then suddenly the sound of waves of Mediterranean Sea would rise across the golden yellow sands to narrate the remaining half. Or those eternally repeated tales, of the littoral glory it impregnates within.

Sant Sebastia beach - Impregnating tales - Littoral Glory
http://maninamsterdam.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barcabeach.jpg

I'll fold the city-map deep in my pocket and find my inner happiness by getting lost in the beauty of the old streets of Barcelona. And then be stunned by the marvel of Barri Gotic or the Gothic Quarter. The heritage of the city and the manner it has been preserved manifests the glory of not only the city, but also its inhabitants. Basilica La Seu, supposedly built in 343AD, testifies the meticulousness of preservation by Spaniards through symbiosis of ancient and modern. It is commendable to read on the efforts and manner in which Barcelona has evolved itself, while still able to restore its history since ages. 'La Boqueria' would be a great way to feel the energy that makes the city, what it is. What a great way to catch a random conversation or two, in that historical local market and then thud down a few shots of Cappuchino down the throat to let it emanate some random conversations on its own. In the meantime the experience would let me touch the warmth and verve of the denizens.

Basilica La seu - Marvel of Heritage preservationhttp://www.travelsignposts.com/Spain/files/2010/08/La-Seu-Barcelona.jpg

La Boqueria - Lots of food for Lots of thoughts !http://www.prime-junta.net/gallery/galleries/barcelona/img/CRW_1824.jpg

While the ancient Art is ubiquitous in the city, Barcelona has a strong and emphatic symbolism of Art Nouveau or modern architecture too. Rebelion, Renaisance whatever one calls... that 'X' factor lives in the city through its distinct soul, contemporary and modern, at the same time. I'd love to see how Antoni Gaudi lives through his immortal creations like Casa Batlo or the famous Salamander and its inhabiting Park Guell. To rejuvenate I'll try Escalivada with some bouts of Mel i Mato under the bronze statue of Columbus, below the ambit of clean blue sky and wise white clouds.

Casa Batlo - Immortal creation of Antoni Gaudi

Escalivada - King of deliciousnesshttp://www.ocado.com/cmscontent/recipe_image_large/330166.jpg?IXyA

Divine Dessert - Mel-i-Matohttp://www.barcelonacitytours.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mel-I-Mato.jpg

Columbus Statue

As a traveler, a single trip to Barcelona would definitely be inadequate, given what the city has to offer. Each trip would be drawing contours for the succeeding trips. A pride that none of the global cities can share with Barcelona. And 2014 would be a great time to make the first move. The city is as much outdoors, as between the walls. The sporty beaches and the Olympic stadia complement the world class museums and that unrivaled historical part of the city. In all ways, Barcelona is every traveler's imagination precipitating into realty. There is a lot to explore and what's better, there is a method  too for that in the city. An academic, leisure,  adventure, or all of them in a single trip........Barcelona's gamut is huge! Being one of the most frequented cities in the world I'd also have the chance to interact with diverse people, meet different cultures and in turn widen my horizon.

Olympic Stadium
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Estadi_Ol%C3%ADmpic_Llu%C3%ADs_Companys_-_Barcelona,_Spain_-_Jan_2007.jpg

 The Spanish cuisine, like me, attracts millions across the world. The uncomplicated mouth-watering delicacies would certainly make me say 'Buen Provecho'! And if that comes with the liberal dose of liveliness and warmth of Spaniards then that's opera to the soul. Enjoying the Spanish snack, watching my favorite team FC Barca in action would take the definition of adventure and estrogen to a next level altogether. For me it truly holds the punchline 'Mes que un Club'(More than just a club). Watching Messi in live action would be more than a treat for eyes , for it'd be a feast for consciousness.

FC's Logo

***And here's my plan for traveling smart :***

The way to travel smart is to save money, without compromising comfort, reducing stress points to the minimal. Get the right airline deal and well...... the trip begins with a bang. To do away with the fallacy of missing out on the best fare, I'd use none other than Skyscanner website, . By using the comparative results I'll be rest assured of finding the best price for the airline ticket. Its benchmark research reports would also help me in all the facets of trip, taking care of the finer and larger aspects, alike.

There were several experiences when I've repented of missing out on the best deals on the Hotels. Sometimes those complementary pick-ups or the last minute upgrades, with Skyscanner, I'd travel smart by getting the best price and the deal on the hotels too.

Skyscanner - My friend in traveling Smart

Skyscanner's advantage of comparing the historical price and patterns would help me in selecting the right time for travel and just the right hotel to fit my budget. If that comes with the added flexibility of car-hiring that Skyscanner provides, well I'm sure my journey would not be good, it would simply be great !

Traveling Barcelona in 2014 would be my dream and planning my travel with Skyscanner would make my dream come true, smartly.

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Disclaimer : I've never ever been to Barcelona or Spain in my lifetime.

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This entry won a prize in the contest , Traveling smart with Skyscanner.

When To Travel To Vietnam

The atmosphere in Vietnam can be separated into three separate zones - North Vietnam, Central Vietnam, and South Vietnam. The atmosphere in North Vietnam damp and subtropical, while South Vietnam delights in a tropical atmosphere lasting through the year.

Focal Vietnam lies some place in the middle. As Vietnam is a long, contract nation atmosphere conditions fluctuate extensively, with temperatures extending somewhere around 20 and 35 degrees.

In Central and Southern Vietnam, there are a few tropical islands and in addition the calm terrain shoreline at Mui Ne. Atmosphere in Vietnam will clearly be of more essentialness to you amid your stay on the shoreline, so it bodes well for arrangement your excursion considering the shoreline climate. Here are some helpful pointers:

You can expect substantial storms in the months of October, November and December, in spite of the fact that there are a lot of sunny interims.

Phu Quoc Island and Mui Ne have great shoreline climate in October, November and December. On the off chance that you are wanting to stay in these shoreline resorts amid your Vietnam occasion, its best to maintain a strategic distance from the months of July and August, when substantial downpour is more probable.

A shrewd man once let me know that there is no such thing as awful climate simply terrible apparel, and generally I think this rings genuine. As long you come readied to experience the infrequent storm, a lively night, and hot sunny days you can travel practically at whatever time in Vietnam.

See more: Vietnam travel deal

As Vietnam compasses three atmospheres from north to south you ought to be fortunate enough to experience a few diverse sorts of climate, which will include an entire new point of view the nation. In case you're taking a Vietnam visit that incorporates outside exercises, the neighborhood aides will attempt and adjust your system to stay away from any evening showers.

A large portion of our occasions in Vietnam run during the time paying little mind to climate. In the event that you end up in the midst of a tropical deluge, you can just withdraw to your home or neighborhood bar and watch Mother Nature in activity with a mixed drink under control.

Phong Nga Ke Bang National Park in VietNam travel

Much sooner than Phong Nha-Ke Bang (additionally spelled Phong Nga-Ke Bang) National Park started to be, the Champa individuals were utilizing its gives in for different purposes. The Champa were individuals of aged Cambodia and Vietnam who controlled the greater part of southern and focal Vietnam from the seventh century through the mid-nineteenth century. Cutting out engravings on steles and sacrificial tables inside the caverns, the Champa left their imprint in the sublime holes numerous years before present day Vietnamese and British researchers would start to investigate the hollows. Later investigations found Neolithic hatchet heads in the zone, demonstrating that utilization of the hollows go back even before the time of the Champa individuals.

There is no exaggerating the wonderfulness of the collapses Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The recreation center was made to ensure the world's two biggest karst, or limestone, areas. Inside the limestone geology are in excess of 126 km of hole frameworks, with in excess of 300 caverns and (caves will be surrenders that have been occupied or utilized by people). For anybody going by Vietnam with the smallest enthusiasm toward holes, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is an absolute necessity see objective.

See more: Vietnam travel

The cavern from which the recreation center takes its name is Phong Nha hole, which is considered by numerous to be the best collapse the world. At 7,729 meters in length, with 14 caves and a 13,969 meter-long underground stream, Phong Nha hollow has been a site of secret and wonderment for locals and guests apparently equivalent for quite a long time. With towering roofs that can achieve 40 meters over the water level and rock creations that energize the creative energy, Phong Nha is interested in visitors up to 1,500 meters.

Child Doong Cave 

Child Doong hole isn't new, however it is newfound. In 1991, a nearby man discovered the cavern without precedent for cutting edge memory, however sadly he couldn't recall how to get there until January 2008. The man helped British researchers to discover the hole mouth, and they have been investigating it after. Child Doong hollow is at present the biggest known collapse the world. Lamentably, because of unstable conditions inside the cavern, it is not yet open to sightseers. Later on, assuredly guests will have the capacity to get a sight of the huge hollow; the greatest chamber is in excess of five kilometers in length, 150 meters wide, and 200 meters high.

Made a huge number of years prior, the stalactites and stalagmites inside Tien Son wander aimlessly into children's story shapes. Tien Son is found right alongside Phong Nha, making it simple for guests to investigate both hollows.

As though the marvelous hollows at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park weren't sufficient, the recreation center is likewise an incredible spot for mountain climbing, trekking, and eco-voyages through the encompassing Ke Bang Forest. With forcefully inclining mountains arriving at statures of in excess of 1,000 meters, you don't need to be a spelunker to discover a testing undertaking at Phong Nha-Ke Bang.

There's a touch of something for each guest of each age at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. For any individual who revels in the outside and common ponders, this park ought to make it onto your Vietnam agenda.