639 Search Results for "man"

• Fredyinkore

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• Wind Surfing in Oregon Wind Surfing in Oregon

  • From: Vonelle Viajera
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  • 4 months ago
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• Ancient Shanxi Province. Ancient Shanxi Province.

  • From: x123456
  • Description:

    Most of ancient Chinese architectures are located in Shanxi Province where there are seventy percent of old buildings with simple but elegant styles which were all built in Tang, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Last time, it’s really a meaningful experience of the culture of ancient Chinese buildings. What’s more, Another seventy percent of the buildings are situated in the southeast of Shanxi. 

    It was a nice day in the morning. We went to the our first destination Hongfu Temple by car. It’s said that an old man watched the temple with a few children in Jing Dynasty. Now it’s has been protected by the county as a historical site.    
     
    In spring, it’s very dry for less rainfall in Shanxi. The hillside beside the road was desolate. Seeing a little bit further, I found some of green leaves grew on the tree. Our motorcade got off the beltway to an unsurfaced narrow road where our cars bumped for a few minutes, with dust stirred up behind, and beside which are loess slopes.   

    Hongfu Temple is situated in a hidden alley. After three minutes’bumping on the way, a more than ten meters high and very wide loess wall came into our sight. Despite the dilapidated scene, the loess plateau looks very magnificent against our car BMW.        

    We entered the temple across the steps, where everything looked desolate, with a abandoned hall on the left side and a half-length statue standing on the hall. At the moment when we entered, we saw its paint faded and column inclined to a side. However, the sculptures on the ridge still show the art of the architectures in Jing Dynasty.          

    On the other hand, we left the temple and went along a meandering road to Taixin County to visit Foguang Temple.  

    It’s said that Foguang Temple was found many times later after a couple visited Shanxi for the fourth time. Because of that, the temple has occupied an important position in the architectural history of China. It’s the biggest wooden building built in the Tang Dynasty.  

    As the sun sets and wind blows, we were standing beside a stone engraved perhaps in Tang Dynasty with  inscriptions on it and began reading what’s written on it, feeling as if time had gone back to the past. I felt a sense of admiration while reading.   

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• A trip to Anhui Province A trip to Anhui Province

  • From: x123456
  • Description:

    Speaking of Shanzhu Temple, it’s a well-known scenic area in Anhui Province. It’s approved in 2009 by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization as an international geological park covering an area of 135.12 square kilometer meters. Each year, tourists from around the world are attracted here to visit it.  

     

    Shanzhu Temple in which the statues like the heavenly king and king kong look very august was built along mountains mostly with red bricks. Lihua Tower was constructed earlier in Ming Dynasty to be in honor of an eminent monk named Sanzhu, and Sangao Pavilion to be honor of another eminent monk Gaoshi. Standing on the floor of the temple, I could see an ancient tower with 20 meters high which was built in Tang Dynasty. On its wall, there are some pictures of bodhisattva. What’s more, the outline looks complicated in the distance but very simple in fact. On the other hand, I was told by a monk that there is a path in the tower leading to Tianzhu Mountain. Later, I was sticking around a little bit longer in the temple, and there were not other visitors except me and my friends because it was almost lunch time.

     

    Not walking out of the temple very far, we saw a tranquil path and kept walking for less than 10 kilometers to see an old man was sweeping the road. He told us that the tea house was 30 kilometers away, which really surprised us. Anyway, we had to go there. we just kept moving but with uncertainty. Going hundred meters away, we saw a bus and took it with RMB 8 to the tea house equipped with a parking lot. What’s more, a lot of tourists were there.

     

    The entrance gate of the scenic area Tianzhu Mountain is located at where it’s 500 meters away from the tea house. It’s actually developed by local famers. The entrance tickets are sold at the price of RMB 60. Inside it, there are some beautiful waterfalls.

     

    At about 3:40 pm when we just entered the scenic area, a lake that is not very big came into our sight. It’s called Peach Blossom Lake, famous for that fact that in spring many peach blossom flowers are in blossom beside the lake.

     

    Every hundred meters or every one to two kilometers, there are some landscapes, such as waterfalls or rivers, and a few of houses can be seen. Beside the road, I saw first bamboo forests and then pine trees some needles of which are shorter  but some others of which are longer. In addition, a week ago after a snow, the pine needles were covered with ice. It’s really interesting.

     

    We were keeping walking along streams and through a forest, hearing a rumble from time to time at the distance, and walked a few hundred meters further on the mountain road before we came to the waterfall. It’s called Tongtian Waterfall. Normally we watch waterfalls upward, but we can also do that downward. The whole valley is 3.5 kilometers long. Thinking of visiting Tianzhu Mountain later, we just went back to our hotel in hurry for rest.

     

    We have two routes for climbing Tianzhu Mountain. when we started, it’s at about 1 pm.

     

    At the beginning, we walked for about 40 minutes. On the way, views were not so bad, overlooked at the distance. On that day, since fog was heavy, we were unable to see anything more clearly. Across a frozen river, we came to a place called Zhengyigang, where you can look around in the pavilion with one hundred square meter. Beside the pavilion, it’s written on a landmark that the place zhengyigang is near to Tianzhu Mountain on which you are able to see magnificent mountain peaks.        

     

    Walking from Zhengyigang for less than 200 meters, I felt as if I had stepped into a fairyland with heavy fog and saw some of irregular boulders there with thousand years history. The landscapes in Tianzhushan come into your sight magically, with different-shaped and different-sized boulders presenting in front of you unexpectedly, with some snow on them.  

     

    I really enjoyed the trip.

     

    http://www.chinaholidaycts.com/

     

     

     

     

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  • 4 months ago
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• A Man and his Bird A Man and his Bird

  • From: Vonelle Viajera
  • Description:

    They act very tame with Leo, in Puerto vallarta, MX

  • 4 months ago
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• The Pelican Whisperer The Pelican Whisperer

  • From: Vonelle Viajera
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    Leonardo loves his pelicans in Puerto Vallarta, MX

  • 4 months ago
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• Pelican Whisperer II Pelican Whisperer II

  • From: Vonelle Viajera
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    Leo loves his birds in Puerto Vallarta, MX

  • 4 months ago
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• Parrot Fish Parrot Fish

  • From: Vonelle Viajera
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    Beautiful fish and a beautiful smile from Clisencio in Puerto vallarta, mexico.

  • 4 months ago
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• The Fishermen of Halong Bay, V The Fishermen of Halong Bay, Vietnam

  • From: indochinasails
  • Description:
    “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru
    Mesmerizing panoramas of limestone karsts often covered with lush green vegetation. Adding to this backdrop was the ever present fishermen who live on these waters. We were never completely alone.
    The put-put of their engines was the first indicator.
    
    A single boat with Quonset hut and colorful flags passed by our junk oblivious to us watching.
    
    Oftentimes boats were rafted together. This was home for them and a way of life dating back generations.

    We notice a lone man in his boat tied to this grey ragged landscape collecting crustaceans. It is food for the table and to sell.
    
    A cultural and colorful highlight was visiting a floating village tucked along the jagged edge of karsts in a somewhat protected area from the winds. Consisting of 120 people, mostly families with children, they have been there since 1994 and encouraged by the government to fish these waters. They do so with nets as well as fish-farms. There are three other such floating villages scattered throughout Halong Bay and some quite large. Collectively, these fishermen supply seafood to all of Vietnam, particularly Hanoi. In addition, they are developing markets for farm-raised sea grasses, sea weed, and shrimp.
    Houses were painted in cheerful colors and each appeared to have a resident watch dog. Roosters crowed.
    Generators provide electricity for the floating village and fresh water is brought in from the mainland and stored in tanks.
    We were taken to the community building to meet the village elder, his family and to have tea. The structure also serves as a school while efforts are being made to replace the one that was destroyed in a typhoon. The government provides a teacher, but he or she needs to be married, which reflects the cultural morays. Older children who wish to further their education often live on the mainland with a relative.
    Managing tourism is of importance. This village has a partnership with several junk touring companies. Only the smaller vessels can approach this particular floating village, which was a cultural bonus for us. Instead of selling us trinkets or local crafts, we were taken on small boat excursions. There were four couples in our group and each couple was assigned to a row boat made from a woven reed basket.
    

    Our rower was a girl named Win who was shy and had such a lovely smile. By tipping these rowers we are told this is a “workable” situation for tourists and the village. I had to agree. These women worked hard at what they were doing. An extra cultural treat for Ron and I was Duc, our guide, joined our little boat as well as the village chief’s son and niece. It was fun listening to the children chatter away and Duc translate.

    Laughing at each other in our conical hats was a reminder that we were acting the tourist part. There was one particular area that Duc wanted us to see, but the lead rower could not get her boat through because of the current.

    

    We weren't disappointed. The beauty around us was worth this experience of being rowed in a basket.

    Once back on the junk, the long term sustainability of these floating villages was discussed. There is a balance between the fishermen, tourism, and the fragile eco-system which can change because of industrial run off, storms affecting fishing and increasing pollution. Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder. Protection of these waters while preserving a cultural way of life is an ongoing challenge.

    Source: onthegowithlynne
    For more information about Halong Bay cruise, please refer: http://www.indochinasails.com/
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• A Trip to Safed, Israel -- Cit A Trip to Safed, Israel -- City of Kabbalah

  • From: laurierappeport
  • Description:

    Spending a day in Safed is like stepping back into the 16th century, the era in which Safed became the fourth of Judaism's Four Holy Cities. The old historic Jewish Quarter is built on the mountainside, below the ruins of the Crusader Castle which dominates the mountaintop. Throughout the old lanes and twisting alleyways of the Old Quarter visitors can enter the synagogues and other sites that are rich with religious, cultural and historic meaning.

    Safed was the home of Kabbalists throughout the Medieval era and the Middle Ages but after the Spanish Inquisition expelled its Jews in 1492, hundreds of displaced Jews immigrated to the Land of Israel, among them many of the great kabbalistic scholars of the period. They settled in Safed and the new teachings of Jewish mysticism that eminated from the town earned Safed the name "City of Kabbalah." 

    Today tourists can wander through the area, visiting the Old Jewish Synagogues and viewing some of the sites where much of the Jewish laws, practices and traditions which are known throughout the Jewish world today originated.

    ARI Ashkanazi Synagogue and the ARI Sepharadi Synagogue

    In 1570 Rabbi Isaac Luria, one of the greatest kabbalah scholars of all times, arrived in Safed. Although he only lived in the city for three years before his untimely death, he succeeded in revising the study of Kabbalah to its present-day discipline as a way of viewing the secrets embedded in the Jewish Torah as a way to help man strengthen his relationship with his fellow man and with God. Legend relates that Rabbi Luria, known as The ARI -- The Lion -- sat in the Eliyahu HaNavi synagogue, Safed's largest 16th century synagogue, with Elijah the Prophet who taught the ARI new ways of understanding the mystical traditions of the Kabbalah. After the ARI's death the synagogue was renamed the "ARI Sepharadi" synagogue. It is open daily where visitors can see the cave where the ARI sat with Elijah.

    The Girigos synagogue was built in the 1400s by Jewish exiles who had been forcibly converted to Christianity in Spain and subsequently fled, first to the Isle of Girigos in the Mediterranean and then to Safed. Once in Safed they were viewed with suspicion by the existing Jewish community because of their conversion. They built their synagogue on the outskirts of the town, near a field. The ARI developed the tradition of beginning the Sabbath with a preliminary service, "Kabbalah Shabbat" -- songs, psalms and hymns, which he would sing with his students in the orchard next to the Girigos synagogue. After the ARI's death the Jews of Girigos were integrated into the Safed community and their synagogue was renamed the "ARI Ashkanazi."

    Abuhav Synagogue

    According to local lore the Abuhav synagogue was built in Spain and transported, magically, to Safed by Rabbi Abuhav, a 15th century Kabbalist. Other versions of the story indicate that it was planned in Spain and built in Safed. The Abuhav synagogue is built in the Sepharadi (Mediterranean/North African Jewish) style with the "bima" -- podium -- in the center of the synagogue and the benches for the congregants surrounding the bima. There are seven steps leading up to the bima which correspond, according to Kabbalah, to the six days of the week which culminate in the 7th day -- the Sabbath. The elaborately-decorated synagogue features a high domed ceiling which is framed by etchings and sketchings of animals, birds and plants. The Abuhav synagogue houses two old Torah scrolls which were penned in the 15th/16th centuries. These scrolls are still used on holidays.

    Yosef Caro Synagogue

    Rabbi Yosef Caro is best known as the redactor of the "Shulhan Aruch" -- Code of Jewish Law -- which he wrote with, according to legend, an angel, in a cave below the synagogue that bears his name. Rabbi Caro wanted to create a volume of Jewish Law that could be used by Jewish communities worldwide to continue to follow the laws properly, even after the Spanish Expulsion dispersed these Jews around the world. Today's Yosef Caro synagogue is situated in the midst of the Old Jewish Quarter and is open in the mornings. The cave, below the synagogue, is accessible by the stairs that are situated to the left of the synagogue.

    Virtual Tour

    Today visitors can tour Safed with a smartphone virtual tour which available free of charge.
    

     

     

     

     

     

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• Shopping for love in Vietnam's Shopping for love in Vietnam's mountains

  • From: activetravelasia
  • Description:

    Once a year, with his wife's blessing, Lau Minh Pao gets to have a guilt-free tryst with his ex.

    
    

    Their rendezvous' have played out more like strolls down memory lane than salacious flings, but they are part of a treasured tradition in this mountainous corner of northern Vietnam that may challenge some more linear concepts of love.

    "In the past, we were lovers, but we couldn't get married because we were far apart," Pao simply as he waited for his date on a dark night in the village of Khau Vai in Ha Giang province.

    Now when they meet, he said, "we pour our hearts out about the time when we were in love." They are not alone.

    For two days each year, on the 26th and 27th of the third month of the lunar calendar, the tiny village of Khau Vai, strung along a saddle in the lush hills near China, is transformed into a "love market."

    For nearly a hundred years, the Khau Vai love market (Ha Giang province) as been known as a lovers' rendezvous. This is no ordinary farmer's market. Flirting, courting and, hopefully, canoodling are the order of the day. Hundreds of members of Giay, Nung, Tay, Dzao, San Chi, Lo Lo and Hmong hill tribes trek in from across the mountainous districts of the Dong Van Plateau and as far away as nearby Cao Bang province, some travel days to attend 

    Legend has it the market dates back to 1919. Legend has it an ethnic Giay girl from Ha Giang province fell in love with an ethnic Nung boy from the neighboring province of Cao Bang.The girl was so beautiful that her tribe did not want to let her marry a man from another tribe and a bloody conflict ensued between the two tribes. Watching tragedy unfold before them, the two lovers sorrowfully decided to part ways to avoid further bloodshed and to restore peace.

    But to keep their love alive they made a secret pact to meet once a year on the 27th day of the third lunar month in Khau Vai. Thereafter, the hill village became known as a meeting place for all of those in love. 

    Young, dreamy singles trek to Khau Vai in hopes of finding a first love. Wayward lovers come to escape their families. Older generations might hope to bump into an old flame. Married men and women often return to the love market to rendezvous with former lovers, and they are allowed to meet again without jealousy from their spouses during this one event of the year. 

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• Face in India Face in India

  • From: joe8211943
  • Description:

    A man I photographed in India.

  • 4 months ago
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• 12 Days Cultural and Leisure H 12 Days Cultural and Leisure Holiday

  • From: ptour
  • Description:
     Day 1: Welcome to Egypt
    
    Arrive to Cairo airport, meet and assist by your tour manager then transfer to your hotel for check in with an exclusive air conditioned modern van. Our rep will provide you with detailed info about your holiday itinerary advice all procedures and finalize all pick up time for your holiday time, overnight in Cairo.
    
    Day 2: Giza Pyramids Day Tour
    
    Pick you up at the morning from you hotel to start a sightseeinr day tour. The Giza Plateau is the beginning; it is around 30 minutes from Cairo where your Egyptologist guide will provide a detailed introduction to each of the three pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menakaure. You will have free time to enter one of the pyramids (additional cost) or take a camel ride (additional cost). later you'll continue to the city side of Giza plateau where find yourself standing at the feet of the Sphinx, you may also visit the Solar Boat Museum (optional), home to the well preserved funerary boat of Cheops.Then drive to Sakkarawhere Egypt's oldest pyramid is built in 2650 B.C. you will get a brief history of the famous Step Pyramid and you’ll have free time to walk around. The final stop is the open air museum of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt to see artifacts of several great rulers of Egypt the Huge statue of Ramses II. Later, you will be transferred to Giza railway station to board the sleeper train to Aswan-dinner will be served on board. Overnight inside your compartment.
    
    Day 03: Aswan City Sightseeing Tour
    
    Pick up from Aswan train station and transfer to your Nile Cruise ship for embarkation before lunch. Enjoy visiting the world famous High Dam, the beautiful located Temple of Philae on Isis Island ,the Granite Quarries and the Unfinished Obelisk. Dinner on board and overnight in Aswan.
    
    Day 04: Nile Cruise / Kom Ombo / Edfu
    
    Sail to Kom Ombo, have breakfast on board and visit Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to gods Sobek & Haeroris. Continue sailing to Edfu, lunch on board, then get a visit to Horus Temple in Edfu. Take afternoon tea during sailing to Esna. Dinner and overnight on board.
    
    Day 05: Luxor City Sightseeing Tours
    
    Have your breakfast on board during your sail to Luxor, then visit the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, The temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari & the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch on board proceeding visiting East Bank (Karnak & Luxor Temples). Enjoy afternoon tea during sailing. Have your dinner on board and overnight in Luxor.
    
    Day 06: Fly to Sharm El Sheikh
    
    Breakfast on board; disembark from your Nile cruise after breakfast, and then you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for flight to Sharm. Upon arrival at Sharm Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Sharm and overnight. N.B: Most flight from Luxor to Sharm is indirect flight via Cairo Airport.
    
    Day 07: Optional to Ras Mohammed National Park
    
    Free day in Sharm or join our optional tour to Ras Mohammed National Park which is both a terrestrial and an aquatic nature reserve. The 480 square kilometre protected area lies where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba in Sinai's southern extremity. The arid desert terrain of sand dunes, gravel plains, fossilized corals and granite mountains is home to a number of rare mammal species: Dorcas gazelle, Nubian ibex and red fox. Easier to spot are the resident birds like terns, herons, gulls and ospreys. Thousands of white storks pass through Ras Mohammed each year, heading south during September/October and back north during April/May. About 85 flora species live in the park, including mangroves. Overnight in Sharm.
    
    Day 08: Optional Safari tours to Colored Canyon
    
    Free day in Sharm or join our optional tour to one of the natural wonders of the Sinai, the Colored Canyon is majestic. Take a walk among dramatic sandstone canyon walls streaked with melting yellows, purples, reds, magentas and gold. In certain places the canyon walls reach up to 40 meters. You feel as if you are enclosed in a spectacular coloring book. Overnight in Sharm.
    
    Day 09: Optional Tours to St. Catherine Monastery
    
    Free day in Sharm or join our optional tour to The Monastery of St. Catherine located at the heart of Sinai and at the foot of the Gebel Musa, or Mount Moses. Fronted by gardens and cypress trees, the monastery is owned and run by the Greek Orthodox Church. Its rich library houses the world's second largest collection of illuminated manuscripts after the Vatican. You can see the Burning Bush and a large number of antique works of art: invaluable icons, beautifully carved doors, exquisite wall paintings and other fine religious ornaments. Overnight in Sharm.
    
    Day 10: Back to Cairo
    
    Breakfast at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh and then you will be transferred to Sharm El Sheikh Airport for flight to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.
    
    Day 11: Egyptian Museum / Salah El Din Citadel / Old Cairo
    
    Start your day visiting the Egyptian Museum, where you will admire the splendid collection of Tutankhamen alongside many other fascinating artifacts. Transfer to visit Salah El Din Citadel which was constructed by Salah El Din in 1183 AD to defend Cairo from the armies of Crusaders. After that visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque which was designed by the architect Yousif Boushnaq, a Turkish man who came specially from Istanbuland to build this great mosque for Mohamed Ali, the ruler of Egypt (1805-1849) who ruled Over 45 years. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. Then proceed to visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of the most famous and oldest bazaars in the Middle East. Visit Old Cairo where you will enjoy, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Church of St. Barbara, Church of Abu Serga and back to hotel and overnight in Cairo.
    
    Day 12: Final Departure
    
    Breakfast at hotel, then transfer to Cairo Airport for final departure.
    Price includes
    - Meet and greet service by our representatives at airports.
    - Assistance of our guest relations during your stay.
    - All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
    - 03 nights in Cairo hotel with and breakfast.
    - 03 nights on a 5 star superior cruise on full board.
    - 01 night on sleeper train on half board basis.
    - 04 nights in Sharm El Sheikh hotel with breakfast.
    - All tours as per itinerary (Private Guided Tours).
    - All tours on the cruise sharing group.
    - Lunch during your trip in Cairo and Giza.
    - A Bottle of mineral water as per itinerary.
    - Entrance fees as per itinerary.
    - Domestic flight (Luxor/ Sharm – Sharm / Cairo)
    - Meals as mentioned in the above itinerary.
    - Portage when needed.
    - Free Mobile phone during your stay with 30 min Local calls or 2 min. International Calls.
    - All service charges and taxes.
    Price Excludes

    - International Airfare.
    - Entry visa to Egypt.
    - Any optional tours.
    - Personal expenses.
    - Tipping.

    12 Days Leisure Travel, Tours and Holidays Package in Egypt

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  • 5 months ago
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• Excursions and day trips from Excursions and day trips from Johannesburg

  • From: Brianmcquillan
  • Description:

    Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city which is an economic hub of country, and increasingly for rest of Africa. It represents spirit of South Africa and there are many things that are unique to Johannesburg. Capital of Gauteng province it is endearingly known to locals as Joburg, jozi or Egoli. There are various things that are unique o Johannesburg. It is largest city in the world that is not situated on a lake, navigable river or by the coast. With around 6 million trees, Johannesburg is most likely world’s largest man made urban forest. So book cheap flights to Johannesburg and explore some very interesting facts about this largest South African city.
    
    
    
    Whether you are watching wildlife from a safari truck or an elephant, exploring cultural villages of city, there is so much fun in doing each activity. The city also acts as a base to explore nearby scenic destinations on excursions or day trips.
    Some amazing excursions from Johannesburg include
    Sun City: - Sun City is the name which is known to most of passionate tourists coming to South Africa is truly majestic. It is a place where there is heaven between the mountains, is 2-1/2 hour’s drive from Johannesburg. The Palace of Lost city at Sun City is a fairytale African Palace that towers over valley is visible from almost anywhere on the resort .It is unique and most opulent and extravagant hotel at Sun City. The palace has 38 spacious rooms decorated with a distinctly African feel.
    
    
    
    Pilanesberg Game Reserve:-Right next to Sun City, this game reserve is easily accessible from Johannesburg and is free from malaria. The Big five all inhabit in Pilanesberg but white rhinos and elephant sighting are very common is a good destination for day trip.
    Maropeng: - It is the key site in the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site. Important fossils of our ancestors have been found in nearby Sterkfontein Caves and are thought to be up to 200,000 years old.
    
    
    
    So book fights to Johannesburg from London as the city and its nearby places offer plentiful of scenic attractions.

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  • 6 months ago
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• Trying medicinal bathing with Trying medicinal bathing with the Dao people

  • From: acitvetraveasia
  • Description:

    Medicinal bathing is a local feature of the indigenous Red Dao in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai. In Ta Phin Commune (Sa Pa District), tourists can spot many families drying herbs in their front yards.

    Legend has it that on the last day of the year the Dao boiled leaves from the forest for medicinal bathing before welcoming the new year in. As this practice proves both effective and salubrious, a majority of Kinh people have considered it a unique feature of Red Dao culture. Each barrel of water usually contains at least 10 types of herbs, even up to 120. Every bathroom has a wardrobe to keep personal belongings and visitors feel quite relaxed to bathe in the typical wooden tubs filled with hot water and the aromatic smell of different herbs.

     

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    There are two types of bathrooms: a single for one wishing to bathe alone and a double for couples to share.

    Stepping out from a steam-filled bathroom, Christine Smith—an American tourist—says; "I feel so relaxed, like being full of energy". Christine is no exception. Other Western tourists also feel the same about medical bathing in Sa Pa after a long trip through north-western provinces. Ly Ta May, 30, says bathing with medicinal herbs is a traditional practice of the Red Dao.

     

    “In our village, either in winter or summer, the whole family boils a big pot of medicinal herbs to fill wooden tubs for themselves to bathe in the hope of curing ailments such as knee, hand, and foot pain, muscle pain, headache, back pain, excess alcohol, fatigue, poor blood circulation, and skin diseases.

     

    “If women take to bathing with these herbs after giving birth, they will recover quickly and have a better blood circulation and beautiful skin”, she says.

     

    Getting medicinal herbs

    Red Dao people in Sa Pa are famous for curing bone, joint, and muscle pains, common cold and flu symptoms. Collecting medicinal herbs is no easy task, says Chao Man May from Ta Van Village. “Medicinal herbs grow along the streams or in the forest. If you want to pick them, you’d rather go deep into the forest”, she says.

    Like other Dao women, May has spent time teaching her young daughter about how to pick medicinal herbs where they often grow, and how to tell  the difference between the medicinal plants and poisonous varieties.
    “This is very important because some poisonous herbs look much like medicinal ones. Only after about five or six trips to the forest, can my daughter find the right herbs”, she says.

    She says the best time for picking medicinal herbs is in the early morning, as the dew preserves the essence of the sky and earth in them.

    The Dao only take the branches and leaves, leaving the roots intact for growth until the next time of pruning.

    The final step is to chop and dry the herbs in the sun so that they can be used for a long time. However, according to May, using fresh herbs is better than dried herbs.

    The Red Dao’s treatment secrets have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, some medicinal remedies are given in Sa Pa as a special tourist service

    Preparing water for medicinal bathing is time-consuming. It is boiled with both fresh and dried herbs in liquid form for people to soak up through the skin.

    Dr. Tran Van On from Ha Noi University of Pharmacy says: “Each remedy of the Red Dao usually consists of between 10-120 different kinds of herbs, depending on regular or irregular medication”.

    After many years of research, On has helped other Red Dao people process several kinds of herbs into pulverized substance for future use. The Red Dao’s medicinal bathing has become one of the northern mountainous province‘s attractions, even though it is still a mystery to foreign tourists who first set foot in Sapa.

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  • 6 months ago
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• What is adventure travel? What is adventure travel?

  • From: acitvetraveasia
  • Description:

    Adventure travel often conjures up images of mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, scuba diving and four wheel driving. While these are certainly activities associated with adventure travel, adventure travel may involve something as sedate as a wine tasting Motorcycling tour in Ho Chi Minh trail, Viet nam. Adventure travel is simply to go above and beyond one’s normal known area, seeking out experiences which are unfamiliar. The travel destination may be as close as a few kilometers from your home, or it can be thousands of kilometers away in an exotic location in Africa or Asia.

     

    

     Maybe it has to do with the stressful and fast-paced lives we are leading, that adventure travel has become one of the fasting growing segments of the travel industry. More and more travelers are abandoning the usual beach resorts, and are actively seeking new experiences in their travels. These trips often bring significant personal discovery, development of new skills and knowledge and cross-cultural experiences.

     

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    Adventure travel is not for everyone. It is for an individual with the thirst for new experience, one who dares to forsake the well-trodden path. Health and age may restrict the traveler to less-strenuous activities, but that does not stop the traveler from other forms of adventure travel.

     

    

     

    It is undeniable that some adventure travel activities carry additional risk. Trekking across the desert is definitely more dangerous than planting your self under an umbrella at the beach. As in most travel situations, having adequate planning and practicing common sense will go a long way in minimizing risk.

     

    An adventure travel need not be expensive. In most cases, you would not be staying in five star hotels, eating in fancy restaurants and taking limousine rides. Instead, you would probably be staying in guesthouses, eating at local food stalls and taking public transport. These usually more than help to hold the line on the total cost.

     

    If you need more reasons to start your adventure travel, here are some motivating quotations I have collected.

     

    “I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” – Rosalia de Castro

     

    “The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

     “All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary” – Sally Ride

    “It is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory, and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

    Now, are you willing to join in adventure tour?

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  • 7 months ago
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• Ribadesella Spain Ribadesella Spain

  • From: gabrielleflawless
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    Just stepped out of the Tito Bustillo Cave Museum and captured this man enjoying his solitude.  The skies were stormy, but the water was calm.

  • 7 months ago
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• nice bridge view over water ~ nice bridge view over water ~ suspension ~ ktm man moutain rock terrace

  • From: derekallanelj
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    nice bridge view over water ~ suspension ~ ktm man moutain rock terrace

  • 7 months ago
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• man mountain rock ~ outskirts man mountain rock ~ outskirts of ktm

  • From: derekallanelj
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    outskirts of ktm

     

    man moutain rock

     

     

  • 7 months ago
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• man mountain rock overlooking man mountain rock overlooking his terrace layout ~ outside of ktm

  • From: derekallanelj
  • Description:

    man mountain rock overlooking his terrace layout ~ outside of ktm

  • 7 months ago
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