Sterkfontein caves – Johannesburg

 SOUTH AFRICA 


1. Rhino & Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
2. Wonder Caves & Apartheid Museum  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
3. Revisit to Johannesburg  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
4. Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
5. Sterkfontein caves -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
6. Johannesburg city tour  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)


In my last post I took you to the Lion Park, this time I will take you to the place which is not only a tourist place but also one can find the combination of history and scientific evidences of human civilization. 

Sterkfontein caves are situated at the “Cradle of human kind – Maropeng” . “ Maropeng “ means “returning to place of origin” . Fossils discovered here are 03 million years old so it is considered to be the birth of Humanity.

Lion Park – Johannesburg

 SOUTH AFRICA 


1. Rhino & Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
2. Wonder Caves & Apartheid Museum  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
3. Revisit to Johannesburg  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
4. Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
5. Sterkfontein caves -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
6. Johannesburg city tour  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)


Next three days were busy with meetings, last day meeting was over around at 4.00 PM .We were back to our rooms. We dumped our stuff, changed clothes and left to explore the hotel before to have our dinner.

Next day our flight was at 10.30 PM as per South African time, so we were having almost one full day to explore Johannesburg.

We planned our visit in this way that after our breakfast, we would leave hotel along with luggage. On the way to the Airport we would visit Lion Park , Sterkfontein cave & have Johannesburg city tour which was supposed to be finished by 6.00 PM. And after that we could reach Airport by 7 – 7.30 PM.

As per our plan we left the hotel at 8.30 PM for Lion Park. After a drive of half an hour we reached Lion Park.

Entrance – Lion Park

Revisit to Johannesburg

 SOUTH AFRICA 

1. Rhino & Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
2. Wonder Caves & Apartheid Museum  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
3. Revisit to Johannesburg  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
4. Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
5. Sterkfontein caves -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
6. Johannesburg city tour  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)


Last year when I visited Johannesburg in July 2011 , it was extremely cold & when I got chance to re-visit in Feb 2012 , I was knowing it was very hot. I was not much so excited as I was last time. It was official meeting so there was no chance to skip the tour.
As there is no direct flight for Johannesburg from Delhi so same way like last time we booked our tickets by “Emirates” from Delhi – Dubai – Johannesburg.

Delhi Airport

Wonder Cave & Apartheid Museum – Johannesburg (South Africa)

 SOUTH AFRICA 


1. Rhino & Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
2. Wonder Caves & Apartheid Museum  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
3. Revisit to Johannesburg  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
4. Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
5. Sterkfontein caves -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
6. Johannesburg city tour  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)


The Wonder Cave is situated at cradle of Humankind, World Heritage site (inside Lion Park).
The wonder cave is the third largest natural cave in the country & is believed to be about 2200 million years old. It was rediscovered in the late 19th century by miners who dynamited and excavated limestone for the making of cement.

The cave is 125 meters long, 54 wide & 60 meters deep.

Wonder cave 

Rhino & Lion Park – Johannesburg ( South Africa)

 SOUTH AFRICA 

1. Rhino & Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
2. Wonder Caves & Apartheid Museum  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
3. Revisit to Johannesburg  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
4. Lion Park -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
5. Sterkfontein caves -- Johannesburg (South Africa)
6. Johannesburg city tour  -- Johannesburg (South Africa)



I got an opportunity to visit Johannesburg to attend an official meeting. As there is no direct flight for Johannesburg from Delhi, we got the tickets booked with “Emirates” from Delhi to Dubai & then Dubai to Johannesburg.

Johannesburg - South Africa

An Evening in Haji Ali Dargah - Mumbai

I was on my official trip to Mumbai & Pune from 06.07.09 to 10.07.09.Altough I have frequent visits to Mumabi but could not manage to visit HAJI ALI DARGAH due to the busy schedule. This time I decided that I would stay in Dadar instead to New Mumbai –Vashi so that I can manage to visit Dargah.

On 6th july itself during my working , I was going to Jaslok Hospital (Pedder Road) from Tata Memorial Hospital (Parel) with my colleagues, one of my Mumbai colleagues showed me the Haji Ali Dargah while crossing the worli link but unfortunately I was not able to visit that time due to the prior fixed appointment.

Haji Ali 

Patna Sahib – Harmander Sahib

Bihar


1. PATNA
2. Patna Sahib  


Takht Patna Sahib also known as Harmander Sahib is one of the five Takhts of Sikh. The Takht means “seat of power or throne of Authority”. These five Takhts are AKAL TAKHT – Amritsar (Punjab), KESHGARH SAHIB – Anandpur (Punjab), PATNA SAHIB – Patna (Bihar), HAZUR SAHIB – Nanded (Maharastra), DAM DAMA SAHIB – Talwandi , Bhatinda (Punjab).
Two of five Takhts are located out side Punjab.These are PATNA SAHIB – Patna (Bihar), HAZUR SAHIB – Nanded (Maharastra).

Other than these there are hundreds of Gurdwaras all over India & out side India. “ Gurdwara” means Guru’s home. It is Sikh’s place of Worship.

PATNA SAHIB

Ancient Patliputra to Modern Patna

Bihar

1. PATNA
2. Patna Sahib 

Patna , the capital of Bihar, is located on the southern banks of the Ganges. The city is also situated close to Kosi, Sone and Gandak rivers. Patna is the largest city in Eastern India after Kolkata in West Bengal. Patna is one of the oldest centers of human civilization in the history of the world. During the days when Magadha thrived as an empire under several dynasties like the Haryankas, Shisunagas, Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas, Kanvas, Guptas, Palas and others, Patna was known as Pataliputra.
Patna is well known among the tourists because of its diversified culture, fusion of various religions and numerous historical monuments. It is a gateway to the Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centers of Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Keshariya and Pawapuri.

PATNA

Wiesbaden (Germany) – The City of Spa

Table of contents for Germany

1. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – I
2. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – 2
3. MAINZ – The City of Wine (Germany)
4. Wiesbaden – The City of Spa

Wiesbaden’s history is more than 2000 years old and begins with the Romans. Wiesbaden has been the capital of the state of Hessen since 1945. It is situated on the northern bank of the Rhine River, below the confluence of the Main, where the Rhine’s main direction changes from north to west.

Wiesbaden

MAINZ (Germany) – The City of Wine

Table of contents for Germany

1. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – I
2. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – 2
3. MAINZ – The City of Wine (Germany)
4. Wiesbaden – The City of Spa

In continuation to my Frankfurt journey ,next day morning we left for Mainz and we walked down to Frankfurt Railway station and caught a train . It took around 20 mins to reach our destination and got down one station before the Mainz Main Station. The prebooked Hotel {Mainz Hyatt} was just a walking distance from the station.

Mainz is one of Germany’s oldest cities & capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, on the Rhine River. Here you can experience history at close quarters – from the Roman to the French revolution. Mainz’s cultural-historical heritage is unique. It is a city with over two thousand years of history.

MAINZ-Germany

Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – II

Table of contents for Germany

1. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – I
2. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – 2
3. MAINZ – The City of Wine (Germany)
4. Wiesbaden – The City of Spa

In spite of intolerable cold breeze we tried to explore the Frankfurt as much as possible.

FRANKFURT

Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – I

Table of contents for Germany

1. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – I
2. Spending a week in Chilled Germany (Frankfurt) Part – 2
3. MAINZ – The City of Wine (Germany)
4. Wiesbaden – The City of Spa

 We were leaving for Wiesbaden – Germany to attend an official meeting. Wiesbaden is approx. 40 km from Frankfurt . It was early morning 08.03.10 (6.30AM) , when we landed at Frankfurt. As per the information given by the pilot , the outside temp was -6 degree C. As soon as we were out of the airport we faced the blowing cold breeze. I never came across with such a cold breeze although I belong to hills.

FRANKFURT

KINGDOM OF DREAMS – Gurgaon (NCR)

I heard a lot about Kingdom of Dreams Gurgaon. In spite of staying very close to it, I was not able to take out the time to visit the same. On my elder daughter’s Birthday I was on leave. After the Pooja & lunch we decided to visit some wonderful place so that we all can enjoy, especially my kids. They only insisted to visit KOD,so I accepted the Birthday girl’s request and we left for the same around 2 o’clock.. The place is very approachable , people who come from Delhi can use metro & get down at IFFCO Chowk, from IFFCO Chowk one can walk down or take a rickshaw which will cost hardly Rs.15 – 20 /-.

Kingdom of Dreams - Nautanki Mahal

Residency (Lucknow) – A Preserve Monument

LUCKNOW


              1. Sham E Awadh - LUCKNOW
              2. Residency


The History of Residency can be traced back to 1774 AD when Nawab Shuauddahula agreed to have a British Resident stationed in Awadh.

Residency was established at Lucknow when the capital of Awadh was shifted from Faizabad to Lucknow in year 1775 AD.

Originally, the site of Residency belongs to Sheikhzads.

Nawab Asafuddaula started the construction of Residency in year 1775 AD for the British Resident & his staff which was completed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan in 1800 AD. Later it was used by the chief commissioner of Awadh.

Gradually , more building were added as their requirement grew.

Some of the main attraction inside the Residency are :-

1. Bailley Guard Gate
2. Treasure House
3. Dr. Fayrer’s House
4. Banqueting Hall
5. Imambara & Mosque
6. Begum Kothi
7. Museum
8. Main Building – Residency

Residency

Sham -e- Awadh (Lucknow)

LUCKNOW


              1. Sham E Awadh - LUCKNOW
              2. Residency

My first visit to Lucknow was in 1992 when I joined Ranbaxy, since than I have been to Lucknow many times but never visited any tourist place there in these last 18 years.

In February 2011, I had to attend a conference in SGPGI. On Sunday the conference got over after Lunch. After the wind up I left for the hotel. There I dropped my conference stuff, changed clothes & left hotel to visit Bada Imambara , Chota Imambara & Residency.

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh which is situated at the bank of river Gomti. It is known for its Tehzeeb , Nazakat & Nawabs. Lucknow has rich History. From 1775 to 1856, it was capital of Awadh. It was named after Lakshman (younger brother of Lord Rama). Earlier it was known as Lakshman Puri than Lakhan Puri & now known as Lucknow. It is famous for Mughal Cuisine, Mangoes, Rewari & Chicken work in clothes.

I started my visit with one of the Lucknow’s famous monuments Bada Immabara.It is situated at 06 kms from Lucknow Railway Station. It was built by Nawab Asafud Daula in 1784. It took almost six years to be completed.

Bada Immabara

BOTANIX NATURE RESORT – A Day in The Lap of Nature

About Botanix Nature Resort

Botanix Nature Resort is situated in the foothills of Aravalli hills on the edge of Damdama Lake. The park is spread over 40 acres, offer series of theme parks and marvels of nature.

Gateway of South East Asia – IMPHAL

It was an official visit to Imphal. There are only few flights from Delhi so I had no option left but to get my ticket booked for the day prior to my meeting.

I left on June 13, 2013 at 7.45 AM for Imphal from Delhi airport. My Flight took a halt for half an hour at Guwhati and reached Imphal by 11.30 AM. The airport was compact but beautiful and well maintained. It is the second biggest Airport in North east region.

Imphal Airport

Reverse Gear to Dehradun from Yamnotri / Gangotri

Chardham Yatra

                           
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   
9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath   
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA  

After enjoying the evening in Nathala , next day morning we checked out from Hotel & proceeded towards Dehradun. There are two routes for Dehradun , one via Rishikesh & second one is via Mussoorie. We preferred to go via Mussoorie because my sister wants to visit Dhanualti on the way back to Dehradun. In next 15 minutes we were in Uttarkashi which is about 3 kms from Nathala. Some of the worth seeing places in Uttarkashi I already mentioned in my previous post “Scenic spots on the way to Gangotri”. 

GANGOTRI - The Origin of Holy River Ganga

Chardham Yatra

                           
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   
9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath   
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA  

Krishna said in Bhagavad-gita: "Amongst rivers I am Ganges" and all over the world you will hardly find a river more worshiped and more sacred than Ganges.

In the Morning we checked out from Hotel Shivalik – Dharali  & left for Gangotri at 6.00 AM.

Gangotri Temple

Scenic spots on the way to Gangotri

Chardham Yatra

                           
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   
9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath   
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA  

There are several places on the way to Gangotri which are worth to see. We took almost two days to cover the following places along with Gangotri.

After our visit to Yamnotri , we came down to Jannki Chatti at 2.00 PM. We checked out our rooms & proceeded further towards Gangotri. Earlier we planned to stay at Barkot which is about 40 Kms from Jannki Chatti but as we had sufficient time , our driver suggested to stay at Bhramkhal which is 40 kms ahead Barkot. So next day we got sufficient time to explore the places on the way to Gangotri. From Barkot three of the roads go to Yamnotri , Gangotri & Dehradun via Kempty fall (Mussoorie) We turned to the left for the way to Gangotri. We took a small halt at Barkot for Tea and stretching our legs & body.

Barkot - Road

YAMNOTRI – The origin of River Yamuna

 Chardham Yatra
                       
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   

9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath  
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA 

In the continuation of my last post “Scenic Spots on the way to Divine Yatra  YAMNOTRI".  Next day morning we got up at 5 AM to get ready for the trekking of Yamnotri which is about 6 Km. from Jannki Chatti. It was still raining since last night so we were in the dilemma to go or not as our kids were also there with us.  We decided to get ready and if rain stops we all would go other wise my Brother-in-law& I will leave. As it was quite difficult to go till Yamnotri temple when it was raining. By the time we got   ready around 6 AM, my sister came to our room & informed that it stopped raining. We all felt happy as we were thinking that reaching so close to our destination we all won’t be able to have the Darshan of Maa Yamnotri but by Maa’s grace our wish was fulfilled & we all proceeded towards Yamnotri at 6.30 AM. 

Scenic Spots on the way to Divine Yatra YAMNOTRI

Chardham Yatra

                           
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   
9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath   
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA  

In every summer vacation  my family visits  Dehradun  (in law’s house) so we tend to explore the places in Uttranchal.  I love to be there and especially in the month of June when Delhi / NCR  in the grip of scorching heat.

We started our journey for Yamnotri on June 7^th , 2010 from Dehradun at 7.30 AM along with my sister’s family. We were four adults & four Kids.

 There are two routes for Yamnotri from Dehradun :-

Route  No. 1-          Dehradun – 36 Kms  – Herbertpur –  5 Kms - Vikas Nagar – 37 Kms --Yamuna Bridge  – 25 Kms-Damta – 28 Kms- Naugaon – 11 Kms Barkot – 29 Kms- Syana Chatti- 5 Kms-Hanuman Chatti- 7 Kms - Janki Chatti- 6 Kms – Yamnotri (184  Kms by road & 6 Kms by Trek, Total 189 Kms)

Route No. 2  - Dehradun – 38 Kms-Mussoorie –10 Kms- Kempty Fall- 16 Kms  – Yamuna Bridge – 25 Kms-Damta – 28 Kms- Naugaon – 11 Kms Barkot – 29 Kms- Syana Chatti- 5 Kms-Hanuman Chatti- 7 Kms - Janki Chatti- 6 Kms – Yamnotri (169 Kms by road & 6 Kms by Trek, Total 175 Kms)

Distance wise both the routes are almost equal & these routes meet at Yamuna Bridge.

An Introduction to Dev Bhoomi – UTTRAKHAND

Chardham Yatra

                           
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   
9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath   
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA  

Instead of writing directly about my Char Dham yatra  I realized that I should give some brief description about the holy state Dev Bhoomi – Uttrakhand so that all the  readers can be benefited by  enhancing their knowledge to know about this place & I expect  the  same from the others who already have the information about this Holy state.

Uttrakhand – The abode of God (Dev Bhoomi) became the 27^th state of India on Nov. 9^th,  2000.  Uttrakhand name is derived from Sanskrit  word  uttara  (North) & Khand (part of country).  It borders TIBET on North, NEPAL on East , UTTAR PRADESH on south , HARYANA on west & HIMACHAL PRADESH on North-West.

 

Uttarakhand Map