Safety Measures

Enjoy- But Not at the Risk of Your Life

Most of you must have heard about Manipal, in relation with higher education. Yes, the place is renowned for the university called Manipal University. This place is located at a distance of about 65 Km from Mangalore and close to the temple city of Udipi in Kartnataka. Manipal is just 8 Km away from the Arabian Sea.

This town of Manipal was initially a barren hill with few trees, which was transformed into a University town by Dr. T.M.A. Pai in the year 1950. Now this city has two universities which impart higher education to nearly 70,000 students every year.

Manipal University

Manipal has got its name from MannuPalla Lake, in Tullu language Mannu means mud and Palla means lake. This beautiful lake near the university campus is often visited by the students of the universities and by the tourists too, as it offers boating facilities to the visitors.

Unfortunately, the people especially the youngsters forget the safety rules completely, when they go out with their friends for outings. They give prime importance to fun forgetting their surroundings, which may lead to untoward incidences.

The same thing happened with the three students of Manipal University in the early hours of Saturday that is on 16^th June 2012, when they went for boating in the MannuPalla Lake after dinner at around 1.45 am.

MannuPalla Lake

One amongst the three students was my friend’s daughter who used to live in the university hostel away from her parents. She along with her two friends went for a boat ride in a celebratory mood at around 1.45 am, on a boat which was lying on the bank of the lake. Unfortunately, the boat had a hole, which was not noticed by them. Water gushed in, but they could notice this, only when they reached the mid of the lake. Realizing this they all panicked and the boat capsized. Only one of them could swim back and the other two got drowned.

As a parent of a daughter, I would like to request all the youngsters to take care of your lives, as your life is very precious to you as well as to your parents. We all must enjoy and have fun, but we should always know what we are doing and what will be its impact, because some mistakes done can never be corrected. The important safety measures for our young generation are:

• Keep check on your emotions. For example in the fit of rage do not cause any harm to anyone, while driving vehicle do not cross the speed limit etc.
  
• Late night outings should be avoided as most of the places are not at all safe in the night.
  
• Abide by the rules and regulations of the place.
  
• Avoid being in the lonely places and always try to be in the crowd.

Winter tourism in India.

Missed vacationing this summer? Never heard of winter-vacationing in India? Read on and prepare to be amazed.

·         The great ‘ChadarTrek’ is the high point of winter-tourism in India. Much-awaited all year long, Indian youngsters take off to Zanskar in December when the temperature plunges to -40 degrees Celsius, in order to trek-up and camp-out on the frozen River Zanskar. Ice and snow is all you see there and sunlight is purely ornamental.

Best Time: December.

·         Get outrageously adventurous this winter and go Helicopter-skiing on the Pir Panjal Mountains at 13,000 feet altitude in Gulmarg. Rated as one of the finest powder-snow ski-descents in the world, Gulmarg offers 66 mountain peaks for professional and amateur skiers. Training and skiing equipment is provided at the GulmargSki Village - now all you need is guts.

Best Time: 25 December - end of February.

·         Seek Snow-Leopards in Hemis National Park at 20,000 feet and in Dachigam National Park at 14,000 feet altitude wrapped in -40 degrees Celsius. This needs patience, determination and a good Snow-Leopard guide. The mere journey of searching for the snow-leopards is out of this world!

Best Time: December & January.

·         Pay respects to this Great prehistoric animal that’s been on this planet for 50 million years – the Great One-horned Rhino whose largest population in India is in Kaziranga National Park which is also two-thirds of world population of Rhinos. Jaldapara WildlifeSanctuary, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Gorumara National Park are the next biggest Rhino-joints. You would also get to see other wildlife in their lush green natural habitat.

Best Time: January & February.

·         Go birding with binoculars and a camera to the country’s Bird-Hotspots between 4000-7000 feet altitude such as Neora Valley National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, BuxaNational Park among others.

Best Time: January & February.

·         Ask no more. Just head out to Goa this winter if you’ve not already been there. Goa’s beaches in winter are something else like no other in this country. Beach parties, beach shacks, beach flea-markets and the New Year’s Eve Parties are a rage here.

Best Time: December & January.

·         And this one – you’ll get sold on easily. Indulge in luxurious and romantic ‘Desert Camp Suites’ of large canvas tents lit-up with beautiful lanterns in the middle of Rajasthan Deserts of Jaisalmer and the Great Indian Thar Desert. Desert Safaris, Jeep-rides, Camel-treks – will give you fascinating desert experiences that will completely woo you and make you want to go back for more. Staying in a desert-camp is one of the best things that you could do with your money!

      Best Time: November, December, January, February.

So clear your calendar, block your dates and pack up for an amazing Winter Holiday!

Pix courtesy: Hindubusinessline, Serai, Goabeachhuts, mytourideas, valuemytrip, exoticasiatravels, travelandleisure.

Travel - make it slow & take it easy!

Did you just return from your vacation and feel like you need another vacation from that vacation?

Were you subject to ‘Army-drill-tourism’ with someone else ringing your alarm-clock every dawn?

Did you just visit all the favourite tourist-spots of your Raju-guide’s?

Did your tour drive you breathless with the non-stop shuttle from one spot to the other?

Has your camera done more sight-seeing than you?

Did you just spend your money on a tour that you do not remember?

Well….you’ve subjected yourself to ‘power-tourism’ – not ‘power’ in ‘power-games’…..it implies ‘power’ in ‘power-yoga’ – action-packed solid workout! With any luck you might’ve burnt some calories too!

It’s time you remedy this.

Travel and tour at your pace – for your own pleasure!

Don’t know how? Here are a few options to get you started:

1.    Take a River-Cruise on a ship for a few days– skiff up a river and laze around on the deck all day and all night. Choose to keep your eyes open or not. Wake up in a new place each day without moving a muscle. Have food & drinks of your choice served to you wherever you are on the ship. Pay to get pampered!

2.    Get wild in the wilderness – pick a jungle-themed Eco-camp in any Wildlife Sanctuary or National Park to stay at and hop on to an elephant or a jeep and visit your favourite wildlife – One-horned Rhino, Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard or even the Great Indian Hornbill and Dolphins. You want to stretch your legs, go nature-trekking in the wilderness.

3.    Moped around in those British or Portuguese Colonies along the beach or on top of mountains wearing comfortable clothes and no makeup. Make random stops at beach-shacks for cocktails or mocktails or just juices. Drive to feel the fresh cool breeze in your face or chase the sunset.

4.    Check-in to a log-cabin and explore the gorgeous and scenic lush green Mountain-meadows swaying with millions of wild-flowers. Park yourself there with your favourite book and music or go mountain-trekking.

5.    Tired of the tropics? How about you chill in the snow? Most mountain-resorts are easy to reach with well-developed flights network and bus-connectivity. You just need 5 days for a trip to Leh and back. Explore the mountains on Yaks, Donkeys or Ponies.

6.    You’re neither fond of beaches nor crazy about mountains? Then pick a quiet but enchanting hill-station and stroll around Tea Gardens, Orange Orchards and Orchid Farms.

7.    You want to explore your spiritual-side? Check-in to an Ashram or a Buddhist Monastery and get in touch with your inner-self. You don’t have to be or become a Buddhist to visit a Stupa.

8. And if you're looking for an even slower paced holiday then check-in to a Spa. Get a full massage in ayuvedic oils or dip into a mud-bath daily. Get a back-rub or a foot-massage twice daily.

Now imagine all this.

Dindi

 Andhra Pradesh Backwater- Dindi

Everyone heard about the beautiful picturesque of ‘God’s own country’ Kerala. But hardly any tourist has heard about another picturesque location tucked away among the swaying coconut groves on the banks of the river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, which should also get similar title like Kerala.

On the banks of mighty river Godavari, the second largest in the country after Ganges, lies this small village called Dindi, in Malkipuram Mandal of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. 

This pristine land of beauty with swaying coconut groves on a vast piece of land with water all around with waves lashing the shore, welcomes the tourists with lovely earthy fragrance. Thanks to computer technology, that the people are slowly coming to know about this place and visiting this place. No doubt this place is gaining popularity day by day amongst the tourists.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is introducing many facilities for the tourists, to promote this place as a prominent tourist attraction.

For the comfortable stay, good food and for recreation, APTDC has started with Haritha Coconut Resort, which caters with all the needs and wants of the tourists. It has introduced Houseboat Cruises, which is becoming the main point of attraction for the tourists to visit this place along with the scenic beauty all around. 

This place is perfect for a relaxing weekend, away from the hustle-bustle of the city. Sailing down the stream and absorbing the beauty around makes you forget your tensions to a certain extent. This cruise will certainly give you the feeling of Kerala Backwaters.

There are Houseboats with fully air-conditioned 2 and 3 double bedrooms, which have attached bath and a sit out along with dining space on the deck. These boats can house a maximum of 12 people, where each bedroom accommodates 4 adults, if the number of members in the group is more than 4 then some surcharge amount will be charged. APTDC is very nicely taking care of these houseboats and the surroundings. The hospitality in the houseboats by the well trained attendants is given prime importance.

The cruise usually starts at 10 am, and sails along the winding tributaries of Godavari-Vynateyam and Vasista. It sails upstream to Rajolu and downstream to Narsapur town. The vegetarian breakfast and lunch are served on the boat, whereas dinner (veg or Non veg) is served on the island in a very ethnic style having a lingering taste of Andhra.

The tourists can stay in the boats anchored near the resort. After a daylong cruise on the boat, a pleasant scene of sun setting down over the western horizon and later gazing the stars coming out relaxes you completely.

So now pack your baggage and head for your destination Dindi in Andhra Pradesh for a relaxing weekend.

Accommodation:

For booking your stay in Dindi contact APTDC offices in your city. You can even book your stay in the private resorts, which are located close by to Haritha resort.

For further Information:

Telephone Numbers:

APTDC:  040-66746370

                  040-66745986

                  09848540371

Konaseema Tourism:  91-40-69998111, 91- 8008727111, 91-8008727222

Dindi Resorts:  08862-226662, 91- 9951355005

Getting There:

Dindi by train:

There are daily trains from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhimavaram and Visakhapatnam to the nearest station to Dindi--Palakollu. From Palakollu you can go to Dindi by road.

Nearest stations are Palakollu and Narsapur.There are daily trains even for Narsapur from Hyderabad, Bhimavaram and Visakhapatnam.

Hyderabad to Dindi by road:

Hyderabad - Suryapet - Khammam - Ashwarapet - Kovvur - Rajahmundry - Amalapuram - Razole - Dindi.

This place is 30 to 35 Km from Bhimavaram, travelling from Bhimavaram to Dindi by private vehicle is preferable.

The Distance from
Hyderabad to Dindi:    373 Km
Rajahmundary to Dindi: 80 Km

Kakinada to Dindi: 74 Km

Dindi by air:

The nearest airport to Dindi is Rajahmundry airport.