Thailand – a spiritual sanctuary: By Rajan Datar

BBC World News presenter Rajan Datar traveled across Thailand for a documentary for his show – The Travel Show – to find out whether there is still room for spirituality in the 21st century with growing consumerism and economic growth. He makes a few interesting observations based on his experience in the country.


Thailand – a spiritual sanctuary
By Rajan Datar

* Thanks to its Buddhist traditions, Thailand has also retained a reputation as a country where spirituality is of big part of everyday life. As a result it's become a destination that's visited by many travellers who want to disengage from the pressures of everyday life and reconnect with something altogether more meaningful.

Thailand portrays itself as a devout Buddhist country but our experience is that is not so true anymore in the big cities and on the holiday islands

* Young people, especially in the capital Bangkok, are increasingly turning away from orthodox, “organized” Buddhism, questioning the values of their parents and pursuing education and career goals. 

* The monkhood or Sangha is struggling to recruit novices and some monks are setting very bad examples with allegations of corruption, getting intoxicated and generally breaking many of the Buddhist precepts. There is even now a 'Monk Police' to help root out the bad apples.

Meeting Thailand's first female Buddhist nun, the remarkable Bhikkhuni Dhammananda.  She is not officially recognised by the Thai Buddhist hierarchy and had to be ordained in Sri Lanka

* What’s more the country’s political elite haven’t always covered themselves with glory. A military coup in May has led again to the abandonment of democracy until stability is restored. And then Thailand’s international reputation frequently suffers with stories about sex tourism, sleaze and even murder. 

The Chivasom International health resort in Hua Hin in Thailand is a luxury exclusive upmarket spa and well-being centre with over 200 different treatments and services

* The journey included visiting leading figure in Theravad Buddhims, Phra Anil Sakya from the Wat Bowon in the capital. He was assistant secretary to the late Supreme Patriarch, who died last year at the age of 104. Phra Anil was a sympathetic and genial guide, accepting many of my reservations about the state of Buddhism today but explaining that the original pillars of the faith still hold true. 

The Travel Show team spent two days at the Wat Boonyawad forest monastery in the east of Thailand, meeting the Abbott and several foreign monks with colourful backgrounds

* Visit to a forest monastery to experience life there which I did but not before visiting the other two types of escape for Westerners in Thailand: the luxury health and wellbeing resort Chivasom where high achievers come to find peace and restoration in a very comfortable, and expensive, climate; and then the party island Koh Samui, where” most visitors find what they come for: revelry and release.

* But it was time at the Wat Boomayad monastery in the east of the country that left the biggest impression on me. I met some interesting foreign monks there, one of whom had left a life as a highly successful fashion photographer in Germany. No electricity, Wi-Fi, TV, soft bed…only one meal a day…you can imagine it’s a journalist’s nightmare! 

Interviewing Phra Anil, a senior monk in Bangkok at the first anniversary of the death of Thailand's Supreme Patriarch of 24 years.  Phra Anil became my Buddhist advisor on my journey

* I did gain a little insight into the Buddhism approach to life there and its values which I believe are even more relevant in this modern, overloaded world. I understood the notion that we would all benefit from having fewer empty choices to make and that an obsession with the “self” is a very unhealthy one. Live for the now is also a very powerful message that makes you stop and realize how brief our life on this plane is.    

* The big issue though is when you get back to the big city, how you can translate these glimpses into enlightenment at peace with oneself…and that is the big challenge for so many of us ahead…

Photo credits to BBC World News

Learn Muay Thai in Thailand

India’s award-winning female boxing champion Mary Kom was recently in Thailand as part of the destination's campaign to promote the increasingly popular sport of Muay Thai boxing. Partnering with celebrities is a critical element of Thailand's strategy for 2014-15. 

The boxer was filmed visiting several Muay Thai stadiums, interacting with Thai boxing stars and overall enjoying Thailand. The final cut of a VDO recording her activities will be shown in India across social and mainstream media. 

Thailand is trying to popularize Muay Thai as an experience for Indian tourists to Thailand to indulge in. Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport of Thailand. Once a skill that was essential for survival in battle, Muay Thai is now one of the most popular fighting sports in the world. Fighters from all corners of the globe travel to Thailand to train in Muay Thai, and it is no longer uncommon for Muay Thai fights in Bangkok or the countryside to feature foreign fighters on the fight bill. 

Thailand also promotes the annual 'Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony' to showcase some of the sacred rituals of Thai boxing. Held at the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site, it has become like an annual convention of Muay Thai boxers, featuring competitions, an exhibition and presentations by Muay Thai camps and gyms.

At present, there are over 1,000 Thai boxing camps located worldwide. 

Even tourists can indulge in this sport by taking a short course or spending a few weeks training in Thailand to try and become a Muay Thai champion. Many continue to practice Muay Thai upon their return to India as it is becoming a popular and enjoyable way of staying fit. Some Indian women like to take up a few days course in Thailand so that they can pick up and practice key moves once they get back home, thus giving them a method of self-defense. God knows we need it here!

All you would want is Ecuador...

... once you experience it!

This remote South American country that only mature travellers ever think of visiting is looking to India to promote itself. And to showcase all the things it has to offer, especially the exotic Ecuadorian chocolates, the Institute for the Promotion of Trade & Investment of Ecuador had hosted a fun event at Shiro in Mumbai.

It basically brought Ecuador to life by recreating the feel of Ecuador. Héctor Cueva Jácome, Consul General representing Ecuador in Mumbai, said, “Ecuador is an undiscovered gem for Indian travellers which is why we have looked forward to presenting this experience of our country. Ecuador as a destination has a lot to offer for the various genres of travellers and companies.”

Among the many products that Ecuador exports are its exceptional coffee, chocolate and roses. The focus that evening was therefore also on Ecuadorian chocolates with the launch of a brand of luxe bonbons made from Ecuadorian chocolate along with chocolatier Chef Varun Inamdar. 

The Ecuador tourism board site gives very good information on the destination. And while I haven't visited the country YET, my friend Kaushal aka Exotic Gringo has and he has some wonderful things to say about Ecuador! 

For the love of tea

I always thought that I was a coffee person until a couple of years ago when i realised that i had started to enjoy drinking tea more. 

I'm not an aficionado by any chance and I do not have patience for tea-tasting. I like my cuppa to taste the same every time which is why i prefer making it myself. I don't experiment and generally stick to cardamom and Darjeeling teas.
 

Prahlad Kakkar with Deepak Jain, MD of D'lecta Cafe at tea-tasting event on International Tea Day

But a recent talk on tea presented by adman Prahlad Kakkar on the occasion of International Tea on December 15 was interesting to say the least. The tea-tasting session was sponsored by D'lecta Cafe, which offers a range of beverage solutions. It also offers vending solutions with tea-brewing capability and aseptic beverage creamers.

Kakkad's talk on teas was fascinating. He has been associated with the beverage in many ways. He took on the initiative of reviving the tea culture in India with a touch of sophistication, a venture which culminated in the speciality  Tea Centre, a restaurant designed by him at Churchgate, in association with the Tea Board of India - the first of its kind in the country. 

"Tea is a laxative and an aphrodisiac. It helps you go in the morning and come in the night!" he said. And that's why, he said, the two main tea-growing, tea-drinking nations are the two most populous as well. Hmmm... interesting deduction!

‘World Cup a big focal point for NZ’: Fleming

He has been given the mandate of promoting the upcoming Cricket World Cup and New Zealand as a destination simply by virtue of who he is. Stephen Fleming, who was in Mumbai recently to do exactly that, decided to display the distinctive Kiwi humour. 

Standing tall (tallest in the room, actually) at 6.1 feet and looking dapper in a black suit, Stephen Fleming was his casual self while promoting what he loves most – cricket. The former Black Caps captain, Stephen Fleming was on a multiple-city tour as part of the delegation that was in the country along with Tourism New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand.

Now coach to the Chennai Super Kings, Fleming has been traveling with the delegation to promote not only the World Cup but also tourism in New Zealand. “We have been very busy the last few days. We were in Sri Lanka just now and I had to be very careful with my Kiwi accent since we get very lazy with our vowels, and make sure I wasn’t promoting ‘terrorism’ instead of ‘tourism’!” he joked.

He continued in the vein saying, “I see it as a marketing challenge to make sure that the tourism categories are well separated, because an ‘adventurous honeymoon’ may be an interesting sell. There may be a market for it – who knows!”

Adding that his was an easy job, Fleming said, “When I was told seven years ago that I would be the coach for Chennai Super Kings, I thought it was an interesting vision. They said they want me to win and increase the profile of Chennai Super Kings, which will help my profile and in turn it will help more people come to New Zealand. And that’s just the way we think.”

Playing on Harbour Bridge   

As the team’s coach, Fleming is mostly based in Chennai. “I got very lucky and I feel India is my home away from home. I’m based in Chennai but I’m moving around a lot. It’s a great position to be in to be promoting both countries to the other. The World Cup is a big focal point for New Zealand and for Christchurch. It offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase what we have and also use cricket as a voice piece for New Zealand,” Fleming said.

He went on to launch a promotional video created by Tourism New Zealand that features Andy Bichel, Damian Fleming, Chris Harris and Fleming himself with a special cameo by Kiwi cricket legend Richard Hadlee. The video shows them warming up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. “It took my cricket to a new height. It’s safe to say that the Kiwis won this match,” Fleming quipped.

“We want Indians to become more aware of our country and the holiday options that are available here. It really is a holiday of a lifetime. We have nature, adventure, romantic holidays, family holidays for all ages, and we are now trying to use cricket to get you to visit our beautiful country,” he said.

When asked about what other sport he would play apart from cricket, Fleming said it would be rugby. “It’s our number one sport and our biggest export. Our rugby team is one of the most successful ones in the world. However, rugby is not overly popular in the subcontinent or the rest of the world. We are therefore using cricket wherever it’s popular to generate a lot of interest. Sports plays an important part in the way we promote our country but that’s because we are very recreational and sports plays a big role in our lifestyle,” he added.

If in Australia, attend White Night Melbourne cultural event

White Night Melbourne is a state government of Victoria initiative inspired by the international network of Nuit Blanche cities around the world. It showcases Melbourne’s music, art, theatre, sport, fashion, film, design and performance over a 12-hour period from 7pm Saturday, 21st February to 7am Sunday, 22nd February 2015.

White Night Melbourne 2014 presented more than 100 public events and activities which transformed more than eight city blocks.

Melbourne’s city streets, major cultural institutions, public spaces, gardens, landmark buildings and laneways will once again host Australia’s edition of this global phenomenon.

A further highlight is that one of the White Night performances is a collaboration between a local Bollywood actress and creative director of White Night, Andrew Walsh called 'Sita's Garden'. They will create a Little India complete with food, bustling Indian streets and.. a floating lotus island on the Yarra which will include some Bollywood dancing.

Check out the event's YouTube video. 

How Indians would like like to travel this Christmas!

Did you know that 66.7% of Indian travellers would prefer to travel abroad and stay in a hotel and 75% would definitely plan a weekend getaway if they are unable to take a long vacation for Christmas this year? 

Hotels.com recently conducted a global Christmas survey in 28 countries from over 8,700 respondents that reveals some interesting facts about traveller preferences this winter.
Since Christmas is celebrated on a muted scale in a country like India, 46% of Indian travellers and 32% of APAC travellers would travel for the reason of experiencing Christmas elsewhere, while 62% of Indian travellers would pick a hotel that offers a traditional yuletide experience.

The results of the survey are a clear indication of the evolving Indian traveller who wants to travel not just during the year end but also to experience more of the trappings of a traditional Christmas. The global survey reveals:

• APAC travellers seem to be in the mood to travel this Christmas as 32% travellers from the region want to go abroad and stay in a hotel during the period, while only 20%, 17%, and 9% of LATAM, Europe and NA travellers are planning to travel abroad respectively 

• Travellers in different regions spend their Christmas holidays away for different reasons - the top reasons for Europe and APAC travellers was to spend “some quality time with my family”, while NA and LATAM travellers gave “to enjoy some cooler temperatures” and “to experience Christmas elsewhere” as their key objectives respectively.

• Less than 10% of travellers would like to avoid the Christmas fuss by travelling elsewhere
• 77% APAC, 94% LATM, and only 66% European travellers would chose a hotel that offers a traditional Christmas celebration

Another survey by travel portal, Yatra.com, shows that more than 25% Indians are willing to spend over Rs 50,000 on their winter vacation. While 34.9% people are willing to spend between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 on their vacation. 

The survey showcased that Indians have started taking frequent holidays through the year, albeit for shorter durations. 81.2 per cent respondents prefer to take holidays of up to 7 days, while only 5.4 per cent opt for holidays for more than 15 days. And a whopping 72.8% people take 4 or more holidays a year. 

Still hooked on to work:
While Indians enjoy holidaying, the survey found that 18.2 per cent Indians are hooked on to their phones even during vacations. But there were also 28 per cent respondents who said they switch off completely from work, while 53.8 per cent Indians will check their phone at least once a day to stay connected.

Prefer to pay and stay:
The survey found that just 13.4 per cent respondents were keen to stay at a relative or a friend’s place on vacation, while an overwhelming81.6 per cent preferred to stay at hotels. The survey found that 45.7 per cent Indians prefer staying at 2-3 star hotels, and nearly 20 per cent stay at 4-5 star hotels. The new upcoming trend that the survey revealed was that 5 per cent Indians are looking for home stays which was relatively negligible in the past.

BFFs:
The survey shows that while only 16.1 per cent Indians opt for travelling with their families,a staggering 39 per cent Indians are looking to holiday with their friends and 37 per cent looking to travel with their partners.

Lost in Nature:
Indians have a varying Travel Quotient when it comes to vacations. While most Indians (48.1%) prefer a retreat in the lap of nature, the lazy beach holidays are also popular with 15 per cent Indians. Hobby-centric holidays are also on the rise - 13 per cent admitting to being adventure junkies, 12 per cent admitted to travelling to satiate the foodie within them, 7.1 per cent admitted to wandering in search of historical monuments, and shopaholics accounted for 4.8 per cent. 

Apps make it easier:
There is a sizable increase in mobile bookings for holidays. 19.8 per cent Indians have started to use various mobile apps for their travel bookings,and now only7.5 per cent of the peopleprefer the travel agents, while the remaining still prefer booking holidays on their desktops.

Exploring the world:
The survey also saw an increase in people willing to travel abroad, with more than 25 per cent opting for international travel this winter season. Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai are popular with those heading abroad, while amongst the Indian holiday destinations, Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan continue to remain hot favourites. The inspiration behind opting for a certain destination though, varies for each individual. 

Social Media is the influencer:
Travel blogs and social media emerged as major influencers when it comes to choosing a travel destination; with 30.8 per cent Indians claiming that they refer to them. Many Indians were influenced by family and friends, and only a select 6.3% are inspired by movies or TV serials to pick their next holiday destination.    

The findings also revealed that out of 70% of Indians opting for vacations this winter,Over 39.7 per cent Indians prefer group tours and hassle free customised packages. The rest still opted for separate bookings for travel and accommodation equally. 

The Yatra.com survey was conducted among 5,000 individuals who are a part of its customer base.

A new carpooling community awaits you

A new online carpooling marketplace called Tripda connects people who need rides with drivers who have empty car seats on long trips. It is already present in several countries around the world including Brazil, USA, Argentina, Colombia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. 

Passengers and drivers can connect through Tripda’s website and mobile app platforms, available for iOS and Android, and mutually filter travel partners taking similar journeys according to their personal preferences. Tripda verifies drivers and passengers in multiple ways and runs checks to ensure their privacy and security. 

Currently a free platform, Tripda does not charge its users any fees or commissions currently for using the platform.

Tripda is backed by Berlin-based and recently listed Rocket Internet, which identifies and builds proven Internet business models and transfers them to new, underserved or untapped markets where it seeks to scale them into market leading online companies. 

Do you 'hate' Thailand too?

To stand out of the crowd, a lot of international tourism boards are promoting themselves innovatively. The latest to resort to an interesting tactic is Thailand with its latest marketing video titled ‘I Hate Thailand’. 

It has been produced based on a research that an ‘unbranding’ advertisement would tend to receive more interest than a conventional branding commercial. The intention of this video is solely to depict the renowned Thai hospitality, demonstrating that Thais are ready to be a good host and offer a helping hand to tourists who need help.

The ‘I Hate Thailand’ video is a romantic-comedy short film about a tourist named ‘James’ who visits Thailand for a week but loses his bag along with his valuables. The script then sees James get rescued by a local girl and later recovers his possessions through the help of other villagers. The film concludes with James saying that he was wrong when he said he hated Thailand when he did not know the country well enough. He ends up staying back in Thailand for two years!

Watch the video here.

Land in Bangkok on Nov 29

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with Memotion, a Thailand-based boutique multi-media entertainment company, is bringing a thrilling music and dance event to Bangkok.

Gravity Thailand 2014 presents Arcadia The Bangkok Landing, to take place on 29 November, following the success of TAT’s first music event, Chill n ’Grill Music Weekend @ Chao Samran Beachin 2013.

Thailand continues to leverage music marketing as part of its overall marketing activities to stimulate tourism. This year, it is going the extra mile by bringing the latest innovation and creativity in the world’s music and dance event through Arcadia Spectacular, which is a futuristic mechanical cabaret, along with its Spider Stage and Lords of Lighting extravaganza.

The Arcadia Spectacular is one of the highlights at the annual Glastonbury Festival of Performing Arts. The show’s wonderful vehicles and machines constructed from recycled materials also took the stage at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in the UK. The 360-degree Spider Stage is Arcadia’s largest and most radical structure while the Lords of Lightning are performers in bespoke chainmail suits harnessing four million volts of raw electricity between them.

The Bangkok Landing will also host some international and local DJ talents such as The Bloody Beetroots, Roni Size & Dynamic MC, SKiSM, Far Too Loud and the Arcadia Soundsystem.

The Gravity landing base will be in the front of Siam Park City (Suan Siam), a large outdoor area based on the outskirts of Bangkok. 

Tickets are 2,500 Baht for regular entry and 3,500 Baht for deluxe entry that includes express entrance, deluxe bar area and two welcome drinks. Entrance to the event will open at 16.00 hrs while the show will start at 19.00 hrs. 

Beauty has an address: Oman

Oman is a really good getaway for long weekend breaks. Located just 2.5 hours away from India, Oman is a quaint, unexplored and beautiful destination in the Middle East. 

Here, there is a communion of modernism and old-world charm that gives the country a unique character. Oman has a wonderful ability to time travel and can take you back a few centuries as you walk past the narrow alleyways of a bustling souk or bring you back to the 21st century as you admire the modern state-of-the-art Opera House in Muscat. 

As a country filled with beautiful mountains, valleys, caves, deserts and beaches, Oman is a great destination for adventure too. Different regions in Oman are popular for different activities. Muscat can be explored for dolphin watching, sailing, jetskiing; Daymaniyat islands is famous for snorkelling and scuba diving, Masirah islands is an excellent place to go for kite surfing; Jabal Shams (also known as Grand Canyon of Middle East) is famous for hiking and trekking trips; Salalah has some good places to go for bird watching while sand dune bashing, quad biking can be experienced in Sharqiyah Sands. 

Dophar

Oman is well connected with India as several airlines like Oman Air, Air India, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Indigo and Air India Express have direct connections. These airlines connect Muscat with several Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. 

Oman visa can be obtained within 4-5 working days.

Kim Kardashian dines at YUAN at Atlantis, The Palm

In the midst of her adventures around the UAE, Kim Kardashian, arguably the world’s most talked about woman, stopped by YUAN, the signature Chinese restaurant, bar and lounge at Atlantis, The Palm last night.

Dressed in a sleek black dress with nude sandals, the global starlet stopped by the restaurant with BFF Carla Dibello and her entourage.

Kim’s visit to YUAN comes just before the hotspot celebrates its first anniversary. Since its launch, YUAN has become a celebrity favourite with the A-Listers, including international supermodel Jourdan Dunn and Fashionista Millie Mackintosh who enjoyed the much talked about cocktails and signature dishes by Executive Chef Jeff Tan, formerly of Hakkasan Mayfair.

Rumoured to be staying at Atlantis, The Palm based on the photos posted on her Instagram account, Kim is in Dubai for the launch of her new Fleur Fatale fragrance.

Atlantis, The Palm is located at the centre of the crescent of The Palm in Dubai. It was recently showcased in the Shah Rukh starrer 'Happy New Year'. 

Opened in 2008, the ocean-themed resort features a variety of marine and entertainment attractions, as well as 17 hectares of waterscape amusement at Aquaventure Waterpark, all within a 46 hectare site. It is home to one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with over 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. 

Atlantis, The Palm is also known as the culinary destination in the region with a collection of world-renowned restaurants including Nobu and Ronda Locatelli. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops as well as extensive meeting and convention facilities. 

Fancy a cruise from Mumbai or Chennai?

Azamara Club Cruises announces its first-ever sailing from India. You can now embark on a scintillating journey through the Spice Route from the Maximum City of Mumbai and Chennai.

Azamara Club Cruises, one of the world’s most sophisticated and upmarket cruise line, announces its first-ever sailing from India. The 13-day Spice Route Voyage on Azamara Quest starts from Mumbai on November 26, 2014 and passes through Goa, Kochi, Maldives, Colombo, Galle and Chennai. 

The cruise will then set sail from Chennai on December 9, 2014 for another 13 days (Spice Route – II Voyage) across the Bay of Bengal passing through Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

The cruise will allow guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of the land destinations and soak in the culture of South Asia with each shore excursion including an exclusive evening that captures the sights, sounds, and tastes of the destination. 

A signature feature of Azamara Club Cruises is the AzAmazing Evening - a bespoke event allowing for destination immersion. During the Spice Route Voyage, cruisers will get a glimpse into the culture and traditions of Kerala during the stay at Kochi. A painted elephant will welcome them to a Kerala celebration at Vivanta by Taj Malabar. 

Passengers can stroll through the lawns and explore an assembled marketplace featuring tea and toddy shops, an astrologer, potter, cane weaver, and a Mehendi artist creating delicate henna tattoos. Enjoy drinks and desserts as you’re entertained by expressive Kathakali dancers in elaborate costumes and make-up. Also witness performances of Mohiniyattam and Kalaripayattu (a martial arts dance using spears, daggers and swords). 

Incredible India course offers Mont Alto students travel, cultural

Observe Indian architecture and culture while traveling throughout Kolkata and New Delhi, gain an understanding of the work of those who serve the poorest of the poor in one of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and discover the sustainable elements being used to transform the Sadhana Forest. These are only a few highlights of what students will experience when they enroll in the Incredible India course.

It is available to students from any Penn State campus, studying any major. Offered in fall 2015, ASIA 197 is a course about India’s cultural and economic diversity that includes a 13-day trip to India and gives students the opportunity to study an approved topic of their own interest as it relates to their major, discipline or degree. 

To complete course requirements, each student will develop a report and present it to the Mont Alto campus community and earn four credits — two for the course, two for the trip. Early applications of interest are due by Dec. 12. Students should email Penn State Mont Alto mathematics instructor Deborah Mirdamadi stating their contact information, major, adviser, and why they want to study and travel to India. Tentative dates of the trip are Dec. 26, 2015, to Jan. 8, 2016.

The value of this experience cannot be measured only in course credits, according to India native Somjit Barat, associate professor of marketing at Penn State Mont Alto. He is helping to coordinate the trip. “It will be an eye-opening experience and when they return, they will have a better understanding of the world, of diversity. And, when it comes to diversity, nothing can compare to the Indian subcontinent,” he said. 

The course also meets Penn State program goals and strategic initiatives. The University’s General Education Program Goal is to “enable students to gain understanding of international interdependence and cultural diversity and develop consideration for values, lifestyles and traditions that may differ from their own.”

The course and trip are the brainchild of Mirdamadi who also teaches cultural diversity and has a special interest in teaching Middle Eastern culture. Her desire is to expose students to other cultures. 

In preparation to teach the course and lead the trip, Mirdamadi has previously scouted various points of interest throughout India, places to stay and modes of transportation. While the trip agenda won’t be finalized until the interests of those enrolled are determined, the group will visit the major cities of Kolkata and New Delhi with stops at the Taj Mahal and the Akshardham Temple, the National Gandhi Museum, a location of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity as well as the village of Auroville in the Sadhana Forest.

A representative from Auroville, Jamey Ellis, plans to visit the Penn State Mont Alto campus on Jan. 28, 2015, to talk about a current sustainable project of the Sadhana Forest. More information will be forthcoming.

The cost of the trip is $3,500 and includes airfare with up to a possible $1,000 per student grant being made available through the Commonwealth Campuses Student International Travel Grants funded jointly by the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and the University Office of Global Programs. Penn State Mont Alto will match dollar-for-dollar grant awards to Mont Alto students participating in this study-abroad experience.

Students can learn more about Incredible India here and by contacting Mirdamadi at dxm7@psu.edu, Barat at sub26@psu.edu or Brantley at eab8@psu.edu.

This story has been sourced from here.

If you're going to be in Thailand between Dec-Jan...

Kings Cup Regatta
Dates: November 30 – December 6
Venue: Kata Beach, Phuket

Phuket's famous international yachting event, The King's Cup Regatta, returns to the azure waters of the Andaman Ocean in December for a week of partying, sailing, beautiful people and great fun. This year marks not only the event's 20th year of prominence on the Asian yacht racing calendar, but also coincides with the auspicious Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Thailand's beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch.

The event was launched in 1987 to celebrate His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5. A yachting enthusiast himself, His Majesty King Bhumibol also happens to be patron of the King's Cup, making it a regal event in every sense of the word. To add further lustre to Phuket's prime international sporting event, the sailing regatta was named 'Yachting Event of the Year' at the Christofle Asia Boating Awards 2006. Its popularity has gained significant momentum on the international yachting scene, while media attention has grown steadily over the years.

The King's Cup Regatta attracts some of the world's best yachtsmen, 'yachtswomen' and their expensive boats to the waters of Kata Beach, off the island's west coast, where these local and visiting sailors vie for the coveted trophy, creating a truly spectacular sight in the process. Beginning on December 2, the races run until December 9. Thus far some 86 yachts from 18 countries have been entered, a figure that is certain to rise as the regatta date draws closer and many boats normally enter late.

This edition also marks the fifth year of the Phuket Dinghy Series which falls under the umbrella of Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. A fleet of over 20 Optimists and Laser will race the Phuket Dinghy Series 2014 during 1-2 November.

The Series race will start at Cape Panwa in front of the Sailing Club of the 3rd Naval Command Center on 1 November at 11.00 hrs.  Three back to back races are expected on 1 November and another three races on 2 November.

The next and final series for the year will be held at Kata Beach 29 and 30 November when a much bigger fleet of Phuket King’s Cup regatta gather for the week long race off the bay.

Qualified top sailors are expected to race the larger fleet of International Dinghy Class of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta 2014. 

Trekking Season at Phu Soi Dao National Park
Date: Ongoing - until January 2015 
Venue: Phu Soi Dao National Park, Nampad district, Uttaradit 

The rainy season is the best time to take in the magical sights of the kingdom’s indigenous flowers in full bloom. Phu Soi Dao National Park, covering areas both in Uttaradit and Phitsanulok provinces, is abundant with natural flora and fauna. With its highest peak situated at 2,102 metres above the sea level, the mountain is considered the fifth highest in Thailand.

Highlights at this national park are the five-tier Phu Soi Dao waterfall, the seven-tier Sai Thip waterfall, and the trekking trails to see the pine forests at 1,633 metres above the sea level. The trekking route is 6.5 kilometre in distance and would take four to six hours on foot. At the summit is one of the largest natural flower fields in Thailand, boasting indigenous flowers including Dok Ngon Nak, Dok Soi Suwanna and Dok Ya Rak Hom.
Phu Soi Dao National Park provides standard accommodation and camping sites for nature lovers.  Near the park is the Ban Rom Klao Botanic Garden, a royal initiative project, which has the comprehensive collections of indigenous floras found in Thailand.

Outdoor ‘Candlelight Museum’ in Chiang Rai 
Date: Ongoing – until January 31, 2015
Venue: Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park in Chiang Rai has scheduled to open the second Candlelight Museum, a magnificent exhibition where the Park will be beautifully decorated nightly with hundreds of lit candles from 1 December, 2014, to 31 January, 2015.

The two-month Candlelight Museum, inaugurated in December last year, is the first-ever exhibition of its kind. It features hundreds of candles that are lit to spectacularly illuminate the exquisite ancient wooden candlesticks, crafts and artefacts.
The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park opens daily (except Monday) from 10.00-22.00 hrs. Between this December and January, the Candlelight Museum will start from 17.00 hrs. with special Lanna performances on weekends and public holidays at 19:30 and 20:30 hrs.

Visitors to Chiang Rai should not miss this one-of-a-kind exhibition. While marvelling at the many ancient artefacts of Lanna culture, visitors will also be impressed with the romantic atmosphere around the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park as the candles are lit to illuminate the entire premises.

The 150-rai Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is one of Thailand’s largest collections of ancient artefacts of Lanna culture, some aged several hundred years. The Park houses three main buildings: Haw Kham (Golden Pavilion), which displays a collection of ancient Lanna art and teak artefacts, Haw Kham Noi, which houses 19th-century mural paintings, and Haw Kaew and Sala Kaew, which feature permanent and rotating teak wood exhibitions.

Visitors can also visit nearby attractions under the Doi Tung Development Project including: Doi Tung Royal Villa, which was built in 1990 to celebrate the 90th birthday of the late Princess Mother; Mae Fah Luang Garden, which features a beautiful garden of cold climate flowers and indigenous flora of Doi Tung; and the Hall of Inspiration, where the exhibition covers the story of the Mahidol Family (of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej).

Chiang Rai is a land of outstanding cultural and natural wonders, and visitors should not miss the chance to explore the pristine natural beauty of the countryside, immerse in the indigenous culture, and check out the golden triangle, where Thailand, Lao PDR and Myanmar come together.

Chiang Mai’s We Love the King Day Parade 2014
Date: 3 December 2014
Venue: Chiang Mai

The 4th annual International We Love the King Parade and Concert returns on 3 December this year. This event is for people of all ethnic groups to gather together with Thai citizens to show their mutual respect and love for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

A mini concert by the North Gate Jazz Band will start the festivities at JJ Market 15.00 hrs. At Tha Pae Gate, the candlelight ceremony followed by dances, performances and fireworks will start from 17.30 hrs. In 2013, over 1500 people of many different nationalities and ethnic groups joined in the festivities. 

World's first Cartoon Network Amazone waterpark in Thailand

The highly-anticipated Cartoon Network Amazone waterpark in Pattaya is now open to guests. It boasts of 30 water rides and slides, live Cartoon Network entertainment shows, mascot meet and greets, thrills attractions and interactive water play.

Cartoon Network Amazone is Thailand’s first international water theme park, as well as the new home away from home of Cartoon Network’s beloved heroes; the Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10 and Adventure Time.

The waterpark is designed to be a ‘daycation’ destination – a place where music and live entertainment with Cartoon Network characters would equally be as important as the water attractions. 

It features 10 themed-entertainment zones as well as live and multimedia entertainment that incorporates the latest in interactive smart-screen technology.

The Omniverse Zone boasts some of the fastest water rollercoasters in the world, including a splash landing from a massive 23.4-metre high tower while the Adventure Zone is filled with spins, twists, tunnels and turns. The Cartoonival Zone has more than 150 water features to discover and is where fans can hang out with Ben 10, Chowder, the Powerpuff Girls and all other favourite Cartoon Network friends.

The Riptide Rapids is where guests of all ages can grab an inner tube at any of the landings along the 335-metre long route and ease into the relaxing retreat of this continuous flowing river that winds its way around Cartoon Network Amazone. The Mega Wave Zone is the place to bob up and down on the gentle waves or boogie board on the wavy waters while the Surfarena comes with flowrider instructors to teach new tricks and spins on surfing the waves that roll out at 56 kph.

Cartoon Network Amazone is located in the small seaside town of Bangsaray, about 20-minute drive from Pattaya City and less than two hours from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

New Year 2015 at Taipei 101!

Taipei 101, the iconic the skyscraper in Taiwan’s capital, is at the heart of the New Year celebrations every year, where thousands throng from all across the world to the annual pilgrimage of starting the year afresh. The place to be is at the Taipei City Hall or the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Fireworks are launched sequentially from the lower to the upper sections of the Taipei 101 tower from pitch darkness.

The dazzling fireworks show at Taipei 101 has been the climax of New Year’s Eve countdown parties in Taipei since the skyscraper was completed in 2004. Usually the best place to watch the display is the Sun Yat- Sen Memorial hall, one of the historical palace nearby. Or venture out to DaAn Park or Maokong, which are further spots to the action, but the number people are less there, so you can have a quiet moment with your loved ones to enjoy the night. Elephant and Tiger Mountain are also good options for a superb aerial view, but it is a bit of a climb and a number of pro and amateur photographers will be giving you company to get good clicks of the fireworks display.

Post the fireworks display, the tower changes in vivid colours all through the night and the atmosphere in the centre and on the streets is electric. Enjoy the open air concerts, night shopping and many food stalls and gourmet experiences. The celebrations take place in the Xinyi area that is a one-of-a-kind tourism area in Taiwan. A product of urban planning, it is the center of fashion and a place where you can watch Taipei’s future unfold. The district has convenient transportation links to other parts of the city and region. The stores here sell the world’s best brands. 

Four Four South Village (a restored military dependents housing complex), Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, an internationally-renowned Michelin star restaurant, eye-catching buildings and installation art, and the annual Taipei New Year Eve Party all further add to the sparkle of Xinyi District. For shopping, entertainment and delicious cuisine to art, culture and international MICE facilities, Xinyi District is the best Taiwan has to offer.

Apart from Taipei, other cities of Taiwan such as Taoyuan, Kaohsiung launch pop concerts and events to enhance the New Year fever! This year, too, extravagant celebrations are planned to usher in 2015, with special themes and activities and of course, a spectacular fireworks display! 

A number of airlines such as China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern and Thai Airways fly directly or with a stopover in to Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport from New Delhi and Mumbai. The average flight time between India and Taiwan is of about 6.5 hours. Taiwan is 2.30 hours ahead of India.

A culinary moment in Victoria

This week, 40 of the world’s most influential and respected food and wine VIPs will arrive in Victoria as part of a country-wide gastronomic tour designed to whet the appetite of international travellers. 

And when they do, they’ll experience firsthand what many locals already know – that Victoria is fast becoming one of the world’s ‘go to’ food and wine destinations. 

The culinary who’s who will include food and wine writers, broadcasters, authors, critics, reviewers and bloggers as well as celebrity chefs, TV personalities and columnists from across the globe – all here as part of Tourism Australia’s Restaurant Australia initiative. 

The guests list also includes five judges for the esteemed San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants – all of whom specifically requested to visit Victoria as part of their Australia trip. 

Andrea Petrini, Chairman of the judging panel of The World's 50 Best Restaurants is returning to Melbourne having visited as recently as October 2014 when he took part in Chef Ben Shewry’s WAW gathering. WAW (What a Wonderful World) is an ‘anti-festival’ curated by the Attica team and attended by a group of local and international food ‘dreamers and doers, instigators and investigators.’

‘For a European, coming to Melbourne is going to the other side of the world but still finding some roots: it’s different but not unfamiliar. Food is in the air like love is in the air. It’s a very warm and friendly city that can manage to transmit the taste of things,’ Petrini said. 

Melbourne’s culinary credentials are already well-known to local diners and chefs – including Ben Shewry, Head Chef at Attica, which, at number 32, is the only Australian entry in the 50 Best Restaurants list. ‘It’s our isolation from the rest of the world that gives Melbourne an original identity,’ Shewry said. ‘That, coupled with a genuine love of food and a closeness to our growers makes Melbourne one of the most diverse and interesting places to eat on the planet.’

Another admirer is global culinary icon Heston Blumenthal, whose Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant sits at number 5 on the The World's 50 Best Restaurants list and who received the Chefs Choice Award in 2007 and 2010. Blumenthal has chosen Melbourne for a six-month relocation of his famous UK Fat Duck restaurant which will be open to diners from February 2015, subsequently; it will become the only international location of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

‘If you want diversity, great food, comfortable, relaxed and buzzing environment I would say Melbourne,’ Blumenthal said of his choice of location. ‘Melbourne reminds me why I do what I do, why I enjoy all this food-related stuff,’ he said. 

Victoria has been a popular destination for visiting international chefs and food writers who are amazed by the culinary diversity of restaurants, the hidden foodie gems and the professional hospitality received wherever they go.  Here’s what some of them had to say:
·        ‘I would rather eat in Melbourne, than Paris’ … ‘We like the chefs. We like how they cook. We consider them friends.’ Anthony Bourdain

Melbourne is an ultimate destination for the so-called gastro-tourists. With a robust wine region within an hour’s drive and some of the world’s top restaurants within the city limits, it’s worth that very long plane ride.

As part of the 'Restaurant Australia' campaign, each guest would be given a personalised itinerary allowing them to experience the people, places and produce that give Victoria its extraordinary culinary reputation. 

Some of the experiences they will enjoy include a hot-air balloon breakfast flight, dinner prepared by George Calombaris in the Press Club Projects experimental kitchen, meeting with producers and wine makers in regions such as the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, coffee tasting with the city's best baristas, exploring the laneway cafe and fashion culture of Melbourne and dining with some of the city's most renown chefs. 

Visit 'EatDrinkVictoria' for more information about Victoria’s food and wine or check out some Youtube videos.

The largest human floating image at the lowest spot on earth

The Guinness World Record for the ‘The Largest Floating Human Image in the world’ was set recently at the Dead Sea, Jordan.  

About 261 staff from the Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea, Marriott Hotel Jordan Valley Resort & Spa, Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Kempenski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Winter Valley Warwick Resort & Spa, Dead Sea Spa Hotel, Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa, and the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center collaborated to set this record. The employees - a mix of Jordanians and expats wearing uniformed colored shirts - locked hands to form the peace sign.

The Dead Sea Jordan, the lowest spot on earth is recognized worldwide for its award-winning wellness and medical spas, International hotel brands, a state-of-the art Convention Center and is also the source of the Dead Sea cosmetic and therapeutic mud and salts. 

Bethany beyond Jordan which is the baptism site of Jesus Christ is also in the Dead Sea area. Biblically, the Dead Sea was also the place of refuge for King David. It was one of the world’s first health resorts (for Herod the Great), and it has been the supplier of a wide variety of products, from balms for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a modern, vibrant nation and one of the most politically stable nations in the Middle East. From the haunting, primeval starkness of Wadi Rum, to the teeming centre of urban Amman, and the majestic ruins of bygone civilizations to the timeless splendour of the Dead Sea, Jordan is a unique destination. 

It is a 6.5 hour flight from Delhi and a 5.5 hour flight from Mumbai and is connected to India by its national carrier Royal Jordanian Airlines and other carriers.