Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is the most awe-inspiring sight in the city of Jaipur. It is also known as ‘Palace of Winds‘ because of its windows that allow the wind to flow in keeping it cool. There are 953 stone-carved screens or windows in the palace.

In earlier times, the royal ladies were not allowed to give public appearances. The palace was constructed to let the ladies of the court view the daily activities in the streets and the areas in the vicinity, without being noticed by anyone. The palace is an extended part of a huge complex. The stone-carved screens, small casements and arched roofs are some of the features of this popular tourist spot. The monument also has delicately modeled hanging cornices. Just like the other monuments of Jaipur, the palace is also constructed in pink and red colored stone.

The palace stands at a height of 15 meters. The frontal of the Hawa Mahal appears as if it is just a frame and there is nothing behind it. The top three storeys comprise of just one room each. The base of the palace has two courtyards. The front of the palace is embellished with semi-octagonal bays, finials and domes, and intricately carved grills made of sandstone.

Some people say that the shape of this monument resembles the crown of Lord Krishna. The palace looks appealing just from the outside. The interior section is deprived of architectural ornamentation. The chambers are very simple and have pillars to reach the upper part of the monument. Interestingly, the entry to the palace is from the rear side and not from the front. The palace also has an archaeological museum.

• Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built the Hawa Mahal in 1799.
• Hawa Mahal is a five-storied building.
• Lal Chand Usta designed the monument.
• The monument has undergone extensive and expensive restoration in recent years.

Hawa Mahal is located in the heart of Jaipur, on a big road intersection known as Badi Chaupad. If you are coming from abroad, you can fly to Jaipur International Airport. Alternatively you can fly to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. From here either take a taxi, or reach Jaipur via domestic flight to Sanganer Airport, Jaipur. If you wish to visit Jaipur using rail transport, then from Jaipur railway station, you will have to either take a bus or taxi to reach the monument.

As summers are very hot in Jaipur, a trip to the Hawa Mahal must be made in spring, fall or the winter season.

The monument opens from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm everyday.

The entry fee for the Hawa Mahal is Rs. 10 per Indian and Rs. 50 per foreign tourist.

Near by Attractions  :  Tripolia Bazaar, Shesh Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, Swargsuli Tower, Monkey Temple, Sisodia Rani Palace and Garden, Jaipur Zoo, Raj Mandir Cinema and Royal Gaitor Tumbas.

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Ashtarak

Ashtarak in Armenia is an important industrial region in the country. It is located by the River Kasagh and is the capital of the famous Aragatsotn Province. Ashtarak in the Armenian language means tower or fortress.

Armenia has beautiful lush green surroundings and a plethora of sightseeing options that you can visit while you are in the place. While you are touring the land, make sure you visit Ashtarak.

A legend says that three sisters who lived in Ashtarak fell in love with the same man, Prince Sargis. The two elder sisters committed suicide in favor of the youngest one. When the youngest sister saw her sisters dead, she also threw herself into the george. After this incident, Sargis became a hermit. Later, three churches came up at the edge of the gorge, named after the colors of the sisters’ dresses i.e. apricot-orange, red and white.

These are the Karmravor (reddish), a church that contains a tambour which belongs to the 7th century. This has been built in the honor of the Mother of God. The two other churches are Tsiranavor (apricot-colored) which dates back to the 5th century and Spitakavor (whitish) which dates back to the 14th century. St. Mariane is the biggest church in the town. It was built in the year 1281. This is centrally located and is cross-shaped. 

Another site that is definitely worth visiting is the bridge that has been constructed over the River Kasagh. This was built in the year 1664 and has a total of three arches which are unequal in size.

Besides these sightseeing options, you would also have the option of engaging in some shopping while you are on tours to Ashtarak. This is an industrial town and there are many products that are available in the town. You are sure to come across different varieties of products and shopping would surely be a pleasurable activity. You can also go to the restaurants and bars that are located in the town and taste their fare. The availability of exotic local food is sure to make you feel delighted.

• Ashtarak covers an area of 7.5 sq km (2.9 sq mi).
• This city is located at an elevation of 1,110 meters above sea level.
• The city was first mentioned in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 17th century.

The nearest airport to Ashtarak is Zvartnots International Airport (EVN / UDYZ). It is located at a distance of 31 km from the center of Ashtarak. You can hire a marshrutka (shared taxi or minibus) or a taxi to reach Ashtarak.

June and September are ideal months for visiting Ashtarak as there is no rain and the temperature is also mild.

Nearby Attractions: Hovhannavank Monastery, Surb Hovhannes Church of Byurakan, Tegher Monastery, Amberd, Vahramashen Church and Etchmiadzin Cathedral. 

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Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park is located on the Argentine island of the same name, which is a part of Patagonia and the Andes. Tierra del Fuego, meaning land of fire, is a triangular island that is part of both Chile and Argentina. The National Park contains coastal forests where visitors can enjoy nature as well as hiking, climbing, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor activities. The natural beauty of this park is characterized by waterfalls, mountains and glaciers, and many species of wildlife.

The National Park houses two kinds of forests characterized by Lenga and Guindo trees. The peaks also have valleys with rivers and lakes of glacial origin.

For the facilities of the visitors, many trekking paths have been built inside the Park. They can be followed to make your tour easy. Here are some of the attractions at the Park:

Black Lagoon: It can be reached by covering only 400 m. area on Route 3. The peat makes its color dark.

Meet the beavers: Climbing around 400 m. up to Los Castores stream, you can see the dams system built by beavers that is adversely affecting the environment. They cut down the trees to make dams, which, rather provoke floods in some parts of the forest.

The Lookout Point: You can directly reach Lapataia Bay by walking on route 3 for panoramic views of the bay.

Animals and Birds: Canadian beaver, black eye-browed albatross, steam duck, chungungo otter, diving petrel, guanaco and red fox are some of the animals and birds that can be spotted in the National Park.

Walk the De la Isla path: If you love to stroll on the beach shores, then this 8,000-metre walk around the Cormoranes archipelago, right along the shores of Lapataia and Ovando would be a great idea.

You can camp beside Lago Roca and a few other free campsites with basic necessities in the Park. The visitors are allowed to make fires in the designated campsites. However, as this is a protected area, they must extinguish the fire carefully before leaving the campsite.

• Tierra del Fuego National Park was established on October 15, 1960.
• It covers an area of 630 square kilometers (243 square miles).
• It is the country’s only park that boasts an ocean shoreline.

Located on the southern tip of Argentina, Tierra del Fuego is the southernmost national park in the world. The park can also be accessed from Chile, from the park entrance that borders the country, though additional permits may be required. The park can be accessed by car (or even bicycle) or train. The End of the World Train (El Tren de la Fin del Mundo), which was once a freight line and a prison train, is the southernmost train in the world, and now transports visitors into the national park. Rio Grande Airport is the nearest airport. If you choose to travel by bus, then you need to pay Ar$100 per person, for the round trip.

The rainiest season at Tierra del Fuego is from March to May, and rain and fog are frequent in the temperate climate of the region. Summer temperatures tend to be warmer and may be a better bet, but the park is scenic in the foggy weather as well.

The Park opens throughout the week at 8:00 am.

Nearby Attractions: Chile, Ushuaia, Argentina, South Pole, Beagle Channel and Pipo River Cascade.

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Cueva de las Manos

Cueva de las Manos, meaning “cave of the hands” in Spanish, is a series of famous paintings on the walls of caves. Located in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina, the cave paintings date back to between 9,000 and 13,000 years ago, and were created by the hunter-gatherer people who resided in Patagonia. These communities were some of the earliest in South America, making this site very important. The caves were inhabited by several waves of people, though the most recent of these were probably ancestors of the Tehuelche people around 700 CE.

Archaeologists have found that the cave dwellers used pipes carved from bones to spray paint the cave walls, using their hands as stencils to create hundreds of silhouettes of their hands in varying shades of red, purple, yellow, and brown. Most of the hands are left hands, suggesting that the artists were right handed, and painted their own hands.

There is also art featuring humans and animals in hunting scenes, with the indigenous guanacos and rheas, as well as abstract designs like shapes and zigzags. The hunters are depicted using bolas, their traditional hunting weapons.

The cave paintings date back to around 7370 BC.

The main cave is 24 meters (79 feet) deep and 10 meters (33 feet) high, but the interior slopes upwards, so the back part of the cave is only 2 meters (7 feet) high.

The entrance to the main cave is 15 meters (49 feet) wide.

The color pigments are made from iron oxides (red and purple), kaolin (white), natrojarosite (yellow) and manganese oxide (black).

Cuevos de las Manos is situated in the valley of the Pinturas River in Patagonia. The caves are part of the Santa Cruz province of Argentina, about 163 kilometers (101 miles) south of Perito Moreno. The region is characterized by canyons and cliffs, and the distant caves must be reached by road, either by car or by bus, and visitors must take a tour to view the caves.

The temperate climate makes this a destination for much of the year, though as an outside site, it should be avoided during the full sun, and the middle of winter. Spring and summer are the best times to visit the caves.

Nearby Attractions: Bajo Caracoles, Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, Tierra del Fuego, El Chalten

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Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina welcomes a large number of tourists from all over the world, offering multiple choices to visit it almost throughout the year. The park covers more than 600,000 hectares of landscaped area and is endowed with picturesque scenery. The park offers a serene atmosphere and beautiful landscape. The sights of the park will surely enthrall you.

The major highlight of the park is the Perito Moreno Glacier that is formed by huge moving ice blocks. You could see and admire the glacier on a lake excursion. Glaciar Perito Moreno ranks among the few stable glaciers in the worldwhich is growing and moves slowly. People usually like to visit the park at the Peninsula de Magallanes where they can view the slow movement of the Perito Moreno Glacier from boardwalks and platforms placed at a safe distance. You must also watch the floating icebergs in the area.

Los Glaciares National Park also has a number of lakes like Lake Viedma and Lake Argentino and the Fitz Roy Mountain, besides the beautiful glaciers. These lakes are fed by thawing glaciers. It is an ideal place for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The park offers plenty of activities for tourists such as climbing, sport fishing, trekking and exploring the flora and fauna of the region. The place is also loved by bird watchers and you may even spot flamingos. The forested region has lenga and beech trees.

Diverse fauna at the park includes varieties of fishes, amphibians and reptiles, birds, mammals, invertebrates, introduced or exotic species and special value fauna species, such as the Heumul or South Andean Deer.

Other glaciers that you will see on a visit to the Los Glaciares National Park, enveloped by the Onelli and Bertrand mountains are Upsala, Spegazzini and Onelli. These glaciers rise 5,000-feet (1,500 m) above sea level.

• Los Glaciares National Park was established in 1937.
• The park was a declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1981.
• Los Glaciares National Park is the second largest park in Argentina.
• The park has 47 large glaciers and 200 small glaciers.

Los Glaciares National Park is located in the area known as Austral Andes in Argentina, in the south west of Santa Cruz on the border with Chile. You can reach the park by plane, bus or car. El Calafate International Airport in El Calafate is just a few kilometers away from the Park. Daily flights operate from Buenos Aires to El Calafate. Taxi and bus services are readily available from both Buenos Aires and El Calafate to reach the park.

The best time to visit the park is from November to March when the weather is pleasant.

Entry to the park is free of cost. You need to pay a certain amount for guided and boat tours.

Nearby Attractions: Tribus del Sur, Mount Fitz Roy, Tehuel Plaza, and Helsingfors Hosteria.

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Patagonia, Southern Argentina.

Patagonia Located in Southern Argentina, Patagonia is one of the largest regions of the country. It can aptly be described as a haven for nature lovers and the region offers you a rare opportunity to experience pristine natural beauty.

Patagonia was once a home to extinct dinosaurs and the proof of this is spread in many places across the region. There are huge dinosaur footprints beside the lake in Villa El Chocon and several dinosaur eggs have been discovered in northern Neuquen.

Etymologically, the name Patagonia has been derived from the word ‘patagon’ that Megallan used to describe the aboriginal people that his expedition conceived to be giants. Their height of these mythical people was supposedly almost double the normal height.

Patagonia is interspersed with extended lakes and gigantic mountains along with some unique geological features and landscapes. But then this is not all, it is also a paradise for wildlife lovers. Places like Peninsula Valdes and the lake region of Bariloche boast of penguin colonies, where you can also watch whales from close quarters. These places are also famous for their glaciers. Both these places resemble European alpine resorts. The region seems to have been inhabited continuously since 10,000 BC, by various cultures and alternating waves of migration, the details of which are as yet poorly understood.

These areas are also the sites of numerous activities and sports like skiing, hiking, biking, golfing and rafting. Some of the major attractions of the place are the Perito Moreno Glacier, the Upsala Glacier and Glacier National Park. You can also visit Tierra del Fuego that is situated in the southern part of Patagonia. It is a region, which is renowned for its spectacular glaciers, ocean channels and colonies of penguins. Overall Patagonia highlights the wildlife resources of Argentina and represents an altogether different face of the country.

• There are about 5.5 million sheep in Argentinian Patagonia.
• The Welsh were the first Europeans to settle in Patagonia.
• The Chilean Patagonia region has around 5,000 rivers.

Patagonia is located at the southern part of Argentina. You can reach Patagonia by taking a flight from Santiago or Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas. Alternatively, you can take the Navimag ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales, or board on a bus from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas.


Patagonia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, thus the seasons here are entirely the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. As several activities can be carried out here for fun and adventure throughout the year, Patagonia can be visited all year round

•        Fly Fishing from November to May
•        Kayaking and Horseback Riding from December to April
•        Trekking / Hiking and Photography from November to April
•        Bird Watching from December to March
•        Sightseeing from October to May
•        Skiing and Snowboarding from June to September

Nearby Attractions: El Chaltén, Puerto Madryn, Palaeontology Museum, Punta Tombo and Camarones.

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Corcovado, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, is the Corcovado. The Corcovado is a mountain and the name means ‘hunchback’ in Portuguese. Previously, the mountain was named Pinaculo da Tentacao, which means ‘Pinnacle of Temptation’.

The Corcovado is world famous for the huge Christ the Redeemer statue crowning its peak. From the peak tourists can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the sea and mountains. With outstretched arms the statue of Christ the Redeemer is 98 feet high and is situated on a 26-feet pedestal. The statute weighs 1,145 tons, and it also has a chapel which can accommodate 150 people.

This monument celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2001. It was inaugurated on 12th October, 1931, on the day of Our Lady of Aparecida (national patroness). The statue was designed by Carlos Oswald and developed by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. The statute took five years to complete.

Travelers can climb up the Corcovado by taking the century-old Corcovado Train or car. While travelling up by train they can experience the beautiful landscape of Rio De Janeiro. The train was inaugurated by Dom Pedro II , Emperor of Brazil, in 1884 and the whole ride takes around 20 minutes.

The ride is environment friendly as the train is electric. Part of the funds from the entrance tickets goes to the Brazilian Institute for the Preservation of Nature or IBAMA. While climbing the mountain you will pass through the largest urban forest in the world, the Tijuca Forest. It is a great place for walking and bicycle riding. In 1881 the whole forest was replanted with 60,000 trees by Major Manoel Gomes Archer.

It is impossible to imagine a trip to Rio de Janeiro without visiting Christ the Redeemer. Located on top of Corcovado's Mount, the monument is the best-known Brazilian image, famous all over the world. Every year, more than six hundred thousand people are taken to Christ the Redeemer's statue through the almost hundred-year-old Corcovado's Railway, the oldest tourist excursion in the country.

Apart from being amazed by seeing Marvelous City's most beautiful landscapes, visitors will also take an educational trip throughout Brazil's recent history. Corcovado's Train was inaugurated in 1884 by Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II and it has already transported on its cars several distinguished personalities such as popes, kings, princes, presidents, artist and scientists.

This is also an eco-tour. The train cuts through the world's largest urban forest: Tijuca's National Park, a part of the so-called Atlantic Forest, considered as an example of nature conservation.

And everyone who travels on Corcovado's Railway helps take care of the forest: the train is moved by electricity; therefore, it's not contaminating whatsoever. In addition to that, part of the ticket sale will go to fundraising for Brazilian Institute of the Environment (IBAMA) which is in charge of forest conservation issues.
 

Corcovado's Railway

Corcovado's Railway was the first of its kind to use electric energy in Brazil. It's even older than Christ's statue itself and was inaugurated in 1884 by Emperor Dom Pedro II. In fact, the train was used for four consecutive years at that time to carry parts of the monument.

Back in those days, the steam engine was regarded as a real miracle of civil engineering for covering a 3824-meter long railway in a complete steep terrain. However, in 1910, these trains were replaced by electric machines and more recently, in 1979, the company Esfeco took charge of the railway and brought safer and more modern train models from Switzerland.

Christ the Redeemer

The typical Brazilian post-card had its foundation stone placed in 1922 and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. Christ the Redeemer, icon of Rio de Janeiro city, was chosen out of 21 nominated monuments all over the world as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World through an online and cellular phone messaging election organized by the New Seven Wonders Foundation from Switzerland. 

The prize was really deserved. From its 38-meter height – and from Corcovado's Mount's 710-meter tall, Christ the Redeemer is the symbol of faith and happiness of carioca people (native Rio de Janeiro people) and it will turn 82 years old in 2013. Since the year 2000, when it gained a new lighting system, the monument has been going through a upgrading process. The highest point of it was the installation of mechanical access in 2002, including escalators and panoramic elevators.

Tijuca Forest

Situated in the heart of the city, a few minutes away from most part of Rio's neighborhoods, Tijuca Forest is the world's largest urban forest replanted by men. Its reforestation was carried out in XIX century as a pioneer initiative in Latin America, after years of indiscriminate logging and planting, mainly for coffee production. Holding around 3200 hectares, this natural area features hundreds of flora and fauna species which can be only found within the Atlantic Forest.

Tijuca Forest owns locations and historical attractions that are worth a visit, such as: Cascatinha (Little Waterfall), Capela Mayrink (Mayrink Chapel), Mirante Excelsior (Excelsior Viewpoint), Barracão (Big Shack), Gruta Paulo and Virginia (Paulo and Virginia Cave), Lago das Fadas (Fairy's Lake), Vista Chinesa (Chinese Viewpoint) and Açude da Solidão (Solitude Weir), all of them spots often visited by entire families on the weekends.

• ·  The mountain peak is 2330-feet high and lies west of the city center.
• ·  Corcovado is a granite peak.

The Corcovado Mountain is located in central Rio De Janeiro. It is located inside the Tijuca Forest which is a national park. Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport is the nearest airport to the Corcovado mountain. The peak can be accessed both by road and railways.


The months from September through November are the best time to visit the Corcovado mountain.

Nearby Attractions: Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach and Tijuca Jungle.

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Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island in South Australia boasts of unspoilt and pristine beauty as the authorities did not want the natural beauty of the place to be diminished by overdevelopment and excessive tourism. It is one of the rare places in the world where civilization and wilderness co-exist in harmony and peace. The place is replete with a wide array of flora and fauna, cliffs and beaches.

As far as the fauna of the island is concerned, besides kangaroos, you can also see sea lions, penguins, dolphins and koalas here in a natural environment. The island houses the premier sea lion watching destination, the Seal Bay Conservation Park that boasts of 600 sea lions. The park allows you to see the sea lions from close quarters, you can see them idling about in the sun, nurturing pups, or heading into the ocean for fish. The island also features the Flinders Chase National Park that is located on the south-western tip of the island, and is home to a wide spectrum of flora and fauna.

Kangaroo Island’s coastline is replete with spectacular beaches and cliffs. Some of the popular beach destinations in the area are Stokes Bay, Emu Bay and Vivonne Bay. These beaches are an ideal place to rest and relax and also offer breathtaking natural beauty and scenery. Antechamber Bay on Dudley Peninsula is a site for camping and bush walking on Kangaroo Island.

While on Kangaroo Island do not miss:

·         Tasting honey made by Ligurian bees.

·         Fishing on pristine beaches.

·         Going on an eco tour or charter.

·         Surfing under the dramatic rock arc of Admirals Arch

·         Staying at the super-luxe clifftop Southern Ocean Lodge (if budget is not a constraint)

·  Kangaroo Island covers an area of 4,405 sq km.

·  It is Australia’s third largest island.

·  The island features a coastline of 540 km.

·  Prospect Hill is the highest point of Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island is located near the tip of the South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. The journey to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide Airport takes around four hours and the trip includes a ferry.

                                    

Kangaroo Island can be visited throughout the year. It has milder winters and cooler summers.
December through February are summer months and the wildlife takes refuge in the bush habitat to escape the summer heat. The beaches look spectacular at this time. From March through May due to the rainfall there is greenery and the waterways start flowing. The months of September to November mark rebirth. It is spring time, and a number of animals, birds and flowers are seen on the island. From June to August the island experiences winter and is the most appealing time as in the backdrop of the lush green countryside abundant wildlife can be spotted performing their natural activities.

Nearby Attractions: Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, and Eyre Peninsula.

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Angkor Wat - Cambodia

Angkor in Cambodia is a complex of religious temples at the capital of the Khmer Empire and is the most important archaeological site in the region. The most famous of these temples is Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple built under the rule of King Suryavarman II in the Temple Mountain architectural style. Angkor Wat, which means Ctiy of Temples in Khmer, was the state temple and capital city, and later became a mausoleum for Suryavarman II.

Angkor Wat differs from many other temples because it is oriented to the west rather than the east. This could have been because the king wanted it to be a burial temple for himself, or it may have been because it was dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu, who has associations with the west.

Representing Mount Meru, the temple is surrounded by a rectangular moat with entrances on the west and east, constructed in a mountain-like pyramidal shape, crowned by exactly five towers, symbolizing the five peaks of Mount Meru. A statue of Vishnu, called Ta Reach is among the artwork and many decorations around Angkor Wat.

Around 5 million tons of sandstone was used in the construction of the temple complex. The sandstone was transported from a quarry located 25 miles away. An interesting fact about the raw material used in construction is that the Khmer bricks were bound together invisibly by applying a vegetable compound instead of the mortar.

After King Suryavarman II’s death in around 1150, construction on the temple ended. It was conquered and later restored by King Jayavarman VII, who built a new temple, Bayon, and moved the new state capital to Angkor Thom. Angkor Wat is the biggest tourist attraction in the country, and has become an important part of Cambodian history and culture.

ANGKOR WAT was listed in World Wonder List

Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and

magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal.

 Angkor Wat is located about six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom. Entry and exit to Angkor Wat can only be access from its west gate. Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), replica of Angkor Thom style of art.

BACKGROUND

Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief's and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Wat is the Khmer name for temple (the French spelling is "vat "), which was probably added to "Angkor "when it became a Theravada Buddhist monument, most likely in the sixteenth century. After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was cared for by Buddhist monks.

It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II and oriented to the west to conform to the symbolism between the setting sun and death. The bas-reliefs, designed for viewing from left to right in the order of Hindu funereal ritual, support this function.

ARCHITECTURAL PLAN

The plan of Angkor Wat is difficult to grasp when walking through the monument because of the vastness. Its complexity and beauty both attract and distract one's attention. From a distance Angkor Wat appears to be a colossal mass of stone on one level with a long causeway leading to the center but close up it is a series of elevated towers, covered galleries, chambers, porches and courtyards on different levels linked by stairways.

The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of the central tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters (699 feet), achieved with three rectangular or square levels (1-3) Each one is progressively smaller and higher than the one below starting from the outer limits of the temple.

Covered galleries with columns define the boundaries of the first and second levels. The third level supports five towers –four in the corners and one in the middle and these is the most prominent architectural feature of Angkor Wat. This arrangement is sometimes called a quincunx. Graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape and, near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.

The overall profile imitates a lotus bud, Several architectural lines stand out in the profile of the monument. The eye is drawn left and right to the horizontal aspect of the levels and upward to the soaring height of the towers. The ingenious plan of Angkor Wat only allows a view of all five towers from certain angles. They are not visible, for example, from the entrance. Many of the structures and courtyards are in the shape of a cross. 

The Visitor should study the plan on page 86 and become familiar with this dominant layout. A curved sloping roof on galleries, chambers and aisles is a hallmark of Angkor Wat. From a distance it looks like a series of long narrow ridges but close up from identifies itself. It is a roof made of gracefully arched stone rectangles placed end to end. Each row of tiles is capped with an end tile at right angles the ridge of the roof.

The scheme culminates in decorated tympanums with elaborate frames. Steps provide access to the various levels. Helen Churchill Candee, who visited Angkor in the 1920s, thought their usefulness surpassed their architectural purpose.

The steps to Angkor Wat are made to force a halt at beauteous obstruction that the mind may be prepared for the atmosphere of sanctity, she wrote In order to become familiar with the composition of Angkor Wat the visitor should learn to recognize the repetitive elements in the architecture. Galleries with columns, towers, curved roofs, tympanums, steps and the cross-shaped plan occur again and again.

It was by combining two or more of these aspects that a sense of height was achieved. This arrangement was used to link one part of the monument to another. Roofs were frequently layered to add height, length or dimension. A smaller replica of the central towers was repeated at the limits of two prominent areas-the galleries and the entry pavilions. The long causeway at the entrance reappears on the other side of the entry pavilion.

  Angkor Wat was constructed in the early 12th century.·

  Angkor Wat became a Theravada Buddhist site in around the 13th century.·

  The temple complex is even featured on the nation’s flag.·

  Angkor Wat was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.·

  Covering an area of 40,100 ha, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world.·

Angkor Wat lies 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) north of the modern town of Siem Reap
Angkor is part of the Siem Reap province, just north of the town of the same name, and east of the former capital, Baphuon.

Winter (November through February) is the perfect time to visit Angkor Wat as the weather is pleasant.

The Angkor Wat opens from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Tickets are available for:
One day: $20
Three days: $40
Seven days: $60

The tickets are valid for consecutive days, respectively.

Nearby attractions: Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Lake Tonlé Sap.

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Leblon, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Leblon, a neighborhood in Rio De Janeiro, is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Rio. Leblon is famous for its beach that is located right next to Ipanema Beach, at the far west end of the same coastline. A shallow canal and park known as Jardim de Ala or Allah’s Gardens separate the two beach front areas in Rio De Janeiro. Some of Rio’s most chic clubs, restaurants and boutiques are found thronged in Leblon and its nearby streets.

 Apart from that, several movie halls, theaters, nightclubs and concert halls are also located in this area of Rio. Leblon has a romantic history. The land originally belonged to a Frenchman named Charles Le Blond and the place is named after him. The place was once a hiding place for the runaway slaves as it was difficult to access. Despite its cosmopolitan atmosphere and modernity, Leblon in Rio De Janeiro beautifully retains its small town charm.

Upper Leblon also known as Alto Leblon, is a residential area. This hilly region in the western edge of Leblon is a favorite hangout for the elites in Rio. There are many exclusively designed residential houses, mansions, and posh apartments that will catch your eye. Besides there are several other attractions around Leblon that you cannot miss during sightseeing in Rio De Janeiro.

Leblon boasts of one of Rio’s most scenic drives, Av. Niemeyer. This road connects Leblon to São Conrado. Jardim Pernambuco is probably Rio’s most exclusive residential area. There are many elegantly designed mansions in this area. Once in Leblon you must visit Bracarense. It is the best botequim style café and restaurant in the city. The traditional restaurant is reputed for its 50 years of excellent service.

Also visit Scala, the concert hall cum nightclub at Leblon, to feel the rhythm of the night in Rio. All these diversities makes Leblon one of the most popular attractions in the city of Rio De Janeiro.

Leblon has a romantic history. It was an area area of difficult access, and it was once used as a hiding place for runaway slaves.  The land originally belonged to Frenchman Charles Le Blond, who owned a fishing company named Aliança. He sold the land to Portuguese José de Seixas Magalhaes.

Leblon started to grow with Ipanema, when a streetcar line connected them to the rest of the city. Leblon was at the end of the line, and it grew at a somewhat slower pace. Even though it's very cosmopolitan today, it still retains a small town charm with neighborhood shops that have been around for generations.

Upper Leblon (Alto Leblon) is almost strictly residential. This hilly area on the West side of Leblon is a favorite spot for Rio's rich and famous. There are many houses, mansions and posh apartments. It starts on the left lane of Av. Visconde de Albuquerque and goes uphill. Some streets are still cobblestone. There is a curious paper-thin building looming over Alto Leblon than can be easily spotted from the beach. According to a dweller you can actually feel the building sway when there is a strong wind...

Lower Leblon (Baixo Leblon) is the bohemian side of the neighborhood, and it ruled nightlife in the 70's and 80's. A stop for a pizza or beer was almost mandatory after a night of fun - some restaurants and bars remain open until past 4 a.m. This area starts at Cazuza Square and includes streets Dias Ferreira and the beginning of Ataulfo de Paiva. 

Though landmark nightspots like Real Astoria and Diagonal are no longer around, it is still a good bet for after-hours. The area surrounding Clipper, a bar further along Av. Ataulfo de Paiva, is also very popular. It has lately become a sort of a meeting spot where the young celebrate major soccer games.

Leblon Beach went "under renovations" in the early 90's. The eroded sand strip became too narrow, and part of it was reclaimed. Now it is as wide as Ipanema. The water is still not suitable for swimming after it rains, though. There is a famous baby-boomer spot across from Rua Venâncio Flores. This is where young Leblon mothers and their babies get their daily dose of tropical sun, early in the morning.

Main street Ataulfo de Paiva was recently refurbished with project Rio Cidade. Like in Ipanema the street lights, signs and even public phones are unique. Many corners gained charming wooden seats. Stop and sit for a while to watch the pedestrians passing by, and maybe you will understand why Cariocas have a permanent love affair with Leblon.

The “Dois Irmãos” or “the Two Brothers” peak constitutes the western border on Leblon.

Av. Niemeyer in Leblon was opened in 1916. It took 30 years for the completion of this scenic drive.

Leblon is located in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. You can take a private taxi or a private coach or private minicoach or private coach from Rio de Janeiro Galeão airport (GIG) to reach Leblon.

July through September is the best time to visit Leblon as these months experience less rainfall and the weather is also pleasant. However, the streets are crowded with tourists from all over the world during summers.

Nearby Attractions: Rue de castiglione, Penedo, Bar D’Hotel, Ipanema Beach and Praia do Arpoador.

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