Kerala God’s own country is a phrase created in the 1980s to promote tourism. In Hindu mythology, Lord Parasuraman, an avatar of Vishnu, created Kerala. He threw his axe to push back the sea and reclaimed a 600 km strip of land for his devotees. Kerala is justly famous for its beaches, lakes, canals and hills. …
Netherlands is a small country of 17 million people. It is famous for tulip gardens, wooden windmills, cheese, canals, millions of bicycles and fields below sea level. Here are my reflections on this remarkable country and people.
Netherlands is largely a secular country. About forty percent of the population say that they haveno religion. Thirty percent are catholic and 20% are Protestant. …
Rivers flow close to many towns and cities. Cities near rivers and seas have two big advantages: commerce and sustainability. For example, Kochi, Kolkata and Mangalore have big ports and are also major fishing centres.
It was inevitable that I came across rivers, big and small, in my travels within and outside India.
Amsterdam is one of the towns that sprung around Amstel River eight centuries ago. Parts of the city lie below the sea level. The river is linked to an intricate system of canals within Amsterdam. Long cycling routes surround the area around Amstel. …
Rome has a long history behind it. Top Rome attractions comprise classical ruins, age-old places of worship and iconic fountains. Rome is a modern and vibrant city where you will come across wonderful eateries, museums and activities. The city can be overwhelming to the visitors who may not know where to go first. But there are landmarks that are almost obligatory, such as the Colosseum and Vatican Museums.
Founded by Pope Julius II in early sixteenth century, Vatican Museums is one of the largest museums in the world. Popes amassed the collection over the centuries. The museums hold 70,000 works of art, out of which 20,000 are on display. Visitors walk through 7 km of halls and corridors. At the end of the route is Sistine Chapel which contains Michelangelo’s famous fresco The Creation of Adam. …
A spread of impressive ruins, Roman Forum is in the heart of Rome. This is a small valley between Palatine and Capitoline hills. Many Roman emperors had built their palaces here. The Roman Forum was the scene of public meetings, law courts, and gladiatorial combats in republican times and was lined with shops and open-air markets. It was the hub of political, social and commercial activity of Roman citizens. As you go around Roman Forum, you will see ruins of temples, churches and public buildings. …