Bergama, Turkey, TR

This ancient Greek city of Bergama, previously known as Pergamon once  taken by legendary Alexander the Great.  Pergamon was cited in the Book of Revelation as one of the seven churches of Asia.

I am not taking Archeological studies here, but to see and go to the places that once I heard only in my high-school History subject.  

Acropolis - the high city in Greek, Citadel in English. The highest point.  People choose the highest or elevated ground to build settlement for the purpose of defense.  

The fortified hill, Acropolis

Temple of Trajan

 

Brigitte from France, taking pics :-)

Snake caught my attention

The Theater

 

The Sky Cable Ride

Hop In :-)

 

View from the sky cable

Read More

Selcuk, Izmir, Turkey, TR

Selcuk 

Pronounce as Sel-chuk is located in Izmir, Turkey.  It is one of the most visited place in Turkey for holy ancient city of Ephesus,   House of Mary,  Basilica of St. John,  Temple of Artemis and Selcuk works.

Ephesus was once the trade centre of the ancient world, a religious centre of the early Christianity and now a days is an important tourism centre in Turkey.

Celsus Library

Memmius Monument

The Great Theater

Tourists

So many of them and I was one of them :-)

Temple of Hadrian

House of Mary - located a the top of Bulbul mountain about 9km ahead of Ephesus.  It has been the place where Virgin Mary spent her last few days. 

House of Mary,  People here are hearing Mass

Crowd just came out from the House of Mary

Wishing  Wall - here ties white piece of cloth, some tissues, papers where wishes are written

Mass taking place during our visit at the House of Mary

Collecting Holy Water

Souvenirs for my mom from the House of Mary

Temple of Artemis - Is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built in the flat area of Ephesus.  Today displays only some ruins of the foundation.  The remains is being exhibited at the Selcuk Museum. 

Isa Bey Mosque  (below)- the columns used inside the house of prayer are from earlier ruins of Ephesus

Leather Company - Turkey is known for its leather and one of  the good thing about their tourism industry is that they are not just promoting the natural and ancient sites but also promoting and helping some companies, just like this one.

Modeling Leather Jackets

Beach time - relaxing time :-)

Selcuk

Izmir, Turkey

October 2011

Read More

Rafting in Trisuli River, Nepal

Good day!
Another exciting day it is to me.  Rafting in wild river!

Trisuli River Rafting

As it was going to be early, we just decided to pack our breakfast and had them when the bus stopped over for a breakfast.  It was about three-hour bus drive from Kathmandu to Chiraudi, our starting point.  

On the bus we met our teammates for the rafting, a banker and others were students who are completing their college course, part of it is to experience rafting. 

" I think you are not enjoying the trip since you were silent", mates finally said while having tea on our break.  Daaagghhh.  Sorry guys, I am just concentrating on holding my bladder, was wishing and praying that bus would stop the soonest LOL. 

Nice to meet you ;-).

We are heading there!

Captain inflating the raft

Briefing

I am ready!

Our team is ready!

Trisuli River Rafting has several rapids: 

Twin Rocks, Ladies Delight, Landslide, Monsoon, First Upset, Second Upset, and Surprise! 

When the river was quiet the team was wild.  It was a sunny day but the water was really cold.

The guys jumped off the raft and were like floating ants in a melted frozen delight LOL. Freezing!

Time to take our cameras out from the tightly closed container.

Captain, Shukra Kumar

Raftmates:

Yeni my Indonesian fella, Captain Shukra Kumar, Atish Gauchan, Sapan Hamal and 2 other mates.

Read More

Jeep Safari, Nepal

Jeep Safari

Nepal Adventure in Royal Chitwan National Park,  it is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the major tourist attractions in Nepal.

After lunch and the sun was up, one o'clock pick-up time for jeep safari. We were advised to wear neutral colored clothing so not to annoy animals and  not to attract unfriendly ones. 

Here single horned rhino seen while waiting for the canoe that will take us to the oppoiste side of the river for jeep safari. 

Facing the river

Sitting by the river enjoying the scenery, some are waiting for the canoe that will transport them to the other side of the river for Jeep Safari.

Canoes

People were drop off by the river bank after the safari

This canoe will take people back to Sauhara river bank after safari



Tall grasses at the entry to the jungle.  Below was the grass area has just been burnt.  The burning kills the unwanted grass which outgrows the food-grass for the animals' habitat. 

The government then open the area for villagers to collect sticks for building and repairing their houses. See Tharu houses.

Sal Tree Forest Area

Sal Tree in Chitwan is a valued hardwood, which is used for building and woodcarving. It is known for its strength and durability.

Strangled tree

This was the only kind of tree that bears fruit I have seen as we get into the jungle.  Fruits were like guava and unripe greenish tomato.  It has been said that this can cure diarrhea. 

Practice sensitivity of eyesight and hearing here.  Someone has to have a good vision to spot animals in the forest.

Birds and Nest

Sitting pretty fella

Darter Bird

Wild ducks

What is this?

King Fisher

Sloth bear

Marsh Mugger Crocodile

Dancing (male) Peacock

Plumage beautifully spread and he is turning around slowly.  Amazing!

I was not able to capture photos of the other seen animals as they run fast and hid into the bushes.

In Chitwan, there are two species of crocodiles the Marsh mugger and Gharial crocodiles.

The Crocodile Breeding Centre in the forest conserving the gharial crocodiles. An entry of Rs100.

Wild Marsh Mugger

The breeding of the Gharial Crocodiles - have long and slender snouts.

Took us around 5 hours exploring the jungle.



Read More