Too Cool Articles

Winter Vacations in Manali - The Valley of the Gods
By Nayan Kamalakar Choure

Manali is one of the most beautiful towns in the Himalayas which are almost untouched and pristine. One of the former Prime Minister’s of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has given a very beautiful description of Manali in one of his poems named “Bulati Tumhe Manali” which literally implies Manali Hails You. He has likened the place to an eternally enchanting fairyland with its snowy mountains, rivers, streams and forests. He has also named it “a land of celestial beings where even Gods frolic and play” and where the almond trees and hot sulphur springs abound. According to him, “Manali is as much a friend and comforter as a fragrant balmy breeze in inferno-like heat.”

All this and much more encompass the magic of this small quaint Himalayan town, which till a few decades back was almost invisible on the tourist map of India. But with the rising insurgency in Kashmir, people started directing their attention towards this place.

Manali is located at an altitude of 1,950 meters in the Beas River Valley and is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley. It is the administrative part of the Kullu district. It has been a trade route since ancient times and leads to Ladakh, over to the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in Tarim Basin.

The town is named after the ancient and revered Brahmin lawgiver Manu. The word Manali literally translates into the “Abode of Manu.” There is also an ancient temple in this town which is dedicated to this sage. The town and the surrounding area is of great significance to the Indian culture and heritage as it is described as the “Home of the Saptarshi” or the Seven Sages.

The climate in Manali is freezing in the winters and is moderately cool during the summers. It makes for a pleasant contrast from the summers of the plains of North India. It is a popular Himalayan tourist destination and makes up for nearly a quarter of all tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh.

Winter Sports in Manali: Over the years, Manali has gained recognition for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking etc. One of the unique sports in the area is the Yak Skiing which was also featured by the Times magazine as the “Best of Asia” for “Extreme Yak Sports.”

Skiing: The Manali area is most suitable for winter as well as summer skiing. The best months to ski in Manali is from December to February. The place has natural slopes and in the summer months one can ski at some locations in Narkanda.

Heliskiing: One of the most hair-raising sport literally!!! The helicopter drops the skier on top of a snow capped peak and then the person has to come down the mountain crisscrossing his/her way through unknown ridges and routes. It is a test of the risk taking capacity of the sportsperson. The best places to explore this sport are Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba, Rohtang Pass and Chandrakhani Pass in the Manali region.

Winter Carnival: This is one of the two winter fairs organized in the state, with the other being in the state capital, Shimla. This carnival is organized in February when there is plenty of snow and tourists can engage themselves in the winter sports organized at snow-capped Rohtang Pass and the ski slopes of Solang Valley.

So any person who can dare to face the harsh cold winter months of the Himalayas must surely visit this Valley of Gods and experience the sports activity in its full glory. Manali Hails You!!!

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Affordable Honeymoon Destinations
By Kum Martin

Usually, majority of newlywed couples end up spending a lot more than what was actually required on their honeymoon. It is mainly because of their lack of awareness that they get misguided by the greedy travel agents. There are numerous affordable and beautiful honeymoon destinations that offer the same entertainment and thrill as the high-end, expensive locations.

If you are looking for such a destination to make your honeymoon a memorable one, here is a brief description of a few cheap honeymoon locations to choose from.

• Florida: One amongst the cheapest honeymoon destinations located in the US, Florida is known worldwide for its romantic Palm Beach, the serene South Beach, and other beautiful beaches at Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The place is also known for its rich heritage and culture, shopping, and photography.

• California: Yet another affordable location in the US for honeymooners, California is most popular for surfing, water skiing, and other world class recreational activities. The places that are definitely worth a visit by new couples include San Francisco, Carmel, Monterey Bay, and Napa Valley.

• Dubai: For those interested in enjoying night life and world class shopping on their honeymoon, Dubai is the best choice when it comes to affordability.

• India: India, well known for the rich diversity in its culture, is also an affordable location for honeymooners. Destinations like Kerala and Goa have been attracting thousands of honeymoon couples from around the globe each year.

• Australia: Known for wonderful tourist spots, like the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock, and the Gold Coast, Australia remains to be a popular choice of honeymooners looking for affordable deals.

About Author:
Kum Martin is an online leading expert in the traveling industry. He also offers top quality articles like:
Activities In Alaska, Firework in California

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Scotland’s Mountains - The Munros - Introduction
By Brian A Slater

The Munros in Scotland is the name given to any mountain which exceeds 3000 feet or 914mts. There are 284 of them, first listed by Sir Hugh Munro in 1891 in the first table(s) listing them and their height. It is worth pointing out that Sir Hugh never completed them all to the actual top. One very famous Munro on the Isle of Skye called Sgurr Dearg - “The Inaccessible Pinnacle” where you have to use rock climbing ability to actually make the true summit, is one that Sir Hugh never made.

What Sir Hugh did however was as an original member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) with like-minded enthusiasts, where he was seen as the right man to establish an accurate list. Obtaining an accurate list had become an obsession within the club. The first publication came out in 1891 and caused quite a lot on controversy. Sir Hugh had many years experience of walking through out Scoland and used very early one-inch to the mile maps which were at that time quite primitive with little detail. His own recordings of actual summits climbed were used as additional information to support his findings. Sir Hugh Munro died in 1919 and at the time of his death was working on the first revision of the tables, so might not have been completely satisfied with them. Other members of the SMC have continued looking at the process of revision over the years, partly to check with aneroid barometer the accuracy of the mountain summits and the development of Ordance Survey maps. Secondly to try and distinguish the most consistent distinction between a Munro and a separate top, close by Munroists

When Sir Hugh Munro first published his tables of mountains over 3000 feet in Scotland he could have had very little idea of the influence that he was to have on later generations of hill walkers and mountaineers. He could have had no idea that his own name has become synonymous with these mountains, nor could he have foreseen the numbers of climbers who a century later are perusing his work and using his tables as an inspiration for their climbing activities.

There are approximately 100,000 people climbing the Munros in Great Britain and close to 4000 people who have climbed them all, including myself. I love them. My completion number is 3612 and stands in the Scottish Mountaineering Club journal in 2006. With this many people actively following in Sir Hughes foot steps we have become known as Munroists. I have met many munroists from Spain, Holland and other European countries during my time in Scotland and this adds an international status to Sir Hugh’s achievements. The length of time it takes to become a completest is vast and far reaching. Some people take an entire lifetime if you have to travel up from Southern England and have only one or two weeks per year to spare, between other family commitments, others may be able to take a sabbatical for 12 months to do them, time isn’t the issue, it’s determination and perseverance.

A sense of achievement

The munros are all over Scotland, the nearest one to Glasgow and is very popular in the summer months is called Ben Lomond, directly at the side of Loch Lomond and close to the site of the Scottish Golf Tournament golf club. It stands at 974 mts and offers fabulous views of Glasgow 35miles away to the south, Ben Nevis to the north west a further 40 miles away and the surrounding hills and lochs of Southern Scotland.

By contrast the most northerly one in Sutherland is called Ben Hope, 927 mts less than a dozen miles from the north coastline and on a clear day offers spectacular views over to the Outer Hebrides and the many Isles off the coast of Scotland. The munroist will cover the length and breadth of Scotland, many of the hills being far from the road with over night stops in bothy’s (mountain huts) or camping, bivouacking out to save time and repeated journey’s. You are never “just” a munroist you will meet geologists, artists, poets, naturists see plenty of flora and fauna and become engrossed in the lands history, its people and love the great open spaces that you will surely treasure as I do. So whether you aspire to climb one or all the munros be prepared for life changing experiences. You will see four seasons on many a day, but one thing every munro bagger knows is that to be “true” munroist you have to climb some of them in every month of the year. The spring and summer are fine for great views, but too feel the sense of isolation, the wilderness, frozen lochs and lakes, ice capped summits and waist deep snow with hunger in your stomach and a biting wind around your ears, all this and more will leave you with a knowledge and experiences only a few will see in their lives.

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Crossing Streams and Rivers on Hiking and Biking Trips
By Greg R. Lynch

Fording rivers and streams is typical for hikers & cross-country bikers. When bridges aren’t available, adventure seekers need to carefully navigate across these channels to avoid unnecessary injuries.

Waterways are highest, and coldest, in the spring and early summer as the snow melts. Later into the season, the water level drops but are still prone to sudden flooding from thunderstorms. Narrow canyons between mountains are the most vulnerable to sudden fluctuations.

Crossing streams and rivers should always be done with caution as muddy or slippery bottoms can lead to a loss of balance, a loss of equipment and even a loss of life. In the back-country, hikers need to be more vigilant since rescue personnel are usually hours or days away.

Knee-high water is easy to wade through. Thigh-high water is a bit trickier to cross, especially if the current is moving fast. At crotch level, not only is it cold, but the force from the water can easily push a person over as the center of balance of the human body is in the lower abdominal area.

When crossing streams and rivers back-country, people need to use common sense to get across safely. Here are a few tips to ensure a safe crossing:

• Check the speed of the current and the height of the water. The faster the flow and the higher the water, the more force will be pushing against your body. A rocky bottom makes it harder to keep balance.
• Look downstream for the conditions of the water. Just in case you lose balance, you don’t want to be swept into rapids or into a canyon with steep walls that are impossible to scale.
• Instead of hiking in wet boots for the rest of day, change into a pair of sturdy sandals before fording the river. Protective footwear helps to prevent slips and protects feet from sharp rocks and submerged branches. Avoid wearing loose flip-flops as these can easily come off, leaving you barefoot in the middle of a rocky patch.
• Before entering any water, undo all backpack straps and carry it over one shoulder. If you lose balance, a weighted pack can drag you down and pin you under the water. It’s better to loose your supplies than your life.
• When crossing with bikes, put them downstream of your body or they will be pushed into your legs and trip you up. This goes for parents crossing with children too.
• The water will be cold but fight the urge to sprint across. When running through the water, you are more likely to topple over as your legs get slowed by water resistance. Carefully pick each step for a solid footing.
• Once on the other side, dry off completely since damp feet are more prone to blisters.

An unbridged stream or river is no reason to cut short an outdoor adventure. Using common sense and caution allows adventure seekers to see what’s on the other side. And remember, if hiking trails didn’t have obstacles, they would be called sidewalks.

Scenic Travel Canada is a website that helps travelers and nature-lovers to discover Canada. There are plenty of Canadian adventures that cater to people of all fitness levels. From hiking in the Rockies to walking the sandy shores in the Maritimes, you’ll be amazed at the beautiful Canadian scenery that awaits.

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Solo Vacation - Explore, Discover, and Enjoy
By Smriti M Sharma

Being a single was never such a thrilling experience. Now people remain single to enjoy life on their own terms and get the most out of it. Solo vacation is one way of the ways for a singleton to celebrate. Explore the world like a free bird on singles holidays.

Vacation for singles has never had so many interesting options. Nowadays singles tour has widest range of options. The singles holidays tourism industry knows how to cater to the growing market of single travelling. The companies are outdoing each other in bringing exciting, and cheap holidays for single.

The biggest advantage of being a single traveller is the independence to take decisions and to choose the destination for vacations. On holiday for single, people go for options that are more adventurous and set themselves free to breathe in the fresh air of freedom. UK single travellers are no anomaly. They like to explore, discover and enjoy the solo vacations.

Renowned British travel writer, Freya Stark says, “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” and UK single travellers could not agree more.

Holiday for singles is one of the best ways to relieve stress and forget all the worries of this world. Vacations are to take pleasure in the single hood. A person on singles tours need not necessarily should be the one living life as a single. It can be anyone from a housewife taking a break from the errands and looking for somewhat cheap single holiday to a supermodel on a fiesta to splurge. But they have one thing in common and that is to refresh and free themselves for a time being.

Holidays for singles can come as a chance to make new friends or companions on the go. Single holiday also open the doors to see the people belonging to different culture with a new perspective. Meeting new people also makes the traveller tolerable and even one gets to share and hear views and experiences. However, try not to get involved as you are on solo vacation. Even then, it is totally upon the single holiday traveller.

Companies providing holiday for singles generally respect the code of conduct regarding single travellers. Sometimes being all alone on your own makes one quite vulnerable, yet this does not mean one should avoid company. Friendly atmosphere definitely helps to cheer-up the mood. That is why companies offer some packages of single holiday in groups. One can be oneself as on a holiday for single yet will not feel lonely.

Thus, there is no dearth of pros to go on single person holiday. Re-define enjoyment, forget worries, and inhale the air of this high flight of being on your own.

Smriti has been writing articles online for over 2 years now. She is an expert writer who writes Singles Holidays & holidays for singles for fun loving Solo Travellers.

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