Archive for the ‘travels’ Category
Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu , Nepal
Boudhanath Stupa, is actually one of the holiest Buddhist stupa in the world. This would also be one of the largest stupa in the world. It’s actually located around 11km away from Kathmandu. I can still remember walking for 2 or 3 hours to reach this site and cheating entrance fees while passing riots as the Nepalese Maoist were having demonstration that day. It was a tough walk
The stupa is large enough that you can climb there and enjoy the views around the temple. On top you can actually see pilgrims and Tibetan refuges walking circling the stupa in clock wise manner(tibetans do that to bring peace to the world) , while the music shop is blasting really peaceful chanting/reglious songs near by. As the sun slowly goes down and the climate becomes much cooler. More pilgrims flocked this place , walking around it.
We sat down the Stupa and watched the sun sets. The sun was beautiful however I think I’m too lazy too take good photos that day. So I enjoy the moment I can. It one hell of a sunset experience there. We took a tuk tuk back to our cheap bedroom at Thamel area at Kathmandu and had good some good Thungba!
I can never imagine how different Nepal is than India although they are more or less on the same subcontinent. Traveling Nepal is very relaxed and fun.
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In: malaysia, travels · Tagged with: Boudhanath Stupa, kathmandu, Kathmandu City, nepal, Places to Visit, places to visit in nepal kathmandu
Taman Tamadun Islam Terengganu Malaysia (Islamic civilisation park)
The next time you are at Kuala Terengganu and feeling bored, you can drop by Taman Tamadun Islam. Besides the Crystal mosque, there are also other unique attractions at Taman Tamadun Islam or TTI. I bought the Rm 15 ticket and did not know what to expect. However the experience is quite ok and I did not feel that I was cheated the RM 15.
Costing RM250 Million , this park contains plenty of replicas of Islamic Civilization achievement. These replicas can be from 10 meters high to a mini replica that will fit a few people into it. To be honest, I’m quite impressed by how alike these replicas are. It’s a great way of seeing other buildings without actually visiting those place.
The Dome of the Rock , Jerusalm , you can actually go into the replica and there’s a a Dome inside!This shot was taken from inside the dome
Mohamad Ali Mosque, Cairo
Blue Mosque , Halgo Sophia , Turkey
Kul Shariff, Russia a few building tall
There are plenty more monuments in the park
Ticket Price 2011
Adult Price Rm 15
Children , 7-12 Rm 18
Children below 7 Free
Senior Citizen RM 8
Operations
Monday – Thursday 10am – 7pm
Friday – Sunday and public Holiday 9 am – 7Pm
Break for Friday Prayers 11.30 am to 2.30 PM
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In: malaysia, photography, travels · Tagged with: Abu Nasr Parsa Afghanistan, an-Nabawi Arab Saudi, Haram Arab Saudi, islamic civilisation park, Taman Tamadun Islam, terengganu, tti
Greater Kashmir travel pictures
I arrived at Kashmir early in the morning around 12 hours shared jeep ride from Ladakh. The journey was mostly below 0 Celsius with tremendously beautiful Himalayan stars. I did not dare to eat and drink most of the journey. I can still remember being waken up by the police somewhere middle of the night and walked through the security post to register myself. The night is awefully cold and the walk is tough as the air was thin due to the altitude. I’m glad to be able to make it alive to Kashmir from Ladakh.
If you have read my previous post, I was expecting some kind of beautiful place yet I was frustrated. Kashmir is not some kind of special place that I expected it to be from so much publicites that I have heard of. We are often greeted with hungry touts, tour guides, boatmens, ship hotel man or whatever. This place has been abandoned by foreign tourists due to security reasons. Sonoko was right, this place is not special at all.
Kashmir Dal Lake, I was expecting a paradise at this chaotic valley. However Kashmir’s lake is not as beautiful as I expected it to be. I wish I could stay longer here however there will be riots 12 hours after this photo was taken. I also wish to see the muslim quarters area that our guesthouse owner forbids us to go ( security reasons)
Kashmiri man, this guy was in total shock when i took his photo. Probably first time seeing a tourist. It’s good to be at somewhere non-touristic sometimes
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In: india, travels · Tagged with: kashmir, make my trip, pak occupied kashmir
Ladakh muslims , Islam among Tibetan
During the mughal period of India, There were migrations of muslims to buddhist kingdom of Ladakh as Ladakh was conquered. Most of the muslims at Leh, Ladakh comes from Kashmir. Of course sometimes situation are not so relaxed as there may be religious clashes from time to time.
I walked through cold streets of Ladakh to find people to be photographed during an evening. This man was kind enough to give me a go. This man lives behind the Masjid Jamek of Leh. I gave him a postcard from Malaysia.
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In: india, photography, travels · Tagged with: kashmir, ladakh islam, ladakh muslims
Calcutta, Kolkata or West Bengal
I arrived at Calcutta at around 4am in the morning. The train that I took from Varanasi was suppose to take 12 hours, however it took more 30 hours for the train to reach Calcutta. It was a total nightmare sleeping on the train stations smell of poops and eating somewhat dirty foods from street paddlers inside the train. It’s kind of hard to check whether the foods are clean or dirty as there weren’t much choices. I’m lucky that my stomach had adjusted well to Indian foods. My gf is having diarrhea once a week for 2 months. The coach are filled with mosquito in the night and we have to watch our bags from thieves which are well know on that route.
Calcutta’s people are quite mean compared to other cities in India. They will not hesitate to ask tips from you for a small favor. Not to blame them, there are a lot of hardcore poor in Calcutta and they are brought up that way. If you give 10 rupees to a beggar, he will probably give a damn stare at you and ask for more.
We took one of those famous Calcutta yellow cabs and he dropped us somewhere near our destination where we have to walk another 30 minutes to walk to Sudder Street. A long the way I can see a lot of people bathing,cleaning up,brushing teeth along drains with rushing water. And people sweeping the drain.
Its been 2 lousy months and I’m drained to do any serious photography anymore. However, Calcutta isn’t such a bad place compared to other cities in India. Along the hustle bustle people banging into each other while walking, you can still find KFC and tasty foods here. And you can actually find Meat! Quite a rare food in India. There are still some city standards in Calcutta , a bit of peace if you can afford it. A bit of organization.
I’m lucky this is one of the last city that I’ll be in India. It’s been hell of sick journey in India, I promised myself not to go back to India again. Fingers crossed.
I’m really glad to be able to say “I hate India”
Normal scene on morning
Mother Teresa
Communist at Bengal
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In: india, travels · Tagged with: calcutta, kolkata, west bengal
