Update from Oberoi/Trident Hotel, Mumbai India

 This is another prestigious hotel in Mumbai for travellers to stay. In the middle of among the busiest city in the world, the hotel is indeed stand up its name. However, lately due to terror attack, all travellers are afraid to come, plus 24 deaths are coming from this hotel. The latest news from the hotel management as follows:

The evacuation of guests is complete. Guests have been rejoined with their families and friends or have been escorted to alternate accommodation that had been arranged for them. Guests who had travelled to Mumbai from other cities and from overseas are being offered all support for their return or onward journey.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the horrific act of terrorism. We are greatly saddened by the demise of some guests and members of our staff.

We are distressed that our guests had to undergo an extremely harrowing experience and some of our guests and staff suffered injuries – Our thoughts are with them.

We are very grateful to our guests for their complete cooperation and understanding.

The bravery of the police, security forces and firefighters has inspired us – We thank them immensely for their cooperation.

We salute our staff for their courageousness, tirelessness and dedication.

Highlight on Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai India

Recently world has been shocked with terrorist attack at Mumbai, India which killed almost 130 persons and injured many of others. Where the heck is actually Taj Mahal Hotel? Is it near the greatest Taj Mahal Wonder of the World? Nope. Actually, the Taj Mahal Palace is a prestigious hotel located in the Colaba region of Mumbai, India, next to the Gateway of India. Part of the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, this 105-year old heritage building retains its stature as the flagship property of the group.

What’s more? It boasts a distinguished list of guests including Mick Jagger, Jacques Chirac, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent & Katharine, Duchess of Kent, Harald V of Norway & Queen Sonja of Norway, Marianne Faithfull, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles, Prince of Wales, The Beatles, Bill Clinton and Jacqueline Onassis. The hotel indeed is very popular among famous people in the world.

From an historical and architectural point of view, The Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower are two distinct buildings, built at different times and in different architectural designs. The “Tower” refers to the Taj Intercontinental.

On November 26, 2008 the hotel was damaged in a series of attacks in the southern part of Mumbai. The roof of the hotel was destroyed by fire in the hours after the attack. What will happen next to this historical hotel? We just wait and see.

Blending with Culture of Rome, Italy on Your Trip

 I know most of people have been travelling to Rome, Italy. It is kind of weird if you said you love travelling but you didn’t go to Rome yet. It’s just sound little awkward. Anyway, if you have been to Rome before, I suggest for your second trip that you become a part of the culture and lose yourself in the alleys of Rome. This is what most people miss during the trip to Rome, Italy.

For this second trip or travel, we decided to blend ourselves with the Rome itself. Guess what we found or at least experience? We’ve discovered famous artists, digs, scluptures, paintings, and world famous choirs in small churches. Sit and sip and engage the people. We now have lifetime friends in Rome. In today’s world travel and tight space on airplanes, I started about 15 years ago to use saline spray before boarding an airplane followed by generour portions of neosporin swabbed in my nostrils. I also wipe down all surfaces with antiseptic towels. Since then, I have never “caught” anything on a plane trip. Recommended by my oncologist. Best cappuccino in Rome….Cafe Farnese on the Piazza Farnese. Great people watching, lots of locals.

Missouri St. Louis Getaway Arc

 On this post, I want to share with you about such magnificient Getaway Arc photos taken by one of my real life friend. His portfolio can be found on his fotopages called ShahStudio. They went to St. Louis, Missouri for 4 days (24 to 28th December) during the winter break. Well, I used to be with during this time to travel around the states. I really miss those

Solar Eclipse “Ring” Seen Over South East Asia

 The rare event of solar eclipse had happened at Southeast Asia region, on which the dark disk of the moon creeps across the setting sun. Only people viewing from the southern Indian Ocean were among the few to see the full annular eclipse, so called because at its peak the eclipse is surrounded by an annulus, or ring, of fiery light.

A fantastic sequence of photos above shows the moon passing between Earth and the sun before, during, and after an annular eclipse, as seen on January 26, 2009, from Bandar Lampung in Indonesia. The path of the full annular eclipse crossed mostly open ocean in the southern part of the globe, starting about 560 miles (900 kilometers) south of Africa

New Year 2009 Celebrations at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 Malaysia has celebrated its 2009 new year practically early than any other place in the world. Why? Go open your high school’s geography book and find out yourself. :p These are some pictures of 2009 countdown at variety of places in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysians ushered in the new year by letting their hair down at several countdown parties. Anyway, as reported by local newspaper today, despite concerns over the turbulent state of the economy, many were intent on having fun ushering in 2009 which was greeted by some fearsome fireworks displays. At Dataran Merdeka here, Prime Minister Datuk Seri

The Most Creepiest Pool in the World

 Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) or The Victoria Falls, which was named by Scottish explorer, David Livingstone, is located in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. The height of the magnificent waterfalls is 108 meters, which can be considered among the highest waterfalls in the world.

The most popular location is known as the “Devil’s Swimming Pool” where during the months of September and December, visitors can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls without falling over. Pretty cool isn’t it? Below are the brave and splendid photos of people who have visited the scariest pool.

Siege of Leningrad Blockade Now and Then

 History has told us all but frequently we forget about the hardship experienced by generations past, especially during certain wars. However, some people have a very creative and profound way of reflecting on times gone by, presenting their take on the world in a new light. Hopefully our children and future generation will still remember that comfortable life they get is coming from bloodshed of people in the past.

Magnificent Beach Houses in Dubai

Dubai has not only been known as the fastest growing city in the world, but also the most lavish city in the world. Last time, I posted about the top 5 secret places and the top 5 places of interests you must not miss during your vacation at Dubai. Now, I want to post the photos of magnificent architecture beach houses that can be found in the city of Palm 

Chinese Fisherman Photos

The live of Chinese fishermen is so poor that they have to go out to sea everyday to catch fish to sell although there is an incoming thunderstorm on the way. The choppy waters and heavy rain made it very difficult to fish. The fishermen’s little boat swayed vigorously from side to side. As they are about to throw their net into the sea, a huge wave rocked their boat, causing them to lose their balance and fall into the sea. “God, please help us!” they screamed in the water, “Who is going to take care of our wife and children?”

Tokyo “Underground Temple”

 Tokyo, with a population of 12.4 million, is one of the largest cities in the world and still growing. It is known for not only having huge amounts of anime and robot fans, but also for its annual rainy and typhoon seasons that can flood the whole city. Because of this, there is a need to build a massive underground drainage system to counter the problem. In 1992, a plan called G-Cans Project or the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (drainage system) was approved and construction began. The G-Cans project was completed in 2004. Below are some of the pictures of “Tokyo’s Drainage System: The Largest in the World”.

Most Magnificent Mosques in the World

 Mosques are places where the followers of Islam worship. There are many of them around the world, ranging from very large Mosques that can seat 50,000 people to ones so small that they can only hold 10 people at a time. They are known for having amazing domes with crescents on top; tall and slender minarets that are usually situated at the corner of the building structure; amazing Art of Arabic Calligraphy and Quran verses in the Prayer Halls. Here is my list of the “Top 10 Most Magnificent Mosques in the World”. You may have been fortunate enough to have already visited some of them. 

No 10. Mosque of Dearborn, Michigan, USA

No 9. Shah Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan