Asia

The Heavenly Lake – Lake Namtso

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The Namtso Lake is held as “the heavenly lake” or “the holy lake” in northern Tibet. Lying at the foot of Nyainqentanglha Mountain, it covers an area of 1,940 square kilometers at an elevation of 4,718 meters. or 15,479 ft! It is believed to be the largest saltwater lake in Tibet and at the highest elevation in the world.

A legend says Namtso is the daughter of the god Indra (the mythological king of the abode of the gods) and the wife of Nyenchen Tanglha (念青唐拉). The goddess of the lake has a cyan body, three eyes, and two hands, with an aquarium on her right hand and a mirror on her left. Her hair is raised in a high bun with the other hair falling on her back. She rides a blue dragon and is quite charming. Continue reading →

Tibetan Mandalas

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Mandalas are works of sacred art in Tantric (Tibetan) Buddhism. The word “mandala” comes from a Sanskrit word that generally means “circle,” and mandalas are indeed primarily recognizable by their concentric circles and other geometric figures. Mandalas are far more than geometical figures, however. For Tantric Buddhists, they are rich with symbolism and sacred meaning. In fact, the etymology of the word “mandala” suggests not just a circle but a “container of essence.”

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/objects/mandala

NBT07 Tibetan OM MandalaBefore a monk may participate in the construction of a mandala, he must undergo a lengthy period of artistic and philosophical study. In the Namgyal monastery, the personal monastery of Dalai Lama, this period lasts three years.
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Kebabs somewhere in Kazakhstan- But don’t know where…

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We met a wonderful bunch of people in Almaty. Friends of friends… The hospitality we received from them was however, like we had been friends forever! They took us too this amazing restaurant, about a half hours drive out of Almaty. I don’t remember the name but if someone recognises it will they please do me a favour and fill in the blanks??? It was a cosy log cabin, lined with warm fur skins. Glass all around to you could admire the white wonderland that had developed overnight! This was October, we had landed in Almaty for a Trap shooting Championship. It was a warm and beautiful 28 Degrees C. The next morning we woke up to this!!

DSC_0287DSC_0315And then we were treated to this 🙂
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Jungle Luxury – Ranthambore

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This quick trip to Ranthambore National Park, The biggest Wildlife Reserve in India was really an excuse for pampering. It was more about Relaxing than the wildlife, I have to be honest :).

But the pampering was par excellence! We stayed at the Vanya Vilas. One of the most beautiful, tented luxury camps in India. The food, the service, the tents, the pool and the Spa! Ah, what a treat. The wildlife wasn’t too bad either ;).

Take a look at what I’m talking about…
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Sexy Shanghai!

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The two Chinese characters in the city’s name are 上 (shàng, “above”) and 海 (hǎi, “sea”), together meaning “Upon-the-Sea”. It is split in two by the Huangpu River into the area of Puxi (浦西 Pǔxī) West of the river, versus Pudong (浦东 Pǔdōng) east of the river. Shanghai has everything. It’s glitzy, sexy, smart, beautiful, cultural, loud, cultured and the women are gorgeously dressed!

Shanghai

Pudong (浦东 Pǔ​dōng​) is Shanghai’s newest district on the eastern side of the Huangpu River, full of gleaming skyscrapers rising out of what was mere farmland only 15 years ago.

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We stayed at the Ritz Carlton on Nanjing road. Miles of designer stores and shopping. Beautiful flowers in the lobby.

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Lhasa and Potala Palace

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The roof of the world! It takes your breath away, literally! Stark, beautiful, spiritual. Theres something about Tibet, I wasn’t a very spiritual person when I went there. Tibet does that to you. The spirituality oozes into you With out you realising to. 🙂

Pretty amazing feeling! there are some beautiful monasteries in Tibet. Make sure to get these monasteries in on your trip. We had a wonderful guide Norbu who had in-depth knowledge about everything we asked. She was very flexible and we could do things at leisure… There was a general itinerary we had and did it our own pace.DSC_0554

 

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Tibetan Women with their Prayer Wheels and Prayer Beads.

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Hmmmm…..Interesting Bhutan!

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The exterior window
The Lobby of Zhiwa ling
Prayer flags
Exotic masks
And exotic dances
Archery competition
Prayer Flags
Yak!
Cultural show
Chillies!
white and Red chillies, drying in the sun
A good Luck Charm painted on homes and buildings 🙂
Gorgeous stadium
All the handsome men dressed in their ‘Gho”
With friends in Thimpu.
He made Bhutan possible. Thank you J

Maldives. Landaa Giraavaru

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The Bluest of Blues. Every shade imaginable. It makes my soul sing and prepares me for another year in the city until I’ve had enough it all and need to go back to my Soul Spa. The Maldives. Sunrise, Sunsets, cool waters and warm sun. Soft white sand under your feet. The gentle Tropical breeze as you while the afternoon by with a cocktail in your hand. Evenings at the spa, long lazy massages and then the sundowners and sound sleep. Preparing you for another day of the same 🙂 Aaaahhhh…. I can’t wait to go back!

We had a beautiful Beach Villa with a plunge pool and a pier in front of the villa to watch the Sunrise and sunsets from. There are plenty of pictures so do scroll down to the end!
The Bluest Blues in the world DSC00917
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