Located in the Midlands of South Carolina. A spiritual sanctuary calling for you to be restored, refreshed, and renewed.

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There is so much to see and do in London, especially if you’re based in one of the central hostels in London. Once you’ve seen the iconic attractions, why not explore the weirder, wackier side of this grand old city.

1. Ripley’s Believe it or Not – Head over to Piccadilly Circus and prepare to have your mind blown. From quirky exhibits to a breath-taking laser race, this is definitely one fun venue that shouldn’t be missed for the young, or the young at heart.

2. Sample the Beers of the Ages on a Pub Tour – If you’re a serious beer lover and have £20 to spare, you can book a pub tour of London’s East End, courtesy of Alternative London. This is a pretty good deal if you’re staying in one of the hostels in London and want to make the most of your limited time and have some fun to boot.

3. Chill Out in the Swimming Ponds of Hampstead Heath – There’s nothing like an ice-cold dip in the middle of winter to get your blood flowing again! Hampstead Heath’s swimming ponds are open all year round, ready to give you chills and thrills with a dip in the waters.

4. Gourmet Toast in Clapham – Feeling hungry? As in, really hungry? Breads Etcetera offers huge portions and you can eat as much as you can handle of their freshly baked bread. Pair it will one of their delicious omelettes and you’ll be good to go for the whole day.

5. Shop for Umbrellas at James Smith & Sons – London is renowned for its rain and you’ll inevitably need an umbrella if you don’t want to get sopping wet every time you step outside the hostels in London. You can always grab a cheap one, of course, but why not stay dry in style with a brolly from one of London’s most iconic stores, which has been around since 1830?

6. Dine Among the Dead – Always felt that your average restaurant is somewhat lacking in dead animals preserved in life-like postures? Then you may fancy visiting the Les Trois Garcon restaurant. Located in Shoreditch, you can enjoy a delicious feast under the watchful gaze of a host of stuffed (but very real) animals. It’s a taxidermist’s dream, but it’s not for everyone – although it’s certainly different!

7. Get Your Laugh On for Free – Monday nights in the Theatre Royal Stratford East are reserved for a bevy of stand-up comedy acts, and the best part is Comic Mondays are free! This is a great night out and very easily accessible from the central hostels in London.

8. Learn Some Fake History – Speaking of laughs, Bullsh*t London is a two-man comedian act-slash-walking tour of the South Bank. For £10, you can enjoy a two-hour long tour with a skewered, tongue-in-cheek version of London’s grand old history. Perfect for those who lean toward the irreverent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8919287
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Once the land of the Native Americans, Seattle is rich in its natural beauty. Nonetheless, it is not far from civilization and sophistication. It gives you both the City and the Countryside under one roof. Here’s a list of the 10 premier locations in the “Emerald City.” These are the top choices with locals and tourists.

1. Pike Place Market –

Established in 1907, this public market is one of the iconic attractions in Seattle overlooking the Elliot Bay. It is spread over 9 acres of land and is home to more than 200 independent businesses. Started as a Farmer’s Market, you can treat yourself to fresh fruits, vegetables and sea food or take home floral bouquets, clothing, handicrafts and locally made jewelry.

2. Space Needle –

The Space Needle is a symbol for Seattle. Standing tall at 605ft, this observation tower was built during the 1962 World Fair. The Observation Deck at 520 ft offers breathtaking views of Seattle by day and night. It is open year round except on special holidays. If you get hungry, you can grab a meal at the SkyCity restaurant.

3. Chihuly Garden and Glass Center –

A recent addition to Seattle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Center is a phenomenal glass exhibit. It is divided into three sections namely the glass house, the garden and the interior exhibit. You can purchase a combined ticket for the Space Needle and the Chihuly Center to save a few dollars. If you do get a chance, watch it by night.

4. Woodland Park Zoo –

Woodland Park Zoo is a real treat for nature lovers as it attempts to preserve local and exotic animal species by recreating natural habitats. There are over 1,000 species of animals and birds segmented into various exhibits. There is a nature-themed play space for children called the Zoomazium. You can bring a picnic or eat at the cafes and food kiosks.

5. Olympic Sculpture Park –

This is one of the premier tourist destinations in Seattle not only on account of the art it has on display but also for its stunning design and architecture. A walk here will give you a glimpse of the city, the harbor and the sparkling waterfront.

6. Seattle Aquarium –

The Seattle Aquarium near Pike Palace gives you a new way to explore the underwater. The aquarium is home to over 380 species of fish, marine animals and invertebrates. You can see the colorful fish through the underwater dome and pet creatures at the two large touch pool tanks.

7. Washington State Ferries –

This is a government agency that organizes exciting boat rides to tour the Puget Sound area. On board you can grab a hot drink or simply stand on the deck and feel the light sprays of salt water on your skin. You can also take a ferry to Bainbridge Island.

8. Ballard Locks –

The Hiram H. Chittenden locks popularly called the Ballard locks connects Lake Union and Lake Washington to Puget Sound. The best time to visit is when the fish are going through the ladder. There is a specially designed 21 step structure that enables the fish to transfer from the saltwater to freshwater. You can see the fish swim through the ladder through the glass panels below.

9. Museum of Flight –

If you are an aerospace enthusiast, this place won’t disappoint. This museum takes you back into history with its 39 full-sized aircraft. There is Boeing, Air Force One, Concord and Connie to name a few. Many of the exhibits are from World War I and II. You will spend hours here without getting bored.

10. Seattle Art Museum –

When the climate does not quite favor an outdoor saunter, you can drop in at the Seattle Art Museum. It is quite big in size and showcases amazing highlights many of them belonging to Native American and Asian cultures. Comparatively, it has a smaller collection of European Art.

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In Awe of how Artisans Woo This Regal Bloom

“Kiku” is the Japanese word for Chrysanthemum.

After residing in Japan for some 28 years, I understand that the Japanese relationship with this beautiful flower is deep, intricate and somewhat mysterious especially when you are a newbie visitor.

I happen to live next to Japan’s second largest cemetery called “Kuboyama Bochi” (Bochi is the word of cemetery) so people from around the country come to do “Ohaka Mairi” which means “visiting the graves and praying for the Spirits who have gone before us”. The graveyard is actually a grave mountain because of the hilly area and the fact the face of the mountain offers a clear and direct view to the ocean of Yokohama Bay. It seems that having a good view for your loved one will help them rest in peace and feel comfort on the other side of things.

The area bustles with visitors during the “O-bon” season during Summer and official looking traffic officers guide automobiles and buses along the road which is closed off for only one way travellers. Every visitor walking along the road is holding a bundle of flowers and each one will include a crisp white Kiku (Chrysanthemum) bloom.

Many stop at nearby flower or tea shops and pick up the set bouquet on their way to the cemetery. You will notice these flowers, freshly cut and prepared at 7-11s and other convenience stores as well. Often times, the “grave” flowers look very similar to other bouquets you might take to your friends home party or hospital room. The “grave flowers” are also usually displayed along with other bouquets too! How confusing! I once had my friend bring me a bundle of grave flowers as a gift for my dinner party. I don’t mind at all, and quickly put the lovely blooms in a vase, but I would think this would be a surprising gift for most Japanese friends. Especially if they are ill and in the hospital. A bunch of grave flowers as a hospital visitation gift could lend a sense of foreboding to the general atmosphere to say the least!

I have the impression that Japanese people see the Kiku as solemn and majestic. There are some 300 varieties in Japan but the white flower is held in esteem and is not used in celebrations as much as in ceremonies that require introspection and quiet. Maybe it is the soft way those velvety snow-white petals come together to form a lovely round orb but at the same time are drooping out and down in a slightly sad way. Their stems are straight and the dark green balances the rich white in a stately way. The Kiku is like someone who has been through hardship or despair, yet stands proud and stronger for the experience.

Am I imagining too much? I would like to sit down with an Ikebana master and ask all the intricacies of flower art in the Japanese soul. I find a deep connection there as I am sure so many of us around the world can share. The texture, scent and stature of the Kiku brings to mind a discreet luxury, a solemn calm.

In October and November, you will see displays of Kiku in train stations and temples. “Kiku Matsuri” or Kiku Festivals abound and I definitely recommend you take the three hour trip to Yahiko in Niigata Prefecture and visit the Kiku Matsuri at the Yahiko Shrine. We were knocked off our feet by what we witnessed from the Kiku Artisans represented at this festival.

The entire walkway to the temple was lined with little booths displaying the beautiful Kiku works from around the country. Inside the temple grounds were the award-winning miracles. From afar, I thought the dome of evenly separated, perfectly round white Kiku was some type of frame in which the Kiku blooms were carefully set in the style of a May Day or Rose Parade style back home.

But with one closer look, I realized those blooms, the hundred or so that I could see, were actually extending out of a single Kiku trunk.

How meticulous and perfect was this work of flower art! The life in the branches is slowly nurtured and ushered into a delicate sphere of delight. I think of the yearly challenge as the perfect blooms fade and drop to the ground. The caretaker must diligently clip and prune to make sure the flowers find rest in a delicate balance for the new season. I am utterly amazed at the absolute dedication I imagine must be required to complete this feat year in and year out.

Praise to the regal Kiku and praise to those who carefully protect its unique and respected position within the myriad flower world of Japan.

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Rajasthan, the largest state in India, was historically a region fragmented into 18 princely states, 3 chieftainships and was united only by a term which was coined by the British, ‘Rajputana Agency/Province’, until 1949 AD. Even today a fleeting glance might fool you into thinking that this place is all about deserts and camels to the west, forests and wildlife to the east (and south) and a place where everyone’s mother tongue is Hindi (it is also the official language of the state); but one needs to take a closer look in order to understand that this land is just as geographically, culturally, linguistically and cuisine-wise diverse as any other part of India.

Some of the major historical regions of Rajasthan are Dhundhar (includes Jaipur), Hadoti (includes Kota), Marwar (includes Jodhpur), Mewar (includes Udaipur, Chittorgarh), Shekhawati (includes Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu), Godwar (includes Falna, Abu), Mewat (includes part of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur), Vagad (includes part of Banswara and Dungarpur) and Ajmer. While these regions are relatively smaller when compared to the huge size of India; they have their own dialects, their own style of cooking, their own deities, and last but not the least their way of living is in harmony with the geographical conditions (we need to remember that Rajasthan is all desert in the west, semi arid in the north and central, extremely hilly in the south and all green in the east) of their environs.

Being such a fragmented region since time immemorial meant that there would be rivalries amongst kingdoms and when differences weren’t resolved through dialogue, war was inevitable. So, from a security point of view it was imperative for all the rulers of Rajasthan to defend their realms and that would mean constructing forts. The more the better, the bigger the better! It is a representation of this fact, that Rajasthan has numerous forts with each built differently as per the local landscape and environs, which prompted UNESCO to choose six of the most unique ones as World Heritage Sites. This article focusses on one such fort, of the Kingdom of Mewar, which is not only one of the oldest in Rajasthan but also one of the most massive ones to be constructed in the history of India, ever!

Located in the wilderness, at a distance of 100 kms from the tourist’s paradise of Udaipur, a fort of gigantic proportion stands; a UNESCO World Heritage Site which a majority of tourists and people, generally, tend to ignore. They don’t ignore this fort because it is not worth looking at, they don’t ignore this fort because it does not have its own legendary stories to tell, they don’t visit this fort simply because they are not aware about this place. The sole aim of writing this article is to correct that anomaly so that whenever a tourist or traveler visits Udaipur or any destination in Rajasthan he/she does not miss out on a monument which has the second largest wall of Asia at 36kms, second only to the Great Wall of China, and some of the finest palaces and temples ever constructed in this region.

Constructed on the orders of Rana Kumbha of Mewar (and hence named after him, Kumbhalgarh simply means the Fort of Kumbha) between 1444 – 1458 AD, this expansive fort was constructed on a series of hills at the border of the realms of Mewar and Marwar. A fort built by a Jain ruler Samprati in the 2nd century BC and some temples located in the same area pre-dated the fort. As per legend when Rana Kumbha’s men could not erect a major bastion he was suggested by an ascetic to conduct a human sacrifice to appease the elements. It is believed that after some futile searching the ascetic offered himself for the sacrifice. The spot of his beheading has a temple there. After this, construction of the fort was undertaken successfully in full swing and as per folklore Rana Kumbha (who ironically was assassinated by his son in the same fort!) burned large lamps to facilitate the construction of fort even during night hours.

Rana Kumbha had a prowess of architecture as well and he had designed (or co-designed) at least 32 of the 84 forts constructed during his lifetime. One of the salient features of this particular fort designed by him and his architect Mandan were the bottle-shaped bastions (bulbous at the base, narrow at the top) whose purpose was to desist escalade warfare (the opposing armies could not prop up their wooden ladders, to storm the fort walls, without the fear of breaking them as they would have been forced to be kept at an angle). These unique bastions were complemented with walls which were over 7 metres wide in some places (enough for 7 horses to run side by side).

This gargantuan fort, replete with palaces (built in Rajput architectural style along with some influences Mughal architecture coming in at later stages), temples (constructed in the Nagara (North Indian) and Maru Gurjara (West Indian) styles of architecture), step wells, dams and multiple levels of defensive walls was a defender’s delight. Historical facts ascertain this fact, that while this fort faced numerous sieges the opposing armies, no matter how qualified and huge they were, could never break into Kumbhalgarh (the only time the Mewar army defending Kumbhalgarh surrendered, in 1578 AD, was when they ran out of ammunition!). It is no wonder that whenever rulers of Mewar felt threatened they would head here for safety.

This fort’s importance can be judged from the fact that it was here that the toddler Rana Uday Singh was sneaked here (in 1538 AD) to prevent him from being assassinated following a palace coup, by Panna Dhai. The legendary Maharana Pratap, the eldest son of Rana Uday Singh, was born here (on May 9th 1540 AD), in the ‘Jhalia ki Malia’ (Palace of Queen Jhalia). Some decades hence when Maharana Pratap lost the, furiously fought, Battle of Haldighati (1538 AD) it was to Kumbhalgarh where he headed to and even though Mughal emperor Akbar laid an elaborate siege to capture him he managed to leave the fort successfully, after he ran out of ammunition.

This fort was restored, at some places, and renovated by Maharana Uday Singh II in 1905 AD. He restored the battlements, the bastions and built the wonderful Badal Mahal after pulling down some old structures.

Some of the major monuments which stand out from the rest in Kumbhalgarh are the Char Bhuja Temple (near Ram Pol), Baavan Deori Temple (a unique Jain Temple with 50 minor and 2 major sanctum sanctorums!), Badal Mahal, Rana Kumbha’s Palace, Ganesh Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple amongst others.

Once the rulers of Mewar relinquished their claim over Kumbhalgarh, which happened the moment they signed the Instrument of Accession in 1949 AD, the royal sheen went away from this place. What’s left now is a couple of villages, inside the fort premises, whose inhabitants claim to be descendants of the royal servicemen appointed as caretakers of the fort.

Even today, if one takes a walk over the impenetrable walls of this over 500 years old fort, the eerie silence present there would serve as a catalyst and enable one to feel the vibes of the bloody battles which were fought here by the defenders against a rampaging army to keep the fort and their sovereign safe, even at the cost of their lives.

The Hill Fort of Kumbhalgarh might have been neglected by a majority of tourists and history enthusiasts of the world since quite some decades now, but it would take them only one visit to realise what Emperor Akbar’s great armies and other foes of the Mewar rulers felt when they gazed upon this fort, it’s ‘brute strength’.

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