Out of the world experience:

At Miami in the US, South beach can also offer a great romantic bread and breakfast getaway where you can sip a tall glass of your favorite drink by the quiet pool in the daytime. Some out of the world shopping experience or a pampering session at a top notch spa facility can be great here.

The signature dishes and extensive menus of exquisite restaurants with great ambiance and beautiful settings can make dinner a royal affair. A moonlit romantic stroll on the beach or sitting at one of the side walk cafes can be liberating. A romantic retreat at one of the many luxury boutique hotels where extreme measures are common to ensure guests every wish comes true.

South beach is surpassed by none in terms of night life. The south beach club scene in one word is HOT! The night club experience her can be electrifying, exhausting and energizing like none other.

On the beach:

South beach is the area which includes Public beach and Lummus Park and stretches all the way to the Collins Park. The beach people can be locals and the guests from the hotels nearby. It is a very beautiful beach which is at a walking distance from many shops and restaurants.

It is a family oriented beach but some topless bathers can be sighted. Plenty of cabanas are here for renting. Parking can be a challenging here at the beach during the peak seasons. It is a wide beach which has a 1.6 mile long path for walking, biking and rollerblading.

The 12th Street beach is a predominantly lesbian and gay beach. It is not a large beach but is well attended. The beach is well marked and to reach it one needs to watch out for the rainbow flags.

Another stunning beach is Haulover beach which is a two mile stretch. And half mile of this beach has clothing optional status. The area is also well marked to keep the clothed individuals at bay. The dress code at large is relaxed so be prepared. Ample parking space is available at the beach. The beach has no commercial structures and has a setting more like a park. One can reach this beach by heading north through Miami Beach. Cross the Haulover inlet and then look to the right side and check where the start of the beach is situated.

Al Ain registers itself as one of the biggest cities in the whole of United Arab Emirates and is officially contained in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Well connected to many other great spots, Al Ain emerges as a perfect holiday spot owing to the gamut of activities, adventures, sights and sceneries it offers.

While driving to the city, the visitor is greeted by the picturesque sand dunes on both sides of the road, arrayed with palm trees throughout the stretch. A number of dainty mosques can be spectacled while driving into the city. If you’re lucky, then you can also see camels walking in the sand dunes as your car drives past by. Because of its exquisite sand dunes, the city also earns the title of that of an Urban Oasis. One can drive up to the border of Oman from Al Ain as the two are in close proximity.

While going up to Oman, the cultural village of Hatta makes for a must visit as it is here, that the museum displays the authentic culture of the Arabs who lived here. Prior to the discovery of oil and rapid economic growth, UAE was not as rich and a commercial hub that it is today. It becomes amazing to spectacle the ancient and authentic traditions of the Arabs, see how they live, as the museum is built like a home of the Arabs, and you can go about visiting the house. This Hatta Cultural Center also displays the artifacts and other wares, dresses, swords, arms of the ancient Arabs. Their houses made of clay, yet so enormous is quite an experience in itself. There are recorded tapes along with visual footage that show how the traditional festivals were celebrated, their marriage ceremonies used to happen, in short a perfect gateway into the heart of ancient Arab.

Apart from the Cultural Village of Hatta close to border of UAE and Oman, within Al Ain there are umpteen options explore. Abuzz with leading restaurants, starting your day with sumptuous breakfast at any of the eateries is the best way to kick-start your wanderlust. Over here, one can find maximum local occupancy, as Al Ain serves as a break-away or holiday spot even for the original Sheikhs who prefer to find refuge in the cooler climate of Al Ain than other humid and sultry places.

In Al Ain, one can easily spot old style homes and forts, while some not in a very good condition, but the restoration efforts and other structures standing still in a good condition are all listed under the key sites of archaeological significance. The bygone era of the UAE twinkles even today, after so much commercial development.

Just as we promised Al Ain has something for each and everyone, the little ones can definitely look ahead for some time of excitement and fun at the Al Ain Zoo. Al Ain Zoo makes for one of the most visited places along with the Al Ain Mall. For over more than 4 decades, the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium have emerged as the hot-spot and most favorite destination for the kids. It is because of the efforts of the UAE’s President who had a keen interest in wildlife and varied species of animals and plants. In the zoo, most of the area is comprised by antelope and Arabian deer. There are pumas, togers, jaguars, gazelle, and many more animals which make the visit to the Al Ain Zoo so worthwhile. The Al Ain aquarium is a home to many fish and other creatures including seals which again makes for a great experience. The best part is that entry into the zoo is not at all expensive and very nominal.

Further ahead, the place has also earned its name as the ‘Garden City of the Gulf’ as Al Ain features many picturesque gardens and parks abundant with beautiful flowers and other plants. It is because of this natural beauty away from the hustle bustle of the commercial world, that a lot of people turn to Al Ain for a vacation. The gardens present an amazing contrast to the aridness of the place. Amidst a traditional vibe, visiting Al Ain is like experiencing the real world of Arabs.

Within the city there are a number of places of interest. Camel Race is most revered in UAE, and thereby finding the Camel race-courses is not at all difficult. There is also the Camel Souqs. Souqs means a market place in Arabian countries. For some entertainment, one can head to the Ain Al – Faydhah Resort or even the Al Ain Museum.

The Jebel Hafeet point is also one of the best places to go for a drive and take enjoy the panoramic views of the city from atop.  Down below, before taking up the road to Jebel Hafeet, camping enthusiasts can explore the Green Mubazzarra where sulphur springs flow through the park, and a lot of locals as well as tourists set up their tents and stay in the park overnight. The park features green mountains and an amazing green park which is all simulated and created. Even then the experience is quite enjoyable, with barbecue grills all around, many colorful tents, kids and adults sitting by the springs, with their feet dipped in.

Once this city was discovered hiding here in the jungles, virtually untouched by any traces of modern day civilization, the archaeologists began verifying facts about this city. According to experts, this city dates back to around 800 A.D.

The exact location of this city is what is called Buritaca according to modern day administrative maps; and this spot, according to the local tribes that still inhabit the areas around, is called ‘Teyuna’.

Discovering Ciudad Perdida:

Ciudad Perdida was discovered in the year 1972, and this happened accidentally when a group of in-the-making treasure hunters chanced upon stone steps that seemed to be leading up the mountain. They followed the path and chanced upon one of history’s greatest secrets. Talk about getting lucky with finding a treasure!

These local treasure hunters first named this city as ‘Green Hell’; and authorities were not notified about the existence and the accidental discovery of this city. They found out later, when gold urns from this ancient city, began making appearances in the black markets.

The Designing of this Ancient City:

Here, the city of Ciudad Perdida is known to resemble its more famous neighbor, Machu Picchu. Both of these cities are built upon high terraces; these have been cut out directly from the mountains.

Believe it or not, a trip to Ciudad Perdida could take up to around 5 days to complete. This is because the one and only way to make your way to the city would involve climbing up somewhere around thousands steps that have been set in this dense jungle. Along the way, you’ll also combat some carved tunnels; and the only way to get through them is on all fours (well almost).

The tunnels and the loose stones that made up for the stairs were a matter of security.  These helped by informing the locals of anyone approaching their territory.

The usual town squares were given a miss in the case of the Ciudad Perdida and these get replaced with town circles. The roads that join the various parts of the town were created to look narrow and tiled.

The Locals – The Original Discoverers:

The local tribes of Arhuacos and Koguis, who live around the area, claim that they’d always known about the existence of this lost city; but they’d kept mum about it.  They believed that the city, which they called ‘Teyuna’, was said to be at the center of a chain created by a number of villages that were said to be inhabited by the forefathers of these tribes.

If they are right, then Ciudad Perdida may have been the financial and political capital of the region.  As per the design and the structure of the city, it can be gauged that 6000 to 8000 people may have lived there at some point in time.

Note:

The steep climbs and descends will make for quite an exciting trip; and will make it even more memorable for the adrenaline junkies. But this will not change the fact that it requires a high level of fitness if you plan on doing this trip. It will take around 5 days to complete this entire trip; and be prepared to encounter some rather interesting and difficult parts along the way (and we’re not just talking about the mosquitoes!).

The Italians have given us Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo (and no, we are not, in fact, referencing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) amongst other world class artists and one more to be added to that illustrious lineup is Giuliano Mauri. The Italian is well known for trying to sculpt what he calls “natural architecture” and he does this by blending what he finds organically in nature with architectural elements that are more classical and well used. By doing so, Mauri creates giant works of architecture that keeps in mind the environment (and that quite literally) and creates an edifice that is quite something else. Mauri has always had a love for mother nature and he has taken this to another level altogether in a way that has left locals stunned and delighted and his tree cathedral has drawn in people from Italy and beyond to take in what is a cathedral that is wholly unique.

The entire cathedral is built in such a way that the branches of the tree and the tree itself have arced to form the walls and roof of the holy edifice. Unfortunately, this project of love for Giuliano Mauri was completed only after his death in 2009 and has been completed quite fittingly in the International year of biodiversity. This tree cathedral will be the ultimate homage to his memory and craft and it is a marvel to behold. Consisting of 42 columns built with fir trunks and branches of hazelnuts and chestnuts twirling together as a support for the beeches, with time the beeches will grow stronger and become the pillars while the fir and hazelnut supporting structure will wither away, offering a seamless transition.

Located at the base of Mount Arera, the cathedral has 6000 metres worth of hazel branches held together with wood, nails and string until the beech grows strong enough to support itself. Ranging in height from a lowest of 16 feet to 70 feet at its highest, the cathedral is a sight to behold as it stands on approximately 650 square meters and measures 90 feet by 80 feet (length to width). It is safe to say that the natives of Bergamo can visit the single most unique cathedral in the world at will, and they all have to thank just one person for that; Giuliano Mauri has built the ultimate tribute to nature and the divine with this cathedral.

But the good professor might have a point; all sources of light operate within a band of their own spectrum and they all have their own characteristics, who is to say that the Gurdon Lights are not just a reflection of reality. Spectrographs are certainly revealing as they show that the glow and pattern of headlights are certainly similar to the Gurdon Lights, so that explanation does make sense. But that’s before you figure in the fact that the nearest highway is four miles away with a hill between the swamps where it exists and the highway itself. Even if Dr. Leming were right, how could the light refract over the hill and back into a perfect state of visibility? The odds for this happening are very slim.

The most damning evidence against Dr. Leming’s arguments comes from the Arkadelphia daily Siftings Herald that states that the Gurdon Light appeared even in the 1930’s, at which time no interstate existed for miles, let alone the one four miles away. Mirages, when viewed through a filter, will always polarize and the lights don’t even display this property, mystifying experts even more. There were no electromagnetic traces of it to be found when measured with a galvanometer and the light is always there like a faithful dog, no matter what the weather is. Scientifically, the last explanation possible is that this is the result of a peizoelectrical effect, which is to say a discharge that is caused by crystals releasing an electrical discharge when put under pressure from fault lines, of which there are many here.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I like the local story better. It’s certainly much more fun; they claim that the lights are nothing but the glow of a lantern held by a railways foreman that died here in the 1930’s. Macabre, mysterious and absolutely senseless; I love this story. That the light slips across a creek infested with bugs and creatures making all kinds of noises only adds to the scariness of it all. All that’s left now is to make a Hollywood horror potboiler out of this and to solve the mystery of this phenomenon.

No more will kids be learning how to swim here, splashing in the water while their larger siblings tease them about sharks. No more will sand castles stand tall and proud, mini monuments to the imagination. In their place all you will get is messy tar goop that can be as big as a large floor tile or as small as a quarter which, if pressed, will pop almost soundlessly and reveal a sticky black core. Loosely translated as ‘Lost key’, Perdido Key has been the subject of much reporting but I was among the first on the scene, a quiet witness to the savagery of it all. I can say this with a lot of surety because when I talked to the ranger at the Gulf Islands National Seashore how much coverage there had been, his answer was precise, but scathing.

“Well, there’s been a few, including my wife, and I’d say about six so far.”

I never got his name, but his eyes will remain with me forever. They said more than his words ever did as they blazed a fury as if to ask why or who was responsible for the unabated destruction of what was his home. The tar balls that washed up on Perdido Key was just the beginning; of far greater ecological impact was the oil that washed ashore at Louisiana, decimating wildlife and aquatic life, not to mention the local economy. If Hurricane Katrina’s destruction was visible, Deepwater’s destruction will be far more if measured over decades. Think of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska; its after-effects still remain noticeable even though it occurred back in 1989.

Perdido Key might be hit just as badly, for these beaches are central to Florida’s tourism driven economy. Just last year alone tourism contributed $66 billion to the states’ coffers). Much of the oil that has swamped the Louisiana coastline has now snaked along and settled on Florida’s beaches. The Florida Panhandle itself is a 200 mile stretch of what was once described as the “greatest strand of pure white sand on earth” and Perdido Key is at its westernmost tip. The beach is now slicked with oil and hopefully not a sign of things to come.

The first signs of this were to be seen in ebony colored remnants on the beach that smelt like a gas station and left a dirty brown stain where they once were. It was odiferous and a bellwether with immediate economic ramifications. Condominium rentals fell by 30 to 40% over the first few days alone and some say this is a conservative figure while real estimates are closer to 50%. The real cost of this, as guesstimated by economists, will be about $10.9 to the state and 195,000 in terms of jobs lost and generations might feel the whiplash of this. The first tar balls were cleaned up faster than you can say “You messed up, BP!” by a set of BP hired crew and the sands were once again like sugar set against the emerald waters. The beach umbrellas and holiday makers returned and all was forgotten.

That honeymoon period lasted three weeks. Fickle currents washed 5 tons of tar balls ashore every single day at that point. Pensacola was reduced to a gooey sludge as the sung converted the tar balls to just tar. It was a blanket of smelly blackness as far as the eye could see and it drove the masses away, obviously. In time, Florida’s beaches should be cured since the fine grain sand at the Panhandle is easier to clean, but even if you dismiss the economic damage what of the ecological damage it causes? My mind goes back to the Gulf War and the deliberate spill by the Iraqis and they have bounced back from it now, but at what cost?

Perdido Key is badly hit, but the residents are resilient and dogged. Hurricane Ivan back in 2004 did not knock them over and they don’t believe that this will either. It is almost as they share a collective belief that this too shall pass. That in mind, I set off for the beach aware of the black balls that awaited me, but hoping only to find opiate-like sand instead.

Be it any city in Puerto Rico, ranging from the Aguadilla to the Rincon, Ponce to the Cabo Rojo or even the Culebra Island and San Juan, the Puerto Ricon air is filled with the beats of reggae. Be it the local eatery by the beach or a bazaar that is pulsating to the worn out vendors, the tunes of beats of reggae will make some or the other way to reach your ear-drums and keep stirring you in the perfection vacation spirit. The restaurants and night-club dance the night lovers to the beats of Salsa and Latin style rhythms. A perfect Caribbean country, very few other places have been successful at preserving the true-blue spirit all so well. Nestled in the vigilantly refurbished docks and imperial buildings, the undying charm of Puerto Rico is hard to be infected by.

One of the exotic cities of Puerto Rico is the San Juan, a trip to which is marked about by most-talked high point brought about by the nostalgic charm of the Old Town, the beaches which are a great escape into the marine life beneath the seas, the fishing activities and also the many monumental buildings which have withstood the test of time and till date fascinate visitors in absolute awe.

The San Juan City can said to be divided into two parts. The aforementioned Old Town as is more like a rewinding-in-the-past area, the latter half of greater San Juan city very vividly represents the contemporary culture. Maintaining that perfect Caribbean laid back spirit, the town area glitters in the urban developments sans any intimidation of other leading cites. Despite it all, you can still be soaked in to the vibe of Puerto Rico. Emerging as one of the most leading destinations, San Juan unarguably has it all, be it the electrifying night life or the rich heritage which comes to be celebrated from the many sights and structures that can be spectacled.

San Juan Puerto Rico also makes it clear that the cultural hub is not just confined to the Old City area. The Capitol Building dating back to the period of the twentieth century is a significant landmark building, which shines in its effulgence of marble stone and overlooks some of the greatest views of the Caribbean Island, one can find from anywhere else on the Island.

Also, the museum of the Museo de Arte Puerto Rica, built in a quaint Neoclassical style exhibits a great range of art further extended by a beautiful garden filled with sweet smells of the wonderful flowers and many birds pecking on the sweet nectar of flowers. Also, within the garden is a pond that is a home to many cute colorful fish.

For those who can’t get enough of plants and flowers must most definitely take out some time to visit the Universidad de Puerto Rica that features a botanical garden as large in expanse ranging up to seventy-five acres. Unarguably, the wonderful plats that grow here enchant many visitors leaving no single empty frame in their cameras or now the memory cards are used up to the optimum clicking pictures of the wide variety of trees and flowers and also posing around them all. There is an orchid garden boasting thirty-thousand plants and also a small little lotus pond.

From everything else, also make way and take out time well in advance to check out the ruins of the Caparra – which are relics of the inhabitancy that came to be founded in the year of 1508 by Ponce De Leon. Although, the structure remains in much a state of havoc, visitors can choose to visit the Museum of the Conquest and Colonization while around.

San Juan cannot stand complete without sampling the culinary offerings and enjoying at the local salsa clubs. The area of La Fortenza for a more up-scale locality bustling with bars and clubs where one can immerse in some urban fun. The Condado Plaza Hotel Casino is another place where as the name of the place suggests, one can be up for a little gamble affair. All in all, the night life and culinary experience go hand-in-hand, and one must definitely look to meet these two agendas. Remember, the clubs and bars are pulsated with a contagious vibe and overlooking your dress code can quite be embarrassing while at the refusal of entry.

What does BMW stand for?

BMW is an acronym that has been used so loosely over the years that very few people might even bother knowing what it really stands for. It stands for ‘Bayerische Motoren Werke’ or ‘Bavarian Motor Works’ in English.

About BMW:

This company is perhaps the largest premium carmaker in the world and is known to be the parent company of BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce. They have recently purchased the enduro and supermoto motorbike specialist – Husqvarna (Sweden origin).

Introduction to the BMW Headquarters:

The BMW headquarters are perhaps one of the most admirable landmarks of Munich. This structure is also known as the Four Cylinder Building. It is often used in conjunction with some of the most notable examples of architecture (especially modern) in Munich.

Company History:

The company was founded in the year 1913. At that time, they were associated with building airplane engines in the year 1917. In the year 1923, BMW began building another form of automotives – motorbikes. In the year 1928, they began production of cars.

A little while after the Second World War, the factories of BMW were dismantled and pulled down on the orders of the Allied Forces. The company was only given permission to produce bicycles and household utensils.

In the year 1950, BMW slowly but surely crawled its way back into the production of cars. After a rather slow start, the company shifted its focus to manufacturing luxury cars, and that is what is popular for even today. They have become one of the most admired car brands in the world today.

The BMW Museum:

This is the main attraction that draws in a lot of visitors every year. People, who come to visit the four cylinder tower of BMW, also visit the museum next to it. This one is shaped like a bowl.

The museum highlights the development of cars and motorbikes – how technology has improved things over the years. It also throws light on how the company developed, improved and changed with time. You could catch a glimpse of some rather old models of bikes and cars that have been set up for display on a ramp that is spiral in nature. This ramp runs along the inside of the building which is bowl-shaped on the outside.

The Dixi car from the year 1928 and the Isetta, which was once considered very funny-looking, are on display here. Sports cars like the BMW 328, which were famous for their victories in the Mille Miglia race in Italy, can also be seen here. The more recent BMW 850 also stands here in all its glory.

The BMW Tower:

The main building of the BMW office is called the BMW Verwaltungsgebaude, which translates to BMW administrative building. This building was designed by a Viennese architect – Karl Schwarzer; and he took inspiration for the same from a four-cylinder engine.

The tower was built in the years between 1968 and 1972. Today, it stands at a height of about 101 meters and is located quite close to the Olympiapark.

The construction of this tower, which is clad in aluminum, was completed right before the Olympics in the year 1972. The Olympics were held at the BMW Headquarters’ neighbor – Olympiapark.

BMW Welt:

The BMW Welt or the BMW World was constructed in 2008 and was set right across the street from the BMW Towers. This modern structure was to play the role of a multifunctional complex. Here new owners could come to pick up their cars. Visitors were also welcome, who could come and indulge in exhibitions that were conducted here from time to time.

This structure is connected to the BMW museum by means of a foot-over bridge. This building also houses a number of BMW themed stores and restaurants, which adds to its tourist value.

After reaching the islands, the traveler will have to find a mode of transport to go about exploring the place. And, the best deal is to hire a vehicle or rent a car. There are many rent-a-car providers who can be easily found in the area.

The Guam Islands are just about two-hundred-and-ten miles in expanse and boasts a mix of population ranging from the Spaniards, Chamorro natives and also some Americans from the military staff. However, the legacy and cultural influence can be attributed to a vivid mark of Asians and to be specific and precise, it is Japan which leaves its mark very strongly. The historic past of the island makes way through the many tourist hubs like eateries, quirky museums and also the local festivals which give a meaningful insight into the cultural traditions of Guam.

What is it that’s most striking about Guam is the most amazing beaches, which are a great delight with no particular season splendor as such. One can look forward to some great time on the sandy shores at any given point of time. The sunny skies are a perfect place for some quick sun-bathing sessions. However, even during the wet seasons, the beaches do not lose their charm and invite guests the same way. Although, a sultry climate dominates the air; but even the temperatures are in check and pleasant even for those who do not come from humid lands.

What further sets Guam apart from other places is the vibrant and colorful festivals that almost infuse a whole new life in the island. Regardless of the month you are visiting these islands, there will always be some or the other carnival or party that will keep the atmosphere abuzz. The tradition of the natives of Chamorro origin is vivid seen at the time of festivities and parties, as there is a trend of pot-luck system and gracious guests will live up to the norm of sharing and eating together.

The City of Barrigada Gaum

Nested right in the heart of the Gaum Islands is the city of Barrigada Gaum. Barrigada can more aptly be referred to as a small village town which bears the original spirit of Guam, as the place is only populated by permanent residents, and there are almost next to zero travelers living here. However, visitors do flock in to revel in the untouched sans the intrusion of commercialization, and this what makes the place so unique and natural that’s its really a foray into a world that retains its true nature.

Most of the homes overlook the Pacific Ocean, and thereby a property on the Barrigada will be no less than a priced possession. The place is populated by people from the origin of the Asian and Chamorro origins.

Shopping experience in the Barrigada is rather confined to a little commercial center which is situated right in the middle of this Gaum Island City. The ideal shopping destinations in Barrigada is best at Hagatna and Tumon. But what makes the shooping experience truly delightful is the duty-free deal for shoppers.

Because of a medley of geographic influences and the diverse indigenous people, there is an influence even on the gastronomic affairs of the region. There are some of the most succulent dishes that can be revered at the many eateries and food joints in Barrigada.

The City of Agat Guam

To the southern west past of the Guam Islands is the small village town of Agat. Boasting a population of as little as five thousand people, the place has elected its own Mayor and Council which takes care of their administrative functioning. Much of the population in Agat are the descendants of the Chamorro lineage that celebrate the cultural traditions of the ancient Chamorro people by the many festivals celebrated which bears traditional attributes. Situated just to the southern side of Apra Harbor, a lot of tourist attraction is centered around the village of Agat which boasts sites and structures like the Mt. Alifan, The Pacific National Historic Park, the Spanish Bridge, and also the Agat Marina.

What drives a lot of tourists is the Pacific National Historic Park which was built in the year of 1978. The park is constructed in remembrance of and dedicates all those martyrs who participated in the Liberation of Guam post the Second World War, at the time when the territory was under the clutches of the Japanese colonists. Till today, the Liberation Day is celebrated with equal fervor on the twenty-first of July every year. The celebrations are marked by the festivities brought by carnivals and feats stretch up to as long as a week’s time. The Park is further filled with other significant monuments, caves and trenches.

The City of Hagatna Guam

Formerly known by the name of Agana, however, the name did not sound indigenous to represent the culture of the local Chamorro people, and thereby, the name of the place came to be changed. The new name is pronounced in a more native way, and that’s how this capital city was renamed as Hagatna.

Even before the Spaniards embarked the Guam Islands as long ago as around the sixteenth century, the indigenous people belonging to the origin of Chamorro considered the city of Hagatna much as their pivotal spot for inhabitancy. Being the capital city of the Guam Islands, the city of Hagatna remains as a significant city, as it is also emerges as the governance quarters for the whole of Guam.

Keeping aside the colonial turbulence which led to much tussle in the region, today, the visitors coming in can spectacle a great deal of historic legacy vivid on the face of this city of the Guam Islands. A lot of buildings suggesting the Spanish influences and constructed during the time when Spanish took over the territory can be better understood by visiting the Plaza de Espana, which is situated in close proximity with the cathedral of Archdiocese of Agana. There is also the other signification tourist attraction spot of the Latte Park, where the stone pillars standing even before the Spaniards embarked the lands is called as Latte Stones.

Hagatna also makes for a truly memorable shopping experience. Abuzz with great monuments, cafes, restaurants all through the heart of Hagatna gives it a rather urban vibe. Also, the night-life in the city of Hagatna is worth experiencing. This mega historical city of the Guam Islands also boasts of some of the most exotic beaches.

One can get to the city of Hagatna from either Barrigada or alternatively even Tumor as per where they are.

The Heydays of Agra:

The history of Agra is known to date back to around 2500 years. It wasn’t until the days of the Mughal emperors (Muslim rulers) that this region got the status of being a provincial city.

Humayun, son of Babur, who was the founder of the Mogul empire, received a number of precious gems and stones from the family of the King of Gwalior. One of these gifts included the oh-so-famous Kohinoor diamond. This precious and unique diamond is today said to be in the custody of the English, who had ruled over India for a good 150 years.

But things got even better for Agra when Humayun’s son Akbar took over the throne. Akbar the Great, as he was called, was the one under whose reign the Agra Fort was built.  The construction on the fort began in the year 1156 and was completed by the year 1605.  Shah Jahan, built the Taj Mahal, and he was responsible for building most of the buildings that stand inside this fortress as well.

The Fort:

The fort is built in such a way that it runs alongside the Yamuna River. It is said to stretch across about 25000 meters. The walls of this fort are said to have 2 gates, the Amar Singh Gate and the Delhi Gate. An entry to the fort would be possible only via the Amar Singh Gate.

Jehangir Mahal:

The first building that the visitors entering the fort would notice would be the Jehangir Mahal. Jehangir Mahal is said to have been built by King Akbar; and it served the purpose of being the women’s quarters. It is built out of stone and has a lot of decorations that cover the outside. A large stone bowl is placed here, which was probably used to contain rose water. There are Persian verses in ornamental fonts that have been carved on the outside of this stone bowl.

Khaas Mahal:

This marble mahal (palace) was built entirely by Shah Jahan. It represents features that are distinctly Islamic and are known to have Persian features as well. Though it was built by Mogul Emperors (Muslim rulers), this building of the Agra Fort is known to have Hindu features entwined in its construction. This was considered to be the sleeping room of the Emperor and is perhaps, the most successful and enticing example of painting that has been artistically achieved on a marble surface.

Sheesh Mahal:

The Sheesh Mahal is said to be the best example when it comes to water engineering that is decorative as well as utilitarian. This was believed to double up as the dressing room; and the walls of this site were inlaid with mirrors all over. This is perhaps one of the most famous specimens when it comes to glass mosaic decoration that exists in India.

The Diwan-I-Khaas lies to the right of the Sheesh Mahal. This was the hall of the Private Audience. The kings would have their lighter moments here; with the courtesans to entertain and amuse them.