Visit Team Eastern Highlands

Yesterday we have visited Team Eastern Highlands at Taurama Primary School outside Port Moresby and donated Rice Bags, Chicken & other food stuff on behalf of Goroka Trek & Tours.
They are here to participate in the 4th PNG National Games and are cooking their own food while staying at school dormitory.
The donation was a big surprise but much appreciated by the team members. - Hope it has filled up everybody's stomach.
Team Eastern Highlands are currently at 3rd Place after NCD & Morobe Province.
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Highlands Highway Overland Tour

Highlands Highway, or Okuk Highway is definitely the nation's lifeline.
Main Export products like Gold, Tea, Coffee are transported to coastal town of Lae & Madang for export, and imported consumer goods go up the Highway.
Here is the virtual tour of Highlands Highway from Mt Hagen to Lae.

Mt Hagen at altitude of 1600m is a commercial centre in the Highlands Region.
Outside the Mt Hagen, you can see a large Tea plantation on the road side.
You will then pass the limestone country of Chimbu Province and arrive Goroka, Coffee capital of Papua New Guinea.


The Road will wind down the valley to lowland, through grassland country of Eastern Highlands.

On the way, you will encounter a breathtaking view of Yonki Hydro Dam. The Dam supplies most of the electricity in Highlands, Madang & Lae.


Further going down the mountain, you will reach Markham Valley outside of Lae.
The temperature dramatically changes from freezing 10 degree to "sweating" 30+ degree .
Travelling the Highland Highway is not as comfortable as you drive the highway in other countries. However, if you have a bit of adventurous mind, it is worth taking as you can enjoy different scenery, plants, people and culture.

If you next visit Papua New Guinea, don't miss this exiting part of the country.
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Shravanabelgola - Karnataka

Shravanabelgola is a city located in Hassan District in Karnataka state. Shravanabelgola is a extraordinary Jain Pilgrimage site spreads over two hills, several tanks and village. Its highlight is the main temple crowning Indragiri Hill. Inside its precincts stands a 57-foot monolithic statue of Gommata. With long arms and legs entwined with creepers, he is wonderfully serene and oblivious to the crowds of prostrate pilgrims below. Sculptures of Jain Tirthankaras (prophets) and Yaksas (demigods), as well as 9th to 19th century reliefs carved into boulders, continue on Ghandragiri, the samll hill to the north.

How to reach:

Shravanabelgola is 158 kms away from Bangalore, 89 kms away from Mysore and 364 kms from hubli. State buses are available from Bangalore and Mysore.
Hassan is the nearest railway station and Bangalore is the nearest Airport for Shravanbelgola

To know more about the details of Shravanabelgola, click here

To know more tourist spots in India, click here
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Pondicherry (Puducherry) - India

The most famous of France's four trading posts in India was, until recently, a sleepy backwater with little evidence of its former status. The opening of a new coastal highway has new reduced the bus journey from Chennai to less than 4 hours and, inevitably, the number of visitors is growing.
Established in the early 18th century and with short interludes of Dutch and British control, it finally entered independent India in 1954. It still has some ornate Catholic churches. It has a grid layout, split north-south by a canal that once divided the French quater, from the Indian quater inland.
Goubert Salai is the main beach promenade, dominated at its northern end by a gigantic statue of Gandhiji (Father of Nation). Some of other tourist spots in Pondicherry are Auroville, Museum, Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Auroville is the one of the fascinating tourist spot and its 6 kms far away from Pondicherry. Followers are international, with a high proportion of Indians, Americans, Europeans, Russians, and Japanese. Auroville Products, such as fine paper and silk, are sold all over India.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is located in rue de la Marine, nearby Gandhi beach. Its a memorial place of Swamy Aravinder. Its open daily morning 8-12, and afternoon 2-6, admission is free.

Pondicherry Museum with artifacts from Pondicherry's original prehistoric settlement and Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar sculptures, alongside French bourgeois furniture and other items.

To know more about Pondicherry Tourism details, click here
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Thekkady (Periyar National Park) - Kerala

At the southern end of the Western Ghats on the Kerala - Tamilnadu border lies a 280 square feet stretch of water whose thickly forested banks are reputed to be among the best in India for wildlife. Elephants, Langurs, Wild Boar, Bison, Sloth Bear, Sambar Dear, Porcupines, Flying Squirrels, Leopards and the increasingly elusive tiger all inhabit the depths of this 297 square mile sanctuary, and herons, egrets, darters, kingfishers, and the great malabar grey hornbill are among the 260 or so bird species sighted. Apart from this, the sanctuary is stunningly beautiful and its best accommodations (former royal hunting lodges) occupy prime lakeside spots with lovely misty early morning views.

Season:
Periyar's high season is December through March, but accommodations fill up at any weekend or public holiday, making reservations essential. it is not worth visiting during and just after the monsoon, when lakeside sightings become rare as the wildlife has no need of water from the lake, and the humidity also encourages leeches.

Route and Accommodations:
The nearest access town is Kumily, which has good connections with Kottayam, in the Keralan backwaters, and Madurai. Between Kumily and Thekkady, where budget and mid-range accommodations are concentrated , seemingly endless plantations of cardamom, pepper, coffee, bananas, and tapioca eventually give way to evergreen and semi-deciduous forest, typical of this altitude. Thekkady is located about 257 kms from Trivendrum, 114 kms from Madurai Airport, 185 kms from Cochin International Airport. A better bet is to hire a guide and trek through the sorrounding forest or, better still, stay overnight in one of the viewing towers run by the Forest Department in Thekkady.

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Tree Kangaroo

One of the most unique, and cutest animals in Papua New Guinea is Tree Kangaroo.
As the name tells itself, it is a family member of Kangaroo, Wallaby & Koala in Australia - Marsupials. It doesn't hop much as Kangaroo & Wallaby, but is a very good tree climber.

Local people hunt the animal and eat the meat for thousand of years - many say the meat is "sweet" but I have never tried it yet...
There was sound population of Tree Kangaroo across the country, however, dramatic increase of human population and cutting down of the forest has been a great threat to the tree kangaroo these days. Thanks to the American-based NGO, first-of-its-kind Nature Conservatory was started in the remote mountains of Huon Peninsula to protect the bio-diversity in the area and particularly the Tree Kangaroo.
We also would like to support any positive action to protect the Tree Kangaroo.
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Kundu & Kanu Festival, Bigger & Better

Kundu & Kanu Festival was held in Alotau over the last weekend (6,7 & 8 Nov).
People from all over the Milne Bay province, other provinces & overseas flocked into the normally quiet town of Alotau and witnessed the cultural festival.


Kanu (=Canoe in Tokpisin) has been a main transportation in the Milne Bay where more than 600 islands are scattered around.The larger canoe was used for the "Kula Trade", traditional barter system involving circle of islands.
Even now, people use the canoe for going to school, church, fishing and carrying the garden crop
for sale. Canoe is still one of the lifeline in Milne Bay and rest of maritime provinces in Papua New Guinea.

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Begnas di Padog 2009

Begnas di Padog
a Celebration for the start of the Sowing
location: "Picong" Demang
date: November 8, 2009

Every year, at no precise date, Sagada celebrates a unique cultural festival. It happens 3 to 4 times a year, designed to start or end different cycles of events.


At the "Dap-ay" the younglings simultaneously butcher the Pig, the Dog, and the a Chicken.



"lakay" bawing of patay keeps his tobacco on his head while conversing with the "begnas" celebrant "lakay" Cadiogan.



The Boys marching their way to the dap-ay while the Ladies followed.
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The Heroes City of Surabaya






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Underwater Jungle

Papua New Guinea has Forest everywhere, from Lowland Tropical Jungle to "Cloud Forest" in the Highlands. But it is not only found on Land.
If you go for snorkeling or scuba diving, you can also enjoy the "Underwater Forest."
The coral reefs are so healthy and attract thousands of colorful reef fish.
Diving & Snorkel ling are available in different locations all year round, namely in Alotau, Kavieng, Kimbe bay, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul & Tufi.
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Kumarakom - Kerala

Kumarakom is one of the tourist spot of Kerala state. It is located in Kottayam District. It is a cluster of little island in Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Kumarakom has variety of Flora and Fauna. Here, Kumarakom Birds Sanctuary is one of the noted Birds Sanctuary in Kerala. There are many species migratory birds visit here. This sanctuary extends in 14 acres. The Vembanad Lake is one of the largest backwater in Kerala.

Fishing and Tourism are the major agriculture in Kumarakom. Fruits like banana, mango, jack fruit, aathaycka and pineapple are also cultivating here.

Another famous thing in Kumarakom is Houseboats. Tourists from all over the world, are coming to Kumarakam and staying in Houseboat for a day/week in rental basis. Boat races will be conducted here during the time of Onam festival.

How to reach?

From all over India, airline facilities are available in daily basis. By flight, we can reach upto Cochin airport, then we have to go by roadways.

Trivandrum to Kumarakom - 190 kms
Cochim to Kumarakom - 70 kms
Allappey to Kumarakom - 35 kms
Munnar to Kumarakom - 160 kms
Thekkady to Kumarakom - 122 kms

if u need more details about Kumarakom, click here
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Yercaud Hills - Tamilnadu

Yercaud is one of the hill region of Tamilnadu. And it is also called "Poor Man's Ooty". The meaning of Yercaud in Tamil is "Yeri means Lake and Kaadu mean Forest". The feet of Yercaud is 1500 from the sea level. The Yercaud hill is in Salem District. One of loveliest spot in that hill is Yercaud Lake. The Lake is surrounded by lush green forest and the lake is used for boating by the tourist from all over India. The summer festival is held in this lake every year in the month of May.

Tourist Spot in Yercaud:

Yercaud Lake
Anna Park
Lady's and Gent's Seat
Killiyur Falls
Shervaoyan Temple
Pagoda Point
The Grange
Bear's Cave

Wild life like beer, bison, ant eater, foxes, rabbits, mangoose, squirrels, sparrows, buibuls and snakes are living there.
Jack fruits, Guava, Orange, Tea, black Pepper are the main crops of Yercaud hill.
Yercaud has developed into major trekking destination in this region. A lot of treks are available there.

Its around 350 kms far away from Chennai to reach Yercaud, from Salem its around 33 kms far away. The nearest airport for Yercaud Hills is Trichy airport. The nearest Railways station to the destination is Salem.
For more details about Yercaud and its tourism, visit http://www.yercaud.com/

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Kolli Hills (Kolli Malai) - Tamilnadu


Kolli Hills (Kolli Malai) is a small hill region which is located in central part of Tamilnadu. The is around 1000 to 1300 feet high from sea level. Its around 70 hair pin bends to reach the top of the hill. Kolli Hills is a part of Eastern Ghats, and it runs mostly parallel to east coast. These mountain sometime known as Mountains of Death. This hill has very adventurous and shocking history.

Two view points are located in Kolli Hills, one is nearby Seekuparai and another one is in Selur Nadu. These are being developed by Tamilnadu Government to encourage Tourism. This mountain is also a site of pilgrimage, due to Arapaleeswarar Temple which is believed to have a secret path to Shiva Temple which located in Rasipuram. There are three reserved forest which is in control by Tamilnadu Government.

The mountains are covered with evergreen forest, but nowadays it has been cleared for farming. The main cultivation of Kolli hills are Coffee, Tea, Jack Fruit, Pine Apple and Black Pepper.

This hill is also one of the growing tourist spot in Tamilnadu. For this, several lodges and resorts are available there. One of the famous resort is Nallathambi Resort which has been operating for mare than 15 years.

To know more about Kolli Hills details, visit http://www.kollihillresorts.weebly.com/

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Kutralam (Courtallam) Waterfalls - Tamilnadu


Kutralam waterfalls is in Tirunelveli Dist., Tamilnadu. Here water is falling with various herbs, so it has medicine qualities, and it is called "Spa of South India". There is also a belief that the mentally ill gets cured after taking bath here. It is located at an elevation of about 550 feet in Western Ghats and it attracts the tourist from all over India.

While we take bath, the force of the waterfalls touches our body then we will feel relax and tension free. Actually, Kutralam has nine waterfalls. They are Peraruvi (Main falls), Chitra Aruvi, Shenbagadevi Falls, Thenaruvi (Honey Falls), Aintharuvi (Five Falls), Old Courtallam falls, New Falls, Pazhathotta Aruvi and Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls).

The season in Kutralam is June to September every month. Kutralam is 640 kms far away from Chennai, 115 kms from Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), 137 kms from Kanyakumari, 40kms from Tirunelveli. The nearest airport for Kutralam is Tuticorin and the nearest railway station is Tenkasi.
For more details about Kutralam click here
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Mandarin Fish

Colorful Mandarin Fish is always photogenic.
This one is looking at the Lens as if he (she ?) is waiting for a kiss !!
Mandarin Fish has been identified in different diving locations in Papua New Guinea, i.e. Tufi, Madang, Kavieng, Alotau etc...
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