Rio Carnival - Time to Go GaGa

Rio Carnival is the biggest street party in the world, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to Rio de Janeiro each year to celebrate the famous festival. Rio (Rio de Janeiro) is the second largest city in Brazil and one of the most visited city in the southern hemisphere. Rio also boosts some of the most famous landmarks in the World. 
Photo Credits: boncherry.com
Rio carnival is held before Lent (a period between As Wednesday and Easter) every year and the first ever festival dates back to 1723. The highlight of the carnival is the spectacular Sambadrome parade and the street parties. The carnival parade is filled with people and floats from various samba schools, who compete for the championship by building the best floats and costumes. Each school has thousands of participants and follow a special order with their parade entries. The Sambadrome is the arena where the parade happens and tickets can be bought in advance though online reservation or from the hotels and agents to view the parade.


If parade is not your cup of tea, head to a street parties. Highly populated by the locals, music and dance takes the stage in the beaches of Rio. The percussion instruments send out the irresistible beats and rhythms making the crowd explode in a colorful dance revolution. Samba is the most popular dance. But anyone can dance in their own style.
Photo Credits: http://www.welt.de
With the combination of the parade, the balls, and the street carnivals, Rio’s carnival is said to be the greatest show on Earth. So if you wanna go GaGa, head to Rio for the Carnival. The following are the carnival dates and the processions takes place on Sunday and Monday.

  • March 5th 2011
  • Feb 18th 2012
  • Feb 9th 2013
  • March 1st 2014

Tips:
1. Book your hotels in advance. A huge crowds floats in during the carnival
2. Be safe.

ICC World Cup 2011 Special - Kandy, Sri Lanka

Generally recognized as the cultural capital of Sri lanka, Kandy is a major tourist destination and one of the cities hosting matches for ICC World Cup 2011. This scared Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura was the last royal capital of the Sinhala Kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. Kandy, a UNESCO world heritage site is a must visit in Sri Lanka.
Photo credits: www.outboundholidays.com
Facts:
Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) [1 Indian Rupee = 2.45 Sri Lankan Rupee]
Language: Sinhala and Tamil
Time Difference: Same as Indian Standard Time
Best time to Visit: November to April

Get in:
Visa: Indian nationals are eligible for Visa-on-arrival in Sri Lanka for tourism purpose. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended to 2 more months by the Immigration Department of Sri Lanka. The documents required for visa on arrival is a return ticket, passport valid for at least 6 months, photo graph and fund to support travel (not less than $30 per day).
Flights: Kandy does not have air transport. Colombo is the major hub and has a good connectivity with all the major cities in India.
Train (from Colombo): The Intercity Express train are the hassle free and scenic way to get to Kandy. There are other trains as well. Train tickets can be purchased in advance or before departure.
Taxi: If you are directly heading to Kandy from Colombo airport, Taxi is a good option. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs about R6000 [14700 INR]
Intercity air-conditioned bus (from Colombo): Second best option to train. Reservations can be booked through travel agencies.
Hired Mini-vans: Travel agencies and hotels can arrange mini-vans with drivers.

Get Around:
Auto/Tuk-Tuk – Cheap and ever running way to see the city
Walk – the city is not large hence you can walk around.
Photo Credits: www.world66.com
Attractions:
The temple of Tooth: The most sacred Buddhist establishment in Sri Lankan, where one of Buddha's tooth is being kept.
The Old Royal Palace compound: Consists of old royal palace, quarters of the royal concubines, Queen's chambers, the Council chambers, the Armour and exhibits of Kandyan era.
The Royal Botanical Garden: Once a pleasure garden for Kandyan queen, this beautiful park host numerous tropical foliage.
Udawatta Forest: A small forest with tropical plants, wildlife and ponds
Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage: Shelter for about 70 semi-tamed elephants. Feeding and bathing times are a must see.
The Tea Muesum: A Muesum dedicated to the history of Sri Lankan Tea
Lankatilaka Temple: A magnificent temple built on rock at a scenic location
Embekke Temples: A 14th century shrine famous for the wooden cravings on the entire structure decorated with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds.
Temples: There are many other temples: Gadaladeniya, Dodanwala Devalaya, Degaldoruwa, hindagala Viharaya, Madawala Viharaya and Galmaduva Viharaya.

Do:
Trekking: There are many scenic routes in and around Kandy.
Kandyan dancing: The traditional form of dancing is a must see.
Asgiriya Stadium: Watch the ICC World Cup 2011, if its still on.
Perahera festival: It's an elephant paegent and a must see if you are in Kandy in August.

Get out:
Colombo: The Capital City of Sri Lanka.
Dambulla: 60 Km from Kandy and has a beautiful Cave temple.

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