Dubai- City of Dreams

Dubai is simply a magical city in the United Arab Emirates and you just cannot express its beauty. Words are not enough to show you Dubai's magic, once you're there you are lost with all the entertainment. Its very live at night and the atmosphere is incredible. It has festivals at different times of the year. Like in summer there's the summer surprises and the shopping festival and best of all, in my opinion is the global village. It combines all countries around the world together and each country is a a little village that gets the opportunity to show their culture and sell their things. People from all over the globe come and visit and that’s why the logo is "one world one family"...

There is also "The palm" which is an island that is shaped like a palm in the sea and you can buy houses there and it is known to be one of the eight wonders of the world. You can also visit Burj al Arab which is the world's tallest hotel and also Burj Dubai which is going to be the world's tallest tower. Apart from these facts Dubai has wonderful places to visit like Wild Wadi an incredible water park, al marsa which is an amazing place with coffee shops near the sea, mercato mall (also other malls with first-class shopping facilities) and many many more. Not to mention of course the beaches there and the best hotels like Burj al arab, Mina a'salam (which you might be familiar with from Miss Lebanon), Grand hyatt and many other luxurious hotels.

Dubai is such a breath-taking city, its impossible to describe it unless u see it and believe it yourself. It’s hard to predict how it will become in the future because it so full of surprises and new things happening that you don’t know what’s coming next. I love it so much and im so thankful to be living there and wouldn't trade the world for it. I'm proud of my country the UAE and having Dubai in it and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Visit Dubai and it will greet you with a warm smile.

Bon voyage! - Top 10 Traveling Etiquette.

I have compiled a top 10 list of etiquette tips I hope will ensure that your next traveling experience with your children is smooth and successful. Bon voyage!

1. Make traveling fun. As with every other aspect of our lives, good manners and proper etiquette are an absolute necessity when it comes to traveling. The most important thing to remember is that traveling is fun! Inform your children well in advance of the adventure they are about to embark upon, however, that while traveling is fun, it also requires the family to work together as a team and follow a certain set of travel guidelines. Whether taking a road trip to visit grandparents or flying across the country to see the newest attraction at Disneyworld, set the tone from the beginning with your children that a great attitude and respect for each other, as well as fellow travelers, will make the journey together that much more pleasant.

2. Preparation is key. Traveling gracefully takes a certain amount of creativity and planning. Speak to your children long before you’ll be traveling and discuss with them where you will be going, the mode of transportation you will be using, how long it will take to get there, and how long you will be staying at your destination. You may even want to highlight a map to indicate the starting and ending points. When packing for the trip, take plenty of toys, games, DVDs, and coloring books for your children to occupy themselves. The day before traveling, make sure that all family members get a good night’s sleep. A family that awakens refreshed and energized has a greater chance of having a smooth traveling day.

3. Safety is paramount. Before any type of traveling, call a family meeting and go over the ground rules for acceptable behavior during the trip. Express to your children the importance of these rules, not only for more enjoyable traveling, but for their safety. Children need to know that they must not wander away from the family at any time. When we travel, we are often traveling in large, open, public spaces and it is very easy for little ones to get lost. Create a buddy system or a counting system so that children feel a sense of responsibility for themselves and other family members. This is wonderful for their self-esteem and confidence level.

4. Bring fuel for little bodies. You never know what kinds of delays you may face while traveling, so be sure to arm yourself with plenty of nutritious snacks and water. The last thing you want is to face a meltdown because your children are starving or thirsty. Food and drinks also act as wonderful distractions when you need to pass the time. If you are traveling by air, I suggest bringing a small amount of gum or candy to chew during takeoff and landing. This will protect your children’s ears from any discomfort they may feel due to a cold or a change in altitude.

5. Accidents will happen. It is inevitable that an accident will occur at some point and time during your travels. One of the small ways you can prepare yourself and maintain your composure is to have an extra set of clothing on hand per child and to have plenty of wipes and baggies! These two little items are fabulous for disinfecting hands, wiping messy bottoms, holding dirty clothes, or wiping mouths after travel sickness.

6. Plane pointers. Airplanes present a unique challenge in that an airplane is a confined space and everyone can be affected by one person’s behavior. As a result, it is especially important to be mindful of other passengers at all times. Begin by letting the airline know that you are traveling with children and ask any child-related questions or advice at that time. Try to avoid taking red-eye flights as children are extra cranky in the evening and fellow passengers may not appreciate a whining or crying child when they are trying to get some sleep. Request to pre-board the plane to settle your children in their seats and to handle any last-minute bathroom or drink requests. Explain to your child there is limited space on the airplane and that they are expected to stay in their assigned seat with their seatbelt fastened at all times. Parents should sit between children and other passengers for safety reasons and to act as a buffer. At the end of the flight, the most courteous parents will wait for all others to depart the plane before attempting to organize their children and all of their belongings.

7. Orient Express overtures. Trains are the most fun for traveling with children. There is spacious seating, lots of leg room, and loud noise so talking in a normal voice won’t disturb other passengers. There is usually a dining car where the family can spend most of their time and children can eat, play games, and do art projects. Children do not have to fear being at a high altitude and there is an abundance of beautiful scenery for them to view. As with any type of public transportation, children should apply the same rules of behavior and be conscious of their surroundings.

8. Road trip resources. The family road trip is probably the most common form of traveling. Make sure children know that arguing or shouting in the car can be dangerous and distracting to the driver. Children need to respect one another and their preferences regarding music, car temperature, window levels, and places to sit. They should be reminded to keep their arms and legs to themselves and take turns sitting in the less desirable spots. A great way to avoid the infamous question, “Are we there yet?” is to inform children ahead of time of the exact length of the trip. Advise them to use the bathroom beforehand and let them know you will be making additional stops for bathroom breaks along the way.

9. Hotel hints. Staying in a hotel is a privilege and should be treated as such. This experience shared with the family will help prepare children to be considerate of others as they get older and begin traveling with their peers. The most important thing for children to remember is that there are other guests in a hotel. They should be mindful of the noise level in their hotel room so as not to disturb their neighbors. Electronic devices should be played quietly and voices should be kept low. There should never be any running or talking loudly in the hallway. In the hotel, although there is maid service, children should pick up after themselves and keep their clothes neatly folded in drawers. They may also organize their towels and toiletries. Upon completion of their stay, children should be encouraged to help pack their belongings before checking out.

10. Be a model. Set an example for your children and apply “The Golden Rule” to treat others the way you would like to be treated. If you embody these words and show kindness, respect, and consideration toward your family, your travel representatives, and your fellow travelers, then your children will mimic your behavior. As a result, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy a positive traveling experience and will look forward to future trips together.

देव-Bhoomi 'Uttranchal'

In Sanskrit 'Himalaya' means Abode of Snow, truly characterizing the vast permanent snow fields above the snow line.In the heart of these majestic mountains lies the state of Uttaranchal
Birth of a New State Uttarakhand is the 27th state of the Republic of India. (total states being 28) It was formed on 9th Nov 2000 and was carved out of Uttar Pradesh after a long struggle of the Uttaranchali people. Uttarakhand lies in the Northern part of India amidst the magnificent Himalayas and dense forests. The state is bordering Himachal Pradesh in the north-west and Uttar Pradesh in the South and has international borders with Nepal and China.
The State today with 13 Districts can be grouped into three distinct geographical regions, the High mountain region, the Mid-mountain region and the Terai region. Dehradun is the interim-capital city. Uttaranchal consists of 13 districts viz., Almora, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Haridwar, Champawat, Nainital, Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag.

State Capital
The city of Dehradun, has been declared as the interim capital of the new state। Though the debate on making Gairsain as the new capital is still on. Dehradun is situated at the Himalayan foothills in the fertile Doon Valley. The valley is well known for its salubrious climate and natural beauty. It is due to this reason, Dehradun has been one of the favorite residential cities. It is also an important educational centres of the country. Some of the best public schools and convents are housed here.The Indian Military Academy, The Froest Research Institute, the Oil and Natural Gas comission and many more offices of Central and State Govt. are also situated here. Dehradun is one of the most important town in the new state and is well linked with rail, road and air routes to all the parts of the country.

The Divine Land
Words fail to describe the awesome charm and enchanting beauty of this magical land. The splendor and the beauty of the land is to be seen and and felt. Blessed with magnificent glaciers , sparkling and joyful rivers, gigantic and ecstatic Himalayan peaks, natural biospheres, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, this abode of Gods includes many shrines and places of pilgrimage. Char-dhams, the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the Mighty Mountains.This is the land where Vedas and Shastras were composed and great Indian epic- The Mahabharath- was written. The land has always been the source of inspiration for nature lovers and seekers of peace and spirituality.

General Information
The population of the state is around 7 million. The land area is about 55,845 sq km. The region is mostly hilly (approx 88 percent) and the remaining 12 percent falls in the plains.The state is very rich in natural resources especially water and forests as it has many glaciers, rivers, forests, mountain peaks. The famous peaks of Uttaranchal are Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trishul, Bandarpunch and Mt Kamet. The major Glaciers include Gangotri, Pindari, Milam and Khatling. The Ganga, The Yamuna, Ramganga and Sharda are principal rivers of this region.

Environmental Gains
After being carved out of Uttar Pradesh,Uttarakhand has been richer in terms of wild-life and forest area. The thick forests and mountains house a variety of wild life and plant species. According to Chief Wild Life Warden, UP, Dr Ram Lakhan Singh, the total protected wildlife area of Uttaranchal would be 34,359 sq km, while Uttar Pradesh would be left with just half of that -17,259 sq km. Twelve areas- Nanda Devi national park, the valley of flowers, Gangotri national park, Govind national park, Rajaji national park, Kedarnath sanctuary, Ascod musk deer sanctuary, Mussoorie sanctuary, Binsar sanctuary, Sanadi sanctuary and Govind sanctuary are now looked after by Uttaranchal. The ecological zones likely to fall in Uttaranchal are upper Himalayas called the snow-bound zones, lower Himalayas and Shivaliks. All these zones support many rare plants and animal communities.

Economy
The state of Uttarakhand has tremendous potential of developing tourism industry due to the beautiful landscape, religious places, trekking trails, national parks, mountain peaks and historical and archeological sites. Apart from tourism, the rural population is engaged in agriculture. Doon Valley, Nainital district, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts produce large quantities of food grains. The state has immense potential for the development of horticulture crops-apple, orange, malta,pear, grapes peach, plum appricot, litchi,mango, guava etc are widely produced fruits. The region also holds good promises for developing herbal pharmaceutical industry owing to abundant medicinal plants. The industrial sector of state is insignificant. It is hoped that by development and proper exploitation of its natural resources, Uttarakhand can overcome its economic backwardness.
Due to its water resources the state has the capacity to generate many mega watts of power. Presently,it is producing 500 MW of power. There are 17 hydro-electric projects already producing electricity and many ambitious power projects including Tehri Dam are under construction.

Muscat - "Arabia's jewel”

Muscat, the capital city of Oman lies sparkling white, topped with golden minarets in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains reaching down to the Arabian Sea. Described as "Arabia's jewel”, this city is a blend of the old and the new. Muscat is green as green can be, and defies being classified as part of a desert country. The roads are lined with well-manicured green lawns and trees. During winter this is interspersed with a profusion of multicoloured flowers. The city has steadfastly retained its old-world character. Old Muscat has a quaint charm about it with many forts, castles, mosques, temples and towers doting the landscape. Of particular note are Jalali and Mirani forts flanking Al Alam Palace. The Corniche, with its promenade and souqs (markets) is one of the highlights of the city. The old souq of Muttrah is an ideal spot for tourists to buy keepsakes and treasures. Greater Muscat boasts high-rise business properties (but not too high), world-class highways, upscale suburbs rooted in traditional Islamic architecture, elegant mosques, large green parks, archaeological sites, museums and world-class hotels.

It is no wonder that Muscat is increasingly becoming an attractive tourist destination among the world's travel going public.

Khasab- The "Norway" of Arabia

The "Norway" of ArabiaThe Musandam Peninsula is the northernmost part of Oman jutting out into the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. The province, or governorate of Musandam as it is officially known, is separated from the rest of Oman by various of the United Arab Emirates - Ras al Khaimah and Fujairah. Musandam more or less begins where the mountains rise from the plains of Ras al Khaimah.

The mountains have isolated communities for centuries. Coastal villages can be reached only by boat rather than by road. Pockets of flat land support meagre agriculture. The population of approximately 29,000 is concentrated in the capital, Khasab (18,000 in 2004) in the north and Dibba (5,500) on the east coast. Fishing is the principal economic activity supported by employment in government jobs. Tourism could be a major earner. Traders from Iran boost the port trade of Khasab.

At its nearest point Musandam is just 55 km from Iran across the strait. See the satellite image which will open in a separate window. The file size is 72.5 K and takes up to 30 seconds to download fully at 28.8K. Khasab makes its money now from the port trade. Iranians import sheep and goats in small fibre glass hulls with very powerful engines into the local port, where the animals are shipped off to UAE and Saudi Arabia in trucks. Traders have to arrive in Khasab port after sunrise and leave before sunset. We watched as some fifty or so boats gathered outside the port in the late afternoon, taking off together at high speed at some unseen signal. They have to avoid the Iranian coastguard as well as other shipping in the strait waters; the crossing is dangerous with so many oil-tankers passing to and fro.

Oman Air flies regularly between UAE (Dubai) and Khasab, and offers very good value package stays of a return flight and two nights at the hotel. Contact Oman Air in Dubai on + 971 4 3518080 / 3521777 or by e-mail. The Golden Tulip Khasab hotel stands on the edge of the Straits of Hormuz The old Khasab Hotel. Business in the bar suffered once the new road was built from Khasab to UAE. The Khasab Hotel is still open. Basic, but adequate, and cheaper than the Golden Tulip. Telephone + 968 26730267, fax + 968 26730989. Khasab Travel also offer apartments. The Ras al Khaimah Hilton hotel organizes trips to Khasab Or you can choose the Al Hamra Hotel, also in Ras al Khaimah, UAE.

If you prefer a boat trip, take a look at Oryx Offroad. Al Marsa Charters offers diving, cruising and snorkeling along the east coast of Musandam from Dibba.