You with a hope in your eyes wish that the tour never ended,by then the plane arrives and you get in.And when you do,you again spot the white washed city of Muscat in the backdrop of Mountains and sea and you know this LOVE is going to stay.With Oman I complete 10 countries,but Oman is undoubtedly the best country I have been to(many were surprised until they saw the pictures!).It has got everything a country must have,the just perfect balance of modern and ancient.The down-to-earth all time humorous and helpful people,deserts,wadis,gorgeous coastline,envious mountains and roads and sinkholes,a country which in itself is an inspiration.For anyone who plans to settle down soon,visit Oman and you will know how beautiful the world is all over again.

/*Please note that the pictures have been compressed for better page load*/
                 The second largest Canyon in the world after Grand Canyon @ Jebel Shams,Oman

When I heard about Oman in last SATTE 2013,I could see the sparkle in the eyes of people who described it to me.But I couldn't believe a country can have so much to see,given the fact that it isn't so much known to us yet.So today,I take you to a glimpse of my la-la journey to Oman and we drool on a quick photo-essay which I had tough time selecting from because all the pictures have come out just like fairy tale.

                   Did you know?The song "Jiya" from the Bollywood movie Gunday was shot in Oman
                and Oman's stunning locale was the choice in "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai 2"
                                                    Image Source:DailyMail
                                   Click to watch song video:Jiya Song in Oman
                                 Click here to watch what Sonakshi says about Oman

The song "Jiya" from Movie Gunday was shot in Al Hamra which is 40 minutes from Nizwa.Al Hamra is a village which has the oldest preserved mud houses(upto 400 years old) in Oman.

Meanwhile,If you have any questions on Oman,ask and I will get back to you with information.Thanks to Oman Tourism and Zahara tours for being the perfect hosts.The process on visas,travel videos and more stories,folktales and info will be in coming posts.So we begin,shall we?

The Snow Opera,The Infinite Flakes and The Frost Bites Part I


                                 Time stands till when I rather sit and admire @ Shimla

I took the road that many take but little did I know that I will get to witness something which many never got a chance to see in Shimla(may be Kufri or Manali but not Shimla).As I turn pages of my morning newspaper of the recent Srinagar Avalanche,the memories of my Jan trip to Shimla came back as a flashlight. The snow-The satisfactory,the playful,the harmful,the slippery,the pleasing,the tease.

"I think It's gonna snow tomorrow. Said my brother.I cuddled real hard in my bed,the footprints of snow wasn't for Shimla I thought.May be when we reach Manali,it'll be snowy and white washed.Not Shimla,no ways,I haven't heard Shimla snows out in recent years,may be years ago but not now.Snow is and was always famous in Kufri,Solang and Manali,but this year is different"


                                       I woke up to the view that many ain't aware of yet
                            The Shimla Railway Station Groomed In Hushy Mushy White
                                                And this is the first hour of snow!

India is a place of contrasts and that is why I love it so much.Recently one of the ladies I met from abroad,glanced at my visiting card and said "Which place is this,with so much snow?" and I said "Sikkim,India".India is a land where not-so-surprisingly every season is a discovery.Blame it on Greenhouse effect,but with the snow falling for months after it should stop,it makes me give a sheepish smile to God.Many of us,even me a few years back had cravings for snow.Even now,the snowfall brings excitement like no other.It is purity unparalleled,the only thing which perhaps gives us the childlike joy almost instantly.But as it is a boon for the people who are first-timers,it is a bane for the locals who live there.We,in Shimla for 3 days with half the time no electricity,chose to wander around slipping falling finding our way to some place.But for how long is the question for locals?With heavy snow,is the lack of basic food(mostly during snow time,the vegetables are from lower terrains) which you get.With that,most of the times,it is the potatoes which they survive on or the Maggi or the Tea.Snow teaches patience and tests your toughness.It can be soft,but it can also be unbearable.But let's today talk about the brighter side of the whitewashed Shimla,and my memories to make your heart feel a little light . After all,not all snow is heavy to the soul!

                                               Gaurav enjoys the hot Pahadi Maggi

My first snow moment was in Dehradun some 13 years back with my cousin and the memories I have is almost non-existent now.It is those old printed photos(yes! I love them more than digital prints) that I recall looking like a clown with loads of layers of clothing my mom had put me on.Ever since I gained my consciousness to the level that I remember to what I felt,Ladakh was the first heavy snow moment(with temperature at Airport at -3,and -20 at Pangong with the frozen Pangong at Sight).In Ladakh I reluctantly had to wear jacket of local goat fur(I prefer wearing not no many layers during snow,but this was cold in early April which is considered winters in Leh) which my driver had insisted on after he rejected my fancy yet to me thick urban Jacket which I got.Then there was unpredictable snowfall in Auli(Jan) where I had gone for skiing,and I chose to stay when other ran for shelter.Then was Sikkim(Feb) where the vehicle got stuck in heavy snow and I chose to climb a just there hillock for fun.Of all these places,North Sikkim was the first place,where I experienced severe snowfall,with it snowing every morning and night and every time in between.Everytime I think, Snow God got a chance to cover the city in Snow Blackout.Although my plans to Gurudogmar got cancelled due to severe snow,it felt just perfect to be there,eating the Pahadi Maggi(it's different) and almost indulging in snow.For all those who want their vacation to be snowy visit Leh(Oct End-Apr,sometimes even Early May),Srinagar-Gulmarg-Sonmarg(Dec-Early March),Sikkim & Arunachal(Dec-Feb),Manali(Dec-Jan),Auli(Jan) but these are just what I faced when I went there,falling of snow it's only by God's grace.I guess,when he's angry he pours more than what makes us happy reminding us of the superpower he has got,and when he's happy he shower his blessings in soft cotton like snow and when he's harsh,he throw hailstones.

I recollect the memories of the tiring but fun 10 hours of my bus journey.I know you would say why didn't I choose Kalka Shatabdi,which was oh so convenient.If you remember, my trip to Kasuali had a very convenient Kalka taking us just almost there,Shimla was unplanned at 10:00 am.10 am and a bus service.It took us 45 minutes to reach ISBT from our home.And at 10:45 am,getting a Volvo bus to Shimla was impossible.The great and comfy buses leave early by around 9.The almost broken and slow buses leave by 10:45 am.A little disheartened,we chose to board the Volvo to Chandigarh which he promised will take no more than 4.5 hours.With a pitstop at KFC,we reached Chandigarh.From Chandigarh,we took a Non-AC small bus to Shimla(it was the only option we had considering our time we reached).

                               The Aww look that says it all.Picture Coutsey: Gaurav Sinha

When we reached by our bus to Shimla it was around 8 pm.Instead of getting down at the bus stop which is downhill and a little far from the mall,almost opposite ends and some kms which I'll tell you how we walked the last day out of no choice,and then took a lift to reach fast.We got down at a highway juncture few minutes before the bus stop because we had to go towards the mall.Idea was to catch the local bus from that very point.And then the wait.It was very very cold,almost freezing.The lights at the juncture was non-existent,with we with a mere hope looking for signs of dim lights of our bus which might come anytime,which for 45 minutes didn't.Just then the bus arrived,and instead of taking a lift from the several taxis which were passing by,we hopped into a overcrowded bus.The best way I guess to examine a population density of a place is to get onto a local bus.And then you wonder,really so many people exist!We had to walk then from the railway station to the mall.

For those who are travelling Shimla for the first time,the regular stop is quite far from the mall.So if your bus reaches late,its best to get down at the juncture and take a local bus.You can ask the driver to stop where the local buses run on highway.Don't fret,almost half the bus passengers get down there,so you wouldn't be alone

As I said the night was cold,and after about 10 hours of journey,I was barely willing to go hike uphill to the mall but with the hunger for food I dragged myself up.I remember my brother saying "Come fast,the shops will be closed,can't you see its freezing cold here!".

So for the first timers,note the important places to eat and stay at Shimla:

STAY

• HPTDC Hotel Holiday Home(The Best By Himachal Tourism)
• Hotel White(Rs 1250) , Lakkar Bazaar
• Kapil Hotel(Rs 1700) , Lakkar Bazaar
• Krish Rauni Resort(Rs 2200) A little far from the main town,but quite a good option

Baljee(the Mall,Rs 15-100) for Omlettes,Toast and Dosas.Indian Coffee house(the mall,Rs 20-35 for breakfast,cheap dosas and coffee),Ashiana(the ridge chinese,thai rs 40-170).Embassy restaurant(the mall rs 80-190,indian chinese,tasty chicken curry).Cafe sol(the mall,rs 120-400,mexican italian,crispy prawn and enchiladas),Barista,Himani's(casual drink with chicken tikka),Devico's bar(rs 30-100).Middle bazaar and lakkar bazaar for shopping.

            To the lover of wilderness,a Kindle is the best travel companion for that easy time
                                             and loads and loads of relevant information.
                                                           @Wahiba Sands,Oman    
            Downloaded Kindle ebook: Lonely Planet Oman,UAE and the Arabian Peninsula

Gone are the days when your travel companions only used to be those printed guidebooks.The world has become much simpler since then,and is certainly just a click away.Ever wondered the benefits of not having to carry those books,and instead a small lightweight Kindle sometimes to kill time on those awkward moments of loneliness(Being in a flight for example/staying in a new place for long time like for months) or to go through details of information which is only available inside the books(The Travel Guidebooks for example).You will ask me,why do I need it,when I have my Smartphone or iPhone?But I would say,if you are a traveler who would rather rely on The Guidebooks to just any random reviews/information on internet you need a platform that makes browsing those guidebooks easier.I am still relying on Lonely Planet for my Greece trip next to next month because the local information it has, is still not available on internet.I might buy Rough Guides too.Carrying the printed copy of course would be a hassle as it will add on to the weight.When I travel,I love travelling light.And when a Kindle can exactly do what a book does,its much convenient too.Also the books on Kindle are comparatively more cheaper,compared to buying the whole on print.


                          The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page!

With Amazon Paperwhite,you can download the book of your choice,and choose reading an interesting friction/story instead in an otherwise boring flight journeys.During my latest trip to the beautiful Oman,I just went through the online guidebooks on Oman to know what Oman has to offer just about anywhere I had the wifi. It's like live streaming of information without having to bother about its weight.And weight as you all know does matter during travel.The more you travel,the lighter you would want your travel to be! 

                            One should always have something sensational,something inspirational,
                                               Something just about anything to read.
                                      Because those who wander do not always get lost

Starting the 4th Feb 2014, you can buy the new advanced Kindle Paperwhite on www.amazon.in or at 250 retail outlets across India including Croma, Reliance Digital, E-Zone, and Vijay Sales stores located in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Pune.

                                  Discovering an ancient and seafaring town of Sur,Oman

Weighing only 206 grams, the new Kindle Paperwhite offers a vast collection of books at high-quality display technology, all-new reading features, faster speed, and a stronger battery backup. The Wi-Fi enabled Kindle Paperwhite is priced at Rs. 10,999 while the Wi-Fi + 3G version is priced at Rs. 13,999.

Kindle has been the best-selling e-reader in the world for the last six years, and the advanced model packs better features into the device, further improving user experience. The features of the new Kindle Paperwhite make it a great learning tool for kids, a traveler’s best companion and a book-lovers in-house library, the New Kindle Paperwhite offers all that a reader would want in an e-reader.

Here’s what makes the all-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite better than ever:

• New display technology—Higher contrast and better reflective means whites are whiter and blacks are blacker.
• Next generation built-in light—Guides light toward the surface of the display so you can read comfortably without eyestrain.
• New, 25% faster processor—Books open and pages turn faster for a seamless reading experience.
• New touch technology—19% tighter touch grid makes Kindle Paperwhite respond even more accurately to the smallest touches.
• New Kindle Page Flip—Skip page-by-page, scan by chapter, or skip to the end of your book, all without losing your place.
• New Goodreads Integration—Combines the world’s largest e-reading community and the world’s largest community of book lovers.
• New Vocabulary Builder—Compiles words you look up in the dictionary into an easy-to-access list.
• New Smart Lookup—Integrates a full dictionary definition with other reference information about a word, character, topic or book via X-Ray and Wikipedia.
• New In-line Footnotes—With a single tap, read the complete text of each footnote in-line without changing the page or losing your place in the book.
• Access to 8 million books and 2+ million eBooks. Indian customers can enjoy over 600,000 books priced Rs.200 or less and over 1.2 million priced Rs.600 or less. 

Reviewer’s Checklist

• Getting Started
• Read
• Navigate
• Learn
• Engage

Read

The all-new Kindle Paperwhite still includes all the features that helped make Kindle the best-selling ereader
in the world for six years running:

• Reads like real paper—No-glare display for perfect reading, even in bright sunlight.
• 8 weeks of battery life—Read for weeks, not hours, on a single charge.
• Weighs just 7.3 ounces—Hold comfortably in one hand for long reading sessions.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and free 3G—Think of a book and be reading it in under 60 seconds.
• Carry over a thousand books—Never leave a favorite book behind.
• Worry-Free Archive—Automatically backs up your Kindle books in the cloud, so you never need to worry about losing your books—re-download your books wirelessly anytime for free.
• Facebook and Twitter—Share book recommendations, highlighted sections and meaningful quotes with friends.

Navigate

Kindle Page Flip: With the new Kindle Page Flip you can now skip page-by-page, scan by chapter, or skip to the end of your books, all without losing your place. We suggest you:
1. Download a book that has a lot of helpful reference information. A Dance With Dragons by George R. R. Martin is a great choice.
2. When you need to reference information either at the beginning or end of the book (like the map of Beyond the Wall in A Dance With Dragons) tap the screen to bring up chrome in the reader and then tap the bottom bar. You can now easily flip backwards or forwards.
3. When you’re done, simply tap the “X” at the top of the screen to return back to your original place in the book.

Smart Lookup: The new Smart Lookup feature integrates a full dictionary definition with other reference information about a word, character, topic or book via X-Ray and Wikipedia. We suggest you:
1. Find and download a book that has a variety of important phrases. Michael Lewis’ The Big Short is a great choice because it has several references of the term “credit default swaps.”
2. Look up a phrase (such as “credit default swaps”)—you’ll notice that Smart Lookup recognizes this is an important topic and phrase in the book, and gives you the correct definition via X-Ray.
3. An ordinary dictionary would have given you the individual definitions of each word (i.e. “credit,” “default,” and “swaps”).

In-line Footnotes: With new in-line footnotes you can read the complete text of each footnote in-line without changing the page or losing your place in the book. We suggest you:
1. Find and download a book that has a lot of useful footnotes. A great example is The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver.
2. Tap on a footnote to see the information in a pop-up window on your screen. Tap on the link at the end of the footnote preview text to be taken to the full footnote or tap the “X” at the top of the screen to return back to your original place in the book.

Learn

Vocabulary Builder: The new Vocabulary Builder feature compiles words you look up in the dictionary into an easy-to-access list. We suggest you:
1. Look up a number of words in your books by pressing and holding on the word until the dictionary appears
2. Tap on the Vocabulary Builder tile in your library in Home
3. Quiz yourself with flashcards and instantly see words in context
4. Once you feel confident in your understanding of the word, tap “Mastered”

Did you know? Amazon’s Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes your last page read, vocabulary words, bookmarks and annotations across all of your devices, so you can always pick up where you left off.

Engage

Goodreads: Join over 20 million other readers and see what your friends are reading, share highlights, and rate the books you read with Goodreads on Kindle. The Goodreads integration is offered only by Amazon and is exclusive to the Kindle ecosystem. We suggest you:
1. Tap the “G” icon in the Chrome reader to access Goodreads
2. Rate the books you’ve read on Goodreads
3. Find a friend and take a look at what they’re reading
4. Share highlights from your favorite books
Technical Specifications
Display: Amazon’s 6” Paperwhite display with exclusive Carta e-paper technology and next-generation built-in light, 212 ppi, 16-level gray scale
Size: 169 mm x 117 mm x 9.1 mm
Weight: 206 grams
Storage: 2GB internal; free cloud storage for all Amazon content
Battery Life: 8-week battery life

Wi-Fi Connectivity: Supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11b, 802.11g, or 802.11n standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Content Formats Supported: Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.

Liquid Yumminess:A Window Into The World Of Wine




I have drunken deep of joy, And I will taste no other wine tonight. Website: Four Seasons Vineyard
"The 55 acres of yumminess in bunches of small round purple was in front of me.The car stopped,just to get the glimpse of the castle which was huge.It looked like as if we were in another part of the world,while the working women at the field plucking those juicy nectar was oblivious of our presence.As they continued to do their work,it was a sheer joy which crept in me.Yes! This was the first time,I was visiting a vineyard which had plush purple grapes hanging onto them."

I haven't visited many vineyards,just a one near Bangalore and another in Canada.Both of them had bright green leaves but apparently no real grapes at sight.The last two week has been phenomenal,got to see the amazing sight of coffee blooms at Coorg and the rows of rows of grapes hanging at Four Seasons Baramati,Pune. Grapes like other fruits is seasonal.The harvest season for Grapes is Feb-March.It is then ,when you can see the whole process of ripened Grapes leaving their stem to the barrels where they get fermented,stored and processed.

                      Either give me more wine or leave me alone @ Four Seasons Vineyard

The Four Seasons vineyard,located in Baramati,around 1.5 hours from Pune Airport is a place where freshness and aroma of wine linger even after you leave.The trails from the vineyard take you to a hike from where you can view deer in the open or even hyena(if you are lucky).Walk in the rows of freshly produced grapes and taste each of them and you would notice,the further you go,the sweeter the grapes get.There's of course the swimming pool area,where the dinner was being served,and where we all were mesmerized to the tune of Sitar being played in the open view of the blinking stars in the sky by the midnight.The rooms gave us a feel of home,in almost a castle.


Such is the ambiance that even if you have nothing to do,you would enjoy being there,sipping the wine all day long,playing with cute dogs or walking down the rows of grapes.Yes,that is what life is,being secluded in one place,where only you and you can hear your own voice of being.

                  MY VIDEO ON BEHIND THE SCENES: FOUR SEASONS VINEYARDS
)

Wine comes in three colors-Red,White and Rose.Generally white wine is made from white grapes,and red and rose wines are made from red grapes.The color of the wine comes from pigments in the grape skin which are leached out during the process of fermentation.The wine making process is similar to all three wine colors.The main difference is that the grape skin are removed before fermentation for white wine.For red wine,the grape juice is fermented with the grape skins as it is from the skins that the wine gets its color.Traditionally rose wine follows the same process as red - except that the grape juice and skins are kept together for shorter period of time.That results in the color "blush".Chardonnay,Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc,Viognier are white wines,while Cabarnet Sauvignon,Merlot,Shiraz and Zinfandel are red wines.

In order to flourish,wines need a balance of warmth and coolness,sunshine and rainfall.Old wine countries have a longer history of growing grapes for wine such as France,Spain,Italy,Portugal whereas New Wine countries like Australia,New Zealand,USA,South Africa and India have shorter history of grape growing and they rely on science than the traditional wine making country.We now know why Baramati near Pune(1.5 hours) is an ideal place for the vineyard - cool winters for the wine to sleep,wet spring for the grapes to grow and ripen evenly and dry,mild autumn for harvesting.

Another thing about wine is that it can either be made from a single grape variety or a combination of grape varieties.In the first case,it is known as varietal wine,in second it is known as blend.There are four levels of sweetness in wine - dry,off dry,medium sweet and sweet.The sweetness levels result from how long the wine has been fermented.If the fermentation process runs to completion,the wine is dry.If stopped by a winemaker prior to completion,the wine will be sweeter.Finally the wine will be sparkling(it has bubbles of Carbon Dioxide in it),'Still'(it doesn't have any bubbles) or it will be fortified(it is a higher alcohol still wine).

Making Wine: 5 Easy Steps

• Grapes are harvest and brought to the winery
• Grapes are sorted,then crushed or pressed to get juice
• The Juice is transferred to stainless steel tanks for fermentation
• After fermentation,the wine is stabilized and filtered and then transferred into barrels for maturation
• The wine is finally bottled,labeled and dispatched to the market

Four Seasons Wine and Food Pairing


We had with us chef who had in-depth knowledge on wine pairing.His idea of food pairing was innovative i.e Cuisines from India,and spices and assortments from all over the world.The Indian food goes very well with the wine,so we had our four course spread and we started off the lightest bodied wine to the heaviest to the sweetest to complete our lunch.

We started with Amush Bush or Achari Mathis which was inspired by Mathis,Tea and Pickle.Mathis as you all know is a North Indian snack made out of flavored dough,deep fried with Fenugreek. When you eat the Mathis,it opens your thirst and you feel like drinking something.So that's why it was paired with Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc is light bodied,and is made from white grape that has aromas of cut grass,citrus gooseberry,capsicum,herbs and passion fruit depending on where it is grown in India.In India,there is even distinct note of Green chili. If.If you smell the wine,you will smell the flavors of Gooseberry.It is a dry wine and pale yellowish as it is fermented in Barrel.It goes best with starter,and less oily,salads and light appetizers.

Next,we tasted the yummy Dahi(Yogurt) Kebab with a topping of Ricotta cheese,Onion tomato salsa,Mint chutney and Californian grapes.In the non-veg,we had Chicken tikka,with Orange graze(orange and honey) and shooter.The shooter was inspired from our very own Aam Panna,but this was made out of Pinapple. It.It was a Pinapple Panna made with Pinapple char-grilled in Tandoor and then mixed with coriander,black salt and sugar.This was paired with Viognier which is medium bodied,and has a rich aroma of perfume and mellons.

Next,we were served the delicious European inspired but our very Indianized Creole Vegetables.This was done in Roomali Roti,Mozzarella Cheese,Tomato Rice,Makhni Sauce and Broccoli.In Non-Veg we were served,Salman with a plate of upma and on the top we have bell pepper,fresh coconut,spagetti n coriander.This was followed by Molee Sauce which is very famous in Kerala.Along with it was Haldi mirch ka Jhinka(prawn) which is originally from West Bengal and Orissa,and they marinate the prawn with turmeric salt pepper red chilli and lemon juice.This was served with Merlot which is a full bodied wine.

The final wrap up was Basil seeds(soaked in water) with Rasmalai and Pistachios.This was teamed with Late Harvest wine which is a boutique wine,and is completed fermented in Barrel.The late harvest wines are made out of grapes when are they are completely,hence it is a boutique sweet wine which pairs amazingly well with deserts.Late Harvest is completely fermented inside a barrel.

Sauvignon blanc is 25% oak,Viognier 50% oak,Merlot 10% oak.

Next day,we had a Fish dish made with Kachampuli (Famous Coorgi Vinegar).We had Dhoodi Halwa too.Any guesses to which wine they were paired with?


With this,my trip to Baramati comes to an end.Do visit the vineyard and let me know if you loved it.That for sure,you will,because when there is good wine and good air,nothing can,well nothing can,go bizarre.

Sungai Rouk waterfall is indeed very interesting to visit.A short hike in the rain forest takes you to Sungai Rouk Waterfall.Pristine and secluded,the waterfall is home to thousands of freshwater fishes.These fishes nibble the dead cells on your skin,almost like an open natural fish spa.We too,plunged into the waterfall,I love the water and the water was cold and inviting.Just the perfect way to beat the heat.

Sungai Kooi Waterfall is among the most spectacular waterfall which is 50 metres high surrounded by beautiful million years old rock formations.You can sight beautiful flora and fauna on 30 minutes hike to the fall.

Sungai Enam Waterfall can be reached by hiking along a single 2 km hiking trek.Along the way we pass several species of old jungle trees.An excellent holiday place for families.

Campsites: Sungai Kejar Tourism Camp,Jenut Papan Tourism Camp,Sungai Tiang Tourism Camp,Sungai Kenarong Camp,Belum Eco Resort

Sunjai Kejar Tourism Camp is located 30-40 minutes boat ride from Pulau Banding.Along with the camping site,the facilities available here are community shed bathrooms,kitchen,dining hall and BBQ.

Jenut Papan Tourism Camp is located 20 minutes by boat from Pulau Banding.This area is very popular among tourists and is divided into 2 that are Jenut Papan Utara and Jenut Papan Selatan.The facilities available here are community shed bathrooms,bumbun and hanging bridge.

Sungai Tiang Tourism Camp is located 20 minutes by boat from Pulau Banding.Along with the camping site,the facilities available here are community shed bathrooms,kitchen,dining hall and BBQ.

Sungai Kenarong Camp is the concept of rest houses with bathroom,kitchens,dining hall,BBQ,dormitory and huts

Belum Eco Resort is located on a small strategic island.The basic amenities like huts,dining hall etc are available along with options to kayak and fishing.

Trail Sites:Palau Besar,Palau Tali Kali

Palau Besar - A 300 meters high climb will take you to an open area where Rafflesias are found in plenty.It is also a path of wild animals like elephant,bears and tapir.

Palau Tali Kali - The journey from Banding Jetty to Palau Tail Kail only takes 30 minutes boat ride.It is among the few islands in Tasik Banding.There is an uphill trek of 45 minutes after which on top of the island is the 80 meter high tower.The view from the town is priceless

Orang Asli Village: Kejar Hill Village,Sungai Tiang & Kampung Chuweh

In Royal Belum,at the Kejar Hill Village you can experience an isolated tribe of Orang Asli Jahai.The Jahai is originated from Austroasia group and live in a tiny hut that used 'cucuh' roofing,traditional roofing and bamboo for their wall and floor.The livelihood of Jahai tribe depends on the sale of freshwater fish.

In Sungai Tiang,a model of Orang Asli Jahai Village is built with a purpose towards educating cultural performances and their way of life.A few varieties of Orang Asli's houses were together with replicas of Orang Asli Activities like blow-piping and fixing of animal traps.

Kumpung Chuweh is a must visit for visitors.The villagers livelihood depends on the resources available in the lake,rivers and forest.Their houses are made of Rumbia leaves and bamboos.

Ask your Resort Manager,for a tour to aboriginal village.

Species: Hornbill,Salt Lick,Lantern Bug

Hornbill : 10 Species of Hornbill bird are seen in Royal Belum.Hornbill built its nest on big and tall trees in the thick jungle.They fly in groups in the morning and evening

Salt Lick(Sira) : You will be able to see real life footprint of wild animals in Royal Belum.Salt-Lick or Sira is a place where wild animals obtain their salt nutrient after their normal feeding process.It is what is termed as Dessert for the wild animals.There are 12 areas where Sira are found.

Lantern Bugs: Lantern Bugs are called Lantern Bugs because they are bright in color and that makes them easily stand out in the forest.This species of insect is among the icon of Royal Belum.Damp and Shady atmosphere is the natural habitat of Lantern Bugs.They feed on nectar that is suck from the trees.

Ask your Resort Manager for the tour to Night trek.

Resort:Royal Belum Resort Pulau Banding

The tagline of Royal Belum Resort says "Gateway to Nature" and you imagine a world of peace and tranquility in the nature.And you bet it was.Overlooking the beautiful lake,the Belum Rainforest Resort is one of Malaysia's premier Eco-tourism destination.Although the quality of food needs improvement,the secludedness of the place with the beautiful view from the room makes you forget everything else.It's like home with a view.The rooms are delightfully large,making you feel that you belong here.They are surrounded by tall trees and as I said,the magnificent view of the lake! 

Tomorrow we do a quick round up,learn a few Bahasa Malay words,discuss the overall state of Perak with what activities one can do,and know how to do it on a budget. Tada folks :)