Auckland

Nature has created countless destinations with full of beauty. Auckland is one urban area New Zealand located near North Island. Auckland is biggest and most populous urban area in the country. It has heavily populated area with approx 1,400,000 residents, though its 32 % of the New Zealand populace. However, the Auckland is most populated but still people are friendly and local administration is maintaining the city for tourism as well.

Attaining to Auckland is beneficial as visitors can also enjoy the Waiwera tourist place located in north side, Kumeu in northwest direction, and Runciman in south side of Auckland. The city lies among the Pacific Ocean’s Hauraki Gulf in east, Hunua Ranges in south-east, Manukau Harbor in south-west, and Waitakere Ranges in west to north-west directions of Auckland. The harbor and Ocean Pacific areas are close to Auckland so travelers can enjoy the chilled sea beaches by reaching closest locations.

A list provided by MQLS (Mercer Quality of Living Survey) center expresses the value of Auckland as the city is placed on 3^rd position of world quality living.

Auckland is full of holiday destinations like water events, cruising, Marine Park (Hauraki Gulf), and many islands.

Major attraction spots of Auckland:

Spending time on cruise or luxury yacht could be a best time for anybody. Auckland is having yacht and cruise journey to dissimilar places near city. Charter yacht is best for those who know sailing. Meeting marine mammals could be diverse experience for visitors. People love watching bottlenose dolphins, whales and orca should reach Auckland as their Dolphin Explorer is world famous.

Auckland Central: the area is popular as modern city located within the range of natural volcanoes. This is must visit place as there are countless small islands, bush and beaches.

Great Barrier Island: next is popular Barrier Island turned as most demanding place of Auckland. This is the large island with average populace. Best to watch on island is forests, bays and beaches.

Helensville: nature itself develops different and amazing places and Helensville is one of them. Here travelers can enjoy hot swim. Refreshing self is possible at Helensville.

The same way there are countless places like Kawau Island, Orewa, Piha, Pukekohe, Waiheke Island, Warkworth, Rotoroa Island, Auckland's volcanic cones, Long Bay - Okura Marine Reserve, Devonport and North Head, West Coast Beaches, Shakespeare Regional Park, coast to coast walk, Wenderholm Park, Tamaki Drive & Beaches, Hunua Ranges, Auckland Domain, Miranda foreshore, Te Matuku Marine Reserve, Waitakere Ranges, North Shore beaches, Botanic Gardens, MMMR (Motu Manawa Marine Reserve), Waitemata Harbor, OPMR (Okakari Point Marine Reserve), Muriwai Gannet Colony, Parnell Historic Walk, Awhitu Peninsula, Long Bay Regional Park, Tawharanui Regional Park, Waiheke Island, Kawau Island, Mangawhai, Great Barrier Island, Motuihe Island, Rangitoto Island, Tiritiri Matangi, Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium, SkyWalk, Rainbow’s End Theme Park Ltd, Amazing Maze ‘n Maize, Auckland Ghost Tours, Cuesta Alpacas, Fullers Rangitoto Volcanic Explorer, Crystal Mountain Limited, and many more.

Auckland is full of adventurous spots which mean travelers can make their vacations special by attending such spots. Here voyagers can do adventure, rappelling / abseiling, Bungee jump, Canyoning, Caving, Climbing, Hunting, Jet boating, Off-road driving, hang gliding and Paragliding, Parasailing, Rafting, and Skydiving.

The air activities of Auckland are also popular such as Glider planes, Hot air ballooning, and Scenic flights. People love art and culture can go to Arts & crafts centers, and Galleries. Heritage lovers can refer to Literature & films areas, Maori culture, Museums, Performing art stadiums, Photography and events.

New Zealand is most prominent for wine and food. Visitors must not miss Food and wine in Auckland. As there are forests in Auckland nature lovers can visit the wildlife areas to enjoy bird watching, dolphin shows, Farms, Gardens, Horse riding, Penguins watching, Seals, and Whale watching.

Few world heritage sites in Auckland are geothermal and Volcano, zoos and safari parks. For sports there are Cycling, Golf, Motorcycling, Mountain biking, Rugby, and some more events conducted by administration.

Auckland is close to Ocean Pacific so travelers can enjoy snow activities like Heli Skiing  Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowshoeing. Water activities in Auckland include Boat cruises, Diving, Fishing, Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing, Wind Surfing, and Kite Surfing.

Few more activities that voyagers entertainment are Casinos, Hot pools, health spas, Shopping malls, Theme and leisure parks, Urban and Scenic attractions.

Journey to Auckland is possible through various ways. Local people are mostly using their private vehicles as main transport though rental vehicles are available for visitors. State buses are limited so visitors must check the transportation methods before planning to any place in Auckland. City is having only 2% trains and a ferry for different places, hence preplanning is important for Auckland visitors. Bus services are limited in Auckland due to isthmus even the late night bus services are also less.

However, trains for south, west and south-east direction of Auckland are available in frequent level. Few big projects were started in 2007 to improve the transportation of Auckland but still the city is facing problem with public transportation.

Other modes: journey to Auckland through water is more convenient because of largest ports of the country are located at Auckland. Outbound and Inbound New Zealand trade transports are through Auckland ports. The largest port is located at northeast side of Auckland. Freight usually arrives at or is distributed from the port via road, though the port facilities also have rail access.

Attaining to Auckland By Air:

Auckland International Airport is linked to many big cities, though airport is smaller in size but still all terminals of airport are all time busy. Flights for Australia are available from Auckland though South Pacific airport is directly connected to USA, Asia and Santiago.

Drass - Kashmir (India)

Indian tourist places are always famous especially when we talk about the hill stations. Drass Valley is known as worlds second coolest place located in Kashmir, India. Drass sector is having so many values for India as the fight between India and Pakistan was held at this place. Thinking about the beauty of this valley, it is the kind of wonder land having ice all surroundings. The stunning view of White Mountains from the Drass hill is different experience for visitors.

However, some bad things happened in past so tourist are not coming to Drass at that frequent. Checking the present conditions everything is cool and calm maintained by the Indian army. Drass is most beautiful hill station of India connected to Tibet, China in diverse side.  

Drass is the small town known as flat and open area but the surrounding of the Drass is completely hill areas covered with ice. The wide river in Drass is the source of drinking water for the local. Reaching Drass in summer is best option as every corner is completely green, though the winter could be little trouble as the river itself get covered with snow in season. The recorded lowest temperature of Drass was -40 degree Celsius. Snowfall could be great feeling for the visitors in winter season.

The town was named after the Dras river flows from the Valley created by the Machoi glacier. Reaching Drass allow visitors to take pleasure of Kargil which is just 60 kms away located in Srinagar State, India.

Nature lovers can enjoy trekking and many other events at Drass conducted by local administration. Mostly the 3-day trek events are conducted in Suru valley close to Drass sector. Visitors can enjoy watching others for trekking. The stunning upland villages and green sprinkled fields on two sides of the Drass Valley are amazing. Amarnath is another close location to Drass that means tourist can enjoy plenty of tourist and religious spots once they reach to Drass.

Major Spots of Drass:

Zoji La: Zoji La pass is the first attraction in Drass. Here tourist can watch the Himalaya hills towards Ladakh. Autumn is the risky period in Zoji La else other all monsoons are quite comfortable and best to visit.

Puga Valley: another tourist destination in this beautiful Indian tourist place is the Puga Valley. This valley is world-famous for producing hot water springs even in coolest weather. Bath of hot water at this valley is diverse experience for visitors. People are coming to Puga Valley specially to take hot spring bath between coolest temperatures. People having rheumatism or any skin diseases must take bath in this valley to get rid of all types of skin problems.

Trekking: the high hills allow adventures people to take pleasure of trekking. The 3-day trek in Suru valley is special thing for viewers as well as participants.

Attaining to Drass:

By Road: reaching Drass is only possible through road. Local buses from Srinagar towards Kargil are touching the Drass land area. Tourist will get the buses from the Kargil in the early morning and reach the Drass. Road journey from Srinagar is also good option as the clean roads allow tourist to drive comfortably. Srinagar is linked properly via Air as the international airport of Srinagar allows diverse flights around the world.

Accommodation in Drass: Countless hotels and loadings are available in Drass through booking in advance is preferred. Furnished rooms and suites are easily accessible so booking can be done according to requirement. Tourist can contact the regional office of Kargil to have suites or room of their choice.

If you are planning to go through diverse routes like Ladakh travelling towards Srinagar then you must carry the TRC (Tourist Registration Certificate) from Tourist Registration Centre located in Drass.

Closest other cities for tourism are Kargil located at 60 kms distance and Srinagar at good distance of 147 kms.

Tokyo

Tokyo is the demanding tourist destination of the world and people are reaching Tokyo at regular intervals. This city of Japan is the capital and biggest urban city on earth. Japanese Imperial Family is living in Tokyo from long ages. The major islands of the city are Honshu and Ogasawara Islands. This Japanese city was established in 1943.

Tokyo is also the 47^th Japan's prefectures with multiple towns and villages in the west side. Earlier the name of the Tokyo city was Edo. Since lots of years Edo was the political center till 1603. However, Tokugawa Ieyasu set up his feudal rule in the city. Slowly Tokyo (old name EDO) started gaining popularity because of natural beauty as well as city development. Meiji Re-establishment in 1868 was the period when the emperor of Japan changed the name of EDO to Tokyo and stated the city as capital of Japan. However, Kanto Earthquake in 1923 destroyed maximum land areas of the city.

At present Tokyo is turned as preferred place for honeymoon lovers, though there are countless spots where tourist can visit and make their moment special. Maximum visitors are enjoying shopping, cultural entertainment and food of the city. The monuments and museums of the city are capable to teach the history of Tokyo to the world.

Attraction in Tokyo:

Tsukiji Fish Market: the largest wholesale souk of Tokyo is famous for fruits, fish and vegetables. Tokyo is largest meat producing city having countless markets and shops in Tsukiji Fish Market. This market is registered in several world record books for supplying over 2,000 tons of sea products every day.

Akihabara: also known as Akiba is the region in central Tokyo. People love to buy Japanese electronic products at very affordable prices can reach Akihabara market. The market is growing everyday as new shops are getting opened all the time. Japan is world-known to its electronic technology and Akihabara is the place where all kind of electronic goods are available.

Koishikawa Korakuen: this is Tokyo's oldest gardens popular for greenery and natural beauty and was built between 1600 to 1867. This park was named after the poem heartening a ruler to take pleasure of sweet flowers and cool air.

Tokyo Imperial Palace: this Palace is situated in the Edo Castle. Here tourist can enjoy large park surrounded with moats and enormous stone walls. Tourist can also watch the large plaza located in front of the Palace. Some other things to view are Nijubashi, two bridges and some ground area. The bridge made of stone is known as Meganebashi, though it looks like glass material.

Hama Rikyu: This large and attractive garden located in central Tokyo is next spot for visitors. Tourist can view the Tokyo Bay, seawater ponds, and the teahouse at this spot. It is kind of island having astonishing beauty of nature.

Imperial Palace East Gardens: these east Gardens are open for the public. Edo Castle is also most enjoyable place for visitors reaching to these gardens. Honmaru and ninomaru are two major circles that tourist can enjoy in the mentioned gardens.

Shibuya: the next added list for visitors is Shibuya which is 23 city region of Tokyo. Shibuya is demanding shopping center where tourist can entertainment themselves while shopping. The road shows and events conducted in this area are popular. This center of youth fashion is the origin Japan's fashion industry.

Shinjuku: next is Shinjuku known for large entertainment and business area of Tokyo. The station of Shinjuku is world's active railway station and around 2 million travelers are using the station each day.

Harajuku: this is the Japan's most adolescent cultural place offers shopping and historic sight views. Trendy shops, used clothes stores, fashion boutiques, crepe places and food outlets are available at this place.

Meiji Shrine: this holy place is dedicated to the sacred spirits of Ruler Meiji. The shrine is located beside the JR Yamanote Harajuku Station. Emperor Meiji was having big role in modernization of Japan especially for Tokyo City.

Shinjuku Gyoen: this is Tokyo's main popular park situated just at walking distance from Shinjuku Station. The spacious turfs by walking paths and panorama view at Shinjuku Gyoen are special thing for visitors. This park is also the Tokyo’s botanical garden popular for stunning flowers and trees.

Yoyogi Koen: another park of Tokyo is Yoyogi Koen having wide lawns, lakes and jungle areas. The best place for jogging, outdoor activities and picnicking is Yoyogi Koen Park.

Tokyo Skytree: the tower of television broadcasting is next tourist spot of Tokyo. This tower is known as centerpiece of the city which is located nearby the Asakusa tourist place. The average height of tower is 634 meters which is the largest height of any Japan building.

Asakusa: this place is popular as holy location as the Buddhist temple is located in Sensoji, Asakusa. To reach the shrine visitors have to attain Nakamise.

The countless tourist spots of Tokyo are available where tourist can reach like Tokyo Solamachi, Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park, Rikugien Garden, Odaiba, Institute for Nature, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo Disneyland, Ghibli Museum, Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo Motor Show, Tokyo Anime Fair, Tokyo Game Show, Sanno Matsuri,Tokyo Marathon, and Ceatec Japan.

Some nearby spots of Tokyo city are Nikko, Kamakura, Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone, Yokohama, Kusatsu Onsen, Izu Peninsula, Naritasan Temple, Minakami, Kawagoe, Ikaho Onsen, and Kawasaki.

Attaining to Tokyo:

By Air: the big international airport of Tokyo is properly linked to the world’s other airports. Countless flights from different nations are regularly reaching Tokyo so the most convenient method to attain the city is airline. Flights from Europe, North America, Asia and other destinations are having flights for Tokyo. Narita International airport of Japan is just 80 kms from the city. Some more big international airports of Japan are Kyushu, Osaka and Sapporo close to Tokyo as well.

By Rail: The Japan is famous for fastest rails in the world that means the railway station facility is finest as well. Railway system of Japan is perhaps top in the world. The fastest train ‘Shinkansen’, bullet trains and regular trains from diverse stations are available in Japan to reach different parts of the country. Train to Tokyo is available from almost every corner of the Japan.

By Bus: renting a car is best way to enjoy the clean and maintained roads of Japan. Local bus service is excellent in Japan so tourist will not face any problem with the transportation in the city or even country.

Vaishno Devi - Kashmir, India

Temple is the world-famous holy place for Hindus. This temple is devoted to Maa Shakti, situated in the mounts of Jammu & Kashmir. Vaishno Devi Mata is also recognized as Mata Rani & Vaishnavi. Vaishno Mata is the Mother Goddess of Hindus.

Katra is the nearest town of this temple and the only spot to reach Vaishno Mata Temple. Katra is in the district Reasi in the well-known state of India Jammu & Kashmir. This temple is one of the mainly respected places of adoration in India. This place of pilgrimage is situated at altitude of 5200 feet. The distance between Katra and Temple is around 14 kilometers. Roughly, 8 million devotees are reaching to this temple each year. This temple is the 2nd most visited spiritual place in India, after Tirupati in South India. Maintenance of the temple is done by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Indian railway has a link between Udhampur and Katra, which is being constructed to provide comfort to the visitors and pilgrimage. Closest airport to Katra is Jammu Airport, and visitors will get very high frequency of flights. Many domestic and international airlines are offering services to Jammu Airport.

As per Hindu epic, Mata Vaishno Devi was born in the south India in the residence of Ratnakar Sagar. Before the birth of child, Ratnakar swears one day that he will not interfere in the desire of child. The nick name of Ma Vaishno Devi was Trikuta. Afterward she was called as Vaishnavi as she took birth from Lord Vishnu's family. At the age of 9, she wanted her parents’ permission for doing reparation on the seaside. Vaishnavi prayed to Rama, who was the form of Lord Vishnu. Lord Rama gave the name Vaishnavi to Trikuta and assured her that Lord Rama will take rebirth in Kaliyuga and marry her as Kalki.

Meanwhile, Lord Rama asked Vaishnavi to contemplate in the cavern established in the Trikuta Range of hills, located in North India. Rama gave Trikuta a bow and darts, monkey’s army and lion as her shield. Mata Vaishnavi determined to perceive 'Navratra' for the success of Lord Rama in opposition to Ravan.

Shree Dhar was the keen devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi, and he was residing in a town known as Hansali, which is just 2 kms distant from Katra.

Mata Vaishno temple is situated between big hills of Katra, and the Bhairav temple is another pleased holy spot for Hindus. History behind the Bhairav temple is Mata Vaishno forgive him for his bad works and granted the freedom from the series of rebirth. She grants him a benefit that every devotee had to visit Bhairav Nath's temple situated on the higher hills of Katra.

The way to the temple is vertical and entails extended walk climbing. Otherwise horses and palanquins are available too. From a last couple of years the Helicopter service is also started as a part of journey to the temple.

 Places to visit near Vaishno Devi Temple:

Banganga: This is the holy river known as Ganga. The chilled water of the river comes across the big hills allows pilgrims to take bath and move further.

Geeta Mandir: The next temple for a devotee is Geeta Mandir.

Charan Paduka: Charan Paduka means foot signs, and devotees can watch the signs of foot of Mata Vaishno in this temple.

Adhkuwari: this is the holy place again near to Katra, and visitors can visit the goddess temples at this place. This is also the beginning point of Mata Vaishno Devi Journey. Visitors can have food items at this spot and can enjoy the beautiful nature view. Lots of facilities such as medical aid, drinking water, free accommodation, blankets and many other services are available at Adhkuwari.

Sanjhichhat: visitors will see lots of natural views from different spots, and Sanjhichhat is one of them. This is the spot from where people can hire the helicopter to reach the temple without difficulties. The beautifully designed spot is the attractive place for visitors.

Ample of bhawan are developed near Mata Vaishno Devi's temple so devotees can take a rest in these bhawan before continuing the journey.

Lots of facilities are provided to the devotees by the concerned board of Mata Vaishno temple. So tourist can enjoy the natural beauty, as well as they can get blessings of Mata by visiting the temple.

Transport:

By Air: closest airport to Vaishno devi is Jammu, which located at just 50 km distance from Katra. Jammu is properly linked with lots of major airports of India such as Delhi, Srinagar and Ladhakh. Frequent flights of various domestic and international companies are available to reach Jammu.

By Train: closest station is Jammu and proper trains are available from various parts of the country. A direct train from Trivandrum is biggest route which connects the Jammu through numerous states of country.

By Bus: The JKSRTC (Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation) buses are available for tourist to reach Jammu from where they can easily reach through taxi or other sources to Katra. Deluxe buses are also available for devotees to reach Katra and start their journey. 

Few Interesting Photos of Vaishno Devi Mata