The natural wonders in Africa and the Caribbean under threat

With the treat of global warming and over development destroying natural habitats, there are many stunning areas of the world which may be ruined or disappear totally in the next few decades. Throughout Africa and the Caribbean lie some of the world’s most fascinating cultural, historical and natural treasures; however, many of these sites are sadly struggling to survive.

According to a new book 500 Places to See Before They Disappear, we only have in some cases a couple of decades to visit some of the world’s wonder before they vanish. So where are the greatest gems in Africa and the Caribbean we should visit now? Here are the top five locations to see.

1. Tanzania, East Africa: Tanzania is home to the incredible, 610m deep, Ngorongoro Crater. The 30,000 animals that live there are unable to climb its steep slopes so, amazingly, have evolved to co-exist within the natural ‘enclosure’ of the crater. This is one of the rare locations that the critically endangered black rhinos dwell, of which less than 3,800 remain in the world.

2. Bonaire, Caribbean: Located near Venezuela, Bonaire is the Caribbean’s most Southwesterly island, and it is due to its remote nature, that Bonaire boasts one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Teeming with lustrous marine plant-life and rainbow-coloured fish, Bonaire's coast has been legally protected since 1979, enabling it to maintain this unblemished aquatic habitat. But with over 80 diving sites, around the 111 square miles of land, concerns are that its increasing popularity could lead to irrevocable damage to the fragile reef structure.

3. Namibia, Southwest Africa: Situated on the Southwest coast of Africa , Namibia with its burnished-red desert plains is a stunning natural landscape.

4. Negril, Jamaica, Caribbean: Considered one of the world’s most dazzling stretches of sand, Negril beach was originally targeted for the formation of tourist resorts, back in the 1950s
These developments, involving the dredging of sea-grass beds and the relentless destruction of coral reefs, have left the coastline susceptible to wave erosion, with the beach declining at an alarming pace.

5. Madagascar, off the south east coast of Africa: Madagascar is a country in a league of its own. This enchanted isle lies in the Indian Ocean, off the Southeast coast of Africa and is the world’s fourth largest island.The unrivaled biodiversity of Madagascar is extremely precious, but since the arrival of humans on the island, 15 species –including the pygmy hippo– have already been wiped out. Slash and burn agriculture is the fundamental cause for this crime against nature; and with the continuation of deforestation, many of these extraordinary creations are in severe danger of falling victim to the same catastrophic fate.

A South African adventure by rail

Recapture the golden age of rail travel on an epic 1000 mile journey through the heart of South Africa on board one of the world’s most elegant trains - ‘Highlights of South Africa’ is a classic new 16-day itinerary which has been introduced into the 2009 worldwide programme of Great Rail Journeys, the UK’s market leader for escorted holidays by rail.

The epitome of luxury, the Pride of Africa sleeper train provides five-star comfort, fine cuisine and first-class service on a journey through the African wilderness.

The tour commences in Cape Town with four nights at the five-star Cape Grace Hotel – regarded as one of the finest in Africa – which is located on its own private quay on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront with views of the ocean and Table Top Mountain.

Highlights here include a city tour, a cable car ascent of Table Mountain, a tour of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, a visit to the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch valleys – two of South Africa’s finest wine producing areas – plus an excursion to Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope and the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.

The holiday continues with eight nights – in luxurious air-conditioned Pullman Suites - on the restored private Pride of Africa train as it journeys through the African bush to Pretoria and Johannesburg, where guests enjoy city tours and an excursion to the Brenthurst Gardens, the private estate of the Oppenheimer family featured in Monty Don’s Great Gardens of the World series on the BBC.

Included en route are game drives in the Addo Elephant Park, the Mkhaya Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park – three of the best locations to experience South Africa’s abundance of wildlife. There are also visits to many landmark towns and cities including Oudtshoorn – home to the world’s largest population of ostriches - Bloemfontein (the ‘City of Roses’), Ladysmith and Durban, before ending with a night at the five-star Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg.
source:http://www.easier.com/view/Travel/Holidays/article-187859.html

Red Fort - Lal Quila - Tourist Places in Capital of India

Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and laid the foundation of Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, on 16th April 1639. It took nine years to build this mighty citadel and it got completed on 16th April 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, an astronomical sum in those days, was spent on its construction. Half of this sum was spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red sandstone, it is octagonal in shape, with two longer sides on the east and west.

The perimeter of its strong ramparts is about 2.41 km. Red Fort rises to a height of 33.5 m on the town side and 18 m along the river. A wide moat surrounds the fort, which was originally connected with the river and was always filled with water. The two main gateways, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate (named so, as they face Lahore and Delhi respectively), are three storeys high and are flanked by semi-octagonal towers. They are situated on the centre of the western and southern sides respectively.

The main entrance to the Lal Quila is through the Lahori Gate. Beyond the gate, there is a roofed passage, flanked by arcaded apartments leading to the palaces, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are now used as shops. Besides these, there are three more gates on other sides, which are kept closed now. The master builders of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies the rest of it.

Tousist Places in Delhi, India

Qutub Minar: Qutab Minar is among the tallest and famous towers in the world. The minaret is 234 feet high and the highest individual tower in the world. Other towers in the world are the Great Pagoda in Pekin, China and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy but these towers are not as high as the Qutab Minar in Delhi.Qutab Minar is another great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It has a number of floors or storeys which has beautiful carvings like the one on the tomb of Iltutmish. There are inscriptions all round the tower and these inscriptions reveal that Iltutmish finised the tower. The structure of the wall is made as such that it widens from top to bottom, just to make the minar stronger.The architectural wonder is surrounded by a lush green manicured garden, which is a much favoured leisure pad for Delhites, and you can see people lazing out their afternoons here and there.

Nainital - The hill station of Lakes

A rejuvenating place dotted with beautiful lakes. You would love this place for its pure scenic beauty.

Nainital is a small town located in the Hills of Kumaon flanked by hills in three sides.

Once this place used to boast of 60 lakes. But the few that remain today have a magical charm around them that hold the admirers hostage to their divine beauty.

The town of Nainital grows around the lake of Naini named after the revered goddess.

Nainital was discovered in 1841 by a Britisher called Lord Barron. The weather, the surrounding and the mesmerizing beauty of this area attracted the British administrator who turned this place into the summer capital of the United Province. Being a major tourist place Nainital is always bustling with visitors and it is always better if accommodation and other facilities are prearranged.

If you are in Nainital and have some horse riding experience then hire a horse and feel free to roam the town and explore the beauty of the adjoining area. It will give you a view that can seldom be matched by any other mode of transport. If you are a trekking enthusiast then you are in for a treat. choose from among the various trekking routes, pack a small bag and get going. I would advice not to go in a crowd. Split into smaller groups and then feel the peace and beauty of Nainital trickle into your veins. Honeymoon tour packages for Nainital are very popular among young couples in India and the Indian Subcontinent.

Ooty - The Sapphire in Blue Mountains Range

Ooty is known for its unique picturesque landscapes, plesant climate, tea estates and the abhoriginal Todas tribe.

Ooty is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Its the most popular hill station in south and the top choice destination for honeymooners and trekkers. A very suitable place to enjoy with your family and friends. If you are interested in Trekking then Ooty provides some very trekking tracks that are so serene and beautiful that you would like to trap every moment of your trek in your lens. The nilgiri bison, black monkeys, flying squirrels are really interesting creatures and you can see them if you are lucky. If you are in Ooty do not miss a ride on the Ooty toy train. It is a world heritage.

Places to visit in and around Ooty:
Botanical Garden: Great location and nice collection of exotic flowers and plants from around the world.

Ooty Lake: Good place to hang out on the lawn or take a boat ride in the lake. Entertainment for children with some joy rides 3d theaters etc.

Rose Garden: Laid on a terraced slope it blooms 2500 plus varieties of roses.

Dodabetta Peak: The highest peak in south India and is a cool view point.

Tea Museum: This place will catch your eye where ever you are in the Ooty town. It tells you about tea museum about history of Tea and a real time display of tea production. A free tea too.

Other places to visit around ooty: Pykara lake and falls, 9th Mile, Avalanche grass lands, Coonor, Catherine Falls, Dolphin Nose View point etc.

Munnar - Little London of India

Situated at the confluence of three mountain chains, Munnar is known for its climate and tea estates. The green hill station also boats of the highest mountain in south India - Anaimudi. Because of the likeness with the climate of London the erst while British officers made it their summer resort and affectionately labeled it "little London".

Hills all around Munnar are laid with tea estates since 1870 when A.H Sharp planted the first tea sapling. Munnar is also know for the exotic flower "NeelaKurinji" that blooms once in 12 years and bathes the whole landscape in blues color. Nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts will be in for a treat here. The wildlife sanctuary of Eravikulam is an ideal trekking zone. Just after the monsoon season in first half of August the world famous Kerala Snake Race is held in Alleyppy near Munnar.

Other places to visit in and around Munnar: Idukki, Kuthumkal Waterfalls, Observatory Hills, kundala, Pallivasal, Nyayamakkad, Echo Point, madupetty, Devikulam, Pothamedu