AMOUAGE – The Gift of Kings

Founded over a quarter of a century ago, Amouage is a niche luxury fragrance house that draws inspiration from its birthplace of the Sultanate of Oman, infusing reference points from a rich and colorful heritage that fires the imagination of all who come into contact with its wonderful products. Amouage is derived from Frankincense (also called Olibanum) an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia Sacra. In the year 1983, at the request of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud al Busaidi, then Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court, Amouage founded the company in order to reconnect with the Arab tradition of luxury perfumes. Their first perfume launched in 1984 under the same name was designed by Robert Guy. The design of the bottle – gold, silver and semi-precious stones – is entrusted to Asprey London a sign of luxury. Amouage was elected as the “Product of the Year” at Cannes in the year 1991.

Amouage is a lifestyle sought after by only the most sophisticated and discerning international consumer. Today, it has a stellar following around the world including Royals, global leaders and some of the most celebrated names in film, television, fashion, sport and music. At the heart of the brand “Amouage” lies a signature accord that cultivates the ultimate luxury of being unique and distinctive, that draws in line with the destination Oman.

The perfume brand has evolved in Oman through Amouage’s existing premises in Muscat. The two-storey perfumery opened its doors to visitors to view the various stages of perfume manufacturing from ingredient maceration to bottling and packaging as well as explaining the perfume extraction process.

Amouage’s new Factory & Visitors’ Centre is intended to become a staple tourist destination and has been especially built for guests fully to experience the brand’s essence and DNA. This new state-of-the-art Factory and Visitors’ Centre in Muscat, Oman can be visited by tourists during daytime.

For Saurashtrians(Gujarat, India), “lions are like kin”

The people of Saurashtra(Gujarat, India) take care of lions as they would of their family members. If they spot a lion in the vicinity of their village, they take pride in the fact and protect it. These statements were made by the government in the assembly for the first time.

Minister of state for forests and environment Govind Patel – in response to a question from Nikol MLA Jagdish Panchal – informed the house that lions were found in many places of India, but they survive only in Gujarat owing to people’s conservation efforts.

“They are the pride of Gujarat and it was only because of the people of Saurashtra that the lion population grew,” Patel said.

“Even if lions attack cattle in villages, the villagers are tolerant of lions”.

Patel told the house that government has also created post of ‘van mitras’ who take care of the animal and keep a watch on the movement inside the sanctuary. He said 898 eco-clubs had been formed in the Saurashtra region.

Responding to a question Patel said that there were 411 lions – 97 males and 162 females – in the sanctuary. He further said that the state had created gene – pool centers. Five new cubs have been born in the last year at the Rampara Virdi centre. These cubs have been born to two pairs of lions captured from completely different areas and brought to Rampara to ensure that the genes different. These centre’s provide a shield against weakening genes of Gir Lions.

For example if the lioness was from Sasan (Gujarat, India), the lion would be from a far off area of Tulsishyam(Jungadh, Gujarat, India) or even Bhavnagar. The minister said that there have been no instances of villagers offering baits to lions in order to show the animals to visitors. However, he admitted that his department had penalized people caught on the spot to the tune of Rs. 93,000 to Rs 31,400.

Courtesy: Times of India.   

Of 92 lion deaths in last two years, 83 were natural

No incident of poaching: Government

A total of 92 lions have died in the last two years in Saurashtra region (Gujarat, India). Of these, 83 died natural deaths while the remaining nine died of accidental causes, like falling into open wells.

Minister of state forest and environmental Govind Patel told the House in a written reply to Lathi MLA Bhavku Unghad’s question. The government said that said that 46 lions each died in the year 2011 and 2012. The minister said that among the dead cats were 43 cubs, 20 males, while the rest were females.

The minister said that there was no incident of poaching in the any part of the state. He added that in 2011 five lions lost like in different kinds of incidents, while the number was four in 2012.

The death of 46 animals was normal as only 11 per cent of the animals are dying annually. The officer said that also there was a drop over the past few years in the number of accidental deaths. The forest department has begun a drive to cover up wells in and around Gir Forest (Gujarat, India). However, such incidents of death due to falling in a well were reported in the areas far away from the sanctuary.

The official added that of one looked at the figure more cubs have died recently. A study by Dr. V. Meena of the Wildlife Institute of India titled “Reproductive Strategy and Behavior of Male Asiatic Lions” revealed that survival rate of cubs was lowest in the first year of birth and gradually increases in second and third year, he added.

Courtesy: – Times Of India

Can Indian geneticists revive Asiatic cheetah?

A few days ago, when scientists inched closer to reviving an Australian frog species that has been extinct for the last 30 years, they also revived the world’s fascination for De-extinction – a concept that walks the thin line between science fiction and reality. Bringing to life species that have been wiped off the face of earth is a dream many geneticists have pursued for years.

“If India were to aggressively pursue it, there are at least three extinct species that can get a shot at coming back for the dead” says Sandeep Sharma of the Washington based Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

“High on the list is the Asiatic Cheetah that went extinction in India soon after Independence. The others are the pink-headed duck and the maintain quail. There are a few pre-historic species, too, but then it might get too ambitious.”

Indian geneticists have been attempting to clone the Asiatic Cheetah – a favorite animal of the Mughal emperor Akbar who reportedly has an army of 1000 cheetahs accompany him on his hunting expeditions. But efforts to recreate the majestic predator have encountered several roadblocks. “The biggest hurdle is procuring the cell-line of the cheetah and defining protocols for somatic cell transfer. Once this happens, we have a realistic chance of reviving the cheetah in India,” says S Shivaji of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hydrabad.

Somatic cell transfer involves creating a clone embryo with a donor nucleus in a laboratory and is considered as the first step in reproductive cloning. India has recently imported a few cheetahs whose cell lines, says Shivaji, CCMB is trying to get. After that, it would be a case of attempting again and again – success rates in reproductive cloning are just about 5% till an Asiatic cheetah cub is born.

Nobody knows when this might happen. “We are still not sure what factors combine together to create the 5% success rate,” says Shivaji.

De-extinction itself is a subject that has drawn diverse opinions. Those opposing it says that is a species went extinct over a period of time – Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest propounds this is nature’s way of balancing itself – is it prudent to re-introduce it in an ecosystem where some other species may have taken over it role? Ulhas Karanth of Wildlife Conservation Society says it makes no sense at all. “De-extinction is unlikely to work because factors that caused the original extinction continue to operate”.

However, De-extinction proponents continue to be gung-ho about its prospects. “It should not be an either/or question,” says Ryan Phelan, executive director of Us NGO Revive & Restore which recently organized a much publicized conference on the subject along with National Geographic and TED. “It’s really an all one continuum. What’s good for extinct species will be great for endangered ones”.

If man does succeed in playing god, it might just be Jurassic Park all over again, hopefully minus the horror.

Courtesy: – Times of India.

Biggest Ship in Asia : MARINER OF THE SEAS

Biggest Ship in Asia : MARINER OF THE SEAS ……….with 3,114 guests passenger capacity.

Ex Singapore sailings: 1^st June (3 nights ) and 4^th june  (4 nights)

Ship Highlights :                                           

• Vitality Spa & Fitness Center                                                   * 4 pools / 6 whirlpools

• Poolside, outdoor movie screen                                               * Royal Promenade
• Rock climbing wall                                                                     * Complimentary ice-skating shows in Studio B
• 15 bars, clubs, and lounges that never have a cover, including Boleros Latin-themed lounge and Wig & Gavel Pub
• Dreamworks Experience: Only on Royal Caribbean :Cruise with your favourite characters from Madagascar, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and more. Meet and have your photo taken with your favourite DreamWorks characters, watch exhilarating character parades, tableside visits during character meals and see the Madagascar movies as well as other fantastic DreamWorks films brought to life in our 3D theatre or in your stateroom.

• 9,623 square foot Vegas-style Casino Royale® with 283 slots and 16 tables
• Main Dining Room with complimentary, multi-course dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• More complimentary dining options including Windjammer Café, Jade Sushi and Asian-fusion cuisine, Café Promenade for coffee and pastries/snacks, Boardwalk Dog House and room service (Late night service charge applies to room service orders between 12: 00 am and 5:00 a.m)
• Chops Grills Steakhouse and Giovanni’s Table, choose any items off the menu from appetizer to dessert* (low cover charge applies)
• Casual dining and snacks at Johnny Rockets and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream* (low cover charge applies)

Cruising with dreamworks characters ..

 ROYAL PROMENADE  :

                                                                         DURING THE DAY

   AT NIGHT

ICE SKATING RINK :

  At night  :

At Day:

ENTERTAINMENT :

                                                                                                                  Evening shows                          

Casino

 

ENTERTAINMENT WITH DREAM-WORKS’ CHARACTERS…

3 Night Far East starting 01-JUN-2013

DATE	PORTS OF CALL	ARRIVAL	DEPARTURE	ACTIVITY
Sat 01 Jun 2013	Singapore		05:00 PM	Boarding
Sun 02 Jun 2013	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	08:00 AM	06:00 PM	Docked
Mon 03 Jun 2013	Cruising			Cruising
Tue 04 Jun 2013	Singapore	06:00 AM		Departure

4 Night Far East starting 04-JUN-2013

DATE	PORTS OF CALL	ARRIVAL	DEPARTURE	ACTIVITY
Tue 04 Jun 2013	Singapore		05:00 PM	Boarding
Wed 05 Jun 2013	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	08:00 AM	06:00 PM	Docked
Thu 06 Jun 2013	Langkawi, Malaysia	08:00 AM	06:00 PM	Docked
Fri 07 Jun 2013	Cruising			Cruising
Sat 08 Jun 2013	Singapore	06:00 AM		Departure

For more details contact:- 00-91-9825673771

Gir lioness baby – sits, feeds siblings

In display of Unusual Behavior, introduces cubs to meat early

There’s nothing like a sister’s love. A young lioness, baby sitting her three six – week – old step siblings when the mother is away hunting, has caught the eye of foresters in the Gir Sanctuary(Sasan Gir, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India) .

Experts say this is a rare sight in the wild – the three year old lioness not only watches over the cubs, but hunts for them as well.  Deputy Conservator of forests, Sandeep Kumar, who is documenting this unique behavior, says generally one and a half month old cubs are not exposed to flesh and blood. “They only survive on mother’s milk”, he says. “But in this case, we noticed that when the mother is not around, the sister not only takes care of the cubs but also gets them fresh meat and they seem to be doing well so far”.

Kumar adds that cubs first taste the meat when they are slightly older. “On a couple of occasions, the sister dragged the kill to the cubs and watched them eat,” he adds. To ensure that this premature weaning does not have any adverse effect, the foresters are regularly monitoring the health of the cubs.

Even the mother has started hunting closer to home and bringing the kill to the cubs. She makes the kill before the cubs, but ensures that they are at a safe distance, which officials say may be a way of teaching them the first lesions of hunting.

Gujarat additional principal chief conservator of forests, H.S. Singh says, “Usually, the mother would not expose the cubs to blood before 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, they are given their first taste of blood and only after a while are they allowed to eat meat”.

“Lion cubs are nursed till about six months,” says Meena Venkatraman, who has a PhD in lion behavior from Wildlife Institute of India. “They may start to feed on tidbits of meat when the prides are feeding on a kill. This is usually around three months. However, tasting meat is not same as eating meat”.

Courtesy: – Times of India

London: Taking the path less travelled

For a city synonymous with royalty, the Big Ben and London Eye, London is also a treasure trove of unusual gems for the discerning traveler eyes. A peek under the River Thames reveals the nine feet wide and 1,200 feet long Greenwich Foot Tunnel that is a pedestrian link between North and South London and has been open since 1902.

Those with a yen for unusual things can head down to The Fan Museum that boasts a collection of more than 3,000 specimens of fans from all over the world. After you are done ogling at the fans on display in the restored building, sit down for a famous cuppa tea in the elegant Orangery in the grounds. If nature is your thing, then saunter by The Parkland Walk that is well known and loved as a place of quiet and peace in the heart of a bustling city and offers panoramic views of the city.

The best way to round up your adventures in London is a genuine East End adventure with a walk in the local morning market, savoring local cuisine and culture. It’s truly an experience that no guide book can offer.

Off Beat London

Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Fan Museum
Parkland Walk
East End Walk

LADAKH MOTORCYCLE SAFARI

  MANALI – KEYLONG – SARCHU – LEH – KHARDUNGLA PASS – JISPA

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Departure from 8^th June’2013

DETAILED TOUR PROGRAMME:

DAY 1, 8^th June’13: ARRIVE MANALI

On arrival in Manali, check into the hotel & relax. Manali is located near the northern end of Kullu Valley & on the banks of River Beas at the height of 2050 m. Manali – an important hill station & breathtaking natural beauty is the hallmark of this valley. After Lunch, you will check your Royal Enfield 500 cc Motorcycle. We will ride Enfield in & around Manali for local sightseeing & you will be taught all skills to handle Enfield in mountains. In the evening take a walk on Mall Road to see the colorful Market of Manali.  Overnight in Hotel.

DAY 2, 9^th June’13: MANALI – KEYLONG (115 kms / about 6 hrs ride}

Morning after breakfast start ride to Keylong over Rohtang la pass (3980 m). On arrival in Keylong, check into the hotel and relax. Later explore the area by walk.  Overnight in Hotel at Keylong.

DAY 3, 10^th June’13: KEYLONG – SARCHU (120 Kms /about 5 hrs ride}

Morning after breakfast leisurely ride over the scenic Bara Lacha La at a height of 4830 Mt from MSL that is called Switzerland of India. After crossing the pass drop down to the vast Sarchu plains. Sarchu is situated on the bank of the Bhaga river & with that Sarchu offers marvelous views of the majestic Himalayas and spellbinding scenery.  On arrival in Sarchu, check into the Camp & relax. Overnight in camp at Sarchu.

DAY 4, 11^th June’13: SARCHU – LEH (250 km / about 7 hrs ride)

Morning after breakfast start ride to Leh. Enroute enjoy the pretty village alongside of the Indus River. On arrival in Leh & check-into the hotel & relax.

DAY 5, 12^th June’13: EXPLORE INDUS VALLEY

Morning after breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to the Indus valley, visiting

Shey Palace- a ruined Castle, after that visit the 14^th century Thikse monastery, it is  an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture. It is a glorious Buddhist monastery & a marvelous Buddha statue in the seated position is adorning the main prayer hall. Later visit the Hemis monastery- the richest monastery in Ladakh. Later back to hotel for overnight.

DAY 6, 13^th June’13:  LEH – KHARDUNGLA PASS

After breakfast we ride about 39 Kms to Khardungla La Pass (the World’s Highest Motorable Road at a height of 5606 m), where we take a stop for Photography because the view from the top is spectacular & take a cup of coffee at World’s Highest point.  Later ride back to Leh. After lunch, we visit nine storeys Leh Palace and it was built by King Singe Namgyal in the 16^th century, also visit Shanti Stupa (Japanese Pagoda) a magnificent white-domed structure, offers spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. Overnight in Hotel at Leh.

DAY 7, 14^th June’13: LEH–SARCHU (250 km / about 7 hrs ride)

Morning enjoy the walk on the bank of Tsomoriri lake & visit the Korzok monastery. The monastery itself is a beautiful construction standing in the silence of the lake and the mountains. Later start ride to Sarchu. On arrival in Sarchu & check-into the Camp & relax. Overnight in Hotel at Leh.

DAY 8, 15^th June’13: SARCHU – JISPA (110 Kms / 4-5 hrs ride)

Morning after breakfast, start ride for Jispa. Jispa is very beautiful village situated on the bank of Bhaga River & the surrounding peaks covered with mist and clouds creating an awesome view. On  arrival in  Jispa, Check in Hotel & relax. O/n in Hotel.

DAY 9, 16^th June’13: JISPA–MANALI (145 Kms / 6 hrs ride)

After breakfast ride for Manali. On arrival in Manali, check into the hotel & relax. Evening enjoy your farewell dinner.

DAY 10, 17^th June’13: DEPART FROM MANALI

After breakfast, you can use the room till 12:00 Hrs. Later you are free to move as per your schedule.

Your adventure & culture Motorcycle tour to Himalaya concludes with sweet memories!

Cost for the Fixed Departure Package of 8^th June’2013:-

Per Rider: Rs. 55,000/-

Per Pillion: Rs. 42,000/-

Note: (Just Pay 25% to book your seat at the time of confirmation. To operate this Fixed Departure, we need minimum 10 Riders & in case we don’t get 10 Riders, then have to cancel the trip & will refund the full amount to the rider.)

Package Cost Inclusions:

• 09 nights accommodation on Twin sharing basis.
• Daily Breakfast, Evening Tea & Dinner.
• Royal Enfield Motorcycle as per above Itinerary.
• Restricted Area Permits for Khardungla Pass.
• Back up vehicle for your luggage & motorcycle spare parts.
• Experienced mechanic on all riding days.
• AC Volvo Bus ticket Delhi-Manali-Delhi.
• English speaking Motorcycle Tour Leader for whole trip.
• All taxes

Cost does not include:

Any Airfare, Fuel for bike, In Case of major mechanical damage participant will have to pay for replaced parts & for servicing done by the local shop, Accident damage will have to pay by rider, Accessories for Bikes as per actual cost, Additional cost for changes in the Itinerary due to Weather, Travel Insurance, Lunch, Camera and video camera fees, Personal expenses like tips, bar & restaurant charge, Telephone bills, any other personal expenses which are not including the above cost include portion.

For Bookings Contact: +91 9825673771.

Top 25 Photographs from the Wilderness #7

Top 25 Photographs from the Wilderness #7.