Archaeological findings show that the Poompugar City, which was inundated, was off the coast of Tamil Nadu of Southern India as mentioned in Tamil texts.
Some other older texts like Tolkappiyam, the oldest surviving Tamil text and grammar book written supposedly around 500 B.C., says that the Pumpugar City was supposedly flourishing there 7000 years ago before tsunami tidal waves took the city beneath the sea.
Most of the people thought it was only a myth until they experienced the 2004-tsunami tidal waves and experienced its massive devastation.
With drifting memories of the ruined Poompukar and walking along the destroyed marine drive in the Indian Ocean’s coastal Mullaitivu, the LTTE member showed me a well near the beach and told me that that was pure water well now turned into salt water. I stepped up a ladder and peeped into the well, there was a motor for pumping the water out from the well. Though they had been dredging continuously for days, there was no significant difference in the water. The tsunami waves might have changed the underneath water system.
When I was about to step into the vehicle, the Catholic priest of the ruined church arrived. We went to him to hear of the tragedies of that fateful day and how he had survived. He had narrowly escaped as he was in a different church at the time when the tsunami demolished his church. God had saved the life of a spiritual leader to console the people who had lost their kith and kin and almost everything. We condoled with him on what had happened.
We started our journey towards Mulliavallai hospital, which was originally a maternity hospital, but now turned into an emergency ward for tsunami victims as well.
A decade ago in the CARE days I have visited that area a number of times. But now the landscape had changed a lot.
When we were reaching the Mulliawalai area, old memories came alive. At the Mulliavalai hospital we heard many horrific stories of tsunami tidal waves. Entering the hospital we saw pregnant women, mothers with newborn infants and those who narrowly escaped housed there together in the same ward. The German Praktikum (Internship) students, I noticed were a little puzzled by the hospital and its set-up.
They might have wondered at the unusual combination of patients with different ailments being brought together or at the condition and the available facilities of the hospital to serve many an affected victim. The large hospitals they were accustomed to in Germany might have disturbed them when they compared them with the Asian jungle’s tiny hospital. They might have well experienced the disparities of the very first Planet Earth where they were living on many grounds.
We went to meet the doctors and other health officials attached to the hospital in the front office of the hospital, and they came out with many pathetic stories about the condition of the hospital. They had only two medical officers for medical services, which are normally provided with twenty medical officers in a developed country, which run them efficiently. Dr. Jayalath, Dietmar Doering and the team had a lengthy discussion and came out with alternative arrangements in order to compensate for the shortfalls.
When I came out of the office the young students who were busily unloading medicines and medical instruments from a medium sized lorry of the six-vehicle convoy surprised me.
Immediately after the unloading, the tired Fredrike Wagnar, an undergraduate student of a Munich-based university was giving an interview on her experience about the tsunami devastation, which will be telecast all over Germany by satellite transmission. She was shaking her hands while talking as though she wanted such gestures to enhance her expressions of the extent of the tsunami devastation.
Her eyes were expressive adding more meaning to the tragedy. The eyes had a gleam in the mid-noon daylight.
Immediately after the interview I talked to Fredrike Wagnar. As she has a grasp of economics, her view about the disaster had a different dimension towards sorting out and coping with the crisis. The way she was behaving to express the tragedy was heart-rending.
mailto:rajsingam@mail.com Rajkumar Kanagasingam is author of a fascinating book on German memories in Asia and you can explore more about the book and the author at agsep.com/page.php?id=152 AGSEP
Looking for a complete holiday journey? Travel to India to experience its incredible charm. But you can’t imagine your journey full of fun and pleasure without an experience of Rajasthan Holiday Trip during your India visit.
Rajasthan is the land of colourful people and costume. Historical Rajasthan tells marvelous legends of valor and romance. Legends, which still resonate from its equally remarkable architecture standing erect, a witness to a glorious bygone era of imperial Rajasthan.
Literally, Rajasthan means the land of kings and princes. The state is the ultimate combination of history, chivalry, romance, natural beauty and colour. Gifted with natural beauty, grand & rich culture and great history Rajasthan is a renowned tourist destination.
Rajasthan is the largest state of India in terms of area. Situated on the northeast borders of India; Rajasthan broadens out into the Thar Desert. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur (popularly known as Pink City). Located against the backdrop of Aravalli hills, Jaipur is on of the most popular destination in India. Other important tourist destinations in imperial Rajasthan that Rajasthan Holiday Packages cover are Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pushkar, Udaipur etc. Each place has its own historical and cultural significance.
Rajasthan Palace tour takes you to experience the incredible charisma of various royal forts, palaces, monuments and heritage hotels. The palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer are among the most ideal destination of many tourists, domestic as well as foreign.
The magic of colourful Rajasthan is matchless in the world for its heritage, culture, safaris, sand dunes and lush green forests with its wildlife.
Rajasthan is a place where tradition and history merge with modern life styles. People are proud of their heritage and yet open to change western values.
The once impregnable sand coloured forts, perched on rocky hills, still tell the story of the courage of its men, the stoic sacrifice of women and the chivalrous old world manners of all.
Rajasthan is well-known for adventure and sports, too. It is also well-known for wildlife. It is home of many animals and birds. Ranthambhor National Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Desert National Park, Keoladeo Ghana National Park etc are some of famous wildlife destinations in Rajasthan that is covered by greatindiaholiday.com/wildlife-holidays-rajasthan.html Wildlife holidays Rajasthan tour packages.
Going on a Jeep safari or Camel safari is perhaps one of the best ways of experiencing the royal & rustic Rajasthan.
It is often called that Rajasthan is shoppers’ paradise. One can purchase here exclusive craft of mirror work embroidery, metal and leather crafts, beautiful paintings or can taste the special cuisine of Rajasthan.
Michael Braganza is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on swagattours.com/ Rajasthan Tours and swagattours.com/rajasthan-tours/golden-triangle-tours.html Golden Triangle Tour. Now he is rendering his services to swagattours.com/ swagattours.com/
So you’re headed to Orlando… but where to start? You’ll find such a wealth of fantastic resorts and restaurants it can be difficult to choose exactly what you wish to indulge in. How best can you plan a visit in which each day comes with the finest this marvelous vacation spot has to offer? In order to help you in making the overwhelming decisions of where to stay and what places to dine, here are what I believe to be Orlando’s best offerings:
Best Deluxe Resort
On Disney property it’s the Grand Floridian with its upscale Victorian atmosphere and lagoonside setting facing the Magic Kingdom. Off-property, hands-down, it’s the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes where you may never even feel the need to leave the property. At Universal, go for the Portofino Bay Hotel with its unsurpassed ambience of an Italian seaside resort.
Best Resort Pool
* Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club’s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini water park
* The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin’s lush grotto-style lagoon pool
* The Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect view of Cinderella’s Castle
* The boulder-strewn wonderland at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser
* The lush fantasyland pool at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress cooled by twelve waterfalls
Best Home-Away-From-Home Property
The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its Bay Lake frontage and national park character or Disney’s Beach Club Villas conveniently located next door to Epcot.
Best Resort Atmosphere
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where hundreds of animals roam the savanna and the air is pulsating to the beat of African drums. Running a close second is Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel where guests are transported to a romantic, seaside Italian village.
Best Resort Lobby
How to choose? Three of Disney’s resorts make the cut: the Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, all eye-popping in their grandeur.
Best Access To The Parks
The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian with monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Ticket and Transportation Center. At Universal, the Hard Rock Hotel is just a 5-minute walk or boat ride away to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk.
Best Resort For Romance
Disney’s Polynesian Resort whose lush tiki torch-lit grounds and white-sand beaches with views of Cinderella’s Castle are simply dreamy or Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel where an evening stroll along the bay with Italian arias playing in the distance can’t be beat.
Best Resort For Nature-Lovers
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, a nature-lover’s dream of rushing waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbly creeks, all surrounded by stately pine trees and beautiful Bay Lake.
Best Resort Lounges
* California Grill Lounge found on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort with unrivaled views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon, great for cocktails, sushi, and a view of the Wishes fireworks display.
* Disney’s Grand Floridian’s lobby. Pick up a cocktail at Mizner’s, then head down to this magnificent oasis to relax in the cushy seating while listening to the sounds of a big band orchestra or live piano music.
* Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s Great Ceremonial House. Sip on tropical drinks amid lush foliage and views of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
* Territory Lounge, a rustic retreat in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
* bluezoo’s bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the coolest place around.
* Velvet, the ultra-hip cocktail lounge at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel.
* Bar America, Portofino Bay Hotel’s sophisticated lounge overlooking the romantic piazza.
* Top of the Palace Lounge, a sophisticated bar with the best views around high atop the Wyndham Palace Resort near Downtown Disney.
Best Italian
Palio at the Walt Disney World Swan where the Tortellini con Aragosta topped with enormous amounts of lobster is amazing, or Portobello Yacht Club at Downtown Disney for a fantastic, thin-crusted pizza followed by the Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, crimini mushrooms, plum tomatoes, black olives, and escarole.
Best Seafood
Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk for Potato Wrapped Red Snapper with creamy leek fondue and red wine reduction, or the newcomer on the block, Todd English’s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, where seafood is taken to new heights. Off Disney property it’s got to be Roy’s on Sand Lake Road near Universal for Roy Yamaguchi’s remarkable Hawaiian Fusion cuisine.
Best Steaks
Shula’s at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, a standout for sensational Angus beef steaks cooked to perfection, or Vito’s Chop House on International Drive for the filet mignon stuffed with gorgonzola.
Best Restaurant For Romance
Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian, the only AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in Central Florida. Here you’ll savor a sumptuous six-course meal served on elegant fine china to the accompaniment of enchanting harp music. And I can’t forget Norman’s at the Ritz Carlton for fine dining in plush surroundings all enveloped in the grandeur of an amazing resort.
Best Restaurant For Kids
Children love the Rainforest Café at the Animal Kingdom or Downtown Disney where they’re bombarded with thunderstorms and noisy audio-animatronic wildlife. A close runner up is Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; come prepared for plenty of hoopin’ and hollerin’ and please, whatever you do, don’t ask for the ketchup unless, that is, you like a lot of attention.
Best Character Meal
Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom, a chance to feast in a fairytale castle with Cinderella, Jasmine, Aladdin, Belle, and Snow White. Or try the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom for a tasty, bountiful buffet hosted by Winnie the Pooh and his friends.
Best Hip Atmosphere
Todd English’s bluezoo at the Dolphin, the coolest spot this side of South Beach, or Tchoup Chop at Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort, a knock-em-dead, Asian-inspired beauty.
Best Disney View
Arthur’s 27 at the Wyndham Palace whose drop-dead setting is only topped by its creative cuisine, or California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with its picture-perfect views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Wishes fireworks presentation.
Best Disney Resort Restaurant
Tough call. My favorites are the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort (just about anything on their exceptional menu is fantastic), Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian (particularly the Chef’s Table where Chef Scott Hunnel oversees an 11-course meal designed especially for you), and Todd English’s bluezoo at the Dolphin (try the miso glazed Chilean sea bass with warm sesame spinach).
Best Universal Resort Restaurant
Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Resort. Wonderful Asian and Polynesian-influenced cuisine in a stunning setting of bamboo, waterfalls, and a lotus-filled reflecting pool. Share the Crunchy Shrimp with butter lettuce leaves and hot & sour chili glaze, move on to the Firecracker Fresh Fish served with papaya-serrano salsa, Asian pesto drizzle, and coconut-lemongrass sauce, and finish with a slice of Banana Cream Pie topped with caramel sauce and chocolate shavings.
Best Downtown Disney Restaurant
Wolfgang Puck’s Upstairs Dining Room for dishes like Szechuan marinated “Chinois” lamb rack served with a spicy cilantro-mint sauce or the restaurant’s exceptionally great Wienerschnitzel.
Best Epcot Illuminations View
Rose and Crown in World Showcase’s United Kingdom. Set your priority seating for about one hour prior to show time and pray for a table with a good view.
Best Milkshake
Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort serves oh-so-delicious thick shakes and malts in a frosty fountain glass with the extras on the side in the stainless steel shaker.
Best Pizza
You can’t beat the pizzas at Downtown Disney’s Wolfgang Puck Cafe (choose the BLTA with applewood-smoked bacon, mozzarella, roma and sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, and chopped romaine), Downtown Disney’s Portobello Yacht Club (thin-crusted and smokey flavored), or Mama Melrose’s at Disney-MGM Studios (don’t miss the grilled chicken pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto, pancetta, and asiago cheese).
Best Breakfast
Spoodles at Disney’s Boardwalk. I love the Egg Rotollo, scrambled eggs with chorizo, onions, peppers, and cheddar cheese rolled in Lavosh (flatbread) and served with breakfast potatoes and marinated tomatoes.
I could go on and on but I’ll restrain myself and stop here. There’s a world of resorts and restaurants just waiting to be explored. And you’ll never even have to leave Orlando to find it!
Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553, or luxurydisneyguide.com luxurydisneyguide.com
Florida has always been a popular vacation destination for people from colder climates. Florida’s miles of coastline offers a wide array of choices of vacation rentals to choose from. Florida condos, Florida vacation homes, Florida townhouses- the choices are many. Orlando, the champion of theme park destinations draws a record number of tourists every year. Though man made, the charms here are very impressive indeed.
Tourists wanting a quieter vacation can opt for Amelia Island. Condo rentals in Amelia Island offer a unique island experience. Tourists can have a gala time kayaking, canoeing, fishing and just relaxing on the white sandy beaches.
Anna Maria vacation rentals are a favorite haunt of honeymooners. Surfing, sun bathing and strolling on the beach are activities that make even long vacations seem very short. People hate leaving, and when they do it is always with a promise to return soon. Other famous beach destinations are the Blue Mountain beach, Deerfield beach, Bonita beach to name a few. Vacation homes are aplenty at all these beach destinations and a two bedroom condo would fall in the range of $1400 – $2000. One bedroom condos can be rented for $400-$500.
Pool homes can be found in Central Florida in areas like Clermont, Croom forest, Davenport, Orlando, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista.
Vacation rentals overlooking the waterfront are also much in demand. Depending on the number of bedrooms available, rates for these vacation rentals start from $400 and go up to $1000 for a luxurious three bedroom property. Upmarket oceanfront condos cost upwards of $1200 a day and are well worth all the money spent on them. The breathtaking views of the ocean are priceless.
Other types of vacation rentals available in Florida are apartments, bungalow, villas, cabins, cottages and even islands. Florida vacation rentals are available in varying price ranges to fit any vacation budget.
e-FloridaVacationRentals.com Florida Vacation Rentals provides detailed information on Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacation Home Rentals, Florida Keys Vacation Rentals, Florida Beach Vacation Rentals and more. Florida Vacation Rentals is affiliated with e-FloridaVacations.com Florida Vacation Homes.
