House Boats of Kashmir

The sounds of rippling waters and the beautiful houseboats are the greatest attractions of Kashmir. Made up of cedar wood, these mesmerizing water boat residences have elegance and are complete with stately living quarters, drawing and dining rooms, carved wooden furniture, glowingly embroidered rugs and fabrics. The large windows of the houseboats provide beautiful views of the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayan Mountains and the pretty Dal Lake with beautiful lotus flowers adorning it. The breathtaking views combined with the silent and serene atmosphere and homely comforts are enough to infuse new lives and rejuvenate the visitors.
There are wide varieties of houseboats, one can choose from, according to one's needs and requirements. 'Firdaus' are known for their grandeur and has three double bedrooms with attached bathrooms, hot and cold water and a lavish living room. 'Khushal' is a little smaller with two double bedrooms along with the other desired comforts. However, the most beloved of the honeymooners are 'Nishat' and 'Khushdil' with one double bedroom, privacy and comforts along with the beautiful views of the lake. The Dal Lake or Nagin Lake of Srinagar is also famous for its 'Shikaras', the floating vegetable gardens, the visitors love to have a ride on, to all the way to the Mughals' Paradise.
Besides the homely comforts and delicacies of the houseboat and the famous Shikara ride, the other luxuries one can enjoy are sunbathing on the houseboats on the top-deck. Water - powered peddlers sell everything from saffron to papier mache deer to the houseboat door.

KASHMIR - "THE HEAVEN ON EARTH....."

Natural Beauty
Kashmir is famous for its beautiful and natural scenery and varieties of flora and fauna throughout the world. It is also widely known for its different kinds of agricultural products, fruit, vegetables, saffron, herbs, minerals, precious stones and finest kind of embroidery on clothes.

Kashmir Valley
Perfection beyond this world makes Kashmir a paradise. The land of sparkling rivers and sleepy lakes, of startling gardens and regal Chinar trees, Kashmir boasts of some of the most beautiful flowering meadows and snow-capped peaks. The abundance of natural beauty has earned the valley a nickname of the 'Switzerland of the East'. It is mesmerizing to see how this endless beauty never fails to charm the viewers with its changing scenes from dazzling white snow of Winters to blooming fragrance of Spring. The sparkling greenery of Summers are welcome too as the flaming beauty of Autumn. The art house of the Seasons, the beauty of Kashmir is complete to the giggling girls with fair Indian complexion and rosy cheeks and the exquisite handicrafts of the area.

The Glorious Name
There have been different versions of the legend behind the name of Kashmir. It is said that the great saint Kashyap Rishi went on a pilgrimage to the place. When he reached Naukabandan near Kaunsarnag, at the request of the people he killed Bahudev, the giant of Satisar and let the water of the lake flow out near Baramulla. Thus, the place came to be known as Kashyapmar or the some other historians dispute that this valley was so called only when the people of Kash caste settled here permanently.

LAKES IN KASHMIR...

The paradisiacal beauty of Kashmir valley can be mainly attributed to its outlandish natural beauty, pretty landscape and beautiful water bodies. These water bodies are of great ecological and socio-economic significance. The most famous of these are Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar with their multi-faceted eco-system and grandeur. National and international tourists throng to the place attracted by the breathtaking beauty of the places.

Dal Lake has rightfully become an icon of the Kashmir tourism industry. A Himalayan urban lake, it has five basins and a number of channels that are well linked with each other. There are plenty of fishes in Dal Lake and fishery is the second largest industry of the region centered on the lake. The sparkling quiet waters of Dal surrounded by snow-capped mountains on its three sides, undoubtedly mark it as one of the most beautiful lakes of India. It is also the second largest lake in the State of Jammu and Kashmir with numerous gardens and orchards all along its shores. Houseboats form an indelible part of the scenery of the Dal Lake that are always ready to take tourists to a romantic and peaceful ride of the lake and soothe their nerves as the houseboat floats over the slightly rippling waters. They also offer some of the most exotic views of the splendid scenery of the Dal Lake.

There are Shikaras that look like small ornate versions of the gondolas of Venice that offers ferry rides to and from the banks of the lake to the houseboats. The shores of the Lake houses the distinct Moghul monuments and the campus of the University of Kashmir while the two hillocks overlooking the lake house Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat temples. The glorious Mughal gardens on its shores contribute to the beauty of the Dal Lake. Out of about five hundred gardens laid down in 16th to 17th century, only a few still survive. There have been controversies about the origin of the Dal Lake. While some geologists believe that the origins of Dal Lake lie in the Pleistocene Oligotrophic Lake that once covered the entire valley of Kashmir, others just believe it to be a flood plain lake. The floating gardens of Dal Lake are considered a beauty in themselves. One can find a number of restaurants and hotels at the lakefront that have sprung up, encouraged by the large influx of tourists here.


Nagin Lake....
Leading from the Dal is the smaller Nagin Lake. Trees of willow and poplar whose reflection is mirrored in the lake edge the waters. One can hire Bathing Boats here, as well as on the Dal along with the exciting water-skis and motor launches. There are Shikaras to be hired for an unbelievably romantic experience. The lake lies to the east of the city at the foot of the Zabarwan Mountain. To its south is the Shankaracharya hill (or Takht-i-Sulaiman) and to the west, is Hari Parbat.

TOP 10 PARADISES OF THE WORLD......MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES!!!

No.1 - Tristan da Cunha

Officially the world’s remotest island, Tristan da Cunha rises out from the South Atlantic Ocean like a prehistoric volcano. Situated 1,242 miles from St. Helena and 1,739 miles from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, it really does cut a lonely but beautiful figure. There’s not just the main island, either; comprised of several uninhabited islands, one inaccessible island and the Nightingale Islands, this archipelago is like the lost world. In fact, you might expect a T. rex to come crashing through the trees. With windswept beaches, views of a tempestuous blue sea, magnificent basalt cliffs, a thriving economy, zero unemployment, and a nonexistent crime rate, this is the way life should be

No.2 - Cotswolds, England
the name Cotswold means either "sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides sometimes called the "Heart of England The most famous region of Chile, Chilean Patagonia offers all the dramatic landscape one would expect from the world's ultimate land's end. Here the South American continent falls away in a dazzling explosion of islands, glaciers, icebergs and mountains. It is truly one of mother nature's grand finales.

No.3 - Patagonia, Chile

Located in Southern Chile, the region is divided into two halves: Northern Patagonia and Southern Patagonia. Among them you’ll find virgin forests, stunning glaciers, gushing rivers, and twinkling ice fields. With very few roads cutting through Patagonia, you’ll need to take ferries across the fjords if you want to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking scenery. To the east of the Andes you’ll find a desert (one of the five largest in the world), as well as hot springs where you’ll be able to enjoy the best damn Jacuzzi ever. With long days, blue skies, a polar climate, and an abundance of wildlife (such as penguins and whales), Patagonia is Chile, but not as you know it.

No.5 - Kiribati, Micronesia

The world’s most eastern point, Kiribati (formerly known as the Gilbert Islands) is an island nation found about 2,485 miles southwest of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. Straddling the equator, it comprises 33 islands (only 21 of which are inhabited), and is home to the world’s largest protected marine reserve.
Thought to be one of the last untouched coral archipelagos, it’s about the size of California and offers more marine life than any Western museum could. With coconut trees galore (its main economy), white-sand beaches and crystal-clear lagoon waters, it’s like a luxurious Sandals resort, only natural.

No.6 - Algonquin Park, Canada

Earth with its wind-sculptured pines, craggy shorelines and rushing rivers. Aside from a few camping grounds, lodgings and park buildings, the park is completely free from the burden of human civilization. Indeed, if you can’t get a little rest and relaxation here, you’re screwed.

No.7 - Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa
Africa is arguably one of the most stunning continents on the planet, teeming with exotic animals not found elsewhere and characterized by thousands of miles of untouched wilderness. Check out Thornybush Game Reserve, located in the heart of the rolling Lowveld and adjacent to Kruger National Park. Stay at the Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp, which boasts an old-world colonial atmosphere and has a strict policy of no more than 16 guests at any one time. Indeed, it’s the perfect way to take in this gold-tinged paradise on Earth.

Adjacent to and incorporated into the Greater Kruger National Park lies 10 000 hectares of pristine African bushveld, which is the 'Thornybush Game Reserve'. With an abundance of birdlife and wildlife species including the 'Big 5'. Explore the African bush on foot and from the back of an open safari vehicle. Discover the animal world, from the smallest termite to the giraffe, mongoose and buffalo.

Listen to the distant roar of the lion whilst relaxing around the campfire, or simply appreciate the silence, space and brilliant night skies. Thornybush Game Reserve is approximately 5 hours drive or 1 hour flight from Johannesburg. There are daily scheduled flights to Hoedspruit Airport. In the Thornybush Game Reserve you will the Big Five roaming freely between the Thornybush and Kruger National Park, including Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, and the Rhino.

No.8 Morzine Avoriaz, France
An undiscovered gem surrounded by towering peaks and tall firs.

A chic alpine paradise on Earth, Morzine, nestled in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, is the perfect place to get back to nature. Stay in a low-key chalet-hotel like La Chaumiere and enjoy traditional mountain hospitality with modern-day comforts. With powdered snow, green pine trees at every turn and more fresh air than your polluted lungs are used to, you’ll never want to leave.

No.9 - Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
The small archipelago of Fernando de Noronha sits 545km off the coast of Recife, Brazil and National Marine Park. The main island, also called Fernando de Noronha covers ninety percent of all land area. All building is rigorously controlled by Ibama (Brazil’s Environmental Protection Agency), however, a number of luxurious hotels, some of the nicest and beautiful anywhere can be found here. Unspoilt beaches and excellent scuba diving dominate most activities on the island. From December to March, when the seas are rougher, surfing draws quite a few visitors. The sun shines year round.
it’s an island paradise with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season runs from January to August. Nearly people living on the island are involved in tourism and food is transported from the mainland, therefore Brazilian food is double compared with anywhere else in Brazil. Fishing is illegal in the area as well, therefore fresh seafood is hard to come by except at Ecologiku’s restaurant

No.10 - Isla Vieques, Puerto Rico

Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico has a variety of attractions that would appeal to beach, and nature lovers as well as those that seek to feel a sense of adventure during their vacation.

When you arrive to the Vieques you will feel as if you've traveled six decades into the past; a past where only nature has been at work to create a special picture perfect place.

In Vieques the greatest attraction is "Vieques" itself. There are no casinos or golf courses, no strip malls or major shopping centers. However if you do want that type of action you can get it since Vieques is only a short ferry ride to Puerto Rico.

Following is a list of attractions on the island of Vieques; however, many travelers find that the most enjoyable attraction in Vieques, Puerto Rico is DOING NOTHING AT ALL.

The beaches in Vieques, oh! the beaches in Vieques. Stepping on one of the many alluring beaches around the island will take your breath away. Standing in the soft powdery sand looking out into the majestic blue waters of Vieques, is like standing in front of a massive work of art with beauty that seems to have no end. If you want relaxation, peace and natural Caribbean beauty you will find it in Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico. More about the beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico.

HELLO EVERYONE...
I HAVE CREATED THIS BLOG AS I M A NATURE LOVER...
AND U ALL KNOW THAT EARTH IS A GREAT THING THAT GOD HAS CREATED..
SO I HAVE MADE THIS BLOG TO EXPLORE MORE AND MORE OF THAT GOD GIFTED BEAUTY AND MAKE U ALL AWARE ABOUT THE SAME...AND I WISH ALL OF U TO SHARE UR COMMENTS AND VIEW RELATED TO THE SAME..
I HEREBY WILL DESCRIBE THE PARADISES THAT STILL EXIST ON OUR MOTHER EARTH AND ALSO THERE ARE SOME PLACES THAT WERE IMMENSELY BEAUTIFUL SOME YEARS AGO BUT NOW THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO SOME NATURAL CALAMITIES OR BY SOME MAN MADE ONES.....