The drive to Srinagar is quite unremarkable and offers little by way of road trip highs. It is perhaps this pleasing sight of the valley after Banihal that makes the journey from Udhampur somewhat worth your while. The road trip could just as well begin at Srinagar…

The celebrated beauty of Kashmir begins to work it’s magic on you as soon as you hit alpine Sonamarg. Never mind that you lose time to road sanitizing for army convoys. Hot tea and the surroundings keep you busy enough. This image has been taken after crossing over the Zoji La (about 9kms from Sonamarg) at 11578 feet.

Considered the second coldest inhabited place in the world, this image was taken at Drass, the scene of heavy combat during the Kargil war. This village was abandoned during the period, its residents moved to safety.

Kargil, as viewed from a plateau manned by the Indian Army, a heartwarming presence amongst a warm, welcoming local populace. A windfall visit, to the last but one post to the LOC, served as yet another reason to salute the soldier and his family… You really wouldn’t want to exchange places with him, despite the bone-rattling road trip that brought you there.

This moonscape makes its presence felt around the Fotu La, the highest point at 13,478 feet, on the Srinagar-Leh highway, and continues through Ladakh. In spite of a great reduction in colour in nature’s palette, the terrain lends itself to much drama. Usually played out by Azure skies, snowy clouds and barren wastelands…

First sight of Leh. A green oasis offering plenty succour to hue-deprived eyes! God knows, you will begin to miss colour even as you take in the endless desolation around you.

Even loftier passes await you on the Leh-Manali highway. The first one being the Tanglang La at 17,582 feet. This image is that of the Zanskar range, taken midway, with the pass lost somewhere in the snowy peaks.

Still ascending! Almost two weeks into the road trip, we continued to be awestruck by the glory of nature. Almost at Tanglang La, I glanced back to capture this view.

Hearing or reading about the Morey plains of Pang does not quite prepare you for their actual character, leaving you quite speechless at their vastness. They are home to mainly shepherds and Kiang, the Tibetan wild ass.

This canyon suddenly looms up as you take a turn to descend to Pang, an army transit camp. Stop-gap dhabas in tents double over as havens for the stranded. Night stops at this height, I heard, can be very very uncomfortable.

Fortunately, our road trip that day ended safely at this camp in Sarchu, at an acceptable height of roughly 14500 feet! While breathing is easy, the howling winds can be a tad overwhelming.

The ascent to the oh-so-unpredictable Baralacha La snakes gently along the Bhaga river, seen here, soon after crossing Bharatpur City: roughly four colourful tents offering food, shelter and souvenirs!

The Bhaga river as it appears closer to the Baralacha Top. A gentle drizzle, wafting mist and angry clouds. It doesn’t get better than this…

Or so we thought! Descending from the pass, you soon recognize tarred surfaces, almost forgotten in the past weeks. The road loops downwards to the Suraj-Vishal Lake nestled snugly between you and the mountainside. It is named after the pilots who perished in a crash at the site. Ironically it is one of the most beautiful spots on this stretch.

Soon after you go past Darcha, the northernmost permanent settlement in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, the landscape turns verdant almost instantly. Terraced fields, waterfalls and meadows covered in wild flowers were, once again, par for the course. This image was taken at Koksar, short of Rohtang Pass, the last hurdle in what could otherwise be a dream road trip for all.

Listed below are the ten top destinations dotting the spiritual map. Read on…

India: The Source of the Ganges

This is the holiest river of the Hindus. It begins in the Himalayan peaks of Uttarkhand and spills out into the Bay of Bengal more than 2000km later. Ergo, the source of the Ganges is a holy of holies, and many thousands make the pilgrimage to Gangotri. A trek of 24km from there threads through Himalayan valleys to Gaumukh, where you’ll find the trickle of water that eventually swells into one of Asia’s major rivers.

Tibet: Mount Kailash

As the source of Asia’s three major rivers including the Indus, it’s no surprise that  Mt Kailash in Tibet is revered by a number of religions. Circuiting the holy Kailash is a pilgrimage performed by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and, more recently, trekkers. The most ardent pilgrims walk the 52km circuit in a day, while the truly pious prostrate themselves around the mountain, lying down with arms outstretched, then standing and lying down again at the point that their hands reached. The journey to Kailash is itself an epic worthy of being called a pilgrimage, so allow time for this remarkable trek, spiritual leanings regardless.

Spain: Camino de Santiago

One of the great Christian pilgrimages is to the tomb of the apostle St James in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. It’s a journey of such spiritual note that it has been named Europe’s Premier Cultural Itinerary and is also listed on the Unesco World Heritage register. The Camino begins in Roncesvalles, on the French border, and covers 783km to the Atlantic coast. Cycling and horseback are considered appropriate forms of pilgrim transport, but most people walk the route spending around one month as a modern pilgrim.

Bosnia & Hercegovina: Međugorje

In June 1981 six youths in the Bosnian mountain village of Međugorje claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Instantly, a place of pilgrimage was born, complete with bus tours and an unholy number of souvenir stands. The Virgin is said to still appear at Međugorje, bringing spiritual messages to the world, delivering them through the original six ‘visionaries’.

India: Golden Temple

Resting against the India–Pakistan border, the city of Amritsar has the Golden Temple, the holiest site in Sikhism, dominating the city. The temple is as golden as its name suggests, and sits in the middle of the holy pool, which lends its name to the city. Pilgrims bathe in the pool, and amble clockwise around its marble edges, while the temple kitchen by the eastern entrance spoons out free meals to pilgrims and tourists alike. Visitors are welcome to join the faithful in and around the temple.

Ethiopia: Shashemene

With Rastafarianism founded on the belief that Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie is an African Messiah, it’s unsurprising that a Rasta community has taken root in Ethiopia. Around 240km from Addis Ababa, Selassie himself granted land in the town of Shashemene to Jamaican Rastafarians in the 1960s. In the late 1970s the most famous Rasta of all, Bob Marley, visited Shashemene, and in recent years his widow has talked of relocating his remains here, which would indeed turn this southern town into a site of rock and Rasta pilgrimage. Couldn’t get more spiritual than that for lovers of music!

Greece: Mount Athos

Known as the Holy Mountain, Mt Athos is a self-governing community of 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries sprinkled around the slopes of 2033m-high Mt Athos on Greece’s Chalkidiki Peninsula. A strict entry-permit system applies: 100 Orthodox pilgrims and 10 non-Orthodox visitors are allowed in at a time; only men over 18 years of age can visit; permit applications from non-Orthodox visitors must be made at least six months ahead.

Iran: Mashhad

With a name that translates as The Place of Martyrdom, Mashhad is sacred to Shiites as the place where the 8th imam and direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died in 817. Each year, more than 15 million Shiite pilgrims visit the city in eastern Iran, which literally radiates out from Astan-e Qods-e Razavi, the site of the Holy Shrine. The busiest pilgrimage times are around the Iranian New Year (March 21) and a dedicated pilgrim season from mid-June to late July. Non-Muslims are not permitted into the Holy Shrine itself, though there are three attached museums that can be visited.

Japan: 88 Temple Circuit

On the Japanese island of Shikoku there are 88 temples, a number equal to the evil human passions as defined by the Buddhist doctrine. If you want to free yourself from every one of these passions in a single hit, you can do so by completing the 88 Temple Circuit. Traditionally the 1500km route was walked, even though there’s a space of more than 100km between a couple of the temples. In modern times, however, it’s become just as acceptable to complete the 88 Temple Circuit by tour bus. The circuit begins in Tokushima and most pilgrims go clockwise.

Sri Lanka: Adam’s Peak

In the highlands of Sri Lanka there is a mountain that’s all things to all religions. Depending on your spiritual persuasion, the indent on the summit of Adam’s Peak is either the place at which Adam first set foot on earth, or a footprint left by Buddha, Shiva or St Thomas. Small wonder the track to the summit is like an ant trail in the pilgrimage season (December to May). Secular pilgrims will find the view alone worthy of the journey. On a clear day it stretches to the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, 65km away.

These fun-filled activities are spread over British Columbia’s six geographical regions, which comprise:  Northern British Columbia, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Vancouver Island, Victoria & the Gulf Islands, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains, Thompson Okanagan and Kootenay Rockies. Each region of the province is distinct and offers a multitude of unique experiences and rare sights to offer tourists.

WHISTLER

While much is written and spoken about British Columbia’s two major cities Vancouver and Victoria, the third, Whistler, is little-known to BC-bound travelers from around the globe. Here is an attempt to acquaint our readers with the top-notch, all-seasons tourist destination that Whistler currently is.

Then… Whistler Valley has a fascinating history. For thousands of years, this remote wilderness was inhabited by the Coast Salish Nation who criss-crossed the region via an overland route: which is presently the spectacular Highway 99. With the arrival of British naval officers during the 1860s, the population began to shift and by the early twentieth century the region was home to loggers, miners and trappers. They gave this area the unusual moniker that it has held since, because of the shrill whistling sound made by marmots, which live among the rocks.

The area took on an entirely new dimension with the arrival of pioneers Myrtle and Alex Philip in 1914. With the absence of road and railway, they made their way here by ferry, buckboard, and on foot. They built the Rainbow Lodge on the shores of Lake Alta and waited for the first tourists to arrive for trout-fishing. A couple of years later railroad linked the valley to the rest of the world, making this lodge the most popular summer destination.

…& Now Businessmen decided to develop Whistler Mountain as a site for Winter Olympics, and in 1966, Whistler was opened for skiing. Further enhancements helped the resort to expand substantially. Today, it is considered among the top ski resorts on any continent. With two mountains, three glaciers, 12 magnificent bowls, 200 marked trails and 3,306 hectares of skiing terrain, skiers and snowboarders from around the world continue to descend on these pristine peaks. In 2003, Whistler was voted the “Number One Ski Resort in America”. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, with a number of games located at Whistler, underscored that well-deserved claim like no other.

When… Whistler is a one-of its-kind destination that attracts visitors all through the year. In winter, it beckons travellers from around the world for its skiing and snowboarding experiences. The two mountains, including Blackcomb, feature over 200 runs, 34 lifts and award-winning terrain parks. Other winter activities include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Spring brings a host of other activities such as canoeing, kayaking, rafting, swimming and windsurfing on Whistler’s numerous lakes and rivers. For quietude seekers, Fishing in pristine freshwater for steelhead, trout and salmon, is a delightful option.

During summer, this area metamorphoses into a hiker’s paradise providing some of the most remarkable hiking and mountain-biking adventures. There are paved, gentle paths to heavenly mountain trails that take you past lakes, waterfalls and alpine meadows. While the Garibaldi Provincial Park offers a more rugged backcountry trek.

Whistler is also a golfing mecca from May through October. Golfers head here to play at the championship courses, most of which offer panoramic views and challenging greens.

…& How Whistler is a 2-hour drive along the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver. Flights to Vancouver International Airport are available from almost any major city. Scheduled bus services from Vancouver and connecting locales arrive in Whistler daily. The Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) provide year-round public bus service throughout Whistler.

Marching to the 'battlefield'

The festival of Holla Mohalla usually falls in the month of March and is celebrated a day after Holi. This lively and colorful festival is associated with displays of mock fights and weapons by the Nihangs. These Singhs belong to a martial tradition begun by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh. Their way of life, style of dress, and weaponry has changed little since the Guru’s lifetime, three hundred years ago, and they are recognized as a colourful and important part of Punjabi heritage.

Nihang Singhs in full regalia

Naina Devi peak in background

Cheering crowds at stadium

Though the festival is celebrated largely throughout Punjab and Haryana, the major attractions are those held in Anandpur Sahib from where this festival is said to have originated. Following the foundation of the order of the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh, at war with the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb and the Rajputs simultaneously, decided to dedicate a day towards mock fights and poetry contests in the year 1701. The event was first held at Holgarh Fort, across the rivulet Charan Ganga, northwest of Anandpur Sahib. Since then, this tradition of practicing mock battles has gradually spread to Kiratpur Sahib and other Gurdwaras across the globe.

The procession

A colorful procession commences from Keshgarh Sahib and makes its way downhill to a brimming Charan Ganga Stadium where eager and cheering crowds await the spectacular display.

Participants of all ages can be seen performing bold and heroic acts like tent pegging,

Dumbala or lofty turbans

bareback horse riding, gatka (the Sikh martial art), standing erect on two speeding horses and motorbikes, and other war-like sports.  Dotting the sea of blue and orange was another attraction: Nihangs with lofty headgear called dumbala, ornamented with steel quoits, knives and daggers! I attempted to capture some of the animation digitally, but it falls far, far short of the exhileration of being there…

Riding two horses!

Record attendance!

Gatka

Mock combat

Tent-pegging

To escape Hitler’s ethnic-cleansing mission, the Frank family had moved to Amsterdam in the 1930s. However, his invasion of The Netherlands forced the family to go into hiding in a secret annexe in the office building where Otto Frank, Anne’s father, worked. Sadly, just before the war ended, the family was betrayed. Anne Frank, a young girl of thirteen at the time of her family’s self-imposed confinement, documented her life in hiding, in a diary she herself had received as a birthday gift. It was published when her father was liberated from a concentration camp at the end of the war. He was the only survivor.

Deeply moved on reading the book, the Anne Frank Haus, was the first on my list of definite-visits when in Amsterdam. As I waited my turn outside the Anne Frank Haus, it was hard to imagine the tragic story that had unfolded within this nondescript building, during the Second World War. As I toured the Secret Annexe that day, I could not escape a sense of eeriness. I was within touching distance of objects, once used by the family that I had only known through a much-thumbed book. To view, up close, the notches that Anne and the rest had etched into the wall, marking their varying heights during their incarceration had me breaking out in goose-pimples. The enormity, however, of their desperation, forcing them to hide in complete silence for two years in order to escape the horrifying atrocities of the holocaust, would hit me much later when I would visit the concentration camp at Dachau.

Dachau is the site of Germany’s first concentration camp located about ten miles from Munich. Conceptualised by the Spanish in their struggle to retain Cuba, these internment camps were primarily used to re-concentrate civilian population to better control them. Later, this thoughtfulness was adopted by the British when faced with their very own Cuba in South Africa. Necessitated in part by their own policy of burning down Boer farms, they decided to roundup the refugees thus created — mainly women, children and farm labourers — to prevent them from assisting the enemy. Humane intentions notwithstanding, conditions in these camps degenerated swiftly, spreading hunger and disease. Medical breakthroughs even, in the case of those monitored by Nazi butchers in Germany!

On my visit, I had a couple of hours to take in the shameful history of, what appeared from the outside, a tranquil monument to the victims of the holocaust. The compound included an administrative block, bunkers and execution grounds located near the entrance. Rows of barracks, of which only foundations remain, speak of horrific living conditions with hundreds of prisoners — politicians, royalty, clergy, intellectuals, Jews — being packed into claustrophobic triple bunks, merely two feet in height.

Painful medical experiments were conducted on healthy inmates while the weak were sent off to gas chambers. Entering the crematorium at the far end of the huge complex was another very telling moment. Signs pointed to rafters from where prisoners were hung before being cremated in fiery ovens, chillingly similar to the wood-fired ones that spit out popular pizzas these days. A memorial hall continuously aired footage from films depicting the horrors committed under Hitler’s patronage.

Auschwitz in Poland was another network of extermination camps where transport trains delivered millions of Jews and tens of thousands of people of diverse nationalities to horrific death. A telling story is that of a Hungarian Jewish woman who survived Auschwitz and found a coat belonging to a guard which she took to shield her from the cold immediately after her liberation.  In the pocket of this coat she found a photo album. It contained pictures of what went on inside this camp.  Imagine her reaction when she saw a picture of herself coming off of the train as well pictures of her family who were already murdered!  She donated the album to Yad Vashem (The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Authority) in Jerusalem in 1980 where it is a permanent display.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number One: I shall not convert

Not suggesting that previous travels around the world have entailed quick changes in religious beliefs, my reference, instead, is to that annoying habit of converting currency into INR. For long trying to get this monkey off the back, it nevertheless remains steadfast in resurfacing just in time to calculate how much a similar product or service would have cost back home. I have tried to give it a more resolute shrug-off each time round.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Two: I shall not be guided by tour operators

Convenient and well-planned, no doubt as all tours are, they do have a propensity, however, to take the spontaneity out of the moment, don’t you think? I have been willing to give up this convenience for many a wrong turn that has allowed me to explore the unknown around the corner. Not least, the time to stand and stare. Smell the roses, if you will.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Three: I shall avoid extreme tourist hangouts

The hustle-bustle of popular tourist districts does have an immense attraction for the solo traveller. Still, I am convinced that there is a lot more charm in following the local tread…far from the madding crowd.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Four: I shall visit no more than one attraction

Memories of earlier excursions, when one rushed around trying to fit in as many must-sees and must-dos in the shortest possible time helped me come up with this one. The most vivid memory of such trips was that of complete physical and mental exhaustion, defeating the purpose entirely. I decided I was going to leave something for next time.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Five: I shall not indulge in souvenir shopping

Having run out of table and wall surfaces to display even those souvenirs that were excitedly purchased and painstakingly carried over many a sea from earlier jaunts, this irrepressible urge will have to be given the go-by. A vision of the displeased frown on the face of the lady of the house (yes, mothers do put the fear in you), at the thought of more collectibles to be guarded against breakage and dust-mites, assisted immensely.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Six: I shall avoid the consumption of fast food

This was a difficult decision to take for one who was as willing to eat on the run, as running through a fixed itinerary. But that was before Rule Number Two came into existence. I have since given myself the pleasure of unhurried gourmet experiences, too.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Seven: I shall avoid the use of public transport: That would of course leave me with only one option: walking. An initial hesitation was quickly dispelled by the thought of a well-toned pair of legs, able to fit back into a favourite pair of jeans. (Yeah, right). In the end, can there be a better way to stumble into, or trip over, a new experience?

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Eight: I shall stoutly resist summer romances

Long considered a fringe benefit of solo travel, they do, however, have a tendency to trail you. Worse still, they decide to visit you during the winter months. As if the frostiness of the weather wasn’t enough, the additional discomfort of a harmless dalliance gone cold, helps not the least. Hence, a romance is wholly out of the question.

Cardinal Travel Rule Number Nine: I shall avoid impersonal hotels

This one was easy. It falls neatly into sync with a decision taken early on in my travels, to throw myself at the mercy of all those willing to host me. This, in turn, grew from a credible reading of my fiscal position at that time. It has never failed me. Long live the Punjabi Diaspora.

Truth be had, there have been a few instances when I may have reneged on my Manifesto. But that is for me to know and you to guess…

Eventually, the decision was simply taken out of my hands and I was instructed to be ready for departure after an early dinner the next day. When the time came for me to ready for my ride, I was more than just intrigued. I pulled on my crease-free black number, after a few helpful tips from an aunt pointing at a party that did not entail a long flight back to India. It involved, instead, a long drive towards the countryside, before turning off the autobahn onto a dirt track, and arriving at a clearing in the midst of a dark, thickly wooded area——where, a most amazing sight greeted me.

The place was swarming with Germans of all ages clad in eclectic Indian outfits. Some of them were languishing in tents fabricated from materials embellished with batik designs, and others were going about their business out of mobile homes wholly furnished in brilliant tie-and-dye colours. Children, all decked in ghagra-cholis, the kinds you spot at rural fairs in India, ran around chasing dogs with the distinct sound of ghungroos emanating from their collars, dodging candles and incense sticks that dotted the ground like fireflies. An enterprising lady, having converted her tent into a massage corner, was offering to exhibit her skills with a variety of aromatic oils to choose from: jasmine, sandalwood and sesame. A small flea market had been set up a short distance away. As I made my way towards it, a certain suspicious odour, evocative of evenings in and around Manali, pervaded the air. The scene was straight out of a gypsy campsite in Rajasthan; no kidding.

Strains of music, with a distinct techno beat to them, led me to a music console where a disc jockey, I presumed, was pottering around near a dance floor strung up in vibrant neon lights. A number of large, kitschy paintings of Indian gods, their significance lost to most of the Indophiles there, were displayed beyond the floor: not indicative of any spiritual leanings, merely to lend a more authentic hue of Indian-ness to it all. Sandro, who showed me around, and introduced me to all his friends there, was really excited at having brought along a real Indian to show off. His spirits didn’t dampen a wee bit, even when they teasingly (I hope) accused me of being an impostor  because I sported western wear, spoke fluent English, and did not fit their stereotype of a dusky Indian beauty. Regrettably, their take on India was based wholly on their encounters with glib guides and seasonal spiritual gurus that flock tourist-heavy beach resorts and Himalayan drug-havens.

Why Goa, I wished to know? Apparently, the name has been borrowed from its namesake in India where these parties originated. Goa also lends its name to the kind of music played at such parties: Psychedelic Trance. Psy-trance, as it is popularly termed, turned out to be an absorbing form of repetitive beat music, blended with melodic and acoustic sounds stemming from instruments as varied as the sitar, gongs, drums and the didgeridoo, but minus all speech elements. Mystery solved, all of us decided to hit the dance floor. Expecting to see a lot of head-banging, I was amazed at the unexpected gentleness on display, almost akin to meditative swaying, by some of the dancers. Thankfully, I was part of a more energetic group and we managed to dance the night away…

The festival was first held on October 12, 1810 as a five day public celebration of the royal wedding of the crown prince Ludwig and princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (and henceforth the name Theresienwiese). On the fifth day a great horse race was organized and much to the delight of the people, the authorities decided to repeat the festivities the following year and so a tradition began. The successive years saw the agricultural festivities blending along with normal regular activities and huge beer tents first came up in the last decade of 19^th century. Horse race was eventually abolished due to practical reasons as Theresienwiese is no more a meadow , it is located in the heart of Munich and the festival ground is tightly packed with tents, rides and other attractions.

Today Oktoberfest is a crazy 16 daylong event wherein drinking beer has been a primary focus. Spread over an area of approximately 104 acres, Theresienwiese or simply Wiesn encompasses 14 huge wooden beer tents, eateries, entertainment centers and the wonderful rides which include the latest roller coasters which you would surely want to try before gulping down your beer……or would you?   The festival opens with the tapping of the first beer keg and calling out “O’zapft is!”(It’s tapped). Munich’s major breweries sponsor this event.  Parades are carried out, the highlight being the big wagons with all the beer barrels accompanied by various marching bands.

Munich Oktoberfest ( also known as beerfest )

As you find a place in one of the large wooden tents, a busty Dirndl clad barmaid carrying 10 or more huge steins or Maß (I liter glass beer mugs…….yeah that’s right) welcomes you with pleasant smile giving one enough reasons to Prost! (German for cheers) multiple times. From swinging to the Oom-Pah music with the locals to the tasting of gastronomic delights like Hendl (grilled chicken) and Schweinshaxe (pork knuckles), this Bavarian fest proves to be an ultimate picture of German culture and hospitality. In 2007, Oktoberfest hosted 6.2 million visitors who drank 6,940,600 liters of beer and ate an equivalent of 104 oxen, 1, 42,253 pair of sausages and 521,872 units of chicken. People often overestimate their drinking ability and ultimately they pass out due to drunkenness. They are specifically called Bierleichen (beer corpses) and you would not like to become one of the drunken patrons for sure.

OKTOBERFEST 2010

The 177^th Oktoberfest* starts on September18 2010 and will end on October 4 2010. The official starting ceremony will take place in Schottenhamel beer tent by the lord mayor of Munich. Already more than six and half million visitors are expected to swarm up d’ Wiesn. Getting a place inside the tent will be extremely difficult, so it’s advisable to reserve your tables in advance through www.oktoberfest.de .The beer tents open at 10:00am on weekdays and close at 11:30pm. On the weekends the tents open at 9:00am. But if you want a table and enjoy the inaugural events, try reaching the tent one hour in prior to the opening time. All the tents except the “Weinzelt” and the “Kaefer’s Wiesnschaenke” close at 11:30pm. These two tents serve alcohol till 12:15am.

Now if you are wondering why Oktoberfest is held in September and not in October, the reason is simple: the weather. Because the September nights are much warmer the visitors enjoy strolling out in the gardens. And the real highlight this time, as the rumors has it, will be the restoration of the stalls and attractions of bygone era and the major one will be horse race in remembrance of the origin of Oktoberfest.

TENTS-

There are 14 main tents. Each beer tent has its distinctive atmosphere, some known for its crowd or music, the other ones being traditionally more famous for drinks and the various kinds of food they serve. Hippodrom and Kaefer’s Wiesnschaenke are hip tents popular amongst the VIPS and youngsters. Hofbrau tent is more famous for attracting foreign tourists than the locals. Augustinerzelt is more famous for its traditional Bavarian authenticity while Weinzelt is for the wine gourmets.

BEER AND FOOD-

Beer and Food

The beer which is brewed for the occasion is both dark in color and much stronger than the normal ones. One full Maß would cost around €8.60. Now that’s expensive but then doesn’t matter unless you have a big beer belly. Steckerlfisch (fish on the stick), Hendl (grilled chicken), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckles) are few dishes you simply cannot resist. And people who want to try new tastes, there’s always the option of trying an Osche (oxen). To get good service, be polite to barmaids and tip them generously.

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATION-

The best way to reach Oktoberfest is through public transportation as trains and subways run every 10 minutes. Do not make way for trouble by calling a cab or taking your own car as the city streets are congested. Moreover there is no parking near the festival grounds.

Getting to stay somewhere during the festival proves to be very difficult. Either the hotels and rest rooms are already booked or they are highly expensive. It’s better to reserve one for yourself in advance or look out for public hostels. Or you can stay at Thalkirchen camping ground as tents are easily available and affordable.

* It’s the 200^th anniversary of Oktoberfest this year but the reason why it is 177^th Oktoberfest is due to the fact that the festival was canceled several times mainly due to the Epidemics and the World Wars.

Seconds after South Africa was announced as the host nation for the 2010 FIFA world cup on May 15^th 2004 in Zurich, a sense of elation and cheeriness reverberated all across the globe. The moment Nelson Mandela held the FIFA world cup trophy aloft; the crowds in South Africa erupted with a deafening roar of joy where the live telecast was being broadcast-ed. Euphoria stricken South Africans went into a party mood as they sang, danced and toasted with each other at local pubs, stadiums and community centers. Colorful South African flags fluttered as people from diverse ethnic groups thronged into the streets also celebrating their 10 years of independence and aptly showcasing why their country is known as The Rainbow Nation.

Cheerful South African Fans

This is just a sneak peek of what is actually going to happen once the world’s largest sporting event is kicked off. The month long event will start on 11^th June till 11^th July and the finals will be played at the famous Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, which now has an upgraded sitting capacity of over 94,000. The event will be staged at 10 venues across 9 cities: Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Rustenburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Polokwane, Nelspruit, and Johannesburg. No African nation has ever hosted a FIFA world cup before and the concerning ones are leaving no stone unturned to make this extravaganza the best this world has ever witnessed.

Nelson Mandela holding the Fifa World Cup

MATCH TICKETS

According to an estimate, approximately 2-3 million football fans are expected to hit the South African shores. You can buy the tickets on the official FIFA website and can get all the related information on the website itself.  Already two third of the available tickets have been sold. The fourth phase of ticketing process has already begun on February 9 and will end on April 7th. Some 2.1 million tickets have been sold till now and close t0 2, 00,000 tickets are still available. Tickets for semi finals and finals are already sold out but you can still buy tickets for the remaining matches. Make sure you book your tickets from a genuine agent approved by FIFA otherwise you are in a soup for sure.

Official Fifa World Cup 2010 Logo

GETTING AROUND AND ACCOMMODATION

Tourists in South Africa

If one goes by the numbers released by the governmental agencies, a staggering 3.5 million international tourists are expected to influx the southern tip of Africa. June/July is also the summer vacations time in schools and generally people from other parts of South Africa often visit major tourist spots like Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban etc during these times. So, it’s advisable to book your accommodation as early as possible.  Moreover some host venues do not have adequate infrastructure for accommodation, so it’s not a bad idea to find a much cheaper accommodation in a nearby city and travel down to watch the match.

—-South Africa is not a small country that can be traveled in a day, so you have to plan it accordingly

Outeniqua-choo-tjoe, Garden Route

to make sure you do not miss a single moment of the match and you also have plenty of time to travel to various tourist spots. The country is well connected by air, road and railways network respectively. There are three international airports at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban as well as seven domestic airports in Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Kimberley, Upington and Pilanesberg. South Africa also boasts of excellent road and railways networks. Renting a car is another fine option as you can roam independently wherever you want to. Intercape, Grey hound, Translux, SA Roadlink and Baz bus are some of the bus operating services.

What all to do in South Africa?

South African Rhinos

In South Africa there is something for everyone to get hooked on to. Nature has bestowed this land with some of the most varied terrain which sustains rich diversity of flora and fauna. Going on wildlife Safari can be highly addictive. Visiting the iconic Kruger national park and numerous other  private game lodges not only gives you a chance to see THE BIG FIVE but you can also witness some of the rare wildlife like cheetah and wild dogs. And who knows you might hear a hyena laugh while dining in your exquisite private lodge under a starlit southern sky. And if you want some more of  my type of adventure, you can always choose the options of Bush walking (walking safaris), night safaris, crocodile and shark cage diving respectively.

Cage Diving with sharks, South Africa

Located on the shore of Table bay, Cape Town proves to be a true urban delight. Good climate, well developed infrastructure and natural scenic beauty make it the most visited tourist place in South Africa. Take a ferry from the coast to Robben Island, which reminds of South Africa’s victory over injustice, oppression and apartheid. Also visit Paarl, Stellanbosch and Franschoek , where you can taste some of the best and famous South African wines. The town of Hermanus and False Bay are famous tourist spots for whale watching. As you travel through the most picturesque stretches of coastlines where forests, mountains, rivers and lakes run parallel to it, driving down to Garden Route may provoke the artist in you. The city of Oudtshoom, is famous for its ostrich feather industries and Congo caves. If you are lucky enough, try to get on an ostrich ride near the ostrich farms and then take a journey into the halls of towering stalagmite formations at Congo caves which will leave you spell bound.

Cape Town, South Africa

The city of Johannesburg or The city of gold is the most wealthiest and entertaining city in South Africa. This place is a melting pot of diverse cultures, cuisines and music. Known for its top places to wine and dine, you can also play golf and can shop till you drop. And if you prefer more of a laid back holiday, barbecuing on sunny golden beaches and spending some quality time with your family, Durban is the ultimate destination. It’s a city where the east meets the west and the diverse cultural heritage will captivate your mind. Home to some of the top game reserves, the warm sun will lure you into surfing, swimming and cruising activities. And if you are more into adventure sports, probably no other country can beat South Africa. Paragliding, hand gliding, mountain biking, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, abseiling, hiking, fishing, snorkeling, Scuba diving, and rock climbing…… the list goes on. It seems as if you are on long unending holiday.

Visit South Africa

“The FIFA World Cup in Africa is a love story- a love story between the African continent and myself which began when I was the technical director of FIFA. It has come a long way in a long time. It has been a road traveled with trust, confidence but with patience as well. I am very proud and very happy that this love story is coming to the wedding celebration,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in an event marking the 100 day countdown celebrations held in Durban. And as the preparations for  the world cup are going on, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said,” We have to make sure that we show our visitors the spirit of ubuntu and make them feel at home.”

Venues for FIFA World Cup 2010-

• Green Point Stadium, CAPE TOWN
  

  Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg

• Moses Mabhida Stadium, DURBAN
• Ellis Park Stadium, JOHANNESBURG
• Soccer City Stadium, JOHANNESBURG
• Free State Stadium, BLOEMFONTEIN
• Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, PORT ELIZABETH
• Mbombela Stadium, NELSPRUIT
• Peter Mokaba Stadium, POLOKWANE
• Royal Bafokeng Stadium, RUSTENBURG
• Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria

USEFUL RESOURCES:

FIFA World Cup 2010 Tickets

Go South Africa

Venues FIFA World Cup and Accommodation