Category Archives: Travel

‘Wheels-2012’ enthralls auto buffs in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Sports, Travel

The automobile enthusiasts had an opportunity to view the vintage cars, Jawa bikes, mopeds, Yezdi bikes, sports cars, and superbikes, at auto expo— ‘Wheels – 2012’ organised by Flames, a students’ association of mechanical engineering students of Sahyadri College of Engineering.

A rally was organised as a part of the auto expo. The rally was flagged off at Mahaveera Circle and concluded at the college campus, in Adyar.

MYK-5970 Ambassador car manufactured in 1951 in America, from Manjusha museum at Dharmasthala welcomed the visitors at the expo.

Dilip Kumar had exhibited a bicycle with gear facility. The bicycle was made in Britain way back in 1951.

‘Suvega’ of 1976,  Lambretta-48 of 1956, Yezdi from Czechoslovakia, Jawa bikes were centre of attraction among the youth. Jawa bikes were household names in India when it was introduced in the Indian market. It had become part of Indian lifestyle. In fact, Jawa had set up its unit in India in 1962 and was renamed as Jawa Yezdi, said a student.

Different models of Jawa bikes were also on display.  Other two-wheelers which were on display are ‘Ninja,’ ‘GSX,’ ‘Hayabusa,’ ‘R1’ bikes, which made the youth to ride the bikes at least once in their lifetime. Vintage cars too were  the star of attraction.

Morris Minor 1000, Ford jeep, Contessa car of Hindustan Motors, old Fiat car  along with modern cars like  Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Audi were on display. Customised cars and bikes and accessories, which enhance performances of cars and bikes like exhaust free headers and silencers, air-filters and other accessories, were also kept for display in the auto expo.

Organising committee head of the event Rakshith Shetty said this event has been organised to educate people about how automobile industry has changed over the years technology-wise.

The expo was inaugurated by Sanjay Rao of Mandovi Motors. He spoke on the importance of wearing safety belt. College Principal U Bhushi was present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Mangalore, DH News Service / October 20th, 2012

Hotels, retail target Japanese community

Business & Economy, Travel, World Opinion

Bangalore:

The large and rising number of Japanese enterprises and families in Bangalore is encouraging the emergence of products and services targeted at this community.

Tokyo-based  Nippon Infrastructure Company, in association with entrepreneur Nic U Iqbal, is setting up an exclusive business hotel for the  Japanese community  on Langford Road. This fully Jap-styled, 30-room hotel called Uno-Inn will be operational from November 1. Iqbal, together with another investor, is also launching a chain of Kenkos (Japanese health outlets) to sell Japanese health drugs, herbs, health devices, health accessories, skin, hair and hygiene products. The maiden store is coming up on Brigade Road on a 7,000 sqft facility.

In August, Toyota Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of  Toyota Motor Corporation, entered into a joint venture with Hyagreeva Hotels and Resorts that owns and operates The Chancery hospitality brand in Bangalore. TOI had then reported that, under this pact, Toyota Enterprises would take over 52 rooms in The Chancery on Lavelle Road and invest in styling and ambience to fit Japanese standards. A Japanese restaurant and spa are also being added and will be operational from January 2013.

The Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) estimates that Bangalore is home to around 200 Japanese companies — most prominent of which is Toyota Motor Company — and over 600 Japanese families. It also estimates that over 12,000 Japanese visit Bangalore every year on business assignments.

The Karnataka government has also made a big pitch for Japanese investments. At the Global Investors Meet this year, the largest foreign delegation, with some 50 members, was said to have been from Japan. The government has been talking about establishing a township exclusively for Japanese expats on 1,000 acres of land, with residential accommodation, restaurants, pagodas, hospitals and schools. The government, in association with the Japanese government, is also said to be looking at establishing a Japanese-language school in Bangalore to help Kannadigas learn Japanese and improve their chances of employment in Japanese firms. A plan for a Japanese bullet train project between Chennai and Bangalore, and Bangalore and Hubli is occasionally heard.

So understandably there is increasing demand for quality Japanese lodging and dining facilities in Bangalore. Iqbal, who has 15 years of working experience in Japan including a five-year term with the Japanese government, told TOI: “Many of these Japanese visitors to Bangalore are on slightly long visits, like a week or more. From my interaction with them I understand that they prefer to stay in a place that gives them a touch of home and Japanese food.”

Naomi Isono, director of Uno-Inn, said, “We are tying to make this hotel as Japanese as possible. It will have Japanese executives, Japanese chefs and Japanese food. The entire decor and ambience of rooms, restaurants and the hotel building will be in Japanese style.”

The Chancery’s Japanese wing will include a dedicated Japanese concierge service, reception desk, signboards, staff for guidance, a floor manager, and a large communal bath area.

This bath area will replicate the hot spring bath experience common in Japan. The rooms will be customized to Japanese requirements, with large desks, bidet toilets and expanded space for long stay guests.

In an earlier interaction, Naveen Raju, director, Hyagreeva Hotels and Resorts, had said that the city hotels sold 1,800 room nights to Japanese business travellers every month.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Business> India Business / by Mini Joseph Tejaswi & Anshul Dhamija, TNN / October 23rd, 2012

First tiger park declared ESZ in Karnataka

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel

The decision of the Union Government to declare Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Bandipur National Park in Karnataka as eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) gives impetus to the efforts of conservation and also to help protect the tiger habitat in the wild.

Bandipur Park is located between where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats and the altitude of the park ranges from 680 meters (2,230 ft) to 1,454 meters (4,770 ft) and is one of the very sensitive eco zones in the country with highest tiger population.

This is the first tiger reserve which has been declared as ESZ in the country. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in its notification dated October 4, 2012, has declared it as ESZ.

As per the SC order, the delineation of the ESZ was mandated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the provision an initial draft ESZ plan was drawn through thorough analysis of wildlife corridors, ecologically important areas, and needs of people. Further, extensive public consultations were held with MLAs, MLCs of the area, village communities, and local body members before drawing up the final ESZ plan.

This assumes importance since Bandipur is in a very crucial part of the tiger conservation landscape connecting other wildlife habitats such as the Nagarahole and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves and Waynaad Wildlife Sanctuary. These continuous areas host the highest density of tigers, their prey species and Asian elephants in the world.

source: http://www.dailypioneer.com / Home> Bangalore / Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Pasha, the Jumbo Tailor

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel, Uncategorized

The Dasara elephant gracefully carries the ambari weighing about 800 kgs during Jumboo Savari, unmindful of its pain and irritation to the skin. However, there is a caretaker for the jumbo, who sees to it that the gentle giant does not get hurt in the process of carrying the howdah. The success of whole Dasara procession lies on his craftsmanship.

Elephant tailor Pasha, who stitches the gaadi, namda, chaapu for placing the howdah on the back of the pachyderm, works gently with the awl (large needle) ensuring that the elephant does not get injured.

His work is not an easy one, which should be carried out with patience. He first measures the length and breadth of the elephant’s back and then stitches the accessories.

Pasha was entrusted the job in 1971. Though he officially retired in 2006, the Forest Department seeks his skills every year for this unique work of stitching the decorative and protective covering for not only the howdah-carrying elephant but also for all other jumbos taking part in the procession.

Before retiring, he was the mahout of elephant ‘Sarala.’ His guru Sulthan Saab was the mahout of ‘Biligiriranga’ which carried the howdah in the jumboo savari earlier. He began stitching gaadi when he was a young boy and then went on to sew gaadi to Rajendra, Drona and now Balarama, Gajendra and other elephants.

Pasha is now passing on his tailoring skills to Balarama’s mahout Thimma, Arjuna’s mahout Vasantha and Masthi, mahout of Abhimanyu. Though his successors are now ready, Pasha hesitates to leave his favourite vocation.

Pasha’s life has not been a rosy one. Once an angry elephant broke his knee when he was in Bangalore for Rajyotsava function. After the incident, fearing his so

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / September 25th, 2012

Having a wheel of a time

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel, World Opinion

Candellaria and Herman Zapp have been travelling in a vintage car for the past 12 years. They have criss-crossed 37 countries and there have been four births along the way. Right now, they are parked at Hampi

Each of the Zapp children was born in a different country. They’ve never been to school, but life has taught them wonderful lessons

For once, Hampi in itself was not the attraction but a vintage car that trundled in, carrying a family of six. One look and people know that this is no ordinary car and no ordinary family.

Herman and Candellaria Zapp from Argentina started out 12 years ago in their 1928 Graham-Paige that’s not just a means of transport, but their very home. They’ve criss-crossed 37 countries since, covering almost the distance to the moon, as they put it. What started as a six-month trip from Argentina to Alaska stretched into more than 40 months and the trip is not yet over.
“I hope it will continue for another three-four years. However, we don’t have any plans yet. We will continue as long as we can,” said Herman Zapp, 40.
The Zapps, for whom life is an adventure, is the only known family touring the world in a vintage car. They’ve covered countries as diverse as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Japan and Peru and are now in Hampi for three days.
A truly global family

During their never-ending journey, the couple has had four kids  and yes, each of them was born in a different country. Pampa, eight, was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Tehue, five, was born in Argentina, Paloma, three, is a native of Vancouver Island and little Wallaby, two, was born in Australia. The four have never been to school and are taught to look on life as their teacher.
“It’s challenging,” said Zapp. “We don’t stay in any lodges or hotels. This vintage car is everything for us.”
It was given to him by his grandfather and Zapp has to stick to the 40 mile per hour speed  limit that the 84-year old car is restricted to.
“It’s like adventure trekking across the world and we plan to write many more books on our experiences in the days ahead,” said Zapp. They’ve already published a best-seller based on their experiences. Atrapa Tu Sueno was printed during their trip to Alaska. It was later translated into English as Spark your Dream and was the best-selling book at the International Book Fair of Costa Rica. It’s their bread-winner.  The travelogues are well received by readers across the globe, said 35-year-old Candellaria.
The couple is uncertain about what lies ahead but they’ve sparked their dream and there’s no turning back.
Each night,  the six Zapps either sleep in or around a tent set up next to their car, but more often than not they find a friendly local who will put them up for the night.
“This isn’t just a feat by my wife and my young family,” said Herman. “This has a roll call of 12,000 people who have helped my family over the past 11 years.”
And that thought powers them on.
source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com / Home> News> City> Story / by Chetan R / Monday, March 05th, 2012

 

Why drive when you can fly?

Business & Economy, Travel, Uncategorized

A microlite can take you to Mysore in less than an hour and cost just as little as a car

Since they don’t need a conventional runway, you can fly them almost anywhere

Some Bangaloreans are giving up long drives for flying in their own machines aka microlites. According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), microlites are defined as conventional two-seater planes that weigh less than 450 kg and are cleared for recreational flying and training.

Since they were introduced in 2000, the city has close to 50 microlite enthusiasts. Others are located in Coorg, Hassan and Mysore. City-based microlite trainer Javad Hassan travels to Mysore in less than an hour. All that he spends is 10 litres of petrol.
“In Bangalore, microlites are restricted to areas around Jakkur Flying School. There are no such restrictions in Mysore, Mangalore or Coorg,” explains Hassan.
Who can fly?

Flying a microlite requires a licence called PL(M) from the DGCA, which costs Rs 4 lakh. The eligibility criteria is 40 hours of flying experience. Candidates need to undergo a medical test and police verification, explains Hassan. Aero sports centres in Bangalore and Mysore offer 50-hour flying training programmes.
“Pricewise, there is no difference between a car and a microlite. For a good one, prices start at Rs 8 lakh. For those costing less, you do not even require a licence. Currently, close to 20 Bangaloreans own microlites while some prefer to take them on rent,” explains Hassan. 

‘They are sheer thrill’

These flying machines do not need a runway. They can take off or land even on a mud track, says an enthusiast.
Powered by petrol, they can take you to a height of 10,000 feet. “Alternatively, you can also fly just a metre above the ground or sea at 110 km/hr, which is more adventurous than flying at a higher altitude,” says Javad Hassan.
source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com / Home> News> City> Story / by Niranjan Kaggere / Monday, March 05th, 2012