Water's ri-i-i-ght! :)
Summer retreats - Water sports in Goa
April 13th, 2010
Parasailing in Goa, is an exciting water sport option. As you soar in the air and let the cool air to gently touch your face, the excitement really kicks in. In Goa you can parasail in two ways - winch-boat parasailing and beach parasailing. Winch-boat parasailing is usually done alone and it takes you high in the air. In winch-parasailing you have to take off and land on the winch boat. On the other hand in beach parasailing you have to launch and land from the beach itself. While landing the beach parasailing requires good coordination and expertise on the part of operator and the ground staff.
This article is part 2 of a series on adventure holidaying in India and the costs involved in them.
Water sports
Goa is a paradise for water sports lovers. The long coastal area offers wonderful opportunities to indulge in all sorts of water-sport activities and the coast has always appealed beach lovers and sports lovers to try on some new watery excitement. Surf the seas or float across the skies, the options of sport enjoyment are never ending in Goa.
Surfing in Goa
Beaches such as Calangute, Colva, Pololem, Vagator, Baga, Dona Paula, Miramar and Bogmolo are considered idyllic spots for surfing under the brilliant sun. Blue and tranquil, these beach destinations have come as the ultimate choice in aqua sports fun.
Dona Paula bay is the ideal site to start of wind surfing, especially if you are new to this sport. The light and steady morning breeze works just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in during the afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more experienced surfers.
Sailing in Goa
Sailing is another pleasant experience that any sport lover as well as beach lover would love to try out. It’s the best recreational and relaxation activity for your beach vacation in Goa. Dinghies are available for hire at the various beach resorts and hotels in Goa and can accommodate about three to four people comfortably.
Water skiing in Goa
Take up a speedboat and venture into the sea for a thrilling skiing experience. These boats can carry between six to eight people, are available at the various beach resorts, water sports clubs and hotels in Goa and one can also opt them for sightseeing on the coastal areas of Goa. In Goa you can take up water ski sport at Calangute, Arossim, Candolim, Utorda and Mobor and Rajbaga.
Scuba diving in Goa
To check out the mysterious marine life of Goa, there are plenty of diving options available in Goa. Most of the diving activities take place around the Grande Island and the most common sites include Suzy’s Wreck, Davy Jones Locker, Sail Rock, Turbo Tunnel, Surge City, Mormugao Harbour, Uma Guma Reef and Bounty Bay.
A four-hour high-speed boat ride takes you the world-class dive site of Angria Bank, 120 miles away from Goa. This island offers an amazing wealth of coral and fishes to the divers. Pigeon Island is another dive site near Goa that has interesting marine life as well as good visibility. Some interesting shallow dive sites are available in the waters between Vengurla and Malvan, and it is just a 2 hour journey from Panaji.
Parasailing
Parasailing in Goa, is an exciting water sport option. As you soar in the air and let the cool air to gently touch your face, the excitement really kicks in. In Goa you can parasail in two ways - winch-boat parasailing and beach parasailing. Winch-boat parasailing is usually done alone and it takes you high in the air. In winch-parasailing you have to take off and land on the winch boat. On the other hand in beach parasailing you have to launch and land from the beach itself. While landing the beach parasailing requires good coordination and expertise on the part of operator and the ground staff.
How to Reach:
Goa can be reached by its lone airport (Dabolim), by train, and by the many buses connecting the state with cities in India (primarily Mumbai, Mangalore and Bangalore). If you are travelling from Mumbai or Pune, car travel would provide you a journey through the breathtaking scenery of Konkan area. Travel from Mangalore to Goa is through Konkan rail and you can see its breath taking scenery and Doodh Sagar Lake.
Distance from Goa to various cities:
Mangalore (305 km)
Bangalore (592 km)
Delhi (1912 km)
Hyderabad (747 km)
Mumbai (593 km)
Mysore (643 km)
Pune (450 km)
Costs for Water Sports at Goa
Goa is one of the more expensive states in India to stay in. During the peak season, which lasts from November to late March, the prices are very high. Especially in December, 5 star hotel rates range from around Rs.20,000 to Rs.35,000 per night whereas in non-peak season it ranges from Rs.3,000/- to Rs.6,000/-. An economic hotel will range from Rs 550/- to Rs1,000/- per night. All tourist spots charge more in the peak season.
To reach Goa by train it will cost you around Rs300/- from Mumbai, Rs 275/- from Banglore, Rs 350/- from Chennai and Rs 530/- from Delhi.
In Goa geared and un-geared motorbikes and scooters can be borrowed on rent. Those planning to stay long can consider buying them too. Rentals are around Rs. 150/- to Rs.450/- (+ about Rs.100/- for fuel based on your usage) a day on a scooter and a little more if one is looking for a geared motorcycle.
Always ask for a discount if renting long-term (one month or more). Ensure that you have all the ownership documents of the bike. Also, avoid taking motorbikes with yellow plates out of Goa - it is a punishable offense.
Fares are reasonable in bus and it is a great way to travel and see the country and is inexpensive. Rs.10 to Rs.15/- often get you a 30-40km ride.
There are many car rental companies available that give Mahindra, Maruti Gypsy etc. for rent. Some of these jeeps are open roof. Expect to pay around Rs.700/- to Rs. 800/- a day.
The White Water River Rafting for a half day (which includes 11-15km) may cost around Rs 500-700 per person and a full day (which includes 17-22km) may cost around Rs 800-1000 per person (excluding the food).
Water Skiing Rates: Rs.400-1,200, it varies with the length of ride and operator.
Scuba-Diving Rates: 2,500 per diver for Grande Island, including two guided dives, full equipment and snacks.
Parasailing Rates: A ride of 3 to 5 minutes cost between Rs.500 to Rs. 1,250.
Windsurfing Rates: Rs. 300-600 for an hour, the rates depend of your operator.
Sailing Rates: Rs. 600-1,500 for an hour.
So if you are a water sports lover then just pack your bags and enjoy the water sports and the water diving locations in Goa with the various options available for you.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
This is excerpted from a much longer article:
Stern magazine reported Wednesday that 62 percent of 1,004 people polled by the Forsa institute after the soldiers' deaths said they support bringing the German troops home.
Stern said that is the highest percentage ever on that question, up from only 34 percent in September 2005 when Forsa did a similar poll.
The margin of error in the latest Forsa poll held April 8 and 9 was given as plus or minus three percentage points.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week she still thinks German troops are needed in Afghanistan, but they will not stay a day longer than necessary.
Merkel also said she can understand that soldiers call the conflict in Afghanistan a civil war or just simply a "war" — a word German governments have avoided since the Afghanistan mission's start in early 2002.
Opposition leader Sigmar Gabriel of the Social Democrats reacted this week by saying that if the situation in Afghanistan is indeed a war the government should openly say so and parliament should vote on it.
Merkel's spokeswoman Sabine Heimbach repudiated that idea on Wednesday, saying the mission's legal basis had not changed.
Pressure has been rising on the government ever since a German commander ordered two fuel trucks captured near Kunduz by Taliban fighters to be bombed in September, killing up to 142 people, many of them civilians.
Stern magazine reported Wednesday that 62 percent of 1,004 people polled by the Forsa institute after the soldiers' deaths said they support bringing the German troops home.
Stern said that is the highest percentage ever on that question, up from only 34 percent in September 2005 when Forsa did a similar poll.
The margin of error in the latest Forsa poll held April 8 and 9 was given as plus or minus three percentage points.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week she still thinks German troops are needed in Afghanistan, but they will not stay a day longer than necessary.
Merkel also said she can understand that soldiers call the conflict in Afghanistan a civil war or just simply a "war" — a word German governments have avoided since the Afghanistan mission's start in early 2002.
Opposition leader Sigmar Gabriel of the Social Democrats reacted this week by saying that if the situation in Afghanistan is indeed a war the government should openly say so and parliament should vote on it.
Merkel's spokeswoman Sabine Heimbach repudiated that idea on Wednesday, saying the mission's legal basis had not changed.
Pressure has been rising on the government ever since a German commander ordered two fuel trucks captured near Kunduz by Taliban fighters to be bombed in September, killing up to 142 people, many of them civilians.
Au Courant
From New Mexico politics dot com:
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall’s trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan last week “only reinforced his concerns about the wisdom of escalating the war,” The Santa Fe New Mexican is reporting.
Udall said the United States has a “good general” in charge of its war efforts there, and the senator said he wants the United States and Afghanistan to succeed, but he remains “concerned with the reliability of our partner in the region,” the newspaper reported.
“It’s a tremendous human, military and financial cost of an open-ended commitment,” Udall said on a call with reporters, according to the newspaper. “Therefore, I remain skeptical of a continued build-up. I’m unconvinced that sending 30,000 more troops into harm’s way improves the situation or advances our national security interests.”
“The reality on the ground is that rebuilding Afghanistan is a monumental effort,” Udall said. “We can’t do it all. And the more we do, the more dependent they become.”
I was on a call last week with Udall during which he said he remained skeptical but didn’t go into details, but I was unable to take part in Tuesday’s call, during which Udall went into more depth.
You can get the details from The New Mexican, or listen to the full interview. You can also view more photos from Udall’s trip.
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall’s trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan last week “only reinforced his concerns about the wisdom of escalating the war,” The Santa Fe New Mexican is reporting.
Udall said the United States has a “good general” in charge of its war efforts there, and the senator said he wants the United States and Afghanistan to succeed, but he remains “concerned with the reliability of our partner in the region,” the newspaper reported.
“It’s a tremendous human, military and financial cost of an open-ended commitment,” Udall said on a call with reporters, according to the newspaper. “Therefore, I remain skeptical of a continued build-up. I’m unconvinced that sending 30,000 more troops into harm’s way improves the situation or advances our national security interests.”
“The reality on the ground is that rebuilding Afghanistan is a monumental effort,” Udall said. “We can’t do it all. And the more we do, the more dependent they become.”
I was on a call last week with Udall during which he said he remained skeptical but didn’t go into details, but I was unable to take part in Tuesday’s call, during which Udall went into more depth.
You can get the details from The New Mexican, or listen to the full interview. You can also view more photos from Udall’s trip.
I have it on very good authority that Hampi, India, has some of the BEST bouldering in the world. Stay tuned for rock climbing in Afghanistan...
=) =) =)
Rock Climbing Sites
Within a radius of 60 Kilometres from Bangalore, there is possibly the biggest concentration of granite in the country. The rocks range from two kilometre long boulder fields to rock domes rising 300 metres. There are smaller towers 60 metres to 100 metres. Savandurga is the biggest dome near Bangalore, which has been developed. The main dome is 300 metres high and has eight routes on it. The most exciting classic climb is "Bangalore Bill" which sports a 90-metre crux pitch on thin protection.
Bangalore is in the centre of a number of rock climbing destinations like Ramanagaram (the setting for the Hindi blockbuster Sholay), Savandurga, Thuralli, Kabbal, Raogodhu and others.
Badami, a five-hour drive from Bangalore, is also a good place for rock climbing.
Kambakkam, around 100 kms from Chennai, provides good climbing in many grades.
Hampi in Karnataka has some of the best granite rocks in India providing the climbers ample opportunities to test their skills. Also known as the "City of Rocks" 350 kilometres north of Bangalore is another very interesting place. There are an endless number of boulders strewn ranging from four metres to 60 metres as far as the eye can see. One can spend days exploring this labyrinth of rocks. There is an endless potential for new routes at all grades.
In a 300 kms radius adjoining Kolkata, there are some climbing destinations such as Purulia, Matha Bura, Jai C Chandi and Susunia hills. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute offers courses in mountaineering at Gobu and Tenzing Norgay Rocks.
There are several good rock climbing destinations near Mumbai like Kanheri, Mumbra Boulders, Manori Rocks Karnala and Matheran.
In Gujarat Pavagadh is a favourite rock-climbing destination.
In Haryana, Dhauj (50 KM south west of Delhi) is the Mecca of Rock Climbing in India with some of the best rock faces with various grades of Difficulties graded and marked by the Indian Mountaineering Federation. This is perhaps the only place on Rock Climbing with a book written about it (nearly 400 rock faces with sketches and diagrams) by a Delhi based climber Mohit Oberoi. Many agencies from Delhi conduct daylong rock climbing courses and also programmes of longer duration. It is a favourite destination with schools in Delhi and adjoining area for overnight camping and rock climbing programmes.
In Delhi the areas around Lado Serai and Anand Parbat offer some good options.
In Uttaranchal the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering utilises the sites around Uttarkashi to impart training on the sport. Recently the Asia Climbing championships were held at Uttarkashi generating much interest in the local media about the sport. Areas around Nainital also offer many options for the serious rock-climbing enthusiast. Mukteshwar is particularly a favoured spot with the local climbers.
Gangotri Gorge 400 km. north of Delhi has immense possibilities of big wall climbing on walls ranging from 200 metres to 1,000 metres in a mountain environment.
www.rockclimbing.com
Mt. Abu (Rajasthan)
Pachmarhi in Central India.
To Top
Sport Climbing
For people who like to climb but do not have the time to travel to the nearest sites sport climbing on Artificial Walls, emerged as a sport in England and spread rapidly across the globe and today has a cult following. As with natural climbing sport climbing is not weather dependent as it is mostly indoors, is not time dependent and is flexible on the grade of climbing to be selected by the climber by placing the holds at the desired places to choose one's own level of difficulty. Today there are more than 60 artificial walls in the country owned privately and by the government institutes and are rapidly contributing to growth of the sport in the country. The latest star attraction in the country happens to be the Ice Wall erected at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering for the Asian Rock Climbing Championships and is one of its kind in the country. Some other places with artificial walls are the Ramjas Sports and Mountaineering Institute in Delhi, HMI Darjeeling and the Indian Mountaineering Federation, Legend Inn and the Yamuna Sports Complex at New Delhi.
=) =) =)
Rock Climbing Sites
Within a radius of 60 Kilometres from Bangalore, there is possibly the biggest concentration of granite in the country. The rocks range from two kilometre long boulder fields to rock domes rising 300 metres. There are smaller towers 60 metres to 100 metres. Savandurga is the biggest dome near Bangalore, which has been developed. The main dome is 300 metres high and has eight routes on it. The most exciting classic climb is "Bangalore Bill" which sports a 90-metre crux pitch on thin protection.
Bangalore is in the centre of a number of rock climbing destinations like Ramanagaram (the setting for the Hindi blockbuster Sholay), Savandurga, Thuralli, Kabbal, Raogodhu and others.
Badami, a five-hour drive from Bangalore, is also a good place for rock climbing.
Kambakkam, around 100 kms from Chennai, provides good climbing in many grades.
Hampi in Karnataka has some of the best granite rocks in India providing the climbers ample opportunities to test their skills. Also known as the "City of Rocks" 350 kilometres north of Bangalore is another very interesting place. There are an endless number of boulders strewn ranging from four metres to 60 metres as far as the eye can see. One can spend days exploring this labyrinth of rocks. There is an endless potential for new routes at all grades.
In a 300 kms radius adjoining Kolkata, there are some climbing destinations such as Purulia, Matha Bura, Jai C Chandi and Susunia hills. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute offers courses in mountaineering at Gobu and Tenzing Norgay Rocks.
There are several good rock climbing destinations near Mumbai like Kanheri, Mumbra Boulders, Manori Rocks Karnala and Matheran.
In Gujarat Pavagadh is a favourite rock-climbing destination.
In Haryana, Dhauj (50 KM south west of Delhi) is the Mecca of Rock Climbing in India with some of the best rock faces with various grades of Difficulties graded and marked by the Indian Mountaineering Federation. This is perhaps the only place on Rock Climbing with a book written about it (nearly 400 rock faces with sketches and diagrams) by a Delhi based climber Mohit Oberoi. Many agencies from Delhi conduct daylong rock climbing courses and also programmes of longer duration. It is a favourite destination with schools in Delhi and adjoining area for overnight camping and rock climbing programmes.
In Delhi the areas around Lado Serai and Anand Parbat offer some good options.
In Uttaranchal the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering utilises the sites around Uttarkashi to impart training on the sport. Recently the Asia Climbing championships were held at Uttarkashi generating much interest in the local media about the sport. Areas around Nainital also offer many options for the serious rock-climbing enthusiast. Mukteshwar is particularly a favoured spot with the local climbers.
Gangotri Gorge 400 km. north of Delhi has immense possibilities of big wall climbing on walls ranging from 200 metres to 1,000 metres in a mountain environment.
www.rockclimbing.com
Mt. Abu (Rajasthan)
Pachmarhi in Central India.
To Top
Sport Climbing
For people who like to climb but do not have the time to travel to the nearest sites sport climbing on Artificial Walls, emerged as a sport in England and spread rapidly across the globe and today has a cult following. As with natural climbing sport climbing is not weather dependent as it is mostly indoors, is not time dependent and is flexible on the grade of climbing to be selected by the climber by placing the holds at the desired places to choose one's own level of difficulty. Today there are more than 60 artificial walls in the country owned privately and by the government institutes and are rapidly contributing to growth of the sport in the country. The latest star attraction in the country happens to be the Ice Wall erected at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering for the Asian Rock Climbing Championships and is one of its kind in the country. Some other places with artificial walls are the Ramjas Sports and Mountaineering Institute in Delhi, HMI Darjeeling and the Indian Mountaineering Federation, Legend Inn and the Yamuna Sports Complex at New Delhi.
Rafiq Maqbool is Pulitzer finalist
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, April 14: The photographers of the Associated Press have been chosen as finalists of 2010 Pulitzer Prize for “unforgettable images that take viewers to the frontlines of America’s war in Afghanistan”.
Of the five photographers credited for their work, one is Kashmir-born Rafiq Maqbool. The “conflict-photographer” has been with AP since 2001 and has covered the Afghanistan war since 2003.
He took the photo chosen for Pulitzer on 1st June 2009.
The photograph shows US medical personnel treat US Pfc Anthony Vandegrift of Mililani Hawaii of Bravo Company 287, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in the emergency room at the US hospital in Bagram airbase, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, after he was wounded at a roadside bomb in Nerkh district of Wardak province.
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, April 14: The photographers of the Associated Press have been chosen as finalists of 2010 Pulitzer Prize for “unforgettable images that take viewers to the frontlines of America’s war in Afghanistan”.
Of the five photographers credited for their work, one is Kashmir-born Rafiq Maqbool. The “conflict-photographer” has been with AP since 2001 and has covered the Afghanistan war since 2003.
He took the photo chosen for Pulitzer on 1st June 2009.
The photograph shows US medical personnel treat US Pfc Anthony Vandegrift of Mililani Hawaii of Bravo Company 287, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in the emergency room at the US hospital in Bagram airbase, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, after he was wounded at a roadside bomb in Nerkh district of Wardak province.
..from deep down in kangaland.
KEVIN Rudd is facing growing criticism from church groups over his toughened asylum stance, but other critics of past Australian refugee policy are holding their fire.
With the opposition accusing the government of misleading the public over the reasons for the freeze on Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum claims, Uniting Church president Alistair Macrae attacked Labor for reneging on a commitment to treat refugees more humanely.
Yesterday, Mr Macrae said there was little difference between the Howard government's treatment of asylum-seekers and Mr Rudd's.
"They've quite clearly lapsed on previous commitments," Mr Macrae said.
"They've certainly contravened international agreements that we've signed up to as a nation."
The comments followed the decision on Friday to suspend new Sri Lankan asylum claims for three months and Afghan claims for six months. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference general secretary Brian Lucas said as a matter of principle, asylum-seekers should be dealt with in a just and humane way. "Making a unilateral decision that defers even the consideration of a claim seems to have no other value than to provide some form of deterrent," Father Lucas said.
One of the louder critics of the previous government, moderate Liberal MP Petro Georgiou, said Friday's announcement was "very disturbing".
"I do not think we should regress in our treatment of asylum-seekers and this is a regressive move," Mr Georgiou said.
But other critics have proved more guarded. Maverick Labor MP Julia Irwin, who, in the wake of the Oceanic Viking incident, declared she was "ashamed" of her own government, said of Friday's announcement that "something had to be done".
KEVIN Rudd is facing growing criticism from church groups over his toughened asylum stance, but other critics of past Australian refugee policy are holding their fire.
With the opposition accusing the government of misleading the public over the reasons for the freeze on Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum claims, Uniting Church president Alistair Macrae attacked Labor for reneging on a commitment to treat refugees more humanely.
Yesterday, Mr Macrae said there was little difference between the Howard government's treatment of asylum-seekers and Mr Rudd's.
"They've quite clearly lapsed on previous commitments," Mr Macrae said.
"They've certainly contravened international agreements that we've signed up to as a nation."
The comments followed the decision on Friday to suspend new Sri Lankan asylum claims for three months and Afghan claims for six months. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference general secretary Brian Lucas said as a matter of principle, asylum-seekers should be dealt with in a just and humane way. "Making a unilateral decision that defers even the consideration of a claim seems to have no other value than to provide some form of deterrent," Father Lucas said.
One of the louder critics of the previous government, moderate Liberal MP Petro Georgiou, said Friday's announcement was "very disturbing".
"I do not think we should regress in our treatment of asylum-seekers and this is a regressive move," Mr Georgiou said.
But other critics have proved more guarded. Maverick Labor MP Julia Irwin, who, in the wake of the Oceanic Viking incident, declared she was "ashamed" of her own government, said of Friday's announcement that "something had to be done".
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