Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago or also known as The Way of St James has existed for more than a thousand years. During medieval times, Camino de Santiago was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages together with Rome and Jerusalem.

Santiago de Compostela

According to the legend St. James's remains were carried from Jerusalem to northern Spain and he was buried on the cite where the city of Santiago de Compostela is nowadays.Due to the Black Plague and the Reformation the route was forgotten by the pilgrims. In October 1987 the route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe and also named one of Unesco's World Heritage Sites.

This year (2010) is declared a Holy one because St James day (25th of July) falls on Sunday.
In ancient times The route to Santiago was a Roman trade route known as the Milky Way because it followed the Milky way to the Atlantic. There is no official record that the route was sacred before Christianity but is it believed that it was used as a pre-Christian Celtic death journey towards the setting sun which terminated at the Finisterra (End of the World), Costa de Morte ( the Coast of Death) or the Mare Tenebrosum ( Abyss of Death or also The Sea of Darkness) - Latin for the Atlantic ocean, named after the Dying Civilization of Atlantis.

Costa de Morte

The scallop is what led to these conclusions as it is one the symbols of Camino de Santiago and can be found on the shores of Galicia. It resembles the setting sun.
There is no evidence of that but many think that the Pilgrims' road is related to some prehistoric cults of fertility. Many ancient symbols have been found on the road to Compostela such as the star within a circle ( Ashtarte ), Venus coming on a shell ( Aphrodite ) and others representing Mari, the Mairu and the rising of Megaliths in old Basques' legends and myths.

Ashtarte star

There are many routes that lead to Compostela. Whichever you decide to take keep in mind that it will take weeks or months to get to the final point. One of the most popular ones is Via Regia ( Camino Francés ) or 'the French Way'. According to the Spanish the Pyrenees are the starting point. Common starting points are Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Somport which are on the French side or Roncesvalles or Jaca on the Spanish side. Another popular route is the Northern Route. It is very picturesque as a large part of it runs along the coastline. More information on the routes can be found on http://www.santiago-compostela.net/ and http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/

If you consider doing the Camino as a vacation - it will probably be the cheapest one in your life. But there are things you will need. First of all - BOOTS. Second of all - BOOTS. A ruck sack. Remember to pack light because you will be the one carrying it. Having a sleeping bag is also essential.Any kind of rain gear is a must as well. Pack only what you really can't live without like a mosquito spray.
Something every pilgrim should have is the concha peregrina ( scallop shell).

Real pilgrim

Concha peregrina

The accommodation is easy. There are hundreds of pilgrim's hostels which are extremely for those who hold a credencial. Credencial or Pilgrim's passport is a document which can be purchased for a few euros through a travel agency or a local church. This document allows accommodation in 'refugios' sometimes for free.Refugios or albergues are hostels for pilgrims only. The credencial is stamped with the official St James stamp of each town or refugio the pilgrim has stayed at. It is a record of every place you have visited and it serves as proof to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago that the journey is done according to an official route. You need the credencial in order to receive a compostela - a certificate that proves you have completed the pilgrimage.

La concha is showing you the way

Compostela

 
While on the camino you probably won't have the time and an access to a computer to Skype home so you should consider bying a calling card or using a company which provides cheap international calls . Enjoy!

Wonderous China

1.Reed Flute Cave in Guilin

The cave was discovered 1,300 years ago during the Tang Dinasty. It is a 240 m long cave system with amazing rock formations. In front of the cave can be found ‘Ludi cao’ – reed grass used for the making of flutes.

2.The Immortal Bridge

A landscape located in the Mount Tai, which has been a worshipped ceremonial center for the last 3000 years. Mt Tai is one of the ‘Five Sacred Mountains’ and it is associated with sunrise, rebirth, beginning.

3.Yunnan province

4.Mount Sangingshan Natural Park

48 granite peaks and 89 granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes.

5.Wulingyuan National Park

People from all over the globe go to the Wulingyuan National Park via Zhangjiajie for a glimpse of 3,100 tall quartzite sandstone pillar-like mountains.If you have seen “Avatar,” you have seen Zhangjiajie.

China natural treasures are numerous. Best of all, there are many possibilities for hiking and organized tours. If you decide to go and see for yourself better call beforehand and book a tour. If you are located in the UK, I’d recommend using a call service which provides cheap calls to China . Enjoy your vacation!

Explore India - Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajastan

The foundation of one of the largest forts in India was laid on May 12, 1459 by Rao Jodha, son of Ranmal. He decided to move his capital to a safer location. The fort is situated on a rocky hill , known as Bhaurcheeria – the mountain of birds. According to the legend, Jodha had to get rid off Cheeria Natji, the bird lord, who lived on the hill. The hermit then cursed Jodha :'Jodha! May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water!'. Jodha built a temple next to the cave which the bird lord used for meditation but even today the area is plagued by a drought every 4 years. To ensure that the site propitious Jodha buried a man alive in the foundations. His name was Rajiya Bhambi and in return of his sacrifice he was promised that his family would be looked after. His descendants still live in Raj Bagh, Rajiya's Garden, an estate given to them by Jodha.

The name of the fort 'Mehrangarh' comes from the word for sun-deity in Sanskrit ( 'mihir'). The Sun-deity has been the main deity for the Rathore dinasty. 

The fort is situated 400 feet above the city and spreading on more than 5 kilometres. Behind it's walls, which are up to 36 metres high and 20 metres wide, are hidden some of the most beautiful palaces and gardens in Rajastan. The museum in the Mehrangarh fort is extremely well-srocked. The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores - arms, costumes, paintings and decorated period rooms. Also the handprints of 15 royal satis, Jodhpur queens who were willingly burnt on the funeral pyres of their husbands , can still be seen. 

Inside, the fort is separated into different 'Period rooms':

1.Moti Mahal – The Pearl Palace

1. 

  It was built by Raja Sur Singh. It's the largest period room – it has 5 alcoves leading into hidden balconies, built especially for his five queens.

2.Sheesha Mahal – The Hall of Mirrors

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   3.Phool Mahal – The Palace of Flower  
   It was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh as a exclusive chamber of pleasure and entertainment. 
   3. 4.Takhat Vilas – Takhat Singh's Chamber
      
      Travel tip: If you decide to go and explore India - do not trust online bookings and call to confirm your reservations. It might be pricey so use a call service which provides cheap calls to India .  

Istanbul - The City on Seven Hills, pt.II

1.Hagia Sophia

For more than 900 years Hagia Sophia was the church of Holy Wisdom. As a symbol of the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks the church was converted into a mosque and served as such for more than four centuries. In 1935 Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, officially made it a museum. Ever since Hagia Sophia is the most visited museum in Turkey.

The first to plan building a church on the site was Constantine The Great after he decided to pronounce Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, his time was up so the first church was actually built in 360 AD by his son - Emperor ConstantiusII.

Soon after the riot Justinian I ordered a new church to be built. He decorated it with the finest marbles from Greece, Egypt, Africa and Asia. According to some sources more than 10 000 slaves were used to build Hagia Sophia in record time – 5 years and 10 months.

2.Galata Tower

The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) was also called Christea Turris ( The Tower of Christ) by the Genoese. The tower is one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city. The Christea Turris was built in 1348 during the expansion of the Genoese colony. It was the apex of the fortifications surrounding the Genoese citadel of Galata. It's a must-see.

3.Suleiman Mosque

The Suleiman Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) was built in the 16^th century by Suleiman The Magnificent. The mosque was constructed by the Ottoman architect Sinan and it was finished 7 years after Suleiman's order. The mosque resembles a Byzantine basilica.

4.Kariye Camii

Kariye Museum in Istanbul is rated among the top 30 must-see museums in the world alongside internationally celebrated art museums as The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao, Spain; The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia; Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam; and The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

The Kariye museum is also known as the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora. It began as a chapel built around the 15^th century and afterwards it was converted into a mosque. It's the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia. 

5.Anadolu Kavagi and Yoros Castle

Anadolu Kavagi is a small fishing village n the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Its colorful, picturesque and a place where you can enjoy inexpensive seafood and beautiful sights.

Yoros Castle was settled by the Phoenicians and Greeks prior to the Byzantine period for the purpose of trading. The Greeks called the area Hieron (Sacred Place). There are many remains of temples, including Dios, Altar of the Twelve Gods, and Zeus Ourios (Zeus, granter of fair winds) discovered in the area

Already excited about seeing all this former glory of the Near East? If you are already planning a vacation don't trust online bookings but call Turkey to confirm your reservation. Enjoy!

Istanbul - The City on Seven Hills

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and a former capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). An amazing city with extraordinary architecture and rich history. Istanbul has been called 'The City of Seven Hills' because the old part was built on seven hills each of which bears a historic mosque.

Here are some of the top rated sights that must be seen:

1.Cannon gate Palace-OLd Palace-Topkaki Sarayi-ESki Saray

The Old palace had been the city residence of the Ottoman Sultans for more than 4 centuries. The construction began in 1459 after Sultan Mehmed II conquered the Byzantine Constantinople. Topkapı Palace lost its significance at the end of the 17th century, as the Sultans preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosporus. In 1856, Sultan Abdül Mecid I decided to move the court to the Dolmabahçe Palace. Nowadays the palace is a museum where some of the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the Prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword are kept.

2.Hagia Eirene

Hagia Eirene was originally built as a basilica by Constantine in the forth century and thus it has the floor of one with the domes of Byzantine design. The church was rebuilt by Justinian in the 6^th century. Now it's a concert hall and museum .

3.Blue Mosque - Sultan Ahmet Mosque

It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. The name of the mosque comes from the blue tiles on the walls.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was visited by Pope Benedict XVI on 30 November 2006. This is the second papal visit to a Muslim place of worship in history. Barefooted, turned towards Mecca in a gesture of Muslim prayer with eyes closed, the pontiff conducted "Silent Prayer'' staying side-by-side with Mustafa Çağrıcı, the Mufti of Istanbul and Emrullah Hatipoğlu, the Imam of the Blue Mosque .

4.Dolmabahce Palace

The palace was first inhabited in 1856 and it served as home for six sultans until the abolition of the Caliphate in 1924. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, used the palace as a presidential residence during the summers. That is also the place where he spent his last days.

Dolmabahçe has the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world, and one of the great staircases has bannisters of Baccarat crystal. The world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier is in the center hall. The chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria, has 750 lamps and weighs 4.5 tonnes.

Already excited about seeing all this former glory of the Near East? If you are already planning a vacation don't trust online bookings but call Turkey to confirm your reservation. Enjoy!

 

Sacred Places - Girnar Hill , India

Mount Girnar ( Girnar Hill ) is situated in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, India. Girnar is known to be the “anthology of mountains” which contains about five mountains connected by a stone path - a pilgrimage route for Hindus and Jains. According to the legend there are 9,999 steps from the trailhead to the last temple.

It is believed by Hindus that if you climb the mountain barefooted you will be granted forgiveness and a place in Heaven. There are many legends attached to Girnar Hill. It is also said that if a person attempts suicide from the holy stone, he'll become one with Heaven. Another curious fact is that in the Gir Forest still can be seen the last remaining Asian lions.

The major temple is the Neminath temple built in the 11th century.The temple contains the deity of Lord Neminath, which is made of black granite and the eyes of the deity are made of precious jewels. According to Jain religion n, Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar became an ascetic after he saw the slaughter of animals for food on his wedding. He rejected all worldly pleasures and went to Mount Girnar to attain salvation. There, Bhagwan Neminath reached the highest state of enlightenment, Keval Gyan and Moksha, after great austerities. His bride-to-be also followed his path and founded the 'Sandhvi Sangh', the organization of women ascetics.

In addition, there is another temple known as Mallinath temple within the Neminath temple which is devoted to Tirthankar (Jain god).

Another Jain temple in the region is the Parshwanath Temple. It was built in the 15th century and is also known as Meravasi. Besides this, there is a Goddess Ambe Temple at Grinar. The temple is visited by the newly married couples for good fortune and prosperous married life.

A mosque is situated near the Meravasi temple where childless women seek blessings. There are many more temples in Girnar worth seeing. It's a deeply spiritual place where people from many religions go to search for inner peace and harmony.

However, Girnar is a must-see for everyone interested in Indian culture.The outstanding architecture and the feeling of eternity floating in the air makes it an incredible place.

Travel tip: If you decide to go and explore India - do not trust online bookings and call to confirm your reservations. It might be pricey so use a call service which provides cheap calls to India .