Mesmerizing Canadian sights: Come witness the enchanting locations of Canada. These glorious sights will leave you awe-struck. Take a look…

A couple rides a horse-driven sled along the snow-covered village of Saskatchewan, Craven.

 A trekker watches takes a pause to admire the sunset the at the Narrow Hills Provincial Park in Craven.

 A couple looks over the gorgeous natural surroundings of Nova Scotia.

 The air in Edmonton is filled with festivities as the sky sparkles with fireworks in Alberta.

 A hiker enjoys the view at the Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Albeta.

 A couple spends their time surrounded by nature at a park in New Brunswick.

 A man enjoys his afternoon at the Prospect Bay in Nova Scotia.

 A man clicks the gorgeous view of Cape Tryon, at Park Corner or Prince Edward Island.

 A woman gleefully watches the gentle waterfall of Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

 People enjoy a day of kayaking at Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.

Best Sun Sents

Ferry ride at sunset, Galveston, Texas

A new beginning, Velisemmandalam, Tamil Nadu 

 Sunset at Ramakkalmedu

 Sunset at Pushkar Lake

 Speechless Beauty

Placid lake in twilight 

Outskirts of Mumbai

 Sunset in Kochi, Kerala

Last moments of (sun)day

 Lonely Planet, Alleppey, Kerala

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 Lovely light, Mysore

 

Goa, strictly for the birds

To most people Goa is a land of beaches, great food and the good life. But towards the Western Ghats that border its eastern limits, Goa is a birder’s paradise. Dense forests, river beds, and mangrove forests along the many backwaters and streams are flocked by several winged species – some endemic, a few migratory but most are residents. 

 * * *

Flame-throated Bulbul
In the forests of Tambdi Surla in Goa, I met this brilliantly coloured bird. The state bird of Goa, the Flame-Throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus gularis) is bright yellow with a black head and a bright, flame-colored patch on its throat. This bird moves around in pairs, and is mostly encountered in forests. 

 

Woolly Necked Stork
Though relatively common, the handsome Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) is not an easy bird to see up close, because it takes flight when approached. This is one of the closest sightings I have ever had of this bird. I also spotted it during the boat ride on the Zuari River. 

 

Black capped Kingfisher
Bird-watchers from all over the world visit Goa to see this spectacularly colorful bird. The canals and mangrove forests around some of the fishing hamlets in Goa are known to harbor many varieties of kingfisher. Of these, the Black-capped Kingfisher is the most sought-after. 

 

Slaty Breasted Rail 

We saw this bird hiding among the reeds on the banks of the river Zuari. This bird was a lifer for me. In birding terms, a lifer is a bird that has been spotted for the first time in the birdwatcher’s life.

 

Grey Heron
Not cranes, not storks, these large grey birds are herons. Note the long, fish-spearing beak. It was early in the morning as we sailed down the Zuari and spotted this Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) on the river banks.

 

Chestnut-tailed starling
Relatives of the mynas, the starlings are noisy, active birds that are often found in large flocks. I was walking around the Tambdi Surla temple when this Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) was looking down at me , perhaps wondering if I had anything in store for it. 

 

Crimson-backed sunbird
Also known as the Small Sunbird, this tiny bird is found in the foothills of the Western Ghats. One of the easiest birds to spot, it is rather difficult to photograph as it never sits still.

 

Orange-headed Ground Thrush
Sporting such brilliant colors, this Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrine) was seen on the way to Dudhsagar Falls. It was patient enough to pose for us. These thrushes spend most of their time on the ground, searching for insects among fallen leaves. 

 

The beautiful temples of Bali

The Indonesian island of Bali is home to the majority of the country’s Hindus. Balinese Hinduism is characterized by the worship of the supreme god Acintya, along with the trinity in Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The art and ritual of the Balinese Hindus trace back to influences from the 4th century when Hinduism reached the island’s shores. Balinese temples are ornate, beautiful and situated in visually stunning locales. LAKSHMI SHARATH traipses through Bali and returns with these breathtaking picture postcards.

If you think India has many shrines, think again. In Bali, Indonesia’s Hindu island, there are temples everywhere – in streets, atop mountains, clinging to cliffs, on the seashore, and in the courtyard of every home.

 

The Mother Besakih temple is one of the most important temples in Bali. It is located atop Mount Agung. It is not just one shrine but a cluster of 20 temples overlooking the villages and the green slopes of the mountain. Balinese believe that the good spirits along with their deities reside here and the shrines resemble houses built for them.

 

Goa, I learned, is pronounced “Guha” as in many Indian languages. It refers to a 1,000-year-old cave excavated here that houses the Hindu trinity of gods and Ganesha, whom the Balinese know as “Gajah” (as in elephant). The 11th century site, called Lwa Gajah, was not discovered until the 1950s and was believed to be a sanctuary of a Buddhist monk. Carved images of the Buddha and smaller shrines and a step-well dot the green landscape here.

Bali’s shrines are often located in the most exotic landscapes. This is Pura Uluwatu right atop the cliff. The scenery is breathtaking as you climb uphill through a small forested area patrolled by boisterous monkeys.

Pura Taman Ayun, literally “beautiful garden”, is the shrine of the royalty in Bali. Built in the 17th century, this temple in Mengwi, south Bali, is believed to house the ancestors of the royal dynasty and their family deities.

The sounds of performances fill the air as you walk into any of these temples. Wayang or shadow puppetry, the Kecak or fire-dance, and various other local dances like Barong, Legong and Pendet are some of the art forms to experience while you visit these shrines.

No trip is complete without a glimpse of the spectacular sunset in Tanah Lot temple, a tourist magnet located on a rocky oceanic island. The 15th century shrine, dedicated to the sea spirits, was built under the direction of a priest and is believed to be guarded by snakes.

Priyanka Gandhi -- The power dressing queen

Be it the humble sari or the crisp shirt and trousers, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra carries each of her look with ease and elan.

As she battled the dust during her three- day campaign trail in poll- bound Uttar Pradesh, the Congress’ star campaigner and sure shot vote- bearer, Priyanka, exuded the charisma of her late grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Her visits to Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies saw the woman, who introduced power dressing to the world of Indian politics, sticking to her signature style — of teaming gorgeous cotton saris with longsleeve blouses.

Her unassuming look belies the confidence and power that she holds within, a trait reminiscent of her mother Sonia Gandhi’s modest and unpretentious fashion sensibilities.

At all the three sightings in UP, Priyanka was seen in a sari and long- sleeve blouse, the pallu falling over her arm.

While addressing party workers in Amethi, she was seen in a blue sari with purple border and a matching purple blouse. In Rae Bareli, she was spotted in a sunny yellow checked sari with a maroon blouse to match her happy composition and enthusiasm. On the last day of her visit, she repeated a similar colour combination.

Off the campaign trail though, Priyanka is seen in tucked- in shirt and trousers or a casual jeans and T- shirt.

Keeping her audience in mind, the fashionista always manages to be bang-on trend.

When in the city, Priyanka is urban chic in the casual tee and jeans or crisp shirt and trousers.

Canada's Call of the Outdoors

Reconnect with nature by camping on Lanezi Lake in Bowron Lake Provincial Park.

Go golfing at the Greywolf Golf Course in Panorama Mountain Village near Invermere.

 

Take a scenic, exhilarating motorcycle tour in Jasper National Park in Alberta.

Mountain biking is another adventurous activity you can indulge in.

Kayaking enthusiasts head to Hopewell Rocks which are located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick.

   

 

 If you love skiing, Alberta will prove to be your ski haven.

                            

Giddy up and go horseback riding through fields of wildflowers near Kamloops.

 

Gear up for canoe adventures at Yukon River.

 

Go hiking in the moss covered forest in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in Haida Gwaii.

 

Get set for a thrilling river rafting experience at Fraser River.