NoToiletPaper.com: Sanitized Travel Advice & Research - Articles

H.H. The Nizam VI - Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, 1869-1911

no@spam.com (Joel Schumacher) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:13:39 EST

A few photographs of the Nizam of Hyderabad and his family.

Nizam was a title given to the rulers of the state of Hyderabad in India. These rulers belonged to the Asaf Jah dynasty. Asaf Jah was a title assumed by Mir Qamar-ud-Din, a viceroy of the Deccan, under the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who split from the crumbling Mughal Empire and in 1720 declared himself an independent state. His successors, henceforth were known by the title of Nizam.

In 1948 the independent state of Hyderabad was annexed by the newly independent India. A total of 7 nizams ruled Hyderabad and evidence of their rule can still be seen today in Hyderabad city.

Osaka - Once the Capital of Japan

no@spam.com (Miraya Blanton) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:49:51 EST

Osaka, the second city of Japan after Tokyo, is said to be the country’s best place to eat, drink and be merry! It was earlier called Naniwa and has also had the honor of being the capital of Japan at one point. But even after the capital shifted, Osaka has continued to be an important hub for land, sea and river transportation. It has also served as the ‘nation’s kitchen’, being the collection and distribution point for rice, the most important measure of wealth in olden times. Now that’s a title few cities can boast of having!

The older generation in Osaka would probably remember the city as a maze of waterways that was the principal mode of transportation for the booming merchant trade in the city. Almost all the canals and the traditional wooden buildings were destroyed during the World War II. Now the city has a more modern and futuristic feel to it with buildings such as the inverted U-shaped Umeda Sky Building, Imperial Hotel, and the Ferris wheel on top of the HEP Five Complex. The city is also trying to establish green areas in the city in an attempt to regain some of its lost beauty.

Cebu - The Island Capital of the province of Cebu

no@spam.com (Caroline Kim) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:04:46 EDT

Cebu, located in the Philippines is an island which is long and narrow and covers a distance of 225 km. The island itself is surrounded by 167 neighboring islands some of which are Mactan Island, Bantayan Island, Olango and Camotes Island. Cebu is flanked on both sides by the straits of Cebu. The topography of the island is made up of narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus and coastal plains. There is also a hilly terrain in both the north and south parts of the island. Some of these mountains are as high as 1000 meters. The mountains are popular with adventure thrill seeking tourists who like to hike up the hilly terrain.

Udaipur - A remarkable historical Indian city

no@spam.com (Malaika Vartak) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:27:32 EDT

Udaipur is a well preserved classic city. With its white washed onion domes and lattice windows overlooking the glittering lakes, the majestic City Palace and hundreds of crumbling heritage havelis stretching along one of its banks, Udaipur is one of the most remarkable cities in the world. The imposing City palace is magically transformed into a fairyland once the sun sets and pretty fairy lights garland the lakeside buildings, dazzling brilliantly in the water's reflection. It is truly a mesmerizing experience enticing tourists with its exotic beauty.

The city was founded in the mid 16th century after Maharana Udai Singh’s former capital of Chittorgarh was plundered by the Mughal emperor, Akbar. Legend has it that the city was named after Maharana Udai Singh, who on the advise of a holy man, laid the foundation stone of this arrestingly aesthetic location. The Maharana of Udaipur is also the leader of the Mewar Rajputs known to his people as the “Sun King” and has the royal emblem of the sun on his standard.

The Mewar dynasty is one of the oldest in the world. More than seventy six generations have been witness to the grandeur of the Palace which reflects the rich cultural heritage, and the equally impressive traditions of 'royal' regalia.

Kuala Lumpur - A great place to start for a truly Asian experience

no@spam.com (Ira Bakshi) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:19:45 EDT

Malaysia’s capital city is a blend of the new and the old and a mascot for the Malaysian Tourist board’s catch phrase welcoming tourists to Malaysia ‘Malaysia truly Asia’.

For a few years now the Malaysian Tourist Board along with Malaysian Airways has been creating campaigns in order to attract the foreign tourist to Malaysia, periodic

‘Visit Malaysia’ years as well as the Shopping Carnival held every year in March and April are some of the strategies used to attract tourists and bolster tourism. Kuala Lumpur or KL as it is popularly known is usually the point of entry for a tourist to the peninsula of Malaysia.

Thanjavur (Tanjore) - The Ancient Capital of the Chola Empire

no@spam.com (Deepika Nigam) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:53:02 EDT

Legend has it that the city of Tanjore is named after a demon by the name of Tanjan - who was causing havoc and was destroyed by Sri Neelamegaperumal. Tanjore or Thanjavur rose to glory during the Chola reign between the 10th and the 14th Centuries and became a centre of art, music and culture. The Chola rule over Tamil Nadu spanned four hundred years and has left an incessant influence on its history. Besides the Cholas, the kingdom was also ruled by various other dynasties like the Pallavas, Pandyas and Cheras. The imperial city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas, Tanjore has a rich and distinguished cultural heritage and is renowned for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and South Indian Musical Instruments. Tanjore is located in the exceedingly fertile delta of the Cavery River on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and is also called the rice bowl of the state. The fertile, abundant land blessed its rulers with enough affluence and prosperity to support the construction of exquisite temples and stunning palaces. The land around the Cavery is so fertile that it has been able to provide upto 3 harvests of rice in a year.

Kozhikode - Paradise Discovered

no@spam.com (Radha Ramachandran) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:54:30 EDT

When Vasco da Gama arrived at Kozhikode 500 years ago he put the sea port on the map of the world discovering the first sea route to the Indian subcontinent. Just as in the time of the ancient sea faring traders Kozhikode continues to be a prosperous centre for domestic and international trade of commodities produced locally as well as in the neighbouring districts of Wayanad, Malappuram and Kannu. Traders seeking its fragrant, exotic spices grown on layered hills plantations ushered in influences transmitted and incorporated into the culture and flavours of the region- Malabari food characterized by Arabic and Christian sensibilities, mappila pattu and oppana songs sung in Arabic and malayalam and history replete with interventions from overseas. Yet the land retains its culture unblemished- annual vedic debates, an ancient and magnificent tradition of martial arts kalaripayyattu, and the vadakkan pattukal or folk songs immortalising the exploits of a local hero. These influences and local traditions seem to flow together unhurried and time tested like the Backwaters beckoning a revisit- and it does seem like a revisit even if its your first time - the natural beauty seems dreamlike and familiar from some land before time you know first hand. Kozhikode is at peace with itself and has much to offer therein…

Macau: A City with Two Faces

no@spam.com (Jenna Helfand) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:42:32 EDT

With a total land area of just 21 sq km, Macau consists of a narrow peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane. However, with its ever-growing popularity with tourists and entrepreneurs alike, Macau is growing and extensive land reclamation projects are underway to accommodate them all. The terrain has low hills and on the west of the peninsula, one of the main channels of the Xi He (West River) empties into the South China Sea.

Aurangabad – A Window to Many Doors

no@spam.com (Radha Ramachandran) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:02:35 EDT

If it is the old Aurangabad, a sleeping giant amidst the stir and buzz of the modern world that you seek to find, brace yourself for the unexpected - a highly progressive and industrialized city with very sophisticated industries - pharmaceuticals, steel recycling, booming breweries, and automobile and automobile parts industry, an IT hub, malls, high rises, multiplexes and pizzerias.

Goa - An ex-Portuguese Colony with Breathtakingly Beautiful Beaches

no@spam.com (Aparna Dhanukar) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 13:36:38 EDT

Cradled in the Western Ghats, Goa is located on the coast of the Indian Peninsula and is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the south. Also known as 'the pearl of the east', it is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful beaches, Silvery Sand fringed with palms, hill-top forts, little white-washed churches, soaring Portuguese-era cathedrals, Gothic churches, sprawling cashew plantations, coconut groves, intoxicating Feni, bubbly folk music and laid back way of life. With its Sprawling hills, meandering rivers, lush green fields, miles and miles of virgin beach and silvery waterfalls, the gift of nature has endowed Goa with enchanting exquisiteness and idyllic serenity.