Movimiento Travel

Singapore, the famous island, city and state in peninsular Malaysia is the smallest country in Asia. But all that is small, it makes up its grandiose proposals to surprise everyone. One of them is the night safari that can be made at the zoo in tropical jungle of the city, a proposal where we can observe the animals under a light so dim that resembles the moonlight.

The night safari can be done each day between 7 pm and 12 midnight input paying $ 22 for adults and $ 11 for children, plus a transportation fee for the course. The tour includes a walk through a tropical forest area where 1,200 animals are separated by natural barriers, a form of “open zoo” where animals are kept in environments that mimic their natural habitat, no cages oppressive.

The night safari is done in an area adjacent to the Singapore Zoo, which by its nature, is one of the most innovative and famous in the world. The night safari tour, held on a bus adapted for tourists, including a welcome by tribal dances native to the jungles of Borneo, a visit to a path through a botanical garden, entertainment and main course, a tour on the night tram, lasting about 45 minutes between the landscapes recreated in the zoo and animals at different routes.

The forecast for each detail in Singapore is so exhaustive that it is curious to find in the zoo’s official website, a section that reports the new H1N1, and the risks of an outbreak in relation to the number of pigs at the Zoo, and security measures taken. There are other sections for bird flu and another for dengue. I imagine that with so much foresight; will be referred to the needed break for many animals.

Tierra del Fuego is the southernmost inhabited islands in the world, and is divided between Argentina and Chile. This archipelago has an impressive natural beauty.

The Tierra del Fuego is located near the Strait of Magellan. Its most famous is the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, often simply known as Isla Grande.

The curious thing about this island is almost always maintains a fixed temperature, which ranges between 0 and 9 º C throughout the year, and it is usual to enjoy the snow in summer. The island is known for its huge variety of animals and plants, with thousands of species spread throughout the islands.

Most of the islands belong to Chile, while another part belongs to Argentina. On the Chilean side the cities of Grande Island Porvenir and Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino, while in Argentina highlights the city of Ushuaia and Rio Grande.

The Cordillera Darwin is located in this region, and many of his majestic mountains are covered with glaciers that reach the same ocean. The highest mountain is Mount Darwin, 2.488 meters high.

This archipelago is covered by silver and curious species of animals. They emphasize their forests, filled with all sorts of trees and flora, and fauna inhabited by such rare species like parakeets, penguins, gulls, guanacos, foxes, orcas, kingfishers, condors, owls and hummingbirds. In its rivers trout also inhabit almost nine kilos of weight, especially in the Rio Grande and the stunning Lago Fagnano. Its parks attract thousands of people who want to visit this remote corner of the world.

Ushuaia is the capital of the province of Argentina in this region. It is also the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia is situated on the shores of an enormous bay, near the Beagle Channel. From all parts of the city you can see the majestic mountains Marcial.

The Port of Ushuaia is a major commercial port is always full of tourists, since many cruises start here and travel by van expedition to Antarctica. The Puerto Brisighelli is a marina from where you started almost all the boat trips. Other sites that stand out in the region, we can enhance the enormous National Park Tierra del Fuego, founded in 1960, which was close for more than 60 kilometers and 630 square kilometers, and the famous Bay Lapataia. One of the most famous is the road trip on the Train at the End of the World, a train connecting the city with the park.

Every year in this city, marks the Ushuaia International Festival, a festival dedicated to music that appeals to many orchestras around the world. The region is also known for its food, which include delicious seafood dishes taken from the ocean and nearby rivers, and delicious Patagonian lamb roasts. Food Festival highlights the region, which is dedicated to organizing tours to the restaurants with rich dishes throughout the region.

In Ushuaia is also Yamana Museum, dedicated to the culture and life of the ancient inhabitants of this region, like other museums dedicated to former British and Argentine people, its history, its past as no man’s land its establishment as a prison, his past as a naval base of Almirante Berisso, tourism and growth and ultimately became a national park. Another site that attracts many tourists is the Lighthouse of Les Eclaireurs, and a curious fact is that sometimes blends in with the Lighthouse at the End of the World that was popularized by Jules Verne’s novel of the same name.

There are several ski areas, since the city is in the mountains. The Cerro Castor, an ideal place for skiing with the lower tracks which are just 200 meters from sea level, or the Martial Glacier, a glacier where you can ski even in summer, as the ski lifts operating in both sides. There is also a great selection of trails ideal for those who are passionate about hiking. Nature lovers will enjoy the natural park of Ushuaia and thousands of species of trees, plants and animals found there, as well as its breathtaking scenery.

In Cheung Chau, an island of Hong Kong, every year a festival is held very original: the Festival of the buns. Everything about the festival is part of its history: a dark age in which it was believed that the island was cursed. To cope with the curse, the inhabitants made several sacrifices and rituals and scaring the demons and ghosts.

In the memory of these rituals comes this event today has become one of the most important of all China. Discover an unusual event full of color and pastries.

In late May of each year, residents of Cheung Chau and many curious passengers in the streets of the city to enjoy this event so special.

The festival is held on the island of the same name, which historically was the hideout of dozens of pirates. The islanders, when asked, mentioning two origins for the festival: a report that is to placate the ghosts of the victims of pirates, while others say the festival commemorating the survival plague 200 years ago in the domains of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when Cheung Chau was devastated by a storm. This disaster was followed by a great plague that took the lives of many. Believing that the island was cursed, people began to practice ceremonies and sacrifices to appease the wrath of the gods. The festival is of extraordinary dimensions and coincides with the birthday of Buddha. For all this, it is a unique event of its kind and an ideal opportunity for travelers to discover the essence of Chinese traditions and beliefs more remote.

In celebration, which lasts seven days, you can see rituals, dances, taste traditional local dishes, listen to Chinese songs and have fun. At this time also loves to Pak Tai, the Taoist god of the Sea, with a ritual procession in a march to the music of gongs and drums, all accompanied by adults and children dressed in many colors.

During the first three days, the entire island becomes a vegetarian. Even fast-food outlets offer meat: the menu changes drastically for veggie burgers and even hot dogs vegetarians.

Cheung Chau is a community that depends almost entirely on the sea for their life, since fishing is the main activity. In addition, motorized boats are prohibited on the island. This means that the port is filled with small boats bobbing peacefully ancient oriental style … It is an ideal place to relax and also to celebrate.

The towers of buns
No doubt the main attraction of this festival is climbing so-called “towers of buns.” These are huge bamboo structures, filled with sweet pastries like fruit hanging from tall trees. The towers of buns are located in front of Pak Tai Temple, the god who is devoted to the festival, built in 1783.

There are several temples in Hong Kong that honor to this god, who according to legend, the prince of evil began to heaven. Of greater importance to the residents of Cheung Chau is however its role as an advocate before the pirates who had released a series of attacks against the island. According to the myths, the attacks ceased once the temple was built.

The towers are built with bamboo to a height of 18 meters and then are filled with sweet buns. Since all the buns are blessed, once people climbed the tower to get their buns, but in 1978 one of these towers collapsed causing hundreds of injuries, so that until recently was banned climbing. However from 2005 onwards were established some very strict rules and this activity was glad that both the people was restored.

Furthermore, if the festival has even more flavor, buns are distributed to those attending the festival for free after the closing ceremony. Of course you can also buy these cakes in local bakeries.

The climb to the towers of buns
It is a strange and fascinating tradition: the sound of the gong competition starts, where the twelve participating climbers must climb the tower of cakes and breads to collect as many as possible, the higher are the rolls are worth more points. Now: they have only three minutes to get there. For added security, now the tower is now metal and the contestants wear a harness.

Win the challenge the climber to collect more points. How do they do? Some say it is easier to collect as many buns as possible, while others prefer those that are higher than are those with the highest score … Competition is not just an amazing show to win the game is quite an honor. Tradition determines that the family belongs to which contestant will be very lucky during that year, as it will with the blessing of the god Pak Tai.

Other gods
The festival not only dedicated to Pak Tai. The second of the deities who participated in this event is the highly revered Goddess Hau, who is the protector of the seas, fishermen and their boats. This goddess is worshiped to provide warnings of impending storms and save the lives of fishermen, as many of the islanders live from fishing.

Two gods complete the heavenly altar involved in the great celebration: Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, and Hsing-the terrifying god of the south, who with his beard hideous face of horror to all his opponents.

You can see in different parts of the city temples and festivals dedicated to these gods, you can always enjoy free.

Aerial Dance
The week’s festivities culminate with spectacular processions in which smaller clothes and walk the streets dressed as mythological figures, held aloft by hidden bars that give the appearance of floating above the heads of the crowd.

This is how you will see a “flyover” of small figures dancing in the air. Parents consider it a great honor that their children are part of the parade, so usually the preparation of the costumes is time and dedication of each family.

A company of musicians accompanying the procession fascinating, beating gongs and drums to scare the ghosts of old pirates and their victims. The pilgrimage is led by a spectacular image of Pak Tai, who directs the imaginary battle against the spirits.

Iceland, the Nordic country’s most notable for its incredible landscapes full of geysers, volcanoes and glaciers. In the southern part of the island are some gems of nature, such as natural formations that can be enjoyed throughout the Golden Circle or the Natural Park of Thingvellir.

This part of Iceland known for its large natural spaces almost uninhabited, there is a wealth of natural resources and here visitors can enjoy the best views in the country.

Some of the most impressive natural phenomena in the region are the Blue Lagoon, a pond with warm sea water. Near the coast are the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, West, and a small archipelago about 7 miles from the coast. On these islands there is a large presence of puffins and other animals. One of the most important festivals in the country, Þjóðhátíð or Thjodhatid, takes place in these islands and attracts over 7,000 people each year. The largest island, Heimaey, there is also a traditional fishing village made history after reaching the village to prevent the destruction by the volcano Eldfell.

One of the best preserved, nature reserves, ranks among the mountains, and is one of the remotest parts of the country due to the difficulty of the road to get there. The region is full of beautiful rivers full of clear water, but these rivers can be very dangerous during the colder months.

One lesson that one must live by visiting this region is a visit to a real glacier. Iceland’s glaciers are the most impressive of what nature gave to this country.

The Golden Circle is a tourist route that covers 300 kilometers south from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. In this route one can see some of the most beautiful places across the country. In the valley there are several active geysers Haukadalur. Here is the famous geyser Geysir, the geyser that first met in the rest of Europe, which appeared in the literature written during the late thirteenth century. Beside Strokkur Geysir is a geyser that jumps every five minutes and can reach a height of 30 meters. Nearby are the Gullfoss, known as the ‘Golden Falls’, and thirty other smaller geysers.

In this route, travelers may also visit Thingvellir, or, traditionally, Thingvellir, where the first parliament was founded in 930, which was in place until 1789. Thingvellir is now a national park and it is considered World Heritage by UNESCO. This is where the river empties Öxará Öxarárfoss to form the waterfall, and here is the lake Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in the country. In the park there is even a curious little church, Þingvallakirkja, which decorates the amazing scenery.

Another place worth visiting the Golden Circle Route is Kerid Lake, located in a volcanic crater of red stone, with water so opaque to resemble an aquamarine. There are other curious sites, such as the traditional village of Skálholt noted for Skáholt Cathedral and for being the place where they created the first map of Iceland and the surrounding islands, geothermal or template Nesjavellir.

Jökulsárlón is one of the most beautiful lakes in this region. The lake originally formed by the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull, which belongs to the glacier.

One place that receives more visitors is Landmannnalaugar thermal waters, the ideal place to relax. This area is full of mountains formed a lighter color of rhyolite, and this gives the impression that the sun never stops shining in this region. With its high geothermal activity, they maintain their temperature thermal waters in summer and winter. This area has several sites for camping and several hotels for tourists who want to relax in the water. The area is also a good place for tourists who enjoy hiking, because there are several routes through the passage between the regions of Landmannalaugar nature reserves.

In the south of Iceland also have some of its volcanoes. Altogether there are about 35 active volcanoes scattered across the country. This region is the famous volcano Eyjafjallajökull, who won the European air traffic stop for almost a week. Near the volcano are other large volcanoes and some glaciers, such as Eyjafjall.