An Evening in Paris

Once again I was roaming like a gypsy and this time my destination was one of the leading tourist destinations of the globe – “Paris”- the French capital, situated on the River Seine. A global hub of fashion, a place where WAGS (Wives & Girl Friends) would like to go on holidays specially for its haute couture, high-end boutiques and haute cuisine.

Paris Fashion Week

Monuments and architectural styles have never influenced me earlier, but Paris is special. It has seen Centuries of cultural and political diversities and development. People come here to see the museums, theaters, monuments like Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe and of course the world fame Eiffel Tower. Painters such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Jean Metzinger, Maria Blanchard, Henri Rousseau and many others became associated with Paris.

Louvre - courtesy:Wikipedia

The Louvre  - one of the world's largest museums and home for works like Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo statue.

Louvre - View from terrace 

Eiffel Tower - named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, was erected in 1889 to become one of the most recognizable structures in the world. 

The French saying is that - you are in Paris and haven't seen the Eiffel tower, your visit will not be treated as a visit to France.

Standing tall as 324 metres (1,063 ft), it has three levels for visitors. You have to purchase Tickets (around 20 Euro) to ascend, by stairs or lift (elevator), to the first and second levels. It contains over 300 steps from ground level to the first level.  

The first and second levels have restaurants.The likes of Altitude 95 and Jules Verne for enjoying the great taste of french cuisine.

You can eat while having a great views. Altitude 95 is a casual style restaurant with decent food, while Jules Verne is more of classic.

We ordered for Riz Cantonais a Chinese delicacy and ate in French Restaurant a unique combination.

Beacon of sparkling light – Eiffel tower - When I was about to leave for my Hotel, my French colleague asked me to wait for the surprise. I waited and saw one of the amazing show I have ever seen. Fitted with 20,000 light bulbs, the tower shines and sparkles every evening for 5 minutes every hour and lit up to 1 a.m. 

A day with Animals at Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan (Sanjay Gandhi Botanical and Zoological Garden or Patna Zoo).

Back Home, once my friends decided to go to the City Zoo, which opened to the public as a zoo in 1973. This park is my city's most frequented picnic spot. The annual number of its visitor makes up approximately 750000.

White Tiger

The zoo is currently home to over 800 animals of about 110 species, including Lion,Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Elephants, Himalayan Black Bear, Jackal, Black Bucks, Spotted Deer, Peafowl, Hill Hyna, Gharial, Python, Indian Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Zebra, Emu and White Peacock.

Rhinoceros

Patna zoo has the second largest rhino population among all the biological parks in the world, next only to San Diego zoo, California

Playing Otters

Zebras

Blackbucks

You may also see more than 300 species of trees, herbs and shrubs. Plant exhibits include a nursery for medicinal plants, an orchid house, a fern house, a glass house, and a rose garden as well.

Tree House

My Bengali Friend, who is very fond of Fish – was full of enthusiasm, when we entered the aquarium which has about 35 species of fish and also having a snake house with 32 snakes belonging to 5 species.

Toy Train

Elephant ride for those who always wanted to feel like a king, Toy Train encircling all around the zoo is very popular especially among children but today it was our turn to become children again.

Besides, boating were also the most enthralling experience we had that day.

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Must see places in Moscow

Recently I was in Moscow - the capital city and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is full of life, passion and enthusiasm, which make it one of the top tourist place in the world. I have been to other corners of the world and met interesting folks. But in moscow, it was totally different, people are shy, take time to open up to a stranger but very friendly.

If one says "Moscow" - images of Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Red Square start appearing. Believe me once you are there around these wonders you will feel like heaven.

If you have travelling to Moscow, you must see the World famous ”The Cathedral of St. Vasily the Blessed (St. Basil’s Cathedral)”, standing in the Red Square. This nearly 450 years old architectural collection of unmatched beauty and magnificence will surely take your breath away.

Another monument to see at the Kremlin Wall is a war memorial - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during the 2^nd World War.

Designed by the greatest architects of 19^th Century D. I. Burdin and sculptor Nikolai Tomsky, it was unveiled to the public on May 8, 1967. The Monument is decorated with a bronze sculpture of a laurel branch and a soldier's helmet laid upon a banner which has a five-pointed star in a square field in front which emanates the Eternal Flame from its centre. The flame illuminates a bronze inscription "Your name is unknown, your deed is immortal". To the left of the tomb is a granite wall which has an inscription: "1941 - To Those Who Have Fallen For The Motherland - 1945". 

Moscow State Historical Museum opened in 1894, tell the history of the Russia from the Paleolithic era to the present day. Each hall of the museum is designed to correspond to the era from which the exhibits are taken. The wide variety of the ancient cultures that developed on the territory of modern Russia is well represented. The Museum focus on the history of Russian Kings with a number of historical paintings, costumes, thrones and specially the silver death mask of Peter the Great.

One of the memory was meeting the Kazakh students who were on their college excursion (Red Square, Moscow). Once I told them my nationality, they became so friendly and started singing Hindi songs. One of them clicked a picture with me and asked for my autograph....whooooaahh....I felt like a celebrity hahaha. He even exchanged telephone number and email id with me. Finally they invited to visit their place, god willing which may happen in near future.  

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Travel

Travel - originated from English" travailen or travelen (means - to torment, labor, strive, journey). Some says its origin also from Old French word - travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). These words simply shows how difficult it was to travel in ancient times. 

While today, travelling is much or less easier - thanks to our Engineers and Scientists. Though, the place you want to visit may or may not be easier.....If its Amazon Rainforest or Climbing Mount Everest...... whooooaaahhhhhhhh.............sounds really adventurous ...while roaming around Madam Tussauds Museum or clicking a picture with Eiffel Tower in background - looks like you are having fun.....

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Bollywood songs sung by foreigners

I was looking for some bollywood songs, and found some very interesting songs sung by the foreigners....surprisingly they were singing like they have been singing hindi songs for years. off course, we cant compare them with our pronunciation as they have their own accent. but you will really love these videos..........watch it............:)

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