` cUte & fUnny animals `

` amazing snake tEmple in malaysia `

The Snake Temple is situated in Sungai Kluang, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia and is perhaps the only temple of its kind in the world. The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense and a variety of pit vipers. The vipers are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have also been de-venomed but still have their fangs intact, visitors are warned against picking up the reptiles and placing them on their bodies for taking pictures. Local devotees believe that the temple's snake population has come there of its own accord.

The temple was built circa 1850 in memory of Chor Soo Kong, by a Buddhist monk who moved to Penang. Chor Soo Kong was born with the Tan surname in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He was very serious about spiritual attainment and was ordained at a young age. Legend has it that Chor Soo Kong, who was also a healer, gave shelter to the snakes of jungle. When he died at the age of 65 after a lifetime of good deeds, he was bestowed the honorific title Chor Soo, meaning an eminent historic figure continuously revered by a community generation after generation. After the completion of the temple, snakes appeared on their own accord. The Snake Temple was originally named the "Temple of the Azure Cloud" in honor of the beauty of Penang's sky.

Believers from as far away as Singapore and Taiwan come to pray in the temple on Chor Soo Kong's birthday (the sixth day of the first lunar month).

Western Australia Tourism

Occupying about one-third of the continent,Western Australia is a state of great diversity. Residents of thelargest state are known to be obsessed with the great outdoors.Students quickly become accustomed to the Australian culture and takefull advantage of all Western Australia has to offer. Western Australiaoffers something for everyone. Unspoiled forests along the southerncoastline, the vast expanses of the Kimberlys, the blankets ofwildflowers, and the excitement of a major city are all part of thebeauty and rich frontier heritage of Western Australia. All of thisgives visitors a unique and healthy environment, conducive to study andpersonal growth.



Geographically, Western Australia is surrounded by the Southern Oceanand the Indian Ocean and provides the locals with plenty of surf,sailing, fishing and diving. The Southern Coastal Region offerswineries, rugged coastline, isolated beaches and scenic forests withthe giant Karri, Marri and Tinglewood trees. Visitors to northernWestern Australia will find the outback and a land with unique sceneryshown by the Bungle Bungle in Purnululu National Park. Also, thecoastline of the north is known for its pearling towns, deep-seafishing and world-class coral reefs. The "heartland" of WesternAustralia is home to the wondrous 15 meter high Wave Rock, thePinnacles, north of Cervantes, and a spirited frontier history withghost towns and boomtowns.

Perth, with a population of just over 1 million and a climate similarto the Mediterranean, offers access to key locations in the Pacific Rimand areas along the Indian Ocean. Inland from Perth are the vineyardsof the scenic Swan Valley. The adjacent city of Fremantle, known forhosting the Americans Cup, offers yachting enthusiasts a chance to lookat the boating and fishing museums and to sample seafood in one of therestored Edwardian buildings. The social scene in Western Australia isvery active and accommodating for all. From the modern dance clubs inPerth to the pubs of historic Fremantle, people of any age can find avariety of things to enjoy, such as shopping, live theatre, cinemas,concerts, professional sports and hundreds of restaurants.

Because of its key location on the Pacific Rim, Western Australia isconsidered to be Australia's gateway to Asia, and this ideal locationalso makes a perfect base from which to explore Asia. Also, because oftheir location, Perth and Western Australia are becoming increasinglyimportant to international business and world economic markets.Recognizing this prime location, companies from the U.S. and around theworld are expanding business into Perth and the rest of Australia morenow than ever before. In the future, knowing how to do business inAustralia could be the key to being successful on the Pacific Rim.

Paris launches smile campaign to woo tourists

Paris launches smile campaign to woo tourists

Faced with a fall in tourist numbers due to the financial crisis and a reputation for unfriendliness, the Paris tourist board has made a simple request of the city's residents: smile.

Visitors to Paris, the world's most visited city, have fallen 17 percent since January compared with the same period in 2008, official figures show.

To counter the slump and boost revenues, the tourist board has set up stands manned by teams of "smile ambassadors" to welcome holiday-makers at the city's most popular spots.

As if to heed its call, hundreds of roller-skaters formed a giant smile in Place Vendome in the city center on Sunday.

"We have to work on striking and simple images. There's nothing as telling as a smile," said Paul Roll, who heads the tourist board.

In May, a questionnaire carried out by travel site TripAdvisor found Paris to be the most over-rated city in Europe, citing its high prices and unpleasant residents.

Daniel Fasquelle, founder of a tourism association, said that French from all walks of life needed to play their part.

"If we want tourism, which has generated more than two million jobs, to remain a major economic sector, everyone has to get behind it - professionals, elected representatives, and French people," he said.

"It's the American tourist lost in Paris that we inform politely, it's the English person looking for the way in northern France who we don't get impatient with by honking our car horns," he said.

Paris is doing more than trying to make its residents smile to draw in more visitors.

Pakistan Try to back the tourism in Swat

Pakistan Try to back the tourism in Swat

MINGORA, Pakistan, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Pakistan's Swat valley will soon be reopened to tourists, an army commander said on Thursday, although sporadic violence continued with 17 militants killed in the latest clashes.

The army has largely cleared the former Taliban bastion in the valley, once a prime tourist destination 120 km (80 miles) northwest of Islamabad, in an offensive launched in late April.

The military says more than 2,000 militants have been killed although there has been no independent verification of that toll. In the latest violence, 17 militants were killed in several clashes, the military said in a statement.

But despite that, the commander of forces in Swat said the valley would soon be ready for visitors.

"The operation has been a complete success and we plan to open the valley to local tourists within a month," Major-General Ashfaq Nadeem told reporters in the region's man town of Mingora.

The offensive in Swat came after Taliban advances early this year and a string of attacks in cities raised fears for nuclear-armed Pakistan 's stability and alarmed its ally the United States.

The army is now turning its attention to the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, the headquarters of Pakistani Taliban militants.

The Swat valley with its Alpine scenery, ancient Buddhist ruins and trout fishing was for years a favourite tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.

Young Western backpackers used to flock there for a rest on the overland trail from Europe to India.

The valley was also home to Pakistan's only ski resort, but militants burned down the hotel at the resort last year.

Nadeem said he wanted to get the message out that the valley was safe.

"We've asked the provincial government to arrange seminars on tourism and tell people that militancy has ended and tourists can come," he said.

Festival of Lights Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, Canada is a major vacation and holiday destination all year round that is home to a special kind of fun during the Holiday season. Located just across the border from the United States in Ontario, the Falls' view area offers impressive natural beauty and man-made entertainment.
Ontario's Niagara Falls city glistens with millions of tiny lights every year throughout the Winter Festival of Lights. Colors burst over the magnificent Niagara Falls at the fireworks display and the Falls themselves glow in rainbow lights at dusk.

Amazing Anara Tower

Amazing Anara Tower


Anara Tower is the most cool and nice architecture on the world. Located in Dubai. The 125-story skyscraper is about 700 meters tall and vies for the tallest spot. The building will also host 300 residential apartments.