Unique Sea of Cortez Photography Cruise

With winter officially here and snow covering much of the United States, you may now be searching for a sun-filled vacation to get you through the duration. If you're also a photography buff who enjoys the warm, brilliant waters of Mexico's Sea of Cortez, consider the March 8, 2009 cruise aboard American Safari Cruises' 22-passenger Safari Quest.

This seven-night voyage through the "Aquarium of the World" travels between La Paz and Loreto. In the company of an onboard naturalist, you'll enjoying skiffing and kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, hiking and beach combing.

Reknown photographers Ellen and Hank Barone will also be on hand to help you get the best shots of whales, dolphins, sea lions, seabirds, and all other manner of wildlife. Ellen and Hank will be at your elbow for one-on-one instruction as you frame the perfect photo. They'll also present a few informal demos and workshops.

In a recent conversation with Ellen Barone, she stressed that passengers need not be photography experts to enjoy this specially themed cruise. She maintains that amazing photos can be taken by both point-and-shoots as well as expensive professional SLR cameras.

Here's the gear that Ellen travels with:

• Two Canon digital SLR camera bodies: the 5D and 50D
• Lenses: Canon EF 16 - 35mm f/2.8L, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L, and Sigma 18 - 200 f/3.5-6.3
• Canon 430 EXII flash
• Canon 1.4xII tele-extender
• Compact Flash cards
• Extra USB and Firewire cords
• A Joby gorillapod
• Extra batteries and chargers
• Power and adapter cords
• Visible Dust sensor cleaner
• Portable hard drives
• Micro fiber lens clothes
• 15-inch MacBook Pro for downloading and simple editing
• Lowe Pro Dry Pack

Ellen has written and photographed for many magazines, including National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Condé Nast Traveler, Islands, The Los Angeles Times Sunday Travel Section, and Spa.

All-inclusive cruise fares for this itinerary begin at $5,495 per person. For more information, talk with your travel agent or call American Safari Cruises at (888) 862-8881.

Photo courtesy of American Safari Cruises.

Windstar Rescues Catamaran Off Guadeloupe

Windstar to the rescue! According to Vanessa Bloy, a spokesperson for the cruise line, Windstar's Wind Surf assisted in a rescue at sea on the evening of December 23, 2008 in the Caribbean Sea.

A catamaran called Sofrane was experiencing engine problems off the north coast of Guadeloupe in 16-foot seas with winds at 40 knots. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre asked the Wind Surf to help and the ship did so by acting as a windbreak for the catamaran. The Sofrane and its one passenger waited in the calm water created by the Wind Surf for over two hours until a French rescue boat arrived on the scene. The Wind Surf then continued on to St. Martin.

For more information on Windstar Cruises, talk with your travel agent or visit Windstar's website.

Sunset at Sam

After covering all the areas in Jaisalmer we moved out to outskirts of Jaisalmer. Sam village is on the edge of the Desert National Park. One of the most popular excursions is to the sand dunes on the edge of the park, 42 km from Jaisalmer along a very good sealed road.

It is best to be here at sunrise or sunset, and many camel safaris spend a night at the dunes. Just before the sunset jeep carrying loads of day-trippers arrive from Jaisalmer to be chased across the sands by tenacious camel owners. Despite of the tourist hype, it is still quite a magical place, and it is possible to frame pictures of solitary camels against lonely dunes. The desert dung beetles are fascinating to watch.


From Jaisalmer we traveled to Jodhpur, blue city.

Distance: Jaisalmer ---> Jodhpur 285 kms

P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.

Jaisalmer, Golden City and more

After completing the tour of the Havelis we moved ahead to see other attractions that this city has to offer. The city has lot beautiful lake and cenotaphs that are a must watch.

Tazia Tower

The delicate pagoda like Tazia Tower rises from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). Rising in its five-tiered splendor, with each story graced by a delicately carved balcony, the tower is of historical significance. Muslim craftsmen built it in the shape of a Tazia and gifted to their royal patron. Tazia’s are ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier carried in procession during Mohurram.

Gadisar Lake

Gadisar is a man made reservoir in Jaisalmer built in the 1700s. This tank outside the city walls, once held the town's water supply, and, befitting its importance in providing precious water to the inhabitants of this arid city, is surrounded by small temples and shrines. A wide variety of waterfowl flock here in winter.

The tank was built by Maharaja Gadsi Singh, taking the advantage of a natural declivity that already retained some water.

The main gate that leads to the lake was unknowingly built by prostitutes, and so, noble people never pass under it, but rather use a rather humble step path to the right, under the tree.

Royal Cenotaphs

These monuments are located on Ramgarh Road 6kms from Jaisalmer. These cenotaphs also known as chattris and were constructed by the various Bhatti rulers. One cenotaph has been erected for each ruler. The oldest among them is the cenotaphs of Maharawal Jait Singh who reigned from 1470-1506. This tradition was discontinued when in 1947, one of the prince died of a mysterious disease. This was taken as a bad omen and thus this tradition came to its end.

We next move ahead to desert area to explore Sam Sand Dunes .

P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.

For more sky shots join us @ Sky Watch

Havelis of Jaisalmer

After going around the fort we set our eyes in other monuments of the city. The city is not only famous for the Golden Fort, but also the haveli's that are built by wealthy merchants of that time, Some of the prominent havelis are:

Patwon-ki-Haveli

This haveli was built between 1800 and 1860, by five Jain brothers who made their fortunes by trading jewelery and fine brocades.

Nathmalji-ki-Haveli

This late 19th century haveli was also used as a prime minister's house and has a superb exterior.

The designers exhibited unwavering tenacity and dexterity in executing the massive haveli.

That is my family

This is one of the favorite spot to click snaps.

Next we moved ahead to see other attractions of the city.

P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.

Jaisalmer, the Golden City

Next day we left Bikaner in the early morning and reached our next destination Jaisalmer in the evening. We stayed 2 nights in this place as there are lot of places to be seen.

There is interesting legend associated with Jaisalmer city. It is believed that, Lord Krishna, had once told Arjuna that a remote descendant of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. In 1156 A.D. Rawal Jaisal, a descendant of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.

It is also known as the Golden city of India as the yellow sand gives a yellowish-golden touch to the city & its surrounding area.

Golden Fort

Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler Jaisala, and reinforced by later rulers, the fort crowns the 80 m - high Trikuta Hill. This is one of the oldest living fort, where one quarter of the old city's population is still residing in it. The fort has 99 bastions around its circumference and is protected by three walls.

The fort looks especially magical when it is lit up at night.

The above snap is taken using film SLR Canon camera without the assistance of tripod. Out of the 4 shots, two of them were successful.

Apart from the massive fort the city has many more attractions which are not to be missed.

P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.

To see the World visit other participants at: That's My World Tuesday.

American Safari Featured in Cruise Travel Magazine

"It's not down in any map; true places never are." That line from Moby-Dick—by adventure-seeking novelist Herman Melville—is the type of philosophy American Safari Cruises embraces each and every day as the line's fleet of four luxury yachts grace the waters of Alaska's Inside Passage, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico's Sea of Cortez. These vessels beckon guests to choose the path less traveled in order to discover the essence of a destination's indigenous culture and wildlife."

...to read my complete article about American Safari Cruises, check out the November/December 2008 issue of Cruise Travel magazine, available on newsstands now. To subscribe, visit BarnesandNoble.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Seabourn's Innovative "Between Friends" Promo: Save $1,500

Here's an interesting new promotion from The Yachts of Seabourn that will net you a $1,500 per couple cruise credit to be used for private shore excursions on most 2009 European itineraries.

Dubbed "Between Friends," the promotion encourages you to invite two or more couples to sail with you on a 2009 European voyage. One couple must be first-time Seabourn guests. If your group meets this criteria, each couple will receive a $1,500 onboard credit to be used for private shore excursions through Seabourn's Signature Service Desk.

Your group can tour together or separately, with your own guide, driver, and private vehicle. Seabourn can suggest a variety of tour itineraries, including:

• Joining a top Italian chef for a hands-on, three-hour cooking class in Florence.
• Going on a tasting tour in Rapallo, Italy, with specialty food expert Guido Porrati who will introduce you to focaccia, pesto, olive oil, salame Sant’Olcese, Avetano cheese, strusciata cake and excellent local wines.
• Sailing via private yacht to Birla, Sweden to tour Viking Age ruins, including an in-depth tour of Gronsoo, a privately owned castle on the lake.
• Riding a mountain bike through the wonderful landscape of the Mounts of Malaga in Spain.
• Letting an expert local shopping guide show you around Stockholm’s most famous boutiques with the most internationally acclaimed brands.

To learn more about this promotion, contact your travel agent or call Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

Nandi Teertha Temple, Bangalore

Malleswaram, located in the north-west of Bangalore, derives its name from the famous Kaadu Malleshwara temple originally, a village named Mallapura.

Malleswaram is one of the areas in Bangalore where you can find many Hindu Temples. It has old Hindu constructed using the Dravidian architecture which were built during King Venkojirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur's (17th century B.C.) like the Kadu Malleshwara temple. Other famous temples in the area are Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Sri Krishna temple, Circle Maramma Temple, Kannika Parameshwari Temple.

The 17th cross, 2nd main road, Temple Street is adorned by various temples. One among them is Nandi Teertha Temple. Here one can see water fall onto an idol of Shiva through the mouth of Nandi. This was discovered in the year 1999, but it has stood for 7,000 years on that spot. Being buried over the years hasn't diminished its aura at all. The temple was completely buried and the land above it was a flat stretch. When the land was dug, they found buried underneath, this temple and it was in perfect condition, preserved by the thick layers of soil. This underground temple was enclosed within a stone cut courtyard supported by ancient stone pillars. At the far end of the courtyard, a Nandi was carved out of a black stone with eyes painted in gold. From its mouth a clear stream of water flowed directly on to a Shivalinga made out of the same black stone at a lower level. There were steps that led to a small pool in the centre of the courtyard where the water flowed and collected. The pool's center had a 15 feet deep whirlpool.

Nobody knows where the water comes from and how it passes from the mouth of the Nandi idol on to the Shivalinga. Nobody knows how the whirlpool came into being, the source of water, the sculptor, even the time when it was built remains a mystery.

For more visit Watery Wednesday.

Save 60% in Europe with Seabourn in 2009

Still shopping for the perfect holiday gift? How about a 7-, 9-, or 14-day Seabourn cruise at 60% off brochure fares? The cruise line has announced a one-week sale on the following European itineraries:

Seabourn Legend
June 20, 2009: Cote D'Azur & Spanish Isles from Monte Carlo to Barcelona (7 days)
July 11, 2009: Sardinia, Corsica & Cote D'Azur from Rome to Monte Carlo (7 days)

Seabourn Spirit
June 20, July 11, or August 1, 2009: Italian Idyll from Venice to Rome (7 days)

Seabourn Pride
April 14, 2009: Mediterranean Panorama from Athens to Lisbon (14 days)
August 20, 2009: Norwegian Fjords Copenhagen roundtrip (9 days)

For more information, contact your travel agent or call Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.