Moon – Page 4 – Footloose Forever

Plan a Weekend Trip to Phoenix, Arizona

April 12, 2017Posted in USA Hotels and DestinationsTagged Arizona, papago park, phoenix, phoenix hotels, phoenix sightseeing, phoenix weekend trip5 Comments

This post is originally posted by Lori on April 1, 2017 on Travel Moments In Time.

Arizona’s capital, Phoenix, is the sixth largest city in the United States. There is plenty to do here, so make sure you plan your weekend trip to Phoenix in advance to make the most of your time. Choose a hotel in Phoenix that’s close to the things you want to visit, and enjoy your trip! To help you better plan your visit, listed below are a few attractions to include on your weekend getaway.

Heard Museum

Image via Flickr by Mark B. Schlemmer

Founded in 1929, the Heard Museum is dedicated to the sensitive and accurate portrayal of Native arts and cultures. It is a perfect museum for both history buffs and art aficionados. Here you will find traditional and contemporary Native American art, including jewelry, textiles, pottery, kachina dolls, and more. The museum organizes many festivals and houses temporary exhibits, so make sure to stay near the Heard Museum and get there early to see as much as possible.

Symphony Hall

The Phoenix Symphony Hall was completed in 1972 and was renovated in 2004. It is home to the Phoenix Symphony, the Arizona Opera, and Ballet Arizona and hosts events from September to May. It’s also a famous events venue for other shows, seminars, and performances. If you don’t have time to take part in an event here but you find yourself booking a hotel in the area, then take a moment to admire its exterior at least.

Orpheum Theater

If you are in downtown Phoenix, then you can’t miss the Orpheum Theater. Completed in 1929, this theater has a complex history and has had many owners through the years. Now it is not only a great place to enjoy a play, but it is also a beautiful building and a fine example of the Spanish Revival style of Spanish Baroque architecture.

Chase Field

Opened in 1998, Chase Field is a multipurpose facility built to accommodate the games of Arizona’s first Major League Baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. The field also hosts football, soccer, and basketball games, too. It is a huge place that’s divided into six levels. It also has a swimming pool. If you stay near Chase Field but you don’t want to watch a game, then you should at least consider a tour of the field.

Papago Park

Image via Flickr by HomeToIndy

Designated a Phoenix Point of Pride, Papago Park is a great place for outdoor lovers. All types of travelers will find something to do here, and you will definitely enjoy the view. The geological formations and desert vegetation will be an interesting discovery. In addition to this, you may want to plan a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden located here. This is a wonderful place to discover desert plants and to enjoy the cactus garden.

Phoenix can be a great destination for a weekend trip. Its attractions, from interesting museums to parks and iconic buildings, make it great for solo travelers, couples, and families. Make an itinerary before your weekend trip to Phoenix to maximize your time here!

Exploring Nature in the Valley of the Sun

April 6, 2017April 6, 2017Posted in USA Hotels and DestinationsTagged Arizona, camelback mountain, desert botanical garden, Grand Canyon, hiking in phoenix, nature travel phoenix, phoenix, phoenix zoo, sonoran desert10 Comments

Spread across the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix Mountain Preserve is home to mountains, valleys, and desert trails, which provide great hiking, biking, and outdoor experiences. While downtown Phoenix is a bustling area with exciting nightlife, restaurants, sports arenas, and art galleries, there are many activities you can enjoy in the Valley of the Sun. Hotels near downtown Phoenix are convenient accommodation options for tourists, as many of the desert trails are directly accessible from central Phoenix.

Desert Botanical Garden – Learn About the Desert

Image via Flickr by RightBrainPhotography

Situated in Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden exhibits an impressive collection of desert flora. The sprawling garden comprises five thematic trails. The garden hosts various outdoor activity programs to educate visitors about the ecology of the desert.

The Desert Wildflower Trail, which includes Monarch Butterfly Exhibit, is best visited in spring. The Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail offers a wider spectrum of desert life by showcasing the lifestyle of the native tribal communities and how they use plants for food, medication, and home construction. In April, the evenings are jazzed up with concerts and ballet performances against the backdrop of stunning desert landscapes.

Phoenix Zoo – Encounter the Wild

Image via Flickr by mightyb

The Phoenix Zoo, the home to nearly 1,200 animals, is the place to learn about the region’s wildlife. The zoo provides shelter for several endangered species. You can catch a glimpse of them when you trek along the specially designed areas in the zoo, such as the Enchanted Forest and Monkey Village. From feeding giraffes to playing with stingrays, you can join interactive tours or stop by the 4-D theater to keep busy throughout the day.

Camelback Mountain – Hikers’ Haven

Image via Flickr by ThreeIfByBike

Only a 20-minute drive from downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain awaits adventure seekers with moderate to difficult hiking trails. As you hike or climb its red sandstone cliffs, you’ll come across a variety of animals along the way. Camelback’s highest point offers a 360-degree view of Phoenix.

Although hiking to the top of the mountain is quite challenging and is recommended for advanced hikers only, the view from the top is rewarding. Beginners can try The Praying Monk rock formation for climbing or Cholla Trailhead for hiking.

The Sonoran Desert – Explore Nature

Image via Flickr by Ed Suominen

The desert is home to several unique North American species of plants and animals. Monsoon rain twice a year is the secret behind the immense biodiversity of this region. The desert is the playground for jaguars, gila monsters, jackrabbits, and big horn sheep.

From a day-long hike to a multi-day backpacking trip, from camping to rock climbing in the desert, there are options galore for travelers. As you roam around, you’ll come across the native Indian communities that have lived in the desert for thousands of years. Go for a Jeep safari or a hot air balloon ride if you aren’t a hiker.

Grand Canyon and Sedona – Soak In the Views

Image via Flickr by ChrisM70

This is a must-see when you are in Phoenix. Arrange day trips to Grand Canyon National Park and explore Arizona’s unique natural wonders, including the Painted Desert and the Little Colorado River Gorge. The road through the desert is lined with giant saguaro cacti that can be 50 feet tall. Stop in the picturesque town of Sedona or at the historic sites of the Navajo Nation. The Jeep will take you up along the Oak Creek Canyon. Soak in the views of the pine forests and San Francisco peak from a height of 6,000 feet.

As you can see, Phoenix has a long list of attractions when it comes to exploring nature. South Mountain Park, North Mountain Preserve, and Shaw Butte are treasure troves of aboriginal flora and fauna. The Valley’s diverse landscapes beckon intrepid travelers for exciting experiences. The best time to visit Phoenix is spring, as cacti are in full bloom. Since November through April is high season here, expect highest rates for hotels and accommodation during this time.

The Daily Post Photo Challenge: Dense

April 2, 2017April 3, 2017Posted in Photo challengeTagged blossoms, bromeliads, dense, flower exhibition, flowers, jungle geraniums, Photo challenge, snowball bush19 Comments

I found these Jungle Geraniums, thick and beautiful, blossomed on the office premises.

And these blue Snowball Bushes by the roadside in Sikkim.

And these Bromeliads at a flower exhibition in Gangtok.

Published in response to The Daily Pose Photo Challenge: Dense.

Sikkim Diaries: A Bunch from the Flower Exhibition in Gangtok

February 13, 2017February 14, 2017Posted in SikkimTagged flower exhibition, flowers, Gangtok, Gangtok sightseeing, orchids, Sikkim tour, things to do in Gangtok25 Comments

Gangtok is a beautiful city surrounded with lush greenery and dotted with colorful flowers. However, if you want to see a variety of flowers under one roof, Gangtok Flower Exhibition is the place. Well, plucking flowers is definitely prohibited, but I picked up some for you…with my camera, of course. 😀

Here are my picks from the exhibition.

For more information on things to do in Gangtok, view my post, Sikkim Diaries: Getting Around in Gangtok.

The Daily Post Photo Challenge: Solitude

February 4, 2017Posted in Photo challengeTagged alone, forest, Lachung, Nature, nature photography, North Sikkim, solitude, woods23 Comments

nature, solitude, alone, greenery, lachung, sikkim

“Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone.”

~ Paul Tillich

I feel lonely when I am in the crowd. I enjoy being alone amidst the nature.

We were driving to Lachung from Gangtok. On our way, I saw this woman sitting alone under the trees. It looked like she was contemplating, fully absorbed in the nature and greenery all around. And this is exactly what “solitude” means to me.

Well, I know it could have been a much better, clearer picture, but I took this shot from a running car. Hence, not a very clean shot. Hope you don’t mind that! 🙂

Published in response to The Daily Post Photo Challenge: Solitude.

Why Kerala is Really Gods Own Country?

January 23, 2017January 22, 2017Posted in South IndiaTagged god's own country, hill stations kerala, Kerala, kerala cuisine, kerala in monsoon, kerala spice garden, kerala tour, munnar, thekaddy19 Comments

The easiest way of identifying the magical state of Kerala is to hear the words ‘God’s own country’. You’d think that there were some substantial reasons Kerala got such a divine reputation, and none would surprise you. The celestial land of Kerala is a land of untold stories and unexplored creations that look like they couldn’t be created by the mundane brain of humans. Thus, even the tourism industry of Kerala uses that phrase to describe the state. But there’s more than just its fantastic appealing factors that make Kerala such a heavenly wonder. What makes Kerala such a magnetic force to be reckoned with, you ask. Let’s find that out.

The cuisine is especially authentic

Image via Flickr by Bill Scott

Kerala’s cuisine is unique and you’d find something new in possibly every place you visit in the state. The authenticity of the south Indian delicacies in Kerala have a charm of their own that makes it feel like it’s an unmissable location of India. Calicut’s seafood and Munnar’s diverse cuisine brings tourist from all over the world to this southern heaven. Food can’t simply be described to a lover of delicacies, and you’d have to try and see how truly magnificent the cuisine of Kerala is. Rooftop restaurants, quiet beach-side cafes, the tea stalls of the villages, you name it and Kerala will have it. If you visit the home of a local to dine, there’s much more you’d get to discover apart from their friendly nature and polite hospitality.

The heavenly, unbelievable monsoons

Image via Flickr by Sarath Kuchi

Kerala is greeted by majestic monsoons during its time in the south. The rivers feel like they’re descending from paradise, the mountains are covered in a blanket of thickets and trees, the forests are dense and worth getting lost in, and the pleasantness of the swaying palm trees gives Kerala an edge like no other. If you’re feeling adventurous, the bamboo rafting through the valleys of Munnar is an experience one should never miss. Stay in one of those quaint resorts of Periyar and watch the rain take your very breath away with its unmistakable allure. Then there is Alleppey, the “Venice of the East”, grows more beautiful when it rains.

The sleepiness of hill stations

Image via Flickr by himanisdas

Kerala’s hill stations have unmatched beauty in them. Thekaddy, Vagamon, Munnar, Ponmudi and others are some of the most attractive hill stations of Kerala. The hill stations are quiet and relaxing, giving you a well-deserved weekend retreat. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, the quaint hill stations perched upon the prettiest of hills in Kerala have stunning factors that would appeal to any traveller. Tourists flock up to Ponmudi and Thekaddy for some calming time out of their busy lives, and the locals scattered around the state also enjoy their very own hideous amidst lush forests and valleys full of explorations.

The spice and tea

Image via Flickr by Rajib Ghosh

Kerala is especially famous for its tea and spice plantations. It isn’t called the spice capital of the country for no reason. The aromatic plantations of spices in Kerala have been a constant allure for people throughout the years now. With the delicious fragrances of the spices merging into those of the tea plantations have made a rather substantial impact on Kerala’s tourism, and it has only seen good days so far. You’d find that there is no better tea to sip anywhere other than in Kerala once you’ve had a taste, and your nose will possibly disregard every other perfume the moment it breathes in the spicy scent of Kerala’s plantations.

The people

Image via Flickr by spisharam

Kerala’s locals are the best. If you’re at your best behaviour the people of Kerala will go to any length in making sure that a guest in their home has a good time. The nature of the people in Kerala is especially friendly and hospitable, and if you become good friends with some of them, expect to be invited to their homes at least once. Keralites follow many age-old customs and traditions which make them all the more interesting to hang out with. You get to learn something new from almost every person you meet. They’ll probably recommend the best places to visit, and you can tour Kerala like a local rather than a usual tourist. It’s a really appealing factor of being in Kerala that the people offer their utmost hospitality to nearly every visitor.

You’ve got to visit Kerala once to know how seriously brilliant it is in reality. Perhaps the spirituality of this calming destination will help you see how Kerala truly is the destination handcrafted by God.

Author Bio:

Rohit is a passionate traveller and writer who shares his experiences on TransIndiaTravels.com from his many travelling excursions and expeditions of around the world.