Allure of the Seas–A Floating palace

The world's biggest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas is indeed a floating palace.

With 5-star amenities, royal suites, shopping and dining avenues, live performances, 3-D movies, sea spa and fitness centre, a jogging track, gold course, basket ball court, ice skating, rock climbing, cruising across the seas becomes a exciting experience

The $1.4-billion splendid ship has 16 decks and 2,700 rooms. It can accommodate 5,400 guests in double occupancy rooms.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

It is divided into seven distinct themed areas, which include central park, boardwalk, royal promenade, pool and sports zone, sea spa and fitness centre, entertainment place and youth zone.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

It can accommodate 5,400 guests in double occupancy rooms.  

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Allure of the Seas offers a Western Caribbean cruise with seven-night itinerary from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

A cruise costs $749 to $899. Owned by the Royal Caribbean International, Allure of the Seas is the latest addition to the fleet of 22 ships currently in service.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Across the wide variety of venues onboard, the ship has a open-air 'Aqua Theatre' with high dive thrills, Allure ice show extravaganza, ice games on the ship's ice-skating rink.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Allure of the Seas entered service in December, 2010

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The Starbucks shop is a big attraction in the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Allure of the Seas offers an incredible cuisine with two dozen dining venues onboard the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

There are several retail stores in the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The 3-D movies add a new dimension to entertainment place onboard the Allure, thanks to specially equipped 3-D screens in the ship's Amber Theatre.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The cabins in the ship are elegantly designed.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The rooms are designed to offer comfort and fantastic views of the sea.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

 The ship promises memorable moments with events like meeting with favourite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

At night, the ship turns into an illuminated carnival spot.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Suites are more spacious. Most come with a private balcony. The royal family suite can accommodate up to eight people.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The ship also boasts of a golf course, basketball, volley ball court and an art gallery.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Colorful parades are conducted in the Royal Promenade.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The Central Park has a beautiful garden and pathways for a stroll.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Allure of the Seas entered service in December, 2010.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The Royal Casino is one of the many entertainment hotspots in the ship.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

For fitness freaks, this is the place to be. Besides a jogging track and gymnasium, it has a spa as well.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

One of the biggest attractions in the ship is the flashy bar.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

There are entertaining avenues for the adventurous. Rock climbing is one of the favourite options for passengers.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The ship's design ensures that natural light comes in through the two crystal canopy sculptured glass domes in Central Park.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Two SurfRider surfing pools are a delight here.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

It is amazing to see the beautiful carousel spinning live in action.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The spacious interiors and swimming pools add to the ship's beauty.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

Here you get a variety of delicious cup cakes. Built in 2010, the ship weighs 220,000 tons and has 2150 staff onboard.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

The pool deck is a non-stop entertainment destination. The H20 Zone pool area has a giant octopus with water-spraying tentacles.

Allure of the Seas – A Floating palace

(Rediff)

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(Italy, Switzerland) – Matterhorn - Cervino

The Matterhorn (German), Monte Cervino (Italian) or Mont Cervin (French), is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its summit is 4,478 metres (14,690 ft) high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps. The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, face the four compass points. The mountain overlooks the town of Zermatt in the canton of Valais to the north-east and Breuil-Cervinia in the Aosta Valley to the south. The Theodul Pass, located at the eastern base of the peak, is the lowest passage between its north and south side.

(Italy, Switzerland) – Matterhorn - Cervino

The Matterhorn was one of the last great Alpine peaks to be climbed and its first ascent marked the end of the golden age of alpinism. It was made in 1865 by a party led by Edward Whymper and ended disastrously when four of its members fell to their deaths on the descent. The north face was not climbed until 1931, and is amongst the six great north faces of the Alps. The Matterhorn is one of the deadliest peaks in the Alps: from 1865 – when it was first climbed – to 1995, 500 alpinists died on it.

(Italy, Switzerland) – Matterhorn - Cervino

 

The Matterhorn has become an iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps and the Alps in general. Since the end of the 19th century, when railways were built, it attracted more and more visitors and climbers. Each summer a large number of mountaineers try to climb the Matterhorn via the northeast Hörnli ridge, the most popular route to the summit.

(Italy, Switzerland) – Matterhorn - Cervino

The Ridges

There are four main ridges on the Matterhorn:

- The Hörnligrat is the northeast ridge. It was the route of the first ascent and is considered to be the easiest route to the summit.

- The Italian Ridge or Liongrat is the southwest ridge. It was the route of the second ascent and is considered to be slightly harder than the Hörnligrat, but has far more fixed ropes making it perhaps easier.

- The Zmuttgrat is the northwest ridge. It is the longest ridge on the mountain.

It is known as a fabulous route, but because of its northern exposure it is frequently out of condition.

- The Furggengrat is the southeast ridge. It is extremely difficult and not frequently climbed.

Climbing the Matterhorn

pon viewing the Matterhorn, both climbers and nonclimbers alike are usually overwhelmed with a desire to climb it.

For the truly experienced alpinist an ascent of the Hörnligrat or Liongrat in good conditions is not difficult compared to some of the classic technical climbs of the Alps. You must be confident and competent at route finding, climbing UIAA II (Class 4) moving together or unroped, and climbing rock and mixed terrain in crampons both up and down. The climb is dangerous due to rock fall and the fact that you are frequently climbing unbelayed or unroped in positions where a fall would certainly be fatal.

(Italy, Switzerland) – Matterhorn - Cervino

 

A change in the weather with the addition of water, snow, or ice - especially if combined with poor visibility - can quickly change even the easiest route from a pleasant outing to a life and death struggle.

If you are planning an ascent of the Matterhorn, do your research and know your personal limits. The trip reports here (see sidebar) offer some insight into what the mountain can be like and there is much information on the Internet. It is also interesting to read the prerequisites placed on clients by the professional guides (see the links below). Remember that many writers boost their egos by trivializing difficulties. An ascent of the Hörnligrat (the easiest route) is not a simple undertaking. Unguided parties can expect a 12 to 14 hour round trip.

(Italy, Switzerland) – Matterhorn - Cervino

For those who do not feel that they have the experience and skill to climb the mountain on their own, there is the option of taking a guide. This is an expensive option since most of the guide services not only charge a high fee (Zermatt guides - 665 Euros not including hut and food) for the Matterhorn, but also require up to two climbs with them prior to doing the Matterhorn. Experiences with guides especially on the Matterhorn get mixed reviews. Do your research and make your own decision.

The Hörnligrat - Matterhorn Cervino

 

How to get there

SWISS SIDE

Access to the Matterhorn from the Swiss side is from Zermatt, a major mountain resort.

Public transportation via train or bus then train is easy to arrange. Apparently one can even arrange to arrive by helicopter.

Private cars are not allowed in Zermatt. If you are traveling by car, the closest that you can get is Täsch from which you must travel by train. There is ample parking in Täsch.

From Zermatt, you can use a combination of lifts and hiking or hike directly from the village to the mountain.

The Liongrat - Matterhorn Cervino

 

ITALIAN SIDE

Access from the Italian side is from Breuil – Cervinia also a major mountain resort.

Public transportation is easy to arrange or you can arrive by car.

How to get to Breuil – Cervinia

From the village, hike or take a small taxi service to the Duca degli Abruzzi (Orionde) Hut / Inn (starting point of the Liongrat) and lift and trail access to other points and huts at the base of the mountain.

(Wiki)

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(France) – Millau Viaduct – World Highest Bridge

The Millau Viaduct (French: le Viaduc de Millau, IPA: [vjadyk də mijo]; Occitan: lo Viaducte de Milhau) is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. Designed by the British architect Norman Foster and French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, it is the tallest bridge in the world, with one mast's summit at 343.0 metres (1,125 ft). It is the 12th highest bridge in the world, at 270 metres (890 ft) high below the road deck. The viaduct is part of the A75-A71 autoroute axis from Paris to Montpellier. Construction cost was approximately €400 million. It was formally dedicated on 14 December 2004, inaugurated the day after and opened to traffic two days later. The bridge received the 2006 IABSE Outstanding Structure Award.

(France) - Millau Viaduct

 

Timeline

(France) - Millau Viaduct

-    16 October 2001: work begins

-    14 December 2001: laying of the first stone

-    January 2002: laying pier foundations

-    March 2002: start of work on the pier support C8

-    June 2002: support C8 completed, start of work on piers

-    July 2002: start of work on the foundations of temporary, height adjustable roadway supports

-    August 2002: start of work on pier support C0

-    September 2002: assembly of roadway begins

-    November 2002: first piers complete

-    25–26 February 2003: laying of first pieces of roadway

(France) - Millau Viaduct

 

-    November 2003: completion of the last piers (Piers P2 at 245 m (804 ft) and P3 at 221 m (725 ft) are the highest piers in the world.)

-    28 May 2004: the pieces of roadway are several centimetres apart, their juncture to be accomplished within two weeks

(France) - Millau Viaduct

 -    2nd half of 2004: installation of the pylons and shrouds, removal of the temporary roadway supports

-    14 December 2004: official inauguration

(France) - Routes of the four projects of the A75 autoroute around Millau

 -    16 December 2004: opening of the viaduct, ahead of schedule

-    10 January 2005: initial planned opening date

(France) - The Millau viaduct, and the town of Millau on the right

(Wiki)

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(Taipei) –Yushan is where you find the good place for travelling

Yushan (玉山 Yùshān), also known as Jade Mountain or Mt. Jade, at 3952m, is the highest mountain in Taiwan. It has also been claimed to be the tallest mountain in East Asia, but this depends on how one defines "East Asia".

(Chinese Taipei) –Yushan

Yushan is in many ways a hiker's paradise for its ruggedness, undeveloped tourist industry and relative lack of competing travelers. In spite of all that, the trails are still well-maintained and well-labeled, so it's not as if you're roughing it on your own in the middle of the Himalayas.

(Chinese Taipei) –Yushan

 The Yushan area contains five peaks, simply labeled "Main Peak" and one each for North, South, East and West. The Main Peak is the highest (though not by much) and the most popular. The mountain lies just east of Alishan, and contains some of Taiwan's most distinctive flora and fauna. A trip to the Taipei Zoo might uncover some of the same species, such as the Formosan Black Bear.

(Chinese Taipei) –Yushan

 

Getting around the Yushan Area

(Chinese Taipei) –Yushan Sunrise

 The only way to get anywhere or do anything in Yushan is to hike. Some of the trails are not particularly short - getting from the beginning of the main peak trail at Tatajia Anbu to Paiyun Lodge is around 8.5k.

(Chinese Taipei) –Yushan

Yushan and surrounding mountains belong to Yushan Range, which is part of Yushan National Park in Taiwan. Taiwan Yushan National Park is largest, highest and most accessible national parks. This tract contains the largest remaining wilderness in Taiwan and is also credited with pristine forests and diversity of fauna, including endemic spcies.

(Chinese Taipei) - Mt. Jade Main Peak

Yushan Park is located near Beiji Park and Yushan Bridge in the northern part of downtown in Guilin, Guangxi province. The park got this name because Yushan Mountain is in it. It is a recommendation to start the trip around Guilin from this place, as it is a source of the city’s history.

(Chinese Taipei) - Yushan National Park

 Remember that April to October is the best time to visit the park.

(Chinese Taipei) - Yushan Main Peak

(Wiki, Taiwanese Secrets, China Travel depot)

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