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July 14, 2007

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www.bethmichiel.com

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India: Tiruvannamalai's full moon pilgrimage and fire temple

What? A Tamil temple town full of fire worshippers and a monthly full moon pilgrimage. Why visit? Spiritual tourism in India has had a strong following ever since the Beatles rocked up in Rishikesh and started meditating. However, Tiruvannamalai offers a different, less commercial or Westernised experience: one that attracts millions of pilgrims each year in an intoxicating combination of blazing fire, a full moon, and Hindu chanting. Where? In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, driving distance from both Madras (Chennai) and Pondycherry. Map . THINGS CAN SEEM a little crazy in Tiruvannamalai. Every month at full moon the town is flooded with tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims who spend the whole night walking barefoot around a mountain while listening to taped chants of ' Om Namah Shivaya ' on infinite loops. This is one of the more bizarre (and memorable) spectacles you will witness in India (or in your life for that matter). But the atmosphere is jolly, good-natured, a

Saudi Arabia: the mud houses of old Riyadh

What? A neighbourhood of crumbling mud-brick houses right in the center of Riyadh Why visit? These houses are literally crumbling. Most Saudis prefer to live in air-conditioned comfort in American style suburbs- these old traditional houses are slowly disappearing. Where? Right in the center of Riyadh, in the Al-Deera area, next to the Masmak fortress and Deera Square. Riyadh is not particularly rich in attractions. A century ago, this was a small desert settlement of mud brick houses and a fortress. Now it's the gleaming capital of glass, steel and motorways. In the historical center of Riyadh there are a few places that attract the few people who come sightseeing here. The Masmak fortress is still there, and is worth visiting. Built of mud, it gives a good insight in traditional Arabian architecture. Next to it is Deera Square, also known as 'Chop Chop Square'. It looks pretty, but don't visit on Friday mornings, which is when public executions take place... How

India: Bungalows of Bandra (Bombay)

What? Early 20th century bungalows in Bandra, one of the suburbs of Bombay (Mumbai). Why visit? With the land prices in Bombay reaching stratospheric levels, these low-rise bungalows are slowly disappearing. The land they stand on is simply too valuable! Where? In Bandra, one of the Western Suburbs of Bombay. Getting there: Bandra can be reached by train or car from South Bombay. The bungalows are spread on numerous roads. Check the following roads, but do wander into side streets to make your own discoveries. Perry rd has some fabulous buildings. Streets leading off from here that are worth a look are ST Alexious Rd, St Andrew's Rd, and St Leo Rd, as well as St Dominic Rd. (Now is a good chance to brush up on your knowledge of Catholic Saints). Then move down south, Mt Carmel Rd, and the area around Rebello Rd and St Sebastian Rd. In the early 20th century Bandra was a little village, about 15km north of Bombay. Although settled since the 16th century by the Portuguese (who

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