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The Glossary

Gompa - "A sort of nunnery or convent."

From India Glossary

The Old and the New

Delhi can be confusing. Saying only “Delhi” means the eighth largest metropolis in the world, while “New Delhi” refers to a planned urban area there that stands as India's present capital and “Old Delhi” is the former capital filled with historical value. It's not only the name though - the entire city itself is bamboozling as well. The roughly four million foreign tourists who visit it every year are greeted with its rough façade: traffic-heavy streets, hectic atmosphere, annoying pollution, and demanding hustlers.

After a while, however, Delhi's good virtues surface. Inherited from a 5,000-year history (it is one of the oldest existing cities in the world), the city is a cauldron of architectural delights. It is virtually impossible not to see its array of museums, temples, mosques, and ancient monuments.

Melting Pot of 13 Million

Teeming with some 13.7 million inhabitants, Delhi is understandably chaotic. Daunting as it may be, there is no question that its mass of humanity makes it a hub of culture. Coexisting together are different ethnic groups, may they be Hindustani, Punjabi, Urdu, or others. Perhaps the most satisfying result of the meeting of different cultures is the unique cuisine, whether it be Mughlai curries or South Indian desserts.

The city is host to an array of festivals and events that were born out of varying beliefs and traditions. There is the famous Kite-flying Festival that attracts competitors from all over the globe, the Lohri Festival that signals the end of winter, and the Thyagaraja Festival which showcases the South Indian music and dance. Delhi's theaters treat visitors to bout after bout of “Bollywood” movies, as well as cultural shows.

Travels in Delhi

Delhi not only impresses with its culture, but with architecture as well. New Delhi is the epitome of the future, with sights like the Lotus Temple (a product of Expressionism) and the Swaminarayan Akshardham (largest Hindu temple in the world). On the other hand, Old Delhi represents the city's glorious past. Visitors often head to historical places such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Qutb Minar.

The city's Chandni Chowk area may not yield any landmarks, but it is a hotspot for the avid shoppers - filled with markets and shops. Or, for the more adventurous, the Delhi outskirts provide plenty of opportunities for treks, hikes, and water sporting.

User blogs:

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News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space.   The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post

Indonesia Eco Tourism

 Tour Itenaray Day 01 BALI - LABUAN BAJO – RINCA ISLAND – KOMODO ISLAND (L.D) Pick up from your hotel in Bali and transfer to the airport, for flight to Labuan Bajo (West Flores) for approximately one and half hours. On arrival in Labuan Bajo airport, will be welcomed and met with our local representative or tour guide. Than transfer to the harbour to catch a boat cross to Rinca ... Read full Blog post

San Gimignano and San Pellegrino

Night falls on the flourishing and industrious San Gimignano, its 72 towers stand on the low roofs of the houses lit by the moon. This is not a luxury travel spot but is something you don't see every day. In the distance the clatter of hooves echoed tired in the Via Francigena. The hand of the blacksmith stops beating, the frame of the weaver becomes silent, the streets of the tank only a concert ... Read full Blog post

An Aerial fiesta in Clark Pampanga

Its a party in the sky as multi colored hot air balloons piloted ny different pilots from various partso of the world participated in this annual gathering. As early as 5am, the 2,500 hectare aviation complex at Clar Economic Zone in Pampanga was already crammedi with excitement. Clusters of hot air balloon participants busily prepare their own balloons for liftoff as they need to take advantage of ... Read full Blog post