Mall of America - July 25, 06

Man+Machine co-operation - 18th July 06.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's Palm Tree Mega Structure Island Project is an enormous project. It is now under construction in the Arabian Gulf and that will change the face of the coastline.

On July 3rd, 06, when I stood on the Golden Gate Bridge, (GGB) I found myself 130 meter or 746' high above the Pacific Ocean. It is reported that the Huge structure of the bridge was shaken but escaped damaging from the terrible earth quake ever held in the United States of America in 1948. That time I had thought that if the man and machine could properly co-operate to each other many wonders could be possible in the world.

The Palm Jumeirah will be the first man made Island in the earth in the shape of a massive palm tree after completion in its due time in 2008. And at the same time it will be another big example of the 'man+machine co-operation'. The project is so vast that it can be seen from space. Palm Jumeirah is one of the most audacious engineering projects the world has ever seen. A breathtaking megastructure and an ambitious engineering feat to transform Dubai into one of the world's premiere tourist destinations. Besides the construction of the Island, there is also the challenge of building a small city with 4,500 luxury houses and apartments, 29 hotels, miles of roads, and all the utilities required by the thousands of people who will be living on and using this island including water, electricity, gas and sewage. It is also reported that the Seikh of Dubai is going to construct still bigger palm tree Island in the Arabian Sea after the completion of the initial one. What a man can expect more than this. Was it not a 'big wonder' of the 'man+machine cooperation'.

Fisherman's wharf - July 3, 06

Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s most popular destination. Known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, spectacular sights and unique shopping, Fisherman’s Wharf offers a wide array of things to do for everyone. The fabulous location in the 'City by the Bay', puts you within minutes of the Maritime Museum, Alcatraz, Coit Tower and everyone’s favorite, the world famous San Francisco Cable Car lines.

Fisherman’s Wharf offers some of the most incredible views of the San Francisco Bay, the sun bathing scenes of sea lion on the deck and the shipping of the visitors down to Alcatraz Island from Wharf and up. The Alcatraz Island is one time popularly known as the prison to the notorious prisoners in the USA.

Our journey to the spot on 3rd July was made at the time of departure from there to Minneapolis. It has become time to go to the San Francisco airport. We could not stay longer but enjoyed.

Minnesota Hindu Temple - July 16, 06

A Hindu Temple in USA:
Take I494/I694 to I94 West toward St. Cloud From I94, Take exit 213 go West on CR30 (turn left). After taking the exit 213, keep to the right, Take a right at the ramp exit, Go 1 Block, Follow the Signs to CR 30 West (Need to make a Right Turn). Stay on CR 30 West, (Go past Target/Walmart) to CR101 (Traffic Light) and make a right on to CR101 North (Traffic Lights).Go slow, Spot a Church on the left, go past it and make a right on to 101st Ave N Make a Left on to Troy Ln. The site is at the end of Troy Ln.… directs you to go to the Hindu temple which is now under construction. The temple being constructed in the land of the United States of America in an initiatives of some South Indians is of course will be one of the shrine where every Hindu can breath a breath of holy and self consolidation for an hour and so on at the time of leisure / free. The temple is going to be constructed on its own type i.e. American look from outside and Indian look temples inside it. There are about 15 small temples in the first floor of the building. The monument/s of Lord Bishnu, Jagannath, Shree Narayana have been installed in some of them and the remaining temples still require installation of other monuments. The temple constructed in the mid-field of maize at Mineapolis has covered a big chunk of land. Hope that the compound will be filled up with various other small temples and blocks where a holy activities in a hindu way will be carried on.

Lombard Street - July 3, 06.

Lombard Street, SF, California is surrounded by hills in all three sides of it like that in Kathmandu, Nepal. One had to go to the top of the hill from behind to view the Lombard Street. Because the Street is located on the top of the hill, our car was trying to go up the street. But it was blocked because like us there were many other cars standing in a long queue, all trying to drive up in the hill to go to other side.

The Lombard Street is designed crookedly with hardly 8' wide road. The garden was there in every triangular gap of the road in highly steep road. Drivers can drive down but not up. It was very difficult because of its crookedness and steepness. Somehow Bijay managed to go ahead and we took an opportunity to drive down the Crooked Garden in California.

Muir Beach - July 3,06

Muir Beach Overlook is a small place full of scenic beauty and history. On a clear day, one can see Sand Francisco's Ocean Beach to the south, Bolinas and Point Reyes to the north, the top of Mt. Tamalpais to the east, and all the way to the Farallon Islands, to the West. On a foggy day, there are several Coastal fortifications to explore, and picnic facilities to enjoy.

History:The base end stations found at Muir Beach Overlook were an important part of the coastal defenses for the San Francisco Bay Area. Working in concert with other Bay Area base end stations, they helped the military monitor the coastline during World War II. In theory they would also be used in the triangulation to locate targets of the coastal defense system. The stations never saw battle.

Come down to the bottom from the hill, you can go to the beach of the San Francisco Ocean to enjoy swimming, sunbath and other recreation activities. The Muir Beach came to be well known since it was used for a special strategic work during the World War II.

Napa Valley - July 2, 06

Napa Valley a well known valley in the world for producing world famous wines is in Northern California at the northeastern tip of San Francisco Bay (actually called San Pablo Bay up that far), about an hour's drive north of San Francisco. It's actually just one of many valleys in Napa County, but it's by far the largest and best known. The valley itself is about 30 miles long and ranges from one to five miles wide. There are five incorporated cities and the number of population in the County is about 110,000.

We travelled in Napa Valley on July 2nd, 06 in Bijay's (a nephew) BMW. Sugam, who has been living here in the USA for the last 13 years, was in the front seat with Bijay. They were a good combination to guide us (myself and Sushila on the back seat) to visit places worth seing in the US. Must say Bijay's wife Sabina was a very gracious hostess. She prepared excellent breakfasts and delicious dinners for us every night we were there.

Napa is worth seeing place not only because it's a scenic place but also because of its economic contribution to the US revenue is remarkable. The Napa produced wines are highly regarded in the world for its method of fermentation. The visitors to the valley are entertained by orienting them with the technique and discipline of making and drinking wine.

The Napa county's primary industries are winegrape growing, wine production and tourism. It preserves a huge amount of agricultural land, allowing Napa County to avoid the urban sprawl that has affected almost all other San Francisco Bay area counties. The result is Napa has become an attractive place for residents to live and for tourists to visit.

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francsico - July 3,06

The US tour continued in San Francisco from June 28th, '06. After a few days stay in Lake Tahoe and in Bijay's house, where we (Sushila and Sugam) also celebrated the second birthday of our first grand niece-beautiful Neharika, we went to see the Golden Gate Bridge. The GGB, a huge and historic bridge is a really a must- see. It is a great attraction for the tourists from throught the world. Standing on the bridge across the Pacific Ocean, you will be 130 meter or 746 feet above the water level of the ocean. It is unbelievable that human beings can build such a huge structure above Pacific Ocean. It is said more than 10,000 people visit the bridge every day.

The information given in the San Francisco-Golden Gate says that the bridge was opened by the President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 28,1937. It was built in four years time at the cost of US $ 35 million. The bridge is 4200 ft. long.

RENO, Nevada - June 29 -30

Reno could be one another venture to the traveller if he/she drives further north for one and half hour more through all the exciting and challenging mountaineous road from the Lake Tahoe. It is a small city covering 69.1 sq. miles but very important for its remarkable contribution that it has made in the movie world through its traditional culture, people and the scenic places. It is said that most of the films based on the cowboys, a traditional and old community of the United States of America is shot here. The Red-Indian films are very famous and familiar among the english-movie goers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Though small with mere 197,693 population accorking to the 2004 census, the city is more interesting and one can really enjoy here with casinoes and attractive hotels. The illustrated picture is a compliment of the popular hotel of the city.