Travelogues

Monday, July 16, 2007

Northern Areas July 2007

Rakaposhi hidden in clouds photo SAR

Karakuram Highway photo SAR

Kachura Lake, Skardu photo SAR

Sadpara Lake, Skardu photo SAR

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Mohmand Agency June 2007

A small village along the road to Mohmand Agency Photo: SAR

Farmland at the border of Mohmand Agency Photo:SAR

A view of the road out of Ghalenay Photo: SAR

A police post near Ghalenay Photo: SAR

The barren mountains of Mohmand Agency Photo:SAR

Sunday, April 08, 2007

The Cinque Terre are five coastal villages in the province of La Spezia in the Liguria region of Italy. "Discovered" by foreigners in the late 20th century, they have come to be among the most popular areas of Italy among tourists. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all encapsulated in Cinque Terre National Park. The Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The five villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

Manarola, Photo UFM

Riomaggiore, Photo UFM

Vernazza, Photo UFM

Riomaggiore, Photo UFM

Monterosso al Mare, Photo UFM

Corniglia, Photo UFM
Unlike the other localities of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not directly next to the sea. Instead, it is on the top of a promontory about 100 meters high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces and the fourth side descends steeply on the sea.

There is a passenger ferry service running between the five villages, providing a different vantage point of the rugged coastline and shore line at each village.

Monterosso al Mare, Photo UFM

A local train line from La Spezia to Genoa connects all five villages. The train connecting the five villages runs in what is mainly a tunnel for the full distance between Riomaggiore and Monterosso, emerging from the rock infrequently for quick glimpses of the Mediterranean down the hill.

The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore. It winds along the shore, is very picturesque and is easy to hike.

Portofino, April 2007

Portofino is a small Italian fishing village and tourist resort located in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. The town crowded round its small harbour is considered to be among the most beautiful Mediterranean ports.

Portofino, Photo UFM

Portofino, Photo AA

Monaco, April 2007

Monaco is a constitutional monarchy and city-state in Europe located along the French Riviera between the Mediterranean Sea and France. It is the world's most densely populated country and second-smallest independent nation; with a population of just 32,410 and an area of 2.2 square kilometers. Monaco also boasts more millionaires per capita than any other country.