Darjeeling – The Place and the Tea
 Darjeeling The Place and the Tea
Darjeeling is one of the loveliest places in India, and a favorite resort. It is a hard journey of 246 miles from Calcutta. To reach it you will travel from the intense heat of the lowlands, through dense tropical jungles, and into the coldest and highest mountains in the world.
This is a great tea country, and the mountain sides have been cleared in many places for plantations. In the Darjeeling district are about two hundred large plantations, employing from one to two thousand laborers each, and producing about 12,000,000 pounds a year.
There is little doubt that the views from Darjeeling include the most majestic assemblage of mountains on the earth's surface. For a distance of 200 miles east and west there arise a succession of peaks not less than 22,000 feet high, and several of them more than 25,000. In the immediate vicinity and within sight are the highest mountains in the world. Everest, the king of mountains, which measures 29,200 feet, is only eighty miles distant; Kinchinjunga, which is forty-five miles distant, is 28,156 feet high,
Between these mountain peaks is an almost continuous succession of snow fields and glaciers beyond all comparison. The snow line is 17,000 feet in midsummer, and in winter comes down to 12,000 and 15,000 feet, and when that altitude is reached snow is continuous and impassable. This is the highest and the most extensive of all mountain ranges. Along the northern frontier of India for 2,000 miles it stands like a vast hedge, the most formidable natural boundary in the world, nowhere lower than 17,000 feet, and impassable for armies the entire distance, with the exception of two gateways: Jeylup Pass here and at the Khyber Pass. There are passes over the snow, but their elevation is seldom less than 16,000 feet; the average elevation of the watershed exceeds 18,000 feet, and the great plateau of Thibet, which lies upon the other side, is between 15,000 and 16,000 feet above the sea.
This plateau, which is sometimes called the "Roof of the World," is 700 miles long and 500 miles wide, and could not be crossed by an army not only because of the winds and the cold, but also because there is very little water, no fuel and no supplies. No invading force could possibly enter India from the north if these passes were defended, because the inhospitable climate of Tibet would not sustain an army, and the enormous distance and altitude would make the transportation of supplies for any considerable force practically impossible. During the summer the plateau is covered with flocks and herds, but when the cold weather comes on the shepherds drive them into the foothills, where they find shelter. The width of the main range of the Himalayas will average about 500 miles between its northern and southern foot-hills; it embraces every possible kind of climate, vegetation and natural products, and is a vast reservoir from which four of the greatest rivers of the world flow across the plains of India, carrying the drainage from the melting snows, and without this reservoir northern India would be a hopeless and dreary desert.
Tibet Today
 Tibet, also known as Xizang, is called the “Roof of the World.” This land is breathtakingly beautiful, a perfect blend of green grasslands and snow-capped mountains. People that visit Tibet are overwhelmed with its regal atmosphere and majestic scenery. That coupled with the mysterious and even exotic culture, makes this an excellent travel destination.
Tibet is often referred to as “Tibet Autonomous Region” or TAR for short. However, keep in mind that TAR is not Tibet. The Chinese government divided the historical Tibet into a number of regions and prefectures. Therefore, TAR only involves the central region and a portion of the eastern region. With this division, approximately 60% of the original territory of Tibet has now been absorbed into China.
The historical Tibet sits on the border of Sikkim, Bhutan, India, Burma, and Nepal. Spread out more than 470,000 square miles, the plateau is beautifully surrounded by the Himalaya to the south, Kunlun to the north and Karakoram to the west, which makes up the highest mountain ranges in the world. However, you will also find many other smaller mountain ranges to the east. While the four main mountain ranges average 26,240 feet above sea level, keep in mind that there are still 38 other mountains that exceed altitudes of 22,960 feet.
Tibet is known around the world for having Mt. Everest towering over the entire region. As you can see, Tibet has earned the name “Roof of the World” for very good reason. Throughout the region, you will also find many great rivers, such as the famous Yangtze River, along with the Nu River, Yellow River, Yarlong Tsangpo River, Indus River, Ganges River, and Lancang River. In addition to the magnificent rivers, the land is also dotted with many green valleys and crystal blue lakes, to include the wonderful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.
While some of the areas within Tibet are so rugged that they are very difficult to access, you can enjoy trips to Lhasa and Shigatse, where you can visit religious monuments and other tourist attractions, all easily reached. One of the most popular monuments is Potala. However, you will also find the Tashilunpo Monastery, Kumbum, and the Jokhang Temple here, all worth your time and effort to see.
Off to the west, there is a barren plateau called Ngari. This vast area has the nickname of “Roof of Tibet.” If you want to experience some of Tibet’s sacred spots, you can visit Lake Manasarova, which joins Mt. Kailash. Ngari is where many Hindus and Tibetans go to pay holy pilgrimage. Additionally, for individuals that love to hike, this is the ideal destination.
Two other places to visit while there include the Guge Kingdom and the Shang Shung Kingdom, both ancient sites that should not be missed. If you travel to the southwestern portion of Tibet, you will fall in love with the mountains, making this an outdoors person’s haven. In all, more than 40 snow-covered peaks are available for hikers to enjoy. In addition to the mountains for climbing, you can also enjoy running waters, primeval forests, and a comfortable climate. In fact, here you will see Yarlong Tsangpo Canyon, the largest canyon in the entire world.
Art in Tibet is very popular and influenced strongly by Buddhism. One such form is called Thanka, which is highly developed and complex. Regarding Buddhism, this is the lifeblood of the Tibetan people, although it does vary some from the way in which other countries practice this religious belief. For this reason, in Tibet, it is known as Tibetan Buddhism. Prior to China invading this country, the Dalai Lama served as the theological leader and head of state in a theocracy.
To continue the teaching for adults and help establish the children, four Tibetan Buddhism schools were created. These schools consist of Kagyu, Sakya, Geluk, and Nyingma with this last one being the oldest, having emerged between the 8th and 9th Centuries. However, before the Tibetans began practicing Buddhism, they practiced another form of religion known as Shamanism, which was actually called Bon. This influence can still be seen in some of Tibet’s religious art.
In addition to the beauty of Tibet and the wonderful places to visit, unfortunately, there are still areas of unrest. Within Tibet today, the people are under strict guidelines when it comes to the freedom of religion, press, and speech. In fact, it is estimated that there remains about 1,200 political prisoners still held in Tibet, which includes some very interesting people. For example, a Fulbright scholar by the name of Ngawang Choephel is one such prisoner along with Panchen Lama, who is a nine-year-old religious figure that disappeared in 1995 by Chinese authorities. Additionally, there are many nuns, monks, and even civilians still suffering greatly.
Sadly, the Chinese government set up laws that forced families to have abortions and undergo sterilization, along with the transfer of thousands of Chinese citizens coming into Tibet, which placed a direct threat on the country’s existence. In fact, the number of Chinese settlers compared with the Tibetans is vast. Because of these changes, many Tibetans still flee the occupied part of Tibet, which requires them to travel over treacherous mountain passes.
If you plan to take a trip to Tibet, you will discover the people to be very inviting and warm. The monuments, monasteries, temples, and other attractions are something you simply should not overlook. However, because there are some problem areas within this country, you should consider organizing your trip through a reputable travel agent. By knowing where to go and what to see, you will have an amazing experience that will not be forgotten.
Taj Mahal
 Once upon a time there lived an Arab woman named Arjumand Banu. We know very little about her, except that she lived in Agra, India, and was the Sultana of Shah Jehan, the greatest of the Mogul emperors. She must have been a good woman and a good wife, because, after eighteen years of married life, and within twelve months after his accession to the throne, in 1629, she died in giving birth to her fourteenth baby. And her husband loved her so much that he sheltered her grave with a mausoleum which, without question or reservation, is pronounced by all architects and critics to be the most beautiful building in the world--the most sublime and perfect work of human hands.
It is called the Taj Mahal, which means "The Crown of the Palaces," and is pronounced Taash Mahal, with the accent on the last syllable of the last word. The Taj Mahal stands at the bottom of a lovely garden surrounded by groves of cypress trees, on the bank of the River Jumna, opposite the great fortress of Agra, where, from the windows of his palace, the king could always see the snowwhite domes and minarets which cover the ashes of his Arab wife. Its base is a marble terrace 400 feet square, elevated eighteen feet above the level of the garden, with benches arranged around so that one can sit and look and look and look until its wonderful beauty soaks slowly into his consciousness; until the soul is saturated. Rising from the terrace eighteen feet is a marble pedestal or platform 313 feet square, each corner being marked with a marble minaret 137 feet high; so slender, so graceful, so delicate that you cannot conceive anything more so. Within their walls are winding staircases by which one can reach narrow balconies like those on lighthouses and look upon the Taj from different heights and study its details from the top as well as the bottom. The domes that crown these four minarets are exact miniatures of that which covers the tomb.
On the east and on the west sides of the terrace are mosques built after Byzantine designs of deep red sandstone, which accentuates the purity of the marble of which the tomb is made in a most effective manner. At any other place, with other surroundings, these mosques would be regarded worthy of prolonged study and unbounded admiration, but here they pass almost unnoticed. Like the trees of the gardens and the river that flows at the foot of the terrace, they are only an humble part of the frame which incloses the great picture. They are intended to serve a purpose, and they serve it well. In beauty they are surpassed only by the tomb itself.
Midway between the two red mosques rises a majestic pile of pure white marble 186 feet square, with the corners cut off. It measures eighty feet from its pedestal to its roof, and is surmounted by a dome also eighty feet high, measuring from the roof, and fifty-eight feet in diameter. Upon the summit of the dome is a spire of gilded copper twenty-eight feet high, making the entire structure 224 feet from the turf of the garden to the tip of the spire. All of the domes are shaped like inverted turnips after the  Byzantine style. Four small ones surround the central dome, exact duplicates and one-eighth of its size, and they are arranged upon arches upon the flat roof of the building. From each of the eight angles of the roof springs a delicate spire or pinnacle, an exact duplicate of the great minarets in the corners, each sixteen feet high, and they are so slender that they look like alabaster pencils glistening in the sunshine. The same duplication is carried out through the entire building. The harmony is complete. Every tower, every dome, every arch, is exactly like every other tower, dome and arch, differing only in dimensions.
The building is entered on the north and south sides through enormous pointed arches of perfect proportions reaching above the roof and at each corner of the frames that inclose them is another minaret, a miniature of the rest. Each of the six faces of the remainder of the octagon is pierced by two similar arches, one above the other, opening upon galleries which serve to break the force of the sun, to moderate the heat and to subdue the light. They form a sort of colonnade around the building above and below, and are separated from the rotunda by screens of perforated alabaster, as exquisite and delicate in design and execution as Brussels point lace. The slabs of alabaster, 12 by 8 feet in size, are pierced with filigree work finely finished as if they were intended to be worn as jewels upon the crown of an empress. All of the light that reaches the interior is filtered through this trellis work.
The rotunda is unbroken, fifty-eight feet in diameter and one hundred and sixty feet from the floor to the apex of the dome. Like every other part of the building, it is of the purest white marble, inlaid with mosaics of precious stones. The walls, the pillars, the wainscoting and the entire exterior as well as the interior of the building are the same. Upon the walls of the tomb of the Princess Arjamand are about two acres of surface covered with mosaics as fine and as perfect as if each setting were a jewel intended for a queen to wear--turquoise, coral, garnet, carnelian, jasper, malachite, agate, lapis lazuli, onyx, nacre, bloodstone, tourmaline, sardonyx and a dozen other precious stones of different colors. Twenty-eight different varieties of stone are inlaid in the walls of marble.
The palaces, temples and tombs in northern India are unequaled examples of the architectural and decorative arts. Nothing more beautiful or more costly has ever been built by human hands than the residences and the sepulchers of the Moguls, while their audience chambers, their baths and pavilions are not surpassed, and are not even equaled in any of the imperial capitals of Europe. The oriental artists and architects of the Mohammedan dynasties lavished money upon their homes and tombs in the most generous manner, and the refinement of their taste was equal to their extravagance.
Mount Fuji
 Mount Fuji also called, as Fujiyama is the most poplar and undisputedly the number one landmark of Japan. It is located on the Southern Honshu Island and is the highest mountain in Japan, rising to 12,388 feet (3,776 m) near the Pacific coast in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken, 100 km west of Tokyo, with the apex broken by a cone-shaped crater 610 m (2000 ft) in diameter. Mount Fuji is relatively a young volcano and has attained its present shape about 5000 years ago and was a result of a series of volcanic activities by the Ashitakayama/Ko-Mitake (Small Mitake), Ko-Fuji (Old Fuji) and Shin-Fuji (New Fuji) volcanoes. The Ko-Mitake volcano is dormant since 100 thousand years ago. The Ko-Fuji volcano, which formed the base of the current, Mount Fuji was active between 100 thousand and 10 thousand years ago. Shin-Fuji volcano which is responsible for the mountain’s current shape started to erupt about 10 thousand years ago and erupted repeatedly for over 100 times during a period of about 10 thousand years. Mount Fuji last erupted on November 24, 1707 and has been sleeping since then, but still the geologists regard it as an active volcano.
‘The Holy Mountain’, is what Mount Fuji is called as and its name of Ainu origin implies “everlasting life.” Thousands of pilgrims visit the mountain from all parts of Japan and there are a number of shrines and temples are on its slopes. The major attraction of the mountain is certainly the various views it provides that change along with seasons and even as the time flows during a day. During winter, it is a flawless volcanic cone with its snow-capped tops, so winters and early spring are the best seasons to to catch the best view of this picture-perfect mountain. Five lakes surround the northern side of Mount Fuji, namely: Lake Motosuko, Lake Shojinko, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanako, and Lake Subarshiri, which are frequently visited by tourists. These lakes provide a good view of Mount Fuji alongside different water sports.
The official and the best climbing season of Mount Fuji is from 1st July to 31st August every year as the weather is very nice and pleasant. Conquering this sacred mountain by both young and old at their own caliber with a proper plan and equipments is a great achievement in itself. As we go above from the base of the mountain to its apex there are 10 posts inbetween. You need not start your climb from the base itself as you can reach the 4th or the 5th post by road and from here it takes about 4-5 hours to reach the peak and about 2-3 hours to descend. Huts and lodges are situated all over the mountainside and are quite affordable and provide meals to the climbers and the tourists. But Camping is not allowed on the mountain. There are various routes on offer for climbing Mount Fuji, including: Fujinomiya trail, Gotenba trail, and Subashiri trail.
The splendor of Mount Fuji has been viewed by millions and has been praised and written about by numerous travel writers, poets and presented in different art forms by painters all over the world.
Kabuki Theater
 A wonderful combination of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modern life, Japan has it all. It is one of the world’s most fascinating places to visit as many wonders and revelation await you. You can try your hand at Origami, the popular art of paper folding, or take a walk down the serene paths of a temple or you may step into a theatre and take in a performance - the Kabuki Theatre is a must see in Japan as it is the most famous of the traditional Japanese theatres and depicts one of the various aspects of performing arts.
Kabuki originated in the Edo period and was more popular with the lower social class as compared to the higher social classes. The word 'Kabuki' is composed of three Japanese characters: 'ka' meaning 'songs', 'bu' meaning 'dance' and 'ki' meaning 'skill'. Its more likely a Japanese version of Shakespeare’s plays being performed in an Opera. But Kabuki is more entertaining, energetic and awesome in the use of color, makeup, movements and often other spectacular effects.
The passion for Kabuki Theatre began with first performance by the shrine dancer Okuni at Kyoto in 1603. This performance was a unique blend of folk dance and religious dance and soon became popular with the lower classes. In the early phase of the 17th century, women were banned from performing because women performers were lured to the business of prostitution and were getting undue attention from male admirers. This led to the development of art of female impersonation wherein males also played female parts. The beginning of the 18th century marked the development of Kabuki into a more matured form and was starting to become popular even with the higher classes of society.
Kabuki plays are composed of certain varying elements that help it become so colorful and glamorous. These elements include: Story, Musical Elements, Dramatic Content, Dance, Costume, Make-up, Theatre Design, and Actor/Audience Relationship. Kabuki plays are about society in a particular period, historical events, moral conflicts, love relationships etc. and are performed using a combination of dramatic dialogue and dance, and accompanied by drums, flutes, stringed instruments called shamisen, and chanting. The Kabuki music also employs special spectacular audio-effects. The most exceptional among them is the sounding of wooden clappers signaling the opening and the closing of a Kabuki play. The actors/performers wear costumes that reflect the contemporary styles of the day. The costumes play a major role to emphasize the character’s role being portrayed by the performer, as they themselves are full of complexity and hidden meaning. Along with the costumes, make-up is also considered as an integral part of Kabuki performance. The theatrical designs have changed over a period of time, ranging from raised platforms on a riverbed to the modern day theatres having rotating stages and a whole range of gadgets. The last but not the least is the Actor-Audience Relationship as there are instances in a Kabuki play when an actor would come out of his role and address the audience directly.
Kabuki performers are very famous in Japan and this theatrical art is usually passed from one family generation to the next, but the National Theater in Tokyo also has a school for training young and upcoming performers. The costumes and conventions of the traditional Kabuki are still being incorporated in the modern Kabuki plays. However, the new generation performers are finding out new ways to update plays in-order to attract more and more audiences.
You can only appreciate the theatrical creativity of this art form by visiting a Kabuki performance and a good tip would be to go with a Japanese national who is familiar with the Kabuki Theatre.
The Peking Opera
 Peking Opera is regarded as possibly the highest artistic expression of the rich culture and tradition of China. Combining singing, speaking, martial art forms, and abstract movement, including pantomime, Peking Opera is not only an artistic treasure, but also an archive of China's history as told by the extensive repertoire performed by the Peking Opera. Peking Opera did not originate in Peking. Interestingly, opera is actually a combination of styles that were active and popular in China about 200 years ago.
Opera has been one of the main entertainments in China throughout history, and different styles developed in different regions. Opera was enjoyed by people at all levels and not limited to certain social classes. In 1790, during the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (Qing dynasty, 1644 - 1911), the capital city played host to opera troupes from several regions in China already famous for their operatic performances. The troupes combined Kunqu, Qinqiang and Handia opera along with other styles popular in Peking at the time. The style that we identify today as Peking Opera emerged as a result of this artistic integration nearly a half century ago.
Peking Opera is such an important form of theater that it is classified as one of the three main theatrical systems in the world. There are four main roles that are played: a male role and a female role, the role of a clown (played by a male or a female) and a painted face role, usually a male. These primary roles can be further divided, depending on the story being told. The roles will be highly defined in terms of the moral nature of the character. There will be no question about who is good and who is bad, or if the character is lucky in life or portrays or more tragic existence.
The make-up used in performances is intricate and very important. The painted face, along with subtle gestures and movement will convey the entire range of emotion and experience of the character being portrayed. There is the noticeable lack of the types of props and scenery that we might associate with a western theater performance. Peking Opera performances demand that the audience pay strict attention to the players. Even a shift of the eyes or a slight nod of the head conveys meaning. This can make understanding what is going on a bit difficult for a foreigner.
However, today if you have the good fortune to see the Peking Opera perform, you will be able to enjoy a translation. Reading up ahead of time about the story you are going to see, which might involve looking into the history of the country - is also sound advice from the experts. The costumes are another opportunity to highlight some of China's most breathtaking art - the embroidered and brocaded fabrics. The costumes, which are usually based on traditional Chinese dress, also provide a glimpse into China's history.
Performances are accompanied by music - usually played on three types of instrument: wind instruments, string instruments and percussion. The main instruments are Chinese in origin: the jinghu, a two-stringed instrument played with a bow, the yueqin, a four-stringed instrument that is plucked, a sanxian, a three-stringed instrument also plucked, the suona horn, Chinese flutes and a variety of gongs and cymbals. The melodies are rhythmic and graceful.
The focus of Peking Opera shifted during the country's Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976). During this time, traditionally performed stories that exemplified the lifestyles of pre-Communist society were banned. New performances were written, though - that reflected this major social and political change. True to form, the Peking Opera continued to reflect the history of the country.
Today, China has made an effort revive the art form and you can once again see the traditional stories performed. The Peking Opera has been invited to perform all over the world - to the delight of foreign audiences. This has greatly increased awareness of this priceless national cultural treasure.
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