Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Mecca pilgrimage:

Millions of Muslims are embarking on the traditional annual holy pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The first of more than two million people have already arrived ahead of this year's Hajj pilgrimage, which peaks next month.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are expected to make the trip at least once in their lifetime, if they can.

This year's Hajj has attracted added attention with the participation of one of the world's oldest men, Habib Miyan, who is reportedly 132 years old.

Masjid-i-Tuba


Fountains stand in a calm pool in front of the Defense Housing Society Mosque, or Masjid-i-Tuba, in Karachi, Pakistan. ca. 1970s-1990s Karachi, Sind, Pakistan

Karachi - City of Lights












Cosmopolitan Karachi (Kurrachee), the largest and the most populous city (12 million) of Pakistan and the capital of the Sindh province, presents an interesting and colorful combination of the old and new. It is the former capital of Pakistan and is situated on a beautiful natural harbor northwest of the Indus River Delta. The hub of a sprawling metropolitan area, the narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life along-side the wide metallic roads and elegant modern buildings. Within the city, talented artisans with age-old skills produce handicrafts of exquisite beauty.

Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse racing all-year round. Its restaurants provide a wide choice of Pakistani and Western cuisine. Its markets and bazaar offer and endless variety of exciting shopping including indigenous handicrafts, rugs and carpets of rare design and beauty.

Karachi's recorded history goes back to the 18th century when it was a small fishing village known as Kolachi. Karachi was a small fishing and trade center when it was captured in 1839 and subsequently annexed by the British. With the development of its harbor it gradually grew into a large city and an important center of trade and industry. Its selection as capital of Pakistan in 1947 added to its importance and tremendously boosted the rate of its growth and development.

Although the seat of Government has now been shifted to Islamabad, Karachi still remains the epicenter of commerce and industry, as it is chief transport, financial, commercial, prime banking center and manufacturing center. The city has an important Stock Exchange in the region. The architecture of Karachi blends western, eastern, and Muslim influences. Although the city is unplanned, residential districts have generally developed in concentric rings according to income levels.

It is the country's most important port, serving a large hinterland. The busiest port east of the Suez Canal. Most of the international trade of Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics pass through the city's busy modern ports i.e. Karachi Port-centered on the island of Kiamari and Port Qasim. Major roads and railways converge on the city, and the modern Quaid-e-Azam International Airport is a stopover and refueling point for intercontinental flights.

The many products manufactured in Karachi are steel, textiles, chemicals, refined petroleum, footwear, machinery, handicrafts, and processed food.

It is the country's most important port, serving a large hinterland. The busiest port east of the Suez Canal. Most of the international trade of Pakistan and landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics pass through the city's busy modern ports i.e. Karachi Port-centered on the island of Kiamari and Port Qasim. Major roads and railways converge on the city, and the modern Quaid-e-Azam International Airport is a stopover and refueling point for intercontinental flights.

Among the finest and premier educational institutions of the country there are the University of Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Agha Khan University, Hamdard University, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Jinnah Women University, Baqai Medical University, Textile University of Pakistan,

National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan Navy Engineering College), Southeastern University, Preston University, Adamsons University, SZABIST, FAST Institute of Computer Sciences, Usman Institute of Technology, Dow Medical College, Sindh Medical College, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Dawood Engineering College, Government College of Technology, Indus Valley School of Arts, College of Business Management, Sindh Madressa tul Islam, Urdu College, Law Colleges and many more are located here.

The tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, is a well-known landmark besides this there are Mereweather Tower, D J College, Mohatta Palace, Hindu Gymkhana, Jehangir Kothari Parade, Saint Peters Cathedral, Memon Masjid, Defense Mosque, Satya Narain Temple, KMC Building, Habib Bank Plaza, Clifton's Fish House, Tomb of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Manora Island, Hawks Bay, Sandspit, French Beach, Paradise Point, Clifton, Harbor, Hub Dam, Cape Mount and Russian Beach for sight seeing.

Renovation of the historical Freemason Lodge initiated

KARACHI: The renovation of a hundred-year old historical Freemason Lodge Building has been initiated. The building is being renovated for the first time after it was constructed during the British rule in World War I.

As a symbol of great history and an important era, the building deserves to be preserved in its original shape. Sources revealed that after the renovation and restoration of the Freemason Lodge Building, the Sindh government is planning to establish the first ever wildlife museum of the province at a government level on the ground floor of the building. They also stated that on the first floor, the government is planning to establish a library to facilitate researchers and wildlife enthusiasts. The history of the Freemason Lodge reveals that the Freemason’s Trust originally built this building before World War I. For the locals, this building always remained a mystery and they use to call it ‘Jadoo Ghar’ or the House of Magic.


Standing adjacent to the Governor House near the Karachi Press Club, the Freemason Lodge is currently used as an office by the Sindh Wildlife Department Conservator.

The Sindh Department of antiquities initiated a project renovate the building. In the first phase of the renovation, the extra plaster and the thick paint layers that were put on the building will be removed. The Sindh Antiquities Department has planned to remove all the additional cemented structures, wooden cabins, rooms and all the small changes that have been made to the structure during the last few decades so as to restore the original shape of the historical building.

A structure made from bamboo poles is seen encasing the building so that laborers can climb up on it and scratch away the many layers of paint and extra plaster that is not part of the original construction. Wild grass and plants that began to grow around and on the base of the building walls has been removed and cleared.

Habib Bank Plaza, Karachi.


Karachi is the capital of the province Sind. Karachi was the Capital of Pakistan before Islamabad. It is also considered as the commercial capital of Pakistan. It is the largest city a sprawling place of bazaars, hi-tech electronic shops, scurf infested older buildings and modish new hotels. Its sights are spread far and wide so a taxi or rickshaw is necessary to travel between them. On your right is one of the tallest and famous building of Pakistan, Habib Bank Plaza.

KARACHI CANTONMENT RAILWAY STATION (Frere St. Station, 1898)


During the late 1890's, there was an outbreak of Bubonic Plague in the subcontinent, which reached Bombay from China in the autumn of 1896. By December, an epidemic was declared in Karachi. Therefore, not a lot of construction activity was seen in the city during this period; the only two important buildings from this time being the Lady Dufferin Hospital, and the Cantonment Railway Station of Karachi. (ref. Lari 1996)

The Cantonment Railway Station, earlier known as the Frere Street Station, was one of the many buildings created by the Public Works Department. The building was finished by 1898 and cost a total of Rs. 80,000. The architecture of the building is modest compared to the train stations of Bombay, however, it uses an elegant classical architectural style and is an impressively sized building. The central projecting entrance section employs large Renaissance doorways and Roman arches crowned by a triangular pediment. The facade is arcaded and at both ends of the building, there are sections capped with Romanesque gables.



Empress Market Cleaning


Some nominal cleaning of the empress market is going on currently. Hopefully, the CDGK will shift the wholesale market out of this beautiful colonial public structure and away from the city center.
Yasmeen Lari (Lari Associates) were given the contract on renovating the Empress Market by KMC back in the early 1990's. The plan was to have a vast pedestraianized, vehicle-free square in a most congested central district, with Empress Market (c. 1888) as its focal point. The surrounding existing shops would be housed in a sunken development, around open-to-sky atriums, at the rear of the historic structure. The project was to be completed in 1996, but never materialized.

Lahore: Dyal Singh Mansion, Colonial Era Architecture


Status: Completed/ Renovated
Client: Sir Dyal Singh
Onwer Now: Evacuee Trust Property Board
Building Style: Colonial Era Architecture
Building Type: Commercial + Residential
Building Usage: Offices + Shops
Height: +30'-0"
No. of Blocks: 1
Area: N/A
Location: Adjacent to Sir Ganga Ram Trust Building, High Court Chowk, Mall Road, Lahore

Description: This historical building was built in early 1930's. It is a protected building under the Antiquity Act of 1975 and is on the list of Lahore Protected Heritage building list.

ISTANBUL VS KARACHI



At same time early to mid of 17th century when Turks architect were showing their excellence in Istanbul, Mughals were busy in establishing mosques in indo pak subcontinent . you can appreciate the different taste of both.
this Shahjehani mosque near Karachi

The Historical Tajjer Building



A short history

The strong baked-brick building on 42 feet by 42 feet is located on southeast of the Larkana Town Hall inside the Jinnah Park and tastefully decorated with glazed tiles and floral fresco paintings, traces of which, if looked carefully, could still be seen at some places. Tajjar in Sindhi means arch and as the building has many arches, it is known by that name. Earlier, Nawab Leghari and then British officials used to hold kutchehries (public meetings) there till the beginning of the 20th century when Larkana district was carved out of Karachi and Shikarpur districts. Nawab Leghari died in 1832 and was buried temporarily (as Amanat) in the garden and the Tajjar building was constructed over his grave. Then his remains were relocated to Hyderabad.

The building had gone through ravages of time, �restorations� and various additions and alterations owing to which it was deprived of almost all of its original grandeur. A library was also set up in the building in the late 19th century. Later the building was put to some others uses, including, for some time, serving as a canteen that expedited its deterioration.

The government initiated some restoration work during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto�s rule and later also, but the projects were left incomplete. The building was declared a protected monument in 1980 under the Antiquities Act 1975.

While the Sindh government is still striving to get the required permission, the federal government is refusing to grant it, the funds allocated under the multi-million-rupee project might lapse and the condition of the historical monument deteriorate further.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Havana, Caribbean's main center for ship-building

Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish. By the 17th century, it had become one of the Caribbean’s main centres for ship-building. According to the historical tradition, Havana was the last of the first seven villages founded by order of Diego Velazquez. Oneold havana roof top of his deputies, Panfilo de Narvaez, founded it on July 25th of 1514, baptizing it with the name of San Cristobal de La Havana, for the saint of the day and the indigenous district of Havana, where was established the village. On the XVII century, Old Havana received two Royal Graces and in 1665, the right to use its own shield, where were represented, with tree turrets, the castle (Castle of La Real Fuerza, Morro and La Punta) that then defended the city. After the urbanization of Plaza de Armas, this square stopped being the most important public space and it received the name of Plaza Vieja. It is a porticated square with a lot of historical building from four different centuries. The most important of them is which dates back from XVIIIth century.One of Havana’s prettiest courtyard fountains provides a backdrop to this romantic restaurant, that’s an Old Havana landmark. At the left corner on Empedrado street you will find “La Bodeguita Del Medio” home of ” mojito” drink cost CUC 4, this world famous and much copied restaurant immortalized by Hemingway, has served up classic Cuban dishes for 50 years.
havana_old2

Demolishing Jahanzeb College


The people are poor, infrastructure deplorable and services scarce in Swat and its adjoining district. The so called government is paying no attention to the development of these remote areas which have a potential for tourism, some industries and hydroelectric power generation. The roads, if present, are broken, the schools without teachers and schools supplies, and students without slippers; the hospitals have no medicines for the poor patients and there is, practically, no system in place to run the affairs of the government. The situation is moving towards chaos and anarchy from one day to the other – no rule of law in sight.

On October 8, 2005 the earthquake shattered everything in Azad Kashmir and parts of NWFP. The periphery of the earthquake was Swat and its adjoining districts to the north-west. Some of the buildings of historical importance were also damaged by the earthquake. The most important among them is Jahan Zeb College, Saidu Sharif, Swat built by the late Wali of Swat in 1952. This majestic building is a crown on the heads of all Swati Yusafzais and many people from the width and breadth of the Pukhtun Province. Much can be said in favour and against the Wali of Swat but his contribution to education and health cannot be disputed even by the worst of his enemies. The college and other buildings (like Mingawara Hostel, Central Hospital, schools and tehsil buildings in Swat, Buner and Shangla districts) have become the cultural heritage of the people of these areas. The people have emotional attachment with all these buildings and specially with the buildings of Jahan Zeb College. Why? Anyone can guess.

The C & W and other departments, who have no expertise in assessment of structures, have carried out surveys of the buildings and have declared Jahan Zeb College and Mingawara Hostel as dangerous for habitation and have recommended to demolish them. We do not understand (though we do) how they have arrived at this decision as we see that the college and hostel buildings have got minor damages which could be rehabilitated with lower cost with modern technology applied elsewhere in the world and the resulting structure will be stronger than it was before.

Civilized nations never demolish the buildings of cultural and historical importance but the reason behind the recommendation to demolish the said buildings is to get double benefit (demolish+reconstruct) and also to steal the precious deodar wood worth millions of rupees and the antiques (door locks, switches, fans and the like).

Historical Building of Jahanzeb College Saidu Sharif, Swat. Photo by: Akhtar Ayub Khan Historical Building of Jahanzeb College Saidu Sharif, Swat. Photo by: Akhtar Ayub Khan

We in EPS request our colleagues in the development sector to raise their voice against the illegal and immoral act of the government officials for destroying the cultural heritage of the area which never paid taxes to the Mughals and the British Empire.

Lighthouses of Pakistan

Pakistan was created in 1947 by the division of the former British Empire of India, so it has a British lighthouse heritage like that of India. Its coastline faces south on the Arabian Sea between India and Iran. At the time of independence, its only international port was Karachi, but in 1990 the Mohammed bin Qasim Port opened in the delta of the Indus River, roughly 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Karachi. A third port has been built recently at Gwadar in the western part of the country.

Shalimar Gardens

Three miles east of Lahore are the famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in 1642 AD. The Gardens are spread out in typical Mughal style and are surrounded by high walls with watch towers at the four corners. Originally, the gardens were spread over seven ascending terraces, but only three remain now, which cover an area of about 42 acres.

Lahore Fort

The massive walls of Lahore Fort, built by Akbar in the 1560s, tower over the old city of Lahore, and the huge rectangle they define, 380 by 330 meters (1,250 by 1,080 feet), is filled with buildings from a variety of periods. A complete tour of the fort takes about two hours. The entrance to the fort is through Alamgiri Gate The inscription outside the Fort tells that Jehangir built it in 1618.

Minar-e-Pakistan

Minar-e-Pakisan is a new landmark in Lahore and stands in the Iqbal Park to commemorate the date when a resolution was passed there back in 1940 demanding the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of this sub-continent. The Minar is a blend of Mughal and modern architecture and stands 60 meters tall.

Shish Mahal

Shish Mahal, or Palace of Mirrors, which stands on the fort's north side, is by far the most splendid. It consists of a row of high domed rooms, the roofs of which are decked out with hundreds of thousands of tiny mirrors in the fashion of the traditional Punjabi craft of "Shishgari" (designs made from mirror fragments). A fire-brand lit inside any part of the Palace of Mirrors throws back a million reflections that dizzy the eye and seem like a galaxy of far-off stars turning in an ink-blue firmament.

NH City Centre in Amsterdam

NH City Centre is a 3 star hotel, located near the famous Spui. This area is a very popular spot for the local Amsterdam people. The hotel has 209 modern rooms. It opened in 1994, but consists of 5 historical buildings dating from the twenties and therefore has an authentic aura. All rooms are renovated in 2002/2003. The hotel has it's own garage. The hotel is located in the city centre. Spui square, flower market, famous museums and the Royal Palace are nearby, as well as the famous canals and attractive shopping streets. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Grand Hotel Karel V Utrecht in Utrecht

Located in a beautiful and peaceful garden, this ancient monastery was carefully transformed into a luxurious hotel and convention site with a unique ambience and personal attention. Opened in 1999. Historical buildings surrounded by 10,000 sqm of gardens in the city center. Central station at walking distance. Adjacent to the attractive medieval shopping center, canals and museums and close to the 'Jaarbeurs' exhibition and congress center. City

ZiaraT, pakistan

Ziarat, Pakistan
Ouaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, stayed there during his last illness. It houses the relics of the Father of the Nation. The Residency was built in 1882 by the British and used by the Agent to the Governor General as his summer headquarters.

Afghanistan Herat Conversation


Jewish temple renovated in Herat. A general view of a Jewish temple, which was renovated by the Herat cultural department in collaboration with Aga Khan Trust, in the old part of Herat city north east of Kabul, Afghanistan, 10 July 2008. The conservation of historical places is part of a wider rehabilitation project implemented by the Historical Cities Support Programme of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme (HCP) promotes the conservation and re-use of buildings and public spaces in historic cities in the Muslim World. EPA/JALIL REZAYEE

Meuseum Nagara


Located in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur and set amongst its neighborhood of historical buildings and romantic parkland, Museum Nagara’s architecture is a fine blend of the traditional Malay style and modern lines. The museum building, apart from being stimulative from the point of tradition also presents a panoromic view of the development of Malaysia, as depicted by the two large murals of Italian glass mosaic which extend across the Museum’s facade. MuseumNegara was officially opened on 31 August 1963, is a repository of Malaysia’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Museum Nagara is a three storied structure of 109.7 meters long and 15.1 meters wide and 37.6 meters at the central point. The museum houses four main galleries specializing in ethnology and natural history. The displays range from free-standing tableau showing traditional cultural events like weddings, festivals and beautiful costumes; to the rich variety of weapons, musical instruments, arts and crafts, precious ceramics, and flora & fauna.

Museum Nagara attracts some half million visitors annually. The museum is located at Jalan Damansara and is open from 9.00 am – 6pm daily. It is only closed on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya AidilAdha. Admission is RM2.00 for adults and children above 12 years old.

Merewether Tower, Karachi

On these pages of ATP we are starting a new series on architectural landmarks of Pakistan. As first part of this series, we will take you to a visit to Merewether Tower, Karachi or as locals affectionately call it - the ‘Tower’.

It is one of the most known, but arguably the least acknowledged landmarks of the city. It is most known because it is located at the confluence of two major roads of the city viz. I.I. Chundrigar Road (formerly Mc Leod Rd) and M.A. Jinnah Road (formerly Bandar Rd) therefore most of the city people have seen it. It is also one of the major terminus of city buses. All around the city one can hear bus-conductors shounting tower tower. Therefore even those who have not seen it; they have at least heard about it as echoing sound waves.

Baltit Fort in Karimabad, Hunza, Pakistan


The town of Baltit was the traditional capital of Hunza and the home of the Mirs of Hunza, the royal family. It consisted of the fort and some houses around it. Baltit fort was built some 600-800 years ago and then in 1900 the balcony and interior comforts were added. The fort was in near collapse when it was vacated in the 1940's by the royal family who used to live there. A joint British and Pakistani team have managed to restore it. The royal family moved to better quarters in Karimabad, a sort of modern extension of Baltit which was named after Prince Karim.

La Conner

L a Conner is quaint waterfront town in Skagit County with art galleries, several museums, fabulous restaurants, historic buildings, specialty shops, marinas, http://www.portofskagit.com/Marina/ and a personality all its own! It is also home of the internationally famous Skagit Tulip Festival http://www.tulipfestival.org/ with hundreds of acres of tulips considered to be the best in world.

The area that is now La Conner was first inhabited by the Swinomish Indians. John Conner was the founder of La Conner and he named the town after his wife, L. A. Conner. The town prospered because of the fertile farm lands, the plentiful fishing, and the timber industry. After the depression, the town became a haven for writers and artist that found inspiration in the incredible natural beauty and tranquil lifestyle that La Conner offers.

Today La Conner consists of a thriving business community (21 new businesses opened in 2008). La Conner homes range from contemporary condos in the heart of town to Victorian homes on the National Register of Historic Homes. The largest concentration of La Conner homes are located in Shelter Bay http://www.shelterbay.net/ . Shelter Bay is a community of homes, most of which are on land leased from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. There are approximately 1700 residents of Shelter Bay that enjoy Shelter Bay amenities which include, a marina with 317 slips, 2 club houses, a par-3 nine hole golf course, a private beach, 2 swimming pools, tennis and tennis courts! Many Shelter Bay homes are on the water and have private docks. Because the land is leased, Shelter Bay home prices are very affordable!

La Conner is a great place to visit, and once you visit, you will want to consider purchasing a La Conner condo or a La Conner home!

The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan - April 2008

The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive faience tile work. It has been described as ' a mole on the cheek of Lahore'. It was built in seven years, starting around 1634-1635 A.D., during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. It was built by Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, a native of Chiniot, who rose to be the court physician to Shah Jahan and later, the Governor of Lahore. He was commonly known as Wazir Khan. (The word wazir means 'minister' in Urdu language.) The mosque is located inside the Inner City and is easiest accessed from Delhi Gate.
In his published notes, F H Andrews, former Principal of the Mayo School of Arts, describes the mosque thus: 'The material used in the construction of the Mosque is a small tile-like brick universally used by the Mughals when stone was unusable or too costly. The only stone used in the building is used for brackets and some of the fretwork (pinjra). The walls were coated with plaster (chunam) and faced with a finely-soft quality of the same material tooled to a marble-like surface and coloured. All the external plasterwork was richly coloured a rich Indian red, in true fresco, and the surface afterwards picked out with white lines in the similitude of the small bricks beneath. The extreme severity of the lines of the building is relieved by the division of the surfaces into slightly sunk rectangular panels, alternatively vertical and horizontal, the vertical panels having usually an inner panel with arched head or the more florid cusped mihrab. These panels, where they are exposed to weather, are generally filled with a peculiar inlaid faience pottery called kashi, the effect of which must have been very fine when the setting of deep red plaster of the walls was intact.'
'The facade of the sanctuary is practically covered with kashi and is divided into the usual oblong panels. A beautiful border is carried rectangularly round the centre archway, and inscriptions in Persian characters occur in an outer border, in a long panel over the archway, and in horizontal panels along the upper portions of the lower walls to right and left. The spandrels are filled in with extremely fine designs.'
'With the minars, however, the facade of the sanctuary, and the entrance gateway, where a small portion of the surface was left for plaster, the effect of the gorgeous colours against the soft blue of a Punjabi sky, and saturated with brilliant sunlight and glowing purple shadow is indescribably rich and jewel-like.'
'Right and left of the sanctuary are two stately octagonal minars 100 feet in height. On the long sides of the quadrangle are ranged small khanas or cells, each closed by the usual Indian two-leaved door set in a slightly recessed pointed arch, of which there are thirteen on each side by a pavilion rising above the general level, containing larger apartments and an upper story reached by two flights of steps, which also give access to the roof of the arcading and pavilions...these pavilions occur, in the centre of the north and south sides of the lower level of the pavement. In the pavilion on the south side is a fountain set in a circular scalloped basin, and served from the main which supplies the tank in the quadrangle.'
Within the inner courtyard of the mosque lies the subterranean tomb of Syed Muhammad Ishaq, known as Miran Badshah, a divine from Iran who settled in Lahore during the time of the Tughluq dynasty. The tomb, therefore, predates the mosque.

Al Ain’s Al Jahili fort to be opend on 3rd Dec

Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach) has finished the rebuilding works and developments projects that aim to preserve the historical building and represent it as a cultural and tourist site. The reopening comes on the occasion of celebrating the 37th UAE National day.

“The Al Jahili fort Al Ain was built in 1898 and is an important historical site and one of the biggest forts in the city,” Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Adach, told the press.

The project includes a new tourist information centre, an auditorium, a permanent exhibition for the traveller Wilfred Thesiger (who is known locally by Mubark bin London) and an audio-video program to display the history of the city and its development over the years.

“The project of developing Al Jahili fort is one of important projects which were launched by Adach in Al Ain to transform the city to a cultural and heritage site,” Shaikh Sultan said.

The local community will play an active role in the cultural seine in the city as deferent events will take place in many sites. Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazroui, General Manager of Asach, said, “Historical sites in Al Ain are being activated to attract more tourists to achieve our strategy to preserve the cultural heritage through using those sited as vinous for artistic and cultural events that will develop the cultural tourism.”

The project includes a new tourist information centre, an auditorium, a permanent exhibition for the traveller Wilfred Thesiger.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Photo and Description of the Bruges (Brugge) holiday apartment

Photos and Description of the Bruges (Brugge) holiday apartment 2 bedrooms, double sofabed in lounge. Sleeps up to 5 persons. Modern bathroom.
Situated right in the heart of Bruges, this attractive penthouse-apartment, measuring 110 m² (1183 sq ft) + roof garden, comes with a charming and chic décor as is shown on the photos. The apartment is split over two levels. First floor: A French door opens from the salon/kitchen into a private roof garden with barbecue, where you may dine and relax in summer the whole day long. There is a fully fitted kitchenette with a full array of cookware, you can shop at the local market and prepare your own gourmet meals. Adjoining the salon is a dining table for 5 persons. The cosy lounge has an extremely comfortable double sofa bed (Ligne Roset) and a view out on to the street, with its selection of books and CD’s it is the ideal place to relax after a busy day sight seeing. Second floor: The luxuriously furnished master bedroom in favour of a king-size bed with its own colour TV, a bathroom with washing machine, shower, vanity unit and WC. Next door there is a second small single bedroom.

Private roof garden with a barbeque.

Relaxing sofa's with dining area and open kitchen.

Master bedroom with king-size bed


Only a short walk away from historical buildings

Cosy lounge the ideal place to relax.

Stroll along the canals virtually at your doorstep

Ground plan.

Comfortably double sofa bed in lounge

Dinning area with door opens into the roof garden

Relaxing sofa's with dining area and open kitchen

The light, airy and cool sitting room

The Sialkot Clock Tower:


The Sialkot Clock Tower:
Sialkot, located in the province Punjab, Pakistan, is an ancient city dating back to some 5000 years. Its mention is made in history when it was invaded by Alexander the Great in 327 AD. Presently it is a thriving business city with specialties in sports and surgical instruments. The footballs (soccerballs) for the World Cup are also manufactured here. The Sialkot Clock Tower, located in the cantonment, was build in the 19th century by the British and has recently been renovated.

Empress Market, Sadar

KARACHI
Karachi is located in the south of Pakistan on the coast of Arabian Sea. It is the financial and economic hub, and the largest sea-port of the country. It possesses a versatile range of industries, and is home to the offices of major local and multinational corporations. It has recently been declared as the most business-friendly city of Pakistan [1]. It also hosts numerous regional and international exhibitions on regular basis.

Brief background on the nation of Pakistan


Peshawar, Pakistan
There are very few ancient cities in the subcontinent which inspite of the great stresses and strains have retained their old complexion, and Peshawar is one of them. A walk through the old city’s blind alleys will help you appreciate how Peshawar has retained its centuries old grandeur and complexion.
Population: 2.018 Million (1998)

Brief background on the nation of Pakistan


Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore is known as the cultural center of the Pakistan and it has vast array of historic buildings and gardens from the pre-historic, Mughal and British periods.
Population: 8.86 Million

Shrine of Sheikh Rukn-Alam, Multan, Pakistan – April 2008


Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fatah 1251 to 1334 was a widely loved scholar and became head of Suhrawardiya sufi sect founded by his father Baha-ud-Din Zakaria. The structure is built entirely of red brick and timber. The building has two octagonal lower storey’s strengthened by buttresses an supporting massive spired dome almost 20 metres in diameter, and has a total height of over 30 metres. The interior and exterior are decorated with garters of glazed tiles in blue and turquoise laid in regular geometric bas-reliefs. Inside are dozens of chevron shaped ridges laid out on the ground like graves, but the tomb of the saint is draped under a cloth in a canopy. The tomb was built between 1320-1324.