Visiting the Taj Mahal

So I'm a little biased in saying that the Taj Mahal is the first monument you should visit. Oh well.

Look at this. Not only is this a great architectural feat, but it's also a symbol of a powerful love.

During the Mughal reign of India, trade was flourishing, culture and ideas were moving, and life was good. Many of the leaders during this time were benevolent and good (at least in the beginning). Many of them also had several wives. One such king, Shah Jahan, had a wife named Mumtaz Mahal (she was also known as Arjumand Banu). They were very close, and he loved her very much. While her husband was fighting in a war, she died giving birth. While it's sad, it's kinda Shah Jahan's fault cause this was her fourteenth child and I don't think anybody can survive for fifteen. The Taj Mahal was built as a monument and tomb to her. 

Now, this marble structure houses both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. It is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

If you decide to go to India, make sure to visit some of the other popular attractions, such as the magnificent temples, the national parks, and the Himalayas.

(*also go to Cafe Coffee Day and order their paneer sandwich or cake*)

Since I have no idea how to end, here's a poem by Shah Jahan:

"Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory."

{btw for non desis, "himalayas" is pronounced like 'him' followed by 'aah' NOT AN 'UH' then 'l' and then sort of an 'uh' with an 'eee' which compunds to a sort of 'ai' sound NOT AN 'AY' and finally 'yaaz'. I know it's weird, but it bother me when people say it with that american accent.}

White-Water Rafting

A picture is the best way to portray the thrill of white water rafting. One of the most terrifying yet exciting things to do, rafting is an amazing experience.

A gentle push from an instructor sets you off. You relax while your grip on your paddle loosens. This seems slow and gentle. Then, you round a corner to find a ten foot drop looming in front of you. (Ok, so that's a little unrealistic. It's more like four feet). You paddle frantically with the others, trying to steer around the rock jutting from the middle of the drop. As you finally reach the drop, you squeeze your eyes shut. You fly over the rock with a shriek. The raft hits the water with a thud, which splashes the freezing water onto your body. 

After a few more drops, you get into the rhythm of it. You start anticipating what is around the bends. You want to do more exhilating courses. That is when it starts to be fun.

I know my description makes it sound awful, but it really is a fun thing to do. You can choose a level of difficulty (which ranges from one to five) based on your age or experience. 

One of my favorite rafting experiences was on Salt River in Arizona. While the water was freezing, it was one of the more dangerous rivers I have rafted. That also made it much more thrilling. Another of my favorites was in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, the water is warm because of the climate there. We got to drift down the river on our backs at some of the calmer parts. 

So all in all (this was sort of a rambling post), rafting is something you should try if you haven't already.  Visit www.raftingamerica.com to book your ride.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower

Next on my Wonders of the World list is the Eiffel Tower.

Did you know they light it up on the hour?

(I didn't know that, but Nishat told me :P)

So the Eiffel Tower is a landmark (literally) for a relationship. Now, I'm only 13, so the romance in my life is limited to eating chocolate cake while dreaming of Jace Herondale/Wayland/Lightwood.  But I think that Paris is very beautiful, especially for a honeymoon (unless your husband likes eating A LOT because France has small portions). 

Paris is known for its wine and cheese, both of which I either don't like or am not allowed to eat. However, a lot of adults like cheese, apparently. So enjoy a night filled with crepes and Nutella (wasn't it invented in France) and your dream boy/girl. 

Grand Canyon Hike

I know that it's strenuous and hot and long. It's worth it.



The Grand Canyon is an absolutely beautiful hike. The gorgeous red rock, the sparkling Colorado river, the lush greenery and wildlife at the bottom. It's no surprise that the canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.



There are many hikes to choose from once you reach. The most popular are the Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and the Rim Trail. My family and I went down the Bright Angel and came up the South Kaibab on a day trip in August. The only problems we had were self-inflicted; we had not packed lunch, and neither Usha nor I had trained. (Before you laugh me, you should know that we were planning to hike a smaller trail in Flagstaff, but it was closed, so we headed to the canyon.)



However, the Grand Canyon is a dangerous hike for many. Back country hiker Micheal Gliglieri says, "Over the last decade, proportionally more people have been dying from environmental problems -- mainly heat -- while hiking. This is despite everything the park has tried to do via educational signs and via preventative search and rescue (PSAR) work, both of which are pretty good. There were also proportionally more people dying from falls within the Canyon (as opposed to from the rims)."

There were 15 "environmental deaths" (related to heat, dehydration, cold) from 2007 to 2011 alone. Traveling without water or sun protection can be fatal, so be careful. If you plan to hike it, pack plenty of water, salty snacks, and sunblock.

Also, if you don't want to hike all the way down and up, plan a two day hike and rest at the bottom. You can camp or book a room at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon. The Ranch is packed, so book in advance. To look at lodging, visit www.grandcanyonlodges.com.

The Grand Canyon is definitely something you need to conquer before dying. Start planning and get to it.

Ziplining

Ziplining is a memory I'll never forget, and it is definitely something you need to do. Nothings beats whizzing down a line above treetops, feeling the wind in your face and the clouds in your hands. I myself have only gone twice, but I can definitely say that I'm planning to do it again.

Ziplining does have some age and weight limits, but depending on the course, these limits vary. The only problem with weight is that if you don't weigh enough, you won't have enough momentum to get all the way to the end (this happened to my sister). However, small children can be taken on smaller ziplines, so don't worry about your family.

Now this is biased, but I believe that Costa Rica is one of best places to zipline. It features one of the longest ziplines in the world, and the rainforest coupled with the clouds makes for an amazing experience.

You don't need to travel so far to have a good time, though. Visit ziplinerider.com for locations near you.

Going Up in the Air

A hundred years ago, if you said you wanted to fly, people would have scoffed at you. Soaring through the sky, waving at birds, somersaulting in air... all of that was unimaginable. 

Now, it is a reality. Take advantage of your century. Go skydiving.

Skydiving is an exhilarating experience that millions of people take part in. There is almost nothing more exciting than flying free. 

After jumping out of the plane, you'll freefall down to the earth. After a specific point, you will pull the cord and your parachute will open up.

It is relatively safe. Last year, 19 out of 3.1 million skydiving incidents were fatal. Visit uspa.org for more information on skydiving safety.

Also, skydiving gives you a chance to get out of your comfort zone. A lot of people are afraid of heights. What better way to conquer that fear than to face it head on? 

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Understandably, skydiving is a scary experience. If you feel it's too much, you can choose a safer alternative: hot air ballooning. 

Hot air ballooning is more calm and peaceful than skydiving. A pilot gently lifts off the ground and you drift with the wind. You can enjoy lovely views very close to where you live, but from personal experience, I'd say ballooning over a lake is the best. 

Sometimes the pilot dipped the very bottom of the basket into the lake, and while the water did get my feet wet, it was very fun.

Hot air ballooning is also a more family friendly activity. You can go up with young children safely, and they will be enclosed in the basket at all times.

If you want to have a lot of fun, get a special balloon. There are some shaped like teddy bears, while others look like our favorite Disney characters.

The way the balloon remains in the air is through heat. A small propane burner heats the air, which rises to the top of the balloon. This burner is controlled by the pilot so you can rise and fall when needed.

Remember to book both of these activities ahead of time and check that you are familiarized with the safety procedures.

Before you die, make sure to fly.

Snorkeling

Oh, the beach. One of your favorite vacation spots. Seagulls are cawing, salty wind is blowing, bright umbrellas are dotting the sand. You can hear the shrieks of excited children and see the surfers riding the waves.

But there's so much that you aren't seeing. Under the water lies a plethora of marine life, and it's up to you to discover it. 

Snorkeling has been one of the top ten ocean activities for decades.  

 

Shoals of vibrant fish swim by as you drift underneath the waves. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a turtle. 





Snorkeling is also a family-friendly activity. If you have a young child, you can strap him/her to a boogie board with an aqua eye, which is a hole through which they can see the fish. 

The top ten places to snorkel are reportedly Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas; Buck Island, St. Croix, USVI; Crystal River, Florida; Pigeon Cay, Honduras, and  Rockhouse, Negril, Jamaica.
Remember to snorkel the next time you visit the ocean; it is definitely an experience that needs to be done before you kick the bucket.