BEST OF CITY

Take A Tour Of The New York City Fire Museum

2010-05-07T05:16:00.000-07:00

The New York City Fire Museum shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting New York City or even by any New Yorkers. The museum houses one of the nation's most important collections of fire related artifacts and art from the 18th century to the present day. Among its collections are painted leather buckets, parade hats and belts, helmets, pre Civil War hand pumped fire engines, lanterns and tools, early motorized apparatus and horse drawn vehicles.

The New York City Fire Department, in conjunction with the museum, operates a first-class fire safety education program designed to teach the public how to prevent fires within the home and how to protect themselves and most importantly, escape should a fire occur. The program has two components consisting of classroom or public training and a simulated fire event in a mock-up home environment. During the first portion of the classroom or public training, they are shown an age appropriate video concerning fire safety and the prevention of burns. Following the video, a New York City firefighter leads a discussion to reinforce the safety information presented in the video. The second component of the program, which is the simulated fire event, the firefighter leads the students or public through a variety of rooms in a 'mock' apartment. In each room: the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom and the bedroom, various burn and fire hazards are black-lit and the firefighter spends time explaining how each hazard can cause a fire, then explain what can be done to prevent it. By the time the tour reaches the bedroom, the firefighter closes the door to continue the discussion. Simultaneously, the firefighters assistant fill the rest of the apartment with fake smoke. Then a smoke alarm goes off and the firefighter teaches the children and/or public how to escape.

When the fire safety portion of the program is complete, the children and public are given a historical tour by a retired New York City firefighter. 'The Evolution of Firefighting' tour begins on the first floor that houses a permanent exhibit and memorial to the 343 members of the FDNY who made the supreme sacrifice on September 11, 2001. The entire program of fire safety and the historical tour takes about an hour and 15 minutes. The cost is $3 per child and $5 per adult. For every 10 children, one adult is admitted free. Advance reservations are needed and a $30 deposit is required to secure a time slot.

The Museum's third floor loft can be rented by individuals, organizations, and businesses for meeting, parties, special events and weddings.

City Palace Jaipur

2010-04-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. City Palace complex covers a huge area, which is divided into a series of gardens, courtyards and buildings. Initially, Raja Jai Singh built the outer wall occupying a huge area. The additional grand buildings were constructed later by the succeeding rulers.

A part of the exquisite Palace still makes home for the former Maharaja/ King. The premises consists several buildings like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. One would come across the Mubarak Mahal, as one enters the first square. Mubarak Mahal was built by Sawai Madho Singh in the 19th century to entertain his guests. Today, it has converted into a costume gallery, which displays royal attires of the Kings.

After crossing the first square, a beautiful gateway welcomes to Diwan-I-Khas, a hall meant for private audience. It has two sterling silver vessels on display and they are acclaimed to be the world's largest silver vessel. These vessels were made for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II to carry water from River Ganga to drink on his trip to England. Diwan-I-Aam, which was meant for public audience, forms the other attraction of this courtyard. At present, it makes an art gallery showcasing enthralling painted ceilings and rare ancient handwritten original manuscripts of Hindu scriptures.

In the series, Maharani's Palace, which was meant for royal queens, has been converted into a museum, showcasing weapons dated back to 15th century. Chandra Mahal is essentially regarded as the best part, out of the whole tour to City Palace. It has seven stories and each story is known by a different name. The topmost story is known as Mukut Mahal. The wonderful architecture of this Palace with delicate paintings, mirror work on walls and floral decorations, makes it a "must-see" for every visitor. In the present day, this palace serves as the residence of ex-ruler.

Badal Mahal stands opposite to Chandra Mahal and while crossing the path, one would find Govind Dev Ji Temple between them. Above all these, the Palace also offers delicacies in its multi cuisine restaurant. To sum up, the City Palace is a structure of historical importance and a souvenir of the regal past. The palace, with its royal grace stands as a symbol of magnificence. All these features of City Palace leave the tourists with no other option, but to visit it.

Ranthambore National Park - JAIPUR

2010-04-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

Jaipur is the first planned city of India, located in the desert lands of Rajasthan. The city that once had been the capital of the royalty, now serves as the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal family. In the present date, Jaipur is the major business centre for the natives of Rajasthan with all requisites of a metropolitan city. The city of Jaipur, painted in pink, grasp the appreciation of every visitor. One can see that hoary charm still alive in the avenues of Jaipur.

The active streets of Jaipur get plenty of visitors, every year at their footsteps. The Ancient Testimonials in the form of mind-blowing monuments remind one of the past ages. The city comprises the famous structures like Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Amber Fort, the best architectural examples of India. Artistic temples and gardens of Jaipur, marks the atmosphere of serenity and aestheticism to the lands of Rajasthan. The lively city observes its ethnicity by celebrating various festivals like Kite festival, Elephant festival and many others, of Indian origin.

All theses features make Jaipur, one of the most sought after tourist destinations of Rajasthan, India. The glorious city boasts of its cultural heritage from every nook and corner. Jaipur is the reservoir of Indian customs, traditions, civilization and legacy. Jaipur lies at a distance of 260 kms from Delhi, the capital of India and the city is well-connected with other major cities of India. Every year, People across the globe come to experience this royal capital city of Rajasthan.

Ranthambore National Park is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan at a comfortable distance of 130kms from Jaipur. Nestled between the Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges, Ranthambore National Park used to be the hunting ground of Maharajas of Jaipur. The Park is an eye treat for the lovers of wild-life. Various natural rivers and man-made lakes flow through the National Park of Ranthambore.

Ranthambore National Park is one of the best tiger reserves in India. The friendly tigers of the sanctuary have brought it many a times on the silver screen. The tigers can be seen even during the day. Here you can also get a chance, to click the best tigers of India, in their relaxing moments. The park has dense deciduous forests which used to make the jungles of the primeval India. The rugged terrain of the Park provides ground to a large variety of wildlife species. Apart from Tigers, the Park has the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India.

The Sanctuary has a great variety of flora and fauna including 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, over 300 species of birds, 12 reptiles and 30 mammals. It makes home for both resident and migratory bird population. The Park is adjoined by two other sanctuaries, i.e. the Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary. The best feature of Ranthambore National Park is that out of the whole park some areas are open for the tourists to travel around and explore the flora and fauna of the park. Hunting is prohibited in the grounds of this National Park.

Ranthambore Park is also classified as a heritage site as it possesses some of the ruins of old monuments. The Lake Palaces, Cenotaphs and Old Citadels stand amidst the park that dates back to thousand years. The Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore Fort and the Padam Talao are exclusive attractions of the Park. Ranthambore Fort occupies the principal position, as the Park was named after this Fort. The fort is probably the oldest existing fort in Rajasthan, built in 10th century. Jogi Mahal, the forest rest house, has the second largest Banyan tree in India.

For wildlife photographers, the park is an awesome deal where they can capture the tigers and other fauna in their camera. To enjoy the tour into this sanctuary, you can hire a jeep that would take you in the deep forests without any fear. Ranthambore National park is one of the best places in the country to see the imposing wild-life in natural ambience. If you are coming to Jaipur, don't miss this "must-see" place of Rajasthan, India.