Page 16 - Hospitality Recreation
Nepal mountaineer to attempt record 24th Everest climb
Nepal's high-altitude climbing guide Kami Rita Sherpa, who just broke his own record by scaling Mount Everest for the 23rd time, is all set to attempt summiting the peak again.
South African woman makes landmark Everest summit
A South African business executive reached the top of Mount Everest on Thursday in what is believed to be the first summit of the world's highest mountain by a black African woman. Saray Khumalo, 47, reached the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain after three previous bids were thwarted by bad weather, injury and tragedy. Khumalo's Summits with a Purpose expedition organiser said she was the first black African woman to reach the top of Everest. Nepal's Tourism Department confirmed that Khumalo had made the summit but had no record on whether she was the first black African woman. In 2017, strong winds and frostbite forced Khumalo to give up on Everest, just metres from the summit. In 2015, her expedition was cancelled after an earthquake hit Nepal. All Everest climbs were halted during her first attempt in 2014 when an avalanche killed 16 guides on the mountain. Khumalo is on a quest to conquer the highest peaks on each continent. She has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro .
Hoteliers' body suggests ways to revive tourism in Odisha
With the hospitality sector in Odisha taking a hit following Cyclone Fani, an association of hoteliers on Thursday sought the state government's support to restore tourist spots in Puri, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. In statement issued on Wednesday, the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) said it has come up with both short-term and long-term plans to revive the tourism industry. "It is estimated that the hotel industry has incurred losses of around Rs 500 crore. The government must come up with relief measures to compensate this loss," HRAO Chairman J K Mohanty said. Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda, on his part, claimed that the state government has been working on a war footing to restore infrastructure and revive business. Panda also underlined that necessary support was being extended to the hotel industry, which suffered extensive damage during cyclone Fani. The "extremely severe" cyclone, which barrelled through Odisha on May 3, left behind a .
Two Indian climbers die on Mount Kanchenjunga in Nepal
Two Indian climbers died on Mount Kanchenjunga after falling sick while descending from the peak of the world's third highest mountain, their hiking company said on Thursday.The climbers, identified as Biplab Baidya (48) and Kuntal Karna (46) died of altitude sickness at an altitude of 8400 meters while descending. Their bodies will be airlifted to Nepal's capital Kathmandu, likely on Friday, reported Xinhua.Meanwhile, Chile nationalist Rodrigo Vivanco has gone missing above the Camp IV of Mount Kanchenjunga since Wednesday evening."We have mobilised a team to rescue Rodrigo who has gone missing above Camp IV on the descent after he reportedly made it to the summit," said Pasang Sherpa, director of Peak Promotion hiking company.A team of 30 climbers from around the world had begun the expedition to Mount Kanchenjunga on Tuesday. By Wednesday noon, 21 of them, including 10 Indians had reached the summit.Hundreds of climbers every year attempt to scale the high Himalayan peaks during ...
Two Indian climbers die on Mt. Kanchenjunga
Two Indian climbers died on Mount Kanchenjunga while descending from the summit of the world's third highest mountain, the expedition company said on Thursday.
Special fishing ritual held in Mangaluru
As part of the 'Jatra Mahotsava' of Chelairu Kandige Dharmarasu Sri Ullaya Temple, a special fishing ritual was observed at Kandige Nandini River here on Wednesday.George D'Souza, a local who came to participate in the fishing ritual, said, "As a part of the tradition, everyone will gather here by 6 in the morning to observe the festival. Subsequently, the fishermen and others will jump into the river to fetch fish. It is a joyous sight for everyone to see others catching fish with so much energy and enthusiasm. People can even buy fish from here."Though it is one of the major festivals for locals, D'Souza said the festival has attracted many outsiders over the years.According to Aditya Mukkaldi, the priest, the fish were offered 'Prasada' a month ago and all fishing activities were completely banned till a puja took place early in the morning before the commencement of the festival. Fishing activities will commence thereafter, Mukkaldi said.The fish caught during the festival will be
Two Indian climbers die on Mount Kanchenjunga in Nepal
Two Indian climbers have died in Nepal due to altitude ailments after one of them successfully scaled Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third tallest peak, an official said Thursday. Biplab Baidya (48) and Kuntal Karar (46) died Wednesday night above Camp IV after they were unable to continue their descent from near the 8,586-meter summit due to hypothermia and snowblindness. "Biplab made it successfully to the summit point while Kuntal fell sick on his way. The Indian duo died while climbing down from the peak," Mira Acharaya, a staffer at Nepal's Ministry of Tourism team deployed at the base camp, told PTI. According to fellow climbers, the incident occurred when the duo were being brought to Camp IV from an altitude of 8,400 metres through a herculean rescue operation carried out by Project Possible team leader Nirmal 'Nims' Purja along with the fellow members. "Later, they succumbed to high altitude sicknesses," Pasang Sherpa, Manager at Peak Promotion Pvt Ltd told The Himalayan ...
Lonely Planet's top destination suffers a blow after blasts
Sipping fresh coconut water while sunbathing on deserted Hikkaduwa beach, Alexi Konchayenko, a sports trainer from Ukraine, struck a stoical note. Bomb blasts can happen "anywhere, anytime," he said, adding that he was not afraid. "Sri Lanka is an amazing country. This is my first visit and I will tell my friends also to come." His is a lone voice and a lone presence. Sri Lanka was the Lonely Planet guide's top travel destination for 2019, but since the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and luxury hotels, foreign tourists have fled. Many of those booked to come in the next few months have cancelled. Hotel occupancy across the island has plummeted by 85 per cent to 90 per cent. The tropical beaches, restaurants and shops are empty. The coordinated suicide bombings on April 21 not only destroyed lives but also wiped out the livelihoods of Sri Lankans who depend on tourism. More than 250 people, including 45 foreigners mainly from China, India, the U.S. and the U.K., died in the Islamic
Will consider BJP's request to shut off-shore casinos: Sawant
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said his government "will consider" the state BJP unit's request to shut down the off-shore casinos operating here. Six off-shore casinos are currently anchored in the Mandovi river in Panaji. The state government in March this year granted six- month extension to them. There has been a demand from a section of people to shift the vessels from the Mandovi river. State BJP unit president Vinay Tendulkar on Tuesday submitted a letter to the government demanding that these off-shore casinos be shut. "If people don't want onshore casinos, which function from five-star hotels, then they should also be closed along with the off-shore casinos," he said. Sawant told reporters on Wednesday that he received the letter sent by Tendulkar. "The government will definitely consider the representation and act accordingly," he said.
10 mountaineers from India summit Mt. Kanchenjunga
Ten members of a mountaineering club in Pune on Wednesday reached the summit of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak."Climbers fought with adverse weather conditions and made it to the summit of India's highest peak. This is the seventh successful 8000 meters expedition under the leadership of Umesh Zirpe. He also led the international expedition on Mt. Kanchenjunga of 30 climbers," read a statement from the mountaineering club Giripremi.Zirpe shared the news with Giripremi members on phone call from Kanchenjunga base camp.He said, "Giripremi's all 10 climbers reached the summit of Mt. Kanchenjunga at the dawn of May 15, 2019, around 5.30 am to 6 am. All the climbers started the summit push on Tuesday at 5 pm, and after a gruelling climb of 12 hours, all the members successfully climbed the peak. There were 30 climbers from all over the world including Giripremi started the summit push yesterday. 21 out of 30 climbers have reached to the top till noon on Wednesday."He ...
Image of camouflaged snow leopard in Himachal goes viral
A photograph of a snow leopard clicked by wildlife photographer Saurabh Desai has gone viral on social media after many netizens found it hard to spot the animal on a rocky mountain with patches of snow.
Karol Bagh fire: Hotel owners forged documents to get licences, says police charge sheet
Goel brothers, who owned Arpit Palace where a fire killed 17 people in February, forged documents to get licences to run the hotel and their "only and prior" concern was to "make profit" and "earn money", Delhi Police has told a court here. In the 50-page charge sheet, the police has booked Rakesh Goel, his brother Sharad Indu Goel, hotel's general manager Rajender Kumar and manager Vikas Kumar for offences of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy. Police has claimed that the Goel brother forged documents for obtaining Health Trade Licence (HTL) from Public Health Department of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Fire Safety Certificate (NOC) from Delhi Fire Department, licence to run the guest house from Delhi Police Licensing Unit, Certificate for Pest Control, licence for running restaurant and other department licences. The charge sheet filed recently said: "The owners of the Hotel Arpit Palace, had furnished false/ manipulated and ...
SOTC Launches its 'Last Minute Deals' - a 10-Day Sale for Spontaneous Travelers This Holiday Season
/ -- Offers Irresistible Tour Packages across Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa SOTC - one of India's leading travel and tourism companies, today announced their 'Last Minute Deals' sale for travelers who missed enjoying the benefit of advance booking this holiday season. The 10 day sale will be valid from 8th May to 17th May and will be an opportunity for spontaneous travelers to book attractive tour packages across Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa. Asia and Europe have always trended as preferred destinations for Indian travelers, especially during summer. With holiday season currently at its peak, consumers across demographics are presented with an opportunity by SOTC to avail holiday experiences at best prices through carefully designed tour packages for domestic and international destinations catering to diverse budgets. With 7 decades of experience, this is another unique initiative by SOTC, a leader in the travel sector to cater to the preferences of the new age ...
10 mountaineers from Maharashtra summit Mt Kangchenjunga
Ten members of a mountaineering club from Pune in Maharashtra Wednesday summitted the 8,586- metre Mount Kangchenjunga, the world's third highest peak. With this, the club members have summitted seven peaks, including the world's highest Mt Everest, in the list of 14 mountains that rise above the formidable altitude of 8,000 metres. The Giripremi Kangchenjunga Eco Expedition team left Pune on March 31 and reached the Nepal-side base camp of the peak on April 15. The main peak is close to the Indian border with Nepal. "They reached Camp 4, the summit camp, Tuesday evening. After a bit of rest, they set out for the summit and reached the top at 5.30 am on Wednesday," the club's vice president, Chandan Chavan, told PTI. There were other climbers, including five Indians and few foreigners, who were at Camp 4 to attempt the summit, Chavan said, adding most of them would also have reached the top. This is the first ascent of the peak this season, and the maiden summit in two .
Floating bar in Caribbean Sea looking for bartender
A floating bar in the Caribbean Sea, which is only accessible by a boat, is giving one lucky applicant the opportunity to "pull pints in one of the most Instagrammable drinking spots in the world", the media reported.
Kami Rita Sherpa scales Mt. Everest for record 23rd time
The 49-year-old Sherpa climber Kami Rita scaled Mount Everest for the 23rd time on Wednesday, breaking his own record of the most successful ascents of the world's highest peak."The 49-years-old veteran climber Kami Rita Sherpa from Thame village of Solukhumbu made 23rd successful climbs over the world's highest peak; Mt. Everest (8848m). Breaking his own record of 22 successful ascents of Everest, Kami Rita now became the only man on the planet to climb Everest for 23 times," read the Facebook page of Seven Summit Treks.Kami Rita is currently working as a senior guide at Seven Summit Treks."This is a subject of Nation's Pride; 23 successful climb of Everest, is more than the normal imagination," said Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, MD at Seven Summit Treks.The Sherpa climber, who hails from Thame village in Solukhumbu district, first scaled the Mount Everest on May 13, 1994. He has already climbed most of the peaks above 8,000 m including K2, Cho-Oyu, Lhoste, and Annapurna among others.Between ..
Nepal mountaineer climbs Mt.Everest for 23rd time
A Nepalese Sherpa climber on Wednesday reached atop Mount Everest for the 23rd time, becoming the only mountaineer in the world to hold the record for most summits on the world's highest mountain.
Mount Everest climbing season begins in Nepal
The much-anticipated 2019 spring Mount Everest climbing season officially began on Tuesday with a team of eight high-altitude Nepalese climbing guides reaching the summit.
Eight climbing guides reach Everest top, open climbing route for this season
An eight-member team of Nepali mountain guides on Tuesday successfully scaled the Mount Everest, becoming the season's first team to open the climbing route to the world's highest peak. The climbers successfully fixed the climbing ropes from the South Col to the summit point and scaled the 8,848 metre peak on Tuesday for the other climbers to follow, according to Ummid Bhandari, manager at Himalayan Guides Nepal, that organised the expedition. The expedition was led by Siddhi Bahadur Tamang. The Expedition Operators Association of Nepal has assigned Himalayan Guides to fix the route above Camp II this season, while a team of icefall doctors assigned by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee opened the climbing route from the base camp to Camp II. Around 378 climbers, part of 41 different teams, have obtained climbing permits for Mount Everest from the department of tourism this spring season, officials said.
BMW Motorrad launches F850 GS Adventure, priced at Rs 15.40 lakh
BMW Motorrad, the premium motorcycle arm of German luxury car maker BMW Group, Tuesday expanded its offerings in the domestic market with the launch of the all-new BMW F850 GS Adventure bike, priced at Rs 15.40 lakh (ex-showroom). The 853 cc bike will be available as completely built-up unit (CBU) and can be booked at BMW Motorrad dealerships from Tuesday onwards, the company said in a release. For more than 10 years, the GS models in the BMW Motorrad F series have embodied the premium range in the middle class travel and adventure enduro segment. "With the launch of the BMW F850 GS Adventure, we are now expanding the premium BMW Motorrad range in this segment," said Hans-Christian Baertels, president (acting), BMW Group India. This premium bike is equipped with a completely new instrument cluster design consisting of an analog tachometer and a multi-functional display, alongside a number of control lamps, the release stated.