Spice Village – Ethnic themed holiday cottages in Thekkady

Have you ever fancied the idea of staying in the middle of a working spice garden, where you can actually watch the harvesting and processing of the spices and even your try your hand in it ? If yes, then Spice Village will be a great bet. Sitting pretty amidst a working Cardamom plantation, spice village offers a refreshingly different accommodation option that you are not likely to come across every other day! A CGH enterprise, Spice Village is Perched at a height of over 2000 ft high above the sea level along the fringes of Periyar wild life sanctuary, Spice Village is a haven for those who seek tranquility. This resort is located amidst an arborium set up by A. W. Woods, an Anglo-Indian, who worked for the Government of the British Raj in the 1930s and was greatly fascinated by the local Ooralie tribe culture . The bamboo and palm sheathed cottages that would remind you of a tribal hamlet offers a comfortable and simple accommodation option that perfectly complements the laid back charm of the surroundings. Spice Village allows you to live in harmony with nature sans any artificial comforts like air conditioning or TV and lays a lot of stress on eco friendly measures, which blends with nature and does not harm the fragile eco system of the high ranges. This resort has 47 well appointed double rooms and 5 Suites while the multi cuisine Buffet Restaurant serves both Indian and international cuisine. There are many in house leisure options including a Souvenir Shop, games room with table tennis, carom and chess boards apart from a floodlit outdoor badminton court, a plunge pool and a landscaped spice garden. Work, play or anything in between, Spice Village will be a good choice because it has all the requisite facilities like a conference hall that makes it a business hotel as well. Adventure lovers will also find spice village a good choice thanks to the proximity to the Periyar wild life sanctuary, home to many endangered species. In case you are planning a jungle holiday then Spice Village could well be a choice to reckon with!
fear of flying | noguera ibiza

הובלות

הובלות הם היום דבר שבשגרה ואנשים רבים נעזרים בשירות זה לצרכים שונים. זו יכולה להיות הובלה של דירה, של בית עסק, של משרד או של חפץ יקר ערך כמו כספת או פסנתר – שירות הובלות הוא הפתרון המושלם והחסכוני העומד היום לשירותינו. כיוון שהובלת חפצים עשויה להיות משימה לא קלה, גוזלת זמן ואנרגיה, שכן עלולה לגרום נזק לתכולה אותה רוצים להעביר. לכן, פנייה לחברת הובלות מקצועית, כמו חברת אילן הובלות בעלת 17 שנות ניסיון בתחום וכמות רבה של ממליצים, תהפוך את החוויה למהנה, מהירה ופרודוקטיבית. עם זאת, כדי שההובלה אכן תהיה כזו רצוי להיערך אליה בהתאם ולחשוב היטב כיצד בדיוק תרצו לבצע את ההובלה.

הובלות – חפשו ממליצים

שירות הובלות הוא כאמור דבר נפוץ ומקובל במחוזותינו ובכל העולם. עם זאת, חשוב לציין כי זהו פרויקט לכל דבר אליו יש לגשת בכובד ראש. הכוונה היא לעבודה מקדימה שיש לערוך בטרם מזמינים חברת הובלות. העבודה הזו מתחילה בסקר שוק במהלכו תחקרו חברים או בני משפחה לגבי חברת הובלות עליה הם ממליצים. אפשר גם לקרוא ברשת האינטרנט באתרים הקשורים להובלות סיפורים ובתגובות של ממליצים אחרים. חברת אילן הובלות היא החברה בעלת ממליצים רבים, הן עסקיים והן פרטיים, הכל בזכות המסירות, המקצועיות והאמינות שאנו מעניקים ללקוחותינו.

הובלות – ערכו רשימות

בטרם מזמינים חברת הובלות, כדאי לערוך רשימות של התכולה אותה תרצו להעביר, פרטים מדויקים של יעד העברה, כולל כל האילוצים שלו (קומה, גדול, נגישות וכו'). הדבר יקל עליכם בעת סגירת המחיר וקבלת השירותים הרלוונטיים מחברת הובלות. אפשר למשל להזמין הובלה סטנדרטית ואפשר להזמין מנוף הכולל הרכבה ופירוק של הרהיטים – הדבר תלוי בסוג התכולה עצמה, בקומה ובמיקום אליהם צריכים להעבירה.

הובלות – מיינו חפצים

במקביל לחיפושי ממליצים על חברת הובלות זו או אחרת מאוד מומלץ לבצע סינון ומיון של כל התכולה אותה רוצים להעביר. הדבר מאוד יקל עליכם בעת ההובלה שכן יפנה לכם המון מקום. תמיד תוכלו לתרום בגדים או רהטים לאנשים הנזקקים או לחלופין למכור מה שאתם לא צריכים. במקרה הכי גרוע אפשר גם לזרוק – העיקר שלא תוסיפו להובלה חפצים מיותרים ותיהנו ממקום פנוי. לאחר מכן תוכלו לבחירתם לארוז לבד או להיעזר בשירות אריזה של אילן הובלות. אנו מעניקים שירות של אריזה החוסך ללקוח זמן יקר ויחד עם זאת גם עושה סדר בבלגן עם כל הקרטונים. 

Geological formation

Unique in the world, is Israel’s Grand Canyon, and it’s just about as breathtaking.   There are two other, major

makhteshim, the  “small” and the  “large,” and  ha-Makhtesh ha-Katan (“the Small Makhtesh”) is in some ways more spectacular because you can see the whole formation in one glance, and get a better understanding of  how  the geology works.  There are only seven makhteshim in the world, five in the Negev and two in the northern Sinai. In 2009, I had the pleasure of meeting and touring with guide Adam Sela, who specializes in tours of the Negev, with a particular focus on the natural and ecological aspects of the

central Negev highlands.  He lives in Midreshet Ben-Gurion, just outside Sde Boqer, the kibbutz made  famous as the adopted home of Israel’s founder, David Ben-Gurion.   I cannot recommend Adam highly enough – in two days, he showed me a side of Israel and the Negev that I not only had never seen but could never  have  accessed without someone like him.  I had heard of “off-road jeep tours,” but had no idea that one could drive a jeep where he took us!  We went up mountainsides and down through winding, dry wadi beds.   Adam

showed us the Makhtesh Ramon – and really made me understand for the first time the unique, geological process that created it.  He also showed us the remnants of the Nabatean, Roman, and ancient Israelite presence in the region over the centuries, and spectacular vistas that I would never otherwise have found, let alone be able to get to.  The jeep tours are not for the faint of heart, but they are unforgettable and totally worth it.  He is also delightful to spend time with.  For more information, see  www.adamsela.com, e-mail office@adamsela.com,  or call him at (050) 530-8272.  In the picture above, Adam is in the center with the gray hat  – not a great picture, but it was an unforgettable day of touring with Trip Advisor friends!

The Negev – Israel’s Desert South

Most people visiting Israel for the first time do not visit Eilat and the Negev desert (the southern half of the country, shaped like an inverted triangle).  Of course, your choice depends on your interests.  While most  tend to  focus on  the cities, culture, and history, those who want wilderness, a more nature/eco-style trip, or beaches may well head south.  And while Eilat itself is not all that special, the Negev – especially as I experienced it with Adam Sela – is amazing. Eilat is a lovely beach and resort city located on the Red Sea, Israel’s southernmost point.  But there are many  lovely beach cities in North and South America, Europe, and Australia, and I don’t see Eilat as all that distinctive or remarkable.  For return visitors who have seen the rest of the country, it may be a different story.  I think Eilat’s most remarkable feature is the underwater

observatory where you can see the Red Sea coral reefs and fish life.  Many people also enjoy swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Reef.  For more information on these sites and hotels in Eilat, see www.tripadvisor.com or the Frommer’s guide.  Since I have never stayed overnight in Eilat, I don’t have specific recommendations on hotels or restaurants, but those sources will be very helpful.  Destination Expert “Bluesman” on Trip Advisor is also very helpful on Eilat. The Negev, on the other hand, is a  truly spectacular desert, and if you are so inclined, by all means take some time touring it.  Don’t miss the Makhtesh Ramon, the so-called  “Ramon

Crater” (it’s not a crater but a geological formation unique to the Negev) near Mitzpe Ramon in the central Negev.

Miscellaneous

Take an AM/FM radio.  Kol Yisrael (the Voice of Israel) offers 15-minute news bulletins in English at 6:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.,  and 8:30 p.m.   Google  “Kol Israel” and  “English news” to find the  frequencies  of the newscasts  before your trip; they seem to change constantly.  Especially if you are driving on your own, you want to keep an ear on the news.  Israel Television also has a nightly English news bulletin on Channel 1 at 4:50

p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and 5:00 p.m. on Shabbat. If you want to take your laptop, many hotels now have wi-fi service, though often at charge of up to $15 USD a day.  You probably won’t need a voltage converter other than what came with the computer (check to be sure, but most handle 220 as well as 120 current), but you will need the three-pronged adapter for Israeli plugs. Israelis love and live by their cell phones, and you’ll find it very convenient to have one.  I have rented several times from Amigo (www.amigo-us.com), and have found it very easy to use and reasonable in price.  They mail the phone

to you before you leave, with a return envelope to send it back once you get home.  I only spent about $70 USD in charges each year. Take lots of sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats.  Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water on hot days.  You’re dehydrating more than you think because, particularly in the drier

interior, you won’t feel sweaty.  You will need to force water frequently – if you wait until you feel thirsty, it’s too late and you won’t catch up.  The water in Israel is safe to drink everywhere, with the possible exception of small Arab villages.  I’ve gotten sick twice in such villages, but that may have been from food that was left out too long. Israeli hotels that aren’t luxury-level sometimes do not provide shampoo or enough soap,

so take them.  They also seem not to provide washcloths, if you care about that.  North American electrical appliances (other than the laptops) require a converter, which can be purchased there.  You’ll also need a plug adapter.  You can find these on the Internet as well.  If you are from a country that uses 220 volt current, you’ll only need the plug adapter.

Other Groups in Israel.

In addition to the Jewish-Arab dichotomy, and the Jewish-Muslim-Christian triad, Israel has a host of other, distinct groups that make up the balance of the population.  The Druze are a sect that grew out of Islam but keeps its religious beliefs and traditions secret.  They number some 80,000 and speak Arabic, but are a separate community.  The Druze are very loyal to whatever country they live in and serve in the IDF, often with great distinction and prominence.  There are two major Druze villages on Mount Carmel (see the Haifa section for more information.)  Druze in the Golan, on the other hand, consider themselves still  to be  Syrians.  The  Bahà’ìs are a modern faith founded in the 19th Century, and their world headquarters are in Haifa with another major shrine in Akko.  The  Bahà’ì  faith teaches that all religious prophets (Moses, Jesus, Muhammed, and Buddha among them) are from God, humankind is one, and women and men are equal.  The Bahà’ì gardens and terraces in Haifa  are among the most beautiful sites in all Israel.  Don’t miss them.  The Circassians are Muslims who are originally from the Caucasus area of southern Russia, and they settled in the area in the mid-1800s after fleeing the aftermath of a failed war against Tsarist Russia.  They speak Cherkesi, written in the Cyrillic alphabet, and live mainly in two Galilee communities.  The Bedouin Arabs are the famed desert nomads of romantic films and novels.  They comprise nearly 10% of the  Arab population and belong to some 30 tribes, most of them scattered over a wide area in the south. Formerly nomadic shepherds and herders, the Bedouins are currently in transition from a tribal social framework to a permanently settled society and are gradually entering Israel’s labor force.   This is  a controversial policy with decidedly mixed results.  You will most notice them in the Negev or in the Judean wilderness on the way to Masada and the Dead Sea.  Many Bedouin serve in the IDF, particularly as trackers, and have a very distinguished record of service.  If you tour with Adam

Sela in the Negev (see the Negev section), you may have a chance to meet local Bedouin.

Cultural tips

Israel is an amazingly diverse place.  Jews from over a hundred countries have come there, bringing their own cultures and traditions.  Also, of course, there is a large Arab population as well, and other, smaller ethnic groups.  This makes for a culture that is  very  complex, but infinitely rich and interesting.  It is one of the things I truly love about the country.  As the head of the YMCA pre-school said,  “Americans think of themselves as a  ‘melting pot,’ but we’re more like a salad.  The cucumber still knows it’s a cucumber, and a tomato knows it’s a tomato.  But add a little lemon juice and olive oil, and we can make something wonderful and delicious.”  What a delightful summary of the wonderful diversity that is Israel!

The Jewish Population. Jews comprise  76% of Israel’s population (excluding the occupied territories). 

While many are immigrants (especially from the former Soviet Union  in the past few years), an increasing portion of the population was born there.  The native-born are called “sabras,” after a native, prickly pear cactus that is “tough and prickly on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside” – a pretty good description of most native-born Israelis. Ethnically, Israeli Jews are broadly grouped in two major categories – the Ashkenazim and the Sephardim.  Ashkenazim, from the old Hebrew word for Germany (Ashkenaz), are Jews from western, central, and eastern European origin, including most North American Jews.  Most of the

original Zionist settlers and founders of the State of Israel came from this group, and they formed the cultural and political elite for most of the State’s early history.  The Sephardim take their name from the Hebrew word for Spain (Sephard).  This term originally referred to Jews of Spanish origin, including the dispersion that followed the expulsion of Jews from Christian Spain in 1492.  Later, the term was applied to all Jews of North African and Middle Eastern origin as well, including many Jews in Italy and the Balkans.  Following the founding of the state, huge numbers of Sephardim entered Israel after Arab countries expelled their large, long-time Jewish populations, nearly tripling Israel’s population in just three years.  The Ashkenazim saw them as more culturally backward, and the Sephardim often resented what they saw as condescending,

disrespectful, and discriminatory treatment by the Ashkenazi elite.  The Sephardim first gained significant political power with the rise of the right-wing Likud party under Menachem Begin, and still are largely aligned with the Likud and Sephardi religious parties, most notably Shas.  This is still a major fault line in Israeli cultural and political life.  Many Sephardim from Middle Eastern countries now prefer the term Mizrachim, meaning “eastern” Jews.  As an aside, I love Mizrachi food, music, and traditions. Two other groups are noteworthy.  With the era of perestroika and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union, the gates of emigration were finally thrown open to the huge community of Soviet Jews.  Since 1989, over a million Jews from the former Soviet Union have made aliyah (immigrated in Israel).  They  now make up roughly 20% of the Jewish population of Israel.  While they are overwhelmingly  Ashkenazi, integration has been rough.  Many were educated professionals arriving in a country already overly saturated with such talent and have been unable to find work in their fields (I’ve seen teachers working as hotel maids, as an example).  Others are not Jewish according to  halakha  (Orthodox Jewish law) and are thus unable to marry Jews in religious

ceremonies (the only way to get married in Israel, which has no civil marriage option).  One sees Russian signs everywhere, and you will also hear the language spoken on the street. Another fascinating group is the Ethiopian Jews.  This ancient community of black Jews traces its origin by tradition to the union of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and did not even know that other Jews existed until the late 1800s.  In the 1980s and 1990s, virtually the entire community was brought to Israel in two huge airlifts, Operation Solomon and Operation Moses.  In a matter of days, over 30 El Al  and air force cargo  flights airlifted the population to make a new life in the Jewish State.  Planes even had seats taken out to bring as many as out as possible, and  several babies were born in flight.   As recounted in Donna Rosenthal’s  The Israelis,

Solomon Ezra, the Ethiopian-born Israeli coordinating the evacuation, asked the last pilot  out how many were on his plane, and he replied, “Over a thousand.”  Ezra warned him that this was impossible, that the plane could not take off with  more than  five hundred.  The pilot calmly replied, “It’s okay.  I don’t want to leave any of my people behind.”  Ezra said, “I never felt more proud to be an Israeli,” and that flight set the Guinness record for the number of passengers on one flight.   Again,  the reality of  integration has proved tougher.  The cultural, social, and educational gaps were at least as great as with the Sephardim, and add to that the issue of skin color and the resulting racism.  Still, one sees evidence of Ethiopian Jews making their way in everyday Israeli life, including as soldiers.  The Army is the great integrator of Israeli life.