Courtallam, Tamil Nadu, India
Courtallam, the 'Spa of the south', is situated at an elevation of about 167m on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. It is an excellent health resort and is famous for its water falls. It has an interesting legend. Devotees believes that Lord Shiva sent saint Agastheya to the south to avoid imbalance due to the over crowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding.
The Peraruvi (Main Falls), Chitraruvi (Small Falls), Shenbaga Devi Falls, Thenaruvi (Honey Falls), Anitharuvi (Five Falls), Pazhathotta Aruvi, Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls), Pazhaya Courtallam (Old Falls) are not only a tourist spot but also a famous health resort. Every year June to September one can enjoy the fall season. It contains lot of herbs which are good for health. Courtallam water has medicinal properties since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water has therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. During the fall season thousands of tourists from far and near visit this place.
Courtallam temple is dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Less than a furlong from here is a small temple called Chitra Sabha. Chitra Sabha (Hall of Pictures) dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and devotees, Puranic stories and religious events. The Sabha is one of the five Sabhas, where Lord Nataraja is said to have performed the cosmic dance.
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Natadola Beach, Fiji
Gorgeous Natadola Beach is Viti Levu's best. Its vast bank of white sand slides into a cobalt sea, providing good swimming regardless of the tide level. If you want to snorkel, surf or windsurf, take your own gear. Natadola's strong currents often defy the brochures so instead of glassy, still conditions you may find sufficient churn for good body surfing. Take care; the varying conditions and undertow have caught out even experienced surf swimmers and readers have reported injuries. For non-swimmers Natadola is an utterly photogenic spot to zone out but watch your valuables as there have been reports of theft.
Local villagers offer horse riding along the beach and sell green coconuts for drinking, and necklaces; unfortunately they can be pretty pushy. If you don't want to take them up on their offer issue a firm but polite 'no thank you' and put some distance between you and the car park.
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Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
The early Maori knew Franz Joseph as Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Tears of the Avalanche Girl). Legend tells of a girl losing her lover who fell from the local peaks, and her flood of tears freezing into the glacier.
The glacier was first explored by Europeans in 1865, Austrian Julius Haast naming it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier started advancing again in 1985 after a period of retreat.
The glacier is 5km from Franz Joseph village, the terminal face a 40-minute walk from the car park. Both Fox and Franz glacier faces are roped off to prevent people being caught in icefalls and river surges. The danger is very real, and in February 2007, two tourists were injured after being hit by falling ice when they ventured too close. Take a guided tour to get up close and personal.
Courtallam, the 'Spa of the south', is situated at an elevation of about 167m on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. It is an excellent health resort and is famous for its water falls. It has an interesting legend. Devotees believes that Lord Shiva sent saint Agastheya to the south to avoid imbalance due to the over crowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding.
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Natadola Beach, Fiji
Gorgeous Natadola Beach is Viti Levu's best. Its vast bank of white sand slides into a cobalt sea, providing good swimming regardless of the tide level. If you want to snorkel, surf or windsurf, take your own gear. Natadola's strong currents often defy the brochures so instead of glassy, still conditions you may find sufficient churn for good body surfing. Take care; the varying conditions and undertow have caught out even experienced surf swimmers and readers have reported injuries. For non-swimmers Natadola is an utterly photogenic spot to zone out but watch your valuables as there have been reports of theft.
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Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
The early Maori knew Franz Joseph as Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Tears of the Avalanche Girl). Legend tells of a girl losing her lover who fell from the local peaks, and her flood of tears freezing into the glacier.
The glacier was first explored by Europeans in 1865, Austrian Julius Haast naming it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier started advancing again in 1985 after a period of retreat.
