I first studied photography as part of my Design Diploma at College. I learnt how to develop film and prints in the darkroom, and this pretty much got me started. I got my first SLR as a present for my 21st Birthday, and soon after I enrolled on a GCSE in Photography. Upon passing I then took my A Level and passed that too. Although useful, I feel I've learnt far more simply by doing, and reading lots of books and magazines.
Eddie Ephrams was an early influence, especially as I was shooting black and white. His book 'Gradient Light' was the yardstick by which I measured all my early efforts in the darkroom, although I have to say I never really got close in those early days.
One of the earliest influences on me has been my friend Grant Pritchard. When he returned from a trip to New Zealand in 1994 and gave us a slideshow I was blown away. I resolved there and then to make it to NZ myself, it only took me the 9 years but I did eventually make it! New Zealand had a profound effect on me that has lasted to this day, and changed my whole perspective and outlook on life.
Without a doubt though, the single biggest influence over the years has been Joe Cornish. His book 'First Light' was like a Bible to me and was the standard to which I aspired to for so many years.
flickr has been great over recent years for making me aware of others' work, and been instrumental in my own development. Seeing others' work is inspirational and constantly drives me on. Anthony Spencer has been a great inspiration to me, and I think he paved the way for many others. Adam Burton was another early influence, and more recently the work of David Baker, Finn Hopson, John Finney and Peter Hulance.
There are many wildlife photographers that are a true inspiration, but probably the greatest of all is Vincent Munier. His atmospheric shots set the bar that every wildlife photographer should aim for, placing as much emphasis on the surrounding habitat and conditions as the subject matter itself. Munier is one of a number of European photographers that for me are leading the way at the moment. Michel Doultremont, Marcel Van Oosten, Jan Van Der Greef, Stefan Gerrits, Rob Blanken and Felix Wesch are all producing ground breaking work that continually inspires.
Ben Hall, Craig Jones, Stude Baker and Richard Sidey I also hold in ver high regard.
I remained loyal to Minolta over the years, and when Sony bought out Minolta and it came time to go digital I bought a Sony Alpha 200. It was the increasing interest in wildlife photography that pushed me toward Canon. Sadly, at the time, Sony didn't have the great variety and quality of zoom lenses that Canon have, so I bought a Canon 500D along with a Canon 100 – 400mm L series lens and 1.4x convertor. After receiving Runner up in Classic View in the LPOTY Competition I spent my winnings on a second hand 7D, and sold the 500D body on ebay. I've recently upgraded to the 7D Mark II, which brings with it a greater degree of clarity and sharpness, and of course, a few more megapixels.
The voice you have is the only voice you need.


The best Halloween costume of 2018 was just served up on a platter.
Maya, a 2-year-old girl in the Philippines, went viral this week for her headless costume that could scare the bejeebers out of children and adults alike.
Maya's costume pulls off a brilliant optical illusion of her headless body serving up her dome on a platter. This is pulled off with the help of a fake torso that rises above the height of her head.
In another Instagram post, Maya's mother, Krystal Hwang, details all the work -- and countless feet of duct tape -- it took to put the costume together, calling the girl a "trooper" for playing along.
Oh by the way, Maya's candy bucket is her headless neck!
That's not all, Maya's sister makes a pretty darn scary butcher.
Props to this mother for making Halloween a blast for her kids and the rest of us in the process.
Seriously. Heads -- er -- hats off!


Next10 Reasons Why I'm Thankful to be in HR!
Question #1: I had a resume reviewed by a professional, updated my LinkedIn page and spent a considerable amount of time searching for jobs. What more should I be doing?
Remember, the job hunting process is a marathon, not a sprint. I also recommend going on Indeed. On the very top of the page, click on Find Resumes. You can actually type in your desired job title and see the resumes of those pursuing the same job title as you. Benchmark. Maybe your resume is right on par but maybe it can use an update. Look at job boards specific to the industry in which you are seeking an opportunity. Also, don't forget to visit the employment page for the companies you are interested in to see what opportunities might be available. Although it is hard to hear, patience is key when seeking a new opportunity. However, the key is being proactive and consistent.
Question #2: How do I use LinkedIn Premium to my advantage?
LinkedIn, is a proactive and active platform. For it to work to your advantage, you must continue to use the platform to capacity. That means a fully complete profile with your updated experience, awards won, accomplishments, volunteer projects, and leadership positions. The main advantages of LinkedIn Premium is that you can send direct messages to anyone with an account and it lets you see who has viewed your profile. However, it will not be of much value if your profile is incomplete. Also, you must know what you want when you connect with someone on LinkedIn. Do you want to ask to speak with them briefly over the phone about opportunities with their company? Do you want to ask for their e-mail so you can send your resume? Mary Davids has a phenomenal blog post entitled, 5 Reasons Why LinkedIn Isn't Working For You. Check it out for more ways you can better use LinkedIn!
Question #3: I have been in my current position for 1 year and was at my last position for 1 year. Could that be a red flag for hiring managers? If so, what can I do?
Yes and No. In my experience, hiring managers care about relevant years of experience more than how long you have been with a certain company. The days of spending 50 years at a company and retiring with a gold watch are long gone. If a hiring manager or recruiter calls you for an interview, there is something of interest on your resume that they would like to explore further. However, regardless of how long you have been at a job, you should always be able to explain your job history. Bonus: Question: If the interviewer asks, why I left jobs quickly and/or why I'm looking, what are some good answers? Answer – I am in my current role because it gave me an opportunity to expand the scope of my responsibilities. The reason I am looking for a new role is to continue to grow my capacity as I have the essential skills/abilities needed to add value to this organization. Give examples!
For anyone either actively or passively looking for a job, it is a great idea to look to a career coach. There is also a wealth of information on job search websites that will get you on the right track. Every Monday night at 10pm est, follow the hashtag #jobhuntchat for tips on resumes, job interviews and networking. Any other tips on LinkedIn Premium and/or if the job seekers with concerns about their recent job history?


text:
Hypothyroidism Type Two and Thyroflex by Jeffrey Dach MD
The Thyroflex and Reflex Time
On February 8, 2007, Ann Nicole Smith apparently overdosed and died 5 minutes away from my office at the Seminole Indian Hard Rock Hotel, a new gambling casino on a nearby Indian reservation. Anna Nicole's death was officially attributed to drug overdose. However, the autopsy report described a low thyroid condition called Hashimoto's thyroid disease, a common condition causing low thyroid.(1) Anna Nicole Smith was also said to be taking human growth hormone (HGH).(7) Of course, this information wasn't mentioned in the autopsy report. The obvious question is why was Ann Nicole taking Growth Hormone when she really needed thyroid medication?
Left Image: Ann Nicole Smith at the 2005 MTV Music Awards Courtesy of Wikipedia (47)(48)
Although mainstream medicine is staunchly opposed to HGH use by Aging Baby Boomers, the practice has caught the attention of some seniors groups, and seems to be growing in spite of opposition by the Institute of Medicine and JAMA .(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) As in the case of Anna Nicole, I propose that it's usually thyroid deficiency rather than growth hormone deficiency that is the more urgent problem.
Human Growth Hormone at Cenegenics
A few years ago in 2005, I spent a week doing a clinical fellowship at the Cenegenics Clinic in Las Vegas with Alan Mintz MD.(8) The Cenegenics Clinic is devoted to Age Management Medicine. You may have seen Dr. Alan Mintz when he appeared on CBS Television 60 Minutes to describe his clinic program and talk about the Age Management Medicine Protocols offered there.(9) Sadly, Dr. Alan Mintz passed away June 3, 2007, a little less than a year after his interview on the 60 minutes CBS television show.(10)
Left Image: Alan Mintz Courtesy of the Las Vegas Review.(46)
Like me, Dr. Mintz had a background in radiology. He was a visionary and a pioneer in his field, and he inspired many doctors, myself included, to make the plunge and embark on a new career in this exciting field of natural medicine and bio-identical hormones, and his presence will be greatly missed.
I highly recommend Las Vegas Cenegenics as a world class medical clinic, with excellent doctors and support staff. In this same CBS 60 minutes television interview, Alan Mintz disclosed that about 800 of the Cenegenics patients were using human growth hormone (HGH) based on a protocol for Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency.(11) In addition, Dr. Mintz created an excellent and useful online medical library containing many articles relating to Aging and Hormones.(12)
Thyroid Hormone, The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Various vitamin and hormone treatments such as HGH (human growth hormone), testosterone, DHEA, estrogen and progesterone are considered by aging baby boomers to have anti-aging properties. However I would suggest that one need look no further than thyroid hormone, which is perhaps the quintessential anti-aging medication, since it changes the body composition, skin and hair quality, and produces a more youthful appearance after a few months of treatment. In my experience these observed youthful changes are much more profound with thyroid hormone than any other treatment in patients with low thyroid.
Yet, many the large clinics involved in Age Management or so-called anti-aging medicine tend to be conservative when it comes to offering thyroid treatment. They usually hesitate to give thyroid medication if the labs are normal, or if they do give thyroid hormone, it is usually Synthroid rather than natural dessicated thyroid hormone like Nature-Throid from Western Research, or Armour.(13)(32)
Left Image: Synthroid Courtesy of Wikipedia
Synthroid is a thyroid pill which contains only T4 (thyroxine), while the natural thyroid medication contains both T3 and T4, accounting for the better clinical results of the natural thyroid.(32) Mainstream medical practice relies on the TSH test to determine when to treat with thyroid hormone (lab range 0.5 – 5.5) , so most people with low thyroid are missed by the medical system, and are not given thyroid hormone medication.
Mark Starr and Type Two Hypothyroidism
A few months after meeting with Alan Mintz, M.D. at the Cenegenics clinic, I attended a medical meeting of the ICIM (Integrative and Complementary Medicine) in Grand Rapids Michigan. At this meeting, I spoke with Mark Starr, M.D. who presented his approach to diagnosis and treatment of the low thyroid condition, which he calls Type Two Hypothyroidism.(14)
Mark Starr's lecture and his book on the same topic were a real eye opener for me because he claimed that while 30% of the population are low thyroid, they are ignored and go untreated by mainstream medicine. These unfortunate souls drag themselves from doctor to doctor with labels such as chronic fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, and suffer from hair loss, constipation, depression and a host of other symptoms described by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum.(15) Dr. Starr explained why thyroid blood tests such as the TSH are unreliable. Dr. Starr instead relies on old fashioned clinical judgment to decide when to treat with thyroid hormone and how much thyroid medication to give. (16)(17)(18)
Left Image: Courtesy of Mark Starr MD (14)
Enter The Thyroflex Machine
One of the tried and true clinical parameters of thyroid function is the delayed Achilles reflex time which the old time docs used routinely for practical management of low thyroid before the blood tests were devised. Checking the Achilles reflex is still accepted and used by mainstream medicine today as an indicator of thyroid function.(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24).
I was therefore really excited to meet Drs. Konrad Kail and Daryl Turner at their booth at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Meeting in 2005.(25)(26)(27)(28) Drs. Kail and Turner developed the Thyroflex instrument, a reflex hammer connected to a laptop computer which measures reflex time in milliseconds.(27)
Left Image: Achilles Tendon Courtesy of Wikipedia
They do not routinely use the Achilles Tendon reflex though. Instead, they decided to use the Brachio-Radialis muscle of the forearm, a more convenient way to illicit the reflex while the patient is seated in a comfortable chair. A delayed reflex time is the finding which indicates low thyroid.
They found excellent correlation between reflex time and thyroid function as measured by basal metabolic rate in patients before and after treatment with natural thyroid. Their study found a predictive Value of a Positive Test = 0.95 and a Predictive Value of a Negative Test= 0.017, which I thought was quite good.(29)(30)
Our Thyroflex Experience
We are proud to be the first medical clinic in Florida to offer this noninvasive Thyroflex test which really represents the best modern medicine has to offer, while at the same time validating the original knowledge of early thyroid clinical practice. After using the Thyroflex machine for about one year, we have found it to be especially useful in those cases in which the TSH is paradoxically low even though the patient is low thyroid. Note: a low TSH indicates high thyroid function, while a high TSH indicates low thyroid function. Many people are confused by this.
This paradoxically low TSH is called hypothalamic dysfunction, and Jacob Teitelbaum MD sees this frequently in his chronic fatigue patients.(31) Since in these cases the TSH is usually below 3, no mainstream doctor would be willing to give thyroid hormone treatment to these unfortunate souls. With the confidence of a delayed reflex time on a Thyroflex test, we can feel comfortable giving these people the badly needed thyroid, and the results have been astounding.
Left Image: Courtesy of Jacob Teitelbaum MD (15)(16)
Our approach to diagnosis of low thyroid uses a lengthy questionnaire which goes over 70 symptoms of low thyroid (listed below), a complete thyroid blood panel including TSH, free T3 and free T4, and a physical examination which includes measurement of reflex time with the Thyroflex. Also included is a basal body temperature chart filled out by the patient at home.
Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Selenium Part OneA Trial of Low Dose Thyroid is Very Safe
Once it has been determined that thyroid hormone is likely to be beneficial, a trial of low dose Nature-Throid from RLC labs is given with a small half grain tablet every other day, while a log book is kept by the patient describing any changes in energy or other symptoms. Any symptoms of thyroid excess such as palpitations, feeling of warmth, anxiety or insomnia are noted in the log book. After 8 days, the log book is reviewed to determine if the thyroid was of benefit. In addition, Iodine supplementation with Iodoral is routinely given as described in a previous article on Iodine and Breast Cancer Prevention.(45)
We have found that monitoring symptoms by recording any changes in a log book, as well as small half grain gradual increments in thyroid dosage makes this program very safe. In the event the patient experiences palpitations, they are instructed to hold any further thyroid medication and inform the physician. For more information, visit my web site thyroid page.
Articles with Related Interest:
Thyroid Informaion Pages
Hashimotos, Selenium and Iodine, Part Two
Selenium for HAshimotos, More Good News
Hashimotos and Molecular Mimicry
Why Natural Thyroid is Better than Synthetic Part One
Why Natural Thyroid is Better Part Two
The Unreliable TSH Test
The TSH Reference Range Wars – Part One
TSH Wars, Part Two
Thyroid Pills Prevent Heart Attacks
(1) http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0326071anna1.html
Anna Nicole Smith Autopsy Released, Coroner: Ex-Playmate died from accidental sedative overdose.
(2) http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/11/17/MNGEV33KQD1.DTL
Aging Baby Boomers turn to hormone, Some doctors concerned about growing 'off-label' use of drug Sabin Russell, Chronicle Staff Writer, Monday, November 17, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle
(3) http://www.seniormag.com/caregiverresources/articles/hgh.htm
HGH (Human Growth Hormone) HGH and effects on aging - An exciting discovery made about 15 years ago has linked the aging process to declining levels of certain hormones.
SeniorMag.com
(4) http://www.natap.org/2005/HIV/102705_01.htm
Provision or Distribution of Growth Hormone for "Antiaging", COMMENTARY Clinical and Legal Issues. Thomas T. Perls, MD, MPH; Neal R. Reisman, MD, JD; S. Jay Olshansky, PhD. JAMA. Oct 26 2005;294:2086-2090. Full Text PDF.Once it has been determined that thyroid hormone is likely to be beneficial, a trial of low dose Nature-Throid from RLC labs (Western Research) is given with a small half grain tablet every other day, while a log book is kept by the patient describing any changes in energy or other symptoms. Any symptoms of thyroid excess such as palpitations, feeling of warmth, anxiety or insomnia are noted in the log book. After 8 days, the log book is reviewed to determine if the thyroid was of benefit. In addition, Iodine supplementation with Iodoral is routinely given as described in a previous article on Iodine and Breast Cancer Prevention.() We have found that monitoring symptoms by recording any changes in a log book, as well as small half grain gradual increments in thyroid dosage makes this program very safe. In the event the patient experiences palpitations, they are instructed to hold any further thyroid medication and inform the physician.
(1) Anna Nicole Smith Autopsy Released, Coroner: Ex-Playmate died from accidental sedative overdose.() Aging Baby Boomers turn to hormone, Some doctors concerned about growing 'off-label' use of drug Sabin Russell, Chronicle Staff Writer, Monday, November 17, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle () HGH (Human Growth Hormone) HGH and effects on aging - An exciting discovery made about 15 years ago has linked the aging process to declining levels of certain hormones. SeniorMag.com() Provision or Distribution of Growth Hormone for "Antiaging", COMMENTARY Clinical and Legal Issues. Thomas T. Perls, MD, MPH; Neal R. Reisman, MD, JD; S. Jay Olshansky, PhD. JAMA. Oct 26 2005;294:2086-2090. Full Text PDF.
(5) http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/294/16/2086
Provision or Distribution of Growth Hormone for "Antiaging", COMMENTARY Clinical and Legal Issues. Thomas T. Perls, MD, MPH; Neal R. Reisman, MD, JD; S. Jay Olshansky, PhD. JAMA. Oct 26 2005;294:2086-2090. Abstract.
(6) http://www.iom.edu/Jeffrey Dach MD
Institute of Medicine web site
(7) http://www.newsweek.com/id/35905
What Anna Nicole Smith Was Shooting? The dead starlet's autopsy revealed that she was injecting human growth hormone to counter the effects of aging and promote weight loss. Does that work? Inside the HGH boom—and the backlash. By Lynn Waddell and Arian Campo-Flores, Newsweek Web Exclusive Mar 28, 2007
(8) http://www.cenegenics.com/
Cenegenics Medical Institute, 851 S Rampart Blvd Ste 210, Las Vegas, NV 89145-4886, Phone: (702) 240-4200, Toll Free 866.953.1510
(9) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/19/60minutes/main1512855.shtml
60 Minutes. Aging In The 21st Century, Steve Kroft Reports On The New Field Of Anti-Aging Medicine, Aug. 20. 2006
(10) http://www.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/individual_display.jsp?obitID=2211636
ALAN MINTZ M.D. Alan P. Mintz, M.D., cofounder and CEO of Cenegenics Medical Institute, passed away June 3, 2007, as a result of a brain hemorrhage. He was 69 years old. Born in Chicago, Alan was a graduate of the University of Chicago and earned a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Illinois - School of Medicine. He served as a physician in the U.S. Navy, prior to postgraduate training in radiology.
(11) http://www.cenegenicsfoundation.org/library/Guidelines_hGH_Rx_on_LH.pdf
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency
Background. Cenegenics Foundation.
(12) http://www.cenegenicsfoundation.org/library/
Online Cenegenics Medical Library offered via nonprofit Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation.
(13) http://www.nature-throid.com/
Nature-Throid from RLC labs Western Research, Western Research Laboratories
2404 West 12th Street, suite #4 - Tempe, Arizona - 85281, Toll-Free: 1-877-797-7997
(14) http://www.type2hypothyroidism.com/
Type Two Hypothyroidism Book by Mark Starr. This is an astonishing book revealing the cause and successful treatment for the plague of illnesses affecting western civilization; including obesity, heart attacks, depression, diabetes, strokes, headaches, chronic fatigue, and many more. In Dr. Starr's description Type 2 Hypothyroidism, he presents overwhelming evidence showing a majority of Americans suffer this illness, which is due to environmental and hereditary factors. Laboratory testing used to diagnose hypothyroidism is completely inadequate, and current treatment for hypothyroidism is ineffective.
(15) http://www.healthy.net/scr/column.asp?ColumnId=28&Id=648
Hypothyroidism, The Tragic and Invisible Epidemic of Thyroid Disease. Dr Jacob Teitelbaum MD
(16) http://www.vitality101.com/
Jacob Teitelbaum MD Chronic Fatigue Web Site
(17) http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis_comp.htm
Optimum Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism With Free T3 and Free T4 Levels Mercola.com
(18) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/03/01/hypothyroidism-part-two.aspx
Major Revision of Hypothyroid Diagnosis Guidelines, Mercola.com
Achilles Tendon Reflex Time
(19) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5520306
Med Klin. 1970 Nov 6;65(45):1973-82. [Validity of Achilles tendon reflex measurement during thyroid gland function disorders][Article in German] Gillich KH, Krüskemper HL, Stendel A.
Probl Endokrinol (Mosk). 1982 Jan-Feb;28(1):34-8. [Reflexometry as a supplementary study method in thyroid hypofunction][Article in Russian] Gaidina GA, Matveeva LS, Lazareva SP.
A correlation was established between the time of the Achilles reflex and the biochemical characteristics of thyroid function (total thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels, thyroxin-binding capacity of the blood serum proteins, the basal TTH level) in patients with grave and moderately expressed hypothyroidism.
J Assoc Physicians India. 1990 Mar;38(3):201-3. Ankle reflex photomotogram in thyroid dysfunctions.Khurana AK, Sinha RS, Ghorai BK, Bihari N.
(22) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/952638
Aust Fam Physician. 1976 May;5(4):550-9, 561. A screening test for thyroid function.Goodman E. The Achilles tendon reflex half relaxation time measurement (ART) has been used by many physicians both as a diagnostic test and for the assessment of progress in thyroid gland malfunction.
Minerva Med. 1976 Oct 27;67(51):3325-34. [Achilles reflexogram and hemodynamic parameters in the evaluation of thyroid function]Franco G, Malamani T.
Probl Endokrinol (Mosk). 1987 May-Jun;33(3):6-9. [Changes in the duration of the Achilles reflex in euthyroid goiter in children][Article in Russian]Gaidina GA, Alekseeva RM, Bobrovskaia TA, Lazareva SP. Changes in the duration of the Achilles reflex were studied in subclinical disturbances of thyroid function. A significant conformity of the levels of TSH, T3, T4 to the duration of the Achilles reflex was shown.
(25) http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/scnm?q=kail
Konrad Kail, P.A., N.D. Director. Southwest College Research Institute. Tempe, AZ (602) 363-9237 Associate Professor of Naturopathic Medicine; Special Consultant for External Research Affairs; BS, University of Houston, 1974; BS, Baylor College of Medicine, 1976; ND, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1983.
(26) http://www.azadvancedmed.com/CV_Kail.html
Curriculum Vitae for Dr. Konrad Kail
(27) http://www.thyroflex.com/
Thyroflex, Nitek Web Site, Daryl Turner
(28) http://www.worldhealth.net/
A4M, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
http://www.thyroflex.com/
docs/Predictability%20of%20Brachioradialis%20Reflexometry.doc
Predictability of Brachioradialis Reflexometry, Thyroflex, Nitek
(30) http://www.thyroflex.com/docs/Subclinical%20Hypothroidism.doc
Managing Subclinical Hypothyroid Using Resting Metabolic Rate and Brachioradialis Reflexometry
Konrad Kail, N.D.1, Robert F. Waters, Ph.D., Thyroflex, Nitek
(31) http://www.townsendletter.com/Oct_2002/fibromyalgia1002.htm
From the Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, October 2002. Highly Effective Treatment of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Results of a Placebo Controlled Study and How to Apply the Protocol, by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD
(32) http://www.armourthyroid.com/default.aspx
Armour Thyroid Web Site
(33) http://www.armourthyroid.com/hypothyroidism/symptoms.html#summary
Summary List of Symptoms of Hypothyroidism , Armour web site
(34) http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/hypochecklist.htm
Hypothyroidism Risk/Symptoms Checklist, Help in Diagnosis and Finetuning Your Treatment By Mary Shomon, About.com, December 22, 2003
(35) http://www.drlowe.com/geninfo/hyposigns.htm
Do You Have Signs of Hypothyroidism or Thyroid Hormone Resistance? Dr. John C. Lowe
(36) http://www.drlowe.com/articles/blinded.htm#process%20of%20change
Lowe, J.C., Reichman, A., & Yellin, J.: The process of change with T3 therapy for euthyroid fibromyalgia: a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Clin. Bull. Myofascial Ther., 2(2/3):91-124, 1997.
(37) http://www.drdach.com/wst_page10.html
Thyroid Page on Jeffrey DACh MD web site
(38) http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
Stop the Thyroid MAdness, devoted to natural thyroid medication rather than synthroid
(39) http://www.brodabarnes.org/
Broda Barnes Institute
(40) http://www.starrpainclinic.com/
Mark Starr MD Pain Clinic
(41) http://www.thyroidpower.com/linksfr.html
Richard L. Shames, M.D.THYROID POWER
(42) http://www.cfsfibromyalgia.com/links/index.htm
Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia, Mary Shomon, patient advocate.
(43) http://thyroid.about.com/
By Mary Shomon Thyroid Disease Guide About.com Thyroid
(44) http://members.aol.com/jefferiesw/
William McK. Jefferies, M.D. (Retired) Web Page, Dr. Jefferies has retired from active medical practice. (Honorary) Professor, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, Virginia
(45) Breast Cancer Prevention and Iodine Supplementation by Jeffrey Dach MD
(46) http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jan-22-Sun-2006/news/5425933.html
Jan. 22, 2006 Las Vegas Review-Journal IN DEPTH: Hormone therapy: CENEGENICS: Photo of Alan Mintz
(47) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Nicole_Smith
Ann Nicole Smith Wikipedia Photo. American actress Anna Nicole Smith in the red carpet for 2005 MTV Video Music Awards
(48) http://www.flickr.com/photos/foraggio/213328404/
Anna Nicole Smith, Luna Park, Sydney. Toby Forage Anna died on February 8, 2007.
Link to this article:
Checklist of Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid:
____Weight gain
____Puffy face
____Loss or thinning of eyebrows
____Cold intolerance
____Low sex drive
____Depression
____Abdominal bloating
____Cold hands or feet
____Dry or thinning hair
____Joint or muscle pain
____Thickening of the skin
____Thin, brittle fingernails
Longer List of Commonly Reported Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
1. Dry skin
2. Thick, scaling skin
3. Coarse skin
4. Fineness of hair
5. Dry, coarse, brittle hair
6. Sparse eyebrows, especially outer ends
7. Hair loss
8. Brittle nails
9. Dry ridges down nails
10. Cold skin
11. Swelling of face (edema)
12. Swelling around the eyes (edema)
13. Swelling of eyelids (edema)
14. Nonpitting edema of ankles
15. Fluid accumulation in abdomen (ascites)
16. Thick tongue
17. Swelling of ankles 18. Paleness of skin 19. Paleness of lips
20. Bluish or purplish coloration of skin, nail beds, lips
21. Weight gain unexplainably
22. Hoarseness
23. Low basal & activity level temperature
24. Protrusion of one or both eyeballs (exophthalmos)
25. Slow speech
26. Slow pulse rate despite low physical fitness
27. Slow thinking
28. Sluggish movement 29. Slow relaxation phase of the knee or ankle reflex
30. Listless, dull look to eyes
31. Wasting of tongue
32. Nervousness
33. Rapid heart rate with weak force of contraction
34. Slow heart rate despite low aerobic fitness
35. Pounding heart beat
36. Cardiac enlargement on x-ray
37. Indistinct or faint heart tones
38. Low QRS voltage on ECG
39. Long-normal intervals on ECG
40. Fluid around heart (pericardial effusion)
41. Changes at the back of the eye (at fundus oculi)
Financial Disclosure: I have no financial interest in any of the products, nutritional supplements, or books mentioned here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
NSString *const EMPlayNetMusicViewModelLrcItemTimeKey = @"time";
NSString *const EMPlayNetMusicViewModelLrcItemSentenceKey = @"sentence";

@interface EMPlayNetMusicViewModel ()

@property (nonatomic,strong) AVPlayer *player;

@property (nonatomic,strong) NSArray *prepareMusicModels;

@property (nonatomic,strong) EMMusicModel *selectedMusicModel;
@property (nonatomic,strong) EMMusicModel *object;

@property (nonatomic,strong) RACSignal *playSignal;
@property (nonatomic,strong) RACSignal *progressTimeSignal;
@property (nonatomic,strong) RACSignal *loadProgressSignal;
@property (nonatomic,strong) RACSignal *playCompletedSignal;
@property (nonatomic,strong) RACSignal *fetchMusicLrcSignal;

@property (nonatomic,assign) BOOL isThrottleProgressTimeSignal;

@end

@implementation EMPlayNetMusicViewModel
@dynamic object;
zz_singleton_m(EMPlayNetMusicViewModel);

+ (void)initialize{
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}

- (instancetype)initWithObject:(EMMusicModel *)object params:(NSDictionary *)params{
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        _prepareMusicModels = params[@"models"];

        if (object == nil) {
            object = _prepareMusicModels[0];
        }

        [self switchMusic:object];

        if (self.playCommand&&self.isPlaying) {
            [self playMusic:self.selectedMusicModel];
            return self;
        }

        @weakify(self);
        [RACObserve(self, selectedMusicModel) subscribeNext:^(EMMusicModel *object) {
            @strongify(self);

            self.playingMusicName = object.music_name;
            self.playingMusicSinger = object.artist;
            self.image_url = object.pic_url;
            self.artist_url = object.artist_icon_url?:object.per_pic_url;
            self.lrcs = nil;
            self.lrcTimeKeys = nil;
            self.LrcCurrntIndexPath = nil;

            self.playSignal = nil;
            self.progressTimeSignal = nil;
            self.loadProgressSignal = nil;
            self.playCompletedSignal = nil;

            [self fetchMusicLrc];
            [self.switchMusicSignal sendNext:@(YES)];
        }];

        _playCommand = [[RACCommand alloc] initWithSignalBlock:^RACSignal *(UIButton *btn) {
            @strongify(self);
            if (!btn.selected) {
                self.isPause = NO;
                [self.player play];
            }else{
                if ([self isPlayingMusic:self.selectedMusicModel]) {
                    [self.player pause];
                    self.isPause = YES;
                }
            }
            return self.playSignal;
        }];
        _playCommand.allowsConcurrentExecution = YES;

        _nextCommand = [[RACCommand alloc] initWithSignalBlock:^RACSignal *(id input) {
            @strongify(self);

            if(self.isPlaying)[self playMusic:self.nextMusic];
            else{
                [self switchMusic:self.nextMusic];
            }
            return [RACSignal empty];
        }];
        _nextCommand.allowsConcurrentExecution = YES;

        _previousCommand = [[RACCommand alloc] initWithSignalBlock:^RACSignal *(id input) {
            @strongify(self);

            if(self.isPlaying){
                [self playMusic:self.previousMusic];
            }else{
                [self switchMusic:self.previousMusic];
            }
            return [RACSignal empty];
        }];
        _previousCommand.allowsConcurrentExecution = YES;

        _fetchMusicLrcCommand = [[RACCommand alloc] initWithSignalBlock:^RACSignal *(id input) {
            @strongify(self);

            [self fetchMusicLrc];

            return [RACSignal empty];
        }];

        [[[NSNotificationCenter defaultCenter] rac_addObserverForName:AVAudioSessionInterruptionNotification object:[AVAudioSession sharedInstance]]
         subscribeNext:^(NSNotification *note) {
             @strongify(self);
             [self.player pause];
         }];

    }
    return self;
}

- (RACSignal *)playSignal{
    if (_playSignal) return _playSignal;
    @weakify(self);
    _playSignal = [[[[[[[
    [RACSignal createSignal:^RACDisposable *(id<RACSubscriber> subscriber) {
        @strongify(self);
        [RACObserve(self.player.currentItem, status)  subscribeNext:^(NSNumber *statusNum) {
            if (statusNum.integerValue == AVPlayerStatusReadyToPlay){
                [subscriber sendNext:statusNum];
            }else if (statusNum.integerValue == AVPlayerStatusFailed){
                [subscriber sendError:self.player.error];
            }else{

            }
        }];
        return [RACDisposable disposableWithBlock:^{

        }];
    }] doNext:^(id x) {
        @strongify(self);
        if(self.isPause){
            self.isPlaying = NO;
        }else{
            [self.player play];
            self.isPlaying = YES;
        }
    }] ignoreValues]
                catchTo:self.errorSignal]
               merge:[RACSignal zip:@[
                                      [self progressTimeSignal],
                                      [self loadProgressSignal],
                                      ]]]
               takeUntil:[self playCompletedSignal]]
               finally:^{
            @strongify(self);

            self.isPlaying = NO;
            self.isPause = NO;
            self.progress = 0;
            self.playTime = 0;
            self.totalTime = 0;
            self.durtionTime = 0;
           self.formatDurtionTime = nil;
           self.formatTotalTime = nil;
           self.formatPlayTime = nil;
           [self playMusic:self.nextMusic];
    }] retry:3];

    return _playSignal;
}

- (void)seekPlayTimeWithTime:(NSTimeInterval)time{

    self.isThrottleProgressTimeSignal = YES;
    @weakify(self);
    CMTime startTime = CMTimeMakeWithSeconds(time,self.player.currentTime.timescale);
    [self.player seekToTime:startTime completionHandler:^(BOOL finished) {
        @strongify(self);
        self.isThrottleProgressTimeSignal = NO;
    }];
}

- (RACSignal *)progressTimeSignal{
    if (_progressTimeSignal) return _progressTimeSignal;

    @weakify(self);
    _progressTimeSignal = [[[RACSignal createSignal:^RACDisposable *(id<RACSubscriber> subscriber) {
        @strongify(self);
        __weak AVPlayer *weakPlayer = self.player;
        __block id timeObserve = [weakPlayer addPeriodicTimeObserverForInterval:CMTimeMake(1.0, 1.0) queue:dispatch_get_main_queue() usingBlock:^(CMTime time) {
            NSTimeInterval current = CMTimeGetSeconds(time);
            NSTimeInterval total = CMTimeGetSeconds(weakPlayer.currentItem.duration);
            NSTimeInterval progress = current / total;

            if (CMTIME_IS_INVALID(time)) {
                [subscriber sendError:nil];
            }
            [subscriber sendNext:RACTuplePack(@(progress),@(total),@(current))];

        }];

        return [RACDisposable disposableWithBlock:^{
            @strongify(self)
            [self.player removeTimeObserver:timeObserve];
        }];
    }] throttle:5 valuesPassingTest:^BOOL(id next) {
        @strongify(self);
        return self.isThrottleProgressTimeSignal;
    }] doNext:^(RACTuple *x) {
        @strongify(self);
        RACTupleUnpack(NSNumber *progressP,NSNumber *totalP,NSNumber *currentP) = x;

        NSTimeInterval progress = progressP.doubleValue;
        NSTimeInterval total = totalP.doubleValue;
        NSTimeInterval current = currentP.doubleValue;

        self.progress = progress;
        self.durtionTime = total-current;
        self.formatDurtionTime = [self formatTimeInterval:total-current];
        self.playTime = current;
        self.formatPlayTime = [self formatTimeInterval:current];
        self.totalTime = total;
        self.formatTotalTime = [self formatTimeInterval:total];

        if ([self.lrcTimeKeys containsObject:self.formatPlayTime]) {
            self.LrcCurrntIndexPath = [NSIndexPath indexPathForRow:[self.lrcTimeKeys indexOfObject:self.formatPlayTime] inSection:0];
        }
    }];
    return _progressTimeSignal;
}

- (RACSignal *)loadProgressSignal{
    if (_loadProgressSignal) return _loadProgressSignal;

    @weakify(self);
    _loadProgressSignal = [RACObserve(self.player.currentItem, loadedTimeRanges) doNext:^(id value) {
        @strongify(self);

        NSArray *loadedTimeRanges = [[self.player currentItem] loadedTimeRanges];
        CMTimeRange timeRange = [loadedTimeRanges.firstObject CMTimeRangeValue];// 获取缓冲区域
        float startSeconds = CMTimeGetSeconds(timeRange.start);
        float durationSeconds = CMTimeGetSeconds(timeRange.duration);
        NSTimeInterval timeInterval = startSeconds + durationSeconds;

        float progress = timeInterval/CMTimeGetSeconds([self.player currentItem].duration);
        NSNumber *resultProgress;
        if (isnan(progress)) {
            resultProgress = @0;

        }else{
            resultProgress = @(progress);

        }

        self.loadProgress = resultProgress;
    }];
    return _loadProgressSignal;
}

- (RACSignal *)playCompletedSignal{
    if (_playCompletedSignal) return _playCompletedSignal;

    _playCompletedSignal = [[NSNotificationCenter defaultCenter] rac_addObserverForName:AVPlayerItemDidPlayToEndTimeNotification object:nil];
    return _playCompletedSignal;
}

- (RACSubject *)switchMusicSignal{
    if (_switchMusicSignal == nil) {
        _switchMusicSignal = (RACSubject *)[[[RACSubject subject] startWith:@(YES)] replayLast];
    }
    return _switchMusicSignal;
}

- (RACSignal *)fetchMusicLrcSignal{
    if (_fetchMusicLrcSignal) return _fetchMusicLrcSignal;

    @weakify(self);
    _fetchMusicLrcSignal = [[[RACSignal createSignal:^RACDisposable *(id<RACSubscriber> subscriber) {
        @strongify(self)
        NSError *err = nil;
        NSArray *lrcs = [self lrcWithMusic:self.selectedMusicModel error:&err];
        if (err) {
            [subscriber sendError:err];
        }else{
            [subscriber sendNext:lrcs];
            [subscriber sendCompleted];
        }
        return [RACDisposable disposableWithBlock:^{

        }];
    }] subscribeOn:[RACScheduler schedulerWithPriority:RACSchedulerPriorityDefault]]
             deliverOn:[RACScheduler mainThreadScheduler]];
    return _fetchMusicLrcSignal;
}

- (RACSignal *)errorSignal{
    if (_errorSignal == nil) return _errorSignal;
    return [RACSignal error:self.player.error];
}

- (AVPlayer *)player{
    if (_player == nil) {
        AVPlayerItem * songItem = [[AVPlayerItem alloc] initWithURL:[NSURL URLWithString:self.selectedMusicModel.music_url]];
        _player = [[AVPlayer alloc] initWithPlayerItem:songItem];
    }

    return _player;
}

- (void)fetchMusicLrc{
    @weakify(self);
    [[self fetchMusicLrcSignal] subscribeNext:^(NSArray *lrcs){
        @strongify(self);
        self.lrcs = [lrcs copy];
        NSMutableArray *arrM = [NSMutableArray array];
        [lrcs enumerateObjectsUsingBlock:^(NSDictionary  *_Nonnull obj, NSUInteger idx, BOOL * _Nonnull stop) {
            [arrM addObject:[obj objectForKey:EMPlayNetMusicViewModelLrcItemTimeKey]];
        }];
        self.lrcTimeKeys = [NSArray arrayWithArray:arrM];
    } error:^(NSError *error) {
          NSLog(@"fetch lrc err :%@",error);
    }];
}

- (EMMusicModel *)nextMusic{

    NSInteger nextIndex = 0;
    if (self.selectedMusicModel) {
        NSInteger playingIndex = [_prepareMusicModels indexOfObject:self.selectedMusicModel];

        nextIndex = playingIndex + (NSInteger)1;
        if (nextIndex >= _prepareMusicModels.count) {
            nextIndex = 0;
        }
    }

    return _prepareMusicModels[nextIndex];
}
- (EMMusicModel *)previousMusic{

    NSInteger previousIndex = 0;
    if (_selectedMusicModel) {
        NSUInteger playingIndex =  [_prepareMusicModels indexOfObject:_selectedMusicModel];

        previousIndex = playingIndex - (NSInteger)1;

        if (previousIndex < 0) {
            previousIndex = _prepareMusicModels.count - 1;
        }
    }

    return _prepareMusicModels[previousIndex];
}

- (BOOL)isPlayingMusic:(EMMusicModel *)EMMusicModel{
    AVPlayer *player =  self.player;
    return player.timeControlStatus == AVPlayerTimeControlStatusPlaying;
}

- (BOOL)playCurrentMusic{
    return [self playMusic:self.selectedMusicModel];
}

- (BOOL)playMusic:(EMMusicModel *)music{
    if (music.music_url == nil) return NO;
    if ([NSURL URLWithString:music.music_url] == nil) return NO;
    [self switchMusic:music];
    [self.playCommand execute:nil];
    return YES;
}

- (void)switchMusic:(EMMusicModel *)EMMusicModel{
    AVPlayerItem * songItem = [[AVPlayerItem alloc] initWithURL:[NSURL URLWithString:EMMusicModel.music_url]];
    if (EMMusicModel == self.selectedMusicModel) {
        return;
    }
    self.selectedMusicModel = EMMusicModel;
    [self.player replaceCurrentItemWithPlayerItem:songItem];
}

- (NSString *)formatTimeInterval:(NSTimeInterval)time{

    NSInteger minute = time/60.0;
    double second = time - minute * 60.0;
    NSString *format = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%02ld:%02.0f",(long)minute,second];
    return format;
}

- (NSTimeInterval)durtionMusic:(EMMusicModel *)music{
    if (music == nil) return 0 ;
    return CMTimeGetSeconds(self.player.currentItem.duration);
}

- (NSTimeInterval)currentTimeMusic:(EMMusicModel *)music{
    if (music == nil) return 0 ;
    NSTimeInterval current = CMTimeGetSeconds(self.player.currentTime);

    return current;
}

#pragma mark - 解析歌词

- (NSArray *)lrcWithMusic:(EMMusicModel *)music error:(NSError **)err{
    if (music.music_id == nil) return nil;

    NSStringEncoding encoding = CFStringConvertEncodingToNSStringEncoding(kCFStringEncodingGB_18030_2000);

    //尝试从document中获取
    NSString *lrcFilePath = [EMMusicFilePathControl defaultManager].lrcDirectoryPath;
    NSString *lrcName = [music.lrc_url  componentsSeparatedByString:@"/"].lastObject;
    NSString *filePath = [lrcFilePath stringByAppendingPathComponent:lrcName];

    NSString *lrcString = [NSString stringWithContentsOfFile:filePath encoding:encoding error:err];
    if (lrcString == nil) {
        lrcString = [NSString stringWithContentsOfFile:filePath encoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding error:err];
    }

    // 从网络获取
    if(lrcString==nil){
        lrcString = [NSString stringWithContentsOfURL:[NSURL URLWithString:music.lrc_url] encoding:encoding error:err];
        if (lrcString==nil) {
            lrcString = [NSString stringWithContentsOfURL:[NSURL URLWithString:music.lrc_url] encoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding error:err];
        }

        if (lrcString == nil) return nil;
        *err = nil;
        // 存到本地
        BOOL isSucc = [lrcString writeToFile:filePath atomically:YES encoding:encoding error:err];
        if (!isSucc || err) {
            [lrcString writeToFile:filePath atomically:YES encoding:NSUTF8StringEncoding error:err];
            *err = nil;
        }
    }
    if (lrcString) {
        *err = nil;
    }

    // lrcString解析为时间key,歌词为value的字典数组
    NSMutableArray *arr = [NSMutableArray array];
    NSString *time = @"";
    NSString *sentence = @"";

    NSCharacterSet *semicolonSet = [NSCharacterSet characterSetWithCharactersInString:@"]"];
    NSCharacterSet *semicolonSet2 = [NSCharacterSet characterSetWithCharactersInString:@"\n"];
    NSScanner *theScanner = [NSScanner scannerWithString:lrcString];
    while ([theScanner isAtEnd] == NO)
    {

        if ([theScanner scanString:@"[" intoString:NULL] &&
            [theScanner scanUpToCharactersFromSet:semicolonSet intoString:&time]&&
            [theScanner scanString:@"]" intoString:NULL]
            )
        {
            NSString *product = @"";
            if (theScanner.scanLocation - 1 <= [theScanner string].length) {
                product = [[theScanner string] substringWithRange:NSMakeRange(theScanner.scanLocation, 1)];
            }

            if ([product hasPrefix:@"\n"]) {
                sentence = @"";
            }else if (
                      [theScanner scanUpToCharactersFromSet:semicolonSet2

                                                 intoString:&sentence]){

                      }

            if (sentence.length == 0)
                continue;

            NSString *adjustTime = [time substringToIndex:time.length - 3];
            NSMutableDictionary *lrcItem = [NSMutableDictionary dictionary];
            if (time.length > 0) {
                [lrcItem setObject:adjustTime forKey:EMPlayNetMusicViewModelLrcItemTimeKey];
            }
            if (sentence)
                [lrcItem setObject:sentence forKey:EMPlayNetMusicViewModelLrcItemSentenceKey];

            [arr addObject:lrcItem];
//            NSLog(@"%@---%@", adjustTime, sentence);
        }else{

            break;
        }
    }

    return arr;
}

- (void)dealloc{
    [[AVAudioSession sharedInstance] setActive:NO error:nil];
    [[AVAudioSession sharedInstance] setCategory:AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback error:nil];
}

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Indian Wildlife Treasures 15 nts / 16 days
Embark on a Journey in Search of Tigers to the Wildlife Parks of North India.
Tour Route -:
WILDLIFE PARKS IN INDIA ARE OPEN FROM OCTOBER TO MAY
Arrive Delhi 2 Nights > Day Train & Drive Ranthambore 2 Nights ( Wildlife Reserve ) > Drive Jaipur 2 Nights ( Amber Fort ) > Drive Bharatpur 1 Night (Bird Sanctuary ) > Drive Agra 1 Night ( Taj Mahal ) > Day Train & Drive Khajuraho 1 Night > Drive Bandhavgarh 2 Nights ( Wildlife Reserve ) > Drive Kanha 3 Nights ( Wildlife Reserve ) > Drive & Flight Delhi 1 Night & Leave.
This tour is NOT Operational from June till Mid October as Wildlife parks in India remain closed during this period.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi International Airport you are met by our Executive and transferred to your pre booked Hotel. Afternoon visit to Lotus Temple – which is a unique flower shape Baháí temple thus making it a very prominent attraction in Delhi.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Delhi
Day 02 Delhi
Breakfast at the Hotel
Morning full day city tour of New and Old Delhi visiting Qutab Minar – which is the tallest brick minaret in the world, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate – a war memorial which was built to salute the brave Indian soldiers of the British Army who lost their lives in World War 1, Rastrapati Bhawan or the President's House and the Parliament Street where you can see various government buildings, Raj Ghat the cremation place of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the Chandni Chowk.
Day 03 Delhi – Sawai Madhopur (By Train)
Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore (By Private Vehicle 13 Kms, ½ Hrs Drive)
Today you are transferred to Delhi Railway Station to board Train for Sawai Madhopur. This exciting journey through the countryside by train takes us to Ranthambore, nearly a thousand – year – old fortress. Countless battles have raged around these walls. The Great Mughal emperor Akbar laid siege here and built Lake Palace, summer gardens, temples, mosques, tombs and hunting towers, all overrun now by grass and shrubs. Today leopards and tigers prowl the ruins. Upon arrival in Sawai Madhopur Railway Station you are met and transferred by Private Vehicle to Ranthambore. Upon arrival in Ranthambore check in at your pre booked Hotel
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Ranthambore
Day 04 Ranthambore
Morning and Afternoon spent visiting the Park to spot wildlife
Day 05 Ranthambore – Jaipur (By Private Vehicle 180 Kms, 4 Hrs Drive)
Morning spent visiting the Park to spot wildlife Later leave by Private Vehicle for Jaipur, the Pink City. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in at your pre booked Hotel. Evening visit to Colorful Market in Jaipur. The market has lot of shops selling the traditional clothes and puppets of Rajasthani culture.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Jaipur
Day 06 Jaipur
Today morning we visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a super example of Rajput (medieval Hindu) style Architecture. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors in the Fort. A slow Elephant ride up to the Entrances of the Fort. Afternoon – tour of City Palace and Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture, the complex has a variety of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The Palace of Winds – Also known as Hawa Mahal, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main Street of the old city. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the Royal household to watch everyday life
Day 07 Jaipur – Bharatpur (By Private Vehicle 180 Kms, 4 Hrs Drive)
After breakfast leave by Private Vehicle for Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Upon arrival in Bharatpur check in at your pre booked Hotel. Afternoon spent visiting the Park by Cycle Rickshaw (02-03 Hrs Duration).
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bharatpur
Day 08 Bharatpur – Agra (By Private Vehicle 75 Kms, 1 ½ Hrs Drive) Via Fatehpursikri
After breakfast leave by Private Vehicle for Agra, the Mughal City. Enroute visit to the Fatehpursikri which is a world heritage site and was built by Akbar. It boasts of several palaces, Masjid's and large halls which denote typical Mughal architecture. Upon arrival in Agra check in at your pre booked Hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Agra visiting Agra Fort – built near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-century Mughal monument. Agra Fort was also the headquarters for the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Itmad-Ud-Daulah a beautiful tomb built of red sandstone in the memory of architect of the Taj Mahal and Visit to the Local Markets.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Agra
Day 09 Agra – Jhansi (By Train)
Jhansi – Khajuraho (By Private Vehicle 180 Kms, 4 Hrs Drive)
Very early morning visit the Famous Taj Mahal at Sunrise a fine example of the Mughal Architectural Styles is one of the seven Wonders of the Modern World. Built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal was built in white marble which took 22 Years to build by 20,000 skilled artisans. The Building's stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking (Every Friday Taj Mahal is closed). After viewing Taj Mahal we return to hotel for breakfast. Later you are transferred to Agra Railway Station to board Train for Jhansi. Upon arrival in Jhansi Railway Station you are met and transferred by Private Vehicle for Khajuraho. Upon arrival in Khajuraho check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Khajuraho
Day 10 Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh (By Private Vehicle 250 Kms, 5 Hrs Drive)
Morning city tour of spectacular ninth to thirteenth century temples of Khajuraho, built by Chandela kings, the temples are exquisitely carved with graceful statues and frieze Gods and Goddesses. Later leave by Private Vehicle for Bandhavgarh National Park. Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bandhavgarh.
Day 11 Bandhavgarh
Morning and Afternoon spent visiting the Park to spot wildlife.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bandhavgarh
Day 12 Bandhavgarh – Kanha (By Private Vehicle 270 Kms, 6 Hrs Drive)
After breakfast leave by Private Vehicle for Kanha National Park. Upon arrival in Kanha check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kanha
Day 13 Kanha
Day 15 Kanha – Nagpur (By Private Vehicle 250 Kms, 5-6 Hrs Drive)
Nagpur – Delhi (By Flight)After breakfast leave by Private Vehicle for Nagpur. Upon arrival in Nagpur you are transferred to Nagpur Airport to board Flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi Airport you are met by our Representative and transferred to your pre booked Hotel.
Day 16 Leave Delhi
Today you are transferred to Delhi International Airport to board flight back Home.
Udai Vilas Palace Bharatpur
Located just 500 m from the famous Keoladeo Ghana National Park and offering an outdoor pool and fitness centre, Udai Vilas Palace provides 24-hour front desk for the convenience of the guests. It offers free WiFi throughout the property. Offering garden and pool view, the air-conditioned spacious rooms have flat-screen satellite TV and seating area. They feature a minibar and tea/coffee maker. The attached bathrooms come with free toiletries, a hairdryer and shower. Udai Vilas Palace is just 1.2 km from the magnificent Lohagarh Fort and 25.5 km from the legendary Fatehpur Sikri Fort. It is just 1.8 km from the Subhash Nagar Bus Station and 3.2 km from the Bharatpur Railway Station. The Agra Airport is 53.1 km. The guests can approach the tour desk for the currency exchange and ticket and car rental services. They can enjoy the garden and terrace areas. The hotel offers luggage storage, valet parking and concierge services. The in-house multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian, Chinese and continental dishes. The guests can enjoy refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the bar. Hotel offers 60 Rooms
Laxmi Vilas Palace Bharatpur
Laxmi Vilas Palace features a garden with an outdoor pool and BBQ facilities. Wi-Fi access is available in all public areas. There are Total 30 Rooms in the Hotel. Each air-conditioned room comes with an electric kettle and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The private bathroom includes a hairdryer, bathrobe and free toiletries. Guests can enjoy local cuisine at the restaurant and drinks at the bar. Massage, spa and wellness centre are available on site. Laxmi Vilas Palace is a 10-minute drive from Bharatpur Train Station. The Keoladeo National Park is 2 km away
Taj Banjaar Tola Kanha
Banjaar Tola lodge is situated along the banks of the Banjaar River, directly overlooking the heart of Kanha National Park. The luxurious, yet lightweight, ensuite tents have been designed in a contemporary style, with pressed bamboo wall panels, gorgeous bamboo floors and locally crafted furniture hewn from the timber of exotic Indian trees. The textiles have been designed in tones of delicate saffron and acid-washed green, with rich block-printed Madhya Pradesh cottons and silks. The atmosphere is light, ethereal and organic. The lodge boasts two elegant camps of nine suites, each with its own intimate tented sitting area. Banjaar Tola has its own unique identity, celebrating the Bastar and Dogra art that hails from nearby Chattisgarh.
Tuli Tiger Resort Kanha
Tuli Tiger Resort is located in Dhanwār in the Madhya Pradesh Region. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site. Certain units have a seating area for your convenience. Tuli Tiger Resort features free WiFi. You will find a 24-hour front desk and gift shop at the property. Hotel offers 34 Rooms
Infinity Resorts Kanha
Offering an outdoor pool and a spa and wellness centre, Infinity Resorts Kanha is located in Lagma. WiFi access is available in this resort. At Infinity Resorts Kanha you will find a restaurant Other facilities offered at the property include meeting facilities, a games room and luggage storage. The property offers free parking
Wild Chalet Resort Kanha
Wild Chalet Resort is located in Dhanwar. The accommodation will provide you with air conditioning and a balcony. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with free toiletries. You can enjoy lake view and river view from the room. Extras include a desk and a fan. At Wild Chalet Resort you will find a garden. Other facilities offered at the property include a games room and a children's playground. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including cycling. The property offers free parking.
Taj Mahua Kothi Bandhavgarh
The Lodge sprawls over the 40 acre grounds, just 20 minutes from the park entrance. The original kothi (homestead) comprises the guest areas and has been beautifully renovated, and the guest accommodation is all brand new. Each of the twelve charming guest suites – or kutiyas (jungle village huts) – are built in the vernacular style of Central India, affectionately known as 'MP Chic' (MP being the state of Madhya Pradesh). Each is accessed through private courtyards with shaded seating and traditional mud floors. Interiors include wooden shutters, tapered mud coloured walls in lime and earth washes (finished by hand), open rafters with roughly hewn wooden beams, and handmade pottery roof tiles. Floors are dressed in katni stone strips set in lime mortar. Each ensuite bathroom features twin hand basins, indoor shower, bath and separate w.c. Richly coloured local textiles, used throughout, are in shades of rust and burnt orange. Each kutiya features roll-down mats to keep out the early morning sun, as well as overhead fans and air conditioning. Guests delight in the yoga amenities provided in a basket (complete with instructions), as well as traditional Indian games of marbles and Chaupad. Kettles of boiling water on chulhas (charcoal burners) are brought out with early morning tea to the kutiyas. Bicycles, parked in the kutiya courtyards, are an invitation to explore.
Bandhav Vilas Bandhavgarh
Bandhav Vilas is located 3 km from Bandhavgarh National Park and Bandhav Garh Tiger Reserve. It features a spa and outdoor pool. An open air restaurant is available. Spacious villas come with a dressing room and dining area. A flat-screen cable TV and tea/coffee-making facilities are provided. Each villa is air-conditioned. Bandhav Vilas is 35 km from Umaria Railway Station and 180 km from Khajuraho Airport. Guests can head for a relaxing massage or a meditation session in one of the therapy rooms. A library is available for guests' enjoyment. Laundry services are offered for convenience. A selection of Indian and international dishes are served in the outdoor restaurant, where live entertainment is also offered. Hotel offers 20 Rooms
Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
Located within walking distance of Bandhavgarh National Park's main gate, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge provides a 24-hour front desk for the convenience of the guests. Free internet is available in the public areas of the property. Offering garden view, each room will provide you with a seating area. Private bathroom comes with free toiletries. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including cycling. A spacious thatched dining room serves home cooked Indian and continental cuisines and is the centre point of activities like campfire performances, lectures and star gazing. Packed lunches can be requested. Hotel offers 22 Rooms
Tiger Den Resort Bandhavgarh
A Resort, which has redefined "Service Quality". Where the entire team is motivated and focussed in providing consistent service that you never expect in a Wildlife Resort, but you certainly deserve… to be treated like Kings. We are enchanted to introduce Tiger's Den Resort in the beautiful lush green and tranquil surroundings of the Land of the White Tiger – Bandhavgarh National Park. Situated on the fringes of a local village "Tala" the Tiger Den Resort offers you a location advantage, which no other resort does - You can walk some distance to view a day in the life of an Indian village, where the pace of life is still measured by the rhythm of the seasons. The humble dwellings, the mud clustered houses, the elders smoking hookahs sitting on a cot, are some of the common scenes which signify that the time stands still in certain areas of the world even today
The Lalit Temple View – Khajuraho
The Lalit features a spa and outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy working out in the fitness centre and taking yoga classes. It is located 500 m from the famous Khajuraho Temple. The Lalit Temple View is within 7 km from Khajuraho Airport and Khajuraho Railway Station. Modern rooms offer touches of Indian culture and come fitted with large windows overlooking the garden or temples. Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi is provided. Tea and coffee making facilities are available. Massage services and sauna facilities are provided for guests' enjoyment. Car rentals and currency exchanges can be made at the tour desk. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available. Hotel Offers 47 Rooms
Taj Chandela – Khajuraho
Located 4.5 km from Khajuraho Airport and 8 km from Khajuraho Station, Hotel Chandela is set within 11 acres of landscaped gardens. Featuring a shopping arcade, it also has an outdoor pool and 4 dining options. Fitted with sofas, the air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV and a safety deposit box. A minibar and tea/coffee making facilities are also provided. Hotel Chandela is 1.2 km from Lakshman and Khajuraho Temples, and 2 km from Tribal Art Museum. Panna National Park Tiger Reserve is 15.4 km away. Activities at the hotel include mini golf, tennis, and badminton. Guests can also exercise at the gym, or play indoor games. The hotel also has an art gallery. Local and international dishes are served at Rasana and Rimjhim restaurants. The 24-hour Café De La Paix offers light meals, while Sura Sundari bar features a variety of cocktails. Hotel offers 90 Rooms
Ramada – Khajuraho
Ramada Khajuraho is surrounded by greenery and boasts an inviting outdoor pool, a jogging track and luxurious, modern rooms. Featuring marble flooring, the air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a safe, minibar and an electric kettle. The private bathroom includes a bath or shower and free toiletries. Lighting and room temperature is controlled via an electronic bedside console. Raneh Falls is 20 km from the hotel while Panna Tiger Sanctuary and Pandav Falls are approximately 35 km away. Ramada Khajuraho provides airport transfers and same-day laundry and dry cleaning services at an extra charge. It also has a travel desk and a souvenir shop. Dining options include the multi-cuisine Gautama Restaurant. Unwind with a drink from Mahua Bar or head to Downing Street, which is the hotel's disco.
Radisson Jass – Khajuraho
Radisson Jass Hotel is located 3 km from Khajuraho Airport. Khajuraho Railway Station is 7 km away. Attractions nearby include the Archaelogical Museum which is 2.2 km away and Panna National Park which is 27 km away. The modern Radisson Jass Hotel offers car rental, currency exchange and laundry/dry-cleaning facilities. A tour desk can assist guests with travel arrangements. A business centre is also present for those looking to organise meetings. Work-out enthusiasts can break a sweat in the fitness centre. Each air-conditioned room features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, minibar and an electric kettle. The en suite bathroom contains complimentary toiletries. Temple Café has an a la carte menu as well as breakfast, lunch and a dinner buffet which is accompanied by live Sitar performances. Temple Bar is the place to go for wines and cocktails. Room service options are also available.
Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore
A former royal hunting lodge, the luxurious Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur offers a beautiful outdoor pool, pampering spa services and a modern gym. Less than 5 km from Ranthambore Railway Station, the hotel grounds spread over 12 acres of landscaped gardens. Rustic furnishings and custom lighting give the spacious rooms an elegant feel. All come with a flat-screen TV, free tea/coffee making facilities and a personal safe. En suite bathrooms have a bathtub and naturally made toiletries. Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur is 12 km from Ranthambhore National Park. The nearest airport is Sanganer Airport in Jaipur, which is 180 km away. Using ancient Indian techniques, the hotel's spa provides aromatherapy massage, body scrubs and wraps. Custom tours can be arranged at the concierge desk. Guests can also play cricket and badminton on-site. Casual meals can be enjoyed at the open-air Veranda, or feast on Indian and Continental dishes at The Dining Room. Pool games and beer are offered at Tiger Bar, while warm bonfires burn at Neem Terrace. Hotel offers 36 Rooms
Tiger Den Resort – Ranthambore
TigerDen Resort is nestled in the Aravalli hills of Ranthambhore National Park.Tiger Den Resort boasts of quality accommodation and services. The resort isbarely five minutes away from the main entrance of the park. There are 38Deluxe Cottages / Duplex Rooms and 12 suites. Each room is equipped with modernamenities. Well-planned landscaping adds to the rustic ambience adding to thenatural beauty. There is power backup generating unit in case of electricityfailure. We excel in professional yet personalized service to our guests. Eachroom is taste fully designed with attached toilet and hot shower. Our dininghall has seating capacity of 110 people and serves hygienic Indian, Western andChinese cuisine. We organise bar-be-Que dinners where our guests enjoy the livecultural shows and the warmth of bonfires. In the evening our naturalist tellsyou about the park and presents a slide show while you enjoy your drinks in thelounge. We have a library of wildlife books and offer nature walks to guestswho wish to have a slow-paced holiday. We organize jungle visits in 4WD jeepsand open trucks known as 'canters'. A nature guide who is well aware of theflora and fauna of the park accompanies each vehicle and sometimes also has atiger 'staked out'. For birders there are many options and nature walks. Themost popular places are Surwal lake, Mansarovar Lake, Chambal river or even awalk outside the resort one can get a lot of arid scrubland species. TheRanthambhore Fort offers history that is 1000 years old
Ranthambhor Regency – Ranthambore
Ranthambhor Regency offers 4-star accommodation with a flat-screen TV. It provides 2 dining options, an outdoor pool and free parking. Cosy air-conditioned room features modern décor and warm lighting. Each is fitted with a sofa seating area and work desk. Some bathrooms have a bathtub, while others have a shower. At Ingredients restaurant, guests can be entertained with Rajasthani cultural performances, while enjoying a buffet spread of Indian, Chinese and continental dishes. Refreshing beverages are served at the Fushia Bar. Staff at the tour desk can make arrangement for jungle safari trips to the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve National Park. Car rental and sightseeing bookings are also provided. Regency Ranthambhor is 12 km from Sawai Madhopur Junction and 170 km from Jaipur Airport.
ITC Rajputana Hotel Jaipur
ITC Rajputana offers modern air-conditioned rooms and free private parking. It features an outdoor swimming pool, spa and 5 food and beverage options. Its is located 500 m away from Jaipur's city centre. Rooms with carpeted or wooden flooring feature a minibar, coffee/tea maker and flat-screen TV. The spacious suites offer a balcony with views of the surrounding area. Guests can relax with a swim or enjoy the various treatments at the spa. A steam room, sauna and fitness centre are also available. Other guest facilities include a 24-hour front desk, a business centre and hair salon. Peshawri serves specialities from North-Western India, while Jal Mahal offers a buffet spread of Rajasthani dishes, along with oriental and continental foods. The 24-hour coffee shop, The Jaipur Pavilion has a menu of Indian, Chinese and continental dishes. There is also a lobby bar and poolside lounge. Attractions such as Albert Museum, Jantar Mantar and the City Palace are within 6 km of ITC Rajputana. Jaigarh Fort and Amber Fort are 16 km away. It is 15 km to Jaipur Airport. Hotel offers 218 Rooms
Luxurious 5-star accommodation and service awaits at Trident Jaipur, which boasts breathtaking views of peaceful Mansagar Lake and the Aravalli Range. It houses a large outdoor pool with loungers, pool bar and fitness facilities. Spacious rooms open out to private balconies overlooking the lake or the hotel's landscaped grounds. In-room comforts include a flat-screen TV, a bathtub and separate shower. Trident Jaipur is 1.6 km from majestic Nahargarh Fort and 4 km from Jal Mahal and lively Bapu Bazaar. It has free parking and is 21 km from Jaipur Sanganer Airport. Offering 24-hour reception, staff can provide concierge and childcare services. The resort also has a business centre, a children's playground and club, as well as, barbecue facilities. Poolside barbecues can be enjoyed at The Verandah while Jal Mahal offers hearty buffets in elegant Indian-style interiors. Mansagar is ideal for an after-meal cocktail or nightcap. The Hotel offers 134 Rooms
Hilton Jaipur is located just 3 km from Jaipur Railway Station. The richly decorated rooms offer air-conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV and seating area. Each room includes a minibar and a safety deposit box. The attached bathrooms are equipped with a bathtub, hairdryer and free toiletries. Hilton Jaipur is just 5 km from the iconic Hawa Mahal, 6 km from the Albert Hall Museum and 8 km from Jantar Mantar. The Jaipur International Airport is 12 km away. Guests can approach the tour desk for further travel assistance and currency exchange. Laundry with dry cleaning and luggage storage facilities are available. It features a swimming pool. Dining options include Aurum, an all-day dining restaurant, serving continental delicacies. Indian delights can be relished at Chandi. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be enjoyed at Krystal. Room service options are available too. Hotel offers 179 Rooms
Alsisar Haveli – Jaipur
A Heritage Hotel, Alsisar Haveli is located in the heart of pink city Jaipur, 10 km from the Amber Fort. Featuring traditional Rajput-ian architecture, the hotel offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant and free parking on site. Guest rooms feature wood-crafted furniture and a 4-poster bed. The brightly coloured rooms are fitted with modern amenities like a work desk, complimentary bottled water and a TV with satellite channels. The en suite bathroom comes with hot shower and a bathtub. The hotel has a reading hall and a garden. The staff at the travel desk can assist with tour arrangements, airport transfers and car hire services. Luggage storage can be found at the 24-hour front desk. The roof terrace offers views of Nahargarh Fort. The hotel's restaurant serves a selection of local and International dishes. Hotel Offers 45 Rooms
ITC Mughal Hotel Agra
Set amidst 35 acres of lush greeneries, ITC Mughal Agra boasts luxurious accommodation. Guests can lounge by the spacious outdoor pool or choose between 4 dining options. Located just 3 km away from the historical Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the hotel is also 6 km from Agra Railway Station. Indira Gandhi International Airport is 250 km away with Airport shuttle services available at a surcharge. Elegantly furnished rooms are fitted with air-conditioning, a sofa seating area, a flat-screen TV, a minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. En suite bathrooms include shower amenities and free toiletries. Guests can enjoy a barbeque or relax at the spa and sauna facilities. Mughal Agra also offers a business centre and a fitness centre. A 24-hour front desk can assist with travel arrangements and 24-hour room service. ITC Mughal's in-house restaurants will serve an array of Indian, Chinese and continental dishes. Maikhana Bar, offers a selection of fine wines and cocktails. Hotel offers 233 Rooms
Crystal Sarovar Premiere Agra
Crystal Sarovar Premiere Agra is situated in the Taj Ganj district in Agra 1.9 km from The Taj Mahal. The rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Some rooms feature a seating area to relax in after a busy day. You will find an electric kettle, mini bar and a desk in the room. Rooms include a private bathroom equipped with free toiletries. Crystal Sarovar Premiere Agra boasts of a 24-hour front desk and express check in/check out services. A tour desk and concierge services are also available. Guests can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant. The property also offers breakfast in the room and packed lunches. Agra Fort is 2.5 km from Crystal Sarovar Premiere Agra, while Jama Masjid is 2.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Agra Airport, 10 km from the property. The Agra Railway Station is 7 km. Hotel Offers 136 Rooms. It also offers rooms with a view of Taj Mahal
Double Tree by Hilton Agra
Double Tree by Hilton, Agra is located in Agra. Free WiFi access is available in the public areas of the property. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre and a fitness centre. Each air-conditioned room here will provide you with a satellite TV, a seating area and a minibar. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and slippers. At Double Tree by Hilton, Agra you will find a 24-hour front desk and a bar. Other facilities offered at the property include luggage storage. The property offers free parking. The hotel is within 4.5 km from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Ram Bagh Bus Station and the Agra Airport are 9.5 km away while the Agra Cantonment Railway Station is 16 km away. Dining option includes North27, an all-day dining restaurant, Kebab-e-que, an exclusive Indian restaurant and the Food Store, an all-day café and deli. Taj Ganj is a great choice for travellers interested in architecture, scenery and ancient landmarks. Hotel offers 104 Rooms
Four Points by Sheraton Agra
Four Points by Sheraton Agra is located in Agra. Free WiFi access is available. The famous and magnificent Taj Mahal is just 2 km away. It offers an outdoor pool and a restaurant. Each room here will provide you with a minibar. Featuring a bath or shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and bathrobes. You can enjoy city view from the room. Extras include bed linen and ironing facilities. At Four Points by Sheraton Agra you will find a fitness centre. Other facilities offered at the property include luggage storage. The hotel is 4.5 km from Agra Fort and 44 km from Fatehpur Sikri. The Agra Cantonment Railway Station is 7 km away, ISBT Bus Station is 9 km and the Indira Gandhi International Airport is 265 km away. Dining options include Oasis, an all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant, Stop by Henry's, a lounge bar where alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and The Roof Top where guests can enjoy sumptuous grilled option with a view of the Taj Mahal. Hotel offers 165 Rooms
Courtyard by Marriott – Agra
Courtyard Marriott Agra is located in Agra. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the iconic Taj Mahal is 3.8 km. It Offer's an outdoor swimming pool. Each air-conditioned room here will provide you with a flat-screen satellite TV and a minibar. Featuring a bath or shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and bathrobes. At Courtyard Marriott Agra you will find a 24-hour front desk and a bar. Other facilities offered at the property include luggage storage. The hotel is 6.3 km from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Agra Fort, 10.5 km from the Mehtab Bagh and Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. The Agra Cantonment Railway Station is 8.4 km and the Agra Airport is 1.9 km away. The in-house restaurant serves a selection of Indian and International delights. Hotel Offers 194 Rooms
Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport
Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport features an outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness centre and a Lea Spa and Salon. The hotel is well connected via the national highway and metro, which makes traveling to Gurgaon, South & Central Delhi simple. The DLF Emporio is 5 km away and MG Road and the Select City Walk are 8 km away. The property is 3 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport, 7 km from the Business District of Gurgaon and 18 km from New Delhi Railway Station. The India Gate is 16 km away while Red Fort is 22 km away. Equipped with triple-glazed windows for a peaceful sleep, the rooms here provide you with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and an iPod dock. Featuring a shower, private bathrooms also come with a hairdryer and free premium Biotique toiletries. Wired internet is available in the rooms. At Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport you will find a 24-hour reception, sauna and massage parlour. Other facilities offered include 7 meeting rooms and 1 board room. The capacity of meeting rooms varies from 12 to 400 while the board room has a capacity of 10. Dining options include Viva, an all-day dining restaurant where breakfast is served from 8:30 to 10:30. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at Viva Deli. Hangar Bar serves refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Room service is available. Hotel offers 265 Rooms categorized under Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Suites
The Lalit – New Delhi
Set in a grand building in bustling Connaught Place, The LALIT New Delhi welcomes guests with its full spa and outdoor pool. It offers an extensive range of 7 dining options, including some 24-hour ones. The Lalit is a 10-minute drive from New Delhi Railway Station, while Indira Gandhi International Airport is 24 km away. Spacious, soundproofed rooms offer subtle touches of Indian culture. Generously furnished with a flat-screen TV and DVD player, some rooms offer an iPod dock. An electric kettle and a minibar are provided in each room. Iron and ironing board can be requested. Guests can experience Ayurvedic and natural therapies at Rejuve spa, or opt for a work out in the fitness centre. Other facilities include a business centre, free private parking and The LaLit Galleria, which features a variety of shops. Dining options include Baluchi Indian restaurant and Woks Chinese restaurant. 24/7 Restaurant and Bar are open all day everyday for dining convenience. The hotel also has a 24-hour pastry shop for sweet cravings. Hotel offers 461 Rooms categorized under Deluxe Rooms , Premier Rooms , Executive Club, Suites
The Metropolitan – New Delhi
The Metropolitan Hotel New Delhi is 5-minute drive from Connaught Place, It features an outdoor pool and 3 dining options. Situated in New Delhi's city centre, it also offers a fitness centre and spa. The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa is 1 km from New Delhi Railway Station, 500 m from Airport Express Metro Station (Shivaji Stadium) and 15 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport. Stylish air-conditioned rooms feature Indian motifs. Equipped with an iron and a flat-screen TV with cable channels, they also come with a minibar. Private bathrooms feature bath and shower facilities and a hairdryer. Guests can check e-mails at the business centre or relax at the full-service NeoVeda Spa, which offers massage services and a steam room. There is also a shop selling a range of items including hand-woven scarves, an assortment of teas and aromatherapy oils. Sakura Restaurant serves Japanese dishes, while Chutney Bar + Tandoor Restaurant offers Indian delights. The pool-side Zing Restaurant offers international fare and is open round-the-clock. In-room dining is possible. Hotel has 178 Rooms Divided in the Category of Deluxe , Club and Executive Suites.
Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida
A luxurious escape in the busy business district of Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida offers an outdoor pool, pampering spa services and a gym. Spacious and modern rooms come with a flat-screen TV and pillow menu. Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida is only 500 m from Mayur Vihar Metro Station and a 20-minute drive from the commercial hub of Noida. Shopping at Connaught Place in Delhi's city centre is a 25-minute drive away. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 25 km and Noida Sector 62 is 15 km. The beautiful Akshardham Temple is 2 km and New Delhi Railway Station is 13 km. Elegantly decorated, the air-conditioned rooms feature soft carpeted flooring and clear large windows which overlook the city. Be pampered with 300-thread-count bedsheets, fluffy bathrobes and a healthy room service menu. Bathrooms have a separate bathtub and walk-in rainshower. There is also a well-equipped 24-hour business centre and luggage storage service. On-site shops include a florist, tailor and souvenir shop. Enjoy delicious all-day dining at Infinity and savor mouthwatering Hotel has 160 Rooms.
The Suryaa – New Delhi
The Suryaa New Delhi is located in the New Friends Colony, about 22 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport. It offers an outdoor pool. Rooms at New Delhi Suryaa feature modern décor and flat-screen satellite TVs. Tea/coffee making facilities and a minibar can be found in all rooms. Ample work space and private bathrooms are included. The New Delhi Spa features spa bath tubs, a sauna and relaxing massage services. Guests can exercise at the fully equipped fitness centre. The Suryaa also provides a beauty salon and florist. Dining options at Suryaa include fine Indian dining as well as 24-hour international cuisine. There is also a rooftop Chinese restaurant and a pastry shop. Drinks can be enjoyed at the Lounge Bar. The Suryaa New Delhi is 14 km from Delhi's Domestic Airport. Hotel has 244 Rooms.
Hi Rajiv I just wanted write and thank you for putting together such a fantastic holiday in India. In particular, the family would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Rishi (I think this is how you spell his name). He was our driver from Delhi all the way to Udaipur. He was kind and totally responsive to our needs, sharing his knowledge about the areas we visited and India in general. He was so flexible that he was a joy to spend so much time with. Please pass on our thanks to him…
Mrs Anne Rachel Bilham, Mr Michael John Bilham, Mr Peter Bartholomew Bilham, Mr Charles Patrick Bilham
Hello Rajiv, I wanted to write to you say what an amazing holiday we have just had in Kerela. The organisation was outstanding, everything was planned very well. we were met at every point of the journey by your representatives. This makes for a very relaxed holiday knowing that everything is being taken care of. The guides were knowledgable and very nice people to spend time with. I must point out that the lady who guided us in Cochin was excellent. This leads me to Robert our driver – he …
Mrs and Mr Toker
Dear Rajiv and Gouri, I am safely returned from my month in India in one piece. The trip was fantastic all round and very well organised, with all the agents / drivers / guides in the right place at the right time etc and of a high standard. The itinerary certainly afforded a wide cross section of different places in the country, and has wetted my appetite to go back and explore again, perhaps in more detail in some areas. I particularly enjoyed the Heritage hotels, the most interesting…
Mr Stephen Edwards
We just returned back from the Maharajas Express Train Journey and this is what she has to say. The perfect way to see a large part of India without the packing and unpacking and of course "the traffic". Just returned from a fabulous trip, thank you Rajiv for arranging all of the finer details of a once in a lifetime trip
Mrs Linda Langrish


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The Hopper
On the Links
Jason Ellis Selected to Assist with Ryder Cup
By: Caroline Schweitzer
Jason Ellis, Superintendent at the Villages at Country Creek in Estero, Fla., is headed to France this September to assist with the Ryder Cup. He was one of 10 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSSA) members selected to join the 2018 Ryder Cup Turf Maintenance Team at Le Golf National in Paris.
"The Ryder Cup is one of the grandest stages in golf, with 24 of the best players in the world in a patriotic, highly competitive atmosphere. It will be an honor and I look forward to the experience," Ellis said. "I can take this opportunity to translate some of the knowledge I glean and bring it back to Country Creek."
There are 20 members of the overall maintenance team; the other 10 are from the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Association (FEGGA). The international team of golf superintendents will prepare the course for the Ryder Cup and perform various tasks associated with the tournament. The biennial Cup involves highly competitive matches between a team of golfers representing the U.S. and a team representing Europe, all taking place Sept. 28-30. The maintenance team will also work closely with the R&A (Royal and Ancient), which helps govern the rules of golf alongside USGA.
Ellis was chosen out of 374 eligible individuals from the GCSAA to be a part of this international Turf Maintenance Team. Class A, B, and C members who met certain requirements were eligible to apply. To be considered, applicants had to be members of their respective professional association for at least two years and have at least three years of experience working for a golf course.
The team was created by Martin Sternberg, CGCS, and Alejandro Reyes, golf courses and estates manager at Le Golf National. The pair asked GCSAA to help select the team. The committee consisted of current board member Jeff L. White, CGCS (chairman) and past presidents Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, and Peter J. Grass, CGCS. The maintenance team will receive flights from New York to Paris, housing, meals, uniforms, and personal development opportunities.
This incredible experience will give greenkeepers the unique opportunity to be a part of golf's most prominent event, one of the largest sporting affairs in the world. Ellis and the other 19 GCSAA and FEGGA maintenance team members will ultimately be able to create exceptional playing conditions for the world's top 24 professional American and European golfers.
Congratulations, Jason!
St. Johns Golf & Country Club to Complete Clubhouse Renovation and Expansion
Jan 16 09:22 AM
Indian River Preserve Golf Club Hires Director of Food & Beverage
Jan 3 02:55 PM
Kenton County Golf Courses Appoint New General Manager and Superintendent
Dec 20 03:08 PM
Billy Casper Golf Named Management Partner for English Turn Golf and Country Club
Dec 18 09:28 AM
Billy Casper Golf Selected to Manage Kenton County Golf Courses
Nov 27 01:15 PM
by Dan Wooters
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The Way Home: Pelecanos Strikes Again
Having read The Sweet Forever (see the entry for April 1st) I was delighted to stumble on another crime novel by George Pelecanos. It is a recent piece of work, published in 2008, whereas The Sweet Forever dates from some ten years earlier.¶ Once again it deals with the consequences of stumbling on a substantial cache of money belonging to some very unpleasant people. Beyond that, though, The Way Home could hardly be more different than its predecessor. ¶ Its depiction of incarceration is remarkable, enlightening, and refreshingly free of cliche. And I loved the scene where the old guard nicknamed Shawshank calls to task the troubled-teen-fiction novelist who has come to condescendingly lecture to the inmates; he shows up the guy's work as a meretricious string of clichés. ¶ Once again the story is set in Washington DC, a locale which Pelecanos deftly and vividly brings to life. Chandler had Los Angeles, George V. Higgins had Boston. Pel ecanos has Washington. It's a highly accomplished novel. ¶ Whereas The Sweet Forever had a ragged, badass vibe, The Way Home possesses a smooth cool precision. It also features some magnificently drawn bad guys. ¶ In the ten years between the two books, Pelecanos has clearly advanced as a writer — which is to take nothing away from The Sweet Forever, which I loved. And, like the earlier book, The Way Home moves grippingly towards a hellish and brutal climax. I couldn't put it down. ¶ My only grouse? Of course, there has to be one: the boring, generic crime novel cover art on the UK edition. This was a let down after the terrific graphics which adorned my copy of The Sweet Forever. ¶ Anyway, I'm now actively looking for anything Pelecanos has written, and I advice you to do the same. ¶ (The splendid portrait of Pelecanos is by April Saul / Getty Images and accompanies an interview with Pelecanos in the Los Angeles Times. Click on the image to go to it.)
Quality Crime Fiction — The Sweet Forever by George Pelecanos
To be truthful, I picked up this novel simply because I liked the cover art. A crime thriller with an LP on the front is right up my street. But then I filed the book away on a shelf and only picked it up again recently because I needed something to read on public transport, and it would fit in my jacket pocket. Little did I know. Now I wish I'd picked it up years ago. It's superb. ¶ Pelecanos's writing brings to mind the great WR Burnett. In fact, it brings to mind Chester Himes rewritten by WR Burnett. It has the intense, vivid low lifes and street culture of Himes. But it's also a well organised and convincingly authentic thriller, like Burnett wrote. In other words, fantastic stuff. ¶ Its apocalyptic climax also calls to mind James Ellroy's LA Confidential, at least in the screen adaptation by Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland. ¶ Set in Washington in the late 1980s, it turns out that The Sweet Forever is the third book in a sequence called the DC Quartet. I'm now going to be checking out the other titles in the series. Indeed, anything else written by Pelecanos has now got my full attention. ¶ The Sweet Forever begins with Eddie Golden, something of a loser of an appliance installer, lucking into a bag of drugs money. If you can call that luck. Eddie isn't really avaricious. He just wants to impress his girlfriend Donna. But the people Eddie has ripped off (and they definitely see it as being ripped off) are very nasty indeed. And you soon have a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach that bad things are going to happen. And they turn out to be worse than you could imagine. ¶ One of the virtues of Pelecanos is his great, often faultless, dialogue. He has a wonderful ear. No wonder he was snapped up to write scripts for The Wire (and The Pacific). But his ability as a novelist is beyond question. He writes tight, evocative prose. And he can certainly make you wince. ¶ In the early sections of The Sweet Forever I was rather at sea, though. There's this issue about names. Pelecanos has a lot of characters, and he throws them at you all at once. I found there were too many people with too many names. Sometimes he'd refer to a character by his first name, sometimes by the last name. ¶ I was once reading a novel by Robert Ferrigno, another terrific American crime novelist. I reached the violent climax of the book and suddenly froze. I had to flip back 50 pages to work out who the hell he was talking about. It turned out that a character who'd been referred to by their surname for virtually the entire novel was suddenly being called by their first name (or vice versa). Needless to say, the slam bang ending was somewhat compromised. Clear, memorable and unambiguous naming of characters matters. ¶ Back to Pelecanos and The Sweet Forever. I don't want to make a major beef about this, but for this reader there were some confusingly similar names. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I give you Anthony Taylor and Alan Rogers. And Marcus Clay and Clarence Tate. My brain, at least, tended to short circuit on these. And there were not enough nicknames or simple memory hooks. Anthony Taylor begins promisingly as the Kid in the Raiders Jacket and for my money should have remained as such. ¶ Ironically these problems pretty much vanish in screenwriting – the eye can immediately recognise the characters, the mind can sort them out, and the audience can get on with enjoying the story. Still more ironically, the same problem rear up even more seriously in the screenplay itself, where it's absolutely crucial for the reader (often a bored script executive) to remember who everybody is, and not be confused. Vivid names and designations are crucial. The Kid in the Raiders Jacket would stay that in a script. ¶ Pelecanos is big on sport, basketball in particular which adds a layer of authenticity to the story. Although it left this reader cold, it helps to define the time and place and characters. ¶ Speaking of sport, Pelecanos also occasionally passes around the viewpoint of his characters like a basketball. Initially this was jarring to me. I like to stick with one character's point of view, and if a change is necessary I like it to start with a new chapter. Not instantly knowing whose viewpoint is telling the story can lead to rapid dissipation of reader empathy. But as I grew familiar with Pelecanos's characters and was gripped by his story (and boy, is it gripping) any such concerns fell away. This book is a n engrossing read. ¶ As with the sport, there is a lot of talk about the popular music of the period. Just about the only recording artist among these that I could stomach is Prince. But that isn't the point. Discussion of the music scene brings the period to life, even if we can't stand the songs, fashions or haircuts any more. ¶ The Sweet Forever is compelling and readable and completely delivers the goods. Near the end, as the shit hits the fan and the drug killings start, it suddenly introduces a host of new characters. I gather these are Pelecanos regulars from his other books. Readers familiar with them won't have any problems. But for a novice like me, the abrupt appearance of important new characters who are crucial to the climax is jarring. ¶ A classic example of this is Peter Driscoll's The Wilby Conspiracy, a terrific thriller set in Apartheid South Africa concerning a cache of diamonds. It's a memorable, well written action novel and I recommend it most highly. But on page 225 (of 256) a major new character is introduced and plays an important part in the climax. No screenwriter would be allowed to get away with that. ¶ But even the late introduction of Nick Stefanos (about whom Pelecanos has written a series of novels) and Vietnam vet Adamson can't slow down or diminish the explosive climax of The Sweet Forever. Stunning. ¶ The great cover art, which set the whole ball rolling for me, is credited simply to Keenan. I am going to confidently assert this is Jamie Keenan. With my fingers firmly crossed.
Quality Crime Fiction — The Sweet Forever by Georg...


The force: the essence of the great John Coltrane that so many musicians and fans have drawn inspiration from—its roots in the blues, swing, spirituality and exploration. Italian saxophonist Carla Marciano has been heavily influenced by it and channels that energy into her own music where she's well known for her awe-inspiring chops as witnessed on the Black Saint releases—Trane's Groove (2002), A Strange Day (2005), and here on A Change of Mood. As Star Wars' Yoda might say, "The force is strong in this one."
With her excellent working quartet, pianist Alessandro La Corte, bassist Aldo Vigorito and drummer Gaetano Fasano, the music is true to the post-Coltrane bop sound but, as the title implies, there is some change in Marciano's direction. The opening salvo "Hypnotic Touch" is typical Trane-sounding—hard swing, modal to the bone, free solos and Marciano playing alto like a hummingbird on straight nectar. But the change is most notable in the title, a wonderful composition that glides then gradually intensifies with smooth exchanges from bass to piano to Marciano's soaring sopranino. This new airiness is found in "Sunday Morning," with nice spots from La Corte and Vigorito as Fasano massages the timing.
"Blues At 2 PM" is undeniable, the band in total sync with Marciano's purity of tone—acrid, coarse and heartfelt. Tracks such as "Red Blossom" are a little nostalgic; reminiscent of time-weathered standards, but Maricano's playing (careful phasing and playfulness) is simply without reproach.
To swing or not to swing (like Trane); that is the question for Marciano. The force is in her sax-blood. Can she deny it; probably not. Though it would have been nice to hear more music such as the title, the recording is not diminished one iota. It's a further example of one of today's strongest female saxophonists coming into her own. Here's hoping there are more surprises from Marciano in the near future.
Track Listing: Hypnotic Touch; Change Of Mood; In Front of My Eyes; Unaware; Podgorica Bridge; Blues at 2 PM; Sunday Morning; Red Blossom.
Personnel: Carla Marciano: alto saxophone, sopranino saxophone; Alessandro La Corte: piano; Aldo Vigorito: bass; Gaetano Fasano: drums.