My Favorite Places Some places on earth just happen to stand out, and my favorite holiday destination is one of them. It is called the Mount Kenya Safari Club. It is situated in the Kenyan Central Highlands. The Highlands, also called “upcountry” is a very green and fertile area where farmers grow all kinds of crops including coffee beans and tea leaves. I thoroughly enjoyed the drive upcountry where we got to see breathtaking views of mountains and valleys. The highlands area sits exactly on the equator. When you reach the equator you can literally put one foot on the Southern Hemisphere and the other on the Northern Hemisphere. It is also possible to make some experiments by putting a wooden stick in a bowl of water that spins clockwise if in the North and anti-clockwise in the South. If the bowl of water is exactly on the line of the equator, the stick stays still. The Mount Kenya Safari Club was built in the 1950’s by a group of white settlers including the late actor William Holden. It is considered to be one of the most exclusive properties in Africa. Facilities available include golf, tennis, swimming in a heated pool, fishing and a small wildlife sanctuary. Celebrities who stayed at the Mount Kenya Safari Club include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jane Fonda. It has also been the scene of some movies including ‘Out of Africa’. The most magical place I’ve ever been to is, by far, Yemen. I was just 8 years old when I first visited this place and I was taken aback by the beauty of its picturesque mountains and lush green valleys and the architecture of its stone-built homes in Sana’a and Aden. Yemen has a very rich history as it is one of the oldest inhabited regions in the world, as the history of mankind is said to have begun in Yemen. This is the land where King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba are said to have met. It is also said that Sham, son of Noah, is the founder of the city of Sana’a. The people of Yemen are nice and hospitable and it’s literally possible to be invited to strangers’ houses without them expecting anything in return. One of the most magical views which has stayed in my mind is the island of Soqotra which is located just off the tip of the Horn of Africa (almost 1000kms from Aden). With an estimated 80,000 inhabitants, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world and is considered a botanist’s paradise. It has over 800 plant species and the mountains are filled with green and the sea is a bright baby blue. Its beaches have comforting white sand and a cool breeze. The view of the bright blue sky is amazing as you see hundreds of seagulls and other birds soaring away into the distance. Among Soqotra’s many rare plant species is the ‘dam al akhwayn’ (dragon blood tree). It is a very strange looking tree as it has a bush of spikes on top. It also has red sap and was considered the dragon blood of the ancients which was later used as medicine and dye. The dragon blood tree is now the symbol of Soqotra. My favourite place is the place of my friend family reunions - Muscat. I go most often during Eid and other special events such as weddings and engagement parties. I always look forward to visit the most interesting place in Muscat which is the old port area. Here, you can see traditional dhows sailing in and out, off-loading all sorts of things from spices and garments to exotic fruits. Nearby is the fisherman’s port where small fishing boats arrive with their catch of the day to be sold in a nearby fish market. Another interesting place in Muscat is the Muttrah fort where all people can visit if they wish to. This was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. There are two more forts where you can also get a good glimpse of the Sultan’s palace. These forts are still being used by the military and police but are not for tourists to visit. The souk of Muttrah is another very interesting and traditional place to visit – with small alleys. Shops sell gold, handicrafts, silverware, clothes and other priceless things. It is a special place steeped in history. During my visits to Muscat I have an enjoyable time with my cousins. In the evenings we all gather around my grandfather who tells us stories about all the things that happened in Uganda during the Idi Amin regime. A tall, broad-shouldered man, he enjoys scaring my little cousins by removing his dentures and showing that he has no teeth! Despite his size, he is a very soft-hearted person and cannot stand any violence. During meal times (most often barbeques) we are served with very delicious meals (prepared by my late grandmother). Meals are often followed by dances, more story-telling and jokes told by my cousins with the most amazing sense of humour. Muscat will always be my favourite place because of the strong family bond. It is a place where I feel showered with a lot of love and care... Many thinking to all Quite regards Kamran hussain Faris +9715084578202
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:00:29 +0000
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