The destructive power of tsunami and volcanoes in Indonesia

With its incredible diversity, India is a feast for the senses for people around the world, with its colour, character, philosophy and organised chaos.

Bali Indonesia

 

 gili trawangan Indonesia

banda acehs  mosque Indonesia

 archipelago Indonesia

 Indonesia

 mosque Indonesia

 Temple in  Indonesia
The largest archipelago in the world with about 18,000 islands, Indonesia stretches along the equator for more than 5,000 km. Almost 60% of Indonesia's land is forested and it has more than 500 volcanoes - 12% of which are still active! The fourth most heavily populated country in the world after China, India and the United States with close to 250 million people, comprising some 300 ethnic groups who speak an estimated 600 languages and dialects.

Java volcano

Java volcano  Eruption

 Java volcano eruption Indonesia

 Java volcano lava

It's a massive country, spread over thousands of kilometres. So like India, yet so unlike India, with its endless islands forming a chain along the equator.
Bali, appropriately called 'the island of the gods' is an excellent example of the religious and cultural diversity which exists in Indonesia, and consists predominantly of Hindu communities. By contrast the island of Java, where the capital Jakarta is located, is predominantly Muslim and the island of Flores (where we headed to later in our trip) is mostly Christian.
Indonesia to me was a slightly incomprehensible mix of a remarkably beautiful tropical paradise and danger; with communal troubles and civil disturbances, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes.

 tsunami

The destructive power of   tsunami  Indonesia

 tsunami

 destructive tsunami
On December 26, 2004 a magnitude 9.3 earthquake shook the subduction zone along the India and Burma plates in the Indian Ocean, sending multiple walls of water--some as high as a hundred feet--racing toward Sumatra, Indonesia at a rate of nearly 600 miles per hour. The tsunami, which struck land, took the lives of more than 225,000 people and caused still-inestimable economic damage to the region. Survivors interviewed following the disaster almost unanimously relayed the same grim tale: minutes before the tsunami hit the animals were spooked and flighty and the beach water receded dramatically. Ignorantly, many people treated the receding waters as a spectacle and looked at the situation as an opportunity to venture out and collect stranded fish and shells. They were to learn too late the awesome gravity of the situation.

 after tsunami

  after tsunami Indonesia

 The destructive force tsunami

 The destructive tsunami

Sex and the City Character Inspiration: Carrie Bradshaw

Today's the big day, and no, we don't mean Jen's birthday (even though it is..)!!  We mean, the big day for the Sex and the City movie and of course we have saved the best character inspiration for last!  Here is a fashion look book inspired by Sex and the City's most famous character, the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw! Carrie is the center of our Sex and the City universe, and her 6 years on the small screen have transformed her into a bona fide fashion icon. A little bit quirky, a little bit crazy, and definitely a little bit sexy, Carrie is the most daring of the group, always trying (and starting) new trends. No heel is too high for this fashionista, no trend too bizarre (she rocked a fanny pack, remember?), no flower too large... Carrie is truly a fashion legend. Here are our suggestions on how to dress up like Ms. Bradshaw aka Mrs. John Preston:

Shimmering and dramatic, this Grecian style, one-shouldered dress is something only the daring fashionista can pull of. Backless and super short, this is definitely a dress that someone with a small frame like Carrie can wear without feeling too overwhelmed. 

Carrie's nameplate necklace was her signature piece on the show, and even played a small role in the series finale. Get your own name necklace, in gold or silver, from My Name Necklace, and always stay true to yourself.

Sometimes Carrie's wardrobe can be a bit outrageous, and other times it can be drop dead sexy. To go with the latter, we suggest this fabulous sequined pencil dress by Karen Millen. Just throw on a pair of sky high heels and Mr. Big will be eating out of the palm of your hands.

We can just picture Carrie romping around Manhattan in this grey, open back playsuit by Kate Moss. With a sky high ponytail, some killer sandals, and gold bangles, our girl is ready to strut her stuff.

Of course, in order to strut your stuff then you need a pair of shoes that will live up to the hype. These Badgley Mischka sandals are outrageous and romantic, just like our leading lady, and are much more affordable than Carrie's staple Manolos.

Bonjour! Carrie was all about stripes and bows when she went to Paris a few years back, and she looked effortlessly chic. To mimic Ms. Bradshaw's Parisian style, throw on this striped mini dress available at Mod Cloth, add in a bright colorful belt, heels, a ton of bangles, and don't forget to curl your hair!

and, of course, one of Carrie's most iconic looks is her cupcake skirt worn in the opening credits. While not as poofy, this ruffled skirt by American Apparel is a bit more user friendly, and still manages to create that perfect balance of cute and crazy.

Time to get Carried away, dolls!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

The Great Falls "diamond in the rough"

The Great Falls of the Passaic River, located just 12 miles from New York City in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, is a not only spectacular natural attraction in the nation’s most populous state, it also gained historical significance in the early stages of the American industrial Revolution by supplying water power to the nation’s first manufacturing center. The falls now 77 feet high, emerged approximately 13,000 years ago the end of the ice age. As the glaciers ice melted, the Passaic River swelled and rerouted it's way around the north end of the Watchung Mountains, carving out the spectacular falls from the basalt base.
Early habitation of the surrounding falls began with the native Lenape Indians, followed by Dutch settlers in the in the 17th century.

 The Great Falls of the Passaic River

 The Great Falls

the Passaic River

 The Great Falls of the Passaic River  New Jersey

The Great Falls "diamond in the rough"

The Great Falls and the American Industrial Revolution

The Falls also has a place in history with the American Industrial Revolution as one of the nation’s first manufacturing centers that benefited from the falls water source to generate power to run mills that manufactured locomotives, guns, silk, and aircraft engines.

The Great Falls  winter

 

The Great Falls  winter 1

The Great Falls of the Passaic River winter

In 1778, after visiting the Falls Alexander Hamilton, first realized the water power potential for industrial development and when he later became the country's first treasury secretary, he spearheaded the development of the nation's first planned industrial city.
Two manufactures of prominence, The Rogers Locomotive Works and Colt, where the first Colt .45 revolvers were produced, benefited by the water power from the falls.

 The Passaic River

The Passaic River is prone to flooding from heavy rainfall or snow-melt, and during those periods of flooding, the Falls is at its best as an awesome sight with the tremendous down pouring of water cascading over the falls.
In the second week of April, 2007, 8 inches of rain drenched the area and produced the "Great Flood" that flowed down the Passaic River and over the Falls.
The Great Falls - A National Historic Park
In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the legislation making The Great Falls and its surrounding 35 acres a National Park. This legislation now provides protection and increased funding to the park.

 The Great Falls - A National Historic Park

 The Great Falls - A National Historic Park 1

 The Great Falls  National  Park

The Falls is a natural "diamond in the rough" and the foundation of America’s economic development. A master plan or design vision has been developed for the recovery of the Great Falls, the surrounding area, and historical industrial sites, to create and orderly plan to integrate them into one spectacular new public space. This new integrated public park is intended to commemorate the Great Falls and its place in the history of the American Revolution while preserving the viewing and natural beauty of the Great Falls.
Best Place to View The Falls
The falls can best be viewed from three spots; Hamilton Park on the south, from the bridge down river from the falls, and Overlook Park on the north.
Great Falls Historic District Visitor Center
Located across from the Falls, The Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center is a great place to learn about the history and many of the initiatives underway to develop the area.

Miss Globe India Kashmira Shas

Kashmira Shah has made the move from item girl to "it" girl. People first saw her in Yes Boss, recognised her after Vaastav and loved her because of Jungle. These are the three landmarks in her career. In 1993 she won the 'Miss World University India' and went on to national contest in South Korea and won the 'Miss Talent award'. In 1995 Inaugurated the 'Miss Globe' and was 'Miss Globe India'. Resulted in Best National Costume award and was in the top 5.
At the age of 16 she had decided that she will enter the world of Film Industry. She announced in her family about this and all hell broke loose. Her mother and her grandmother are classical singer and they wanted her, to join them. So Kashmera and her mum, who supports her walked out of their matriarchal family "With just Rs 250 in their pocket." Kashmira was only 16 and obviously it wasn't easy. She got a portfolio shot and just went out and started meeting people. She had no contracts. It was a struggle but she knew she had burnt the bridges behind her, so the only way was ahead.


Kashmira Shah  Miss World University India




She began to do catalogue work for Rs 500 an assignment. Sometime on a good day, She get Rs 750. Often she just wanted someone to tell her that she was not wrong in dreaming about her future. There were times when she felt very alone but never felt like giving up. All she knew was that she wanted to be an actress and would die trying.
And soon enough, she got her first break on the silver screen Yes Boss with Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.

 Kashmira Shas 4

 Kashmira Shas 3

 Kashmira Shas 2

Kashmira Shas 1

Till now she had done many films, theatres, item songs. Pyaat To Hona Hi Tha, Koi Kissi Se Kam Nahin, Saazish in which had done small role. In lead role she came in Dulhan Banoo Mein teri. She had done 2 plays also 'Meena Kumari' and 'Laila'. Done lead role in TV soaps "Baat Ban Jaaye" and "Saturday Suspence". In 2002 Lead Supporting Role in Janasheen.
Then her terrorist act in Jungle, seems to be gravitating towards baddie roles. She is going into the negative slot. She feel more comfortable with negative roles . Despite the success of Jungle, Kash did only item numbers in Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar in 2001.
Meanwhile, she's got some interesting local releases coming up. In Roshni, with Bikram Saluja, she is a desi Glenn Close (in Fatal Attraction). In Jhamu Sughand's System, she plays a mafia don, the film about the corrupt bureaucratic system which is being directed by debutant director Arvind then in Feroz Khan's next flicks, she's a bad-ass babe on a bike.
Kashmira Shas Miss Globe India