J.K.

Rowling goes Beyond the Epilogue

[Information from various sources including MSNBC and USA Today] J.K. Rowling has announced in new interviews with the Today show on NBC TV today (July 26) that the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was vague on purpose. She said it was her desire for it to be "nebulous," something "poetic," and that she wanted the readers to feel as if they were looking at Platform 9 3/4 through the mist, unable to make out exactly who was there and who was not. She admitted her original epilogue was "a lot more detailed," including the name of every child born to the Weasley clan in the past 19 years. For example, Victoire, who was snogging Teddy, Lupin and Tonks' son, is Bill and Fleur's eldest child. "But it didn't work very well as a piece of writing," J.K. said. "It felt very much that I had crowbarred in every bit of information I could ... In a novel you have to resist the urge to tell everything." But now that Book 7 is in our hands, J.K. no longer has to hold back any information about Harry Potter. With 14 fans crowded around her in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland earlier this week, J.K. has now told us the following exciting information: Harry, Ron and Hermione In the book, Voldemort meets his end and Harry lives. But J.K. said Harry's survival was not always a certainty. "In the early days, everything was up for grabs," she told USA Today. "But early on I knew I wanted Harry to believe he was walking toward his death, but would survive." The epilogue tells us that Harry marries Ginny and has three kids. J.K. explained that this created the family and the peace and calm that Harry never had as a child. An often asked question is what are Harry, Ron and Herione doing now? J.K. said that Harry, along with Ron, is working at the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic, and after all these years, Harry is now the department head. "Harry and Ron utterly revolutionized the Auror Department," Rowling said. "They are now the experts. It doesn't matter how old they are or what else they've done." Meanwhile, J.K. said that Hermione, Ron's wife, is "pretty high up" in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, despite the fact that she laughed at the idea of becoming a lawyer in the scene with Scrimgeour in Deathly Hallows. "I would imagine that her brainpower and her knowledge of how the Dark Arts operate would really give her a sound grounding," J.K. said. An important point for J.K. was that Harry, Ron and Hermione don't join the same Ministry of Magic they had been at odds with for years. In joining it, they revolutionize it and help evolve the Ministry into a "really good place to be." "They made a new world," Rowling said. Luna Lovegood Luna Lovegood, the eccentric Ravenclaw who was fascinated with Crumple-Horned Snorkacks and Umgubular Slashkilters, continues to march to the beat of her own drum after leaving Hogwarts. "I think that Luna is now traveling the world looking for various mad creatures," J.K. said. "She's a naturalist, whatever the wizarding equivalent of that is." But she isn't completely crazy. J.K. said that Luna comes to see the truth about her father, eventually acknowledging there are some creatures that don't exist. "But I do think that she's so open-minded and just an incredible person that she probably would be uncovering things that no one's ever seen before," Rowling said. Luna and Neville Longbottom? When she was first asked about the possibility of Luna hooking up with Neville Longbottom several years ago, Rowling's response was "Definitely not." But as time passed and she watched her characters mature, Rowling started to "feel a bit of a pull" between the unlikely pair. Ultimately, Rowling left the question of their relationship open at the end of the book because doing otherwise "felt too neat." Frank and Alice Longbottom J.K. told the fans that, sadly, there is no chance that Neville's parents, who were tortured into madness by Bellatrix and Rudolphus Lestrange, will ever leave St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies. "I know people really wanted some hope for that, and I can quite see why because, in a way, what happens to Neville's parents is even worse than what happened to Harry's parents," J.K. said. "The damage that is done, in some cases with very dark magic, is done permanently." However, she said Neville finds happiness in his grandmother's acceptance of him as a gifted wizard and as the new herbology professor at Hogwarts. Some lived, Some Died In earlier interviews, J.K. had said that there were was a character she claims she had intended to kill in book 5, "The Order of the Phoenix," but didn't. She admits now that character was Ron's dad, Arthur Weasley.

"He was the person who got a reprieve. When I sketched out the books, Mr. Weasley was due to die in Book Five. I swapped him for someone else, and I don't want to say who for the people who haven't read it. But I made a decision as I went into writing Phoenix that I was going to reprieve Mr. Weasley and I was going to kill someone else. And if you finish the book, I expect you probably know and someone else who is a father. I couldn't bear to kill him," J.K. said. But there were also two characters that died who J.K. had not originally planned to kill in the finale. She said, "Fred, Lupin and Tonks really caused me a lot of pain. Lupin and Tonks were two who werekilled who I had intended to keep alive. It's like an exchange of hostages, isn't it?" The future of Hogwarts J.K. said that "McGonagall was really getting on a bit," and nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts, there is an entirely new headmaster. Also, there is a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and that position is now as safe as the other teaching posts at Hogwarts, since Voldemort'sdeath broke the jinx that kept a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from remaining for more than a year. J.K. didn't clarify whether Harry, Ron and Hermione ever return to school to finish their seventh year, but she did say she could see Harry making an appearance every now and again to give the "odd talk" on Defense Against the Dark Arts. The Confusing Ending, and More Info To Come And for those readers who found chapter 34, when Harry enters the forrest to face Voldemort once and for all, difficult to read, J.K. said she understands. It was extremely difficult to write, she says -- the most difficult of all the chapters in the seven books. "I had this enormous explosion of emotion and I cried and cried and cried," she said. And while ending the series was also sad, it was also a bit of a relief. "It was this amazing cathartic moment the end of 17 years' work," Rowling said of finishing the series, adding that Harry will "always be a presence in my life, really." J.K. again confirmed she may eventually reveal more details in a Harry Potter encyclopedia, but even then, it will never be enough to satisfy the most ardent of her fans. "I'm dealing with a level of obsession in some of my fans that will not rest until they know the middle names of Harry's greatgreat-grandparents," she said. Not that she's discouraging the Potter devotion! "I love it," she said. "I'm all for that."

PAID POSTS- Marketing in Facebook

To those who take pride in a substantial friend count on Facebook, heres a possible shocker. How many of your friends do you think see your posts? A tech blogger estimated that a mere 12 per cent see your average status update. This was while Facebook was probably testing a paid feature to highlight posts only for the average Joe online. Today, your option to promote an important post comes with a small price tag of 437 rupees. This premium placement fee means that what you put out will be moved higher in your friends news feeds but will be marked sponsored. If newspapers can have power jacket advertisements and advertorials with captions that can be made to resemble headlines, if even cricket match telecasts can have commercial space between overs and sometimes even between balls, if airlines can have higher priced executive class seats and theatres have premium tickets, why cant the social media cash in on a business opportunity as well? Not quite. Newspapers, except the neighbourhood ones, are not free but based on subscriptions. And you pay for entertainment. Ditto for travel. Facebook, on the other hand, made a promise from its inception, that it is free and always will be. This is the tight rope that the social networking site now has to walk. What will happen to its sense of community? Shouldnt that take precedence over any potential revenue stream? Isnt this the basis for its very existence? Are there not ways to sugar coat the charges if they are that crucial? How about a couple of free promoted posts for regular users every month? No one expects Facebook to survive on love and fresh air. No one grudges its side panel advertisements. Or, sponsored content for business pages. Visibility of posts on your news feed will also hinge on how many friends we have. Less is more. More the friends, more the clutter that we would have to scroll down. Frankly, if Facebook is to control the placement of posts, should the thickness of a users wallet or the inclination to spend to tom tom, matter more than the creativity of the update? If the answer is a sheepish yes, then whats the message being sent out that content is not king? That commerce is?What does it take for the networking giant to periodically highlight the wittiest status updates? The subjects can be narrowed down to what is trending. It will most definitely create an added buzz and the competitive twist will make the interface more exciting.We must give Facebook credit for formulating absolutely water-tight advertising guidelines to ensure that critics dont get to quip lies, damn lies and posts! -Meera.S II BBA

THE PLATES BEHIND THE INDIAN MASKS: Change is the only thing that does not change. Human beings like change in everything. We are ready to make changes to everything in this world except our attitudes. We changed our clothes from sarees to skirts and pants, our language to English and even our skin tones. Lifestyle was left out, Globalisation changed that. Today, the rest of the world has such a great impact on us that adopting their way of life has become unavoidable. But still, we have given an Indian shade to everything. Our clothes, our lifestyle, even our food. We have made variations to everything according to our own tastes. We eat a lot of continental food, but we eat it the way we like it. How many of us know how tastier these dishes were? Pizza: The ancient Greeks used to cover their bread with oils, herbs and cheese. Little did they know that this innovation will travel all over the world and reach India to be topped with Tandoori chicken and paneer. The word pizza originates from Greek language. It means solid or clotted in Greek. Although pizza has its origin in Greece, it is because of Italy that it gained its popularit y. Modern pizza originates from Italy as the Neapolitan flatbread. This became a globally accessible dish in the late 20th century due to Italian immigrants. The delicious piece of bread topped with anything of ones choice and spiced up with exotic spices is an emerging fastfood in Indian urban areas. CONTRADICTIONS INSIDE A PIZZA: It is a fact that intake of antioxidant lycopene (which exists in Tomatoes) has a beneficial health effect. The European nutrition research on the eating habits of people with cancer of the mouth, esophagus, throat or colon showed those who ate pizza at least once a week had less chance of developing cancer. Dr. Silvano Gallus, of the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmaceutical Research in Milan, attributed it to lycopene offers protection against cancer. Carlo La Vecchia, a Milan based epidemiologist said, Pizza could simply be indicative of a lifestyle and food habits, in other words the Italian version of a Mediterranean diet. A traditional Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, fiber, vegetables, fruit, flour, and freshly cook ed food. In contrast to the traditional Italian pizza used in the research, popular pizza varieties in many parts of the world are often loaded with high fat cheeses and fatty meats, a high intake f which can contribute to obesity, itself a risk for cancer. PASTA: Pasta has become the favourite of Indians that different proprietary food companies have started earning huge profits by simplifying this staple food of traditional Italian cuisine into small packeted 5 minute pasta. Pasta is a type of noodle which is made from unleavened dough of a durum wheat flour formed into sheets or various shapes. It is cooked and served with delicious flavours like cheese, pepper, tomato. Pasta-Vista!! 1- Pasta has no cholesterol. 2- Pasta has a low Glycemic index- Glycemic index measures how quickly carbohydrates cause the blood serum sugar levels to rise. The blood sugar response rises depending on how quickly the carbohydrates are absorbed. Pasta has a low GI.Therefore; the carbohydrates in Pasta are absorbed slowly. 3- Pasta contains proteins comprising six out of nine essential amino acids. 4- Pasta contains considerable amount of minerals such as magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, selenium, and manganese. 5- Pasta is low in calories. 6- Pasta provides Niacin (Vitamin B3). Niacin converts carbohydrates into glucose, which produces energy for the body. 7- Pasta contains complex carbohydrates, which releases energy slowly compared to sugar, providing energy for longer. BLACK FOREST CAKE: It melts in your mouth while you are lost this dense black forest. The bittersweet chocolate shavings blended well with whipped cream and the sour cherries leave you longing for more. This delightful cake, decorated with additional whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings now rules the tables of birthday parties, weddings, engagements, and any other occasion. Black forest cake originated in Germany. Typically, this consisted of several layers of chocolate cake, with whipped cream and cherries between each layer. In some European traditions sour cherries are used both between the layers and for decorating the top. Traditionally, Kirscwasser (clear liquor from tart cherries) is added to the cake, although now other liquors are also used (such as rum, which is common now). Sources: www.wikipedia.com

LIFE BEHIND THE VIEWFINDER Vaishnavi Rajan (II- BBA)

The life of our human race has been trapped among the raucous honking of automobiles and the racket created by our gadgets and electronics. We have convinced ourselves that there lies no bigger pleasure than this artificially derived contentment. But once out of this tedious chaotic life and as you step into the hands of Mother Nature you realize the moment of bliss that has been missing in your life. In wildlife photography, the photographer must be ready for all scenarios because the action happening outside is not preset by man and cannot be altered by human hands. Its natural and unpredictable. The scene one experiences through the viewfinder is simple mind-blowing. The sizzling sun, which penetrates through the huge canopies of the trees on top of which the beautiful blend of the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds combine into a never forgetting melody. Adding to this, there is a background music created by the splashing of water in a nearby brook and the soft rustling of the wind accompanied by the buzzing of bees and the humming of wasps. If all these actions are around one, might as well enjoy the gift of nature and not eagerly search for a predator close by. But when you hear the monkeys chatting nervously and the deer cautiously giving out warning calls, then its time to get our hopes up for sighting a predator. Wildlife photography is a very productive hobby considerably, for it induces the senses inside a person making one stay alert and conscious at all times and also the level of patience increases and the stress level decreases. Its like meditation where on e gets a peace of mind by doing what they like. It also allows one to be creative. Experimenting is the key to better photography. So a photographer in general turns out to be filled with innovative ideas and creative pictures. Also in photography one should never compare ones photos with those of others for each picture is creative and useful in some way. Like the popular saying A photographer should be interested in only one picture, the one that he/she is currently clicking. There is never a bad photograph, its only incomplete. Photography is not difficult, but not everybody can be photographers, because to be a good photographer, one should enjoy what one is shooting and should believe in what one does. Never shoot what it looks like, instead shoot what it feels like, for only then would one feel the intensity that lies behind every mute picture. Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what appears to be. Personally, photography has given me some structure in life. The amount of preparation it takes to create a good photograph and the level of patience behind it has taught me to relate it with other aspects of life. Sometimes its nice to create a photograph and sometimes its better to sit back and enjoy the memories a good photograph can bring back.

A Word With Author Varun Agarwal

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/telling-it-all-as-it-is/article3582646.ece

ISHA PURKAYASTHA Idont want either my mom or any other mom to read my book. I dont think theyll take too kindly to the language I have used, Varun Agarwal says candidly, about his debut novelHow I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-founded a Million Dollar Company . Launched at Landmark, Bangalore, the book is the true life story of the young entrepreneur who ventured into e-commerce and co-founded the Alma Mater store with his friend, Rohn Malhotra. Host and popular singer Richa Paul describes the young authors style as conversational and amidst a dozen other popular Facebook references, uses the popular analogy of the-curtains-were-blue-simply-means-the-curtains-wereblue-and-nothing-more to praise Agarwals simplicity of writing. The book is no literary venture , but it is funny, quirky and inspirational. Agarwal achieves what he sets out to do he tells a story and tells it well. Im not a writer. Im only hoping that my story inspires others. I wrote this book to sell my company. I sent in a few of my blogs t o Rupa Publications and they asked me to send in a complete manuscript. That meant undertaking the mammoth task of writing 50,000 words; I have never written anything longer than 500 words before. Agarwals book is interesting because his is a story of an idea that took off. Finding engineering abhorrent, he went off to do exactly what he wanted to do and was successful. He uses resources that everyone has access to his book is as often a tribute to Justdial and Google as it is a story of personal travails and obstacles. He even found his publisher on Google! Readable and absorbing, the book appeals to anyone who has grown up in 21{+s}{+t}century Bangalore. His story humorously details the life of an average upper-middle class teenager in Bangalore who strove to make his dreams come true. Frequenting tea-stalls, bars and restaurants that the rest of us have grown up visiting, and frustrated by obstacles in love that are familiar to us, Varuns life is one that has romantic associations. It is, in short, a detailing of the lives that we have lived and loved. No author influenced my writing; any author would be embarrassed to claim that he was my inspiration, given my writing. However, The Old Man and the Sea gave me the push I was looking for and Roald Dahls humour inspired

my thoughts. Agarwals honesty endeared him to the audience, in a launch which was informal and interspersed with bouts of laughter. On being asked about Anu Aunty, Agarwal diplomatically steers clear of personal references and says: Anu Aunty is that one person in every kids life whose ambition is to make his life miserable by poking her nose where it doesnt belong. Passionate about film-making and story-telling, he attributes his creativity to the encouragement of his friends. The designated story-teller amongst his group of friends, he was notorious for introducing the element of Bollywood into his stories. The Bollywood remains in his novel and for that, he has none other than his mother to thank. Shed shed the token tear every time I failed an exam, he says. Ive practically revealed all my trade secrets. It doesnt irk me because I want to prove to the world that an average engineering student with no MBA can go on to become an entrepreneur, if he has the determination and a great idea. There is talk about making the book into a motion picture, but Agarwal doesnt go into that. He only says that the book can be made into a movie only if he were allowed to direct. His second book is also underway, but he is still to live the story he is writing.

FASHION A FUSION H.AKSHAYA, II BCOM CA A good personal appearance is achieved by using the means that a civilization offers. Now there is a growing influence of western culture on the college-going girls. Although trousers and tops are distinctively English, they are now being worn by people all over the world and are most popular among college girls. Fashion according to students is a fusion of the past and the present. They dress up with particular colours for every season. For instance the colours for this season are bright tones. Besides western outfits, the style of the 60s is also being seen again. Leggings were used way back in the 60s. Now, a full lengthened bright coloured leggings with a kurti top slightly above or below the knee is the latest trend. A modern top which is lengthened till the mid thighs are also worn. Coloured pants worn in the 80s, the evergreen era are back now. Coloured pants with tees is a perfect style to go on for any occasion. A trendy netted tops for those coloured pants is the latest fashion. The present fashion trends compliments todays lifestyle with economy, comfort, simplicity and style. Checks and plaids are also popularly seen these days. Coming to style simple cuts are in while frills are out. It is becoming more and more difficult to predict the future trends. Fashion, now, is nothing but a fusion of the past and present which is evergreen.

Key to longevity: one cup of tea

By ANI |

London, Sept. 25 (ANI): Researchers have revealed that a single cup of tea could potentially make you live longer, by fighting against diseases, strengthening teeth and even helping you shed a few kilos. According to the British Dietetic Association and Nutrition Foundation, tea is a natural hydrator and it's full of health promoting antioxidants, the Daily Express reported. Dr Tim Bond, from the Tea Advisory Panel, said that tea is a potent source of antioxidants called flavonoids that act as protectors against any illness. Bond asserted that drinking green tea can speed up your metabolism a little and help inhibit fat absorption. Additionally, tea is a natural source of fluoride, which protects teeth from decay and helps keep bones strong. Tea also lowers risk of many heart diseases, cognitive decline, prostate and oral cancer. (ANI) Contributed by : Dhivya.B http://www.aninews.in/newsdetail10/story132473/key-to-longevity-one-cup-of-tea.html

Average person forgets four things a day: Study

On average, people forget things on 1,460 occasions every year, according to research. (Reuters)

An average person forgets four key facts, chores or events every day, while trying to keep up with the demands of a hectic lifestyle, a new UK study has found. On average, people forget things on 1,460 occasions every year, according to the research. Researchers charted 50 of the most commonly forgotten things after polling 2,000 adults in the UK. Keys are among the items people typically forget, while most do not remember why they went into a room. People also leave home without a phone or wallet or forget to defrost meat. Men are twice as likely to forget a partner's birthday or an anniversary and one in 20 men has missed a funeral by being absent-minded, the 'Daily Express' reported. However, it is women who are most frustrated when they lose things. One in four women admitted to lying if they forgot something big and think they will get into trouble for it. "With longer working hours, financial fears and busier lifestyles, even those with the best memory can stumble when it comes to remembering simple things in a hectic day," a spokesman for Post-it sticky note pads, which commissioned the research, said.
Contributed by : Dhivya.B http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-23/science/42322538_1_four-things-simple-things-working-hours

Too much time on social media may affect short-term memory

In the age of constant information overload, it's a good idea to go offline on regular basis. (AP)

Always online? Take a break!People who spend too much time browsing social media could be squandering their memories or losing important information, a new study has warned. Contrary to common wisdom, an idle brain is in fact doing important work - and in the age of constant information overload, it's a good idea to go offline on a regular basis, according to a researcher from Stockholm's KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Erik Fransen, whose research focuses on short-term memory and ways to treat diseased neurons, said that a brain exposed to a typical session of social media browsing can easily become hobbled by information overload. The result is that less information gets filed away in your memory. The problem begins in a system of the brain commonly known as the working memory, or what most people know as short-term memory. That's the system of the brain that we need when we communicate, Fransen said. "Working memory enables us to filter out information and find what we need in the communication. It enables us to work online and store what we find online, but it's also a limited resource," he said. "At any given time, the working memory can carry up to three or four items. When we attempt to stuff more information in the working memory, our capacity for processing information begins to fail. "When you are on Facebook, you are making it harder to keep the things that are 'online' in your brain that you need. "In fact, when you try to process sensory information like speech or video, you are going to need partly the same system of working memory, so you are reducing your own working memory capacity. "And when you try to store many things in your working memory, you get less good at processing information," he said. You're also robbing the brain of time it needs to do some necessary housekeeping. The brain is designed for both activity and relaxation, Fransen said. "The brain is made to go into a less active state, which we might think is wasteful; but probably memory consolidation, and transferring information into memory takes place in this state. Theories of how memory works explain why these two different states are needed. "When we max out our active states with technology equipment, just because we can, we remove from the brain part of the processing, and it can't work," Fransen said. Contributed by: Dhivya.B http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Wellness/Too-much-time-on-social-media-may-affect-short-termmemory/Article1-1125604.aspx

10 Great Train Journeys

CNTraveller

Travelling through dense forests and past ancient ruins, these journeys should be on your bucket list. If youre someone that likes to enjoy the scenery when you travel, travelling by rail is definitely better than flying. Train journeys are now a major tourist attraction rather than a mere mode of transport, and many iconic routes around the world now have a luxurious train service for the convenience and comfort of tourists. Heres a list of 10 great rail journeys that you mustnt miss out on: Pride of Africa Rovos Rail provides a luxury ride through the heart of South Africa, from Cape Town or Victoria Falls to Pretoria. Travel in private elegant Pullman, Deluxe or Royal suites, complete with a washroom, shower and mini-bar. The windows in the suites can be opened to let you breathe in some of that beautiful fresh air. You can also kick back and socialise in the sitting or open-air area of the lounge car at the end of the train, and the trip fare is inclusive of lunch and formal-attire dinner in the two restaurant cars, along with South African wines. (www.rovos.com) The Indian Pacific The Indian Pacific runs from Perth to Adelaide and onward to Sydney. The three-night journey takes you from Perth across the Avon Valley and the wheat belt into the city of Karlgoorlie for a stop, and then into the expansive plains of Nullarbor with a halt at Cook to experience the panoramic view. The final leg of the journey goes from Adelaide to Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains, arriving at Sydney. The Great Southern Rail service offers single, twin or deluxe cabins in the Gold or Platinum Service farethat includes meals at the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Caror regular Red Service sleeper seats. Passengers travelling in the Red Service can access the Matilda Cafe for meals and refreshments. (www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/site/indian_pacific.jsp)Three-night journey at Rs50,097 (Red Service) and Rs1,25,705 (Gold Service single ) Eastern and Oriental express The Eastern and Oriental Express takes you on a luxurious trail from Singapore to Thailand through Malaysia. Boarding from Singapore or Bangkok, the Classic Journey is a three or four-day trip with stops at River Kwai and Butterworth in Penang. Stay in the Pullman, State or Presidential cabins, all of which are air-conditioned and include a private en-suite shower and WC. The restaurant cars offer four-course Eastern or European cuisine, and the bar car has a daily evening performance. Dont miss out on the Observation Car, which is located at the end of the train. It has indoor as well as outdoor seating, where you can take in some fresh air as you whizz past the lush tropical forests that the train rushes through. (www.orientexpress.com/web/eoe/the_train.jsp) The Coast Starlight The Coast Starlight, operated by Amtrak, travels through the scenic west coast of USA. Enjoy the scenery roll by from the Sightseer Lounge Car, moving from Seattle to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Sacramento, Portland, and finishing at Los Angeles. Apart from the seating, on-board accommodation options are the Superliner Roomette, with two reclining seats with a window in between, or the Superliner Bedroom that includes an in-room shower and washroom. The Pacific Parlour Car offers daily wine and cheese tastings, a theatre and an arcade room for kids. (www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train) The Hiram Bingham With the signature Oriental Express polished wood and crystal decor, the Hiram Bingham is a classy way to travel through the wilderness of ancient Peru. Starting from the Poroy district of Cuzco, the oneday journey includes a trip down the plateau of Anta, the ruins of the great Inca city, the Sacred Valley, onward till the main city of Machu Picchu and then back. Also included in your fare is a trip to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Step into the dining cars in between for a Peruvian brunch and an Andean dinner, or the bar car for a collection of wines from South America. Dont leave without trying the famed Pisco Sour cocktail. (www.orientexpress.com/web/hb/hiram_bingham_introduction.jsp)

Trans-Siberian Railway This has to be the greatest train journey of all in terms of distance and time. While there isnt one single direct train, there are international tour operators such as Russia Experience and Real Russia that ensure that you dont go through the hassle of finding connecting trains by providing you with tour itineraries and guides. Crossing seven time zones and entire Eurasia, the Classic Trans-Siberian route by Russia Experience travels from St Petersburg to Beijing via Mongolia. Stopping by Moscow, Irkutsk, and Ulaanbaatar, this trip called Classic Big Trans-Sibtakes 18 days. Customise your trip by choosing the cities you want to visit and how many days you wish to spend at each. (www.trans-siberian.co.uk/trans-siberian.html) The Glacier Express Crawling through the Alps, the Glacier Express is an eight-hour trip from Zermatt to St Moritz in coaches whose windows offer panoramic views. Scenic attractions include the Mattertal and Rhne Valleys, the little town of Visp, the Rhine gorge and the iconic Landwasser Viaduct. Before the journey, passengers are provided with headphones which can be plugged in to the information channel that highlights the history and interesting facts of the places that the train passes through. Lunch is served at your seat, and there is a separate bar on board for snacks and drinks. (www.glacierexpress.ch/en/Pages/default.aspx) Qinghai-Tibet Railway Lhasa Express Plying on the highest railway on earth, the Lhasa Express journey from Qinghai in China to Lhasa in Tibet runs for three days through the Tangula Pass. The trains equip passengers with emergency oxygen cylinders to mitigate spells of light-headedness. The onboard dining car offers authentic Tibetan and Chinese meals; and drinks like beer and tea. While the travel might not sound very luxurious, the journey through the stunning China-Tibet route with a view of the Kunlun mountains, Buqiangge prairie mountains, picturesque Conag Lake and the hot springs of Yambajan makes it worth it. (www.chinatibettrain.com/train.htm) The Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey This eight-day Indian rail journey is from Mumbai to Delhi via Jaipur and the journey includes stops for sight-seeing at Aurangabad, Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra, highlighting the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Udaipur City Palace, Amber Fort and Taj Mahal. Featuring deluxe cabins and presidential suites, a Spa Car and a conference or entertainment car, the train has plush interiors and a touch of royal enchantment to it. For a sumptuous dining experience, the train offers continental or Indian cuisine. (www.theindianmaharaja.co.in/) Danube Express This 10-day journey from Istanbul to Prague on board the Danube Express passes through the dreamy Central European landscape. The highlights of this stop-and-see trip include the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains, a visit to the Bran castle, and three nights in Budapest. The train also stops in Vienna and Bratislava. The Danube Express offers spacious deluxe sleeping cars, a wood-panelled lounge car for socialising and entertainment, and a restaurant car. The on-board cuisine includes Central European dishes and Szeremley wines. (www.danube-express.com)

Contributed by: Dhivya.B http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/10-great-train-journeys-055932926.html