AW'-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-tetracarboxylic)-bis-L-amino acids

.
 





.


 


 



 


 

 


 http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0717-97072010000400018&lng=pt&nrm=iso&tlng=pt

Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society

versão On-line ISSN 0717-9707

J. Chil. Chem. Soc. vol.55 no.4 Concepción dez. 2010

http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-97072010000400018 

J. Chil. Chem. Soc., 55, N⁰ 4 (2010)
PREPARATION OF NEW OPTICALLY ACTIVE AND THERMALLY STABLE POLY(AMIDE-IMIDE) CONTAINING BICYCLO SEGMENT AND ETHER GROUP IN THE MAIN CHAIN BY DIRECT POLYCONDENSATION IN TWO DIFFERENT MEDIA

KHALIL FAGHIHI¹*, MEISAM SHABANIAN^2
1Polymer Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Arak, Iran.
² Islamic Azad University, Arak branch, Young Researchers Club, Araky, Iran

Most Visited Places in India

 Most Visited Places in India

The rich history of India, along with its cultural and geographical diversity makes its international tourism appeal large and diverse. Let us have a look at the most visited places in India, where people from all over the world flow into, for an exotic vacation -
Agra

Agra is the most visited city in India, since it is home to one of the greatest eternal symbols of love-Taj Mahal. This white domed marble mausoleum is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and has an epic love story behind it. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Akbar's tomb, Ram Bagh and Sikandra fort are some of the must visit places in Agra, apart from Taj Mahal.





Kashmir

The Paradise on Earth, Kashmir's major attraction lies in its scenic beauty, snow clad peaks, lush green valleys, Alpine villages, cascading waterfalls, flower gardens etc. Kashmir is a destination worth visiting, during winter season where you can enjoy the boat ride on picturesque Dal Lake. The other major attractions are Gulmarg, Srinagar, Sonmarg, Nagin Lake, Pari Mahal, Shankracharya shrine and Pehalgam. 




Goa

Goa, the smallest state of India is known for its exotic beaches with amazing sunset view, golden sand and coconut palms playing with the wind. If having a great time with a dear one is on your mind, Goa is the perfect place for togetherness. Tasty seafood, parasailing, wind surfing and water-skiing facilities make the beaches of Goa a core fun place. Alorna Fort, Ancestral Goa Museum, Arvalam Waterfalls, Chapora Fort and Calangute beach are some of the popular destinations in Goa.




Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari which is also known as Cape Comorin is the place where the three humungous water bodies namely, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal meet up. People cannot stop gazing at the darkening horizon and enjoy the moments of solitude. Sunset is more spectacular than a sunrise here and witnessing the setting of the sun makes up for a serene holiday. Lakhs of tourist, round the year are lured by the serene beauty of this place and the spectacles of sunrise and sunset.



Jaipur and Udaipur

Jaipur and Udaipur, located in Rajasthan gives us an insight into the rich cultural and artistic traditions of the state. Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of Winds', located in Jaipur , designed in the form of the crown of Lord Krishna is a beautiful construction, which draws tourists from all over the country. This pyramid shaped monument with 953 small windows stands as the entrance to the City Palace, Jaipur and is a notable sight here. The Lake Place of Udaipur is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, which is now converted into a hotel equipped with 66 rooms 


Kerala

The enchanting backwaters of Kerala, the mesmerizing waterfalls, the hill stations and the serene atmosphere make the state one of the most preferred tourist destinations. Kerala Backwaters comprises of a chain of lagoons and lakes which lies parallel to the Arabian Sea. A cruise in the House boats gives tourists a unique and exciting chance to experience the beauty of the surrounding greenery and nearby villages. Munnar, Thekkady, Wayanad, Athirapally waterfalls, Varkala beach and Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple are the most preferred tourist destinations in Kerala.


Darjeeling

Darjeeling is fondly called the ''Queen of the Hills'' and is at an altitude of 2134 meters above mean sea level, nestled among the rolling mountains. Darjeeling produces most popular teas in the world and one can admire clear view of the world's third highest peak, Kanchenjunga from here. Darjeeling hosts some of the most popular hill resorts in India and the sight of sunrise is simply spectacular.





Mysore

The cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysore is located at the base of Chamundi Hills and is noted for its palaces, mainly the Mysore Palace. This palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Place is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India after Taj Mahal and is visited by more than 2.7 million visitors annually. Mysore Dasara festival, celebrated here during the season of autumn attracts people from various parts of the world. Chamundeswari Temple, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, St. Philomena's Church and Brindhavan garden are the popular 



Ajanta Ellora

The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra are 30 rock-cut cave monuments and these splendid architectural wonders portray the rich heritage of India. The paintings and sculptures in these caves are supposed to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The cave temples are positioned in a horse-shoe shaped cliff.
The cave temples of Ellora located in the Deccan Plateau were excavated between 600 AD and 900 AD. There are numerous Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples here and all of them are made from solid rock. The Kailas (heaven of Siva) temple in Ellora is one of the most interesting and attractive cave temples here. Ellora, also known as Ellooru, represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture.

Street Shopping Destination In Mumbai

Mumbai the world 5th most admired cosmopolitan, renowned as "alpha World City", the principal municipality of Maharashtra also the most well-liked metropolitan of the Country, the wealthiest cosmopolitan town in terms of entertainment, economy and business. The city Mumbai positioned on the west coast of the countryside with chock-a-block of natural marina. The trendiest built-up state in the globe Mumbai is not just prominent for its well-heeled personality of harbour but also for the most up-to-date fashion approach. In fact; the country's style freaks superciliously lies in its shell. Today, Mumbai is not simply digs for the intercontinental fashion products and labels but it’s also habitat to an ample variety of local bazaar, boutiques and shopping malls that trade more or less everything that accomplished local Mumbai needs.

Among the most prevalent shopping places in the city the Mumbai "Fashion Street" is one of them. The city's lane which is bursting with fashion, the huddle of 385 road landing over 150 shops, the road that undertake the enthusiastic shopper a lot more baggage, ornaments, fabric materials much more than any further bulky shopping center or fashionable provisions. The street is well known for the textile materials and garnishing at extremely inexpensive cost, where the lane stands snobbishly in South Mumbai on M.G Road subsequently to the tourist magnetism sites precisely; Marine Lines, CST, Juhu Beach, Colaba Causeway and Dhobi Talao. In a life-size multi-ethnic town of Mumbai, the street like "Fashion Street" contribute a lot and dole out live energetic souk throughout the year; its tiny shops, export spare garments shops; trendy accessories and many more shops are on hand on unusual prices. Fashion attentive shopaholic's, enthusiastic customers are constantly enchanted by the compilation of ready-to-wear fashion cloths or outfits, jewelry and so on. The lane tenders whole lot to the customers and its magnifying geared up individuality ended the humankind speculated and illuminated that "Fashion Street is much more than just a customary street or marketplace".

The most well-known unsullied bazaar for fruits and poultry, sited immediately towards the north of Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus, the marketplace is one of the most admired shopping areas of the urban, the accepted blemish for exchanging all the household substance. The Crawford Market offers a thrilling shopping knowledge for individuals who find irresistible to splurge, whole arrangement of incredible fruits, vegetables and poultry of the vivacious markets in the city made the shopper fanatical. The combine nature of the fragile scent vegetables, combined with the bouquet of the fresh cheese and homespun unsophisticated chocolate create the motivating stopover for tourists. Tourists can also make use of the local transport to reach Crawford Market, MTDC Buses, auto-rickshaws or engage city taxis and even the Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus is sited seal to the Crawford Market thus, visitor can get a hold at CST and walk to the souk or hold local transportation.

The shopping spot Colaba Causeway is also known as Culture Square of Mumbai. The loveliest spot for both the tourists and college students is located immediately opposing to Mumbai police force headquarters.

The finest point to stopover in this place is on twilight. The marketplace is filled with woman’s most favorite's substances like Ethnic jewelers, silver Jewelers, Shoes and Books, Electronics Items and the most vivid bangles. On other appearance, the marketplace is diversified with prosperities. The bazaar is overflow with its poultry souk, the wholesale fruit and vegetable bazaar, preference stores, frills stores for Girls and many more.
The famous commercial street "Colaba Causeway" lies in between the two cities called Colaba and Old woman's Island. Particularly the Colaba Causeway shops has the influential fascination towards customers, specifically the Mondegar corner is immense in terms of jewelry where on the other face; the Store like Souvenir bend is astonishing in fashions.

According to the mythology, the Chor Bazaar senses "Thief market" however contrasting to its given name the bazaar is eminent for recycled goods and not stolen merchandise. The extraordinary antique and vintage items of the market sparkle all over the nation. The "Shor Bazaar" is the ex- named where it demonstrated "the noisy market". The Bazaar is regard as the oldest and biggest market in India. The Mumbai tourist magnetism the "Chor Bazaar" lies in the South Mumbai.

The areas are positioned on Mutton Street where the place is filled with rundown structure buildings on the crowded streets with almost collapse shops. Despite of all this; the most enthralling verity of the Chor Bazaar is in fact; the only rooms doorway for many goods be it Victorian furniture to antiques, fashion to electronics and so on. The collections of goods that accessible for customers in this Bazaar are exceptional where every shopaholics be it local populace or global tourist indeed fumble around for goods at low cost.

The most aristocratic area of Mumbai also developed area of the well-known elite populace and celebrities; theBandra Market is sited in the spirit of Mumbai where the place turned out to be the most visited areas for the local Mumbai as well as for the tourist. The most important locale of the cosmopolitan city has large branded shops, malls and bazaars simultaneously, the goddess of the vicinity has hesitant to deny possessing the minute shops in its roadways. The Linking Road on West has famed for fashion trends and boulevard shopping for trendy clothes, accessories and multiplicity of ladies shoes superstore constantly lies in a row in Bandra. The utmost significance to be bear in mind while shopping in the street is "bargaining".

Despite of being all this; the street won millions of heart, each year thousands and thousands of vacationers break for shopping. The street brilliantly accepted for its accessories, footwear, designer bags, belts, shoes, footwear, sun glasses, ornamental challas, skirts, shoes, and hairclips and so on where the lane is in possession of the top food items resembling Pani Puri and Bhel Puri.

7 Unique Romantic Tree-Top Houses

Bangalore: Romance on a tree top! If you want to spend your romantic trip on nature's lap then tree house resorts are the ultimate options. The regular tourist destinations for couples could get outdated and boring, but romantic tree houses are a must visit! It lets you have a chance to be closer with nature and enjoy in the serene atmosphere away from the rest of the world. These outstanding tree-top houses offer thrill and adventure at its best, which can make your romance ablaze. Below is the list of such unique tree house resorts in India.

1) Vythiri Resort
Located in: Kerala

All five luxurious tree houses at Vythiri Resort are located 70 feet up in the lush green rainforests of Wayanad, Kerala. This romantic tree-top gateway can be accessed by two ways, one by wooden steps and another by a crane lift. It offers outstanding living experience overlooking the pristine jungle. During the stay, you can also enjoy some exciting activities including rainforest treks, bird watching, trips to close by spice plantation and jungle expedition. Besides, Vythiri Resort tree-houses are the winner of the International Quality Crown Award. The eco-friendly surrounding of this place makes an ideal option for romance, relaxation and rejuvenation.

2) The Machan
Located in: Maharashtra

If you are seeking isolated gateway in India, 'The Machan' is the perfect tree house destination. Nestled 45 feet up on wild fig trees in the jungle, the resort offers panoramic view of the valley below. Hidden in the middle of dense forest of Jambulne in the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats, the tree-house resort is an eco-friendly jungle retreat. This four-level tree house includes a main deck, hanging room, loft and crow's nest and each level can be accessed by a spiral staircase. The resort has wind turbines and photovoltaic cells by which they produce their own power. This tree-house includes large space that can accommodate six people at a time.

The Machan is close to Lonavala, one of Maharashtra's famous tourist gateways and about two and a half hours drive from Mumbai. The most exciting feature is the five kilometers of private walking tracks to explore the pristine jungle.

3) Tree House Hideaway
Located in: Bandhavgarh

Tree House Hideaway is an eco-friendly resort located in the dense forest bordering Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the world's most beautiful tiger reserves. All five luxury tree houses with rustic charm make an ideal place for romantic couples. This tree-house resort spans over 21 acres of beautiful landscape, with breathtaking view of the national park. The jungle tree house resort, 'Tree House Hideaway' is the perfect combination for people who prefers adventure on top of luxury. Some of the distinctive features include modern attached bathrooms, air conditioning, power back ups, mosquito netting, mini bar, a living area and loungers in the balconies. This resort is the perfect place to sit back and spot wild animals out in the jungle, which is a lifetime experience. There are some outdoor activities as well such as jungle safari to the national park, excursion trips with trained naturalist team and visits to the nearby village.

4) Manali Tree House Cottages
Located in: Himachal Pradesh

A family run property, Manali Tree House Cottages offers enthralling view of the mountain. Around 30 minutes drive from Manali, these cottages are set atop of an Oak tree overlooking lush green fields and orchards. It offers a home away from home experience to its guests. Actually, the tree cottages include one tree house, two normal cottages and a Swiss tent in the garden.

5) Chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort
Located in: Pondicherry

On the Cuddalore main road, the Chunnambar Beach and Backwater Resort, located 8 kms away from Pondicherry, is run by PTTDC. This resort offers accommodation options on three amazing tree houses, where you relax in peaceful surroundings. These tree houses are equipped with all modern facilities and are named as Sunrise Panorama, Palm House and Nest Bird. This is a perfect blend for adventure loving folks. All the three tree top houses are built like a hotel room which will give you an ultimate heady experience.

6) Tree House Resort
Located in: Jaipur

Tree House Resort is located at Nature Farms in the Syari Valley, which is only a 30 minutes drive from the pink city, Jaipur. It offers luxurious tree houses with every comfort of its kind and the panoramic view of the Aravallis. Built atop strong on Keekar trees, 'Tree House Resort' are the only natural resort in Rajasthan. The primary theme of this resort is to bring people back to nature, but with the same trappings of an urban existence. It provides the entire range of necessary facilities one needs like, air-conditions, TV, comfortable mattresses and furniture. An added attraction of this resort is Night Safari. Some of the interesting activities include jeep safaris, camel and elephant safaris in the jungle, birding and nature walks.

7) Horbill Resort
Located in: Dandeli

Hornbill Resort is embedded amid thick forests and the serene and peaceful river Kali flowing. This resort offers tree houses which are 40 feet above the ground. It would be an incredible experience for you, as the tree house leans into the river. The reflection of moonlight which fall on the river and the sound of water add bonus excitement to your tree house at night.

///////////

(1R,2S-cis)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester

(1R,2S-cis)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester

Name	(1R,2S-cis)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester
Synonyms	(1R,2S)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester
Name in Chemical Abstracts	Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, ethyl ester, (1R,2S)-
CAS No	61586-79-6
EINECS No
Molecular formula	C8H14O3
Molecular mass	158.20
SMILES code	O[C@@H]1CCC[C@@H]1C(=O)OCC

1H-NMR

1H-NMR: (1R,2S-cis)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester
500 MHz, CDCl3
delta [ppm]	mult.	atoms	assignment
1.19	t	3 H	CH3 (ethyl ester)
1.5-2.0	m	6 H	CH2 ring
2.54-2.65	m	1 H	1-C-H (CH-COO-)
3.2	broad s	1 H	OH
4.08	q	2 H	CH2 (ethyl ester)
4.34	m	1 H	2-C-H (CHOH)

13C-NMR

13C-NMR: (1R,2S-cis)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester
125.8 MHz, CDCl3
delta [ppm]	assignment
14.0	CH3 (ethyl ester)
21.8	C4
26.1	C5
33.9	C3
49.5	C1
60.4	CH2 (ethyl ester)
73.6	C2
174.6	C(=O)O-
76.5-77.5	CDCl3

IR

IR: (1R,2S-cis)-2-Hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester
[Film, T%, cm-1]
[cm-1]	assignment
3480	O-H valence
2973, 2877	aliph. C-H valence
1736	C=O valence, ester

yeast

Enantioselective synthesis of (1R,2S)-cis-hydroxycyclopentane-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

Reaction type:	reduction, stereoselective reduction
Substance classes:	carboxylic acid ester, ketone, alcohol, enzyme, natural product
Techniques:	stirring with magnetic stir bar, adding dropwise with an addition funnel, working with a thermostat, filtering, evaporating with rotary evaporator, extracting, perforating, rectifying, use of a distillation column, distilling under reduced pressure, heating with oil bath, stirring with a propeller stirrer

Instruction (batch scale 100 mmol) Equipment 10 L beaker, addition funnel, stirring motor with propeller stirrer, thermostat, rotary evaporator, heatable magnetic stirrer, magnetic stir bar, distillation apparatus, 10 cm packed column, suction flask, Buechner funnel (Ø 26 cm), apparatus for continuous extraction of liquids, oil bath Substances fresh yeast (baker's yeast) 780 g cyclopentanone-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (purity> 95%) 15.6 g (100 mmol) (bp 109 °C/20 hPa; product from NOP 4023) water (boiled) 5 L diethyl ether (bp 35 °C) 1 L Celite 545 (filter help) sodium sulfate for drying Reaction 780 g fresh yeast are suspended under slowly stirring and in portions in a 10 L beaker in 5 L cold boiled water and brought to a temperature of 30 °C. After the complete suspension of the yeast, 15.6 g (100 mmol) cyclopentanone-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester are added dropwise with an addition funnel within 30 minutes. The beaker is covered with aluminium foil and the reaction mixture is slowly stirred at 30 °C for two days. Work up To the reaction solution 200 g Celite are added and the mixture is stirred for one hour. A Buechner funnel (Ø 26 cm) is charged with a 2 cm layer of moisted Celite and the solution is filtered through the moisted filter medium into a suction flask. If a smaller Buechner funnel is used, the mixture has to be filtered in several portions with a fresh filter medium for each filtration. The filtrate is extracted in an apparatus for continuous extraction of liquids with 1 L diethyl ether. After about 20 hours the extraction is completed. The extract is dried over sodium sulfate, the drying agent is filtered off and the solvent is evaporated at a rotary evaporator. The residue is distilled under reduced pressure (about 20 hPa) over a 10 cm packed column. 1. fraction 50-90 °C: fore-run 2. fraction 94-112 °C: product Further fractions are not obtained. The product fraction is again distilled under reduced pressure over the same column. A uniform fraction is obtained at 110 °C (15 hPa). Yield: 8.69 g (55.3 mmol, 55%); nD 20 = 1.4578, optical rotation: +15.1° (c = 1, CHCl3)
http://www.oc-praktikum.de/nop/en/instructions/pdf/4024_en.pdf
Comments If not fermenting yeast suspensions are used, the batch can possibly be fungous. The filtered solution can not be stored for long and should therefore be immediately extracted. Therefore the used water must be boiled before. During reaction, all reaction containers should be as completely as possible covered. During the extraction, the volume of the aqueous phase increases by 5-7%! To secure a continuous extraction, an appropriate reserve volume must be available in the extraction apparatus.
Waste management Recycling The evaporated diethyl ether is collected and redistilled. Waste disposal Waste Disposal filter residue with Celite solid waste, free from mercury, aqueous phase from extraction solvent water mixtures, halogen free fore-run from distillation organic solvents, halogen free distillation residue organic solvents, halogen free sodium sulfate solid waste, free from mercury Time Preparation of reaction solution: 1 hour Stirring: two days Work up: 5 hours

Simple evaluation indices

Batch scale:

0.01 mol

0.1 mol

Cyclopentanone-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

Atom economy		not defined
Yield		55	%
Target product mass		8.69	g
Sum of input masses		6600	g
Mass efficiency		1.3	mg/g
Mass index		760	g input / g product
E factor		760	g waste / g product

Equipment

Batch scale:

0.01 mol

0.1 mol

Cyclopentanone-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

	beaker 10 L			addition funnel with pressure balance
	stirring motor and propeller stirrer			thermostat with heating coil
	rotary evaporator			heatable magnetic stirrer with magnetic stir bar
	distillation apparatus			packed column 10 cm
	suction flask			suction filter
	apparatus for continuous extraction of a liquid			oil bath

Operating scheme

Chromatogram

GC: crude product
column	DB-1, L=28 m, d=0.32 mm, film=0.25 µm
inlet	on column injection
carrier gas	H2, 40 cm/s
oven	100°C
detector	FID, 270°C
integration	percent concentration calculated from relative peak area

GC: pure product
column	DB-1, L=28 m, d=0.32 mm, film=0.25 µm
inlet	on column injection
carrier gas	H2, 40 cm/s
oven	100°C
detector	FID, 270°C
integration	percent concentration calculated from relative peak area

Top 10 things to do in Myanmar

There's no place quite like Myanmar. Skyscanner brings you the Top 10 things to do at this undiscovered holiday destination.

 

Looking for something different? Finally opening up after decades of isolation,Myanmar is perhaps the last frontier of Southeast Asian travel. This fascinating, beautiful country is not yet on most travellers' radar, so visit it before everyone else does!
1. Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda
One the biggest religious monuments in the world, the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda has to be seen to be believed. Built some 2500 years ago to enshrine holy relics of the Buddha, the entire complex is one giant testament to the country's religious faith. Visit at twilight, for extraordinarily atmospheric photos of monks mediating among the golden spires and statues, and marvel at the scale and grandeur of the central stupa. Done with temples for the day? Head out to explore the revitalized and vibrant city of Yangon.
 

Come during the day, and stay till late at the Shwedagon Pagoda

2. Ride a hot-air balloon over Bagan
The rulers of Myanmar's first kingdom showed their might through architecture, in a construction orgy that left behind thousands of temples, pagodas and monasteries scattered over a vast semi-desert plain. This is Myanmar's answer to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, though its spread-out scale means that it's far less crowded. Ride a hot-air balloon to get an unparalleled aerial view, and then rent an electric bike to explore the dusty plains, catch the sunset on top of a pagoda, and perhaps discover your very own deserted temple.

Ride a hot-air balloon for a bird's-eye view of Bagan

3. Explore the beautiful Inle Lake 
One of Myanmar's top tourist destinations, Inle Lake is a gorgeous freshwater lake surrounded by hills and populated by various tribes and wildlife. With its stunningly serene waters, Inle is a picturesque world of floating vegetable gardens, stilt-house villages and rotating markets located among reed-lined canals. Visit the craft workshops of artisan silver, handmade cigars, and extraordinary lotus silk, and see the iconic Intha fishermen as they row their boats with a unique leg-rowing technique. Above all, slow down, chill out, and enjoy the tranquillity.

Dawn at Inle Lake: a fisherman rows his boat and casts his net

4. Experience the culture of Mandalay 
Steeped in history as the royal capital of Myanmar's golden age, Mandalay is justifiably proud of its cultural heritage. See the walled city of the reconstructed Royal Palace, visit legendary pagodas along the path to Mandalay Hill, and experience the amazing early-morning ritual of washing Buddha's face at the famed Mahamuni Pagoda. Catch performances of puppet shows and classical dance, and shop for antiques and souvenirs in a city well-known for exquisite arts and crafts.
5. Chill out on Ngapali Beach
If you're done with pagodas and temples for a while, head to the gorgeous Ngapali Beach. Here you'll find a stunningly beautiful beach with full-service resorts offering every modern comfort. Spend lazy days sipping fresh coconut juice and lounging on pristine white sands. Need a bit more activity? Other attractions include horseriding or bicycle tours to the nearby fishing villages. For a more local and less expensive experience, check out nearby Ngwe Shaung Beach and Chaungtha Beach.
6. Hike up the pilgrimage path to the Golden Rock 
Perched precariously at the edge of a cliff, the gravity-defying Kyaiktiyo, or Golden Rock, is perhaps the third most important pilgrimage site after the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay. Nestled in the hills, the mysterious rock offers some stunning photo opportunities, especially at sunset. Watch devotees as they chant sutras and burn incense, or wander the colourful market town for souvenirs and snacks. While most people take the truck up, there's a shaded pilgrimage path that makes for a delightful day-hike, passing through pleasant villages on the way up.

Pilgrims praying and pasting gold leaf on the Golden Rock

7. Cross the U Bein Bridge at sunset
Looking for an iconic photo op? It doesn't get any better than this. Less than an hour outside Mandalay lies the famous U Bein Bridge, arguably the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. Famed for its sunsets, the bridge and its surrounding scenery is a much-photographed sight. A pleasant afternoon can be spent on a boat ride across the serene lake, or in the bustle of the crowd, watching the world go by. Combine this with day trips to the nearby former royal capitals of Amapura, Inwa and Sagaing, where fortress ruins, rustic villages, and ancient pagodas await.

Sunset on the lake, with a view of U Bein Bridge

8. Escape the heat at Pyin Oo Lwin 
During colonial times, the British moved their administrative centre here for good reason - at approximately 1000m above sea level, this pleasant hill station is a welcome respite from the arid heat of the summer season. Explore the beautiful and extensive grounds of the Botanic Gardens, and swim in the clear blue-green waters of the Anisakhan Falls. Just an hour's drive from Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin is also famous for its coffee, strawberries and flowers. And for a souvenir, do bring back a bottle of locally-made damson plum wine.
9. Explore the islands of the Mergui Archipelago 
Hundreds of pristine, unexplored and uninhabited islands make the Mergui Archipelago one of the world's last hidden tourist destinations. Located in southern Myanmar in the Andaman Sea, the islands were recently opened for tourism, and as of this post, there is only one resort development. Some tour companies offer safari trips or live-aboards, with facilities for diving, snorkelling or just exploring this isolated natural paradise. Get there before it gets developed - perhaps you'll find your own private island. And don't forget to bring along some cold Myanmar Beer!

Exploring one of the many islands in the remote Mergui Archipelago

10. Experience the exuberance of Thingyan 
The Water Festival, or Thingyan, takes place in mid-April and is probably the most exciting event in Myanmar. Similar to Songkran in Thailand, it marks the start of the New Year with the practice of throwing water for purification. While a time of retreat and prayer for some, for most it becomes a wild celebration where all hang loose. Especially in the cities, Thingyan is a crazy combination of street party, rock festival, and obstacle course as you try to splash others while avoiding getting splashed. Join the crowd, and forget about staying dry. Bring on the water guns!

  DRUG APPROVALS BY DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO .....FOR BLOG HOME CLICK HERE

Join me on Linkedin

Join me on Facebook FACEBOOK

Join me on twitter

Join me on google plus Googleplus

 amcrasto@gmail.com

////////