Hot Air Fishing - Truckee California

Prosser Reservoir near Truckee, California, and some are lighter than air!

This activity has an interesting history.  If I remember correctly, the first known fish to be caught from a hot air balloon was in 2001. For several years after that, there was actually a hot air balloon fishing derby held here (I caught this photo in 2006).  You can imagine that not all aeronauts (balloon pilots) are expert fishermen, so there were probably enough fishing lures caught in the balloons that they decided not to encourage the new sport.  I'm sure the balloons are made from a very durable rip-stop fabric, but still, it's probably not a great idea to be poking new holes in a balloon which has to carry a basket full of people hundreds to thousands of feet off the ground.

I don't think they hold the hot air fishing derby any more, but there are probably still a few folks who attempt the interesting feat of catching a fish from a hot air balloon.  You know that someone's keeping track of who has caught the biggest fish so far, and others will be trying to beat it.

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Ancient Temple Angkor Wat Cambodia

Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world. The temple was built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (present-day Angkor),

Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist.

The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.


For many centuries it was hidden by thick forests and was abandoned by the kings. It was rediscovered by a Frenchman and now it has gradually become one of the most exotic and artistic site on this earth.
The place has rare beauty and ambiance that attracts thousands of tourists all around the year.

It is of no wonder that UNESCO declared the site as the World Heritage Site. Never miss out the chance to visit Angkor if you are planning a trip to Cambodia. You can very well extend your travel to other


The temple is designed keeping in mind the South Indian Hindu architecture. This complex has a temple mountain and other key features like the galleried temple and Jagati. The temple was made keeping in mind the Mount Meru which is believed to be the home of Hindu Gods.

 I am sure visiting this truly marvelous and historically remarkable place would surely be a wonderful experience for you.

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AMARNATH SHIVLING | Amarnath Cave Pilgrimage

ABOUT AMARNATH SHIVALING:

Amarnath Cave Pilgrimage is an annual pilgrimage made to the Amarnath cave by lakhs of Hindu devotees on challenging mountainous terrain in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Amaranth cave is a famous shrine in Hinduism. It is dedicated to Shiva.

The shrine forms an important part of Hinduism, and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is covered with snow most time of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Inside the 130 feet high Amarnath cave that faces south, is the Shiva Linga, which waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This lingam is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. According a Hindu legend, this is the cave where Shiva explained the secret of life and eternity to his divine consort Parvati. Two other ice formations represent Parvati and Shiva's son, Ganesha. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through Pahalgam town.


History of Amarnath Cave has been a place of worship since times immemorial. There are references to one Aryaraja (32BCE-17CE) who used to worship a lingam formed of Ice in Kashmir. The book Rajatarangini (Book VII v.183) refers to Amareshwara or Amarnath. It is believed that Queen Suryamathi in the 11th century AD gifted trishuls, banalingas and other sacred emblems to this temple.Rajavalipataka, begun by Prjayabhatta has detailed references to the pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave. Other than this there are further references to this pilgrimage in many other ancient texts.

Pilgrims visit the holy site during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July–August, coinciding with the Hindu holy month of Shraavana.

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