Proportions can be deceiving in a mosque that is littered with superlatives – the largest, biggest, most, prettiest are commen words you hear when researching the mosque which was completed in 2001. The mosque’s total capacity is 20,000 visitors/worshipers – larger in size than many of the cities in Oman. The dome rises 164 feet above the floor and the chandelier illuminates a space of 46,000 square feet below. Walking into the main prayer hall is breathtaking thanks to the chandelier made of Swarovski crystals with a diameter of 26 feet. But the hall is also graced by the worlds 2nd largest handmade Persian rug. The delicate rug took 4 years to produce and weighs in at 21 tons. 600 dedicated women tied 1,700 million knots to create this masterpiece. One of my favorite parts about the rug was the graduated color that it used to mimic the light reflection outward. More Info: http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/sultan-qaboos-grand-mosque-oman/ Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the mosque every day, except Friday, from 8:30 until 11:00 am. Visitors are asked to dress modestly and in a way befitting places of worship. Women are also required to cover their hair.

My own opinions of Phuket vary every time I visit. For me, it’s a place that can be magical and frustrating, full with as many trappings as it has sensational selling points. Phuket Town is certainly one of my favorite features on the Thai island, with a sense of history and culture that beaches can’t provide – no matter how pristine they might be. My latest musings are about the old town as I take a look at what makes the region stand out.

Chiang Mai province is about 700 km from Bangkok and is situated on the Mae Ping River basin and is 300 m above sea level. Surrounded by the high mountain ranges of the Thai highlands, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 km². The mountainous terrain of the Daen Lao Range in the northern end of the province, the Thanon Thong Chai Range stretching in a north-south direction, and the Khun Tan Range in the east of the province are covered by rain forest. River Ping, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Daen Lao mountains. The highest mountain of Thailand, the 2,565 meter high Doi Inthanon, is located in the province. Several national parks are in the district: Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Mae Ping, Sri Lanna, Huay Nam Dang, Mae Phang, Chiang Dao. Parts of the ranges are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills. Travel Blog by :http://www.easytoursofthailand.com