In 1949 the constitution formally established a democratic federal republic and created the states chamber and the people's chamber. The third Party Congress in July of 1950 began to emphasize the industrial progress. The industrial sector had employed 40% of the working population, and was subjected to further nationalization, which formed the People's Enterprises.

In March of 1953 Stalin died and in June of 1953 the SED announced the New Course, which was to help give workers an improved standard of living. The policy was initiated by Soviet Unions Georgi Malenkov, who stressed a shift in investment toward light industry and trade and greater availability of consumer goods. There were still high quotas though, despite the increase in consumer goods workers could get.

By 1961 the socialist sector produced 90% of East Germany's agricultural products. However, the annual industrial growth rate was declining steadily after 1959. To help this cause, the Soviet Union recommended that East Germany implement the reforms of economist Evsei Liberman. In 1963 Liberman's theories of the New Economic System (NES) were adapted and introduced. The NES was aimed at creating an efficient economic system and transforming East Germany into a leading industrial nation.

The main task in 1971 was introduced by Honecker to help formulate domestic policy. The program helped re-emphasize Marxism-Leninism and the international class struggle. The main task restated the economic goal of industrial progress and was aimed at achieving the context of centralized state planning. Consumer socialism was the new program that was featured in the main task, which was an effort to magnify the appeal of socialism

From the mid-1970's, East Germany remained poised between the East and the West. The 1974 amendment to the Constitution designated East Germany as a socialist nation-state of workers and peasants. Détente helped strengthen the ties between the two Germany's and 5 to 7 million West Germans and West Berliners visited East Germany each year. Personal ties between the two Germany's were becoming restored and East German citizens had more direct contact with West German politics and consumer goods.

The growing international debts of the GDR lead to an international debt crisis within a year or two. With continuous debt problems going into the 1980's, the end of East Germany followed the March 1990 elections, as there was a financial collapse in the months up to reunification.

London, England : London is definitely one of the best summer vacation destinations, but it is also not the cheapest. Though London is one of the most expensive cities in the World, if you can afford to vacation there then maybe you should consider doing so. And unlike France where you can sample some of the World's best cuisine, London is not famous for fine food. And neither is vacationing there cheap. But if you are a history buff, then London is one of the best vacation destinations you can ever visit.

Russia : Known for its cold and frigid winters, summer is possibly the best time of the year to visit this beautiful land, once home to the Tsars. And Russia is one of the most fascinating countries on the planet that has a lot to offer to any type of visitor - from fun loving college teenagers to serious history professors.

Capri : Your first impressions of this island may be way off the ground reality. While many travelers to Capri, Italy may be somewhat put off by all the glitz and commercialism, if you only care to look deeper and get to know what the island is really about, then you may start to get to like Capri a lot. If you are looking for a place filled with romance where you can have a very special time with your significant other, then Capri is one place you might not want to miss.

Alaska : While Alaska with her imposing snow covered mountains and glaciers may be at her majestic best in the winter, going to Alaska in summer may be a very delightfully pleasant experience. Coastal areas in particular may be very agreeable as the summers are relatively mild there compared to inland areas where the temperatures may reach the 90's.

Greek Islands : Greece has had a very big impact on the Western Civilization and in case you plan to visit the Greek Islands, then you might want to set aside a few days just to tour the fabulous historic sites that are so numerous. But history is not all that Greece has to offer. Blessed with spectacular natural beauty, endless beaches, crystal clear waters, lush vegetation, abundant sunshine and a vibrant nightlife, the beauty of the Greek Islands can charm even the hardest to please tourist.

New England : If you have lived in a city all your life and long to experience the pleasant charms a picture perfect village has to offer, then you might want to consider taking a summer vacation to New England. Pretty villages, beautiful beaches, picture perfect sunrises ... the quaint rustic charm of New England is something you will want to experience at least once.

Wind River Range, Wyo : Ask any outdoors enthusiast who has been to the Rocky Mountains which is the prettiest range in all of Rocky Mountains, and the most possible answer would be the Wind River Range. The Wind River Range makes up of much of the 2.5 million acre Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. Thousands of miles of hiking and biking trails, snowmobiling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, skiing and more - all in pristine and very beautiful surroundings make this almost irresistible to first timers and the professionals alike.

Iceland : If you are an outdoor enthusiast who loves sparsely populated vast open spaces with lots and lots of peace and quiet, then Iceland may be one place you may not want to miss going to. Contrary to what most people may believe, a large part of Iceland is not covered with snow and ice and but very colorful flowers. And the weather in Iceland can be surprisingly pleasant and agreeable too. Bubbling mud flats, Lava fields, volcanic craters, crystal clear blue lakes, abundant bird life, hot springs, waterfalls and more make an Iceland vacation an experience like no other.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe : While Scandinavia can be literally freezing in winter, it can be very pleasant and inviting in the summer. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland make up Scandinavia and each of these countries has some very unique attractions to offer to even the most discerning vacationer. While you do not necessarily have to be an outdoors enthusiast to enjoy all that Scandinavia has to offer, it does help if you are one though. While Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki are full of lively and interesting people and sights, the natural beauty of the region - the fjords, glaciers, mountains and valleys are mainly in the more remote areas and you would not want to miss them.

Calgary, Canada : Located less than an hour's drive from the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies, Calgary is a modern city set amidst rolling hills and pristine natural surroundings. Its moderate climate and sunny skies make Calgary an year round tourist destination. It is certainly one of Canada's foremost tourist destinations and not surprisingly, an estimated five million visitors flock to the place every year to experience Calgary's delights.

When I go to Oyolo, I always take some extra gasoline with me in a gas can. It is only 120 miles roundtrip but there are NO gas stations between Cotahuasi and Oyolo, and also none in Oyolo. If for any reason I need to do any extra driving (like when I had to go looking for the team from Florida last time) I want to have enough extra gas to get home. Unfortunately I didn't think of suggesting this to the team that came this time.

They had filled up at Marcabamba, the last available fuel before Oyolo (they were coming from Pausa) and then did some extra driving to visit another village before I met them. I had driven my car to Oyolo, left it there and then hiked about 3 hours to meet the team to guide them across the high plains. After they picked me up and we were heading up the switchbacks to the high plains, I realized that they didn't have enough fuel to get to Oyolo and back. I had extra gasoline for my car, but their pickup was a diesel so that was no help. We took a quick vote and decided to keep going and try to have someone deliver fuel to us in Oyolo, as it would have put us way behind schedule to go back and get some.

Then I got us lost as the road looked very different going to Oyolo than it did when I came from there the last time. That was a good reminder to me to turn around and look behind me as well, when I am trying to learn a new route. Our unplanned side trip of course used up more of our scarce fuel, but fortunately we still had enough to get to Oyolo. I figured we could call Cotahuasi and see if a supply truck was coming and have them bring some or order some from Marcabamba and have it delivered by a pack animal. When we got to Oyolo, I talked to Mariluz, who is a sister of Theresa and Isabel. Theresa has a restaurant where we often eat and Isabel is a teacher, who has invited us to talk to her students in the school. Mariluz often takes burros back and forth on the foot trail, from Oyolo to the end of the road at CCahuanamarca.

She brings supplies for Theresa's restaurant and for Isabel, who also has a small store. She said she could radio to Marcabamba and have the fuel sent by truck or combi (minivan bus) to CCahuanamarca and she would pick it up there and bring it back by burro. They have some kind of an arrangement where they can transfer money by radio, like we would make a wire transfer. We paid her for the fuel and transportation to CCahuanamarca and we were supposed to have 10 gallons of diesel by Thursday morning, when the team planned on leaving Oyolo. Wednesday afternoon, I saw her leaving with a burro and two 5-gallon cans but about an hour later she came back without the burro! She explained that she had sent someone else and that he would pick up the fuel when it was delivered in the late afternoon and leave early Thursday morning to bring it to Oyolo. However when I checked Thursday morning, we found out that the combi was too full so they didn't have room to bring the fuel, so he left the burro there and returned alone.

Mariluz said the fuel should arrive there in the afternoon and then someone would bring it to Oyolo by 8:00 pm. When we went to bed at about 10:00, there was still no fuel. In the meantime a truck had come from Cotahuasi with supplies and he agreed to sell us 10 gallons of his fuel, if ours didn't arrive in the morning. The team had a one-day "cushion" in their schedule but had to leave on Friday to get back to Lima in time to catch their return flight to the U.S. That night when I went to bed, I prayed again (as we had been doing all day) that the fuel would be there in the morning. A few minutes later, at 11:30, I heard some pack animals passing through the plaza in front of our hostel.

They had made the whole trip in the dark on a narrow mountain trail. I threw my clothes on and went to check, there were no fuel cans on their animals. I decided to ask if they knew anything about our fuel and they said someone was delivering it to Mariluz! I went back to the hostel and went to sleep, thanking God for answering our prayers. In the morning, Mariluz brought the fuel and with the help of a 2-liter soda bottle made into a funnel, the truck was fueled and ready to go. We drove together up to the high plain, I showed them where their road to Pausa was and I went the other direction to Cotahuasi. Another successful travel adventure in Peru.

As the third largest city in Sweden, Malmo is a popular place to visit in Scandinavia. The city is one of the region's earliest industrial towns; however, the age of post-industrialism has seen Malmo transformed from a hub of manufacturing into a large university town which boasts an impressive world of arts, education and culture.

If you're visiting Malmo and you want to see the city's most interesting sights, why not visit Malmohus Castle? Located to the west of Malmo's old city, this building was first built in 1437 by Erik of Pomerania, before being inhabited by the kings of Denmark in the 1500s and used as a prison until 1914. Today, it is a history and art museum, as well as an aquarium and a terrarium that attracts a range of visitors.

Additionally, when you're in Malmo, make sure you visit the Mollevangstorget Square, located south of the city centre and which plays host to an open-air market every weekend. Malmo's newest landmark - the Turning Torso - is well worth a visit too. Completed in 2005, Malmo's Turning Torso is, at 190m tall, the tallest building in Scandinavia and is visible from almost any part of the city. It even has a waterfront promenade and a state-of-the-art skate park.

Malmo's cultural attractions will also be of interest to any tourist in the city, whether you pride yourself on being an active culture vulture or you're merely looking for interesting things to do in Malmo. The Municipal Theatre, for instance, was inaugurated in 1944 and began as a repertory; however, during the 1950s, legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman became its Director and Chief Stage Director and made the institution the site of one of the most important art scenes in the whole of Sweden. Today, the theatre showcases all forms of stage performance, from ballet to opera, and musical recitals to diverse theatrical experiments.

Furthermore, since the 1970s Malmo has also played host to a diversity of musical scenes and talents. Malmo has a long history of rock, dance and dub music, and recent musicians to have played in the city include the likes of B.B. King, Morrissey and Australian signer-songwriter Nick Cave.

If you're planning to visit Malmo, you'll find plenty of hotels in Malmo, from which you'll be able to enjoy all that this exciting city has to offer. Take a trip to Malmo for a Scandinavian city adventure with a difference - you won't be disappointed!

Finding work in Spain is not easy, especially outside the major
cities where unemployment can sometimes be quite high. If you are a member
of an EC country then you have an automatic right to live and work
in Spain but if not then you may find obtaining your residence card
time-consuming and frustrating. It is also necessary for non-Europeans
to have their employment approved by the Spanish Ministry of
Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo) and obtain a visa before entering
the country.

Work In Spain-Seasonal Jobs

There is normally quite alot of work to be had in the major tourist
resorts from the beginning of May until the end of September.naturally enough
this mostly consists of work in the hotel and catering industry with
plenty of casual bar work normally available in English run bars. This
type of work is notoriously poorly paid, although you can improve
your wages with tips, but has the advantage that it is quite easy
to get and it is not always a requirement that you speak Spanish. So if you
just want to work in Spain for the summer then this type of work may
suit you best.

You probably will not be able to arrange it without being in the country
though and just approaching bar owners or scouring the job vacancy
ads. in the local English press.

Couriers and Tour Reps.

If you speak Spanish then you may be able to get seasonal work
in Spain as a courier,tour guide or sports instructors, approach
some of the larger holiday companies such at Thompson Holidays to see
what they have on offer.

Competition for jobs is fierce and Spanish fluency is usually necessary, even for
employment with foreign tour operators. Most companies also have age
requirements, the minimum being 21, although many companies prefer
employees to be older. To find out which companies operate in
the part of Spain you are interested in check the brochures in
your local travel agency or search online but be sure to send in your application
well before the season starts.

Timeshare.

A quick glance in the local English language newspapers, will show
you that 75% of the jobs available are in the timeshare industry. However don't
be immediately put off,because although there are plenty of sharks and scams,
there are also several reputable time share companies that have
many years of success behind them and provide contracts, good
commission rates and opportunities for promotion to their staff.
However, all timeshare companies offer the hard sell approach to
prospective buyers and if you are uncomfortable with this then
it is not for you.

Semi and Permanent Jobs in Spain-Teaching English

English schools are mushrooming all over Spain and offer very good work
opportunities for native English speakers. However it is normally
required that you have some formal qualifications, the most widely accepted being
The TEFL certificate, (teaching English as a Foreign language.)
For a fairly small investment of around 1,000 euros you can obtain
this certificate by attending a one month intensive course and you will then be qualified
to not only work in Spain but also at many other destinations world wide.

Foreign language schools in Spain are generally well run and the wages
are reasonable, they often provide accommodation for their teachers too
so it can be a good way to live and work in Spain.

Details of foreign language schools can be obtained by contacting.
Centros de Enseñanzza de Idiomas, Calle Sagasta, 27, 28004 Madrid.

Private Tuition

There is a high demand for private English teachers here and many
teachers employed at local language academies supplement their
income by giving private lessons. You can advertise in local
schools, universities and retail outlets and, once you're
established, additional students can usually be found through word
of mouth, particularly for children who have failed their end of
year English examinations!

Au Pairs

Both men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible for a
job as an au pair. The au pair system provides young people with a
great opportunity to travel, improve their Spanish and generally
broaden their education by living and working in Andalucia.
However, the main aim of the au pair system is to give young people
the opportunity to learn a foreign language in a typical family
environment . Au pairs are usually contracted to work for a minimum
of six months and a maximum of a year. Most families require an au
pair for at least the whole school year, from September to June.
The best time to look for an au pair position therefore is before
the beginning of the school year in September. Au pair agencies in
Britain are listed in the Au Pair and Nanny's Guide to Working
Abroad by Susan Griffith.

Construction Industry

Many parts of Spain have seen a building boom in recent years and
the construction industry employs many foreign nationals. However
as most of the building sites are Spanish run it will be necessary for you
to have a basic understanding of the language in order to be able to
get and hold down a job.

Self- Employment.

Many people turn to running their own business in Spain as the best
way to make a living in Spain.However for the un-prepared this road can
be a minefield of headaches and problems.The best advice I can give is to do your homework and remember the old adage,"by failing to prepare, you prepare to fail." Get good advice from a reputable professional about
the legal requirements for your particular business, opening licences,
tax declarations etc. It is a good idea to talk to other people
who have started there own business and thereby learn by their mistakes.

Rightly or wrongly there are alot of foreigners resident in Spain who
prefer to employ English speaking people so there are plenty of opportunities
for builders, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, cleaners, hairdressers, beauticians
etc. and anyone determined enough to work through the red tape and get established
should end up with a good business.

For any sort of work in Spain you will need to obtain your N.I.E.
(numero de identificacion de extranjero) which you can do through the
Oficina de Extranjeros, ( foreigners office) at your local police station.

Illegal Employment

Illegal employment thrives in Spain where it has been estimated that as much as 25% of the officail GNP is due to the black economy with real unemployment being at least 10% below the official government figure.

Many unscrupulous employers use illegal labour as a means to avoid the paying the high social security contributions and to be able to pay low wages for long hours and poor working conditions. Heavy fines are often imposed when offenders, which includes both the employee as well as the employer, are prosecuted so be warned!

When you are getting ready for your camping trip, packing your cooking supplies takes on a whole new meaning. Not only will your environment be different, but the very nature of a natural setting will affect how you cook as well as what you eat.

You should plan on preparing simple, but still tasty meals, that are easy to clean up when everyone is finished eating. The majority of adults and children like having hamburgers, hot dogs or other simple foods when on a vacation. Foods such as these, are ready to roast over a grill or wood, burning fire.

To round out your meal, you can serve a salad, fresh fruits, nuts, chips or other convenient foods as side dishes. As long as you keep the number of personal utensils and plates down to a minimum, you will not need as many items to eat with, to pack or to clean afterwards.

To keep your cold beverages chilled, perishable foods fresh, or leftovers okay for the next day, you will want to pack a cooler. Be sure it is large enough for the number of people that are traveling with you, or take more than one to handle all your food and drinks.

Your cooler can easily maintain a cold temperature, if you simply change the ice about every other day. Many campgrounds have ice machines, but you might want to check, before completing your reservation.

Salads are a good alternative for an extra side dish, that if prepared ahead of time, can not only save you time, but also let you bring items that you may already have on hand, eliminating the need to buy more items for your camping trip.

You can even make a chuck box, to save more time and storage space. This box can be made of plastic or cardboard, as long as it is sturdy and can be sealed. This container will hold your entire set of plates, personal utensils, pans, pots, and cooking utensils. During your camping trip, this will help you stay organized and since it only has enough space for you to take essential things, helps to give you less to carry.

Many cabins in our modern time, supply the pots, pans, and plates for the entire party of campers. If cabins are in your camping plans, be sure to call ahead and find out all the features available.

By following the simple suggestions above, your campground cooking preparation, can be space efficient, easy to use in the campground setting and can help to provide you with tasty menus, without much clean up to boot!

If you think you know all about camping here is an adventure that is sure to open your eyes.

This curiously revealing psyche test will reveal more about yourself than 3 years in therapy, very curious and extremely revealing, try it on your friends...

This simple tale about a walk in the woods uses archetypal images to explain our subconscious beliefs about some of the core issues we all face in life. Try it for yourself, and remember it is a dream so you can do or respond in whatever way or however you want.

Make a note of each thing you encounter, taking time to briefly describe it and how you feel about it, the more detail the more your understanding at the end of this story

You find yourself in a dream, walking through the woods or the forest, whichever is closest to your heart, and as in a dream you can do whatever or respond however you want.

1. You come to a house, what type of house is it?

2. You leave the house and come to a wall what is it made of, high or low, any doors or openings, what do you do next?

3. You continue walking and notice a snake moving on your path, what do you do?

4. A creature you know to be good comes out of the woods and starts a conversation with you, describe the creature and the feeling you experience and what you are talking about.

5. You come to a tree in the middle of the path, what type of tree is it and what do you do.

6. You come to the end of the path and there is a water in front of you, describe it and what you do.

Here are the answers and meanings to each of the things you encountered in this dream walk...

1. house=family


2. wall=obstacles, problems


3. snake=sex


4. creature of goodness=your spirit guide


5. tree=god


6. water=death.

Hope this made you think and thank you for all the entries to the most stupid fishing and camping stories competition. The ones about lighting the fire inside the swag tent and the possum chocolate cake adventure were probably the most talked about.

India's steam train heritage still brings out hoards of people. In Delhi, from babes in arms to ancient one-time signalmen, last week they literally piled onto the tracks where they grappled with television cameras from at least four broadcast stations. In a challenge to every health and safety regulation ever to fill 100 bound files in the archives of Brussels, people tumbled from the green plastic grass and red carpet onto the rails without obstruction.

The Heritage Parade of Steam Locomotives celebrated the end of Railway Heritage Month. Shri Lalu Prasad, the Honourable Minister for Railways, was the Most Distinguished Guest. Second was Sir Mark Tully, the former BBC Delhi correspondent and Vice-President of the Indian Railway Society (IRS). Mark is a guru in his own right.

After most of 40 years in India (and indeed he was born in Calcutta where his father was then stationed), he is a kind of Grand Old Man, regarded with approximately equal emotions of awe and affection appropriate to his Saddhu-like status. Being seen with him attracts more attention than a formal promenade with Tony Blair would.

This is not exaggeration. When Sir Mark once walked up the steps of Government House in Delhi with our Honourable PM, the crowd were in raptures but it wasn't Tony Blair who had caught their attention. They were shouting in Hindi for Mark Tully.

There are several other dignitaries present: the Mayor of Delhi, members of the Railway Board, the President of the IRS and a whole row of very smart and important looking people. They are seated on the platform in beautifully presented upholstered chairs covered in white and set upon plastic grass. On the opposite platform, a whole tableau of Indian history is taking place with children waving colourful flags and an historical account of Indian railways in full swing as men run up and down behind boards bearing the trains moving.

No one is paying very much attention. In spite of the valuable collection of not just VIPs but VVIPs and the war on terror, security is conspicuously absent bar the presence of a delightful chocolate brown Labrador led by a soldier along the seating, his tail wagging enthusiastically.

It is very Indian that into this pageant the normal scheduled train, its 24 battered green and cream bogeys so familiar to the 13 million people who travel on Indian railways every day, disgorges its passengers. In fact not once but twice, passenger cargo is offloaded into the melee. People are moved towards the exit, not pleased to be denied the occasion. Street theatre like this is part of Delhi life and commands an instant audience.

Now coolies tidy the trailing edges adorning the front line of comfortable settees designated Railway Board. The compere seeks silence in various languages. "Please sit down everyone." No one pays the slightest attention. Someone screams gutturally into a microphone, part in Hindi, alternated with regular "hello, hello, hello, testing, testing, testing" and loads of reverberating feedback.

The flowers and water bottles are now in place for the VVIPs who are presumably more than merely VI. Even the Railway Board have not so far been treated to such magnificence. Here comes the sniffer dog again, obediently sniffing along our feet. An Argentinean gentleman introduces himself and his wife and makes interested conversation. He is curious to know what a white west-European female is doing here.

The greeting party is beginning to assemble, guarded by soldiers and sundry hangers-on. Mark arrives looking very dapper in lemon shirt and burgundy herringbone waistcoat. Suddenly there is total silence. The Minister welcomes everyone; the cameras capture the moment from the middle of the tracks and like media everywhere in the world, practically trample each other to death in their determination to get the best shot. There are babies crying, children running up and down the VIP chairs and clearly many people who are not either media or guests here but who have found their way in without obstacle.

The bottom of a female soldier is literally in my face. A settee is relocated to make room for the broadcasting fray and the bottom shifts a few inches but ever increasing numbers of media take to the tracks although whether deliberately or by force of gravity is difficult to say.

We are now being roped in, literally. I am not altogether sure whether this is to keep us away from mauling Mark Tully or from trying to get a free ride on the Fairy Queen, the oldest locomotive still track-worthy, built in 1855 in Leeds, and the pride of the Indian Railway Society.

This piece de resistence (my respects to cross-cultural relationships) chuk-chuks along the platform in its green and gold livery, at once dignified and friendly. Brightly dressed children waving flags and blowing on plastic whistles add to the sense that we have all slipped back in time to a more romantic, less threatening era when children could be children and railways were elegant, grand and somehow symbolic of all that was best in the newly industrialised world of the mid-19th century.

More follows…..

The Fairy Queen

A Guinness World Record holder, this engine is the pride of Indian Railways. It is the world's oldest locomotive in working condition. Built in 1855 by Kitson Thompson and Hewitson of Leeds, this engine has once again been pressed into service on popular demand since 27 September 1997 and has been periodically hauling tourist trains between Delhi and Alwar. This engine was the first exhibit to be brought to the National Railway Museum in Delhi at the time of the laying of its foundation stone in 1971. This locomotive is said to have hauled troop trains to Raniganj during the 1857 War of Independence in India. The engine weighs 26 tonnes, has a gauge of 5 feet 6 inches, coal capacity of approximately 2 tonnes, wheel arrangement with 2-2-2T WT and Stephenson valve gear.

The other steam trains on parade:

XE-3634

Built by Vulcan Foundry Company Ltd in England in 1930, this engine was commissioned by Indian Railways in 1931 at GIP Railway, now Central Railway. The Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board in Korba purchased the engine in 1979. The gauge is 5 feet 6 inches, weight is 196.42 tonnes and it is almost 79 feet long. Its wheel arrangement is 2-8-2, piston stroke is 30 feet, water capacity is 6000 gallons and coal capacity 14 tonnes.

WAR CLASS AWE-22907

This engine is one of the war design locomotives procured in large numbers during the early 1940s and was used for both passenger and goods services. Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, in 1943, it was owned by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The Maker's number 69703, GIP No 6128 and CR No 22907, identify the engine. It weights 183 tonnes, has Walshaets valve gear, two outside cylinders, gauge 5 feet 6 inches and the wheel arrangement is 2-8-2

WL-15005

Given the majestic name of Shere-e-Punjan, this engine had the privilege of hauling the last broad gauge steam train on Indian Railways. This historic run took place between Firozpur and Jallandhar on 6 December 1995. It usually hauled mail/express trains and was allotted to the Southern Railway and was based at the Shonanur Shed. Later it was transferred to Northern Railway where it was initially based at Bhatinda shed. From there, it was moved to Ludhiana and finally to Firozpur from where it retired. The engine was brought to the National Rail Museum in January 1996. Built in 1955 by the Vulcan Foundry, it has a 5 feet 6 inch gauge, a wheel arrangement of 4-6-2 and is now based at the Steam Centre at Rewari.

More follows….

WP-7200

The bullet nosed WP locomotives were the mainstay of broad gauge passenger train operations on Indian Railways for a very long time until the last steam engine retired in 1995. This exhibit identified by the number WP-7200 is one of the 16 prototypes that were received from the USA before their production was started at Chittaranjan Locomotive works. This engine was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, in 1947 and was owned by GIP Railway (later Central Railway). It has a 5 feet 6 inch gauge, weighs 102.4 tonnes and has a wheel arrangement of 4-6-2. It was retired from service in May 1987.

Bamburi Beach- Kenya Africa

The next beach heading north is Bamburi, which has huge hotels, boisterous nightclubs and some good restaurants. Offshore is the Mombasa Marine Park which has impressive marine life, although it cops some pollution from industry in the area. On land, Bamburi is dominated by the Bamburi Cement Company.

The beach hotels begin just north of the junction between Links Rd and the main highway north from Mombasa. There is branch of Barclays bank next to white sands Hotel.

The most popular public beach is Kenyatta Beach, besides the infamous pirates Disco. Loads of Kenyans come here, and while you won't escape the attentions of the beach boys and hawkers, it's usually a fun atmosphere when it's busy. Glass bottomed boats to the marine park cost around Kshs 3,000 per boat (negotiable) for a 2 ½ hour trip, not including a park fees.

Beach Sights, activities & attractions

Founded in the 1950's to process coral limestone, the cement Company were a derelict eyesore until the creation of this ingenious complex of nature trails and wildlife sanctuaries at Baobab adventure. It was a huge undertaking, involving bringing in tons of topsoil before anything could even be planted.

The main attraction is Haller Park, which includes a wildlife sanctuary, crocodile farm, fish farm, and reptile park and drive-through giraffe compound. Giraffes are fed at 11 am and 3pm; hippos at 4pm. You can also meet local celebrity Owen, a baby hippo orphaned by the 2004 tsunami who was brought here to recover and hit the head-lines thanks to his unusual friendship with the park's 100 year old giant tortoise.

Also here are the Bamburi Forest Trails, a network of walking and cycling trails through reforested cement workings with a butterfly pavilion displaying many coastal species and a terrace to catch the sunset. North of the main cement plant is Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary, where herds of ostriches, elands and Oryxes are farmed. Tours here must be booked in advance.

The various parts of the Baobab Adventure are well signposted from the highway north from Mombasa and have well-marked bus stops.

Accommodation in Mombasa Bamburi beach

Budget and Midrange Beach Hotels

There are no budget choices here at all, but groups in particular can find some reasonable accommodation for a moderate price.

Bamburi Beach resort

This tidy little complex has direct access to the beach and a choice of appealing bamboo-finished hotel rooms and self catering rooms (with outdoor kitchens). There is a nice beach front bar with a big shaggy makuti thatch. Prices of accommodation in Mombasa Bamburi beach resort are from US$ 20-90

Accommodation in Mombasa Bamburi beach

Fontana

While the rooms are thoroughly liveable, the highlight of this small German owned establishment is the big thatched lobby restaurant (mains Kshs 420-700), which resembles a musty safari lodge stuffed with a huge job lot of Africana. The beach is 100m beyond the compound. Prices of accommodation in Mombasa Fontana beach resort are from d low season/high season. Kshs 2,500/3,000

Accommodation in Mombasa Bamburi beach

Camper's Haven and Jamboree

A large slightly bumpy camping ground on the beach. The four person tents are Ksh1500; room prices include breakfast in low season and half board in high season. If you're wondering where jamboree comes into, wait until the evening-with disco nights Wednesday to Sunday and local stars the Utamaduni band playing every Sunday afternoon, peace and quiet isn't high on the agenda! Camping fees of accommodation in Mombasa camper's haven include, campsites per tent Kshs 500,

Accommodation in Mombasa Bamburi beach