With Kolkata as the nearest rail and air base, the other railway station near Shanti Niketan is Bolpur, which is around 2 km away from here. Shanti Niketan is also connected to other cities by road and thus provides great pleasures of tours and travels.

Shantiniketan was earlier known as Bhubandanga and was so named due to the dacoit Bhuban Dakat. The famed Tagore family owned this place. It is said that in the year 1862, Maha Rishi Devendranath Tagore spotted this place amidst an ambience of green. Then in the year, 1863 an ashram was founded here and thus started the initiation of the Brahmo Samaj.

It was in the year 1901 that Rabindranath began the Shantiniketan School, which was then called the Brahamachari Ashram. It was built on the liens of the ancient Gurukul system and was later called the Patha Bhavan. Mainly based on the ideals and principles that Rabindranath had visualized, Shantiniketan strives to be an epitome of learning for all. The Visva Bharati Society was thus established sometime in the year 1921 and Tagore thus envisioned a society devoid of ignorance.

Finally Shantiniketan was given a school called the Visva Bharti.Shantiniketan thrives in enhancing the capacity of the child so it is very common here to have open schooling. Students loved to sit in the open air and enjoy studies as a form of relaxation. So there were no classrooms butt beautiful trees to sit and learn. The Chhattim trees are famous here and they are given leaves for graduation as a form of gift.

Shantiniketan has been the home of Satyajit Ray, the famous director, Indira Gandhi, our former prime Minister of India, and many such illustrious people. Shantiniketan has its own art colleges, the Kala Bhavan. It also has many such centres of learning like the Rabindra Bhavan, the Vinaya Bhavan, and the Sangit Bhavan for music, the Institute of rural construction, and many such institutes.

With the best of frescoes, splendid structures, and murals, surrounding the entire palace, it is unimaginable how someone could bring out a place like this and how they could access what was considered to be a God forsaken land.

Very popular for its innumerable festivals, Shantiniketan has the capacity of bringing out the best in its students and standing up for the best. So you have the Joydev Mela in January, the Poush Mela in December, the Mystic Baul Singers, and the Basanta Utsav. Thus, this small beautiful paradise becomes necessary see in tours here.

There are basically four kinds of proper planning. The four villas in the islands are located just around metres from beach. Cousine Island and Spa is a greet resort for all of us and if you can get here then you are in the most perfect destination. Luxury or service is never given a compromise.

Cousine Island gives the best opportunity of viding an island that did not make public its beauty but made the tourist want to come back for more. With the best kind of hospitality and it is a home away from home. There are tortoises and birds that welcome you so be ready for a lot of interaction. You also get to see the skinks, which are found sitting quietly and nibble. There are many activities here so enjoy the snorkeling trips and walk besides of course the night safaris and the snorkeling trips. There would be conservation staff would be alongwith you in visits and would throw a light not he conversation that you had at the end of the day.

Rent an island and enjoy the travels here. There re mutton birds of shear water chicks which are sold as meat here and the shells and meat of turtles used to be killed for eating. Casuarinas plantation today occupy the place that was occupied by the natural habitat. The wood here was sold as firewood and poultry, livestock and a coconut plantation was the source of food for the people living n the Cousine Island.

It was in 1992, that the major potential of the island was noticed and it was then kept separate as a Conservation island. There were many habitat restorations that were carried out and at least 8000 trees have been planted here. Huge tortoises were saved and they were taken care of properly and allowed to roam without fear. Then the Seychelles Magpie robin was brought in the years 1993 to 1996. In the year 2000, the Sooty terns were seen again here in Cousine Island. They were brought here to breed. It is said that the terns were not found in this island for at least 30 years. In 2007, Cousine Island saw the Seychelles White eye entering here. The island today is a great haven not only for animals and birds butt also for man.

Tourism here started sometime in 2000, and there is a certain excitement in visiting the island as it gives you complete privacy and you could have your own escape to heaven here. The guests here also know how to keep the balance of enjoyment and sound here and the unique manner in which man and nature have combined here is something not to be missed.

Cousine was actually a place where runaway slaves used to be kept. Today it is a great travel destination with the best of ambience and the most of travel delights. People come here and enjoy to their heart’s content, as it is truly a fantastic paradise. Cousine Island is one of the rare places that have quietly been existing without many knowing about it. Today its sheer surroundings and amazing ambience have made it one of the top destinations in tourism in the world.

Translated as the Jump of Ka Likai in the Khasi language the Nohkalikai Falls has a lovely legend behind it. It is said that the local women Likai jumped off the cliff and fell I the falls. Legend has it that there was a woman who was called Ka Likai and she remarried. The new husband got jealous of her devotion to her daughter. He plans to kill the daughter when Ka Likai went out. He kills the daughter eventually and cooked her flesh into a meal. Ka likai came back home and asked where her daughter was. He said he did not know and said that before she went in search of her daughter she should have something to eat. She eats and finds her daughter’s fingers in a basket. In absolute despair she throws herself off the cliff and thus the waterfalls gets its name the Fall of Ka Likai.

Nohkalikai Falls is today one of the taller waterfalls in the Indian subcontinent. It is a lovely leap from a beautifully located rocky base that is also accompanied by a lovely little pool. Most of the waterfalls in this region are beautiful and the charm here is something to be seen to be believed. So for all those who love waterfall experiences in unusually located places then Nohkalikai Falls is the ideal bet.

The area is surrounded by clouds and so the entire region becomes foggy and misty. The falls can be seen best when there is no mist or fog. Cherrapunji is famous for being the wettest place but of late has been having a lot of brown foliage. So there are notions that perhaps the place is getting dried. There are lot of diversions and coal mining activities here. there is a lot of deforestation here and so the presence of the waterfalls only enhances the beauty here.

As one drives from Sohra town to Noahkalikai Falls the lovely grasslands on the plateau provide a beautiful sight for all. The road has the loveliest sights of mine shafts and coal mounds and provides great tour delights.

This was a waterfall that was a great pride of the tourism in Meghalaya and thus visits to this Falls is never devoid of excitement. There are many food and fruit stands here which make tours here very enjoyable. Get a closer look at the Falls with the help of the new stairway. There are a series of stairs that also gives you a view of the falls below. There is a path that takes you around to the falls and the entire stretch of this path along with the sight of the beautiful surroundings puts you at ease here.

It takes around half an hour to get nearer to the falls and would take more than an hour to go to the base of the falls. Situated around 53 km from the lovely city of Shillong, these Falls provide a great way of enjoying tours in this a part of the world.

As one goes to the Falls the sights of the coal mining area and deforestation area are something that remains in the mind.

Unusual destinations are ones that provided a lot of tourist’s interest and give you the right reasons to be happy about. Come to Nohkalikai falls and enjoy the pleasures of a lovely unusual destination in this part of India.

Deep in the forests of the Indian subcontinent there are some fascinating structures on earth which give you the best travel delights and the most fascinating visual treats for a tourist here. Meghalaya brings forth to you the incredible root bridges which are not only natural structures but absolutely lovely living structures. These are one of the best examples of living architecture here. the bridges were initially constructed by people from the nearby villages around the lovely Cherrapunjee region. The bridge was built with stones and tree trunks and then the roots of the Indian Rubber tree were used . the Bridges then gradually got encased in the roots thus bringing about a living structure that is today a major highway for the Meghalaya inhabitants.

These bridges lie at the foot of the Meghalaya plateau and are the most fascinating constructions in this part of the world. the Khasi tribe who live in the valleys adjacent to Bangladesh have actually trained the branches and the roots of the trees to result in living bridges crossing the rivers that actually divide the villages into two. These bridges today seem to belong to God and are very close to Mother Nature.

The bridges are growing stronger every day and it takes them around 10 to 15 years to get totally functional. One they are formed their life span is around 500 to 600 years. This is much longer than a conventional bridge.

Located around 1000 metres from the Meghalaya plateau this is a lovely natural sight here in this part of India. The surface of the bridge has bits of wood and rocks added to the mix so that it is easier to cross. There is also another reason why wood has been added. The wood decomposes and it gives nutrients for the roots of the tree growing around it. The area gets around 15 metres of rein each year . So a normal wooden bridge would completely rot. But the growing bridges are alive and they are still growing so they gain strength over a period of time.

The locals have guided vines and roots from the local rubber tree which is found across the rivers. They have used hollowed out trees to result in a root guidance system. When the vines and the roots go to the opposite bank they are allowed to take root. Thus a very strong bridge is produced. In fact there are some bridges which take around 10 to 15 years to get totally functional.

The hanging bridge made out of roots is a very special feature of tours to Meghalaya. Come here and enjoy the beautiful sights of this bridge here.

Visit Coorg a beautiful district situated in the southern part of India in the state of Karnataka. Come here and enjoy the pleasures of this magnificent travel destination also called Kodagu locally. Spanning over an area of around 4,102 square kilometres, this is one region that is dominated by the Western Ghats. With the Dakshina kannada in the northern part this is a beautiful place bordered by Mysore in the east and Kannur of Kerala state in the south western border. Madikeri is the main headquarters of the district of Coorg.

It is believed that the Coorg district was under the rule of the kadambas in the 2nd and the 6th century. Then there was a war between the Gangas and the kadambas in the 11th century and the district was then ruled by Cholas. The Hoysalas and the Vijaynagar kingdoms then took over later on and then the Nayaks became kings here. Coorg was finally an independent state in the year 1950 when the Indian constitution reorganized the states in India. Coorg got merged with the state of Karnataka and then declared an independent district. Today Coorg has three taluks Veerajapette, Somavarapette and Madikeri.

Coorg is a land of tradition, culture and festivals. The Arms Keilpoldu is a very popular festival here that is celebrated n the month of June. Weapons are polished and also worshipped during these festivals. Then there is the festival of Cauvery Shankaramana that is celebrated on the banks of the river Cauvery. The harvest festival of Puthar is celebrated in the months of November and December. In this festival the locals sing the folk songs and also dance to the tunes.

Coorg is thus a place that has a lot of things to offer culturally and the simple visual delights here include the Kakkabe which is the largest honey producer in the southern part of Asia. Then there is the Omkareshwara temple which is visited by all tourists and pilgrims. The Nagarhole national park is a complete treat for the wildlife lovers and the nature enthusiasts. With the best of wildlife sightings here the panthers and elephants only add to the experience here.

Coorg is said to be the Coffee Bowl of India and contributes to around 30% of the total production of coffee in the country of India. Besides this, you also get oranges, cardamoms, and pepper. Come here and enjoy the beauty of the valleys, hills and plantations. A perfect paradise for all the visitors this is a beautiful heaven that has the best scenic delights and the most of visual attractions.

Trekking, biking, rock climbing are some of the adventure activities besides white water rafting pleasures. So come here and enjoy the trekking expeditions here to peaks like Pushpagiri, Brahmagiri, Tadiandamol and Mandalpattti. Barapole is a lovely place for all those who love white water rafting.

Thus Coorg is a great place to be in and an ideal travel destination in tours to south India.

Visit Coorg in south India and enjoy the pleasures of this beautiful green destinations.

]]> http://www.theearthtraveler.net/go-green-in-coorg-tours.html/feed 0 http://www.theearthtraveler.net/the-top-green-destinations-in-the-world.html http://www.theearthtraveler.net/the-top-green-destinations-in-the-world.html#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:06:48 +0000 admin http://www.theearthtraveler.net/?p=4239 Travels across the world could be made more interesting if we choose some of the best eco destinations which would fill our travels with the most ideal tour delights and the most memorable travel pleasures. Let us get to know some of the loveliest green destinations in the entire world.

Brazil

Brazil is one of the largest wetlands which are surely becoming a great green destination in this part of the world. Today this is the best ground for the beef industry which gives a lot of travel pleasures to the tourist coming here. With the stretches of forest, fields, and the most enchanting ranches, alongwith the lazy waterways that enthrall the tourist, Brazil is one destination that gives the best sights of the convenient ecolodges which are a major part of tourism here. So enjoy the sights of the wetlands and the green land here and canoe down the Caiman Rivers and also enjoy the horseback rides with the Pantaneiros along with the most enthralling scenes in the nature walks which are the best ways you could enjoy this green destination. Enjoy the sights of the 380 species of birds here and the 60 kinds of mammals in these regions and come back delighted.

Dubai

Dubai is another region which is surprisingly an eco destination. The Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa has a great conservation reserve which has the best sights for any green destination. This has the Arabian oryx which is one of the rarest animals found in the planet. The government has thus formed a great green locale here in this part of the world and allowed the tourist to have the pleasures of enjoying a green reserve in this part of Dubai. With the comfort of a 40 room super deluxe resort this is a land with the best heritage of the Bedouins. There are more than 6000 indigenous trees here alongwith some of the best shrubs and grasses. Enjoy the desert safaris, the camel treks and also archery here.

Portland

Portland is another place in United States which is a great green destination. Here there is a law which forbids people from using anything made out of polystryerne. So enjoy the absolutely green destination which is famous for using the renewable sources and also participates in most of the recycling activities. Portland has some of the best Green Seal certified hotels and gives the tourist an idea of practicing recycling, water conservation and also imbibes a habit of conserving water. Travels in Portland are considered one of the most sustainable in the entire world. So come here and enjoy this lovely land of greenery and eco based travel delights.

San Francisco

Then you have San Francisco which has a very long history of being green all the time. This is a city that has a great link between tourism and conservation. There are laws here that ban plastic bags and promote cycling and green purchasing. San Francisco has the Moscone Centre that has been a sustainable convention centre management hub. This is a centre that has achieved the impossible task to composting, recycling etc as a way of life. It generates its own energy from a solar power conductor on the roof and also contributes to the city’s green experiences.

Banff Lake Louise

Visit Banff Lake Louise in Canada which is another great centre which participates in recycling, hybrid transit and composting. There are lot of programs here which make people aware about the kind of green contribution you could do to the world.

Green destinations are waiting for that little pat by the aware tourists so make use of this well and bask in the travel pleasures. Travel and tourism requires that we are not able to spread the message of saving the planet but also give ourselves a reason to make ourselves useful in the course of going round places. Such green destination ensure that your tours are a worthwhile benefit.

Enjoy some of the green destinations in the world and come back delighted with such travels.

The Colonsay House rhododendron and woodland garden is considered to be one of the finest rhododendron gardens in Scotland. These gardens have the advantage of literally sitting in the lap of one of the most scenic islands in the area. Even though the island is only eight miles long, but it’s picturesque and charming surroundings of sandy beaches, sparkling seas, incredible wildflowers make it almost serene.

The garden was planted mostly in the 1930′s. The garden not only provides a panoramic and scenic view of the rhododendrons, but also of trees and shrubs of exotic species from the southern hemisphere.

These gardens cover almost 20 acres, and surround the manor of Colonsay House, on the island of Colonsay. The garden is made up of a formal garden area close to the Georgian manor house, and a more informal woodland area further from the house. Very well aware of the brutal Scotland winter, the founder of the garden planted a thick barrier of broadleaved woodland around the gardens as a windbreak. Hence the gardens are sheltered and capable of supporting many interesting and unusual shrubs.

The formal garden offers a colorful feast to the eye. There is a variety of mixed borders, clematis, eucalyptus, myrtle, and magnolias and climbing roses. The mild climate of Colonsay permits a variety of exotic plants to flourish and bloom. There is also a tree planted by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra during a 1902 visit to Colonsay.These formal walled gardens surround Colonsay House in which Alexander Howard, the son of the 4th Lord Strathcona, stays with his wife, Jane, and his young family.

Most of the recent planting are the brainchild of Lord Strathcona.  The woodlands, – tree ferns, Magnolias and some fantastic species of rhododendrons mark the passage of long lost paths. Old gates and ponds pop up suddenly around the corners. As you approach the house, the gardens become more domesticated. Immaculately mown grass terraces and the loggia garden by the house leads into the more recent Lighthouse garden. The most fascinating and captivating feature of the gardens is a small early Christian statue, believed to have been carved way back in the late 7th or early 8th century. This statue is prominiently located to the left of the garden entrance, beside a small pool dedicated to St Oran. In the shape of a cross, this statue has the head of Christ at the top and a fish tail at the bottom. It is said that this statue was found near the ruins of the old chapel at Riasg Buidhe, which is a deserted village a few miles away.

This is a garden with an abundance of horticulture to satiate even the most enthusiastic botanist.

Visitor Information

The private inner gardens and Cafe are open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The woodland garden is open daily throughout the year, but the formal gardens are open only on Wednesday and Saturday during the summer months.

Organic produce from the gardens can be purchased during the season from our reception centre. They also sell homemade jams and chutneys, as well as their own home grown salad and vegetables.

The Garden Cafe

The café is open for lunch and afternoon teas on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 5 pm and on Fridays for afternoon teas from 2.30 pm to 5 pm.

Delicious home baked goodies and freshly made sandwiches and cakes are available. Most of these products are made using their own organic produce as far as possible.

Getting There

By Railway

From Glasgow Queen Street station, you may take the train to Oban. It takes approximately 3 hours and the ferry terminal is a 5 minutes walk from the railway station

By Plane

From Glasgow airport, you may drive to Oban (2 hours), take the train (3 hours) or take the bus (3 hours). From Oban you take the ferry directly to Isle of Colonsay.

The palace and gardens were built during the reign of Muhammad III way back during the years 1302-1309. They were restored by Abu I-Walid Isma’il (1313-1324). The palace was built to function as a summer palace for the Sultans of Grenada in the 13th Century. The palace has been built around a long main courtyard. It has a mirror pool surrounded by columns, canopies and flower gardens. The Generalife has one of the world’s oldest Moorish gardens.

The gardens of the Generalife separate the country house from the Palace and Alcazaba. In medieval times they would have contained fruits as well as flowers. Today plants are selected for their aromas and color. The garden has abundance of cool breeze blowing in due to the open terraces. The open terraces also offer spectacular and breathtaking views over the city and the Genil and Darro river valleys.

The original covered walkway between Generalife and the Alhambra, has long since been changed and renovated over the years, and is no longer there. However, the design is simple and tasteful, and the sounds of the water fountains lend a tranquil and serene touch. The shaded courtyards are more restful and relaxing, rather than magnificent.

The entire complex is made up of the Court of the Water Channel or Water-Garden Courtyard (also known as Patio de la Acequia). The Water-Garden Courtyard has a long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, and pavilions. The Court of the Long Pond in the Generalife is perhaps the most photographed garden feature. The complex also has the Sultana’s Garden or Courtyard of the Cypress (also known as Jardín de la Sultana). The Generalife is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens.

Visiting the Garden

Address

Calle  Real, s/n 18009   Granada (Granada)
Tel: +34 958027900/+34 902-44 12 21
Fax + 34 958-22 63 63

Admission

General admission: € 6. Evenings: € 12

Groups

For group reservations, it is advisable to book tickets at least one week in advance. For advance bookings you can call on: 902 22 44 60

For those calling from out of Spain, you can call on 00 34 91 537 91 78;

Website

http://www.alhambratickets.com

Disabled access

Diabled access is available, except in certain section with stairs.

Photo/Video

Photos and videos are allowed, however please note that tripod and flash photography are not permitted in certain rooms.

It is estimated that the garden receives around 2 million visitors a year. This makes the Alhambra one of the most popular tourist attractions of Spain. While many of the open areas surrounding the Alhambra can be viewed without a ticket, the highlights of the complex: the Palacio can only be seen with a valid ticket.

Be aware that tickets need to be purchased in advance and have a time of entry printed on them. Only a limited number of tickets are sold each day. Hence it is recommended that you reach the place around 7am to be sure of getting one. If you miss your time, you’ll need to wait until the next day and try again.

The Oxford Companion to Gardens observes that ‘Hestercombe is remarkable for the bold, concise pattern of its layout, and for the minute attention to detail everywhere to be seen in the variety and imaginative handling of contrasting materials, whether cobble, tile, flint, or thinly coursed local stone’.

These marvelous garden’s conception and handiwork is by Sir Edwin Luytens and Gertrude Jekyll; the earlier 40-acre Georgian landscape garden, in which these formal gardens sit, was created by Copelstone Warre Bampfylde.

Edwin Lutyens pioneerd the architecture, of the garden and Gertrude Jekyll  gave abundant color-coordinated plantings. Together they created and established grand and imperialistic Hestercombe Gardens.

• The Arts and Crafts garden, by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll has a sunken parterre, a water garden and a large pergola on the garden boundary.
• You enter through the chinese gates.
• The “Great Plat” combined the patterned features of a parterre with the hardy herbaceous planting espoused by Miss Jekyll. Its broken into geometric spaces and colorful plantations of flora according to seasonal timigs like spring delphiniums to summer cannas.
• Luteye’s elliptical steps and the use of stone to create the spaces within the gardens — these are seen at their finest here.
• Victorian Terrace planted in lavender, catmint and other purple and silver plants.
• Lutyens also designed the orangery about 50 m east of the main house
• Woodland walks, temple, waterfalls, and breathtaking views across the vale of Taunton.

Opening times - All year. Daily except Christmas Day. Open 10am to 6pm.

Admission – Adult £7.50 (includes 10% voluntary gift aid donation), 2 Children free with each Adult.

Hestercombe Gardens are visited by approximately 70,000 people per year. The estate is Grade I listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.

The site also includes a 0.08 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset, notified in 2000. The site is used as a roost site by Lesser Horseshoe Bats.

Hestercombe Gardens is the finest gardens in the world offering biodiversity as well. Its magnificence and beauty will touch to you making you to visit all the more next time.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Venice and Milan. This alpine region was formed glaciers at the end of the last ice age.

Verona (to the southeast), Brescia (southwest), and Trento (north) surround the lake and its shoreline. This lake has become a famous tourist attraction due to its natural beauty as well as to its easy accessibility from the north via the Brenner pass. There are a number of exclusive hotels and resorts which have come up along the shore in the recent years.

The Island of Garda is full of magic and mystery. Since this is a popular tourist attraction, there are several shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels around Lake Garda to keep you fully entertained on tour Lake Garda holidays. The lake has five islands, the largest of which is Isola del Garda. There are some exotic and fantastic scenery which you can see from the west side of the lake.

History

Isola del Garda , a Family home, is a precious jewel, bursting with history, memories and legends. It is a scenic place of rare and special beauty.

Isola del Garda is located just offshore from the Rocca di Manerba and San Felice on the Brescia side of the Lake. This home is the year-round home of the Cavazza family. Just one kilometer long and an average of sixty meters wide, this delightful island is just big enough to accommodate the house along with its incredible grounds.

This house is a true treasure surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the lake. The early 20th century villa which is built in Neo-Gothic-Venetian style rises up southwards, in all its elegance and charm. This impressive and harmonious building holds many surprising architectural delights with Italian style terraces and gardens sloping down towards the lake.

The island, which currently belongs to the Cavazza Family has in fact had various names throughout the centuries, almost always connected to the families who owned it. Some of the prestigious names include Insula Cranie, Isola dei Frati,Isola Lechi ,Isola Scotti ,Isola de Ferrari and later Isola Borghese. The birds that fly around this place seem to echo the joyous voices of the souls of those who tended to the island with love and care.

Today the extraordinary Venetian neo-Gothic style villa, designed by the architect Luigi Rovelli at the beginning of the 20th century draws tourists from all over the world. An imposing harmonious building, rich in surprising architectonic details, the building is truly a piece of architectural beauty.  It boasts of a beautiful 18th century painting by Carlo Carloni.  Below, the terraces and Italian gardens slope down to the mystic and serene lake.

The creation of the breathtaking natural park of the island can be traced back to the 1880s. The garden is rich vegetation and you can find a variety of trees and shrubs of Mediterranean vegetation, such as citrus, olives, holm oaks, privet and laurels.

Local exotic plants, rare essences and unique flowers lend a rich and harmonious look to the area. The Island of Garda is full of magic and mystery. As you make your way touring the place, the melodious songs of birds transport you in a dream world of peace and tranquility.

The flat area of the island has an abundant of the most evocative and wild bloom, where deciduous oaks, citron trees, evergreen cypresses, marshland cypresses, plane trees, fir and various species of pines can be found mixed with shrubs and more typically Mediterranean essences.

Roses from China along with the Lady Hillingdon rose, the yellow Banksia rose, valerian, bougainvillea and many other plants and flowers of rare beauty can be found here in abundance.

Visitor Information

The Island opens its treasures for guided tours from May to October.
Boat service is available to Isola del Garda from May to October 2009
For informations and bookings contact:  328.3849226 or 328.6126943
Email: info@isoladelgarda.com