Four Countries in 2 Weeks: Turkey, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India India Day 2 – Touring Varanasi with a boat ride down the Ganges, witnessing bodies burning in funeral ceremonies, then catching a flight to Mumbai. Varanasi Having been continuously inhabited since ~1,200 BC, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. In terms … Continue reading Varanasi The Holy City of India
Four Countries in 2 Weeks: Turkey, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India India Day 1 – Leaving Bhutan and arriving in Calcutta, India. Country 57 complete! Dealing with Indian airport bureaucracy, visiting Dakhineswar Kali Temple, and catching a flight to Varanasi. Thimphu to Paro Airport The metallic ring of my smartphone reminded me we had a plane … Continue reading Route to India: Paro to Calcutta and Varanasi
Four Countries in 2 Weeks: Turkey, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India Day 5 – A tour of the monasteries of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Punakha Dzong, and Chimi Lhakhang then ending the day in Thimphu to see Takins at the reserve, stopping by the Thimphu Dzong, doing some shopping, having a Bhutanese home cooked meal and a … Continue reading A Dzong Day in Wangdue, Punakha, Lobesa, and Thimphu
Four Countries in 2 Weeks: Turkey, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India Day 4 – Going from Paro to Thimphu to Wangdue with stops at Rinpung Dzong, Iron Chain Bridge, Three Stupas, Dochula Pass, Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten, the National Post Office, and an archery competition. Then checking out the nightlife of Bhutan! Waking up at 5 … Continue reading Paro to Thimphu to Wangdue Bhutan
Four Countries in 2 Weeks: Turkey, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India Exploring Istanbul in a day to see the main sights including the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkitpa Palace, the Basilica Cistern and a Bosphorous Cruise. Checking off Turkey, country 54, on the tour! There is a reason why Istanbul is the second … Continue reading Istanbul in a Day
Burmese Days and Indo Nights – Indonesia and Myanmar Day 9: Spending a day to explore the temples of Bagan on a horse cart tour, relaxing by the pool of Hotel @ Tharabar Gate, and walking to see the Ayeyarwady River. A confused dog howling with the roosters alerted us that it was time to … Continue reading Magnificent Temples of Bagan
Travel North Korea: Powerful and Prosperous Nation Day 6: A relaxing morning of sightseeing in Dandong, with visits to the Yalu River Broken Bridge and the Museum to Commemorate the War to Resist American Aggression and Aid Korea. Then our journey back to Beijing via Shenyang. Waking up in the cozy bed of the Crowne … Continue reading Dandong the Path to North Korea
Cruising for Saints in the Caribbean Day 3: Today we headed west of Puerto Rico to visit the Arecibo Observatory and get lost in the Rio Camuy Cave Park. With a planned early start, our group of eight had a quick breakfast at the hotel before packing into our two rentals and tackling the road. … Continue reading Arecibo Observatory and Rio Camuy Cave Park
Paradise Found in the Indian Ocean: Day 8 Making good use of a 13 hour layover, we set out on my second trip to Bangkok to see some major sites I missed on the last trip! After a bit of a delay at immigration to get a visa on arrival (1000bhat + 100bhat for the … Continue reading Exploring Bangkok on a 13 hour Layover
Malaysia and Brunei in a Week: Day 3 Bandar Seri Begawan: Arriving in Brunei and exploring the sights of the capital, Royal Regalia Museum, Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and concluding with a relaxing water village boat tour. Waking up to the sound of my alarm blasting in my ear and getting out of bed after … Continue reading Blingin’ Mosque in Brunei