Paro | Hope, Faith and Happiness | I am completely fascinated by Buddhist prayer wheels. Our guide tells us that we should walk clockwise, turning the

faith - Fernwayer Travel Stories & Experiences

Bhutan

I am completely fascinated by Buddhist prayer wheels. Our guide tells us that we should walk clockwise, turning the wheel and chanting, “Om Mani Padme Hum”. “Will that give me extra strength to climb up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery tomorrow?”, I ask him. “Absolutely”, he says earnestly. Well, at least one of us has faith, I think to myself.

Paro Taktsang - or Tiger’s Nest monastery - hangs off a cliff at a dizzying 10,240 feet over the Paro Valley. It’s a 5 hour climb, punctuated with lunch. Not too tough, as it turns out. I must be fitter than I think. But the guide reminds me - “See, I told you so”. 

The hike (including getting to the trailhead) takes about 6-7 hours, depending on how much time you spend at the monastery. 4 miles round trip on a wide dirt trail. At the halfway point is a cafeteria - and for most people, getting to this point is the toughest part of the hike. Beyond this, both the scenery and the difficulty of the climb are in your favor.

Hope, Faith and Happiness

United States

Ethiopia

In Lalibela, I am moved by the devotion and faith of pilgrims who have walked for weeks, and hundreds of miles across the country, to celebrate Genna - Ethiopia’s Christmas - on January 7. Here, the year is 2011, since Ethiopia still observes a pre-Julian calendar. I am immediately taken in by the idea of being 7 years younger, albeit for a fleeting moment.

Pilgrims arrive early - between midnight to 5 am -  to get a prized standing spot inside the tiny but iconic Biete Gyorgis. As I watch pilgrims read from their bibles, often from inside their shroud, using a candle or torch, I realize I’ve never seen such fervor in worship. 

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By 6:30 am, Biete Giyorgis, the iconic rock-hewn church of Lalibela, has no more standing space, so these pilgrims huddle outside and around trees and pray from their copies of the Bible, guided by the chanting from the church, that fills the air with spirituality. It’s poetic and beautiful.

Faith

New Zealand

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipo, Queenstown has a well-earned reputation as an adventure capital and I succumbed to the thrill!

I always wanted to do bungy jumping so when we decided to visit New Zealand, it was a foregone conclusion in my mind that I would bungy jump. Plus AJ Hackett invented the modern version of the sport.

‘The Ledge” is right above Queenstown. It takes a gondola ride to get there. There’s a restaurant at the top from where you can watch people bungy jump  - which is a bit nerve-racking if you see someone getting second thoughts about the jump. Getting mentally prepared is the biggest barrier. 

My last thought before I flung myself off the ledge was - “This is crazy!” And then I was flying. The 154 feet jump jump took 3-4 seconds, and it was over all too soon. 

I got a certificate from AJ Hackett that says I have successfully overcome all reason and instinct. And for the following week, I thought I was invincible.

Bhutan

Paro

Hope, Faith and Happiness

Ethiopia

Amhara

Faith

New Zealand

Otago

Leap of Faith