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

hopping - 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

Botswana

“But in the Kalahari, it's always Tuesday, or Thursday if you like. Or Sunday. No clocks or calendars tell you to do this or that.” - The Gods Must be Crazy

Walking with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen of the Makgadikgadi Plains in the Central Kalahari, quintessential hunter-gatherers, I learned several things that I hope never to have to use - how to pronounce first names that are laden with clicks, collect plants for medicinal recipes, dig for scorpions, and make a fire with twigs and leaves.

Makgadikgadi means 'dry, dry', but the bush men and women know how to live in harmony with the land. Family and cultural ties are strong.

Thanks to Jack’s Camp for organizing this visit, they have longstanding connections with the local people.

Walking with Zu/’hoasi

Chile

What does the southern end of the world look like? After five and a half l-o-n-g hours from Punta Arenas, out of the blue appears Hotel Explora Salto Chico - and it’s breathtaking. With a stunning, modern countenance, views-to-die-for of Torres del Paine (the Towers) and Cuernos del Paine (the Horns), and the sound of the Salto Chico waterfall as we linger over amazing food and excellent Chilean wine. 
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The Explora guides ensure they get us out of bed. My favorite experience - a day-long hike to Grey glacier. And when we get really close, our guides hop into a little boat to fetch thousand-year-old ice from the glacier for little drinks of Pisco Sour! 

Patagonia’s Parc Nacional Torres del Paine has picture postcard views everywhere. If you are a keen hiker, try the Circuit or the W. I stick to day hikes as a rule - if you are like me, try Grey Glacier, French Valley Glacier or Base of the Paine Towers.

Going to Extremes

The street art in Bellavista and neighboring Recoleta is, in a word, impressive. Some by established painters, others by anonymous artists working in the night.

Colorful, intricate, thought-provoking, and a clever mix of hip hop and political slant.

“I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.” ~Pablo Neruda

If you go, check out the art in the streets of Dardignac, Bombero Nuñez, Pio Nono and Purisima.

Street Art and Poetry

Guatemala

‘Lake Como surrounded by volcanoes’ is how Aldous Huxley described Lake Atitlan. 

The lake is surrounded by 11 ethnic towns and villages and we rented kayaks to explore the villages. We passed several fisherman in their cayucos and saw some birds but peacefulness was the prevailing sentiment.

We met an 82 year old woman weaver and her daughter in San Juan village who use only natural dyes for weaving their huipiles. While we caught only one word in four, we enjoyed a vigorous conversation on which animal and plant dyes they use to create color.

San Pedro village had very happening cafes and bars. Guatemalan coffee is as good as the best we have had with its high elevation and warm humid climate creating a well balanced coffee.

The Tzumen ‘Ya’ Museum was interesting to learn about the culture and lake formation.

Village Hop on Kayaks

Italy

Driving from Salerno on Autostrada A3 and picking up SS163 at Vietri sul Mareon, we catch our first sweeping views of Amalfi Coast with its cliff-edged promontory. “The road with 1,001 turns” is a vertigo-inducing experience. 

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We keep asking - Is the ocean supposed to be this blue? New skill: we can now pick out the color Amalfi Blue in a set of paints.

There are lemons everywhere, and the locals claim their lemons are ‘as large as watermelons’. When life gives you giant lemons, you make Limoncello. 

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Amalfi town is perfectly positioned right on the water - food, beach and gelato - all at convenient walking distance to each other. We hop over to quieter towns (Ravello) and more stylish ones that levitate over the ocean (Positano), but Amalfi has the perfect sense of place. 

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The Sirens in Homer’s Odyssey lured sailors to their doom on a rocky island that lies just off the Amalfi Coast. Watching the sun set over the town of Maiori … we embrace la dolce far niente.

Amalfi Town Hopping

So amid the current situation of the world myself and two other friends managed to score flights to Colorado for $47. We rented a Jeep and decided to travel all around Colorado. This was my first time ever out west as I am an eastern girl! 

If you are ever able to visit Maroon Bells please do! Preferably at night so that you can watch the sun set over the mountain top! The sound coming from the small river combined with the smell of fresh air made me want to pitch a tent and never leave! The weather was not as cold as I expected. I was hoping to see more wild life but besides a few ducks there was none. I still had a fantastic time.

Philly Girl Out West

I have traveled to Moab, Utah on more than one occasion and every time it has been an absolute blast! This small, more local town is home to some amazing things that you can’t find anywhere else. 

There is a place there that I travel to every time called Mill Creek Canyon. It is a short hike to a watering hole that supplies the river you will have to cross more than once. Once you reach the watering hole, you will find an amazing view and usually many friendly people depending on what time you go. 

Now, it can get pretty hot in Utah so don’t forget the water and the sunblock, as well as a swimming suit!

The main attraction there is the cliff jumping! You can climb up the small waterfall and there will be a small ledge where you can jump from into the freezing water below. Let me tell you, it’s an absolute blast that you will never forget! 

I highly recommend this location to all people, even if you’re just passing through

Hope to see you in Moab!

Bhutan

Paro

Hope, Faith and Happiness

Botswana

Central District

Walking with Zu/’hoasi

Chile

Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica

Going to Extremes

Santiago Metropolitan Region

Street Art and Poetry

Guatemala

Sololá Department

Village Hop on Kayaks

Italy

Campania

Amalfi Town Hopping

United States

Colorado

Philly Girl Out West

Utah

Living it up in Moab