Each of the seasons has its own appeal but Spring is a particularly beautiful time to walk The Camino. Most of these photos were taken walking the past few days around Muxia on The Camino de Santiago and The Camino de Faros(Lighthouses). I got a bit carried away and added some other flower photos from …
Annapurna Circuit Days 17-18; Chhomrong to Deorali to Pokhara: In Chhomrong on the morning of Day 17, I sat out on the ledge restaurant enjoying a steaming hot cup of Masala Tea, watching the sun come up over Machuputre shining on Annapurna South. Mikas, the owner, came out and told me that the weather …
Days 14-16. Tatopani to Ghorepani (March 2019): Discovered remedy for sore upper front thighs after 5 days of long descents. Just walk up 1,700 meters/5,577 feet from Tatopani to Ghorepani and the pain goes away. Or perhaps it just moved. These are ancient trading routes and people are still carrying goods up and down the …
2019 Marpha to Tatopani : Left Marpha at 7:15 walking through the interesting medieval streets. Soon crossing a bridge to the east side of the Kali Gandaki River. Wonderful walking in a hilly pine forest and trail covered in pine needles and cones. The day is spectacular with deep blue cloudless skies, and …
Nepal Annapurna Circuit Days 12-13. Marpha to Tatopani: Read More »
Muktinath to Kagbeni: Woken at 6AM by some Russian voices in argument with Tashi, the friendly owner. Over my morning cup of steaming hot masala tea, I talked with a couple from Darjeeling, India and Tashi expressing my unhappiness with the development of the dirt road here to Muktinath allowing jeeps and such. I did …
Annpurna Circuit Trek. Day 10. Off The Beaten Track To Kagbeni: Read More »
A video of our last sunset in The Galapagos. Motoring north on the eastside of Santa Cruz Island, as the sun set over the sea, 4 frigatebirds soared alongside us. And if you look closely a crescent moon is in sight at times in the upper right corner. Video Link
Baños has plenty of waterfalls so I rented a bike for the day and set off east down the road. The bike rental place gave me a map with 5 main waterfalls. So pedaling away I came to an unpaved gravel road with a sign for Ulba Waterfall. Not even on my tour map but …
Walking in the mountains above Baños. Returning to town we visited the hot springs. Alternating between the hot, very hot, and cold pools. Perfect after a long walk. Just like Japan. Then a visit to the market for fresh smoothies. First a spinach, carrot, avocado for rejuvenation. Second, a mango, banana, avocado just because it’s …
Departed for the crater walk at 8:30. This was a fairly tough walk as there were almost no flat spots on the circular trail following the ridge around the Lake. Even some scrambling in parts. Fortunately the hardest part was early walking counter clockwise as we ascended up to the peak of the crater at …
These long stays don’t happen too often on our long walks. But it’s a bit of paradise here and why not stay a few days. Llulu Lama is one of the finest Eco-Lodge experiences I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. There are numerous mountain day walks. Breakfast and dinner are included and excellent as well …
Quilotoa Loop Trek Days 2-5; Stuck in Isinlivi at Llullu (baby) Llama Inn Read More »
January, 2022. We departed Hostel Cafe Tiana in Latacunga in time to catch the 8AM bus to Sighos. About 2 hours later, in Sighos, we started the walk 11K walk, 600 meter ascent to Isinlivi. Sighos seemed like a nice small town nestled in the mountains surrounded by lush green hills and valleys. The main …
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe A 4 month overland journey from Nairobi, Kenya to Cape Town, South Africa. ————- A couple days in the heart of Africa. Cruising Lake Kariba for two days on a large houseboat in northern Zimbabwe. There is nothing quite like an African sunset I thought over the grasslands of …
Victoria Falls offers one of the world’s most awe inspiring natural spectacles. Forming the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia flows the mighty Zambezi River. The Kololo Tribe living nearby named it ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (The Smoke That Thunders) hundreds of years ago. David Livingstone of Stanley and Livingstone fame, named the Falls after Queen Victoria, upon seeing …
Victoria Falls; One of 7 Natural Wonders of the World-2017 Read More »
Day 15 Dharamsala to Bimthang: Sleeping this high, 4,175 meters, is always difficult though thankfully I only had a slight headache. Though a few times waking, gasping for air. At 2:45AM observing the cloud of my breath the alarm with Puccini’s O Mio Babbino woke me. I had no appetite but struggled to eat a …
Manaslu and Tsum Valley Trek: Day 15 Larkya La Pass Read More »
Day 5; Chumling to Lamagedon; My trekking buddy, Lance, has knee issues so will remain in Chumlein while Krishna and I continue up the Tsum Valley crossing paths several times with my 4 Tibetan friends sharing smiles and snacks at a break. There is one difficult stretch along a steep gravelly cliffside with a 500 …
Day 4 Finca de Isa to Church of Santiago in Galdar. Feeling blessed to stumble upon this Camino de Santiago while riding out Covid on Gran Canaria Island. Day 4 was like the other days offering spectacular mountain scenery as well as grand views of the northern shore, the open sea, and the island of …
Day 3 was tough as well but the spectacular scenery made it worthwhile. A detour to Natural Monument Roque Noble offered more beautiful scenery. At the top the trail after Roque Noble followed a ridge line offering majestic mountain and valley views. The weather for January even up here in the mountains is pleasant. Warm …
Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria Day 3 San Bartolome to Cruz de Tejeda Read More »
Days 2 Ayaguares to San Bartolome de Tirajana. Day 2 was tough, all up and down to San Bartoleme de Tirajana. There are two Santiago Churches on this Camino and both, by Papal Decree offer the same plenary indulgences as Santiago de Compostela in passing through the Holy Doors making this a particularly perfect Camino …
Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria; Day 2 Ayaguares to San Bartolome. Read More »
On a sunny morning in June, I made my way down to a waiting boat at the harbor in Portmagee from Cahersiveen. Our destination on the tour was the Skellig Islands. There are two of them. The boat only stops at Skellig Michael which also happens to be famous as Luke Skywalker’s Retirement Home. Though …
Kerry Way; Side Trip to Skellig Michael (Luke Skywalker’s Retirement Home) Read More »
If you have the time a wonderful side trip on The Dingle Way is to take a boat out to the Blasket Islands. Or specifically Great Blasket Island which is most accessible and actually has a hostel/cafe open during the summer season. The island has a most interesting history being inhabited by a hardy breed …
Dingle Way; Side trip to The Great Blasket Island Read More »