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Tips, Trips, and Stories From Our Worldly Travels
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The Trek Begins
At two o’clock in the morning, 30 hours after arriving in Kathmandu, we were on a bus speeding (literally) towards an airport at Ramechhap. The four hour ride took us along some truly unnerving stretches of road hanging over cliffs and fording rivers. At dawn we... Read More
Nepal 2019
Nepal 2019Last year’s trek in the Annapurna region was such a great experience that I have returned for another trek. This year we are three. My nephew Matthew is back for some more well-earned beer at altitude, and we are joined by my old friend... Read More
Koyasan
Ruth: Until today we had one incomplete page in our henro stamp book, the one reserved for Koyasan. This morning we took two trains, a cable car and a bus and arrived at the final resting place of Kobo Daishi: Koyasan. I say resting place,... Read More
Final Day of Walking or Cycling
Gordon: Today was our 55th and final day of walking or cycling. We have covered a little over 1300 kms, as measured by the English language guide book, though our actual mileage was probably about 1500 kms. We also visited all 88 temples on our... Read More
Henro Huts: Temples 20-23
Ruth: Thank goodness for these henro huts that are sprinkled along the route. As I write this I am sitting in one watching the first of the colossal monsoon rains sweep through. The news this morning said that Shikoku would receive up to 200 mm... Read More
Meditation or Medication?: Temples 13-19 again
Ruth: I would like to think that the reason I feel calmer and more serene is that my efforts on this pilgrimage are having an effect, that the hours of slowly pedalling around this beautiful island have helped me to stay present in the moment... Read More
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Recent Posts
Capelinhos Revisited
Ruth: Returning to see the site of the 1957-58 eruption that both transformed and extended the north end of Faial island is still awesome on... Read More
The caldeira on Faial
Gordon: We have had some unsettled weather lately, with high winds and rain, some of biblical intensity. The rain seldom lasts all day, however, allowing... Read More
It’s raining cats and pastries
Ruth: The tropical rains have put our outside dining and daily snorkelling on hold, hopefully only temporarily. Even when the forecast looks ominous, we are... Read More
Tropical Fruit
Orisao Gordon: I was hanging some laundry on the line at our hotel this morning when I noticed an orange tree with abundant green fruit.... Read More
Returning to Horta on Faial Island
Porto Pim The view from our apartment balcony of Pico. Eating on the balcony. The lower floor of our little apartment at Verde Mar. Ruth:... Read More